C&W in Business March 24

BUILDING a sustainable business

Husband and wife team Mark and Joanna Farr of Purple Planet Packaging and how Covid led to rapid growth and the effect it had on their family. Page 20

Dear Member,

On Spring Budget day we held an excellent event with our Influence Partners, and QES sponsors, Prime Accountants Group with some great expertise around tax, law and key sectors in the room.

This budget felt important – it was potentially the last of this government and, with the country in a recession and so little predicted growth in the economy, the ideological decisions between investment into our public services or more money into the pockets of a population, struggling with the cost of living, seemed stark.

Because at the heart of any successful budget you need business to be doing well, to be creating sustainable economic growth, creating good quality jobs and invigorating the communities around them. On this basis, the budget seemed like a massive, missed opportunity with very few crumbs of comfort.

Recently, I’ve been to meet some of our valued members who are focusing on developing a green economy within Coventry & Warwickshireour March-April cover stars, Purple Planet Packaging, and the constantly innovative Eskuta. They are impatient to grow and to find more new markets

for sustainable products to help achieve the UK’s Net Zero targets.

So, alongside the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), we are campaigning for sustainable growth policies that support businesses to invest in green technologies, in the digitalisation of developing their products and backoffice functions, and in helping them recruit the right quality staff for their hard to fill vacancies.

There was barely any mention of manufacturers or construction companies in the Spring Budget, and only limited initiatives to keep our hospitality sector afloat.

Feedback from our Members is telling us that the key issues of VAT Registration levels, a £5k increase wasn’t anywhere near enough, the desperate need for a Business Rates overhaul, and the health and skills based support that is needed for our long term unemployed, were all sadly missing.

And a final shout for our Local Authority partners. Neither the Labour or the Conservative parties are talking publicly about the state of our Local Authority budgets, and once defence and health have taken their share –there is nothing left in this budget to help balance local books.

Local economies depend on a strong partnership between business, the public sector, education and communities – this is going to take a lot of investment and some honest conversations about budgets. We have a tax bill as high as 1948 – but no ideas or growth plan to back it up.

However, the important thing is to continue to come together – as a Chamber community – to tackle these challenges head on and seek the recommendations and solutions together. We are your ‘voice of business’ and we invite you to continue to engage and converse with the Chamber team as we navigate these challenging times.

I hope to see many of you at our BIG Business Lunch at the IXL Events Centre – a fantastic opportunity to bring us together and we’ll welcome over 200 of our valued members to connect & share.

The official publication of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

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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.

Chamber support helps Mini Rovers motor to success!

A business that offers an entertaining driving experience to children aged four to ten at parties and events is on the verge of growth after receiving help from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Simon Cort, who lives in Hillmorton with his wife and two sons, had spent 15 years working for Network Rail when he decided he wanted to start his own company in the midst of the global pandemic.

At the same time, he was researching ideas of building something exciting to entertain his eldest son, who was three at the time, and was looking at mini offroad vehicles and obstacle courses.

That desktop research sparked a business idea and Mini Rovers was born.

Simon invested in a fleet of four Series 2 replica Land Rovers that are designed for children aged four to ten and created an offroad obstacle course that can be taken to public and private events – from weddings and parties through to shows and motoring festivals.

Despite having skills and experiences from his previous job, Simon had never run a company before so needed help with some of the business basics.

At the same time, John Fitzgerald – a business adviser at the Chamber – got in touch to say that Mini Rovers might be eligible for help and receive fully funded start-up business support.

The Start-up Programme forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire

The

programme. It is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils.

The business support Simon received was one-to-one guidance by John, including workshops on social media, marketing, finance and business planning, with the aim of supporting the company’s growth in the future. He said: “It has been great working with John from the Chamber. He actually got in touch with me to let me know I was eligible for the support, which doesn’t happen very often!

“He walked me through what was available, what workshops might help me and, because of his own expertise, he looked at the website and our social media to help make sure we have got the best possible shop window for the business. It’s been a big help.”

As a result, Mini Rovers is expanding, with plans to invest in more vehicles and take on new staff.

Successes include taking centre stage in Covent Garden last Easter when it worked with a production company to create a Peter Rabbit experience utilising the vehicles.

Simon added: “We started out doing some smaller events and parties but we’ve really grown and taken on bigger projects. We’re very popular with weddings and big family occasions but we’ve also been to Silverstone and lots of the big motoring events.

“It means there’s a possibility of adding more vehicles to the fleet and taking on staff to cover events. It is an exciting time.”

John Fitzgerald said: “It's been great working with Simon on this project. We overviewed areas of the business including looking at the company website and social media from a customer point of view.

“We’ve also been able to help on some of the fundamental aspects of running a business such as finance and planning. We can see the potential for growth for Mini Rovers and we’re pleased to have supported the business in its early stages.”

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “I am delighted that the StartUp Programme has proved so beneficial to Simon in growing his business. Having access to some extra expert guidance in the early stages of running a business can make all the difference and that is what the bespoke guidance of the Start-Up programme is designed to deliver.”

Free business support funded through UK Shared Prosperity Fund

A Southam businesswoman who launched a luxury home store after learning how to make candles as a lockdown hobby is urging businesses to take advantage of a free support programme.

DoDo Pratt launched SOLAS Home in August 2020 after developing a passion for candle making while furloughed from her admin job.

Originally launching online, DoDo Pratt made the decision to commit to her business full time after being made redundant and began attending markets and selling through local stockists before opening her store in Coventry Street, Southam, in October last year.

The shop now sells candles, wax melts, reef diffusers, room sprays and candle making kits, which are all made by DoDo on-site using eco-friendly, sustainable ingredients, as well as a variety of handmade items created by local artists and makers, and also hosts candle making workshops.

Keen to grow SOLAS Home further, DoDo reached out to Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce for free business support being delivered in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon Council and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

She received one-to-one support from Chamber business adviser Sam Yair as part

of the Magnetic Marketing programme which supports bricks and mortar retailers with premises across Stratford District to grow their online presence, attract more customers and increase footfall into their store. The programme is running until March 2024. She is now also booked on to a number of online workshops focusing on business planning and growing online presence to develop her knowledge further.

DoDo said: “SOLAS began as a hobby and I don’t have a background in business, so being able to access free business support tailored to my needs has been incredibly valuable.

“I received advice on marketing and sales, business development and resilience and growth.

“Sam examined my products and their gross profit margins, strategised about my stockist network and wholesaling, discussed marketing, and chatted through my candle making workshops and advised on how these can be marketed better.

“I can’t thank the Chamber and the District Council enough for the support, and I’d recommend everyone to take advantage of both the programme and the workshops.”

Kalie Sahota, Senior Contract Officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “SOLAS Home is a beautiful shop tucked away in Southam, and it’s been fantastic to work with DoDo and advise on how she can grow her business.

“Collaborating with local councils on programmes like this means that we can work together to better understand what businesses across the area need and ensure our strategies are aligned to provide the best possible support.”

Cllr George Cowcher, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: “We are delighted to see the real impact that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has on local business and the district’s economy.”

Simon Cort (Mini Rovers), Karen Yeomans (Rugby Borough Council), Hayley Lineker (Warwickshire County Council), John Fitzgerald (Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce)

Dave Ayton-Hill Director of Economy & Place at Warwickshire County Council

Supporting businesses and providing the conditions for companies however large or small to flourish is one of the vital components of our work at Warwickshire County Council.

The £4.6 million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, which we developed and commissioned jointly with North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council, is key to our work.

The programme, which has been funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the five district and borough councils and £500,000 from Warwickshire County Council, has a major role to play in strengthening small and medium sized businesses across the county not just now but in the medium and long-term.

We want to engage with over 2,000 businesses, more than 500 of which will receive intensive, bespoke support, and to achieve this business support we have teamed up with partners to deliver some of the schemes including the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

The programmes we offer are designed to support new business to start and grow, help our manufacturing sector to improve productivity, support our tourism and hospitality sector, support businesses looking to scale up, and help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and be more efficient.

Sometimes one of the toughest aspects of starting a business or wanting to make growth plans a reality can be knowing where to turn for advice, and that is why we are working with experienced partners to provide advice at the criticial moment in the history of so many of our county-based businesses.

We are already seeing the difference this is making to the day-to-day operations of firms ranging from start-ups to small and medium sized firms in a wide range of sectors.

These businesses are the backbone of our economy and these schemes provide an opportunity to access workshops, receive one-to-one coaching and make the most of networking opportunities to give their enterprise the best possible chance of succeeding.

Sometimes one of the toughest aspects of starting a business or wanting to make growth plans a reality can be knowing where to turn for advice, and that is why we are working with experienced partners to provide advice at the criticial moment in the history of so many of our county-based businesses.

Our area is renowned for our partnership working and we recognise the valuable role that partners, district and borough councils, stakeholders, and colleagues from across the council, have in achieving our objectives.

We want to create an economy in Warwickshire that continues to thrive to benefit everyone who lives and works in Warwickshire as we remain committed to supporting businesses with their growth plans.

The programmes we offer are designed to support new business to start and grow, help our manufacturing sector to improve productivity, support our tourism and hospitality sector, support businesses looking to scale up, and help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and be more efficient.

Any business interested in joining any of the Business Growth Warwickshire programmes should initially contact the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or https://www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk and their team will put you in touch with the right scheme for your needs.

Any business interested in joining the support for start-ups, looking to increase their resilience, or to benefit from dedicated support for the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors can contact Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on 024 7665 4321 (Opt 4) or https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/

Excited about a fresh approach to team building?

That's what's happening at The Heart of England!

The Heart of England Conference and Events Centre has expanded its team and opened a new sales office to meet the growing demand for team-building and fun day activities. They're dedicated to enhancing overall team wellness and have integrated diversity and inclusion into all their activities. From customised events to new packages and individual activities, they cater to all ages, abilities, and skills.

Joining the team is Justin Ashley, a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in various roles such as instructor, DJ, compere, host, event manager, and event developer. He's created over 20 team-building activities and is ready to contribute his expertise.

Stephen Hammon, the Owner and Founder of The Heart of England, expressed pride in his vibrant and diverse business. Their venue stands out with its open spaces, woods, lakes, and parks, offering unparalleled team-building experiences. They chose Justin for his shared passion for wellness and commitment to

delivering outstanding events that align perfectly with clients' targets, goals, and budgets while ensuring each experience is impactful and memorable.

Justin expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm thrilled to be part of The Heart of England team! We're working on a new brochure and updating our website, so stay tuned. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you want to discuss your next event. I can't wait to chat with you!"

You can see in the photograph Stephen on the left and Justin on the right taking delivery of their new Crystal Dome – just one of the exciting new activities.

The Heart of England is a place where talent and enthusiasm thrive. If you or someone you know has a background in corporate events and a passion for creating impactful experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Join our team and be part of our exciting journey. Reach out to us at pa@heartofengland.co.uk

For more information on The Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, head over to www.heartofengland.uk or call 01676 540333.

Coventry roofing supplier moves to employee ownership

Optagon Group, which owns Rubber4Roofs, a specialist in flat roofing materials, has shared that its 50-strong workforce now owns the majority of the company through the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model.

First established in 2010 and based in Swallowgate Business Park, Coventry, Optagon owns and operates a family of brands. These include Rubber4Roofs, Roof Depot, SkyGuard and Kitbuildr.

Optagon has established a nationwide presence and can ship to anywhere in the UK and offers drop-ship services for other online retailers through its national distribution network.

The move to employee ownership was motivated by an offer from a larger organisation to buy the business. The founders, Tom and Tina Cullingford, turned it down to let the staff be in charge of the company's destiny.

Tom and Tina Cullingford explained why they decided to sell Optagon to the staff: “It takes a lot of hard work and determination to build a company, and it takes a great team to build a great business. We were approached earlier in the year by a large organisation that wanted to buy the business, which got us thinking. It was an amazing offer, but we turned it down because we wanted this company to control its destiny.

“We believe the best way to achieve that is to involve every single member of staff in how it is run. This is a terrific business – 2023 has been our best-ever year– and

we wanted all staff to benefit from that success as we continue to grow. We’re incredibly excited at the huge opportunity this represents. This is going to be business as usual, only better.”

Tom Cullingford will stay on as Managing Director as part of a senior leadership team running the company day to day. He will be joined on the board of the business by two newly appointed Legal Directors, General Manager Antony Murray and Finance Director Zoe George.

Antony Murray said: "We were surprised and excited when Tom and Tina first mentioned the idea of transferring ownership of the business to the whole team. It's a huge compliment to us all here and the business we have built together.

"It will be a steep learning curve but we feel lucky to be part of such a forwardthinking, innovative organisation. All 50 of us now have a meaningful stake in Optagon's ongoing success."

Employee-owned corporate finance adviser BCMS supported the shareholders and senior team throughout the transaction.

The Cullingfords added: "We'd like to thank the BCMS team for their guidance and support in making the transition to employee ownership as smooth as possible. Their people-first approach, hands-on assistance and expertise in multiple aspects, from valuation to communication, were invaluable. Crucially, having BCMS on board allowed the senior team to get on with running the business and not be distracted by the demands of the deal.

"The fact that BCMS is itself an employeeowned business was such a bonus. Not only do they understand the technicalities of an EOT transaction, they know exactly how it feels to make the transition to employee ownership."

https://www.rubber4roofs.co.uk/

Recessionary Resilience: Navigating Debt Recovery in Uncertain Times

With the country tipping into recession, whispers of unease echo through finance departments. Debt recovery, the lifeblood of many businesses, faces increased challenges in a climate of economic uncertainty.

High inflation, tightening belts, and shrinking budgets are the ominous clouds gathering on the horizon. For finance managers, the question burns bright: how do we weather the storm and emerge with our receivables intact? Our team at DebtClaims Solicitors have outlined some useful insights for all businesses to consider.

Understanding the Debt Downturn Landscape:

Inflationary Squeeze: Spiralling inflation erodes debtor purchasing power, making debt repayment tougher. Expect delayed payments, increased payment plan requests, and even potential defaults.

Interest Rate Rollercoaster: Rising interest rates can incentivise debtors to prioritise higher-interest debts first, putting your receivables on the back burner. Be prepared for longer collection cycles and increased negotiation demands.

Consumer Confidence Crash: Declining consumer confidence reduces spending and increases risk aversion. Debtors may become more cautious about new loans, impacting future credit sales.

Proactive Strategies for Debt Recovery Resilience:

Early Intervention: Don’t wait for accounts to become delinquent. Implement early intervention practices, proactively contacting debtors at the first sign of a missed payment.

Empathy: Understand the financial anxieties your debtors may be facing. Open communication, flexible payment plans, and a collaborative approach will foster trust and increase repayment likelihood.

Data-Driven Decisions: Leverage data analytics to identify early warning signs of potential delinquencies. Segment your debt portfolio based on risk profiles and tailor collection strategies accordingly.

Technology: Embrace technology solutions with online tools, automated reminders, and self-service payment options to streamline communication and reduce operational costs.

Risk Mitigation Matters: Assess debtor creditworthiness rigorously to minimise exposure to bad debt. Invest in credit insurance where appropriate to safeguard your receivables.

Navigating a recessionary debt landscape requires expertise, experience, and the right tools. Furthermore, engaging with a debt recovery firm can help you address your challenges and ensure you are equipped with the right tools in these uncertain times. Ultimately, supporting the recovery of funds you are owed.

Beyond the Downturn, Building Long-Term Resilience

While weathering the immediate storm is crucial, building long-term resilience is equally important. If you can, focus on diversifying your customer base, strengthen existing relationships, and offer flexible payment options to build loyalty and longterm stability.

Remember, even in economic turbulence, successful debt recovery is possible. By adopting proactive strategies, leveraging technology, and partnering with experienced professionals you can navigate the recessionary tides and emerge with your cash flow intact.

To find out more about how Debt-Claims Solicitors can assist your business, visit www.debt-claims.com

Telegraph Hotel unveils new spring menu

Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel has added new flavour to its menu as spring approaches – but it is not the only thing that has changed at the iconic venue.

The Telegraph, which is approaching its third anniversary, has invested in a new breakfast and buffet area in its popular Forme & Chase restaurant. It has also added new seating and enhanced the look and feel of the restaurant, which attracts diners from across the region and beyond, as well as hotel guests.

The new, seasonal menu, which will be available from March 8 onwards sees a wide variety of dishes added to whet the appetite of diners who can relax under the glazed restaurant roof as lighter nights return.

Amy Windsor, general manager at the Telegraph Hotel, said: “We’re so excited to launch our new spring menu. There’s something lovely about this time of year – the nights get brighter, the clocks go forward and there are some wonderful seasonal ingredients available to the chef and the team to create a collection of sumptuous dishes for our diners.”

Those booking a meal at the Telegraph Hotel are advised to keep an eye out on social media and on the venue’s website for a variety of offers.

And, weather permitting, the Telegraph’s rooftop bar – Generators –will reopen after Easter as the perfect place for drinks and cocktails with friends, family and colleagues.

For more information, to book or to see the new menu from March 8, go to https://www.telegraph-hotel.com/

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, a scientist and broadcaster who presents the world-famous The Sky at Night on the BBC, will be the keynote speaker at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s BIG Business Lunch on Thursday, March 21.

The event, which is taking place between 11am and 3pm at the IXL Events Centre in Southam, is set to be a sell-out with more than 200 people already registered a month before it takes place.

Maggie, whose imagination was captured by Neil Armstrong taking the first steps on the moon, is a passionate champion of more women

Big topic for Big Business Lunch

The ‘ face of space’ will be heading to Coventry and Warwickshire in March to help bring science and technology to life for businesses in the region.

and girls pursuing careers in STEM roles and trying to inspire a new generation of physicists.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said it promised to be a special event.

He said: “I am delighted that we’ve secured Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock as our keynote speaker for the BIG Business Lunch.

“Coventry and Warwickshire is a centre of innovation and technology. It always has been and it remains the case today with so many exciting developments happening on our doorstep either at our two world class universities or within our cutting-edge business community.

“It’s a real cause for celebration for the region and I can’t wait to hear Maggie speak about her experiences, what inspired her, what barriers she still sees to getting more people into STEM – especially women and girls – and how we go about addressing that.

“We’re also really pleased that so many businesspeople have already signed up to attend because one of our roles as a Chamber is to bring companies – small or large –together to network, to do business and to also be inspired. This event will have that in abundance.”

The BIG Business Lunch is supported by West Midlands Trains and Procure4.

Coventry and Warwickshire is a centre of innovation and technology. It always has been and it remains the case today with so many exciting developments happening on our doorstep either at our two world class universities or within our cutting-edge business community.

Chamber Events

Coventry & Warwickshire's young professionals go on a journey of DiSCovery

A group of young professionals from across the region joined the latest Business Talent workshop, organised by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

In partnership with Muse:HR, individuals from a variety of sectors came together for a very insightful and thought-provoking

morning to discover more about themselves and why they are the way they are through DiSC.

DiSC is a personality profiling tool which has been used in businesses to help people learn to work more effectively with others. It is a highly regarded tool that supports both individual and team development.

It offers a guide to self-awareness, which is the foundation of excellent communication, great teamwork, enhanced productivity, and motivating leadership.

Hosted at Binley Innovation Centre in Coventry, Business Talent Members learnt many different skills and how to use them in the workplace and everyday life.

Working across Coventry & Warwickshire, Muse:HR was founded by Judi McSweeney and Suzie Brightwell and offer a service which is focused on building great working relationships with your business and your employees; functioning as your HR support who understands your organisation, your culture and most importantly, your people.

Judi and Suzi from Muse:HR said:

"We had a fantastic day working with the Business Talent delegates from Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

"We used our 3-step system to Explore, Equip and Empower using the DISC system.

Professionals highlight importance of in-person learning to combat digital fatigue at Leamington Spa event

Learning and development professionals have discussed the importance of returning to in-person learning to combat digital fatigue and aid the development of crucial skills at an event in Leamington Spa.

