38 minute read
Around the region
Lash Saranna, Electric Zoo, with the Hyundai Kona Electric and Rob Harrison, Glued Agency.
Electric Zoo, the electric car company based in Holt Street, Coventry, have inspired Leamington Spa-based marketing firm Glued Agency to test-drive their Hyundai Kona Electric – with roaring results!
Electric Zoo sparks interest in sustainable car options for Glued Agency
Rob Harrison, partner at local branding firm Glued Agency, test-drove the new Hyundai Kona Electric in a bid to decide if electric cars were an affordable and sustainable option for him and his business.
The pay-as-you-go car company said: “When it comes to choosing an electric car, it’s a jungle out there so when Rob decided to look into leasing a new company car, he spoke with fellow Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber members about their electric and hybrid offerings.
Rob said: “I was surprised how enjoyable it was to drive – a totally different driving experience from a geared petrol or diesel car. I am now a convert and just working out the affordability to make my next lease an electric car.”
To take a step into the world of electric cars, visit www.electriczoo.co.uk for more information. Stuck with a boring brand and need some design and marketing support? Visit www.gluedlimited.co.uk
Security firm supports showpiece event
The Libertines, Roni Size and The Lightning Seeds were supported by Kopek Security for a four-day festival curated by musician Terry Hall.
The Coventry City of Culture event, which Specials singer Mr Hall helped to deliver and took part in, was the first time he has performed in more than two years.
Some of the events that were held in the ruins of the city’s cathedral, which was bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1940, included fans favourite Pete Docherty singing Coventry City football songs and many more.
Mr. Hall described it as “a live version playlist of my favourite artists.”
The festival, which took place on the July 29-August 1, featured live music, DJ sets, films and spoken word events in locations around the city.
There were also performances by Libertines who Mr Hall joined on stage and sang songs with, which was a real hit with the crowd.
The full festival line up which was announced in early July was fully supported by Kopek Security, which had been part of the planning for more than six months.
Marketing director Anthony Johnson said: “It was a huge task and an honour to be able to supply all of the security for this event. It did show the extent of Kopek Security’s capabilities with a team of over 65 fully qualified and local managers, supervisors, security guards and stewards.”
Kopek Security also supplied monitored mobile CCTV towers for the control room to monitor the whole event in real-time, drug detection dogs, overnight assets and protection dog handlers.
Mr Hall said curating the event in the middle of a pandemic had been an extraordinary experience.
He said: “It was my first live performance for two years and very unlike anything I’ve performed before. I enjoyed performing in front of an audience again and seeing some live music in my hometown of Coventry.”
Serco is proud to have been selected by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver its Restart Scheme alongside regional and community-based delivery partners in Coventry.
Restart Scheme already changing lives in Coventry
Tom Beard, Employment Engagement Manager, says, “We work with a diverse range of employers to minimise their recruitment challenges and bring job ready candidates through the door. Feedback has been really positive, particularly because employers enjoy a fully funded service and benefit from one point of contact to reach a vast pool of candidates sourced through our network of delivery partners.”
We want candidates to add value to employers from day one. So, when Jobcentre Plus refer eligible Participants onto the DWP Restart Scheme, we assign a dedicated Job Coach to prepare them with the skills and resilience that businesses need. For example, pre-employment training may come from partners with a stake in the local community and the expertise and funding to upskill candidates. And after they start work, we offer further support to make sure businesses have the employee skills they need to flourish.
We’ve had numerous successes helping people to be job ready. James* was a graduate struggling to find work in the UK, despite being open to any sector and any role. But after looking for three years his confidence was low. His Job Coach trained him and helped reposition his language skills and overseas work experience as a positive. Shortly after joining the Restart Scheme, James was able to accept a permanent role on the shop floor within a large manufacturer of windows and doors in Warwickshire.
If you want to know how the Restart Scheme could benefit your business and help someone turn their life around, get in touch: www.serco-ese.com/ restart-scheme
*James is not his real name
Coventry-based XL Motors scoops major win at British Bodyshop Awards
XL Motors, an automotive repair centre based in Longford, has won the prestigious Kitemark Excellence Award at this year’s British Bodyshop Awards.
Winning the accolade is no mean feat – the hotly contested award recognises Bodyshop’s that have excelled in the way they promote their Kitemark certification, and the positive impacts it has had for their business.
The accolade reflects XL’s commitment to ensuring that it goes above and beyond in everything it does, from the way it interacts with customers to the training and support it offers staff.
