A new partnership between Redrow and Nottingham Trent University will put students in the front row for industry placements and future employment. It will also create opportunities for special lectures, site visits and financial support. In a three-year deal with the university’s School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, we have committed to a range of opportunities including: · Special bursaries to support disadvantaged students taking on unpaid work experience and to help with cost of the job interview process. · Site visits and access to materials and resources · Provision of guest lecturers and inspirational speakers on subjects including construction, master planning and health & safety. · The chance for students to gain first-hand exposure and valuable experience on live projects. · In-curriculum projects within the university’s BSc (Hons) construction management degree, including access to our materials and real-world challenges. · Two graduate internships with the homebuilder guaranteed per annum. · Priority access to our graduate vacancies and industrial sandwich placement opportunities for third year students. · Various Redrow-sponsored awards to be presented during the annual award ceremonies Announcing the partnership, our director of human resources Karen Jones said:“Both Redrow and Nottingham Trent university share a culture of excellence coupled with a strong commitment to supporting social mobility, so finalising this agreement has been a real pleasure. “Our group chief executive Matthew Pratt studied at Nottingham Trent University, so the partnership also cements a long-standing relationship. It will bring very real and long-lasting benefits to students, enriching their education and providing excellent opportunities for social and economic progression within their early careers.” We have been creating high quality homes and thriving communities across England and Wales for almost 50 years and we are particularly proud of our reputation for inspiring the next generation to build. Around 15% of our current workforce are trainees, including those on various graduate training programmes, undergraduate placements, apprenticeships and other vocational training courses. Adding Nottingham Trent University to our list of illustrious academic partners is a natural progression for us. With 3,000 students within the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, the Nottingham-based university has a worldwide reputation for excellence and is a provider of industry-accredited learning. Research shows that 90% of NTU architecture, building and planning graduates who enter employment are in a high-skilled role within 15 months of completing their studies. Indeed, quite a few of those former students are already employed by us, including George Brown, a technical coordinator in London. George completed a degree in construction management at NTU, including a sandwich year spent in our technical department. He joined us after graduating in July 2021 and is still with us three years on. “I’ve been very lucky to experience both of these organisations. Nottingham Trent is a great university, it offers practical courses which suited my skills, we were supported from start to finish and we had the opportunity to get vast amounts of industry experience alongside our studies. “The placement year with Redrow London gave me valuable real-world experience, which assisted me in completing my degree and a wealth of contacts, which ended up helping me complete my dissertation. Now in my full-time Redrow role I work on a wide range of different projects, have seen all aspects of construction and am still learning new things every day. “I’m really excited to hear about the new partnership. It will give NTU students a head-start in a very tough and competitive environment.” Another Nottingham Trent construction management graduate is Obi Ebizie, now an assistant site manager within our Lancashire division after successfully completing our graduate training programme in 2021. Obi welcomed the news, saying: “This partnership will be great for both sides. The support from Redrow for all of its employees, graduates and placements is unmatched, so students will be exposed to a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and support. At the same time, the university’s reputation for quality teaching and a technical bias means that Redrow will get first pick of some exceptional talent.” Andrew Knight, Executive Dean of Architecture and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Working with industry is critical to the health of our courses and the graduate opportunities available. I’m delighted that Redrow will be partnering with us to create a talent pipeline for its forward-thinking organisation.” Nottingham Trent University was the first higher education establishment to sign the social mobility pledge and has recently been awarded winner of ‘Outstanding Support for Students’ at the Times Higher Education Awards. The new partnership between us and Nottingham Trent University will commence at the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

Centrica Business Solutions is to start injecting hydrogen into its gas peaking plant in North Lincolnshire as part of a UK first trial with HiiROC aimed at better understanding the role of hydrogen in power production. The 12-month trial will be part funded by a grant from the Net Zero Technology Centre, which has given 20 projects a total of £8m through its Open Innovation Programme. Each is aimed at developing technology which could reduce emissions offshore, accelerate clean energy production and enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions. The 49MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet demand during peak times or when generation from renewables is low, typically operating for less than three hours a day. It’s anticipated that during the trial, getting under way later next year, no more than three per cent of the gas mix could be hydrogen, increasing to 20% incrementally after the project. Longer term, the vision is to move towards 100% hydrogen and to deploy similar technology across all gas-fired peaking plant. HiiROC’s proprietary technology converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean hydrogen and carbon black, through an innovative Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process. This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon, ‘emerald hydrogen’. Because the byproduct comes in the form of a valuable, solid, pure carbon it can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tyres, rubbers and toners, and in new use cases like building materials and even as a soil enhancer. Greg McKenna, MD of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Gas still plays a huge role in maintaining a secure, stable supply of power in the UK, with around 40 per cent of our power coming from natural gas. So, it’s vital that we find ways to reduce the carbon intensity of gas plants like that at Brigg.” Alexander Stafford MP, Chair of the Hydrogen All Party Parliamentary Group, said: “This is the first time hydrogen will be used within a grid connected gas fired power plant in the UK, making this trial an important step forward towards realising the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising our energy system. It is an exciting milestone that will help accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy and its role in achieving Net Zero. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen will be following the progress of this trial keenly.” Tim Davies, HiiROC’s CEO, said: “This exciting project with Centrica and the NZTC at the Brigg facility will be a first step on the journey to enable the decarbonisation of gas peaking plants. With the continued and crucial rollout of renewable energy generation, intermittency of power supply is a key issue, and the programme we are developing with Centrica will explore routes to address intermittency without generating CO2 emissions.”

