C&W Jan 2024 by Benham Publishing Limited

Issue 99 Jan - Feb 2024

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

Nuneaton entrepreneur Ian O’Connor the driving force behind Eskuta Page 20

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Foreword

Contents January - February 2024 Business Support

Chamber President

News

Chamber Events

Dear Member, Happy New Year! One of the highlights of my job is the chance it gives me to meet so many incredible businesses across Coventry & Warwickshire. The level of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship across our membership is astonishing and the opportunity to share this and learn from these businesses is a genuine privilege. This has been epitomised in a series of policy events we have been running with our Influence Partner and Engage Members – these have been focused workshops that have allowed us to understand what our members are doing in key areas of policy and for them to help us shape our future campaigns and business support offering. The first of these was at the Telegraph Hotel and looked at Net Zero, this was followed by a brilliant session looking at the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), held at Warwick Manufacturing Group, and the latest was mid-January at the beautiful Billesley Manor where around 40 members looked at how to build inclusive workplaces and communities. This workshop was excellent, and it highlighted just how much local

businesses are already doing to address inequality and how keen their desire is to do more. We looked in detail at how we could develop inclusive recruitment processes – ones that encourage people from every corner of our local communities to secure the jobs we are creating every day. We agreed that meritbased assessments were often more important than qualifications – with attitude, empathy and enthusiasm taking top spots in attributes we wanted from candidates. We looked at blind recruitment methods, succinct Job Descriptions and how to advertise jobs in different ways to encourage different people to apply for jobs. We also had a fascinating discussion on how businesses can put values at the heart of their business model and that these should start from the shop floor and be pushed up to the board, rather than the other way round. The importance of developing an inclusive and welcoming culture – the glue that holds businesses together – was seen as utmost importance and those businesses that had gone through the process of defining these policies and then making sure they were implemented were seeing benefits to their bottom line.

Trusted Advisers since 1896 Authentic Agile Connected

We’ll repeat these workshop themes over the next 12 months to ensure we have completed the actions we were given, and that we are pushing these agendas forward and constantly innovating – I can’t thank our Influence Partners and Engage Members enough for their support with this. 2024 has kicked off with a bang and there is a busy few months coming up. I hope you’ve already booked your tickets to the BIG Business Lunch on 21 March because it will sell out, our networking diary of events is back in full swing and we’ll be looking at the Spring Budget for skills announcements, tax cuts and investment in our local areas. We’ll also be launching the British Chambers People and Skills Report at the MTC in February. It’s a good time to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce – make sure you’re making the most of it, the more you engage – the more you’ll get out of it.

Corin Crane Chief Executive

8-9

News

10-11

Business Engage Profiles

12-13

Chamber Training

International

Skills

Profile

20-21

Economy

22-23

News

26-28-29

Health & Wellbeing

Around the Region

32-38

News

Education & Skills

40-42

Movers & Shakers

44-45

New Members

Members Offers

Based in Coventry, we are a regional accounting firm with international reach.

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Business Support The official publication of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce ••••

CONTACTS AT THE CHAMBER News desk Members are encouraged to send any news about their firm - new orders, staff, new products, expansions or relocations for publication in C&W in business. Whilst every effort will be made to publish submitted articles, we cannot guarantee inclusion. Send them to: news@cw-chamber.co.uk Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Chamber House Innovation Village Cheetah Road Coventry CV1 2TL T: 024 76 654321 F: 024 76 450242

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Ask for help when starting a business A Nuneaton man who launched a new business to give his family a better life has urged others who are thinking of doing the same to seek support. Joe Foster is celebrating being in the second year of running his own company, EA Digital, which specialises in the installation of TV, telecoms and security within both domestic and business environments. Joe had worked for many years as a satellite TV engineer but decided to go it alone after the birth of his second child and hasn’t looked back. As the business was growing in the local area of Galley Common. Joe decided to increase his business’ potential and received start-up business support, which forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. The support was delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five district and borough councils. The support is part funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council), and Warwickshire County Council. EA Digital received free business advice from the Start-up Programme which comprised of regular one-to-one meetings with a business adviser. The bespoke support covered all aspects of business foundations including growth strategies, financial management, and extensive marketing planning.

Joe said: “I just wanted a better life for my family both financially but also being able to work my hours around them so I was keen to get all the support I could. “The company vehicle is now fully branded, I’ve grown our presence on social media and have just launched a new website. “The help has been amazing, and I can’t thank the Chamber and the council enough for giving me this backing.” The business advice gave Joe an insight into how to market and brand his business to increase the growth potential and from there he was able to win further work and focus on his business full-time. He said: “I’m really pleased at how far we’ve come; word-of-mouth was massive for me in the early days and now I’m building on that. I really want the business to grow and, potentially, look at taking on staff of my own in the not-too-distant future.

Despite some natural rivalry between regional areas and networks, local collaboration goes far beyond Chamber members working together, say the pair. While LeaskAS are members of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, and Tantamount are members of the Solihull Chamber, Julia and Gwyneth both actively participate in other local networking events and business initiatives.

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© Benham Publishing 2024 C&W in Business is produced on behalf of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce by Benham Publishing Limited and is distributed to members free of charge. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in C&W in Business, neither Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies it contains. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber.

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Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place Cllr Martin Watson said: “The Start-Up programme is a perfect example of how collaborative support can work brilliantly to offer businesses exactly the help they need.”

Collaboration and community: connections within the Chamber and beyond

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Sarah Humphreys, a business adviser at the Chamber, said: “Joe has been brilliant to work with from day one. If I’ve given suggestions or actions, he’s worked on it straight away and has made significant progress in his business growth.”

The Chamber is delivering free-funded business support on all aspects of business, email businesssupport@cw-chamber.co.uk or visit https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-start-up/

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“Sarah was a brilliant sounding board and someone I could check-in with if I had an idea and got me to think about where to invest my time and money as the business is growing. I would 100 per cent recommend anyone to make sure they ask for support when they are starting out because it has made a massive difference to me.”

The power of community is the key to success say two business owners who have put cooperation and collaboration firmly on the agenda. The spirit of cooperation is exemplified by the relationship between Chamber members Leask Advisory Solutions (LeaskAS), a dynamic business consultancy owned by Julia Leask, and Tantamount, a creative design studio co-owned by Gwyneth Box. The success of local business goes beyond individual profitability, say Julia and Gwyneth, whose winning collaboration is testament to the value of local businesses working together. Tantamount has played a pivotal role in shaping the visual identities and communications of numerous businesses through its expertise in branding, marketing design, and content creation. LeaskAS, a consultancy providing bespoke strategic

financial planning and forecasting advice and support for small to medium businesses, joined the ranks of Tantamount clients during the pandemic, when Julia decided to undertake a complete rebrand and re-focus of the business’s offering. Since then, the collaboration between Tantamount and LeaskAS – and between Gwyneth and Julia – has continued, not just as a professional partnership, but as a friendship. While both LeaskAS and Tantamount have international clients, Gwyneth underscores the importance of fostering local connections: "A great deal of brand success is due to the creation of community. Unsurprisingly, then, Tantamount believe very strongly in the power of community. And although we often work on a larger geographic stage, we are proud of our local connections and of our contribution to local and regional economic success.”

Providing a space for making connections and for informal conversation between clients, associates and other business colleagues is an important aspect of fostering the success of other businesses, an enterprise that Julia and Gwyneth both take very seriously. “It’s not just about the networks you belong to,” says Julia. “It’s about facilitating networks for others.” Recently, Julia sponsored a table at the prestigious Woman of the Year awards and invited Gwyneth and other guests to join her and her business partner David in the recognition of the achievements of women in business. Julia and David also joined Gwyneth when she hosted a table at the 2023 Innovation Awards in Birmingham, for which Tantamount were among the sponsors. Julia said: "Business is not just about transactions; it's about building lasting connections and maintaining relationships. Our collaboration with Tantamount is a great example of mutual support and of how businesses can thrive when they support each other not only in the boardroom but also when we are having fun at community events."

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Chamber President

Meet the president… In December, Steve Harcourt was sworn in as the new president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, following on from Tom Mongan, who served in the role for three years. In this edition of C&W In Business, we caught up with Steve to find out about his ambitions as president and what drove him to take on the prestigious post in the first place. CWIB: You said when you became president that it’s an honour, what did you mean by that? SH:

The Chamber has been going for 120 years and you just feel all of that tradition and history when you come into a post like this. There are still plenty of previous presidents either on the board or involved in the Chamber and it really is the great and good of the region. So, it is a real honour.

When that was mentioned in a board meeting, I thought I’d put myself forward and one or two other people also came to me and suggested I do it. That was the confirmation I needed. It gave me the confidence that others thought I would be good enough to take on the role.

SH:

CWIB: When did you first get the burning desire to be president? I’d never really thought about becoming president. I’ve just tried to do the right thing all of the time for the business that I work in and then for the wider business community too. If local businesses are thriving, then my company can be successful too. The inspiration came from Louise Bennett, the former chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, who asked me if I’d like to be on the board. I spoke to the directors here at Prime and they said it would be great so I went for it. Being on the board, of course, helps to raise your profile and I’ve also got to know some incredible people and learned so much about what they all do and how they do it. I’ve also learned more and more about what the Chamber does and the more you get to know about it, you realise what a fantastic organisation it is and want to be part of it and to help it thrive. Tom had an extra year of presidency because the first year was restricted by Covid, but we were asked during his time who would like to step forward as vice-president, with a view to taking on the role as president.

SH:

I’m really proud of the area. I grew up in Bedworth and have worked all of my life in Coventry and I saw it as a pinnacle of my career that I would be able to represent businesses here and throughout the region. When you look at the Chamber’s history, I just knew it was something I wanted to go for, especially as others thought I was good enough to do it. So, I put my name forward as vice-president and I was educated for the role of president. I’ve got two years now to make my mark on the role and one part of that is trying to improve the way businesses and schools/ colleges work together across the region.

CWIB: Tell us a bit more about yourself, where you live? SH:

CWIB: How will you juggle your role with Prime Accountants Group and your role as Chamber president? SH:

It’s going to be a busy couple of years! Many of the events I’ll go to as president, I would have gone to anyway for professional networking. However, now I will probably need to do some preparation to say a few words or make an introduction to the events! We are undertaking a Governance Review of the Chamber too and that’s taking up quite a lot of my time outside of work and rightly so, because it’s a really important piece of work. Of course, the day job always has to come first but I’ve had incredible support from the board here at Prime to help me to do what needs to be done. There’s also a great team at the Chamber who help to minimise the impact on my time to make sure I can focus on the elements they really need me to focus on.

I told my wife that she won’t see me much for the next two years and she didn’t seem too bothered! That was a bit concerning! My kids are grown up – my son is working and my daughter is doing her GCSEs so they are pretty self-sufficient now, other than the regular requests for Dad’s Taxi, there’s not so much need for me to be around in the same capacity as there was when they were younger. It will definitely take up a lot of my spare time, but it will be rewarding being more involved in Chamber activities and initiatives. I’ll make sure I plan and prepare so I can fit everything in.

CWIB: What excited you about taking on the role?

The Chamber is an organisation that is here to assist businesses, to help them to grow and thrive, and that is all for the wider benefit of the region.

SH:

CWIB: And how will it affect your family time?

I live in Nuneaton, having been brought up in Bedworth. That’s why I am so keen to help the local area and make an impact. It’s always on my mind that Nuneaton and Bedworth is close to my heart and I want to do my best for the people who live and work there, as well as the wider Coventry and Warwickshire community.

CWIB: And which leaders have inspired you? SH:

The chair of Prime Group, Kevin Johns, has been a big inspiration for me during my career. Then you look at the Chamber and you see the way Corin Crane, the chief executive, has come in with so much energy for the organisation, the staff and the region. I’m a big Coventry City fan and Mark Robins has obviously done a great job there! I tend to take bits and pieces from different people really. There’s not one figure that I can say has inspired me but I take something from everyone I come in contact with in my life. Clive Myrie at the Chamber conference was very inspirational – there was definitely plenty to learn from him.

Retail

Rivals

Fun teambuilding activity!

Take over our shops for a day and compete to raise vital funds for The Shakespeare Hospice

For further details, email fundraising@theshakespearehospice.org.uk or call 01789 266852. Charity no. 1064091

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE UNTIL 29TH FEBRUARY!

Dragon Boat Race Sunday 22nd Sept 2024 Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club

*£100 Early Bird entry fee per team, plus sponsorship (£1000 target including registration fee) For more details visit: TheShakespeareHospice.org.uk/Hospice-Events Charity no. 1064091

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

Double success for Bromwich Hardy in Birmingham Bromwich Hardy now manages a total of 1,378 properties all over the country across all sectors and it is a growing part of our business. “It is particularly pleasing that a landlord trusts us both to market and manage a property because it clearly demonstrates the value we bring to both aspects of the business.” Bromwich Hardy’s property management team offers a full management service to maximise returns for property owners and investors under the leadership of Allan Watts, with the team providing decades of experience in the sector.

Award-winning commercial property specialist Bromwich Hardy is celebrating a double success in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The Coventry-based agency has concluded a deal to let a three-storey office building in Church Court and been retained as managing agent for the site. Bromwich Hardy Surveyor Caine Gilchrist, who was acting for the landlord, said the 3,500 square foot offices had been let to Coventry-based Tutors & Exams Ltd on a seven-year deal.

“We’re delighted to have secured a deal for this beautiful building which is superbly situated and offers excellent facilities.

It oversees a range of buildings from Livingstone in Scotland to Barnstaple near Exeter – including responsibility for some of Coventry’s most historic buildings as managing agent for Historic Coventry Trust.

“The deal again underlines the flight to quality in the current office market, as businesses look to offer their staff the best possible working spaces. Light seeps through all aspects of Church Court making it a warm, attractive workplace and its location cannot be beaten.

Earlier this year, Bromwich Hardy was named the best commercial agency team in the Midlands at the inaugural Midland Property and Investment Awards. The agency was also named the most active agent for Warwickshire for the ninth year running as part of the 2022 Annual EG Radius awards and won four awards from industry data experts CoStar for its work in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“We are also delighted to be retained to manage the property for the landlord.

For more information about Bromwich Hardy visit www.bromwichhardy.com

FPM delivers £1.8 million school extension FPM was awarded a two-phase £1.8 million contract at Sherbourne Fields School in June 2022. Phase One involved extending an existing classroom, creating two new classrooms, a sensory room and hygiene suite and relandscaping a courtyard to improve a play area. In Phase Two they converted unused space between the main school building and external classrooms into a statement main entrance, incorporating new offices, meeting rooms, a toilet, and café. Coventry based Sherbourne Fields, is an all-age special school for pupils with a wide range of needs and FPM has felt privileged to have worked on several refurbishment projects at this inspirational learning centre over the last few years. The company’s passion for providing a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment is clear from the projects they have been involved with in the past, which included refurbishing the swimming pool and changing rooms and repurposing classroom spaces. On this extension project, they worked alongside Coventry architects, IDP, and were the sole contractor on site, responsible for taking the project from design to completion. Key elements of the build: • A classroom extended to create a larger teaching space. • A classroom constructed within a courtyard complete with sensory room, hygiene suite, and an improved outdoor soft play area. • Previous offices converted to create a spacious secondary classroom.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

What is the process of Debt Recovery? If you are owed money, you may be wondering how you can legally recover it. The UK debt recovery process can be complex, but there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success. The team of experts at Debt-Claims Solicitors has provided an overview of the legal procedures for debt recovery in the UK.

The Stages of Debt Recovery The debt recovery process in the UK can be divided into three main stages: • Pre-action stage – this stage involves taking steps to collect the debt without going to court. This may include sending a Letter Before Action, which is a formal warning to the debtor that you are considering taking legal action. • Court proceedings – if the debtor does not pay after receiving a Letter Before Action, you may need to take action to get a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This will involve filing a claim and attending a hearing. • Enforcement of judgment – if you are successful obtaining a CCJ, you can apply to the Court to have the judgment enforced. The Court can order the debtor to provide evidence as to what they can afford to pay, send bailiffs around to collect the money, have money deducted from the debtor’s wages or salary, or make a Charging Order over the debtor’s property. Debtors based in the UK, but outside of England and Wales (i.e. Scotland or Northern Ireland) follow a slightly different process, which is something that Debt-Claims can also assist with.

The Costs of Debt Recovery The costs of debt recovery can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. However, you can expect to pay some of the following fees: • Court fees – there are fees payable to the court for filing a claim and attending a hearing. • Previously unused space converted into four offices, two meeting rooms, a toilet and café area. • Offices and meetings rooms made half partition, half glass to allow light in and create airy spaces to work. • Meeting rooms installed with the latest interactive whiteboard technology. • All rooms equipped with card entry system to fit existing school security. • Ramp and guard rail installed to overcome difference in levels between the two existing buildings. • Statement entrance created by installing vertical cladding. The cladding system is usually installed horizontally, so they designed an innovative fitting solution to achieve the desired effect. • Outside landscaping, resin surfacing to the external ramp and tarmacking for aesthetics and most importantly easy access. Several challenges arose along the way, including inflating material costs and the usual unpredictable UK weather, but

despite these, they were able to handover the new build in time for the start of the 2023/2024 academic year. Shivaun Duffy Moriarty, Head of Sherbourne Fields, said: “We love our new spaces, the additional classrooms which were very much needed are modern and spacious creating exceptional spaces for our children to learn and thrive in. “The new entrance and office area have made our building much more secure, and I can’t believe what was once an uninspiring space between two buildings has become such a fabulous space to work in. The school has been transformed and has already made a huge difference to the children, our visiting families, SLT and our admin teams. “Working with FPM has been a pleasure. They have delivered a high-quality build and were great at keeping us updated with progress, working closely with us to resolve any issues and handling any changes we requested.”

• Legal fees – if you need expert legal advice, for example, if the debt is disputed, you will need to pay your Solicitor’s fees. Similarly, legal fees will also be incurred for sending letters or general correspondence with debtors or their representatives.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Debt Recovery The outcome of your debt recovery case will depend on several factors, including: • The strength of your case. • The debtor’s financial situation. • The willingness of the debtor to cooperate. The debt recovery process in the UK can be complex and time-consuming. However, by understanding the legal procedures involved and the factors that can affect the outcome, you can make informed decisions about how to proceed with your case. If you are struggling to recover a debt, it is important to seek professional advice. A debt recovery expert can help you assess your case and develop a strategy for recovery.

For a free consultation and more information, visit www.debt-claims.com/

Chamber Events

Politicians urged to think long-term Businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire have called for the next Government to ditch short-termism – whoever wins the next General Election. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held its all branch luncheon at the Welcombe Hotel, in Stratford, which saw business leaders from across the area join together with councillors, local authority leaders and politicians. Speakers included Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce President Steve Harcourt, Chief Executive Corin Crane and immediate past president Tom Mongan, as well as keynote speaker Sir Jeremy Wright MP. A major topic of the meeting was a new West Midlands manifesto being created which will outline the opportunities and challenges being faced by businesses across the region, with delegates asked to help shape the report which will be presented to politicians and decision-makers ahead of the next general election and the 2024 West Midlands mayoral election. Businesses agreed that a long-term strategy was needed in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and AI (artificial intelligence) to achieve economic growth, rather than shortsighted policies which can provide uncertainty.

Sir Jeremy Wright agreed that long-term strategies are important, particularly in relation to long-term prospects, but noted that short-term shocks, such as the £400 billion spent on Covid, can have consequences on future spending. He said: “It is important that governments think long-term for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is that some of the preeminent political subjects are now, by definition, long-term. “AI is a long-term prospect and a fastchanging landscape, therefore the only way a government can make sensible policy on AI is to recognise that it will be a feature of our business and individual landscapes for the foreseeable future. “One cautionary note would be that things can happen that we can’t plan

for. The Covid pandemic’s impact on Government has been incredibly significant. “We experienced a total of £400 billion of unexpected Government expenditure to keep businesses afloat and to help individuals survive that period. It was money well spent, but it was significant expenditure that was not planned for and has consequences on long-term plans.” Speaking about the strengths of the region, he added: “The biggest opportunities we have as a region are skills and location. “We have good links with excellent universities and colleges, and good businesses that are interested in innovation. We also have the ability to translate this innovation into product and service.

“We’re also in the middle of the country, giving people the opportunity to get to different areas without traveling too far, and it’s a nice place to live meaning people want to move here.” Corin Crane added: “We covered some incredibly important topics at the event which will help us lobby for what is needed at a business level across Coventry and Warwickshire, and the wider West Midlands. “Previously we’ve reacted very quickly to the objectives set at national level. Now we want to develop a manifesto in time for the upcoming elections which highlights the real issues that businesses across the area face and what they want for the economy which we can dive forward in 2024.”

