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Trustee warning from Burgis & Bullock
A new report into the misconduct of trustees at Hope House School is a timely reminder to trustees of their responsibilities, according to a regional accountancy firm.
Three trustees from the Newark-based charity will not be able to act as a charity trustee for at least eight years – and Wende Hubbard, managing partner at Burgis & Bullock, says this acts as a warning to trustees of their financial obligations to their respective charities.
The report from the Charity Commission followed investigations into the trustee’s misconduct and mismanagement of the charity.
Burgis & Bullock’s charities and notfor-profit team, led by Wende Hubbard, works closely with a range of charities in Warwickshire and the wider Midlands.
Wende says that current trustees or individuals considering taking a trusteeship should be confident that the matters outlined in the report are dealt with robustly and appropriately.
She said: “There are many lessons for charity trustees to observe from this report and the Charity Commission’s summary provides a useful reminder of some of the key responsibilities that trustees of the charity face.
“The prohibition of the charity’s trustees from acting as trustees elsewhere for a period of up to ten years is a salient reminder that trustees are personally liable for both their own and their charity’s failings.
“First of all, trustees must use charity funds in accordance with the terms of the charity’s governing document and the requirements of any contractual obligations.
“Importantly, trustees must ensure that the charity has adequate financial and administrative controls in place. In the Hope House School enquiry, the trustee board were found to have put in place a control whereby cheques over a certain limit were required to be signed by two trustees, but one individual continued to make payments as a sole signatory.”
Scientists take on charity challenge
Wright Hassall's Kylie Cooper and Bhavika Patel (left) and The Race Organiser's Harpal Singh and Sam Tyler (right) with the Rosalind Franklin runners
Scientists from a COVID-19 testing mega-lab in Leamington Spa will be trading in swabs for sneakers as they embark on a new challenge for charity.
Colleagues from the Rosalind Franklin laboratory only completed their milestone five millionth PCR test this month but have already set their sights on a new goal.
Twenty members of staff have now signed up to the Wright Hassall Leamington Regency 10k Run as they aim to raise more than £1,000 for their personally chosen charity Flourish, which supports the mental wellbeing of girls in Leamington and Warwick aged 11-18.
The group are no strangers to good causes, having raised £480 for Helping Hands in last year’s race, while in their day job they play a vital role in the fight against coronavirus, processing hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 samples a week.
Gavin Roe-Pearce, stakeholder engagement manager at the Rosalind Franklin laboratory, said: “To reach the five million mark is amazing. A sample is somebody’s life so the staff all realise what an important role they’re playing.
“Training for the run has been great for our physical and mental health. It’s a good team-building exercise too.”
Phil Wilding, managing partner of Leamington-based Wright Hassall, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Leamington team lead the way not only in the fight against COVID-19, but also in helping local causes through the Regency Run once again this year. We wish them good luck for their race.”
The Wright Hassall Leamington Regency 10k Run, which has been sponsored by the law firm every year since its inception in 2005, has raised more than £400,000 for local causes over the years. This year’s event takes place at 9am on Sunday, April 10 and will be opened by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games heavyweight boxer Lewis Williams.
For further information visit www.regency10k.co.uk. To donate to the Rosalind Franklin team, visit www.gofundme.com/f/rosalind-franklin-laboratory-regency-10k.
Accountancy firm welcomes fresh talent amid continued growth
A Midlands accountancy firm has opened its 2022 graduate programme early to attract and nurture new talent after a period of sustained growth.
Prime Accountants Group, which has offices in Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry, has successfully retained and grown its team during what has been a tumultuous time for many industries.
The business, which recently announced the acquisition of Kings Norton-based firm Stanley Yule, is eager to support its growth by bringing forward the next intake of its graduate programme to create its own pool of professionals who can be nurtured by its highly-skilled team.
Morgan Davies, Prime Accountants Group director, said: “It’s been a strange few years for all industries and many are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
“In the midst of this, youngsters have also struggled with the fact that several firms didn’t take on many graduates. In fact, some didn’t take on any in 2020.
“Prime, however, has taken a different stance. We knew the only way to tackle challenges was with the right people, and what better way than to nurture this talent yourself. It’s why last year we took on the highest number of graduates we’ve ever taken on and are looking to do the same in 2022.”
Prime’s graduate programme is open to anyone at degree level with good quality A-level and GCSE results with a minimum of B/6 in GCSE maths and English. The programme offers successful candidates a chance to learn a wide variety of skills, including the functionalities behind audits, accounts, corporation tax and how accountancy software works.
Their ‘on the job learning’ will be augmented by theoretical training as Prime offers a fully-supported and funded study package, allowing graduates to obtain professional qualifications at college.
