Business & Innovation Magazine - Issue 27 September 2022

Manufacturing

Real

Gloucestershire

Oxfordshire

Worcestershire & Hereford

LAUNCHPAD

Despite our national media dishing out daily doom and gloom, there are a few reasons to be cheerful – you just have to dig a bit deeper to find them.

Don’t compare the economy with the UK in the 1970s. Unemployment rates are the lowest since 1974, and more schoolleavers are going to university – which means that more will be graduating with the higher skills the UK needs.

More new businesses are being formed too. Analysis of information from Companies House has revealed that 771,617 new businesses were formed in the UK last year. That includes 5,125 in Bristol and an impressive 6,357 in Gloucestershire (1,763 new companies were created in South Gloucestershire, with 1,046 formations in Gloucester itself and 1,024 in Cheltenham). A total of 2,858 were formed in Herefordshire, 5,053 in Oxfordshire, 5,117 in Warwickshire and 4,432 in Wiltshire. But Worcestershire knocks them all out of the park, with 7,361 new businesses formed in the county last year, according to company secretarial business Inform Direct.

OK, we need to balance out the companies set up with those which have been dissolved, but economic downturns can offer great opportunities for young businesses to grow.

In this issue we have interviews with the bosses from businesses of all sizes, from a fast-growing start-up to an established family business capitalising on the soaring success it enjoyed during the pandemic. And then there’s a fantastically successful global manufacturing business which feels as entrepreneurial now as it was when it was set up in the 1970s.

Who are these companies: Darcica (pages 34-36) is a delivery and fulfilment business set up in the depths of the pandemic. Based in Bicester it was set up by Anthony Tattersall and his wife Melanie. The secret of their early success? Getting stuck into the hard work and thinking strategically from the get-go.

Then there’s Stewart Golf in Gloucester (pages 20-22). When the pandemic hit the USA, most golfers there were banned from travelling in golf buggies – their most usual mode of transport on the golf course. The next best thing was a remote-control buggy which Stewart Golf excels in making. The business sold out of its remote control range almost overnight.

Renishaw (pages 74-76) is an ongoing British success story which has never rested on its 50-year-old laurels. Now led by CEO Will Lee, its engineering

teams are as ambitious as the company’s founders, Sir David McMurtry and John Deer.

Also in this issue is our big feature on innovation in construction (pages 78-87). If the UK is to “build back better” as our erstwhile Prime Minister was fond of saying, we must adopt modern methods of design and construction. Mike Hawkins of Banbury-based Hawkins Group agrees.

Two years ago, he invested more than £200,000 in virtual reality to speed up building design. Now he’s investing again. We talk to him, to Mike Pitts at Innovate UK and also to architects Roberts Limbrick about how construction has to modernise.

Enjoy the read, because across the next 100 pages of Business & Innovation Magazine there are many success stories and new opportunities on every page.

Muir Head of Print and Advertising

With sharply rising energy prices, recession fears and the major ongoing challenge of responding to climate change, it’s going to be important to keep things in perspective

Kirsty

Nicky Godding Print Editor

UK AEROSPACE FLIES HIGH AS TOM CRUISE DROPS BY

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) made a welcome return to the skies above Fairford this summer.

The airshow drew 266 aircraft, 1,500 crew members from across the globe and around 200,000 visitors in a celebration of aviation, science and engineering. Visitors included representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain – the 57th nation to participate in RIAT with its first ever appearance, and Hollywood Top Gun, Tom Cruise.

It’s been three years since RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was able to play host to the largest military air show in the world, and all three days were a sell-out before the gates opened.

For aircraft enthusiasts and the aviation

sector as a whole, it was an amazing prelude to the Farnborough Air Show, which also made a welcome return later the same week.

The show featured a spectacular lineup of aircraft and highlighted some of the innovations being made in aviation sustainability.

The Royal International Air Tattoo is not only a great day out for tens of thousands of air enthusiasts, it also helps to fund the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which supports many projects, including offering flying scholarships, investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives for young people to inspire them to follow a career in aerospace or aviation, as well as supporting RAF personnel.

Jo Salter, the UK’s first female fast jet pilot and an Ambassador of the RAF Charitable Trust said: “The RAF Charitable Trust has done a stellar job of curating exhibitions, speakers and events that will inspire young people to fulfil their potential.

“I’m sure many children who visited left as future pilots, engineers and scientists because of what they experienced here.”

Aviation and aerospace are major industries for the UK. According to recent research carried out by Oxford Economics, Airbus alone supported a £5.6 billion contribution to UK GDP, supported 86,400 jobs across the country, and raised more than £1.4 billion in tax revenues in 2020. Airbus is the largest commercial aerospace company

Tom Cruise visits the 2022 International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Photography: Nick Durgan

in the UK, as well as its biggest civil aerospace exporter.

It is also the UK’s largest space company, a world-leader in cyber security and the biggest supplier of large aircraft to the RAF.

Airbus Helicopters is a major supplier of helicopters to the civil, defence and air ambulance sectors in the UK and a key supplier to the Ministry of Defence.

At Airbus’s Filton facility near Bristol, where 3,000 people work, the design, engineering and support for Airbus wings, fuel systems and landing gear systems take place. Teams also work on aerodynamics research, development and test facilities, including its future zero-emissions programme, ZEROe,

Food gifting company puts Covid behind it as it looks to growth

An Evesham food gifting company has secured a £200,000 loan to support its growth.

Ross & Ross Gifts Ltd, which creates original food products and gifts using British ingredients and producers, secured the finance from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, provided by the FSE Group, Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.

The company sells locally sourced food such as homemade curing kits, food hampers – including meat or vegetarian.

Ross & Ross Gifts aims to adapt products to new market trends as everything it sells is designed and developed in-house by Ross Bearman, and made by another local business.

while wings for the A400M transporter are assembled on site.

Airbus Helicopters, based at Oxford Airport, is the UK’s civil helicopter hub. Airbus provides all the country’s police helicopter fleet, 65 per cent of the air ambulance fleet, and half of the country’s overall civil helicopter fleet.

Airbus is just one member of the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute which aims to support the growth of the sector, including helping meet the challenges of achieving net zero by 2050.

Tom Cruise was generous with his time meeting people at the air show, according to attendees, but (sorry Tom), we think the real stars of the show were the technologies on show in the air.

Ross said: “We are delighted to secure this loan and put the impact of Covid-19 behind us, allowing us to drive our expansion strategy and add a new focus on personalisation and corporate gifting, both of which have huge potential to grow sales.”

Personalisation is a growing market trend in the gifting industry, with research showing that consumers are willing to pay a premium price for it.

Andy Moss, Head of Fund in the Midlands at The FSE Group which manages the MEIF Debt Finance Fund, said: “The business is currently operating a successful multichannel sales strategy, split into trade, distributers and online.

“The loan will support Ross & Ross Gifts to drive additional sales via existing channels, through the engagement of further sales and marketing staff. It will also allow the company to keep ahead of its rivals by supporting product development, ensuring innovation is always at the forefront.”

Ross and Ross Foods

“I’m sure many children who visited left as future pilots, engineers and scientists because of what they experienced here

STRONG SHOWING FOR REGION’S COMPANIES IN SUNDAY TIMES’ FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES LIST

Women’s sportswear brand AYBL, founded in 2018 by brothers Reiss and Kristian Edgerton in Redditch, Worcestershire, topped the Sunday Times Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in Britain, published this summer.

Achieving annual sales growth of more than 359 per cent, the company, which sells affordable sportswear, reported sales of more than £23 million in its most recent financial year.

And it’s just one of a roster of regional brands in the Top 100 listing. Second on the list was Aylesbury-based Screen with Envy, the online retailer of decorative garden and indoor screens, fences and gates.

Others in the listing included Lounge Underwear, based in Solihull and Boxraw,

the Coventry company which provides sportswear and equipment for boxing.

Oxford-based Oodle Car Finance also made the list, along with Gloucester golf trolley designer and manufacturer Stewart Golf (you can read an interview with Mark Stewart on pages 20-22).

Cheltenham-based modular data centres developer Bladeroom also made the list after reporting sales of more than £97 million and annual sales growth of more than 43 per cent.

Man v machine as robots trialled in hip replacement surgery

Robots will have their surgical skills put to the test as researchers from the University of Warwick trial their use in hip replacement surgery for the first time.

Pitting them against their human counterparts, the aim is to determine whether using robots results in better outcomes from hip replacement surgery.

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common operations performed by the NHS, with more than 80,000 replaced every year.

The world-first project has received £1 million funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and will give new insight into the value of robotic-assisted surgery in the NHS.

It will be run jointly between Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham.

Robotic systems are being introduced into the NHS and presented to the public as innovative best practice. However, there is currently little evidence to show that these systems are better than conventional surgery.

In robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery, a robotic arm prepares the bone and inserts the components to a pre-programmed three-dimensional plan. It is thought using a robot to perform the surgery allows more precise, consistent surgical techniques and this may help to reduce variation

and prevent poor outcomes and complications that can require surgery to be redone..

The study is being led by two surgeons: Peter Wall, from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham and Warwick Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick, and Professor Ed Davis, from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham.

Mr Wall said: “Robotic technology has the potential to revolutionise hip replacement surgery, however the first step to this is understanding whether it can help enhance the care surgeons provide.”

The manufacturer of the robot, Stryker, will be supporting the study costs to ensure hospitals do not have to pay extra to take part.

“... the company which provides affordable sportswear, reported sales of £23.5 million in its most recent financial year”

AYBL topped the Sunday Times Top 100 Fastest-growing companies in Britain

My primary responsibility at RE Recruitment is to ensure our existing and prospective clients receive a service that is appropriate and relevant to their needs. One of our mission statements is Expect More – we ask our customers to expect more from our services, building a true partnership and becoming an extension of their business.

Having worked as a bank management trainee, an intelligence analyst, a pub manager and even a refuse collector, I have gained experience in several industries, in both the Public and Private sectors. Previously Lucy Dowie, our Onboarding and Training Manager, talked about how RE Recruitment is focused on building future careers, both externally and internally. I’m a living testimony of this journey, having progressed from a Recruitment Consultant seven years ago into my current role whilst also supporting me to complete an MBA. RE Recruitment has enabled me to utilise the skills I acquired in those previous roles. At the same time, they kept me engaged in my role while allowing me to develop my career within the recruitment industry and, more importantly, do this with them.

Having worked for RE since 2015, I have gained access to various companies, from SMEs to International Blue-chip businesses, each having different requirements, approaches and considerations regarding

The changing landscape of recruitment and retention

recruitment and retention. We provide a more personal, imaginative, and supportive recruitment service, allowing us to tailor our services to their needs.

The current labour market Several market forces outside businesses’ control have disrupted the UK labour market over the past few years. Brexit, the pandemic, and the aftermath of both have created uncertainty. Employees now have much more variety of potential opportunities, as the number of vacancies continues to be higher than the number of people unemployed—something unprecedented here in the UK until the first quarter of 2022.

Businesses have reacted to these uncertainties differently to create the best Employee Value Proposition for their companies. We have also seen several creative methodologies to entice new talent.

Considering

roles, there have been significant impacts on company cultures and onboarding processes.

It has meant individuals may feel separated from the wider business, have difficulties integrating into a new company, and have a rise in mental health challenges. Companies

have reacted positively to this by creating more wellness and mindfulness support.

So, what must businesses do to retain and attract talent?

Not every business is a household name like Google or Amazon, so they must create a sense of community for their employees. Consideration needs to be given to the Employee Value Propositions, Corporate Social Responsibilities and creating a common purpose. This will help ensure employee engagement and assist with recruitment. The recruitment process must be engaging and sell the impact of the business to the potential employee and provide them with a clear progression plan – this will allow companies to stand out amongst their competitors for talent.

The recruitment market is changing so quickly now, and the most successful businesses are adapting their methodologies to ensure the process is efficient and attractive.

If you want to discuss making your employer brand and recruitment process as capable and appealing as possible, get in touch by emailing Chris Rooum, chrisr@rerecruitment.com or call 07471902694

Chris Rooum, Sales Director at RE Recruitment, looks at what companies need to consider to ensure the engagement and retention of the best individuals for their business.

hybrid working or completely remote

A REFRESHING NEW FACE FOR GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS

By Ian Mean, Vice-Chair of GFirst

and Director of Business

West

Tyler Attwood is a relatively new board director of Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirst LEP) but he spoke with confidence and panache at the LEP’s business review this summer.

This smart 29-year-old from Gloucester is refreshingly honest and says that his opinions are often courted: “because I am a young black man”

Tyler Attwood, 29, joined GFirst LEP earlier this year as a Board Director. It’s not the first time he’s seized the initiative in support of young people. In 2015 he set up Your Next Move, a community interest company to help raise the aspirations of young people through hip hop dance-related activity.

But both are a long way from his first ambition of being a lawyer.

Born in Hardwick, Gloucester, Tyler attended Severn Vale School and then sixth form at Ribston Hall.

“From late primary school I wanted to be a lawyer,” he says.

But he also wanted to dance as he came from a family of dancers.

“All my uncles dance. For me it was the norm.”

So at 16, he started training at the Swindon School of Dance – while also studying at Gloucestershire College at night.

“There were lots of boys training in Swindon and my parents were very supportive.”

Dance took over and Tyler moved to Leeds to train at the Northern School of

Contemporary Dance, one of the best dance schools in Europe. “I wanted to do something with a wider reach so I could help more young people.”

That led him to set up Your Next Move in his second year at university to provide a platform for street dancers in the city and connect them with dance across the UK.

“We wanted to inspire young people”.

Your Next Move see themselves as a company supporting the next generation of hip hop artists.

“Like me, a lot of these young people would have been told ‘to get a real job’,” said Tyler.

Now his team deliver workshops in the community and facilitate performances in places like Gloucester’s Guildhall with worldrenowned dancers supporting their activities.

What made him apply to be a board member of GFirst LEP?

“I feel there is a lack of young people’s voices in positions of power which can have a wider influence on the things that affect them.

“As much as I am considered a young person in this context, there are people younger than me that have things to say.”

Tyler’s comments resonate with me.

LEP

Tyler Attwood being interviewed by Ian Mean

A few years ago, a report revealed that Gloucestershire was haemorrhaging young people at an alarming rate.

“I knew I wanted to come back to Gloucester,” said Tyler. “But a lot of people will go and not return. Perhaps I am rare because I wanted to come back.”

Why does he think that young people do not want to return to Gloucestershire?

“They don’t see anything here before them. They don’t see they are supported. They see there are better things in other places. The county is beautiful and a lot of them

come here for trips, but they see the word Cotswolds – they don’t see Gloucestershire.

“We are slap bang between big cities such as Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff where there are different opportunities. You can live here but you can work somewhere else.

“Yes, the country’s infrastructure is improving but there are still lots of things missing. There are still places you need to go because you can’t get it here – shopping is one of them.

“There are some industries that are great here but others are not on the same level.

“Why wouldn’t you move to take advantage of the opportunities than struggle to build yourself here?”

What does Tyler want to do as a member of the GFirst LEP board?

“I want the value of young people to be understood. Not for the sake of a tick in the box having a young person on the board, but for taking decisions.

“I am a young black man and my views are often not regarded as important – which they are. I am proud of being chosen for the board — I am just one black person but there are others.”

Young entrepreneur’s new fitness studio makes it easier to work out at home

A new fitness studio has opened at Manchester Park in Cheltenham offering personal and group training. So far, so usual.

However the founder of Insidesweat, 31-year-old Eddie Jones, has also designed unique at-home gym storage and exercise equipment for those who can’t always make it to a class but want to put into practice the techniques they’ve learned there. Working with local craftsmen and upholsterers, the young entrepreneur’s functional exercise bench can be designed to match his client’s home interior and exercise needs.

The bench, made from birch, will hold all the equipment needed and can be part of the exercise programme. Best of all, it looks like an attractive piece of furniture when not in functional use.

Eddie, a semi-professional footballer, has a BSc in Strength & Conditioning, MSc in Exercise Science and is qualified in personal training and sports massage.

He has played football for several clubs including Oxford City, and currently plays for Chippenham Town. Eddie said: “Our aim is to help simplify exercise. Insidesweat looks to use simple equipment with a focus on improving mobility, strength and endurance for daily living.”

His new hybrid approach to gym combines PT classes and at-home fitness, using the functional exercise bench, which can be made to order.

Insidesweat’s unique equipment storage unit

Tyler Attwood

“I want the value of young people to be understood. Not for the sake of a tick in the box when you have a young person on the board, but for taking decisions”

Short Course Solutions

When more than a single day of training is required, short course qualifications can help develop the foundation skills on which you can build your company practices and norms.

L7 Senior Leader

Working alongside like-minded leaders, this short course provides an opportunity to develop your strategic thinking skills. You will cover a variety of strategic models, from which you will design and implement an investigation of your own department/organisation, or self, to identify any gaps, and create a development plan. 6 sessions and one assignment.

L5 Coach & Mentor

A comprehensive course that will provide managers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform effectively as coach or mentor in their organisation. Positioned as the ideal programme for managers who recognise the benefits that well-coached staff bring to their department/organisation, it comprises 10 short sessions, one assignment and practical coaching activity in the workplace.

L5 Middle Manager

This course seeks to develop the leadership and management skills of middle managers; it has a strong focus on developing the manager’s ability to set the vision for their department and the skills to align staff to achieve those targets. It also focuses on achieving quality and continuously improving performance. The course comprises 6 sessions and 2 assignments.

L3 Project Fundamentals

This is the ideal introductory course for those seeking to use more project management skills in their role, particularly those who want more control when managing on multiple fronts. Learners cover a wide range of skills, including defining projects, scoping, planning, organising and scheduling, as well managing projects, risk and issues. Three sessions and one multi-choice exam.

L4 Junior Manager/Senior Supervisor

This programme is designed for new and/or aspiring managers and it seeks to develop a clear understanding of the role of the manager, on which we expand into the array of knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed at this level. It also recognises the pivotal role that managers at this level hold to continuously manage change in the workplace. Comprises 4 sessions and 2 assignments.

L3 Service Improvement

An excellent introductory course into lean and six sigma approaches to process improvement. It Is designed to inspire learners to continuously seek improvements at work, and then equip them with the tools and techniques to find solutions and implement them. This is a practical course run over 5 sessions and has one assignment.

L3 Workplace Coach

This compact course will develop learners with the required knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively coach others in the workplace. It focuses on being able to plan, structure, deliver and evaluate workplace coaching sessions, with confidence, and recognises the role of internal coaching in performance improvement. It comprises 6 sessions, 1 assignment and a practical coaching.

L3 First Line Manager

This course provides the essentials required to lead and manage others at first line level. It has a wide focus of topics to reflect the width of the first line manager role, ranging from leadership skills to motivation, planning and organising, building relationships, delegation, performance management and more. Comprises 6 sessions and 2 assignments.

L2 Team Leader

The first step on the ladder, this important course helps to develop the skills and confidence required to take the lead. Because learners will often be doing the same work as their team members, it is important they learn how to make the separation in an effective way. Comprise 5 session and 3 short assignments.

Longer-term Development Programmes

There is no doubting the benefits of regular, sustained development for individuals and their organisations, and when coupled with national standards, professional qualifications and funding support, it’s understandable why so many seek the higher-level apprenticeships

Operations/Departmental Manager (LEVEL 5)

Middle managers often have a wide range of demands placed upon them, so naturally they need a wide array of skills to cope. At the same time, they need to demonstrate certain behaviours to be effective in the role, and this programme is designed to help them meet those demands. Delivered over 18-20 months, the programme aims to develop managers to meet and exceed the national standards and covers multiple skills such as leadership, management, communications, emotional intelligence, operations management, project management and finance, as well as behaviours of professionalism, taking responsibility and being agile.

Improvement Practitioner (LEVEL 4)

This is a self-contained, all-round programme for those looking to grasp continuous improvement and make change happen. Half the programme covers lean and six sigma approaches to identifying areas for improvement, finding and planning solutions, while the other half seeks to develop skills of project management, change management and leadership in order to bring the solutions to reality. Delivered over 14-16 months and requires learners to engage in a real-time improvement project in the workplace, whether a lean project, 8D or six sigma.

Associate Project Manager (LEVEL 4)

An associate project manager knows what needs to be achieved, how it will be achieved, how long it will take and how much it will cost. They work directly with the project team to achieve the outcomes and they use skills of good planning, organisation, leadership, management, and communication. Furthermore, they need to be efficient with resources, able to work within clearly defined reporting lines and effective when working across teams, departments and organisations. Delivered over 14-16 months and includes the prestigious Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

Team Leader/Supervisor (LEVEL 3)

In recognition of the important role that supervisors and team leaders play in every organisation, along with the width of skills they need to use every day, it is not surprising that the national standards demand a lot from them. In response, this programme is rich in learning and covers skills of leadership, delegation, performance management, problem-solving and coaching skills, in addition to operations management, project management and finance. Delivered over 12-14 months.

Helping your business

weather the energy storm

We’re willing to bet that there isn’t an SME in the region that isn’t bracing itself for the oncoming energy storm this winter. With recent spikes in pricing pushing up rates for non-domestic customers and no price cap in place to curtail rising costs for businesses, you’d be forgiven for panicking about how you’ll afford your business’ energy costs this year. However, there are actions you can take now to prepare your business and make the most of current grant schemes and initiatives on offer, and that’s where Target 2030 comes in.

Target 2030 is currently offering 30% grant funding towards installing energysaving improvements and a free energy survey, carried out by a qualified Business Energy Assessor, to help SMEs get started on this journey. We want to encourage as many SMEs as possible to move their energy production on site, lowering carbon and cutting costs in the process. The service is funded through the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Severn Wye Energy Agency, a sustainability charity with 20 years of experience supporting local businesses.

As well as moving energy production on site (such as by installing solar PV on unutilised roof space), reducing energy consumption is key to making your business sustainable in the long term. The range of measures covered by the Target 2030 programme is vast enough to meet this challenge. Anything from insulation to air source heat pumps, LED lighting to huge solar arrays can be covered by the scheme. Plus, if your business uses specialist equipment (think injection moulding, dryers, fridges, compressors, or a dust extraction system), there’s a good chance the project will cover upgrades to your current system too.

Hundreds of SMEs across Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire have already benefited from the project.

A motorsport manufacturer in Gloucester installed an enormous 74kWp solar PV array on the roof of their warehouse, plus roof insulation as part of the works, saving a whopping £603,214 over the lifetime of the measures – and probably more now that prices have skyrocketed. Over 100 businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire

businesses have benefited from the project too, including a fifth-generation farm shop who installed solar panels on the rooves of their barns, taking them a step closer to becoming carbon-neutral and saving them £10,000 a year on their energy bill.

We know that the challenge facing businesses this year is huge, but we want to make sure SMEs know that there is support available. You no longer need to be ‘green’ to incorporate energy efficiency improvements into your business strategy. In fact, against the backdrop of the current energy crisis, taking energy action could secure the longevity of your business.

target2030.co.uk

CIRENCESTER’S ANI SKINCARE WINS BIG AT EUROPEAN SKINCARE AWARDS

Skincare brand ANI (short for As Nature Intended) has been awarded a gold medal and three silver medals at the annual Free From Skincare Awards.

