C&W September 2023

Issue

Mike Bridges explains how EBC Group is ensuring the firms technical capabilities lead to commercial success for the company’s clients. Page 20

CONTRACT PACKING

by Staeger Packaging Solutions Ltd, Coventry

Staeger Packaging Solutions Ltd are an Award-winning, professional packaging company based in Coventry, offering contract packing with cost-effective, innovative and timely solutions to your contract packing needs.

We pride ourselves on having expertise and flexibility to manage a wide range of products from small sampling jobs to high volume production runs.

Our contract packing area is designed to provide you with confidence that our team will manage your company’s item assortment, ensuring that all hand assembly, disassembly, and hand packing requests are carried out with speed, efficiency, and accuracy.

Our experienced and dedicated team are on hand to support you at every stage of your project.

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Staeger Packaging Solutions Ltd, based in Coventry, we provide secure storage for a wide range of products, whether it be: documentation, packaging, raw materials or finished goods, whether you are a large blue chip company, a public sector organisation or a small local business, we can securely manage and store your product.

We pride ourselves on having expertise and flexibility to manage a wide range of products.

Our experienced and dedicated team are on hand to support you at every stage of your storage needs.

For further details please contact our office: Staeger Packaging Solutions Ltd Unit 1, Swallowgate Business Park, Coventry. CV6 4BL Office: +44 2476 58 11 97

https://www.staegerclear.co.uk/

https://staeger.eu/en/#

Dear Member,

Although it’s officially the end of summer, September often feels like a fresh start. With lots of our young people starting their academic years in new places of learning at primary, secondary, sixth forms and University and many more starting apprenticeships and new jobs for the first time.

For many, a quieter August in the office also means that many exciting new projects start in September, with a calendar packed with events and launches and for our hospitality and tourism businesses it means hoping a successful summer might put them in a good place for a successful winter.

For us here at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, this also means the official start of the political season with West Midlands Mayoral Elections, local elections, and a general election all likely in the next 12 months ahead. We’ve been representing our local business community for 120 years and we do this best when we help influence and develop policy, rather than just react to national news stories. We work hard to raise the volume on local issues and make sure that as manifestos are developed, they are the right ones for Coventry and Warwickshire businesses.

For the mayoral elections we will, again, be working closely with our partners at Greater Birmingham, Solihull, and Black Country Chambers of Commerce to develop a new businessled commission to help shape our lobbying priorities and look at business policies that can be adopted by any of the political parties. We are true believers in devolution, and we want as many powers and budgets managed locally and the very best interests of our region at their heart.

At a national level, we will also be working with the British Chambers of Commerce to represent our members at both the Conservative Party and Labour Party National Conferences this autumn. We will be championing our current campaigns around local skills, employment land and the work of our Manufacturing, Aerospace, Construction and Engineering (MACE) group.

We also have some of our most important events coming up. It is our annual International Trade Summit on 3rd November at the Holiday Inn, Coventry. We’ve got an excellent line up of speakers and will have around 100 businesses in the room to discuss the export and import challenges and opportunities local businesses face daily.

On Friday November 10th it’s our famous Business & Economic Conference at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

This has become an essential part of our local business calendar, with a packed room of 300+ businesses hearing from our expert panels and recognised speakers. I’m absolutely delighted that we will be welcoming the award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Clive Myrie, as our keynote speaker – someone who will be a familiar face to many of you having been in broadcasting since 1987.

A huge thank you to our Annual Conference Main Sponsors this year –PET-Xi Training and Prime Accountants Group.

This year the conference will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting for the first time. This Chamber only exists because of you, so we’d love to see as many of you there as possible.

Places are going fast for all of these –so to make sure your voice is central to everything we do, book on now at www.cw-chamber.co.uk/events or speak to one of the Chamber Team!

The official publication of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

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Members are encouraged to send any news about their firm - new orders, staff, new products, expansions or relocationsfor publication in C&W in business. Whilst every effort will be made to publish submitted articles, we cannot guarantee inclusion.

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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.

Coventry-Based Events Business thriving as CloserStill Media announces Major Acquisition

The announcement comes of the back of a string of major awards and accolades, notable upscaling of the workforce and strong H1 2023 performance for the business.

sales team alone in Coventry has welcomed more than 13 new team members in 2023 so far.

CloserStill Media has today announced they will acquire UK-based tradeshow, conference, and media business UKI Media & Events. This strategic move forms the cornerstone of CloserStill's new Future Transport and Infrastructure Group and marks a significant expansion in CloserStill's global reach.

The

Laura Shapiro, Portfolio Director and General Manager of CloserStill’s Midland Office said: “It’s been an incredibly eventful summer for us at CloserStill. Just last week we were listed for the first time in in the Stax Top 20 Exhibition Organisers by 2022 Revenue. Earlier this the summer, several of our events and staff were awarded major industry awards and this week, we’ve announced a major acquisition that will unlock a host of new opportunities. It’s an exciting time to be working at CloserStill.”

Shapiro heads up the sales team in the Coventry – which operates some of the UK’s largest and most decorated healthcare exhibitions including Diabetes Professional Care, Clinical Pharmacy Congress, Best Practice and Acute & General Medicine. The

As well as acquisitions, CloserStill is rapidly organically growing. Shapiro’s team this year have launched clones of their most successful shows in both London and Manchester.

“Our growth is impressive and all down to a highly engaged workforce. We’ve been re-investing in the people and culture of CloserStill. The team here in Coventry have recently enjoyed social gatherings, training and development opportunities and the reinforcement of our entrepreneurial spirit. We were also delighted to launch a Diversity & Inclusion committee earlier in the year that is having a great impact on our policies and practices.”

CloserStill is currently recruiting. Head to https://careers.closerstillmedia.com/ to explore opportunities.

three types of Debtors and how to manage them

Minimising risk associated with unpaid debts is a constant challenge for all businesses, especially SMEs that do not have a full-time credit control department. Based on our experience at Debt-Claims.com, we have identified the three most common types of debtors and explain how you can protect your business.

The consistent late payer

This is probably the most frustrating type of debtor because you know you are going to get paid…eventually.

How to protect your business

1. Have a contract in place that clearly states i) the work to be completed and delivery timelines, ii) the cost of the work, iii) when payment is due, and iv) the steps taken if payment is late.

2. Ask new clients to pay an upfront deposit of 25-50 per cent.

3. Stop delivering your goods/services.

Won’t pay

At some point in your business-owner life, you will come across a client or customer who has no intention of paying for the work you do for them.

How to protect your business

If possible, run a credit check on all new clients. Also, read their online reviews, they can tell you a lot about the professionalism and attitude of a company. In addition, ask for a deposit, between 25-50 per cent.

If it is paid, it demonstrates that the customer/client has the will and ability to pay you for your work or products.

In most cases, a Letter Before Action will illicit payment; however, if it is ignored you will need to decide whether or not to begin legal proceedings.

Can’t pay

A customer falling into insolvency is a challenging situation in terms of recovering debt.

How to protect your business

There are a series of warning signs that indicate a business is in financial difficulty, including:

• Regularly overdue payment of invoices

• Avoiding calls and emails

Asking for an extension of credit terms County Court judgments (CCJs) being made against the company Senior staff and company directors resigning

If you spot any of the these red flags and are not being paid, seek legal advice on how best to proceed to ensure you get the most money possible if the company falls into insolvency.

How Debt Claims Solicitors can help

For more support, advice and support register at Debt-Claims.com or email info@debt-claims.com where we can help you minimise the risk of not getting paid. Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice.

Pink Connect crowned Best SME IT & Communications Service Provider

IT & communications solutions business, Pink Connect, has won a regional award and nominated as a finalist for a national award.

Pink Connect was crowned Best SME IT & Communications Service Provider in the West Midlands by SME News and has also been nominated as a National Finalist for the upcoming SME National Business Awards 2023.

The Midlands Enterprise Awards, presented by SME News, recognised Pink Connect for its outstanding contributions to the IT and communications sector. This acknowledgment highlights the company's commitment to providing

top-notch services, innovative solutions, and unparalleled customer support to businesses across the West Midlands and beyond.

Pink Connect's MD, Gisela Pink, said: "We are truly honoured to receive the Best SME IT & Communications Service Provider award. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team in consistently delivering exceptional results to our valued clients. We believe that people trust people, so we are dedicated to our personalised solutions. The world is not designed for one-fits-all solutions.”

The company's success doesn't stop there.

Pink Connect's nomination as National

Finalists for the SME National Business Awards showcases its industry leadership and unwavering pursuit of excellence on a national scale. The SME National Business Awards recognise businesses that exhibit exceptional growth, innovation, and a commitmentto pushing the boundaries of success. It also acknowledges their contribution and commitment to their social impact.

From managed IT Solutions to Unified Communications and Business Mobile solutions, Pink Connect offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower businesses and drive their growth.

Laura Shapiro

Laura Shapiro has risen through the ranks at CloserStill Media – the world’s fastest growing exhibition company, based in both Coventry and London. Laura is now one of six Portfolio Directors, where she leads a multiaward-winning portfolio of events.

Laura graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of Glasgow but moved to Southampton to pursue a career in the events industry, before moving into roles in communications and publishing. She joined CloserStill Media 12 years ago as one of the first cohort of employees and the company now employs 600.

Laura, who is also president of the Women in Exhibitions Network, has evolved as a leader over the past five years and has been a trailblazer for women at CloserStill Media.

C&W In Business caught up with Laura to find out what makes an inspirational leader.

C&WIB: Is there a leader, past or present, who inspired you?

LS: I’ve had a mixed variety of line managers in my career. I have only worked at five different companies but I’ve had more line managers than I’ve had roles. There was a lady called Sarah Ingle when I was in my late 20s who really gave me the time that I needed to iron out some of my flaws. I’m not perfect and would never claim to be but we can all strive to be better and if we can make an incremental gain, it helps. Sarah was able to help to shape my trajectory in a more successful way.

I’ve now worked under the same manager at CloserStill for a very long time – Matthew Butler – and I have to give him lot of credit for helping to shape me as a leader.

Away from work, I once heard Michelle Obama speak at a conference and everything she said resonated with me. The way she speaks, the way she carries herself is truly inspiring.

My parents are both inspiring in their own chosen careers too, they definitely taught me my unwavering work ethic.

C&WIB: Is there a piece of business advice you’ve valued most during your career?

LS: Don’t let a good idea go to waste. You might as well try it. If it doesn’t work, you won’t do it again but, if it does, it could make a massive difference to the business.

C&WIB: How would you describe your own leadership style?

LS: I like to lead from the front. I am there to protect people and I will go into battle for them if they need me to. But I also have to sit back and allow others to deliver. You can’t just have a catchall style of leadership because it depends on who you are working with – be that people who report into you or your peers. You might need to lead one another and inspire one another.

As of January this year, I took over the presidency of Women in Exhibitions Association. It’s something that has helped me with my leadership position because I get to work with inspirational leaders in other businesses so you see other people’s styles and how they are invoking excellence from their teams.

It also shows other women that we are championing them within the business and that’s really important. As a business, we’re really strong when it comes to having women in senior positions and that’s something we can be proud of.

C&WIB: How do you nurture and encourage talent within your own organisation to develop future leaders?

LS: Everybody is different and everybody needs something different. Really, it’s about understanding people. What do you want? How do you think you can get there? What help do you need from me to get you there? Coming back to the fact that no-one is perfect, we don’t always get the opportunity to ask all of those questions all of the time, so you have to find that happy medium of making sure you are always looking to give people opportunities but also to understand the day-to-day business needs and delivering your end product.

Also, moving into leadership must be a step-bystep process. You don’t want people to fail because they feel overwhelmed because they have gone from doing jobs A to C and now they are having to do A to M. This isn’t industry specific, it’s across the board.

It is also important that you get your team to identify with the people they see as leaders.

C&WIB: What support has worked for you?

LS: I’ve had some coaching and that really showed me some of the differences between being a manager and a leader. Being a manager is doing your day-to-day job, being a leader means you are thinking about next month, next year and beyond.

You have to trust your team to deliver the here and now so you can help them to achieve in the future.

C&WIB: Are there any characteristics that you believe a leader should possess?

LS: As a leader, you need to be authoritative and you need to be believable. You also need to demonstrate that you have done or at least are willing to do what you are asking the team to do.

My mum would say to me: ‘don’t expect someone to do a job that you wouldn’t be prepared to do yourself’ and that is something I put into practice daily.

If you bring in a senior manager to a business rather than promoting from within, it can be difficult sometimes to integrate with the team. That team doesn’t always believe that the new leader has done what they are asking them to do. If you rise through the ranks, it’s clear. People around you know that you’ve done all the jobs you are asking of them. It makes it so much easier if you can demonstrate you’ve done the job and, from time to time, you get involved and get your hands dirty again when it is needed.

C&WIB: What is the biggest challenge for leaders?

LS: The bigger your team gets, the biggest challenge is finding a balance. You have to make sure that you get the best out of everyone by using give and take here and there. And, to me, that’s how a good leader should function.

Flexible and remote working means that leaders can’t have their eagle eye on everyone but we’re a very trusting company and you can still get the best out of people.

I suppose the one challenge that rises from that is those who maybe need to see how the best performers operate on a day-to-day basis aren’t exposed to them all the time and, maybe, miss out on that. It’s an issue all businesses are trying to tackle.

want?

How do you think you can get there? What help do you need from me to get you there?

Everybody is different and everybody needs something different. Really, it’s about understanding people. What do you

Prime supports scaled growth for post-lockdown logistics firm

A Midlands-based transport and logistics company which formed during the height of the global Coronavirus pandemic has paid tribute to its accountants group for their support as the business formed.

Prime Accountants were appointed by 24/7 Worldwide Exhibitions shortly after the company began trading in 2020 to provide a fullservice package of accounts, tax and payroll to keep everything ‘under one roof’, playing to the strengths of the Midlands-based accountants which offers a wider range of services than its competitors.

After an expectedly difficult first year, heightened by the threat of the pandemic, 24/7 Worldwide is now experiencing significant year-on-year growth, and so remains as grateful as ever for its dedicated accounting services provided by Prime.

Colin Stone, Co-Owner of 24/7 Worldwide Exhibitions, said: “When we started the business during the pandemic, in order to create longterm success, we knew we needed to make several key decisions and make sure they were spot-on, and so I’m very pleased to report that choosing to work with Prime was absolutely the right thing for us as a business.

“Especially in the early days, knowing that Prime would be onhand to talk us through everything from private tax to payroll was a huge relief, providing a seamless service and talking to us on a human level, never accusing us of asking a silly question and making us feel like a really important client to them.

“We like to keep things simple, so having our business ethos matched by Prime was a huge benefit to us, with all their services offered as a one-stop shop for all our

How to increase the commitment of your staff or team

Understand how to connect the purpose of your business to the purpose of your staff with a one-off online event on 11th October 2023.

Glued encourages business owners to sign-up to the interactive workshop to discover the source of your own motivation and enthusiasm, which in turn, determines why each individual is driven by what they do.

In learning this technique not only can each attendee apply it to their own team and colleagues, but also use it for themselves in the moments of demotivation.

Rob Harrison, Glued, explains: “Imagine the force your business could be if everyone were on their 'A' game. Productivity up, internal relationships sparking, client engagement inspired, sales and margin improved.”

Glued has decades of e xperience in researching why people choose to do what they do. They have discovered that - almost without exceptioneveryone has a heartfelt reason for doing what they do. By discovering that, tapping into it and reconnecting it to what they do - motivation is reignited.

The interactive event is for people who lead organisations or teams of 10 or more people. It’s targeted for those likely to be in the business-to-business, business support or education spheres.

Rob advises: “This is not for the faint hearted, literally. We will be delving into quite emotive topics and understanding how they come to motivate us.”

To learn more about the course and sign up, go to: https://bit.ly/45apBM4

accounting needs. We meet with Jamie (Skelding) two or three times a year and we are always grateful of his time and his knowledge and experience of the industry and our needs as a business.

“24/7 Worldwide has experienced significant growth over the past two years and we’re set to continue that trend thanks to all our staff and our esteemed business partners, of which Prime play an important role.”

With offices in Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry, Prime Accountants proudly service its clients with a mission statement to cut through the jargon to help achieve long-term financial prosperity.

Jamie Skelding, Finance Director of Prime Accountants, said: “We hugely appreciate the working relationship we have with Colin and the team at 24/7 Worldwide, who have become

a key client with Prime over the past three years.

“Our aim with 24/7 Worldwide, as with so many of our clients, is to provide a sounding board to their accounting questions and/or concerns and offer our advice in a digestible manner to help guide their business decisions for the long-term benefit of the company.”

www.24-7worldwide.com

www.primeaccountants.co.uk

Clive Myrie, a multi-award-winning broadcaster and a familiar face and voice to millions having working in the industry since 1987, will be speaking at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business & Economic Conference on Friday, November 10 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The conference, which is being delivered in partnership with PET-Xi Training and Prime Accountants Group, is one the key dates in the business calendar in Coventry and Warwickshire as it is attended by a range of companies and decision-makers.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Doing Business with Purpose’ and will look at topics such as net zero, inclusivity and digitisation.

As well as the keynote speech from Myrie, who is also the Pro Chancellor of Bolton University, the conference will also hear from other speakers and panellists from the world of business and politics –with a full line up to be announced.

Clive’s the keynote speaker at Chamber Conference

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Last year was my first annual conference since becoming chief executive of this Chamber and it was a shining example of our role in the business community in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“It was a chance to have serious conversations about the issues facing businesses across the region, hear from experts and give delegates real insight.

“On top of that, it was a great way to connect businesspeople together and also a chance to

hear from and network with decision makers from across the region.

“We’re looking forward to this year’s conference and we are delighted to have secured Clive Myrie as our keynote speaker, who is a well-respected broadcaster who is known to millions.

“The team is working to finalise the full programme but it will, once again, be packed with a really good cross-section of people to make it another great event.”

One of the UK’s leading journalists and broadcasters will be the keynote speaker at a major business event for Coventry and Warwickshire this autumn.

We’re looking forward to this year’s conference and we are delighted to have secured Clive Myrie as our keynote speaker, who is a well-respected broadcaster who is known to millions.

Start-up support extended

Warwickshire businesses in their very early stages can still access help to grow – after a new round of funding was agreed.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s business support team is offering businesses that are less than two years old access to online workshops and masterclasses on everything from financial planning through to digital marketing as well as one-to-one sessions with an adviser.

During the course of the last three years of support, the Warwickshire start-up service, which is delivered by the Chamber on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, has helped more than 400 start-up companies to start and grow, from graphic designers through to manufacturers.

The Chamber’s support for start-ups and early phase businesses was previously part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) but that ended in June following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The new round of help is part-funded by the UK Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity

Funding via Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council and Warwick District Council. Funding has also been provided by Warwickshire County Council, which is co-ordinating the contract on behalf of the local authorities in Warwickshire, and Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

This means support will continue until at least September and business owners are being urged to make the most of the help on offer.

Keely Hancox, Head of Operations at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very pleased to continue our start-up and early-phase business support programme across Warwickshire.

“The county has very strong levels of business startups and it is crucial that individuals can get the help they need and sometimes that is most important when they are one or two years in.

“At that stage, they have got themselves established but then realise that they need help with some business fundamentals to be able to keep going and –crucially – keep growing.

“By offering masterclasses and workshops, business owners can benefit from really sound advice in several areas that will help them in their day-to-day operations.

“On top of that, we have a team of advisers – who have all run their own successful businesses – who are on hand to offer one-to-one support and that is something that we’ve had very strong, positive feedback on over the course of our most recent programme.

“For our region to continue to be successful and keep growing, it’s important that we nurture our startup businesses as they are the job and wealth creators of the future – and so support such as this is vital.”

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “The first two years of running a business can be immensely challenging in many ways as entrepreneurs get to grips with the realities of turning their ideas and dreams into successful going concerns. It is vital that they receive all the support they need at this time, and I am delighted that Warwickshire Start-Up Service will continue its excellent provision of this.”

Kalie Sahota, Wendy Brown, Sam Yair, John Fitzgerald, Rita Booth, Sarah Humphreys

HO HO HO!

Heart of England Events and

Christmas has arrived early at The Heart of England

The Heart of England Conference and Events Centre say it’s never too early to start planning for Christmas and this year has been no exception. Their planning started way back in December 2022 for the 2023 festive season.

From their giant Moulin Rouge-inspired Christmas Party Nights to Santa’s Grotto and Magical Train Rides and not forgetting the Festive Feasts in the Quicken Tree Restaurant, early planning seems to be the secret inside their Christmas Cracker!

The Managing Director and Owner of The Heart of England – Stephen Hammon, said, “There are a couple of reasons I think we do so well over the festive period. Firstly, we love what we do. Our team all pull together, putting 100% effort into making it special and magical for our visitors and guests. Getting the planning right has been key to our year-on-year successes too, with tickets and bookings selling faster than ever.”

The feedback they get from customers is phenomenal, but they don’t stop there. They are always looking at ways they can improve.

A little Elf whispered to me that more has been added to the Santa’s Grotto experience this year.

As well as the giant departure lounge marquee full of activities for the children to enjoy, they’ve added more trains down to see Santa in his Grotto and have added a virtual reality magical sleigh ride, too!

