Cambridge & South Cambs area news

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Cambridge offers landlords top slicing buy-to-let mortgages

The Cambridge Building Society has relaunched its buy-to-let ‘top slicing’ mortgages to enable landlords to top up rental shortfall from other income. This will directly benefit landlords with disposable income, where rental income falls short of repayment criteria. Loans of between £20,000 and £750,000 are available to landlords with top slicing permitted on up to three mortgaged rental properties at up to 75 per cent loan-to-value (LTV). “We’re thrilled to be able to introduce top slicing back into our lending criteria, this has proved extremely popular when previously available, and will undoubtedly make things easier for our landlords after a challenging period,” said Tracy Simpson, Head of Lending. “We are always looking for ways to support our customers and being able to consider each case individually through our underwriting service, means we can tailor our offering to the unique circumstances of individual landlords.” The criteria are available across the Society’s standard buy-to-let range, and include two-year discounted and five-year fixed rates, through its in-house mortgage advisers and intermediary network and for new purchases or remortgages.

cofinitive wins PR Industry award for second year running

cofinitive is delighted to announce that we have won an award at the prestigious Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Pride (East Anglia) Awards for the second consecutive year. Our Cambridge-based PR & Marketing consultancy, which specialises in strategy, marketing, PR, branding and engagement, scooped the ‘Best Use of Content’ award once again, this time for our client Kao Data, a specialist data centre within the UK Innovation Corridor, which counts the UK’s most powerful supercomputer amongst its prestigious clients. Our winning submission centred around the intensive four-month campaign we designed for Kao Data which included a series of contentdriven features, thought leaders and integrated social media campaigns to inform, intrigue and generate interest, as well as showcase Kao Data’s outstanding green credentials. Our hugely successful #KaoinCambridge campaign also included organising a select roundtable event which explored how Cambridge would stay ahead of the game as the UK Centre of Science, Technology and Innovation whilst respecting the city’s green ideology against a backdrop of excessively high data usage. Focusing on one of the key issues and concerns for Cambridge carried significant weight, and, out of this event, came an important idea: the pressing need for an HPC and AI roadmap for Cambridge which has subsequently been progressed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board. cofinitive was only one of two Cambridge-based companies shortlisted across all the award categories. In reaching their decision, the CIPR Pride judging panel, which is made up of experienced PR professionals, said: “Your work has been judged as the best in your region by leading PR experts and to win an award is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations.” cofinitive founder and director, Faye Holland said: “We are enormously proud to have won this award, and to have done so against such tough competition and for the second consecutive year running is an honour. Every award we win is just further confirmation that we are an excellent team who are committed to doing the very best that we can for each and every one of our clients.”

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS AREA

DOMINO PRINTING CELEBRATES DUAL SUCCESS AT REGIONAL MAKE UK AWARDS 2021

A Cambridge company is celebrating a successful evening at the regional Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2021, taking home awards in two prestigious categories. Domino Printing was nominated in four separate categories this year, including Health and Safety, Developing Future Talent, Business Growth & Strategy and Innovation. At the regional awards for the Midlands and East, held at the University of Warwick and in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team walked away with the Health and Safety accolade, and the runner-up prize for Developing Future Talent. The Make UK Health and Safety Award recognises progress in improving the occupational health and safety culture of a workplace. Domino was awarded this accolade for its in-house development of two new systems – a QR-code-driven reporting tool allowing instant reporting of incidents or ‘areas for improvement’ as and when they are noted by employees, and an intuitive database for accurate assessment of hazardous substances. The Award for Developing Future Talent commends businesses which promote diversity, develop talent, and build skills among employees. Domino was awarded the runner-up prize in this category for its commitment to building in-house expertise through continual learning and development, as well as ongoing projects to ‘make Domino a great place to work’. Carl Haycock, UK Printer Operations Director at Domino, says: “It was a real privilege to be together in person once again with so many great manufacturing companies. I am delighted that Domino was able to get up on the stage twice and showcase our brand – this is a real credit to the work the whole team has done in the areas of both health and safety and talent development.” Charlotte Horobin, Region Director for Make UK in the Midlands and East of England, added: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in the East of England and as we re-build our economy, there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

Magpas Air Ambulance deliver life-saving training

Magpas Air Ambulance have been working with Cambridge Regional College to deliver CPR and Defibrillator training to students at the Cambridge and Huntingdon campus as part of the Empower Freshers’ Fair. During the training, the students explored the work of Magpas, learning some alarming statistics of survival rates in the UK for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest. After a short presentation and demonstration of how to perform emergency CPR, the students were able to take to the floor to have a go at carrying out this life-saving treatment for themselves using the resuscitation equipment and defibrillators. In total more than 288 students and staff received the training throughout the week. Student Engagement Manager, Steve How said: “Being able to offer our students this essential training is invaluable. The students have acquired a new life-skill and have learned, first-hand, that undertaking CPR and using a defibrillator is not as daunting as they might have thought. We are extremely grateful to Magpas for giving our learners this opportunity.” In addition to their emergency work, Magpas works in the community to educate people on the importance of knowing how to perform CPR and use defibrillators to help save the lives of those experiencing cardiac episodes. Nicola Cooper, Community Training and Engagement Officer, added: “I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm of the learners involved. CPR is such an important skill and watching the learners grow in confidence throughout the session was wonderful to see. Those who attended the training could be a future life saver, so to see this many people trained was extremely satisfying. I look forward to coming back to CRC in the future.”