Company founder Joanna Walker said: “I’m overjoyed with this result, it’s the first time we have entered an industry awards programme and to come away with such a great result acknowledges all our natural skincare products and the work we have put in.”

The Cirencester company’s ANI Skincare Hydrating Facial Toner picked up gold in the ‘Toners, Waters and Spritzes’ category.

Joanna’s Renewal Body Wash was awarded silver in the ‘Body Care (Rinse Off) category, while her Skincare Facial Cleanser picked up the same award in the ‘Face Care (Rinse Off)’ category.

The brand itself picked up a silver in the overarching ‘Best Free From Brand Award’ category.

Joanna founded the brand in 2013, after relatives and friends she had given her homemade products to started asking for refills. In response, she increased production and took a stall at Cirencester’s charter market. Following several successful seasonal pop-ups and a successful eCommerce launch, ANI Skincare opened a permanent store in Cirencester’s Stable Yard.

Pioneering digital innovation farm officially opens at Hartpury

A £2 million tech box has opened at Hartpury University and College. The new facility is the latest phase of its 10-year vision to provide world-class agricultural facilities, education and research.

Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said: “The launch of the Tech Box Park forms the muchanticipated second phase of our pioneering Digital Innovation Farm to meet the global demand for new technology in farming.

“Data and technology will be essential if British farming is to tackle the challenge of using technology to increase productivity in a sustainable way.”

£1.25 million of the funding was provided by the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership Getting Building Fund. Other funding came from the European Regional Development Fund and the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust.

Gloucester-based Newland Homes is poised to sell a landmark Stroud building to Stroud District Council for redevelopment in a deal worth £1.3 million.

Bath Place, Cheapside which overlooks the town’s railway station, has stood empty for decades, and now the council aims to buy the 0.9 acre canal side plot for housing.

The brownfield site is currently owned by Newland Homes which has planning consent for 47 two-bed homes plus two retail units. The site includes the fire-damaged Grade II Listed former canal warehouse which also has consent for development.

Council Leader, Doina Cornell, said: “This site has been left empty and boarded up but not for a lack of effort on Newland Homes’ part. Bringing it back in to use will not only create new homes, including affordable ones, but also create jobs and revitalise this corner of Stroud.

“We are grateful to Newland Homes for agreeing to sell to Stroud District Council.”

Andrew Billings, Land Director for Newland Homes, added: “We are fully committed to seeing this challenging site come to fruition and it’s time to pass the baton on to the council to get it over the line.”

David Owen, CEO of GFirst LEP, said: “This project will lead the work of increasing productivity in this important sector for the county.”

Nick Abell, trustee of The Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust, added: “As a charity dedicated to the future of farming, agricultural research and education, we are happy to support the creation of agri-tech spaces that effectively drive change and solve real world agricultural problems.

“By providing funding for the Digital Innovation Farm Tech Box Park initiative, we are championing collaboration between industry, Hartpury University and College, and the next generation of farmers.”

Newland Homes to sell key Stroud building to town council in £1.3m deal

Joanna Walker, founder of the award-wining ANI Skincare

South Gloucestershire & Stroud College supports over 1000 employers across the West of England with apprenticeship programmes.

This year SGS College has recruited 350 new apprentices, bringing the total number currently studying at the College to approximately 1,300 learners.

This continued growth is a result of the comprehensive support service offered to employers, including a very thorough and extensive recruitment service, as well as long-term partnerships with key employers, both large and small.

These include multi-national businesses, public sector organisations and, equally important, local SMEs.

Apprenticeship services at SGS are responsive, bespoke, and deliver high quality account management, offering a highly personal and very effective vacancy matching service. The College is also highly effective at responding to the wider economic needs and over the past four years has worked closely with the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) to ensure skills gaps being identified by business are met.

One student that has experienced firsthand the vital role of apprenticeships is Lewis Tripp. Lewis has been nominated by both SGS College and his employer, Merretts Heating Services for this years’ Outstanding Construction Apprentice of the Year at the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards.

The Director of Merretts Heating Services Dave Merrett stated, “Lewis is what we need in the Plumbing and Construction industry, he has exceeded all of his targets, he is excellent with our customers, has given us design ideas, implemented the knowledge skills and behaviours he has learned at college.”

Lewis’ Lecturer Assessor Jon Conlon who is the Current Plumbing and Heating Teacher of the Year in UK stated that “Lewis has demonstrated from before the start of his Apprenticeship a passion for Plumbing and Gas he always goes the extra mile. For his off the job training project Lewis designed an energy sustainable heating system which was trialled onsite. Lewis is a pleasure to teach and explained that the Apprenticeship has pushed him out of his comfort zone and made him a better person.”

Another nominee at the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards is Jamie Pitcher, who has been entered for ‘Apprentice of the Year – Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy and Electrical. Jamie has been working towards his Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician Standard in conjunction with Stroud Electrical Services and SGS College.

Jamie has a positive, upbeat attitude and maintains a professional persona in all that he does. He is a switched on and focused individual, he is always willing to help and his infectious smile and passion for the industry shines through his work ethic. His employer commented “Jamie is a fantastic addition to the team and in the 30 years I have been an electrician definitely the best apprentice I have ever had the pleasure of training.”

Sarah Stephens-Lewis, Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement is delighted at the commitment and drive of all of the

apprentices learning with SGS College; “Apprenticeships at SGS College are growing year on year especially within our Construction sector. We work closely with apprentices, employers and trailblazers to ensure that we are able to offer the skills and knowledge required by the industry and it is fantastic that the achievements of these learners is being recognised.”

SGS College offers many different Apprenticeships, within the Construction sector including:

• Carpentry and Joinery

• Electrical

• Fire, Emergency and Security Systems

• Painting and Decorating

• Plastering

• Plumbing and Gas Engineering

• Property Maintenance

• Tiling and Bricklaying

The college also offers the following apprenticeships within a Business Support function:

• Accountancy

• Business Administration

• Customer Service

• Human Resources

• IT and Software Development

• Procurement

• Project Management

• Team Leading and Management

For further information email the team apprenticeships@sgscol.ac.uk sgscol.ac.uk/apprenticeships

SGS student, Lewis Tripp, finalist, Apprentice of the Year – Construction, in the Gloucestershire Apprentice Awards

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCERS URGED TO JOIN NEW ‘MADE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE’ INITIATIVE

Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirst LEP ) has launched a new initiative to promote local producers.

Made in Gloucestershire is a celebration of the county’s food and drink and the people who make it.

David Owen, CEO of GFirst LEP said: “From global brands like Wall’s Ice Cream and Ribena to fast-growing start-ups like Tubby Tom’s and Non Solo Pasta, we want to show everything that’s great about food and drink in Gloucestershire.

“Through Made in Gloucestershire we want to champion our producers, increase local procurement and encourage residents and tourists to buy local.

“When customers see the Made in Gloucestershire mark, they will

know that they’re supporting our diverse, world-leading community of producers and helping to put money back into the local economy, securing jobs and income.”

The first two years of the Made in Gloucestershire scheme are fully funded.

Tom Hughes, founder of Tubby Tom’s said: “We’ve had amazing support from local people since we started. To me, Made in Gloucestershire means home. It also means opportunities.

“We have so many hidden gems here, whether that’s events, street food, artisan food and drink makers and other small businesses.

“The Made in Gloucestershire website means you can find these incredible businesses all in one place and support them.”

Self-storage operator StoreAway takes over Cheltenham’s former Lidl site

Self-storage operator StoreAway is transforming 34,000 sq ft of redundant retail space in Cheltenham’s former Lidl supermarket on Grosvenor Terrace into a storage hub.

The site, originally built in the late 1970s, has been vacant for almost two years since the supermarket giant relocated to Swindon Road in September 2020.

It has now been transformed to provide 325 storage lockers.

StoreAway plans to repurpose more than a quarter of a million sq ft of unoccupied shopping and leisure units across the country into convenient storage.

Managing director of StoreAway Richard Lanyon, said: “Despite the company still being in the early stages of development we have captured the attention of Nash Business Capital, which is investing £2.5 million in our new Cheltenham site.

“We are embracing the challenges that come with transforming disused buildings with the demise of the traditional retail sector and the former Lidl site is housed in the ideal location for our storage concept to thrive.

“In a prime town centre spot on the doorsteps of our customers, it offers great access and loading spaces, and can be repositioned as a leader on the country’s high streets.”

Seven figure sum for Cheltenham-based Clarkson Evans to complete MBO and branch into renewable energy

The UK’s largest electrical contractor serving the new-build housing sector has secured a seven-figure finance package from HSBC UK to support a management buyout and diversification into the renewable energy sector.

Clarkson Evans will invest more in renewable technologies as demand from builders continues to increase. This includes researching new technologies, working with customers

to introduce new products and upskilling staff.

Chief Executive Lindsey Young said: “This is the next exciting chapter for Clarkson Evans, as we begin to look towards a more sustainable future for the sector and offer additional services to our customers.

“Using renewable technology will become increasingly important over the

years, so we need to make sure we’re ahead of the curve.”

Clarkson Evans currently wires around 24,000 homes each year and employs 850 people around the country. The business was also involved in developing a unique zero carbon concept home which showcases the future of sustainable living, The Z House was built on the University of Salford’s main campus.

The team at Tubby Tom’s, with Tom in the centre

THE GREAT TASTE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE

We’re here to showcase the pride, the passion and the craftsmanship that goes into each and every bottle, can, packet and plate. Through this initiative, we’re putting local businesses in the spotlight, so you can get a real taste of Gloucestershire – whether you’re a resident of our brilliant county or one of the millions of tourists we welcome every year.

Join Made in Gloucestershire

The first two years of the Made in Gloucestershire scheme are fully funded, so food and drink producers can join for free.

As a member, you’ll be able to display the Made in Gloucestershire logo on your products and website, and you’ll receive a directory listing with links to your social media channels and website.

Who can join:

To be eligible for membership, you must have a Gloucestershire postcode, and your final food or drink product must be produced in Gloucestershire. If your business is part of a chain or franchise, the original outlet would need to have been based in Gloucestershire.

How to join:

If that sounds like your business, and you’d like to become a member of Made in Gloucestershire, visit: madeingloucestershire.com/become-a-member or contact: madeinglos@gfirstlep.com

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

Made in Gloucestershire is a celebration of the best food and drink our county has to offer and the people who make it.

by Nicky Godding, Editor

AMERICAN GOLFERS STEP OUT TO GIVE STEWART GOLF ITS BEST EVER YEAR

Around 20 million people play golf in the USA. It is world’s biggest golf market, and unlike the UK – which ordered the closure of golf courses for months during the pandemic – many American golf courses stayed open.

But they had to take extra precautions, and one of those was to ban, or limit to single riders, the use of buggies – the staple mode of transport for the vast majority of Stateside golfers.

So what to do? Faced with the frankly unthinkable alternative of carrying their golf bags on their shoulders as well as (hushed gasps), walking between tees and greens, our American cousins began buying every golf trolley they could get their hands on to transport their clubs.

And that one fact meant two stellar years of growth for Gloucester-headquartered Stewart Golf, which was named this summer as one of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies.

Stewart Golf co-founder Mark Stewart takes up the story.

“When Covid happened, like any other business we had no idea what was going to happen. Then within a few weeks, we discovered that golfers in the States weren’t allowed to sit on their buggies any more. America started walking almost overnight.

“It was little to do with how good we were at building or selling golf buggies, more that the environment in which we were operating changed almost immediately.

In fact, anyone selling golf trollies in America in 2020 sold out almost overnight.”

It helped, of course, that that Stewart Golf do make exceedingly good push, remote control and follow golf trolleys.

Designing some of the world’s best remote control golf trolleys

The company was launched in 2004 by Mark, his father Ross and grandfather Roy, with family friends David Funnell and Jon Stewart-Miller. They design and build some of the best remote control golf trolleys in the world. And as the business is owned by engineers, each trolley built

When the pandemic hit American golf courses in 2020, Stateside golfers took to their feet, and Gloucester golf trolley manufacturer Stewart Golf reaped the rewards

Mark Stewart, of Stewart Golf

A Stewart Golf trolley in Sedona, Arizona

by hand in the company’s Gloucester workshops undergoes rigorous checking before leaving the factory. Servicing is also carried out there.

The company, which turned over around £6.7 million last year, sells a significant number of the 6,000 or so golf carts it makes every year in the USA.

Each one costs three times or more the average cost of a golf trolley in the UK –from between £1,200 to a top of the range

model with bespoke design at around £2,500. That’s because Stewart Golf trolleys are uniquely designed with remote control features which have become increasingly sophisticated.

Its latest trolley is the Stewart Golf Q Follow, the most compact remotecontrol trolley it has ever made. This uses a pioneering microcellular composite chassis, making it stronger, along with new electronics which are now made in Gloucester.

You can easily spot a Stewart Golf X10 Follow, not only because they trundle obediently a couple of metres behind their owners, but also because they’ve been designed to stand out on purpose, said Mark, although the latest Q Follow has a slightly more understated design to differentiate it.

And the company’s golf trolleys have won awards over the years, including a Design Excellence Award from the British Business Council.

Having established itself in the UK in the early 2000s, Stewart Golf began looking at the opportunities for growth in the American market in 2015.

“We are hopefully at the back end of Covid-19 and have spent the last two years not only increasing production, but also building ourselves into a more forward-thinking company to continue that growth, but in a more considered way”

Sales go stratospheric in the States

“Half of all golf rounds are played in America,” said Mark. “But American golfers are not big walkers so we weren’t sure if our trolley would sell in sufficient numbers.”

After a few years checking out the American golfing market, and taking a cautious approach to expansion, Mark finally secured the services of a third-party warehouse and took on a distributor who deals with the golf courses and third-party websites there. “Our expansion was as lean as we could make it.”

The strategy worked. Sales to the USA have increased every year since, doubling some years, and thanks to American golfers being forced to walk the course during Covid-19, it has gone stratospheric.

But with the world returning to normal, and golfers to their buggies, is Mark worried the boom in sales will cease?

Actually – he and his team are quietly relieved.

“We are hopefully at the back end of Covid-19 and have spent the last two years not only increasing production, but also building ourselves into a more forwardthinking company to continue that growth, but in a more considered way.”

Stewart Golf has also expanded and invested in its marketing team and increased the size of its Gloucester manufacturing facility by around 50 per cent.

“We still see a big opportunity in the USA. We have had two years of people walking the golf courses in the States because they had to, and also on the private golf courses which didn’t previously allow people to walk because they wanted golfers to rent their buggies. Now there are a lot of people who have discovered they like walking, they feel better and have lost weight. Many feel more physically connected to the course.”

Increased sales bring their own challenges

While sales rocketed during the pandemic, the downside was having to ramp up

production and recruitment. “We could have sold more than we made, but we had supply problems like everyone else,” said Mark. “If we run out of even something as small as a particular washer, we can’t make the golf trollies. So we have sourced more parts from the UK.”

Because of continuing supply chain issues affecting stocks, and the company’s sales growth forecasts, lead times have gone miles out. “I have already done next year’s forecasting,” said Mark. “Despite our growth and profitability, we are careful of our cash situation because we have to hold a lot more stock than before.”

But the company has managed its way through well. And part of that is the positive working culture it aims to offer its growing workforce (which has almost doubled to 35 in the last two years).

“We want everyone to enjoy their job. It’s possible to increase your output by 20 per cent but not for a long time with the same amount of people, so we needed to recruit and new people have to fit into our culture.”

A busman’s holiday across America

Mark spends most of his time in sales and marketing, and with the growth in sales to the USA, he and his team spend a fair amount of time visiting golf courses across the States.

But the company isn’t ignoring its home territory, or indeed the 30 or so other countries it sells to globally.

“In the UK, around 97 per cent of people walk a golf course. Of those, around two thirds have an electric trolley, and only around five per cent have ours. There is plenty of room for growth at home.”

Does he play much golf himself? Not at his own golf club in Cheltenham. “I think I’ve played there just three times this year, playing off a handicap of 17.”

But when he’s away, it’s a bit of a busman’s holiday, and he’s sheepishly aware that his work trips look a lot like other people’s holidays. “I play golf and go out for dinner five days a week.”

The original idea for a Stewart Golf bag came from Mark’s grandfather, when Mark was about to go to Loughborough University to study engineering.

“In a normal golf bag, the golf clubs are always upside down and get wet in the rain. My granddad designed a carousel which could be spun with a door opening to clubs the right way up. Our original idea didn’t work because the bags wouldn’t fit in a car boot. There are lots of things engineers can solve, but size is a tough one.”

While Mark was at Loughborough, David and Jon (directors of the company), worked on various golf trolley ideas, with Mark pitching in when he was home.

At the time electric golf trollies were perceived the same as mobility scooters – for a certain demographic who were old and infirm, and the designs were ugly.

“We looked at the market and saw that the sweet spot for golfers was – at that time, largely guys aged 40-60. So we designed products that looked different and gave people the freedom to wander around.”

Stewart Golf’s reinvention of the golf trolley, with its remote control “follow me” function caught on fast and their market continues to grow.

Stewart Golf’s original Carousel design

DIGITAL INNOVATION FARM TECH BOX PARK

Enabling the growth and development of Gloucestershire’s Agri-Tech businesses

ARE YOU AN INNOVATIVE SME LOOKING TO DEVELOP A PRODUCT OR SERVICE FOR THE AGRI-TECH SECTOR?

Get up to £10K worth of Innovation Vouchers to help your business grow.

Find out how your company can access Hartpury’s commercial farm to test, develop and trial your products.

BRISTOL INNOVATIONS EXPANDS POTENTIAL FOR TRANSFORMATIVE RESEARCH

Plimsoll Productions sold to ITV for £103.5 million

Broadcaster ITV has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Bristol-based independent television production firm Plimsoll Productions for £103.5 million

The University of Bristol has launched Bristol Innovations, a new initiative that will combine its far-reaching research expertise with the industry know-how of global partners. It hopes this will lead to new discoveries in all sectors and disciplines.

Bristol Innovations is a virtual network designed to increase opportunities for university academics, researchers and entrepreneurial students to collaborate with third-party stakeholders to translate research for real-world purposes. It launches at a time when the UK government has pledged to turn the UK into a global innovation hub.

The initiative will be based at the university’s research and innovation hub at the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, where the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, an international university research institute that is pioneering transformative approaches to digital innovation, opened in July. In 2023 it will be joined by MyWorld, a University

of Bristol-led programme for creative technologies.

Vice-chancellor Professor Hugh Brady said: “The global landscape for research and innovation is undergoing rapid changes, which presents an opportunity for universities and industry to develop a more sustainable way forward.

“Bristol Innovations will allow us to support more academics to bring our world-class research to practical and meaningful applications that benefit the city, the region and the world.”

Bristol Innovations builds on the university’s reputation as a powerhouse for world-leading research and innovation. The latest Research Excellence Framework results (the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education providers), assessed that 94 per cent of its research to be world-leading or internationally excellent, prompting the Times Higher Education to boost Bristol to fifth place for research in the UK.

The acquisition of the awardwinning maker of wildlife, documentary and factual entertainment shows values the Bristol-headquartered firm - which also has an office in Cardiff and Los Angeles – at £131 million.

Plimsoll’s BAFTA, EMMY and Academy award-winning team is the biggest independent producer of natural history programmes in the world.

Plimsoll will remain an independent brand following the transaction. The company’s existing management and creative teams will continue to run the business and play a key role in programme development to maintain Plimsoll’s creative pipeline.

ITV plans to leverage Plimsoll’s strong relationships with global streaming services and take advantage of increasing demand for natural history and factual programming.

Online travel agent receives £250,000 funding boost

Bristol online travel agent Heidi has received a £250,000 funding boost through SWIG Finance, which provides small business loans to viable SMEs and start-ups in the South West.

The ATOL-protected business offers flexible, ski and snowboard holiday packages to hundreds of ski resorts throughout Europe.

Heidi’s smart booking technology makes it easy for customers to discover their perfect ski holiday.

Funding was sought as the business transitioned through a rebrand, and six new jobs are due to be created at its King Street offices. The loan was backed by the British Business Bank’s Recovery Loan Scheme.

SWIG Finance senior business manager, Nicola Mapp, said: "The owners have worked incredibly hard to keep the momentum going despite the very harsh market conditions created by Covid.

“The fact that they have been able to continue growing the business whilst facing major disruptions is a testimony of their determination to succeed."

Artist’s impression of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

WAKE THE TIGER, THE WORLD’S FIRST ‘AMAZEMENT PARK’ OPENS ON A BRISTOL TRADING ESTATE

Wake the Tiger, a psychedelic wonderland billed as the world’s first ‘amazement park’, has opened on a trading estate in Bristol.

Described as an “experiential art gallery, interactive theme park and detailed film

set, all with a surreal and beautiful twist,” the concept is the brainchild of the team behind the immersive festival Boomtown Fair near Winchester who have spent more than a decade creating one of the most large scale immersive festival experiences in the world.

Bristol’s ageing Galleries shopping centre could be demolished under new proposals

They wanted to establish a year-round art and events venue. Created by more than 100 installation artists, robotic experts, costume-makers, architects, videographers and prop-makers, the journey through 27 distinct art installations takes around an hour.

All About The Cooks smashes crowdfunding target

All About The Cooks, which has created an online marketplace for home cooks to sell their food to local people, has smashed its £275,000 crowdfunding target, raising £310,000.

Bristol’s ageing Galleries shopping centre could be demolished under new proposals unveiled by Bristolbased developer Deeley Freed and La Salle Investment Management.

The developers say footfall in the shopping centre, which opened in 1991, was down 35 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. The centre had already taken a hit after the opening of the new 120-unit Cabot Circus shopping centre was opened in 2008.

The developers hope to convert 30 per cent of the five acres of the city centre that The Galleries occupies into “high-quality public realm with new civic spaces”.

The proposals include restaurants, shops, community facilities and leisure

destinations that support the day and night-time economy, office space, a hotel, open market and affordable homes and student living in “a truly mixed-use and diverse scheme.”

The developers add that “Broadmead currently turns it back on Castle Park which is a missed opportunity. The proposals look to reverse this along Newgate with new, vibrant pedestrian linkages into the city centre as well as terraces, with cafes and restaurants facing the park.”

But the developers added that the Galleries will remain open as usual for at least the next two years.

“We’d encourage people to continue to shop and support their local traders,” said a spokesperson.

Since its launch in 2018, the company has paid £30,000 to cooks and is raising to scale to six more cities in the next year. It has 60 community cooks registered who between them have fulfilled 800 orders.

The company said in its Crowdcube pitch: “Our Bristol pilot has shown that we are really on to something, so we are now ready to start to take All About The Cooks to other cities, and that requires investment.

“Since community is at the heart of everything we do, equity crowdfunding is the perfect way to that.”

The company was established by Claire Ladkin, who was named a Regional Winner in Tech Nation’s Rising Stars last December.

LE MANOIR SECURES APPROVAL FOR EXPANSION

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, one of the UK’s most luxurious and welcoming hotels, has secured planning permission for a new wellness spa, bistro, cooking academy and an increase in the number of hotel suites.

Michelin Star Chef patron Raymond Blanc, OBE, said that the multi-million-pound expansion plans would enable the Great Milton hotel to offer “unique and worldclass experiences” to customers.