Representatives from businesses and organisations including Jaguar Land Rover, Coventry University, the NFU and Orbit Group were among the group of around 20 learning and development professionals at the third edition of Meeting of Minds at Ashorne Hill in Leamington Spa.

Steve Hicks, Senior Learning and Development Manager at Ashorne Hill, spoke at the event on ‘The True Value of the Human Experience’.

He discussed the impact of virtual learning following the pandemic, digital fatigue and that while learning and development professionals need to embrace technology, human experience and face-to-face activity is still critical to any learning approach.

Meeting of Minds is a free event which enables professionals to share best practice, new approaches, discuss organisational strategies and challenges, and gain insight into future learning trends.

It attracted representatives and consultants from major organisations, working nationally and globally, who manage learning and development strategies and training delivery at their companies.

It was great to see everyone starting to think about how they can get the best out of others by adapting their communication styles.

"It was a really fun session!"

Amy Ellis, a Business Talent Member from Integrity Wealth Solutions, based in Nuneaton, said: "I found the DiSC workshop very interesting, the way it was delivered really makes you think about how you engage with others who may not ‘speak your language’.

"Judi and Suzie were great hosts and made everybody feel welcome and their experience and knowledge in DISC really showed. Thank you both for a great session!"

For more information on Business Talent Membership and how the Chamber is supporting young professionals: www.cw-chamber.co.uk/membership/ business-talent/

For more information on Muse:HR, head to: https://musehr.co.uk/

Steve Hicks’ presentation followed a speech he delivered at the World of Learning exhibition last year. He said: “People want to hang on to some semblance of human experience and see its true value in an increasingly digital world.

“The pandemic saw learners redirected to the cloud as reliance on technology exploded, the impact on learning and development was significant and it is probably the most momentous quick change we have seen.

“Digital fatigue is a real issue. It harms performance, learning, relationships, and wellbeing. A recent survey showed that 61 per cent of people disable push notifications to their phone.

“Learning and development practitioners can inspire far better in-person than an unread push notification. Real-time interaction and shared learning can help you to understand better, this human experience is critical driving positive organisational change.

“It’s important that a learning environment enables honing of skills in safe space, and this is critical to developing exceptional skillsets with a long-term impact. Emotionally intelligent behaviour can also be practised and perfected in a face-to-face environment.

“The sector needs to keep pace with change and utilise effective technology, and more and more organisations are looking at a regeneration of face-to-face learning fit for a digital world.”

Driving growth beyond automotive on the road to innovation

At a time when adaptability is paramount and innovation drives success, the evolution of businesses is not just a strategy but a necessity, says Haynes Oliver.

Reflecting this ethos in their journey, the business performance and training consultancy has navigated its path from serving exclusively in the automotive industry to embracing broader horizons across diverse sectors such as defence, food manufacturing and civil engineering.

Founded five years ago with a steadfast commitment to enhancing workforce capabilities, Haynes Oliver swiftly garnered acclaim, earning business award nominations for its innovative approach and unwavering dedication to client success. Their efforts were rewarded in 2023 when the company was awarded Best Management Development Consultancy as part of the Midlands Enterprise Awards.

A demonstration of Haynes Oliver’s pioneering spirit is the launch of their new IT platform, Titan Learning, which aims to alter how businesses approach training and development. Titan Learning integrates learning objectives with commercial KPIs, helping organisations align their strategic goals with employee skill development, which Haynes Oliver says reflects the company’s understanding of the evolving needs of modern businesses and ensures a tangible impact on business outcomes.

As Haynes Oliver embarks on this transformative journey, they haven’t lost sight of their social responsibility through community engagement, say bosses. The company continues supporting local initiatives as an ongoing sponsor of Bedworth Rugby Football Club’s Ladies and Girls Under 14s teams as well as Haunchwood Aces Girls Junior Football team.

Tortoise moving forward at a pace thanks to Glued solution

Chamber Engage member Glued were proud to have been appointed by PR and marketing business Talking Tortoise to re-develop their website.

Alcester-based Talking Tortoise had achieved significant growth and was keen to consolidate its successes into a new website to attract a growing audience. With help from David Wilson of design and marketing agency Glued, the site was switched from a single page which used design tool Canva, to a creatively and technically more versatile WordPress solution. Talking Tortoise was pleased to be more easily able to load and share content.

Jessica Blyth-Sweetingham, founder of Talking Tortoise, said: “David was exceptional from start to finish, understanding our vision quickly and bringing it to life. We liked the ‘let’s have fun doing this’ attitude.”

David said: “I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with another local marketing agency to extend the solutions they can offer in their area of expertise.”

Visit www.talking-tortoise.com

Travel firm cruising toward growth with people-focused partnership

A fast-growing travel company is investing in its people by partnering with a consultancy service – the aim being to foster a thriving workplace culture.

Panache Cruises has announced its strategic partnership with Lumien, a specialist in people, culture, and organizational development, based in the Midlands. It says the collaboration will help develop a thriving workplace culture where employees feel valued and empowered – a key pillar in Panache Cruises' ambitious growth strategy.

"Lumien's insights and expertise will help us cultivate a truly thriving culture

where every team member feels valued, engaged, and empowered to deliver their very best," said James Cole, Founder and Chief Executive of Panache Cruises. "We are excited to be a part of this partnership and set new standards for colleagues, cruise lines, and customers."

Lumien has conducted an initial assessment of Panache Cruises, gaining valuable insights into the company's existing strengths. Building upon this understanding, Lumien says it will support the cruise retailer in building a high-performance culture focused on achieving rapid growth goals. This will involve a data-driven approach which utilises Lumien’s bespoke processes

and software platforms to pinpoint opportunities for development, creating a culture that aligns with company values, and enhancing employee engagement.

"We understand that a thriving company culture fuels passion, performance, and ultimately, exceptional customer experiences," added James.

Dr Chris Golby, Founder and CEO of Lumien, added: “We are confident that in working together to establish the strongest foundations for building, scaling and supporting a high-performance culture, and by consistently acting on the things that truly matter, we can support James and the team achieve their ambitious growth goals.”

HK Fitness Lifestyle Nutrition joins the Chamber

HK Fitness Lifestyle Nutrition is broadening its reach as a new member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber.

Personal Trainer and Online Coach Harjeet Kundra has worked in the fitness industry since 2012. Becoming an Online Coach in 2020, has breathed new life into the way he works and allowed him to provide a better and more fulfilling service to clients.

Harjeet will be stepping up his activities this year, engaging in face-to-face networking and connecting with businesses via his new Chamber membership. He aims to work closely with businesses and their staff to promote wellbeing and nutrition in the workplace.

“Through my services, I help office-based professionals become fitter and healthier by addressing their fitness, lifestyle, and nutritional habits around their hectic lifestyles,” he said.

“I originally studied architecture at university back in 2007 so a bit of a change, but I have found more happiness doing what I do today. I enjoy working alongside people to help them solve the problems they are facing in becoming a healthier and happier person.

“Since the days of COVID-19, staff physical and mental wellness has rightfully come to the forefront. Without a healthy workforce, the overall morale of an organisation can crumble which will affect productivity. Without health, there’s no wealth.

“Over my time with the Chamber, I will be sharing top tips and advice to help staff implement simple yet effective strategies to overcome common workrelated barriers to reach their fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition goals.”

To learn more about HK Fitness Lifestyle Nutrition, email: harjeetkundrapt@gmail.com

Team takes steps to support cancer charity March the Month campaign

A team of employees will be racking up their step count in March while raising vital funds for cancer support and research.

Leamington Spa-based Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Compliance Management Consultancy WA Management has signed up to take part in the fundraising event, with participants committing to walk 11,000 steps a day throughout March.

The annual fundraising campaign aims to raise money to fund lifesaving research into prostate cancer and support for men and their loved ones affected. The goal of 11,000

steps per day represents the 11,000 men who pass away from prostate cancer every year. Every step counts, as the company will be donating £3 for every 11,000 steps achieved, alongside an appeal to customers, family and friends to get involved if they can.

There are a number of ways the money raised can make a difference:

• £100 raised could enable Prostate UK to provide essential printed information to 1,000 men facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

£400 raised could fund an MRI scan to allow for an examination without a biopsy

• £500 raised could pay for 50 blood samples to be analysed, helping to identify their genetic risk of prostate cancer

William Whittaker, Director of WA Management, explained why the team chose to support this campaign: “As health and safety consultants, we understand the importance of bringing awareness to diseases such as prostate cancer – both to raise all-important funds, and also to help reduce the stigma that may cause preventable deaths.

“Voicing any worries or concerns to a GP, so that tests can be conducted early, could make a huge difference to someone’s diagnosis. We want to fund those life-saving tests and the support those diagnosed will rely on post-diagnosis.”

Over the past two decades, Prostate UK has funded and accelerated some of the biggest breakthroughs in prostate cancer care, including the use of multi-parametric MRI to improve diagnosis, and the world’s first precision medicine for prostate cancer. Knowing the importance of developing new technologies for health, WA Management is keen to be a part in funding these revolutionary advancements.

This fundraising event is the second WA Management has taken part in as a team, after raising £1,265 for mental health charity Mind in their 2023 100 Miles in March campaign.

Leading with Purpose

Gisela Pink, MD of Pink Connect, shares her thoughts on leadership.

“Why? This is the first question I ask myself when I wake up. I am in an enquiry at the moment authentically looking for wisdom.

“It might be that, for others, the motivation is wealth, or power, or perhaps beauty or ego. No. If you know me, you will know that none of that matters. I wake up in the middle of the night designing new realms in which the world can be a better place knowing that my contribution will be done inside my community and in creating leaders to empower to influence their communities.

“As a strategist and MD of the ‘best IT company in the Midlands 2023’ (as voted by the industry), my behaviour is aligned with pre-empting scenarios, planning forward, the what-ifs that are important. I think about my team and their struggles and how can I be of service in their own personal development and how can I empower them to achieve our common company goals and excel in what they do. I think of the business opportunities that the national and global challenges create for SMEs and how we want our customers to speak our name, trust us, and engage with us. How we are the support structure for our customers. To have 'our word' mean something.

“What does the day of a leader look like?

The reality is that we have to take a lot of punches. Life does not fight fair. Business neither. It is always a personal learning opportunity knowing which of those punches you block, when you have to move before the punch lands. A constant journey to become wiser rather than smarter. It's no surprise that I have taken on karate for the last 10 years.

“The challenge becomes: how can I inspire others in difficult circumstances? For me, this is about being authentic, finding courage in the face of fear and creating a positive

attitude and collaboration in the team and never giving up.

“I do ask myself: what will my legacy be? I am on a personal journey to inspire others to transform who they are, make a difference and, in that, transform our common experience of humanity. I am committed to being a mentor to others and creating a World that works for all.

“What really matters in your world?"

Share it with me at linkedin.com/in/gisela-pink-mba2b5aa546.”

Marketing experts unite to offer free advice to businesses

Lindsay Woodward, of Warwickshire based Lindsay Woodward Marketing, has teamed up with three other marketing experts to offer free advice to businesses across the UK.

The experts, who met through networking, realised that they had complementary skill sets and that it would make sense to work together to help businesses get access to the best in advice and support.

Lindsay said: “We’ve all seen a lot of bad advice being given out about marketing. Chatting about this, we thought if we want to make a change then we need to take action, so we’ve grouped together to raise the bar in terms of what results businesses should expect from their marketing agencies.

“With marketing budgets being tightened for many industries due to ongoing economic pressures, we knew this was the perfect time to not only offer free support, but also to ensure that businesses get advice from trained and vastly experienced marketers who know what they’re doing.”

The group of four comprise Lindsay Woodward, who is overseeing marketing strategy; Felicity Francis, who owns a multi award-winning direct marketing agency; Lesley Hughes, who is an expert in business growth; and AJ Saunders, who brings in expertise on digital marketing and ecommerce.

The group, called United Results, is offering any business in the UK the chance to get a free audit. This audit will evaluate any marketing activity conducted to date and then offer practical advice and guidance on where improvements can be made.

Lindsay added: “There is no reason why any business should suffer from bad marketing, and our goal for the coming year is to help as many businesses as possible reach the next level in terms of what they’re able to achieve.”

To take advantage of this free audit visit https://l-w-marketing.co.uk/unitedresults/

Business Engage Profiles

Law firm appoints new director

A long-standing law firm has appointed a new director and is set for growth as it looks to expand its presence across Coventry and Warwickshire.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd, which offers personal legal services, has appointed Lisa Blizzard as a Director of the business in addition to her role as Head of Department for Children and Families Public Law.

Lisa originally joined Alsters Kelley as a paralegal and completed her training before moving on to another firm.

She then returned to Alsters Kelley 12 years ago and now has 19 years’ experience working in family law, representing families across the area and dealing with complex matters including cases at Court of Appeal level.

She joins Managing Director Catherine Wahlberg and Directors Julie McGarrigle and Neil Raiseborough in leading the business.

Alsters Kelley has offices in Coventry, Leamington, Nuneaton, Southam and

Stratford and its specialist lawyers provide a range of services for individuals including conveyancing, wills, trusts and estate planning, family matters, and criminal litigation.

The firm also specialises in the complex legal area of clinical negligence, with the expert team providing straightforward support and advice at often extremely difficult times for clients.

Alsters Kelley prides itself on providing a personable, caring service – values which are embodied by its 80 members of staff.

Internally, the firm has developed a new package of staff benefits to support with retention and recruitment, and is now offering benefits including flexible working hours, enhanced sickness pay and the opportunity to buy and sell holiday, while ensuring there is a clear pathway for career progression.

It is now looking to grow its presence across the area, both organically and potentially through future acquisitions.

Cathy Wahlberg, Managing Director, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have Lisa on board as a director of the business. She has a wealth of experience and it is fantastic to have home-grown talent leading the firm.

“At Alsters Kelley we are focused on providing high-quality legal services to people from right across our society.

“We are unique in the fact that we are focused on private individuals and have

a strong culture of providing a very personal service to our clients.

“When individuals require legal services, they are often facing an extremely challenging time in their lives, and we look to be there for our clients during these situations. We could be dealing with anyone from high net-worth-individuals to those accessing legal aid.

“This personal service has seen the business grow, even during turbulent times in certain market sectors. Our conveyancing department is experiencing year-on-year growth, despite the fact the property market has declined, which speaks volumes about our team.

“We are extremely proud of the work that we do and have already seen success in recent years with the acquisition of Bonell & Co, in Stratford, in 2020 and our expansion into a larger office in Southam last year as a result of our team expanding.

“We are now planning to grow our presence across Coventry and Warwickshire and are looking to do this organically, but we would also be confident to complete further acquisitions.

“Succession planning in the legal sector is extremely important. We’re keen to shape our future by continuing to innovate and adapt so that we can carry on delivering a kind, helpful and excellent service.”

Further information about Alsters Kelley is available at https://www.alsterskelley.com/

National expansion plans for facilities management company

A facilities management company in Coventry celebrating its 20th anniversary is set to expand the business after securing a contract with a national funeral director.

FMS UK Group has secured a contract to provide reactive and planned maintenance for a national funeral care provider’s portfolio, which includes 795 funeral locations and 46 crematoria.

The facilities management services business typically operates across Coventry, Warwickshire, and the wider West Midlands, but the contract will see it expand into the north of England.

The business acts as a one-stop-shop, specialising in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, construction, roofing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refurbishments, compliance and EV solutions.

It has a total of 14 staff members, which includes a directly-employed team of multiskilled engineers who carry out the works.

This year marks FMS UK Group’s 20th anniversary, with the long-standing company going from strength to strength following the completion of a management buyout of the business seven years ago by Directors Ben Atkins, Anne Jones and Paul Jones.

They have implemented a number of changes since then to enhance the business including introducing a CRM system which

provides live tracking so that engineers can be deployed quickly to each location and an online portal which gives clients 24/7 access to job sheets, photos and reporting.

They also expanded the team to bring more expertise into the company, all of which resulted in the organic growth of FMS UK Group’s client base.

Ben said: “We act as a one-stop-shop and can quickly respond to unplanned maintenance tasks such as leaks and

undertake planned works and maintenance tasks ranging from testing fire alarms to completing full turnkey refurbishment projects.

“People are at the heart of FMS, and unlike most facilities management companies, we have in-house expertise rather than a team of sub-contractors which allows us to develop strong relationships with our clients and demonstrate that we really care about their businesses.

“We are keen to support young talent and currently have an electrical apprentice in the team and will be hiring a plumbing apprentice in the coming months.

“This year marks our 20th year of trading and it’s a very big year that will see us expand our geographical spread significantly, and we’re extremely pleased to be working with a national funeral care provider.

“Throughout this, we will also continue to support local businesses with their facilities management needs.

“We provide services for a wide range of properties including commercial, office, retail and healthcare, and a current trend we are seeing is businesses looking to both save money and achieve net zero.

“This has increasingly resulted in us supporting with the installation of LED lighting, solar panels and EV charging points.

“We at FMS are also constantly looking to improve and have a number of electric vehicles in our fleet. We also work with eforests to plant a tree in a UK woodland for every quote above £300 and provide the client with a certificate of authentication.”

Further information about FMS UK Group is available by visiting https://fmsuk-group.com/

Lisa Blizzard, Catherine Wahlberg, Julie McGarrigle and Neil Raiseborough

FMS UK Group celebrates 20th anniversary.

Business Engage Profiles

Ivor King to expand training arm of business

One of the UK’s leading sheet piling and bored piling contractors is to expand its training arm by offering even more companies the opportunity to benefit from its half a century of experience.

Ivor King, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, provides bespoke design and installation services to the civil engineering and construction industries.

In 2021, the Nuneaton-based family business launched the Ivor King Training Centre in order to develop a truly multiskilled workforce, trained to a level of excellence using its in-house Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) and National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) accredited facilities.

This innovative approach led to the business extending its training offer externally to both individuals and companies.

Ivor King is now looking to expand this by offering even more businesses the opportunity to benefit from the training facility, including bespoke packages tailored to the needs of each company.

The company delivers a variety of practical construction plant training courses including crawler crane tuition, slinger/signaller training, excavator operation, plant and vehicle marshalling, telehandler instruction, dump truck operation, fork lift training and more.

Uniquely, it also offers a range of pilingspecific training, and is one of the only training centres in the UK to provide this.

Training instructors and assessors are time-served industry professionals with extensive knowledge of the sector and vast experience operating a range of construction plant and equipment.

Simon King, CEO of Ivor King, said: “We’re extremely proud of our heritage which stretches back 50 years, having been founded by my father in 1974, and it’s our pleasure to provide piling solutions to some of the world’s leading civil engineering and construction companies.

“As part of a commitment of constant investment into all areas of the business and our quest for continuous improvement, we originally launched the Ivor King Training Centre as an in-house facility to ensure we maintained a highly-skilled workforce.

“Following its success at upskilling our own staff, we have since expanded our offer to provide training for other businesses and individuals in the industry.

“These days it’s virtually impossible to train out on site, so our purpose-built training facility is the innovation required to address any knowledge gaps in the workforce and deliver refresher training as required.

“It also helps encourage new blood into the industry without the inevitable real-time pressures and restrictions that go hand-inhand with working at construction sites.

“We are now looking to extend our offering to service even more individuals and companies looking to develop their skill base with the specific training and qualifications needed to operate effectively and legally.

“Because our training facilities are accredited by external sources, we have the ability to deliver CPCS and NPORS recognised courses, including testing.

“However, while gaining the correct certification is essential to working on site, our training culture is geared towards ensuring operatives also receive training to a higher-than-expected standard.

“Whatever the candidate’s level of experience, whether looking to gain new skills, update old ones, or simply take

a test to prove competency, we deliver a high-quality service tailored to meet the needs of the individual.”

To celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, Ivor King is offering Chamber members a £50 discount on any booking made by the end of May 2024 by quoting GOLD.

Further details about Ivor King’s facilities and range of training can be found at

https://www.ivorking.co.uk/training

Procurement consultancy celebrates 20th anniversary

A procurement consultancy which has celebrated its 20th anniversary is helping businesses optimise their supply chains and mitigate the impact of inflation.