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

Kershaw Group Welcome in New Directors

The Kershaw Group, a building services company based in Cambridge and Oxford, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new directors. Paul Oakman, who has over 35 years of experience in the building services industry, has joined Kershaw Mechanical Services as Managing Director. Paul has a broad business understanding as well as the ability to identify and manage risk and opportunity. “We are delighted to appoint Paul to this position; he brings a wealth of experience, and in his capacity as Managing Director, he will use his strong skill set to review current operations and all of their associated procedural functions, to harmonise best practise across the business,” said Ian Greenstock, Kershaw Group Executive Chairman. “I am pleased to step into the role of Managing Director, at what is an exciting period for the organisation,” Paul said of his appointment. “As our industry starts to emerge from the uncertainty of Brexit and the impact of COVID 19, I can see many new opportunities on the horizon and my focus will be on leading the business forward through the next stage of its development as we expand further the range of services we are able to offer our clients”. Paul will work closely with Ian Greenstock and the other company directors to ensure that the company’s systems are in place to provide exceptional customer service, and that it is on track to meet its ambitious strategic growth goals. The Group is also pleased to announce Kate Deveraux’s appointment to the position of Finance Director. Kate has held a number of senior leadership positions, including over eight years in the construction business, and will play a key role in driving strategic growth, transformation and process and system optimization. Ian Greenstock commented: “We are happy that Kate will be joining Kershaw’s senior management team as a seasoned Finance Director. She brings the necessary abilities, experience, and dedication to assist Kershaw to meet its ambitious growth targets.” Speaking of her appointment Kate said: “I am thrilled to be joining Kershaw Group; it is a fantastic opportunity to work with a leader in the building services industry, and I am looking forward to working closely with the entire senior management team,” Kate will be working closely with Andy Crouch, who previously held the role and who remains with the organisation, overseeing the larger external financial relationships and future strategy of the business. Kate Deveraux

Paul Oakman

Meet Cambridge holds ‘Welcome Back’ drinks reception

After 18 months of restrictions on holding in-person events, the official conference and meetings bureau for Cambridge and the surrounding area has celebrated the gradual return to live events by holding a drinks reception for clients and venue representatives. Meet Cambridge, which has a portfolio of more than 50 venues – including the Cambridge Colleges as founder members, hotels and other spaces – arranged a ‘Welcome Back’ gathering in the gardens of the Crausaz Wordsworth Building at Robinson College. More than 30 people attended the outdoor event to celebrate meeting once again and to enjoy the drinks and canapes, which had been specially chosen for their low carbon footprint, reflecting the use of local and seasonal ingredients. Judith Sloane, Head of Meet Cambridge, said: “It was wonderful to finally be able to meet up and to thank clients and venue representatives in person, for all their support, after so many months of seeing them via Zoom and Teams. There was a real buzz at the event; everyone was very enthusiastic at being able to start welcoming conferences and meetings once again. “I’d like to thank the team at Robinson College for holding the event in their lovely garden in the evening sunshine and for providing excellent refreshments. “Although there is a way to go, there’s no doubt that there is a real appetite for in-person events once again – and this drinks reception certainly showed that!”

Photo credit: Perry Hastings

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS AREA New facilities herald positive start to the term at St John’s College

The Catering Team at a Cambridge College is looking forward to offering the full student experience this term, including using a new temporary space whilst existing facilities are being refurbished. St John’s College has installed a 30m x 10m timber structure in Second Court which has a total capacity of 100 and been specially configured to house a bar, buttery and dining room. Already proving popular with students, Fellows and staff alike, the space is open every day from 8.00am-11.00pm. Bill Brogan, Catering and Conference Manager, said: “This timber structure is already working well whilst our refurbishment project is underway, providing a very light and sociable space for all members of the College community. “We looked at a number of alternatives and chose this one after seeing a similar structure at Clare College. “Not only do we have a new space but the team is back and really looking forward to returning to our usual range of services including formal halls, tastings and social activities. Over the last year we have carried out staff training on Zoom, ensuring that everyone is updated on new policies. “I’d like to thank everyone in our team; they have all shown great flexibility in adapting to the ‘new normal’ and rapidly changing requirements. We all feel positive about the year ahead.”

Stone King has again been recognised for its legal expertise by independent guide Legal 500

Tamsin Eastwood Roger Inman LG Julie Moktadir

Head of Immigration Julie Moktadir was named a Leading Individual by the guide, with the Immigration Team scoring a high Tier 2 ranking. “It’s a real pleasure to work with Julie Moktadir who acted for me in my recent immigration application. Her professional knowledge, competence and efficiency are most helpful and reassuring. In addition, with her warm personality and excellent communication skill, she is approachable and makes me feel very much at ease especially during these difficult times of Covid,” said a client. Roger Inman, Head of Education, was praised by the guide for “his high level of pragmatism and political astuteness to his support for us.”, with Public Sector achieving a high Tier 2 rating. A client said of the firm’s Public Sector work: “Stone King offers us a wide range of specialists and a lot of practical experience in the sorts of queries we bring to them. Their responsiveness is much better than other firms with which we have worked and this is aided by a quickly-developed understanding of our context, corporate personality and our risk appetite – invariably, Stone King solicitors meet us where we are.” The firm’s Employment Team was also recognised by the guide as was its Corporate and Commercial Team with Partner Tamsin Eastwood named a key lawyer. A client testimonial says of Tamsin: “She was so helpful. She was quiet and sensitive with immediate understanding of the work that was needed. She was greatly efficient for me and my family.” The firm has five other offices in England and retained its top tier rankings for the key areas of Education, Charities and not-forprofit, and Crime.