To even qualify for the award, Bodyshop’s must hold the BSI Kitemark standard BS 10125 for Vehicle Damage Repair, which XL Motors has proudly held since 2008. The category’s judging criteria focused on whether nominees have excelled in promoting their BSI Kitemark, whether they have boosted customer satisfaction and engagement, and how successfully they have embedded the Kitemark into their business.
Based in Longford, XL Motors has experienced significant growth and development over the last few years, winning plaudits in the local area for its high level of service. The business is an approved repair centre for a wide array of vehicle brands, including Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo. Having invested heavily in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, as well as in training and customer service.
Reflecting on XL’s award win at the glitzy London awards ceremony, XL’s Managing Director, Rob Ally, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised with the Kitemark Excellence Award. It is a real testament to the dedication of every member of our team, and it shows how far we have come as a business in recent years.
XL Motors Managing Director, Rob Ally (left) and Operations Manager, David Lloyd (right)
This is a clear sign that what we are doing is working, but the hard work won’t stop here.”
For more information about XL Motors visit www.xlarc.co.uk
Freight Forwarder puts himself in the ring
Coventry-based Retail Transport is extremely proud of its freight forwarder Rob Harrison for putting himself in the ring for a good cause.
The company has spent the last two years raising money for a local charity, The Children’s Air Ambulance. Many staff have taken part in different events to raise money and the company will be doubling whatever is raised by the end of 2021.
Robert Harrison said: “I’ll be taking on the biggest challenges of all. I’ve struggled with social anxieties throughout my life and even though I find being the centre of attention excruciating, I’ll be taking part in a charity boxing match on Friday November 19 at Sports Connexion Leisure Club & Venue in Coventry.
Rob started work at Retail Transport as an apprentice in 2010, gradually working his way up from administration roles to running his own groupage department and taking on sales & marketing roles.
Managing director Dave Hughes said: “We’re extremely proud of Rob; he really has taken on all the opportunities that have come his way whilst working for RTS. The proof of this personal quality to take himself out of his comfort zone is shown in his determination to take on this challenge.”
During this year, Rob has featured in BBC Midlands today, The Coventry Telegraph and local radio to share his remarkable story about his social anxiety disorder.
Tom Mongan (Chamber), David Needham (FPM), Hazel Pilling (Chamber)
Chamber president meets property firm with big ambitions
A multi-disciplinary property company in Coventry has plans to grow its turnover by more than 400 per cent by developing new areas of business.
The FPM Group (incorporating First Project Maintenance, and FPM M and E), which is based on the Charter Avenue Industrial Estate, has hired David Needham as Operations Director to help expand the business with plans for new jobs, more investment and an increase in contracts.
The company is a specialist in refurbishments and fit-outs but also undertakes projects in traditional hard services facilities management, such as heating and ventilation, building fabric maintenance, water services, and gas installation.
David is working with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to help increase his network of contacts in order to grow the company’s mechanical and electrical division.
He said: “There are huge opportunities for the business to grow and I am really looking forward to working with the Chamber and its president, Tom Mongan, to ensure we do everything we can to expand.
“One big area of business for us is our continuing work with schools and there are a whole host of projects we undertake on educational properties across the region.
“But we can see areas of growth in a range of sectors – from hospitality through to local government, and construction to automotive.
“Our plans are to go past £1 million in turnover and then get to £5 million in a short space of time. We are ambitious and we want to expand, take on new people and contribute to the regional economy.
“It will mean ongoing investment on our side – in achieving quality standard marks and in people – but we want to do that to help achieve our business aims.
“We want to expand in the Coventry and Warwickshire area first and then look at other geographical areas in the coming years.”
Tom Mongan, president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, visited the company as part of his drive to get the economy growing again beyond prepandemic levels and to find out any issues holding back businesses.
He said: “I was delighted to meet David and hear about the plans for FPM. For the company to be able to meet its very ambitious growth plans it needs to be able to get out there and network once again because they recognise the fact that people still buy from people, even in this digital age.
“As the economy reopens further, the Chamber will be there to point David and the team towards the right events and the right people in order to help them grow and contribute even further to the regional economy.”
Furniture firm needs staff to fulfil growth potential
A Coventry-based furniture business, which has offices and clients all over the world, says its growth is being hampered by a shortage of staff and has 15 roles that urgently need filling.
X4Office, which is based on the Pilot Business Park in the city, is ready to recruit 12 new furniture fitters on full-time contracts, with full training, to help fulfil contracts in the coming months.