University of Warwick receives £135,000 grant for esports mentoring programme
The University of Warwick has announced it will receive a £135,000 government grant to provide opportunities to young people through esports.
The funds will be used to provide experiences and opportunities to 16-24-year-old ‘NEETs’ — young people that are not engaged in education, employment or training.
The funding will come as part of the UK Community Renewal Fund (CRF), a UK government programme to support people and communities in need. Warwick is one of five launch partners working with Warwickshire County Council to receive funding and deliver opportunities to NEETs.
As part of Warwick’s programme, named Esports Futures, the university will take young people on a two-day experience involving an array of soft and transferable skills. It will also utilise the University of Warwick’s £275,000 Esports Centre, which opened in May 2021.
The programme will see participants organise and compete in an esports tournament, as well as learn key media skills including broadcasting, graphic design, video editing and social media.
Participants will have access to a career focus group, followed by a showcase in April to celebrate the participants’ achievements. Warwick plans to invite industry experts to offer guidance and expertise to the participants.
The programme and application for the grant were organised by the University of Warwick’s Esports Centre, part of its Creative Futures gateway, which appointed its inaugural head of esports late last year.
Stuart Croft, vice-chancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “I’m delighted that the University of Warwick’s Esports programme is continuing to help bring fresh skills, investment, and job opportunities to our local community.
“Through the generous support of the Community Renewal Fund and working closely our regional partners, Warwick is proud to further our commitment to esports by welcoming young people from across our region to our campus so that they can learn about and acquire practical knowledge of this exciting sector.”
Partnership aims to extend UK’s lead in space race
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult's Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Satellite Applications Catapult are to join forces to exploit the opportunities presented by the rapid growth in the global and UK space sectors.
The Coventry-based MTC and the SAC, headquartered on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, will work together to develop the next generation of space technology, underpinned by advanced manufacturing technologies on earth and in space.
The global space industry is booming and forecast to be worth almost a trillion pounds by 2030. The link-up between these two cutting-edge organisations aims to help UK businesses take advantage of that growth.
The two organisations will work together to explore innovative technologies, advanced manufacturing processes, including inspace assembly, and supply chain readiness, leveraging the specialist expertise and extensive capabilities of both centres.
The partnership will also organise the two-day Made for Space - New Frontiers industry and supply chain conference being held at the MTC in July. This will feature leading international experts who will explain the opportunities in the space sector for UK manufacturers.
MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman said: “Advanced manufacturing technologies and processes are critical enablers for new spacecraft, complex space operations and enhanced space systems. "This collaboration marks a step forward in recognising the massive growth in the space sector. We’ll work together to drive collaborative projects that can create greater growth and benefits for UK business.”
Stuart Martin, chief executive of the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “Collaboration drives innovation in our sector and, together with the MTC, we’ll ensure that all space companies can access the expertise and facilities they need to grow and succeed in this dynamic industry, which is a major driver of economic growth for the UK."
Katherine Bennett CBE, chief executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, added that the UK had the potential to become one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world.
Property firm starts work on £1.5m HQ expansion
CGI show how the £1.5m expansion of Stockton House, in Southam, will look
A Midlands commercial property company has begun work on a major £1.5 million expansion of its headquarters in Warwickshire.
A two-storey extension is being added to Stockton House in Southam – a former country house which has been home to The Wigley Group since its conversion to offices in 2019.
Plans will create new office space for up to 15 people, a conferencing and community facility for up to 120 people, as well as a new café for staff and visitors.
The scheme will also create an additional 30 car park spaces, increasing total capacity to 64. Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
James Davies, chief executive officer at Wigley, said: “When we purchased Stockton House in 2017, it was always our intention to restore the historic building to its former glory.
“Our initial conversion from residential to offices did just that, restoring the historic building to modern office standards whilst retaining its unique design and architecture.
“Thanks to our continued growth, we’re now in a position to complete the final piece of the puzzle of Stockton House’s transformation.
“This will allow us to create office space, a conference facility, and open up the building for business meetings and community events, right in the heart of Stockton.”
The extension, which will be on the northern side towards Napton Road, will create an extra 3,000 sq ft of space.
The new building has been carefully designed to sit alongside the existing two buildings on site, creating a central courtyard with planting and seating areas.
Open-plan office space with meeting rooms will be created on the first floor, with the conference facility catering for 80 people seated – or 120 standing – on the ground floor.
Festival celebrates achievements of amazing women
The director of a cultural festival in Coventry says its events in March will celebrate the city’s “amazing women” – including a family campus day showcasing females in science.
The University of Warwick’s Resonate Festival has launched its full spring programme, with March events coinciding with International Women’s Day 2022 and culminating with a big on-campus, three-day festival finale from April 19-21. This will be the university’s way of marking Coventry’s UK City of Culture year coming to a close and a host of “very special guests” are expected to be announced soon.