The Quicken Tree on-site restaurant is serving up Festive Feasts at lunchtime and in the evenings for companies, groups of friends and family. Christmas Day is so popular that this year, they are offering two different experiences. First is the Chilled VIP Experience in the restaurant with 5-course banquet and second is the Birchley Suite Bonanza which is in the party room with 3-course festive meal, party atmosphere, quizzes, games, bouncy castle and access to the marquee full of activities.

TruTac make driver debriefs easy for Nijman Zeetank’s tramping fleet

“The fact that we can send infringement debriefs straight through to the driver, who can then acknowledge them, has reduced our admin considerably. Trying to catch drivers and conduct debriefs in-person is incredibly difficult, whereas now, we can call them up when it’s safe and legal to do so, discuss it with them and sign it off, and they can countersign that infringement debrief at the same time. It’s a really good system.”

Nijman Zeetank is a longstanding TruTac customer and has been using the TruAnalysis tachograph management system for 15 years. It has since added TruControl, TruChecks, TruLicence, TruFleet, and TruWorkshop, and has been instrumental in shaping the products and services offered by the fleet management software specialist.

Cookes Storage Service announces exciting Expansion with Phase 2 Build

Nijman Zeetank has slashed its driver debrief administration time with TruTac’s software and apps. The paperless systems have proved invaluable to the firm, which often has drivers out in the field for long periods.

The company runs a tramping fleet comprising 50 articulated trucks and 100 trailers across two sites and its drivers can be on the road for several weeks. The UK operation specialises in the transport of products for the glass and bulk liquids industries.

“We’re an international haulier, so our drivers can be away for at least a week,” says operations manager Steve Clarke. “Typically, they’ll start on a Sunday or a Monday and then we won’t see them until the weekend – but they could be away for two or three weeks at a time.”

Steve explains that the integrated nature of TruTac’s software systems and the visual style of the app has made it much simpler to tackle issues such as infringement debriefs. “We used to have to wait for a driver to complete a trip before debriefing a tachograph issue but now we can speak to the drivers and complete the debriefs quicker, which helps to prevent some of the minor issues reoccurring.”

“Our drivers have the TruControl app, so their tachograph information is fed back to them. They can see information about their drivers’ hours, and that helps us to reduce infringements by giving them more information. It’s also presented in a way that’s engaging – it’s not just a sheet of numbers, it’s graphic – so they can see where they’re up to, including daily, weekly, and fortnightly driving totals, and as soon as the information is received from a tachograph download we know it is accurate.

“TruTac have been in touch with us quite a lot for feedback,” says Steve. “They’ve gathered the information, discussed it with some of their other customers and implemented quite a lot of changes off the back of the responses we’ve provided. A lot of their products are customer-led.

“They’ve obviously followed the DVSA guidelines because when you open the workshop module and look at things like the vehicle checks, you can see they’ve taken a lot from there but then they’ve made some enhancements that have made the apps more relevant to our business, which has certainly been positive for us.”

According to TruTac, its one-stop shop of software products for fleet management and compliance control are used by over 5700 operators.

Local Coach Operator shortlisted for four prestigious industry awards

Johnsons Quality Coach Travel of Henley-in-Arden have been shortlisted for four industry awards, at the upcoming 2023 routeone Awards, going up against some of the top coach operators from across the UK.

The family firm are in the running for ‘Large Coach Operator of the Year’, ‘Coach Tourism Programme of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Customer Experience’ and ‘Rising Star of the Year’ for their General Manager, Kyran Flynn. The awards scheme, now in its 17th year, and with headline partner Ticketer, recognises the highest standards of excellence across all aspects of coach and bus operations.

Johnsons and other finalists were initially nominated by their industry peers earlier this year, with the nominated operators then writing their entries and compiling their evidence, with a judging panel of seven senior industry experts coming together to create the shortlist. This year’s judges are: Joan Aitken OBE, former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland; David Cattermole, former Managing Director of Galloway Travel; Richard Delahoy, Transport Consultant; Nigel Eggleton, Commercial Director at CT4N and former Managing Director with First Bus South Yorkshire and Midlands; Mark Fowles OBE, former Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport; Graham Russell, former Director at FirstGroup; and Norman Thomas, former Engineering Product Manager for Volvo Bus.

Commenting, Helen Conway, Event Director with organiser Diversified Communications, says: “The prestigious routeone Awards are

unique in this industry, rewarding people and operators for their exemplary achievements and bringing the sector together to celebrate. All the entrants were nominated for an award before a panel of industry experts carefully reviewed each one - so to be shortlisted is a huge achievement. On 8 November, at our black-tie presentation evening, we will find out who has been chosen as the very best in the business.”

Lauren Davies, Head of Business for Johnsons Quality Coach Travel said “We are so pleased to be shortlisted against some of the very best in the industry. Each category Johnsons has been shortlisted for is a testament to our team’s dedicated hard work and enthusiasm for providing the very best for our clients, our motto ‘Travel with

Johnsons – Travel with Friends’ is at the heart of everything we do. I’m especially pleased for my colleague, Kyran Flynn who has been shortlisted for ‘Rising Star of the Year’ who has worked incredibly hard in a short space of time and achieved so much already at a young age. I wish him the best of luck in the second stage of interviews for this award.”

The winners will be announced on the evening of 8 November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The evening will be a fantastic celebration for the industry which has very much bounced back after a difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit www.johnsonscoaches.co.uk

Cookes Storage Service, the leading self-storage provider in Stratford-UponAvon, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated expansion of its storage facility with the commencement of Phase 2 build. Following the immense success of Phase 1, this expansion aims to provide additional storage units to cater to the growing needs of local businesses and individuals in the community.

As a trusted storage solution provider, Cookes Storage Service understands the importance of meeting the evolving requirements of its customers. The Phase 2 build will introduce a range of new units, specially designed to accommodate the needs of local businesses seeking to expand and thrive. With the enhanced storage options, entrepreneurs can now store their inventory, equipment, and documents securely, allowing them to focus on scaling their operations without worrying about space constraints.

In addition to supporting local businesses, Cookes Storage Service remains dedicated to assisting home movers during the stressful process of relocation. The expanded facility will offer a wider selection of units, ensuring that families and individuals can safely store their belongings during the transition period, providing peace of mind and convenience during the moving process.

As part of Cookes Storage Service's commitment to the community, the company is delighted to announce a special offering exclusively for chamber members. In appreciation of their continuous support, all members of the local chamber will be entitled to a bespoke discount of two months free storage. This exclusive opportunity enables businesses and individuals associated with the chamber to take advantage of Cookes' premium storage services while enjoying significant savings.

"We are thrilled to announce the expansion of Cookes Storage Service with our Phase 2 build," said James Pike, Managing Director of Cookes Storage Service. "Our success in Phase 1 and the growing demand from the community have driven us to provide even more storage options to cater to the needs of local businesses and home movers. We are committed to supporting the growth of our community and are excited to offer chamber members a special discount to show our gratitude for their ongoing support."

The company encourages all interested parties to stay tuned for further updates and invites local businesses and home movers to explore the expanded storage options available.

For more information about Cookes Storage Service and its range of storage solutions, please visit www.cookesstorage.co.uk

Record year for insurance broker

Congleton, Lymington and Glasgow, provides insurance and risk management solutions for a wide variety of commercial clients.

It works across a range of sectors, with particular specialisms in construction, manufacturing and charities, and is also the appointed broker of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

The firm delivers a proactive insurance portfolio that meets the needs of businesses, whether it be financially or through the protection of assets, reputation and balance sheets.

An independent insurance broker has experienced its most successful year on record.

Circle Insurance Services Ltd, which has its head office in Coventry, has benefitted from organic growth which has seen the firm win a number of sizeable contracts.

The family-owned firm, which was established in 1991 and also has offices in Nottingham, London, Essex, Cardiff,

Account Directors are available to their clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are supported by an experienced, proactive administrative team.

Its risk management service supports businesses with employment legislation and health and safety compliance.

It also includes an online risk management tool designed to aid clients in their management of health and safety, employment issues and training, by providing businesses with the means to manage all aspects of staff employment

and workplace safety easily, efficiently and economically.

Tony Norcott, of Circle Insurance Services Ltd (pictured left), said: “We are pleased to have experienced an extremely successful year, which is testament to the knowledge and expertise of our staff.

“In our Coventry office alone, we have seen 20 per cent growth in the last year as a result of organic growth.

“We also acquired Nautical Insurance Services Ltd, based in Essex, in January this year, adding another specialist service to the business.

“Our philosophy is to provide our clients with the level of expertise and negotiating power that they would expect from a large organisation, combined with the

Commercial trends shaping the legal landscape

A Warwickshire law firm is seeing shifts in the UK business environment that are shaping the legal landscape.

Lodders, a premier law firm with offices in Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Henley-in-Arden, and Birmingham, offers expert legal advice across a range of legal services including private client, commercial law, real estate, and family law.

Stuart Price (pictured right), partner in the commercial team at Lodders, regularly advises a range of clients from start-ups through to international businesses on commercial contracts, intellectual property, and data protection issues.

Stuart has built a strong client base since joining Lodders 18 months ago, and has noted a significant growth in instructions across certain business sectors and areas.

He said: “My clients are usually SMEs and owner-managed businesses in various sectors including manufacturing, software, e-commerce and technology, media, and telecommunications. In recent months, I have seen a marked increase in work within the IT, logistics, and alternative energy sectors, where innovation is booming.

“With the rising interest and growth in artificial intelligence (AI) there has come increasing public awareness of and concerns around data security and usage.

“More individuals are seeking access to the information that companies hold on them, leading to more subject access requests, most commonly from disgruntled employees or customers attempting to build a case against a business.

“More companies are also coming to us with issues around existing contracts, for example, where there are contradictory or unclear terms or a difference in a party’s expectations of a business relationship.”

In the current economic environment, Stuart has also observed an increase in the number of businesses outsourcing certain aspects of their operations to third parties to improve efficiency and create cost savings. He advises that

expert guidance should always be sought.

He said: “With issues such as the acquisition of premises, outsourcing contracts, transfer of employees and potential redundancies to consider, careful planning of the relationship is key, and the value of having a strong relationship with an experienced commercial lawyer to guide you through the process cannot be overstated.”

In his role at Lodders, Stuart is particularly passionate about working with young businesses and ensuring they put strong foundations in place from the start.

“It is important that all start-ups engage with a commercial lawyer from the very beginning of their business journey,” said Stuart.

“Conducting a ‘traffic light’ review of any contracts before signing gives

friendly and bespoke level of service they would only get from a small local company.

“It is thanks to this ethos that we have a long-standing relationship with many of our clients both locally and nationwide.

“We also value investing extensively in our staff, a number of which are currently undertaking advanced qualifications within the business.

“We are an ambitious company eager to grow, but are mindful to plan our investments to maintain the future financial stability for the group, our staff and ultimately our clients.”

Further information about Circle Insurance Services Ltd is available by visiting https://www.circlegroup.co.uk/ or by calling 02476 257 444.

start-ups the opportunity to negotiate any terms before a relationship begins, determine the robustness of their supply chain, and ensure they understand who owns the rights when outsourcing.

“In addition, relationships with customers should always be crystallised with a set of terms and conditions.

“One of the most important pieces of advice I give to start-ups is to create an identifiable brand and protect it. Intellectual property is an incredibly valuable yet often overlooked asset for businesses that can be critical to their future growth, success, and saleability.”

For expert commercial law advice, contact Stuart Price at Lodders by calling 01789 339 117 or emailing stuart.price@lodders.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.lodders.co.uk

“Our philosophy is to provide our clients with the level of expertise and negotiating power that they would expect from a large organisation, combined with the friendly and bespoke level of service they would only get from a small local company."

“With issues such as the acquisition of premises, outsourcing contracts, transfer of employees and potential redundancies to consider, careful planning of the relationship is key, and the value of having a strong relationship with an experienced commercial lawyer to guide you through the process cannot be overstated.”

Telecoms company helps increasing number of businesses stay connected

A Midlands-based telecoms company is helping more and more businesses stay connected with their customers and teams.

dbfb communications started its journey in Northampton, but has enhanced its presence in Coventry and Warwickshire after extending its partnership with CityFibre back in 2021.

dbfb, which employs around 50 people and celebrates its 25th anniversary in October this year, offers a range of communication solutions that are designed to keep businesses connected, talking, mobile, secure and supported.

In today's fast-paced business landscape, effective communication lies at the heart of success for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), yet many find themselves grappling with communication challenges, which hinder their growth and efficiency.

At dbfb communications, the team understands these pain points and takes pride in being the catalyst that helps SMEs overcome these obstacles by tailoring the right solutions to suit every customer’s individual needs.

Emma Mullings, Marketing Director at dbfb, said there is a great opportunity for dbfb to work with small and medium businesses local to Coventry and Warwickshire.

She said: “We work with companies of all sizes and across all sectors. We’re commercially competitive, contractually flexible, provide better service and we give back to the local community.

“At the end of the day, we sell what large corporates do. But by choosing us as their communications partner, businesses receive a more personalised and customised service.

“We know businesses are facing more and more disruptions to their day-to-day operations because of poor communications solutions – and this is why we work closely with our customers to tackle these.”

dbfb is currently running a number of service contracts at discounted prices with a view to tackling the day-today pain points of small and medium businesses across their broadband, telephony and mobile solutions.

With a focus on affordability, flexibility, and seamless connectivity – dbfb ensures that prices are competitive, but quality is not compromised.

Nick Smith, Customer Development Manager at dbfb (pictured above right), said: “We are dedicated to enhancing businesses and their digital capabilities around Coventry and Warwickshire.

“People now expect their business connections to be fast, reliable and capable, and so they should.

“If your team are noticing problems with their communications – dbfb is

here to tailor specific solutions to overcome these.”

In addition, dbfb’s mobile solution is unique to other communications providers, offering multi-network airtime, allowing businesses to choose from the top four networks and host them on one contract and all on one invoice.

Its customer portal gives businesses access to all mobile services, and useful self-service tools too, so they are not hit with ‘bill-shock’ at the end of the month. dbfb communications continues to work with businesses in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Get in touch with its friendly team now to find out how they can help your business.

For more information on dbfb, visit https://www.dbfb.co.uk/

Expansion plans on the horizon for Audio Visual company

A leading provider of Audio Visual solutions based in Kenilworth which was born off the back of a postpandemic redundancy is set to expand as it experiences increasing demand from the global live events market.

Production Concepts Ltd offers a wide range of audio visual equipment and services to the events market.

Its integrated approach ensures that the client's visions are brought to life with precision, efficiency, and unparalleled quality, offering new solutions for live, virtual, and hybrid meetings and events.

The business was founded by Project Director James Deakin after being made redundant in 2021 at a particularly challenging time for the events industry which was dealing with the aftermath of Covid-19.

Two years on and Production Concepts is now a leading provider of audio visual solutions. With a team of experts boasting many years of industry experience, it has the knowledge and expertise to deliver memorable events.

James heads up the team alongside Operations Director Greg Deakin and Technical Director Stefan Chadwick.

Jordan Keane is the Senior Technician, Catherine Deakin manages the financial

side of the business, and Kelly Lees’ role is managing the office administration and social media activity.

And it doesn’t stop there, as Production Concepts is now looking to expand once more, bringing in new AV and warehouse technicians, as well as more office support staff.

James said: “Starting Production Concepts in the midst of a pandemic was a huge undertaking that challenged us on a daily basis.

“We didn't underestimate how demanding starting a new business would be, but nothing quite prepares you for the pressure it comes with and what it entails.

“The success of Production Concepts is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team.

“We now operate on a global scale, and are looking to expand our team further to accommodate increasing demand for our services.”

Production Concepts Ltd has built an extensive network of partners, suppliers, and collaborators.

This allows the team to tap into a diverse pool of resources and knowledge, enabling them to tackle even the most complex projects with finesse.

Their adaptability and cross-disciplinary expertise ensure they can cater to a wide range of industries, from technology and manufacturing to healthcare and beyond.

Understanding that each project comes with its unique set of challenges and requirements, the team takes a personalised approach to every partnership and crafts tailor-made solutions that not only meet client needs but also exceed their expectations.

Greg Deakin said: “Working in live events is a creative and technical process that continues to be both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

“As a business, we strive to offer the most appropriate and effective technology solutions for a given event and ensure that the technology is set up, configured, and operated in a smooth and efficient manner.

“We not only offer the latest equipment but also offer an unrivalled level of customer service.”

Aside from delivering memorable events, Production Concepts take its corporate and social responsibility seriously and is dedicated to incorporating sustainable practices into its processes.

By leveraging eco-friendly materials, offsetting their carbon output, optimising production efficiency, and minimising waste, it is doing all it can to be a more sustainable business.

Further information about Production Concepts Ltd is available by visiting https://www.productionconcepts.co.uk/

"With a focus on affordability, flexibility, and seamless connectivity – dbfb ensures that prices are competitive, but quality is not compromised."

"The success of Production Concepts is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team. We now operate on a global scale, and are looking to expand our team further to accommodate increasing demand for our services.”

2024 Commercial Course Directory Launch

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training are excited to announce the launch of their 2024 Commercial Course Directory. Upskilling you and your workforce, allows you to develop your own talent. At a time when recruitment of new staff has never been more challenging, our range of training courses allows you to invest In staff, developing the skills you need for your business.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training continue to maintain an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality training. Our courses are designed to provide you and your workforce with the latest skills and knowledge to contribute to your business’ success. As an organisation, we remain committed to designing learning around the latest market intelligence and industry trends that meet customers' needs and the demands of today's business world.

Our specialist teams deliver courses which are highly practical, enable individuals to develop ideas and approaches which can be directly applied in the workplace. This includes apprenticeships, accredited qualifications and training courses on a broad range of topics, including Customer Care & Communications, Sales & Marketing, Management Essentials, ILM Accredited Qualifications, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Training & Education and Digital Skills. We have exciting new courses including Sales Advanced Sales Skills, Digital Marketing Strategy, Menopause Awareness and much more.

We can also provide bespoke training for your organisation. If you are a Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce member you will receive discounted prices on our courses and if you book our one-day and half-day commercial courses 3 months in advance you are eligible for our 10% early bird discount.

The course directory is available in digital and physical formats. If you would like to order a brochure or would like further details about our courses or to discuss your requirements, email us at enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or give us a call on 02476231122.

Supporting a local community charity to upskill

At Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, we are committed to supporting the local community. One of our notable collaborations has been with Feeding Coventry, a small charity based in Foleshill. Together, we have worked towards upskilling their staff and volunteers, empowering them to provide exceptional customer service and support to those in need.

Feeding Coventry is a remarkable charity with a compelling vision—to create a food-resilient city where no one goes hungry. They actively collaborate with partners and local communities to address the root causes of hunger, establish food security, offer low-cost food to vulnerable groups, and support individuals experiencing crises.

Their goal is to enable the community to take ownership of various initiatives, including a discounted food scheme, a community café, school holiday hunger programmes, cooking programmes, vocational support, peer mentoring, and free, confidential advice.

To assist Feeding Coventry in achieving its objectives Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training have provided them with discounted bespoke training courses and vouchers. The vouchers were distributed to the community and staff, enabling them to receive a complimentary haircut and blow-dry at our hairdressing training academy. The training sessions, delivered by our experienced trainer Sharon Miles, were designed to enhance the volunteers'

and staffs’ skills and competence in dealing with customers, managing their expectations and effectively resolving problems. Over the course of several weeks, all staff and volunteers received comprehensive training, learning a range of techniques, including how to ensure customers receive a positive experience. CEO, Helen Needham commented “Feedback was great from the team. Many staff and volunteers need extra support and have

never received formal training before. Sharon managed the sessions beautifully.”

At Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, we have established an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality training programmes. By working together with organisations like Feeding Coventry, we aim to foster a stronger, more resilient community by empowering individuals with the necessary skills to make a positive impact.

For further details about our courses or to discuss your requirements, email us at enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or give us a call on 02476231122.

Team Leader Level 3 Apprenticeship: Empowering the

leaders of tomorrow

In pursuit of excellence in leadership development, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training have designed a great way of creating effective managers. Starting in October, the Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship is a practical way of developing skills and knowledge in operational management, supporting and managing teams, overseeing projects, planning workloads and resources.

The apprenticeship is a prime opportunity to enhance your company's leadership with structured training in key management responsibilities including leading people, building relationships, communication, operational management, financial awareness and decision making.

Tailored to the needs of supervisory and first-line managers, the Team Leader/ Supervisor level 3 apprenticeship is designed to enable participants to turn management theory into practice.

In just 15 months, individuals will develop a solid foundation in leadership and management with content covering the essential knowledge needed to be an affective manager, as well as equipping participants with practical skills and behaviours to manage a broad range of management responsibilities.

Are you interested in upskilling your middle managers/team leaders?

Find out more and get in touch today by calling us on: 02476231122 or email our specialised team at enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk

Time to invest in Solar PV?

Imagineer announces Angus MacKechnie as Creative Director and CEO

John McGuigan, Chair of the Board at Imagineer, said: “Angus comes to us with a wealth of experience and commitment to help progress the work that Jane Hytch and her colleagues started many years ago. As Chair of Imagineer, I am hugely pleased that Imagineer has been able to attract someone of Angus’s ability and knowledge to lead our executive team as we move forward.”

participants, audiences who we’ve had meaningly engagement with through a range of projects.