Raymond Blanc established Le Manoir more than 38 years ago. It is now a renowned five star destination, attracting visitors from around the world. It was awarded two Michelin stars in its first year (1984) and has retained them ever since.

The Raymond Blanc Cookery School and Gardening School are also both based at Le Manoir, which is now part of the luxury hospitality group Belmond.

The refurbishment works will also see The Raymond Blanc Academy built in a timberclad green-oak trussed barn.

The property’s existing cookery and art school will become a development kitchen and lecture space, while the conservatory dining room will be replaced, and the kitchen upgraded with new technologies.

Le Manoir is seeking to reposition itself by moving from a restaurant focused hotel to a world-class retreat hotel.

Marketing agency rebrands as it seeks further growth

An Oxfordshire business that claims to be the second largest business-to-business marketing agency globally has rebranded to bring its three agencies together.

Backed by Horizon Capital, The Marketing Practice now has a turnover of around £70 million, employing more than 500 people across the UK, USA, Germany and Australia.

It follows a successful 12 months for the company, after making four acquisitions during the year.

The group recently acquired US -based marketing and experience specialists Campaign Stars, which is its second stateside acquisition of the year after it acquired strategic marketing specialists 90octane in February. Media, data and audience insight specialist Kingpin and digital experiences consultancy Omobono were also both acquired in 2021.

Matt Harper, CEO of The Marketing Practice, said: “Investors want organic growth, bigger market share and more penetration for their spend. And everyone is looking at marketing to deliver this growth, accountable for revenue. We can make marketing the engine room for growth.”

“Investors want organic growth, bigger market share and more penetration for their spend”

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

EVOLITO BUYS BUSINESS AND ASSETS OF CHELTENHAM BATTERY COMPANY ELECTROFLIGHT

Evolito which designs and manufactures electric motors and controllers for aerospace, has bought the business and assets of Cheltenham-based aerospace battery company Electroflight.

Last year Evolito was itself spun out of Oxfordshire-based Yasa, which makes axial-flux automotive electric motors following the acquisition of Yasa by Mercedes-Benz in 2021.

Evolito has now moved into new headquarters at Catalyst Bicester, the £100 million advanced manufacturing and technology business community currently under construction.

Evolito supplies high-performance, low-weight axial-flux motors and controllers that are smaller, lighter and with a higher safety factor than competing

electric propulsion technology.

Electroflight will now focus on delivering next-generation battery technology to complement Evolito’s unique motors and controllers.

Ajay Lukha, Chief Commercial Officer at Evolito, said: “The combined capabilities will enable us to deliver flexible solutions for our customers, from best-in-class motor and controller sub-systems to fullyintegrated electric powertrains.”

Evolito and Electroflight first collaborated on a major Rolls Royce project. RollsRoyce believes that its all-electric ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft is the world’s fastest all-electric aircraft which has already set world records. The aircraft has already clocked up a maximum speed of 623 km/h (387.4 mph).

Oxford car finance company wins “game-changer” accolade

Oxford vehicle finance company

Oodle has been recognised as an industry ‘game-changer’ at this year’s Car Finance Awards.

The Car Finance Awards' gamechanger category recognises a finance company which is changing the game with a fresh approach to auto finance in the UK.

Oodle says it is the fastest growing motor finance company in the UK, already helping more than 150,000 customers.

The company pre-approves a budget for its customers then puts them in touch with its network of more than 300 UK car dealers.

Founded by Jonny Clayton in 2016, Oodle now has more than 400 staff and revenue reached £84.4 million in 2021, according to reports. A new chief executive, Richard Gaskin, is taking over from Jonny, who will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

Jonny sold a majority stake of Oodle to the private equity firm KKR for £60 million in 2017. The following year, banker Citigroup announced funding for a £100 million warehouse facility.

RAW Charging to sponsor Oxford City Football Club

Oxford City Football Club has announced RAW Charging as the club’s new principal sponsor.

The multi-year contract includes the naming rights to the club’s Marston home, which will be renamed the RAW Charging stadium.

The partnership will also see the electric vehicle charge point provider install its latest Charge Yard at the stadium.

The firm’s branding will appear on the men’s first team home and away kits for the club’s fixtures in the National League South.

Justin Merritt, Director of Football at Oxford City FC, said: “This is a ground-breaking partnership for the football club and our community. We are committed to making the club sustainable and providing the community with first-class infrastructure and facilities and this partnership helps deliver that.”

Evolito buys Electroflight

PUT FAMILY FIRST FOR TAX EFFICIENT SUCCESSION PLANNING STRATEGY

But what happens when it is time to retire?

An obvious solution is to pass on the company to family, but care should be taken to avoid a considerable tax bill.

Whitley Stimpson director Jonathan Walton said: “We have looked after companies worth millions of pounds where the directors have chosen to retire and have gifted tax-free shares to their children. “Shares can be gifted over time allowing a gradual succession to happen or some shares can be sold to act as a pension with the rest passed on.”

Another option is to set up a family investment company to invest in a range of different assets including residential property, commercial property, and shares. Shares can be issued to both adult children and minor children using trusts. The parents keep control of the company but there is a specific agreement covering how the shares are passed on.

Within the company, there can be freezer shares where the parents’ shares freeze in value when issued, but the children’s shares grow as property prices or investment portfolio values rise. Shares can also be protected should one of the children die or divorce, for example.

The company acts as an asset protection vehicle as well as a way of planning tax efficiently, with the main rate of corporation tax for all non-ring fence profits currently

being 19 per cent rising to 25 per cent for more profitable businesses from 1st April 2023.

Jonathan added: “Usually those with family investment companies are higher rate taxpayers, so putting money into a lower tax vehicle such as a company is sensible. There is also the ability to pay dividends to adult children or place them into a trust.”

Another area of growing tax significance is agricultural land.

Most agricultural clients of Whitley Stimpson are either sole traders or partnerships with very few limited companies involved. With spiralling land values, particularly if it has building potential as development land, care should be taken with tax planning.

Whitley Stimpson director Ian Parker explained: “There has been a huge surge in development land values. Agricultural land which with an ‘agricultural value’

of £10,000 per acre can easily become development land worth up to £450,000 per acre. This means that in some instances a traditional 300-acre farm can suddenly find itself with a ‘hope value’ in excess of £80m if the correct planning permissions for development are obtained.”

“Significantly, if the owner dies, agricultural property relief will only cover the agricultural value of the land – not the hope value should it gain planning permission. This could make it subject to inheritance tax.

“We are therefore keen to be involved as early in the development planning process as possible to ensure that we can consider whether the land should be gifted to the next generations early and while it still has little hope value, alleviating the inheritance tax problem. Then we work with the next generation to ensure that they continue to run the farm as a proper trading business to ensure it is covered by both agricultural property relief and if necessary, business property relief.”

Another solution is again to establish a family investment company to lessen the impact of inheritance tax.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Walton

jonathanw@whitleystimpson.co.uk or Ian Parker

IanP@whitleystimpson.co.uk

For more information about how Whitley Stimpson can support your business visit www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

Businesses take years to build up with the owners spending the best part of their lives ensuring they are successful.

Whitley Stimpson

Director Jonathan Walton

GROUP REVENUES SET TO SOAR AT BARKBY GROUP

Real estate and pub company, the Barkby Group, said it expects group revenues to increase by almost 30 per cent to £19.4 million this year.

However, the Milton Park-based company is planning to dispose of other non-core divisions and investments to concentrate on Barkby Real Estate and Barkby Pub Co.

The Group, which listed on London’s AIM market in 2020, has seen its performance underpinned by the property development business, which focuses on roadside developments.

Barkby says it sees opportunities to hold completed developments rather than sell and will seek new sites, primarily modern roadside developments with strong environmental, social, and corporate governance credentials that can meet the increasing demand from retail outlets for drive through or out of town locations.

The company’s website lists a number of life sciences companies, including

Oxfordshire-based Verso Biosense and consumer businesses including coffee roasters, Workshop Coffee and Centurian Automotive, which it intends to sell as part of its consolidation into real estate.

However, with its Barkby Pub Co revenues up 122 per cent to £6 million, it plans to retain this part of the business, which includes a number of well-known pubs across the Cotswolds, including the Five Alls at Filkins, The Plough at Kelmscott, The Ebrington Arms and The Bull Hotel at Fairford.

The company said that its increased revenues in the pub sector benefited strongly from post-Covid opening.

Barkby Pub Co has recently added the Coach & Horses at Chiselhampton in Oxfordshire to its portfolio.

The company said it expects that the continuing core business will report revenues of £10.4 million.

Vicon goes high fidelity with new motion capture system

Motion capture pioneer Vicon has launched what it claims is the world’s highest quality motion capture system.

The Oxford company’s Valkyrie cameras can capture motion more accurate to reality than before, powering a new wave of innovation and discovery across all motion capture markets.

Valkyrie will allow academics, scientists and researchers to accurately track even the fastest moving subjects and objects, and for filmmakers and game

Oxeco secures $10.5 million to accelerate clean technology and transport manufacturing

Yarnton chemical technology company Oxeco has closed a $10.5 million funding round to further commercialise the company’s technology and advance R&D across the clean technology and transport sectors.

Oxeco’s innovative technology platform, ONTO, controls the way that surfaces behave using cutting-edge carbene chemistry.

The funding round was led by Lansdowne Partners, with participation from Ora Capital Partners, Tanarra Capital and the Singaporean Goh family.

Chief Executive Officer, Vassilis Ragoussis, said: “As demand for industrial production surpasses pre-pandemic levels and net zero deadlines loom, urgent action is needed to accelerate new product innovation while optimising productivity at scale.

designers to create ever more realistic and immersive experiences.

The range includes a 26-megapixel model and a high-speed capture mode at up to 2,000 frames per second. When combined with its powerful new varifocal lens, they deliver a greater fidelity in human motion capture.

Established in 1984, Vicon is an awardwinning provider of motion capture systems for the life sciences, media and entertainment, virtual reality and engineering industries.

“This investment will expedite our ability to support partners in bringing highly innovative clean energy products to market and address workforce shortages, supply chain challenges and soaring energy costs.”

Oxeco’s technology was born in the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry and developed over more than two decades. It is the parent company of Oxford Advanced Surfaces.

The

ELECTROGENIC REVEALS ‘DROP IN’ KIT TO ELECTRIFY FARM VEHICLE WORKHORSE

Electrogenic, the Kidlington company which converts classic cars to 100 per cent electric, has launched a ‘drop-in’ kit to convert working Land Rover Defenders to fully-electric power. The conversion kit has been tested on Worthy Farm, host to the Glastonbury Festival.

An electric motor is bolted to the Defender’s existing clutch bell housing so the vehicle keeps all its gears. It packs 120 bhp and 235 Nm of torque – comparable power and torque to the original diesel engine. 52kWh of batteries are mounted under the bonnet giving more than 100 miles of range on-road and considerably more when driving off-road or around a farm, the company says.

Steve Drummond, Electrogenic co-founder, said: “This new electric conversion kit is a really exciting development for us.

We do high-specification conversions for road-warriors, but this kit is all about giving landowners an economic, sustainable option. It’s easy to install and uses Electrogenic’s proprietary technology. It gives the Land Rover Defenders – long the trusty workhorse for farms up and down the country – an affordable new lease of life, reducing running costs while enhancing performance. After an extensive development programme, in partnership with automotive experts at Cardiff University, we also know that it futureproofs the traditional Defender, readying it for decades of reliable, sustainable service as we enter the age of low-carbon agriculture.”

The company estimates that the electric version will save at least £6,000 in fuel costs over the course of an average year of on-farm use.

University of Oxford secures

£7m to turn bright ideas into global opportunities

The University of Oxford has been awarded more than £7 million to help fuel the brightest and most disruptive ideas from UK research institutions.

It is the highest amount of funding given to organisations across the country by UK Research and Innovation.

The award follows Oxford’s recent top UK ranking for generating spinout companies and its success in the Research Excellence Framework (the national research assessment exercise), which showed Oxford’s submission had the highest volume of worldleading research.

The University of Oxford has now secured the largest amount of Impact Acceleration Account funding in the UK, to jumpstart commercialisation of research across all disciplines.

Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub opens in Oxford

Oxford City Council has opened Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub, powered entirely by renewable energy.

Energy Superhub Oxford’s charging hub offers fast and ultra-rapid charging for 42 vehicles at once at Oxford’s Redbridge Park and Ride.

With 10 MW of capacity on site, the hub can scale up and will be able to provide charging for 400 vehicles to support the estimated 36 million EVs expected on UK roads by 2040.

The project is part of a nationwide network of Energy Superhubs developed by Pivot Power, which combine transmission-connected batteries and power infrastructure for EV charging to enable more renewables and accelerate the decarbonisation of transport.

Fastned, the European EV rapid charging company, has initially installed 10 charging bays at the Superhub with 300kW of power available, capable of adding 300 miles of range in just 20 minutes.

Wenea, one of the largest EV charging services providers in Europe, has deployed 20 7-22kW charging bays. A further 12 250kW Tesla Superchargers will be available for Tesla owners.

Unlike any other UK charging hub, the site is directly connected to National Grid’s high voltage transmission network via a four-mile underground cable.

This can deliver 10MW of power without putting additional strain on the local electricity network.

Now the farmer’s trusty Land Rover Defender goes electric

Howbery Park’s sustainable ethos hastens return to full capacity

OXFORD CAPITAL LEADS £5M INVESTMENT ROUND FOR SPOKE

Spoke, a custom-made on-demand menswear brand, has completed a £5 million crowd-funding round on the Seedrs.

The round was led by Oxford Capital supplemented by existing investors, with participation from Forward Partners, BGF and 24 Haymarket.

CEO and founder Ben Farren, said: “The success of Spoke has always been underpinned by an incredibly engaged community of SPOKEsmen –and for years we’ve been asked about opportunities to invest.”

The money will be used to invest in team, technology and marketing

to accelerate SPOKE’s reach in international markets.

The US is Spoke’s second largest market after the UK with sales doubling every year. Spoke will invest in a dedicated US team, to be UK based, with the aim of more than quadrupling US revenues by 2024.

David Mott, Founding Partner at Oxford Capital, said: “We’re thrilled to see the progress that Ben and the team have made in growing the SPOKE brand. The company has successfully managed the changing needs of consumers and growth over the last year. The projections for the year ahead are really promising.”

Howbery Business Park near Wallingford has bounced back from the pandemic lull, reporting all office spaces taken again. During the last year a number of new businesses have arrived while some established tenants have taken on extra office space, refilling vacancies created by the few which left during lockdown. There are now 57 tenants based on the park.

Howbery believes its sustainable approach is a major draw for tenants, with a growing cluster of companies in that sector.

The ethos of the park fits with the wider goals of its owner, HR Wallingford Group, through its water consultancy and research work. The Environment Agency is based in the other large flagship building, while in the smaller offices there are other established tenants with sustainable businesses. JCTR specialises in environmental impact assessments and delivering large-scale conservation projects, while Ecoserv Group specialises in sustainable facilities management.

Oxford Ski Company sees bookings for coming season hit record high as luxury market remains buoyant

The UK is still getting over this summer’s heatwave, but the Oxford Ski Company says winter sports enthusiasts are already looking forward to a season of snow.

The average spend on bookings already taken for the coming season are up nearly 20 per cent when compared with pre-pandemic years, according to the ski travel agent, which operates on behalf of chalet owners and operators and hotels across Europe, North America and Japan.

CEO Rupert Longsdon said: “Not only is the luxury market continuing to defy market trends and remaining financially buoyant, but we’re also seeing clients booking extended breaks this year, whether that is for two weeks, two months or even the whole season.”

The firm said that the ability to work remotely is also fuelling demand for longer breaks on the slopes.

“Our clients are better equipped to be

able to work remotely and still be able to have the interaction and integration to their teams than before,” said Rupert.

“This is allowing a more decentralised working ethos for many individuals, something which we’re all seeing across the country and beyond – and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t rather gaze upon towering peaks and snow blanketed scenes rather than the adjacent brick wall of the house next door or the unkempt garden lurking beyond the kitchen window.”

Howbery Business Park

Menswear brand Spoke secures £5M in fund-raise

PACKAGING FIRM GWP PARTNERS WITH “CARDBOARD NINJA” TO INTRODUCE ENGINEERING TO KIDS

Wiltshire-based packaging business GWP has teamed up with a ‘cardboard ninja’ to inspire the next generation of engineers and inventors.

Ben Edmonds, the founder of Innovation Ben, runs a weekly inventor club for kids online, and visits schools throughout the UK to help with STEM-related activities.

Having seen a significant increase in interest in his classes, Ben found himself using a growing amount of corrugated cardboard. GWP has since stepped in to sponsor Ben’s workshops and courses by providing the materials he uses.

Ben, who is also a principal engineer at Dyson, said: “I have been running my workshops since 2017 and began to provide more online classes during the pandemic. But as the number of sessions has grown, I have found myself using more and more cardboard material.

“I have worked with GWP as part of Dyson for several years, so I was keen to get them on board.

“GWP’s way of working, thought processes and products align perfectly with what I am trying to achieve. I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to inspire future generations of world changers through a mutual love of cardboard.”

Offering a mixture of in-person workshops

and online classes, Innovation Ben provides engineering and STEM workshops in schools across the UK every week.

Although sessions are generally aimed at young people aged between seven and 17, he has recently been working with students at The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, Gloucestershire University, Lund University in Sweden and even taught a group of retirees Computer-Aided Design.

Ruth Cook, managing director of Crickladeand Salisbury-based GWP Group, said: “We have noticed a real lack of suitable candidates when recruiting for engineering and design-type roles as a business. Getting children not only involved with, but excited about, STEM and design subjects is crucial to avoiding a looming skills gap – and the work Ben is doing will make a big difference.

“Ben’s enthusiasm and passion for inspiring the next generation of engineers and inventors shines through. So, when he approached us, we were delighted to be able to help.”

Advanced Biofuels to receive £4.75m to convert gas from household waste to hydrogen

Advanced Biofuel Solutions in Swindon, in collaboration with Stonehouse-based Progressive Energy, has secured £4.75 million in government funding for a plant that can convert gas from household waste into low carbon hydrogen for the transport industry.

Advanced Biofuel Solutions’ Biohydrogen Greenhouse Gas

Removal Demonstration Project will construct, commission and operate a demonstration plant that will take a synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide), produced from household waste, and convert it into low carbon hydrogen for use in road transport while capturing carbon dioxide from the process for use in industry.

Advanced Biofuel Solutions

CEO, Andy Cornell, said: “Our plant in Swindon can produce 40 tonnes of biohydrogen per year, while capturing more than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The RadGas process is unique in that it produces low-carbon biofuels by capturing the carbon dioxide contained in the waste feedstock, generating negative emissions which are critical in achieving net zero.”

The 106,000 sq ft warehouse will allow the growing business to meet additional

capacity requirements, with more than 400 jobs being generated for the local area, said the company.

Huboo has seen a rapid increase in demand for its services. As a result, the business now employs almost 700

people and has shipped more than nine million products in the last 12 months alone.

size of any of its existing warehouses

St. Modwen Logistics has welcomed the fast-growing Bristol-based third-party fulfilment company Huboo to St. Modwen Park Chippenham.

This is Huboo’s largest facility to date – double the

in the UK.

St. Modwen welcomes fast-growing Huboo to Chippenham

Ben Edmonds works with the next generation of engineers and inventors

If your business ambition is to make sure that our much-loved and familiar landscape will deliver as much for your children as it has for you, why not take the environmental lead in the notoriously carbon-emitting logistics industry?

That’s what Anthony Tattersall did in July 2020 when he set up Darcica Logistics during the pandemic with his wife Melanie (who handily has a Master’s Degree in environmental science).

And to ensure they are reminded daily why they are doing it, the couple named the business Darcica, after their two daughters, Darcey and Jessica.

by Nicky Godding, Editor

Based in Bicester, Darcica is a delivery and fulfilment business. It has more than 50 drivers operating out of two depots (the other is in Swindon), and this year is predicting a turnover of around £2.5 million. Pretty impressive for a company less than three years old. It’s also a family affair, with Anthony’s brother Neil, as Operations Manager.

Earlier this year the company expanded into haulage by joining the Palletways network. It also offers storage and fulfilment in its 15,000 sq ft Bicester warehouse as a partner of Diamond logistics, along with sustainable deliveries via a growing fleet of fully electric vehicles.

Anthony has recently swapped five of his diesel-emitting vehicles for three Maxus electric vans. Yes, it’s less capacity, but careful planning makes them as productive as the old vans, and much more environmentally-friendly.

He has also bought a fully electric 3.5-ton curtain delivery van, the first electric vehicle in the Palletways network to deploy across Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone.

However, logistics is still coming out of the dark ages, and while large electric batterypowered lorries are available, they also cost around three or four times more than their equivalent diesel lorries.

UK road freight produced 11.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 ... now a Bicester logistics business is driving down its emissions through clever investment in electric vehicles

Extending the life of old vehicles through conversion

As a new business with limited pockets, Anthony is having to make strategic decisions. One of those was the purchase of a nine-year-old 18-ton curtain sider which he is converting to electric. This will give what would otherwise be regarded as a redundant vehicle an extra seven or so years of life.

He has also bought three 18-ton diesel vehicles, because the company’s pockets aren’t yet deep enough to cover the cost of electric ones. But he’s taking the longer view. “They will have a lifespan of around eight years, after which we will convert them to electric, giving each vehicle a total of around 17 years of life.”

The company is also training its drivers to operate the diesel and electric vans more efficiently.

Range anxiety is a big thing for newbie electric vehicle drivers, whether in passenger cars or lorries, but much less so when you understand how to drive them. “Our electric vehicles do 180 miles, but if you drive efficiently, you can get 220 miles out of them,” said Anthony.

The company has also invested in zeroemission electric forklift trucks in its Bicester warehouse. Electric forklifts have fewer moving parts, which lowers the cost of maintenance and servicing, and the cost of recharging the battery overnight is much lower than filling a diesel tank or replacing gas bottles.

Part of the drive to move to zero emissions comes from the company’s commitment to their Mission Zero Accreditation, of which Darcica was one of the first companies in

the UK to achieve this newly recognised industry standard.

People notice when you’re doing the right thing

So where has all this environmental awareness come from? Both Anthony and Melanie previously worked on waste and recycling contracts for South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse Council, Anthony on the operations side and Melanie in communications.

“Both of us have always been environmentally aware,” said Anthony. “It was clear when we worked with the council that a commitment to recycling and doing the right thing had a big impact on people.

With impending regulations, and in terms of customer demand, if a logistics business doesn’t invest in being sustainable, it won’t be in business in 10 years’ time

Neil, Anthony and Melanie Tattersall

Darcica’s three Maxus electric vans

“With impending regulations, and in terms of customer demand, if a logistics business doesn’t invest in being sustainable, it won’t be in business in 10 years’ time.”

Using electric vehicles benefits customers too. “We give a cheaper rate for electric over diesel on same-day courier work under 150 miles,” said Anthony. “Customers pay the same price for driver and vehicle, but the fuel surcharge is half the price.”

Some customers, such as Bicester-based distillery Skywave Gin, use Darcica because of its greener credentials. “They use us because we run electric vehicles, and offer a plastic-free fulfilment centre.”

Normally in warehouses you’ll see metal, wood and plastic packaging, but Darcica uses an environmentally-friendly pick and pack system made by Pallite, along with product protection Flexihex instead of bubble wrap.

