Kay joins Chamber in membership and marketing role
The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s appointed Kay Hudson as Membership and Marketing Executive in the wake of Janice Harrison’s retirement in July.
Kay has more than 25 years’ experience in both private and public sector organisations and thrives on creating successful results for clients and is now looking forward to putting those skills to good use in a membership organisation.
Kay has previously worked in numerous sectors, including inward investment and economic development, healthcare, education, legal, luxury retail, property, sports, military, tourism and leisure, agriculture and food and energy and renewables, and has met some interesting characters along the way, including Brian Clough, Stuart Pearce and boxers Anthony Joshua and David Hayes.
Alongside David Hooper, External Affairs and Membership Director and Anne Tate, Northern Lincolnshire Manager, Kay will be helping to create an exciting Chamber Events Diary for 2024 to support the region’s businesses, keeping them informed of new opportunities and helping them to flourish in the Humber region.
Kay said: “I was thrilled to be invited to join the Chamber team and I’m already enjoying my new role. There’s a lot to learn and I’m looking forward to putting my skills and knowledge to good use for the Chamber’s members.”
David Hooper said: “Kay has a strong skill set and some great ideas for some different events and she is already proving to be a valuable asset to our team. She is really looking forward to getting to know our members, so feel free to give her a call and say hello!”
Work starts onsite at Leeds Beckett University city campus building
Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building is undergoing a four-floor transformation, which will revolutionise the way staff and students work, study and collaborate.
Chameleon Business Interiors has been commissioned to deliver interior design, fit-out and furniture services at the city centre building. Harriet Wagstaff, head of sales, at Chameleon said: “The work is taking place across a mix of staff work departments, teaching spaces and student areas.
“Research shows that working in a collaborative – rather than individual – setting sees a 50% increase in productivity. This boosts motivation and engagement. But Leeds Beckett University had identified that the Rose Bowl building was quite segregated. Departments needed to be strategically brought together to enable better collaboration and in turn, greater productivity – all while embracing hybrid working.
“So, we’ll be incorporating collaboration hubs and lounges, a collection of different work environments – from comfortable seating to high benches – and contemporary, glass-fronted meeting pods. Alongside this, work-café areas will feature at the end of each wing on all four floors to create an informal space away from desks, where staff and students can hold informal meetings and hot desk.
“We’ve delivered a number of projects in the education sector, but this is our first piece of work with Leeds Beckett University – so we’re incredibly proud and excited to play a role in improving the working environment for staff and students for years to come.”
Work is due to complete in September.
Shawbrook increases facility for York-based One Stop Finance
York-based One Stop Business Finance has agreed an extended deal with Shawbrook to sustain its work in lending to SMEs.
The increased facility provided by Shawbrook will allow One Stop Business Finance to keep delivering flexible funding to its clients and grow their loan book, helping in delivering services to an increased number of small businesses, UK-wide.
Established in 2014 in York, One Stop Business Finance offers bespoke funding options to SMEs. From working capital solutions to invoice finance and development lending, the specialist lender offers clients a personal service which includes access to a dedicated ‘trusted advisor’ who works one-on-one with business owners.
Shawbrook and One Stop Business Finance’s relationship first began in 2019, when Shawbrook provided a £3m facility funding their bridging and development finance book. This has since increased in line with business needs and growth, most recently having grown from £10m to £15m in June this year.
Shawbrook is now the firm’s largest funding partner, with Shawbrook’s deep understanding both of One Stop Business Finance’s business and the wider market being a key driver behind the relationship.
Andrew Mackenzie, Group MD at One Stop Business Finance, said: “This additional funding line continues to sit well alongside our private money and ensures that we have sufficient cash availability to deliver our plan to become a nationwide lender.
“As conditions remain precarious across the country, it is important that we continue to strive in delivering our friendly flexible funding solutions to fund business growth for those who may struggle to access cash through the traditional routes.”
Luke Randell, Associate Director of Structured Finance at Shawbrook, said: “One Stop Business Finance offer much needed support to the UK’s SMEs, and we’re pleased to be assisting them with their next stage of growth. The senior team’s professionalism and strategic management skills have been particularly impressive throughout our relationship with them, and we’re excited to see where they take the business next.”
