Member News

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Beacon Top 100 for 10 Years Running

Beacon Wealth Management Ltd has been recognised as a Citywire New Model Adviser Top 100 for the tenth year in a row! The Top 100 title celebrates the best of the professional financial planning industry. The shortlisted firms have scored highest on the Citywire metrics, successfully met client expectations, and established themselves as a positive influence within their communities. Beacon have been shortlisted for 10 consecutive years, which is an extraordinary achievement. With each passing year, they have consistently proven they are one of the best in their industry. This year, Beacon’s nomination was assured by their ESG, ‘Greener Us’ campaign, and their ‘Good to Great’ team. ESG is at the heart of everything Beacon Wealth Management does. They have recently celebrated 10 years of their five risk-rated Ethical portfolios. Their ‘Greener Us’ ensured the review of big and small changes to reduce their carbon footprint. Some implemented actions were planting a wildflower meadow for the local community, building bug hotels in the office garden, and installing smart meters. Their ‘Good to Great’ team is a task force that explores the client and staff experience and discovers opportunities for improvement. Managing Director, Tony Larkins, commented: “To be recognised as a top 100 firm for 10 years in a row truly reflects the continual hard work of our advisers and supporting staff. I am extremely proud of all of my team and the company we have built to service our clients to the highest possible standard.”

Howes Percival named in Top 100 UK ‘Best Companies’ list third year running

Leading law firm Howes Percival has been ranked in the nationwide ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list for the third year running, and 12th in the top 25 East of England Best Companies list. The list celebrates excellence in workplace engagement and is widely acknowledged as the most searching and extensive research into employee engagement carried out in the UK. The results are based on employee opinions on how the company supports wellbeing in the workplace, gives something back to society, shows strong leadership and teamwork, provides opportunities for personal growth and offers fair pay and benefits. Only the organisations with the highest level of overall employee engagement qualify for the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list. This year’s list confirmed Howes Percival in 59th position in the UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work For category and 12th in the top 25 East of England Best Companies to Work For list. The firm achieved a two star Best Companies accreditation, which is given to organisations with an ‘outstanding’ commitment to workplace engagement. In addition, Howes Percival ranked 8th in the Top 10 Best Large Law Firms to Work For 2022 list. Howes Percival’s Chairperson, Geraint Davies, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Companies to Work For, again. To be listed three years running demonstrates the kind of consistency and progression we, as a management team, have been aiming for. We have been on a journey, and it has taken long term commitment and investment from the firm, but we have firmly positioned Howes Percival as a progressive, people-first employer of choice. “The listing is based on employee opinions, so to get this reinforcement from our own people makes it very special indeed.”

MEMBER NEWS

Knowles Transport set to move up a gear with acquisition of Masters Logistical

Cambridgeshire-based Knowles Transport has announced that it has acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in fellow 3PL warehousing and distribution provider Masters Logistical. Based in Ely, Masters offers warehousing and distribution services across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia and is a member of the Palletline freight distribution network. With an ethos that centres around always delivering the highest levels of service to customer. The acquisition of Masters comes at a period of significant growth for Knowles Transport, a business which has gone from strength to strength in recent years, following a period of substantial and continuous investment into the business as it builds for the future. Founded in 1932 and now in its third generation of family leadership, Knowles Transport has since established itself as a high performing third-party logistics specialist within the UK contract logistics industry, primarily serving the ambient food, drink and packaging sectors. With a fleet of 325 vehicles and trailers, and a total of two million sq. ft of warehousing space across two sites and a headcount of 380, Knowles’ fleet will be bolstered by a further 42 vehicles and trailers, 85,000 sq.ft of warehousing space with expansion capabilities of a further 50 per cent, and 30 members of staff. Alex Knowles, Managing Director of Knowles Transport, said: “Following a 100 per cent growth in sales revenue over the past six years, Knowles Transport has committed further to its expansion goals by welcoming the company, and its people, on board and acted as an ideal opportunity to expand our operations right on our doorstep. “It is a match that is not only strategic, but being a 3PL warehouse and distribution specialist like ourselves, we felt that Masters Logistical was an excellent fit to bring on board. Furthermore, Masters ethos, company values and customer centric approach are very much synonymous with our own. “We are delighted to have successfully completed the acquisition of Masters Logistical – which under the Knowles umbrella will continue to trade under its name, offer its full range of services and retain its status as a long-standing shareholder member of the Palletline network. We are proud to be welcoming such an established and well-respected brand into the Knowles family.” Paul Upton, Managing Director, Masters Logistical, commented: “Deanna Wood and I are very excited to of found a suitable successor for the business, sharing our family values Knowles Transport will continue to grow and develop the business ensuring it’s future success. “We would like to thank our loyal staff, customers and suppliers for the support and encouragement they have given us over many years and we wish them all the greatest of success.”

