Filstorage appointments Installations Manager to its growing team
Racking and fit out specialist Filstorage has appointment a new Installation Manager to its growing team.
Richard Sowden, 39, brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role, which will see him oversee Filstorage’s installation teams at builders’ merchants, factories, and warehouse and logistics facilities across the UK.
Mr Sowden started his career AK Store Fitters in Wakefield in 2001, supervising the installation of shelving and racking in retail stores.
Over the following years, he progressed to become an installations coordinator and then manager at several big-named companies, before joining Filstorage earlier this year.
Mr Sowden said he was looking forward to utilising the skills and insight he had gained over the past 20 years to drive efficiencies in installations.
As well as overseeing installation teams, he will also be responsible for health & safety onsite and producing the Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) for each job.
Mr Sowden said: “Ensuring a smooth installation is key to meeting a client’s expectations and ensuring they can get into the building at the earliest opportunity and become fully operational.
“My role is to make sure this is carried out efficiently and most of all, safely, at every site Filstorage is working on.
“With the large presence across the UK Filstorage has, it is going to be a challenging role, but with some great projects in the pipeline, it is one I am very much looking forward to.”
Mr Sowden’s appointment comes hot on the heels of another hire by the Yorkshire-based company.
Ruth Bill has also recently joined Filstorage as an executive PA to the managing director and wider management team.
Managing Director Paul Taylor welcome both recruits to the business.
He said: “As we continue to grow across the range of sectors we service, ensuring the quality of work we have built our reputation on remains high is a key priority for us.
“These strategic appointments will help to achieve that. Richard’s wealth of experience will bring greater efficiencies to our installations processes, which is a win-win for us and the client, and Ruth will support the management team in taking the business forward.
“I’m very pleased with these appointments and I would like to welcome them both to the team.”
JJ Chalmers gets behind plastics recycling campaign
BBC presenter JJ Chalmers is fringing a new plastics recycling campaign designed to tackle one of the ‘last plastics’ in our bins alongside 4,000 UK supermarkets.
The campaign is addressing a common problem experienced across the UK – the thousands of tonnes of plastic bags and wrapping which not currently collected for recycling at kerbside and are lost to landfill.
Although more than 84% of local authorities collecting plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays at kerbside for many UK residents, fewer than 20% collect plastic bags and wrappings – accounting for around 290,000 tonnes of plastic wrapping going in UK bins each year.
More than 4,000 UK supermarkets across the UK have now introduced recycling collection points within store for these bags and wrapping.
JJ Chalmers said: “It’s a passion of mine to keep stuff like plastics in use and out of the environment – that’s why I do a lot of work on upcycling. So, I think it’s fantastic that we can now gather up our plastic bags, wrapping, and films, and bring them back to the store each time we shop. It’s a simple habit that will make a huge difference to our impact on the natural environment.”
The awareness-raising campaign, which runs until 11th April, will help reduce widespread confusion over what to do with these plastic items that very often contaminate collections.
Sarah Clayton, Head of Recycle Now and Clear on Plastics,said: “Recycling is a growing success story in the UK, with most people now routinely recycling. But, if you look inside people’s bins today there remains one stubborn plastic that most of us can’t recycle at home –items like bread bags, chocolate wrappers, crisp packets and toilet roll wrapping.
“That’s why we’ve set out to raise awareness and nudge people towards new behaviours by helping them find their nearest recycling point from more than 4,000 supermarket options open to them on the Recycling Locator. It’s simply a case of bagging up your used items and taking them to your local participating supermarket when you next go shopping – and Repeat the Cycle!”
Participating supermarkets include Tesco, Co-op and Sainsburys with other major retailers on the cusp of rolling out services, or currently trialling options. The campaign is also supported by local authorities and UK governments.
James Bull, Tesco’s Head of Packaging, said: “We believe no plastic packaging should end up as waste but soft plastic packaging plays an important role in prolonging the shelf-life of some products and preventing food waste. So, while we’re continually working to reduce our use of soft plastic, we can’t get rid of it altogether just yet. Soft plastic collections combined with promotional initiatives like ‘Repeat the Cycle’ are essential to help prevent these materials from going to landfill.”
Seafish to contact fish processors in bid to collect more accurate data
For the next three months the Seafish trade body will be contacting processors across the UK to conduct a confidential survey, encouraging processing businesses to take part and make their voices heard.
The survey, which consists of a five-minute call and short follow-up email, collects data which helps government understand how businesses and communities are impacted by local, national, and international events. This information can also be used by businesses to provide evidence to government of challenges within the industry.