The company delivers and fits furniture from a range of suppliers into businesses and residential properties across the UK and beyond – and has seen a major increase in demand in recent months.
It currently employs 34 fitters and wants to increase that significantly but is struggling to bring people in so has enlisted the help of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce president Tom Mongan to help solve the problem.
The company, which has been running for 20 years and has offices in Manchester, London, Miami and Amsterdam, launched its sister business, Studio 44, in 2018.
It supports clients with the specification, procurement and installation of furniture on everything from high-end boutiques through to largescale commercial role outs and is also recruiting for office roles including admin and sales.
X4Office Director Kerry Simms said: “We are an international business but our HQ is here in Coventry and we want to grow but recruitment is proving to be difficult.
“We could probably more than double the number of staff we already have based on the current demand, however, we are looking to bring in 12 new fitters very quickly. They don’t need experience, they just need to be relatively fit because there is physical work involved.
“We will train them and offer them a good working environment but not being able to recruit is really hampering our ability to grow – it’s hampering our ability to grow.”
Lisa Haigh-Jones, Furniture Consultant at Studio 44, added: “As a business we pride ourselves on offering an impeccable service to our customers on a range of project sizes and budgets, and provide an end-to-end solution.
“We can see a great opportunity for growth but need the right people to come in, be part of a great team and help us to take the business to the next level.”
Chamber president Tom Mongan visited the firm as part of his drive to support local companies as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 crisis.
He said: “I was really pleased to meet Kerry, Lisa and the team and to hear about the work they do all over the world.
“The company is in a really strong position to grow but, like so many businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire, it is struggling to bring in the people it needs to fulfil those ambitions.
“Having been to visit X4Office and Studio 44, I’ve seen for myself what a great working environment it is and heard all about the way they reward staff and look to develop them.
“So, with unemployment at a much higher level than it was pre-Covid, it would be great to see local people taking this opportunity to find good employment with a growing company.
“We are also looking at ways that the Chamber might be able to support through our network of business contacts.”
For more information, go to www.x4office.co.uk & www.studio44.co.uk
Kerry Simms (X4Office), Leanne Dennis (Studio 44), Lisa Haigh-Jones (Studio 44), Hazel Pilling (Chamber), Tom Mongan (Chamber).
Manufacturing Technology Centre looks to recruit engineers of the future
First open evening since Covid will showcase Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre
The Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry is inviting engineers of the future to explore the latest apprenticeship opportunities available at its Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre.
In the first live apprentice open evening since the beginning of the pandemic, the MTC is looking to recruit nearly 100 new apprentices for its employer partners across the country.
Based at the AMTC, on the MTC campus at Ansty Park, the MTC is already making a significant contribution towards closing the skills gap that threatens the UK’s manufacturing sector, having trained 500 apprentices since 2017.
This year, the centre plans to recruit around 100 new apprentices on behalf of some of the UK’s top engineering and manufacturing businesses, with training starting next September. The apprentice open evening will provide potential candidates with an insight into the benefits of earning while they learn through a future-focused apprenticeship programme designed to create the next generation of top engineering talent.
The open event will be held on Thursday, November 18 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm and pupils, parents, careers advisors, teachers and college staff are all welcome. Anyone interested should register at https:// the-amtc.co.uk/apprenticeships/openevenings/
The AMTC is a flagship facility for the MTC’s advanced apprenticeship programme. As well as the foundational engineering skills they will need to succeed today, the apprentices are exposed to the latest technical innovations in future skills areas such as intelligent automation, metrology and advanced manufacturing. They will develop their skills through a combination of formalised in-centre training and on-the-job training as they work onsite for their employers.
David Hughes MBE, managing director of MTC Training said, "Our purpose is to seed the manufacturing sector with a pipeline of future-proofed engineering technicians. Employers can maximise their levy spend with our programmes, giving them a genuine return on investment and business impact while ensuring they become increasingly globally competitive. The open evening gives potential apprentices the chance to find out everything they need about our programmes before they apply."
The MTC was founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd. The MTC’s industrial members include some of the UK’s major global manufacturers.
The MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
Apprentices at the AMTC
Stratford-upon-Avon Mayor Cllr Kevin Taylor (left), with Glyn Slade and the toy polar bears available as prizes for winners of the competition. The animatronic bears will be unveiled at the Victorian Christmas Market
A family of polar bears will be lighting up Stratford town centre this Christmas – and the town’s children are being asked to name them.