AI is a long-term prospect and a fast-changing landscape, therefore the only way a government can make sensible policy on AI is to recognise that it will be a feature of our business and individual landscapes for the foreseeable future. www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Chamber Events

Conference hailed a success as region leads the way Coventry and Warwickshire can lead the way in ensuring economic growth benefits all communities across the region, a major conference has heard. More than 250 businesspeople and decision-makers attended Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business & Economic Conference at the Coventry Building Society Arena. The conference theme of ‘Doing Business with Purpose’ shone through the event, from the opening address from Chamber Chief Executive Corin Crane through to a powerful keynote speech from multiaward-winning broadcaster Clive Myrie. Myrie praised Coventry and Warwickshire for its long-running leadership when it comes to diversity – from Lady Godiva through to 2Tone music – before talking about his own background and career. Earlier the conference heard from Chamber President Tom Mongan before a video address from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street. Monica Fogarty, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Council, and Julie Nugent, Chief Executive of Coventry City Council, sat down for a conversation with Corin, and described how the region is stronger when it works together.

Anna Bright (Sustainability West Midlands), Roger Scott (Lloyds Banking Group), and Carol Thomas (Coventry College) who talked about the challenges faced by businesses but how the region’s economy can be driven forward in areas such as digitisation and sustainable innovation. Fleur Sexton DL (PET-Xi) chaired a Future Fit Workforce panel with contributions from Annette Hay (Belgrade Theatre/DMU), Kevin Davis (The Vine Trust), Dr Isabella Moore (Olderpreneur Alliance) and Daveena Saranna (Electric Zoo). Chamber partners exhibiting at the event included Aston University – Centre for Growth, West Midlands Trains, Destination Coventry, Transformation Space, WCG and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training. Corin said: “It was an incredible conference and I believe everyone left the room with plenty to think about. The speakers were great and our panel sessions were really thought-provoking. It was all topped off by the amazing Clive Myrie, who gave some amazing insights into his life and his career, which was the perfect way to bring together many of the topics we’d discussed during the day.

They described how that partnership will be even more crucial in the coming months and years in order to grow the economy and offer more opportunities to all communities in the city and the county.

“Doing Business with Purpose was our theme for the day and it’s something that is very close to my heart and, from what we heard, I believe Coventry and Warwickshire can really lead the way on ensuring business and economic growth benefits every community across our great city and county.”

A panel session on the current economic climate was chaired by Margot James and heard from Steve Harcourt (Prime Accountants Group), Katie Trout (West Midlands Growth Company),

The conference was delivered in partnership with PET-Xi Training and Prime Accountants Group. PLMR Advent was the media partner and Eskuta and Make Venues (Woodland Grange) were supporting sponsors.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

News

Investment Readiness A major new funding programme to provide small and medium sized businesses in Coventry with help and support to reach their growth potential launched late last year, and the first cohort of intensive, expert support to help SMEs gain external investment is underway. C&W Business Solutions, which is part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub Group, are delivering the Coventry Investment Readiness Programme – a new UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme, on behalf of Business Growth West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority. The scheme, which will run until March 31 2025 and involves two stages, is aimed at improving the opportunities of securing external investment for start-ups, high-growth businesses in their early years and to help SMEs scale-up. The first phase is designed to help SMEs identify funding routes for their business, and covers topics including debt finance, asset finance, grants, equity, crowdfunding, and angel investment. Businesses joining Stage 1, will be invited to attend an expert-led workshop and offered an appointment with a High Growth Specialist to help them gain a thorough understanding of the funding landscape and identify support for their business. Eligible businesses accessing Stage 2 of the programme receive up to 24 hours of expert 1:1 support, focused workshops, specialist online tools, and expert mentoring, to help their business become investment ready. The first cohort of businesses to receive Stage 2 support is currently underway, and feedback from the programme participants so far has been excellent. Expressions of interest are now being taken for the second year of the programme and businesses in Coventry, looking for investment, are urged to get in touch to find out how the programme can help them achieve their growth aims and to register for the next workshop, by contacting investmentreadiness@ cwgrowthhub.co.uk.

Local economy maintaining optimism and capacity for growth Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have started 2024 in a much more confident mood compared to a year ago. According to the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the economic outlook for the region had dipped compared to three months ago based on a range of measures. However, there are signs that confidence has improved coming into 2024 among firms in both the services and manufacturing sectors. The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group, is analysed by the Economy & Skills Group at Warwickshire County Council. From the responses of businesses across the services and manufacturing sector, it gives scores out of 100 where anything above 50 is positive and below is negative. Business confidence in the service sector has gone up from a score of 61.3 to 61.8 compared to the third quarter of 2023 and in manufacturing it has risen to 83.3, up from 72.5. In manufacturing, domestic and international sales had both fallen in the final quarter of the year. In the service sector, sales rose domestically but fell overseas. Investment and cashflow fell below the 50 mark in both manufacturing and services and the employment outlook also dropped but, crucially, remained above the score of 50. Overall, it led to an economic outlook score of 55.2 which is down from 62.3 three months before, but the fact that it remains above 50 means that growth is still anticipated in the regional economy for the coming year. Sean Rose, head of policy at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The latest QES shows the real uncertainty that there is within the economy and, yet, there is a sense of confidence that has emerged from companies across our region. “Uncertainty is something firms have had to face for many years now and there is no doubt that it has held back growth but

Steve Harcourt (left) with Corin Crane, chief executive of the Chamber

businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have proved themselves to be extremely resilient. “There is still a huge amount of pressure on firms – whether that’s the labour market or high costs – and firms will be looking for further announcements in the Chancellor’s Budget to help ease those. “But the drop in inflation towards the end of 2023 and, therefore, the prospect of interest rates starting to come down will have been a factor in companies looking ahead to 2024 with more confidence than at the start of the previous year. “We’d urge companies to get in touch with the Chamber as we begin the New Year to make sure they are getting all of the support they need to help them not only survive, but grow.” Steve Harcourt, president of the Chamber and director of Prime Accountants Group, said: “I have no doubt that businesses are going to have to work extremely hard once again if they are to grow in 2024. “The survey shows that there is still some way to go before the economy is back on an even keel but, hopefully, the next 12 months will start to bring a little more certainty for companies across the patch. “The global economic signals are improving but I don’t believe, necessarily, that this will mean a bumper year for firms in our region

– but it might see confidence improve further as the year goes on. “Of course, there is going to be a General Election over the course of the next year but that doesn’t seem to have had any impact on business confidence in the region, which is positive news.” Todd Williams, Business Intelligence Analyst at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Quarter four at a national level improved slightly with early reductions in concerns over inflation and interest rates, while recruiting difficulties have not improved significantly. “However, the latest QES results show the local economy maintaining optimism, desire and capacity for growth. “The results show that the overall economic outlook index for Coventry and Warwickshire aligning with the national trend with national optimism now approaching the sentiment of local services businesses. The local manufacturing business sentiment is less conclusive, with continuing variability from one quarter to the next suggesting significant ongoing uncertainty. “While there are local short-term concerns, especially around recruiting, price pressures and inflation, both the local manufacturing and service sectors show strong confidence that business is expected to improve over the next 12 months.”

Summary of 2023 Q4 PMI: Economic Outlook:

Overseas Sales:

Investment & Cashflow

Overall, 55.2, down from 62.3

Service Sector 50.0, down from 55.7

Service Sector 47.1, down from 52.2

Manufacturing Sector 58.3, down from 70.5.

Manufacturing Sector 38.9, down from 69.0

Employment

Business Confidence

Service Sector 58.4, up from 54.5

Service Sector 56.3, down from 58.2

Service Sector 61.8, up from 61.3

Manufacturing Sector 33.3, down from 72.9

Manufacturing Sector 58.3, down from 73.0

Manufacturing Sector 83.3, up from 72.5

Service Sector 55.2, down from 56.5 Manufacturing Sector 56.0, down from 71.5

Domestic Sales:

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

New president looks ahead after being sworn in Companies in Coventry and Warwickshire can expect 2024 to be another year where they have to “dig in” according to the new president of a leading business organisation. Steve Harcourt, Director of Prime Accountants Group, was sworn in as President of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce for the next two years, replacing Tom Mongan in the role. Steve said he was “truly humbled and honoured” to be taking up the post. “When I look at some of the names that have held this position previously, I see people who have made a major positive impact in our region and I want to take this opportunity to do the same,” he said. “I would like to pay tribute to Tom Mongan who has held the role of President for three years due to the unprecedented circumstances we’ve all had to face as the pandemic hit. He did great work in getting out and meeting businesses as the economy

started to reopen and ensured that the message got out that Coventry and Warwickshire was open for business. “We are still not back to where we want to be as an economy and, of course, other global factors have had a huge effect on our region. “I believe 2024 is going to be another year where we have to dig in because, while inflation is falling, we are still going to be impacted by higher interest rates than businesses have been used to over the past few years. “Coventry and Warwickshire is very well placed to overcome the hurdles and our businesses have shown over the past few years that despite uncertainty, we are very resilient. “There was positive news in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on the investment zone coming to the region and, prior to that, we heard that the West Midlands was receiving more than £10 million in Local Skills Improvement Fund money.

“So, while I can see 2024 being a challenge, it can also be the year to lay the groundwork for growth in the years ahead.” As Steve became President, the Chamber also welcomed four new members to its board – Sarah Windrum, of MIRA; Olivia Parrish of Leap People Solutions; Julie McGarrigle, of Alsters Kelley; and Jo Glover, of Coventry BID. Paul Sullivan stepped down from the board after 25 years of service, including a stint as president.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Steve has been an active member on the Chamber board for many years and, most recently, as Vice President. “He has an excellent handle on the economy of Coventry and Warwickshire and will make an outstanding President. We are incredibly grateful to Tom for everything he’s done in the past three years and I am sure he’ll still play a very active role in ensuring the local economy thrives.”

Chamber Training lands a Good Egg after recruitment process A key figure in the plans for Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training has praised the process that first attracted her to the role.

and wanting to do their best for the employer and candidate, is second to none. “I am happy in my new role here at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training and really appreciate the support I received from Good Egg Recruitment to secure it.”

Rebecca Bond joined the organisation as the Operations Director in May after chalking up more than 15 years in education and training, most recently with Halesowen College.

Nicola said: “We first met Matt Hammersley from Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce in February 2023 who kindly introduced us to Sally Lucas, Executive Director for CWCT to assist with the recruitment of an Operations Director.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training and sister organisation Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce wanted to fill the role as part of its plans for growth. Matt Hammersley, HR manager at the Chamber, decided to enlist the support of Chamber member Good Egg Recruitment to help find a suitable candidate. The company was established by Nicola Cairns and Annette Holloway in 2016 to offer an independent service to both candidates and employers. Rebecca said: “Good Egg Recruitment contacted me directly on LinkedIn following a specific search for suitable candidates. “From the outset, they were friendly and approachable, and they made it

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clear what Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training were looking for in their new Operations Director and how my skills and experience would support my application. “They made the whole application process so easy. All they needed was my CV, which they used to base future discussions and support on. Ongoing communication from the point of application was outstanding. They worked with me every step of the way,

providing detailed information during each stage of the process. I always knew what to expect and what to prepare. “Over the years I have worked with several recruitment agencies both to recruit staff but also to secure employment for myself. I can honestly say, they are the best that I have ever dealt with. The personal touch that Nicola and Annette apply to all that they do, caring about their candidates

“After meeting Sally and discussing the team, culture, vision of the company and of course the incredible opportunity, we carried out the full recruitment process and found an amazing “Good Egg” Rebecca who was offered the Operations Director role and accepted. “We pride ourselves on offering a very personal, bespoke service and it’s great to see that reflected in the feedback we have received from both Rebecca and the Chamber.”

Business Engage Profiles

Not-for-profit company encourages businesses to pledge support to the Armed Forces Cat Suckling is the Regional Employer Engagement Director for Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Having worked in the role in different regions since 2016, Cat explained: “It is a new and exciting challenge to be able to focus solely on Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. It means that I will be able to direct more time and attention to the businesses in the area who are just beginning or continuing their relationships with Defence. “At networking events, people are often surprised that the Ministry of Defence is actively seeking to work with civilian businesses in order to deliver mutuallybeneficial objectives, but once they understand the engagement journey, they are enthusiastic about getting started and reaping the rewards. Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold 2023 award winners, Severn Trent.

A Birmingham-based not-for-profit organisation, West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, is looking to increase its connections and activities with businesses in the Coventry and Warwickshire region.

The Association’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors, as part of a network of colleagues across the UK, develop partnerships with organisations to help them understand the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant and building mutuallybeneficial relationships with Defence.

Working with local employers they have a dedicated Employer Engagement team, with three Regional Employer Engagement Directors working on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

The Covenant is a voluntary pledge of key principles in which the Armed Forces community should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

“Organisations begin their journey of partnering with Defence by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. It covers aspects such as the support of Reservist and Cadet Force Adult Volunteer training through flexible HR policies, employment opportunities for service leavers and veterans, and promoting the support of the Armed Forces community to staff, service users and supply chains. “To date, 191 Covenants have been signed in the Coventry and Warwickshire region, which is an incredibly positive sign that

companies are understanding the vital support they can provide to their employees, and seeing the valuable skills that members of the Armed Forces community can bring to the workforce. “All types of organisations – private, public or voluntary - are encouraged to sign the Covenant, and we have organisations ranging from SMEs to large international corporations as signatories across the UK. “Once businesses have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, they are then able to climb through the levels of the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Bronze, Silver and Gold awards formally recognise employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community.” In addition to the benefits of recruiting talented individuals through free recruitment, employers who have signed the Covenant can benefit from training and development partnerships with local units, access military training and development courses, be invited to on-base insight and networking events and high-status events such as VIP access to the Cosford Air Show and Trooping the Colour. To get in touch with Cat, please email wm-reed3@rfca.mod.uk. For more information, visit www.wmrfca.org

Senior appointment for secure IT solutions company as part of expansion plans A secure IT solutions company which provides services to every police force across the UK has made a senior appointment as it launches a commercial arm of the business in January 2024. Panoptech has welcomed Damian Ronan who joins the company as its Business Development Specialist. The announcement comes as the company, which has historically delivered secure IT solutions to law enforcement operating the highest levels of data security in the UK, expands to launch a new commercial offering, backed by its parent company Bowmer & Kirkland. The initial focus of this new commercial venture for Panoptech, will be to look at developing and servicing local businesses and organisations across Coventry, Warwickshire and Birmingham. Damian began his career in hospitality before moving into the technology sector and has amassed more than 25 years of experience in managing customer relationships and supporting clients with their IT needs. He will be responsible for leading the company’s commercial offering which will provide a range of traditional IT hardware and software solutions from desktops and storage to organisation-wide server-based systems coupled with secure mobile connectivity. A key specialist area for Panoptech is Video Management Systems (VMS), traditionally known as CCTV. In this area, the company has become a leading UK Premier Partner for Milestone Systems, a global video technology software company who pioneered IP video surveillance technology. Andy Baum, Director of Panoptech, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Damian as we look to kick start a new phase of growth for the business. “Until now we have catered for an extremely niche customer base, providing a range of covert secure IT capabilities into UK law enforcement.

“This involves us developing, delivering, and supporting capabilities which live within areas subject to some of the highest security requirements in the UK. “Over more than twenty years, this has given us a wealth of knowledge and experience in securing people’s data and specifically video infrastructure. “This coupled with the increased awareness of Cyber Security and use of video systems in more traditional commercial markets, make us feel very well placed to bring some real business benefits into these markets, especially within our local Coventry, Warwickshire and Birmingham areas. “Our product portfolio is perfect for anyone with a requirement for secure video capturing and management and can be tailored to the needs of each customer. This could be education, sports, retail, logistics, finance – they all have very similar needs and requirements which we can deliver into.” Damian said: “It’s an extremely exciting time for Panoptech and I look forward to supporting the business as it expands into the commercial sector. “It’s a big market with a lot of players out there, but we have a fantastic offering coupled with a high level of expertise and customer service. “We are already starting to have conversations with potential customers, including a number of education and

Panoptech Director Andy Baum, Business Development Specialist Damian Ronan and Group Managing Director Kevin McDonald.

financial establishments in Coventry, and we would urge anyone who would like to find out more about our services to get in touch.” Further information about Panoptech is available at www.panoptech.co.uk/ or by contacting Damian directly, via dronan@panoptech.co.uk

“Our product portfolio is perfect for anyone with a requirement for secure video capturing and management and can be tailored to the needs of each customer. This could be education, sports, retail, logistics, finance – they all have very similar needs and requirements which we can deliver into.” www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Business Engage Profiles

Security expert to advise on major law change A security specialist from Coventry is offering a free advice clinic to help organisations in the region ensure they are prepared for impending antiterrorism legislation in 2024.

Director Marcus Gerrard said: “The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving and Martyn’s Law will undoubtedly have a significant impact on how organisations counter that, as well as on public safety itself.

Safetyflex Barriers is running its advice clinic across January and February to provide organisations with a free 30-minute consultation on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.

“Following the King’s Speech, businesses are now looking at how to improve their practices, so we are delighted to be launching a free clinic across January and February to assist those in our region.

The Bill was one of 21 mentioned in the King's Speech in November, signalling the Government's intention to pass it into law this year.

“Our patented designs and innovations utilise special military-grade steel and we are the only company in the world which does this. That has helped us become world-leaders in hostile-vehicle mitigation, securing high-profile sites in more than 25 countries across six continents.

Named after Martyn Hett – who was one of 22 people killed by a terrorist attack as he left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in 2017 – it will place a statutory duty on qualifying premises and events to improve public safety and protect against the threat of terrorism. According to the Home Office, the legislation could affect some 650,000 businesses in the UK, ranging from hotels and restaurants to stadiums and council buildings. Family-run firm Safetyflex Barriers is the UK’s leading supplier of anti-terror bollards and barriers; securing stadiums, shopping centres and city-centre public realm projects with its patented anti-terror bollards and crash-rated street furniture. The company is holding its free Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic for any organisation across January and February to provide information on the legislation and expert advice on how to be compliant.

“We’ve supported large stadiums such as Twickenham, Wimbledon and the home of Saracens Rugby Club in boosting their defences, right through to leisure and tourist attractions such as the London Eye and Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, so we’re well positioned to steer organisations through Martyn’s Law and any potential challenges.”

Gerrard added: “The impact of this Bill, in terms of the sectors it will apply to, is really varied.

The Bill is currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny, but a draft includes measures such as creating anti-terrorism plans, staff undertaking terrorism protection training, and installing hostile vehicle mitigation such as bollards and barriers.

Safetyflex’s award-winning products are crash-tested to IWA 14 industry standards

Qualifying public premises have been classed as those which are accessible to the public, hold 100 people or more, and are used for one of the qualifying activities such as retail, food and drink, or entertainment – as well as public events with a capacity of 800 or more.

“However, this is only a good thing. What happened at the Manchester Arena in 2017 was a tragedy and this new law is owed to victims like Martyn Hett and others.”

at the HORIBA MIRA centre of excellence in Nuneaton and conform to PAS68 certification – the standard set by the British Standard Institute, which is considered to be the benchmark for the security industry. To schedule a phone or in-person session at the clinic, businesses are asked to email info@safetyflexbarriers.com with the subject header ‘Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic’.

Luxury hotel launches new sustainability initiative A luxury historic hotel in Warwickshire, which has undergone a £7 million refurbishment, has launched a new sustainability initiative which will prevent 47,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills every year. Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa, on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon, is a country hideaway set in 11 acres of Warwickshire parkland.

The hotel has also created a kitchen garden, with chefs growing their own fruit, vegetables and herbs to use in dishes, and has established a ‘no mow zone’ to nurture wildlife.

The venue features 71 guest bedrooms and conferencing and events facilities which can cater for small meetings of just four people up to larger conferences, as well as events and weddings for up to 120 people.

New ‘Green Meetings’ are held to promote environmentally-friendly events, while a full review of the business is set to take place to highlight where energy and water consumption can be improved further.

The Stuart Restaurant uses the best local and regional produce to create mouth-watering dishes packed with seasonal flavours as well as traditional Sunday lunches and afternoon teas, while

The venue has undergone a five-year refurbishment which has seen the whole hotel, including its 71 bedrooms, conference and events facilities, restaurants, bars, public spaces, spa and health club, renovated to the highest standard.

Billesley Manor is now focusing on sustainability, and its partnership with Molton Brown will see single-use plastic bottles replaced with dispensers. It has introduced a comprehensive supplier screening process to ensure they also share the same sustainability values, has installed EV charging points and energy-efficient boilers and upgraded to LED lighting.

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The spa provides a space to relax and unwind and offers a range of ESPA treatments, and the health club features a 12-metre pool, sauna, steam room and gym. General manager Stephen Fearnley said: “We’ve undergone a huge transformation in the last five years, all of which has been done in small stages so it hasn’t impacted our guest experience. “We’ve received some incredible feedback and we now have the highest guest satisfaction ratings the hotel has ever achieved on both online portals such as TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Booking.com and our own internal guest survey.