Derby-based law firm Right Legal Group has been named ‘Will Writing Organisation of the Year’ at the National Paralegal Awards 2022. The event, which took place on Saturday 22 September at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham, saw the law firm nominated for three awards. On top of taking home the win for Will Writing Organisation, Right Legal Group were highly commended for the ‘Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development’, and its legal advisor Olivia Haleem was named a finalist for ‘Best Will Writing Paralegal’. Carrie Caladine, managing director at Right Legal Group, said: “We are thrilled to announce that, after much anticipation, Right Legal Group was awarded Will writing organisation of the year 2022. “As a law firm specialising in Wills and Probate, we are committed to changing the way that people think about making a Will, preserving memories not just money. “To be recognised for this and rewarded for our unique offering in the private client field, through our RightWill service, fills us with immense pride. We cannot thank those enough who were involved in celebrating the awards and championing what we do at Right Legal Group.” Within the last year, Right Legal Group has heavily expanded its Training Academy and is now responsible for training around 30 new advisors each quarter, providing them with the knowledge, support and skills they need, in order to keep more families together with the RightWill service. Carrie added: “We cast our nets far and wide when looking for people to join our business and we are proud to be able to give professionals a start to their career through our accredited training programmes. “We are very passionate about ‘growing our own’ people and cannot wait to see what’s in store for our Paralegals as they develop further along the advisor journey.”

Derby Arena is to stage one of the UK’s biggest careers events, which aims to encourage the next generation of technicians in science, technology and the creative arts. TechxFest is due to be held at the arena in March, with more than 100 companies and organisations, including Rolls-Royce and the University of Derby, expected to attend. It is being organised by TALENT, a transformation programme designed to promote opportunities for technical skills, roles and careers, in partnership with the university and Derby North MP Amanda Solloway, who launched the Research England funded project. Around 500 school children in years nine and 10 are expected to attend TechxFest where employers will exhibit alongside practical demonstrations bringing technical skills to life. Mrs Solloway said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be involved with TechxFest, which looks set to be one of the biggest careers events of its kind, here in Derby, the birthplace and home of science and innovation. “It is vital to inspire the next generation of technicians whose ingenuity, creativity and determination will help shape our society. “These skilled professionals are needed in almost every industry, and it is today’s young people that will help ensure our changing world develops for the better. “TechxFest promises to connect that burgeoning talent with the very best educators and the leading industries, harnessing their potential and building an exciting new generation of technical talent.” Mark Jefferies, chief of university research liaison at Rolls-Royce, said: “Technical expertise and a strong, diverse cohort of talent are essential to Rolls-Royce’s success. “We’re delighted to be supporting TechxFest – a unique event in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and the University of Derby that focuses on technical roles and careers. “We’re particularly thrilled it is being hosted here in the Midlands and we look forward to meeting our potential technical talent of the future.” TechxFest is due to take place at Derby Arena on 2 March, from 9.30am to 3pm. For more information visit here.