Procure4, based in Leamington, provides companies across the region and beyond with procurement services that improve their profitability.

The global businesses, which also has sites in the USA and South Africa, has most of its team based in the Midlands.

Procure4 supports all industries and sectors, with a particular specialism in hospitality, retail, private care and healthcare, and manufacturing, and has worked with household names including Weetabix, Nando’s and M&S, as well as local businesses including Mid-Counties Co-Op and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

It has additionally partnered with local charities, such as Evelyn’s Gift and Young Minds Matter, who the team selects each year to raise funds and volunteer for.

At the heart of Procure4 is its ‘people powered procurement’ approach which sees its industry experts fully integrate themselves into client teams to identify and implement opportunities such as cost savings.

This could be on anything from IT, PPE, waste, utilities, maintenance, FM, cleaning and consumables to a wide array of specialist industry-specific products and services.

While Procure4 can work with large-scale companies to add additional capacity and expertise to existing procurement teams, it also works with smaller firms, and in some cases on a ‘gain share’ agreement which sees it awarded a percentage of the savings made to minimise the business’ upfront investment.

After celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, Procure4 is now looking to continue its growth plan and support even more businesses in the region.

Oliver Jones, Client Solutions Director at Procure4, said: “At Procure4 we support businesses to optimise their supply chains for both direct and indirect expenditure.

“One thing we are known for is working closely with clients, tailoring our successful and proven model to meet their unique challenges.

“We pride ourselves on bringing energy to businesses and delivering sustainable financial, quality and service benefits.

“We also leave businesses in a good position going forward by implementing

tools and transforming procurement activities for the long term.

“Having been in the industry for 20 years, we have built up an incredibly strong reputation which has resulted in a lot of business referrals.

“As inflation continues to put pressure on businesses, we are supporting them to mitigate this and are now looking to help even more across Coventry and Warwickshire.

“We often see businesses suffer in silence as they don’t know the journey to go on, which is where we can help.

“Our agility and flexible commercial principles mean we can work with businesses of varying sizes, providing a mutually-beneficial service.”

Further information about Procure4 is available by visiting https://www.procure4.com/

One of Ivor King’s instructors delivering excavator training at the company’s Nuneaton-based site.

Colleagues celebrate Procure4’s 20th anniversary

Introduction to Millboard AI Digital Marketing

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, C&W Chamber of Commerce, Destination Coventry and Shakespeare England have joined forces to create a tailor-made AI Digital Marketing course specifically put together to support the Hospitality Sector. By synergising the expertise of each institution, the aim is to tackle the challenges within Digital Marketing using the transformative capabilities of AI.

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training has provided an expert trainer, at no cost to the businesses, to provide them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to use AI in their Digital Marketing. AI-powered digital marketing enhances customer experiences, improve operational efficiency and drives business growth in the competitive hospitality landscape.

The hospitality industry these days faces a highly competitive environment, which is saturated with new technologies, customers who expect superior service, serve as a significant source of innovation and are constantly confronted with the challenges of rising costs.

If you are interested in AI Digital Marketing course then please email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

Chamber Training Launches Summer School

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has designed Summer School vocational tasters for young people in Coventry to explore career paths and find out more about what it’s like to work in a range of different industries and sectors.

The Summer School programme starts in July and will offer valuable insight into the world of work and help young people identify their strengths, transferable skills and areas of interest.

The Summer School is designed for individuals aged 15 and over who are looking to take their first steps into the workplace. The transition from education to employment can be daunting, which is why young people can access a valuable pool of expertise that can help them to plan their future, investigate career paths and gain up-to-date knowledge of local employment opportunities.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training are offering a range of courses including Accountancy, Early Years Care and Hairdressing. Each course is designed to provide an overview of the sector and give participants a feel for what it's like to work in that field over a four week period. Participating in a Summer School can help individuals recognise their transferable skills that can be applied in the workplace. Skills such as communication, time management, organisation and written English skills are valuable in any job setting. The programme offers an excellent opportunity to build confidence and life skills, which can be beneficial in personal and professional life. If you would like to find out more information, then email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training offers a variety of training courses tailored for local businesses to upskill their staff. Millboard staff have benefitted from undertaking ILM Level 2 and ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management programmes, along with additional training such as Microsoft Excel courses to upskill their current workforce, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need in their current job roles.

Millboard, a medium-sized manufacturing company based in Coventry, specialises in highquality building materials including outside flooring, alternative timber flooring, outdoor living, unique wood-free materials, composite decking, composite cladding, architectural materials, commercial building materials, architect CPD Accreditations and sustainable materials. Millboard has a competitive advantage of manufacturing with Millboard material that is hard-wearing and sustainable.

Millboard has strong values around staff culture, ensuring that staff receive training and development they need to fulfil their current role as well as supporting future progression.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training interviewed Sean McFarlane, Production Manager at Millboard in charge of manufacturing for the Ryton site.

Why does Millboard invest in staff?

Sean says: “Millboard values the development of its staff internally by ensuring that staff are kept up to date with the relevant training they need. Investment in staff training is a fundamental part of Millboards values to ensure that staff have the qualifications they need to progress within their job role as well as supporting the needs of the business. Millboard stands firm in believing that staff development lies at the heart of its success. Millboard places importance on nurturing employee’s growth and skills through a dedication to continuous learning and professional enrichment through training. Millboard looks to empower its workforce, creating an environment that thrives on innovation and collaboration through investing in staff training through Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training. Embracing ongoing development as a guiding principle, Millboard aims not just to meet industry demands but to exceed them by creating a workforce equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate any challenge.”

What benefits does Millboard see as a result of investing in staff?

“The company has been through an unparallel period of growth over the past 8+ years and believes strongly in investing in its people through training development. They work we do at Ryton is very specialised and we need the best people available. A large percent of the team on site have been here through the growth period as the business has grown with them. The skills the Team Leaders, Rising Star’s and Operators have gained through learning by doing which has brought us huge success up to this point. The next steps of evolution involve external training, such as ILM2 & ILM3. This gives the team exposure to different tools that they may have been unfamiliar with, such as Lean Manufacturing and Problem-Solving techniques. This will enable the team to make tangible improvements to their workplace and work with the supporting teams on-site to improve our processes. This will lead to reduced waste, reduced lead time to make products, with an additional focus on product quality, enabling us to make our cladding and decking products right first time.”

How does the training received from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training directly support Millboard's goals and strategic objectives?

“The ILM2 and ILM3 courses are very work-based and enable the team to progress their skills as well as improving how they carry out their dayto-day tasks. It is very important that the training delivered to the teams is based on something tangible and relatable to their current role and responsibilities. I was very fortunate to do a timeserved engineering apprenticeship at Automotive

Products in Leamington, starting back in 1995. The apprenticeship scheme was structured well and ensured that as well as nationally recognised qualifications, we had on-the-job training across multiple engineering, manufacturing and service teams. This meant after 4 years we were not only qualified, but capable of doing the job itself. Having begun my career as an apprentice, and then attending university whilst working full time, I do understand deeply the importance of ensuring that all training should be goal goal-driven so it will impact how employees work and think daily, which will benefit the business not only now, but as we move into the future with further growth.”

Would you recommend Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training to other businesses?

“Absolutely. The communication from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has been very clear. The multiple course offerings available are very compelling and link very well to the job functions the team at Millboard carry out. The standard of training delivery is very high and the trainers appreciate that some of my team haven’t completed any structured learning since leaving school, so their patience and teaching methods are very much appreciated. I have had a very positive experience dealing with the people at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and look forward to using them again as we develop the 2024 training programme at Millboard.”

If you are interested in any of our Commercial courses, then email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

Menopause Awareness Training

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has introduced a new course; “Menopause Awareness” to raise awareness, break the stigma and highlight support in the workplace for women experiencing menopause.

The half-day Menopause Awareness course aims to increase delegates understanding of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and provides delegates with the practical tools that can be taken to the workplace to create and implement a menopause supportive workplace culture.

We decided to speak to Matthew Hammersley, HR Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, to find out why he thinks Menopause Awareness Training is important from a HR perspective.

Tell us about your role in HR

“My name is Matthew Hammersley, HR Manager at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. I lead on all wellbeing activities for our employees, it’s so important to support our staff’s wellbeing to help motivate and make them feel happy at work!”

Why is raising awareness about menopause important within the workplace, specifically in terms of supporting existing staff?

“It's so important to raise awareness about menopause in the workplace so that managers/

colleagues of those going through the menopause can be understanding and help make adjustments when necessary. It is also important for retention, as figures show that at least 10% of women leave the workforce due to not being supported with menopause, we want to make staff feel that they are being listened to and action taken to support them in continuing work.”

What impact does menopause have on the productivity and well-being of employees, and how can awareness courses help mitigate any potential challenges?

“Menopause symptoms vary between individuals, but some can have an impact of the productivity of employees such as brain fog and fatigue. This can demotivate staff as they feel like they are struggling with their role, awareness can help reduce challenges as reasonable adjustments can be made to support the employee and allow other staff to be understanding towards the situation.”

In what ways do you foresee menopause awareness training benefiting the professional development and retention of staff within the organisation?

“Menopause awareness training will be vital for professional development and staff retention as all staff should have the same awareness, and therefore understanding of need for reasonable adjustments. This will also help staff who are looking to progress into management roles as they will be looking after staff who may be going through the menopause, making them feel heard will help to retain them.”

How do you plan to integrate the insights gained from these courses into existing HR policies and practices to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for employees experiencing menopause?

“We plan to create a menopause policy, showing our employees that we are committed to supporting those who are experiencing menopause symptoms. We will also look to how we can make any events, days, meetings or working environments more accessible and comfortable for those that are experiencing these. This will help to make our staff feel more supported in the workplace.”

Why do you think other businesses should incorporate Menopause Awareness as a part of necessary training in the workplace from an HR perspective?

“It’s so important to include menopause awareness into mandatory training, as all staff need to be aware that their colleagues may be experiencing menopause and may be struggling with symptoms. This makes the whole workforce more sympathetic towards the need for reasonable adjustments and will help in the l ong run with retaining and recruiting staff!”

If you are interested in booking onto Coventry and Warwickshire’s Menopause Awareness half-day course then email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 024 76231122.

West Midlands Trains’ Just Business is a free online platform for booking and managing business train travel.

It provides businesses with a secure online account through which employees can book and pay for their travel, removing any need for paperwork or expenses.

Morrison Design, a Chartered architectural company, have recently started using the Just Business tool to simplify rail travel for staff.

The company was founded in the 1940s and has 23 staff assisting in the field of architecture, across hotels, hospitality, science and technology and the public sector. Morrison Design includes a team with uber creative architects who go over and above to design brilliant spaces.

Jo Murtagh joined Morrison Design as office manager eight months ago. Jo introduced the company to Just Business and has explained how this tool assists staff at Morrison Design.

Jo Murtagh Morrison Design | Office Manager

How has Just Business helped your company?

Just Business has given us a lot more flexibility when travelling to sites, including to London. Using it for rail travel is far more convenient than driving, and also more convenient for staff as the company books their tickets. It is also easier from an expense point of view, as this only takes a couple of minutes. For last-minute travel, it is straight forward for them to pop onto the site, buy a ticket and get an e-ticket sent. They can get up and go. The invoice part is also very efficient in a sense that is easy to keep on top of bookings and finances.

What made you want to sign up to the service?

Before my current role I worked for another company who also used the Just Business tool. My previous company was a lot bigger in terms of bases across the country with more staff, so it struck me just how convenient Just Business was. As a result of this, when I moved to Morrison Design, I wanted to implement it straight away.

How have your employees found using the platform?

They absolutely love it. All they do is ask me to book rail travel for them and I send them an e-ticket and it is all sorted. They are not out of pocket and do not have to sort expenses out. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

Have you incorporated any other new services/tools to your business recently?

We’re always looking at ways to improve what we do and

make things easier. We have internal workstreams reviewing our ways of working and the team always have new ideas on how we can improve.

What would you say to other businesses thinking about using Just Business?

Go for it. It makes life so much easier for everyone. The convenience of it. The ease of it. You can keep track of tickets that are purchased. Everything is represented via a spreadsheet, which is also easy to use and gain access to. I would highly recommend using Just Business.

What benefits to the company have you noticed since adopting the service?

The convenience of it and the fact that staff have not got to pay outright for their tickets which can mount up if people travel more than once or twice a week. I certainly believe that it’s easy for them to book on this system and we get invoiced for it and sort the rest.

What benefits to employees have you noticed since adopting the service?

The fact that they have not got to pay outright for their own tickets. It makes travel so much easier. I can book seats together for people travelling in groups and they can choose their own times when they travel off peak. It is very efficient.

How have you found your experience with Just Business? Overall, I have been very happy with Just Business. The fact that the report, which is accessible with each invoice, states the comparison of the carbon footprint against other forms of travel is extremely useful. We are currently looking into ways of reducing our carbon footprint and becoming a sustainable company to the best of our ability. This is assisted in the information provided by West Midlands Trains.

To find out how Just Business could benefit your organisation, get in touch with Sophie Gardner at West Midlands Trains:

One of the most pressing challenges for all business is the transition to a green and sustainable future. We will have no habitable planet if we don’t encourage rapid and effective actions.

A leader in green innovation

The Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber has described the region as a ‘leader in green innovation’ as he welcomed a major national report on how to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) ‘Green Innovation Challenge’ report has outlined a series of proposals for policymakers, including a new public body to oversee delivery of core climate policies and strengthened resources for the independent Climate Change Committee.

The report also calls for a robust Green Industrial Strategy from Government, a permanent cross-sector approach to green jobs from policymakers and quicker Government action on financing the transition to net zero through the tax system.

The Green Innovation report has been welcomed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce after it was published at an event in Glasgow.

It is the first of five policy documents being published by the BCC’s new Business Council as part of the ‘Future of Economy’ project. The report draws on expertise from businesses of all sizes and sectors, academia and think-tanks.

The report acknowledges that the “UK has one of the most substantial legal frameworks for climate change anywhere in the world”. However, it also makes clear that there are “significant challenges ahead” and policy gaps remain.

Establishing a new public body focused on climate delivery, the report says, would ensure genuine cross party working to agree long-term commitments. Strengthened resources for the Climate Change Committee would give it the capacity to provide deeper analysis of specific sectors.

The report highlights the clear call from investors that current green industrial policies need to be brought together into a long-term, cross cutting strategy.

In order to maintain the country’s progress on climate, the report also recommends linking the UK and EU emissions trading schemes, implementing energy grid upgrades and establishing deeper business and Government partnerships.

The report concludes “we are now entering a crunch phase for delivery on net zero” and recognises that “many of the necessary policy measures involve changes to supply chains to customer and business behaviours, and in some cases additional cost burdens at least in the short term”.

Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have fed into the report through the Chamber, which held a workshop on net zero at the end of 2023.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Green innovation, net zero and sustainability are key priorities for businesses right across Coventry and Warwickshire. Recently, we hosted a workshop for 50 of our senior members to look at best practice already taking place and to help understand what support businesses need to move towards a net zero agenda.

“Every business in the room was focused on adopting a sustainable approach to doing business. Many already have dedicated staff leading this transformational work, and all were looking at the cost savings by making changes to their buildings, logistics and supply chain.

“There was an acknowledgement that work taking place across our business community means that Coventry and Warwickshire is becoming a UK leader in green innovation, with amazing work being undertaken at both the University of Warwick and Coventry University, the development of the Giga Park and Very Light Rail and the ground-breaking partnership with E.ON in Coventry City Centre.

“However, we know we need to do more to support businesses in this area by developing a clearer understanding of Green Skills, by encouraging more young people to train and take up green jobs, and by showing businesses the route to using green innovation to transform their business model. We very much welcome this report and look forward to helping deliver it with our members.”

Martha Lane Fox, President of the British Chambers of Commerce and Chair of the Business Council, said: “One of the most pressing challenges for all business is the transition to a green and sustainable future. We will have no habitable planet if we don’t encourage rapid and effective actions.

“Our report outlines clear and realistic recommendations to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero. A robust strategy focused on delivery across the economy must be underpinned by clear and consistent messaging from Government.

“BCC research and engagement with businesses tells us that firms of all sizes want to play their part, but face barriers along the way.

“This report showcases the power of the BCC’s Business Council to assess the key challenges facing the economy head on. The council members are excited about seizing the opportunity to build a sustainable economy that works for all.

“This is just the start of our Business Council work. We look forward to publishing our other key challenge reports in the coming weeks. In the busy political year ahead, our recommendations will provide a crucial blueprint to help build the future of the economy.”

Entrepreneur Lisa Witter, Chair of Green Innovation Challenge Group, said: “The UK has the potential to lead the world in Green Innovation. We believe our report gives policymakers a springboard to unlock that potential.

“All of our recommendations are pragmatic and with political support can be implemented in a timely manner.

“I’ve been delighted to chair our meetings over recent months, bringing together some of the UK’s most prominent businesses alongside leading academics. The message is clear – business can, and will, play a leadership role in sustainably transforming our economy.

“The UK is on the right track. This report’s recommendations can propel British businesses into a global leadership role, seizing the opportunity of becoming the agents of change.”

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Green Finance Institute, said: “Extreme weather brought by the climate crisis is increasingly disrupting lives and the economy. The collective ingenuity of British businesses can provide the solutions the world needs.

"The British Chambers of Commerce's report highlights the importance of innovation in a resilient, net zero future. The UK's financial ecosystem should nourish green businesses with capital, and support them with a robust institutional framework underpinned by longterm vision, clear goals, and the agility to adapt."

Ben Goodwin, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, said: “The role of businesses in the transition to a greener economy is fundamental, but for this to materialise the appropriate policy and regulatory conditions must be in place. The BCC’s report carefully sets out what is required on this front so that businesses right across the UK can succeed.

“Critically the report also recognises the role of green jobs and skills in driving change and echoes IEMA’s call for a body to be established at the heart of government to advise on green workforce matters over the long-term.”

James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group, and member of the BCC Business Council, said: “As the first major economy to enshrine net zero into law, the UK has already seen strong progress on our decarbonisation journey.

“However, we know that the next stage will require greater collaboration across the public and private sector to reach net zero by 2050.

“At NatWest, and as highlighted in the Green Innovation Challenge Report, we see that many businesses are determined to play their part in supporting both decarbonisation and green innovation and have the potential to unlock significant revenue for themselves as well as enable the country to meet its climate commitments.”

Yasmin Diamond, Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs at IHG Hotels & Resorts and member of the BCC Business Council, said: “IHG is committed to supporting our owners and hotels with decarbonising their operations and giving them the tools to become more sustainable.

“To achieve this, we’re actively engaging in conversations with governments, the hospitality industry and business communities around the world, advocating for stronger options and innovative technology to make decarbonisation easier and more cost-effective.

“As a group it’s important to have the BCC’s support, helping the industry, advocating for change and together, we can continue to create a more sustainable future for hospitality.”

Ross McKenzie, Corporate Affairs Director at Drax and member of the BCC Business Council, said: “The climate crisis is the critical challenge for the UK and the world. The foundations of this report are built on the expertise of businesses of all sizes and we were delighted to support its development.

“The report sets out practical recommendations which, if adopted, could further catalyse the country’s journey to reaching net zero and accelerating the development of carbon capture and storage.”

Alison McRae, Senior Director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and member of the BCC Green Innovation Challenge Group, said: "It is fitting that the Green Innovation report is launched here in Glasgow at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland ahead of what will be another critical year for our economy and the sustainability agenda.

“Innovation will continue to be at the core of the city region’s ambitions both through the work of our network of Innovation Districts, our UKGOVT Innovation Accelerator Status and of course the ongoing work our businesses - and particularly our SME community - are doing to unlock the innovative solutions we need to see to realise our climate targets.

“As the host of COP26, this city has been championing green innovation and circular economy and we at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce have been at the forefront of fighting for the right economic and policy conditions to empower businesses to accelerate and scale action supporting the move to net zero.