Final work is now taking place to install air conditioning and upgrade its outdoor lighting which will highlight key features of the hotel and grounds to guests – including the 120-year-old topiary gardens. The Grade II listed venue is steeped in history, with its most notable guest being William Shakespeare in 1599 who wrote his comedy As You Like It during the visit, and the refurbishment has enhanced the building while remaining sympathetic to its original features.

The Great Hall Bar and Lounge serves a range of drinks and an all-day dining menu.

“We’ve received some incredible feedback and we now have the highest guest satisfaction ratings the hotel has ever achieved on both online portals such as TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Booking.com and our own internal guest survey."

“At the core of the hotel is our people, and we strive to provide the best experience for both our guests and staff, and we are delighted to have welcomed a new Deputy General Manager, Paul Woodhouse, who will focus on making this even better going forward. “We’re also now focusing on sustainability, and we are keen to take an active role in helping to preserve the planet for future generations.” Further information about Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa is available by visiting www.billesleymanor.com

Chamber Training

Chamber Training secures new contract multiply Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training is thrilled to offer an excellent opportunity to enhance the numerical skills of employees in businesses through collaboration with Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training are set to deliver customised numeracy training, which will be fully operational starting January 2024. Multiply aims to upskill current employees in maths skills that may need a refresh to help develop skills that are beneficial to their job role. If you are looking to find out more information, then please email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

National Apprenticeship Week National Apprenticeship Week is taking place on Monday 5th to Sunday 11th of February to celebrate everything apprenticeship related. The theme for this year is ‘Skills for Life’. National Apprenticeship Week brings together the entire apprenticeship community to celebrate everything amazing about apprenticeships. Schools, colleges, employers, career advisers, and thousands of students come together online to celebrate Apprenticeships in support of the Government-run National Apprenticeship Week. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training will be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week by holding an Apprenticeship and Careers event on Tuesday 6th February in conjunction with other local training providers including MTC, Heart of England Training, WGTA, SCCU and others. The event will also have a range of employers present including Severn Trent. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training offers apprenticeships in a range of sectors which are Accountancy, Business Administration, Customer Service, Early Years Care, Health and Social Care, and Hairdressing. If you are interested in finding out more then please email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk

Chamber Training supports Christmas Advent Calendar Appeal Each year, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training participates in an advent calendar appeal for Coventry children living in hostels, domestic violence units, and temporary accommodation before Christmas. This year Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training received an impressive contribution of over 60 advent calendars. According to Child Poverty Action Group, a UK charity that works to alleviate poverty and social exclusion, 4.2 million children are living in poverty in the UK in 2021-22. That's 29 per cent of children, or nine in a classroom of 30.

Commenting on the appeal, Sarah Williams, Training Manager at Chamber Training said: “For the past few years, we have been collecting advent calendars for children in poverty across Coventry with great success.” “The advent calendars will be hand delivered around Coventry to lots of children who are living in poverty. We are delighted to help them with these donations and each calendar will make so many children happy.” To find out more, contact Sarah Williams at Chamber Training on 024 7623 1122 or enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk

Sarah’s Promotion supported by an Apprenticeship Sarah Cunningham, a dedicated and long-serving Support Worker at Solihull Council was promoted to a Deputy Manager Position with support through her Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4 apprenticeship programme offered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training. After dedicating 18 years to her role as a Support Worker, she was not only seeking personal and professional growth but also responding to the changing demands of her job after being promoted. With a desire to become more than just a Support Worker, Sarah decided to pursue this apprenticeship to enhance her knowledge and skills in adult care while also exploring new opportunities in management. Challenges and Learning Objectives Sarah says, " Since doing the apprenticeship, I wanted to develop the knowledge and

skills necessary to assume a leadership role within adult care, gain a deeper understanding of the legislation, policies, and procedures, and acquire practical insights into managing and leading a team effectively." Practical Learning and Benefits Sarah found that her apprenticeship at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has helped with hands-on learning experiences within her job role. She says, "I've learned a lot more about legislation that go alongside the job allowing myself to bridge the gap between theory and realworld application.” She acknowledges the benefits of the apprenticeship, stating, "The apprenticeship has been incredibly valuable. It has equipped me with knowledge and skills that I wouldn't typically acquire during my regular work. Through this programme, I'm gaining practical

knowledge that I can directly apply to my daily responsibilities as Deputy Manager." Support and Guidance Throughout her Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4 apprenticeship, Sarah received support from her tutor, Michelle. Sarah says: "At Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, my tutor Michelle is brilliant and very knowledgeable. She has been out to do observations and has been very helpful if I need any help on my assignments. Michelle has been supportive during the whole time." Recommendation Sarah recommends a Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4 apprenticeship to others who aspire to advance in their careers within the adult care sector. She

highlights, "I would recommend doing a Level 4 Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship for those wanting to jump from a Level 3 to Level 4 qualification as you can learn the knowledge that can be used practically through an apprenticeship."

If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship or are an employer looking to upskill your workforce, then call 024 76231122 or email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk

New Sales and Marketing Courses for 2024 Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training offers a range of commercial courses to provide businesses with the latest skills and knowledge to contribute to business success. As an organisation, we remain committed to designing learning around the latest market intelligence and industry trends that meet customer needs and the demands of today’s business world. As a training provider, we offer a range of Commercial courses including Sales and Marketing, Customer Care and Communications, Team Leader Toolkit, ILM Accredited Qualifications, Management Essentials, Health, Safety and Wellbeing and Digital Skills as well as offering Bespoke Training Solutions tailored to your business needs. This year we are excited to deliver a range of new courses as part of our 2024 Commercial Brochure directory, including our Sales and Marketing course offering that includes Digital Marketing courses as well as two additional new sales-related courses, Sales Training and Advanced Sales Skills.

Introducing Gus

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training is thrilled to have Gus deliver a range of Digital Marketing courses for this year including Digital Marketing Strategy, Grow Your Business through Social Media and Leverage The Power of LinkedIn. We have spoken to Gus Bhandal to find out more about him as a trainer. Can you tell us about yourself? “I’m Gus. I’m a husband, father, and founder of The M Guru – a digital marketing agency based in Coventry. I was born and bred around here and I’ve worked in marketing for some of the world’s largest organisations across a variety of sectors.” What is an interesting fact about yourself? “For a short period, I ran my local pub – it was incredibly hard but where I actually learned to put marketing theory into practice.”

Can you tell us about your experience and skillset in Marketing? “I have a marketing degree, plus two postgraduate diplomas in marketing and marketing communications. I am a longstanding member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and I have worked in marketing since 2001. I have a broad range of marketing knowledge, having worked in sectors including automotive, motorsport, retail, hospitality, engineering, local government, and much more.” Why you are the GURU? “Aside from my career experience and my qualifications, I have helped thousands of companies from all over the world (but predominately here in the Midlands) with their social media and marketing, which ultimately means my teaching comes from a place of knowledge and experience.” What courses are you delivering at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training? “I am delivering three courses, all with brand new content

– Digital Marketing Strategy; Grow your Business through Social Media; and Leveraging the Power of LinkedIn for Business Growth. Each one is a real deep-dive to focus on how to make the most of digital marketing and social media to create long-term, sustainable value in your business or for your organisation.” How to book onto your courses? “These courses are ideal for individuals, teams, and business owners, so get in touch with Chamber Training by emailing enquiries@cw-chambertraining. co.uk or call 024 76231122.”

Within our Sales and Marketing course delivery, we also offer courses in Sales Training and Advanced Sales Skills which are two new courses that we have included to our course offering. At Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training we also offer Bespoke courses that are tailored to your business needs.

If you are looking to find out more then email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Burgis & Bullock Chartered Accountants

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

The Strategic Advantages of

Outsourcing Finance and Credit Control By Sean Farnell Partner at Burgis & Bullock

n the ever-evolving business landscape, the model of outsourcing finance functions and credit control used to be considered something fit only for SMEs, but now larger businesses are seeing its benefits. Burgis & Bullock has witnessed a surge in interest for our outsourced bookkeeping service, reflecting a growing trend among businesses of all sizes. Traditionally, smaller businesses turned to financial outsourcing due to limited internal resources. Now, larger organisations are recognising the benefits, especially in mitigating the risks associated with recruitment and hiring. With outsourcing, concerns about holiday and sickness cover are alleviated, as a dedicated team is poised to support your business seamlessly. Our outsourced services cater to businesses across the spectrum,

from sole traders to multi-million turnover enterprises. Beyond bookkeeping and payroll, we provide proactive credit control, saving businesses valuable time on invoice chasing and fortifying their cash flow. Our virtual cloud credit control solution has proven immensely beneficial, fostering reliable payments and strengthening customer relationships. By outsourcing businesses can ensure that they have regular access to up-to-date financial information, which can contribute to stronger and more accurate management reports and ultimately drive better data-drive business decisions. Addressing late payments, a concern highlighted in the Autumn Statement, is a crucial aspect of our financial outsourcing services. Burgis & Bullock is committed to supporting businesses in navigating this challenge, and we eagerly anticipated the impact of government initiatives in this regard. Financial outsourcing continues to gain popularity for its time and cost efficiency benefits.

By sidestepping the overhead costs associated with hiring in-house finance professionals, which can be increasingly costly as a business continues to grow, businesses can channel resources more effectively. Our outsourced services seamlessly scale with business's growth trajectory, eliminating the need for additional hires. In the fast-paced business environment, time is money. Outsourcing services such as bookkeeping and payroll allow internal teams to concentrate on strategic decisionmaking. Our experts possess up-to-date knowledge of accounting regulations and leverage the latest technology, ensuring your financial matters are managed with precision. Burgis & Bullock collaborates with clients to deliver a full outsourced solution, interim support during peak periods, or specialised guidance on complex financial matters. Our user-friendly app, available on major platforms, reinforces our commitment to providing comprehensive support to clients who entrust us with their outsourcing needs.

Our outsourced finance and credit control team is based entirely in Warwickshire, operating from our Nuneaton office. Every client receives a dedicated team and a personal contact, offering the opportunity for face-to-face interactions. This personalized approach ensures that your business receives tailored solutions aligned with its unique requirements. Outsourcing finance and credit control with Burgis & Bullock is not just a transaction, it is a strategic partnership tailored to unlock your business's full growth potential. Embrace the future of business operations with confidence, knowing that your financial functions are in expert hands.

Sound advice in an uncertain world When there is uncertainty you need someone you can trust – whatever the challenge – as multi award-winning accountants you’ll be in safe hands with us. Burgis & Bullock are Chartered Accountants who offer more than basic accounting services. If you’d like to deal with a local firm who are not simply interested in history, but are more focused on your future, your business growth, your ambitions, planning you retirement and making sure your assets are adequately protected – you need to talk to us. With over 130 years of experience helping Warwickshire businesses, our team of specialists are committed to your success.

So for help of securing your financial future, tax planning, raising finance, Making Tax Digital or simply keeping on the right side of HMRC, talk to us.

Tel: 0345 177 5500 • www.burgisbullock.com Offices in Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Nuneaton, Rugby and London www.cw-chamber.co.uk

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

International

Boost business by going global Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire can bolster the economy – and their own bottom line – by increasing overseas trade, a major summit has heard.

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, hosted the summit, which was sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group, Independent Freight Solutions and RationalFX.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held its second International Trade Summit at the Holiday Inn, Walsgrave, to discuss the barriers and benefits to doing business abroad.

Corin said: “It’s clear that there are many businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire that are doing business overseas, whether that’s importing or exporting, and that is a big driver of economic growth.

The event heard from a range of expert speakers who described everything from the current global economic outlook through to the day-to-day support that firms can tap into.

“We have a great brand in this region and a unique economy that includes everything from tourism to advanced manufacturing. What we do is truly world class across many sectors.

“It is important that we come together in this way to have these discussions because we need to get more businesses trading globally. Domestic economic growth is going to remain quite sluggish so if we can find new markets for our products and services, that is going to help businesses to grow and be more resilient in the coming years. “It might require the upskilling of some staff or investment in e-commerce but it’s important for businesses to know that the support is out there and encourage them to get in touch with the Chamber to help point them in the right direction.” Will Bain, of the British Chambers of Commerce, told the audience of nearly

100 businesses that being part of the Chamber meant access to international markets via its global network. Corin added: “We want to grow this summit year on year because it is so important to get businesses in our area to expand their horizons and benefit from training internationally. “Being part of the Chamber is the perfect starting point because we have all of the right connections here in the UK to help support you on the road to international trade but also an overseas network that can get you to market much quicker than if you were acting alone.”

News

Run to win Businesses who enter a team for a popular 10k run in Leamington Spa will be in the running to win a share of £2,000 as part of plans to celebrate the event’s 20th year. The Wright Hassall Regency 10k Run returns on Sunday, April 7, once again backed by leading local law firm Wright Hassall as title sponsor, and organised by the Leamington Round Table.

“Over the years the event has helped to raise more than £440,000 for good causes ranging from charities to community groups, and the £2,000 total cash prize on offer to the winners of the corporate race will be a fantastic opportunity for businesses to support a charity close to their hearts.” The 10k run begins at 10am, starting at Newbold Terrace East and finishing at Mill Gardens.

The event has become synonymous with Leamington since it was founded in 2004, taking runners through some of the best parks and gardens Leamington Spa has to offer.

The course is a combination of paved surfaces and bridleways, with all road sections closed to traffic.

To help celebrate the 20th anniversary, the winning men’s team and winning women's team in the corporate race will win £1,000 each to donate to a charity of their choice.

Phil Wilding, Managing Partner at Wright Hassall, based on Olympus Avenue, added: “It’s such a special event and as a local firm proudly rooted in Leamington for more than 175 years, we are honoured to have sponsored it every year since its inception.

Sam Tyler, from the Leamington Round Table and Race Director for 2024, said: “Twenty years has flown by but each year the event receives unwavering support from the local community.

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A free 1k Kids Run also starts at 11am.

“More than 2,500 runners of all ages and abilities are expected to sign up this year so we’re looking forward to another great day

Wright Hassall’s Perveen Dhami with Sam Tyler (left) and Harpal Singh (right) of the Leamington Round Table

– and of course a great competition for the charity prizes offered in the corporate race!” The winning teams in the corporate race will be chosen based on the mean average finishing time of the top four highest-placed finishers from each team.

A business must enter a minimum of four people to a male or female team and the cash prize must be donated to a registered charity in the UK. To enter a team into the corporate race, visit www.regency10k.co.uk and select ‘Bulk Purchase’ when clicking on the link to enter.

Skills

Use Government funded training to get the most out of your organisation’s data The main challenge for employers of all sizes is not a paucity of data, rather the sheer overwhelming amount available, and having the requisite skills to make sense and effectively utilise this valuable resource to help reach organisational objectives.

To give scale to the amount of data generated, this is estimated at 328.77 million terabytes every day (note that one terabyte could store every single book ever written on it and is a one followed by 12 zeroes). Whilst The Development Manager is not suggesting organisations will deal with this much data, massive amounts of data is readily available from common, everyday software platforms and web searches on sales and marketing information, customers, demographics,

productivity, trends, occupancy and usage the list goes on.

levels is key and organisations will need this range in their workforce.

So organisations must have the skills to access data, cleanse and sort it, store it securely and in a way it can be used, link databases with tools such as CRMs, ensure data flows across systems, prevent inefficiencies with single data entry, visualise it, analyse and report on it and finally have the skills to use the insight to make better and more effective decisions, making sure data is used legally and ethically.

Skills Bootcamps are short, targeted skills development programmes that can help employees make better use of common programmes such as Microsoft Excel and some of its more advanced functions such as formulae, data validation, pivot tables and conditional formatting. AI has an impact here as Microsoft is implementing an AI assistant to its software packages and platforms such as ChatGPT are useful to provide answers to more advanced formula requirements.

To develop these skills, a range of Government funded programmes are available that are responsive to employer’s varied needs and can support employees to progress from beginners learning the basics through to degree level leaders implementing business-wide data solutions. Supporting skills development at different

Level 3 Apprenticeships in Data can reskill and develop existing employees to use existing data sets available to an organisation and produce reporting and visualisation using software such as Power BI and Tableau.

Level 4 Apprenticeships can develop staff to higher levels of expertise being able to source new data sets and respond to senior management requirements for reporting and dashboards, becoming subject matter experts in their field. And senior staff on a Digital Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 BSc Hons (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship can develop in a wider range of fields such as cyber security, networks and software to bring all this insight together and provide business wide solutions in data, for example, linking systems together to create single data entry. Find out more at www.thedevelopmentmanager.co.uk/ employers

What new funds mean for skills in the region More than £10 million in funding will help the West Midlands and Warwickshire to close the skills gap in six key areas to make the region fit for the future when it comes to talent.

The Department for Education awarded £10,304,523 of Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) to the region – the highest amount for any area of the UK. The funding is in response to the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) which was developed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, working alongside Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce, alongside a host of skills providers and firms, and with strategic oversight from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Now the funding is in place, partners across the region will set about delivering on the plan that covers topics which are vital to the economic growth of the region. The first focus is on engineering and manufacturing, with a focus on priorities such as electric vehicles and batteries. The second theme identified is construction, with a focus on low carbon techniques and future housing. The third priority area is looking at green skills generally and how local people can be trained in a key area for the future of the economy. The fourth focus area is high-level digital skills for non-IT businesses looking at new technologies such as AI and machine learning to improve productivity and efficiency. The fifth project is focus on essential digital skills to support people with basic IT provision to help either find employment or move up the career ladder.

The final focus area is to improve the skills landscape for employers by making it much easier for them to understand where to go when they need to access help with training and skills. The focus will be in simplifying the process and demonstrating return on investment for businesses. Solihull College and University Centre was the lead applicant and will now work with businesses and a range of providers to deliver on the six projects. Dudley College of Technology, WCG, Fircroft College, Halesowen College and Birmingham Metropolitan College are all partners in delivering areas of focus set out by the LSIF. Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The announcement of £10.3m Local Skills Improvement Funds for the West Midlands and Warwickshire is one of the biggest in the country and great news for local employers. “It is also vindication of the brilliant work that has been taking place between businesses across the region and our excellent local providers. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is proud to have helped deliver this project and it will provide much needed funds for the skills and recruitment issues our businesses need to grow and find new markets. “Most importantly, this marks the start of a new way of delivering skills funding – putting businesses at the start of the process and using innovative ways of delivery, of focus and of engagement. “This relationship between Chambers of Commerce, businesses, training providers and funders will hopefully keep on growing and give the West Midlands economy the boost it needs.”

Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are delighted that the Department for Education has approved the application by a consortium of West Midlands Further Education providers to deliver a response to the recommendations of the Local Skills Improvement Plan. “The commitment of £10.3m to bolster FE provision in the region is fantastic news for both residents and local employers, and we are proud to have played a role in identifying the priorities which the approved projects will address. “We look forward to continuing to work with further education providers, employers and stakeholders to support local skills development and business growth across the West Midlands.” Sarah Moorhouse, Chief Executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted that the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan that local employers need, and that funding is now approved to start implementing the identified improvements. “We look forward to working with Solihull College and other providers to continue our commitment to improving the local talent pool available to employers.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “A key part of my mayoral mission is to ensure local people have the skills they need to succeed. We’re fortunate to be home to a range of excellent providers offering a remarkable range of provision - which we continue to improve. “Education providers and partners have been instrumental in the development of our West Midlands Local Skills Improvement Plans and recognise the importance of responding to the needs of learners and employers.