The appointment of Angus MacKechnie, who has produced festivals and events at the highest level, follows Jane Hytch’s decision to stand down as Chief Executive after 18 years.

Founded in 2005, the directors of Imagineer had the imagination, initiative and enthusiasm to see that arts, culture and creative industries had a real and growing role to play in Coventry and Warwickshire’s future.

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Angus MacKechnie as the new Creative Director and Chief Executive at Imagineer. The company has come a long way since its early days 18 years ago and its projects and community engagement are celebrated at a local, national and international level. I must pay tribute to Jane Hytch, who as a founding member of Imagineer, has built strong foundations for the next step in its journey from its new home in the redeveloped Daimler Powerhouse.”

Jane Hytch, Founder Member and current CEO Imagineer, said: “I am immensely proud of what Imagineer has achieved over the last 18 years both in terms of how we’ve been a part of a growing cultural sector in Coventry –and beyond – and in terms of the many

“Having secured NPO Status for Imagineer and completing the first phase of the redevelopment of The Daimler Powerhouse, now is the time for me to hand on the baton and I know that Angus brings the right skills, enthusiasm and vision to continue to move the organisation forward.”

Angus MacKechnie said: “I am thrilled to be joining Imagineer to lead it through the next stages of its ambitious and exciting journey. I’ve spent so much time in Coventry over the years, chasing performances down the streets, running into culture in unlikely places and getting to know the inspiring creative community – so to be part of such an inventive city feels like a natural homecoming.

“I already love the Powerhouse and am honoured to be inheriting such a robust organisation and a building with amazing creative potential from Jane and her colleagues; my ambitions and aspirations for Imagineer are bold and big and I’m looking forward to ensuring that the organisation consolidates its place on the local, national and international cultural map. Exciting adventures ahead.”

Emvigo Solutions Ltd announced as a finalist in premier awards

Emvigo is an IT service company that offers a comprehensive range of services like Mobility Development and Support, Web and Mobile App Modernization, Bespoke Web App Development, Architecture Review, Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Project Discovery and Scoping Phase, E-commerce, DevOps & Cloud Support.

It caters for various industries such as Healthcare, Fintech, Sustainability, Customer Experience, Energy, Compliance, E-learning, and Real Estate. Emvigo has been shortlisted as a finalist in The JetBlue Business Enabler of the Year Award category of the premier British Business Excellence Awards.

The British Business Excellence Awards stands as the premier awards initiative for businesses of varying scopes and scales. Throughout the year, this program orchestrates an array of networking occasions, roundtable discussions, and meticulous evaluation

Helping people back into work

A leading training provider is playing a key part in a major drive to help people get back into work – by training the next generation of work coaches at job centres around the Midlands.

Coventry-based PET-Xi is working alongside the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to recruit and prepare Coventry and Warwickshire residents to apply for 117 vacancies in the civil service.

PET-Xi is offering a Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) – a bespoke course designed to cover everything needed to become a successful work coach, as well as other roles within the Civil service.

The course will cover understanding various benefits such as Universal Credit, how to build trust and rapport with customers, and the Civil Service Code of Conduct that all civil servants must abide by.

It also includes work experience at job centres, as well as a Q&A with a current civil servant around life working for the DWP.

Leia Welland, Head of Skills at PET-Xi, said: "A well-staffed and capable civil service is crucial for delivering essential services to the public. We are pleased to be supporting the Department for Work & Pensions with their recruitment drive to bring skilled and dedicated individuals into civil service roles.

“Having the right people in place will allow the DWP to effectively serve communities across the country. We encourage talented and motivated applicants who want to make a difference to consider joining the civil service at this important time. The work they do impacts the lives of local residents.”

procedures. The culmination of these efforts will be a grand award ceremony scheduled for November 14, 2023, hosted at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Comment from the business owner/ spokesperson.Sanjay Menon, Director at Emvigo Solutions Ltd commented on the announcement: “We are extremely proud to be nominated for this prestigious award and we look forward to the final round in September where we can showcase our story.”

Sarah Austin, Founder & Director of the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, commented on the announcement: "As the UK's unrivaled celebration of business brilliance, resilience, and innovation - the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards

takes centre stage – and this year is no exception. The anticipation is electrifying as we gear up for the grand event at the glamorous Grosvenor Hotel.

"Our excitement levels have hit the roof as we've witnessed a spectacular level of submissions across a wide range of dynamic industries – but with a real trend across the energy, recruitment, wellbeing, food & drink, and tech sectors, highlighting just how much the UK business landscape is thriving.

"Kudos to each and every finalist who has made the shortlist - your entries have truly left us in awe of your extraordinary talent and dedication, setting the bar high for what it means to be a champion in the business world. You've made us stand up and take notice, and we can't wait to celebrate your remarkable achievements."

The complete list of finalists is available on the British Business Excellence Awards website : https://britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk/2023-shortlist/

“We are proud to assist the DWP in finding and hiring the right candidates to fill these vital public service positions."

Craig Guest, Coventry Jobcentre Employer Manager, said: “Helping the region’s unemployed find meaningful work is a crucial function of the DWP and jobcentres, and now is the perfect time for people to consider a career as a work coach and play a key role in making this happen.

“We know that PET-Xi is one of the best organisations in the region in creating and delivering bespoke courses that give candidates the perfect grounding for work in particular area, so it was an easy decision to approach them to create this SWAP course.

“I can say from experience that helping people find work is one of the most rewarding careers out there. It makes an incredible difference to people’s lives, and helps grow the region’s economy too.

“I would therefore encourage anyone interested to get in touch with PET-Xi and sign up to the course.”

Anyone interested in taking the course and working for the Civil Service should contact PET-Xi email courses@pet-xi.co.uk

Engagement with AI online higher than with “human” content

AI bots get greater engagement on social media posts than those created by humans, a survey has shown.

Recruitment specialist Pertemps Network Group set up a programme over 10 weeks with a series of polls on social media, asking questions about AI – with half of the questions generated by ChatGPT.

With 3,675 votes in the polls on LinkedIn over the course of the project, there were 1,910 engagements with AI questions compared to 1,765 for the human ones.

Cat Brown, Pertemps Director, said: “There is an awful lot of chatter about AI and how it can be integrated to make industry work smarter, but with that come concerns about replacing people and taking jobs. However, we need people to put the technology to best use.

“It is about augmentation, not replacement. It does not necessarily mean fewer jobs, just different ones. AI will automate some tasks but in many roles that can be seen as a positive. With new technologies come new possibilities and opportunities for people to learn new skills, adapt and find fulfilment in their work.

“Our research shows that, already, the technology is effective and can be used to support colleagues in some of their daily tasks.

“It is essential to remember that technological advancements have always created new jobs. Evolving is in our DNA. We have done it many times before and we need to remember how to adapt and create a world where humans benefit from AI to help them work smarter.

“Think of what we already use in our daily lives, things like smart speakers. They help us free-up time.

“In the recruitment world, it can help our delivery teams work to a level of scalability that wasn’t possible before. For instance, when launching a campaign, consultants can access wider talent pools quicker than ever before.

“However, AI can’t and shouldn’t replace people. You can support a recruitment process by automating regular engagement, but the old adage of ‘people buy from people’ is still very much true today. The bond between a candidate and their recruiter is valuable and studies show better engagement leads to greater commitment.

“By embracing AI, we can create a more efficient and productive workplace, and free up time in our lives to dedicate to the tasks that only humans can do.”

As part of an AI experiment, Pertemps conducted 10 separate polls on LinkedIn on the topic of AI over 10 weeks. Five polls were human generated, with five from ChatGPT.

A business centre and self-storage company has announced a £3.5 million investment in

Somerset

Squab Storage, which is headquartered in Warwickshire, has completed the purchase of the Britannia Lanes unit, in Bridgwater, and will now begin a £1.5 million renovation of the site.

Squab centres offer storage for companies and individuals, but frequently act as hubs for companies in a range of sectors through its Squab workspace service, which offers flexible accommodation to support growth, stateof-the-art amenities, and on-site business support services.

Squab currently has centres in Leamington, Evesham and Rubery in the West Midlands and is home to more than 200 businesses across the three sites. It is also set to launch a new £3.5 million site in Stowmarket, Suffolk, at the start of next month.

Renovation work is expected to begin this summer and will see an increase in the amount of storage as well as upgraded technology and security across the site.

It will offer 37,000 sq ft of self-storage and is anticipated to open at the end of 2023.

Alex Henney, a director of Squab, said that the Bridgwater area had been highlighted as a growth hotspot in the South West after a UK-wide search for sites.

He said: “We are extremely pleased to announce our first site in the South West, with the purchase price and renovation work combined totalling just over £3.5 million.

“There is a huge amount of investment being made in Bridgwater which was

highlighted as we continue to assess areas where there is a significant opportunity for our commercial operations.

“The site benefits from strong transport links, being based just off the M5, and our market analysis shows that the area is currently underserved for self-storage.

“We will now be making a significant investment to rejuvenate the site, increasing the self-storage capacity from 7,000 sq ft to 37,000 sq ft and upgrading facilities.

“We will also be bringing our Squab workspace service to the site, providing flexible and bespoke accommodation as well as amenities and support to SMEs in a range of sectors.

“We have a variety of businesses trading from our existing sites, with businesses using units as office space, for customer facing services or as distribution hubs.

“We have clients ranging from a barber shop, a business which runs antenatal and postnatal classes and a business which provides swimming training and coaching, demonstrating the possibilities really are endless, and we look forward to supporting even more businesses from our Bridgwater site.”

Further information about Squab is available by visiting https://squabstorage.co.uk/

Payroll Giving could be a perfect fit

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to regularly give charity support, then Payroll Giving could be a perfect fit.

And not only is it a great way to give to a great cause (which is taken from your salary before tax so every pound you donate only costs you 80p – or 60p if you’re a higher earner) but it’s also a dream source of income for charities like The Myton Hospices as we know exactly how much we will be receiving and when –priceless for planning for the future.

Here at The Myton Hospices, Payroll Giving plays a vital part in helping us raise the £10.5 million we need to find every year to continue to provide our services FREE OF CHARGE to terminally ill people across Coventry and Warwickshire.

However, it is a source of income we are eager to expand – as Director of Income Generation Charlotte Ingram explains: “Payroll Giving is a wonderful stream of income for The Myton Hospices, but it’s an area we would love to see significant growth in.

“It’s such a simple way for supporters to donate and is so valuable to us in terms of

planning ahead as we know exactly what money we will be receiving and when.

“I would urge anyone who admires the work we do here at Myton and the care we are able to offer to our patients and their families to consider Payroll Giving as a great way to support us.”

Another great way to encourage staff to make a regular contribution to Myton and our work is through our weekly lottery.

For just £1 a week, lottery members are entered into the weekly draw to win a first prize of £1,500, a rollover prize of up to £10,000 and even bigger prizes – up to £5,000 in our quarterly Bumper Draws.

For more information about Payroll Giving e-mailcorporate@mytonhospice.org.

For more information on the Lottery, visit the website at: www.mytonhospice.org.

Emlyn Evans and Alex Henney, of Squab – with the company set to bring the Squab brand to Bridgwater.

Diversity & Inclusion - why does it matter?

Organisations are now starting to understand and value the business case for Diversity and Inclusion.

Research has evidenced that by recruiting and retaining diverse teams and implementing an inclusive culture this increases creativity within your workforce and enhances the performance of organisations. For teams to thrive and clients needs to be met embedding diversity and inclusion really is the key to an organisation's success.

Diverse Matters offer a range of services to support you to address inclusion in the workplace and in service delivery.

Find out more

Can we Eliminate Single Use Plastic in UK Biotech?

However, these products are being adopted for food packaging, with only a few examples available for laboratory use.

There is a strong case for us take a closer look at our plastic waste. A study in Nature estimated that for institutes and SMEs, each bench scientist generates around a tonne of plastic waste per year. In 2014 around 5.5 million tonnes of lab plastic waste were generated globally. That is equivalent to the combined tonnage of 67 cruise liners, and equal to 83% of the plastic recycled worldwide in 2012.

Single-use plastics that have been used in a laboratory for only a few seconds can last centuries in the natural environment. Many types can be recycled, and there are now hundreds of products designed to be compostable in landfills, while still giving the user all the benefits they are used to with conventional plastics.

At CryoLogyx, our products use the same single use plastic everyone else is using, because right now it is the best solution. Our assay ready, cryopreserved, pre-plated cells come in polystyrene multi-well plates because they are robust, sterile, long lasting and fit seamlessly into our customers’ workflows.

What our products can help you do is significantly reduce the volume of plastic your lab generates.

To prepare just five plates of cells for an experiment, we estimate that bench scientists use and throw away a minimum of thirty seven different pieces of single use plastic. If you used our assay ready plates, you would only need to use six – five of those being the assay ready multiwell plates, and just one pipette tip to add

To find out more and order your plates today, go to www.cryologyx.com or contact us info@cryologyx.com

warm media to thaw the cells. That equates to an 86% reduction in single use plastic waste in your lab.

We have designed our product to fit seamlessly into whatever your current cell culture workflow is; you don’t need any other special media or thawing equipment. Plates are made ready to use in less than a minute of bench scientist time, compared to the hours required for conventional cell culture. And since our plated cells can be stored frozen and used on demand, they can help reduce the time-to-experiment from several days to less than 24 hours.

Dr Tom Congdon, CEO, CryoLogyx

Technically speaking!

Mike Bridges explains how EBC Group is ensuring the firm's technical capabilities lead to commercial success for the company's clients.

That’s certainly true for Mike Bridges, director of IT at West Midlands-based EBC Group – an expanding technology company with plans for growth in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Mike was at a career crossroads around a decade ago, having started out in IT in 1987 before climbing the ladder at an IT business, where he eventually joined the board and became a shareholder.

EBC was established in 1996 by Richard Lane and the two had regular dealings over the years and became friends.

“I left my previous business in 2013 as the timing was right,” said Mike, who grew up in Worcestershire.

“I’ve known Richard for many years, and we’d often meet up in the pub for a catch up, where we would discuss how our businesses were doing amongst other things, as our children were of similar ages.

“On this occasion, Richard explained he had acquired a datacentre and internet service provider business in Northampton, where we agreed there was an opportunity to join EBC as an IT divisional head to expand that area of the business.

“EBC Group had begun as a managed print business in the late 1990s and IT and telecoms were added as new services to clients, which set EBC apart from its competitors. This offered our clients a complete fully managed workplace solution which was technically and commercially superior.”

Mike’s experience made him the perfect fit as the IT divisional head where he could work with a strong existing team to give it the best possible opportunity to flourish. And it certainly has.

“I left school and went on to do electronics and electrical engineering at college but even from an early age, I was fixing circuit boards and was just interested in that kind of thing,” he said. “After college, I went straight into the IT industry as a technical engineer.

“I learned the trade from the ground up, starting from the technical side of the business, to becoming a technical director. I then had the opportunity to move into sales and consultancy, where I could use my technical knowledge to help clients, I then progressed to become the sales director.

“Over time, this role led on to being involved in running the business with the finance director, until the time came where I wanted a new challenge.

“I joined EBC because Richard could see the potential for growth in the datacentre and private cloud sector, so I saw this as an exciting opportunity to work with him on the journey to success.”

EBC Group now employs 65 people across its divisions, but that number is ever-increasing as the company plans to double in size in the coming years.

It offers a host of services to its growing client-base, including ebcCloud, a fully managed and resilient cloud environment, private and secure connectivity,

firewalling, MS 365 consultancy and solutions, managed IT support, infrastructure design and support, on-site technical resource, to cover for sickness and holidays, 24/7 out of hours support, account management and consultancy, back-up and disaster recovery solutions, security, offering full SOC and SIEM solutions, Wi-Fi, telephony, managed print and document management.

Like most big decisions in life, the best ones are often made in the pub!

Profile: Mike Bridges

“What sets EBC Group apart from many other IT firms of its size, is the fact that we are a privately owned business, where we manage and support our own datacentres,” said Mike. “We have ensured that any certification that we need for our clients, has been put in place, such as ISO27001 for data security, Cyber Essentials Plus and we are also FCA regulated.”

ebcCloud is built across three datacentres that the company owns, located in Bristol and Birmingham, where they sit on BT’s core network, with a private cloud in Halesowen.

This puts EBC firmly in the driving seat when it comes to the future of the new way in which businesses utilise IT, as more and more services and applications are hosted in the cloud.

Mike added: “This makes the end-user device a key component, so security, performance and reliability are paramount.

“Ensuring these devices are monitored, are always up-to-date in terms of security updates and patches is crucial. We provide automated software for this, so your business doesn’t need to rely upon end users to do it. Cyber Essentials certifications also require this, which we manage with our clients.

“EBC has been around a long time. We are proven, experienced and have a strong balance sheet, giving our clients confidence, especially when being selected for large tenders, which we have a track record of being successful with.

“We pride ourselves on being able to provide solutions that not only work technically, are the correct fit for the type and size of the business we are engaging with, but also that the solution is commercially right for them.

“Businesses only tend to move IT provider when they are unhappy. If you are good at what you do, show clients how their systems are performing, provide recommendations as and when necessary, with excellent support, backed with good knowledgeable account management, you have a great chance of keeping them for many years.

“We get referred a lot from existing clients which is fantastic, where they may have been in a poor position with their IT. By becoming a partner, not a supplier to them, we can quickly build a relationship and get them back on track.”

It is with this strong reputation that EBC is looking to grow in Coventry and Warwickshire and that is a key reason why the business has joined the Chamber as a Business Influence partner.

Mike said: “We have focused on areas such as the West Midlands and Worcestershire and have been very successful, and are now looking to expand into the Coventry and Warwickshire region as we feel we have so much to offer and can help clients.

“We like to be part of the Chamber because I feel it’s a great way of getting to know people, without them feeling as if you are selling to them. You understand what their business can offer, which may be useful to share with other clients, and you get to discuss solutions that might work for them once you understand their requirements or problems. It’s all about trust and building a relationship.

“The Chamber is great for building brand awareness and for us to provide genuine advice and support to fellow members.”

EBC Group has recently launched a new business, with staff that are from the legal sector, aimed specifically at law firms.

“We therefore know how their businesses operate, and understand their application needs, and how IT needs to be designed, implemented and supported,” said Mike. “This is an exiting new venture, where we will be holding different events in the coming months.”

The first of which will take place on October 13 at BT’s prestigious landmark building at Three Snowhill development in Birmingham City Centre, focusing on Cyber Security.

https://www.ebcgroup.co.uk/cyber-event

“Further recruitment will be necessary, and we will be searching for those with technical as well as commercial know-how,” said Mike.

“Right from leaving school I have been involved in the IT sector, and with 35 years’ experience, I feel I have a lot to offer clients. I also try to recruit staff with a similar background, with good technical knowledge, where they understand the customer and what their business is trying to achieve.

About Mike Bridges

Married: Yes, to Jane for 26 years.

Children: Two sons, Kieran (23) and Leyton (19)

Hobbies: Motorsport, F1, Ferrari Challenge series, and events such as Goodwood, where I spend time with my wife, friends and both my boys.

Skiing and mountain biking are also past times I enjoy, together with eating out and socialising with friends and family.

Favourite Film: The Shawshank Redemption

Last Holiday: My wife and I love to travel, so holidays are a big part of what we enjoy together. Our last short break was Venice for my wife’s birthday.

Gadget: My iPhone

❛❛We like to be part of the Chamber because I feel it’s a great way of getting to know people, without them feeling as if you are selling to them. You understand what their business can offer, which may be useful to share with other clients, and you get to discuss solutions that might work for them. ❜❜

The West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (WMW LSIP) has been produced by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

The plan, which sets out three key priorities, has been devised after around six months of research and consultation including engaging with more than 1,000 employers as well as skills and training organisations such as FE and HE institutions and other private providers.

It has identified where there are shortfalls in provision and, also, a lack of knowledge of what is available both by individuals and employers, and makes recommendations on how they can be addressed.

Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, has rubber-stamped the plan and £10.4 million has been made available through a Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to enable FE providers to respond to the proposals.

A partnership of local providers, led by Solihull College, is now bidding for that funding to address the issues set out in the plan and the fund is an immediate opportunity to further develop the critical relationship between education and business.

The first priority is to target key sectors crucial to the growth of the region as set out by the West Midlands Combined Authority, including engineering & manufacturing, construction, ICT & digital and logistics and distribution and to promote training and education provision already available but also to invest in new facilities and courses where appropriate. General actions are also recommended for all sectors.

The second priority set out in the WMW LSIP is the provision of excellent, flexible leadership and management training in both specific and general topics to help facilitate business growth.

Finally, the plan responds to employer requests for greater levels of essential skills for work and workplace

Skills plan given the green light

digital skills with a range of recommendations from the creation of a new short course programme through to mentoring and coaching.

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very pleased that the regional LSIP has been approved by Government and that we can now set to work in helping to tackle the skills shortage in the region.

“Over the past few months, we’ve spoken to and engaged with just about every organisation with an interest in this topic – from skills providers to the WMCA and from our local councils to the DWP.