"As we approach the Congress of Business summit to again be held in Glasgow on 14 May, as part of Glasgow Climate Week, this report provides a perfect overview of the challenges and opportunities business face and what support is still needed to achieve our ultimate objectives." WHAT

New national framework to boost access to skills and jobs launched in the region

A new ten-point plan to boost workforce skills has been launched at an event in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The ‘People and Work’ report was published at an event hosted by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce at the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

It is the second of five policy documents being published by the BCC’s new Business Council as part of the ‘Future of Economy’ project. The report draws on expertise from businesses of all sizes and sectors, academia and think-tanks.

It identifies that ‘the UK’s labour market is at a crossroads’, with vacancies well above pre-pandemic levels, sitting at around one million, and skills shortages still hampering growth. Looking ahead it says, ‘the workplace is changing, and so are the skills required to navigate it’.

The role of Government is crucial in tackling the skills crisis and the report makes clear ‘business needs an industrial strategy that is fit for purpose’.

It also calls for better skills planning at a national, local, employer and individual level, including longer term investment in Local Skills Improvement Plans. It says ‘short-term policies’ from a national level are holding regions back.

It outlines how more investment in high quality impartial careers education will ‘overcome cultural stereotypes, increase diversity and improve opportunities’. It should be a ‘mainstream priority for school leaders, embedded in every part of the curriculum’.

The People and Work group acknowledge the crucial role of apprenticeships in tackling skills shortages and creating opportunities for individuals. Calling for reforms to the system, the report says while the apprenticeship levy ‘has increased funding and helped improve quality’, levy paying employers often struggle with the inflexibility of the levy, ‘finding it more akin to a tax’.

To support businesses and economic growth when employers have done all they can to recruit and train locally, the report calls for an ‘effective immigration system’, while ‘addressing systemic skills shortages across the domestic labour market’.

The report concludes, ‘as increased digitisation, automation and greener policies change our workplaces, government and employers need do to more to help individuals overcome barriers, gain a better balance of academic and technical skills, a hunger for lifelong learning and more personal resilience and flexibility’.

Martha Lane Fox, President of the British Chambers of Commerce and Chair of the Business Council said: “Attracting and retaining people with the right skills is crucial for business. But far too many firms are currently struggling to do that. At the British Chambers of Commerce, we hear directly how this is damaging firms' ability to meet order books, take on new work and operate profitably. It’s also impacting on the workload and morale of staff.

“We face a huge challenge in the workforce. We need to focus on recruitment, retaining and retraining. This report sets out a holistic approach that is extremely action-oriented.

“A long-term industrial strategy from Government needs to be underpinned by changes to local skills provision, a more flexible apprenticeship levy, better careers education and an immigration system that works for business.”

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said: “Skills and recruitment continue to be the primary issue for businesses as they struggle to get the right staff and the right training to meet their order books and grow their businesses. Our work through local Chambers across the country has highlighted critical skills gaps in sectors such as hospitality, care, manufacturing and construction, that are holding our businesses and entrepreneurs back.

“Only by giving firms the staff and skills they need to thrive will we start to see the national economy grow. So, we welcome the recommendations of this report which builds on the findings of our local skills improvement plans. It looks beyond our current domestic workforce and highlights the need for devolved skills budgets. It needs businesses at the heart of the planning process and companies working with providers to deliver flexible, business focused training.”

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, Chair of the ‘People and Work Challenge Group’ said: “To grow our economy we need more

skilled, engaged and motivated people to contribute to the workforce.

“The barriers that block people’s access to great and rewarding jobs are also the barriers to economic growth. Our report clearly shows how those barriers can be overcome. Businesses must be able to harness the skills, creativity and potential of everyone who wants to work.

“Over the past few months, it has been a privilege to lead discussions between businesses, stakeholders and Chamber representatives on these important issues.

“We now urge all politicians to use our recommendations as a blueprint for boosting skills and putting the economy on a strong footing for the many opportunities ahead.”

Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan, Former Education Secretary said: “If we get education and skills right – people and business flourish. It enables us all to play our part in a thriving economy. This report from the BCC powerfully highlights the role both government and employers have, in supporting people on their learning and work journeys.

“It comes at a crucial time, as companies are crying out for more people to join the workforce with the right skills. We need to urgently break down the barriers that prevent people from achieving their full potential in the workplace.

“The UK is one of the largest and most innovative economies in the world. But that will only continue if education and skills

remain a top priority for policymakers. This report is an excellent blueprint to show how business and Government can work together to deal with the current challenges and future opportunities. “

Phil Kenmore, Director Corporate Development and Partnerships, The Open University – and member of the People and Work Challenge Group said: “Through our close partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, The Open University has actively contributed to this report, sharing more than five decades of experience in working with the business community to develop skills for work through the delivery of high quality, lifelong learning to individuals.

“We strongly support the report’s narrative that skills development should be seen by business leaders as an investment and not a cost, and that businesses, particularly smaller employers, need support and funding to strategically develop the skills they need.

“There is a long-term, embedded skills gap which holds back the economy, and the report correctly places lifelong training and education as central to tackling this structural issue. The Open University has a proven track record in collaborating with employers across the public, private and third sectors in delivering a range of flexible learning pathways.

“These partnerships, which span across all four nations of the UK, have proved crucial for organisations looking to make the shift from simply recruiting new talent, towards developing their own more diverse, skilled workforces – driving retention in the process. We hope this report helps to open up these opportunities to more workers at all levels and all ages, and that the recommendations are heeded by current and future governments.”

Daniel Fell, Chief Executive, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, and member of the ‘People and Work Challenge Group’ said: “South Yorkshire, like all parts of the UK, has its challenges in relation to skills. However, as a consequence of devolution, through new institutions such as University Technical Colleges and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre, and agile partnerships formed through the development of a new Local Skills Improvement Plan, our region has proven that it can work together to meet the complex needs of local employers. Indeed, South Yorkshire’s approach to skills has been pivotal in recently attracting new investors to the region such as Hybrid Air Vehicles.

“In South Yorkshire we are proving that regional players can work together to deliver the skills that local employers covet. However, we could go further and faster with some shifts in government policy and with further devolution. This report sets out a number of ways in which that could happen to the benefit of SMEs in places like South Yorkshire and beyond.”

Corine Crane with Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith and Martha Lane Fox at the launch of the report

Corin Crane at the launch of the report

Chamber budget reaction

Business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire say there was ‘very little’ for firms across the region in the Chancellor’s Budget.

Jeremy Hunt MP, the Chancellor, reduced employee National Insurance by two per cent which had been widely forecast, froze duty on fuel and enhanced support for childcare to encourage more people back to work. There were other announcements around alcohol duty being frozen as well as investment in creative and green industries.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held a budget roundtable with a cross section of businesses in the region at the offices of Prime Accountants Group.

There was strong interest in the Chancellor’s announcements on additional funding for culture in Coventry and for devolved powers going to

Warwickshire, but Corin Crane, chief executive of the Chamber, said there was little for business.

He said: “The feeling in the room was that there could have been more for businesses. The cut in National Insurance will provide a boost to staff who are still feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis but that wasn’t matched by the same kind of help for companies.

“There was very little for our manufacturers and construction businesses, who are still feeling the pinch from the rising costs that they faced over recent years. It was a similar story for hospitality.

“One of the most positive announcements for companies across the region wasn’t a policy change but the fact that inflation is expected to fall to less than two per cent in the next few months as this will, hopefully, have a stabilising effect on businesses and give them a platform from which to grow.

The feeling in the room was that there could have been more for businesses. The cut in National Insurance will provide a boost to staff who are still feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis but that wasn’t matched by the same kind of help for companies.

“The announcements on Coventry and Warwickshire were of keen interest to everyone in the room – including £5 million for culture in Coventry which will help to support the legacy of City of Culture.

“Equally, more devolved powers for Warwickshire could help to level the playing field over the likes of adult education, which is welcome.

“As with every budget and fiscal event, it is often the case that we learn more when the detail emerges but I think it is fair to say that the initial reaction from businesses was fairly muted.

“The economy slipped into technical recession at the end of 2023 and, while that isn’t anticipated to last very long, more is going to be need to build sustainable economic growth. We all wanted to see a budget that would support that growth and I’m not sure that’s what we have been given.”

BUILDING a sustainable business

Husband and wife team Mark and Joanna Farr bought Purple Planet Packaging just months before the Covid pandemic hit. They told C&W in Business how it led to rapid growth and the effect it had on their family.

Everyone has their own pandemic story. How it affected their work. How it changed their homelife. For Mark and Joanna Farr, it was the ultimate juggling act as they were just nine months into running a business, had a new born baby and a toddler and decided to move in with Joanna’s parents.

“We bought the business in July 2019 and Covid hit in March 2020 so we just had to roll with the punches,” Mark said. “We were lucky in one sense of the word. We just had to get enough products to deal with the number of orders we were getting.”

Joanna added: “We had two young children and were trying to run a business from home and we needed to extend our support network. So, we moved into my mum and dad’s so that we could continue to run the business. We just couldn’t have managed on our own.”

“There were a lot of people in a four-bedroom house,” said Mark. “We’d got boxes everywhere and FedEx lorries arriving at the house all the time to pick up the products!”

The business – Purple Planet Packaging – sells environmentally-friendly packaging and containers for the food and drink industry, from cups to food trays and from cutlery to take-away boxes.

The couple bought the company at the second attempt in 2019 after a series of events that underline their chalk-and-cheese personalities.

Mark, a practising paramedic, and Joanna, who worked in finance for a regional charity, had decided they wanted to start a business.

But nothing floated their boat so they looked into buying a ready-made company and found Purple Planet Packaging, a Devon-based business that was turning over £250,000 a year.

Mark was ready to jump in but Joanna insisted on a bit more due diligence.

“It was an opportunity to start something for ourselves,” Mark said. “It was up for sale at a good price but we ummed and aahed about it. Joanna being the analytical person that she is wanted to see the accounts.

“I’d had a really in-depth conversation with the previous owner.

“At the time, he had two businesses and wasn’t really putting a huge amount of effort into this one. He’d got a distribution deal with a manufacturer where orders would be placed on his website and then the manufacturer would send them to the customer.

“I thought: that’s perfect. Joanna can sit at home, look after the children and do day-to-day work processing the orders.

Profile: Mark and Joanna Farr

“He came back with the accounts the next day and I said we’d like to put an offer in but he’d already sold the business to somebody else.”

“We’d lost it,” Joanna said. “The conversations at home were very frosty!”

At this point, Joanna was pregnant with their second child and they decided they would put their business plans on hold.

They went on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords but received an unexpected phone call as they were leaving the port in Stavanger. Purple Planet Packaging was back on the market.

In a twist of fate, the original buyer had been asked to work with the Royal Philharmonic Orcestra and could not turn the opportunity down.

“I said to the agent that I’d transfer the money immediately from the boat,” Mark said. “That wasn’t necessary, but we got the business.”

It was a steady but unspectacular start but when Covid hit, the demand for takeaway products went through the roof – and Purple Planet Packaging benefitted from that.

“We went from £248,000 to £756,000 turnover in the space of a year,” Joanna said. “There were boxes all over the house. Thankfully, kids love playing with boxes!”

The decision was eventually taken to move into warehouse space at Seven Stars Industrial Estate and to take on a member of staff.

The pair joined the Chamber, accessed support and realised that they needed to take a step back from the whirlwind growth brought on by Covid.

“At this point, we realised we needed some help,” Mark said. “Coming from a healthcare background and Joanna coming from a finance background, we’re not natural business people. We knew that there was an opportunity to grow but we needed a bit of business know-how.”

“The Chamber really helped at that point,” Joanna said. “We were doing work around cashflow, stock management, warehouse management. They were all real nuggets of help being delivered to us. It benefitted us massively.

“We also received grant-funding, so we could invest in capital items to help accelerate further. We invested in the warehouse side – safety ladders to create more pick locations, iPads for stock management, computers, printers, a forklift that makes the job easier. Having that support helped us to move along those stepping stones rather than trying to rush it.”

Turnover to June 2023 grew to £1.4 million and is on course to hit £2 million by June this year.

The couple has diversified their supplier base and has started working with a manufacturer in Wrexham to create their own brand, Planetware, which is certified plastic free and fully home compostable.

This, they believe, will put them on course to be a £10 million business within the next five years, which will lead to new jobs to add to the six members of the team – including themselves – that currently work for Purple Planet Packaging.

They also want to expand their customer-base in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. The company already works with schools in the region, supplying cups, boxes and trays, as well as a range of hospitality businesses.

But they are also keen to make sure the environmentally-friendly message comes through loud and clear so that they can help to educate as well as grow the business.

“A big project for 2024 is to look at schools and academies in the area to assist them in learning about sustainability and responsibility for the environment, with an obvious emphasis on the packaging we are using,” Mark said.

“How can it be recycled? How can it be composted? Nobody really explores this yet all you hear on

television is climate change, net zero and being more responsible. We want to help with that.”

But the couple, who met when they both worked at JJB Sports in Coventry city centre in 2007 and married in 2014, are also working hard to make sure they can still find time to be a family.

They will celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary with a trip to Venice and will have their first family holiday since taking on Purple Planet Packaging when they head to Gran Canaria this summer.

Mark said: “We are still at it every day. It’s nine to five here in the office but then we’ll go and pick the children up from grandparents, go home, have dinner, bath the children, then it’s bed for them and then the laptops come out and we’re working until 10.30. Then we’re back up at seven. We understand that with business growth, you have to put effort in.

“We know now that with the staff we have on board that we can take a day off and go to events to help us network. Although, they’re not actual days off!”

“That’s why it was important to book a holiday to make sure we get time off,” Joanna said.

“But I won’t switch off,” Mark chips in. “As a business owner, you can’t. We’re very lucky though. When we bought it, I don’t think our eyes were open to what it takes. The idea was that I would continue being a healthcare professional, being a paramedic, but we didn’t envisage that we’d be here today with a £1.3 million turnover.”

“I wanted to do a couple of days a week,” Joanna said. “But now I’m doing seven!”

And, despite talk of a holiday, the real focus is on the future of Purple Planet Packaging.

“We’re starting to think about what we do next,” Joanna said. “We’ve got our own brand, we’ve got products being made in the UK because we think that’s important. We’ve got a new starting point, with our own cups, plastic free, made in the UK and that’s how we’re going to approach the B2B side and we want that to be with more Coventry and Warwickshire businesses.”

Mark added: “The customer base is potentially massive but this isn’t all about making money, it’s about education too.”

About Joanna Farr

Married: Yes, to Mark!

Children: Two

Hobbies: Growing home produce at their allotment

Favourite Film: Mary Poppins

Last Holiday: Norwegian Fjords Cruise 2019

Gadget: iPhone

About Mark Farr

Married: Yes, to Joanna!

Children: Two

Hobbies: Coventry City FC

Favourite Book: More of a Podcast person –listening to Steven Bartlett “Dairy of a CEO”

Favourite Film: The Lion King

Last Holiday: Norwegian Fjords Cruise 2019

Gadget: iPhone

Jonathan Reynolds, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business & Trade, visited the Midlands to hear from companies ahead of a General Election that is set to take place over the next 12 months.

The event took place at Visku, the supply chain and logistics company based in Wellingborough, and was jointly organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce, and the British Chambers of Commerce.

Louise Wall, chief executive of Northamptonshire Chamber and commercial director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, introduced Mr Reynolds to the audience of around 100 business people, where he set out plans to reform planning, business rates and international trade.

Louise said: “We’re delighted to bring businesses together with senior figures from the world of politics. The Chamber takes a neutral stance when it comes to party politics but we know it’s important for our members to be able to hear from, and put their views to, all of the main parties.

Senior Labour figure meets Chamber members

Businesses from Coventry and Warwickshire put their questions to a senior figure in the Labour Party at an event organised by the Chamber.

“Our members are very vocal when it comes to the issues that are holding back growth so this was a great opportunity for them to engage with, and put their questions to, Jonathan Reynolds and see how Labour might find solutions to those issues should they form the next Government.”

Mr Reynolds said: “I want to make this a genuine conversation with business and that’s why I am grateful to the Chambers of Commerce for putting this event on and it underlines the great strength of the Chamber network.

“Running a business is hard at the best of times. It means putting

in a huge amount of hours, which takes significant commitment, and that’s something that I respect and appreciate.

“I also know that Governments don’t make businesses successful. It’s your hard work, your vision and drive for success that does that. However, Governments can either make that more difficult with their policies or they can make it easier when they get things right.

“That’s why it’s important that we listen to business and have this conversation.”

Don’t be deterred by the ‘r’ word

Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire should not be weighed down by the ‘r’ word – but it should act as a red alert to Government to help deliver long term economic growth.

The UK entered recession as the ONS confirmed that the economy contracted by 0.3 per cent in the final quarter of 2023, on the back of a 0.1 per cent fall in the previous quarter.

Sean Rose, Head of Policy at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the technical recession should not change businesses’ outlook.

He said: “Businesses have been in no doubt that the economy has been flat for some time but entering a technical recession will act as a red alert to Government.

“Companies across Coventry and Warwickshire, however, should not be weighed down by the term as it makes no difference to the way they do business on a day-to-day basis. It just confirms what they already know - that things are tough.

“Just as a marginal rise would not be a cause for celebration, this shouldn’t change businesses’ plans or their outlook as they move forward.

“We’ve seen inflation fall back sharply from its peak and the labour market has remained robust –although not without challenge – as we have seen from other figures released this week.

“We would always urge businesses to reach out to us for support with plans to grow and this news doesn’t change that.

“However, we’d urge the Chancellor and the Government to use the forthcoming Budget to set out a long-term economic plan to help drive growth, to accelerate planning and employment land projects and to encourage sustainable investment.”

Steve Harcourt, Director of Prime Accountants Group and President of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, added:

“The Chamber’s final Quarterly Economic Survey of 2023 showed that firms in the region were coming into this year in reasonably confident mood, but with a recognition that times are tough.

“We see every day the difficulties that companies have been facing – from rising costs through to higher interest rates – so it comes as no huge surprise that the economy dipped into recession.

“With inflation coming down, the forecasts suggest that the economy will begin to grow again very quickly – but only very slightly – which is why we need a long-term plan for sustained growth.”

Alex Veitch, Director of Policy and Insight at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “A contraction in GDP for the final quarter of 2023 means the UK economy is in technical recession.

“Businesses were already under no illusion about the difficulties they face, and this news will no doubt ring alarm bells for Government.

“The BCC’s last Quarterly Economic Forecast suggests annual growth below 1.0% for the next two years as firms remained gripped by uncertainty and the twin perils of high inflation and interest rates remain.

“The Chancellor must use his Budget in just under three weeks’ time to set out a clear pathway for firms and the economy to grow.

“Businesses are crying out for a long-term economic plan that reduces the cost pressures they are facing and unlocks the investment they so sorely need.”

Off-Piste and Lost:

Ski and Snowboarding Holiday Companies and Insolvency

• John Rimmer

When it comes to holiday companies and insolvency, we are seeing increases with ski and snowboarding companies in the press. So far this year we have seen two UK ski/snowboard holiday companies announce insolvency and closure.

Powder White closed its doors after 20 years in business declaring itself to be insolvent whilst Esprit Ski announced that it closes at the end of this season after 41 years in business.

Challenges faced by these ski and snowboarding holiday companies with insolvency looming

With the ski and snowboarding holiday companies facing insolvency, we note some common themes and challenges among them, they are;

• Inflation and a challenging economy making holidays and travel more expensive and therefore out of reach for many people

Poor snow conditions in Europe during the 2022/23 season

Covid closed off travel and severely affected seasons with each country having its own Covid restrictions

Brexit made it harder to get UK staff the requisite visas to work in Europe

The above points only serve to compound cash flow issues and profitability which in powder White and Esprit Ski’s cases could not be recovered from.