Stratford Town Council has purchased three animatronic polar bears to create a fun display to be unveiled on the first day of the town’s Victorian Christmas Market on Thursday December 9.
The bears – a baby bear, granny bear and grandpa bear – are all
Name the baby bear
in need of names, so the town council has invited Stratford’s schoolchildren to name them.
Children aged four and five can name the baby bear, ages six to seven can name the granny bear, and children aged eight to 11 will name the grandpa bear.
The children who pick the most interesting and fun names will win a cuddly polar bear toy of their own, provided by LSD Promotions.
The funding to purchase the three bears was provided through the Welcome Back Fund, from the European Regional Development Fund money through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The programme is managed by Shakespeare's England on behalf of Stratford District Council.
Grants are given to projects that help to attract local residents and visitors alike into high streets or town centres post-Covid.
The money was also used by Stratford Town Council to purchase a full-sized sleigh to go with the council’s previously-acquired animatronic reindeer.
Sarah Summers, Town Clerk at Stratford Town Council, said: “We’ve always looking for ways to make our town centre even more magical, especially for children who attend.
“When we heard we had been awarded funding through the Welcome Back Fund, we wanted to purchase something new that would enhance what we already have for the Victorian Christmas Market.
“And when I saw these polar bears, I thought they would be perfect. We bought some animatronic reindeer a few years ago for the Christmas lights switchon, so having polar bears along with a sleigh was only natural.
“All they need now are names, so we’ve written to all the primary schools in the district to see if their pupils have a flash of inspiration. We’ve already received plenty of entries and we’re looking forward to receiving even more – and revealing the polar bears during the market.”
Glyn Slade, Welcome Back Event Manager from Shakespeare’s England, said: “The Welcome Back Fund is specifically designed to help our towns attract people back onto the high street as we come out of the pandemic, and this competition to name the newly-bought polar bears and engage our younger residents is a really fun way of doing that.”
Ambitions for growth
Over £2 million of government funding is available to businesses in Stratford District and Rugby Borough who can demonstrate their ambitions for growth postCovid.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been awarded £1.2 million and Rugby Borough Council has been given £916,176 from The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme, which supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.
Both local councils independently sought the experience and expertise of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub to identify businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic that can outline and demonstrate a clear and robust recovery strategy.
Unlike previous rounds of the ARG where funds have been distributed during a period of survival to recovery, these new grants are to be strategically allocated to targeted businesses with growth a key focus.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Rugby Borough Council will look to support businesses that have plans which can show a clear and positive impact of the grants on their recovery, their growth and their ability to employ local people.
Craig Humphrey, Managing Director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said this was not a rescue fund to sustain businesses through to the latter stages of the recovery from Covid-19.
He added: “The fact Stratford-onAvon District Council and Rugby Borough Council independently approached the Growth Hub for our help underlines the great work of our account management team and the excellent partnerships the Growth Hub and the CWLEP have built throughout the area.
“With this stage of the ARG funding, we expect to be able to demonstrate the impact of real key strategic growth on each business as a vital outcome of each successful application.
“We are urging businesses in all sectors to apply who can clearly prove their investment in their recovery and growth.
“Both Councils want successful applicants to have been thoroughly vetted for the commercial viability of their business plan or proposal before going to the next stage of the process, and they will then decide which companies to support as well as the amount of funding to be allocated from the ARG scheme.”
Cllr Jo Barker Portfolio Holder for Business Rates at Stratfordon-Avon District Council said: “During the different phases of the pandemic, the Council has paid out over £70 million to businesses in grants and business rate relief. Stratford-on-Avon District Council is one of only a few Councils that spent all of its Central Government funding which has allowed this additional money to be made available. This demonstrates the tremendous effort from our staff to ensure that 100 per cent of available funding was distributed to businesses to help them through lockdown and closed periods.
“As restrictions are lifted this new funding now needs to focus on local businesses looking to expand, diversify and support jobs across the district. Our working with the Growth Hub throughout this period has demonstrated that by coming together to target this funding is the best way to help reach those businesses who are planning for the future.”
Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: “Rugby Borough Council has already distributed more than £3 million in Additional Restrictions Grants to nearly 350 businesses in the borough, and we’re delighted to have secured this new allocation of Government funding to offer businesses further support.
“While previous ARGs focused on supporting businesses through lockdowns and pandemic restrictions, this new funding aims to drive the borough’s recovery from the pandemic by backing businesses which have robust plans for growth.