“We welcome this additional funding from the Department for Education which will help bring many of the recommendations from the LSIP to fruition - helping colleges and universities to fulfil their ambitions and take our provision to the next level in the months and years ahead.” Rebecca Gater, Principal and Chief Executive of Solihull College and University Centre, said: “Solihull College and University Centre is delighted to lead on the West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Fund. “The further education colleges and training providers in the region are working collaboratively with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Warwickshire Skills Hub to deliver an integrated response tailored to the specific needs of our local and regional economy. “The Department of Education’s investment is as a testament to our commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the current and future regional workforce. “It will support us to upskill the current and future workforce to meet regional skills priorities including electrification and battery technology, sustainable construction and future housing, green skills and digital. “Funding will enable us to invest in cutting-edge facilities, high quality resources, and equipment that ensures the curriculum we offer meets the needs of employers, improves efficiency and productivity, and equips local people with the skills they need to succeed in current and future careers.” For more information go to: https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/businesssupport/lsip/

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Profile: Ian O’Connor For a good few years, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Ian O’Connor was a rock ‘n’ roll star as his career took him to some of the coolest places on the planet. From London to Milan and from Paris to New York, the businessman who grew up in Bulkington, Warwickshire, was building a life and a career that would have been the envy of many. His eye for style and his entrepreneurial blood made him the perfect fit for the world of fashion – specifically shoes – which led to him to working with international icons and saw him make memories for a lifetime. “I left school at 16 and went to work with my old man,” he said. “He was doing kitchens, bedrooms and office furniture. He’d been in that industry for as long as I could remember. “I’d actually been working with him from the age of 12 on Saturdays because I just wanted to hang out with him because he was supercool. “I was brought up in quite an entrepreneurial family. My mum had a hairdressing salon and she was a good businesswoman and I took over my father’s business for a period before it was sold. I went to work for someone else but, naturally, I started my own business. “I got into the commercial interior market – when office furniture leans into interiors – and I built quite a nice business with a partner. “We had a parting of the ways and I thought, what do people want? What do they buy whether or not they want or need it? I basically thought that women like to buy a lot of shoes and that was the whole premise for my fashion business!” He taught himself to draw and had soon developed a shoe brand that was attracting the attention of supermodels and international musicians. “I built a footwear brand called Strutt,” said Ian. “We were in some of the best department stores in the world – Harrods, Selfridges, Rinascente in Milan, across the USA – and we had lots of celebrities wearing the brand. “I was in the industry for about 10 years and it was great from a lifestyle perspective. It opened me up to lots of opportunities and the world of celebrity. The likes of P!nk, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Rachel Hunter were all wearing my shoes. “I had a partnership with Rio Ferdinand and did a range with him. It was called Five by Rio Ferdinand, that was more lifestyle leisure and accessories for men. “He was a lovely guy and we got on really well. In fairness to him, he was still playing for Manchester United so it wasn’t as successful as it could have been. He was at the top of his game when it came to football and it was just a great experience. “I also did Terry De Havilland’s and Zandra Rhodes’ ready-to-wear collections.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS Nuneaton entrepreneur Ian O’Connor enjoyed a career in fashion but he’s now the driving force behind Eskuta – an e-bike brand that it is combining convenience and style. 20

“It was all self-taught. I could draw and had some help to begin with from a guy who designed for Prada and I went from there. “It was all very rock n roll. I did Paris, New York, Milan, Vegas twice a year but if I’d have carried on the way I was going, I wouldn’t be here anymore! “It was going pretty well until the recession of 2008 and the bank pulled all of our letters of credit with my factories and that put paid to that business. It was sad.” Ian had to, in his own words, get a proper job. He joined Stuart Marsh Group in Exeter and reshaped the sales and marketing for its Rainbow Club brand, which is one of the largest bridal footwear businesses in Europe. But the bug for business was never too far away and something very different was about to float his entrepreneurial boat. “A friend of mine was living in China and working for AGCO. He called me one day and asked me what I was doing and if I knew anything about e-bikes. He started to tell me about them and I did my own research,” he said. “There was a big show in Shanghai and e-bikes were just coming to the market. I had an idea of what I wanted to see. I wanted to see something like a small motorcycle as I thought it was a niche that wasn’t being satisfied. “I’d got nothing else to do – that was the long and short of it – and this excited me.”

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Profile: Ian O’Connor That was a decade ago and the world was a different place. Electric vehicles had far from taken off; it was preCovid and pre the convenience-delivery boom; and it was before businesses were really talking in net zero terms. But something got Ian’s fire burning. “I came up with the brand Eskuta ten years ago when there was no such thing as an e-scooter,” he said. “I thought it sounded very contemporary, maybe a little bit Italian, and I was playing on the fact they were electric too. “I did some research, found some manufacturers, had some meetings and the manufacturer I met is still the one we work with today. I wanted something that was more like a motorcycle rather than a traditional scooter and that’s what we found. “But the product wasn’t fit for the European market so we worked with them to develop it and improve the quality and engineering behind it. “I went to the market to try to get some funding, but the money was expensive and it required lots of governance. So, I went to a good friend of mine, Greg Devine, who had a successful automotive engineering company called Cad Cam in Coventry, just for some advice really. “I showed him and his partners the business plan and they backed me straight away. I bought Greg and his partners out about three years ago when they wished to exit to concentrate on other projects but they had a big part to play in the getting the business off the ground.”

“What we do is very different. We’ve taken a small, lightweight motorcycle and we’ve manufactured that into an e-bike because it has an application that is different.

Eskuta (pronounced a-scooter rather than e-scooter) began trading in 2015 and, fast forward eight years, it is going from strength to strength.

“Most e-bikes are built for leisure but, with our market, it is not about supporting fitness, it’s about getting you from A to B as fast as possible.

The company, which employs 12 people from two units on Bermuda Business Park in Nuneaton, is now into the design throes of its Series Five model and has more than 6,500 vehicles in service across the UK.

“It has got built-in lights, an immobiliser, motorcycle controls, indicators, suspension, brakes and tyres so the consumer is getting a motorcycle solution – albeit at a lower speed – without all the costs associated.

Ian said: “We’ve got contracts to supply and service Eskutas with Just Eat, which has been a major partner with us since 2017, and we work with Deliveroo and Uber Eats riders. We’re now in the convenience store market too so we work with Booker Group which is Londis, Premiere, Budgens and Happy Shopper.

“You don’t need a licence. You don’t need insurance. These are usually the biggest costs. It looks great too.

“Then we got an influx of more orders from restaurants at the start of the pandemic because deliveries were the only way they could remain open and viable so we really scaled our business. “The same kind of thing happened with convenience stores, and that delivery market started to grow. It’s still in its infancy but it’s growing, and the reason for that is that consumers are conditioned to getting deliveries and we want convenience in everything we do. “Everybody is busier in terms of their lifestyle and delivery plays a part in that.” Other sales channels are opening up too. “We’re doing much more in the health sector,” said Ian. “We work with care in the community companies where their carers are going out to individuals and they need a form of transport. “Many of those workers are not from the UK – they don’t have a driving licence – so it’s giving them the flexibility, it’s reducing costs, helping recruitment and staff retention. It’s giving something back to the worker. “We’re working with some large distribution and manufacturing businesses where they have huge sites and they need to get people moving around on them. “Clearly, when you’ve got highly-skilled, highly-paid people you want them to get around as quickly and easily as possible. “I’d like to say we’ve sold to butchers, bakers and candlestick makers but I haven’t done the candlestick maker yet!”

“The basic design came from Honda in the 1990s. They brought out a product that looked similar to what we’ve got but there were no takers. It had a massive battery, it was very expensive and nobody wanted it. It was a different world back then, as we know. “Our manufacturer in China took on the patent when it lapsed and we own part of that as well. “We’ve developed it over a period and with each iteration of the product, it’s become more and more on-trend. “It appeals to a really wide demographic. We’ve got 14/15 year-olds who are using it to go to school and we’ve got mums using it to get around, we’ve got commuters and, of course, the last mile deliverers.

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“It’s about 80 per cent B2B at the moment but our consumer side is growing and that’s partially driven by people seeing them at their door and saying ‘I want one of those’. “The interesting thing is that when I started the business the world was a very different place. It’s only eight years ago and when I look back we’ve seen a massive sea-change. “Consumers have changed. Every business is, in one way or another, looking to get to net zero. How do we move people? How do we move goods? “Eight years ago, there was a real reluctance to take on anything electric because there was a nervousness about it. “But now the spec is so good and it’s getting better all the time. If the battery is fully depleted it takes about seven hours to charge. If you retain about 30 per cent of the battery it takes about an hour and a half. “It gets you up to 50 miles but we say to customers it will be around 40. They’re electric not magic. “Ultimately, we can say to potential customers that we can make them more efficient, save them money, make their employees happier and help in the efforts towards net zero. Yes, you have to buy or lease our product but it ticks all of those boxes for you. What’s not to like?”

The USP of our product is that it’s not like a traditional looking cycle. Most electric cycles in the UK are

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traditional in as much that they look like a bicycle.

About Ian O’Connor Married:

No (with partner Natalie for 10 years)

Children:

Two – both grown up, two grandchildren and Nat’s daughter, Ruby, who has lived with us since she was three.

Hobbies:

Football, no time for anything else!

On top of that, Eskuta is working with Transport for London and, in the coming years, is predicting a growth in overseas sales in Europe, South America and North America. The products arrive from China around 70 per cent built and then the team at Bermuda does the rest. The company has just invested more than £100,000 to improve its storage capacity in order to hold more stock as the consumer market begins to take off. Ian said: “The USP of our product is that it’s not like a traditional looking cycle. Most electric cycles in the UK are traditional in as much that they look like a bicycle.

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Favourite Book: Kane & Abel (Jeffrey Archer) Favourite Film: Forrest Gump Last Holiday:

Spain

Gadget:

iPhone

Economy

Excitement at Investment Zone announcement

Business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire have welcomed the news of an Investment Zone in the region in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. A group of businesspeople joined the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce at Prime Accountant Group’s HQ to watch and react to Jeremy Hunt MP’s statement. Within it, the Chancellor revealed that an investment zone would be created on the border of Coventry and Warwickshire around the site of Coventry Airport to encourage businesses to invest in the area. It was part of a statement that saw a raft of announcements designed to encourage business growth. Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “There was real

Steve Harcourt

excitement in the room with regards to the investment zone. This could be a real game changer for the region. “We know how important that site is around Coventry Airport and this could have a massive impact for the regional economy. “We, alongside our colleagues at the British Chambers of Commerce, campaigned for the full expensing to become permanent and that was announced in the Chancellor’s statement. “There were other measures that were also welcome, such as the extension of business rates relief for those firms in the hospitality and retail sector.”

Corin Crane

He added: “Of course, the devil will always be in the detail when it comes to this kind of statement and even the financial professions around the table need more time to fully assess the implication of the measures but the Chancellor set out plans for growth which our members will always want to hear. “Another area that I will be very interested to see the detail on was the planning reforms as this is something we have been calling for as part of our employment land review for the region. “We understand that we are getting very close to a General Election and that some of the measures introduced around the minimum wage and

Carol Thomas

National Insurance will have one eye on that and it’s important to understand how firms will benefit.” Steve Harcourt, Director of Prime Accountants Group, added: “We spoke before the statement about businesses needing confidence and I believe it helped to do that. “Where we were thinking that there might be a recession in 2024 but actually, the new forecasts suggest there will be growth, which is positive. “There was a great deal of detail when it comes to tax changes and it was heavily focused on business. That was to be welcomed and we’ll be looking at the small print in the coming days to see the full impact on our clients.”

Andrew Day

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Economy

Call for stability as businesses hear from Labour leader “We welcome the desire to speed up the planning system to get investment flowing and businesses building. It has also said it will legislate to tackle late payments which is holding businesses back. “These are just some of the measures that our members have been telling us they would like to see and we look forward to hearing more. “The Chamber is an a-political body that wants the best for business so it’s vitally important that we get our message to all parties and that, whoever is in Government after the next General Election – whenever that falls – provides stability.”

A Coventry and Warwickshire business leader said firms want stability – whoever is in Government after the next General Election – before introducing Sir Keir Starmer at an event in the Midlands. Louise Wall, Commercial Director at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the Labour leader to the stage at Lunaz – a company based at the Silverstone Technology Park, just across the border in Northamptonshire.

Mr Starmer told the audience of national media and businesses that he wanted to “get Britain building” and that a sound economy would provide the platform to deliver for the whole country. Louise said: “We listen to businesses all the time and we have also been listening to what the Labour Party has planned. “There are some things which our members have been calling for, such as replacing the Business Rates system with a fairer one for all.

Mr Starmer said: “This is a Labour Party that has broken new ground in our relationship with business. The Party gets the value of private enterprise, and understands working people want success as well as support. We know that borders must be secured, economic stability is the foundation for everything, but that in tough times like ours, we must use the power of Government carefully, but decisively. “We need to stoke the fires of renewal, the pride and purpose I know burns inside communities like these.”

Latest unemployment figures show the need to close the skills gap Tackling the skills shortage is key to reducing unemployment, according to business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire. Latest unemployment figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that the UK rate of unemployment remained unchanged at 4.2 per cent in the three months to October. Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said that while work is being done to help close the skills gap in the West Midlands in the medium to long-term, more needs to be done in the short-term to tackle the issue. He said: “As we look ahead to the new year, it is clear that more work needs to be done to solve the skills crisis. “Here in the West Midlands we have been awarded £10 million of Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) by the Department for Education – the

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highest amount for any area of the UK – to close the skills gaps in a number of key areas. “While this is extremely welcome and fantastic news for employers across Coventry and Warwickshire, this will only help to address the problem in the medium to long-term. “In the short-term, there continues to be a skills crisis which needs to be addressed to support business growth and reduce unemployment figures.” Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Labour market data continues to send mixed messages, as vacancies trend downward, but unemployment and employment remain largely static and pay growth outstrips inflation. “But while we may have fewer vacancies, we still have a major shortage of skills across our economy. This is holding back productivity and growth. So now is the time to

redouble efforts to prepare, upskill and reskill the workforce for the changes and opportunities ahead of us. “These remain challenging times for firms and the BCC’s most recent forecast predicts the economy will grow by just 0.6 per cent in 2024 and business investment will contract by 0.8 per cent. Government must do all it can to help businesses invest more in apprenticeships, technical education and upskilling people in work. “Every day, employers are struggling to fill jobs, so it’s essential that everyone who wants to work is given the opportunities and training they need to do so, urgently. “The Autumn Statement included some welcome steps, but with the immigration system now looking out of reach for most businesses, the Government must encourage investment in skills training and set out a stable, long-term strategy to support this.”

Recession fears will grow without clear growth plan, say C&W chamber The government must do more to boost a “fragile” economy and quell fears the UK could head into a recession at the end of the year, business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire have said.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.3 per cent in November after declining by the same percentage points in October – outgrowing expectations. But it has declined by 0.2% over the past three months and the ONS said it has shown ‘little growth’ over the past year, leading economists to fear the country could be at risk of recession by the end of the year. Corin Crane, the Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “With inflation slowly declining and GDP showing flickers of recovery, we understand the Government’s cautious approach to economic policy. “But with slow GDP growth causing concern for the country, now is the time for them to seize the moment and tell us their plans to boost business and a stuttering economy. “High interest rates and a lack of skilled workers are two of the most common issues that businesses both locally and across the UK are needing to tackle before businesses can have confidence in being able to grow in the long-term. “As the build-up to the election gathers pace, it is vitally important that politicians from all sides put business at the centre of their plans, as they are the heartbeat of the economy and have a vital role to play in making the UK an attractive destination to invest in from overseas, too.”

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How might new building safety regulations affect your business or investments?

National Express Coventry extends £2 single fare cap until the end of 2024 Bus users in Coventry will be able to continue to enjoy discounted single bus fares after National Express Coventry confirmed its continued participation in the Government’s £2 single fare cap scheme until the end of 2024. The Government initiative, which first launched in January 2023 as part of the Government’s Help for Households scheme, has been warmly received by customers across Coventry and the wider West Midlands with 12.5 million National Express bus passenger journeys made using the single fare offer since the beginning of the year. Anybody making three or more journeys a day continue to benefit from great value day tickets at £4.50, providing unlimited travel on all buses within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses. National Express Coventry passengers using contactless can Tap and Cap and will find their fare cap is automatically applied so they never pay more than they should - as long as they tap on with the same card or device. Alex Jensen, CEO for National Express UK, Ireland and Germany, said: “Bus is by far the most popular form of public transport here in Coventry and the wider West Midlands, so we are pleased to be working with Transport for West Midlands and the Department for Transport to extend the £2 single ticket until the end of 2024.

In August 2023, the Government comprehensively revised and altered different aspects of the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 and various building regulations. These changes took effect on 1st October 2023. The property experts at Askews Legal LLP have outlined the key points to be aware of.

Details of the new building safety regulations • Building (Approved Inspectors etc and Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2023 – these amendments to the Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010 designate the Building Safety Regulator as the sole building control authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs). • Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 – these regulations provide indepth specifics regarding the building control framework for HRBs during their design and construction phases or when alterations are made to existing HRBs. • Building Regulations etc (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 – this regulation amends the Building Regulations 2010 to support the new control regime for HRBs. Notable changes encompass Regulation 6, introducing a new Part 2A, "Dutyholders and competence," into the BR 2010.

• The Building Safety Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments etc) Regulations – these regulations make consequential adjustments to various miscellaneous statutes and orders. In conjunction with the introduction of these regulations, the Government also issued its response to the consultation on changes to the building control system under the BSA 2022 and relevant regulations. These changes are primarily focused on Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), with the Government stressing its intention to impose additional requirements on all parties involved in the design and construction of HRBs.

An overview of the changes Part 2A of the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 establishes new obligations and competence standards for clients, designers, and contractors. These requirements apply to all projects subject to the Building Regulations 2010. Clients are responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing the project in a way that meets compliance with the Building Regulations 2010. Designers and contractors cannot be employed until the client can confidently state that they meet the required competence standards. Principal designers and principal contractors with a coordinating role must fulfil further conditions before accepting or appointing their own contractors.

“That’s why it’s so important we keep fares low and affordable, which is exactly what today’s confirmation by National Express Coventry does. We already have some of the lowest and simplest bus fares in the UK, and now this £2 cap allows us to go even further. “Ultimately, we want more people to use our buses to help cut congestion and carbon emissions. That’s why we have provided £40 million to keep bus services going during this challenging time, are building miles of dedicated bus lanes to make services more reliable and attractive, and are investing in measures such as the try-before-you-buy incentive scheme.” The £2 adult fare cap will continue to be available to all customers purchasing single tickets via the National Express Bus mTicket app or on-board using cash or contactless between now and the end of 2024.

For more information, visit www.nxbus.co.uk/coventry

If you require legal advice concerning building safety or residential/commercial property development, email enquiries@askewslegal.co Please note that this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Telegraph Hotel’s drive to be greener General Manager Brett Wilks, has seen it go even further. The hotel has installed bird boxes around the rooftop to encourage wildlife and preservation within the city centre, as well as planting lavender and other pollinating plants to attract bees during the summer months, promoting biodiversity.

“More people using buses is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for wider society. Bus travel is simple, cheap and easy and there’s never been a better time to get onboard.” Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Buses are the backbone of public transport in the West Midlands, connecting communities and accounting for tens of thousands of journeys every single day.

To meet these competence requirements, individual contractors or designers must possess the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to carry out their responsibilities. Those involved with the design and build must display the organisational competence to take on the project. Parties are likely to meet all the requirements; however, the amendments necessitate comprehensive documentation to establish a full audit trail.

Amy and Brett have created a green team, who actively promote environmentallyfriendly activity within the hotel to guests as well as driving new initiatives. Brett said: “We are committed to being proactive when it comes to the environment and the part we can play in reducing carbon emissions.

Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel has taken major steps to become one of the most environmentally-friendly venues in the region.

As such, the hotel writes to every guest encouraging them to reuse towels and switch off lights and TVs that are not in use, but also promotes recycling and even trying its vegan menu to cut down on emissions.

“The hotel itself is the very essence of recycling – taking an existing building within the city and transforming it into an iconic venue that is enjoyed by local people and visitors from across the world.

The Telegraph provides water stations throughout the hotel to allow visitors to fill up their own water bottles to cut down on plastic waste. It also provides yoga mats to allow guests to exercise.

“It is our mission to work with all of our staff and guests – be they individuals or businesses – to encourage them to be part of this drive to be the most environmentallyfriendly hotel we can be.

The four-star hotel, which features 88 bedrooms, an all-day bar and restaurant called Forme & Chase and a rooftop bar called Generators, is not only on a drive to increase business, it has made a commitment to become greener and reduce its carbon footprint, which has come down by 6.7 tonnes in the space of a year.

The team has introduced a green meetings package for businesses and organisations which are using the hotel for meetings and events, covering everything from low carbon lighting and heating through to flipcharts made from recycled material. Its menu is even tailored to offer the most environmentally-friendly snacks and lunches.

“That is about getting all of the basics right – such as cutting down on laundry and unnecessary use of energy – but also looking at every area of the business and seeing if we can do more.

It currently holds Bronze accreditation with Green Tourism and its 68-strong team has implemented a series of measures to go even further.

The Telegraph Hotel’s commitment towards sustainability does not stop there and a range of other initiatives, led by General Manager Amy Windsor and Deputy

The city centre hotel opened its doors in 2021 after £20 million investment and in just two years it has made itself a hit with visitors to Coventry looking for a place to stay as well as with guests and businesses within the region.

“We’ve come a long way in a very short s pace of time but we are determined to do even more because it is vital that every business plays its part.” For more information or to view the Telegraph Hotel’s green policy go to www.telegraph-hotel.com/green-policy/

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....training for a brighter future 27

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Outsourcing is the number one solution for care homes and assisted living around the UK Care homes are embracing technological innovations to enhance resident wellbeing and operational efficiency. With Pink Connect’s focus on IT, security, and network infrastructure, these facilities are providing better care, improved communication, and refined data protection. The provider of IT solutions and services designed specifically for the healthcare industry understands the challenges care homes face in meeting the stringent compliance standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the NHS. That's why they are reaching out to offer a solution that will ensure IT infrastructure remains compliant while allowing care providers to focus on delivering exceptional care. High-speed internet connectivity is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for smooth communication, remote monitoring, and efficient data transfer. Pink Connect leverages cutting-edge technologies such as remote management and personalised secure platforms to enhance resident care, improve outcomes, and create exceptional experiences. One of the key areas where Pink Connect has made a significant impact is by being a trusted outsourced team, where care homes can access excellent IT solutions without the financial strain of maintaining an internal team. By leveraging their expertise and resources, care homes can eliminate the need for an in-house IT department, saving both time and money. They can also help care homes protect resident data and medical records to maintain trust, whilst being compliant with GDPR. Robust cybersecurity measures, like encryption, are integrated into systems, with regular audits and cyber awareness staff training. They take pride in their ability to support the healthcare sector and have successfully partnered with numerous care homes across the country, enabling them to stay compliant, secure, and efficient.