Citrox Biosciences Ltd successfully passed ISO 9001:2015 re-certification

By consistently meeting strict criteria without any non-conformities, Citrox Biosciences proves its commitment to provide high quality products, whilst meeting all customer and regulatory requirements. “During the latest audit our Quality Management System was assessed on its ability to deliver consistent, high standard of quality service and products to customers and we have successfully passed re-certification. Therefore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the team for their hard work and adherence to quality on a daily basis” states Richard Thomas, Managing Director of Citrox Biosciences. ISO 9001 is the most internationally recognised standard for a Quality Management System (QMS) designed to be used as a powerful business improvement tool, since it helps businesses not only to increase efficiency, but also to improve customer satisfaction. Richard Thomas adds: “Achieving ISO 9001:2015 recertification demonstrates our dedication to continuous improvement throughout the business to further benefit our customers. Quality remains at the core of our business as we strive to provide leading non-toxic, plantbased solutions for the management of harmful micro-organisms.”

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Mayor opens new Allia Future Business Centre Cambridge Guildhall

Allia’s new Future Business Centre at Cambridge Guildhall has officially opened. The Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Mark Ashton cut the ribbon, and together with the Mayoress, Barbara Ashton and other Cambridge City Council representatives, they toured the ground floor which forms the new impact business hub, to meet Allia staff and the new tenants proud to move into their new workspace in the iconic building. The non-profit organisation is leasing the building from Cambridge City Council, in order to let workspace to start-ups, charities and enterprises. This creates a city centre innovation business community, with a dedicated reception, a range of private offices, a co-working suite and five meeting rooms available for external hire. New tenants that were present to meet the City Council tour party and talk about their ventures included COFARM (a local agroecological community farm), Orca Scan (a barcode tracking app) and the Cambridge Centre for the Integration of Science, Technology and Culture (CCISTC), University of Cambridge. Joining the Mayor and Mayoress were Fiona Bryant, Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Development; Cllr Mike Davey, Executive Councillor for Finance, Resources and Transformation; Jemma Little, Economic Development Manager; Dave Prinsep, Head of Property Services; and Andy Wood, Facilities Manager They also toured the community area within the centre, which will include a shop, a café and a large exhibition space for community art groups and networks, opening later in the autumn. Cllr Mike Davey, Executive Councillor for Finance, Resources and Transformation, said: “Supporting businesses and the city centre economy are priorities for us and that’s why we have worked with Allia to set up this new business centre. “Our goal is for the centre to become a valued hub for start-ups, charities and enterprises and we’re pleased to have Allia as partners given its experience and expertise in running similar centres elsewhere in the city. “The Guildhall is well located for organisations looking for a city centre presence and I am sure the flexible, collaborative workspace will appeal to many.”

NEW HR DIRECTOR AT DOMINO PRINTING

At Domino Printing, April Jones has been promoted to HR Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa, with a remit to work in partnership with regional HR teams and also support the company’s Digital Printing operation across the world. April joined Domino in 2019 as Senior HR Business Partner, following roles in various global businesses where she focused on such areas as generalist HR, organisational change and supporting and coaching senior leadership teams. Speaking of her new role, April says: “I am looking forward to driving key initiatives integral to making Domino a great place to work – the success of inclusion and engagement and our talent development – but mostly offering strong leadership to the fantastic HR team I have across Europe. “Since joining, I have been supported by Domino to enhance my personal development by studying for further professional qualifications and am now a Prosci Change Management Practitioner, having met the standards required by this internationally-recognised organisation. “Over the last few years, we have seen a shift in the way the HR team needs to partner with its business areas, particularly around hybrid working which requires a different approach and brings new challenges. This is an exciting time and I look forward to playing a key role in ensuring its success.”

