11 minute read
Business Engage Profiles
Lee Corden, Adam Manning, Will Savage
Communications company PLMR has marked the first anniversary of its acquisition of Advent Communications with the return of a familiar face to the business.
PLMR is one of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing communications agencies and acquired Coventry-based Advent in October 2021 to support the expansion of its footprint in the Midlands and further develop the breadth and quality of the services it offers to its clients.
PLMR has been based in the region since 2017, with its office in Birmingham part of a network also spanning London, Ipswich and Glasgow.
PLMR Advent has excelled in its first year as part of the group winning new clients and landing coverage across
PLMR Advent
celebrates first anniversary
national, trade and regional media for businesses and organisations across a range of sectors.
It has also seen the company re-hire Adam Manning, who spent five years with the business prior to joining the police force in May 2021.
Adam, who previously worked in the Argos and Homebase press office, said: “I am delighted to be back. It is great to see so many familiar faces and some new ones too as well as being part of a much bigger business which means there are so many more opportunities for the company and me as an individual to grow.”
PLMR Advent, which is based at Electric Wharf in Coventry and was founded in 1998, is set to recruit again as it builds on a strong first year.
Director Lee Corden said: “The first year with PLMR has flown by.
“Advent is extremely well-regarded across the region which led to the interest and acquisition by PLMR. Relationships are absolutely everything in PR and media so we have made sure clients understand that we continue to operate with the same high standards and commitment to go above and beyond for them.
“And, at the same time, we’ve started to show the additional services and expertise that we can offer as part of a bigger, national agency and it’s a balance that we believe will stand us in really good stead for the future.”
He added: “We are really pleased to welcome Adam Manning back to the business and his return is a great example of how the acquisition has helped us to grow.
“The team here have so many more opportunities for personal development, through training and working with other teams within the PLMR group and that was one of the attractions for Adam to return.
“We announced a raft of promotions earlier this year and we will be adding to the team again very soon, which gives us great foundations to build on over the next 12 months and beyond as we continue to make a positive contribution to the region through the work we do.”
For more information, go to www.advent-communications.co.uk
Be prepared,
urges award-winning firm
A global counter terrorist specialist based in Coventry believes organisations must start preparing now for impending law changes set to impact around 650,000 UK firms.
The Government has announced plans to introduce so-called Protect Duty legislation, which would create a statutory duty for the owners and operators of publicly accessible locations to take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from terror attacks.
The law change, which could be approved by the Government this year, has been championed by campaigner Figen Murray after her son Martyn was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attacks in May 2017.
Rob Gerrard, director of Safetyflex Barriers – a global leader in anti-terrorism bollards, barriers and fencing, based in Coventry – believes organisations must start thinking now about what it means for their business, and how to prepare for the new rules.
He said: “The heartbreak of Figen is something she should not have gone through, and protection should have been a statutory duty long before ‘Martyn’s Law’ was championed.
“But her efforts will undoubtedly lead to the biggest seismic shift in security our country has ever seen.
“This is going to impact companies right across the UK who may not have even thought of anti-terror measures before.
“Whether it is venues or tourist attractions with a capacity of 100 people or more; businesses employing 250 staff or more; or parks and town squares with an expectation of public presence – this will change the way organisations view its security policies forever.
“Organisations must start thinking about this now, and services such as ours must undoubtedly form part of a joined-up solution of collaborative working locally and nationally.”
The family-owned and managed firm is rooted in Coventry but has excelled in the global market since forming out of GME Springs in 2010, becoming a market leader in anti-terrorist hostile vehicle mitigation, securing high-profile sites around the world from London to Sydney.
Safetyflex has won more than 15 awards for its innovation over the years and has developed a reputation for its innovative crash-tested product portfolio, including its popular street furniture range.
The company has just expanded the range with the launch of Crash Bench 40, which – for the first time – is uniquely designed with a built-in bench to help it double up as seating, whilst providing protection from a 7.5 tonne vehicle.
The product is completely surface mounted and has been crash tested to IWA-14 standards at the local Horiba Mira centre of excellence in Nuneaton.
Gerrard said: “This is one we have been looking forward to bringing to the market for some time after a year in research and development, and we’re sure it will be a fantastic addition to our existing street furniture range.
“More and more of our clients are looking for hostile vehicle mitigation solutions which go beyond offering protection from vehicle attacks, but also form part of the furniture, so we know there is a growing demand for this type of innovation.”
Schumacher races in to help St Basils once again
A major sleepout event in Coventry that raises awareness and funds for homelessness in Coventry has received support from a regional business.
Schumacher Packaging Ltd has, once again, committed to supporting St Basils homelessness charity by providing all the cardboard for the homelessness charities iconic sleepout events free of charge.