The survey findings also provide evidence for trade agreements and import/export guidance, as well as demonstrating jobs supported by the sector to schools and prospective workers.
Industry leaders are calling on processors across the UK to take this opportunity to provide data by speaking with our Economics team.
Simon Dwyer of Seafood Grimsby & Humber cluster group, said: “When the government was developing free trade agreements, they relied on data from previous Seafish processing surveys. This really illustrates to me and the Grimsby Seafood Cluster that we will always be better placed to make our case to governments if we have the data to support it.
Now, more than ever, it is essential for processors across the UK to share their challenges and their data. Arina Motova, Chief Economist at Seafish, said: “The processing census is extremely important for our understanding of the seafood processing sector. The financial data collected as part of the processing survey in particular helps us to build a comprehensive picture of economic performance of the industry, costs and economic challenges it faces over time. We use this evidence in discussions with the industry and government, and to help our valued stakeholders make informed decisions with accurate data. We also value our data providers confidentiality and stick to strict confidentiality rules when publishing the data collected. As such, I would strongly encourage businesses to use this opportunity to engage with our researchers and ensure their voice is heard.”
Jimmy Buchan, CEO at Scottish Seafood Association, said: “We should never underestimate the importance of clear statistical and financial data on the sector. When the Scottish Government was developing the Scottish Seafood Business Resilience Fund, it was data from previous Seafish processing surveys that they turned to. While we can debate whether the right support was provided, we will always be better placed to make our case to governments if we have the data to support it. I would strongly encourage seafood businesses of all sizes, wherever you are in the UK, to fully engage with Seafish to complete the survey and provide the requested financial data.
Metal recycler offers employability support to young adults with learning disabilities
Local metal recycler EMR Lincoln, based on Beevor Street, has partnered with Linkage, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities.
Based in Lincolnshire, the charity offers high quality specialist education, care, employment and support services to people with learning disabilities. Their aim is to help the young people they support reach their full potential and do this by offering a number of services. From adult and employability skills, to sensory outreach and a children and families service, they have programmes to help young people as they grow and develop.
Through a donation offered by EMR Lincoln, Linkage will offer employability support sessions to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. This programme helps individuals with CV writing as well as offering interview support skills.
Craig Wood, business development manager at EMR Lincoln, said: “Young people with learning disabilities are often excluded from the workforce due to a lack of support along the recruitment process. This is where Linkage play a vital role, supporting young people in the transition into independent living.
“In accessing Linkage’s employability scheme young people will not only gain new skills but also enhance their personal confidence, something that is vital to them finding career success. We look forward to working with the team at Linkage and witnessing the positive impact this partnership will have.”
Andrea Beer, head of fundraising and communications, added: “We are delighted and very proud that EMR has chosen Linkage Community Trust and especially the Lincoln Campus to benefit from their Young Futures Reimagined programme.
“Linkage is always keen to work with local companies who can provide support and opportunities for our students to gain work experience and fulfil their potential. We look forward to working with EMR and are grateful for their support towards enabling us to achieve our goals.”
Bank of England Governor to speak at Hull & Humber Chamber
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey will speak to Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce members about the UK and global economy at a breakfast meeting at Hull’s Grange Park Hotel.
On Friday April 8th Mr Bailey will answer questions on the future direction of British and global economic policy following the Covid-19 Pandemic and now in the face of the war in Ukraine.
Before becoming Governor, Andrew Bailey was Deputy Governor of the Bank from 2013 to 2016 and served as Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority from July 2016 before becoming Governor.
Born in 1959, Andrew studied at Queen’s College, Cambridge, gaining a bachelors degree in History and a PHD from the same department. The event starts at 8am, and booking is via a link sent out to Chamber members
Work to commence on new car park at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station
A new, multi-storey car park to encourage rail use at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station is one of 14 projects within West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £31.5 million Rail Park and Ride Programme.
Early April 2022 is the planned start date on a new, multi-storey car park at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station to increase parking provision, improve overall accessibility and encourage rail use. As part of improvements, an additional 102 car parking spaces will be created, taking the total available spaces to 245.