National success for the Serco Restart Scheme and One Stop The Serco Restart Scheme has been working with One Stop, a retail convenience business with more than 900 shops, since July 2022. Serco Restart Scheme Employer Engagement Coordinator, Hannah Monaghan, met Campbell Hutchison, People Partner for One Stop, via a mutual connection. The Restart Scheme is part of the Government’s wider Plan for Jobs programmes to help people develop their skills so they can find long-term meaningful employment. Serco has been chosen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the Restart Scheme in West Central (Black Country, Coventry, Greater Birmingham and Solihull, The Marches and Worcestershire) and Wales. Following Hannah and Campbell’s success in Wales, One Stop approached Serco to roll out promotion of their vacancies to other Restart Scheme providers across England. Hannah and Campbell are now working together and have implemented a recruitment process across all 12 Restart Scheme providers in England.

participants succeed. They hold information sessions to provide participants insight into the roles and responsibilities of the jobs that are available and help them with interview preparation. I have also presented to One Stop team managers to help them understand more about the Restart Scheme and answer any questions they have.”

Hannah said: “One Stop are very supportive in wanting to help our

Campbell said: “I am thoroughly enjoying the collaborative approach that the Restart

Scheme and we (One Stop) have adopted and continue to foster. As well as recruiting for store staff, we have also incorporated our distribution centres into the recruitment process and have just successfully welcomed our first new colleague into this area via the Restart Scheme.” To find out more, email eewestcentral@serco.com or visit https://www.serco-ese.com/restartscheme/employers

Osprey launches programme for couples who are also business partners Osprey, a consultancy renowned for its focus on both business acumen and relationship-building, has launched a groundbreaking service tailored for couples who are also business partners. This offering is keenly focused on enhancing business, relationships and family dynamics, recognising the intertwined nature of personal and professional lives in such partnerships. It aims to fortify not only the business ventures of these couples but also to strengthen their familial bonds. Gillian Andale, who runs Osprey, is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial pairs who value the intricate balance between their business pursuits and family life. Her rich career spans more than 40 years and across 40 countries. Entitled the Relationship Harmony Formula, the service takes a holistic and family-centric approach. It emphasises aspects such as Personal Identity, Aligning with Shared Goals, and Balancing Individual and Joint Responsibilities. This programme is particularly designed for business owners who navigate the complexities of blending their work and family lives. It is offered through engaging mentorship sessions, both virtually and in-person,

catering to businesses with an annual turnover exceeding £1 million. One of the unique aspects of working with Gillian on the Relationship Harmony Formula is the recognition that business entrepreneurial couples do not have time or headspace to do exercises outside the mentoring sessions. This has been a key principle when designing the formula and therefore each session is a collaboration to get results and build towards the outcomes desired. Also, the pace of working with Gillian is outcomes based not time or number of sessions limited. Gillian’s illustrious career has seen many achievements, including authoring two Amazon best-sellers and being a soughtafter international speaker. Her 25 years of dedication to studying human behaviour inform her consultancy approach, which is also influenced by her personal experience of nurturing a large, blended family and corunning a consultancy with her husband. In 2018 after returning from an extensive tour of China and Japan with 60 other entrepreneurs, Gillian moved away from large corporate and Government contracts and refocused her efforts on uplifting small businesses, leading to Osprey’s notable success in the UK, especially among small and medium-sized firms, in the past four years.

Highlighting her belief in ongoing learning and mentorship, Gillian invested £50,000 in high-level mentorship and training for entrepreneurship and business development during the pandemic. Gillian said: “Osprey is committed to bringing transformative outcomes and to work with businesses who may be drowning in their own success. It is not relationship counselling and saving businesses and marriages unless that is needed, but it profoundly enriches family lives. Our consultancy has been a catalyst for significant positive changes in our clients’ lives, enabling them to lead a life by design (not a life by default) that benefits the entire family.”

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

Seriously strengthening global leadership using Lego Leadership and coaching consultancy Transformation Space has launched an innovative program using play as a tool to help businesses to stand out internationally. Transformation Space’s new program combines the concept of cultural intelligence, or cultural quotient (CQ) with Lego Serious Play methodology to help individuals excel in diverse international contexts. The program results from a partnership with Elembee and aims to support leaders to thrive amidst global diversity. CQ is a crucial skill for business leaders in an increasingly globalised market. It refers to the ability to navigate and succeed in multiple cultures. Leaders with high CQ possess a deep understanding of diverse cultural norms and practices, enabling them to navigate international business landscapes with agility and sensitivity. The benefits of having high CQ include having improved communication, effective crosscultural negotiations and creating inclusive work environments that leverage the strengths of a diverse workforce. Lego Serious Play (LSP) offers a tangible, interactive approach to understanding complex concepts and enhancing cognitive, emotional, and strategic facets of CQ. This hands-on method uses the universal language of play, encouraging participants to visualise and construct their thoughts using Lego bricks, promoting deeper learning and collaboration among business leaders.

Company leads the way in building a more connected public sector The inaugural session involved a series of carefully crafted activities, including constructing Lego models representing personal diversity challenges and strategising on actionable inclusion plans. The program equips attendees with the ability to discern and leverage the four pillars of CQ, fostering an environment where inclusive leadership is an ideal and actionable reality.

The program invites individuals to explore, challenge preconceptions, and emerge as leaders equipped for the international stage. The pilot session was successful, and the program is set for another iteration in 2024, ready to welcome business leaders who are eager to explore the synergy of culture and creativity.

Do you need help with your performance appraisals? 4. Ensure employee participation. This is paramount to the success of the meeting. A performance appraisal must be a two-way conversation with the employee contributing to targets and strategy. 5. Do not leave negative feedback until the end of the meeting as this can create a nervous atmosphere for the employee and once addressed, the meeting can move on to other topics.

As we enter 2024, many companies will be thinking about their annual performance appraisals, which tend to coincide with the start of a new year. Though not a legal requirement, there are many benefits to conducting an appraisal either annually, bi-annually or on a more regular basis. AHR Consultants provide a range of leadership courses, including one to help managers carry out successful performance appraisals within their businesses. Here the company’s experts lend their top tips.

How to conduct a successful appraisal:

6. Give successes the weight they deserve. Discuss improvements rather than weaknesses and spend a significant proportion on future development to include career plans and upskilling.

1. Plan appraisals in plenty of time so the employee has time to prepare their feedback and questions.

7. Agree actions together to ensure a thorough understanding and a willingness to succeed in these goals.

2. Provide the agenda to the employee before the meeting so there are no shocks on the day. The employee will have time to think about the topics to be discussed.

8. Summarise what has been discussed and whether the employee requires any further support. Set out clearly who is responsible for what, to ensure accountability.

3. Keep things moving during the appraisal and use a standardised form to ensure all points are covered in proportion.

9. Document the meeting so you can refer back to it at a later date or at the next appraisal.

Find out more at https://ahrconsultants.co.uk/training-and-development/leadership-skills/performance-appraisals/ www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Telecom company dbfb (Database for Business) has been selected to provide services for public sector organisations, reaching a milestone in the company’s aim to build a more connected and efficient public sector. The company went through a rigorous selection process, earning a 100 per cent rating across various criteria, before securing positions on three lots in the coveted CCS (Crown Commercial Service) Network Service 3 framework. This marks a crucial moment for dbfb’s growth in the public sector, say bosses. The CCS Network Service 3 framework serves as a gateway for public sector organisations to access expertise in areas such as network solutions, communication services and cutting-edge technologies. Sam Lee, Sales Director at dbfb, said the company was proud to be named a Network Services 3 supplier, saying the achievement underscores their commitment to delivering innovative network solutions for government agencies. CCS plays a crucial role in facilitating commercial gains, totalling £3.8 billion for the public sector in 2022–2023. dbfb's ISO 9001 certification positions the company as a reliable provider meeting the stringent requirements of the CCS framework. The company's commitment to sustainability aligns with the evolving priorities of public sector organisations, say those at dbfb, and as the public sector strives to advance communication systems, dbfb's inclusion in the Network Services 3 framework is integral. Jess Ansell, Workplace and Sustainability Director at dbfb, said: "We're excited about the opportunities this presents, recognising the public sector's dedication to modernising systems. Our focus on sustainability aligns with the changing landscape, assuring the public sector of dealing with suppliers committed to ethical practices and excellence." For more information about dbfb, email discover@dbfb.co.uk, or visit www.dbfb.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing

New campaign challenges perceptions of sexual harassment and abuse Coventry Rape Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC) has launched a campaign which aims to raise awareness of the scale of sexual violence in society. Marking the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, Call It Out is a digital animation which challenges sexist views and highlights the wider impacts of rape culture.

More than five million women in the UK have been raped or sexually assaulted. One in five women over the age of 16 has experienced some form of sexual violence – and only around 15 per cent of those report it to the police.*

Hundreds of people brave the cold to tackle homelessness crisis

CRASAC has been campaigning to challenge misogynistic views and rape culture within society for more than 40 years. The charity hopes that this campaign will go some way towards changing perceptions, increase understanding, and reduce the stigma around talking about sexual violence and abuse.

Hundreds of individuals came together at Millennium Point, defying freezing temperatures to participate in the annual Sleepout, a fundraising event organised by St Basils homelessness charity.

Using impactful messaging in relatable language, the animation encourages everyone to be an upstander and call out abusive behaviours when they see them.

Jenni Muskett, Deputy CEO at CRASAC, said: “Many people struggle to find a way to call out difficult and uncomfortable situations. We hope that this campaign will particularly encourage men and boys to challenge the behaviour of others and provide an opportunity for discussion. “Unfortunately, we live in a society that gives permission to perpetrators, and which focuses on victim blaming and perpetuates a cycle of abuse against women and girls. To change that cycle we need to create a culture where it’s safe to stand up and address unacceptable behaviour.” *[Office for National Statistic and National Crime Survey England & Wales] It is funded by the Citizen Community Fund with thanks to Jade Studios for creative development and Push Records for studio recording.

The event aimed to raise crucial funds to combat the growing homelessness crisis, intensified by rising rents and the escalating cost of living. The overwhelming response showcased a united front against homelessness, with participants experiencing a night outdoors on Friday, 1st December to empathise with young people facing housing insecurity. The generosity of supporters was evident, with Millennium Point graciously providing the venue free of charge, Schumacher Packaging again donating 500 cardboard boxes for makeshift shelters, and the West Midlands Fire Brigade brass band filling the air with festive tunes.

The support extended beyond a cardboard roof over their heads, with the charity Langar Aid providing warm, nourishing curries with freshly baked bread to the fundraisers throughout the night. Despite the biting cold, spirits remained high. Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising and Communications at St Basils, said: "The Sleepout embodies solidarity. Each participant, charity partner, and supporter are contributing to our vital work preventing youth homelessness. “Each year we support nearly 4,000 young people in the Midlands. This event is not just a fundraiser; it's a powerful statement against the homelessness crisis gripping our communities. The money raised ensures St Basils stays at the heart of those communities as a safety net for those vulnerable young people who need us."

The event has already raised an impressive £66,000, with additional contributions expected in the coming weeks. Every pound raised goes towards St Basils' comprehensive efforts to prevent youth homelessness, providing accommodation, education, and support for vulnerable young people. A Sleepout participant added: "Sleeping out tonight is a stark reminder of the struggles many face daily. The rising rents and cost-of-living crisis make it tougher for vulnerable young people. I bought my home over 20 years ago. I simply couldn’t afford to do that now with the soaring property prices, and the cost of rental properties in the Midlands are so high. I don’t know how young people are expected to live. If you haven’t got family who can support you or you come from care or an abusive home, how do you survive? Thank goodness for organisations like St Basils.”

As the Sleepout concludes, the message is clear: it takes a community to end homelessness. St Basils continues to welcome donations which can be made at https://stbasils.org.uk/donate-2/ www.cw-chamber.co.uk

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Expanding events firm on target to double its growth and increase workforce An expanding Warwickshire events company is on target to double its growth and increase its workforce following a move to new premises after receiving investment from Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).

Aurora Managed Services Acquires Blue Sky Digital

Aurora Managed Services has completed the acquisition of Blue Sky Digital effective from 1st December 2023. Blue Sky Digital was founded in 2011 by brothers Ian and Neil Brewer and has grown to become one of the leading Managed Print Solution providers in South Wales and beyond. Blue Sky Digital’s remarkable organic growth has been driven by a passion for delivering highquality services which has been repaid by the trust and loyalty of its customers. Blue Sky Digital’s focus on excellence has seen it become a trusted partner across many SME businesses and in the education and local government sectors. Aurora Managed Services is one of the UK’s largest independent Managed Print Solutions providers with customer centric values and a commitment to excellence. Whilst providing scale at a national level, service is focused locally, close to customers. The combination of Aurora and Blue Sky Digital will enhance both businesses and, importantly, benefit new and existing customers. Andy Moffitt, Aurora’s CEO, said: “We are delighted and extremely proud to add Blue Sky Digital to Aurora. The acquisition brings scale and further geographical presence in line with our Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategy and a marriage of very similar cultures. “Ian and Neil have built a fantastic business with a great brand that we intend to maintain. We are also delighted that Ian and Neil will remain with the business to continue their excellent work as we jointly build on Blue Sky Digital’s impressive track record and bring more solutions and innovation to customers.” Ian Brewer, Managing Director of Blue Sky Digital, said: “We are really excited to become part of the Aurora Managed Services Group and are looking forward to continuing to help grow our presence within Wales and the South West. Having met with the Aurora board members and senior management I feel certain this is the right choice for us at Blue Sky as we benefit from the extra services we can pass on to our loyal customer base. “We feel energised and enthused for the future as we become part of the Aurora family. To our existing customers we look forward to continuing to provide the same levels of proactive service with the same team members at your disposal.”

Above & Beyond Solutions, an event design and stand company, was set-up in 2021 by Sam Stockmans after working in the events industry for 15 years. After passing the £1 million turnover milestone in its first 18 months, its 10-strong team moved into new premises in Princes Drive in Kenilworth in the summer. The business is on course to recruit another four employees and reach £2.2 million turnover by the end of its second year of trading in February 2024. Their success is in part due to receiving £135,000 from the Duplex Investment Fund, which is a combined grant and loan, and is an initiative launched between Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP). The Duplex fund is aimed at businesses that are looking to employ new staff members and to generate cash for investment projects. It is a new way to help finance capital investments by Coventry and Warwickshire businesses. The scheme has, to date, created more than 100 jobs across Coventry and Warwickshire and supported more than 50 SMEs.

Above & Beyond Solutions has also received finance from the Warwickshire County Council Local Communities & Enterprise Fund (LCE), delivered by CWRT, which is a programme that supports local communities, existing businesses and enables new start-ups to seek finance they may be unable to access from their local bank. Above & Beyond has built an impressive list of clients across the UK and Europe ranging from BBC Music and Coventry University to Gymshark and Burger King for its services which include launching exhibitions and events, ticketing and sponsorship acquisition. Sam, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021, said: “The grants and loans have made a huge difference to turning our plans into reality because it enabled the business to grow from five to 10 employees and improved our cash flow. “We used some of the money to buy a build system called Aluvision. It’s a metal framework with tension stretch fabric so it can be reused at different exhibitions and shows which makes it more sustainable. “The funding also helped with moving to a 4,000 square foot warehouse in Kenilworth in August and we are already full and are looking to buy the next-door premises. “We are looking at extending the warehouse and the team by another four members of staff because we want to carry on growing.”

Sheridan Sulskis, CEO of CWRT, said: “We are thrilled to stand alongside Above & Beyond Solutions as they embark on this exciting journey of expansion. "This strategic investment aligns with our mission to empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to the fabric of our vibrant community.” Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy, added: “Along with our partners, we seek to support local businesses which is, of course, of tremendous benefit to our communities with the employment opportunities they provide. This particular business has accessed two sources of funding from the County Council which is a testament to the breadth of our offer.” To find out more, visit www.cwrt.uk.com

Sonihull receives King’s Award for Enterprise An innovative Coventry company which uses ultrasound to help ships become more energy efficient is set to branch out into the industrial market following a presentation of one of the most prestigious awards in the business world. Sonihull, whose industry-leading products prevent marine life binding to ships’ hulls without the use of harmful chemicals, was the only Coventry recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise, which it received in the International Trade Category. CEO Darren Rowlands was officially presented with the award by the LordLieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree, at its offices in Mercia Business Village in Coventry. Coventry’s mayor Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi and a range of Sonihull’s business partners were also in attendance. Sonihull is now looking to diversify its customer base with its new product, Agitate, which could help industrial firms keep their pipes and machines running smoothly to significantly boost their efficiency and productivity. Darren Rowlands said: “It was absolutely wonderful to be officially presented with our King’s Award for Enterprise, and it was a lovely occasion for the whole business and our partners to enjoy. “Being the only company in Coventry to win one in the first place was pretty special, and underlines the quality of our exporting which counts for around 95 per cent of our income. “However, we do not want to rest on our laurels. We are hoping to work with many different customers both in the UK and

around the world now that we’ve launched Agitate, which applies our leading technology in new areas.” Sonihull’s range of products emit ultrasonic soundwaves across a ship’s hull to prevent marine wildlife such as algae, molluscs, and weeds from binding to the surface. This reduces drag and ensures its hydrodynamic shape is retained, reducing fuel consumption and increasing efficiency. It also means toxic biocidal coatings which are traditionally used to stop marine life binding no longer need to be used. Agitate uses the same technology to prevent organic and non-organic build-up in pipework and other products, which could allow a wide variety of industrial companies to save hundreds of thousands in pipeline maintenance costs, significantly reduce carbon emissions, and generate carbon credits which could then be monetised. Darren added: “The success of our ultrasonic products on commercial ships and

leisure craft alike got us thinking about new applications for the technology. “Downtime caused by pipe blockages can cost companies in various industries thousands of pounds every minute and are caused by similar build-ups of debris that slow down ships while out to sea. “Agitate uses the same ultrasonic emissions as our maritime products to prevent build-ups of this debris inside pipework, allowing a clear flow to be maintained. This not only saves the customer money, but also keeps the pipe clean without the need for a laborious cleaning process which can often involve harmful chemicals. “The use of Agitate also generates carbon credits, which could later be sold to the open market for offsetting purposes and are a key tool in the race to net zero. “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise capped off a fantastic 2023 for us, and the launch of Agitate gives us confidence that 2024 may be an even better year for the business.”

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Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Warwick Boats and Leam Boat Centre are headline sponsors of Warwick exhibition Heritage and Culture Warwickshire (HCW) has announced that Warwick Boats and the Leam Boat Centre are headline sponsors of the upcoming exhibition about the history of Warwickshire’s rivers, canals and waterways at Market Hall Museum in Warwick. Based at St Nicholas Park in Warwick, Warwick Boats is an independent boat hire company which also runs the Leam Boat Centre in Royal Leamington Spa, and specialises in boat hire, activities and courses on the water. From family rowing boat experiences to pedalos, paddle boarding, kayaks, dragon boat racing and birthday party packages – Warwick Boats and the Leam Boat Centre offer a wide range of experiences and courses for all ages. The exhibition, located on the ground floor of Market Hall Museum, in Warwick, opens on Friday 22nd March 2024, World Water Day, and will run until 18th January 2025. The family-friendly exhibition will explore the unexpected and extraordinary stories of life on - and in - Warwickshire’s waterways, and highlight the increasing importance of the rivers, canals and waterways to everyone.

The exhibition will explore everything from ancient river monsters to celebrity costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Market Hall Museum is part of HCW, Warwickshire County Council’s group of community services responsible for the county’s museum collections, archives, local studies, arts provision and heritage education services. The service is planning an exciting programme of community engagement activities and events that will complement the exhibition, allowing all ages to learn about the story of Warwickshire’s rivers and waterways. Councillor Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate & Culture, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Warwick Boats and the Leam Boat Centre on this fantastic new exhibition at Market Hall Museum. "Our waterways have connected people and places throughout history - and will continue to do so. We must protect and promote them as vital assets for communities across Warwickshire, both now and for future generations.”

