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Hill Cross Furniture is proud to announce the appointment of Georgina Louis as Project Manager to lead the company’s newly launched spa division, further strengthening their expertise in bespoke commercial furniture solutions for the wellness and hospitality industry.    With over two decades of experience in spa management and operations, Georgina brings a unique client-side perspective to the Hill Cross team.    She has overseen luxury wellness operations internationally, most notably at the well renowned BodyHoliday in St Lucia, as well as closer to home at Oulton Hall.    Family-owned Hill Cross Furniture based in Cramble Cross, Northallerton, has worked with some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Grantley Hall, Rockliffe Hall, Disney Cruise Line, Banya No.1 Chiswick and the refurbishment of Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa.    Georgina is currently project managing Hill Cross Furniture’s contribution to the all-new spa at Aldwark Manor outside York, supplying bespoke chairs and tables for the spa’s café and restaurant area.    The state-of-the-art facility has been built from the ground up and Phase 1 is set for completion in November.    Georgina’s appointment marks a key milestone as Hill Cross expands its tailored offering for spa and wellness environments. Her deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by spa managers, designers, and procurement teams positions her perfectly to lead this specialist division. “In a spa environment, furniture must meet far more demanding requirements than standard hospitality pieces,” explains Georgina. “You’re dealing with high humidity, exposure to oils and treatments, and a need for both durability and luxurious comfort. Sourcing the right furniture, and the right supplier, can be incredibly challenging. That’s where Hill Cross makes a real difference.” As a former Spa Director, Georgina knows first hand the frustration of finding furniture that is not only fit for purpose but also customisable to align with a spa’s brand identity and guest experience. At Hill Cross, she is especially focused on promoting the company’s re-upholstery service. A solution that offers exceptional value for spas undergoing regular refurbishments or operating under sustainability commitments. “Re-upholstery is one of those services that spa managers often overlook, but it can extend the life of your investment, reduce waste, and keep your space looking fresh, all without compromising on quality or guest experience.” Georgina is now actively engaging with her network to introduce Hill Cross’s capabilities in the spa and wellness sector and is currently working on two high-profile spa projects. She welcomes conversations with spa managers, designers, and procurement professionals looking for reliable, creative, and long-term furniture solutions.

It was an action-packed day of double celebrations as digger maker JCB marked the company’s 80th anniversary.   JCB was founded in a 12ft x 15ft lock-up garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire by Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE on October 23rd, 1945 – the same day as his son Anthony was born.   The 80th birthday celebrations began by stepping back in time to where it all began, with Lord Bamford unveiling a blue heritage plaque on the spot where the original garage stood in the High Street, Uttoxeter. Lord Bamford’s father rented the lock-up garage - which had no electricity - for 30 shillings a week and it was there he made his first product, a farm trailer built largely from wartime scrap, which he sold for £45 at Uttoxeter market. Mr Bamford stayed at the garage for 18 months until the owner asked him to leave because she didn’t approve of Sunday working. He then moved down the road to a stable block at Crakemarsh, a few miles north of the town.   Unveiling the plaque at Hollydene House, Uttoxeter, Lord Bamford said: “My earliest memory of the business is of me playing in my father’s workshop. Other than my time at school and my apprenticeship in France with another company, I’ve been around ever since." “We have developed the business and products along the way enormously. Probably one of the greatest pleasures for me has been in developing products with our formidable team of highly qualified engineers."   “As we celebrate JCB’s 80th birthday, it’s wonderful to be back at the spot where it all began and to mark the location with a special blue plaque. I’m delighted that in a small way we can highlight where it all began and reflect on the continuing importance of our home county of Staffordshire.”   At the ceremony, Uttoxeter Deputy Mayor Councillor Aaron Mansfield, added: “It is a source of great pride that Uttoxeter was the birthplace of one of the country’s most successful manufacturing companies and we are delighted to officially mark the spot where the business began as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.” Later, Lord Bamford arrived back at the World HQ in Rocester, he was greeted by more than 3,500 employees lining the Lakeside Works’ pathways to pay tribute and to celebrate his and JCB’s birthdays. A spectacular cavalcade procession marked milestones and showcased machines he has introduced since becoming Chairman in 1975.   The cavalcade starred the first Loadall from 1977, the classic 3CX and the world speed record-breaking JCBGT backhoe, the revolutionary 1991 Fastrac tractor and its 2019 World’s Fastest Tractor protégé, the multi-award winning 19C-1E electric mini excavator, followed by the industry-leading Pothole Pro and game-changing hydrogen backhoe and hydrogen Loadall.   The procession also featured eight former students of the JCB Academy who have forged successful careers with the company. It was Lord Bamford’s vision to found the school which opened in 2010 with the vision of producing the engineers and business leaders of the future. In partnership with high-profile companies such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Hex Group, it has gone on to educate more than 3,500 students from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, with every single student either entering employment or further or higher education. The gathered crowds were also treated to the unveiling of a special JCB 3CX ‘Backhoe in a Box’ - a spectacular life-size 3CX Sitemaster backhoe packaged in the same way as manufacturer Britains package the 1:32 scale models of the JCB machine. It will be displayed beside the JCB lake until January, for members of the public to see.   After the cavalcade, JCB Chief Executive Officer Graeme Macdonald paid tribute to Lord Bamford. He said: “When he became Chairman in 1975, this was JCB’s only factory. JCB has 22 plants around the world and more than 19,000 employees. As we have expanded globally over the past 50 years, he has remained steadfast in his support for British manufacturing and committed to investing in JCB’s UK plants." “In fact, nine British plants have opened in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham during his tenure. JCB has been backing Britain since 1945—and with renewed energy under his leadership! Today we thank him for that leadership.” Addressing the crowds of employees, Lord Bamford said: “My father would have been proud of JCB at 80. We have great products and great people making a difference in the world. We continue to hold true to his values of ‘jamais content’ (never content) and ‘always looking for a better way.’ While my father retired at the age of 59, I – along with JCB - shall be 80 tomorrow and I’m still here.” The day concluded with a formal party for Lord Bamford at the World HQ, with more than 100 invited guests, including dozens of retired people with whom Lord Bamford has worked through the decades.   Meanwhile, all 19,000 JCB employees in its 22 plants across the globe are looking forward to an extra day’s holiday on Friday, October 24th in recognition of their contributions to the company’s success in its 80th anniversary year.

Yorkshire heritage brand and renowned British manufacturer of premium leisure cloth, Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics, has welcomed former 1997 world snooker champion and BBC broadcast commentator Ken Doherty as its first-ever ambassador. The Irish snooker icon will step into a 12-month ambassador role, with his appointment marking a strategic partnership forged to help grow brand awareness and reinforce Hainsworth’s dedication to quality, precision, and the heritage of cue sports. The alliance will see him representing the brand at major events, supporting product innovation, and promoting Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics commitment to players of all levels. A celebrated figure in the world of professional snooker, Ken Doherty's career spans over three decades, marked by his World Championship title, six winning ranking event titles, a 12-year run ranking inside the top eight, and building a respected presence as a commentator and ambassador of the sport. To this day, Doherty is still the only professional player to win the treble, which includes the World Juniors, the World Amateur, and the World Professional Championships. Doherty explains: “I’m a traditionalist. I love the history and heritage of the game. Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics shares those same values. It’s a company built on tradition and quality, so it’s a great fit for me." “You can see the detail, hard work and technicality that goes into making the cloth, and it’s improved immensely over the years. That’s the great thing about what’s happening in cue sports around the world – everybody has really upped their game."   “Hainsworth produces three different types of cloth, but the quality across the board is superb. The speed is fantastic. Professionals love a fast cloth because it allows you to manoeuvre the cue ball without forcing the shot. It’s one of the fastest cloths I’ve ever played on.” Hainsworth has been a trusted name in cue sports fabrics for generations, supplying championship-grade, premium woollen fabrics to some of the most prestigious tournaments, venues, and manufacturers worldwide. The British textile manufacturer weaves its high-quality snooker and pool table cloths at AW Hainsworth’s 243-year-old woollen mill in Stanningley, West Yorkshire, combining tradition with innovation to deliver world-class playing surfaces. The manufacturer creates and supplies a range of graded pool and snooker fabrics to international customers, including professional players, world-leading tournaments and independent fitters. Amanda McLaren, Managing Director of AW Hainsworth said: “Ken Doherty is a true champion and legend of the sport. His integrity and love for the game perfectly align with our values. We are thrilled to welcome him to the AW Hainsworth family and look forward to working together to elevate the game even further.” Photo : Andy Laycock, Phil Atherton, Ken Doherty and Nigel Birch in Hainsworth Mill

A new nationwide survey conducted by Family Business United, in partnership with family-run favourite The Victor Pizza Company, has revealed the UK’s ultimate pizza choice, and it’s official: the classic Pepperoni Pizza has claimed the crown. The survey set out to uncover the nation’s most-loved pizza toppings, and Pepperoni came out sizzling on top, taking nearly a third of all votes. The UK’s Top 10 Favourite Pizzas Pepperoni – 30% Margherita – 12% Meat Feast – 10% Hot & Spicy – 7% Mushroom – 6% La Reine – 6% Hawaiian – 5% Chicken – 5% Capricciosa – 3% BBQ – 2% Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United, said: “This collaboration with The Victor Pizza Company was a delicious way to engage the public while celebrating the importance of family businesses in everyday life." "Pizza is a comfort food staple for so many, and it’s fascinating to see how strong the nation’s preferences are, with Pepperoni clearly standing out as a fan favourite." "The age-old pineapple debate also lives on, with 5% of respondents naming the Hawaiian as their top choice. Love it or hate it, pineapple still has a seat at the UK’s pizza table, and it continues to spark conversation, just as good food should.” A second-generation family business with over 50 years of history, The Victor Pizza Company is known for its authentic Italian roots, Glasgow heart, and no-nonsense approach to great food. Anne-Marie Cairney, CEO of The Victor Pizza Company, said: “We’ve been making pizza for over half a century, long enough to know that when it comes to toppings, everyone’s got an opinion! Pepperoni doesn’t surprise me at number one, but we were chuffed to see such a mix across the board, from spicy fans to the brave souls still flying the flag for pineapple." "At Victor Pizza, we’ve always said there’s a pizza for everyone, whether you’re a Margherita loyalist or you pile on the lot. It’s brilliant to see that passion still alive and well across the UK. These little insights remind us why we do what we do: good food, made with care, for people who love it.” This fun campaign not only showcased the UK’s pizza preferences but also highlighted the creativity and community spirit of the country’s family businesses. Paul Andrews added: “Family firms are at the heart of the UK food sector, and this survey is a great reminder of their relevance and reach. Whether it’s a slice of tradition or a taste of innovation, family businesses continue to feed the nation, literally and figuratively.”