“Crucially, we have also engaged with more than 1,000 businesses right across the West Midlands and Warwickshire and we have ensured that we have spoken to those companies who wouldn’t normally engage in this kind of process to make sure we got a fully rounded picture of what is missing.

“The plan sets out how we can tackle some of those issues – in some cases it will require investment in new facilities or new courses to provide the right level of post-16 skills training but, in others, it will be making sure that businesses and individuals are aware of what support and provision is already available.”

Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "We hear loud and clear from local businesses that finding people with the right skills has got a whole lot tougher in recent years. Labour market shortages are a leading factor constricting business growth.

“The LSIP sets out opportunities to upskill more local talent and address these acute shortages. It also comes at a critical juncture for the region, as organisations look to overcome challenges and grasp opportunities associated with digitisation, the advancement of new technologies, and the transition to net zero.

“The West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP is a testament to the spirit of collaboration across the region, and I’d like to express my thanks to the over a thousand local businesses, stakeholders and providers

of post-16 technical education and training who contributed their time and expertise to the project.

"We look forward to continuing to work with fellow regional Chambers and all the partners involved in the LSIP to build on this research and report on the impact of the plan in due course.”

Sarah Moorhouse, Chief Executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “For decades now our members have reported that recruitment, retention, but more importantly skills, or sadly the lack of them, is their number one priority, so the opportunity to work collaboratively on this project, and place employers at the heart of the skills system, has allowed our businesses to express their short and long-term skills needs.

“By consulting with and articulating the skills needs of employers, the Chamber is helping to create a skills and training blueprint that meets the needs of businesses as well as the wider community, and LSIPs provides us with the opportunity to shape the future of the region’s skills and talent pipeline.

“Many of our businesses, both members and nonmembers, took part in a comprehensive assessment of skills requirements to ensure the correct provision is in place to meet those needs and to ensure we avoid skills gaps in the future.

“Alongside the specific skills required to build new green economy, and ease the recruitment crisis in many sectors, businesses involved in the LSIPs overwhelmingly identified communication and soft skills as a key priority, and digital skills were raised across the board along with those lacking specific to our region in the fields of engineering and manufacturing.”

“We look forward to working in partnership with our colleges, training providers, the combined authority, and other regional stakeholders to deliver real change as we move forward to phase two of the plans and the implementation of our findings.”

A major new plan to help the West Midlands and Warwickshire tackle labour and skills shortages has been approved by the Government – with more than £10 million of funding available in the region to deliver its aims.

Pictured: (front row l to r) Rajpal Kaur, Keely Hancox and Adele Wheatley, (middle row l to r) Gurprit Singh and Corin Crane, of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, alongside Neil Anderson, of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and (back row l to r) Jonathon Gray, of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and Emily Stubbs, of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Survey says economic outlook has been hit

The overall economic outlook for Coventry and Warwickshire has taken a tumble, according to a new survey of companies in the region.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – which is completed by businesses across the city and the county –showed a decrease in positivity compared to the previous quarter.

The survey, which is delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group, is analysed by the Economy & Skills Group at Warwickshire County Council. From the responses of businesses across the services and manufacturing sector, it gives scores out of 100 where anything above 50 is positive and below is negative.

In both services and manufacturing the overall outlook dropped creating an overall economic outlook of 50.6 compared to 55.3 in the previous quarter. It means the regional economy is still in positive territory, but only just.

The reduction is due to falls in domestic sales, which have dropped below 50 in the service sector to 48.5 and are down from 60.2 to 55.9 in manufacturing, while investment & cashflow has dropped to 45.2 in the service sector and is right down to 39.0 in manufacturing.

An increase in export sales was cause for some cheer, particularly in manufacturing where it rose to 57.7 from 48.5.

On the employment side, the service sector was down from 56.4 to 51.6 and in manufacturing it dropped from 65.9 to 54.4 meaning a slightly less positive picture regarding recruitment intentions.

Of those companies looking to recruit, 84 per cent of businesses in the service sector said they had experienced difficulties and 80 per cent of manufacturers backed up that assessment.

Confidence among businesses was still relatively strong across the region, sitting at 58.0 in the service sector and 60.3 in manufacturing.

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Across the region, businesses are working really hard to grow and make a difference in their communities – and they continue to show incredible resilience in the face of some of the most difficult challenges our economy has faced in decades and, as a Chamber, it’s vital that we connect to businesses in as many ways possible.

“The QES provides us with an acid test of how companies are feeling and the issues they are facing. We then work with our partners to analyse those results and feed them into colleagues at the British Chambers of Commerce.

“What we can see right now is that the regional economy is finely balanced – still in positive territory, but only just. We know there are strong ambitions to grow but, with interest rates rising, inflation stubbornly high and a recruitment crunch, it is tough.

“We’d urge businesses in need of support to get in touch with the team at the Chamber to help them to grow and continue the amazing work they are doing.”

Steve Harcourt, of Prime Accountants Group, said: “There is a really mixed picture in Coventry and Warwickshire. When you look at business confidence in both the services and manufacturing sectors, the region is still in positive territory, which underlines how well firms across the city and county have held up despite the variety of challenges they’ve faced over the past three years.

“Trading conditions remain tough but there is still an appetite to grow among many companies right across the region and it is vitally important that we nurture that in order to continue growing the economy.”

Labour market crunch still a challenge

The Chamber say firms are still facing recruitment issues despite a slight rise in the unemployment rate.

The latest figures show that it jumped to 4.2 per cent from four per cent and that annual wage growth hit 7.8 per cent.

Todd Williams, Insight Analyst (Economy & Skills) at Warwickshire County Council, said:

“Quarter two at a national level remained flat as inflation persists and concerns over interest rates are growing, while recruiting difficulties continue.

“However, the latest QES results show the local economy maintaining optimism despite the ongoing economic adversity.

“The results show that the overall economic outlook index for Coventry and Warwickshire contrasts the national trend with local manufacturing businesses remaining optimistic versus a national pessimism, while local service businesses are less optimistic than the national average.

“While there are local short-term concerns, especially cash flow for manufacturing businesses and ongoing pessimism for exporting services, both the local manufacturing and service sectors show confidence that business is expected to improve over the next 12 months.”

Economic growth does not disguise mixed picture

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed the latest economic growth figures – but say it is still a very mixed picture.

GDP – the measure of economic activity –grew by 0.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, including 0.5 per cent growth in June.

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Although we are still yet to see the full impact of the most recent interest rate rises, the growth in the UK economy shows just how resilient businesses have been in the face of so many challenges in recent years.

“I see it every single day when I go to meet amazing companies in Coventry and Warwickshire doing incredible things.

“It’s a relief that we have, up to now, avoided a recession that many were forecasting but that doesn’t mean that we

are out of the woods because it’s still a very mixed pictured.

“The challenges around recruitment and skills haven’t gone away, overseas trade is not at a level it should be at, inflation is still much higher than any of us would like and interest rates have increased very quickly in recent months.

“So, for businesses and the economy to truly flourish, it needs some of those fundamentals to be fixed.

“I’d urge companies which are looking to grow to come and talk to the team at the Chamber to see how we can support them with their ambitions.”

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s first estimate for Q2, showing GDP grew by 0.2 per cent is better news than expected, but the UK economy remains in a precarious place. Businesses are continuing

to face a worrying mix of high inflation, rising interest rates, a tight labour market, and global economic uncertainty.

“Today’s data is in line with our Quarterly Economic Forecast which expects just 0.3 per cent for the whole of 2023. While the UK remains on course to avoid a technical recession, small movements in one direction or the another won’t mean much for many firms facing the toughest trading conditions in years.

“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey shows that most SMEs continue to report no improvement to investment, cash flow, or sales. Worryingly, 41 per cent of businesses are now concerned about the impact of rising interest rates.

“UK businesses are very adaptable, but they are looking for clear direction from the government and the Bank of England, particularly on interest rate policy and a long-term plan to unlock investment.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said companies across the region are unable to grow as quickly as they would like because of the tight labour market.

He said: “The rise in unemployment is a sign that the increase in interest rates is starting to have an affect on some businesses but, in the main, firms still can’t access the people and skills they need to grow.

“It is one of many challenges that companies across the region have had to face up to over recent years and there is no doubt that it has stifled growth.

“Here in Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider region, we are looking at medium and long-term solutions through the Local Skills Improvement Plan but businesses also need help in the short-term in order to be able to bring in the right staff to support their growth.”

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director, Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s figures showing pay growing at a record annual pace highlight the unrelenting workforce pressures businesses are facing. In a tight labour market, employers are struggling to contain wage inflation as the expectations of their staff and job candidates continue to rise.

“BCC research published earlier this month, shows only a slight fall in the number of firms facing recruitment difficulties. Businesses tell us that access to skilled workforce remains a major concern.

“In the current challenging economic climate, boosting productivity is essential, and investment in skills is crucial to making that happen. We need the government to create the right conditions. For example, by reducing upfront business costs, enabling a more flexible apprenticeship levy and ensuring more access to rapid retraining courses.

“Firms who cannot access urgent skills locally are finding themselves locked out of the immigration system because of escalating costs and disproportionate criteria. We need urgent reform of the Shortage Occupation List to include more roles at more skill levels, when there is evidence of a national shortage.”

Steve Harcourt (left) with Corin Crane

NFU Energy unveils brandnew energy price comparison tool

NFU Energy, one of the UK’s leading energy consultancies, has launched a brand-new energy price comparison website. This new tool aims to empower businesses across all sectors by enabling them to easily compare energy prices and switch to suppliers offering more favourable deals tailored to their needs.

With energy costs being a significant expense for a variety of enterprises, finding the most competitive energy deals is crucial. This userfriendly online comparison tool simplifies the process of comparing and switching energy suppliers. Businesses can input their energy consumption details and preferences, such as contract length and trading type, and in just a few clicks, they can view a comprehensive list of energy suppliers’ tailored offers, making it easier than ever to evaluate and select the best option for their business.

NFU Energy has established strong partnerships with a wide network of energy suppliers, ensuring a diverse range of options. These partnerships enable businesses to benefit from exclusive rates and favourable contract terms that may not be available through other channels. By using the tool, businesses can potentially unlock significant savings on their energy bills, as well as saving valuable time and effort.

Joshua Robinson, Head of Contract Sales at NFU Energy said: “The launch of this new initiative marks a significant milestone for NFU Energy. Whilst this new tool will not replace our fantastic customer support team, it will certainly complement our service, giving customers the flexibility to compare contract deals in a matter of minutes, at any time of day.”

NFU Energy is committed to supporting UK businesses in their pursuit of sustainability and profitability. The launch of this online energy price comparison tool is part of its ongoing efforts to provide businesses with the tools and resources needed to navigate the evolving energy landscape efficiently.

What to consider when sending a letter before action

At Debt-Claims.com we know few things are more frustrating than chasing unpaid debts. The process eats up your time, energy, and peace of mind. Sending a letter before action is the step to take after you have made reasonable informal attempts to get the debtor to pay. If your phone calls go unreturned and emails unanswered, sending a letter before action is often enough of a prompt to secure immediate payment.

Revised and Updated Homeworking Package

A new product from AHR Consultants

AHR Consultants, a leading provider of HR, employment law, training, and safety services, have recently launched their Homeworking Package - adapted to accommodate the modern workplace.

Working from home, either full-time, part- time or on an ad hoc basis has become increasingly common. The latest figures from the ONS report show that 44% of workers are now classed as hybrid or home based, with the average employee working from home 2 days per week.

Did you know employers have the same duty of care and responsibility to their homeworkers as they do to those working on site?

This includes adequate risk assessments to cover the working environment, work equipment and employee mental health. The improved Homeworking

Chamber support ‘invaluable’ to UK office of global traffic management systems provider

“As we have grown from a business of six, we needed a dedicated Human Resources arm for the UK and the Chamber put me in touch with Quest who provide access to their qualified specialists and it took nine months to put together our HR package working with our HR manager who works in Poland.

“We now have 35 staff including software developers based here and this year, we are aiming to recruit another seven.

“Our work with National Highways still runs for some time so we will be continuing to monitor all their systems on the motorways.

“The Chamber has provided connections to the University of Warwick Business School, Coventry University and the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub which is going to be really useful.

The UK office of a global provider of traffic management systems is aiming to recruit further staff after receiving expert business support from its neighbour.

Kapsch TrafficCom has subsidiaries and branch offices in more than 25 countries, about 4,000 employees worldwide and its headquarters are in Vienna, Austria.

The UK office was set up after Kapsch TrafficCom won a major contract with National Highways to update its infrastructure and road systems throughout the UK.

Its initial six staff moved from Friars House in Coventry city centre to the Coventry University Technology Park in 2022 – and the business has now grown to 35 members of staff who work shifts 24/7 every day of the year to provide service desk and IT support to National Highways.

Shari Lewison-Frisch, Office Business Manager at Kapsch TrafficCom, said: “When we moved our UK office to the Technology Park and I saw that the Chamber was next door, I made contact straight away and it is a decision that I have not regretted.

“I also contacted the Chamber about Health and Safety and Quest again was brilliant because they carried out an audit which was just what we needed.

“The Chamber’s support systems and connections have been invaluable and I love the fact they are within touching distance of our office.”

Angela Lennox, Membership Support Officer from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“There is such a variety of guidance and support that we provide to all businesses as part of their Chamber membership and this is particularly useful to start-ups or larger businesses that are establishing a UK base.

“Putting in place HR and health and safety guidelines can seem daunting if you have never done it before but through Quest, we provide telephone advice with experienced advisors, an online document library and a business compliance review.

“This makes sure that businesses have these vital procedures in place which are really important as companies such as Kapsch TrafficCom grow.”

Administration & Customer Service

Marketing

An apprentice doesn't have to be a new staff member. Our qualifications range from Level 2 to Level 5 and our higherlevel options are well suited to existing employees.

Three major gulf airlines invest in the West Midlands

• Sunday July 2 – Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudia Arabia, began flying thrice-weekly to and from Jeddah, its vibrant second city and commercial centre. Thursday July 6 - Qatar Airways returned to BHX, following a three-year absence, with daily services to Doha.

Nick Barton, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “This is a glimpse into our future. World-class airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates and Saudia serving the global gateway of the West Midlands as we eagerly await the arrival of the new HS2 railway, which will make BHX the journey time equivalent of London’s zone 5.

• Qatar Airways back at BHX flying daily to Doha

• Saudia now flying three times a week to Jeddah

• Emirates’ A380 back adding capacity to twice-daily Dubai service

Three major Middle Eastern airlines this week announced deals with Birmingham Airport (BHX) in what its chief executive called “a glimpse into our future”.

Within the last week, the trio of airlines has collectively expanded BHX’s direct Middle Eastern connectivity to its best ever.

Today the airport released a short video featuring each of the three milestone moments from what it has termed ‘Giant July’.

Saturday July 1 - Emirates brought back its iconic 615-seater A380 ‘superjumbo,’ adding capacity on its popular twice-daily Dubai service.

“The West Midlands region is home to six million people contributing to an economy the size of Hungary's and currently boasting Britain’s strongest foreign direct investment and job creation performance outside London and the Southeast.

“Customers travelling for business, leisure, family, and religious purposes will benefit from our best-ever direct Middle Eastern connectivity.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “These new services and investment are not only a big economic boost to the region as our global ties grow, but they’re also a

significant vote of confidence in the future of the West Midlands from three of the world’s biggest airlines.”

Between 2017 and 2022, the West Midlands has attracted 771 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects - the strongest FDI performance outside of London and the Southeast. In the same period, the West Midlands region has created more than 28,000 new jobs from FDI, second only to London. Job creation levels are now at pre-Covid levels, and this growth is expected to continue through 2023 and beyond.

BHX plays a key role in the economy of the West Midlands. In 2022 its economic contribution (GVA - gross value added) stood at £1.5 billion with 30,900 jobs (direct and indirect) supported. By 2033, BHX forecasts annual customer numbers to grow from 12 million to 18 million, by which time its GVA will be £2.1 billion and supported jobs will be 34,400.

Among the customers using the three airlines will be students. A recent study jointly published by the Universities UK International, the Higher Education Policy Institute and Kaplan International with London Economics revealed that of the £42 billion impact of international students to the UK economy, £3 billion is generated in the West Midlands.

Recruitment Campaign Triumphs: Covering Costs and Tracking Down an Elusive Audience

A collaboration between Powys Teaching Health Board, Bangor University and Glued Marketing has yielded results in the recruitment of a cohort of nurses in Powys, Wales.

Underlining this achievement is NHS Wales’ pledge to cover not only students' educational expenses but also part of their living costs.

Challenging geographical dynamics: Powys, known for its sparse population and limited access to mainstream media, posed a unique challenge in attracting potential candidates for this significant nursing endeavour. Overcoming geographic hurdles and media constraints became a pivotal task in the recruitment process.

Seizing the solution: In a collaborative effort with their media partners, M3,

a comprehensive recruitment strategy was devised. This multifaceted approach amalgamated wide-reaching awareness initiatives with highly-targeted direct response marketing. A strategic blend of digital and print press publications laid the foundation for impactful mobile presence, equipped with digital content capabilities. The subsequent phase of the campaign harnessed the power of social media advertising and mobile/tablet syndication to pinpoint and engage potential candidates. Content that captivates: A novel aspect of this campaign was the innovative content strategy that challenged conventional imagery of nurses, fostering intrigue and interest among a diverse demographic in terms of age and gender. All campaign materials were crafted in both Welsh and English, reinforcing

inclusivity and reach. Precise tracking mechanisms, including tracking URLs, empowered Glued to monitor the efficacy of each advertising medium and campaign iteration.

Triumphant results: Based on the results of the initial campaign, Glued is now set to run an extended recruitment drive for a forthcoming cohort in September. The original campaign witnessed an impressive surge of over 4,500 page views, accompanied by an influx of applications substantial enough to cover costs. Beyond financial success, the campaign yielded invaluable insights and data, paving the way for a more robust recruitment solution for the upcoming primary degree commencement in the following September.

Jo Hemley, College Marketing Manager

at the College of Human

Sciences, Bangor

University, said: “This was a great learning curve with Glued. Delivering results despite significant constraints and providing a solid foundation for greater recruitment later in the year.”

Visit

Midlands law firm supports agri-tech business secure second round of funding in six months

Sustainable waste management technology business EcoNomad Solutions has secured its second successful round of SEIS fundraising in the past six months, with the support of Midlands law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

EcoNomad, based in Hertfordshire, is an award-winning agri-tech start-up that designs, produces and exports simple and affordable waste-to-energy solutions to farms around the world – helping small livestock farms to increase their ability to operate sustainably on and off the grid.

The latest round of fundraising will primarily be allocated to team expansion, customer base growth, and investment in research and development for new products.

The company’s innovative, modular and scalable technology is easily installed in places where manure or slurry is regularly collected, such as small livestock farms, micro-dairies, petting zoos and animal sanctuaries, converting waste into renewable fuel for generating onsite heat and energy. The solution also produces high-grade natural organic fertiliser that can help to grow food and preserve soil health.

Dr Ilan Adler, CEO at EcoNomad, said: “Our ambition is to reduce the environmental impact of livestock smallholdings through animal waste-to-energy conversion at a local scale. Using a number of proprietary technologies, we deliver affordable and easy to use solutions for small size farms to increase their ability to operate sustainably and off-grid.

“We’re thrilled to have received another successful round of funding, which we’ll be ploughing into further research and development to support our farming clients make more from what they have as well as help reduce impacts on the environment.”

At present, the EU and the UK produces about 1.4 billion tonnes of manure per year from livestock farming operations, while this sector accounts for 10 per cent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Ashley Taylor, Corporate Associate at Shakespeare Martineau who led the deal, said: “As a B-Corporation, these projects are very aligned with our own values, so we’re really pleased to have supported the EcoNomad team once again in their growth and development of products that have a positive impact on the farming industry.”

Azets and Aaron & Partners advise seven figure MBO for Clive Henry Group

A unique group of businesses operating across healthcare recruitment, consultancy and technology has undergone a seven-figure management buyout (MBO) backed by Praetura Commercial Finance.

The management buyout has been led by Liam Molesworth and Sam Alsop-Hall, who have been with the company since it was founded. They have ambitious plans to drive the business forward and further cement itself as a leading player in the sector.

Clive Henry Group consists of three distinct companies. Mprove is a leading healthcare consultancy business delivering quality solutions for clients in the health and care sector; Woodrow Mercer Healthcare is a specialist recruitment business operating in the healthcare sector, placing expert interim consultants into the NHS; and Tech Canal is a digital healthcare solutions provider specialising in sourcing SaaS-based solutions for its clients.

Liam and Sam, founders of Clive Henry Group, who have worked together closely over many years and have several businesses together, said: "We are delighted to have taken full control of the Clive Henry Group, a business named in memory of our late grandfathers, and look forward to building on the success of the last few years. We believe the healthcare sector has some unique challenges we are well-equipped to overcome. It's exciting to think about the industry's potential for growth and innovation, and we can't wait to see where our business can go as we tackle these challenges head-on."