Steve Rainbow, the events manager for St Basils, first approached sales director of Schumacher (then Jaffabox) Mark Amyes back in 2006 to ask if he could help.
Steve said: “Working as an events manager for St Basils is a really rewarding job. One of my tasks is to get as many resources as I can for free, the more money we spend on setting up events the less money goes to our vulnerable young people, so I am always keen to get support from local businesses who want to give back to the community.
“The St Basils charity sponsored sleepouts are exactly that, our fabulous supporters sleep outdoors for one night in a cardboard box and get sponsored by friends and family to raise awareness, plus raise vital funds for the homelessness charity.
“One of the vital components to this event is obviously the cardboard boxes our fundraisers sleep in. After getting an initial quote for over £2,000 to provide the cardboard back in 2006 I began ringing round local businesses to find out who could help, after a few knockbacks, the wonderful Mark at Schumacher Packaging said yes. And thank goodness he has been saying yes ever since.
“Since the first Sleepout, Schumacher has provided the cardboard for events in Birmingham, Solihull, and Coventry for the past 16 years. Not only have they provided the cardboard but Mark and some of his colleagues have also slept out at the events and raised funds to prevent youth homelessness.
“This is what great partnerships are about and me and the team now class Mark as a friend, as well as a supporter.
“Our next Sleepout challenge takes place within the iconic ruins of Coventry Cathedral on Friday, October 7 and Mark and some of the Schumacher team will be there to support us once again.”
Mark Amyes, sales director of Schumacher, added: “I remember the first call from Steve over 15 years ago.
“I had heard of St Basils but didn’t know too much about them. Steve told me about all the great work St Basils do in the community, providing accommodation, support, education and employment opportunities yearly for over 4,000 young homeless people or young people who are at risk of homelessness, sleeping on friends’ sofas, in their cars etc. Some of them work fulltime but are still not able to afford a roof over their heads. I really wanted to help.
“I do think it is important for local business to give back to the community, our family company was founded in 1946 and we still hold strong family values. I believe everyone should have the opportunity of a safe home, education, and employment, no matter how bad your start in life has been - very often due to no fault of your own.”
Barrie Hodge, head of fundraising at St Basils, Naomi Harvey, business development manager Schumacher, Mark Amyes, Sales director Schumacher
To find out more about the Coventry sleepout, or to register search St Basils Coventry Sleepout 2022 or click the link: https://stbasils.org.uk/events/ covsleepout/
New £3 million venue could be a Christmas cracker!
A new £3 million entertainment venue in Coventry is set to offer parties with a difference this Christmas.
Players Entertainment is a new concept for the region, offering 20 private hire rooms that can cater for any party size up to 45 people and can be stretched to host mega parties of up to 80 guests through their connecting rooms.
Each room has its own unique décor and is equipped with up to 180-inch TVs, state-of-the-art sound systems and the most up-to-date karaoke systems. Guests can tap into the venue’s playlist – or use their own smartphone to access the music they want to listen to or sing along to on YouTube or Spotify.
Each room receives VIP room service with drinks and snacks ordered through a touch of a service button and delivered straight to the room by the team, who offer the highest levels of customer service.
Once fully open, Players Entertainment will feature a floor which they have named “The E-Lounge” with a stunning bar and space for 500 people to watch live sports, enjoy a wide range of live events, as well as opportunities for e-sports gaming competitions.
So, when it comes to Christmas, businesses will be able to book their own exclusive party to cater for their own team’s needs.
It won’t be a sit down, three-course meal, but the chance to relax in a room of their choice and have buffet food and drinks delivered to the room.
Players Entertainment could even act as the ‘after-party’ for those who have already been for their Christmas meal but want somewhere else to go as a whole team.
It is all part of a wider drive from the new venue to attract businesses to use its multi-functional space.
Jonathan Owusu, the General Manager of Players Entertainment, said: “We offer something for everyone and we’ve had amazing feedback since we first opened the private rooms for bookings.
“We really want businesses across the region to know that we have so much to offer, whether they want to do product launches, meetings, team-building or other events.
“In October, we will be holding an official business launch so that we can showcase the venue and how flexible it can be.
“This Christmas, we want businesses to know that they can book in and bring their staff and relax in their very own room – they can even bring their children and partners if they want to!
“Also, we are a great place for parties to come along and enjoy World Cup matches because they can have their own private room to watch the games – so it doesn’t matter if you are cheering for England or another team, no-one else will be able to hear you!
“My advice to local businesses is to get in touch and find out more because this is a place like no other in the whole region and you have to see what we have to offer to believe it.”