MEMBER NEWS

Meet Mittens: Wyboston Lakes Resort’s hotel brasserie becomes first in UK to welcome robot waiter

Mittens is the new cat-like robot waiter in The Gravel Pit Brasserie at the Waterfront Hotel on the Wyboston Lakes Resort. The hotel is the first in the UK to invest in a state-of-the-art robot waiter, which has been programmed to deliver food from the kitchen to the serving team in the dining area. Steve Jones, Managing Director of Wyboston Lakes Resort, said: “Automation has been a major focus at Wyboston Lakes Resort in the last few years and has solely served to support our teams and enhance the guest experience. Following a onemonth trial, Mittens is our latest addition. Customers are still served by our brasserie team; however, they no longer need to run back and forth to the kitchen to collect food, making more time to spend with customers to deliver great service. “The response from our team members has been overwhelmingly positive because the robot is highly functional, improves efficiencies, and has made their jobs easier. Customers have found the robot very entertaining, too.” Pudu Robotics is the company behind the ‘Bellabot’ robot, which has the face of a cat and has been affectionately named ‘Mittens’ by the Wyboston team. It can sing, talk, purr, show a range of facial expressions, and enjoys a pet on the head. It will even get a bit sassy if deliberately disrupted! The interactive robot is lightweight and travels steadily at an average walking pace taking up to four large trays of food at a time. It uses a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to manoeuvre safely through the brasserie and around tables, chairs, and co-workers. A display screen can be programmed with key messages. To set up the robot, the Pudu Robotics team visited Wyboston Lakes Resort to map out the brasserie area using laser scanning technology. Pudu used the brasserie table plan so the robot can be programmed to move directly to a designated zone where the team then take the food and serve the customer. Pudu also mapped out the function area, so Mittens – or any future robots that may be added – can also be used to support the team in this space.

Webtec’s New Make it BLUE® four step process helps customers maximise productivity and save money

Webtec, the specialist hydraulic measurement and control company, has launched its new manufacturing approach called Make it BLUE® - a four-step process to help customers maximise the productivity of their hydraulic machinery but without the complexity of costly consultancy. Make it BLUE has been developed following consultation with many customers, who have benefited from Webtec’s more integrated approach to product customisation through combining over 55 years of sales, engineering and manufacturing experience that Webtec is now formally offering through this process. Make it BLUE, is a four-step process defined as Begin, Listen, Upgrade and Engineer. With each step of the process the Webtec team-work with the customer to really understand their requirements before moving on to the next stage. In addition, Webtec also offers Lifetime Support once the product has been delivered and continuous training and advice. Martin Cuthbert, Webtec’s Managing Director, commented on the introduction of Make it BLUE: “After two years of planning and preparation we are excited to be launching Make it BLUE and we believe that this embodies Webtec’s unique approach in helping customers’ improve the productivity of their heavy machinery. From our customer trials the results speak for themselves; 168,000 gallons of fuel saved per year, $5,000 saving in spare parts after just one use, 243 man-hours saved in postdelivery product modifications and 5+ IoT projects in progress at any time”. Further details of Make it BLUE® can be found at: http://www.webtec.com/make-it-blue

Make it BLUE® is registered trademark of Webtec Products Ltd.

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Stone King rated one of the best UK law firms by The Times

Cambridge law firm Stone King has once again been included in The Times Best Law Firms list for 2023, ranked by other lawyers as a top three firm nationally for its excellence in both the education and charity law sectors. The Times’ annual list includes the top 250 law firms in England and Wales, out of almost 10,000, as voted for by lawyers. Steven Greenwood, Managing Partner at Stone King, says: “It means a lot to be so highly recommended by fellow legal professionals for our work and we are very grateful for their recognition of our expertise. “Our people are passionate about their work and we pride ourselves on doing the very best for our clients and communities but also doing the right thing as an employer and a business.” To compile the list, an independent research firm asked solicitors and barristers across the country to recommend the best law firms in 28 categories, with checks in place to prevent respondents choosing their own firm or voting more than once. Those firms with the most votes are included in the final list, with the top three identified according to the number of recommendations received. The accolade comes shortly after Stone King once again received top rankings from independent guides Chambers and the Legal 500.