The company is not surprisingly starting to be recognised across the wider region. It won the Green Business of the Year category at this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards and at the time of going to press is a finalist in three more regional awards.

Ambition drives growth, but Anthony is no sell-out

Anthony 41, and Melanie 42, are both ambitious, and neither has ever been afraid of hard work.

Anthony worked from the age of 10, doing two paper rounds in the morning, two in the evening, including labouring up and down the the hill delivering to all the big houses on the road to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Melanie grew up understanding the environmental industry thanks to her father, who was managing director of a large waste management company which was taken over by Sita (now Suez) in the 1990s.

“Our aim is to have a fully sustainable fleet, electric or possibly hydrogen, and be

recognised as the first logistics company to be fully sustainable,” said Anthony.

“In the next 10 years I would like to have three more depots covering the southern area of the UK.

“We don’t plan to sell out and want to have something to hand over to our children which we’re proud of.”

No pressure then, Darcey and Jessica, but luckily for their parents, both are already showing an interest in the business their parents named after them.

Anthony offers three ways to get more miles out of your electric vehicle – van or car

• Regenerative braking takes the wasted energy from the process of slowing down a car and uses it to recharge the car's batteries. On a normal car, braking simply wastes energy – but with regenerative braking, some of the energy can be reused

• Limit your vehicle’s speed. If you drive more than 62 miles per hour, you will drain the battery quicker

• Don’t drive your electric vehicle the same way as a diesel or petrol vehicle. Take the time to learn how to drive an electric vehicle properly

“Our aim is to have a fully sustainable fleet, electric or possibly hydrogen, and be recognised as the first logistics company to be fully sustainable”

Neil, Anthony and Melanie Tattersall

SLICKER RECYCLING INCREASES PRESENCE IN USA AFTER SECOND ACQUISITION

Stourbridge lubricating oil recycling and treatment business Slicker Recycling has made its second USA acquisition in six months.

Slicker specialises in the collection and recycling of waste oils and hazardous workshop waste.

Cleveland Industrial Recycling, an Ohiobased high voltage metal recycling company, will be integrated into Slicker’s US subsidiary, Hydrodec, which was acquired last year.

The expansion will improve the firm’s carbon-cutting offer, with the businesses set to play a greater role in helping companies offset carbon emissions, conserve fossil fuels and gain carbon credits to help meet sustainability goals.

Mark Olpin, Executive Chairman of Slicker Recycling said: “This is an exciting acquisition for us and maintains our ongoing, rapid growth in the US market.

“We saw so many synergies between Hydrodec and the team at Cleveland and we can now closely integrate our expertise.

“There are efficiencies we will gain for used oil extraction and metal recycling, but the deal will also allow us to work with more businesses to help them achieve their green objectives and be rewarded by gaining sought-after carbon credits.

Gary Smith, previously Slicker’s operations director, will become the CEO of the expanded company, responsible for its 50 employees.

Wyre Forest businesses showcase cleantech innovations

Six businesses showcased cleantech innovations developed in the county’s Wyre Forest at a Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership showcase event.

The companies have been supported by BetaDen North Cleantech Bootcamp – an eight-week programme bringing cleantech experts to Worcestershire to help local entrepreneurs and established businesses develop technologies that will lead industry supply chains towards net zero.

Innovations on display included:

• Aceleron – a Li-ion battery with improved maintenance, lifetime and material sustainability

• Ecoforest UK – a combined hot water cylinder, thermal store and control system to integrate with heat pumps and simplify installation.

• GroHanger – a clothes hanger that extends from baby to adult size, reducing waste

• Hummingbird Design – an innovative road/floor surface that converts movement to electrical energy

• R-Net – outdoor recycling bin with durable net instead of bin bags, angled to throw recyclable waste into it

• Voidfill Packaging – On-site machine that manufactures EcoNutz, Voidfill’s innovative packaging “peanuts” made from paper, reducing transport emissions.

Solid State to acquire US battery manufacturer for $45m

Redditch-based Solid State, which manufactures and supplies computing, power and communications products, is acquiring Custom Power, a battery systems manufacturer based in Los Angeles, for $45 million.

The acquisition will help Solid State expand its power capabilities, particularly in the defence, medical and industrial sectors, which are notoriously difficult to enter.

It will also provide the company with additional US manufacturing capacity as well as a contract manufacturing relationship with Mexico.

The acquisition follows Solid State’s recent Transport for London contract award, where it will help to deliver a new one-person operation CCTV system as part of the upgrades to the Piccadilly line.

Proposals tabled for a Redditch Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre

North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration is considering the development of a Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in Redditch.

The centre will be an £8 million, 2,500 sq m development, and forms a key part of Redditch’s Town Investment Plan. The aim is to boost the supply of flexible workspace in the town centre and create a new focal point for innovation-led growth within the local advanced manufacturing sector.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS SET TO TRANSFORM WORCESTER CITY QUARTER

Worcester city is set to see major development in a key location of Shrub Hill Quarter.

The scheme will see Isaac Maddox House in Shrub Hill Road renovated and developed into an enterprise centre for business use. This will be the first phase of the development of this canal-side site, which will also see new housing in an attractive environment.

A new walking and cycling route would also be created to run from Shrub Hill Road to St Martin’s Quarter, past the new development and there are also plans to refurbish Shrub Hill Station to provide better services and facilities.

The result of these developments will see attractive new canal-side flats created and new employment opportunities with improved transport connections, helping

to boost the local economy by opening up new investment opportunities and residential living space.

This new development would sit alongside a broader private sector redevelopment plan for the quarter.

This development is being led by Worcester City Council and has received investment from the Government’s Towns Fund programme as well as support across various local partners including the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership via the Government’s Getting Building Fund as well as others.

To find out more about the Shrub Hill Quarter development, visit the Worcester City Council website. - www.worcester. gov.uk/news/final-schemes-under-19-6mworcester-towns-fund-to-be-approved

Worcester receives 17.9 million in government investment

Worcester is currently undergoing a facelift due to an influx of funding from a successful Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) bid by Worcester City Council. The scheme will see a transformation of the northern part of the city and pedestrian and cycle access will be improved by creating new accessible routes between Foregate Street Station, the Arches, riverside and Angel Place.

The former Scala Theatre, a Grade-II listed ex cinema which ceased trading in 1973, and the adjoining Corn Exchange, are due to be given a new lease of life by the City Council, establishing a new theatre and cultural hub. Once converted, the Swan Theatre will relocate from The Moors to this new and exciting central performance venue.

Worcester BID CEO, Sam McCarthy, said that “this fantastic regeneration funding will help to support hospitality and retail within Worcester’s Northern Quarter via improvement to city infrastructure, making our streets even more attractive to the public, businesses and investors alike.”

The regeneration work is due to be completed by March 2024.

Shrub Hill Quarter artist impression

WORCESTER’S BID FOR PURPLE FLAG STATUS

Worcester BID and city partners West Mercia Police, Worcester City Council and Worcester Regulatory Services have gone through assessment to bring purple flag to the city. If Worcester receives the status, it will show Worcester to house a safe, vibrant, and extensive night-time offer to investors, individuals looking to relocate, holiday makers and more.

The BID and city partners are passionate about maintaining and improving city standards, supporting independent business, and providing both a foundation and support mechanisms for businesses to

meet, surpass and maintain all standards. Licenced businesses are encouraged to go above and beyond through measures such as undergoing assessment via Best Bar None.

The Best Bar None scheme, led in the city by Worcester BID, is a Home Office supported accreditation, supporting best practice within licenced venues through an in-depth review of the business. Each accredited business receives a report with ideas to provide an even safer venue and customer experience.

Worcester has committed to

INNOVATION IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WITH NEW SAFETY SYSTEM

A Worcestershire business is helping to make construction sites safer through an innovative new solution.

PLINX, based at Malvern Hills Science Park, have built a system which reduces risk to both personnel and expensive machinery across construction sites, making the most of advances in sensor and telecoms technology to prevent accidents and reduce costly down-time associated with such incidents.

With the crucial role the construction industry has to play in developing infrastructure and driving economic growth across the country, improving employee safety and increasing the number of projects that are delivered on time and in budget is a high priority for government and industry alike, and something which is being supported thanks to PLINX.

PLINX’s technology has been well received in the sector through their experience

development programmes including the repurposing of the Scala Theatre and improvements in public realm connectivity via the arches, connecting Foregate Street to Riverside parks and the city library. Improved lighting and infrastructure within these areas not only improves look of the city but creates safer streets for our residents and business community.

This is supported by the successful bid in 2021/22 for £511,960 for Safer Streets, a project which aims to improve city centre safety.

working with HS2 and they are now adding a number of additional features that will provide real value on site, including a sitedeployable 5G network which they will be trialling over the next year in Malvern and launching in 2023.

PLINX were accelerated as a business via Worcestershire’s commercial technology accelerator, BetaDen. The BetaDen programme provides a 6-month incubator space for businesses to innovate their technology product or service and bring it to market. This is achieved via free office space, funding support and access to dedicated mentors and introductions into various local networks to build collaboration opportunities.

Find out more about BetaDen, the accelerator programme offer and their growing technology community on their website here. – www.beta-den.com

Learn more about PLINX and their innovative work on their website. - plinx.io

The Best Bar None scheme

PLINX, based at Malvern Hills Science Park

NEW YOUTH HUB LAUNCHED AT THE HIVE IN WORCESTER

A new Youth Hub has been launched in Worcestershire to support those coming out of education with their next steps.

The Hub is aimed at 15–24 year-olds and will provide a one stop shop to support young people in finding the right career path; providing 1-1 advice with a dedicated advisor, employability workshops and training based at the Hive, Worcester.

The Primary Hub will operate out of the Hive in Worcester with a plan to pop up in additional areas throughout the county to

ensure that all young people in the county are supported on their career journey.

The Youth Hub is a partnership with Worcestershire County Council, The Department of Work and Pensions and The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

To find out more about the support available for young people with their careers, visit the Skills4Worcestershire website on the link here. –skills4worcestershire.co.uk

Launch of the new Inward Investment website for Worcestershire

The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership has been working in collaboration with the Growth Hub, County Council, District Councils, commercial property developers and others to relaunch the Invest in Worcestershire website, to encourage more investment into the county.

The website provides users with all the latest information on current investment opportunities and highlights the various selling points that Worcestershire has to offer those in the UK and around the globe, and thanks to a brand-new navigation system and simplified design layout, it is easy to use.

Whether it is businesses already based in the county looking to grow, or an external business looking to inward invest, the Invest in Worcestershire website is here to help support.

Visit the website now, www.investinworcestershire.co.uk

Youth members meeting with Worcestershire employer Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd

BIG NAMES ENTER THE WORCESTER GAME

Worcester is passionate about our independent businesses and in fact, 68% of our retailers are independents. Areas of our city have evolved as independent zones over time, each carving a niche for themselves. Two such areas are New Street and Friar Street. These connecting streets not only showcase some of Worcester’s finest history (including Worcester’s oldest pub, The Cardinal’s Hat), but they are home to an eclectic mix of boutiques, bars, restaurants, and museums.

This fantastic independent business base is complemented by our high street favourites such as Boots, M&S and House of Fraser. Excitingly, there are more large names entering the city who have seen the value of locating in a bustling historic

city with fantastic shopping, heritage sites and green spaces. In fact, Worcester has just been voted within the Which? top 10 medium sized places to take a short break in the UK, with a score of 74%! Worcester even beat big names such as Oxford for our decedent and varied food and drink offerings.

Most recently, Cathedral Square, Worcester’s modern retail and leisure hub, has seen the award-winning bar and restaurant The Botanist and the exiting activities spot Mr. Mulligans, encompassing indoor mini golf, electro-darts, shuffleboard and more, join the city. Meanwhile our northern quarter has seen Grounded Kitchen, offering delicious Korean inspired dishes open by our central station.

Celebrating achievement within Worcester

A-Plan Insurance (a Howden company) collected the trophy for Insurance Broker of the Year at the prestigious British Insurance Awards on Wednesday 6 July 2022. They were shortlisted alongside strong competition from five other brokers, and were selected not just because of their excellent, highly personalised advice service they provide their clients, but how they immerse themselves in the communities in which they operate, supporting local clubs, charities, schools, and businesses.

The event took place at the Royal Albert Hall with over a thousand people from across the insurance industry in attendance.

Worcester Branch Manager, James Parker commented, “Winning this award means so much to us all, and highlights that being local, utilising data and tech, and providing our clients with a truly personalised advised service is what we are all about. Because we don’t sell insurance online and only offer an advised service, in branch or over the phone, this award celebrates all of those things! We couldn’t be prouder and look forward to sharing the wonderful news with our clients.”

The Botanist Bar & Restaurant, Cathedral Square, Worcester

A-Plan Insurance at the British Insurance Awards

Savery Hydraulics expands Coventry headquarters

Hydraulic designers and manufacturers Savery Hydraulics is expanding its Coventry headquarters.

WEST MIDLANDS BIDS TO BECOME GLOBAL ESPORTS HUB

The West Midlands has agreed on a 10-year agreement with the Global Esports Federation.

Esports (or electronic sports) is competitive video gaming. It’s different from standard video gaming in that esports is competitive (human-vs-human) and usually has an engaging spectator element to it, like traditional sports.

Esports tournaments usually consist of amateur or professional gamers competing against one another for a cash prize.

The agreement was led by the West Midlands Growth Company which hopes

it will cement the region’s position as a hotbed for the esports and gaming industry – the West Midlands is already responsible for a quarter of the UK’s output in the sector, hosting around 130 games companies – predominantly clustered around Leamington Spa – including Codemasters, Ubisoft, Playground, Sega Hardlight and others.

The agreement includes the establishment of a Global Esports Federation Innovation and Research Centre to encourage further collaboration between the private sector and universities in the West Midlands, spurring innovation in gaming and immersive technologies.

ModPods receives £250,000 investment to ramp up factory-built homes

ModPods International, which designs and manufactures modular buildings, has secured £250,000 to help create 125 new positions over the next three years.

The Coventry firm received the funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) provided by The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

The MEIF funding will also help the

company expand its factory capabilities to help fulfil new contracts.

ModPods says it can deliver an affordable home in a third of the time when compared with traditional constructions.

The ModPods are built off-site in a factory, then installed and ready to occupy the same day. They are made of lightweight steel and can be customised with sustainable, technology.

The British engineering firm, which has existed in one form or another since the industrial revolution, is planning to develop an additional 23,000 sq ft warehouse unit at Grovelands Industrial Estate, Longford Road.

The firm is refurbishing a former industrial warehouse on the site to create a manufacturing facility with an upgraded power supply capable of testing large hydraulic systems.

The space is intended to provide a dedicated clean hydraulic assembly environment, with additional capacity to keep up with demand for the company’s high specification hydraulic control manifold and systems.

The expansion also includes an investment into new stores facilities and a gantry crane for the assembly of large hydraulic systems, along with improved test facilities to increase its capabilities and capacity.

Graham Wood, managing director of Savery Hydraulics, said: “Our expansion into additional premises will allow us to capitalise on a growing number of opportunities within the hydraulics assembly side of our business.

“The most important thing in hydraulics is cleanliness, which is why the new dedicated clean environment and improved facilities will greatly enhance our capability to deliver several new contracts in the pipeline.”

Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, Rachel Davis, Director of Warwick Enterprise, Alice Dearing, Olympian and avid gamer, Matt Hammond, PwC regional chairman and West Midlands Growth Company chairman, Paul Foster, CEO of Global Esports Federation, Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council.

01 ProCook appoints Chief Marketing Officer

Direct-to-consumer kitchenware brand ProCook has appointed Angela Porter as Chief Marketing Officer. Angela joins the Gloucester-based company from GVC Ladbrokes Coral. Previously she was marketing director at Dunelm and before that held senior brand and marketing positions at Tesco and Vodafone.

02 Leadership expansion at Brainomix

Brainomix, the AI-powered medtech company has appointed Melissa Strange (pictured) as Chief Financial Officer and Jérôme Galbrun as Chief Revenue Officer. The expansion in the leadership team reflects the company’s growth since closing its £16 million financing last December.

03

New Chief Operating Officer for Worcester Cathedral

The Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral have appointed a new Chief Operating Officer. Matthew Hall joins from the Diocese of Bristol, where he has worked for the past 14 years, most recently holding the position of Deputy Diocesan Secretary (Finance & Operations).

04 Thursfields promotes a dozen lawyers

Midlands law firm Thursfields Solicitors has promoted 12 lawyers. Key promotions are Stewart Coles, Louise Jones and Laura Williams, who have all become directors in the firm’s Commercial Property, Residential Property and Family departments respectively, and Harbinder Gosal, who is now an associate director in the Family department.

05

Severn Wye appoints Sandy Hore-Ruthven as Chief Executive

The former head of the Creative Youth Network has joined charity Severn Wye Energy Agency as chief executive.

For 15 years Sandy Hore-Ruthven was CEO of the Creative Youth Network, the largest charity provider of youth services in the South West, growing the organisation to work with more than 20,000 vulnerable young people each year.

06

New Chief Financial Officer at Midcounties Co-operative

The Midcounties Co-operative, one of the largest independent co-operative societies in the UK, has appointed Peter Kelly as Chief Financial Officer. Peter has been with the Society since 2019, most recently serving as Head of Finance.

07 Bal Johal moves from Circassia to Owen Mumford

Medical designer and manufacturer Owen Mumford has appointed Bal Johal as director of research and development. Bal was previously vice-president of product development, quality, regulatory and medical with Circassia. Prior to this, she held roles within research and development at GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Mundipharma Research Ltd.

08 Worcestershire Law Society appoints new president

One of Worcestershire’s leading contentious probate law experts has been appointed as the new president of the Worcestershire Law Society. Andrew Chandler, partner at law firm mfg Solicitors, has taken over the position from QS Parkinson Wright’s Charlotte Perry.

11 Haines Watts Bristol appoints Andrew Jordan as partner

Haines Watts has appointed Andrew Jordan as partner. Staff numbers as Haines Watts Bristol have grown from 20 to 60 in the past five years, with turnover rising threefold in the same period. Andrew Jordan will help develop the business towards further growth over the next five years.

09

SpyBiotech secures new CEO in Mark Leuchtenberger

SpyBiotech, the Oxford biotechnology company with a novel vaccine platform technology that can target infectious diseases, cancer and chronic diseases, has appointed Mark Leuchtenberger as its chief executive officer. Sumi Biswas, the company’s co-founder, remains president and a director and becomes chief scientific officer.

12 Professor of International Management for FinTech West

Jonathan Beaverstock, Professor of International Management at the University of Bristol has joined FinTech West as Knowledge Exchange Fellow, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The fellowship role has been funded to facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry leaders in the FinTech cluster.

10 A move from Leeds to Warwick for Mark Tock

The University of Warwick’s Science Park has appointed Mark Tock as chief operations officer. Mark, who joins the Science Park from the University of Leeds’ innovation hub Nexus, is a life scientist with a PhD in biology and a Master’s in business administration. He was previously a board member of the UK Science Park Association.

HAVE YOUR STAFF GOT ITCHY FEET? MILLIONS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE JOBS

More than 6.5 million people in the UK expect to quit their jobs in the next 12 months.

New research published this summer from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CPID) has revealed that Better pay and benefits are the main motivator to leave, but people are also looking for increased job satisfaction and better work-life balance, the report said.

In response, the CIPD is calling for employers to not treat pay increases as a silver bullet for attracting and retaining staff, but look at overall job quality by being more creative with job design and people management practices.

Of those looking to leave their current job, a third are moving for better pay and benefits, 27 per cent want more job satisfaction, almost a quarter are looking for a better work-life balance and 23 per cent are looking for something different to do.

Poor leadership is a factor for many job moves

Many employees cite poor leadership from their senior management as the reason.

According to the Recruitment and Employment Federation, poor management costs UK business £84 billion a year – so it makes good financial sense to train management as well as staff if you want your recruitment costs to fall.

What can your business do to ensure that it not only attracts good staff, but keeps them too?

It’s a particular challenge given that many more of us are working from home for the majority of the week and feel distanced from our colleagues.

While there is advice galore from HR consultancies and support organisations such as offering meaningful career development, not micromanaging staff or offering a four-day week, each employee will have their own reasons for coming to work for your company or staying put rather than moving on.

So perhaps it’s those companies that really treat each staff member as an individual who will win in the increasingly competitive recruitment and retention lottery.

Gloucester City Homes rewards teams

Ranked as the 10th best housing association and a Best Company to work for in the South West by the Best Companies League table, Gloucester City Homes owns and manages more than 4,000 homes across the city, including units for the homeless.

It’s challenging working in the housing sector and the management at Gloucester City Homes understands this. The company has given all employees extra days off and has a budget to offer “real time rewards” to teams or individuals. This initiative allows managers to acknowledge exceptional effort at the time and to give employees a reward that they know they will appreciate; this has varied from shopping vouchers, cakes, breakfast to a team canoeing trip.

people in the UK, and a further 150 in the USA.

To achieve the award, 92 per cent of employees said that they were proud to tell others they worked there and 93 per cent of staff said their manager treated them with respect.

More than six million workers plan to quit in search of better jobs in the next year, but it’s not all about pay, according to new CIPD research. Is your company doing enough to attract and retain its workforce?

A biotech company which wants to transform the lives of people with cancer by designing and delivering cell therapies has been named a “Best Place to Work”.

Adaptimmune, based at Milton Park in Oxfordshire, employs around 300

Adaptimmune is a “great place to work”

FUNDAMENTALS SAYS TEAMS WORK BETTER TOGETHER

Virtual scavenger hunts and quizzes are just two activities to have entertained staff at Swindon-based power systems technology company, Fundamentals.

Weekly coffee morning sessions keep them updated about what’s going on in the company and team members share information about themselves and their background. Company-wide initiatives, such as the step challenge encourage employees to collaborate and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Employees have recently completed a hiking marathon and bake sale to raise money for Macmillan Cancer.

Fundamentals, based in Swindon with employees working across the UK and at a subsidiary company in Australia, was founded in the mid 1990s by Nick Hiscock and Chris Goodfellow. Both talented engineers working in the UK electricity industry, the founders were asked to solve a problem for Southern Electricity – how to operate and balance, in parallel, the two power transformers installed as standard in every high voltage substation.

They did it by breaking it down to the fundamentals, hence the company name, and in the process transformed voltage control for distribution networks.

Chief Executive Dr Jon Hiscock, said: “We believe that we’re better together and encourage teams to regularly spend whole days working in the same location.

“We have embraced a hybrid working model with employees spending at least Tuesday and Wednesday in the office for team collaboration and problem solving. This flexibility supports our mental wellbeing, creates stronger teams and helps us to share knowledge and experience, have fun and be happy.”

Fundamentals is a family-run business and applies the principles of good engineering to modernise the UK’s power grid and solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges – meeting net zero targets without the cost of wholesale grid reinforcement.

Aubrey Allen Butchers pioneering innovation

Along with winning a Platinum Jubilee Award for its traditional shepherd’s pie from the Q Guild of Butchers this year, Aubrey Allen Butchers, based in Leamington Spa, also won Employer of the Year at this year’s Leamington Spa Business Awards.

