Peterborough & Stamford area news

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New role offers recruiter Rebecca professional and personal life balance

When it comes to working – recruitment specialist Rebecca Moore firmly believes that there is a job for everyone. The experienced recruiter and hardworking mum of two has recently joined the team at Peterborough-based Anne Corder Recruitment, turning the effects of the pandemic into a positive. While her family-run nursery photography business was forced to fold following the impact of lockdown, Rebecca enjoyed quality time with her husband and two young children she would otherwise have not been able to experience. She said: “During lockdown, I was able to spend so much time with my family, and I loved it - it really did make me re-evaluate what I wanted to do going forward. I have worked in many offices over the years, but lockdown and the pandemic has given rise to new opportunities which allow me to enjoy the best of both worlds. “I have worked in recruitment for 15 years, and when this fantastic opportunity arose at Anne Corder Recruitment, it gave me the opportunity to fulfil two of the most important things I want in life – to be a good mum and a good recruiter. “I think we have all learned that remote and flexible working is something to be embraced, offering the opportunity to enjoy a work/ life balance. I can take my children to school and be back at my desk for a 9.00am meeting – that’s the beauty of something that should not be taken for granted.” Rebecca added: “The pandemic gave me the chance to stop and re-set. I am passionate about my industry, and I firmly believe that there is a job for everyone; it’s simply a case of matching the right candidate to the right role. “We know there are job seekers out there and we would urge employers to trust and believe in their recruitment partners – they are key in helping them to recruit the right person for a particular position.”

Pilot Fish finalist

Commercial finance brokerage, Pilot Fish, has been named a finalist in three categories at the most prestigious awards in the finance industry. The company, who support business owners and property investors to source finance was shortlisted for Best Commercial Broker, Best Bridging Broker, and the Service Excellence award. The shortlist puts Pilot Fish ahead of some of the largest brokerages in the country and it is the only business from our region to be selected. The Bridging and Commercial Awards have been going for over a decade and recognise finance firms who lead by example, are innovative and deliver exceptional client service. Catherine Lidgley, Head of Marketing and Engagement, said: “I work with an exceptionally talented team of finance professionals whose breadth of knowledge allows me to drive a strategy that seeks to educate and empower our clients, enabling them to make informed financial decisions. “When the pandemic struck, we had to quickly adapt how we offer our services. Some incredible innovations were made including our media hub which gives clients access to free downloadable resources along with The Pilot Fish Academy, the first of its kind free online property finance training. The team worked incredibly hard to deliver advice and support as well as placing bounce back loans and CBILS facilities that enabled local businesses to adapt and survive. “It’s a fantastic honour to be recognised as one of the best commercial brokerages in the country in the year that we celebrate our tenth anniversary. It’s testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.”

