Hull-based Language is Everything has been listed in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024.

It is the first time the Hull-based translation and interpreting company has entered the awards, which grades companies based on feedback from employees. CEO Carolyn Johnson said that she was thrilled and that the award was a great way to measure how well the company was doing in nurturing its people. “We do our best to support everyone’s growth and wellbeing, and this high-profile, national accolade provides an excellent method of measuring how well we are doing and how our people really feel about working here. “We get to see the survey results with action plans to make improvements and changes, which is really helpful as we always strive to get better at everything we do. “I want to thank all of our fantastic colleagues for contributing to us winning this amazing award.” The company has been ranked in the top 100 in the ‘small organisation’ category following analysis of a survey completed anonymously by staff in which it scored ‘excellent’ in all areas. Highlights included a 98 per cent score for staff pride, 95 per cent for average happiness and confidence in management.    

Economic confidence in Yorkshire and the Humber appears to be on the rise with the region, along with much of the rest of the UK, experiencing a marked uplift in the number of new businesses launching last month compared with March 2024.

The latest research from the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3, which is based on an analysis of data provided by CreditSafe, showed that in April all regions and nations saw a rise in start-ups since the previous month.

Yorkshire and the Humber was among the strongest performing with an increase of 32% which represented a total of 6,773 new businesses. Since December 2023, almost 22,700 new businesses have launched in the region.

Looking across the UK, the East Midlands saw the greatest month-on-month rise in start-ups with an increase of 41.7% while Northern Ireland and the North East both rose by over 33%. In contrast, the poorest performing of the 12 regions and nations was Scotland with an increase of just 1.8%; followed by East Anglia (up by 27.2%) and the South East (up by 27.6%).

The research also showed that insolvency-related activity (which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings) had fallen across much of the UK in April. The most marked decreases were in the South East (-20.7%); Scotland (-20.6%); and Northern Ireland (-19.2%).

However, Yorkshire and the Humber was one of four regions and nations to experience a rise in this type of activity with 263 businesses affected here, an uplift of 8.7% since March. The East Midlands, Greater London and the South West also saw a month-on-month increase.

Eleanor Temple, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds, said: “Last month’s rise in the number of start-ups across almost all of the UK is an encouraging sign of slowly returning business confidence.

“Unfortunately, the year got off to a slow start for many consumer-facing businesses, such as retailers and restaurants, amid high interest rates and energy costs, together with dismal weather further dampening spending.

“As we head into the summer, economic prospects appear to be brightening, although many experts are not expecting a real recovery until the autumn. Given the current uncertainty, it is vital that business owners remain vigilant and turn to a qualified insolvency practitioner for advice as soon as any financial problems become apparent.”

360 Chartered Accountants assistant manager Olivia Sutton has passed her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualifications to become fully qualified as a chartered accountant. Olivia joined the company straight from school as an apprentice, and passed her Association of Accounting Technicians exams two years ago. Company founder Andy Steele said: “We are really proud that another of our apprentices has become fully qualified as a chartered accountant, having passed all exams first time around, which is testament to Olivia’s hard work and dedication. We saw her potential when she first interviewed for the apprenticeship scheme seven years ago and we have been impressed with her performance ever since. “We promoted Olivia to assistant manager two years ago and will now continue to develop and nurture her to step up to manager level. We’re excited to see what the future holds for her at 360.”

Yorkshire Water is to lead a consortium investing £2.3m from the Ofwat Innovation Fund to convert sewage sludge into usable products such as biochar, vitrified ash ‘stones’ and a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas in a process capable of destroying contaminants such as forever chemicals and microplastics. The ground-breaking work involves Advanced Thermal Conversion Gasification technology, and involves technology provider Enertecgreen, Queen’s University Belfast, Carbon Trust, Thames Water, United Utilities, Anglian Water, Scottish Water, Irish Water, Northern Ireland Water, Southern Water, and Wessex Water. If successful, the project will demonstrate the circular economy in action by testing the use of the biochar as a wastewater treatment media and also as an additive in brick manufacturing. The carbon-rich biochar, which looks like small pieces of charcoal, could be used as a soil improver to increase water and nutrient retention, and as it doesn’t readily decompose, it’s also a vehicle for sequestering carbon in soil. The vitrified ash ‘stones’ could be used as aggregate in the construction industry to reduce the embodied carbon footprint.  The syngas – a blend of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane – can be used to produce green electricity, along with other high-value products such as aviation fuel. Dr Danielle Hankin, innovation programme manager at Yorkshire Water, said:  “Converting sewage sludge into gas, biochar and ash ‘stones’ opens up new, more sustainable uses for this waste product. We’re proud to be pre-empting changes in legislation and consumer attitudes, by delivering a groundbreaking technology that benefits customers, the environment and future-proofs the water industry. “Once proven, the Gasification process will produce sustainable wastewater treatment media and construction material, generate green electricity, and could create high-value products such as biomethanol, aviation fuel or hydrogen. Our work represents a pivotal step in driving the UK towards a greener, more resource-efficient future.” Ofwate senior director Helen Campbell said: “There are big challenges in the water industry that must be solved, some are well known and others are less so. In our fourth Water Breakthrough Challenge we called for solutions with potential to deliver wide-scale, transformational change for customers, society and the environment – and that’s exactly what today’s winners have done. From raingardens to prevent flooding to green energy from treated sewage, innovations to cut the water sector’s carbon footprint to robots that patrol the pipe network, the winners are all helping shape a more sustainable and efficient water sector.”