Holiday companies and insolvency

At BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency we have advised numerous holiday companies over the years regarding their financial positions and how to restructure or complete a controlled closure.

There are always various parties and interests to manage in these situations. The three main groups to consider when a holiday company is facing insolvency are:

• the consumer i.e. those with the holiday travelling abroad

• the premises owner i.e. the hotelier or villa owner

• the holiday company/broker and their employees i.e. the one we are often providing advice to

Considerations for holiday companies facing insolvency

When BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency are providing advice for holiday companies facing insolvency, some considerations to take into account are listed below:

What are the cash flow projections and when will the company run out

• Can the company pay its staff to enable it to trade on and manage bookings

• Has the consumer travelled yet or are they already on holiday and if so, can the company get them home if closure is required

• Has the premises owner been paid and is that in full or in part i.e. will there be accommodation if the consumer travels

• Can the company be restructured, rescued and continue

Is there a business to sell be it to a competitor or restructured via an insolvency procedure

Often these companies have seasonality and if they can break even but cannot be saved then when is the least bad point at which to close the business

• Are client deposits held in trust accounts

• Is the client ABTA or ATOL registered which could help consumers

At

a

• We provide a clear plan for recovery or restructure should one be required

Our step-by-step approach looks like this:

• The first step is listening to our potential clients’ issues

• Secondly, by discussing and diagnosing the situation

• Finally, ascertaining the options available

If you run a holiday company or any other business and require help or advice when it comes to insolvency or your financial situation then contact BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency today. There is no charge for our initial meeting, it is in confidence and without obligation.

Please speak with any of the BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency management team if you have any concerns so that we can assist you.

www.briuk.co.uk

02476 226839

Data backups could save your business

It’s alarming to know that 90 per cent of businesses close their doors two years after suffering a data emergency.

This statistic underlines the critical importance of backup and recovery strategies for businesses of all sizes.

Small businesses, relying heavily on digital records, find backup measures crucial for daily operations, while medium and largesized businesses manage extensive digital data, including financial transactions and customer information.

Data vulnerability arises from various threats like hardware failures, software glitches, cyberattacks, and human errors. The absence of a comprehensive backup solution can lead to catastrophic losses of critical information. For instance, system crashes or accidental deletions can result in the loss of vital documents, financial records, or irreplaceable memories.

Furthermore, the rise in sophisticated cyber threats, especially ransomware attacks, makes backup and recovery solutions essential components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

A reliable backup system enables businesses to restore their systems to a pre-attack state, countering the effects of such attacks.

Business continuity is another critical aspect. Downtime, caused by unexpected disruptions like natural disasters or system failures, can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage. Compliance with regulatory requirements is also a significant concern. Many industries face strict regulations regarding data storage, protection, and retention. Implementing robust backup and recovery strategies not only ensures compliance but also showcases a commitment to data integrity and security, whilst minimizing downtime and ensuring quick restoration of critical systems and data.

Backup solutions can also be crucial for preserving a business’s history, such as digital records of milestones and achievements. These recovery solutions, fundamental for business resilience, should be scalable and flexible, adapting to the evolving needs of a business. They provide security and peace of mind, ensuring businesses can withstand various challenges and continue their operations smoothly.

For more information, head to https://www.ebcgroup.co.uk/

How Commercial Litigation Solicitors Safeguard Business Interests

In the complex and competitive landscape of the business world, disputes and conflicts are almost inevitable.

From commercial debt recovery to corporate litigation, businesses often find themselves entangled in legal complexities that require expert guidance to navigate successfully. This is where the role of Commercial Litigation Solicitors becomes pivotal. Our team at Askews Legal outline the benefits below.

What is commercial litigation?

Commercial litigation encompasses a wide range of legal disputes that arise in the business environment. These disputes may involve contractual disagreements, breaches of fiduciary duties, intellectual property issues, employment disputes, and debt recovery. The difficulty of such cases necessitates specialised legal expertise to ensure a favourable outcome for businesses.

How can a business litigation solicitor help business owners?

• Commercial Debt Recovery: Commercial Litigation Solicitors specialise in navigating the intricacies of debt recovery, employing legal mechanisms to ensure that businesses are compensated for the goods or services they have provided.

• Contractual Disputes: Contracts form the backbone of business transactions, but disputes can arise when one party fails to fulfil its contractual obligations. Commercial Litigation Solicitors assist businesses in resolving contractual disputes, whether through negotiation, mediation, or, when necessary, litigation.

• Intellectual Property Matters: Commercial Litigation Solicitors assist in enforcing intellectual property rights, whether through legal action against infringing parties or defending businesses against unfounded claims.

• Corporate Litigation: Commercial Litigation Solicitors are well-versed in corporate governance and can navigate complex legal structures to resolve disputes efficiently, protecting the company’s stability and reputation.

What skills do Commercial Litigation Solicitors have that can benefit my business?

Commercial Litigation Solicitors employ a multifaceted approach to protect the legal and financial interests of businesses. Their role extends beyond courtroom representation to encompass strategic advisory services, negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and proactive risk management. The following are some of the skills and services they can provide to safeguard businesses:

• Legal Counsel and Advisory Services: They assess the legal implications of business decisions, helping companies make informed choices that mitigate potential legal risks. This proactive approach is crucial for preventing disputes before they escalate.

• Negotiation and Mediation: Not all disputes need to go to court. Commercial Litigation Solicitors are skilled negotiators who can explore alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration.

• Litigation and Court Representation: Commercial Litigation Solicitors are prepared to advocate for their clients in court. They craft compelling legal arguments, present evidence, and navigate court procedures to secure favourable outcomes.

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Commercial Litigation Solicitors conduct thorough risk assessments for businesses, identifying potential legal pitfalls and developing strategies to mitigate these risks.

The future landscape

As businesses continue to operate in an increasingly litigious environment, these partnerships become not just a legal necessity but a strategic imperative for long-term success.

If you require legal advice concerning commercial litigation, please email Askews Legal at enquiries@askewslegal.co

Please note that this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Coventry and Warwickshire’s critical role in global electrification push

With the ambition for Coventry and Warwickshire’s Gigapark progressing, Declan Allen, Managing Director at HORIBA MIRA gives his view on why this region is so important to global electrification.

“The automotive industry has undergone an unprecedented rate of change in recent years to lead the way in Net Zero transport technologies. The most recent data from January this year tells us there are over one million fully electric cars on UK roads and over 600,000 plug-in hybrids. Globally, electric vehicle take-up is set to hit 250 million by 2030. HORIBA MIRA’s world-class facility just outside Nuneaton plays a critical role in this ecosystem.

“More than 80% of our engineering and testing clients are actively involved in vehicle electrification. Our Technology Park provides them with a valuable opportunity to establish R&D (research and development) operations in the UK, with many extending their footprint beyond our site into the wider region.

“Just this month we welcomed NIO, a Shanghai-headquartered high-performance electric vehicle manufacturer as a new tenant to the MIRA Technology Park. Our 850-acre North site is now home to over 40 global businesses that are either vehicle manufacturers using our engineering

expertise and single-location validation facilities, or companies developing enabling technologies, that want to be close to their customer R&D base.

“One of our major areas of recent investment has been our Advanced Battery Development Centre. This region is a hotbed of innovation with contributions from universities, Catapults, spinouts, and startups, supported by organisations like the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), WMG at Warwick University, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This innovation needs increased strategic Government support for successful commercialisation and to unlock its growth potential for Coventry and Warwickshire, the West Midlands, and the UK.

"We welcome the region's ambition to host a crucial UK battery production site at the Gigapark. Success hinges on our customer and tenant base, forming the backbone of production demand. It’s also important to remember that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles suited for commercial transportation where battery electric is less attractive, also require battery technologies. And we are working extensively with fuel cell vehicle developers too. Our masterplan for over 150 acres on the Warwickshire side is driven by the need for rapid R&D iteration and a reliable supply chain. Recently granted outline planning covers 2.4 million sqft of

advanced manufacturing space, facilitating the transition from R&D to commercial production. This expansion also creates room for a local sustainable supply chain. Critically for Net Zero we are also investing ourselves, with partners to provide a sustainable location with solar energy, green hydrogen, and facilities that use virtual engineering and simulation to reduce emissions from the product development cycle.

“We know the value of a robust and technology-enabled manufacturing ecosystem for the region. We are still a global supply chain for the automotive industry, and we want Coventry and Warwickshire to continue to realise its potential in the shift to Net Zero transportation.”

How working with the military can boost your business Chamber member swaps pints for push-ups

Spaghetti Agency Co-Director Graham Todd’s life transformation from a drinking enthusiast to a model of sobriety and fitness captures a compelling tale of personal growth and community inspiration.

It's an honest and open story that’s been shared far and wide on social media by the self-confessed social media addict, known as Todd.

After radically changing from a drinking enthusiast to a fitness and sobriety advocate, Todd has shared his story on social media to keep himself accountable but also to inspire others. The impact has been quite profound. Not only has he influenced his family and friends, but he’s also gone viral on TikTok, gained local, national, and international press, and influenced thousands of people to take a fresh look at their relationship with alcohol and fitness.

Jo Ciriani, his partner and Co-Director, has seen a positive change in his role at home, as well as his increased energy and enthusiasm in the business.

Todd said: “I try not to be preachy about it, but alcohol wrecks lives and relationships. I still find certain social situations hard, but I believe I’m a better human being now and I can only stay sober by breaking old habits.”

Specialising in online marketing, content writing, and training/speaking, Spaghetti Agency has grown from two Directors with no funding, to a team of talented marketers at their offices in Warwick.

The team now has a particular interest in working with health, wellness, beauty, and other industries that help their customers to look better, feel better, or be better.

To find out more, visit spaghettiagency.co.uk or email jo@spaghettiagency.co.uk

The Armed Forces, including our Reserve Forces, are crucial to national security, countering threats, and helping with humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping.

Reservists – part-time members of the Armed Forces, often undertaking their duties alongside a civilian career – are multi-talented, physically fit and resourceful individuals with valuable core skills developed through training. They have high levels of self-confidence, leadership, determination, communication and teamwork; assets which elevate any business and are entirely transferable to the civilian workplace.

Coventry and Warwickshire has five British Army units. Two are full-time Regular Army Regiments: 30 Signal Regiment based near Nuneaton and 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment Royal Logistic Corps in Kineton.

Two Army Reserve units are based in Coventry – 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and 118 Recovery Company Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers – and D Company 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment is located in Rugby.

Whilst not administratively based there, the Royal Naval Reserve at HMS Forward in Birmingham and Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserves at No. 605 (County of Warwick)

Squadron in Cosford also draw Reservists from the county, giving people a wide range of Reserve careers to pursue.

Cat Suckling, Regional Employer Engagement Director for Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “We encourage employers to recognise the value of their skills. Internally promoting opportunities to join the Reserve Forces is a great way to increase employee personal development and helps companies develop positive relationships with local military units.

“Companies can also sign the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures that no members of the Armed Forces community face disadvantage. Organisations can align their values to the covenant by tailoring their pledges, and from here they can climb the Employer Recognition Scheme, gaining more recognition at each level of support demonstrated.”

Learn about the Armed Forces at www.wmrfca.org. Contact Catherine Suckling on wm-reed3@rfca.mod.uk

Five ways AI will impact the bus and coach sector

The old joke that you wait ages for one bus and suddenly three come along at once may be consigned to the history bin thanks to developments in artificial intelligence.

Roger Brereton, Head of Sales at steering components manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, shares five ways AI will shape the bus and coach sector:

1. Enhancing safety

One of the primary advantages

AI brings to the bus and coach industry is the enhancement of safety measures. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), powered by AI algorithms, can detect potential hazards, monitor driver behaviour and provide real-time alerts. This can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall road safety.

AI-driven technologies such as collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings and automatic emergency braking systems play a crucial role in preventing crashes and minimising the severity of accidents.

2. Optimising routing and efficiency

AI algorithms excel at processing large datasets and making real-time decisions. This capability can prove invaluable for optimising routes and schedules. AI-powered systems can

analyse historical traffic patterns, weather conditions and passenger demand to adjust routes, thereby ensuring timely arrivals and departures.

Optimised routing not only improves efficiency but also reduces fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to the sector’s sustainability goals.

3. Predictive maintenance

AI and predictive maintenance will positively impact the bus and coach sector by enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime. Through the integration of AI algorithms, buses and coaches can analyse vast amounts of data from sensors and historical records to predict potential failures in critical components like steering parts.

This proactive approach allows operators to schedule maintenance activities precisely when needed, preventing unexpected breakdowns and minimising disruption to services. This not only reduces maintenance costs, but also extends the lifespan of vehicles by addressing issues before they escalate.

4. Personalising passenger experience

AI-powered customer service interfaces, like chatbots, can address passenger enquiries, provide realtime information and enhance overall satisfaction.

5. Autonomous driving

Autonomous buses and coaches powered by AI can reduce human errors, enhance traffic flow and provide accessible transportation options for people with limited mobility. We are likely to see AI first in long distance coach travel, where straight routes on long, wide roads are more common. Introducing the technology in more complex urban environments will be more challenging and the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in the bus and coach sector will require overcoming regulatory, technical and societal challenges. pailton.com

RSPCA campaigns to honour forgotten animal pioneer

The RSPCA Coventry and District Branch are campaigning to honour one of the city's forgotten female heroes, Cara Bray.

The charity wants to honour Cara with a blue plaque, as she was an animal pioneer who started the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, becoming the first secretary of the Coventry branch.

Cara Bray was born in Nuneaton and was a great friend to George Eliot, who called her a “radical thinker” on religious and political matters. She was interested in education for the poor and taught in a school set up by her husband, and was even a pianist and painter. Her 1842 portrait of George Eliot is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

The charity, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, has been talking to local heritage societies about Cara, with conversations revealing a forgotten drinking trough for animals on Warwick Row in the city centre.

The trough includes a wrongly dated tribute to Cara Bray and her role in launching RSPCA Coventry District. Cara also wrote for the society magazine Animal World, which is still being produced today.

She was secretary for 21 years until her resignation – which is when the society eventually became the Coventry branch of the RSPCA. After her death, a horse trough with a inscribed memorial was placed in her memory at Queens Road, which has since been moved to Warwick Row.

The Marketing and Fundraising Manager at RSPCA Coventry & District says that without Cara, there wouldn't be the RSPCA Coventry we have today.

"The branches have formed from those radical thinkers. Cara and her husband Charles created the legacy we have today which has meant we have a physical centre and a reach across Nuneaton, Rugby, Solihull and Coventry. Without her we might not have been set up with such strong and independent resolutions and be run in a different manner." she said.

"When I first heard about Cara Bray, I was surprised that she had been forgotten. Her influence on our branch is clear as well as that of the wider Coventry area. She was ahead of her time, as was George Elliot, in doing things unexpected by women. Cara not only wrote for our Animal World magazine but also textbooks such as Our Duty to Animals in 1871."

To sign the petition to honour Cara Bray, visit www.rspca-coventryanddistrict.org.uk/help-us-honour-cara-bray/

The Windmill Village Hotel, Golf & Spa named finalist in the National Wedding Awards

The Windmill Village Hotel, Golf & Spa, in the West Midlands, has been named a finalist in the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards 2024.

Guides for Brides is a popular wedding planning platform that offers couples online advice and recommendations for the best wedding suppliers and venues across the UK. The Customer Service Awards are a national recognition based on the quality and quantity of the reviews left on guidesforbrides.co.uk and are open to every business represented on the platform over the past year.

Nikita Thorne, Head of Strategy at Guides for Brides, said: “For nearly 30 years, Guides for Brides has been at the forefront of educating businesses on meeting the needs of modern couples and the importance of exceeding all expectations in customer care.

“As an industry expert and a newlywed myself, I know how crucial these awards

are to ensure businesses are recognised, and couples know who the best people are to contact for their wedding. Every business that has been recognised, whether a shortlisted business or finalist, should be extremely proud.”

Paula Moran, Director of Sales at The Windmill Village Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: "Overflowing with joy to share the exciting

news – we've made it to the finals of the Customer Service Awards! It's an absolute testament to the dedication and hard work of our phenomenal team.

“A special shout-out to Robert and Olivia, the dynamic duo who never cease to amaze us with their unwavering commitment to excellence, always going that extra mile for our lovely wedding couples. This isn't just about an award; it's about the passion we put into every celebration, the laughter shared, and the unforgettable moments we create for our couples. So, here's to celebrating this journey, the joy it brings, and the pure happiness that comes from making each celebration truly exceptional.”

A panel of expert judges from the industry will now independently review the finalists and select the winners. The winners will be announced at a black tie event on 27th March 2024 at Oxford Town Hall.

Leamington IFA firm win two prestigious awards

It’s been an incredible start to 2024 for local IFA firm Simpson Financial Services, who are thrilled to announce that Head of Paraplanning, Alex James, has won the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Young Achiever of the Year Award.

The award identifies and celebrates individuals under the age of 35 who have demonstrated exceptional skills,

leadership, and impact in their respective fields. The competition for the accolade is fierce, with many incredibly talented young professionals vying for the top spot. Alex was awarded it in recognition of his impressive career to date - achieving Chartered status and becoming a Fellow of the CII – as well as his continued commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

Alex is the third member of the team to win the award. They also brought home the trophy in 2023, as Independent Financial Adviser Hannah Stanley was recognised, and in 2011, when Natasha Palmer won.

When asked about his win, Alex said: “I was absolutely delighted to win the Young Achiever award. Previous winners, including two of our own team members, have all

Warwickshire Vision Support starts building refurbishment works

Warwickshire’s sight loss charity, Warwickshire Vision Support, has started the refurbishment of its central Warwick headquarters.

The capital works will create a community hub for use by other local charities. There will also be a training kitchen to demonstrate adaptive equipment designed to enable visually impaired people to prepare food independently.

The Grade II listed front portion of the building will comprise a ground floor entrance and office space for the charity, with offices for rent on the upper floors. There will also be a soundproofed area for the production of podcasts and other audio material, some of which will be done by visually impaired people.

Warwickshire Vision, which provides help and support to more than 3,500 visually impaired people across Warwickshire, moved into the building in 2022. The building was paid for by a generous legacy gift that was left to the charity.

Community Engagement Officer, Martyn Parker said: “The building location is fantastic for us. Not only does it make us more accessible to the people who use our services, but being in the Market Place helps raise the charity’s profile.

“A Community Hub will be great; it gives other small charities a facility to use and allows us to share our good fortune.”

Work is expected to finish by the autumn.

For more information on Warwickshire Vision Support, email: martyn.parker@warwickshire.vision or visit www.warwickshire.vision

shown a lot of hard work and talent. To be included amongst them is an honour.”

They were also named the 2024 winners of the CII’s President’s Trophy. This award is given to firms who consistently achieve high standards for their clients and champion professional development. Special mention was also given to their charity and community work.

Both awards were given at the Insurance Institute of Coventry’s annual dinner at Coombe Abbey.

Director Adele Tiff said: “I think this is very well-deserved – every member of our team works tirelessly to continue improving the service our clients receive, by constantly developing their own skills. It was wonderful to see it recognised, we’re very proud.”

Acquisition marks new chapter for AHR Consultants

A Rugby-based consultancy firm is marking a “significant milestone in the company’s journey”, after being acquired by one of the world’s largest insurance groups, Howden.

AHR Consultants, which provides tailored support to a wide range of businesses including HR, employment law, training and health and safety services, was established in 2007.

Its services include issuing legally compliant employment documentation and unlimited HR advice along with health and safety compliance guidance, support for risk assessments, fire safety, policies, and training.

Howden serves over 1.7 million clients, with the company saying this latest acquisition further strengthens their risk management capabilities.

“Becoming part of Howden is an exciting step for our clients and employees,” said Simon Howes, Managing Director of AHR Consultants. “We look forward to the opportunity to extend the range of services we can offer our clients, and to offering AHR’s risk management services to Howden clients.”