Katherine Broadhurst, Corporate Finance Partner at Azets, who advised the buyers on

the deal, said: “It’s been a pleasure working on behalf of Liam and Sam to agree a deal to secure Clive Henry Group through an MBO. Seeing businesses thrive against the current economic background is incredibly inspiring, and Clive Henry Group has strong foundations for a very exciting future with Sam and Liam taking things forward with a renewed dynamism.”

Liam and Sam were advised by Corporate Finance Partner, Hugh Strickland and Senior Associate Solicitor, Zoe Lloyd, both of Aaron & Partners. Hugh said: “We are pleased to have been able to support Liam and Sam during this buyout process and assist them in realising their vision of taking full control of the Clive Henry Group. They have high aspirations for the business, and we look forward to seeing its development over the coming years.”

Pink Connect Revolutionises Outdoor Wireless Connectivity for Events, Sports Venues, and Theatres, enabling SMEs to Thrive in Summer

Pink Connect is thrilled to announce its cutting-edge outdoor wireless connectivity services tailored for hospitality, events, sports venues, and theatres.

Mark Raven, who will be stepping down as Finance Director after selling his shareholding alongside two other shareholders, Dan Ostrowski and Andrew Heggie, said: "I'm delighted that we've agreed a deal for Liam and Sam to take the reins at Clive Henry Group and we wish them both the very best for the future."

Hugh Strickland and Zoe Lloyd from Aaron & Partners, with support from Corporate Finance Partner, Katherine Broadhurst from Azets, advised the buyers. Peter Williams and Fraser Pirie advised the selling shareholders at UHY Hacker Young. James Down and Olivia Jones at Hill Dickinson provided legal advice. Funding for the transaction was provided by Praetura Commercial Finance, led by Stuart Bates and Adam Hooson, with guidance from Grant Thornton and Addleshaw Goddard.

Unlocking Growth and Efficiency: The Power of Integrating Multi-Currency Platform with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems

In an increasingly interconnected business landscape, enterprises are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and harness opportunities beyond borders.

When companies have overseas employees whom they pay a salary, suppliers who charge them or customers who pay them in a different currency to theirs, how do they manage those transactions?

A solution gaining prominence is the integration of foreign exchange platforms with ERPs.

A multi-currency account platform offers the ability to hold and manage funds in various currencies, eliminating the complexities and risks associated with foreign exchange transactions. When fused with an ERP system, this integration delivers a synergy that transcends routine financial management.

The benefits of such combination are manifold. Foremost, it cultivates financial

clarity. ERPs are renowned for centralising data, allowing businesses to monitor and manage various processes seamlessly. By integrating a multi-currency account platform, businesses gain real-time visibility into currency fluctuations, cash flow, and financial performance across international operations. This informed decisionmaking empowers enterprises to enhance profitability.

Furthermore, the integration promotes operational efficiency. Automation of currency conversion, transaction reconciliations, and reporting minimises manual errors and frees up valuable human resources for more strategic tasks. This efficiency extends to supply chain management, as organisations can accurately track costs and optimise sourcing strategies based on actual exchange rate fluctuations.

For multinational corporations, it offers an edge in expanding to new markets. With the ability to accept payments in local currencies, businesses can offer customers more attractive pricing. This payment experience strengthens customer satisfaction and helps foster long-term relationships.

Established in 2005, London-based RationalFX is one of the UK’s leading global payment providers.

For more information visit https://www.rationalfx.com/en/

As the world emerges from the challenges of the past years, businesses in the hospitality, events, sports, and entertainment industries are poised to recapture the spirit of outdoor live events. Recognising the importance of connectivity in enhancing these experiences, Pink Connect has developed robust solutions that enable SMEs to leverage the full potential of their outdoor spaces and make the most of the summer.

"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 high-speed internet access, allowing SMEs in these sectors to create unforgettable experiences for their staff, customers and visitors.

Pink Connect's outdoor wireless 4G and 5G robust routers offer a range of features designed specifically to address the unique requirements of events, sports venues, and theatres. These include:

Seamless Connectivity: Uninterrupted connectivity throughout the outdoor premises, enabling visitors and participants to stay connected and engaged at all times.

Scalable Infrastructure: Whether it's a small-scale concert or a large sporting event, the infrastructure can be customised and expanded to ensure optimal connectivity for all attendees.

Multi Network: Pink Connect's routers are single or multi network. They operate with all major networks: EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three. Depending on the venue location, they will recommend the best coverage for a smooth and successful event.

Enhanced Security: Pink Connect prioritises data security and deploys robust encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information.

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 about Pink Connect's outdoor wireless connectivity services, visit pinkconnect.com

Sip ’n’ Swig Go International!

Sip ’n’ Swig was delighted to join Invesco at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo for the IMPower FundForum Event serving up three cocktails using local spirits, designed especially for Invesco.

They first met the Invesco team at Confex, where they loved Sip ‘n’ Swig cocktails and chatted to them about Giles’ skills in creating cocktails and blending flavours with any spirits. Invesco was sponsoring the event and wanted to make an impact on their stand and make an unforgettable experience. The events team was keen to use the local Monaco distillery and sent Sip ‘n’ Swig their products to play with.

Giles created a range of bespoke cocktails which were sent to the team to choose their favourites for the event. Once the cocktails were decided upon, the marketing team at Invesco renamed the cocktails and created the stand graphics and cocktail menu. Their equipment headed over to France with the stand-builders ready for their arrival. The spirits all came from La Distillerie de Monaco and Giles and Jodie arrived ready to serve. The events team was keen to make an impact with the stand changing over cocktail hour with music, mood lighting and neon cocktail signs.

Cocktail Hour was announced on the event app and within the conference, so they were busy with guests ready to enjoy an Espresso Invesco, The Grimaldi Lady or The Monaco Blush - which was also available as a nonalcoholic cocktail.

The cocktail bar worked well for the team, keeping guests on the stand whilst they enjoyed a cocktail so the sales team could meet with them, inviting new clients with passing interest, creating social content with most guests taking and sharing pictures of the branded cocktails and creating a real buzz around the stand area.

The team explained that they could have just had the conference catering team serve cocktails or even gin and tonics, but it was without the story, engagement and theatre that made a real impact.

Sip ’n’ Swig spoke to other companies exhibiting at the show that loved their cocktails and would consider them for future events. Their client said: “I can highly recommend Sip ‘n’ Swig for any event activation where you want to create a truly memorable experience.”

“They could see our passion, knowledge, skills and level of service,” said Giles and Jodie. “We also enjoyed a few days in Monte Carlo child-free over our wedding anniversary.

“We are so proud that Invesco chose to take us to make an impact on their stand and that they were delighted with the service offered, until next time Monte Carlo!”

Forest School is Transformed by Local Firms

A forest school which brings Princethorpe children closer to nature has been given a new lease of life thanks to the generous support of local Warwickshire companies.

The Forest School at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School is held every Tuesday and provides children with hands-on experiences of the natural world, and is also used for a summer gardening club.

However, large parts of the area were left out-of-bounds and unsuitable for children due to swathes of overgrown foliage and rotten fencing which had to be removed.

Friends Of Our Lady’s School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) sought to fix up the space and find replacement fencing to ensure the area could continue to be used safely.

Parents banded together to help cut the overgrown site back, but initial quotes found replacement fencing would have cost thousands of pounds.

The PTA applied to The Wigley Community Fund (WCF) for help with funding and was told it would cost just £380.25 – funded entirely through the WCF at a reduced rate which was offered by The Wigley Group’s supply chain member, PB Forestry and Landscaping.

The donation forms part of a £5,000 funding pot in the latest round of the WCF, which has been set up by Warwickshire property firm The Wigley Group, to support causes within a five-mile radius of its HQ in Stockton.

Kirsty Maclean, who runs the PTA, said: “It is fantastic and much safer for the children. The kids absolutely love it and we are really lucky to have that space. We are so thankful to The Wigley Group and PB Forestry and Landscaping for their help.”

As well as the fencing, PB Forestry also donated wood chipping to give it a smart new look, receiving support from Flecknoe Fields Farms and B Line Plant to get the materials into the Forest School. Clarke & Strong Ltd also helped by providing weed matting.

Philip Bett, Managing Director at PB Forestry and Landscaping, said: “As a local company, it is great to give something back and I am really pleased we have all chipped in to help transform the Forest School for the children to enjoy.”

The latest round of the WCF has also seen £1,605 donated to Stockton Scouts to purchase a new mess tent, £323 to Harbury Carnival towards carnival acts, £1,878 to Southam Community Minibus Association to fund running costs for one year, £323 to

Stockton Rounders Club to purchase new training equipment, and £490 to Stockton Toddler Group for new equipment.

James Davies, Chief Executive Officer at The Wigley Group, added: “The Forest School is a great opportunity for children to learn about the natural environment and I am delighted we have all been able to support them in getting it back up to scratch.”

School Headteacher Catherine Burch said: “The staff and students of Our Lady’s are immensely grateful. We now have an amazing multifunctional space that not only looks great but is also safe and secure. I know that it will continue to bring joy and enhance our learning environment for many years.”

Don’t forget commercial vehicles

The need for these charging stations is reinforced by the fact that approximately 40,000 battery electric medium and heavy‐duty vehicles will be in operation in Europe in 2025. This figure is expected to rise to 270,000 by 2030.

It’s not only cars that require sufficient electrification infrastructure

Research by the RAC has revealed that the government is unlikely to meet its target of having six or more rapid or ultra-rapid electric vehicle chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023. So how does the land lie for the much larger, heavy-duty commercial vehicles that require infrastructure for high-power charging stations? Here, Roger Brereton, Head of Sales at steering system specialist at Pailton Engineering, discusses how to implement infrastructure more quickly.

ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, estimates that trucks in the EU27 + UK region will need 10,000-15,000 higher power public and destination charging points by 2025, and 40,000-50,000 by 2030. By this latter date, ACEA also estimates that there should be 40,000 lower-power public overnight chargers at truck parking areas.

Unfortunately, the infrastructure that is required to charge these larger electric vehicles is almost nonexistent today. This is despite a new law agreed by the European Union promising that 3,600 kW of truck charging capacity every 60 km will be installed along the EU’s primary motorways by 2030.

Unlike cars, commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks cannot use the existing infrastructure. Instead, dedicated highpower charging stations, commonly known as direct current (DC) fast chargers or superchargers, are needed to deliver highvoltage DC directly to the vehicle's battery.

Speeding up infrastructure implementation

ACEA argues the shortage of commercial vehicle infrastructure must be tackled urgently, with policymakers needing to take action to ensure a rapid infrastructure roll‐out.

The plan is to ensure adequate public charging by 2030. The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), a part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” regulatory action

to make EU policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, states that there will be four charging stations in each designated safe and secure truck parking area.

Bridging the gap

Due to the current rate of installation, heavy-duty original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cannot wait for the charging challenge to solve itself. As a result, companies should undertake a proactive study of their customers’ charging requirements, evaluate potential business models for strategic fit and then create an implementation roadmap for their chosen model.

Using route planning and battery monitoring services can provide real-time information about the availability and speed of charging stations along the planned route. This data can also be integrated into the route planning service, allowing drivers and fleet managers to make informed decisions about where to charge, helping to minimise wait times and optimise charging schedules.

For charging stations in each designated safe and secure truck parking area to be installed by 2030, a rapid rollout needs to happen fast.

www.pailton.com

Applications for the next round of funding open in September, with details available on www.thewigleygroup.com/about/csr/wigley_community_fund.aspx.

Fresh new menu at The Telegraph

Coventry city centre’s premium hotel has enhanced its menu with a range of delicious dish offerings that will whet the appetite of diners looking to treat their tastebuds.

The Telegraph Hotel’s Forme & Chase restaurant has won high acclaim since it opened two years ago as part of the wider £20 million investment to convert the former newspaper office into a high-end, mid-century style venue.

And now, the restaurant – which serves guests at the hotel as well as diners looking for a special meal – has updated its menu with options to cater for a wide variety of dietary requirements, including expanding its vegetarian, vegan and gluten free offer.

To start, there is a range of choices from gin cured salmon through to maple grilled pineapple and pepper skewers.

When it comes to main courses, there is something for all tastes – from sumptuous steaks through to plant-based dishes.

Diners can choose from duck breast, pork fillet and even gluten free beer-battered fish and chips as well as a plant-based burger or butternut squash, chickpea and spinach green curry.

Steak-lovers have the pick of a 198g rump or 227g air-dried beef rib-eye served with French fries, watercress, roasted pepper, red onion and tomato salad. For those looking for a taste of the Med, then the chicken souvlaki is the ideal choice.

The question won’t be whether to have dessert it will be which dessert to have with a range of delicious treats on offer – from a chocolate delice to peach & raspberry Eton mess, not to forget the hugely popular local cheese board.

Amy Windsor, general manager of the award-winning Telegraph Hotel, said: “The new menu really builds on the success that Forme & Chase has achieved in our opening two years here in Coventry.

“We have listened to our customers and have enhanced the menu based on that feedback, bringing more choice and more flavours to diners with a broad range of tastes.”

For more information on the new menu go to www.telegraph-hotel.com/forme-chase/

Brose Coventry – part of the Brose family for 35 years

On 12 July 1988, family-owned Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG signed a purchase agreement for a small automotive supply company in Coventry called Sheridan Engineering Ltd, closely followed by the acquisition of Techno Matic S.A. near Barcelona in Spain, thus taking the first steps towards becoming the global concern it is today. These two companies later became Brose Limited and sister company Brose S.A.

Here in Coventry, they are proud to be known as the first Brose facility outside Germany and have been celebrating 35 years as part of the Brose family.

At the beginning of July, they held an Open Day on site, followed by a Family Fun Day and Charity Football Match at the local football ground, Bedworth United Football Club.

They were delighted to welcome to both events a number of their VIP customers, local Members of Parliament and the Mayor of Nuneaton & Bedworth, Councillor Martin Walsh, as well as Alexander Kutsch, the Brose Group Chief Operating Officer for the European plants, and Joerg Kraemer, Vice President Human Resources Europe/RoW.

Despite the typically British weather, everyone who attended the events seemed to be having a great time, including having a go at driving a robot made by pupils from King Henry VIII School’s world-beating Robotics Team which is sponsored by Brose, and

watching performances by the dance team Crew Girls, which they also sponsor. The football match and other activities on the day raised £660 for their chosen charity, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, which supports people with mental health problems.

Tallon International donates £1,000 to RSPCA Coventry & District

Tallon International and the RSPCA Coventry & District Branch are both celebrating key organisational milestones in 2023 and brought their teams together for a joint party and fundraising event.

The Coventry organisations have been operating for 50 and 150 years respectively. Tallon International, based at Cyan Park, is a family owned and operated business which is a leading supplier of stationery, arts & crafts supplies, seasonal products and diaries & calendars in the UK and began operating in 1973.

The RSPCA Coventry & District Branch, a separate charity to the national RSPCA but committed to their charitable objectives, was first established in the region in 1873. Each year, they help over 300 cats, 105 dogs and 521 other animals.

Together, they held a celebration and fundraising event at the Telegraph Hotel in Coventry. The event included speeches, networking and a raffle with prizes donated by the Telegraph Hotel and CV Life who operate The Wave in Coventry as well as the Transport Museum and Herbert Art Gallery.

On the evening itself, Tallon International raised £260 with all proceeds going to the RSPCA Coventry & District Branch. It costs the centre £40,000 a month to operate, with this set to increase due to the cost-of-living crisis and the rise of animal cruelty within the region.

Steve Clay, CEO of Tallon International, said: “We were delighted to be asked to jointly celebrate and support the RSPCA Coventry

& District Branch. It is a fantastic way to show our commitment to local charities and how we ethically maintain our global supply chain. Our team came away having had a thoroughly enjoyable time and proud to show their support to such a great organisation as the RSPCA Coventry & District Branch.”

There are many ways that businesses can support the RSPCA Coventry & District Branch, for example, monetary donations, membership to the corporate Club 150, donation of services or supplies, volunteering days or purchasing from the shops or online Facebook auction.

Emma Davies, Branch Fundraising & Marketing Manager at RSPCA Coventry & District Branch, said: “It was an amazing evening and we were very grateful to celebrate with our first level two Club 150 member, Tallon International, and raise further funds for the centre. We hope to l ook at more to support our local community and are open to ideas with other businesses and charities.

If any business or charity is interested please contact myself at emma.davies@rspca-coventryanddistrict.org.uk.”

New Website and Brand for Photography Business

Lorentz Gullachsen has rebranded and has a new website and a new studio for his commercial and portrait photography.

“A technical issue made a new site a necessity and as I was going to have to get a new website, I thought I could rebrand,” he said.

“However, rather than going back to basics, I thought why not recycle? My logo from the 1980s was always well received. I loved it and I only changed to a more conventional logo due to a change of direction. Change is always going to happen in my industry, but sometimes you have to realise what you have is great. So my new brand logo is my old one!”

“I commissioned Milk Bar Studios to create a site that shows the variety of my commercial work, but also my art projects, that I have always produced. I hope now that my site is more accessible, and I look forward to a busy autumn.”

GULLACHSEN is back with a new logo, new website and a new studio near his home in Welford on Avon.

Coventry-based ATD wins JLR Global Supplier Excellence Award

For the seventh year, JLR has celebrated the outstanding achievements of its global supply chain at their annual Supplier Excellence Awards. The 16 winners, drawn from JLR’s global supplier base, were recognised for their extraordinary contribution to JLR’s business, cost transformation and operational delivery over the course of the last year.

Tobias Moch, JLR Chief Procurement Officer, said: “A great business relationship is crucial to our success, and the relationship with our suppliers is based on performance as well as integrity, honesty and trust.

“ATD has exemplified the creator’s code principle with a focus in two key areas: unity and growth. They treated JLR as a partner, working very closely with engineering, purchasing, launch manufacturing and logistics to resolve issues proactively and quickly. They worked closely with tier two suppliers, many of them much larger than ATD. They found common ground to resolve problems and move forward in a collaborative fashion. This led to a successful launch of the Range Rover SV.

“Through their long-term partnership, ATD is continuing to support JLR’s growth. They’re investing in new technologies, training and know-how to offer specialist skills in low volume manufacturing. This, in turn, means even more choice for JLR’s most discerning customers.”

Brett Townsend, Managing Director of ATD, said: “The team at ATD is immensely honoured and proud to have received this award and it is a reflection of all the hard work at JLR and ATD to engineer and launch the rear console and a number of other interior trim components for the Range Rover SV. It is only by everyone working together towards a common goal that we can truly succeed for our mutual benefit. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the combined ATD / JLR team for making this happen.”

ATD, based in Coventry UK, engineers and manufactures automotive interior components and electro-mechanical assemblies for the Range Rover SV, supplied to sequence into JLR’s Solihull assembly plant as well as complex interior assemblies for the UK’s prestigious car manufacturers. From its five plants across the Midlands, ATD employs 180 people and will generate sales of circa £20 million in 2023.

Collaborative Partnership for Socially Shared and Little PR Rock Marketing

Socially Shared Women in Business

Network stands firmly behind the transformative power of collaboration and actively fosters its promotion within its vibrant community.

The network’s founder, Karen Heap, now announces a strategic collaboration with Little PR Rock Marketing Limited, an emerging PR agency, to amplify the reach and impact of Socially Shared’s upcoming events and initiatives over the next year. This partnership plans to champion the achievements of women entrepreneurs in the Midlands fostering an environment of growth, knowledge exchange, and collective success.

Benefits of collaboration for small businesses include:

Shared Knowledge and Expertise

• Increased Innovation

• Expanded Networks and Reach

• Cost-sharing and Resource Efficiency

• Risk Mitigation

• Access to New Markets and Customers

• Learning and Development Opportunities

• Increased Credibility and Trust

• Enhanced Problem-solving

• Opportunities for Growth and Scalability

Socially Shared’s partnership, led by Karen Heap and Abbi Hoxleigh, MCIPR owner of Little PR Rock Marketing Limited, is driven by their shared dedication to supporting women in business. By joining forces, their goal is to shine a spotlight on the outstanding accomplishments and triumphs

Annual Charity Golf Day helps swell the coffers for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice

An annual charity golf day to help babies and young children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions has raised almost £12,000.

It was the fourth event of its kind organised by members of the Zoë’s Place Business Group and hosted by Coventry Golf Club. Altogether the four events have raised almost £42,000 for the hospice. Twenty-three teams took part in the event, including a mix of corporate, social and members’ teams.

All profits from the event will be put towards the hospice’s core clinical costs.

The golf day is a regular fixture on the Business Group calendar along with the annual ball which over eight years has raised more than £437,000.

Money raised by members of the Business Group is added to the hospice coffers to help provide respite, palliative and end-of-life care for babies and children aged 0 to 5.

Peter Jarvis, who is National Patron of Zoë’s Place, which also operates hospices in Liverpool and Middlesbrough, and Chair of the Coventry Business Group, said plans for next year’s golf day were already underway.

He said: “Once again this event has achieved a fantastic result for Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice and the families who benefit from the hospice’s vital services. The golf club helped boost the fundraising total even further by waiving the green fees for the event on the day.

“This event was initially only ever meant to take place over three years but there was such high demand for it again last year and once again it was a resounding success. Coventry Golf Club is a fantastic supporter of the hospice with long-standing representation on the Business Group and has already announced its support for next year. It’s a great event which gets better and better every year.”