Digital double act simplifies procurement on projects worth billions
A digital double act is working to simplify procurement around built environment projects worth billions of pounds and deliver an equally impressive return in social value.
The partnership between Hull-based businesses The 55 Group and 43 Clicks North is also geared to driving the development of digital skills in their home city and helping other employers use technology to flex their marketing muscles. The 55 Group operates frameworks through its Pagabo brand to match public and private sector clients with suppliers for built environment projects ranging from demolition through to major works and civils and infrastructure. Contract values start from around £50,000 and rise to £50m or more and, with its nationwide reach, Pagabo has pulled in completed projects worth a total of more than £4bn. Pagabo’s sister brand, Loop, uses software to forecast, monitor and evaluate the entire life cycle of any project and has enabled a social value return from projects in excess of £26bn. Other brands in the group, which employs 88 people, include risk management and compliance software company Sypro and digital-first training platform Tequ. Sam Burton, head of commercial marketing at The 55 Group, said: “Our mission is to use technology and innovative thinking to support a better, faster, and greener approach within our core markets. “Our platforms support an ecosystem that allows the world to evaluate, procure, manage and learn in a more sustainable way. From compliant procurement of suitable suppliers through to high-quality social value reporting, it’s an end-to-end process helping clients safely, securely and efficiently complete their important projects.” “We tried digital marketing before and we felt 43 Clicks North would give us greater added value, and we have really seen that in the last few months. They have out-performed where we thought we would be and it’s justified our decision to change. “It’s not that we started from nothing but they have kicked on even further in terms of enquiries through our digital channels. We could have carried on as we were and we would have been fine, but we made a business decision to improve and this has been a step change. “We challenged 43 Clicks North to see what they could do and they have risen to the challenge, including working with our team to help us develop our knowledge.” The value of Pagabo projects currently in procurement is nearly £500m and includes a £90m academy services framework launched in July and a £1bn refit and refurbishment framework which went live in May.Government acts on creation of his’n’hers toilets in new builds or refurbs
Every company designing a new non-domestic public or private building will have to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men and/or a self-contained, private toilet as a minimum.
That’s a new announcement that Government is bringing forward a consultation on new regulations, in a change which comes amid dignity and privacy concerns from women and elderly people who feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender-neutral facilities.
Concerns over the rise of neutral gender facilities has meant that public have been forced to share cubicle and hand-washing facilities, leading to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and a limitation on privacy and dignity for all.
New regulations and guidance will mean women, who may need to use facilities more often because of pregnancy or sanitary needs, will now be guaranteed appropriate facilities either through a separate single-sex space or through a self-contained, private toilet.
The action taken today builds upon the Government’s commitment and wider approach to the protection of single sex spaces.
In addition to single sex toilets becoming the default and minimum for new non-residential buildings and places undertaking major refurbishment, the guidelines will encourage the consideration of self-contained toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.
This new approach will help to maximise privacy and dignity for of all, which will be explicit in the guidance.
A new short technical consultation to shape the changes will open tomorrow.
Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. Yet the move towards ‘gender neutral’ toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls.
“These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all.”
Businesses are offered free advice about how to cut energy bills
British businesses will be able to access brand new advice and support to reduce their energy bills while cutting their carbon emissions.
The UK Business Climate Hub launched today includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track and report on their emissions and save money by using less energy. It offers detailed advice on everything from sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics to the most cost-effective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The new support is aimed particularly at the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, with business and industry accounting for around 25% of emissions. Research shows that 90% of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but find it difficult to know how or where to start to find the right solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.
Studies also show 85% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business with a reputation for sustainability, meaning going green can help grow the economy.
Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: “The UK has cut its emissions more than any other major economy in the world. More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so.
The new UK Business Climate Hub is a one-stop-shop for businesses to find practical advice to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills.
Whether it’s fitting a low-carbon heat pump, generating energy with solar panels, or reducing the emissions from shipping goods, the new support will ensure businesses can drive towards net zero.