“Working with CWLEP Growth Hub, we want to provide ambitious businesses with the funding and support to grow, create jobs and boost the borough’s economy.”
These funds are limited so businesses that feel they are eligible to apply should complete an initial Expression of Interest form which can be obtained from https://bit.ly/ CovidARGRecoveryFund. Once assessed, suitable businesses will progress to a full application.
This round of ARG funding must be allocated by the end of March 2022.
Craig Humphrey, Managing Director, CWLEP Growth Hub
Coventry Building Society Arena has made two key appointments to its business development team
Peter Barrett and Ross Stewart have joined the venue as business development managers and will be bringing their wealth of local, regional, national and international experience to the Arena.
Peter joins as Business Development Manager for Exhibitions and has more than eight years’ sales experience in exhibition design and build.
He has worked with global clients across a range of sectors including banking and financial services, automotive, aerospace, healthcare and technology.
During his career, he has supported clients at many of the world’s major exhibition venues in locations ranging from Las Vegas, Dubai and Osaka, to Amsterdam, Barcelona and the UK.
Peter said: “I am delighted to be joining Coventry Building Society Arena as Business Development Manager for Exhibitions at this exciting time for the business and its customers.
“The venue’s location, layout, facilities and its team, all make this a really exciting place to host exhibitions. With the new Commonwealth Convention Centre opening in early 2022, the opportunities for organisers will be even greater – allowing for more creativity and an enhanced visitor experience.”
Ross has more than five years’ experience in the events industry and joins Coventry Building Society Arena as Business Development Manager for Agency.
He has worked for major venues across the UK and says that working for the Arena fulfils a career ambition of his.
“I am delighted to be joining Coventry Building Society as Business Development Manager – Agency,” Ross said.
“I have worked in venue sales for the events industry for over five years, for the likes of Stadium MK, Silverstone and, more recently, as Head of New Business for NAEC Stoneleigh.
“It has been a goal of mine from very early on in my events career to have the opportunity to work at Coventry Building Society Arena. In this role I will be focusing on the agent and corporate market where I have enjoyed great success previously, working with the likes of Nationwide, O2, Fat Face, National Grid and Aston Martin to name a few.”
Jenni Ford, Head of Sales at Coventry Building Society Arena, added: “We are pleased to be welcoming Ross and Peter to our growing team here at the Arena.
“This is a very exciting period for the business as we continue to bounce back following the pandemic. There has been, and continues to be, significant investment made in the venue as part of the Commonwealth Convention Centre which will strengthen our position as an industry leader.
“Both Peter and Ross have vast experience in working with high-profile clients across the conference and exhibition sector and will be real assets to Coventry Building Society Arena.”
Mecalac takes home gold at CoventryLive Business Awards
Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has taken home gold in the ‘International Trade and Export’ category at this year’s CoventryLive Business Awards. The ceremony, which took place at the CBS Arena (14 October), celebrated success and achievement from the region’s most innovative companies.
Recognised as one of Coventry’s leading businesses, Mecalac was rewarded for its commitment to continued export sales success through innovation, investment and working locally with the Chamber of Commerce. The judges were impressed by the company’s incremental increase in international trade, despite the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its pivotal role in the global construction marketplace.
Mecalac has now won the coveted award twice, taking home gold in both 2018 and 2021. During this time, the company has continued to refine, redesign and expand its product offer with a number of innovative new models and state-of-the-art machine technologies.
Mark Royse, Head of Sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “Being recognised for our commitment to international trade and export is testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. With more than 60 years’ manufacturing experience, we’re hugely proud of our Coventry roots and consider it a real honour to be taking home such a prestigious accolade.
“While the ongoing impacts of COVID and Brexit have proven challenging, we’re committed to further developing our class-leading portfolio of compact construction equipment. From an export perspective, we continue to experience significant demand from across the globe, with construction professionals looking to invest in future-proof equipment for some of the world’s most innovative construction projects.”
For more information about Mecalac, visit www.mecalac.com/en
Intrepid Triple record team 3, from left Kevin Booker, Fergal McGrath, Adam Wood (ICS-UK) Intrepid supports triple world record achievement
Intrepid Control Systems UK recently supported a successful triple world record attempt involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E driving from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
The records awarded to the drivers – Fergal McGrath, Kevin Booker, Paul Clifton and Adam Wood – include lowest energy consumption, shortest charging time and fewest charge stops.