Auction prizes at the event included a four ball at the Forest of Arden, a dine and stay package at the Belfry Hotel and Spa, and a PGA four ball course voucher.

The auction alone raised £2,550.

The event sponsor was Taylor Wimpey which also provided two golf teams and a team of volunteers who helped run the day.

of women entrepreneurs throughout their mutual business network and beyond.

Socially Shared currently operates across Warwickshire, West Midlands, Leicestershire and Staffordshire and will expand into Northamptonshire later this year.

The headline event of the year, the network’s 'Women in Business Conference', is recognised and respected as a critical event in the Midlands region which attracts women from across the area.

Karen Heap, Founder of Socially Shared, explains: "At Socially Shared, we firmly believe that collaboration holds the key to unlocking the true potential of women in business which creates collective success.

Our collaboration with Little PR Rock Marketing aims to bridge knowledge gaps and leverage the specialised expertise

of both our organisations. By pooling our resources and knowledge, we can create a dynamic alliance that will enable us to celebrate and elevate the achievements of women entrepreneurs from diverse industries and backgrounds.”

Abbi Hoxleigh, MCIPR owner of Little PR Rock Marketing, added: "Together, we can achieve far more than we could alone. Socially Shared and Little PR Rock Marketing’s extensive business network will benefit from our collaborative problemsolving, as we find innovative solutions to challenges we may not have been able to address individually. This partnership empowers us as women in business through enhanced exposure, expanded networks, and increased opportunities for growth and development.”

Plans are already underway for next year’s Golf Day and teams looking to take part are urged to sign up early to the event which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 27th.

Members of the business group are also gearing up for their gala ball, which is taking place at Coombe Abbey on November 17th this year.

One of the most exclusive events on the Coventry and Warwickshire calendar, this will be the seventh annual ball organised by the business group.

A night promised with glitz, glamour and entertainment there will be a three-course meal, live music and dancing, an auction and raffle.

For further details or to find out more about the event, visit https://www.zoes-place.org.uk/ events/2525/zos_place_gala_ball_2023

Warwickshirebased health and safety compliance

app wins SGUK Innovation Award

Under Construction, the new health, safety and compliance project management system app created by WA Management and Image Plus, has won the Safety Groups UK Innovation Award!

The Innovation Awards encompass all organisations of any size based or operating in the UK, with the aim of celebrating and sharing innovation and best practices in health and safety management.

WA Management and Image Plus have now officially come together to create a new company to publish the Under Construction app, Operational Compliance Systems Ltd –which has been presented the Lord Cullen Trophy as the Overall Winner of the SGUK Innovation Awards.

The app received some wonderful feedback from Safety Groups UK, highlighting the calibre of all entries for the award, and how Under Construction’s innovative approach stood out as the very best.

Norman Stevenson, Chairman of Safety Groups UK, praised the app’s ability to respond to the need of the construction industry to digitise.

“The judges acknowledged that this was a response to a real need to help SMEs in the construction industry to be more efficient and effective in managing health and safety. The development of the ‘Under Construction’ app has provided a great opportunity for them to take advantage of affordable IT solutions. The app provides SMEs with a simple, visual method to engage with health and safety wherever they work - providing information, analysis and reporting for anyone with a smart phone. Your entry showed innovation throughout and will have a lasting legacy.”

The SGUK Awards ceremony is expected to be held at the IOSH offices in Leicester on Thursday 21st September 2023 – those involved in the project from both WA Management and Image Plus are very much looking forward to attending and celebrating the app’s first win!

Under Construction is a personalised, easy to use, and affordable project management system app, conforming to ISO 9001 requirements and aimed at SMEs. The core aim of the app is to address the digitisation needs of construction, manufacturing and engineering SMEs, and to fill the gap in this market left by expensive, complicated, or incomplete solutions that are not feasible for a small business to integrate into their workflow.

The app has had its first launch release and is currently being tested by a group of WA customers, with a second wave of businesses ready to be signed up upon the second release.

Armstrongs crowned winners at the UK Corporate Games

A national award-winning firm of chartered accountants based in Coventry & Warwickshire has achieved sporting success, whilst raising money for charity.

On Saturday 5th August, the Armstrongs’ netball and football teams competed in the UK Corporate Games at the University of Warwick. Despite the bad weather, the teams played on and gave it their all.

The Armstrongs football team reached the final of the 5-a-side competition and won 4-2 on penalties to be crowned the winners.

The accountancy practice used the competition as an opportunity to raise money for local charity Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

Zoe's Place provides 24-hour palliative, respite and end-of-life care to infants aged 0-5 years with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They provide

short-term regular care with their dedicated nursing staff, in a home from home environment to give parents and carers a well-deserved break.

Armstrongs have raised over £1,000 so far. The Just Giving page is still accepting donations. If you would like to support this great cause, just click on the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/page/ armstrongscharteredaccountants

Armstrongs Director Sarah Van Ristell, who was part of the netball team, said: “Participating in the UK Corporate Games was fantastic for Armstrongs. It was a great opportunity for teambuilding and was wonderful to see so many of the team getting involved.

“Zoe’s Place is an amazing local charity, so we are pleased that we were able to use the games to raise money for the hospice.”

Armstrongs Chartered Accountants provide a wide range of services including accounting, tax, corporate finance, wealth planning, audit and assurance, business support and business development.

Armstrongs has offices in Nuneaton, Coventry and Hinckley.

For more information, visit www.armstrongs-accountancy.co.uk

IPP and E.A. Hawkins celebrate 15th anniversary

to paint and crisps, and significantly reducing unnecessary miles.

It’s a family affair at Eaton Bray-based F.A. Hawkins, with managing director Jim Hawkins running the company initially set up by his grandfather Frederick Alfred Hawkins in 1926 and later run by his dad, Peter James Hawkins, from the late 1940s.

A logistics partnership which plays a vital role in getting household goods onto shelves as well as providing a significant boost to the environment has reached its 15-year milestone.

Coventry-based IPP, one of Europe’s leading poolers of sustainable wooden pallets, joined forces with Bedfordshire haulier F.A. Hawkins Transport to improve efficiency.

Together, they play an active role in reducing empty running – the environmentally-harmful process of a vehicle returning to base without any goods on board.

IPP’s transport planners work strategically with F.A. Hawkins to ensure efficient pickup and delivery of everything from cut flowers

Jim’s brother, Pete Hawkins, took over the running of the business in the early 1980s and built on the success of their father and grandfather until he retired in 2019.

The family-run firm has now entered its fourth generation with Jim’s niece, Lizzie Hawkins, joining him at the helm.

The relationship with IPP has played a significant role in the company’s growth and longevity, which started with one vehicle per day on IPP work and has swelled to anything between 20 and 28.

F.A. Hawkins now moves around 88,000 pallets per week for IPP, and more than 30 people are employed by the company as a direct result of the contract.

Jim said: “We started working with IPP in 2007, which has grown so much they are now one of my biggest customers. The work with IPP has played a big role in our company’s growth.

“We are fully loaded nearly all of the time we work for them, which is obviously good for the environment compared with running empty and has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of those goods. It’s also very varied work.”

As well as ensuring business success, Jim said the partnership had flourished due to the productive working relationships he enjoys with the IPP team.

David Bage, operations director of IPP, said: “Empty running is an environmentallydamaging and costly process and leads to delivery vehicles clogging up the UK’s motorways when returning to depots without a payload.

“We work closely with our customers and hauliers to co-ordinate the back loading of used pallets on return journeys, eradicating the need for other vehicles to collect them for repair and repatriation.

“F.A. Hawkins is one of our most successful examples of this type of partnership, providing the essential transport link in the circular economy by delivering, retrieving and repatriating our pallets.”

IPP is used by major customers including PepsiCo and Tayto.

www.ipp-pooling.com

Coventry Building Society Arena committed to working with

Coventry Building Society Arena has agreed a deal with Budweiser Brewing Group which sees the world’s leading brewer named as the official lager, cider and ale partner for the venue.

The partnership will see an enhanced range of beer and cider available across the stadium, including in hospitality areas, the concourse, outdoor kiosks and the Anecdote Bar.

The range of beer and cider is set to include brands Budweiser, Stella Artois, Camden Hells, Camden Pale Ale, Camden Stout and Mahou.

Visitors to the Arena are now able to enjoy the new range from Budweiser Brewing Group this month – and the range will be available cross the venue as the new football season gets underway.

The deal was completed following a competitive tender process. The partnership with Budweiser Brewing Group is part of the continued overhaul of catering across

local suppliers

the Arena, with refurbished kiosks on the concourse and a refreshed food offering.

Coventry Building Society Arena also remains committed to working with local brewers as part of its venue-wide emphasis on working with local suppliers.

Paul Michael, Managing Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We’re excited to be able to announce this new partnership with Budweiser Brewing Group which will provide an enhanced and improved range of beverages for visitors to the venue.

“We have had the opportunity to rethink and reposition our value offering across the venue.

“We have exciting plans for the development of the catering operation across the venue and partnering with Budweiser Brewing Group is a major part of those plans.”

Budweiser Brewing Group On Trade IFT Director Chris Kitching said: “Our brands

have a long association with sport and events, which is why we’re thrilled to become the official pouring partner at The Coventry Building Society Arena.

“We’re really excited to be playing our part in the new era at the arena and helping to enhance the customer experience with our portfolio of premium beers and ciders.”

Paul Michael and Rachel Green (Budweiser Brewing Group).

Sporting festival attracts over 2,000 participants despite downpours

out across the weekend for the Games’ 30th anniversary.

Banking giants Barclays finished top of the medal table with 45 overall medals – including 31 golds. Safran came second with 44 medals and 12 golds, while hosts University of Warwick took third with 41 medals and three golds.

A major sporting festival in Coventry and Warwickshire aimed at bringing businesses together in friendly competition attracted over 2,200 participants despite biblical levels of rain.

The UK Corporate Games saw companies large and small compete in a variety of sports from football and running through to poker and dragon boat racing, across four days in August. Although driving rain and wind threatened to dampen spirits on the Saturday of the Games, hundreds of teams turned

Competitors also got a chance to let their hair down at the Games’ Welcome Festival and subsequent Great Games Party.

Doug White, Games Director, said: “It was an amazing weekend of sporting competition, and despite the weather everyone embraced the spirit of the Games and gave it their all.

“The beauty of the UK Corporate Games is that all sorts of businesses, from multinational corporations right through to local SMEs all compete together, also welcoming organisations from Turkey and Romania.

“And this was definitely seen in this year’s Games. While Barclays ended up topping

the medal table, smaller firms like Coventrybased sport and culture organisation CV Life, Coventry-based PR agency PLMR Advent picked up medals, and local accountancy firm Armstrongs won the Men’s Soccer 5’s event, which are all fantastic achievements.

“It was also brilliant to see everyone enjoying the Welcome Festival and the Great Games Party outside of their events –the Games is not just about competition, it’s about bringing teams together to network and have fun.

“We have to thank the University of Warwick for being such superb hosts, and of course all the competitors who made this year’s Games so special. It was a wonderful way to mark our 30th anniversary.”

An announcement for the UK Corporate Games 2024 will be made by the end of August. For more information on how to get your organisation involved, visit www.corporategamesuk.com or email info@corporategamesuk.com

New business centre has opened in Warwick

Entrepreneurs are benefitting from the launch of a new £5.5 million flexible business centre in Warwick.

Space Business Centre, Warwick has been developed by AC Lloyd Commercial at the popular 132-acre Tachbrook Park.

The ethos behind SBC Warwick is to provide opportunities for start-ups to move into or SMEs to grow their business in high-quality purpose-built premises which are available on flexible terms.

The 35,000 sq ft site features 61 units and has already attracted a diverse mix of small businesses ranging from a dog groomer and personal trainer to electricians and engineers.

SBC Warwick provides flexible, multi-use units on 30-day rolling agreements and no long-term commitment is required from businesses – this flexibility is important when entrepreneurs are at the early stages of developing their company or looking to expand their activities.

The units range from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft, with two facilities blocks each containing a kitchen, toilets and shower room, as well as allocated parking, 12 electric car charging points and a cycle shelter.

Mark Edwards, Managing Director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said: “The response to SBC Warwick has been extremely positive and we have seen units occupied by a wide variety of uses – from light industrial and workshops to catering, leisure, health and fitness, offices and storage.

“Flexibility is really important. There are no new commercial developments in the Warwick/ Leamington area which provide this important first stepping-stone to entrepreneurs, as well as the opportunity to grow existing businesses, with the benefit of flexible occupancy terms.

“As the site progresses towards capacity, we can see the early stages of a bustling business destination where the occupants are feeding off each other and the entrepreneurial spirit on-site is already leading to successful collaboration and growth.”

For more information, contact Centre Manager Kat Skerry via email at spacebcwarwick@aclloyd.com or visit www.spacebcwarwick.com

•••••

Taking fitness business to the next level

“My first month at Space has been amazing, and the clients really love the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the Business Centre. It is a wonderful community of businesses.

Unique approach sees waste management specialists Tom White deliver commercial success

Coventry-based waste management specialist, Tom White, has reported successful year-on-year commercial growth, due to a number of key factors including new personnel appointments, value added services and positive reputation growth.

Following the appointment of a new commercial team, led by Head of Commercial Tracy Bryan, and the switch to a more valuecentric approach, championed by Managing Director Julian Tranter, the company has seen significant growth, against the prior year. Driven by three core values – people first, protect the planet and profit for purpose – Tom White provides innovative waste solutions for homes and businesses. Covering Warwickshire and the West Midlands, key services include commercial collection, technical services, skip hire, hazardous waste management and confidential shredding.

MTC Training announced as finalist in British Business Excellence Awards

Training provider shortlisted for dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion

Tom White’s brand reputation continues to grow due to the implementation of positive innovations, such as new waste-to-product processes that continue to reduce the business carbon footprint and stopping the export of waste outside of the UK.

Tracy Bryan said: “We’re really pleased to see commercial growth as a direct result of the key decisions we’ve made. During the last year, we’ve worked hard to create a new, dynamic team who share the same enthusiasm and energy for the key Tom White values as we do. The results we’ve achieved are testament to this working.”

Julian Tranter added: “We are passionate about what we do and since taking over the business, we’ve taken great strides forward as a collective.

“Every single thing that we do is inherently driven by our core values. People are our

“I wanted a new base that gave me flexibility in size whilst also providing privacy for customers who are less comfortable in a gym setting but still want to work out, and this unit ticks all the boxes.”

• Kirsty Walton from KJPT Personal Training Boxing clever at Space Warwick

“My first few weeks at Space have been great, and I have seen my client base really grow since opening. They love the new unit’s atmosphere and how the space has allowed me to increase the services I can offer.

“Moving to Space has really helped turn my business idea into reality, so I am excited to see what the future holds.”

• Anthony Haughian, of Thai boxing business Unstoppable Fitness

Rising to the next level

“Having an empty shell made it much easier to install our own equipment and move our operation from Oxfordshire to here and the central location of the site is great because it is so easy to access.

“Our mission is about spreading happiness through food and that’s what we want to bring to Leamington and Warwick.”

• Jordan Blencowe, of Blencowe’s bakery which specialises in freshly-made cupcakes and wedding and birthday cakes

MTC Training - the training wing of the Manufacturing Technology Centrehas been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards 2023, an elite, crosssector awards programme for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

The Coventry-based skills provider will go up against nine other finalists in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion of the Year category. The category aims to acknowledge and reward businesses which have successfully driven initiatives to support their workplace and foster a culture of respect and fairness.

As one of the UK’s leading engineering apprenticeship providers, MTC Training’s mission is to create the next generation of engineering talent while upskilling and reskilling existing workforces from its three bases in Coventry, Oxford and Liverpool. It positions diversity, equity and inclusion at its core through a host of activities including the promotion of STEM professions and an enhanced enrichment programme for its learners. Internally, MTC Training is extending its board representation to include greater levels of diversity, as well as providing its employees with a range of benefits that support equity and inclusion, such as flexible working, smart holidays and private healthcare insurance.

priority. We provide a diverse and nurturing work culture, championing our team’s growth and progression. Tom White aims to be a company that retains good people – and one that people want to come and work for.

“Our people first value also extends to our customers. We really listen to their requirements, developing a strategy to better support their needs and achieve their environmental and social goals. This has naturally translated into our reputational growth and commercial results, and we’re keen to continue this positive trend going forward.”

For more information or to book a collection, visit www.tomwhitewaste.co.uk

David Grailey, Managing Director of MTC Training, said: “We are so pleased to have been announced as a finalist in contention for this year’s diversity, equity and inclusion award. With the support of our partners, we are continually exploring new ways to enhance the accessibility of our training programmes and centres. This is particularly pertinent to the engineering sector, which has historically lacked diversity and faced improper stereotypes of what an engineer traditionally looks like. We are committed to inspiring people from all communities to consider engineering as a life-long career through our outreach programmes and support to applicants, making it more appealing than it ever has been. This shortlisting is a fantastic recognition of our colleagues’ work towards creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace and training facility for learners and for the future of UK manufacturing.”

Alongside the other finalists, MTC Training will undergo another stage of judging before the winner is announced at the awards ceremony on November 14 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Coventry BID signs Marketing deal for the next 12 months

After successfully securing their fifth term through a popular vote, Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) has recently announced the signing of a new 12-month contract with Piece of Cake Marketing.

Having collaborated with the BID since 2019, Piece of Cake Marketing will continue to support the organisation in implementing its business plan for its members.

Coventry BID represents approximately 450 businesses located within the city centre's ring road, focusing on areas such as Security & Safety, Business Support & Voice, and Enhancing & Promoting the city centre.

Emma Kavanagh, Director of Piece of Cake Marketing, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to continue our work with Coventry BID for the 2023/24 period. With numerous exciting developments taking place in Coventry at the moment, it's an excellent time to be involved."

Jo Glover, Coventry BID Manager, emphasised the importance of marketing in the BID's five-year business plan. With significant improvements being made to the Upper Precinct public realm and the upcoming City Centre South scheme, it is crucial to promote and showcase all that the city centre has to offer.

One of the initial marketing campaigns for the new term will focus on Back-toSchool shopping in Coventry City Centre, highlighting outstanding independent retailers such as Cat Ballou and Charles Ager.

Getting the best out of outsourced services

It is well established that outsourcing parts of your business can drive significant value. Whether it be through cost savings, quality improvement, flexibility and scalability or bringing Focus and innovation.

Done correctly, outsourcing can make a big difference, but what are the key steps businesses can take to ensure success?

1. Be clear about what the business problem is that you are looking to address. Don’t assume that the service provider knows what outcomes you want. ‘Better/ faster/cheaper’ may cover most bases, but you must clearly articulate specific outcomes.

2. Expect your needs to change over the term of the contract. Make provision for changing needs, whether it be scale (both up and down) or adding and removing services. Understand the costs and timescales associated with any changes.

3. Work with your service provider to transform the service. If you are outsourcing a mess, work with the provider to fix and simplify the processes. It will save you money in the long term.

4. Have clear measures of what success looks like. Agree on realistic Key Performance Indicators and Service Level Agreements with your provider. If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

5. Have regular service reviews with your Provider. Discuss performance, what’s going well and what isn’t. Meet with the person responsible for your service, that isn’t necessarily the Salesman or Account Manager. Discuss how the provider is continuously improving the service.

6. Allow the service provider to deliver the agreed outcomes. Don’t try and micromanage the delivery of the service. The provider has standard processes which give them economies of scale when it comes to delivery. Heavily customised or bespoke services will cost you more overall and you may miss out on future innovations.

At Leask Advisory Solutions, we can help you maximise the benefit of your outsourced services. Contact David (david@leaskas.co.uk) if you would like to know more.

Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre celebrates 10th anniversary

Chief Executive Sarah Ann Moore said:

“Although MD Support Centre is a small independent charity, we have a big role to play as one of just two organisations nationwide providing long-term, regular physical therapies for adults with muscle-wasting diseases.

Coventry-based Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary as one of the Lord Mayor’s chosen charities for 2023-4 and as a new member of the Chamber of Commerce.

From its headquarters at Westwood Business Park, the Charity provides specialist therapies - including physiotherapy and osteopathy - helping adults affected by muscular dystrophy (MD) to actively manage their condition, maintain optimum mobility, and stay independent.

“It is an honour to be chosen by Coventry Lord Mayor Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi as one of his charities and alongside joining C&W Chamber of Commerce, we hope to raise awareness so we can support even more people in the future. MD is life-long and challenging to live with, but our service supports health and wellbeing to enable people with MD to live well.”

A rare genetic condition, MD affects 110,000 people in the UK and symptoms range from difficulty walking to compromised respiratory and cardiac function.

MD Support Centre has more than 575 service users, most referred by NHS consultants and GPs. Looking to the next

decade, it hopes to support over 1,100 people by 2025. The hybrid service offers free online as well as in-person therapy sessions from its base in Coventry and satellite clinics in Birmingham, Leicester and Tipton.

Lorraine Howard has been attending the Coventry centre for more than eight years and explains: “My time there has always been enjoyable, not just from the physical aspect but socially too. I have full-time carers who accompany me and they also find the experience useful as they are able to relax whilst my physio Lynn works her magic on me. The centre is friendly and a lovely place to be for a few hours. I hope it stays open for many years to come.”