This family business was established more than 80 years ago in Coventry. Now it is one of the best-known butchers in the Midlands. Aubrey Allen has played a key role in pioneering the apprenticeship standard for the butchery industry. The company believes the future of the industry

Diversity is a competitive advantage says GCHQ’s Legal Director and Race Champion

Shehzad Charania is the legal director and race champion at the UK intelligence agency GCHQ, which has its headquarters in Cheltenham.

He is a second-generation Muslim immigrant and says it is a “significant opportunity to inspire a diverse workforce”.

“GCHQ will not be successful in protecting the country from an increasing range of threats if it does not draw on the greatest mix of minds we have at our disposal,” he said.

“Diversity is not therefore just a nice to have. It’s not just the right thing to do. It’s also mission critical. And it’s important for GCHQ’s licence to operate.”

GCHQ deals with some of the toughest problems imaginable, from seeing patterns in a sea of data to making a vital breakthrough to prevent a terror attack, he said in an interview this summer with the Asian Standard. “The best, most diverse minds will also think the most creatively – and in an intelligence agency which is all about technology, our diversity will give us a competitive advantage, from developing our national cyber capabilities to helping the country respond to strategic challenges like the rise of China.”

relies on innovation and the sharing of knowledge. Aubrey Allen was the first butcher in the UK to invest in a butchery academy in 2017 and it continues to thrive.

While there is still more to do to make GCHQ a truly diverse and inclusive place to work, one of the reasons Shehzad joined the agency was because “it is genuinely committed to improving, and I’m incredibly proud that improving equality, diversity and inclusion is one of the organisation’s strategic objectives.”

Aubrey Allen’s Butchery School

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY SAYS FOUR-DAY WEEK MAKES EVERYONE HAPPY

More than 3,300 workers at 70 UK companies are piloting a four-day working week with no loss of pay, in the world’s biggest trial of the new working pattern.

The pilot is running for six months and is being organised by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with the thinktank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, with Boston College.

Redditch software development company Green Gorilla Apps adopted a four-day working week for its eight employees in May.

The firm, which develops online and mobile platforms, has maintained its salaries and contracted hours, but restructured the working week to allow employees a greater degree of control over their schedules.

So how is the experiment working out?

Paul Rhodes, Technical Director at the company, reports that things are going well.

“The transition was probably easier for us because we are a small company and had already adopted elements of

flexible working already. When we were researching the idea I spoke to other businesses which were more regimented with their nine to five working day, so it would probably have been more difficult for them.”

Paul also thinks that productivity among his team has risen. “When you have chosen to work four days rather than five, you do tend to work the times of day when you are most productive.”

The company has also realised that sometimes team meetings could go on longer than was necessary.

So there are fewer of them, and meetings are banned altogether on a Friday.

“For me this is great because it means that if I am working on a Friday, then I have the head space to think more strategically for the business,” added Paul.

“We think we have successfully created a culture where everyone knows what is expected of them.

“By openly communicating expectations to employees and clients alike, we are already beginning to reap the benefits of our transition to a four-day week.”

Organisations particilating in the fourday working week trial are offering no loss of pay for employees, based on the principle of 100 per cent of the pay for 80 per cent of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintain at least 100 per cent productivity.

Other regional companies taking part are Allcap Engineering based in Gloucester, and Cirencester landscape planning, ecology and arboriculture consultancy, Tyler Grange.

An early pioneer of the four-day working week was global management platform edison365, which has its European base in Marlow. It announced a four-day week for its employees in its UK and USA offices in November last year following a successful six-month 4.5-day week trial.

“When you have chosen to work four days rather than five, you do tend to work the times of day when you are most productive”

Paul Rhodes of Green Gorilla Apps

THE BEST PLACES TO WORK ACROSS THE REGION FOR WOMEN

the importance of women throughout our organisation.”

“It’s really important to us that everyone at the Society feels like they belong and have equal opportunities to be successful.”

There are more in the region listed in the large organisation category (from 251-1,000 employees), including Oxford Pharmagenesis, IT services company Version 1, which has an office in Redditch, Gloucester-based kitchen goods retailer ProCook, Newbury-based medical device company Stryker, Webbs Garden Centres in Droitwich and the UK’s largest wine merchant Laithwaites, which has a major distribution centre at Gloucester Business Park.

Now in its fifth year, the 2022 Great Places to Work for Women listing is its largest yet. The results of the listing are based on what women have anonymously reported to Great Places to Work about their workplace experience and how well represented they are in the workforce and management.

Gender equality is not about treating men and women the same regardless of individual needs, says the report. It is about treating everyone fairly, regardless of gender. Ensuring fairness means to compensate for women’s historical and social disadvantages that prevent a level playing field

In the Super Large category, which includes companies with more than 1,000 employees, The Coventry Building Society and Siemens Healthineers, which has its magnet technology manufacturing site near Oxford, are named.

Lucy Becque, Chief People Officer at Coventry Building Society, said: “This is fabulous recognition for the Society – not just for the women who work here, but for everyone. It shows that the Society supports women to have a positive experience at work and it also recognises

If you’re looking to work in a medium-sized business (for 51-100 employees), Coventrybased Just Teachers comes in at No 4 in the listing, with Bristol-based cyber security company Immersive Labs and Seco Tools in Alcester, Warwickshire also mentioned Stroud-based food innovation company Green Gourmet is listed in the small category, along with the consultancy Domo Group in Bristol and Xledger, a fintech also based in Bristol.

This is fabulous recognition for the Society – not just for the women who work here, but for everyone

Coventry Building Society is a best place for women to work

Green Gourmet’s funky new working space in Stroud

It’s a candidate’s market. In fact, the UK economy is experiencing its worst labour shortage since 1997 (think Tony Blair’s landslide victory and perhaps even more infamous, ‘Barbie Girl’, by one hit wonder, Aqua).

According to recent reports, there are currently 1.85 million active job postings, a figure that has been rising since midJune. And with supply grossly out stripping demand, prospective employees can afford to be picky, simply meaning increased costs for businesses.

Gone are the days where employees can be tempted away from their job for an increase in salary. Employees want – scrap that, expect - a much broader smorgasbord of employee benefits on the buffet table. Whilst you may think your business is doing all it can by offering inflation beating salaries, flexible working and an inclusive culture, this is now a basic expectation for candidates, akin to a company offering the “benefit” of 28 days annual leave.

Increasingly employees are requesting lesser-known benefits including gym membership, low interest loans for car or property purchases and private medical. Employers, particularly those with finite budgets, need to keep up with demand as well as ensuring there is a clear plan to retain their best performers.

RECRUITING IN A CANDIDATE’S MARKET

Retention of key staff is another headache facing businesses.

Over the last 12 months, internet searches for ‘work progression’ have soared by 200%. When employees work hard and aren’t rewarded with career progression opportunities, naturally they won’t hang around.

Career development must be part of the recruitment strategy and onboarding process. Employees want to know what their next development opportunity will be (and when) so not making this clear can be costly from the outset.

Data also highlights a growing desire for employees to be adequately compensated for hard work, with searches for ‘rewards in the workplace’ increasing by 67% over the last year. Rewards can be anything from formally acknowledging an employee’s work (but let’s not reinstate ‘employee of the month’ anytime soon though, eh?), to

financial incentives, access to health and wellbeing services or team activities.

One of the worst culprits to retention is ‘micromanagement’, with search volumes showing a 40% surge in searches since April 2021. If you’ve gone through a suitable recruitment process, you should have enough confidence that the person you’ve hired is competent to perform. Teaching someone the ropes is one thing, overzealous micromanagement is quite another.

In a candidate’s market, employers need to consider the old adage: “do the basics well”. Provide career development opportunities, if you can, provide access to a variety of benefits (given their growing prominence). Recognise individual achievements, provide feedback (good and, well, less good) and most importantly think about culture.

bpe.co.uk/careers/

Employee recruitment and retention is fast becoming one of the biggest business challenges in 2022. The perfect storm of economic uncertainty, coupled with a cost of living crisis and a skills shortage, has seen employers struggle to attract candidates.

Chris Aldridge, Partner, in the Employment Team at BPE

To quote the legendary Peter Drucker: culture eats strategy for breakfast!

RECORD RESULTS FOR SOLIHULL’S IM PROPERTIES

IM Properties one of the UK’s largest privately owned property companies, has achieved its best results performance in its 35-year history.

Profit before tax for the year-end December 2021 was a record £119 million, up from £28 million in 2020.

The figures reflect a strong business performance overall with all divisions meeting or exceeding their targets as Solihull-based IM Properties looked to reposition the company’s assets, to focus on growth of its commercial division.

Tim Wooldridge Managing Director said: “It’s a great boost and underlines how everyone pulled together to get deals over the line as we pushed forward with significant investment during the pandemic to ensure we could deliver ambitious new sustainable schemes such as Mercia Park and Peddimore.”

Mercia Park will soon to be home to a 2.94 million sq ft global parts logistics centre for Jaguar Land Rover. IM Properties acquired the site in September 2016, with planning permission granted in September 2019.

Oxford Science Enterprises raises £250 million to support new businesses

Oxford Science Enterprises, the independent investment company created to found, fund and build businesses via its partnership with the University of Oxford, has raised a further £250 million in funding.

This brings the total amount raised by OSE to more than £850 million since it was established in 2015.

The funds enable the company to identify

further exceptional science from the University of Oxford, providing initial funding, hands-on support and access to expert networks and start-up infrastructure, to create new spin-outs across life sciences, health tech and deep tech.

Oxford Science Enterprises will continue to support its existing and maturing portfolio, deploying increasingly large amounts of capital in later-stage funding rounds.

Investment values

Spectrum Medical Group at up to £1 billion

Gloucester-based Spectrum Medical Group has signed a partnership agreement with leading global alternative investment manager CVC Capital Partners which will support the company’s continued growth. The agreement values the company at up to £1 billion.

In 2005, Spectrum Medical entered the global medical device market with the launch of its non-invasive diagnostic System M technologies.

Spectrum Medical is now focused on becoming a single solutions provider of high-performance technologies that include quantum perfusion systems, quantum informatics and quantum sterile technologies.

The combination of these technologies creates an ecosystem of products which lead to enhanced clinical monitoring, greater patient safety and improved health economics, the company said.

Spectrum Medical was co-founded by Steve Turner and Mark Drain and has grown rapidly by bringing new and pioneering technologies to the cardiac bypass and ICU space.

Cheltenham-based BPE Solicitors acted for Spectrum Medical on the partnership agreement.

First for Education sold to Operam Education Group

First For Education, a Worcestershirebased education recruitment agency, has been acquired by Operam Education Group, supported by funding from BGF and HSBC.

Operam Education Group is a specialist provider of qualified and support staff to schools across the Midlands and North of England.

The transaction follows the acquisitions of Provide Education, The Education Specialists, Teachers UK and Key Stage Teacher Supply, and strengthens Operam’s presence in key regional markets as it looks to establish itself as a leading independent education recruitment agency.

Greg and Sheryl Dickens, the founders

of First for Education, will stay with the business.

There is an acknowledged shortage of teachers in the UK.

The government has plans to boost teacher recruitment by encouraging candidates from any country in the world to apply to teach in England.

IM Properties’ Mercia Park, soon to be home to a 2.94 million sq ft global parts logistics centre for Jaguar Land Rover

WHY RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS IS SIMILAR TO MARRIAGE

“I’m Danielle Cole, founder of Veloci-Tech, and owner of established business, Cole Accounting. I’ve been helping business owners in Gloucestershire and the South West achieve financial clarity and direction in both their personal and business journeys for over 11 years. Your Marriage and business are closely linked and can follow a similar path, encompassing both the highs and lows.”

Marriage…

The honeymoon period, it’s new and exciting and you could happily spend your days with your loved one, lost in your own world, where life could just carry on without you noticing.

Time passes and you need to focus on other things to keep life moving, whether that’s work, children or just everyday tasks. Although the initial passion is still there, life takes over and there isn’t always the time like there was at the beginning

Then one day, you stop and realise that years have gone by and you’re on a different track. The plans you both made in the honeymoon period haven’t happened.

Maybe the plans needs altering as life has changed and priorities are now different. But it’s not too late to make a change and get back on the right track.

This is the time to work out what you both really want, to focus on what’s important to you and what you both want for your future together.

Business…

Does the above sound familiar? A lot of business owners face this same journey.

They have an idea for a business, it’s exciting and they can spend all day and be up late at night working on it, dreaming of what it will be once it’s evolved and how their life will change for the better.

Their business takes off and suddenly all their time is spent keeping the business operational. There isn’t any time to focus on the future anymore, to keep track of where they are heading, industry changes or new technological advances which their competitors may be using to gain a bigger market share.

They just keep going, keeping their customers happy, retaining staff and paying the bills. There isn’t any time left in the day to stop and take a step back. Then one day, it hits them, what happened to their dream? Why are they working long hours, earning less than they ought to, missing important times with their family and still not getting close to their goals?

A marriage and a business is an ever changing, evolving partnership. A partnership that needs its owners to be focussed on their goals and regularly re-evaluating how things around them are changing and whether they need to make changes to ensure they will achieve their dreams.

The lack of cash-flow is quite often the reason businesses fail and one of the main things that couples fall out over, so it’s vital to make sure this is addressed as soon as possible. Having a conversation, making the time to ensure your goals are a priority is the first step to achieving them.

Finding out what my clients want to achieve in life, both from their

business and personally, really helps me to focus on where I can help them.

Dynamic business owners strive for solid performance and sustained growth. They’re not searching for a silver bullet or a quick-fix solution to supercharge their success. Instead what they need is a financial partnership to help them keep their business and life goals on track.

If you would like to have a chat to see what you can achieve, drop me an email and we can start the conversationDanielle Cole at activate@veloci-tech.co.uk or call me on 01242 371317.

Two fundamentally important parts of your life, are more closely linked than you may have first thought, marriage and business.

Coventry window manufacturer snapped up by Swedish giant Assa Abloy

Sweden-based Assa Abloy, which manufacturers access products including doors, windows, hotel security and turnstiles, has bought Coventry-based specialist window hardware manufacturer Caldwell.

2021 saw significant growth for Caldwell, in both sales and profitability, with revenues in excess of £10 million.

Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of Assa Abloy, said: “Caldwell is an excellent addition and provides complementary growth opportunities.

“The acquisition will strengthen our position with fenestration manufacturers and I look forward to working with the Caldwell team.”

Caldwell has produced quality fenestration hardware for window and door manufacturers for more than 130 years. Its products are in homes to schools, office buildings to hotels, even the United Nations Secretariat Building and the Empire State Building in New York City.

PKF Francis Clark advises on disposal of Gloucester-based Terminix UK

Gloucester-based Terminix UK, the UK’s largest independent pest control business, has been acquired by Norvestor in a deal supported by Bristol-based accountants PKF Francis Clark.

Norvestor is a leading private equity firm focusing on mid-market businesses, primarily in the Nordic region.

Sam Phillips, transaction services director at PKF Francis Clark in Bristol, said: “This was a complex transaction, which

Albright IP expands business with new acquisition

Independent Cheltenham intellectual property firm Albright IP has acquired Bournemouth-based IP company Atkinson Wheller following the retirement of founder Michael Wheller.

“We were approached by Michael who was looking for an established, reputable company that could take over his business,” said Robert Games, Albright IP, Managing Director. “We saw this as a great opportunity to expand our own customer base and we’re delighted to welcome the new clients into our fold.

“We’re looking forward to getting to know the wider Bournemouth business community. The area has been listed as a hotspot for business innovation, and we hope we can support the business community as it continues to innovate and develop.”

also involved certain Irish assets of Terminix UK.

“We’re pleased to see the deal complete and look forward to supporting Terminix UK to deliver on their buy-and-build growth strategy across the UK and Europe with the backing of Norvestor.”

James Gilding, managing director of Terminix UK, added: “This was a project on a relatively short timeline with a high level of detailed analysis and support required.”

Regional law firm Thrings merges with Hereford firm Okells Francis Law

Regional law firm Thrings has merged with Okells Francis Law, strengthening its geographic reach.

The move brings Wye Valley-based Okells Francis Law’s teams in Ross-onWye and Lydney into Thrings, adding to its existing offices in Swindon, Bristol, Bath, London and Romsey.

Swindon-headquartered Thrings says its clients will benefit from the firm’s increased presence on the Welsh borders and the expertise of Okells Francis Law’s agriculture and private client lawyers, building on Thrings’ reputation as a national leader in these specialisms.

Law firm RWK Goodman has advised the shareholders of cloud-based vehicle diagnostic specialists SOMIT Solutions on its sale to Munich-based KPIT Technologies.

Based in Abingdon, SOMIT Solutions enables after-sales operations of hightech luxury and original equipment manufacturers through a cloud-based

vehicle diagnostics platform and expert consulting services.

Vehicle complexity is outgrowing existing servicing capabilities due to hightech automotive engineering linked to increasingly sophisticated software, and an acute shortage of trained and certified service technicians across the globe.

SOMIT’s cloud-based platform features an intelligent and intuitive diagnostics solution that will enhance a service technician’s user experience and improve service quality by increasing the ratio of ‘first-time right’ repairs.

KPIT works on developing technology with global leaders in automotive and mobility.

Caldwell sells to Assa Abloy

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER APPOINTED TO DELIVER FIRST PHASE OF £1BN

GOLDEN VALLEY PROJECT

Cheltenham Borough Council has appointed HBD X Factory as development partner to deliver the first phase of the town’s planned £1 billion Golden Valley Cyber project.

HBD X is a joint venture between developer Henry Boot’s property investment and development business, and Factory, the international tech campus developer,

The Golden Valley Development will provide 3,700 new homes, almost 12,000 new jobs and two million sq ft of commercial space, with the National Cyber Innovation Centre at its heart.

Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, Councillor Rowena Hay said: “This is the largest development that Cheltenham Borough Council has ever embarked upon. Its significance will be far-reaching.”

Tim Atkins, Project Lead and Managing Director for Place and Growth at Cheltenham Borough Council, led the appointment negotiations.

Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD, said: “The Golden Valley Development is one of the UK’s most exciting and nationally significant projects.”

The project has received funding from local and national government bodies, including £22 million investment from GFirst LEP to improve transport infrastructure surrounding the development site. The council has a further £180 million funding available for the delivery homes. £37.5 million was used by Cheltenham Borough Council to fund the purchase of the land alongside £249 million of government investment being delivered by Gloucestershire County Council.

Business Cyber Centre opens in Chippenham

The UK’s first business-led cyber centre has opened in Chippenham to support SMEs in their growth.

Based across 21,000 sq ft over three floors, the centre will provide a range of services extending from virtual cyber training to security awareness for cyberSMEs and micro-businesses, through to specialist courses and cyber career employment opportunities for young adults, mature learners and existing cyber professionals and freelancers.

Traced joins ecosystem of independent software vendors

Oxford-based mobile cybersecurity firm Traced has joined the Microsoft Intelligence Security Partnership (MISA).

MISA is an ecosystem of independent software vendors and managed security service providers that have integrated their solutions to better defend against a world of increasing threats.

Traced was nominated for membership for its Zero-Trust capabilities for mobile devices, which protects businesses against data breaches and cyber-attacks by restricting access to company data from untrusted and compromised mobile devices.

Client wins for cyber security specialist

Stripe OLT

Bristol cloud and cyber security specialist, Stripe OLT has increased headcount by 28 per cent following its accreditation as a Microsoft Gold Security Partner earlier this year.

The business provides technology services for clients including Bristol Airport, Hargreaves Lansdown, National Health Services, National Rail and MoneySuperMarket Group.

Stripe OLT Client Director, Tom Robbins, said: “Since the pandemic, we have seen a spike in cyber security threats, and an increase in demand for cloud and cyber-security technologies. Our work at Bristol Airport is a great example of this full solution. Using Microsoft 365 technologies, we helped implement a modern workplace solution, to simplify Bristol Airport’s internal processes.”

Artist’s impression of new cyber development in Cheltenham

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, FAMILY BUSINESSES DIG IN

In

Being a family business doesn’t insulate you against the same challenges that other businesses face. But it does mean you’re more likely to stand firm together when the going gets tough.

We invited 20 family businesses to discuss the issues they are facing over lunch, and it wasn’t a surprise to hear that in challenging times, those leading family businesses are more than willing to roll up their sleeves for the battle ahead.

Nick Latimer, Family Business Partner at Cheltenham-based leading audit, tax, advisory and risk firm, Crowe UK, said: “It was a special moment to be able to get family business leaders together again after the rollercoaster ride of the last three years, and to support a fascinating conversation about the importance of family businesses.

The stories we heard from the family businesses were varied but had a familiar theme – when the chips are down, and when the dust has settled, the family unit comes together to drive the business forward and bounce back better. It made me proud to be there and be part of it.”

Paul Wenham is Managing Director at Tewkesbury-based Geometric Manufacturing – which produces complex components for the defence industry. Paul,

an engineer, started the company in 1986 with his wife and father Brian, now retired. Paul’s daughter runs the dayto-day business while he manages the strategic side.

He said: “I think a reason that family businesses seem steadier than corporates in a recession is that we’ve got skin in the game. The family digs deeper for their business when things are hard.”

Simon Hollingshead runs Top Utility Solutions with his wife Sue. The company helps people and businesses cut the cost of their utility bills. He said: “Working together means we can support each other through tough times and enjoy celebrating the successes, it is like working with your best friend.”

That support doesn’t stop at family members. James Poeton-Bridges is a director at the 120-year old Gloucester

manufacturing company Poeton Industries. James returned to the family business after more than a decade working for technology companies in London.

“My father aims to support and give back to employees, many of whom we see as extended family, and I support that.

“It’s that culture and the values of a family business which differentiate us from others.”

Poeton’s commitment to its employees may be traditional, but the company’s success is based on innovation. It collaborates on some of the world’s largest engineering projects, developing surface treatments for metals and complex materials.

Cicely Elliot-Berry, who owns Cheltenhambased Sibling Distillery with her two brothers and sister, also recognises the value of being a family business.

“One of the benefits of being a 100 per cent family owned, nearly 100 per cent family run business is that we can define our own ethics. During the pandemic we pivoted to making ethanol for hand gel for the NHS. We decided not to boost our prices as some other firms were doing – shareholders might have thought differently.”

times of economic challenge family businesses know their closest relatives have their back

“I think a reason that family businesses seem steadier than corporates in a recession is that we’ve got skin in the game”

Adapting to the economic challenges ahead

The continuity enjoyed by family businesses is likely to help them as the country anticipates the economically rocky year ahead, as the next generation learns from the experience of the previous one.

Alex Rose is Managing Director at Beard’s Jewellery in Cheltenham. Established in 1804 during the reign of George III and when Britain was fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, it is one of the UK’s oldest family-run independent jewellers.

He said: “All businesses were under pressure during the pandemic, but it was particularly brutal for retailers like us who couldn’t open their shops.

“Leading a sixth-generation family

business gave me the added pressure of ensuring our family legacy. I don’t want to let the family down, but I can draw on their experience.”

Beard’s Jewellers pivoted its business online and saw a significant recovery in sales.

Maria Mann is the daughter of another long-standing independent jeweller dynasty, Mann Jewellers in Stroud.

“As a young girl, I loved trying on jewellery in the shop. I was inspired by my grandfather (now 78) and my father who showed such passion for jewellery and how it makes the customer feel when they buy it. I now help drive the modern side of retail, with its online and social media presence.”