Matthew Bishop, Director of Warwick Boats and the Leam Boat Centre, added: “We are absolutely delighted to sponsor this exhibition, and we are extremely passionate about the health and wellbeing benefits associated with people getting out on the rivers. It’s great to see all ages enjoy learning about the history

of our waterways and how people have long enjoyed boating as a leisure activity in Warwickshire.” There are several sponsorship opportunities available to help support the programme. For more information, email: hcwcommercial@warwickshire.gov.uk

Have you had your free Redline contract health check? A Kenilworth company is offering a free health check service for SMEs who want to understand and properly manage commercial and financial risk in their business. Redline Contracts Director and General Manager Richard Dargie is on a mission to help SMEs become more aware of the importance of the terms they trade on with key commercial partners. His aim is to maximise the strength of good terms of trading to protect the bottom line and prevent unpleasant and potentially fatal commercial shocks to the business. With decades of experience in the automotive, rail and telecoms sectors. Richard brings a wealth of practical experience and no-nonsense problem solving to resolve the knottiest of commercial and contracting entanglements. So, what is a health check, why does your business need one, and what value can it bring to your business? Whether you buy or sell products or services or indeed all things in-between, most of these matters are usually covered by a written contract. The health check is simply a list of key contract clauses and conditions which should feature in every SME’s trading terms tool kit. But do they? Answering this key question is what the health check is all about. It will flush out any terms (or lack of) that could pose a potential

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threat or weakness to your business. Whether that is in your own trading terms, or your client contracts. Why do you need a health check? In many cases, SMEs are faced with accepting client terms (usually entities much larger than themselves), with clients using commercial leverage to push risk down the contractual chain to the SME, who is usually the “last man standing”. The health check will identify if all is well with your trading/contracting terms, or if not, what needs to change to strengthen your position and minimise risk. You can then choose to commission Richard to carry out the work at a lower cost than a commercial lawyer. A free health check could save you future headaches and money. Also, conscious that terms and condition of contract are not everyone’s cup of tea, Richard can talk you through the free health check or indeed complete it for you via a question-and-answer session which can be either face to face or online. Redline also offers, on an hourly fee or an agreed fixed price basis, a terms and conditions review service for any type of legal agreement. All this of course, is subject to a non-disclosure agreement, which will protect your key commercial information, which can either be sent in electronic form or hard copy.

Are your website terms Match fit? Or are they subject to a red card??

REDLINE CONTRACTS can make sure your website trading can win any contest with a suite of "oven-ready" online terms for both consumers (B2C) and business(B2B) contracts. Redline can help you keep onside with terms that incorporate the latest requirements in consumer commercial law, and at a snip compared to current legal rates or standard contract forms of pricing.

Finally, Redline can also provide (a.) masterclass training in bid management, commercial / contract awareness and (b.) Commercial / Contract Crisis support where an SME finds himself in commercial hot water!

Contact Redline Contracts, part of the Contract Managers UK Ltd stable of businesses, for all your website legal and commercial requirements.

For a free health check, email Richard Dargie at Redline Contracts, the trading arm of Contract Managers UK Ltd, at: contractmanagersukltd@gmail.com

e: contractmanagersukltd@gmail.com t: 07522 289378

Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

College group completes 200th project for The Prince’s Trust increase their confidence and develop new skills in a safe and inspiring environment. In some instances, the programme is the first step for young people to explore their full potential. “We look forward to celebrating many more milestones in the future.”

Coventry College’s ESOL team recognised at the House of Lords

Through the programme, WCG has supported thousands of young people to gain the skills to gain future employment, with some of the staff now running the Team programme previously having been participants. Team 200 young people were invited to the celebration ceremony to receive their certificates in recognition of completion of the programme.

A college group is celebrating a major milestone after completing its 200th project for The Prince’s Trust in Warwickshire.

A group of tutors and students from Coventry College have been recognised at the House of Lords for their contribution to the community.

WCG (Warwickshire College Group) is the largest provider of programmes for The Prince’s Trust in England and delivers the Team programme in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Nuneaton.

Team members from the College’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course recently won Highly Commended in the Volunteering Team of the Year at the Good for ME Good for FE Awards.

It has been delivering the Team programmes for more than 15 years and a ceremony was held at Warwick Trident College to recognise the completion of its 200th group.

Good for ME Good for FE is a national campaign where colleges across the country unite to encourage staff and students to volunteer and fundraise in their communities. Coventry College ESOL tutor, Fatima Reszczynski, led a group from the College’s ESOL course down to London to collect their award from Baroness Morgan of Cotes in the House of Lords. The award comes after Fatima supported around 18 of Coventry College’s ESOL students to litter pick in Coventry’s War Memorial Park, where they collected 10 bags of rubbish in one session – which also saw the team raise more than £200 for The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) in support of the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 16 to 25 in the process. Collections were also made for Coventry Food Bank, which saw more than 200 items donated to those in need. Fatima has been an ESOL Lecturer at Coventry College for a decade, and for the past eight years has supported up to 120 students every year with volunteering and fundraising opportunities. She said: “Colleges such as the one in Coventry are at the heart of their communities and have a key part to play in providing support, both academically and to those in need, so it was really pleasing for the team to be recognised in this way. “All of the students who I teach are required to contribute around 20 hours of work experience alongside their English studies, which isn’t easy when you’re trying to learn a new language, so our role as tutors has been about helping our students to break down barriers not just with the language, but to employment too. “The visit to the House of Lords was a brilliant occasion – you could feel the history in the walls – and hopefully it has inspired some of our students to aim high in their future careers.”

Chris Gately and Casey Frampton, who lead The Prince’s Trust programme for WCG in Warwickshire, were presented with a special award to commemorate the double century milestone. Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Tim Cox, and Rachel Edwards, Head of Delivery

Partnerships and Volunteering at The Prince’s Trust, presented WCG with the award. Tim, who is the King’s representative in the county, said: “This is a great achievement from WCG, and offering our local young people the chance to reach their potential through the Prince’s Trust has been a huge success. “WCG has fully embraced the support of The Prince’s Trust, and to be the biggest deliverers of Team in the UK is fantastic.” Rachel Edwards, Head of Delivery Partnerships & Volunteering at The Prince’s Trust, added: “Congratulations to Warwickshire College Group. It is a huge milestone to reach the 200th Prince’s Trust Team programme. “Young people are currently facing multiple challenges, however the Team programme offers them the opportunity to

Team is a free 12-week programme which aims to build confidence of its participants and help them to develop new practical skills. Casey Frampton, Prince's Trust Programme Coordinator Coventry & Warwickshire for WCG, added: “Reaching this major milestone gave us time to reflect on the impact of the Team programme and the thousands of young people we have been able to support in Warwickshire. “Not only has the programme had a transformative impact on its participants, it has also facilitated the support of hundreds of community projects across our region. “We would like to congratulate Team 200 on completing the programme and here’s to the next 200 teams.” Find out more about The Prince’s Trust and programmes available through WCG by visiting https://wcg.ac.uk/page/25/ princes-trust

Employers rewarded for advocacy to the armed forces community Four organisations have been recognised for their support of the armed forces community with a top level Ministry of Defence award. As part of the Ministry of Defence’s employer engagement work in Warwickshire, four organisations from the Coventry and Warwickshire area – Cadent Gas Limited, CODA Security, Orbit Group Limited and Severn Trent Water Limited – received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in recognition of their exceptional level of support to the armed forces community. Employers must show a high level of advocacy to be eligible for the Gold Award through their efforts under the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge to the nation to remove barriers for the armed forces community. Once employers have signed the covenant, they are then able to benefit from a range of options including partnering with military units, recruiting from the armed forces community, working with the tri-service Cadet units and networking with like-minded organisations and key supporters of defence. Those that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant are then eligible to progress up

the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, starting with Bronze (intent to support), Silver (active support) and at the highest level, the ERS Gold Award accolade, available to employers who advocate for the wider armed forces community within their workforce, and communities. To win a Gold Award, organisations must provide ten extra days’ paid leave for reservists, and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, reserves, and Cadet force adult volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the armed forces.

Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting the armed forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme. To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant and how your business can support the forces community, visit www.wmrfca.org or contact Catherine Suckling, Regional Employer Engagement Director for the Coventry and Warwickshire region on wm-reed3@rfca.mod.uk

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Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

WAGO to locate its new UK headquarters to Houlton, Rugby WAGO, the German-based electrical components manufacturer, is to locate its prestigious new UK and Ireland headquarters to Houlton - with the move set to be an integral part of its new five-year business growth plan. The move to Houlton - a 1,200-acre development on the eastern edge of Rugby led by master developer Urban&Civic - will see WAGO relocate from Triton Park, Rugby, where it has been based since 1980, to a new all-purpose, 4.5-acre site. The new WAGO UK headquarters will be part office, part warehouse and part production area for the company’s products, with WAGO’s current 100-strong UK staff team – part of a worldwide 8,600 workforce – based at the new building. Moving to the new site – set to be completed in 2024 - will provide the catalyst for WAGO to further build upon its business success, with the electrical components manufacturer doubling its worldwide sales within the past 10 years to a current turnover of £28 million. WAGO joins other commercial enterprises based at Houlton, which include David Lloyd Rugby, The Paddle restaurant, The Tuning Fork restaurant, The Co-operative Food, The Old Station Nursery, and The Exchange, a co-working hub that includes bookable meeting spaces and full conference facilities. The businesses based at Houlton are also further supplemented by St Gabriel’s CofE Primary School, Houlton Secondary School, and The Barn community space. Mike van den Berg, Project Director at Urban&Civic, said: “WAGO approached Urban&Civic after identifying Houlton as their preferred location for their new headquarters, with the move forming a key part of their strategic business plan for the next five years of operations.

“Houlton always seeks to support growing local businesses such as WAGO, who contribute to job creation and economic growth, and so we are delighted to support their relocation to Houlton. Furthermore, the geographic pull of WAGO in terms of employees and visitors will also help raise awareness of Houlton to a wider catchment in terms of house buyers.”

“Houlton is an ideal location, and we firmly believe it will help lay the foundations for the implementation of a strategic growth plan that will enable WAGO to deliver on our expansive business ambitions.”

Cara Watts, WAGO's Commercial Manager, said: “With Rugby home to our UK office since 1980, we were keen to retain our local links and Houlton provides both the opportunity to do that and meet our requirements for a larger, multi-purpose site that will serve as our UK headquarters.

Once complete, Houlton will feature 6,200 new homes and will offer residents a host of first-class facilities, including three primary schools, a secondary school, a nursery, a GP health centre and shops.

“As part of WAGO’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible business operations, our new headquarters will also be built to BREEAM ‘excellent’ standard.

The Houlton development is a joint venture between developers Urban&Civic and Aviva Investors and sits on the former Rugby Radio Station site on the eastern edge of Rugby.

As part of Houlton’s master plan, Urban&Civic continues to work closely with local parish councils, community groups and its wider network of partners to create a new neighbourhood in Rugby. A 1.5mile link road, Houlton Way, which connects the site to Rugby town centre opened in November 2019.

New multi-use space at Pure Offices Leamington Spa A new communal space for occupiers of Pure Offices in Leamington Spa is getting the thumbs up from businesses who work from the facility in Plato Close, a short walk from the large Leamington Shopping Park off Europa Way. The space, which is comfortable, light and airy, is popular for break and lunch times, having a chat or a catch-up with a team member and for taking a call. Open 24 hours a day, occupiers have full access to the area as well as their own offices and also enjoy free on-site parking. Pure Offices recently joined the Chamber and are benefitting from great networking events, even hosting an event in February 2024.

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Member to Member Offer They have formulated a new member offer which includes: £5 off per square foot when you sign up to a 12-month term. Helen Laffey, Centre Manager, said: “We wanted to offer our occupiers something over and above our serviced offices, and this space is very popular now, especially since there are always biscuits available! “It also means that our occupiers, who rent offices from one person to up to 30 people, have a chance to meet each other. We would like to invite members to come along and see for themselves how these thoughtfully designed offices cater for teams of all shapes and sizes.” For more information visit www.pureoffices.co.uk

Unlocking financial potential with Toucan Blue Toucan Blue, which is dedicated to empowering business owners to optimise their tax-free profits through its bespoke profit-release processes, has recently launched in Leamington Spa. They recently joined the Chamber with the fervent hope of fostering meaningful connections and contributing to the growth of businesses in the town. “We are thrilled to be in Leamington Spa; it’s not only a beautiful place to be, but also a very exciting place to be for building business connections,” said Trudi Smith, Director of Business Development for Toucan Blue. “There is so much opportunity here for our business and I am very excited for what’s to come.” Toucan Blue’s passion lies in aiding business owners on their journey to financial empowerment. Through their bespoke Employee Trust Programme, they support business owners in unlocking tax-free profits from their business whilst also uplifting their workplace culture. The Toucan Blue team is committed to collaborating with business owners from various industries across the UK to ensure that its solutions align seamlessly with businesses’ objectives.

Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

The Leisure Traveller wins luxury travel award The Leisure Traveller, based on Station Road, won Best Midlands Travel Agent 2023 at the Azure Luxury Travel Awards Gala dinner held at the Iconic Browns Hotel in the heart of London. Helen and Tracy from The Leisure Traveller accepted the award on behalf of the agency owner Lynne who was away on holiday in Jordan at the time. On her return to the office, Lynne said: “After the terrible time during the Covid pandemic, where our office was closed for almost 18 months and we really didn’t know whether we would still have a business, it is It is a great honour to receive this award. “I am very proud that my team have been recognised for their hard work and commitment to the travel industry. Helen, Anita and Tracy pride themselves on their high customer service, they have great knowledge of destinations and travel and always go above and beyond to give clients the holiday they dream of.” The Leisure Traveller, which will be celebrating 15 years of business in the Village, are based in the offices on Station Road, above Domino’s.

Ashorne Hill takes home two prestigious awards! Ashorne Hill has won two prestigious awards for Conference Centre of the Year and Unique Venue of the Year at the 2023 Famtastic Rocks Awards. The awards ceremony, which recognises professionals in the hospitality and events industry, took place at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, in a glamorous evening of celebration. The judges recognised Ashorne Hill’s unique blend of history with a modern hi-tech, hi-touch environment for meetings, training, and events, with its platinum ECOsmart accreditation and in-house team of learning and development managers as outstanding. Not just a hotel or an event venue, Ashorne Hill is a dedicated learning and development centre set in 35 acres of tranquil grounds in the heart of Warwickshire. Their core values and the long-term legacy of helping teams to build their future and set goals together has been acknowledged through the receipt of these two accolades.

Jon West, Managing Director at Ashorne Hill, said: “We are thrilled to have received these two accolades at this year’s Famtastic Rocks Awards which truly sum up the unique environment we offer visitors here at Ashorne Hill.

“Of course, neither of these awards would have been possible without the dedication of our colleagues and I’d like to personally thank everyone for the hard work that goes into every event, and for the inspiration you give to our guests.”

West Midlands consultancy expands Stratford-upon-Avon team Planning, design and development consultancy Marrons has further bolstered its Stratford-upon-Avon team with the appointment of Jack Barnes as an Assistant Planner.

Jack will primarily be based at Marrons’ Stratford-upon-Avon hub but will be working with clients nationally. The Stratford-upon-Avon team, which has more than doubled in size in 12 months, takes the lead in developing Marrons’ offering in the area, providing services including securing planning permission for development and promoting greenfield and brownfield land to meet future housing and employment needs.

Jack has joined Marrons from Cassidy + Ashton, where he worked on a range of planning statements, application types and site visits. He has also recently completed a master’s degree in civic design, town and regional planning, at the University of Liverpool. Following a significant increase in demand for planning services in the West Midlands, in his new role, Jack will be responsible for helping to secure planning permissions for developers, landowners and homeowners. Jack said: “Marrons is an excellent consultancy that is making a significant impact in the industry. I was attracted to Marrons because of its wide-ranging client base, array of different types of work, and its flexible and modern company culture.

“I am excited to contribute to the growth and success of the consultancy in the West Midlands through taking on more responsibility and working with clients directly to help them overcome their planning challenges, while also working towards my RTPI chartership.”

Gary Stephens, Partner and Town Planning Consultant at Marrons, said: “There has been a significant increase in demand for our services due to our high success rate in achieving planning permissions for clients. We have significant growth plans in the business, and Jack’s appointment will strengthen the team and bring new ideas and skills to unlock sites. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Not all heroes wear capes In a quest to prove that recruitment agencies are not all business suits and serious meetings, the Apex Recruitment team swapped their pens for paintbrushes and descended upon Haven Nursing Home in Coventry. The mission? To spend their Corporate Social Responsibility day turning a drab perimeter fence and a few lonely outdoor benches into works of art that would make Picasso jealous.

Apex Recruitment Services is committed to making a positive impact on the community and aims to foster a sense of social responsibility among its employees and contribute to the wellbeing of the communities it serves. Apex has spent previous CSR days carrying out various projects, including helping Brambles Pre-School by tidying and refurbishing their garden and play area, litter picking around their offices in Chase Meadow, and creating a sensory garden for Mikey’s Fund.

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Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Key appointments for leading law firm Solid

growth for engineering company

A leading Midlands law firm has strengthened its private client team with four key appointments. Richard Dundee (Lead Partner), Siobhan Sibley (Senior Associate), Hannah Lloyd (Associate) and Michelle Harvey (Associate) have joined Leamington-based Wright Hassall.

Lenoch Engineering was established in 1961 as a jig and toolmaker to the automotive industry. Since then, it has continued to grow substantially, through a process of evolution and continual investment and acquisition, to add diversity to the portfolio of services that are offered.

The appointments are part of a major drive to develop its private client offering, which includes wills, tax planning, trusts and probate, estate and inheritance planning, and wealth management. The new arrivals bring a combined 47-years of experience in private client law and a proven pedigree for advising high-net worth individuals, couples and families.

Wright Hassall's Private Client Services Group has been strengthened with new appointments

Lenoch has become a multi-faced group of companies, covering a broad spectrum of industry, including some world class clients in the field of power generation, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, automotive, utilities, offshore oil and gas, aviation, and renewable energy. Indeed, Lenoch also export larger scale projects to countries such as France, USA, China, and South Africa.

client team now elevates the practice group as the leading regional provider of private client services, and I am very much looking forward to working with all four of the new additions alongside the existing team.

Today, Lenoch delivers tangible 24/7 engineering solutions that play a crucial role in the success and sustainability of its client companies, and we are proud to be a Tier 1 business partner to many blue-chip clients.

“The recruits will enable us to bolster our wider private client offering, which includes services to take you through life’s journey for property, relationships, family business and future estate and succession planning.

Lenoch is known as a reliable, rapid response, short lead time “get the job done” commercial partner, with the know-how and resource to tackle the most challenging projects and provide solutions in quick time while adhering to ISO 9001 quality standards and has had solid growth year on year despite recent challenges.

Phil Wilding, Manager Partner, said: “This is a brilliant start to the new year. Investing in our private client offering has been a key priority for the business. “We wanted to build a strong, experienced and dynamic team who understand the issues that impact our current and future clients, and by adding Richard, Siobhan, Hannah and Michelle to our ranks, we have a team with fantastic breadth of experience and technical expertise to deal with any issue. “As a full-service law firm, we can problemsolve issues arising with future wealth, succession and ever-changing tax regimes, utilising the expertise across the business – whether that’s our agriculture or corporate team – to provide co-ordinated, considered solutions, going beyond what is ‘standard’.” Dundee joins from Wills & Trust Solicitors and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in all private client law, with a particular expertise in trust management.

Sibley handles a variety of private client matters including wills, powers of attorney, and estate and trust administration, and joins from Hancocks Solicitors. Lloyd arrives from Knights and possesses an in-depth knowledge on agriculture and equine issues and deals with trusts and probate, alongside corporate issues around wealth management and with a particular focus on high-net-worth individuals and complex estates Harvey has particular expertise in probate and administration of estates, joining from Wadsworth Solicitors. Gemma Carson, who continues as head of practice, added: “The strength of our private

“This investment into the team mirrors the growth we have seen across the company over the past couple of years, so this is a really positive start to 2024 for both us and our clients.”

Talbots Law heads to Worcester city centre with Scaiff LLP acquisition Next stop on Talbots Law’s expansion journey is Worcester after it announced its third acquisition in eight months.

“Annual fees are currently £1.2m and we expect these to increase to £2m by the end of 2024.” Scaiff LLP is the third acquisition made by Talbots Law in the last twelve months and follows the purchase of Sarginsons in Coventry and Wright Solicitors with offices in Dudley and Bewdley.

All 16 staff are being retained, with ambitious expansion plans already in place to recruit a further 10 solicitors and administrative employees over the course of the next twelve months. There will also be significant investment in sympathetically refurbishing the Grade II listed offices on Foregate Street.

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Lenoch has seen major growth in the field of delivering Turnkey Projects to a number of world renown manufacturing companies involving cutting edge technologies and collaboration of a range of specialist providers.

He continued: “All this expertise is being retained and will be supplemented by the additional capacity and infrastructure we can offer and access to business services and dispute resolution legal advice.

The legal specialist, which has boosted its workforce to nearly 450 in 2023, has bought Scaiff LLP in a deal that sees it boast its first ever presence in the city centre.

Dave Hodgetts, who joined Talbots Law as Chief Executive in 2021, commented: “This acquisition gives us an immediate footprint in a city and area rich in potential.

The company continues to invest in its future by sponsoring a number of high calibre apprentices through college and providing relevant work experience in its workshops.