Parking will be free to rail users, who will also benefit from improved CCTV facilities and LED lighting, for their safety and comfort. A fully accessible lift will make access to and through the car park and station much easier. This, alongside 9 Blue Badge bays will make the station a far better option for passengers requiring enhanced support. The car park will also benefit from improved drainage infrastructure, to improve the local environment and the safety of the locality.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “As a passionate advocate of rail travel and a commuter myself, I understand the frustration commuters have felt due to the slow progress on the Steeton and Silsden Railway Station car park. I can appreciate however that improvements, like this one, can sometimes be met with significant obstacles and problems.
“I am however very pleased to be able to tell the people who use Steeton and Silsden Railway Station that we can now start the important improvements to parking at this station.
“In the Climate and Environment Plan for West Yorkshire, I launched last year, I committed to deliver a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest. The work at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station will help reduce congestion and improve local air quality, which makes us one step closer to our economic ambition.
“It also goes without saying that improved ease of access to public transport enhances people’s employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities and of course their leisure activities. I welcome these improvements.”
Lincolnshire door and loading bay firm snapped up
Based in Welbourn in Lincolnshire, Fen-Bay, the suppliers of industrial doors and loading bays, has become part of Hörmann, the European provider of gates, doors, frames and operators.
The move will see ongoing investment in the group which includes Lincolnshire-based Fen-Bay Services and Doncaster-based Transdek. Combined, the Fen-Bay group employs 150 people, including over 100 full-time engineers who support its 24/7, nationwide service support provision.
Commenting on the acquisition, Wolfgang Gorner, Managing Director of Hörmann UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Fen-Bay Group to the Hörmann family. We see this as a natural fit and a key part of our drive to increase our footprint in the Industrial and Service sectors.
“The Fen-Bay Group with its excellent brand, reputation and nationwide coverage will complement our existing operations, but will allow us to compete even more so in these areas.
“We are also excited to build on the success already achieved by Transdek throughout Europe and we are committed to ongoing investment in the Fen-Bay Group operations. We see great potential moving forward.”
The owners of Fen-Bay Group engaged Duncan & Toplis to explore the potential sale of the company. Director, Damon Brain who served as Fen-Bay’s dedicated adviser through the transaction said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Fen-Bay and Hörmann on this sale.
“Fen-Bay is a renowned and respected company based in our region and we’re pleased to have played a role in helping to secure its future with a committed investor that can support its continued growth and success.”
Carl Sedlan, Managing Director of the Fen-Bay Group, said: “We already have extensive experience of Hörmann and its strong family values, which resonated strongly with our Management Team. Everyone is genuinely excited by the opportunities moving forward and becoming part of such a well-known and respected Group.”
British firms ignore menopause symptoms at their peril, survey shows
It’s been claimed that British businesses will continue to lose skilled workers if they continue to disregard the significance of how menopause symptoms such as joint pain, hot flushes, memory loss, fatigue and anxiety, can dramatically impact performance in the workplace.
That’s the subject of a wake-up call from employment law specialists at Irwin Mitchell in the wake of a menopause survey commissioned with YouGov.
The study of 1,025 HR decision makers working across British businesses found that only one in five employers consider menopausal symptoms during the performance reviews of female staff. This is despite it being widely accepted that the effects of the menopause can be debilitating for a woman’s physical and psychological wellbeing. Symptoms have a huge impact on a women’s confidence in work, lead to periods of absence and, in some case resignations. The survey also found that only 13% of organisations that had a high representation of women in their workforce had a menopausal policy.
According to Irwin Mitchell, this lack of action is compounding the current skills shortage and it will make it more difficult to attract new employees. Lawyers also warn that it could result in businesses facing costly discrimination claims in the future.
Partner Jenny Arrowsmith said: “These are disappointing results and when you consider menopause is an issue affecting the fastest-growing demographic in the UK, namely women aged 50-64, it’s clear businesses must do more.
“It’s about time that menopause is openly discussed as a health and work issue and for employers to demonstrate that they take it seriously. Establishing a menopause policy is a simple and valuable starting point.
“Not only does a menopause policy help promote positive change within an organisation, it sets a framework for evidencing how it will approach conversations about the menopause, what support affected employees can expect to receive, and where they can access additional help. In doing so, it reduces the risk of costly disputes.
“There has been a significant rise in the number of employment tribunals where menopause is mentioned over the last two to three years and as awareness of this issue grows, we expect to see complaints increase further. Our survey demonstrates that there is a considerable amount of work still to do. This risk will increase if additional legal protection is given to those who have significant menopausal symptoms, which is something the Women and Equalities Committee are considering.
“Organisations that have woken up to the issue and are aware of the challenges that women face when going through the menopause are in a much stronger place to attract and retain colleagues who are often at the peak of their experience and have many more productive years ahead of them.”