Helen Wheatley, Resonate’s festival director, who is a professor of film & television studies, said: “In the lead up to our big on-campus festival, we’ve still got lots of events happening all around the city. Our spring season focuses on three themes: being human, health, and amazing women.
“Across the month of March and coinciding with International Women’s Day, we’re focusing on amazing women. From an interactive exhibition about magical, fortune-telling women at the Central Library to a family day on campus promoting the role of women in science, there’ll be something for everyone to take part in and enjoy.
“Our researchers and their collaborators – theatre companies, writers, textile artists, puppeteers, activists, folk dancers – will be gathering and telling women’s stories all across the city.
“You can hear the trailblazing history of South Asian women’s activism in the city, see what it’s like to be a woman in prison, in the past and the present, learn how women have quietly – and not so quietly – changed the world, and perhaps take a walk with us to bring tales of Coventry’s pioneering suffragettes to life.
“We also want you to tell us the stories of the amazing women in your lives. As ever, Resonate is a collaboration between everyone who attends our events.”
For further information visit https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/
Mobile car care company appoints PR agency
Specialist automotive public relations agency Red Marlin has been appointed by mobile car care company Revive! UK to spearhead a public relations programme to support its UK franchise network.
Red Marlin will identify key business awards, together with drafting and submitting the applications, for the franchisees.
Mark Llewellyn, managing director at Revive! UK, said: “We’re rightly proud of our mobile SMART repairs and the fantastic work that our network of more than 50 franchisees carry out on a daily basis.
“As a result, we want to ensure that their hard work, professionalism and customer-friendly service is recognised and rewarded by entering suitable franchisees for local business awards with the support of Red Marlin, which has a proven track record in creating and submitting entries on behalf of its clients.”
Revive UK! started 25 years ago and has seen steady growth over the years, with its network of franchisees covering most parts of the UK, offering a mobile service for minor paint and bodywork damage.
Danny Rughoobeer, managing director at Red Marlin, said: “Winning an award plays an important role in a comprehensive PR strategy.
“This is because independent recognition provides many positive opportunities to raise awareness across multiple platforms, as well as helping to boost morale among employees.
“We look forward to working closely with Revive! UK and its network of franchisees, hopefully making many trips down the red carpet to collect an award.”
For more information visit www.revive-uk.com and www.redmarlin.co.uk
“Winning an award plays an important role in a comprehensive PR strategy. This is because independent recognition provides many positive opportunities to raise awareness across multiple platforms, as well as helping to boost morale among employees."
Pure Ideas podcast goes visual
Back in September 2021 Pure Ideas launched its podcast with the first episode entitled “Let’s Talk About Protecting Your Ideas”.
In March the company will be releasing Episode #5, which will also be its first videocast in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Episode #5 will focus on “Networking for Your Ideas”. It will be hosted by Pure Ideas commercial director, Katia Douglas, and C&W Chamber of Commerce account manager, Alex Kerr.
Pure Ideas said: “We’re looking forward to sharing our next episode with you but in the meantime, have a listen to some of our previous episodes to get ahead of the game!”
For more information visit https:// pure-ideas.co.uk/resources/#podcast
Bread for Life team away days are a unique activity to share with your team. Physical, creative activities such as breadmaking can boost morale, improve feelings of positive wellbeing and increase confidence in a fun, informal, learning environment.
After a two-year-long wait, Pentlands Accountants joined Bread for Life with a group of staff at a private kitchen for the day and learnt how to make delicious focaccia and bagels from scratch, with hot drinks and lunch included. They spent the day getting sticky in dough, learning lots and finding out that bagels are boiled!
Jessica Mooney, founder of Bread for Life, workshop director and author of Time for Bread, her debut cookbook, published in the pandemic, is a selftaught home baker whose passion for baking began after returning back to leafy Leamington Spa in 2010 after seven years of living in Melbourne, Australia. Not able to find quality delicious bread anywhere at the time, Jess started making her own at home, sharing everything she made with family and friends. Quickly realising there were a lot of people wanted real bread too, and at a crossroads with her own health, family life and career in marketing at the time, she started up Bread for Life, a real breadmaking enterprise making and selling fresh bread to her local community with a local free delivery service.
After being approached to run a small birthday breadmaking workshop at home, Jess then started to receive more interest and began hosting more workshops from her home kitchen. Since then, Jess has successfully been running all kinds of baking events and experience days in Leamington, Warwick and Stratford. She has offered online workshops in the pandemic, baked for her local community and the NHS throughout the first lockdown and collaborated with local delis to provide bread to their essential service retail outlets.