“Scaiff LLP has been operating here for more than 30 years and has a proven track record of offering family, personal injury, wills and probate and residential conveyancing services to local people.”

The M&A activity, combined with strong organic growth, has seen revenues rise from £22m to £24m in 2023, with a £30m target set for 2024. This will be achieved by further deals in strategically identified parts of the West Midlands and, longer-term, the possibility of moving into the East of the region.

Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby

Stratford Sea Cadets receive 10 state-of-the-art laptops EncodeDotHost, a local web hosting agency, secured the necessary funding through Nominet's 'Givehub' fund, a dedicated resource by the domain registry to empower digital projects for UK charities, such as the Sea Cadets.

In a heartwarming gesture of community support, Stratford-uponAvon Sea Cadets, T.S. Gurkha, have received a generous donation of 10 state-of-the-art laptops.

Neil Batchelor, Co-Director of EncodeDotHost, said: "My son, Daniel, joined T.S. Gurkha as a cadet over six years ago and is now an adult volunteer Petty Officer supporting the current cadets on their journey. We have witnessed firsthand the invaluable support the Cadets provide to young people in Stratford. It was natural for us to leverage our Nominet membership to access financial support for them."

The initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local businesses EncodeDotHost and Pink Connect.

Nominet, a global leader in domain name registry overseeing all .uk domains, was crucial in facilitating this initiative.

Neil said: "As Nominet members, it makes us proud to not just see Nominet as a service to help our customers, but as a way to contribute to our community and support this local cause. We're thrilled that we could access financial support through the Nominet Givehub fund, a fantastic opportunity for members to support an organisation of their choice and make a real difference in their work." Following the funding approval from Nominet, EncodeDotHost collaborated with Pink Connect, a local IT support company, to ensure the smooth procurement of the laptops. Chris Wheeler, Chairman of T.S. Gurkha, said: "The laptops are going to be really beneficial, contributing greatly to our ability

to teach our Cadets as well as improving the Cadets' capabilities of study and education. The laptops will be great for helping the Cadets develop key skills in the Corps, such as navigation, marine engineering, meteorology and leadership." Pink Connect supplied the 10 Windows 11 laptops already installed with essential software. Andy Beddow, Business Development Manager at Pink Connect, said: "It's great to be able to support local charities on this kind of project. Witnessing the positive impact that these laptops will have on the Cadets is truly gratifying, reinforcing our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us."

New appointment to deliver growth for UK pallet pooler One of Europe’s leading pallet poolers has invested in its UK senior management team as it prepares for growth.

Coventry-based IPP, which is a pooler of sustainable wooden pallets, has appointed Paul Timbrell to the role of head of commercial accounts.

responsible business’ agenda and IPP is well placed to support this. “I’m delighted to be part of this fastpaced, dynamic and forward-thinking business, which takes a positive approach to sustainability while delivering our customers’ products.

Paul brings 20 years’ experience in the FMCG sector to the role, including expertise in leadership, strategic planning and commercial management.

"I’m looking forward to working for a business that is actively working to reduce industry timber usage and CO2 emissions by embracing the circular economy.”

His role will involve growing IPP’s existing customers and seeking and securing new business opportunities while leading the company’s team of account managers.

Shelley Pierre, commercial director at IPP, said: “We have strengthened the team to support the business during this period of growth and are pleased to welcome a new head of commercial accounts with such extensive sector experience.

Paul said: “The opportunities for growth are huge; sustainability should be on every

“Paul is an excellent addition to our team and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we look to strengthen relationships and grow our UK operation.”

IPP, which is part of the Faber Group, provides reusable pallet and box pooling services across Europe for fast moving consumer goods and industrial supply chains, operating a pay-per-use model over ownership. The company has set a target to become net-zero by 2045 following the publication of Faber Group’s first sustainability report earlier this year. For more information on IPP visit https://www.ipp-pooling.com/

Paul Timbrell has joined IPP as head of commercial accounts

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

The common types of commercial disputes Commercial disputes are an unavoidable aspect of business and can arise out of many different events or circumstances.

Lodders’ team of Dispute Resolution Solicitors is dedicated to helping businesses navigate commercial disputes quickly and effectively. Here, the team discusses common types of commercial disputes. What is a commercial dispute? A commercial dispute can occur in any sector or industry between companies and individuals. It is essentially a disagreement between two or more parties in relation to the exchange of goods and services. Such disputes often occur through a failure to perform contractual terms and conditions, or because of misunderstanding or mismanagement. The most common types of commercial disputes that businesses experience include: • Contractual disputes This is when a party does not comply with the terms of a contract or does not perform their side of the obligations under the contract. • Shareholder/director disputes These typically involve conflicts between individuals who have a vested interest in

the company’s success, such as majority and minority shareholders, and can involve breaches of directors’ duties and unfair prejudice petitions. • Insolvency This type of commercial dispute can arise with stakeholders, shareholders, banks and insolvency practitioners once the insolvency process has started. • Professional negligence This is when a professional fails to perform their responsibilities to the required standard or breaches a duty of care, and the poor conduct results in losses or damage being sustained by their client. • Partnership disputes These arise from disagreements regarding ongoing issues in a business, such as company objectives, responsibility and authority, and use of income. • Construction disputes The nature of construction projects and the law surrounding them often means that claims are made by both parties to the contract, both under the terms of the contract and for other breaches. •

Patent and intellectual property (IP) disputes IP such as patents and trademarks are often a vital business asset, and commercial disputes arise where one

business infringes another business’s IP or takes action against the other for infringing their IP rights. • Debt disputes Disputed claims for debts usually arise as a result of disputed issues of fact, often around the quality of the goods or services provided to the debtor, and will frequently include a counterclaim which the debtor raises as a set off to the debt being claimed. Minimising the impact of disputes Commercial disputes are an inevitable part of the business landscape, but with proactive measures and strategic legal guidance, businesses can minimise the impact of these disputes. Working with an experienced law firm that specialises in commercial law is essential for navigating the complexities of legal challenges and ensuring a favourable resolution for all parties involved. Any commercial litigation dispute involving your business is a problem you can do without. As well as eating up time and money, they are a drain on staff resources, and can do serious damage to key relationships.

Britain’s largest airside WHSmith store has opened at Birmingham Airport (BHX) making environmental claims add up The new flagship store at Birmingham Airport is the result of a £2 million investment by WHSmith.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director, UK Travel, WHSmith, said: “What sets this store apart is our commitment to curating an array of travel essentials products under one roof, with a bespoke store design inspired by the local architecture, that caters to every traveller’s needs. “From travel essentials such as health and beauty, food to go, and reading materials, to global tech brands and souvenirs - this store really does promise an unmatched convenience shopping

experience for time pressed customers. I couldn’t be more proud of both the end result and also the team’s hard work and meticulous attention to detail to create what is now our largest UK airport store for our partner at Birmingham Airport and our customers.”

Richard Gill, Commercial Director, Birmingham Airport Limited, said: “We are delighted that WHSmith chose Birmingham Airport as the location to open its new flagship store. The new outlet is a one stop shop for our travelling customers, with products ranging from beauty to tech and everyday essentials. The store will

complement our current departure lounge offer further, ensuring our customers have ample choice when travelling from Birmingham Airport. “The WHSmith flagship store is just the first step in our exciting journey in ensuring our departure lounge is ready for our customers, as we grow the airport to 18 million passengers over the next ten years. We are already on our way with our new larger relocated security area due to open in June 2024, which will then create more space to enable a wider choice of catering and retail outlets within our departure lounge in future.”

Business mobiles are crucial for the growth of remote working In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Pink Connect’s business mobiles have become a vital tool for professionals across various industries. From enhanced security features to seamless communication solutions, business mobiles have adapted to meet the evolving demands of employees in an increasingly interconnected world. One of the most notable shifts in business mobiles is the emphasis on security. With the expansion of remote work and the digitalisation of sensitive information, Pink Connect has ensured that the robust security measures are designed to be satisfactory with the latest requirements and meet your business needs. Pink Connect’s MD, Gisela Pink, said: “Providing the best mobile tariffs for businesses across the UK enables businesses to offer remote work options. This is crucial for a healthier work-life balance, so employees can focus on satisfying customers’ needs, resolving issues promptly and staying ahead of competition.” Business mobiles have evolved from basic communication devices to essential companions for members of staff and business endeavours. These devices enable employees to stay connected with seamless communication and access critical data on-the-go, empowering them to work efficiently, from anywhere, at any time.

Auditel achieves ISO 14064-1 verification making environmental claims add up Auditel is proud to announce that it has passed a significant milestone in its journey to achieving carbon neutrality and its longer-term target of reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Chris Aston, Managing Director, said: “It has been a pleasure working with NQA to help Auditel achieve ISO 14064-1 verification. “This internationally recognised standard provides a robust framework at organisational level for calculating and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and removals. Too often we see carbon disclosure claims being made by organisations without the evidence or substantiation needed to avoid green washing claims.

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“Our carbon footprint in the period 2022, across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions has been calculated and now independently verified to ISO 14064-1 by NQA as being 75.8747 tCO2e. We are now ready to take the next step over the next few months to achieve PAS 2060. This standard specifies the requirements to be met by any organisation seeking to demonstrate carbon neutrality through the quantification, reduction and offsetting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.” Chris continued: “Being one of the first organisations in the UK to achieve this standard is fundamental to Auditel’s environmental strategy. Demonstrating to our clients, suppliers and partners that we are committed to decarbonisation by practising what we preach. Showing them

how they too can reduce their emissions and be able to make a meaningful difference. Time for action is now and we all have to reduce the impact we are having on our planet before it’s too late.”

had all the documentation ready and issued before the pre-verification date, including the GHG report, GHG inventory and most importantly, the GHG source documents (i.e. invoices, contractor details, etc).

Amber Dixon, Sustainability Assurance Manager for NQA, said: “It is a fantastic achievement and a significant step in taking accountability and action on their carbon footprint. It continues to be a pleasure working with Auditel as part of NQA’s Associate Partner Programme, seeing how they have initiated the same journey for themselves that they are supporting their clients with.”

“They explained clearly and precisely how they had completed the calculation and estimations, which led to a smooth and thorough verification process with no idle time. Auditel were highly prepared and therefore allowed me to prepare in advance, making the verification experience with Auditel a pleasure to deal with.

NQA Lead Verifier for the verification, Clare Braham, added: “I conducted the preverification and the verification for Auditel’s GHG Inventory. Auditel’s specialist team

“Alongside their ISO 14064-1 verification, Auditel will continue next with PAS 2060 verification to solidify their responsible position further. We look forward to continuing working with Auditel in the future.”

Education and Skills

From cooking for stars to dressing skiers for the Alps, Bootcamp gives businesses a boost A caterer to the stars and the creator of a worldwide clothing brand were among the Coventry businesses present at an event to show off their success after completing a business bootcamp. More than 21 businesses who took training provider PET-Xi’s Self-Employed Bootcamp, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), showcased their products and services at Metropolis Restaurant in Coventry at a Christmas Bazaar.

Farrier urges more young people to consider careers in the industry

A 22-year-old farrier has encouraged more young people to consider a career in the skilled craft after being one of four Moreton Morrell College apprentices celebrated in a graduation ceremony. Lewis Sutor, was presented with the David Llewellyn Prize by the Worshipful Company of Farriers and graduated with DipWCF after completing his apprenticeship. The David Llewellyn Prize is awarded for the best written diploma paper and came after Lewis achieved 88 per cent in his spring exams.

The bootcamp enables learners to develop a business plan, learn the basics of marketing, cyber security and risk management, and apply for a grant of up to £300 to help start their business. It also includes one-to-one mentoring after they complete the bootcamp. Manpreet Kaur, a creative caterer who founded Official Brunch Bae, has seen incredible initial success after completing the bootcamp and building the business’s profile on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms – and even providing catering to a private event for high profile rapper 50 Cent’s The Final Lap Tour, which also featured Busta Rhymes and Jeremih. She said: “I started the business in the middle of the pandemic as I could do it from my kitchen – I’ve always been a foodie, so it was a natural move for me. However, I wasn’t sure of the best way of actually growing my business. Attending PET-Xi’s bootcamp was great as I was surrounded by people in the same boat as me. I really needed that guidance as I needed more support with structuring the business.

“What’s been incredible is my recent success – I was approached by an American event planner out of the blue for a private party via Official Brunch Bae’s Instagram page for 50 Cent’s tour in Birmingham. We supplied the event with all sorts of food, but the Hennessy wings and American biscuits really went down a treat.” Keith Morron, from Stretton-on-Dunsmore, set up his snowboarding and outdoor lifestyle clothing company Rockpool Clothing after winning a battle with alcoholism and turning his life around. He said: “This business and PET-Xi’s support has been a genuine lifesaver for me – my drinking had taken me to a dark place before I was able to pick myself back up again. “I couldn’t get onto the slopes myself because of how ill I was when I was first recovering, but I had this idea to perhaps

“The tutors at the college were really helpful during my time there and helped me gain the skills to start a career as a farrier. “We are very proud of farriery apprenticeship course at Moreton Morrell College and the reputation the course has across the country. This was another very strong year of results for apprentices training with us.”

WCG offers a wide range of apprenticeships in a variety of industries. For more information visit www.wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships

Around 70 learners have completed bootcamps since April, with another 40 signed up to take part in the next one. Becky Jones, Business Mentor at PET-Xi, said: “All our entrepreneurs have their own stories, but what’s common among them is while they have superb ideas, they need support in not only the practical side of getting the business set up with advice and grant funding, but also their confidence.”

dedication to their students’ motivation and progression into industry by ensuring all opportunities are open to them by means of continued communication with Ragdale Hall Spa. Each year we visit the students at college to carry out a career presentation, workshop and evaluate the skills of those who are interested in work placement with us – a valuable opportunity to experience one of the UK's busiest and most highly regarded spa beauty environments, hopefully leading to their employment at the end of their course.”

A total of four apprentices from Moreton Morrell College, part of college group WCG (Warwickshire College Group), were presented with medals on the day.

He said: “I went to a farming school when I was younger and that was where I was introduced to work in the forge. We had horses at home, I enjoyed the forging and decided then that I wanted to be a farrier.

“From there, it just snowballed. We’re now selling stock all across the UK, the Alps, as well as the US and Canada, and have tapped into the hiking and climbing community too. PET-Xi’s support throughout has been amazing, and really gave me the confidence to pursue my goals.”

College students and staff celebrate platinum status

The Worshipful Company of Farriers was founded in 1605 and is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The celebration ceremony began with a service at the Church of St Martin, followed by a procession to Apothecaries’ Hall.

Lewis completed his four-year apprenticeship with the college and approved training farrier Paul Horner. He has continued to work for Paul Horner since completing his apprenticeship.

see people on the slopes in the kind of clothes I like. That’s how Rockpool began.

Staff and students at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) are celebrating after being awarded Platinum College of Excellence status as part of a training scheme. All at the college were delighted to hear the news that they have been awarded the status as part of a programme to support training run by wellness specialists Ragdale Hall Spa. The college, which has seven campuses located across Leicestershire and Warwickshire, achieved the accolade by consistently providing to the spa qualified professional therapist candidates, who have gone on to successfully secure employment after completing their studies with NWSLC. Success in the scheme enables students to benefit from work experience, workshops in facial and massage techniques, and

provides access to professional development opportunities for college tutors. Rachel Atkins, Beauty Therapy Tutor at NWSLC said: “Our students regularly perform well in trade tests to secure work placements at Ragdale Hall Spa and demonstrate that they have the skills and the confidence to make the leap into a professional, commercial setting. We have also been successful in the Student of Excellence competitions, in which previous students have secured top places.” Five further students from the college have been offered a week’s work experience at Ragdale Hall after successfully completing a trade test and interview. Lynne-Marie Benzie, Training and Development Supervisor at Ragdale Hall Spa said: “NWSLC has been awarded Platinum College of Excellence status due to the tutors’

Ragdale Hall Spa delivered a career presentation for all Level 3 Beauty Therapy students and offered work experience to students who are interested in pursuing a career with the organisation once they are qualified. Five former students from the college are currently employed at Ragdale Hall in a variety of roles. Emily Adlam, a previous excellence award winner, has recently moved on to the London Wellness Academy. Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said: “This excellent relationship between the college and Ragdale Hall Spa is a prime example of how we directly supply businesses with the skilled individuals that they need. We welcome approaches from local, regional, and national employers of all sizes and look forward to helping them to find the right candidates. Credit is due to our beauty team for maintaining a high-profile status within this scheme over many years.” To find out more about opportunities with the college, see https://www.nwslc.ac.uk/ course/beauty-college-courses

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Education and Skills

College showcases new £13 million campus Stratford-upon-Avon College has completed its £13 million redevelopment project.

seating and areas for relaxation. A new café and social space can also be found at the centre of campus.

Refurbishment work has taken place in the College’s A and B Blocks to improve existing facilities and upgrade equipment. A new gym has been created, featuring a range of fitness equipment, and a new library and open access computer room have also been introduced for students.

Principal Dr Rebecca Gater said: “We have invested £13 million in redeveloping the campus. This project has taken four years across five phases. The buildings have been significantly refurbished, with the most recent phase being the landscaping of what we call the ‘green heart’, and this has been developed with very careful consideration to the environment, sustainability and the welfare of our college community.

As part of the Government’s Skills Development Fund project, the College also secured funding to update the theatres with industry-standard equipment – including making one of the theatre’s gantry areas fully accessible for wheelchair users – one of only a few in the UK to offer this inclusivity. New TV and radio studios were also created, which have already been a big hit with digital media production and TV production bootcamp students. Plumbing and electrical installation workshops have been equipped with training bays that enable students to mount test setups for plumbing installations of domestic items such as sinks, baths and

“The campus redevelopment aligns closely with the regional skills agenda. Through diversification of the curriculum that we offer here, we are training the workforce of the future to develop skills that are in short supply throughout Warwickshire and beyond. immersion heaters. These training bays feature a range of new equipment, tools and materials that would be used in the industry by professional contractors. Furthermore, the campus now includes a new ‘green

heart’. With sustainability high on the College’s agenda, a new green space was created that students and staff can enjoy. Featuring newly planted trees and lawns, the area incorporates plenty of outdoor

“We truly believe that Stratford-uponAvon has the wow factor in abundance.” The College will hold its next open event in March for those who want to experience and explore the new-look campus.

College group to create a £900,000 low carbon construction centre A Midlands college group has been awarded £900,000 to create a new facility in Rugby focusing on low carbon construction to help close the skills gap and support economic growth across the region. WCG (Warwickshire College Group) is set to launch a Low Carbon Construction Centre at Rugby College after being awarded £900,000 of Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) by the Department for Education. The centre will focus on low carbon techniques and future housing, specialising in heat pumps and solar, to support regional skills needs. It will be based in an existing building on the college site, which is currently not in use, and is anticipated to officially open in September 2024. The centre will initially deliver short courses for small businesses before expanding into apprenticeships and then integrating into WCG’s full time Further Education courses. WCG is now calling on businesses in the construction industry to get in touch to help shape the centre’s facilities as well as contribute to the development of the curriculum. Alan May, Director of Apprenticeships at WCG, said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded this funding by the Department for Education. “As we move towards Net Zero there is an increasing focus on low carbon construction, for example the installation of ground-source and air-source heat pumps, and we will be ensuring that both current and future workforces have the skills that they need to deliver this.

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“Our new facility will involve the repurposing of an existing building, and the Rugby College site already has the infrastructure in place for a ground source heat pump which we will be using for demonstrations. “We are now looking to collaborate with construction businesses, ensuring that they are involved from the start of the process and that the specific needs of the industry help shape not only the facility itself, but what skills are delivered there. “We’ll also be looking to engage with employers when the facility is open to act as subject experts and deliver guest lectures. “The funding will also be used to develop e-learning which we will create in conjunction with other colleges across the region to ensure it meets the needs of the whole of the West Midlands.”

The LSIF funding is in response to the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) which was developed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, working in conjunction with Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce, alongside a host of skills providers and firms, and with strategic oversight from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The Department for Education awarded £10,304,523 of LSIF to the region – the highest amount for any area of the UK. Construction businesses who would like to help shape the new Low Carbon Construction Centre at Rugby College are asked to contact the Employer Services team at employers@wcg.ac.uk

Education and Skills

Celebrating four years of the University of Warwick’s Creative Futures programme Connecting, supporting and acting as a gateway between the University and the region’s creative cluster, Creative Futures delivers impact through a creative industries network: 500 companies, an incubator based at 1 Mill Street that has supported 35 start-ups with 420 hours of business coaching, 250 referrals, seen 35 new jobs created and raised £2.6 million worth of investment. Creative Futures marked a significant milestone at an event held at the Glasshouse in Jephson Gardens,

Leamington Spa, and hosted by Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor, University of Warwick. The event launched a compelling new video celebrating the successes of Leamington Spa’s creative cluster and University of Warwick’s partnerships over the past four years, working with Warwickshire County Council and 1 Mill Street to foster collaboration with the diverse creative industries in Coventry and Warwickshire. Clare Green, Associate Director, said: “We are so proud to work with and

support the UK's most creative minds with strengths in design, software consulting, games development, digital marketing, VR & AR, film & TV. It is amazing to be part of a globally significant creative and digital cluster, which is the UK’s largest outside Greater London – and growing.”

and partnerships that lead to future funding opportunities. http:// warwickinnovationdistrict.com/ creative-futures/research •

Mill Street Exchange. Drop in and gain access to business support specifically around space, finance and talent and securing student placements and interns.