But selling online isn’t easy. Customers compare prices and can’t always

recognise the quality offered by established jewellers such as Beards and Manns.

Alex added: “We’re now doing 45 per cent of our sales via e-commerce¬. But for me the customers relationships are important. With e-commerce it’s more likely to be a one-off transaction.”

Ben Hough is a director at Cheltenhambased Workplace Interiors which designs and builds offices and other corporate environments. The company was started by Ben’s father in 1993.

“Having a dad working in the business gives us all a longer perspective,” said Ben. “I’ve been through two recessions and am anticipating a third. Dad’s on about number five so we know the importance of bracing ourselves and getting our finances in order.

“It’s great to have the advice of someone who’s been through it before. Perhaps those of us who are younger are a bit braver looking forward, but that’s balanced with the hard-won experience of my dad.”

James Poeton-Bridges agreed. “We had the benefit of “grey hairs” too. My father said batten down the hatches and prepare for 50 per cent loss in sales because we do a lot of aerospace work. That helped us manage our costs which allowed us to get through the crisis.”

Another way to ensure the future is by investing in innovation, which is what Kevin Pope and his brother Tracey have done with Gloucester-based ProTrack Solutions and BioStart security.

“Many logistics companies have problems with people stealing vehicles. BioStart safely shuts the vehicle down when drivers exit the vehicle – even if they leave the engine running. They can’t restart it without fingerprint recognition. We’ve patented the ability to record a fingerprint and send it to any vehicle in the world remotely. The potential market for our product is huge.”

Through adversity, there is opportunity

James Horwood is a director at Stroudbased Kitchen Garden Foods. “Covid-19 had a big impact on us. Restaurants, hotels, trains and airports all closed. While

farm shops and delis stayed open, that isn’t our core business, although we sold more jars of jam to farm shops and delis than we’d done in 10 years. People find money for a small treat.

Don Robins is managing director of Printwaste Recycling & Shredding in Cheltenham. The company was established by Don and his brother Geof in 1983 recycling waste from local printers. It has grown to offer wider recycling services and waste management.

“The big thing about the economic change we’re going through at the moment and what I’ve seen before is being able to prepare for the opportunities that may come out of it.”

What could the opportunities be? “Possibly more recycling of plastics. With oil prices being so high it’s likely that recycled plastic will be in higher demand.”

Such a positive perspective from a company that suffered badly from the Covid-19 lockdown, is admirable. Printwaste collected from offices, and with people working from home, its business was affected badly.

“The family all pulled together, and so did many of our staff. It was heartening and humbling to work with them.”

While many family businesses struggled with lower orders and closed shops, the construction sector kept on building.

Michael Carter is Chairman of Gloucesterbased construction company E G Carter which has now welcomed a fourth generation into the business.

“The government encouraged us to get back to work. Our challenges were around supply chains, labour and materials, and adapting our on-site practices to be Covid compliant.

“I genuinely believe that being recognised as a family business by clients and employees ensured that we were in a better place to negotiate our way through a lot of the challenges. We got deals done with our suppliers because of our previous relationship with them and understanding from loyal employees because of what we stand for.”

Keith Bell Group Chairman of KW Bell Homes, agrees. He set up KW Bell Homes in the Forest of Dean in 1965 and has built hundreds of homes across the region.

Recently the company built and opened a construction training centre in Cinderford. Christened AccXel, it was co-funded by KW Bell and the government’s Getting Building Funding through Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership.

It is run by Keith’s granddaughters. He said: “I am really proud to see my granddaughters working in construction and what they are achieving in the family business.”

Michael Carter added: “My youngest son always wanted to join the family business and now my two sons are managing directors. When it came to looking at the succession planning, we had a big family meeting and every option on was on the table: selling, employee ownership buyout, management buyout and the whole family unanimously wanted to keep the business in the family – this was something I am very proud of.”

“I genuinely believe that being recognised as a family business by clients and employees ensured that we were in a better place to negotiate our way through a lot of the challenges.”

Nick Latimer, Crowe

Michael Carter, Chairman, E G Carter & Co

Don Robins, Printwaste

Setting an example for others to follow

The 100-years old Hobbs House Bakery is a small baker based in South Gloucestershire with big ambitions. In 2019 it became the only British bakery to be a Certified B Corp, which means it is now legally accountable to prioritise its responsibility to the environment and society.

Director Henry Herbert is determined to set an example and feels that being a family business helps. “I think our food system is pretty broken. We are just one small bakery, but luckily in this area there’s a growing a movement of bakers, farmers and millers – many of us family businesses, who are trying to improve the system. But it’s a big challenge.

“One of our long-term pledges is to buy all our wheat from healthy soils –that’s the soils that are regenerative r ather than denuding our land. Modern farming is dependent on fertilizers and pesticides.”

Matt Cleevely, managing director of Cleevely Electric Vehicles, also feels a deep commitment to future generations. His company was born out of the family garage business Cleevely Motors. Now he runs the new business with his wife. They sell, service and lease electric vehicles and are building the business to be more than just a garage.

Matt said: “We are very environmentally minded and try to live as sustainability as possible. We want to create a family atmosphere which has helped us bring more staff into the business because they seem to like the family feel.”

Although not a direct member of the Dunkley family, which owns Cheltenhambased beauty product design and manufacturer SLG Brands, Richard Buckland is considered as close to being family as can be by the Dunkley’s.

“When Miles Dunkley couldn’t participate in this family business lunch and suggested I come, it felt right because they’ve made me feel like family.”

“If you make it feel like you enjoy the job and you show your children that they could also, You can make it feel like there is a future and an opportunity for them to thrive and carve their own career.”

Henry Herbert, Hobbs House Bakery

Cicely Elliot-Berry, Sibling Distillery

Matt Cleevely, Cleevely Electric Vehicles

“They care about all the employees and that’s what makes us feel special. We’re encouraged to make a difference and are all made to feel like we’re a part of one big family. It’s not just me feeling this, many others have been with the business for years too, and long may it continue.”

“They care about all the employees and that’s what makes us feel special. It’s not just any old firm. We know we can make a difference. It’s not just me feeling this, others stayed for years too, and long may it continue.”

Don’t expect everyone to fit in

But working for a family business isn’t for everyone, as Paul Wenham at Geometric Manufacturing points out. “Some of those who have come from a corporate background can’t acclimatize to a family structure.

“Working for a family business is unique. You get involved in all sorts of different things, never mind what your job description is. At the end of day, we all do what needs to be done. Some people love that. Others don’t.”

Cicely Elliot-Berry at Sibling Distillery agreed. “We had one girl come to work for us from quite a corporate background. She felt like she needed to read between the lines of our conversations, but we kept saying “Relax, there’s nothing more to everything than what it looks like.”

Family businesses are not without their challenges

David Jones not only owns a family business, which is celebrating 50 years this year, but his Cheltenhambased chartered surveyor and planning consultancy business works with many of them too.

“There can be a lot of emotions tied up in planning and development, especially where families own land and property, and

sometimes that takes diplomacy on our part. Being part of a family business myself perhaps gives me a better understanding of their perspective.”

Anne Johnstrup is co-chairman of Nailsworth-based Truturn Precision Engineering, which was first established in 1960 by her husband Bill and his father. In 1985 Bill and Anne took the business on and changed the name. When Bill sadly died in 1994, Anne continued to run the company. She is now supported by her daughter, Becky Beacham, an experienced engineer. Becky started electronic assembly before progressing to quality control manager and is now the company’s commercial director. “Becky came into the business and started making cameras and undertaking electronic assembly. She’s working her way up through the business and loves it.”

Sometimes, rivalry between siblings is calmed when they start working together. Rob Lister owns Lister Communications in Stonehouse with his brother Tom. The company provides telecommunications equipment and services.

“When I grew up with my two brothers.

Tom and I fought like cat and dog, and you would never have put us in the same room.

“But we still formed the business together. Having argued all our life – fought and competed on everything, we’ve barely argued once in business.

“We’re now at the stage where our children are all in their early twenties. We’re not sure whether they’ll want to work with us or whether our business will be big enough for them. But there’s a home for them, if that’s what they also want, when they can bring a skill back to us.”

James Horwood at Kitchen Garden Foods agrees. “I’d like my children to do exactly what they want to do, not what I want them to do. I wouldn’t be at all disappointed if they said no, of course I don’t want to make jam.”

Henry Herbert added: “If you make it feel like you enjoy the job and you show your children that they could also, there could be an opportunity. You can’t force them to do it. You can make it feel like there is a future and an opportunity for them to thrive and carve their own career out of it.”

“Working for a family business is unique. You get involved in all sorts of different things, never mind what your job description is.”

Paul Wenham at Geometric Manufacturing

Family Business Lunch at PRITHVI

Family businesses joined Crowe and Business & Innovation Magazine at the prestigious Michelin rated restaurant PRITHVI, one of Cheltenham’s highestrated, fine-dining experiences, for an intimate family business lunch.

Photography: Rob Lacey

David Jones from Evans Jones and Michael Carter from E G Carter & Co

Summer desert

Exquisite canapés

Discussion over lunch

Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine with Richard Buckland from SLG Brands

Anne Johnstrup from Truturn Precision Engineering with Jay Rahman from Prithvi and Emma Clewes from Crowe UK

Networking

James Poeton-Bridgens from Poeton Industries and Ben Hough Workplace Interiors Co

Nick Latimer from Crowe and Matt Cleevely from Cleevely Electric Vehicles

Kevin Pope from Protrack Group and Rob Lister from Lister Communications

Don Robins from Printwaste with Michael Carter E G Carter & Co and Kevin Pope, Protrack Group

Simon and Sue Hollingshead from Top Utility Solutions

Main course

Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine, Paul Wenham from Geometric Manufacturing and Nick Latimer from Crowe

Maria Mann from Mann Jewellers with Cicely Elliot-Berry from Sibling Distillery and Richard Buckland SLG Brands

Alex Rose from Beards and Keith Bell from K W Bell Group

Henry Herbert from Hobbs House Bakery and James Horwood from Kitchen Garden Foods

ZERO PETROLEUM SIGNS FOSSIL-FREE SYNTHETIC FUEL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT WITH RAF

Cotswold Airport near Cirencester hosted a successful Guinness World Record title bid last year when a company pioneering fossil-free petroleum achieved the first aircraft flight powered by synthetic fuel.

Zero Petroleum, working with the RAF, achieved the Guinness World Record title with a round-trip flight from Kemble airfield.

Synthetic fuels are made using renewable power, such as wind, solar or geothermal, and efficient industrial processes (such as carbon capture, electrolysis or thermal reactions) and should not be confused with biofuels or fuels made from waste. The raw materials are just air and water from which the ingredients carbon dioxide and hydrogen are obtained.

Now the relationship has deepened after the RAF signed a contract to work with Zero Petroleum on scaling up the technology to support its net zero goals. The research programme – announced at the Farnborough International Airshow this summer – will provide data to evidence

the scalability and efficiency of the Zero Petroleum technology, which could be a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Zero Petroleum’s synthetic ZERO SynAVGAS and ZERO SynAVTUR fuels, made from hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide, are direct drop-in replacements for existing fossil-based aviation fuels.

They deliver the same performance and range as existing products, but with an entirely sustainable and fossil-free circular lifecycle, says Zero. The fuels could potentially massively reduce and eventually eliminate reliance on fossil fuels in aviation.

Zero Petroleum, which is founded and run by former Formula One team Technical Director Paddy Lowe, began working with the RAF last year. The new agreement will see the partnership expand to develop fuel certifications and design blueprints to enable the construction of squadron-scale manufacturing capability.

Quanta wins engineering innovation award

Warwickshire-based Quanta Dialysis Technologies has won the 2022 MacRobert Award, the UK’s top engineering innovation prize.

Quanta was awarded the accolade for its SC+ compact kidney dialysis machine which can being used to treat kidney failure patients at home, relieving the burden on hospitals.

Reaction Engines to work with Rolls-Royce and RAF to develop reusable hypersonic tech

Oxfordshire-based Reaction Engines, along with Rolls-Royce, the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund are to significantly enhance UK defence capabilities through developing reusable hypersonic technologies.

The Hypersonic Air Vehicle Experimental Programme (HVX) aims to establish the UK as a leader in reusable hypersonic air systems.

HVX’s immediate objective is to build on existing technologies which can cut the cost of developing a reusable high-Mach/ hypersonic air vehicle.

Reaction Engines’ novel precooler and SABRE combined-cycle engine technologies are key foundations for the programme.

SABRE – Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine – is a new class of engine developed by Reaction Engines for propelling both high speed aircraft and spacecraft.

The system is already in use in the NHS. During lockdown the company provided its entire UK stock of SC+ to relieve the burden on NHS hospitals and ICUs.

The MacRobert Award, run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, celebrates innovative engineering developments which demonstrate commercial viability and social applications.

John Milad, CEO of Quanta, said: “I am incredibly proud of our team for developing an innovation deemed worthy of the prestigious Award.”

Oxford Instruments’ Symmetry detector which integrates with scanning electron microscopes dramatically increasing the speed, sensitivity and resolution of analaysis was also a finalist.

Zero Petroleum gains world record over the Cotswold Hills

Bessemer Society

Harwell Science Super Power Dinner

The Bessemer Society held its Harwell Science Super Power Dinner at Harwell Campus, Didcot in June.

The society is named after Sir Henry Bessemer, inventor of the steel making process that bears his name.

It offers a forum for the leaders of companies engaged in hardtech manufacturing, facilitated by dinners with key speakers to encourage self-help by mutual association.

Photography: Rob Lacey

Stuart Grant, Chief Executive at Harwell Campus

Holt Wong QDot Technology

Andrew Harrison Diamond Light Source with Steve Bennington, Q5D

Rachel Eggington of Q5D with Cheryl Beddall, Amazon Web Services and Janet Donovan of M-Solv Charles Haythornthwaite of Crysalix with Liam Izod, Head of Technology Growth at BEIS

Daniel Kaute, Evoralis

Guests enjoy the dinner under canvas

Anisha Patel, Airbus with Masako Eguchi-Bacon, Ocean Bridge Management

Alex Stewart, Bessemer Society, with speakers Anita Bernie of MDA Space UK, Andrew Mitchell (Department of Industry and Trade, with Geoff Winkett, Agilent

Michael Gleaves, Chief Executive, Arralis

Prakash Kumar, Clean Air Tech

Guests enjoy the dinner under canvas Jim Stretton, Chief Operating Officer at ARC Group and Harwell Campus

Drew Murray of Oxford Instruments with David Holton of MCM Environmental and David Williams, Harwell Campus

Ilana Wisby, Oxford Quantum Circuits

Jason Forshaw, Head of Future Business, Astroscale

Pranav Sharma of Amazon Web Services with Barbara Ghinelli, Harwell Campus and Cheryl Beddall, Amazon Web Services

Chris Elsworthy, Q5D with Duncan Turner, SOSV

Mark Beresford of Thermo Fisher, Abdelaziz Toumi, Catalent Biotics with Adrian Griffiths of Recycling Technologies

Guests arrive in Harwell’s self driving taxi

Chris Elsworthy, Q5D with Janet Donovan, MSolv

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK PROJECT AIMS TO MAKE STEEL PRODUCTION CLEANER AND GREENER

With talks between the government and Tata Steel continuing on the future of the UK’s biggest steelworks which is based at Port Talbot in South Wales, the Indianowned steel manufacturer is working with the University of Warwick’s manufacturing group to develop new environmentallyfriendly steel grades, coatings, films and battery structures.

The ambition is to grow steel application across key industrial sectors as the UK advances towards net zero.

Researchers, led by Professor Claire Davis, at WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group), University of Warwick, are working with Tata Steel UK experts to apply the results of early-stage research in advanced materials and light-weighting, electrified propulsion system applications, digital manufacturing and net zero manufacturing.

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult at Warwick Manufacturing Group, said: “We have worked with Tata Steel on projects for many years, and this partnership will

see the collaboration grow across key research themes, including decarbonising the supply chain and enabling future applications of steel across zero carbon propulsion systems and transport vehicles.

“This activity will include identifying new collaborations and developing world-class technology for the future of the UK steel industry.”

This summer UK Steel published a report calling for a renewed focus on establishing a positive policy environment for steelmaking.

The government has targeted a 95 per cent emission reduction from steelmaking by 2050, while the Climate Change Committee has recommended that emissions from ore-based steelmaking be near zero by 2035.

It’s a big ask, especially as UK demand for steel is expected to grow by 2030.

But no steel sector or steel company in the world has yet successfully decarbonised.

UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace said: “There is a first-mover opportunity for the UK to become the first steel sector which delivers on net zero.

“If we accomplish this, we will transform almost 35,000 steel jobs into green jobs. These roles already underpin communities that have made steel for a century. By moving them to green jobs, we secure the future of these local economies for the long-term and support high-paying jobs in areas that have historically suffered from a lack of investment. We can ensure that Teesside, Scunthorpe, and South Wales can lead the world in net zero steelmaking.”

But going steel green will be costly. In July The Financial Times reported that Tata Group wants to reach a deal for the government to provide £1.5 billion in subsidies to reduce carbon emissions.

The UK government said steel "plays a critical role" in the UK economy and Tata was "a valued steel producer and significant employer".

Steelmaking

Oxford Biomedica signs new three-year agreement with AstraZeneca

Leading gene and cell therapy group, Oxford Biomedica, has signed a new three-year agreement with AstraZeneca UK to manufacture more Covid-19 vaccines for AstraZeneca should they be needed.

The current manufacture of Covid-19 vaccines at Oxford Biomedica’s Oxbox facility in the city is expected to complete this year as part of the original commitment. Oxford Biomedica expects to recognise aggregate revenues of approximately £30 million from AstraZeneca in the current financial year

Under the new agreement, manufacturing of vaccines at Oxford Biomedica’s 84,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, Oxbox, will be available to AstraZeneca beyond 2022.

Dr Roch Doliveux, Chair and Interim CEO of Oxford Biomedica, said: “I am delighted that our close partnership with AstraZeneca has been extended. I am proud of the work of all our colleagues at Oxford Biomedica that has enabled us to deliver more than 100 million doses of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine.”

Gloucestershire’s engineering and manufacturing sector worth £2.8bn

The engineering and manufacturing sector in Gloucestershire is worth £2.8 billion and employs more than 35,000 people.

This is according to Invest in Gloucestershire, part of the Local Enterprise Partnership, which took its story of manufacturing and innovation to the Farnborough Air Show in July.

The county has a long history of innovation, and is currently home to some of the world’s most innovative manufacturing companies from Renishaw and GE Aviation to Spirax Sarco and Dowty Propellers. There are also many tier two and three manufacturing companies and a growing number of sustainable manufacturing technology companies, including ZeroAvia at Cotswold

Andrew Graves, Head of GreenTec at Cheltenham-based SpiraxSarco Engineering, said: “The local opportunity for existing and nextgeneration technical talent who want to dedicate their careers to delivering innovation and more importantly environmental change is huge.”

Phil Clement, Head of Inward Investment at GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “The county’s inward investment team highlighted Gloucestershire’s strengths to the international business community at Farnborough, aiming to attract further innovative engineering and manufacturing companies to the county, and the new job opportunities this will bring.”

Prodrive and ZeroAvia join forces to develop hydrogen infrastructure projects

Banbury motorsport and advanced technology business Prodrive has joined forces with Gloucestershire’s ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen storage and dispensing technology to enable the provision of hydrogen at airports in support of ZeroAvia’s zero-emission aviation powertrains.

The projects will bring together two companies at the leading edge of aviation and automotive technology in the UK. This ground-breaking deal combines Prodrive's expertise in novel technology development with ZeroAvia's expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell powertrains.

Dr Iain Roche, Managing Director at Prodrive Advanced Technology, said: “We are extremely excited to be working with ZeroAvia as they pioneer hydrogen powered aviation. Our mission is to accelerate the design and development of net zero engineering solutions for our customers. So we look forward to helping ZeroAvia achieve their ambitions plans in the next few years.

Dr Arnab Chatterjee, Vice President of Infrastructure, at ZeroAvia, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for two leading technology companies to join forces to bend the curve on decarbonising aviation, the airport ecosystem and thus support the UK's aspirations to reach netzero by 2050. We look forward to growing this partnership and bringing more high-skilled jobs to the UK as we transition towards zero-emissions.”

Airport and Green Fuels at Berkeley.

“I am proud of the work of all our colleagues at Oxford Biomedica that has enabled us to deliver more than 100 million doses of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine”

RENISHAW: WE WON’T BE OUT INNOVATED BY ANYONE

Renishaw is one of the UK’s most successful and inspiring engineering companies

has always invested in UK manufacturing and innovation

by Nicky Godding, Editor

Will Lee, Chief Executive of one of the UK’s most successful manufacturing and engineering businesses, has just returned from his summer holiday.

“Things always seem clearer when you’ve had time away. It gives you time to think.”

Which means that by the time you’ve read this, some of Renishaw’s talented team at its headquarters in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire may have had a visit from Will about how things can be done better.

But that’s OK, because innovation and creativity are a priority at Renishaw and however good you are, things can always be improved.

Every engineer and designer at Renishaw hates the thought of being “out innovated” by someone else.

“It rarely happens that another company comes out with something that we wish we’d thought of first,” said Will, 47, who took over as chief executive from the founder Sir David McMurtry, four years ago. “But if it does, we won’t do a ‘me too’ product but will bring forward something that is better or meets another, equally important need.

“All our development teams feel that same passion. None of us likes someone else

coming up with an idea we wish we’d thought of first. Even another division coming up with a new idea is difficult enough. There is healthy competition between, and even in, our teams.”

Since being established in 1973 by Sir David McMurtry and John Deer, after David successfully invented the touch trigger probe to solve a problem on the Concorde engine’s instrumentation pipes, Renishaw has grown into one of the world’s leading engineering and scientific technology companies, with expertise in precision measurement and healthcare.

At the heart of everything is the company’s culture of innovation and its commitment to product and process patenting and high-quality manufacturing. Its decades of success also gives it the financial freedom to think long-term.

It’s this approach which has seen the company’s revenues rise to an expected level in excess of £650 million for its latest financial year which ended in June.

Renishaw at the centre of global precision manufacturing

Renishaw designs and manufactures measurement, motion control, metal 3D

printing and spectroscopy (a tool for studying the structures of atoms and molecules) equipment.

Its products enable global engineering companies such as Rolls Royce, GE Aviation and pretty much every consumer products, telecom and healthcare company you’ve ever heard of produce products that work exactly to their specification, from mobile phones to robotic systems, and even brain surgery.

“Anything manufactured with any degree of precision, which is almost everything, is likely to have used a Renishaw product somewhere in its production process,” said Will. “And there are still so many areas where our innovation and technology can help global manufacturers.”

The company has an exciting pipeline of new products coming along.

Renishaw has 77 offices in 36 countries and more than 5,000 employees worldwide, of which more than 3,000 people are employed within the UK where most of its research, development and manufacturing is carried out.

The company is currently investing more than £50 million in its South Wales site near Cardiff to increase manufacturing capacity. And it’s given itself the added

which

challenge of undertaking the whole operation while working towards tough net zero targets.

