< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK BMW 7 Series The new BMW 7 Series represents a significant step up from its renowned predecessor, with an innovative specification designed to deliver incredible driving pleasure, unsurpassed long- distance comfort and a cutting-edge digital experience. With the BMW Curved Display fully digital screen grouping, additional My Modes, the BMW Interaction Bar and the newly designed gear selector, the cockpit represents an invitation to enjoy concentrated driving pleasure. The lounge- like atmosphere in the second row of seats is elevated to extraordinary heights both by the extra spaciousness on offer and, most prominently, by innovations like the BMW BMW 7 Series Luxury driving We’ve looked at economical and electric cars in the past few months but this month we wanted to look at what luxury feels like, and what is being offered in terms of not just power and price, but the interior and driving experience. 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:50 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Theatre Screen and upgraded comfort seats with optional reclining function. One of the main highlights of the equipment options available for the new BMW 7 Series is the BMW Theatre Screen with Amazon Fire TV built in. This includes a 31.3” 8K touchscreen display with Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with optional in-seat exciters, built-in touch screen remotes in the door panels (BMW Touch Command), and an automated rear shade system that closes when the BMW Theatre Screen is turned on. Mercedes-Benz With the luxury saloon EQS and the sporty executive saloon EQE, Mercedes- Benz has entered a new, all- electric era in the upper market segments. Making charging easy, navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors and reacts dynamically to traffic jams or a change in driving style, for example. This includes a visualisation in the MBUX infotainment system as to whether the state of charge of the battery is sufficient to return to the starting point without charging. Charging stations along the route that have been added manually are given preference in the route calculation. Proposed charging stations can be excluded. The estimated charging costs per charging stop are calculated. The highlight of the interior is the MBUX Hyperscreen (special equipment). This large, curved screen unit spans almost from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens sit under a common cover glass and merge visually. The 12.3-inch OLED display for the front passenger gives them their own display and control area. In Europe, and in a growing number of Mercedes-Benz 52 Á 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:50 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK countries, the front seat passenger is also able to watch dynamic content while the vehicle is on the move. This is because Mercedes-EQ is able to rely on an intelligent, camera-based blocking logic: If the camera detects that the driver is looking at the passenger display, the system automatically dims the dynamic content. Audi urbansphere Though the urbansphere is a concept currently and not due to be released, it may still offer a view as to what luxury city driving will mean in the future. Designers and engineers have created the Audi urbansphere primarily for use in traffic of Chinese megacities. In these metropolitan areas, where personal space is in particularly short supply, the concept car offers the largest interior space of any Audi to date. In addition, it intelligently coordinates this with technologies and digital services that appeal to all the senses and thus offer a new quality of experience. The result of this process can be seen in the Audi urbansphere concept, above all in the interior. As such, the spacious automobile acts as a lounge on wheels and mobile office – the vehicle serves as a third living space during the hours spent in traffic. To this end, the Audi urbansphere combines the luxury of complete privacy with a comprehensive range of high-tech features on board, even during the daily rush hour. The word “sphere” in the name already suggests that the focus of the Audi skysphere, grandsphere, and urbansphere concept cars is on the inner space, the interior. It is no longer the powertrain or the driving dynamics that are at the top of the list of requirements for this new generation of cars. Instead, the interior becomes the foundation for design and technology. And this means that it transforms into the passenger’s sphere of life and experience on the road. Audi urbansphere 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:50 Page 3FEATURES Agri-Business Spotlight Construction Insurance Logistics Health & Safety Business Advice Experts REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality and Events Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in June 2022 - Deadline 25th May Visit us at www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox 53.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:51 Page 1OUT OF OFFICE HSBC helps exploited young people and families re-build lives Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has joined forces with high street bank HSBC as part of its transitions programme to help the young people and families they support move forward positively with their lives. Safe and Sound supports children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation. This includes online grooming, sexual exploitation, coercion to run drugs through County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation. They also support the wider family and raise awareness of the dangers in local communities. A key part of their support programmes is to help the 203 young people and 49 families they are currently working with re-build their lives including returning to education, finding a job as well as addressing financial and housing matters. HSBC has already supported the charity with fundraising and sponsorship. They are now planning a series of workshops to teach young people life skills such as budgeting and opening bank accounts and to support struggling families with financial planning. HSBC local director David Tomlinson explained: “I first came across Safe and Sound whilst judging the collaboration category of the East Midlands Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards and was very impressed with the breadth of their work and their passion to support young people and families in the local communities that we too serve. “As well as supporting the charity’s fundraising efforts, we were keen to share our expertise in financial planning with young people as they transition into adulthood and with families who perhaps have been disengaged in the past with the services and support that banks can provide.” Derby County’s relegation a ‘huge blow’ for city’s businesses, but takeover would offer hope, says East Midlands Chamber Commenting on the confirmation of Derby County’s relegation from the EFL Championship, East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Derby County’s relegation marks a very sad day for the people of Derby and the club’s legion of fans across the world, while many businesses in the city will consider it a huge blow for them. “The club is an integral component of the city’s heritage, make-up and economy, with the prosperity of both intrinsically linked. “A successful football team competing at the top of the sport creates a healthy atmosphere across the whole area and this will always have positive economic consequences. “Businesses located in and around the city benefit from the tens of thousands of people who turn up every match to support their club – pubs, cafés, restaurants and shops will be packed before each game, while local transport networks rely on the increased number of passengers to remain viable. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Metal recycling and waste management specialist wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade The Midlands’ largest independent metal recycling and waste management specialist has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. Donald Ward Ltd, trading as Ward, is one of 225 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Headquartered in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Donald Ward Limited was incorporated in December 1976, although the business commenced trading circa 1940 at Woodville in Derbyshire. A fourth generation, independently owned family business, Ward now employs close to 400 people across its sites nationwide. The company collects and processes around a million tonnes of materials annually; recycling products such as metals, plastics, glass, cardboard, wood, textiles, soils, and hardcore to ensure its customers fulfil environmental regulations and commitments. 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:52 Page 1 A gruelling challenge to raise awareness of the construction industry’s most shocking statistic Craig Sanders, Protrade’s Joint Managing Director, wants to raise awareness of the most shocking statistic in the construction industry which sees a staggering two suicides per day from workers. In an effort to put something back into an industry he has worked in for more than 30 years, Craig will be raising money for Lighthouse Club by completing the 355 miles Pennine Cycleway between the 2nd and 6th May. Lighthouse Club are the only charity to provide emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support for construction workers and their families. We spoke to Craig about his Just Giving event and the reasoning behind it. “I was shocked to hear that two construction workers take their own lives, every working day in the UK. I believe the construction industry has the second- highest statistic when it comes to suicides, which is both startling and devastating. Long working hours, tight deadlines, lack of a routine, working in isolation and separation from families, all contribute to poor mental health within the industry.” OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link New blueprint for a greener Leicestershire Fresh proposals designed to tackle climate change and make Leicestershire a net zero carbon county by 2045 have been set out. The draft strategy sets out a plan to join forces with residents, councils, businesses, universities and others in the race to net zero. Big drops in business mileage and energy use mean that the council has cut its own emissions by almost 75 per cent and is currently on track to become carbon neutral by 2030. A major, three-month consultation is also proposed in the report, enabling people to have their say on the key challenge. Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda said: “We’re a green council. That’s why cutting carbon and boosting biodiversity is being built into our services – and we’re making good progress. The draft strategy and action plan looks at the next step. “Tackling climate change across the whole of Leicestershire is too big a job for any one organisation. And importantly, it sets out how we can work together to get to net zero by 2045. Everyone can play their part and I’d urge people to get involved. By having your say on this key plan, you’ll be shaping a greener Leicestershire for future generations.” Pioneering company run by disabled people wins Queen’s Award Nimbus, a company run by disabled people to help tens of thousands of their peers have better access to entertainment venues, has won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The company which only has four employees created the bespoke Access Card under the leadership of Martin Austin, who has been an amputee since suffering cancer as a teenager. It was recognised in the Queen’s Award’s Innovation category. The Access Card translates its holder’s disability/impairment/access requirements into symbols highlighting the barriers they face and the reasonable adjustments they might need at an entertainment venue. Each symbol is based on a person’s individual rights under the Equality Act and the service provider’s subsequent legal responsibility to make adjustments. It informs providers quickly and discreetly about the support they need, meaning they now receive complex reasonable adjustments without having to go into intricate, often embarrassing personal detail. © stock.adobe.com/Thinapob 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:52 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk training sessions with tailored one to one mentoring session, delivered over a five- week period. For more information visit https://bizgateway.org.uk/events/carbon- management-in-business-training/ Leicestershire Manufacturing Network Inaugural Meeting Tuesday 17 May Space Park Leicester, Leicester Join East Midlands Chamber for the first meeting of the Leicestershire Manufacturing Network. This Network forms part of the umbrella East Midlands Manufacturing Network which unites local manufacturing companies, to enable members to harness the cross-industry, business, engineering and manufacturing knowledge necessary to evolve and expand. It will provide members with opportunities to share their experiences with other industry professionals and obtain unique insights into new technologies, resources and information. For more information visit https://bizgateway.org.uk/events/leicestersh ire-manufacturing-network-inaugural- meeting/ Elevating Your Instagram Business Account Tuesday 24 May Mansfield Innovation Centre, Mansfield Over one billion people use Instagram, with half of those accessing the platform every day. Is this a platform that your business can afford to ignore? Elevating Your Instagram Business Account offers a Inclusion and Diversity Introduction Monday 9 May Newton Building, Nottingham This is the first of two sessions designed to enhance your awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. You will hear experiences from many diverse groups, outside of your typical environment. This course gives you the opportunity to understand diversity, recognise diverse strengths, identify and challenge discrimination so that difference in the workplace is welcomed. The course also supports you in enhancing your own career opportunities and developing inclusion within your business. For more information visit