The first of the three records were attempted at the beginning of July and led to a successful attempt to break the lowest energy consumption record for driving from John O’Groats to Land’s End in an electric car. A second attempt took place just four weeks later in which the team broke a further two world records.
Throughout the attempts, Intrepid Control Systems provided wireless data logging equipment in the form of its all-in-one vehicle network tool, the neoIV ION, which collected data and uploaded it wirelessly for in-depth analysis and continual inspection by the remote support team.
By analysing the data recorded during the first attempt, the team was able to identify key moments of the journey in which the electric vehicle (EV) range could be significantly improved, thereby assisting them in securing their second and third records. During the second attempt, the team also used Intrepid’s versatile CAN tool, VividCAN, which provided essential information such as energy consumption, EV regeneration and state of charge.
Following the completion of the world record attempts, Intrepid provided a technical report to sufficiently validate the conditions required by Guinness World Records. Through the use of Intrepid’s cloud-based reporting software, the team were able to demonstrate the full driven route, the energy flow of the battery and vehicle charging.
Adam Wood, engineering sales manager at Intrepid Control Systems, said: “It was an absolute pleasure supporting the drivers in their world record attempts. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together as a team and how well our equipment showcased our application.”
For more information visit www.intrepidcs.com
Chamber Summit hears how the north of Warwickshire is ready to grow
The north of Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth have the potential for major economic growth as the region recovers from Covid-19, a major event has heard.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held its first regional Business Summit at the MIRA Technology Institute, on the HORIBA Mira campus, to look at the opportunities ahead for North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth as well as underlining the support the Chamber can offer to businesses.
The event, hosted by Sean Rose, head of policy at the Chamber, heard from Tom Mongan, the Chamber’s president; and Hazel Pilling, the Chamber’s membership manager.
Delegates were also given an insight into economic developments in the area by Steve Maxey, chief executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council; Tom Hamilton-Dick, deputy principal of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC); and John McGuigan, who spoke on behalf of the Transforming Nuneaton programme.
The event heard how North Warwickshire’s local plan had been ratified by Government and would mean 100 hectares of additional employment land in the area and 4,000 new homes.
It also heard how there is already £157,000,000 committed by various bodies to the Transforming Nuneaton programme that will radically change the town centre over the next few years.
There was also an update on how NWSLC is working with businesses to ensure that students emerge with softer skills as well as qualifications when they complete their studies there.
Tom Mongan, who also chairs the Chamber’s North Warwickshire branch, said: “It was great to be back out meeting people face-to-face. Technology continues to play a major part in the way we all communicate and do business, but I much prefer meeting in person.
“I have been involved in this region all of my life and I am passionate about North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth and about business in this region.
“You couldn’t wish for a better location and we have some truly world class organisations here such as HORIBA Mira, BMW, Brose and Holland & Barrett to name but a few.
“We’re home to a range of businesses across a range of sectors including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, innovation, education and even a zoo!
“Every business that is operating today in our area can be proud of the fact that they have come through the past 18 months – an unprecedent period in all of our lifetimes.
“But, now, it’s not just about surviving, it’s about thriving and when you look at everything going on in the region, there is a real opportunity for the north of Warwickshire to achieve major economic growth.
“My advice to firms in the area is to engage with the Chamber and be part of this network. I very often hear companies say that nobody listens to them. By being part of the Chamber, you amplify that voice so it is heard by decision-makers at a local, regional and national level.
“There is also a whole range of support on offer and the opportunity to develop new contacts with businesses right across the region.
“These are exciting times and I’d urge businesses across the area to come and be part of it.”
Hazel Pilling (Chamber), Tom Mongan (Chamber), John McGuigan (Transforming Nuneaton), Sean Rose (Chamber)
For more information on the North Warwickshire Local Plan, go to: https://www.northwarks.gov.uk/info/20002/planning/1082/what_is_the_local_plan_for_north_warwickshire For more information on the Transforming Nuneaton Programme, go to: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/transformingnuneaton For more information on MIRA Technology Institute, go to: https://miratechnologyinstitute.co.uk/ For more information on how the Chamber of Commerce can support your business, go to: https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/membership/
Photo Credit: Suzie Hunt Photography
A Kenilworth cleaning company has won big at the Midlands Service Excellence Awards.
Bear Cleaning, run by husband and wife Ted and Kate Hunter, was crowned Family Business of the Year at the Midlands Service Excellence Awards 2020.