Law firm adds to private client and property teams

Ayesha Brown

Serena Kang

Alconbury-based top 150 law firm Roythornes Solicitors has brought in two specialists to bolster its private client and commercial property teams. Ayesha Brown, a senior associate with more than 25 years of industry experience, will be offering comprehensive and expert advice on all aspects of private client work including estate and succession planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, estate and trust administration. Joining her is newly-qualified solicitor Serena Kang, who will be overseeing a range of responsibilities associated with the ownership, sale and occupancy of commercial properties within Cambridgeshire and beyond. Ayesha said: “I’ve always enjoyed working with clients in the agricultural sector so to join Roythornes, which is highly respected and has a justly, proud reputation as one of a relatively small number of firms in the sector with the knowledge and capability to provide a full service to the rural community, is an exciting move for me. “Roythornes takes pride in its excellent client care and I feel privileged to be part of the team and available to support its clients and families through significant change in their lives.” Moving north from a Bedford-based firm, Serena was attracted to Roythornes due to its work with a number of high-net-worth clients. Serena said: “Despite carving a niche early into my legal career and pursuing experience in the real estate industry, I am still learning and realise the value of opportunities that different practices can offer. “From my first contact with Roythornes I was confident that it’s a firm intent on ensuring progression for its staff and providing the best for its clients, so it’s established position within Cambridgeshire is unsurprising. I hope to bring my own specialist knowledge to the firm and continue to develop.” The arrival of Ayesha and Serena marks Roythornes’ 56th and 57th addition in 2022 across its five offices in the Midlands and East Anglia. Vember Mortlock, Managing Director at Roythornes, said: “We work with everyone from major blue-chip companies and established family businesses to new start-ups and individuals so hiring professionals with specific industry knowledge and an awareness of the opportunities within the region is key to ensuring our services are the best they can be. “Ayesha and Serena are both fantastic recruits to the private client and commercial property teams in Alconbury and we look forward to seeing them thrive while at the firm.”

MEMBER NEWS

This Land wins prestigious business award

This Land, a provider of high-quality homes for the eastern counties, has been awarded Silver for Property Industry Business of the Year 2022 at the Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards. This Land were judged Silver winners for their delivery of highquality housing schemes that met planning conditions whilst displaying a high level of innovation and environmental initiative. Speaking about the award David Lewis, CEO at This Land, said: “We’re delighted to win this acclaimed award, we pride ourselves on setting new standards for future developments through a design-led approach and continue to innovate by practising modern methods of construction, and adopting new technologies to deliver high performing homes efficiently and safely. “The award also recognises our commitment to mitigating the impact of construction on both the environment and local communities. We are immensely proud that our dedication to achieving visually striking schemes that are sustainable and energy efficient has been acknowledged by the judges.”

Energise wins two prestigious awards

Energise has been awarded Employer of the Year and Overall Winner at the 2022 SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards. The Employer of the Year award, sponsored by Mattioli Woods plc, is presented to the business that has shown outstanding commitment to employee wellbeing and truly puts its people first. At Energise, wellbeing and authenticity are at the very centre of who we are. Some of the policies we have implemented and enhanced to promote employee wellbeing include an unlimited annual leave allowance, with the freedom to choose rest as and when we need it depending on individual preferences and commitments; an ‘all win’ bonus scheme based on non-financial targets such as volunteering days and meeting training and development objectives; flexi-time to support a practical and enjoyable work-life balance; regular team away-days for an extra chance to unwind and spend some quality time together and many more. Speaking about the recognition award Tamsin Alsbury, Co-CEO of Energise, said: “We are lucky to work alongside a great group of people. Our company policies focus on creating a supportive, inclusive, and healthy workplace for all our employees to thrive. I would like to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our amazing team.” The night finished with Energise being crowned with the most prestigious award of the event, the Overall Winner; awarded to the highest-scoring gold winner.

The team at audiology clinic, angli-EAR Hearing, in Great Shelford is celebrating after scooping Gold and Silver at the SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2022. Founded in 2016 and employing a team of 10 clinical and support staff, angli-EAR Hearing provides family audiology services including ear wax removal, hearing assessments, hearing devices, paediatric services, tinnitus solutions and cochlear implants. angli-EAR Hearing was rewarded with the accolades in the Best Customer Service and Website of the Year categories at the glittering black tie gala dinner held at the five-star Cambridge Country Club. The event, celebrating business excellence across 20 categories, was attended by business leaders, sponsors and small and medium-sized enterprises from across the county. angli-EAR Hearing’s Director, Trevor Chapman, praised the clinic’s team, commenting: “What an amazing night! To go home with two awards is a fantastic achievement. Customer Service is at the absolute heart of our business and we are thrilled to achieve such outstanding recognition in the Best Customer Service Public Vote award. I’d like to thank the whole team at angli-EAR Hearing; they make me very proud. Their commitment and drive means they always go the extra mile to ensure clients receive the very best experience and top quality care when they visit our clinic. “We are also delighted to win the Website of the Year award. The website is our online customer service tool, showcasing our experience in hearing healthcare for all the family. Swift help is available 24/7 via our online advice pages, FAQs, quick online diagnostic tool and handy booking system. The award is a seal of approval for our customer experience online.” As a Gold winner, angli-EAR Hearing are now through to the National Finals of the SME Business Awards to be held at Wembley Stadium in early December.