An additional 400,000 sq ft of low-carbon buildings are being built on the 193-acre site including two new production halls and an employee welfare facility. The existing production halls will also be refurbished to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The last two years have highlighted the importance of in-house manufacturing for Renishaw and the control that this gives the business in meeting quality, cost and delivery targets. It is a significant investment for the Stock Exchange-listed company.

Forget academia, give me a problem to solve

Will, who grew up locally, joined Renishaw in 1996 after completing a physics degree at Oxford University and undertaking a research placement with the United States government in Maryland, just outside Washington DC.

“Just six months in DC made me realise I didn’t want to work in academia or government. I wanted to work on technology that could solve practical problems,” said Will.

He didn’t expect to return to sleepy Gloucestershire but he did, taking a job at Renishaw as a design engineer.

“I only intended to stay for a short while before moving away, but there was always something really interesting going on here,” said Will.

“What I really enjoyed was working on a potential new product, then starting to get the parts made for it. As others begin to invest their time and energy on something you’re doing, you think: ‘there’s quite a few of us working on this now, it could be important.’

“Then you visit a customer and see how your design is helping them to, say,

test a silicon wafer (commonly used to manufacture electronic devices), and they are entirely relying on your equipment to achieve that. Then you realise that what you’re doing really matters.”

This interaction between engineers and customers is fundamental to the way Renishaw works, according to Will.

“Our technical teams visit customers regularly to see what they are trying to achieve. They will often ask us to make something smaller or adapt it in some way, but our technicians on site may see that’s not going to solve the customer’s real problem. So, they’ll work with our R&D teams to come up with a solution.”

Just six months in DC made me realise I didn’t want to work in academia or government. I wanted to work on technology that could solve practical problems

Will Lee, CEO at Renishaw

From his role as a design engineer, Will became a general manager and then Group Sales and Marketing Director before taking over from 82-year-old Sir David in 2018, who is now Executive Chairman.

Taking over from the founder is a tough gig, especially as Sir David still comes in four days a week.

“David is enjoying being able to focus on one area again. We catch up pretty much every morning at around 8am and swap news, but most of the time he’s down in the lab with the additive teams.”

Additive manufacturing is one of Renishaw’s newer business areas, which Sir David is helping to develop.

Shaping Renishaw for the future

It’s not been an easy ride for Will since he took over. Brexit? “We got through it but there were no benefits. We used to do direct shipments from Gloucestershire. Now we ship from warehouses in Ireland and Germany.”

Last year Renishaw put itself up for sale because Sir David and his co-founder John Deer, who between them own 53 per cent of the company, were both over 80 years of age. A lack of suitable purchasers ended the sale process, with

the founders saying none of those who had come forward met the interests of all the stakeholders.

The process was a useful exercise, according to Will. “We needed to see what the future could look like. What we learned was that we have a special business solving difficult problems. There are not many of those in the UK. It helped us sharpen up in some areas and appreciate what we do well.”

To better manage its growth, the company has become more decentralised, aiming to empower its people, with the Board giving a clear sense of direction.

Renishaw is now looking to the future, and increasingly engaging with its global workforce. “We want to share why what everyone is doing is making a real difference,” said Will. “Traditionally we have shared from our UK head office outwards. We are now bringing more ideas and successes from across the world back to the UK. This can be inspiring, particularly for our engineers who learn where their ideas are being applied.”

More recently, the company has responded to the Ukraine crisis. “Both the Board and our employees felt strongly about the situation,” said Will. “We had offices in Moscow and in the Urals, and long-serving employees. But we stopped

shipping to Russia immediately and offered all our Russian employees jobs outside the country.”

Some moved, others didn’t want to leave families. The offices are now closed.

The future continues to be bright for this company, which is taking on a record number of graduates and apprentices this year – 96 and 80 respectively.

Will, who lives near Nailsworth with his family, continues to be passionate about what he does. “I still get excited about our innovation. Why would I want to come to work every day otherwise?

He looks for the same in employees. “We want our staff not just to be interested in technology, but in making a difference. And we do everything we can to inspire and help that.

“Can we continue to solve problems successfully? is there something we have already that would solve a problem neatly which is different to those of our competitors? Can we patent it?

“We don’t get everything right because some of the decisions we take are high risk, but everything we do is about generating cash. If we continue to invest in innovation and engineering, the financial rewards will come.”

“What we learned was that we have a special business solving difficult problems. There are not many of those in the UK. It helped us sharpen up in some areas and appreciate what we do well”

Will Lee, CEO at Renishaw

POST-BREXIT COMPLIANCE TRAPS SNARING THE UNWARY…

Ian Worth, VAT & Customs Duty Director at national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe in Cheltenham, looks at the issue of Post-Brexit compliance.

accuracy of import declarations made since 1 January 2021.

Crowe’s customs team has developed an analytics tool that reconciles declared import data against a retailer’s purchase records, which can quickly identify any undeclared shipments before HMRC starts inquiries.

The customer experience is a high priority for retailers, but Brexit has presented challenges and costs in maintaining the smooth nature of online supplies to customers in the EU.

Compliance is always an issue for exporters and importers, and we always knew there would be issues surrounding the implementation of Brexit. What was not anticipated was the impact of a global pandemic and supply chain difficulties exacerbated by displaced containers around the world after the grounding of the Ever Given cargo ship in the Suez Canal.

Retailers in the UK have had to deal with new logistical challenges in getting stock on to their shelves, as well as in some cases delivering to customers in the EU. Supplies from the EU have required customs declarations and payment of duties, although a set of confusing easements in the UK has created a number of traps for the unwary.

Trap Number 1

Many importers failed to submit their supplementary declarations within the required six months, and few have so far been pursued by HMRC. An easement intended to ease port bottlenecks has resulted in some users suffering noncompliance, unwittingly in many cases.

HMRC is starting to increase its audit activity, with a particular focus on the

Trap Number 2

Another easement allowed UK retailers to claim preference without having the required evidence of origin, on the basis of “importer’s knowledge”. This meant goods were imported free of customs duty, declared as of EU origin. HMRC audits are discovering that “importer’s knowledge” was rarely operated correctly and, in some instances, abused.

Trap Number 3

Many retailers have fallen into the trap of allowing clearance agents to make compliant declarations. They are service providers who can only make declarations using information provided by the importer they are representing. If the information is incorrect or vague, or if there is no detailed instruction to the agent, it is very possible that the resulting customs entry is incorrect, resulting in too much, or too little, duty having been paid.

The customer experience

Customers expect their goods to arrive without complications and in the quick and seamless manner to which they have become accustomed.

In clothing retail, for example, it is common for an online order to include three or more sizes of the same garment, supported by a customer-friendly returns policy and infrastructure.

In a single market where goods could move freely between members of a customs union, the only challenge for the retailer was logistical. Now UK retailers have a customs border to contend with, on top of the logistical challenges.

In order to maintain the customer experience, the retailer has to complete UK export declarations, EU import declarations, pay customs charges and import VAT in the EU. Then the retailer also needs an infrastructure to manage returns. All of these additional elements add cost to the retailer, yet the demanding customer expects the retailer to simply absorb these costs, forcing many retailers to review their strategies for supplies to EU customers. The need for customs declarations to be made for shipments between the UK and the EU has highlighted a lack of communication between the key players in the supply chain.

In some cases, it has also highlighted a lack of knowledge about customs obligations, and for many retailers, a need to understand how insightful data analysis can support customs compliance, monitor and manage broker and carrier performance, and identify risks and opportunities.

For further information about how Crowe’s VAT & Customs team can help retailers to navigate their post-Brexit customs obligations, please get in touch with chris.mould@crowe.co.uk in Cheltenham or call 01242 234421

Ian Worth, VAT & Customs Duty Director at national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe in Cheltenham

BUILDING THE FUTURE. CAN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR LEARN FROM MODERN MANUFACTURING?

Visit a car production line such as The Mini car plant in Oxford, or Jaguar Land Rover’s mighty Midlands factories and be impressed with the incredible automation on show.

The robotics and other modern manufacturing methods they have developed squeeze out the smallest gains in productivity and quality in each car as it rolls off the production line.

Then visit pretty much any building site across the UK and you’ll see bricklayers and roofers, carpenters, plasterers and painters all plying their skills in an artisanal way which hasn’t really changed for decades.

But it’s going to have to change if the UK is to meet its commitment to building more than 300,000 new homes a year the government says are needed, and to construct the new schools, hospitals and other public buildings it has promised,

because those with the traditional skills to deliver these are becoming increasingly hard to find.

So what to do? The obvious answer is to learn from the best automotive and aerospace manufacturers.

Increasingly forward-thinking construction company bosses are realising that they must adopt modern methods of design and construction to meet looming government regulations and growing customer demand.

One such is Mike Hawkins, managing director at Banbury-based Hawkins Group of Companies, which is made up of a construction company, roofing business, steel fabrication and project management companies which collectively turn over more than £36 million a year and directly employ around 100 members of staff.

Changes in construction methods start

from the design stage. Two years ago, Mike Hawkins invested more than £200,000 in the development of a unique virtual reality experience to help its designers create new buildings for their clients. They christened it The Hawk Walk.

At its Banbury technology and innovation centre, Hawkins clients can put on virtual reality goggles and step into a unique, purpose-designed turntable structure which lifts and turns using hundreds of sensors, then they simply “walk around” their future investment, allowing them to experience the building in virtual reality before the first shovel even breaks ground.

The technology allows clients to identify and request changes as they go. Hawkins designers can adapt the plans immediately so the client can check their decisions before they leave knowing exactly what their building is going to look like and how it will operate.

Has it ever occurred to those of us who don’t work in the sector how old-fashioned many UK construction methods are? But this could all be about to change

The investment makes financial sense for clients, says Mike. “Our technology can reduce the time taken from design to being on site by 40 per cent.”

Now Hawkins Group is investing again. This time on developing technology to show customers what the entire building will look like in real holographic life, not just in a 3D format on a screen.

“We are investing because we want to stand apart from our competitors,” said Mike. “Customer experience is key. They are investing considerable sums in a new building so we feel they should be able to visualise the building and see how their money is being spent.”

From design and construction to the materials used and management of the building, everything is changing, and the companies which are prepared to invest in the future are the ones most likely to thrive.

“Our technology can reduce the time taken from design to being on site by 40 per cent”

Hawkins Group virtual reality room, with The Hawk Walk

The Creation Room at Hawkins Group

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION WILL DRIVE UP QUALITY AND HELP EASE THE SKILLS CRISIS

While the construction sector bounced back faster than expected from the pandemic, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicts the industry will need to recruit an additional 217,000 workers just to meet demand.

Where will these skilled people come from? No one is really sure, so the sector is increasingly looking to learn from the sophisticated manufacturing techniques developed over decades by the automotive and aerospace industries.

And a key word for the future of construction is modular. Moving more of the construction away from the building site and into factories will dramatically improve the way the UK builds, and help ease the skills crisis.

Even better, it will open up construction jobs to a wider number of people.

Mike Pitts is Deputy Challenge Director for Transforming Construction at Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, which is supporting companies pioneering modular construction methods.

He said: “Working in a factory which is constructing modular buildings can be done by someone who can only work part-time, or perhaps those with some disability where you can control parts of their environment which cannot be done on a building site.

“It means the skilled workforce we do have is deployed more productively, taking away the jobs they don’t need to do. So if a roof can be lifted on to a house fully formed and tiled, the tiler doesn’t have to carry tiles up and down scaffolding which is not a productive use of their time, and isn’t safe. They can just come in and tile the roof on the ground.

Looking at the “whole life” of a building

Innovate UK has invested £170 million, matched by £250 million from industry, to help move away from traditional construction methods, where priority has often been given to the cheapest solution to one where the decisions made when planning new construction projects are based on the “whole-life value” to society of the building.

Innovate UK wants such projects to be delivered 50 per cent faster, the “whole life” costs reduced by 33 per cent, lifetime emissions cut by half and productivity raised by 15 per cent.

Quite an ambition. But Mike says that it has to happen, and projects have shown it’s possible now.

“Construction in the UK is still essentially undertaken in an artisanal way. Historically a building is designed as a 2D drawing and interpreted on site by various skilled workforces which don’t always work closely together. This means that every building is a prototype – no two are built in exactly the same way – even buildings that are ostensibly the same have been put together differently. Therefore, they perform differently and any data we can draw from them can’t be fed back into the design process.”

Innovate UK, working with the Innovation in Construction team at Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre, is trying to bring a level of standardisation to the skeleton of the building where repeatable spaces are designed in a modular way and manufactured in a factory.

But it doesn’t have to mean that every new building will look the same.

Mike cites the recent example of an office building in Southwark, East London built by developer LandSec. Called The Forge it’s the world’s first office building built as a kit of parts.

“When you start to standardise layouts you can begin to get that agglomeration in manufacturing,” said Mike. “The structure of a building, the part that’s largely hidden, can be built in a modular way. So architecturally you can still have the look and the finish you want, but the bulk of the building, the structure, is built to a much higher standard.”

Mike Hawkins of The Hawkins Group says his company is currently undertaking modular construction for data centres, low voltage and high voltage power modules.

“This type of construction is quick and easy to control in a factory environment. Modular designs are great for cost savings, speed and consistency but it can be challenging to get the architectural aesthetics that comes with normal building practices.

“Perhaps we could build an attractive, architect-designed exterior and drop in the modular rooms before adding a roof. Then you get the architecture too – a hybrid solution for modular build.”

The Forge, built by LandSec in London, is the UK’s first net zero commercial office development, and built using the highly efficient and sustainable platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly

A key benefit of modular building is that the tolerances are much higher than in a building constructed on site.

“It means that everything is in the right place,” said Mike Pitts at Innovate UK. “When you are fitting the building out you don’t need to shift everything to make sure they link together, such as the air handling system, facades, windows – everything slots in.

“From the outside, you wouldn’t know that it had been built any differently, but it is of factory quality standard, goes up a lot quicker and the whole thing has been delivered with a 10 per cent capital cost saving on original design.

“It can also be net zero in design and what we learn during the process can be put back into future design, and that’s really important.”

Architect and urban designer Craig Wall at Gloucester-based architects Roberts Limbrick, agrees that modular construction methods can improve construction and material finish quality.

“The process of constructing indoors on a production line provides the opportunity for greater quality control compared to traditional on-site methods” he said, “especially with regard to the increasingly rigorous energy performance and requirements for buildings.

“The challenge for us as architects is to see how we can work with the opportunities and constraints of a modular system to produce responsive and contextual architectural treatments for developments which are adopting these construction methods.”

Craig’s colleague at Roberts Limbrick, Andrew Wood, added: “Modular construction can’t be used for every building and we still design bespoke landmark buildings. In the residential sector, the modular system currently relates more to volume building and is an important volume response to the housing shortage.”

More environmentally-friendly buildings and placemaking initiatives improve society

Alongside the desire to adopt modular building because it’s more efficient, is the ambition to reduce the CO2 emissions from the construction itself.

According to the UK Green Building Council, the country’s built environment is currently responsible for around 25 per cent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. If vehicle emissions which relate to the construction sector are included, that rises to 42 per cent.

The government’s planned new building regulations will help decarbonise buildings in the UK, reducing carbon emissions from new homes by 30 per cent, and all other new buildings by 27 per cent. The ultimate aim is to reduce total building carbon emissions by a minimum of 75 per cent by 2030 in order to meet wider net-zero climate change targets.

But adapting traditional building methods will have a cost attached.

Andrew Wood at Roberts Limbrick said: “Cost control is the overriding concern on most construction projects, so sometimes more innovative sustainable construction methods and materials aren't suitable. Sustainable materials and technologies need to add value as well as utility to be specified. We have to tackle that issue every time, it's a very fine balance to strike. To deliver well on sustainable buildings the architect, construction company and client need to be pulling in the same direction.”

Mike Pitts of Innovate UK thinks that house buyers will soon start to ask the big house-builders why they are paying a lot of money for a new home when it will quickly need to be retrofitted for new environmental standards. “They will ask why it wasn’t built right in the first place. It’s a scandal that we are building homes now that are not net zero.”

But clearly house builders must balance scheme viability with adherence to regulation.

Craig Wall at Roberts Limbrick added: “With changes in regulation often being restricted by commercial pressures, it is our responsibility to give future generations the opportunity to appreciate what constitutes a great place to live and high-quality homes, which will drive demand through consumer choice.”

The Construction Innovation Hub based at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry has launched a Value Toolkit, following a successful development programme with more than 200 industry partners.

The toolkit aims to help shift asset investment decision-making from the narrowest lens of lowest cost to the best value.

Sustainable buildings work better for people

A hospital where the airflow is good, there is more natural light and the layout gives the feeling of space, speeds up a patient’s recovery time and enables the staff to be more efficient – and that’s an important financial metric. The same goes for other public buildings such as schools.

But it’s not just the buildings themselves that are important, it’s the spaces in between. Craig Wall added: “It is all too easy to be preoccupied solely by the design of the built form, whereas this is only a constituent part of what makes a successful place to live, move, play and meet. When well-established good urban design principles are applied at an early stage this promotes responsive environments which are attractive, functional and ensure choice.”

WHAT WILL OUR HOMES LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE?

Developer looks to incorporate grid scale battery storage on sites

Leamington Spa-based land promoter and developer L&Q Estates, part of the not-forprofit L&Q Group, is partnering with Bristol engineering design and sustainability consultancy Hydrock to explore how to incorporate new energy management systems on its sites across the UK.

A government project based in Berkeley, Gloucestershire is helping the UK construction sector towards net zero by designing prototype buildings that act as proof of concept and a template for the construction industry.

Founded in 2018 as part of the UK Government's Transforming Construction Challenge, the Active Building Centre is showcasing how renewable generation and storage technologies can be either retrofitted into past generations of housing stock or incorporated into modern-day new builds.

Active buildings generate and store renewable electricity to meet their own needs, then intelligently redistribute the surplus to other buildings and back into the grid.

It sounds too good to be true, but apparently houses, schools, hospitals and commercial premises can all be active buildings if technologies such as air and ground-source heat pumps, solar and wind power, biomass, hydrogen and battery storage are deployed, even better if they are built of energy-efficient materials.

These technologies are integrated into an intelligent system which allows the building

to produce renewable electricity, then store or sell back any excess energy.

The ambition is to reduce the need for highcost power stations by creating a network of millions of decentralised, hyperlocal, renewable energy sources.

The Active Building Centre has three demonstration buildings. The first is a single-storey house built to 2005 building regulations standards of power and fuel consumption with reversible heat pump, solar panels, wind turbines and PCM battery. Also at the site is a modular terrace-style house built to 2012 building regulations standards, with a biomass boiler and EV charge points. A second modular house has been built to the specification of the incoming Future Homes Standard. It has a three-phase electrical system and vehicleto-building charging capabilities.

The organisation has worked with a number of companies including Spirax Sarco, the Cheltenham-based global manufacturer of steam management systems. The two companies collaborated on a low carbon technology project. It has also worked with Greencore Construction on the construction company’s Springfield Meadows project, a development of 25 climate positive homes near Oxford.

Hydrock is investigating how to ncorporate grid scale battery storage on its national portfolio of sites, to provide a more responsive energy system.

Darren Mace, Projects Director at L&Q Estates, said: “There is a drive to ensure that the energy harnessed through natural sources such as windfarms is more widely stored to prevent it going to waste.”

There is currently 1.5GW of installed batteries in the UK, with current pipeline growth to 6.5GW by 2025 but there is a need for considerably more – around 50GW by 2050 to support government’s net zero commitment.

Josh Bullard, Divisional Director at Hydrock, said: “Lithium-ion battery storage provides a rapid response generation and storage capability.

“The batteries connect to the local electricity network, storing surplus capacity during low demand that can be released during peak times to supplement the local grid.”

The Active Building Centre’s demonstration houses at Berkeley in Gloucestershire

ADAPTAVATE SECURES MORE THAN £2 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR CARBON-ABSORBING PLASTERBOARD

Stonehouse-based bio-technology company Adaptavate has secured £2.16 million of investment to scale production of its carbonabsorbing plasterboard, Breathaboard, and increase roll-out of its revolutionary internal Breathaplasta plaster range.

The company has designed a scalable, carbon-sequestering alternative to one of the most widely used building products used globally – plasterboard.

Breathaboard is the second sustainable product from the Adaptavate team. It’s first, Breathaplasta, a quick setting lime plaster that is a higher performance and healthier alternative to mainstream plaster products, was launched in 2016 and is now supplied throughout the UK and Europe. The Midlands-based developer St. Modwen is about to undertake testing of Breathaplasta on its construction sites.

The new funding for Adaptavate will enable it to build a world-first pilot production line, boost its research and development laboratory facilities and teams, and complete

testing and licensing programmes for Breathaboard. The funding allows the acceleration of a ‘fabric first’ approach to healthier buildings, getting Breathaplasta on to walls and creating healthier homes.

Tom Robinson, Managing Director and Founder of Adaptavate said: “This investment will enable us to revolutionise the way construction materials are made without forcing any change on end users.

“We’re using industrial carbon-absorbing processes to produce a healthier, high performance product that is better for the health of people and planet, and a genuine drop-in replacement for gypsum plasterboard.

“It’s a fundamental rethink and redesign of the current system and we are excited to scale this approach around the world. The exciting thing is, we have solutions for the mainstream market with the Breathaplasta range including universal, smooth and thermal which can already be bought through builders’ merchants.”

Timber-framed buildings deliver energy savings near Cirencester

Stonewood Partnerships has been working with Witney-based Donaldson Timber Systems to develop frames that, at 23.5cm, are nearly double the thickness of standard timber frames for its Orchard Field site, a sustainable development of 88 new properties at Siddington near Cirencester.

Once they are clad, the walls will be a heat-saving 45cm thick to fit the ‘fabric first” ethos of building homes whose fundamental design is energy efficient, rather than relying on retro-fitting gadgets to produce that efficiency.

By using a timber frame build system Stonewood has managed to find a high quality, low-energy building system to build these homes, using more sustainable products and ensuring energy savings for occupiers.

Other environmentally-friendly features include ground-floor underfloor heating fuelled by air source heat pumps, the use of mechanical ventilation heat recovery, small-bore pipes delivering rapid hot water to sinks and showers, solar panels and electric car charging points.

Stonewood says its Orchard Fields homes are designed to be sustainable and will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70 per cent.

Adaptavate’s Breathaboard

A CGI of one of Stonewood’s timber-framed houses at Siddington

And yet, surprisingly sparing coverage has been given to this key piece of legislation, brought about by the tragedy of the Grenfell disaster, the subsequent review led by Dame Judith Hackitt and some frenetic parliamentary activity. The last of which might have been drowned by other Westminster news recently.

The BSA is now in force (partially, at least) from 28 June this year and it introduces a regime overseen by a new Building Safety Regulator, with particular emphasis on ‘higher-risk buildings’. Its reach is almost overwhelmingly broad but to say that it has its critics would be an understatement.

Amongst others, it will impact on landlords, developers, tenants, management companies and leaseholders, as well as contractors and construction professionals, especially those involved in residential or multioccupancy buildings. It opens the door to claims against the manufacturers of products, and brings a raft of duties for building owners, many of which are yet to be enacted.

Two particular aspects of the BSA are worth focusing on. Although, it certainly doesn’t substitute a much deeper dive into what the BSA is likely to mean for everyone!

THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT –A LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES?