Find out more about MD Support Centre visit https://mdsupportcentre.org/ or to discuss supporting the Charity’s work, please contact CEO Sarah Ann Moore who would be delighted to hear from you.

Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK wins the UKWA Award for Excellence in Sustainability

Third-party logistics specialist Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK has won the award for its pioneering sustainability measures at the 2023 UKWA (United Kingdom Warehousing Association) Awards for Excellence.

Rhenus was crowned the winner in the Sustainability category at the UKWA Annual Lunch & Awards on 27 June 2023 in London. The UKWA Award for Excellence in Sustainability marks the achievements of an organisation that continues to make strides towards a more sustainable future by driving positive change.

The win showcases how Rhenus is focused and committed to energy efficiency, carbon reduction and implementing environmental initiatives.

UKWA’s prestigious Awards recognise excellence in the warehousing sector and highlight the achievements of the industry’s top performing professionals and organisations.

This year, a record-number of entries were submitted across ten categories.

Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK is a logistics supplier that provides sustainable warehousing, fulfilment and returns

processing to multi-channel retailers and brands across a range of sectors.

The company is in the process of building two brand-new sustainable warehouses in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, known as the ‘Rhenus Campus’. The first warehouse, measuring 210,000 square feet, officially opened in June this year.

The site measures one million square feet in total, situated on 64 acres, and is certified “BREEAM Outstanding”, meaning it will reach the highest level of sustainability and be one of the greenest warehouses in the UK, set new standards for environmental protection,

and help customers achieve their own net zero goals.

For more information visit www.rhenus.group

New kit and endless possibilities at Warwickshire’s John Good Limited

Commercial printer John Good boasts two Hewlett-Packard additions at its busy Rugby site.

The HP R2000 Wide-format can print on virtually any flat material, whether rigid or flexible - up to 2.5 metres wide and 4.5 centimetres thick - including metal, wood and glass. The press is ideal for sizeable posters, robust banners, signage, promotional display, and more. Quick rotating chambers, multi-

Commercial printer makes significant investments

boarding, a smart belt system and advanced queueing contribute to efficiencies, generating savings that can be passed on to customers. The company has also invested in an attachment that stamps bespoke cut-outs.

The newly-installed HP Indigo 15K Digital Press features advanced technologies like automatic colour calibration, double-sided continuity, non-stop feeding and seamless substrate integration, lending advantages to virtually any print, not least core John Good products like programmes and brochures. While manufacturing costs are kept taut, the quality and turn-around times are exceptional, delivering sharp results.

Environmental impact and green credentials were carefully considered by John Good management. The R2000 utilises latex inks that are 65% water-based and do not emit hazardous pollutants, avoiding reactive

monomer chemistry exposure and ozone generation. Similarly, given the absence of plates and cylinders, the Indigo reduces supply chain waste by 26%, greatly minimising its carbon footprint.

John Good spokesperson, Till Siegers, commented, “We are committed to developing our versatility and ability to service customers efficiently, innovatively and cost-effectively. We will undoubtedly maintain traditional Heidelberg capability; with these considerable investments and upgrades, we enter somewhat of a new era, dovetailing lithographic and digital competencies, coupled with existing in-house mailing. Supported by C&W Chamber of Commerce, we look forward to hosting a September ‘Open Day’, an opportunity to showcase the exciting additions.” Email info@johngoood.com for further information.

Handelsbanken help Pass the Smile for Ben

The team at Handelsbanken’s branch in Coventry have recently completed a team challenge which saw them exercising their way from their home at Coventry University Technology Park to Handelsbanken’s head office in Stockholm, Sweden.

The total distance travelled during the calendar month was 1280 miles, and the team shared the miles through various exercise activities including running, cycling, walking and swimming. The focus of the challenge was to raise money and awareness for local children’s cancer charity, Pass the Smile for Ben.

Branch Manager, Brett Salisbury commented “I’m proud of what the team achieved, it was far from easy, and we needed a real push in the last week to make sure we arrived in time. It was a great way to raise awareness for a fantastic local charity, and to demonstrate our commitment to supporting local causes. Meeting Ben’s family ahead of the challenge inspired us towards our target and our fundraising total stands at just over £1,000, to which Handelsbanken will adding £500.” He went on to say, “We couldn’t have done this without the support of friends, family, customers, and the local business community who kindly made the donations that helped to keep us going!”.

New Partner appointed at Wright Hassall law firm

A Midlands law firm has expanded its growing corporate team with the appointment of a new partner.

Mallory Coxe has joined Leamington Spabased Wright Hassall and brings with her a wealth of experience in acting for a vast range of owner-managed businesses, large corporate and private equity firms.

Her arrival follows the appointment of Freya Summers in the firm’s eight-strong corporate team.

Mallory – who, alongside Freya, lives in the East Midlands and works in a hybrid manner – brings with her a glowing reputation from clients and the East Midlands dealmaking community, having recently been named Emerging Dealmaker of the Year at Insider’s East Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2023.

The award recognised her as being a “key part” of the local dealmaking market as well as being known for driving deals over the line for the likes of Experian, Travis Perkins and Euro Garages.

She joins Wright Hassall after more than seven years with the Freeths’ Nottingham office, having previously worked for Eversheds Sutherland and Watson Burton (since acquired by Weightmans).

She said: “I have worked with Freya in the past and when she approached me about the opportunity to tag-team in spearheading

Eskuta Expands Premises in Nuneaton to Accommodate Growing Demand

Leading Nuneaton-based e-bike company Eskuta is set to amplify its presence in the area with a strategic expansion of its premises. The expansion is marked by the installation of a new mezzanine, a move that promises to double the stock capacity of the innovative e-bike manufacturer.

Currently headquartered in two units at the Bermuda Innovation Centre on St David’s Way, Eskuta's existing premises have played a pivotal role in its growth trajectory.

However, the decision to invest in a new mezzanine installation in both units has been driven by a commitment to continuously innovate within the Light Electric Vehicle sector and cater to the increasing demand for their unique e-bike models.

The move will provide an additional 160 square metres of space allowing Eskuta to serve a larger customer base and reduce waiting times for their popular ‘moped styled’ e-bikes, which are all assembled on-site by expert Eskuta technicians.

The expansion also holds promising implications for the local community as the increased stock capacity is expected to generate additional job opportunities at the firm.

“I’ve always been really passionate about delivering results for clients, working collaboratively with all parties involved and investing time in the relationships I have genuinely built and nurtured over the years.

“Wright Hassall, having been around for 177 years, pride themselves on these pillars too and the role that had been carved out for me was something which I couldn’t turn a way from. Steve, Freya and the rest of the team have been incredibly supportive, and I am really excited to be a part of the driving force for Wright Hassall’s growing corporate presence across the board.”

First established by Managing Director Ian O’Connor in 2015, Eskuta is well known for producing cutting-edge electric bikes famed for their ‘moped-esque’ styling and features for both the consumer and lastmile delivery sectors.

Most recent accolades have included winning Reach Media’s BusinessLIVE’s ‘Small Business of the Year 2022’ along with their innovative SX-250 e-bike being named in a recent article as ‘Best Moped style e-bike 2023’ by trusted media outlet Expert Reviews.

MD Ian O’Connor said: “The expansion marks an exciting time for Eskuta, the new mezzanine installation is the first stage of our expansion plans, and the additional capacity will allow us to reduce lead times and enter new developing markets.

the firm’s growth in the East Midlands corporate finance market, whilst being part of an ambitious, people-focused and dynamic corporate team, it was something which really appealed to me.

“The idea of rejoining forces with someone you have enjoyed working with previously was a real pull. Having then met with Head of Corporate Steve Halkett, I further understood the work that Wright Hassall gets involved in, the culture, the firm’s vision and the real commitment to its people.

Head of Corporate, Steve Halkett, added: “Mallory has hit the ground running and is full of energy and enthusiasm. I can already tell she is a fantastic fit for our team here.

“Not only is she a great technical corporate lawyer with strong experience and a positive can-do attitude, but she is hugely respected in the East Midlands corporate market and will add to our existing offering in the West Midlands, London and nationally.”

Wright Hassall, established in 1846, is a full-service award-winning law firm and employs more than 245 people, including almost 40 partners.

“We are passionate as ever about shaping the future of e-mobility and championing the importance electric bikes and Light Electric Vehicles will play in the future, as we head towards net zero and aim to reduce congestion in our towns and cities.

“Coventry, Birmingham, and the surrounding areas have been the birthplace of many leading motorcycle and cycle manufacturers over the years, and we are proud to be continuing that legacy as we all transition to a sustainable and electric future.”

The mezzanine is expected to be fully completed by early September 2023. www.eskuta.com

A Warwickshire company which supplies spare parts to classic car enthusiasts across the world, has driven down the cost of its own imports to boost profitability.

AH Spares, which has its headquarters in Southam and a manufacturing base in Coventry, has been operating for 50 years in the specialist market of providing spare parts for Austin Healey and Sprite vehicles. The company employs 31 members of staff across the two sites, either buying in or making parts to be sold

across the UK and throughout the world. The firm imports some of those parts from overseas including from Europe, Australasia and USA and is now cutting the cost on them after an introduction through Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber introduced AH Spares to its Business Influence partner, RationalFX - an FCA-authorised international moneytransfer service provider.

It has allowed the company to cut down on its exchange rate costs and also to ‘buy’

currency in advance of any transactions, which it means it is cheaper when products need to be bought.

Rebecca Kemsley, of AH Spares, said: “For half a century we have been serving Austin Healey owners around the world when they need spare parts either by sourcing them or making them.

“We have some regular customers but new business only comes when someone needs a spare part for the first time and then they get in touch.

“The market isn’t one that we can really grow because no more vehicles are being made so we just have to serve those existing Austin Healey owners as and when they need us.

“It is, therefore, vital that we do everything to drive up our profit margin and cutting down on costs is one way of doing that.

“The Chamber introduced us to RationalFX and I thought: why not give it a go?

“It has immediately saved us money on our imports because we can do all of our transactions in Dollars and they get us a very good rate. We’ve only used the service a few times now but we’ve been really pleased with it and will monitor how much we can save across the course of a year.”

Warwickshire firm driving profits from overseas trade Award for firm that helps with HR

A business that was established and grown by a Warwickshire mum – at the same time as home-schooling her daughter – has won a regional award and has reached a key staff milestone.

Kathryn Brooks started Warwick HR in 2019 after initially offering to help a local business that posted online that it needed HR support.

Kathryn had taken time out of her career to look after her daughter, Imogen, and was looking for new opportunities when she saw the post and decided to offer her services.

It led to her supporting the Warwickbased company which remains a client and has grown from a handful of people to 40 staff.

And Warwick HR has followed suit and has now hit the ten staff mark, has moved into more space at Pure Offices at Tournament Fields and picked up an award for Leading Outsourced HR Provider from the Midlands Enterprise Awards 2023.

The business offers HR and recruitment support to firms of all sizes and sectors, but has found a sweet spot of companies between 30 and 70 staff. It has also carved out a niche with the

automotive sector, for which it is ideally located.

Kathryn said: “It is a great testament to the team that we picked up this award and it caps off a really positive period of growth.

“I originally started the business when I was looking to get back into industry after taking a bit of time out of my career.

“We picked up our first client and we’ve continued to work with them ever since. They’ve been a huge advocate for the way we work with clients.

“When the pandemic hit, I was trying to establish the company but also had to home-school my daughter, who is nine now. Most clients understood because they were testing times for all of us!

“For some businesses, we work with them full-time and for others, we offer one day a week support. We want to be more than just a HR handbook and look to guide and support clients in a practical way that works for their business. In the vast majority of cases, they are SMEs who won’t have their own HR team but need to make sure they getting things right from that point of view.

“It is all about building relationships and giving the impression that we are part of the team because that is very important.”

Warwick HR is now looking to grow even further and is making the most of the support on offer from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, including its networking opportunities.

Barak Chowdhury, of RationalFX, said: “The Midlands is the heart of the automotive industry in the UK and AH Spares is a great example of a company which shares a great heritage of sourcing and manufacturing quality car parts.

“Some of our UK and international clients have really suffered from Brexit and Covid, so RationalFX has a responsibility to support businesses by ensuring we are saving costs on their imports and exports but also adding value to their short-term and long-term plans by creating a hedging plan that fits within their yearly budgets.

“RFX offers individual and corporate entities with 21 multi-currency accounts for our local and international clients. Above all, we offer free consultation for brand new and existing clients that are unaware of the long list of services we offer such as forward contract, market orders and stop losses.”

Hazel Pilling, Membership and International Trade Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “AH Spares is a great example of the region’s automotive heritage continuing to thrive.

“It’s vitally important that businesses across the region trade internationally and we are pleased that, by introducing them to RationalFX, the company is saving money.”

Alex Kerr, of the Chamber, said: “It’s great news that Warwick HR continues to grow and support companies across the region.

“And we are all thrilled that they have picked up a regional award that highlights the great service they deliver for their clients.”

Front (left to right): Sorabh Gupta, Cherie Hodder, Alex Kerr (Chamber of Commerce) Back (left to right): Michelle Machin, Kathryn Brooks, Georgia Jackson, Joe Lawson.

Adele Dodds (Chamber) with Rebecca Kemsley

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

Improved exchange rates helps Southam company ‘Perform Better’

A Warwickshire company that supplies high-end sports equipment to elite clubs and organisations has got its import costs in better shape on the back of a new partnership.

Perform Better, which is based in Southam and turns over around £5million per year, works with nearly every Premier League football club, the FA, English rugby and a whole host of other teams and organisations. The company’s equipment ranges from testing systems through to recovery products, as well as strength and conditioning and CV exercise bikes and treadmills.

It is a step up from regular gym equipment and is usually reserved for those involved in sports science who are working with high level athletes.

Perform Better imports significant amounts of product that it assembles on site, as well as ready-made equipment, and costs have been rising over recent years.

The company was introduced to RationalFX, an FCA-authorised international moneytransfer service provider, by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

RationalFX has been supporting the company since November of last year and saved the firm in excess of £1,000 in the first four months of working together by helping to reduce the exchange rate on its import expenditure.

Steve Edwards, of Perform Better, said: “We have been spending significant five figure sums every month on importing products and, like every business, it is important in the current climate to look at every cost.

“We were introduced to RationalFX by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and they immediately managed to secure a better rate on our imports. In the first four months, we saved more than £1,000, which may not sound like a huge amount, but that could cover the rises in energy bills that all businesses are facing.

“As a business, we trade with Italy, the USA, Australia and other nations and it is important we can get the best possible rate to keep costs down.

“We cannot compromise on the quality of our equipment because that is what attracts clients such as Premier League football clubs

Key business figure pays visit to Nuneaton

and that was the whole point of the visit to Nuneaton.

“Every area has its own individual issues and I was very interested to hear about the shortage of employment land in this region and it is testament to Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce that it is, along with experts in the field, campaigning on the issue.

One of the UK’s most prominent businesswomen has been in Nuneaton to hear what is holding back growth for local firms.

Baroness Martha Lane Fox, the president of the British Chambers of Commerce, visited Saints Nuneaton – a social enterprise, that supports a range of community groups –where she met a range of businesspeople from the region, representing manufacturing, IT, logistics and professional services.

Baroness Lane Fox, founder of Lastminute. com, chair of WeTransfer and a board member of Chanel, heard how recruitment and skills are a severe barrier to businesses being able to expand – a message she is receiving across the country.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, also presented the regional Chamber’s Employment Land report which details how a shortage of space is preventing some local businesses from growing but is also holding back some inward investment into the region.

Baroness Lane Fox said: “We are in regular direct conversation with the Government and with the Opposition because they are very keen to hear from business on how we can get the economy moving.

“It’s vital, therefore, that we at the BCC hear from regional Chambers and their members

“Skills and recruitment is something that comes up in virtually every area I visit and it is something that this and future Governments – of whichever party – has a real job to solve.”

Crane said: “We were delighted to welcome Baroness Martha Lane Fox to the region for the second time in the space of a few months.

“It is great that we – as a Chamber – and all of our members belong to such an incredible organisation that is a voice for business and works relentlessly on behalf of firms across the country.”

Saints Nuneaton was opened by charity Together For Change in January 2020, in partnership with a group of Nuneaton churches, in the former Conservative Club in Newdegate Street.

Having supported people through the pandemic with food parcels, it is now a self-sustained café and offers a range of support to the whole community – from schoolchildren needing help with their homework through to value breakfasts for pensioners.

It also offers space for businesses to book for meetings or conferences.

Hannah Stevens, of Together For Change, said: “It’s great to host events such as this as it helps to raise the profile of who we are and what we do.”

and Premiership Rugby teams, as well as international sides too.

“In the last two football World Cups, we’ve even supplied pop-up gyms to the FA who wanted to make sure their players had the best possible experience.

“Therefore, we have to make sure we are being as efficient as we can in other areas and saving on import costs is one way of doing that.”

Lewis Josephs, of RationalFX, said: “We were very excited to support Perform Better during the 2022 World Cup campaign with buying foreign currency.

“During the account verification stage, we understood the importance of efficiency of transactions in addition to maximising savings on their transfers. We dedicate two points of contact including a dedicated currency specialist who will work closely with the business to understand their currency requirements and objectives, alongside implementing sensible hedging strategies to manage currency risk effectively.”

Hazel Pilling, Membership and International Trade Manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Perform Better has carved out a wonderful niche in the elite sports equipment market and we are delighted that they are here on our patch serving such an impressive range of clients.

“A key benefit of being a Chamber Member is making new business relationships which can bring value to all parties. We are thrilled that the introduction to RationalFX has already achieved cost savings and long may that continue.”

Joe Jackson (Perform Better), Adele Dodds (Chamber), Steve Edwards (Perform Better)

Regional business leaders meet Baroness Martha Lane Fox in Nuneaton

New apprenticeship launched to help tackle NHS staff shortages

“We will be managing the apprenticeship while drawing on expertise within the NHS to support with delivery, and our staff will be on-site to provide that full wraparound support for students.

“There are a wide range of opportunities within the NHS, and this apprenticeship will not only enable students to move into an entry-level position, but also potentially progress into other roles.

WCG has partnered with an NHS trust to launch a new apprenticeship that will play a vital role in tackling healthcare staff shortages across the area.

Royal Leamington Spa College, part of college group WCG, has joined together with South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust to launch a new Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.

The brand-new apprenticeship will see students gain hands-on experience in an NHS setting alongside study days, earning while they learn.

Mark Eden, Director of Work Based Learning at WCG, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students with ambitions of a career within the healthcare sector to gain a broad range of hands-on experience within an NHS setting.

“Nationally, the NHS have a phenomenal number of vacancies, and we want to make a difference to our wider community by supporting local people to fulfil roles in their local NHS trust.”

Leigh-Ann Johnston, Apprenticeships and Widening Participation Manager at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are extremely pleased to launch this partnership with Royal Leamington Spa College.

“The apprenticeship is a truly collaborative approach, with the college providing us with a huge amount of support for our students educationally, and us providing the settings to gain hands-on experience, all while benefitting the wider community.

“Those who successfully complete the apprenticeship can either remain in a Band 2 position or progress onto Level 3 and beyond.

“It could even be a pathway into nursing, acting as a starting point for people who do not want to study at university to become a fully-qualified nurse in six years, all while earning a wage throughout.

“We look forward to welcoming our first apprentices in September and working with the college to grow the programme.”

Further information about the apprenticeship is available by visiting wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships

New rugby education programme for aspiring players

Applications are open for students to join an exciting full-time rugby education programme.

The new one-year further education programme is a collaboration between Coventry Rugby and Coventry College and will kick off in September. It combines practical industry experience with classroom learning to help sixth form and college leavers develop their sporting and coaching skills while boosting their career prospects.

Central England Training is a team dedicated to providing specialised land-based courses

As an NPTC City and Guilds, and Lantra Awards training provider, we offer a wide range of training, either at our unit, or the customer’s location – a selection includes:-

• Equipment and Handling - Brushcutters, Hedgetrimmers, Pedestrian Mowers, Ride-on Mowers

• Pesticides - PA1, PA2, PA6

• Chainsaws, Forestry and Arboriculture - CS30 (unit 2002), CS31 (units 2003/2004), CS38 (unit 2013)

• Plant and Machinery - Tractor Driving, ATV, Forklift

• Health and Safety - 1st Aid, Manual Handling, Working at Heights

If you would like further information, please contact either:-

• jill@centralenglandtraining.co.uk / 07754 039214

• julie@centralenglandtraining.co.uk / 07715 311657

www.centralenglandtraining.co.uk

The course, which will be based at Coventry Rugby’s Butts Park Arena, will see learners work closely with management, staff and players at the Championship club, with those who complete the programme receiving a 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Sports Coaching and Performance.

The study programme provides up to 15 hours per week of academic studies which will be delivered by specialist Coventry College staff across a 34-week schedule, concluding in July 2024.

Around 25 of these weeks will contain nine hours of rugby-related content delivered by experienced Coventry Rugby personnel, giving students detailed insight into coaching methods, strength and conditioning and medical provision as approached by a full-time professional club.

The study programme will also provide learners with valuable coaching experience and other industry-related work experience in the pursuit of sports coaching qualifications.