Andy Murray’s adorable puppy Bonnie has landed her first role at just 8-months-old, as the pair team up with Purina PRO PLAN® for an exciting new partnership. Purina PRO PLAN®, part of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, has rallied its first ever squad of elite tennis players and their pets to inspire dog and cat owners to care for their pets like a PRO. Research shows that 85%1. of British pet owners prioritise their pet's nutrition needs equally or above their own, with 64% putting their pet’s needs first. The dynamic duo has joined forces with fellow tennis stars Jasmine Paolini and her dog Cesare, Çağla Büyükakçay and her cat Izo along with powerhouse couple Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina and their pet dog Wizz for the inspiring new campaign. Professional tennis players work closely with health and nutrition experts to fine-tune their diets, always striving to achieve excellence for peak performance. This aligns with Purina PRO PLAN®s commitment to provide high-quality pet food, developed by a team of Purina nutritionists and vets, to help dogs and cats lead active, healthy and long lives. Just as these top players give it their all on the court, PRO PLAN® is encouraging pet owners to do the same for their four-legged family members. Research shows that half (50%2.) of British pet owners say they view their cat or dog as a family member. The findings also reveal that pet care is a priority for many, with almost a third (32%3.) of owners actively researching to stay updated on pet nutrition topics, with 17%4. even claiming to know more about their pet’s nutrition than their own. The whole squad shared the exciting collaboration across their own social media today, with two-time Olympic gold medallist Murray even giving his LinkedIn profile a playful update – transforming it into a joint account with his puppy Bonnie to spotlight their role as part of the Purina PRO Plan® squad. Andy Murray said: “Bonnie only joined us this spring, and she’s such a big part of our family already, so for me it’s important that we prioritise her health and nutrition. Throughout my career, nutrition has been key to my performance, and so it makes sense that we do this for Bonnie too because she’s going to be busy as she keeps up with life in the Murray house. I’ve learnt so much about pet nutrition and how important it is since I started working with Purina PRO PLAN® and I hope Bonnie and I can inspire PRO level care among other pet owners”. Harriet  Morley, Specialist Channel Director, Northern Region, PURINA Europe, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this partnership. Assembling this squad of professional athletes is the perfect way to help inspire cat and dog owners to care for their pets in the same way top players prioritise their own health and nutrition." “We are proud to be working alongside Andy Murray and his beautiful dog Bonnie for this partnership – alongside the rest of the squad – to connect with tennis fans and pet owners alike. I know this will be an incredible adventure, one that creates powerful moments to celebrate the bond between pets and their owners.” Throughout the partnership, Purina PRO PLAN® will engage with athletes, tennis supporters and pet owners to showcase how quality nutrition and care helps support pet health and well-being. The professional squad will also star in a new PRO PLAN® TV advert, which puts pet nutrition in the spotlight. The advert will roll out across TV, digital, and social channels in autumn.

F.Hinds, the family owned and run jewellers established in 1856, opened their second store in Scotland, at The Centre Livingston in September, along with another store in the South East, at the Friars Square Shopping Centre in Aylesbury, which opened last week.   The openings mark another milestone in the company’s ongoing expansion and commitment to bringing quality, value and expert service to customers across the country. The jeweller, which already boasts 119 stores across the country, is set to see the arrival of more new stores plus upgrades to bigger and better locations before the year’s end.   In Aylesbury, F.Hinds is a familiar sight for locals with long memories, having had a store in the town from 1969 to 1992, only being forced to close when it was demolished as part of the redevelopment which created Friars Square. At the Cotswolds Designer Outlet in Tewkesbury, Chapelle, the outlet expert in jewellery and designer timepieces, officially opened its doors this summer.   The Cotswolds Designer Outlet officially opened after much anticipation in July and is the newest hotspot for a luxurious and varied shopping experience. Its beautiful backdrop makes for the perfect location for Chapelle to expand its stores, marking its 13th location. With a history of being family owned, Chapelle has been a part of the sixth-generation family jeweller F.Hinds since 2019. Paul Hinds, Managing Director at F.Hinds & Chapelle commented, “Opening these new stores is testament to the continued growth of the business and marks a strong year so far. Our continued expansion into Scotland with the store opening in Livingston, along with the return to Aylesbury demonstrates our commitment to always move F.Hinds forward and establish our brand in communities up and down the country." Paul continues, “Having Chapelle trading at The Cotswolds Designer Outlet is a further example of our ethos to embrace development and be forward-thinking with our expansion.”   The opening of these three stores marks a successful 2025 so far for the business, however government changes to Business Property Relief have made the future more uncertain for the retailer. These changes are likely to reduce further growth plans and while stores in Bradford, Newbury and Burton have recently been confirmed, how 2026 shapes up remains to be seen.   Paul concludes: “We are navigating a changing economic landscape and while there are clearly challenges, we will always seek to look forward and continue expanding our portfolio.”

