< PreviousOUT OF OFFICE Northants housebuilder boss crowned Climate Champion of the Year The boss of a Northamptonshire firm said he remains committed to his net zero mission after being crowned Climate Champion of the Year at a national awards ceremony. Luke Simmons, Managing Director of East Haddon-based housebuilder Cora, scooped the Climate Champion of the Year (North) award at the Unlock Net Zero Live Awards in Manchester. The inaugural awards ceremony recognised and championed businesses and leaders in the UK housing sector going above and beyond on their journey to decarbonisation. Judges were impressed by Luke’s work rebranding the business from Barwood Homes, signalling a shift to a profit with purpose model with a key focus on sustainability and a target to become net zero by 2050. Luke said: “I feel incredibly humbled to have won such a prestigious national award, which I would not have received were it not for the amazing work of my team.” Kind-hearted colleagues swap creature comforts for concrete floors to support homeless charity Kind-hearted colleagues from PA Housing raised more than £2,000 after giving up their beds for a night in support of a campaign to help homeless people in Leicestershire. Six charity champions from the social housing provider swapped their creature comforts for the concrete floors of Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium as part of YMCA Leicestershire’s first ever Sleep Easy initiative. Simon Hatchman, executive director of resources, Emma Macnish, director of people, Erica Myers, HR operations manager, Charlene Curtis, income team manager, Josh Ingram, internal recruiter, and Marco Cardoni, junior communications officer, joined 50 other fundraisers who participated in the event. They smashed their original target to raise £250, collecting an impressive £2,281 in sponsorship. All the money raised through the event will benefit local young people and adults who are experiencing homelessness, enabling YMCA Leicestershire to continue to run and, importantly, expand its vital services. This includes providing safe supported housing for homeless young people aged 16-25, as well as mental health support, and personalised skills sessions to help them to move forward positively with their lives. The charity also offers a safe and welcoming environment at YASC for rough sleepers of all ages, providing them with home comforts such as a cup of tea, breakfast and clean clothes, as well as advice on finding suitable accommodation and support for issues such as poor mental health, unemployment, and loneliness. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Ringrose Law celebrates double win at SME News Legal Awards 2023 Ringrose Law, a leading legal firm in the East Midlands, has proudly announced its recent success at the SME News Legal Awards 2023. The firm has been honoured with two prestigious awards, namely ‘Best Personal Law Practice 2023 East Midlands’ and, for the second consecutive year, ‘Best Personal Injury & Medical Negligence Law Practice 2023 Midlands’. The SME News Legal Awards recognise outstanding legal practices across various sectors and regions, celebrating excellence, professionalism, and exceptional client service. Ringrose Law’s recognition in two categories demonstrates their consistent dedication to providing top-tier legal services to clients throughout the region. “We are thrilled to receive these esteemed awards from SME News,” said Ryan Clarke, Managing Director at Ringrose Law. “Winning ‘Best Personal Law Practice 2023 East Midlands’ showcases our commitment to delivering exceptional legal advice and support to individuals and families in the region. Additionally, being named ‘Best Personal Injury & Medical Negligence Law Practice 2023 Midlands’ for the second year running is a testament to our expertise and unwavering pursuit of justice for our clients.” Ryan Clarke and John Knight L-R: Kunle Barker (Unlock Net Zero Ambassador and awards host), Luke Simmons and Ron Beattie (Managing Director of Beattie Passive, sponsor of the award category). © Unlock Net Zero Back left to right: Simon Hatchman, Charlene Curtis and Joshua Ingram. Front left to right: Marco Cardoni, Emma Macnish and Erica Myers at Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium Aspire Pharma sponsors Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s medical centre Aspire Pharma Ltd is the new sponsor of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s (LCCC’s) state-of-the-art medical centre at the Uptonsteel Ground, at Grace Road. Since 2016, the medical centre has been sponsored by Loughborough- based Morningside Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Aspire in 2022. This acquisition will create a fast-growing, top-30 UK specialty