As mental health first aiders become normalised in the office environment, businesses are looking at other ways they can help to promote positive mental health at work. It is amazing what a bit of sunlight or even some natural greenery in the office can achieve when trying to lift spirits.  NHS England has confirmed that one in four adults experience a mental illness including anxiety and depression. So how, as a business, can you help to promote a more positive mental health attitude?  In addition to the employee support schemes, there are changes you’re able to make in the office environment that can easily help promote positive mental health.  Maximise natural light Natural light promotes vitamin D, which helps combat depression and diabetes as well as provides a connection to the natural world. Maximising the natural light in your office can boost motivation across your team whilst reducing headaches, eyestrain and blurred vision by as much as 84%.  But how can you do this in your workplace? Replace solid interior office walls with glass partitions. If a room requires privacy, you can still include manifestations on the glass to allow light in but not see what’s happening inside. Alternatively, switch glass allows you to flick between clear glass and frosted at the click of a button.  A slightly more invasive option would be to add curtain walling to the exterior of your building. This is when instead of solid walls, you have large windows. It can be fitted to any scale of building. There is also the option of skylights or expanding your existing windows with larger ones rather than having curtain walling.  LED lighting can help mimic daylight during the darker and colder months of the year. If you can’t get real sunlight into the office, this is the next best thing.  Getting away for a break Ensuring your staff have a space away from their desk to have a proper break is crucial. Starring at a computer screen all day without a break is mentally exhausting, or when in a face-to-face role, your staff need to be able to remove themselves from that environment to relax and not always have to put on a “happy face.” Sometimes the pressure is just too much, especially when they are not feeling their best.  A well-designed area where staff can get away from both their desk and customers will help recharge and refocus them ready for the afternoon. Those who take the opportunity for a break, find they are more productive than those who don’t. It is not enough anymore to provide a small kitchen with no windows or seating. They need more than somewhere just to heat up their lunch. Providing a larger area where staff can come together and vent, laugh or just generally have fun can really boost morale and encourages team bonding.  There are several options for this space, providing tables to eat at, soft seating for people to relax and kitchen facilities for people to use. Maybe include a TV or a games console.  Make sure the room has windows, or natural light that is able to penetrate the room if it is in the centre of a building. Closed off rooms are uninviting and can have a demotivating effect on staff. Encourage staff to be active Regular exercise is known to help those who are at risk of depression and anxiety, it boosts self-esteem and helps with concentration, sleep and generally improves health and wellbeing.  Working full time and having a family can be a barrier for many to getting that 30-minutes a day exercise the NHS recommends. However, there are ways, as an employer, you can help to make this endeavour a little easier. Allowing a full hour for lunch provides plenty of time for staff to eat and take a walk on their break. If you have a small spare space in your office, you can install a gym for staff to use before or after work or on lunch breaks.  Alternatively, there are bike-to-work schemes, running groups and team sports that can help with team bonding and encouraging exercise.  Small changes in the office environment can also help, like Sit-Stand desks where the user can adjust the height to amend their position throughout the day. It has been proven that just by changing position throughout the day or working in different areas, it can help with productivity.  Creating the right working environment Having an open plan office, as is the most popular option these days, is great for team communication and knowing what’s going on around the office, but it can get loud. Staff need quiet spaces where they can get away if they need to, or be able to take calls in a quiet space. By having smaller individual office spaces, it can help reduce personal stress levels and improve productivity.  Other options would include installing acoustic ceiling rafts which add an aesthetic appeal to the office as well as dampen the sound and any echo that may be prevalent in the office.    If you are looking to make changes to your workplace to help encourage a more positive environment, APSS has trained staff in space planning and design to make the most of your space. Call today or visit APSS’ services page to see how they can help.

Lincolnshire is making leaps towards sustainability, from its renowned agricultural sector making innovative progress in the use of robotics and vertical farming through to Grimsby’s resurgent future as a renewable energy manufacturing base. Lincolnshire is well placed to make the most of a worldwide movement towards sustainability, creating well paid jobs and business opportunities across the whole county. While larger corporations have already pledged to streamline their efforts, every business can join the movement. After all, small businesses represent 99% of the UK’s enterprises and employ 60% of the workforce. Recognising the challenges faced by smaller businesses, Business Lincolnshire is offering fully funded support with its Low Carbon Lincolnshire Programme, which includes a series of workshops for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland businesses wanting to transition towards sustainability. With mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices across operations and supply chains, now is the time for SMEs to take action. Low Carbon Lincolnshire is designed to assist SMEs on their journey towards Net Zero. Delivered by the experienced team at PECT, an environmental charity based in Peterborough, these fully funded workshops and materials are poised to equip businesses with the knowledge and resources they need. Councillor Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy & Place at Lincolnshire County Council, emphasises the importance of this initiative: “Business Lincolnshire’s Low Carbon Lincolnshire programme offers vital support to our local SMEs. “These fully funded workshops are a gateway for small businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to embrace sustainability and the opportunities it presents. A crucial initiative for a greener and more resilient business landscape in our region.” Each participating business will undergo a tailored onboarding process to confirm eligibility, ensuring that workshops are tailored to their specific needs. Upcoming Sustainability Events: · Carbon Reduction Clinic – June 4th, Healing Manor Hotel · Creating a Sustainable Supply Chain – June 18th, Online · Getting Started with Net Zero – June 20th, Mosaic Digital Hub, Lincoln · The Basics of Decarbonisation – June 20th, Mosaic Digital Hub, Lincoln · Getting Started with Net Zero – July 7th, The Boilerhouse, Grantham · The Basics of Decarbonisation – July 7th, The Boilerhouse, Grantham · Getting Started with Net Zero – September 10th, Market Rasen Racecourse, Mosaic Digital Hub · The Basics of Decarbonisation – September 10th, Market Rasen Racecourse, Mosaic Digital Hub To book onto these events or for more information on the Low Carbon Lincolnshire Programme, visit Business Lincolnshire’s website, https://www.businesslincolnshire.com/.