Mr Howes said the collaboration not only outlines AHR Consultants’ commitment to innovation and growth, but also marks a significant milestone in the company's journey.

Celebrating growth and dedication as employee rises through ranks

“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow” –and so it is the case for a Coventry-based arboricultural business, where nurture and nature come together.

Beechwood Trees and Landscapes is shining its spotlight on success story Luke Curran, who has recently been promoted to Assistant Contract Manager following years of growth, dedication and hard work.

Luke began his career with Beechwood Trees with no formal qualifications in the arboricultural field, but bosses say he “demonstrated a remarkable dedication that quickly set him apart” and showed a willingness to learn. Over years of hands-on experience and a thirst for knowledge, Luke evolved into a fully qualified and experienced arborist.

Luke soon successfully led his own crews on various tree work contracts, showcasing not only technical proficiency but also leadership skills. Thanks to this dedication,

Beechwood Trees and Landscapes was “thrilled” to announce Luke’s promotion, saying his journey was not just a personal achievement, but also “reflects the core values” of the business – nurturing talent from within, providing opportunities for growth and empowering its employees to ascend the ranks.

Simon Rotheram, Managing Director, said: "I am immensely proud to witness Luke Curran's journey from the early days at Beechwood Trees to his well-deserved promotion as Assistant Contract Manager. Luke's progression, like that of others before him, is a testament to the culture of growth and opportunity we foster. His dedication and expertise have not only transformed him into a skilled arborist but also a leader.

“Beechwood is more than a workplace; it's a place where individuals like Luke can thrive, progressing from 'on the tools' to managerial excellence.

Recruitment drive begins as international trade exhibitions launched

The launch of two new international trade exhibitions has created six job openings.

Coventry-based international expo company BtoB Events is recruiting for the positions to support the launch of Pharma West Africa in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 20, as well as a new UK trade event dedicated to multicultural beauty, expected to open next year.

Founded in 2017, the company is already a well-established events business with the largest trade exhibition portfolio in Africa. Its existing shows – Beauty West Africa, Food & Beverage West Africa and WAAS, the West African Automotive Show –have become the largest events in their respective sectors in Africa.

Closer to home in Coventry, the company runs the EBME Expo, the UK’s only independent exhibition and conference dedicated to healthcare technology. Next year will see the launch Tones of Beauty at ExCel London, promoting beauty, cosmetic and hair products for people from all different cultures and backgrounds.

Jamie Hill, Managing Director and founder of BtoB Events, said: “The success of the existing shows has seen 2023 revenue double compared to 2022. Without any outside investment or private equity backing, the company has doubled in size and has expanded into a second office space, but the launch of these new events means we are now looking for a further six new recruits.”

His colleague Daniela Page, co-founder of BtoB Events and director of marketing and operations, said: “From a small base, we

now have a team of 20 people. We have a flat hierarchy and can provide skills development and career opportunities in a fast-paced and stimulating work environment.

“With our expertise gained in FTSE 100 companies, we have tailored our experiences of multinational companies’ processes and guidelines to best suit the needs of our growing company.”

Mr Hill, a former divisional director for Africa of a FTSE 100 organisation within the exhibitions field, added: “I’ve been involved with West Africa and running events there for more than 15 years. What I enjoy about my role is that we are helping international businesses reach new markets and grow their business by kick-starting a market entry. We have a great team and a successful formula for our shows which our exhibitors really appreciate.”

Roles are available in sales, marketing and events production.

See www.btob-events.com for information.

“Pick, Pack, Post" with Pack Smart Group's new website

Coventry-based Pack Smart Group has unveiled its latest digital venture with the launch of a new website, in collaboration with fellow local business Twentytwo Digital.

The new website stands as a pivotal component in the company's growth strategy for 2024 and beyond.

Nick Walker and Seánna Holland, the founders of Pack Smart Group, envisioned specific goals for the website's functionality and design. With the expertise and support of Lee Corden and the Twentytwo Digital team, their vision has been realised with a site that perfectly aligns with their objectives.

Established in 2009, Pack Smart Group offers comprehensive pick and pack solutions to a diverse array of businesses.

By collaborating with a fulfilment centre, businesses can streamline operations, reduce overhead costs, and allocate more time to building their brand and fostering growth.

Pack Smart Group's unassuming warehouses in Coventry have welcomed numerous pop stars, including Steps, The Shambolics, When River Meet, The Reytons and Bucks Fizz, for record signings. The company also collaborates with music labels, ensuring their artists secure top positions on the charts.

Seánna Holland, Co-founder of Pack Smart Group, said: “In this fast-paced online world, things change rapidly and our previous website felt dated, so we are thrilled to have launched a new enhanced website for our existing and potential clients. This platform

not only showcases our services but also shows the people behind the business and how important our team is in the whole process. Twentytwo Digital have been a real pleasure to work with and ensured that everything we wanted was factored in.”

Lee Corden, Co-founder and Sales Director of Twentytwo, said: “As a local web consultancy, it was a pleasure supporting a fast-paced local business like Pack Smart Group in advancing their online presence. As a business, we've developed web solutions that can cater for all businesses at every level. Pack Smart Group is a perfect example of this and we wish them every success.”

https://thepacksmartgroup.com/

“Congratulations to Luke, and here's to the continued success of our team members who elevate themselves and our company."

More events added to portfolio ‘a vote of confidence’ in venue

A world class exhibition, event and conference centre in the Midlands has attracted more than 10 new events to its portfolio for this year.

Coventry Building Society Arena saw a 5 per cent increase in new business enquiries in 2023 – with a mixture of conference, exhibitions, dinner events and meetings driving the growth.

The new shows set to debut at the venue this year include Traffex and Parkex 2024, NHBC Building for Tomorrow Central, Comic Con Mania, The Technology Show and Lego fan event, Coventry Brick Festival.

The multi-purpose venue in Coventry has 7,500 sq m of flexible indoor space in its main exhibition halls and can host meetings from 10 to 6,000 delegates.

It has seen significant recent improvements to its facilities, including upgrades to the main exhibition halls, meeting rooms and the opening of the Commonwealth Convention Centre.

Coventry Building Society Arena hosted 592 conferences, exhibitions, meetings, dinner and award events in 2023, which included more than 110 exhibitions and large conferences.

Jenni Ford, Director of Sales and Marketing at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “To have attracted over 10 new conferences and exhibitions for the year ahead is a great vote of confidence in the venue.

“We’re proud to continue to attract highprofile exhibitions and conferences, whether they are consumer-facing events, national trade shows or private conferences and meetings for businesses.

“The venue has always prided itself on the variety and calibre of events it hosts, and our ability to help events that come to us to grow and develop. That is reflected in some events which have been with us for more than a decade and have doubled in size.

“We have made investments to enhance our conference facilities over the last year and will continue to do so to maintain our reputation as a go-to location for conferences and exhibitions in the West Midlands.

“There has also been a major focus on delivering greener and more sustainable events, and we have introduced new package for event organisers to make that easier, which includes the cost of planting a tree within the delegate day rate.

“Our growth in new business enquiries and exciting additions to our event schedule prove that this investment has worked and we’re well positioned to continue our growth over the next couple of years.”

Sustainability stamp of approval for historic hotel

A historic hotel has proved its commitment to a more sustainable future after receiving a nationally recognised seal of approval.

Coombe Abbey Hotel, the 12th Century hotel near Brinklow, Warwickshire, has achieved the Greengage ECOsmart accreditation for the second year running.

The hotel, operated by No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM), achieved the bronze award after assessors looked at a range of areas and initiatives including energy and water conservation, waste, recycling, and plastics, rooms, consumables, and facilities management, sustainable food and beverage management, and corporate and social responsibility.

The accreditation recognises organisations which demonstrate a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability within their business and who promote a green approach with their clients.

The original report highlighted the hotel’s energy-saving laundry system, refillable soap dispensers, motion-sensor lighting, meeting supplies made from recycled materials, hybrid meeting facilities, vegan, eco-friendly and fairtrade options, and an onsite dedicated wildlife conservation area within the grounds of Coombe Abbey Park.

Coombe Abbey’s chefs’ choice menu, which is available as an alternative to corporate buffets to cut down on food waste, was also praised, with plans to update menus as often as weekly – making use of seasonal produce from local suppliers.

The business is also on a drive to become even more “paperless” in its office functions to further enhance its green credentials.

Ron Terry, Group Operations Director at NOHM said: “We’re very pleased to have achieved the Greengage ECOsmart accreditation for the second year running, as it proves, once again, our commitment to being an environmentally-friendly, sustainable venue.

“We are very fortunate to be situated at the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, surrounded by the wonderful parkland that is enjoyed by thousands of people each year, including our hotel guests.

Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre boosts mobility expertise with new partnership

Coventry-based charity, Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, has formed a new partnership with local familyrun business, Wenman Healthcare, to provide expert mobility equipment advice and support.

As one of only two charities nationwide providing long-term physical therapies for adults affected by MD and other progressive neuromuscular conditions, Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre has more than 575 service users, with around half located in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.

Operating from its own independent living centre in Barford, Warwick, Wenman Healthcare is recognised by healthcare professionals for its expertise in both mobility equipment and ongoing mobility advice, and prides itself on helping its clients with all mobility needs - from quick questions about daily living aids, through to mobility equipment hire, servicing and repairs.

“It means we can see day-to-day how important it is to be as sustainable as we possibly can in order to protect not only our global environment but the one on our doorstep too.

“We will be taking further measures in the coming weeks, months and years in order to ensure we become a more sustainable venue because it’s something we, as a business, our team and our customers take very seriously.”

Greengage ECOsmart operates within the framework of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, guidelines for which are determined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In forming this new strategic partnership, Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre will refer its service users where appropriate to the Wenman Healthcare team to support independent living equipment needs. Wenman Healthcare will donate an agreed sum to the charity as and when individuals make mobility equipment purchases, aiding the continued operation and growth of the charity.

Sarah Ann Moore, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, said: “We are excited to work with Wenman Healthcare, a local, familyrun business that cares deeply about supporting members of the community and their independent living needs. It is great to be able to direct our service users to somewhere local where they can see and experience such a broad range of mobility equipment solutions – whether for advice, rental, or eventual purchase.”

For more information, visit: https://mdsupportcentre.org/ and https://wenmanhealthcare.co.uk

£400,000 investment towards growth at hygiene solutions company

A Coventry hygiene solutions company has announced an investment of more than £400,000 to drive growth.

Mirius Global Hygiene Solutions will be investing the sum in site redevelopment, manufacturing equipment and expanding its workforce in sales, marketing, and manufacturing.

Part of the investment includes the refurbishment of warehouse space to house the company’s expanding production line. New bottle-filling machinery will fill the area to increase production capacity. The company says the funds allocated to site redevelopment will enable them to streamline processes and introduce new technologies that optimise efficiency and productivity. The company says that by bolstering its teams, it will elevate the level of expertise and customer engagement, enhancing the overall experience for its clients.

Mirius has also taken steps towards a more sustainable future, with its company car fleet now exclusively consisting of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The company says developments like these are a testament to Mirius' dedication to innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction, and is inviting interested parties to join its team at the Pig and Poultry Show in May at the NEC to hear firsthand about similar developments and learn more about how Mirius Global Hygiene Solutions is shaping the future of hygiene and animal healthcare products.

BBC apprentices return to inspire media students

Two former Digital Media Production students from Stratford-upon-Avon College who progressed onto BBC apprenticeships returned to the college to give current students an insight into their experience.

Lewis Hawkins and Becca Turrell both completed the Level 3 course in Digital Media Production and gained places on different BBC apprenticeships.

Lewis procured a production apprenticeship with the BBC Education Department in Salford. He works as a Junior Video Editor and Researcher, which includes working on the YouTube and social media channels for CBBC, CBeebies and Newsround, with some of his work generating millions of views online.

During his time as an apprentice, he has had a wealth of work experience opportunities, including working on Eurovision, Radio 5 Live and Morning Live.

Becca works as a production apprentice at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio and works in a range of areas including recording and editing social media content, attending events, going on locations with reporters and calling up contributors and fading them into live shows.

On their return to the college, both Lewis and Becca shared a range of examples of the work they do on their apprenticeships and then detailed the range of apprenticeships available within the BBC. They also discussed how apprenticeships work, top tips for applications and where to find more information.

They discussed skills they learnt at college and how these are helping them professionally.

Lewis said: “I’m excited to be back here as I know this was something I would have loved to have when I was a student.”

Becca added: “It is so wonderful to be back! It’s interesting to be able to look at students who are in the position we were in and appreciate the progression.”

They were also proud to be advocates of the apprenticeship route. Lewis added: “I know that if I had gone to university, I wouldn’t have been happy. It’s good for students to know about different routes following college.”

Becca said she also knew an apprenticeship was the right route for her. She said:

“The people I have met on this apprenticeship have made such a difference and an impact, and I am so glad that this is the route I took.”

Digital Media Production lecturer, Sarah Downing, was pleased to welcome Becca and Lewis back. She said: “They both worked hard during their college course and I felt really proud to know that they are continuing to develop their skills with excellent apprenticeships which will put them in good positions for their chosen media careers. Becca and Lewis' experiences have really inspired the current students. It has shown them that excellent opportunities are within their reach and the work they are completing on their media course will showcase their skills to potential employers.”

Visit www.stratford.ac.uk for course information.

MPL Fabrications increases turnover following grant support

MPL Fabrications, an independent family business based in Coventry, has increased its turnover following grant support from Coventry City Council.

The company, which has been operating for 40 years, supplies a variety of industries with light steel and aluminium fabrication.

MPL Fabrications recently invested in a new press brake machine, replacing their existing machine, which had been encountering

numerous problems and repair costs.

The new machine, which cost £109,000, was partially funded by a £15,000 grant from Coventry City Council, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The new machine has improved productivity, energy efficiency, and business opportunities for MPL Fabrications. It has allowed the company to tender for different jobs, presenting a growth opportunity and safeguarding jobs within the business.

Kevin Duffy, Managing Director at MPL, said: “Thanks to the funding received through Coventry City Council, we have been able to replace our 30-year-old press brake with a new Bysotronic ByBend Smart 160/3100.

“A press brake is vital to a fabricating company. We were facing a situation where the prior machine was failing regularly and parts supply was nearly impossible.

“This new machine gives us vastly increased functionality, lower energy output and the ability to do more complicated jobs efficiently. In its first week, we have already managed to quote on a job we would have been incapable of doing on the previous machine. It should help increase our customer base, revenue opportunities and fulfil our company growth aspirations.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a great example of how a relatively small grant can make a huge difference. Turnover is up, new markets have opened up and jobs that were previously outsourced can now be done in-house.

“This local family-run business has had its roots in the city for the last 40 years. Hopefully, this investment will help them to continue to thrive.”

Science park celebrates 40th anniversary

A leading Midlands science park celebrated its 40th anniversary by bringing together innovative companies both old and new to mark the occasion.

The University of Warwick Science Park was officially opened in February 1984 by the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, when it had only one building to its name.

Now 40 years on, firms who had made the Science Park their home came along to a celebratory event at the Venture Centre – the first building the Science Park had - along with current tenants, Science Park staff and VIPs.

Around 80 invited guests enjoyed welcome drinks and food before speeches by the

Science Park’s current Chief Operations Officer Mark Tock, and Saqib Bhatti MP, the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy.

A plaque was then unveiled by Saqib Bhatti and Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, to honour the occasion, followed by a ceremonial cutting of cake.

Mark Tock, COO of the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “It was such an honour to welcome so many people to our 40th anniversary celebrations and savour this historic milestone.

“Seeing some of the Science Park’s most established tenants share stories with those who are here now was lovely to see. While so much has changed in that time, the drive of companies here to bring their innovative ideas to life remains constant.

“Our work to improve and grow the Science Park does not stop, and we are already looking to the future with a plan to grow to 400-plus companies in the next 10 years, with further enhancements also on the horizon.”

Saqib Bhatti MP added: “It’s a great privilege to have been here at the

40th anniversary of the University of Warwick Science Park.

“It’s a huge contributor to the national and regional economy, and science parks like this one are crucial to realising the commercial value of innovative ideas to truly benefit society.

“The University of Warwick Science Park is so important to our commitment to the UK becoming a technology and science superpower by 2030. All of the work going on at the Science Park is contributing to that.”

Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “The University of Warwick is very proud of our Science Park and all that has been achieved since its official opening in 1984.

“Many of our students past and present have either interned at, worked for, or even founded highly successful firms based at the Science Park, and this exchange of knowledge is so important for us as a university and to the Midlands economy.

“We really enjoyed celebrating the occasion and we are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership in the years to come.”

Charity donations for sharing views

A number of worthy charities have benefited after a consultancy firm rewarded clients with donations to their chosen causes.

For the fifth year running, Leamington Spabased Risk Evolves, the sustainability and compliance consultancy, has commissioned Chamber Engage member Glued to conduct in-depth interviews with their clients – and this year, Risk Evolves also made charitable donations to charities selected by those clients who took part in the research.

The purpose of the research is to uncover any aspects of the service that may not be meeting the expectations of the client, as well as where there are things to celebrate. Additionally, as a business that is certified to ISO 9001, it provides evidence that Risk Evolves does check on how they are delivering against their promises.

The research is collected on an anonymous basis so people feel comfortable sharing both critical and positive feedback.

Previous findings have allowed Risk Evolves to identify service improvements and introduce new services. On completion of the interviews, clients were invited to nominate a charity, to which Risk Evolves donated £25.

Rob Harrison, Consultancy Partner at Glued said: “We generally get a clear enough picture speaking to just 10 to a dozen customers. We ensure we do not disrupt the relationship the respondents have with

Risk Evolves, setting dates to conduct the interviews at a time convenient to the client.”

Risk Evolves made donations to Cancer Research UK, Helen and Douglas House, The Motor Neurone Disease Association and Parkinson’s UK.

Helen Barge, Managing Director at Risk Evolves added: “ We were pleased to be able to make donations on behalf of our clients, especially given the tremendous value we get out of the research.

“Of course we get feedback that can help us improve what we offer and heartening words that prove we are delivering on our commitments. What is equally as important is it shows our clients we are willing to listen and change in response to their needs, which is great to confirm their decision to work with us and great in providing evidence for our own compliance to delivering on our service offerings.”

Charity challenges raise thousands – and there’s more to come yet

Leamington Spa-based procurement consultants Procure4 prides itself on fostering the power of good within its local community, and in 2023, the company celebrated its most successful charity partnership yet: joining forces with smallbut-mighty charity Evelyn’s Gift.

Over the past two decades, Procure4 say they have dedicated themselves to leveraging their network to support the local community, whether it be employing local people, partnering with smaller local businesses for the company’s marketing and creative needs, or nurturing impactful charity relationships.

Last year, Evelyn’s Gift, founded in 2015, captured hearts within Procure4, and was elected as its chosen charity following a personal recommendation from one of the Procure4 community. The charity aims to provide “little acts of kindness” to people

in need as well as delivering life-saving CPR training. Throughout the year, the collaborative efforts with Evelyn’s Gift led to Procure4 successfully raising £4,411 through various fundraising activities, including conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. This partnership also enabled Procure4 to make a significant impact by launching a new collaborative initiative: providing new home packs for young people leaving foster care and embarking on their journey to either university or independent living.

Now, Procure4 says it is thrilled to announce its forthcoming partnership with Stratford-based charity, Young Minds Matter. Specialising in providing vital support to young people in the Warwickshire area, ensuring they have the necessary resources to thrive emotionally and mentally,

Young Minds Matter’s mission closely aligns to Procure4’s internal initiatives to promote open dialogue about mental health in the workplace. The company says it fervently believes in the importance of destigmatising mental health issues and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed.

Two major contracts for award-winning West Midlands communications agency

An award-winning West Midlands communications agency has followed a record year of growth in 2023 with two major contracts to start the new year. R&Co Communications, which has offices in Leamington Spa and Birmingham, has signed new agreements with two of its pillar clients, Wolverhampton-based logistics firm Pallet-Track and West Midlands accountancy firm Prime Accountants Group.

