CBI Chief Exec warns new Government: You’ll have to be pro-green
CBI chief executive Rain Newton-Smith is warning of the risks of trying to “separate the economy from net zero” and tell whoever forms the next Government they “can’t be pro-growth and deliver for our people and communities, without being pro-green.”
As the election campaign entered its final days, she spoke of deafening silence from all parties about the issues of climate change, about biodiversity loss, net zero and our planet” in contrast to what she says is the “consensus case from business” for net zero as a growth opportunity.
With the CBI’s Going for Green report revealing that the next government could add as much as £57bn to the economy from green growth by 2030, Newton-Smith is calling on both the main parties to commit to delivering five steps to achieving green growth.
She said: “The next government ‘s got to be loud and proud in making green growth part of a new investor pitch for brand Britain. No more prevarication, no more rowed back commitments. Whoever forms the next government has to let the world know it’s serious about the investment opportunities from net zero and that we’re in this for the long-haul. Make decisions and stick to them.
“Whether it’s continuing with the ‘five growth sector’ strategy, or part of a new plan for sustainable growth, the next Chancellor must set out our national stall.”
Shew called for an Office for Net Zero, a Net Zero investment plan, transformational technology, and riding over ‘nimbyism’. “Recent attempts to expand and upgrade the grid have run up against nimbyism. This matters… Tens of billions of pounds of net zero investment – and the future attractiveness of the UK as a place to invest – hinge on the grid. So… the next government must back rapid grid upgrades and work in partnership with business – to get them done. Without that, there’s no net zero, no green growth.”
She added: “It’s a dangerous error to try and separate the economy from net zero. There is still too much in our political discourse that amounts to – ‘can we afford to go for net zero?’ But the real question is – can we afford not to?”
“The cost of inaction the OBR has set out… the hit to our GDP will be five times higher if we don’t act, than if we act early. But there is another cost on top of all that – the cost of falling behind in the global race for cheaper, more reliable, more efficient energy. The huge emerging markets for new technologies.”
30-second TV ad breaks new ground with AI technology
Hull-based advertising agency Pace has worked with composite decking brand Trex, to create the first TV advert by a UK agency.
The 30-second advert, which invites UK homeowners to open their doors and embrace outdoor living, uses the latest generative AI techniques to create virtual settings.
The Hull-based creative communications agency came up with the concept of the commercial and were involved from inception to launch, working with Grit Pictures and on location at XPLOR at Production Park, Wakefield.
Caroline Anson, Pace’s Head of Client Services, said: “Working with Trex since the start of the year has been a great experience for the whole agency and this advertisement is just the latest piece of work we have created with the client – it’s a very exciting time!
“The inspiration behind the concept came when we realised our objective wasn’t to just talk about Trex but to also encourage UK consumers to open their doors, embrace outdoor living, and see their outside space as a true extension of their homes.”
The shoot, which took place in XPLOR’s virtual production studio, involved creating a digital landscape that they blended with the physical set, to replicate an outdoor location without relying on the British weather.
Richard Blair, Head of Production Services at XPLOR, said: “We always love a challenge at Production Park! The project for Trex and Pace was one of the largest scale virtual production shoots we’ve done so far with a full size decking system being installed in our studio prior to filming.
“We love the final results and are so pleased the agency and their client are over the moon with what has been created. We look forward to working with them on future campaigns.”
Paul takes on new ABP Chief of Staff role from today
Paul Bristowe has become the new Chief of Staff role at Associated British Ports, the UK’s leading ports operator.
Formerly Head of Marine for ABP’s Humber region, he brings extensive senior leadership experience from almost a decade with BP and 25 years of service in the Royal Navy in addition to his ABP career.
Paul said: “I’m excited to taking up the Chief of Staff role. There’s a tremendous depth of experience across ABP. Leading this new portfolio is an opportunity to bring this expertise together, give it the focus and prominence it deserves as well enhance the sharing of best practice across functions.
“The safety aspect of the Chief of Staff portfolio is absolutely critical, not just to the role itself but to everything that ABP does. Although ABP has made strong progress on our approach to safety, I’m absolutely committed to leading further improvement.”
The Chief of Staff role has been created to bring together critical enabling functions into one portfolio, including marine operations, safety, environment and security, that provide the essential foundations for ABP’s future growth. The Chief of Staff will also be the senior executive with responsibility for ABP’s other marine focused capabilities, UK Dredging and marine consultancy ABPmer.
Recognising the critical nature of these highly skilled, specialist capabilities the Chief of Staff will sit on ABP’s Executive Board and report directly to ABP’s CEO.
Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO at Associated British Ports, said: “ABP has ambitious, transformational plans for how we will expand our contribution to the UK under our twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition. These missions rely on safe, secure and sustainable operations which is why the Chief of Staff role is so important, bringing a senior leadership focus on key foundational capabilities. I am delighted to welcome Paul Bristowe to the role.”
Paul joined ABP in 2022 from BP, where he held a number of senior commercial roles in shipping, supply and trading operations. Before joining the business world Paul had a 25-year career in the Royal Navy operating globally as a helicopter pilot, warfare officer and latterly in command of a Type 23 Frigate. Paul has an MBA from Cranfield University.