The new UK Business Climate Hub serves as a one-stop-shop for businesses who have yet to start making changes, as well as those who are already taking action to reduce emissions but want to take things to the next level. As well as helping bosses measure and report on their emissions, the site provides advice and support on an array of things, including:- switching employee modes of transport and paying less for company EVs
- getting business grants, green loans and financing for a retrofit
- getting an air source heat pump
- generating green energy with a wind turbine and selling it back to the grid
- reducing emissions from farming and land use
- buying credible carbon offsets
- getting low-carbon product labels and certifications
- reducing waste and recycling more
“In addition to helping small firms become more energy and resource efficient, the hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy.”
Yorkshire mouldings company secures £20,000 Made Smarter grant
Susan appointed as service manager for housing initiative
Susan Cake-Taylor has been appointed as the service manager of Gainsborough Housing Related Support Services, run by Longhurst Group, based in the town to care for people at risk of homelessness.
She starts her new position next week (August 14) and is already looking forward to forging stronger connections with local service providers in the area. Susan said: “The team here is amazing and the quality of support they give to our service users and residents is awesome.
“With this team, we can make sure this is a service that continues to provide outstanding support to vulnerable people. I have heard lots of good things about West Lindsey District Council from the team and we hope the Council will continue to help us to move people on to more permanent accommodation with other appropriate support wrapped around.”
Susan said: “People find themselves at risk of homeless for a range of issues including a loss of job, financial difficulties, a break down in a relationship and much more. Here at GHRSS we are here to help support people get back on their feet and on to the next part of their journey.”
The facility accommodates 12 service users at any one time, with access to shared features such as a kitchen, lounge, and a games room. It offers four dispersal units which is supported accommodation for up to 6 months before individuals are moved on to a more permanent accommodation – with the appropriate support in place.
Businesses need clear direction from Government, says BCC
The UK economy is still in a precarious place in spite of better-than-expected growth news, according to British Chambers of Commerce Head of Research David Bharier.
He said: “Today’s first estimate for Q2, showing GDP grew by 0.2% is better news than expected, but the UK economy remains in a precarious place. Businesses are continuing to face a worrying mix of high inflation, rising interest rates, a tight labour market, and global economic uncertainty.
“Today’s data is in line with our Quarterly Economic Forecast which expects just 0.3% for the whole of 2023. While the UK remains on course to avoid a technical recession, small movements in one direction or the another won’tmean much for many firms facing the toughest trading conditions in years.
“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey shows that most SMEs continue to report no improvement to investment, cash flow, or sales. Worryingly, 41% of businesses are now concerned about the impact of rising interest rates.
“UK businesses are very adaptable, but they are looking for clear direction from the government and the Bank of England, particularly on interest rate policy and a long-term plan to unlock investment.
Council plans campaign against rogue traders selling vapes to under age children
Rogue retailers pedalling vapes to children in North Lincolnshire are to be targeted in a new offensive designed to stamp out underage sales.
A series of undercover operations will be launched with teens sent into shops to buy vapes from retailers across the area.
The vapes should only be sold to people aged 18 or over. Anyone caught selling to children can be fined up to £2,500.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Our aim is to ensure the well-being of our young people. The increasing use of vapes, combined with mounting concerns about their potential risks, demands tougher measures.
“While the evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco products, for adults the choice is theirs to take however there are age restrictions for a reason –selling vapes to children and teens is not acceptable and we will tackle this.
“We are committed to preventing underage access to these products, shopkeepers need to be aware that the young person they are selling to may indeed be part of the undercover operations we’re launching – that could cost them.”
While many of the vapes come in appealing flavours, they do contain nicotine. This is not the lethal part of tobacco smoke but is addictive.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “The approach we are taking is targeted to expose rogue retailers and serve as a powerful deterrent. Retailers found in violation of the law by selling vaping products to underage individuals will face substantial fines of up to £2,500.
“The financial penalties are designed to send a clear message that we take this issue seriously – we are committed to protecting our young people from the negative effects of vaping and will not tolerate any attempts to circumvent the law, it’s irresponsible and we will not accept it here in North Lincolnshire.”
People have also been reminded about discarding disposable vapes irresponsibly. Anyone caught littering in North Lincolnshire can be fined £150, with this limit set to increase to £500 in the coming weeks.
