Marketing agency will keep putting people first

After achieving the Great Place to Work certification in 2022, multi-channel marketing agency Cartwright Communications has been listed as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing in 2023 by the global authority on workplace culture.

The award recognises its dedication to creating a progressive working environment and supporting personal development. Private healthcare, a mentor system, and generous maternity and paternity packages were some of the benefits highlighted.

Leisure centre a big asset to community

The £13m Bingham Arena Leisure Centre is now open – hosting a 25metre, six-lane swimming pool, teaching pool, fitness centre, spin and exercise studios, café and community hall.

The agency also runs an engagement survey every 90 days to assess whether staff are feeling valued within the team and to gauge the sentiment in reaction to company decisions. Last year, the engagement score peaked at 88.9%, demonstrating strong positivity across the team.

Rose Hayes, director at Cartwright Communications, said: “Our team is our most important asset and supporting it to be the very best they can be sits at the heart of our business plan – last year alone, we delivered more 45 hours of continuous professional development (CPD) training, for example.

“In 2023, we will be placing even more emphasis on wellbeing through a range of new benefits and initiatives that we encourage everyone in the team, regardless of seniority, to engage with and be involved in.”

Cartwright Communications has also recently named BAFTA award-winning drama group and charity The Television Workshop as its Charity of the Year.

The talent organisation – which has made stars of Samantha Morton, Jack O’Connell, Karl Collins, Bella Ramsey and Alison Hammond – is celebrating its 40th year, and Cartwright will be helping to spread the word about the workshop, kicking off with its “40 years, 40 stars, 40 awards” campaign.

The site, in Chapel Lane, is managed by Lex Leisure, and is the first facility locally that can host significant swimming galas, competitions and events at the 330-seater swimming pool.

The Jubilee Community Hall can also host a range of events for audiences up to 300 people, courtesy of part-funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and support from Bingham Town Council.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: “This is a wonderful new facility for the people of Bingham and Rushcliffe at a time investment in our growing communities is so important.”

Rising costs putting pressure on business

East Midlands businesses accounted for 6% of administrations in 2022 – the sixth lowest region in the UK – according to analysis by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

A total of 1,340 businesses, 74 of which came from the East Midlands, filed for administration last year, marking a 56% increase compared to 2021.

Construction, manufacturing and retail were the sectors worst hit, accounting for 39% of administrations. Greater London led the way with 20% of the filings, followed by the South East and North West (16% each), data from The Gazette Official Public Record has revealed.

Even though administrations are still yet to hit pre-Covid levels (1,794 in 2019), recession fears and the financial pressure on households and businesses means the worst is still yet to come, an insolvency and restructuring expert has warned.

Andy Taylor, partner and head of restructuring at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “The latest statistics show that the true costs of living and doing business are beginning to bite.

“Numerous headwinds – such as the cost of borrowing, and increasing energy, fuel and raw material costs – have become a new normal at this point and businesses are being pulled from every direction. Furthermore, while supportive in the main, pressure from lenders is increasing and HMRC is taking a firmer stance, seeking to cap levels of liability for non-payment of tax.

“While the UK is perilously close to recessional phase, businesses must have a clear focus on cash flow and look to save costs where possible. Directors must continue to plan strategically for the ever higher costs of ‘doing business’.

“For businesses to survive longer term, they will need to act now to address underlying issues. I cannot overstate how important it is to get to grips with matters at the earliest possible juncture and to take the appropriate professional advice, if needed. Taking a proactive approach will provide options and help to keep businesses afloat.”