PETERBOROUGH & STAMFORD

Princebuild celebrates 50 years of trading

On 7 October 2021 Princebuild reached the golden milestone of 50 years in business. To celebrate half a century of delivering building and maintenance services in Peterborough and beyond there will be a year’s worth of charity fundraising and staff rewards. The family run company, originally known as Eccleshare Construction Ltd, was founded by Derek Asplin and Stuart Pudney and was initially located on Princes Street in Peterborough. Over the years the company has consistently maintained an excellent reputation for reliability, efficiency, high quality and enviable customer relations. From the humble beginnings of its small Peterborough office back in 1971, Princebuild Ltd has extended its operations so that today it delivers a national, multi-disciplined service. In addition to the Peterborough head office, Princebuild also has branches at Spalding, Cambridge, London, Northampton and Market Rasen and also operates specialists divisions; Princeenergy and Princeinteriors. The company has remained a strong family affair, with Derek and Stuart’s sons Mark Asplin, Dale Asplin, Jon Pudney and Matthew Pudney now taking the company forward as shareholders, along with board members Paul Baker and James Manning. Mark and Dale also have sons working in the business two of whom have recently received promotions to Senior Project Managers. Founder Stuart Pudney commented: “It has been amazing to watch the company develop over the years and both myself and co-founder Derek Asplin are proud of the business it has become. “I have had the pleasure of working with some fantastic staff over the years and although admittedly it has been hard work at times, we have always pulled together as a team and got through it. “I’m really looking forward to this year of celebration and hope we can give a little back to our employees who work so hard to make the company as successful as it is.” Planned celebrations include; a golden ticket draw for staff, a fun day for employees and their families, a special golden edition of the annual ‘Blingo’ fundraiser and the aim of raising £50,000 for charity in the 50th year. One staff member has even signed up to complete a 50 mile run to help boost the fund raising! Matthew Pudney, Director, commented: “It’s a very proud day when my fellow shareholders and I see the business that our fathers founded and introduced us to, celebrate 50 years of trading. “Along with our board directors and professional and dedicated team the company continues to grow and go from strength to strength and there has been no more testing time for being in business than the past 18 months. “We look forward to the next year where we will celebrate and continue to support our local communities, as we have always done.”

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

BBC’s Tom Heap, returns to Peterborough to discuss, climate change and plastics

Peterborough based charity, RECOUP, bring brands, retailers, recyclers, Local Authorities, and Waste Management companies together for the first time in two years to discuss climate change and net zero aspirations in relation to plastics recycling. Vic Annells, Chamber CEO, was invited as a guest to attend both the Conference and pre-conference dinner which enabled the Chamber to promote the work within Peterborough and Cambridgeshire driving the sustainability agenda. The Chamber were also able to network with businesses and organisations from across the wider plastics resource and recycling value chain, and gain insights and knowledge about the drivers for change and technical developments within plastics recycling. This unique event at KingsGate Conference Centre, brought together 400 delegates with some delegates attending in person others were able to tune in online. Tom Heap, TV Presenter and host of Radio 4 ‘Costing the Earth’, was delighted to return once again to moderate the morning discussions and commented “the virtues and values of plastics have really come to the fore over the last 18 months, in helping protect us from the spread of the virus.” Heap added that the day’s discussions seemed to “incorporate the science of plastics materials, facts and fiction, good and bad and what’s changing in the chemical and design of plastics production and the impact on the wider environment.” Paula Chinn, WWF UK, threw down the gauntlet to the industry, with a reminder of the quote from Tanya Steele, CEO WWF-UK: “We’re the first generation to know we’re destroying the planet and could be the last to do anything about it”. Chinn called on the industry to” Face the fact that 90 per cent of global biodiversity loss and water stress, and half of all carbon emissions come from resource extraction and processing (UNEP) … Plastic packaging contributes four per cent to this total but is the frontline, a visible touchpoint for many consumers.” Chinn continued: “Capital investments constrain us, but we have to make changes to systems to think of elimination, consumption reduction and reuse. Collaboration is critical to support citizens to consume less.” Collaboration continued to be a strong theme throughout the day with Mike Baxter, Corporate Affairs Director, Berry BPI, lead the charge calling for the industry to recognise that only by working together can change happen at the pace required. Baxter called on Local Authorities to “be positive and say we don’t want to push back the collection of films and flexibles; we want to start working on it now! Retailers and Brands are showing it can be collected, and it can be recycled.” Collaboration and exploring new ways of working are proof that changes can be made. Exeter Council received praise for their commitment to helping collect plastic films and created a closed loop collection scheme collaboration with JayPlas International. Sainsburys have also rolled out collection of films to over 600 stores. It is clear organisations are working together innovative recycling solutions can be found. RECOUP is proud to be playing a part in facilitating discussions to drive change forward. RECOUP, not only bring together sectors of the industry, but work closely with Local Authorities on citizen engagement and education programmes using the Pledge2Recycle Plastics brand. For more information about RECOUP, the work they do including how to join as a member please contact www.recoup.org