Pallet-Track, which delivers palletised freight across the UK via its 90-plus member network, has engaged R&Co to manage its media relations, paid social media, SEO and PPC output.

Meanwhile, Prime, which has offices in Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry, has inked an agreement for R&Co to provide media relations, organic social media and SEO content.

The two new contracts follow a record year where R&Co grew its fee income by more than 30 per cent and added national housebuilder Miller Homes to its client roster, alongside a new agreement with Mars Petcare-owned Linnaeus, one of the UK’s biggest veterinary groups.

Peter Robinson, Managing Director at R&Co, said: “It has been a deliberate and considered growth strategy to expand our offering by hiring experts in their field, who are delivering the levels of service our clients have become accustomed to over the last four decades.

“By acting as trusted advisors to our clients in all areas of PR and communications, we have been able to grow our existing clients as well as attracting new ones.

“Both Pallet-Track and Prime Accountants Group are hugely valued clients at R&Co and we’re delighted they have put their confidence in us once again. They both foster a collaborative approach to working together, which delivers excellent results.”

R&Co won Gold for the best healthcare campaign at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Midlands PRide awards last year, while also taking home a Silver award in the same event for best small PR consultancy.

The agency followed this up with multiple nominations in the PRCA Dare and CIPR PRide awards in 2023, and has also been shortlisted for the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Awards.

For more information about R&Co, visit www.rcomms.co.uk

Motorsport lecturer’s dragster floors competition to win prize

A motorsport lecturer from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College has won the prize for Best Appearing Car awarded by the Santa Pod Racers Club.

Steve Cassisi was proud when his team’s Slingshot Dragster was singled out by the club at its annual prize presentation for its nostalgic 1960s style. Former tooling development and automotive engineer Steve

joined the college as a workshop supervisor more than a decade ago and gained his teaching qualifications while helping students to develop skills in motorcycle and light vehicle engineering.

Steve co-owns drag racing team, Limited Funz, which now has three cars including junior dragsters, and the Super Pro Nostalgia Dragster driven by Mark Coulsell and

competes at circuits around the UK including Santa Pod Raceway, and at Hockenheim in Germany. Steve is proud of his main dragster, which has achieved speeds of 0-60 mph within 1.2 seconds, covering a quarter of a mile in 8.07 seconds at a speed of 166 mph.

Steve leads on the college-based Level 2 and 3 Motorsport courses at NWSLC’s Nuneaton Campus and at the MIRA Technology Institute, where students learn about sustainability in motorsport including hybrid and electric propulsion and alternative fuels such as hydrogen.

Limited Funz team members’ children are also involved with dragster racing and have seen success in national competitions, with Steve’s 12-year-old daughter Ada becoming the highest scoring female driver in the Junior Dragster class last season and being awarded Rising Star.In three European events in 2023, the team saw its vehicles reach the finals, earning a second place at Hockenheim. Mark’s son Harley won the Junior Dragster European finals at Santa Pod in 2023.

Students on the college’s motor vehicle programme have benefited from being involved in skills competitions, successfully triumphing over other colleges in the Footsteps to the Future Pitstop Challenge

programme for entry and foundation level students. Students of motorsport, body repair and refinishing also get the chance to build a sustainable electric kit car to compete in challenges run by the Greenpower Education Trust, which promotes engagement with science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Motorsport students attend track days as part of their qualification and Steve has secured live work experience for students including a commission to rebuild a hill-climb car, preparing it to race specification.

Steve said: “The team is delighted to be recognised by the Santa Pod Racers Club with this award. Our close links with the Santa Pod Raceway help us to provide work experience for college students and some take part in industry placements working as marshals and track crew which they really enjoy. We are grateful to Santa Pod Raceway for its continued support and investment in future motorsport industry professionals.”

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said: “Congratulations to Steve and his team on their achievements. His experience and contacts enable our students to gain the best possible experience in this dynamic sector and set themselves up for exciting future careers.”

South Warwickshire forum covers key issues

The importance of bringing employment land forward in south Warwickshire and making it a viable place for people to both live and work was the main topic of discussion at a major business meeting in the region.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s South Warwickshire Local Business Forum took place at Alscot Park – part of the Alscot Estate in Atherstoneon-Stour - where members heard from key speakers and engaged in a roundtable discussion around the issues facing them.

Larry Coltman, chair of the Forum, led off proceedings by explaining that it is currently difficult for people to both live and work in Stratford District due to the high value of property and the lack of high-paying jobs needed to allow people to afford to live there.

However, he also said the area was ahead of others in Warwickshire in terms of solving this problem.

Jonathan Thompson, Coventry & Warwickshire chamber of Commerce Ambassador, then told attendees about how Alscot Estate, especially at Atherstone Airfield, is contributing to the solution. He said: “The Estate has been leading the way in providing employment land, with a

large allocation included in Stratford District Council’s Local Plan.

“We are aiming to bring forward the first planning application for development in the near future, and also have planning permission for a 26 MW solar array which is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025. This will help provide clean energy for the new developments on the site.”

Cllr George Cowcher of Stratford District Council then went on to explain how rising costs, labour retention, and congestion were the main issues facing businesses within the district.

He added: “We’re keen to see that our Local Plan is balanced by the needs of residents and businesses within the district, and the desires of developers.

“The allocation at Atherstone Airfield, alongside an increase in housebuilding in other parts of the district, should allow significantly more highly paid jobs to come to south Warwickshire, attracting more people to the area and keeping them here.”

Sean Rose, Head of Policy at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “The need for employment land not only in south Warwickshire, but the wider region, has

been extensively detailed in our Employment Land Report released in 2023.

“The Alscot Estate is a perfect example of a private business working in tandem with the local authority to bring forward much-needed employment land, increasing

the viability of the region as a place to do business and where workers can live.

“We are looking forward to continuing to assist both the private and public sector in allocating and delivering these sites which are so vital for the economic prosperity of Coventry and Warwickshire.”

Attendees of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s South Warwickshire Local Business Forum at Alscot Park

Law firm’s recruitment drive creates at least 30 jobs

More than 30 new jobs are set to be created in Coventry after Talbots Law announced a major recruitment drive.

The employee-owned law firm, which acquired Sarginsons Law in May last year, is looking to treble the size of its operation in the city through a range of hires, including legal assistants, solicitors, administrative staff, and several director positions.

It is part of ambitious expansion plans that will see it increase fees from £1 million to £3 million within 18 months, as well as increasing its range of services to local people and companies in the area.

In addition to the jobs push, Talbots Law has also just completed a sympathetic refurbishment of its 1850s-listed home on the Quadrant in Coventry, a refurbishment that has accentuated all the period features whilst adding new flooring and more energyefficient lighting.

“There is massive potential to really grow our footprint in the city and this is what we are aiming to achieve in 2024,” explained Dave Hodgetts, Chief Executive of Talbots Law.

“Work on the office is now complete so the time is right to look at how we build our team. We have the opportunity and space to increase our workforce to 50 people and this push starts immediately.”

He continued: “The aim is to become one of Coventry’s leading law firms, offering every legal service required by the local community – and, importantly, delivering this expertise in a personal way that shows we care.”

A key focus of the expansion is to create a dedicated business services hub at the Quadrant office.

This means companies can tap into a comprehensive resource that will help them manage day-to-day scenarios, tackle employment and HR issues, provide dispute resolution support and help with future planning when the time comes to sell.

There will also be a new insolvency service headed up by Martin Lord in Coventry, an experienced restructuring, insolvency, and dispute specialist.

Dave went on to add: “We like to do things differently at Talbots and that is driven by our decision to become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) in November 2021.

“This has created a unique ‘team’ atmosphere where we invest heavily in the development of our staff and give each employee a personal progression plan they can follow. We’ve just been awarded a 2-star rating in the Best Companies Awards to underline our commitment to our people.”

Award recognises firm’s efforts to boost social mobility

A recruitment specialist firm has been given an award for its innovation and leadership in removing barriers to employment and boosting social mobility.

Pertemps Network Group has been named a Purpose Coalition Champion by the organisation, headed by former Education Secretary Justine Greening, in its annual awards.

The Purpose Coalition said West Midlandsbased Pertemps had demonstrated exceptional leadership on the Levelling Up agenda and its “desire to use its convening power as a force for good”.

The Breaking Down Barriers award came as Pertemps and the Purpose Coalition launched their new Workforce of the Future report in Westminster, following a series of meetings with industry leaders, setting out recommendations about how to better support those who are furthest from the job market.

Carmen Watson, Chair of Pertemps Network Group, which has its headquarters in Meriden, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised with this award for our work on social mobility.

“The work we have been doing with The Purpose Coalition over the last couple of

years is incredibly important. It started with us looking at our own organisation to identify good practices in helping hard-to-reach groups into work and how best to share that with others, as recorded in our Impact Report.

“Following on from this, we convened a series of roundtables with industry and public-sector organisations, to discuss our shared challenges and how best to address them. The results of this were published in our Workforce report last week.

“We are now looking to the next steps –putting tangible programmes into place with our partners, to help remove barriers to employment and support the Levelling Up agenda.

“This is a journey – one where we feel we are adding real value and one we feel very proud to be a part of.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening said: “These awards are testament to the creativity and determination of those who have put social mobility at the top of their agendas.

“Pertemps is leading the way and I want to congratulate them personally for the commitment they have shown to spreading equality of opportunity. I hope their achievements will inspire others to look at

their own organisations and communities to see where they could also make a difference.

“We are shaping the agenda like never before, at party conferences, with ministers

and shadow ministers and through our policy roundtables. I know that, collectively, we will continue to explore innovative solutions to break down barriers and unlock potential.”

The best times are here

Coventry Building Society Arena has launched a new look and identity to spearhead the multipurpose venue into a new era of growth.

The new identity was unveiled for the first time at a duo of major conferences and exhibitions –with the new mantra ‘The Best Times are Here’ taking centre stage.

Coventry Building Society Arena is home to conferences, exhibitions, meetings, sport, music and live entertainment.

The venue’s refreshed look was on display at the PA Show and International Confex, held at ExCel London at the end of February, and its new live events proposition CBS Live debuted at the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) from 28 February to 1 March.

Visitors to www.coventrybuildingsocietyarena. co.uk will also be greeted with a completely redesigned website, showcasing the best of what’s coming up at the Arena and guiding visitors through the range of events spaces available, be that for conference, exhibitions or showstopping live entertainment.

It also spotlights the venue’s sustainability strategy, work in the local community and commitment to working with its partners to create the best possible events.

The venue itself has also been given a refreshed makeover in recent weeks, with new signs reflecting the refreshed identity visible throughout its 20,000 square metres of flexible event space.

Over the past year, improvements have been made throughout the venue, including upgrades to the pillar-free exhibition halls and meetings rooms, while its state-of-the-art £7.5 million Commonwealth Convention Centre is fully operational and will be a centrepiece for the venue.

CBS Live is a new proposition which has been introduced to highlight Coventry Building Society Arena as a venue of choice for promoters in the Midlands.

It comprises four separate entertainment venues under one roof, including the stadium bowl, the indoor arena, the hall and the auditorium.

The venue is set to host Bryan Adams later this year and last year saw sell-out shows for Harry Styles and the Arctic Monkeys.

Paul Michael, Managing Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be able to unveil our new identity, which we believe illustrates everything that makes our venue the perfect destination for sport, business and entertainment.

“‘The Best Times Are Here’ connects everything together and is our mantra; we are confident that the best meetings, exhibitions, conferences, sport events, music and live entertainment is right here at Coventry Building Society Arena.

“Whether it is event organisers, delegates, football supporters or music fans, we are striving to provide the best experience and service.

“Over the course of the last year we have set the foundations for our future success and this new identity will spearhead the venue as we continue on this positive upward trajectory.”

Yellow Panther’s £30,000 grant from Council helps secure two six-figure contracts

A digital studio and technology company has secured two six-figure contracts and is hiring more staff after receiving help from Warwickshire County Council.

Yellow Panther, which was formed in 2019, provides cutting-edge websites, mobile apps and ecommerce platforms to 47 clients including Nike, Universal Tennis, and Somerset County Cricket Club.

The business is jointly owned by Stuart Cope and Gunjan Parikh, and is on track to triple its size within five years after winning new contracts with the International Skating Union and Premier Padel.

The business increased its staff from 22 in 2022 to 35 last year and will be recruiting another Project Manager, Strategy Manager and Marketing Manager to join its base at 11 Waterloo Place in Warwick Street, and another 10 to 15 Website Developers and Designers at its office in Gujarat in India in 2024.

Yellow Panther received a grant of £30,000 in the first round of Warwickshire County Council’s Digital Creative Recovery Co-Investment Fund, which will deliver over £450,000 in grants to small and micro-sized digital creative businesses in the county to help with product development and accelerate growth.

The business has been busy working on its own software projects to bring their own Intellectual Property to market.

Its in-house content management system for mobile apps and websites is called Noir and a data dashboard for websites and mobile apps has been named Fang.

The panther theme is continued with the development of an OTT platform called Luna, a Digital Asset Management System called Sabre and a push notification platform called Push and Pull which will be launched this year after the Digital Creative Recovery Co-Investment Fund helped to develop their own Intellectual Property for Push and Pull.

Stuart said Yellow Panther has grown from a start-up to a scale-up company after expanding quickly over the past two-and-ahalf years.

He said: “We have recently secured two of our biggest ever contracts with the International Skating Union, which will include website development, a data dashboard and maintaining their mobile app and with Premier Padel for similar services.

“This will lead to bringing in three employees to the UK business and another 10 to 15 in India this year.

“We’re a business that has ploughed any profit back into the company to build new technology and take on new hires.

“Around 95 per cent of technology start-ups in the UK fail within the first year and 80 per cent fail in the second year, so to be in the five or 20 per cent which survive is quite an achievement.”

Stuart said their growth was initially helped by Warwickshire County Council when Yellow Panther moved into 1 Mill Street and then to 11 Waterloo Place in Leamington.

Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy and Place, said: “We have assisted Yellow Panther in various ways over the last couple of years with advice and guidance through different stages of their growth.

“This has included inviting Stuart to speak at events such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, providing advice around access to finance and searching for a new property to grow into.

“Yellow Panther’s client roster is already impressive and the work involved in their latest two contract successes underlines their expertise in their sector.”

Nexus Creative elevates marketing strategy with new hire: Haydn Rogers

In a strategic move to bolster its digital presence and enhance marketing strategies, Nexus Creative recently welcomed Haydn Rogers, a seasoned professional with a diverse skill set that promises to take the company to new heights.

With a background in videography and notable expertise in YouTube, Rogers brings a wealth of experience that aligns perfectly with Nexus Creative's vision for innovative content creation and engagement.

Nigel Harte, Managing Director of Nexus Creative, expressed his enthusiasm for Haydn’s addition to the team, highlighting

the significance of his expertise in shaping the company's trajectory.

"We had a vision," Nigel remarked, "we know how video content is an integral part of any successful marketing strategy, but, we also know that how the content is written, edited and structured is arguably more important to its success.

“In a world where everyone has a video camera on their phones, competition for our attention is high, so grasping current trends and social media algorithms is essential to achieve results and engage with the audience."

Nigel continues, "Adding Haydn to the team has allowed us to achieve thisit has been great to find someone who is on the same page and really gets where we are heading." Haydn's proficiency in videography and YouTube strategy has provided Nexus Creative with a unique edge, enabling them to launch their own YouTube channel, The Clever Content Channel.

“The channel has been set up to raise awareness of their clients, provide advice for business owners, to showcase their journey and assist businesses in theirs.

“Haydn’s experience in creating YouTube channels and developing an engaged audience while also generating passive income and value speaks volumes. His adeptness in understanding the intricacies of YouTube algorithms, coupled with his

creative flair, positions Nexus Creative for success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.”

Speaking about his role and aspirations with Nexus Creative, Haydn expressed his excitement, stating, "I am thrilled to be part of the Nexus Creative team and to contribute to the development of innovative content strategies.

“YouTube presents a remarkable platform for businesses to connect with their audience on a deeper level, and I look forward to leveraging my skills to help Nexus Creative and its clients achieve their goals."

As businesses continue to recognise the importance of video content in their marketing strategies and with Haydn at the helm of its YouTube endeavours, Nexus Creative is poised to elevate its brand visibility, engage with a broader audience, and drive tangible results for its clients. His passion for storytelling and his commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends ensure that Nexus Creative remains at the cutting edge of digital innovation.

Nigel signs off with, ‘Anyone can create content, but it is much harder to create clever content’

If you would like to follow the Nexus Creative Journey, head over to The Clever Content channel on YouTube - @TheCleverContentChannel

Education and Skills

Low Carbon Construction comes to Rugby College

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.

The centre, anticipated to open in September 2024, will initially deliver short courses for small businesses before expanding into apprenticeships and then integrating into WCG’s full time Further Education courses.

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.

“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.

“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.”

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.

Warwick business invests in apprentice to cater for increased demand

A Warwick-based vehicle leasing specialist has invested in a new apprentice to strengthen its administration team and cater for increased demand and new legislation.

Advanced Vehicle Contracts, which has been trading for more than 35 years, has recruited Ella Pearce as a Business Administration Apprentice with the support of leading regional apprenticeship provider WCG.

The business has seen a surge of new clients over the last couple of years as more motorists seek to move to a car leasing arrangement and away from vehicle ownership.

It is the first time the vehicle leasing specialist has recruited an apprentice through WCG, which delivers its business administration apprenticeships from Royal Leamington Spa College.

Stephen Hussey, Managing Director of Advanced Vehicle Contracts, said: “The reason we are investing in our administration infrastructure is that we need to cater for an increase in our sales and increased consumer compliance legislation. We would also like to provide a legitimate long-term opportunity to the right young individual.

“We got in touch with the college and Ella was introduced as a candidate. Ella has a

great enthusiasm and attitude to work. She is already proving a real asset to our team.”

Ella, 20 from Leamington Spa, said: “I wanted to take my career in a different direction. This opportunity came up and I knew it was right for me”.

John Colclough, Head of Business Development at WCG, added: “Advanced Vehicle Contracts are a very supportive

employer. The company has given Ella a lot of responsibility in this new role and she is thriving.”

Contact WCG’s Business Development Team on employerenquiries@wcg.ac.uk to find out how taking on an apprentice can support future growth for your business.

Colleges to receive share of £7.3 million innovation fund

A £7.3 million investment is set to put further education colleges at the forefront of local innovation, with local colleges among those to benefit.

Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre are delighted to be among the recipients of Innovate UK’s Further Education Innovation Fund (FEIF).

Colleges will establish Local Innovation Centres that will become catalysts for local business growth by engaging with businesses in key sectors of their local economies to help them understand how they can adopt innovations in technologies, business models and processes.

£2.5 million has been ringfenced for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to be awarded exclusively to colleges in the region. The money will be used towards projects to support SMEs and business growth.

Colleges in the region worked collaboratively on their bid. Three consortia teams were formed, with Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre sitting in the “Coventry & Warwickshire” and the “Greater Birmingham” consortia. The total amount of £315,206 is derived from £127,800 Coventry & Warwickshire and from £187,406 Greater Birmingham.

All three consortia are using the funding as a way of supporting the recently announced

Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) grants. It will help to create momentum amongst regional employers to drive up engagement, with the LSIF strands supporting electrification, low carbon construction, green skills, and digital skills.

Virtual Employer Innovation ‘hubs’ are proposed through this bid, whilst Solihull is extending the use of its physical business centre to create hybrid workspaces, networking opportunities and skills-scanning and matching services to help signpost employers to the new training courses and facilities available.

In total, nine projects, involving 33 colleges, will receive investment. In addition, the Association of Colleges and the Gatsby Foundation have identified a group of “Innovation Mission” colleges, that will also be supported through the fund. Innovate UK aspires to supercharge innovation, boost productivity, stimulate economic growth, and create high-quality jobs, enriching the lives of local communities.