•

Become part of the incubator. Benefit from a six-month intensive support programme and one-year membership at Mill Street.

If you’re a creative and digital business, here are some of the ways you can engage: •

Unlock R&D funds and encourages new ideas and industry-academic collaborations. Projects are industryled, short term collaborations that spark innovative ideas, new products

Find out more about Creative Futures at http://warwickinnovationdistrict.com/creative-futures)

Joint venture launches £50,000 community fund A year after it was formed, a joint venture has launched a new community fund to support projects in North Warwickshire and Nuneaton.

Brookmill Meadows is the first development from the joint venture and the first homes are expected to be completed in early 2024.

Develop Warwickshire has opened its new £50,000 community fund and it has now supported its inaugural project in Warton.

The on-site team has been working with schools in the area for educational visits to the site, providing an insight into health and safety, the benefits of apprenticeships and

The annual grant fund comprises £25,000 in cash and £25,000 work in kind from the joint venture partners. It will support a range of projects in the area, the first being the installation of five new park benches at Warton Recreation Ground. Develop Warwickshire was formed in December 2022 and is a joint venture between Countryside Partnerships, Warwickshire Property and Development Group (WPDG) and Warwickshire County Council.

Organisations and community groups from across North Warwickshire and Nuneaton will be able to apply for grants from the Develop Warwickshire Community Fund. Stuart Buckley, Managing Director of WDPG, said: “We are proud to be launching this new fund which Julie Holden, on behalf of the Warton Picnic Bench Group, said: “We have needed an upgrade of benches in the park for a couple of years, and the support from Develop Warwickshire is the final piece of the puzzle to enable this to happen.

we hope will make a real difference to communities in

The benches have been funded through a combination of grant funding from Warwickshire County Council and community fundraising, with the top five donors recognised in commemorative plaques.

“The work to install the benches is very valuable for a small community like Warton. We would also like to thank Develop Warwickshire for the generous donation which will support our forthcoming carnival in June.”

Countryside, added: “Creating great places means

Develop Warwickshire’s Community Fund has funded the installation of the five large benches.

Develop Warwickshire is developing 71 new homes in Warton, including 40 per cent affordable housing.

can make a real difference and leave a lasting legacy for

The fund has also made a £1,000 donation to support the 2024 Warton Carnival as the joint venture continues its commitment to support the community in the village.

career opportunities in construction.

Nuneaton and North Warwickshire. Every year we will be supporting a range of projects through this fund.” Phil McHugh, Managing Director, North West Midlands, integrating new communities with those already established. We want to positively impact those living around our schemes, and through this community fund we local communities.”

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Movers & Shakers

Triple triumph as DriveTribe, GVE London and OBDeleven join the Red Marlin roster Red Marlin, a PR and communications agency specialising in the automotive sector, has announced the addition of three new companies to its expanding client portfolio.

Coventry solicitors awarded firm of the year for second year running A night of great success for largest law-firm in Coventry at regional awards ceremony

DriveTribe, GVE London and OBDeleven are the latest companies set to benefit from Red Marlin’s suite of PR and marketing solutions, as the Midlands-based agency will respectively support the firms in a market repositioning strategy, launching a media subsidiary and driving website traffic. Red Marlin will support DriveTribe, the brainchild of automotive legend Richard Hammond, raise the profile of the firm’s leading automotive marketing and video production offering. Meanwhile, the agency will collaborate with GVE London, renowned for its celebrity clientele including Premier League footballers and rappers, to launch its new media subsidiary business which will

produce social media content for a range of luxury and lifestyle brands. Finally, OBDeleven's vehicle diagnostics technology is set to benefit from enhanced visibility and increased web traffic from UK customers by way of Red Marlin's PR efforts. Danny Rughoobeer, Managing Director and Founder of Red Marlin, said: “Welcoming three more eminent companies to our growing client base marks yet another exciting moment for Red Marlin. This achievement highlights Red Marlin's strategic foresight, tailor-made services, and dedication to shaping the future of automotive communication. “All three partnerships come with their distinctive challenges and opportunities, offering Red Marlin the chance to showcase its skills and align our clients with the dynamic changes transforming the industry at every level.” Find out more at www.redmarlin.co.uk

Celebrating two decades of Imagineer as Jane Hytch steps down as CEO "It’s almost impossible to pick individual highlights. Whilst always hard work, the culmination of each of our projects has brought me - and all those involved - much joy and pride. Moments that come to mind include the first time the giant Godiva walked; UK fashion icon Zandra Rhodes, high up on a cherry picker fixing Godiva’s frock in a secret location in Coventry; and Godiva and her Cyclopedia being chased by Hampshire police as she rode along the A5 to London during the Olympic Games.

Band Hatton Button were recently crowned Firm of the Year in the 6+ Partners category at the Warwickshire Law Society Awards at Nailcote Hall. This follows on from their success in 2022, where they also took home the top prize, making them the first firm to win the award two years in a row. However, this was not their only success of the evening, as Charlotte Macalister, Senior Associate in their Wills, Trusts & Probate team, also won the award for Lawyer of the Year, 10 years after she was awarded Young Lawyer of the Year. Charlotte has gone above and beyond to build upon her skills to provide clients with the best possible care, including becoming an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly, and a qualified member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Mark Moseley, Managing Director at Band Hatton Button, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have won Firm of the Year once again. Our firm’s success is a result of the hard work of our staff who continuously strive to provide clients with the very best possible service. “We are very proud of our team and know we were up against some tough competition, so to be recognised is fantastic. We are all delighted for Charlotte too for winning Lawyer of the Year. She is a credit to the team and has been for over 13 years.” Charlotte Macalister said: “To be shortlisted alongside some other fantastic lawyers meant a lot and I did not expect to be leaving with the award. I’d like to thank Band Hatton Button for all their support over the years and for nominating me for the award.”

"I’m proud of the young people graduating from our Transformations programme and watching their achievements as well as nurturing young women as producers and creative leaders through projects like Bridge. So many wonderful memories along with personal and shared achievements."

Imagineer is celebrating almost two decades of achievements as founder member and Chief Executive Jane Hytch steps down to embark on semi-retirement. Alongside fellow founder members Kathi Leahy, Claire Maddocks and Andrea Simpson, Jane has embedded herself in the arts in Coventry, growing Imagineer into a thriving organisation, housed in the Daimler Powerhouse with National Portfolio investment from Arts Council England, and with a strong future ahead with new CEO and Creative Director Angus MacKechnie. Founded in 2005, the original founding directors of Imagineer, had the imagination, initiative and enthusiasm to see that arts, culture and creative industries had a real and growing role to play in Coventry and Warwickshire’s future.

Jane has been at the helm of a multitude of groundbreaking arts events that have brought joy and creativity to tens of thousands of people across Coventry and around the world, as well as bringing in millions of pounds in funding to the city from major arts projects from Godiva Awakes and the creation of their giant Godiva to the multi-million-pound restoration of the historic Daimler building into a dynamic creative space. Jane’s work was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate by Coventry University. Jane Hytch, who stepped down as Chief Executive at the end of 2023, said: "I am immensely proud of what Imagineer has achieved over the last 18 years, playing a part in the growing cultural sector in Coventry, and through the meaningful engagements we’ve had with the people of Coventry, in all communities, as well as communities across the UK.

John McGuigan, Chair of the Board at Imagineer, said: “Quality of life, with all that means in terms of creative arts, heritage, sport and leisure, is what feeds people’s souls and their individual and collective commitment to ‘make a difference’. Jane is someone who makes a difference. Not many people can really say they changed a city and its people. Jane is someone who can.” From January 2024, Jane will begin her semi-retirement by leading the Creative Explorers programme in Nuneaton and Bedworth, working alongside the new Creative Director and CEO. The Transformations project has been awarded £440,000 from the Reaching Communities fund (National Lottery), which will allow the programme to continue for three years working with 16 to 29-year-olds in Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Find out more at: https://imagineer-productions.co.uk/ news/

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Movers & Shakers

Warwickshire Vision Support introduces Martyn Parker as Community Engagement Officer Warwickshire Vision Support is delighted to introduce Martyn Parker, the charity’s Community Engagement Officer.

customers and staff. I can provide advice and guidance to allow your business to serve this group of people more effectively.”

Martyn’s role is to raise the profile of the charity throughout the county, working with local businesses, community groups and schools to increase awareness of people living with sight loss, and how we can all help create more inclusive communities. “My role involves visiting groups to help them understand the issues blind and visually impaired people face,” said Martyn.

Warwickshire Vision is the trading name of Warwickshire Association For The Blind. Established as a grass roots organisation in 1911, today it is a small charity supporting over 3,500 visually impaired people throughout the county. They aim to ensure that people who are blind or partially sighted are active, supported, included, informed, connected and are able to live independent lives.

“It is important that businesses understand their partially sighted

Martyn can provide practical advice to businesses on dealing

with visually impaired customers, making premises and services more accessible, supporting visually impaired employees, and a range of other issues to make your business more inclusive and positive about disability. Disabled consumers have significant spending power; in the UK the “Purple Pound” spent by over 14 million disabled customers is estimated at over £250 billion annually. So, creating a truly inclusive and accessible business has a positive income benefit as well as aligning with the requirements of the Equalities Act 2010. To find out more, email: martyn. parker@warwickshire.vision

Shakespeare Martineau appoints Midlands corporate partner As part of its ambitious growth strategy, law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed leading Corporate Partner Daniel Banton.

With more than 15 years’ post-qualified experience, Daniel has returned to private practice almost three years after co-founding and developing a European litigation business. Prior to this, he spent more than 10 years in Howes Percival’s corporate team, working his way up from Solicitor to Partner and, eventually, leading the corporate, commercial and banking department – more than doubling its headcount. Specialising in corporate law, Daniel advises public and private companies, family businesses, individuals, and institutions on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, reorganisations, and corporate finance. He has particular e xpertise working with mid-market corporates, PLCs, litigation financing companies, OMBs and education institutions.

Daniel, who will be based at Shakespeare Martineau’s Nottingham and Leicester hubs but working with clients nationally, said: “I am thrilled to have joined such a forward-thinking and ambitious firm at such an exciting time. Shakespeare Martineau has a solid brand and is in a great position in the local markets, with a clear growth strategy in the Midlands. “I enjoy working with my clients to step through the various challenges of a corporate transaction and, ultimately, achieving a positive outcome that supports their ambitions. I am looking forward to helping the Midlands corporate team build upon and cement its presence and reputation as a market leader delivering excellent client service.” Daniel’s appointment is the latest in a string of new partner hires as part of Shakespeare Martineau’s growth strategy, broadening its

footprint both north and south. In the past six months, the firm has hired four new Corporate Partners, taking its total team headcount to more than 30. Duncan James, Nottingham Corporate Partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “There is a lot of opportunity in the corporate market across the whole of the Midlands and beyond. We are delighted to welcome Daniel to the team, which is part of our continuing commitment to having a strong corporate presence in the Midlands and strengthens our offering in the region. “With a wealth of experience, a strong local reputation and being an active member of the Midlands business community, Daniel’s appointment consolidates our commitment to providing clients with top quality consultancy from the very best legal minds the region has to offer.”

1st Place Business Travels receive Best Corporate Air Travel Company 2024 - West Midlands Award 1st Place Business Travels are ecstatic to announce that they have been awarded Best Corporate Air Travel Company 2024 - West Midlands in the Aviation and Aerospace Awards 2024! Embracing innovation and redefining excellence, the team at 1st Place Business

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Travels stands at the forefront of revolutionising the aviation and aerospace sector. The nomination reaffirms their “relentless commitment to delivering unparalleled services and pioneering solutions in the industry”. This recognition underscores the dedication and expertise of every member of the team at 1st Place Business Travels. Their

unwavering dedication and passion have been instrumental in propelling them to this illustrious position amongst industry frontrunners. Isa Camara, Founder and Director of 1st Business Travel said: "Being awarded this prestigious award is a testament to our commitment to setting new standards, pushing boundaries, and reshaping the

future of business travel and aviation services. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our valued clients, partners, and supporters whose trust and collaboration have been pivotal in our journey. Your continued support inspires us to aim higher and achieve greater milestones."

New Members Business Engage Members Ivor King

Construction/Engineering Training 07919 213295 michelle.waterhouse@ivorking.co.uk http://www.ivorking.co.uk

Kingsway Insurance

Commercial & Corporate Insurance Brokers 01455 554884 adam@kingswayinsurance.co.uk https://kingswayinsurance.co.uk/

Business Global Members McCooey Engineering Limited t/a ML Power Systems

Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Contractors 01789 335 825 bernadette@mlpowersystems.co.uk www.mlpowersystems.co.uk

Midas DX.com

MPL Fabrications Ltd

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Business Connect Members 16 to 24 Market Reseach

Market Research Consultancy 0333 0341188 info@16to24mr.com www.16to24mr.com 1st Place Business Travel Business Travel 0121 250 3500 info@1stplacebusinesstravel.co.uk www.1stplacebusinesstravel.co.uk Apex Resource Management Ltd Recruitment Advisers 01926 424154 info@apex-recruitment.co.uk www.apex-recruitment.co.uk Ask Verity Recruitment Advisers 07890 204919 verity.crichton@askverity.com https://askverity.com/ Auntie’s Food Manufacturer 02477 987215 hello@eatwithaunties.com https://eatwithaunties.com/ Bridget Gray Financial & Business Consultants 07738 932666 consultancy@bridgetgray.com www.bridgetgray.com Carers Trust Heart of England Charities & Benevolent Organisations 02476 101040 contactus@carerstrusthofe.org.uk http://www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk Cartway Consultants Event Management 07785 594415 cartway@leadstory.co.uk Conatus Health Ltd Educational Services 01926 678085 sian@conatus.co.uk www.conatus.co.uk Confianza Advisory Limited Financial & Business Consultants 07476 405215 jon.shipton@confianza-advisory.com www.confianza-advisory.com Coventry & Warwickshire Mind Charities & Benevolent Organisations 02476 552847 admin@cwmind.org.uk http://www.cwmind.org.uk/

Game on Coaching t/a The Marketing Trainer Training & Consultancy Organisations 02476 702503 info@themarketingtrainer.co.uk www.themarketingtrainer.co.uk Godley Music & Creative Arts Arts/Performing Arts 07740 425049 sandragodleymusic@gmail.com https://www.sandragodley.org/ Green 4 Motor Company Motor Vehicle Main Dealers 02476 639100 david.thompson@green4motorcompany.co.uk https://www.green4motorcompany.co.uk/ Holiday Inn Coventry M6 Conference Organisers & Specialists 08719 429021 reservations@hicoventry.com http://www.holidayinn.com/coventrym6 Howden Insurance Commercial & Corporate Insurance Brokers 01789 339825 maddy.richards@howdeninsurance.co.uk www.howdeninsurance.co.uk Inspire Branded Merchandise 0845 121 8350 aaron@weinspire.co.uk http://www.weinspire.co.uk/ L2G Group Health & Safety Training 0800 988 7321 info@thelearn2group.org.uk www.thelearn2group.org.uk Mill Sales Direct Ltd Cleaning Materials & Supplies 01789 868569 matthew@millsalesdirect.com www.millsalesdirect.com Myton School Schools and Colleges 01926 493805 bhatoe.b@myton.co.uk http://www.mytonschool.co.uk Orange Accountancy Services Ltd Accountancy Services 07914 017405 admin@orangeaccountancyservices.co.uk www.orangeaccountancyservices.co.uk Paul O’Brien Coaching & Coaching Supervision Educational & Training Consultants 07941 215314 paulobrien469@gmail.com

Plant Carbon Ltd Carbon Products Manufacturers & Suppliers 07481 736313 ken@plantcarbon.store www.plantcarbon.store Real Thought Executive, Management & Business Coaching 07778 059545 keith@realthougth.co.uk www.realthought.co.uk Recharge Connect Ltd Electric Vehicle Charging 020 8538 4888 phill@rechargeconnect.com https://rechargeconnect.com SMO Sourcing & Distribution Ltd Couriers’ Services 01788 226041 smosourcing@outlook.com https://pvkcouriers.co.uk/ South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust Charities & Benevolent Organisations 01926 495321 charity@swft.nhs.uk https://swftcharity.co.uk/ Stoic Alchemist Health & Wellbeing shift@stoicalchemist.com www.stoicalchemist.com Streets Chartered Accountants Accountancy Services 07492 868074 swilliams@streetsweb.co.uk https://www.streetsweb.co.uk/ The Autism Training Network Ltd Charities & Benevolent Organisations 07708 755095 enquiries@theautismtrainingnetwork.com www.theautismtrainingnetwork.com The Citrus Hotel Hotels 02476 301585 sales@citrushotelcoventry.co.uk https://www.citrushotelcoventry.co.uk/en/ Women in Enterprise Coventry & Warwickshire Business Networking/Events 07772 576503 kittykatystudio@gmail.com

Jamie Clark Keval Dattani

Noah Grant Birrell

Business Talent Members Adam Birrell Dan Eykyn

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

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C&W Jan 2024

Articles inside

1st Place Business Travels receive Best Corporate Air Travel Company 2024 - West Midlands Award

Shakespeare Martineau appoints Midlands corporate partner

Parker as Community Engagement Officer

Celebrating two decades of Imagineer as Jane Hytch steps down as CEO

Triple triumph as DriveTribe, GVE London and OBDeleven join the Red Marlin roster

Coventry solicitors awarded firm of the year for second year running

Joint venture launches £50,000 community fund

Celebrating four years of the University of Warwick’s Creative Futures programme

College group to create a £900,000 low carbon construction centre

Education and Skills College showcases new £13 million campus

College students and staff celebrate platinum status

From cooking for stars to dressing skiers for the Alps, Bootcamp gives businesses a boost

Farrier urges more young people to consider careers in the industry

Auditel achieves ISO 14064-1 verification making environmental claims add up

Business mobiles are crucial for the growth of remote working

Britain’s largest airside WHSmith store has opened at Birmingham Airport (BHX) making environmental claims add up

The common types of commercial disputes

New appointment to deliver growth for UK pallet pooler

Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Rugby Stratford Sea Cadets receive 10 state-of-the-art laptops

Solid growth for engineering company

Talbots Law heads to Worcester city centre with Scaiff LLP acquisition

Area Focus: Coventry - Key appointments for leading law firm

West Midlands consultancy expands Stratford-upon-Avon team

Ashorne Hill takes home two prestigious awards! The Leisure Traveller wins luxury travel award

Unlocking financial potential with Toucan Blue

Area Focus: Coventry - WAGO to locate its new UK headquarters to Houlton, Rugby

Employers rewarded for advocacy to the armed forces community

Coventry College’s ESOL team recognised at the House of Lords

Warwick Boats and Leam Boat Centre are headline sponsors of Warwick exhibition

Sonihull receives King’s Award for Enterprise

Expanding events firm on target to double its growth and increase workforce

Hundreds of people brave the cold to tackle homelessness crisis

New campaign challenges perceptions of sexual harassment and abuse

Do you need help with your performance appraisals?

Seriously strengthening global leadership using Lego Company leads the way in building a more connected public sector

Osprey launches programme for couples who are also business partners

the UK

Telegraph Hotel’s drive to be greener

How might new building safety regulations affect your business or investments?

Latest unemployment figures show the need to close the skills gap

Recession fears will grow without clear growth plan, say C&W chamber

Call for stability as businesses hear from Labour leader

Excitement at Investment Zone announcement

Profile: Ian O’Connor

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

Time to invest in Solar PV?

What new funds mean for skills in the region

Skills Use Government funded training to get the most out of your organisation’s data

Run to win News

Boost business by going global

The Strategic Advantages of Outsourcing Finance and Credit Control

New Sales and Marketing Courses for 2024

Chamber Training Chamber Training supports Christmas Advent Calendar Appeal Chamber Training secures

Luxury hotel launches new sustainability initiative

Business Engage Profiles Security expert to advise on major law change

Senior appointment for secure IT solutions company as part of expansion plans

Business Engage Profiles Not-for-profit company encourages businesses to pledge support to the Armed Forces

Chamber Training lands a Good Egg after recruitment process

New president looks ahead after being sworn in

Local economy maintaining optimism and capacity for growth

Investment Readiness

Chamber Events Conference hailed a success as region leads the way

Politicians urged to think long-term

What is the process of Debt Recovery?

Double success for Bromwich Hardy in Birmingham

Chamber President Meet the president…

Collaboration and community: connections within the Chamber and beyond

Ask for help when starting a business