Applicants must be aged 18 and be sixth form or college leavers to apply for the programme, which offers potential progression routes into higher education.

Coventry Rugby head coach Alex Rae believes the course offers plenty for ambitious teenage rugby players.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for a young player to get some education while also being part of a really good rugby programme

incorporating all the key elements which will make them a better rugby player and a better person,” he said.

“They will be surrounded by first team players and coaches and within a pathway that is a proven route already taken by players like Tom Ball and Fin Ogden who are currently within our senior squad.”

Rae also sees the course as a potential route into professional rugby for those who really impress.

“If someone comes on this programme and excels, I am not frightened to give them their chance in our first team in the Championship,” he said.

“But for all players, this course is geared up to provide students with a platform from which they are able to go on and enjoy their rugby at any level.”

Pete Glackin, Head of Rugby, Sports Development and Academies Manager at Coventry College, added: “Providing aspiring players with a continued academic and rugby playing pathway is essential to their personal development. We are very much looking forward to developing the study programme alongside Coventry Rugby over the coming years.”

Coventry Rugby players Tom Ball and Fin Ogden

Student satisfaction with College higher education ahead of sector

“What these results strongly demonstrate is that NWSLC is a great place to follow higher education programmes thanks to our clear focus on nurturing support and giving a voice to every individual student. Students can rest assured that they will benefit from personal attention, constructive and timely feedback, and a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities. We are very proud of the whole team that has worked so hard to maintain an excellent learning experience for our HE students.”

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) has been rated as one of the best higher education providers in the Midlands as the results of the latest National Student Survey are revealed. NWSLC’s performance was ranked first ahead of local competitors for teaching, assessment feedback, student voice activities, access to information on mental wellbeing, and opportunities to express their ideas.

Carrie-Anne Abdulai, Assistant Principal at NWSLC said, “We are delighted that students have continued to endorse the higher education provision at NWSLC in their responses to this year’s National Student Survey. We highly value students’ feedback and draw on it in the continued development of our higher education provision. It is fantastic to see that 92 per cent of those students that responded to the survey feel they have opportunities to feed back on their course experience and confirm that we act on what they tell us.

“Our students’ mental wellbeing is very important to us, and we always ensure that they have access to the information and support they need to thrive. Our success is reflected in the survey’s score of 96 per cent satisfaction based on National Student Survey outcomes. More than 90 per cent of students who responded to the survey were also positive about the teaching, learning and academic support they received. For nine out of the ten measures covered by the survey, NWSLC’s ranking was well above the national sector benchmark.

“NWSLC offers a wide range of degree-level courses and professional qualifications designed to help students focus on both the academic qualifications and practical employability skills needed to progress towards a fulfilling and exciting career. Through our close links with Coventry University and the University of West London, we have been able to design and deliver courses that build on existing qualifications offered by the college. As well as HNCs, HNDs and Foundation Degrees, we also offer full degree qualifications.” For more information visit www.nwslc.ac.uk

Weddings set to return to Moreton Morrell College

A renowned agricultural college in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside has signed a new deal which will see weddings held in its grounds for the first time in 15 years.

Moreton Morrell College, which is part of college group WCG, has partnered with Midlands-based Sovereignty Venue & Event Management to host weddings and associated events for South Asian communities.

Sovereignty has more than 12 years’ experience in organising and managing large-scale south Asian events. It hosts up to 40 weddings a year in venues across the Midlands and beyond.

The business will be seeking to host seasonal weddings for up to 700 guests in an open-air setting, with the backdrop of Moreton Morrell College and its Grade II listed Moreton Hall, a Georgian styled house on the college grounds with a long feature drive.

Weddings and events are expected to start being held in 2024 at Moreton Morrell College, but there may also be opportunities for celebrations later this year.

The partnership with Sovereignty signals a move from WCG to see weddings return to Moreton Morrell College for the first time in 15 years. The last weddings to be held at the college were held prior to Moreton Hall being severely damaged by fire in 2008.

Driving the Future of Immersive Technology –Coventry University hosts the European Business Network (EBN) Techcamp, 19th-20th October 2023

European business leaders will descend to Coventry city for a two-day programme of events showcasing some the best immersive technology (AR, VR) the UK has to offer, hosted by Coventry University.

EBN Techcamp brings together experts from various fields across Europe to share their knowledge and experience, and provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and co-learning in business support methodologies. It is a unique participatory and interactive event, led by and created for business support experts and skilled innovation practitioners.

Leading Techcamp for 2023 is Coventry University’s Director of Innovation, Paul Fairburn, who has lined up academic experts and businesses to demonstrate how they collaborate to develop new immersive technology products and services.

Guests will hear from keynote speakers, visit research facilities, and attend workshops to learn more about how immersive technology is accelerating the future of transport, evolving healthcare training, supporting the creative industries, and driving changes in manufacturing.

European business leaders will visit the university’s Simulation

Centre and experience how immersive technology is used to deliver on the job skills training in ‘real time’ environments. Join us at Techcamp 2023, as we delve into:

How we can create the optimal environment for (deep) technology businesses to start, scale, and grow

• How to best support disruptive, immersive, technology-based businesses

How to collaborate with large industry-leading corporations

• The different business needs of start-ups and scale-ups in using and deploying simulation/ immersive technology.

To register for this this event, please visit: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/business/business-events/2023-european-business-network-techcamp/

Sarah Butterfield, Director of Commercial Development at WCG, said: “We have been seeking a partner that will help us to bring back weddings and associated events to our colleges, and this deal with Sovereignty will help us to do that.

“The college invests the proceeds from WCG Venues directly back into our colleges and to enhance educational delivery for our students.

“We’re developing a strong venue offer across our college group, from conferences and exhibitions to business events and weddings, and partnering with Sovereignty sees the organisation continue to expand in this area.”

Sovereignty Venue and Event Management works with a wide range of venues, from stately homes, to conferences centre and hotels.

Arum Javed, of Sovereignty Venue and Event Management, believes that Moreton Morrell and Moreton Hall are hidden gems as wedding venues and that the college grounds can provide a showstopping setting for weddings.

“We will be looking at building state-of-the-art 360 view marquees in the grounds of Moreton Hall, which will enable guests to enjoy the celebration inside but still with the Warwickshire countryside around them.

To find out more about Venues at WCG visit wcg.ac.uk/venues, contact venues@wcg.ac.uk or call 0330 135 6923. For more information about hosting weddings at Moreton Morrell College and Moreton Hall visit sovereigntyvenueandeventmngt.co.uk

❛❛ Our students’ mental wellbeing is very important to us, and we always ensure that they have access to the information and support they need to thrive.

❜❜

Summit to support international trade

A major summit to give Coventry and Warwickshire firms a competitive edge when trading overseas is taking place in the region this autumn.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is hosting an International Trade Summit on Friday, November 3 at the Holiday Inn Coventry and it will feature a range of expert speakers and panellists to offer an insight into exporting and importing.

The packed agenda – from 8.45am through to 2pm – includes a keynote speech from Rhys Herbert, the chief economist at Lloyds Bank, insights from Coventry University’s Dr Paul Noon OBE and an update from Shehzad Chaudhary, the Midlands Director for International Trade & Investment at the Department for Business & Trade (DBT).

The event, which will aim to break down

the barriers to trading overseas to help firms expand their global reach, will be opened by Chamber chief executive Corin Crane and will also include contributions from David Hooper, of Independent Freight; Andy Demetriades, of Rational FX; and Will Bain, of the British Chambers of Commerce.

It will be closed by a panel discussion before an opportunity to network over lunch.

Topics will include Global Trade Insights to ensure businesses are equipped for success on the global stage.

The event will also hear how the Midlands is spearheading innovation in international trade, leveraging its strategic location and expertise to drive forward the nation's trade agenda.

Firms will be shown how to discover strategies for expanding their worldwide reach, tapping into international markets

with the British Chamber of Commerce Global Network.

There will also be information and insight on how to unravel the complexities of tariffs, customs duties, and Free Trade Agreements as well as exploring the cutting-edge revolution of artificial intelligence and uncovering how data-driven strategies can revolutionise firms’ approaches to global business.

Businesses will also hear about exchange rate fluctuations and explore innovative ways to minimise risks and maximise returns in international trade ventures.

Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “International trade is absolutely key to growing our regional economy. The more firms that export, the better it is for Coventry and Warwickshire, but it also gives those

individual businesses a much stronger chance of survival and growth.

“Over recent years, there has been a huge amount of noise about overseas trade – whether it has been through conversations around Brexit or signing Free Trade Agreements with other nations or blocs.

“This summit will cut through that noise and hear from international trade experts who can give up-to-theminute, practical advice and information to businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.

“For any business that wants to trade overseas – or expand what they are already doing – this is an event that cannot be missed.”

Lloyds Bank is the headline sponsor of the event, with Rational FX as supporting sponsor and Independent Freight is the breakfast sponsor.

For more information or to book a place at the International Trade Summit go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/events/international-trade-summit/

❛❛ International trade is absolutely key to growing our regional economy. The more firms that export, the better it is for Coventry and Warwickshire, but it also gives those individual businesses a much stronger chance of survival and growth. ❜❜

Tom Mongan, president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and chair of its North Warwickshire branch.

I am very much looking forward to one of the biggest events in the business calendar in a couple of months’ time but it is also tinged with a bit of sadness.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Conference takes place in November and is a great chance to network with whole range of business leaders and civic leaders, as well as hearing from great speakers and panellists.

This year we are going to hear from Clive Myrie – an experienced broadcaster who is well-known to the whole country. The big news, from a personal point of view, is that this will be my final conference as Chamber president after three years in the role, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

The event, which is being delivered in partnership with Prime Accountants Group and PET-Xi Training, is taking place on Friday, November 10 at the Coventry Building Society Arena and I Iook forward to seeing you there.

In other news, I was delighted to see that a major new plan to help the West Midlands and Warwickshire tackle labour and skills shortages has been approved by the Government – with more than £10 million of funding available in the region to deliver its aims.

The West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (WMW LSIP) has been produced by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

The plan, which sets out three key priorities, has been devised after around six months of research and consultation including engaging with more than 1,000 employers as well as skills and training organisations such as FE and HE institutions and other private providers. It has identified where there are shortfalls in provision and, also, a lack of knowledge of what is available, both by individuals and employers, and makes recommendations on how they can be addressed.

Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, has rubber-stamped the plan and £10.4 million has been made available through a Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to enable FE providers to respond to the proposals.

A partnership of local providers, led by Solihull College, is now bidding for that funding to address the issues set out in the plan and the fund is an immediate opportunity to further develop the critical relationship between education and business.

The first priority is to target key sectors crucial to the growth of the region including engineering & manufacturing, construction, ICT & digital and logistics & distribution and to promote training and education provision already available but also to invest in new facilities and courses where appropriate. General actions are also recommended for all sectors.

The second priority set out in the WMW LSIP is the provision of excellent, flexible leadership and management training in both specific and general topics to help facilitate business growth.

Thirdly, the plan responds to employer requests for greater levels of essential skills for work and workplace digital skills with a range of recommendations from the creation of a new short course programme through to mentoring and coaching.

It is positive news for the region and will start to address one of the key issues that has plagued businesses for decades.

Continued growth at a Midlandsbased property company

A former British Army Major with significant leadership and planning experience has been appointed to drive continued growth at a Midlands-based property company.

Danny Leitch has been appointed to the newly created post of Head of Central Group Operations at The Wigley Group following 30 years of military experience, which included operational deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland.

Leitch is a former British Army Parachute Regiment Major with a proven background in operational planning, organisational agility, and resilience, and is also a graduate of the UK’s Defence Academy and Staff Program.

As The Wigley Group’s first dedicated Central Group Operations lead, his new role will see him implement the company’s operational and strategic goals and oversee its Central Group Operations, which provides functions ranging from communications, finance, to HSQE (health, safety, quality and environment).

Leitch, who joins from the official Parachute Regiment charity Support Our Paras, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining The Wigley Group – a company I have known for some time through both its strong reputation and charitable work in support of the UK Armed Forces.

“The company’s core values –operating within the highest professional standards, integrity and innovation, whilst being reliable and united in its goals – are all values I hold dear from my own personal and military background, and that is something which really appealed to me.

“I am looking forward to overseeing the Central Group Operations department and building on its already

high standards to drive continued growth and success.”

Chris Parsons, Director of Group Operations, said: “The Head of Central Group Operations is an important new role for us at The Wigley Group which has been introduced in parallel with its expanding role and functions, and Danny is a fantastic fit to lead it forward.

“He is an accomplished leader and planner, bringing with him significant experience in operational leadership and people management whilst working alongside diverse teams and skillsets.

“His ability to cohere a group of people to achieve success in their fields of endeavour, balanced against the success of the company, will help to drive the high standards set within the company as the Central Group Operations continues to evolve.”

The family-run firm is based at Stockton House in Southam, Warwickshire, and has proudly supported the UK Armed Forces for many years. In April 2021, The Wigley Group signed the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise to the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect.

Since 2013 it has raised more than £160,000 for the official Parachute Regiment charity, Support Our Paras, and established the Wigley Support Fund (WSF) in 2017 to support and help re-train injured serving and veteran service people in all areas of their transition from military to civilian life.

Accountancy firm committed to supporting the development of young professionals

Michelle White, a charity, and not-forprofit specialist, has been employed to work in the corporate and special services team at the firm’s Leamington office in Waterloo Place.

Michelle has more than a decade’s experience in the sector and previously worked with London-based HW Fisher, with work including audit, independent examination and supporting on training delivery.

A leading regional accountancy firm has made a series of new appointments and reinforced its commitment to training and development.

Burgis & Bullock has made seven new hires across its Leamington, Nuneaton and Stratford-upon-Avon offices.

The Warwickshire-based firm is committed to supporting the development of young professionals and helping them to build careers in the accountancy sector, which is reflected in five of the new starters being in trainee positions.

Nikki Coulson and Jenni Lynch have been appointed as audit trainees at the Leamington office and Jack Holmes has been hired as an audit and corporate finance trainee.

Joseph Lindsey has joined as an accounts trainee and will spend the majority of his time supporting work in the firm’s Stratford-upon-Avon office.

Burgis & Bullock has again bolstered its bookkeeping team at its Nuneaton office with two new appointments, following on from a string of hires in February, as the company continues to see significant growth in its outsourced bookkeeping services.

Sharan Bansal joined the Nuneaton bookkeeping team, with Lauren Kalyan linking up with the team in a trainee role.

The appointments come as the firm continues to expand across all its offices, serving clients in a wide range of sectors and providing a group of specialist services.

Burgis & Bullock has offices in Leamington, Nuneaton, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Sean Farnell, Partner at Burgis & Bullock, said: “We’re pleased to be in a position to be able to continue investing in and developing our teams.

“The firm has enjoyed another strong year, delivering a bespoke and personal service for our clients, and attracting new business across our full range of accountancy services, including in bookkeeping where we continue to see significant growth.

“This success allows us to continue expanding our trainee programme and provide professional development opportunities for young people.”

Director of Group Operations Chris Parsons with Head of Central Group Operations Danny Leitch

National Express West Midlands celebrates its longest serving engineer

He’s been at the West Bromwich garage since 1951. Joining a six-year apprenticeship straight from school and boasting an engineering career spanning over seven decades, his expertise and knowledge has earned the admiration and respect of his peers throughout National Express West Midlands.

From his early days as a young apprentice, Len consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and mentorship. He plays a critical role in helping to maintain the bus fleet and ensure vehicles are ready for service to take thousands of customers to school, work and shopping every day.

Engineer John Guest said: “I’ve known Len since 1978 when I started here as a youngster myself. Over the years I’ve learnt a lot from him. He’s a rock - he’s always been there.

“He’s become part of the furniture here at West Brom garage - half the garage was built around him and everybody knows him and what a character he is.”

National Express West Midlands is celebrating the remarkable 72-year career of Len Stanton, their longest serving engineer. Len, 87, from West Bromwich, started as an apprentice aged just 15 with what was then the West Bromwich Corporation.

During his time at National Express West Midlands, Len has witnessed the evolution of the transportation industry. When asked what has changed over the years, Len explained: “Things here have definitely changed. We used to start engines with a starting handle! But it’s like an old coat, you just fit it on. Whatever happened I just got my head down and did my job.”

Nigel Thomas, Fleet Engineer at the West Bromwich garage, started as an apprentice learning from Len. He said: “Len is a true gentleman and a father figure to everyone that comes to the garage. He’s always willing to share his wisdom and experience with the next generation of engineers.

“I first met him in 1983 when I was an apprentice myself and what I learnt from him was invaluable. He’s always been very friendly, knowledgeable and a real good chap. On behalf of all of us at the garage we would like to say thank you to Len for all of his years of hard work.”

Azets expands Wales and Midlands senior team Azets names Regional Managing Director and four senior promotions

visitor issues, and international social security compliance. As an ACCA qualified accountant, Chan Landa has vast experience advising SMEs and owner managed businesses, and specialises in industries including retail, hospitality construction and manufacturing.

Kelsey International Children

Lawyer Joins Local Firm

A partner at a leading Warwickshire accountancy firm has been named on a list which recognises some of the most innovative and forwardthinking business leaders in the UK.

LDJ Solicitors LLP, who are based in Warwickshire, are delighted to announce the appointment of Gemma Kelsey who specialises in international children law, private children matters and domestic abuse.

Azets, the UK Top 10 accountancy firm, has announced the appointment of Richard Goddard as Regional Managing Director, as well as four senior promotions in Wales and the Midlands.

Chris Dale, Jack Clitheroe and James Wheeler have been promoted to Partner, and Chan Landa as Director. All will continue to work as part of Azets’ regional office network.

With over 20 years’ experience, Richard joined Azets in 2016, and was previously Regional Head of Tax for the West, where he grew the company’s tax advisory offering and function. In his new role, Richard will lead a team of over 800, and form part of Azets’ UK senior leadership team.

Previously Tax Director, Chris Dale specialises in Research & Development (R&D), Patent Box and other Creative Sector tax relief claims.

Jack Clitheroe is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the ICAEW. Jack’s experience includes forensic accounting, assisting clients from a wide range of sectors on commercial disputes, large fraud investigations and compliance work.

With over 25 years’ experience in Global Mobility and Employment Taxes, James Wheeler has worked with organisations of all sizes across many different industry sectors. James specialises in all aspects of employee cross-border movement including tax residency and domicile issues, international assignment policy design, the application of double taxation treaties, short-term business

In addition, four new Associate Directors promotions and 26 senior promotions have also come into effect in July, to support the growth of the region.

Richard Goddard, Regional Managing Director of Azets, said: “We are at an exciting time in the development of Azets, and I’m looking forward to leading my team in an open and transparent way, so that together we can deliver the strategic goals of our firm.

“Huge congratulations go to everyone that has been promoted this month, especially to Chris, Jack, James and Chan who I know will offer both clients and their teams the very best of their knowledge and skills, against the continually challenging backdrop of the economic landscape.”

All vacancies can be found at www.azets.co.uk/careers

New Head of Medical Negligence & Personal Injury for Leading Law Firm

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd, one of Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading law firms is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachael Flanagan as Head of their Medical Negligence and Personal Injury department.

Rachael, who joined the firm in June this year, qualified as a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) in 2009, whilst working at a local regional firm. She was then promoted to Associate and Senior Associate at her previous firm before joining Alsters Kelley at the start of the summer.

She has more than 20 years’ experience of representing claimants in both Medical Negligence and Personal Injury claims and

she is an APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) member and an accredited senior litigator.

Cathy Wahlberg, Managing Director at Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd commented, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have appointed someone of Rachael’s calibre to lead one of our most important departments. She brings a vast amount of experience with her to the role, and we have every confidence that she will continue to develop and grow the department as well as being a great asset to the whole firm.’

Commenting on her appointment, Rachael said, ‘I am looking forward to the challenge and this is a great opportunity as there is so much potential for me to develop and expand the team and to make a real difference.’

Gemma joins the firm as a Partner and the new Head of Children and Domestic Abuse after initially training and then practicing as a Solicitor at a Legal 500 firm in Oxfordshire. With more than 15 years’ experience in her field, Gemma regularly represents parents and children within International Child Abduction proceedings (1980 Hague Convention), Wardship proceedings and International Relocation cases as well as international access cases.

Gemma is a member of Resolution and holds resolution specialist accreditations in Child Abduction Law and Children Law and Domestic Abuse. She is also a member of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association and named on Reunites’ international lawyer listing.

Gemma has been ranked and recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners since 2017 in respect of her work in private children law and international children law.

In addition to International Family Law, Gemma regularly advises and represents parents in respect of private children law issues (Child Arrangement Orders, Specific Issues Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and applications for Parental Responsibility). She is also regularly instructed in complex children’s cases, often those involving significant domestic abuse. Gemma is also a trained domestic abuse champion.

Preya Gohil, Partner, said "We are delighted to welcome Gemma to the firm. She has a fantastic reputation, and her wealth of experience and expertise will not only strengthen our family law team but also the partnership. As a specialist in children law and domestic abuse cases, with a niche in international children law, she will be able to assist clients locally as well as from far and wide”.

Gemma

Len Stanton has been with National Express for 72 years

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