Manchester-based paint manufacturer HMG Paints has officially opened their new department known as the “Len Hutton Centre”, a modern facility dedicated to water-based production. The opening of this department will increase water-based production capabilities at HMG, with the department being named after former HMG Production Director, Len Hutton. This substantial capital investment, which coincides with the business celebrating its 95th anniversary, is projected to increase capacity by an estimated 50,000 litres per month and allows the business to meet growing demand for its range of water-based products, as customers and the industry shift towards low-VOC, environmentally friendly and sustainable coatings. The new department, operated by six highly trained staff members, is equipped with 12 high-efficiency mixers and a dedicated washout facility and showcases HMG Paints' commitment to investment and innovation, whilst also celebrating the core family-first approach at the company. The Len Hutton Centre will serve as a hub for developing and manufacturing innovative, water-based coatings for a range of markets. "This is a huge honour, having a department named after myself makes me feel my name will truly live forever at HMG” said Len, whose legacy the new department honours." “I consider it a great privilege to know that my department will be the future of waterborne production for the company, and it is great to have myself named amongst other greats at the business who have similarly had departments named after them throughout the years." Len began his career in production at HMG in March 1974, before moving on to establish and transform the Colour Laboratory, revolutionising how HMG match and produce their colours and eventually became Production Director before retiring from the business in 2021. When the new department was established, it was an easy decision for the Directors to honour Len, who was an integral part of the company's growth, as well as his commitment to quality for over 40 years. The new department was officially unveiled on September 17th, with staff, past and present, spanning multiple generations of the business all gathering to witness the grand reveal. Speaking at the unveiling of the new department, John Falder, HMG Chairman remarked: “It’s great to have a department named after one of the true greats of HMG, Len and I started as kids together and across our 45 years of working together, Len became the foundation of our colour laboratory, tints and all the systems that followed." "As a business, we were one of four hundred industrial paint manufacturers around at the time Len joined the business, and its thanks to him as well as many others that we are where we are today.”

Hampshire-based Maddie Saunders, a Marketing Specialist at local car dealer group Hendy, is celebrating a sporting triumph, having secured a silver medal in the World Individual Women’s race at the 2025 Cycle Speedway World Championships. This success ends an impressive series of wins in which Maddie also became a World Women’s Federation Cup Champion, a World Women’s Nations Cup Champion, and a World Women’s Best Pairs Champion during her time at the World Championships. Hendy supported Maddie’s endeavour by providing her with a Mazda CX-60 for the duration of the World championship, helping transport her cycle speedway bike, mountain bike and luggage in comfort to multiple races around East Anglia. The Cycle Speedway World Championships comprises a series of international heats where world-class riders compete across multiple categories. The oval track is up to 90 metres long, and four riders race shoulder to shoulder in a four-lap sprint. Maddie, who rides for Southampton Cycle Speedway, is now focusing her training efforts on being selected to represent Team GB on home soil at the European Championships next August, and hopes to also secure a place in her fourth World Championship. Reflecting on the event, Maddie said: “Competing on home soil was such an incredible experience for me and to be selected to ride in front of a British crowd was a real testament to all the hard work I’ve put in. Winning silver at the World Championships made it even more special.” Mark Busby, Director of Commercial Operations at Hendy Group: “The whole Hendy Group was behind Maddie once again as she entered her third World Championships. Great teams are built by great individuals, and Maddie’s dedication to her sport is fantastic to see. We’re proud to call her a Hendy colleague and pleased to play a small part in her medal-winning endeavours.” To find out more about career opportunities at Hendy, visit here .