pharma company. The newly named Aspire Medical Centre will continue to be a critical treatment area for the club’s players; where specialist physio can be carried out, as well as urgent medical assistance provided in an emergency. As the medical centre has become more established, it has developed into a hub for sports science and medicine. Hundreds of junior cricketers from LCCC’s Academy are invited to visit and learn more about these key study areas each year. Sean Jarvis, CEO of LCCC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aspire Pharma as the medical centre’s new sponsor. It’s great news that Aspire will be continuing our partnership, which has made such a huge difference to the sports science, physiotherapy, and medical treatment facilities at Grace Road.” OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Geldards chairman awarded MBE Geldards chairman David Williams has been awarded an MBE for services to business and to the economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in the King’s Birthday Honours List. An MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) is awarded for outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long term significant impact and stands out as an example to others. David has lived and worked in the region for over thirty years and has long been a champion of the East Midlands, advocating for the region’s growth and prosperity in the various positions he holds including deputy chair of D2N2 LEP, chairman of EMB Group, non-executive director of East Midlands Chamber and Board member at Nottingham Trent University. Internationally, David also regularly represents the East Midlands abroad and has participated in trade missions for the region to China as well as attending MIPIM in Cannes, the world’s leading property event. Since joining Geldards in 1989 David has been an instrumental force in driving forward Geldards’ business expansion in the East Midlands, making a strong commitment to the region with offices in both Derby and Nottingham. Commenting on his award, David, said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive an MBE for Services to Business and to the Economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I am committed to driving the East Midlands forward to become a regional powerhouse of productivity and growth for the country.” Derbyshire social project helping people after homelessness officially blooming after eight tonne topsoil donation A Derbyshire social project which helps people who have been through homelessness is blooming with the help of a whopping eight-tonne topsoil donation so they can grow their own veg. The donation to Derventio Housing Trust’s Growing Lives project in Ilkeston has been made by Alfreton-based Leedale Ltd, which provides a range of services to the construction industry, such as waste management. The topsoil was sourced from local construction projects, and was screened and tested at Leedale Ltd’s recycling yard in Alfreton. Growing Lives is an activities project run by the housing trust which provides people in its properties, and referred there via other services, with communal activities such as woodworking, craft, walks and gardening, with the aim of creating a supportive, caring environment and helping them get back on their feet again. People are helped by Derventio Housing Trust which provides them with accommodation if they have recently been homeless. Leedale Ltd dropped off eight tonnes of topsoil which was transported to the garden by Derventio Housing Trust staff and residents using wheelbarrows. Aspire Pharma’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Tim Brady outside the Aspire Medical Centre with Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC) CEO Sean Jarvis and the club’s coaching staff David Williams East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk your business for international growth through accessing the right finance. Join this session to explore how to access funding through loans and investments or available grants. You’ll also be signposted to key organisations that are dedicated to funding UK business growth, including the British Business Bank, and UK Export Finance. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/ event-details/ ?id=4238&navigatedFromSearch=true How to Generate Leads from LinkedIn Wednesday 12 July Mansfield Innovation Centre, Mansfield The Mansfield Innovation Centre in partnership with digital marketing specialists QBD, are covering LinkedIn to boost your marketing. LinkedIn is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have available, but so many people only utilise a fraction of its full capacity. In this session, QBD’s head of lead generation Business Briefings on the East Midlands Devolution Deal Tuesday 11 July East Midlands Chamber, Chesterfield This in person session is delivered by Derbyshire County Council as part of its consultation around the recently announced Mayoral County Combined Authority (MCCA) for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The council is running a series of briefings for strategic engagement across the county to update the business community and to garner feedback. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/ business_briefings_on_the_east_midlands_dev olution_deal415417746/ Finance for International Growth Tuesday 11 July Online Learn the basics of how you can prepare events will show you how to get the most from LinkedIn and share expert, insider secrets that will help you maximise LinkedIn’s full potential to generate leads. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/how- to-generate-leads-from-linkedin/ Lincolnshire Construction & Property Network July Tuesday 18 July Studio One, Nettleham From sole traders to large housing associations, construction and property businesses come together to talk business at the Lincolnshire Chamber’s Construction Network. Meet up to 60 construction related businesses in one room. As the saying goes, ‘Time is Money’. Attending the Construction Network for two hours every month is one of the most productive ways that you can keep up to date with project news and new business and tendering opportunities amongst contractors and suppliers. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/events/ lincolnshire-construction-property- network-july/ Enterprising Women – Wellbeing for your Business Thursday 20 July The Derby Conference Centre, Derby Since the pandemic, we’ve seen what must be the biggest shift in our approach to workplace wellbeing of modern times, with a greater recognition amongst employers of the value of a healthy workforce. However, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite and the ongoing effects of the pandemic linger, this creates a number of wellbeing challenges for employees and employers alike. Nicki Robson, Managing Director of HR specialists Breedon Consulting will discuss a number of strategies to help prepare for what is likely to be a challenging time ahead in supporting employee health and wellbeing, giving practical ideas to help navigate the individual wellbeing challenges facing businesses and help them to remain committed to supporting a healthy workforce. For more information visit www.emc- dnl.co.uk/events/enterprising_women_-_wellbeing_event3004041817/ © stock.adobe.com/NVB Stocker © stock.adobe.com/DimaBerlinwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link The Flexible Leader – The Future of Leading Hybrid Teams Friday 21 July Challenge Consulting, Nottingham This course provides an opportunity to explore the potential benefits of a flexible working environment, as well as an exploration of the key skills and attributes managers/leaders need to succeed in the evolving ecosystem of hybrid work. Whether you and the team work part-time, work remotely, or have odd days in the office, the session will help you be more effective and confident – ensuring the best from individuals, keeping the team informed and motivated, whilst managing performance and increasing efficiency. For more information visit www.emc- dnl.co.uk/events/the_flexible_leader_- _the_future_of_leading_hybrid_teams1636659981/ Summer Networking on the Water Wednesday 26 July Spalding Water Taxi, Spalding What’s a better way to cool off during a hot summer’s day than a ride on the Spalding Water Taxi? Network with a delicious lunch on land, before boarding the boat and enjoying a relaxed 40 minute cruise around Spalding. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/events/ summer-networking-on-the-water/ East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 Thursday 28 September Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham The East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2023! Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising 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. With the economy now recovering after lockdown, and following a successful event held last year, we believe it is now more important than ever to celebrate the robustness of the property industry in our region. For more information, to submit a nomination, or buy tickets visit www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2023/ Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network Wednesday 12 July S M S Electronics, Nottingham The Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network forms part of the umbrella East Midlands Manufacturing Network which is led by East Midlands Chamber. It unites local manufacturers, enabling members to harness the cross-industry, business, engineering and manufacturing knowledge necessary to evolve and expand. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/ nottinghamshire_manufacturing_network20229 19908/ Here’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 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Lunch thief The danger of leaving your lunch in the office fridge for any rumbling tummy to find is a risk we have all taken. While for most scrawling your name across Tupperware keeps food safe, sometimes a sneaky colleague swipes our snack. But what do you do when this becomes a regular occurrence? That’s the question one employee has taken to the internet to crowdsource an answer for after discovering someone has taken a liking to his lunches. The man explained on Reddit that his wife is an amazing cook, so great that coworkers make comments on his luck, and though he previously enjoyed the meals packed for him, they now keep disappearing, replaced with a note stating “lunch is on me” and some cash. It apparently happens at least once a week, and the worker wants to put an end to it, but how does one proceed, especially after the revelation that it is in fact one of his bosses stealing his food! Suggestions range from a direct conversation to taking two lunches, to investing in an insulated bag that can be kept at the desk or a metal lunchbox with a lock. What would you suggest dear reader? Frazer would personally just keep skipping lunch and pocketing the cash to make a profit! Bare minimum Mondays Move over quiet quitting, goodbye four day working week, a new workplace trend is gathering steam - ‘bare minimum Mondays’. The movement promotes a gentle start to the week, whether it be by working from home to beat the Monday blues or not scheduling meetings. It involves anything to make the start of the week less stressful and Sundays less dread-filled. Of course there are plenty of critics against the idea, being considered one of the worst strategies some have ever heard, while for others it is key to improving wellbeing. As with any new catchy-sounding concept there are also plenty of jokers, with suggestions that we simply transform the entire week to comprise bare minimum Monday, too tired Tuesday, work less Wednesday, I think not Thursday, and forget it Friday. A more welcoming office The epidemic of lonely offices is a serious thing, with hybrid staff frequently welcomed back to a workplace resembling a ‘ghost town’. A new little invention however could be about to brighten up your employees’ day. A brain at Nottingham Trent University has created a coat stand which lights up to greet workers when they hang their garments, aiming to help employers foster a feeling of community. Rhianna, who is studying BA Product Design, said: “I wanted to create something to make people feel more welcome in the office when they arrive. It’s nice to feel like you’re being greeted by something. It’s also a way of signalling who is in that day, and the more people to hang up their coat, the more lights come on.” © stock.adobe.com/ Yakobchuk Olena © stock.adobe.com/auremar © stock.adobe.com/ Arman Zhenikeyev01276 456902 sales@frontiersoftware.com www.frontiersoftware.com OFFICES IN AUSTRALIA, INDIA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE AND UNITED KINGDOM Payroll Outsourcing Services Accurate, Compliant and SecureŝƚLJΘ'ƵŝůĚƐ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƚŝŽŶEsYƐ 7KHQHZUDQJHRI&RQVWUXFWLRQ194V FUHDWHDFOHDUSHUVRQDO GHYHORSPHQWSDWKZD\IRUWKRVHORRNLQJ WRVWDUWDFDUHHURUSURJUHVVLQWKHLU FDUHHUZLWKLQWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQLQGXVWU\ 206RIIHU&RQVWUXFWLRQUHODWHG194V IURP/HYHOWKURXJKWR/HYHODOORZLQJ WKRVHZKRXQGHUWDNHWKHTXDOLILFDWLRQVWR GHPRQVWUDWHRFFXSDWLRQDOFRPSHWHQFHWR FXUUHQWDQGIXWXUHHPSOR\HUV 48$/,),&$7,216 *LYLQJ\RXWKHHVVHQWLDOVNLOOV\RX QHHGWRVXFFHHG /K^,^, &Žƌ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƚŝŽŶ ^ŝƚĞDĂŶĂŐĞƌƐ 206KDYHEHHQGHOLYHULQJ,26+LQGXVWU\ OHDGLQJFRXUVHVIRUPDQ\\HDUVDQGDUH GHOLJKWHGWRKDYHDGGHGWKH,26+6DIHW\ +HDOWKDQG(QYLURQPHQWIRU&RQVWUXFWLRQ 6LWH0DQDJHUV7UDLQLQJ$FRXUVHWKDWFDQ GUDVWLFDOO\LPSURYHVDIHW\DZDUHQHVV FXOWXUHWKURXJKRXWDEXVLQHVVDQGFDQKHOS ERRVWSURGXFWLYLW\ZLWKIHZHUGD\VORVWWR LQMXU\RUVLFNQHVV LQIR#RPVXNFRP RPVXNFRP 'URPLQWHH5RDG %DUGRQ+LOO &RDOYLOOH /HLFHVWHUVKLUH /(7; )OH[LEOH,QGLYLGXDO 3URJUDPPH 'D\&ODVVURRP &RXUVH &RQWDFWWKH206WHDP :,7+ 1(: dŚĞE K^, EĂƚŝŽŶĂůŝƉůŽŵĂ 7KLVOHDGLQJDQGKLJKO\ UHVSHFWHGTXDOLILFDWLRQLVWKHTXDOLILFDWLRQ WRKROGIRUERWKDVSLULQJRUH[LVWLQJKHDOWK DQGVDIHW\SURIHVVLRQDOVZDQWLQJWR SURJUHVVLQWKHLUKHDOWKDQGVDIHW\FDUHHU %XLOGLQJXSRQWKHIRXQGDWLRQRI NQRZOHGJHSURYLGHGE\RXU1(%26+ *HQHUDO&HUWLILFDWHWKH1(%26+'LSORPD ZLOOKHOSEXLOGFRQILGHQFHLQ\RXU FDSDELOLWLHV 'D\V RYHU[ ZHHNEORFNV A City & Guilds Group Business 4.9Next >