The awards (which were postponed five times due to the pandemic) recognise individuals and companies that offer excellent customer service. The judges commented, “Bear Cleaning truly has the feel of a family business. They demonstrated a real entrepreneurial spirit in a niche market with no previous experience. They started off on their own and only later sought help and advice and have achieved 60% growth.”
Established in 2017, Bear Cleaning has become Warwickshire’s go-to company for wheelie bin-cleaning, gutter-cleaning and other external domestic cleaning services. It also works on commercial properties and has seen growth in this area. For example, the team is currently cleaning 8,000m2 of the Coventry Building Society Arena (formerly the Ricoh) ahead of the new season and the Commonwealth Games.
On the Midlands Service Excellence Award, Kate commented, “Ted and I were thrilled to win, especially as we faced competition from more experienced, multi-generational businesses. But what is overwhelmed and humbled the whole family is the wave of congratulations we have received from the community. We’re a proud Kenilworth business, so it’s a delight to share a good news story.”
As well as Kate and Ted, the Bear Cleaning team includes their 19-year-old son working during his gap year, Kate’s brother who works on an ad-hoc basis, and Kate’s dad, Martin. Martin provided financial and practical support in the business’ early days and even cleaned wheelie bins. He may have hung up his high-viz in 2020 but is still involved.
It is a family affair, but the enterprise is looking to grow. Kate explained, “One of the reasons we entered the Family Business of the Year Award was to highlight our recruitment plan. We are focused on offering employment to ex-servicemen and women who find themselves homeless or in financial difficulty. We recognise that wheelie bin cleaning is not necessarily an aspirational career choice and therefore believe it should fulfil a more meaningful social purpose. We aim to offer a ‘hand up’ rather than a ‘hand out.’ The role can be a stepping stone to a different career, or (hopefully) our new staff members can grow and thrive within Bear Cleaning as we develop the roles accordingly. We’re still actively recruiting.”
Compassion is a key element of the business as both Kate (a former social worker) and Ted (a former police officer) have suffered mental health issues. “We’re in no doubt that the support of family and friends aided our recovery,” explained Kate. “We want to extend the same ‘in it together’ feel to our employees and ensure they benefit from the care and encouragement a family has to offer.”
If you are interested to find out more, visit www.bearcleaning.co.uk and get in touch.
Grrrrreat news for Bear Cleaning as it’s named Family Business of the Year
Warwickshire venue is making up for lost Christmas
Hazel Pilling and Atul Lakhani
A Warwickshire venue is looking forward to entertaining the region’s businesses with the glitz and glamour of a Rio carnival this festive season after their Christmas was cancelled in 2020.
The IXL Events Centre, which is situated on the grounds of the Dallas Burston Polo Club in Southam, has – like so many in the hospitality sector – been left unable to trade for the vast majority of the past year-and-a-half.
Now, the team at the prestigious venue cannot wait to welcome guests this Christmas and say they are seeing a surge in demand from businesses that want to let their hair down this December after a testing time.
The Christmas parties take place on December 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th and include a three-course meal, Rio-themed entertainment, including colourful costumes and an awe-inspiring samba parade, as well as a live show, charity casino and resident DJ.
Guests will be able to party until 1am in the morning and can capture all of the fun with colleagues and friends inside a photo booth.
Atul Lakhani, who runs the IXL Events Centre, said: “The past year-and-a-half has been difficult for everybody and, as everybody knows, the hospitality sector has been hit hard.
“So, ever since the country began to re-open we have been doing everything we can to bring guests back to our amazing venue. We’ve held 50 weddings but, in most cases, it was staging weddings that had been postponed during Covid.
“It’s important to us, as a business, to start driving revenue by holding new events and we have a wonderful team here ensuring everything we do is of the highest quality – from food to entertainment.
“Our Christmas parties have gained a reputation as being a wonderful night out, offering visually stunning entertainment, fantastic food and just a chance to have a great time.
“It was incredibly sad that we couldn’t go ahead last Christmas but that just means this year is going to be even bigger and better.
“There is a real feeling that people missed out 12 months ago so they are going to make it up for this time round.
“We are seeing very high levels of enquiries from businesses and individuals who want to come and enjoy a great night out this Christmas.
“There are also opportunities for larger businesses to book the whole venue for an exclusive Christmas party and we’ve had interest in that too from regional companies.
“After the year we’ve all had, this is going to a special festive season and we are here to help companies make it a memorable one for all the right reasons.”