UK consumer confidence fell for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q3 2022, falling by one percentage point to a historically low -20%, according to Deloitte’s latest Consumer Tracker. Spending power also remains significantly strained, as consumer sentiment around levels of debt also reached the lowest levels on record, at -17%; two percentage points below Q2 2022. The Deloitte Consumer Tracker is based on responses from 3,226 UK consumers aged 18+ between 17th and 18th September. Overall consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since the tracker began in Q3 2011. Consumers cut back to curb costs Both essential and non-essential spend declined for a second consecutive quarter in Q3, decreasing by two and one percentage points respectively, indicating that consumers are cutting back across all areas. 30% of consumers said they are now spending less, up from 21% at the start of the year. Of these consumers, 58% said they are spending less specifically to save money. Céline Fenech, consumer insight lead at Deloitte, commented: “Consumers are making conscious efforts to cut-back on all spending. With rising food prices and personal finances coming under further pressure from higher energy bills, we are seeing a contraction in consumer demand.” Consumers highlight several actions they are taking to combat rising costs. This includes 57% who are reducing their home energy consumption, 40% who are spending less on clothes and shoes, and 22% of respondents who have ended, or intend to end, an entertainment subscription. Consumers turn their hand to selling, and shop the second-hand market Growing interest in the second-hand market saw one in five consumers selling items on resale platforms in Q3. 16% of consumers bought more second-hand or refurbished items in Q3, more than twice the 7% that did so in Q3 2020. Fenech added: “Whilst we are seeing consumers reducing their overall spend, some are also trying to boost their income by reselling items they no longer need or use via reselling platforms. The demand is clearly there as we are also seeing more consumers interested in buying second-hand items, as a way to save.” Consumers stay home to reduce leisure spend Two in five (39%) consumers said they are spending less on going out and on leisure activities as a way to save money. As a result, net spend across leisure fell quarter-on-quarter by two percentage points, to -12%, in Q3 as consumers eat out less and limit their visits to coffee shops, pubs and bars, and to culture and entertainment venues. One exception, attending sports events, was the only area of leisure to see a quarter-on-quarter improvement. This follows a busy period of sporting events; many of which having returned to full-scale audiences again. Simon Oaten, partner for hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, said: “The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest-hit in recent years. As consumers assess their budgets amidst rising costs, many are having to prioritise the essentials, directing spend away from discretionary categories, including leisure. Many hospitality businesses are already feeling the effects of lower footfall, whilst also having to counteract rising running costs themselves.” Consumers indicated that they will spend even less on leisure in Q4 2022, with intended net spend down across every leisure category, at a time when 59% of consumers believe they will have less money to spend for the Christmas period. Oaten concluded: “For the hospitality industry, a reduction in typical festivities or diversion of these to home will almost certainly take the shine off the ‘golden quarter’. Businesses may want to adapt to hosting smaller groups or catering, once again, for more take-home entertainment.” Consumers remain pessimistic on state of the economy Consumer sentiment towards the state of the UK economy remains low, at -80%, and at similar levels last seen in Q1 2020 at the start of the UK’s COVID-19 outbreak. Coupled with declining sentiment around job opportunities and career progression, down two percentage points, and sentiment on job security remaining flat, quarter-on-quarter, consumers are reflecting concerns around job prospects by adopting more recessionary spending behaviours. This comes at a time when CFOs of the UK’s largest firms attach a 78% probability to the UK falling into recession in the next 12 months. Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, commented: “High inflation has driven consumer sentiment sharply lower this year despite a red hot labour market. Now consumers are starting to worry about the outlook for jobs. With inflation elevated, interest rates on the rise and the labour market starting to cool the squeeze on spending is likely to intensify.”

White Peak Distillery has announced it has started selling its whisky in Europe after announcing the release of its latest spirit. Derbyshire’s first ever single malt whisky distillery has recently released a second expression of its Small Batch Wire Works Whisky, after receiving top industry awards for the previous batch over the summer. It is a limited-edition distillery and trade release, with just over 4,200 bottles being made available. But as well as the UK, the Small Batch releases will also be available in both Germany and Italy. White Peak Distillery was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Max and Claire Vaughan. Since launching, the business has won numerous awards, not only for its whisky but also for its distillery visitor experiences and, more recently, the Wire Works Whisky packaging. Max said: “Driving Wire Works Whisky into the international market for the first time is really exciting and hopefully the start of another part of our business. “We are delighted to be working with new partners in Germany and Italy to help us build the brand in Europe and share our passion and whiskies with those outside of the UK.”

Reacting to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “We would like to congratulate Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Prime Minister. “The political and economic uncertainty of the past few months has been hugely damaging to British business confidence and must now come to an end. “The new Prime Minister must be a steady hand on the tiller to see the economy through the challenging conditions ahead. “This means setting out fully costed plans to deal with the big issues facing businesses; soaring energy bills, labour shortages, spiralling inflation, and climbing interest rates. “We cannot afford to see any more flip-flopping on policies – the UK’s businesses need a sustainable, long-term economic plan they can believe in. “The BCC is writing to the Prime Minister to set out the action needed to tackle the main challenges facing business. It is vital we see progress made in these areas to keep doors open and promote investment. “Firstly, the Government must provide more certainty on the energy support package for businesses and quickly communicate how the system will work from April. Firms need to know what support to expect in the medium and long term. “Secondly, they must fix the extremely tight labour market. Without the skilled people to do the jobs businesses need, the economy will stagnate. “Thirdly, to grow the economy, Government must set out a strategy to boost our international trade and exports. “People run businesses and businesses rely on people. The new administration must grasp that the cost of living and cost of doing business crises are two sides of the same coin. “We need a clear long-term vision of how the new Prime Minister will deal with the challenges ahead and create the business conditions that allow firms, and the communities that rely on them, to thrive.”