New eight-year tourism strategy officially adopted for York
A new eight-year tourism strategy for York has been officially adopted by the City of York Council.
The York Tourism Advisory Board, chaired by Dr Brendan Paddison, Associate Professor and Interim Dean of York Business School, has been working on the development of a new Tourism Strategy for York, following extensive consultation with stakeholders from across the city and the wider region.
From promoting regenerative practices, to enhancing the wellbeing of the city’s communities through tourism, the York Tourism Strategy is a comprehensive framework that aims to ensure that tourism becomes a force for positive change, contributing to the city’s prosperity and wellbeing.
The new strategy is focused on 5 key priorities with specific ambitions for the city. These are:
- A Regenerative Visitor Economy: York is a responsible, robust and profitable destination with a regenerative visitor economy.
- Green York: Our businesses and visitors’ commitment proactively contributes to York’s transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
- Culture: York is renowned for its heritage, culture and cutting-edge approach to creativity, which attracts cultural tourists and supports the city’s regenerative visitor economy.
- Residents and Localhood: Local people experience the very best of their city and wider region alongside its visitors, with tourism contributing to the quality of life in York and beyond.
- Skills and recruitment: The visitor economy is a first-choice career for school leavers and graduates, businesses invest in upskilling, apprenticeships, training and career development, and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Offshore Wind Growth Partnership appoints non-exec director
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership has appointed Iain Sinclair as a non-executive director. Iain brings over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy supply chain, most recently as the executive director of Global Energy Group – a major port operator and energy sector service company.
Iain replaces outgoing board member Richard Turner, whose term ends at the end of this month, and said: “I can’t wait to get stuck in at such an important moment for the development of the UK’s renewable energy sector. Since joining Global Energy Group we’ve seen the Scottish Port of Nigg become a household name in offshore wind, securing major investments and supporting world-leading offshore wind projects including Seagreen and Moray West.
“I want to use this experience to drive OWGP’s strategy, supporting development throughout the UK, and helping companies across the country to share in this growth with innovative products and services.”
OWGP Programme Director Anil Sayhan said: “We are grateful to Richard Turner for his support and guidance as OWGP established itself as a key player in developing the offshore wind supply chain. We are delighted to welcome Iain Sinclair, whose wealth of experience in manufacturing, ports and other critical areas will be highly valued as OWGP takes its next steps to help UK companies scale.”
OWGP Chair Tim Pick said: “It is great to have Iain on the OWGP Board. Iain joins us at a pivotal time for OWGP as we seek to align our programmes more closely with the recently published Industrial Growth Plan and roll out new initiatives such as our forthcoming Manufacturing Facility Support Programme.”
OWGP’s mission is to support a globally competitive offshore wind supply chain in the UK. They work with businesses to improve productivity, increase business competitiveness, maximise exports, promote greater collaboration in the supply chain, support innovation, and increase capacity through attracting new entrants and growing existing capacity. To date, OWGP’s programmes have led participants to report an increase of 1,136 jobs in offshore wind, over £44m offshore wind contracts won and retained in the UK supply chain.
Shipley interpreting firm snapped up by global language service company
Translate.One, a global language service and technology company and a division of one of the largest integrated legal solutions providers in the US, has acquired Enable2, a Shipley-headquartered interpreting company.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Translate.One’s commitment to providing comprehensive language support solutions worldwide.
Enable2 is a Social Enterprise spinning out from NHS Bradford and Airedale in 2011. The Enable2 set up includes an online purpose-built system to support both the public and private sector to communicate with their clients whilst achieving cost savings.
Peter Smith, president of Translate.One, said: “We are excited to welcome Enable2 to the Translate.One family. Their dedication to providing sensitive, professional, and understanding language support perfectly aligns with our mission. Together, we are well-positioned to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through language.”
Liz Weatherill, Managing Director of Enable2, said: “This acquisition opens up new opportunities for Enable2 to expand our services. By joining forces with Translate.One, we can leverage their extensive infrastructure and resources to enhance our offerings and continue delivering exceptional language support.”
100 year old Leeds fancy dress retailer sold following fall into administration
Leeds-headquartered fancy dress retailer R.H. Smith & Sons (Wigmakers) Limited, which trades as Smiffy’s, has been sold following its fall into administration.
Smiffy’s has been operating for over 100 years and has stores in Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Oxford. The financial performance of the company was significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic which saw a huge drop in demand for costume and party products.
Following the appointment of Jane Steer and Sarah O’Toole of PwC as joint administrators, a sale of the business and assets of the company has been completed to Ad Populum LLC.
The buyer owns several brands, such as NECA (an industry leader in pop culture action figures and collectibles), Wizkids (a producer of miniatures and award-winning tabletop games worldwide), Kidrobot (a premier creator of limited-edition art toys and lifestyle accessories), and Rubies II, LLC (a US costumes company).