Mexican food brand Mexi Bean Express is firing up its UK expansion with the signing of its very first franchise location. Peterborough-based entrepreneurs Manoj Kumar Maruthan and Mohamed Fayas Athambawa are bringing the fiesta home – pairing a great business investment with love at first bite. “Here in Peterborough city centre, there are lots of food options, but we noticed there wasn’t much in the way of good Mexican food,” said Manoj. “We saw that as a great opportunity. We really liked the Mexi Bean Express menu and concept – that’s what drew us in and made us feel confident about taking on the franchise.” Between them, Manoj and Fayas bring a powerhouse of experience to the table. Manoj, who’s spent nearly two decades working in cybersecurity and cloud architecture, is swapping tech for tacos to focus full time on running the new site. His business partner, Fayas, brings valuable retail know-how from years managing his own successful convenience store. With the lease signed and the fit-out already underway at 41 Bridge Street, the Peterborough restaurant is taking shape fast. The duo is aiming to open before the end of the year, ready to serve up the brand’s signature menu of burritos, tacos, nachos and quesadillas – all made fresh, fast and 100% halal. Their opening marks a huge milestone for Mexi Bean Express, which has grown from a single restaurant in Yorkshire to a thriving multi-site brand loved for its bold flavours, vibrant personality and quick-serve convenience. Born in the North and built on authentic Mexican recipes with a modern twist, Mexi Bean Express is all about bringing fresh, flavourful food to people who like a little extra kick. For founder Danielle Best, this first franchise signing is a landmark moment: “We’ve built something special in Yorkshire, and it’s amazing to see it catching fire beyond our home turf. Manoj and Fayas have that perfect mix of energy, ambition and community spirit – exactly what we look for in our franchisees. Peterborough’s about to get a taste of Mexi Bean Express magic, and this is only the beginning of our mission to bring fresh Mexican flavour to every corner of the UK and beyond.” For Manoj, Fayas and the crew, this is where true partnership begins: “It’s a proud moment to be part of the Mexi Bean Express franchise journey – and even more special knowing we’re the first of many franchisees to come. We’re ready to tempt the tastebuds of Peterborough and build our Mexi Bean Express cartel.”

With BBC News covering live the Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage affecting leading UK banks, and global services, the incident bears striking similarities to the CrowdStrike disruption seen last year. Banks, like many other sectors, are becoming increasingly reliant on technology, particularly on third-party providers that deliver the specialist services on which daily operations depend. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage, which has disrupted leading UK banks and global services, has once again revealed the fragility of this dependence. The incident bears striking similarities to the CrowdStrike disruption seen last year, both demonstrating how a single failure in a major technology provider can cascade across industries. Alina Timofeeva outlines her thoughts on the matter. For instance, customers, including myself, have been unable to log into the Lloyds Banking Group app, while widespread reports confirm disruptions across Barclays, Lloyds Bank, and the Bank of Scotland. Few institutions anticipated that a third party with AWS's reputation could experience a failure of such magnitude. As a result, many had not prepared or tested for an outage of this scale, or for the specific recovery steps required to restore critical services quickly. This was not merely a technical glitch; it was a crisis of trust. Customers were left wondering: Can I trust my bank? Can I trust technology itself? The outage underscores the systemic concentration risk created by the world's heavy reliance on a handful of global technology providers. The financial sector, in particular, faces heightened vulnerability from this dependence, as vendors like AWS have become so deeply embedded in the global economy that their failures can disrupt millions of customers and impact critical economic functions. The event highlights the need for a strategic, coordinated response across banks, governments, and regulators to minimise the risk of future incidents. Banks must embed resilience into the design of their systems and governance, with board-level accountability for cybersecurity and operational continuity. Governments should demand greater transparency from the technology giants whose infrastructure underpins much of modern life. Regulators must continue to challenge concentration risk, ensuring that efficiency and cost savings never come at the expense of security and stability. Resilience must no longer be treated as an afterthought. Our systems and processes must be secure and resilient by design, with resilience embedded from the outset of every technology and service. That includes developing proportionate response mechanisms to ensure that material services such as payments or payroll remain operational even in the face of major disruption. Ultimately, this outage serves as a wake-up call. The digital backbone of our economy is only as strong as its weakest connection, and trust, whether in our banks, our data, or our digital future, depends on our ability to make resilience part of our DNA. About the Author - Alina Timofeeva is a multi-award-winning strategic advisor in Data and Technology, guiding major financial organisations through complex transformations and regulatory challenges. With a career spanning top consulting firms such as Oliver Wyman, KPMG, and Accenture, Alina has been recognised by the industry as the Digital Leader of the Year, Cloud Professional of the Year, and Most Inspirational Individual of the Year. A LinkedIn Top Voice and TEDx speaker, Alina frequently addresses high-impact topics on Data and Technology at global events like the World Economic Forum, London Tech Week, LEAP, and Money 20/20. She has also spoken at prestigious universities, including Oxford, LSE, and Imperial College. Her insights have been featured in BBC, Forbes, The Telegraph, and The Banker by Financial Times.