For anyone involved in the property and construction sectors, the newly enacted Building Safety Act 2022 (‘BSA’) is a seismic change in the legal landscape.

1. Landlords or management companies are now restricted from recovering the cost of rectifying safety defects via service charges

Arguably the most significant (and controversial) provision. Although this change will only apply to certain leases, this effectively shifts the responsibility for correcting major safety defects from leaseholders to freeholders/landlords in one of the largest retrospective legislative changes ever seen.

This is particularly significant for buildings where urgent work is still required to remediate unsafe cladding. Over the last few years, there has been huge activity in this respect much of which has been paid for via the Building Safety Fund (‘BSF’). This was used to speed up the process of remediation works, particularly in the wake of Grenfell, and has been extremely effective.

However, the BSA follows the (Government-led) drive to ensure that the cost for such work does not fall on the shoulders of either (1) home-owners or (2) the taxpayer but, instead, that developers and landlords foot the bill. Whilst understandable, in principle,

this has created substantial uncertainty over how ongoing and future remediate schemes might be implemented and paid for, meaning that many projects are now being delayed.

2. The limitation period for (existing) claims that fall under the Defective Premises Act (for defects that cause a risk to people by fire spread or building collapse) has been extended to 30 years

This ‘headline-grabber’ is a particularly significant change, considering (a) the breadth of types of defects covered and (b) the extent of development activity since the early 1990s.

How wide will the ‘litigation floodgates’ be opened because of this? Despite the uncertainties, it is clear that the BSA will have a profound impact on the sector. How will it impact future projects? How widely will it be felt in retrospect?

Little is known, yet, but if there is consensus, there is significant concern about how the effects from this new legislation, which is already in law, remain extremely difficult to predict.

For further information about the Building Safety Act 2022 or any other construction or property queries contact Richard Wade, Head of Construction, at Blake Morgan, at Richard.wade@blakemorgan.co.uk blakemorgan.co.uk

Richard Wade, Head of Construction, Blake Morgan

Graphene innovator Versarien launches futuristic 3D printed lifestyle pods

Versarien plc, the Forest of Dean advanced engineering materials group, has launched a “Lifestyle Pod” to showcase its first 3D printed concrete product made with Cementene, Versarien’s graphene-enhanced cement.

Known as Versarien “Lunar”, this is a milestone project for a 3D-concrete printed product with a graphene additive.

Since fewer materials are needed to achieve the same structural performance as ordinary concrete, incorporating graphene into concrete can enable faster completion of buildings, reducing costs and the carbon footprint.

The versatile pods can be used as an office, studio, gym, or leisure room. The pod’s wall design shows the level of detail, flexibility and precision that can be achieved with 3D-concrete printing.

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, said: “This is the first application of a technology that has the potential to change the way the world views construction. Lunar doesn’t just provide convenience for homeowners but can also be used for on-site fast construction in commercial and emergency relief situations. Versarien is driving this innovation and we look forward to seeing the impact this technology can have in the world around us.”

HS2 TRIALS ‘FIRST OF A KIND’ ELECTRIC DRILLING RIG IN BID TO CUT CARBON IN CONSTRUCTION

HS2’s construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI Joint Venture (BBV), is trialling the world’s first all-electric, highcapacity drilling rig on a construction site in Warwickshire, as it steps up plans to meet HS2 Ltd’s ambition for dieselfree construction sites.

Andrea Davidson, HS2’s Air Quality Manager said: “We are working with our supply chain and leading manufacturers to drive a step change in the UK construction industry, demonstrating the viability and benefits of emissions-free heavy electric plant.

“Being at the forefront of a groundbreaking trial like this is another step on our journey to achieving our target of all diesel-free construction sites by 2029, and net zero carbon from 2035 – helping HS2 to become the most sustainable infrastructure project ever delivered.”

The 100 tonne BAUER eBG33 drilling rig creates an overall reduction of 1292kg CO2 per day compared to a traditionally powered rig and also reduces noise by half. In terms of performance, the equipment can carry out exactly the same tasks as a traditional rig.

This innovative new machine is being deployed alongside a diesel-powered rig to construct large diameter piles, showing that heavy, electric-powered construction plant can perform the same tasks as traditional machines.

The BAUER eBG33 replaces the diesel engine drive with a powerful electric drive.

Dan Fawcett, Innovation Director at BBV said: “This project is a major step forward towards transitioning to allelectric powered plants.

“We’ll share what we learn from this trial and extend it across our other sites, as well as the wider industry.”

“This project is a major step forward towards transitioning to all-electric powered plants ...”

Versarien CEO Neill Ricketts with his 3D printed pod

The world’s first all-electric, high-capacity drilling rig being pioneered by HS2

Active Building Centre supports developers and housing associations on their net carbon zero journey

Our goal is to revolutionise construction through the deployment of Active Buildings. Transforming the energy and construction industry, through new innovative building design.

Founded as part of the UK Government’s Transforming Construction Challenge, the Active Building Centre sets the standard for clean, efficient, and climatefriendly communities. We do this by designing prototype buildings which provide a template for the construction industry. We also advise developers, local authorities and social housing providers on newbuild design and the retrofitting of existing properties to meet the net carbon zero requirements.

Our research promotes sustainable construction, shapes future living, improves building performance, alleviates fuel poverty and helps decarbonise the UK’s energy supply.

Active Buildings support the energy network by intelligently integrating renewable technologies for heat, power and transport.

Active Buildings are designed to be energy efficient, with novel ways of controlling and releasing energy. These buildings have the potential to be energy self-sufficient. When they are connected with other Active Buildings in a network, they could have the ability to trade energy.

Active communities

The general principles of Active Buildings are:

Building fabric and passive design

• Energy efficient systems

On-site renewable energy generation

• Energy storage

• Electric vehicle integration

Intelligently manage integration with micro-grids and national energy network in addition to intelligent control of building systems

A community of connected Active Buildings gives the optimum solution for minimising demand from the grid and enables community scale response.

We work with model homes built to various historic standards. We use these homes to measure the best way of matching up various technologies to minimise energy consumption and make even older homes as close to net zero as possible as part of the retrofit process.

The technology is already developed

There are huge gains to be made from adding solar panels, heat pumps and smart systems to existing housing stock. Developers, local authorities, and housing associations have an opportunity to make a major contribution in averting the climate emergency. By making our homes more energy efficient, it helps to cut bills and reduce fuel poverty.

To discuss your requirements for retrofitting existing properties or for a new build project email: info@activebuildingcentre.com activebuildingcentre.com

YOUNG CONSTRUCTION LEADERS FORM FUTURE INNOVATIONS GROUP

The bright young minds across the construction industry have come together to form a new group to help drive change.

The Future Innovation Group aims to tackle construction’s biggest issues and create a springboard for change, with new thinking from the leaders of tomorrow.

Led by a steering group of placement students, the initiative is open to young people in any construction-related business sector – from contractors to marketeers – and is backed by industryleading companies including Rugby-based construction company Morgan Sindall, Bristol-based construction consultancy Pick Everard, development company Wates, West Midlands project management company Faithful+Gould, procurement consultancy Pagabo and builders IAG.

The construction industry struggles to attract and retain people at early-stage career level, so the group is aiming to identify the reasons for this to build a more attractive and diverse sector. It will also look to harness the power of information, working towards making the sector more data driven.

Rebecca Rennie, placement engineer and site manager at Morgan Sindall, is on the group’s leadership panel along with Jamie Davison and Abi Riddle, also of Morgan Sindall.

She said: “Our main goal in launching the Future Innovations Group is to bring likeminded young people from any area within the construction industry together, to discuss how we can make it a more attractive place for future generations.

“We hope the group will be a springboard

for change, identifying why junior recruitment has become such a pervasive issue, and how we can rectify it to build a better industry for all stakeholders.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the industry for supporting us in our new venture and look forward to working with the construction leaders of today to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.”

Group CEO at Pagabo, Gerard Toplass, said: “Only 25 per cent of the 40,000 people starting qualifications complete the process and stay in the construction industry – showing a 75 per cent drop-off rate.

“This is an alarming statistic and a great cause for concern regarding the future of our workforce as we need to adapt to suit the requirements of tomorrow – and thus far have been too slow to do so.

“The Future Innovations Group will bring much-needed diversity to the industry and I applaud the work of founders Rebecca, Jamie, Abi and everyone involved in driving the change needed for a better future for those in entry-level positions.”

“Only 25 per cent of the 40,000 people starting qualifications complete the process and stay in the construction industry ...”

Young Innovators look to the future

CITY CENTRE STORES DEPART FROM RETAIL FOR NEWER USES

What do you do with more than 150 redundant Debenhams department stores? When the 200-year-old brand finally closed its doors after falling into administration in 2019, the windows of large swathes of retail real estate began gathering graffiti and flyposters.

But not all. The University of Gloucestershire led the way in March 2021 when it announced the acquisition of the iconic Debenhams building in Gloucester’s King’s Square. The forward-thinking university is investing millions of pounds to convert it into a teaching campus.

Morgan Sindall Group is the construction contractor for the project, working alongside the multi-disciplined design team led by ADP Architecture.

The university is determined that its new city campus will help the regeneration of the city centre and support the university’s ambitious plans for growth.

It will provide facilities to train those seeking careers in nursing and education, with the first staff and students set to move in from autumn 2023.

Perhaps not quite as aspirational, but in Swindon, the town’s former Debenhams could soon become a storage hub for last-mile delivery and warehousing in the rapidly-changing world of modern retail.

Plans have been submitted in a joint application by current owner Meadow Partners and inner-city self-storage

operator StoreAway, which would see the 200,000 sq ft space transformed to offer 900 lock-up storage spaces. The site has remained vacant since December 2020.

The acquisition would be part of a UK drive to transform more than a quarter of a million sq ft of redundant retail space on the UK’s high streets into storage space.

Work could begin on the landmark building’s lower three storeys and basement as early as spring 2023, with the StoreAway team keen to preserve some ground floor retail.

Plans to turn shopping centre car park into homes in Kenilworth

A planning application to transform the Talisman Shopping Centre car park in Kenilworth into residential accommodation and two new shops has been submitted.

Cobalt Estates (Kenilworth) Ltd, in a joint venture with Discovery Properties, acquired Talisman Square shopping centre in Kenilworth in 2003. The shopping centre had seen little change since it was built nearly 40 years ago.

Cobalt Estates wants to build 44 residential flats across four storeys, with two new retail units on the ground floor.

A previous scheme to build student accommodation and retail units on the car park was granted planning permission by Warwick District Council in 2016, but the build did not go ahead due to the changing commercial landscape.

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, said: “Bringing residential dwellings into the heart of the scheme will add life to the centre particularly outside the usual trading hours.”

The University of Gloucesershire acquired the iconic Debenhams building in Gloucester. It is investing millions of pounds to convert it into a teaching campus

An artist’s impression of the new Gloucestershire University campus in Gloucester’s former Debenhams

UKAEA TO BUILD NEW RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPACE AT CULHAM

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is to build an 8,000 sq m research and development building at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon.

A 35-year income forward funding agreement with Legal & General has been agreed, with the £40 million building comprising engineering and office space due to be completed in mid-2024. Planning permission has been granted and the work will be carried out by Kier Construction.

It is the latest boost for the evolving South Oxfordshire campus and forms part of a major regeneration programme.

In June 2021, UKAEA and General Fusion announced the Canadian firm would build its Fusion Demonstration Plant at the Culham campus and further upgrades are taking place across the UKAEA site to advance fusion energy and technologies including robotics, computing and artificial intelligence.

Antonia Jenkinson, UKAEA’s Chief Financial Officer and Director of Property, said: “Our work here continues to

create jobs and drive economic growth, helping place the UK at the forefront of the international scientific community. This investment will help companies contributing to the UK’s world-recognised fusion technology cluster, and develop a supply chain and skills base to solve challenges across a broad sector.”

Oxford Science Park sells development site to Ellison Institute for

American research organisation

the Lawrence J Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, is establishing a major presence at The Oxford Science Park. It follows the park’s sale of a 150-year lease on a 3.5 acre site which will connect directly with the adjacent Littlemore House site which the Ellison Institute acquired last December.

Ellison Institute’s Oxford campus will provide a permanent home to research laboratories, patient clinic and

offices. It also enables the expansion of its existing partnership with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, one of the major international companies which is already based at the park.

Rory Maw, CEO of The Oxford Science Park, said: “This commitment will reinforce the ground-breaking research and development already taking place on the park, delivering benefits and opportunities for our occupiers and the wider Oxford innovation ecosystem.”

Dinah Rose QC, President of Magdalen College which owns The Oxford Science Park, said: “Following on from our strategic partnership with GIC, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund, this is an exciting next step in the evolution of the park.”

This follows the news in July that Oxford Nanopore Technologies completed the sale of its interest in the Gosling Building to The Oxford Science Park for £42.5 million.

Artist’s impression of the new research and development building at Culham

The

Transformative Medicine

“Our work here continues to create jobs and drive economic growth ...”

Going Green! Sustainable Construction at Abingdon & Witney College

We are investing in facilities and staff to deliver the skills that the construction industry need now and in the future.

From our Construction centre in Witney that opened in 2017, to our new £3.5million Green Construction Centre in Abingdon, which is now open, we are committed to sustainable construction in our local area.

Our new Abingdon centre, offers courses for apprentices, school leavers, adult learners and existing professionals; focusing on core construction skills training taught with a green focus.

There will be full and part-time qualifications and apprenticeships offered in:

• plumbing (including renewable technologies)

• carpentry and joinery

• electrical installation

Courses for existing professionals will include:

• Retro-fit, net-zero, low carbon philosophy and principles

• Renewables: biomass, solar thermal, air source/ ground source

• Modular construction, timber buildings

• Airtightness, ventilation systems, Passivhaus principles

Alongside our new green centre we have a range of courses that aim to simplify the skills system for local SME’s and promote apprenticeships and green skills in the STEM sector. These projects are part-funded by the European Social Fund and will be delivered through our college campuses in Abingdon, Witney and Bicester, giving access to all residents and SME’s across Oxfordshire. For more

information visit: www.abingdon-witney. ac.uk/esf-projects

Our Bicester Construction Centre which opened in March 2021 and houses a dedicated ACS Gas Training Centre offers a range of skills development opportunities, from apprenticeship training to professional skills updating, (call 01235 541 111 for more information). This is complemented by our Centre in Witney, which has already established a good reputation for delivering vocational skills to the sector in: Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical and Plumbing.

With Abingdon in the south of the county, Witney in the west, and Bicester in the north, we are well placed to cater to the needs of the construction industry across Oxfordshire. OxLep has part-funded the new build projects and sees Construction as a sector with both growth and skills shortages within the county and beyond.

Abingdon & Witney College are committed to delivering the skills the construction industry needs now and in the future! For more information visit: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk

SAVVY CONSTRUCTION TO EXTEND HEYTHROP PARK FOR WARNER LEISURE HOTELS

Coventry to get second major city centre hotel

A year after the Telegraph Hotel opened its doors in Coventry following a multimillion pound regeneration of the city’s old Telegraph newspaper offices, another major hotel development is under way.

Construction company Bowmer and Kirkland is on site undertaking the £20 million project for developer Castlebridge.

The 100-bed hotel in Friargate, to be run by IHG Hotels and Resorts under its boutique brand Hotel Indigo, will also have a gym, restaurant and bar, and is planned to open next year.

Castlebridge director, Jenna Dienn, said: “We are delighted to be breaking ground in Coventry. Hotel Indigo will be a great addition to our portfolio.”

Willemijn Geels, Vice-President

Development Europe of IHG, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be expanding the Hotel Indigo brand in the UK. We currently have 33 hotels open and a further seven properties in the pipeline, of which Hotel Indigo Coventry is one.”

Following a £40 million renovation completed earlier this year, the work goes on at Heythrop Park near Chipping Norton.

Savvy Construction, based at Horspath in Oxfordshire, has been appointed to build a new 26-bed accommodation wing at the Park, which is run by Warner Leisure Hotels. Work is due to begin this month.

The 300-year-old Heythrop Park was originally built for the 1st Duke of Shrewsbury from 1706-11 and sits in 440 acres of grounds, which includes the Bainbridge Championship Golf Course. Over its life it’s also been a Jesuit college, a training and conference centre and, from 1999, a hotel. Warner Leisure took over the estate in 2018 and spent almost four years on its renovation.

The latest new accommodation wing will increase the number of bedrooms from 337 to 363. The hotel also has three restaurants, six lounges, a spa and two theatres.

The project, funded by Metro Bank, is expected to complete before Christmas next year.

Nicholas Kalamaras, Head of Hospitality and Leisure for Metro Bank, said: “Coventry has been going through something of a renaissance in recent years, with the City of Culture 2021 status being the icing on the cake. We are confident that this project will attract a new wave of tourists to the city.”

Warner Leisure's parent company Bourne Leisure was acquired by funds managed by Blackstone Capital Partners last year.

“... Hotel Indigo will be a great addition to our portfolio”

Heythrop Park Hotel

Artist’s impression of the Hotel Indigo, currently under construction

Evans Jones

Celebrate 50 years in business with summer drinks party

Evans Jones, the Cheltenham-based firm of property and planning consultants celebrated a key milestone in its history this summer at a drinks party for staff, clients and suppliers.

Photography: Rob Lacey

Evans Jones Directors, David Jones and Ian Eggleton Evans Jones

Dorian Wragg from Bruton Knowles and Ben Thomas from Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Ruth Dooley from Hazlewoods and Sue Snape from Snape Contracting

Richard Spencer from Converse Law and Peter Doggett from Vistage

Bruce Fenley from ASH & Co with Alex Turner and Peter Ralph from Evans Jones

Wendy Ryder from Evans Jones and Joan Jones

Richard Cutler from Cheltenham College with Sarah and Kirk Steel from Old Station Nursery Group and Ian Eggleton from Evans Jones

Reese Keene from Over Farm with Jo Bruce from Evans Jones, Steve Grindle from Raw Sports and Ian Eggleton Evans Jones

John Everitt from Coombes Everitt) with Richard King from The Chamwell Centre and Scott Lawrence from Hazlewoods

Felicity McClintock from Willans and Simon McKeag from ASH & Co

Laura Greenman from Harrison Clark Rickerbys with Tom Bale and Rebecca Jenkins from RRA Architects

£17M ZERO-CARBON OFFICE DEVELOPMENT FAST TAKING SHAPE IN BRISTOL

The South West’s first net zero carbon outof-town development is taking shape.

The £17 million project at 1000 Aztec West in South Gloucestershire near Bristol has been commissioned by CEG and delivered by Beard Construction.

CEG has £300 million of investment properties currently under management across Bristol.

As well as 1000 Aztec West, the team also manages The Crescent Centre and the Quorum in the city centre. Together, these offer more than 250,000 sq ft of office space.

CEG is also bringing forward the flagship 200,000 sq ft EQ development at Victoria Street in the city.

At Aztec West, with the steel skeleton work complete, Beard is now removing the existing roof to create a new floor and roof, which will see the capacity of the building grow from 38,000 sq ft to 80,000 sq ft, creating space for an 850-strong workforce.

Matt Cooper, director for Beard in Bristol said: “Repurposing the structure has not been without its challenges, but the energy of the initial build has not been wasted and we have saved a huge amount of carbon.”

GLOUCESTER BUSINESS PARK SOLD TO SINGAPORE REAL ESTATE COMPANY

South Gloucestershire council leader Toby Savage added: “The 1000 Aztec West redevelopment fits into a wider picture of significant investment in office, residential and leisure facilities in this part of our district – from the thousands of new homes being built on the former Filton Airfield, to nearby landmark leisure facilities like surfing centre The Wave, Bristol Zoo’s Wild Place and the recently opened ice rink Planet Ice.”

Completion of the project is expected in summer 2023. The agents marketing the development are Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Cushman and Wakefield and Carter Jonas.

Stoford secures funding for speculative unit at Worcester Six

Property developer Stoford has secured funding to speculatively build a new commercial unit at Worcester Six Business Park.

It has signed a funding agreement with private equity company Cabot Properties for a 37,800 sq ft unit, adjacent to Kimal and ZwickRoell, on the business park, which is close to junction 6 of the M5.

Work has already started and completion is expected in April 2023.

The sale will allow ARC to focus its portfolio on the growing life sciences and technology sectors.

ARC was launched by global alternative asset manager Brookfield earlier this year – with a specific focus of bringing organisations together in place-based clusters.

ARC’s consolidated network of clusters now sits at 1.6 million sq ft including Harwell Campus and Oxford Business Park.

1000 Aztec West

FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC PREMIER INN BEGINS CONSTRUCTION IN SWINDON

The first all-electric Premier Inn is being built in Swindon. The five-storey 195-bedroom hotel is the first one of the brand to be designed without a connection to a natural gas supply. Instead, the hotel will be fully heated and powered by grid energy generated from renewable sources and by on-site photovoltaic (PV) cells.

A suite of energy and heat recovery systems, including air-source heat pumps and a new water-heating technology from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will also be included in the thermally efficient hotel building.

Whitbread, which owns and operates a network of more than 840 budget hotels in the UK and Ireland, has highlighted the importance of removing natural gas from its estate in achieving its target of net zero emissions by 2040.

Alex Flach, UK development director, said: “If we are to achieve our target

of becoming a net-zero business by 2040 we need to find a replacement for natural gas across our estate.

“This is a considerable challenge as we rely on natural gas to heat water in our network of hotels and power many of our restaurant kitchens across the country.

“The new all-electric Premier Inn is designed to give us everything we need to run an operationally successful hotel.

“A combination of a thermally efficient building and on-site energy recovering and generating systems has given us the confidence to remove fossil fuels from the new Premier Inn.

“It is a bold and necessary proof of concept which has the potential to inform the specification of our newbuild hotels.

The hotel is currently under construction on a vacant brownfield site in Regent Street.

Launch of Hydrogen South West consortium will accelerate transition to a net zero future

Nine organisations covering aerospace, shipping, hi-tech engineering and public utilities have joined together to launch Hydrogen South West to help decarbonise transport and power, aiming to drive sustainable growth, upskill the region and deliver job opportunities.

Focusing on sectors such as shipping, aviation and housing as well as industry, the consortium comprises easyJet, Airbus and Hynamics (part of EDF Energy), GKN Aerospace, engineers Costain and Wood, Bristol Port, Bristol Airport, and Wales and West Utilities.

The collaboration will create links between regional supply and demand and drive the development of hydrogen infrastructure and technology. Several pilot projects are planned, including a Hydrogen Hub at Bristol Port.

Ecotricity invests £11m in gas from grass facility

Green energy pioneer Ecotricity is building a green gas mill, which will make gas from grass.

Its first-of-a-kind £11 million gas mill is being built near Reading. Once fully operational in early 2023, it will provide all gas needs for 4,000 local homes every year, the company said.

Traditional methods of making green gas involve food waste or energy crops – both have sustainability and scale issues. Grass is a breakthrough alternative, says the Stroud-based company.

Ecotricity’s green gas mill will be fed by herbal leys, a mix of grass and herbs, grown on farmland next to the plant.

Green gas mills do not require agricultural land and do not compete with food production, the company added.

Artist’s impression of the all-electric 195-bedroom hotel

The region’s most influential B2B magazine, in-print and online for news, features, interviews and business sector analysis. Published by Black Ox Ltd.

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