A survey by menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson found that 99% of respondents said their perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms had led to a negative impact on their careers, with more than a third calling the impact ‘significant’. Almost 20% were off more than eight weeks and half of this group resigned or took early retirement.
She said: “I am saddened yet unsurprised by the findings of the Irwin Mitchell survey. The themes that highlight the challenges and inequalities perimenopausal and menopausal women face at work continuously reoccur in research and I have found similar findings through my own. It is the responsibility of organisations to create a menopause confident environment and the evidence suggests that those who do, retain talent and empower both their female and male employees.”
Sheffield-based NOCN Group has introduced a menopause strategy. Louise Fort, Head of People and Culture at the group, which employs 180, said: “Our menopause strategy is focused on a number of actions. These include specialist training, informative guidance and policies which ensure affected individuals are not adversely impacted if they need to be absent from work.
“Introducing a menopause strategy is about this NOCN Group becoming an employer of choice. Our action in this area is about helping us retain our colleagues and attract new ones. Our colleagues are first and foremost people, not a job title, and supporting them with menopause helps build and enhance our employee empowered culture.”
Making Tax Digital becomes mandatory on Friday
VAT-registered businesses have until Friday this week to complete preparations for Making Tax Digital for VAT.
HMRC says MTD helps taxpayers get their tax returns right by reducing common mistakes as well as saving time managing their tax affairs and is a key part of the overall digitalisation of UK tax.
Evidence shows MTD is succeeding in its central aims of reducing errors, while also making it faster to prepare and submit returns, and boosting productivity for businesses. New research, conducted by HMRC and peer reviewed by independent academics, shows MTD is likely to have generated increased revenue through reducing errors in both 2019 and 2020.
Nearly 1.6 million taxpayers had joined MTD for VAT as of December 2021, with more than 11 million returns successfully submitted. Around a third of VAT-registered businesses with taxable turnover below £85,000 have voluntarily signed up to MTD for VAT ahead of April 2022, and thousands more are signing up each week.
VAT-registered businesses that have not yet signed up to MTD for VAT should do so now. All VAT-registered businesses must use MTD for VAT for their first VAT return starting on or after 1 April 2022. Businesses should use the time left to choose the software that is right for them, whether that is one of the simple free options available, or a more advanced product for those with more complex affairs.
Lucy Frazer, HM Treasury’s Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Businesses using MTD are saving time on their tax affairs, streamlining their processes and boosting their productivity as a result. Our first move towards a modern, digital tax service – MTD makes it easier for businesses to get their tax right first time.
“There is a range of support and information available for those that need it – including accessible online content such as YouTube videos, GOV.UK help pages and HMRC’s Extra Support service.”
New business park in Gainsborough given the go ahead
A new business park set to create 50 new jobs has been given the go ahead by West Lindsey District Council on 27 January 2022.
Wharton Place, which will be located on the outskirts of Gainsborough will be developed by established local commercial and residential property developer, Stirlin.
Stirlin received planning approval from the local authority at the end of January for three phases of Wharton Place, which will be their third commercial development in the area.
Stirlin Developments Development Manager, Matt Padley said: “Gainsborough has a bright future, with major growth ambitions and regeneration plans. With its wealth of opportunities, excellent transport links, impressive commercial offering and vibrant business community, there has never been a better time to invest in the town.
“Following the success of our first commercial development on Foxby Lane: Stirlin Place, we’re pleased to provide further investment in the area with two new business parks: Willoughton Place and Wharton Place.
“The new business parks will help facilitate the town’s growing economy and bring new employment to the area.”
The site is suitably located on Foxby Lane, neighbouring Lincoln County Council’s Business Centre, Mercury House, with easy access to the A1, M180 and A15 road networks. It will provide over 18,500sq ft of new employment space across 1.3 acres, with a mix of light industrial units in sizes ranging from 1,270sq ft – 2,500sq ft.
West Lindsey District Council’s Director of Planning and Regeneration Sally Grindrod-Smith is delighted to hear the news. She said: “The development of Wharton Place will be a great addition to Gainsborough, and we hope that this will also encourage other businesses to either start-up, re-locate or expand in the area. We look forward to working alongside Stirlin Developments as they continue to grow.”
Allocated parking, an electric sectional door, a personnel door and DDA compliant toilet facilities, as well as an eaves height of 5 metres to accommodate a mezzanine floor upon request are all benefits that the units will see.