Hazel Pilling, membership manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The IXL Events Centre is a magnificent venue and the team ensures that everything they do is of the highest quality – whether its food or entertainment. We’re looking forward to our own Annual Economic Conference taking place there this November, with a range of speakers.
“The Christmas parties do sound like they are going to be truly amazing and are just what we all need after not being able to go out and let our hair down last year!”
For more information or to book go to: www.ixleventscentre.com
A forwardthinking approach to green issues
A Coventry tree surgery and arboricultural business is starting an academy to attract and train new talent as demand for work continues to grow.
Beechwood Trees & Landscapers Ltd, provides a variety of services including tree surgery, site clearance, stump removal, and machinery hire to clients in the public and private sectors. As it emerged out of the pandemic, Beechwood saw demand for its services increase significantly, and new environmental innovations have further bolstered its income.
Managing Director Simon Rotheram, who founded the business in 1998, said he is able to take on up to ten new members of staff thanks to this success, but finding them and keeping them was proving difficult.
He said: “Like lots of businesses, we found it difficult during the pandemic. We usually would send our workers on site in teams of three, but restrictions meant it had to be one staff member per vehicle, which massively increased our costs.
“But once restrictions started to ease and projects were able to move forward at a faster pace, demand came back in a big way. By September, we were booked up until Christmas with jobs.
“We’re in a great position, but our problem is that we are limited by the number of staff members on our books. And finding talent, like in a lot of industries at the moment, is difficult. Some look to go self-employed, while others start and find the work is too physically demanding.
“One idea we had was starting an academy for those who are looking to get into our line of work. We would provide quality training, and a clear progression pathway so new staff can see where they can get to if they stay with us.
“Ultimately, we want to make Beechwood a really attractive place to work. It’s not easy work, but we want to show that it can be a great job with great benefits if you can handle the physical side of things.”
Simon was visited on site by Tom Mongan, president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, along with Hazel Pilling, Membership Manager at the Chamber.
They listened to Simon’s concerns around hiring new talent, as well as its drive to make the business greener.
For example, Beechwood recently started using an innovative woodchipper which converts waste wood from sites into fine biomass for fuel, which it can then sell to other businesses.
It is now a key part of their income stream, and Simon said he wanted to be proactive around the issue as many clients are looking for contractors to have green credentials in the tendering process.
Tom said: “It was really interesting to visit Simon at Beechwood and hear about job shortages limiting the growth of what is a very successful business.
“The success of Beechwood postpandemic and its forward-thinking approach to green issues shows it has great potential but finding the staff has proven to be a sticking point.
“We told him about the FinditinCW platform, which enables businesses in our region to advertise their services and find new suppliers and told him about the government’s Kickstart scheme which gets 18 to 24-year-olds into work, as initial ways to get the ball rolling in finding new staff.
“We are here as a Chamber to help businesses like Beechwood connect with the right businesses and give them the tools to solve their problems, and we wish them all the best with their academy and future growth.”
Simon Rotheram, Tom Mongan and Hazel Pilling
Stratford legal firm eyes B-Corp status
Stratford-upon-Avon-based Ampa has become the first legal and professional services group in Warwickshire to announce its pending B Corporation status.
Ampa – which includes full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau, consumer-focused law firm Lime Solicitors, planning and design consultancy Marrons Planning, and debt, asset and uninsured loss recovery firm Corclaim – has also announced a raft of ambitious responsible business pledges, including achieving net zero by 2025 and delivering 10,000 volunteering hours.
The benchmarks to achieving B Corporation status are incredibly high and Ampa will be the first legal service provider in Warwickshire – and one of the first in the UK – to be accredited. As part of its commitment to using business as a force for good, the group has also committed to 30 responsible business ‘ambitions’ to support its communities, people and the environment to be achieved by the end of 2022.
Highlights include increasing female representation within the membership (those with equity in the group) by five per cent and racial diversity by two per cent, as well as becoming carbon negative by 2030, with all registered office hubs using 100% renewable energy, as well as increasing use of sustainably sourced or recycled office supplies and furniture.
Group CEO Sarah Walker-Smith said: “Achieving B-Corp status is something that’s important to us; it’s not a box-tick exercise, but a reflection of how we do business by enshrining our people, client and community commitments at our core.
“Our ambitions provide us with targets to challenge ourselves on, while being open about what we want to achieve and how we’re going to do it. We have a lot to do over the coming years, but not only is it the right thing to do for our people, clients, communities and planet, it’s also the commercial thing to do for our business.”