https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events /inclusion-and-diversity-introduction/ Carbon Management in Business Training Tuesday 10 May Online Businesses have a significant carbon emissions impact and a key role to reduce emissions to help meet the government’s Net Zero target by 2050. Carbon management becomes an important aspect of businesses of all sizes and types. However, many businesses need the required knowledge, skills, and competencies to implement carbon management. Nottingham Business School academics and sustainability experts have the research and practice- based expertise and knowledge to support businesses to be on a path to Net-Zero. The Carbon Management in Business Training programme consists of four practical and interactive 3-hour events tour through Instagram tools and features to make your business page shine. Instagram continues to be developed rapidly, with the platform moving away from just a social media network into a broadcasting suite, entertainment hub and ecommerce store. Increasingly there is a business case for all organisations to have some presence on Instagram, but understanding the many applications of the platform can be overwhelming. This workshop will break down the different functionality available. For more information visit https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/event s/elevating-your-instagram-business- account/ Down to Earth Network Wednesday 25 May The Collection, Lincoln This special networking event is out of this world! Enjoy an evening of networking at The Collection with drinks and canapes and explore the Gaia Earth artwork by Luke Jerram. For more © stock.adobe.com/ Who Is Danny 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:53 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link information visit https://www.lincs- chamber.co.uk/events/down-to-earth- network/ Combatting Climate Change and the Energy Crisis – Sharing Big Ideas for a Resilient Derby Thursday 26 May Online In order to conform to the Government’s net zero carbon target by 2050, Derby will need to drastically reduce its CO2 emissions over the next 30 years. This is a city-wide challenge with an associated climate change strategy and action plan, setting a target of net zero by East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 Thursday 15 September Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2022! The annual evening of networking and celebration, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations for the awards are now OPEN. To submit a business or development, visit https://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2022/ Enterprising Women – An Outsider on the Inside Thursday 19 May De Vere Jubilee Conference Centre, Nottingham Join the Enterprising Women co-chairs Jean Mountain and Eileen Perry MBE DL at a panel discussion surrounding ‘stereotypes of roles in the workplace’. First, hear from professional boxer, Lianne Bush - currently ranked 24th in the world and first in Great Britain for her weight division - as she talks about her career in sport, covering how she has trained her way to the top and found the limelight in a predominantly male environment. This event will also welcome Mary Daunt, who is currently a board director at Futures Housing Group and senior independent director of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby. For more information visit https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/connecting-you/networking- and-social-events/enterprising-women- events/?VariantID=5180 2035. With this in mind the Derby Climate Change Commission has set up a number of groups to support the transition to a low carbon economy. This session forms part of the activity focussed on business and industry. For more information visit https://www.emc- dnl.co.uk/connecting-you/industry- focused-events/sustainability-and-low- carbon-events/sustainability-and-low- carbon-events2/?VariantID=5232 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:53 Page 2Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks. And finally The world of Frazer 58 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Oh crumbs! While no business wants to face any form of logistics nightmare, last month saw a rather entertaining bout of transport chaos (to the outsider at least) when a lorry released its mountain of biscuits over a Derbyshire road. The crumby incident in question of course led to an array of jokes, offers to help with the clean-up, and disappointment from some who wished for a different variety of biscuits, now referred to as ‘McSlippies’, to be up for the taking. As crushed ginger nuts and bourbons scattered across the carriageway, one Twitter user wrote: “Oh crumbs, best jammy dodge(r) that area. People stuck in traffic must be going ginger nuts.” Even officers involved in the incident were quick to join the fun, saying they were trying to “digest” the issue in Sandiacre and requesting a brew. The least chilled out city in the UK While Lincoln has many delightful attributes that it is recognised for, such as its iconic sights and culture, a recent study has allocated it a new label. The research from IndeJuice has revealed the city to be “the least chilled out” in the UK - followed by Bristol and Brighton - having the lowest average ranking across four factors analysed. Lincoln apparently ranks lowest for feelings of happiness and worthwhile and is the third most anxious city in the UK. Meanwhile Chichester was named the most chilled out city in the UK. Business Link wonders if its readers agree…how “chilled” do you find Lincoln? The lunch hour is dead How many of you, dear readers, actually take your lunch hour? Apparently hardly any as new nationwide research has revealed that the days of lunching in restaurants or enjoying a sandwich in the park are long gone, with more than seven in ten modern workers not dreaming of being away from their messages and emails for 60 minutes. The study, conducted by Branston Pickle, found we now take just 29 minutes for lunch on a working day. And despite the rise in home working, more than a quarter of British workers say they never down tools or ignore their emails, even while eating lunch. Meanwhile, sadly, over a fifth claim they don’t take a proper lunch break because they’re scared their boss will think they’re slacking. Frazer says justice for the lunch break! adobe.stock.com/Electric Egg Ltd. adobe.stock.com/ Pixelbliss adobe.stock.com/ BartPhoto 58.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 14:59 Page 1EAST MIDLANDS PROPERTY & BUSINESS EXPO Well targeted, professional events aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets. The events have everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation. Face2face route2market – the opportunity to meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road. For further Information contact tina@businessshowsgroup.co.uk Register now businessshowsgroup.co.uk 14th November 2022 De Vere, East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ Exhibition & Network - Property & Construction related industries - FREE TO ATTEND 59.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 10:55 Page 1Next >