Vice Principal for Business Growth, Skills and Partnerships, Nancy Buckley, said: “Collaboration between colleges in our region continues to be a successful driver in attracting investments and grants to boost our local economy. I'm particularly excited about how the funding will allow us to utilise our college’s fantastic Business Centre for SMEs and innovation businesses to collaborate, network and upskill, and signpost employers to the new facilities created by the LSIF funding.”

Education and Skills

AI inspires pupils’ ingenious ideas at STEM festival

Apps that translate text into British Sign Language, enable older people to access nutritious food deliveries, and promote hydration were some of the ideas generated by quick-thinking school pupils as they took part in an innovation event run by TeenTech at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI).

The MTI welcomed more than 190 school pupils from Leicestershire and Warwickshire alongside business leaders as part of an event designed to inspire young people to think about careers in science, engineering and technology. Event host, TV’s Kate Russell, best known for presenting the BBC’s “Click” technology programme, remarked on how impressed she was by the level of creativity shown by pupils as they deliberated ways to solve some of the world’s most urgent problems.

Funded by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and supported by local councils, HORIBA MIRA, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC), and Coventry University, the event also provided the opportunity for young people to meet potential future employers and try out a range of skills challenges set by organisations such as Polestar, Wincanton,

Haldex, FluxSys and the Electronic Revolution Skills Hub. Special guests included Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton.

TeenTech runs activities across the UK designed to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM subjects), and connect them to individuals working at all levels in industry. Activities encompass a broad spectrum of projects,

and this event was dedicated to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI).

Aiden Howgill, Talent Acquisition Manager for Polestar said: “We are delighted to support this event because it is so important that young people see for themselves what the latest technology in electric vehicles can accomplish. With skills shortages in the sector, it is vital to ignite the spark

Apprentices inspire an innovative new IT offering

As a start-up organisation with a growing team, it was vital Solaas, an IT and telecoms solutions provider, recruited the right people.

The business wanted people on board who shared its passion for the technology sector and had the drive to grow and develop as the business grows. What better place to start than with apprentices and Solaas feel they have struck gold.

Cleyon Johns and Reiss Oughton joined the business three months after its launch. Both had a background in IT but were finding it a challenge to know the next steps to take.

Solaas, whose business plan included recruiting apprentices, signed up with a local apprentice provider. Cleyon and Reiss did too and the rest they say is history.

Cleyon said: “After gaining a degree in 3D Gaming Arts, I realised that this was not the career path I wanted to take. I knew I wanted to stay within the technology sector but wasn’t sure in what capacity. I decided to try the apprentice route as I felt this was a more reliable way to get into industry and I liked the idea of learning on the job.”

Reiss added: “Like Cleyon I knew I wanted to work in technology and after gaining some qualifications I too was unsure on the next steps. Joining Solaas has been a fantastic opportunity. Alongside the training and the end goal of a Level 4 qualification, it is exciting be part of a start-up and watch the company grow and flourish.

As a small business, I am also exposed to a variety of situations and learning so much more than if I was in a classroom situation.”

René Wheeler, Managing Director at Solaas, said: “Throughout my career I have mentored young people from the start of their career and beyond. It is satisfying to watch them develop their skills and grow in confidence. Both Cleyon and Reiss are unrecognisable from their first interview, which is great to see.

“It is vital our young people gain skills to future proof UK business and businesses need to invest time into the younger generation. With the right guidance, an apprentice can help you unlock the key to success and grow a team that knows your business inside and out, is loyal to your business, and feels part of your business journey.”

The apprentices have inspired Solaas to launch an innovative new initiative to help other businesses benefit as Solaas has. Apprenticeship Connect is something that is completely new to the IT and Telecoms sector.

The benefits of Apprenticeship Connect are:

• Working with Solaas and your local apprenticeship provider, you get help with recruiting an IT and Telecoms apprentice.

• Your apprentice is trained on how to look after and maintain your IT and Telecoms as well as the other skills needed to attain the level of knowledge required to pass the qualification.

of enthusiasm in the next generation of automotive engineers.

Aziliz Cozic, Design Engineer at Triumph said: “For me, it is important to encourage more women to think about careers in engineering because it has been so maledominated and we are keen to address the gender imbalance.”

“The growth of AI is an exciting topic that everyone is talking about, and it is already making an impact on our day-to-day lives, said Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Chair of the MTI Operations Board, and Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC. “The market for AI technology is set to boom, creating plenty of new career opportunities. The TeenTech programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain inspiration for their future employment options.”

TeenTech CEO, Maggie Philbin said: “The TeenTech team are thrilled to be working with MTI to create these special opportunities for young people in the region. We know many of the students inspired by companies today will go on not only to change their preconceptions about engineering but will also be incentivised to develop their own projects for the TeenTech Awards in June.”

Once qualified, you have your own in-house IT and Telecoms specialist – reducing the need for external IT and Telecoms support and safeguarding your systems from within your business.

Your apprentice will achieve a Level 4 qualification and at the end of two years, you have a valuable member of staff.

For more information on Apprenticeship Connect, email info@Solaas.it

New specialist water consultancy switching service launches

Utility Stream (USL) Limited, which is close to marking its sixth anniversary, is turning up the heat with the grand unveiling of Wodr, its sister company to broaden its offering.

Wodr is a specialist water consultancy switching service meticulously crafted for industrial and commercial clients. Wodr is a solution designed to streamline processes, optimise costs, and elevate sustainability for industries.

At the heart of Wodr lies a commitment to simplicity, recognising the challenges that businesses across many sectors face when it comes to water.

Wodr strongly rejects the one-sizefits-all approach. With six years under their belt, they believe they have mastered the art of tailored solutions. Their expert consultants collaborate closely with industrial clients, gaining insights into their specific requirements and challenges, offering tailor-made recommendations. Wodr is dedicated to empowering industries with informed decisions that foster cost savings without compromising on water management quality.

The new company is also paving the way for new opportunities, directly contributing to the local job market and bolstering the city's economic landscape.

In April, they anticipate wholesale charge adjustments that may impact business costs subtly. They are committed to navigate these changes with clients, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in water consultancy.

For more information, email: hello@makeitwodr.com

Spring brings the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor life

There’s an endless demand for seamless communication and uninterrupted internet access in outdoor environments such as pubs, restaurants, caravan parks, festivals, sports facilities, theatres, fetes, wedding venues, and many more.

Pink Connect's outdoor wireless 4G and 5G robust routers offer a range of features designed specifically to address the unique requirements of outdoor events.

With the use of smart technologies increasing and the growing reliance on digital communication, they believe that these challenges can easily be faced. Whether a business is expanding its outdoor area or increasing the number of users, their Wi-Fi solutions are easily adaptable, without sacrificing performance. Personalised solutions mean clients can receive the service they desire.

"At Pink Connect, we understand the vital role that reliable technology plays in the success of events, sports venues, and theatres," said Gisela Pink, MD of Pink Connect.

“We know customers have missed the outdoor fun, and with our innovative

outdoor wireless connectivity solutions, we are able to provide reliable and highspeed internet access, allowing SMEs in these sectors to create unforgettable experiences for their staff, customers and visitors.”

Their solutions can monitor and manage users' access with their robust guest Wi-Fi. They can also provide remote management and support for outdoor Wi-Fi connections with an inclusive monthly package.

Their Wi-Fi access points are designed with future technologies in mind, supporting the latest Wi-Fi standards and features. This helps ensure that clients’ networks remain up-to-date and capable of supporting new devices and applications as they emerge.

WPA3 is designed to improve security for wireless networks, it provides increased protection of data, that moves across personal and enterprise WiFi networks.

“Managing and limiting access to specified groups of users has been useful to businesses as they are able to reduce the risk of unauthorised access to internal data,” added Gisela.

David Eaves, General Manager at Stoneleigh Abbey, said: “Pink Connect has offered a solution that works in our environment. From start to finish, the whole process was fantastic, second to none, the cables were hidden well, even the antenna was hidden in a tree. We now have internet we can use and grow with.”

For more information, visit pinkconnect.com or email: tellmemore@pinkconnect.com to ask for a quote.

Effective business development campaign leads to sell-out events for The Great Escape

Hartley Consulting & Events was approached to develop a short, sharp business development strategy and campaign to secure new clients for Great Hagley Estate’s team building business, The Great Escape.

They recommended a simple strategy:

1. Build and qualify data on potential clients (schools within a two-hour drive of the Great Hagley Estate).

2. Develop a compelling marketing campaign promoting exclusive use of the site across June and July 2024.

3. Reach out to target prospects with proactive, consultative telesales.

The campaign resulted in The Great Escape being sold out for both June and July 2024.

“Overall, this is a great example of a successful business development campaign,” said Chris Hartley, Director of Hartley Consulting & Events.

“The client was very pleased with the results and said that our business development and event management experience had been a real asset to

Great Hagley Estate and The Great Escape. We were able to identify the client's needs, develop a tailored strategy, and execute it effectively.”

The company has the following tips for business development campaigns: It is important to build and qualify data on potential clients before launching a business development campaign. This will help you to target your efforts more effectively.

• Develop a compelling marketing campaign that promotes the unique benefits of your product or service.

• Reach out to target prospects with a proactive approach. This could involve telesales, email marketing, or social media outreach.

Track your results and make adjustments to your strategy as needed.

Pink Connect's outdoor wireless connectivity services have already garnered praise from the entertainment industry.

Steve Harcourt President of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

This is my first official column as President of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and I have to say how honoured and proud I am to have taken up this prestigious office, representing the thousands of businesses who call our region home.

I also have to say a sincere thank you to my predecessor, Tom Mongan, who held this office for three years, during very challenging times for our business community.

Being born and bred in Warwickshire, as well as spending much of my working life at Prime Accountants Group in the region, I am passionate about championing a thriving local economy and building a robust ecosystem for businesses to grow and thrive.

However, we remain in challenging economic times and, whilst the recent Spring Budget offered few crumbs of comfort for businesses, I think, outside of the brilliant support the Chamber of Commerce offers, the most important aspect of what the Chamber brings is the sense of community – we’re all in this together.

During my time in office, I hope to continue to bring together all elements of what makes a thriving region - businesses, education & academia, local authorities, communities – and build partnerships on a local, national and international level.

Over the last couple of years, the Chamber has been working on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) to help businesses to identify their future skills needs and to help providers develop the provision needed to meet these needs. As president, I hope to continue to bring together our businesses with our schools, colleges, universities and training providers to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access opportunities to learn, develop and grow.

March sees the return of our BIG Business Lunch – a great opportunity to bring together hundreds of members of our business community to connect and share, but I am also looking forward to hearing from this year’s keynote speaker, Dame Dr Maggie AderinPocock MBE. I am looking forward to speaking to many of our valued Chamber members at the lunch and if you haven’t secured your ticket yet, then head to the Chamber website!

Along with the Chamber Board, and all of the team at the Chamber, we’re here to help all businesses in our region so please if you need help, support, advice, or just to talk something through, please do get in touch.

Steve

Law firm Lodders bolsters team with partner hire

Law firm Lodders has appointed experienced property litigation specialist Kyle Wyness as a partner in its Property Dispute Resolution team.

Kyle joins Lodders from Banbury-based SE Solicitors, where he worked for 13 years advising on a wide range of litigation matters. Prior to this, he trained and qualified at law firm Needham & James.

A specialist in contentious property matters, Kyle has years of experience in acting for landlords and tenants of commercial and residential property, and advising individuals and companies on all aspects of property and real estate litigation. He also advises on matters such as option agreements, promotion agreements, and overage agreements, as well as professional negligence claims against property professionals.

In his role at Lodders, which has offices in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Henley in Arden, and Birmingham, Kyle will join the firm’s growing Property Dispute Resolution team, headed by Vicky Khandker. Vicky said: “Kyle’s appointment represents a significant addition to the team. His specialist knowledge of, and extensive

experience in, contentious property matters, including boundary disputes, adverse possession claims, and lease renewals will be invaluable as our client portfolio and instructions continue to grow. Our team takes a practical and pragmatic approach to property dispute resolution and is committed to achieving cost-effective outcomes for our clients, and Kyle’s values are very much aligned, making him the ideal fit.”

Kyle added: “I particularly enjoy getting to the very heart of a technical legal issue and achieving the right result for the client, whether they are a private individual or a large multi-national business. At Lodders, I look forward to working closely with clients to achieve a successful resolution to their property disputes and mentoring and helping to develop junior fee earners in the team to become the partners of tomorrow.”

Maritime firm hires new Director to lead operations in the Middle East

A maritime company, which uses ultrasound to help ships become more fuel-efficient, has hired a new Director to lead its operations in the Middle East as it looks to expand rapidly in 2024.

Riyami Mohamed has been hired by Coventry-based Sonihull to head up its office in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as the company looks to double its turnover over the course of the year.

He joins Sonihull after a decade's experience within the maritime sector at Rolls Royce and Kongsberg.

Most recently, Riyami led strategic programmes at tech giant, Amazon, where he delivered several strategic programmes including the launch of electric HGVs into its European fleet and making the transportation business Brexit-ready.

Sonihull, which won a King’s Award for Enterprise last year, uses a range of products to emit ultrasonic soundwaves across a ship’s hull to prevent marine wildlife such as algae, molluscs and weeds from binding to the surface and reducing fuel efficiency.

It also means toxic biocidal coatings which are traditionally used to stop marine life binding no longer need to be used.

The company has launched a new product, Agitate, which uses the same technology to prevent debris build-up in pipes used in many industrial sectors.

Riyami said: “Sonihull is at a key juncture right now, and I thought it was a really exciting time to join them especially with its office in Abu Dhabi.

“The maritime sector in the Middle East is huge, and there is potential to greatly expand Sonihull’s influence in that market with the right strategy.

“My background in the maritime industry and my knowledge of how the supply chain works, alongside the strength of what Sonihull’s products can offer shipping and industrial companies, makes me confident of success.

“If we can establish a strong reputation early on in the Middle East and provide excellent customer service beyond the initial sale, I believe we can really make great strides in growing Sonihull throughout the region.”

Darren Rowlands, CEO of Sonihull, added: “We are really pleased Riyami will be joining Sonihull as we look to rapidly scale-up our operations.

“The Middle East is a major growth region for us, and Riyami’s track record in the industry, as well as Amazon, means we think he will be an excellent person to lead our operations there.

“2024 is set to be a very exciting year for Sonihull, and it’s fantastic that Riyami will play a key role in that at our Abu Dhabi office.”

Movers & Shakers

New CEO appointed at Stadium Traffic Holdings Penderels Trust seeks new Trustees

An event management and training specialist has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to drive continued growth on the back of new business wins.

Steve McCabe is the new CEO of Stadium Traffic Holdings, which comprises event services by Stadium, training by Intuitus Learn, and facility management services through Stadium FM.

His appointment marks a return to familiar territory, having previously been Finance Director for Stadium between 2013 and 2020, before moving on to work for a home services franchisor, and latterly Chief Finance Officer for health care services provider, Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance.

Stadium is shaping up for a busy 2024 having won a string of new clients in the UK, including a significant contract to provide traffic management at a new stadium in the north west, as well as a large training contract with a major combined authority.

The firm – which is headquartered on Bodmin Road, Coventry, but operates globally – is also continuing its overseas expansion which includes active work in the Middle East on the back of launching a new event management and safety academy in Saudi Arabia.

It has also enjoyed growth in staffing levels and now operates with almost 1,100 staff across the UK, putting it in a position to take on further new clients in 2024.

Steve, who is originally from Coventry, said: “It’s great to be back with the company and exciting to be a part of a period of major growth, with 2024 very much a year where we are looking to capitalise on the strong infrastructure around us and take on further new clients and project work.

“We have increased business across our traffic management, training and facilities management departments, which has enabled us to recruit to the levels we had pre-Covid which is a great show of strength for the sector and Stadium as a business.

“We have ambitious goals for 2024, not just for our traditional events management offering, but also in expanding our awardwinning training arm Intuitus.”

Stadium Founder and Executive Chairman, David McAtamney, added: “We are planning for a big year in 2024 and Steve will play a crucial part in that.

“To have someone of his experience and knowledge in the sector, especially having worked with us before, will be a tremendous asset.

“His financial understanding of the business and the events and training side of our operations will be key to capitalising on our ability to deliver in the UK working alongside our Managing Director Carl Taylor in driving that growth, whilst, at the same time, allowing freedom for other parts of our team to continue our expansion overseas.”

Stadium was formed in 2009 and provides traffic management, event services and training, as well as rental of security barriers, the hiring of stewards and Security Industry Authority (SIA) security staff for events.

The firm supports events ranging from the Olympic Games to Premier League football matches, and sell-out concerts to high-profile conferences.

Its training arm, Intuitus, provides premium training services for customer safety and security both in the UK and internationally.

For more information, visit www.wearestadium.com

Cottons Group welcomes five new partners

Accountancy firm Cottons Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of five new partners across its Northampton, Rugby, and Daventry branches.

The newly appointed partners bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the company, which was established in 1983.

Enamul Khan, one of the newly appointed partners, said he was looking forward to “exciting times ahead”, adding: "Hard work, dedication, and loyalty really do pay off. My main aim is to enhance internal procedures and systems, to maximise efficiencies in order to support our rapid growth going forward."

Fellow appointee Aneta Sheridan shared her gratitude and plans, saying: "I am very grateful and excited

about becoming a partner at Cottons. Thirteen years of hard work has finally paid off. My plan is to grow my ledger and strengthen Cottons’ position in Daventry and in the top 100 accountancy firms in the UK."

Sarah Kite said: "I am delighted to be joining Cottons Group as a partner and honoured to have been given this opportunity. I’m excited for what my future here will bring. It is important that our team work together to achieve the best results for all."

"I feel honoured to be joining this Partnership team and am looking forward to this exciting new chapter in my career with Cottons, said Sarah Randall. “I will continue to build my client base, with a focus on the two areas that have always interested me; owner-managed businesses and the legal sector."

And James Melvin, another newly appointed partner, added: "I’m very happy to be able to share this news. During my time at Cottons, I have worked with many of our larger clients, including being heavily involved with our audit department, working as part of the corporate finance team and providing support on technical accounting matters."

The partners bring with them diverse areas of specialisation and ambitious goals to contribute to Cottons Group's continued success, says the firm.

Will Smart, Managing Partner of Cottons Group, which also has offices in London and Market Harborough, said: "We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional individuals to our partnership team. Their expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve as a firm."

Coventry based charity, Penderels Trust, has been supporting people with disabilities to live independently for more than 35 years.

Most of the people they work with receive a direct payment to purchase their care and support. A direct payment puts the individual in control of how they receive their care. Penderels Trust provides advice and guidance to support people to manage their direct payment effectively and make the most of their care package.

Penderels Trust started in Coventry in 1988 with four staff and 19 beneficiaries and now has six offices across England, supports nearly 15,000 people and employs 200 staff. The Trust works in contract with nearly 40 local authorities, including Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.

Although the charity has officially been in existence for 35 years, the story begins many years before, back in the 1940s when a group of parents of disabled children set about raising money to help secure a better and more independent future for their children.

Through their hard work and the generosity of the people of Coventry, the group purchased a large house called ‘The Penderels’ in Meriden. This became home for 20 young people until the 1980s when better living options became available. The home was sold and the money was put into a trust, to become The Penderels Trust, in 1988.

Penderels Trust is now seeking to strengthen its Board of Trustees. They are looking for individuals who can bring business acumen and commercial experience to their board, along with an interest in and understanding of the challenges facing people with a disability. Currently, they are particularly looking for someone with IT, digital or project management experience or those with regulatory/sector knowledge.

Gary Jones, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Having a strong and committed Board of Trustees is vital to our ongoing ability to best support people who receive a direct payment. As a Trustee, you will have an impact on the lives of thousands of people across England and will be able to make a real positive difference.”

If you would like further information on Penderels Trust and becoming a Trustee, visit www.penderelstrust.org.uk/ becomeatrustee or email Paula Walkington at pwalkington@penderelstrust.org.uk

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