Jane Steer, joint administrator and partner, PwC, said: “Smiffy’s is a popular brand that has been operating in one form or another since 1894, but sadly, like many other retailers, it was impacted by the after effects of the pandemic. The buyer, Ad Populum, will add Smiffy’s to its comprehensive range of brands which have extensive reach in the fancy dress and toy markets.”
Croda names new CFO and Exec Director
Snaith-based Croda International has appointed Stephen Oxley as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Director, who’ll join the company from his role as CFO at Johnson Matthey.
Stephen was previously a Partner at KPMG, where he spent nearly 30 years advising global companies across consumer, healthcare and industrial sectors. He is also a Non-Executive Member of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Sovereign Grant which oversees the UK’s public grant to the Royal Family.
He will join Croda no later than 1 April next year following a notice period. Anthony Fitzpatrick, President Strategy, Corporate Development & Industrial Specialties, has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer. Anthony joined Croda and the Executive Committee in 2014 having previously spent more than 20 years in global investment banking.
Danuta Gray, Croda Chair, said: “Alongside his strong track record as a PLC Chief Financial Officer incorporating strategic thinking and operational delivery, Stephen brings valuable experience of audit and advisory roles for large, complex international companies across a number of relevant sectors during his time as a Partner at KPMG. I look forward to welcoming him to the Board.
“Anthony Fitzpatrick has a deep understanding of Croda and we are pleased that he has agreed to act as CFO on an interim basis before helping to oversee an orderly handover to Stephen when he joins early next year.”
- MEANWHILE, Ian Bull has been named as a Non-Executive Director. Ian has extensive experience with listed companies across a wide range of industries, both domestic and international, both as an Executive Director as well as Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair. He was previously Group Finance Director of Greene King plc, Chief Financial Officer at Ladbrokes plc, and was most recently Chief Financial Officer of Parkdean Resorts Group. Ian was formerly a non-executive Director of Paypoint Ltd, Chair of Lookers plc and Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of St. Modwen Properties plc. Ian is currently a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair of Dunelm Group plc and Senior Independent Director of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Hessle-based food company embarks on further research with Carbon Inset Pilot Scheme
Hessle-based food producer Cranswick is undertaking further research into its Carbon Inset Pilot Scheme to enhance their regenerative agriculture initiatives.
Working in association with Hutchinson’s and Agri Sound, the three-year project aims to investigate and make improvements to the carbon sequestration of soils and increase biodiversity across its farms.
Carbon Insetting is the process of integrating nature-based solutions within a business supply chain with the aim of reducing the amount of carbon emitted. This process will significantly contribute to Cranswick’s business goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040, using our own vertically integrated agricultural supply chain, as opposed to external carbon offsetting schemes.
Hutchinson’s have been using their Omnia Terramap technology to scan fields with their gamma ray detection systems to measure the levels of organic and inorganic carbon within the soils, on 250 hectares of Cranswick farms across the East of England. Sections of the land will then be planted with AB8 and AB15 options, comprising a range of wildflower, grass and legume mixes before the process is repeated to track the uplift in carbon that is sequestered in the soils over time.
As part of the Inset Scheme, the team from Cranswick will be working alongside Agri-Sound to help further the development of their poly monitors. This research will enable Agri-Sounds bioacoustics listening technology to become more advanced, allowing a more varied range of species to be detected via the remote listening devices, providing a much clearer picture of biodiversity levels and activity on Cranswick farms.
Ash Gilman, Director of Agricultural Strategy at Cranswick said: “We are determined that by being able to verify and demonstrate our leveraging of nature-based solutions, this Carbon Insetting Scheme will keep us solidly on track to net zero carbon emissions by 2040. By sharing the blueprint for the scheme within the wider agri-food industry in future, we hope to set a new standard for the adoption of sustainability within it.”
As the Inset Scheme will be trialled across multiple sites, most of which are independently owned, this will also provide an additional income. As farmers are being financially incentivised to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity levels on their farmland.
As a business, we look forward to continuing this partnership and working together to develop our sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices to focus on mitigating the effects of carbon emissions.
Business optimism’s on the slide, according to latest CBI survey
Private sector firms expect a slight rise in activity over the next three months, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator – but the survey also shows that firms are less optimistic about growth than they were earlier this year.
Activity is expected to be driven by modest growth in manufacturing (+13%) and services (+5%). Within the latter, business and professional services volumes are set to rise (+10%), while consumer services activity is anticipated to fall (-12%). Distribution sales are also expected to fall slightly in the three months to September (-5%).
This comes after private sector activity resumed contraction in the three months to June (-7%), following a stabilisation in May (+2%). The renewed fall was generally broad-based across sectors.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI Interim Deputy Chief Economist, said:“While it’s encouraging that expectations for growth remain positive in our surveys, we also have to acknowledge that they have softened compared to earlier this year. That underscores the stop-start nature of our economic recovery and is a picture we see further reinforced by private sector activity falling over the past three months and the varied picture across sectors.
“While our data suggests that some momentum should be sustained over the coming months, the fragile nature of the recovery means that whoever wins the General Election will need to be fully focused on growth from day one. That means shifting gears immediately from ambition to action and doubling down on support for business as the engine of growth, opportunity and prosperity.”