High flying Newbury accountancy apprentice Kristina Pallaiova has raised hundreds of pounds for young people’s charity by jumping from an aeroplane. Kristina, an associate at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, took part in a charity skydive in aid of Bridge for Young People, charity of the year at the firm’s Newbury office. She took the plunge in a 15,000 ft tandem skydive with 60 seconds of freefall from Salisbury Skydive Centre at Old Sarum Airfield – and came away with £1,065 for the Berkshire-based charity. Kristina said: “Although I was nervous beforehand, once the dive started it was an exhilarating experience, especially once the ripcord had been pulled and the parachute opened." “The views up there were spectacular as we gently floated back to earth – and it was especially gratifying to know that my generous sponsors would be helping such a worthwhile charity.” Bridge for Young People, provides a home and support to young people (aged 16-25) who are leaving care or who are homeless and currently has three houses in West Berkshire –Cornerstone, Rebecca House and Hope House. Residents have typically experienced varying challenges during their childhood and the charity provides them with a stable home, emotional support and practical help during this crucial time as they move into independence. Azets’ Newbury office managing partner Neil Elsden said: “I take my hat off to Kristina for her efforts in raising money for our chosen charity. The proceeds of her skydive will enhance the £750 raised through a quiz night earlier this year.” Kristina, who has been with Azets for 15 months, joined the firm as part of its apprenticeship scheme and is a member of the accounts and business advisory services (ABAS) team in Newbury. She had previously completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business at Reading College and is now working towards her AAT qualifications. Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, offers a varied career path for early careers professionals, with the option to work across different parts of the country and to develop specialist skills in diverse areas of accounting and business advisory, from general practice and tax to corporate finance, trade, and restructuring. The firm is based in the centre of Newbury at Elizabeth House on London Road, conveniently placed just off the A4 and a 15 minute walk from Newbury train station. The office operates from a modern, open plan office with plenty of parking and provides a range of services tailored to businesses of all scales, encompassing sole traders to limited companies.

A leading cybersecurity company has achieved the hard-to-gain B Corp certification – by achieving high ethical standards for staff and the planet. Computer Network Defence (CND), with offices in Corsham near Bath and on the Isle of Man, is the first dedicated UK-headquartered cybersecurity business to achieve the standard. The assessment measured the business’s impact on its staff, community, suppliers, customers, governance and the environment. Founded 21 years ago by Andy Cuff and his wife Amanda, CND has grown to around 70 staff and operates across the world. It works in all areas of cybersecurity, develops its own products, recruits in the sector and provides intelligence to all the world’s major governments. The business has always taken its corporate social responsibility seriously and when it became aware of the B Corp certification it discovered much of what was required it was already doing. B Corp is a global community of for-profit leaders pledging to use business as a force for good. Andy said: “Ethics has always been our cornerstone – we have no sales staff and grow through reputation and word of mouth. When we came across the B Corp certification we looked at it and saw that the assessment covered things already embedded in the business." “For example, around 40 per cent of our staff identify as neuro-divergent - we know the unique strengths they bring so we work hard to create an inclusive environment where all staff are empowered to thrive. We also recruit from disadvantaged groups such as military wives and veterans and were early in adopting flexible working hours, so parents could pick up their children from school for instance." “The assessment process is extremely demanding and more than half of applicants fail to achieve the standards. It includes things such as having policies and statements on working with sustainability, mental wellbeing and flexible working – all things we have been doing for years." “I would urge other businesses to go for the certification; the process is worthwhile in itself as it helps you view your business from a different perspective. It makes you more agile." “Our clients have been hugely impressed and we now seek to work with other B Corp-certified businesses. CND are proud to join the B Corp community and are committed to taking the next steps to a positive outcome for all.”