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The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has recognised the exceptional achievements of its apprentices and the contributions of its employer partners at its Annual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony. The finalists were joined by loved ones, sponsors, distinguished guests and members of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group at Pontefract Town Hall. Lorraine Cross, Group Executive Director for External Partnerships, Skills and Apprenticeships and Chris Baker, Group Director of Apprenticeships, started the evening by congratulating nominees and welcoming their family and friends. Seven awards were presented in total throughout the evening, including an ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Award for a range of sectors. A number of accolades were also awarded to local and national businesses, including: · Engineering & Automotive Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by GUNT Technology Ltd and presented by Technical Sales Engineer, Phil Holyome) – Kurt Moore, Klöckner Pentaplast Packaging · Construction Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by WDH and presented by Training Operations Manager, Kate Radavanovic) – Bradley Reynolds, MMB Construction Services · Health & Education Apprentice of the Year (Care & Early Years at Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and presented by Principal and Chief Executive, Sam Wright) - Izabela Latos, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust Business, Enterprise & Professional Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Employer Engagement at Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and presented by Chair of Governors, Andrew McConnell OBE) – Mark Curran, Fish & Forest. Mark Curran said: “I’m incredibly happy to have won the Business, Enterprise & Professional Apprentice of the Year award. People don’t always see the hard work and commitment that you put into studying an apprenticeship, so it’s great to receive this recognition and be reminded how far I’ve come." "I’ve always loved food and I really wanted to get into the Hospitality & Catering industry, so doing an apprenticeship was a great way for me to do this. It’s changed my life and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.” New Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2024 (Sponsored by Sigma and presented by Group Compliance Director, Stephen Woolf): Heat Exchange Group Small to Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2024 (Sponsored by Drax and presented by UK Early Careers Development Manager, Lisa Marriott): Volta Compliance Large Apprenticeship Employer or the Year 2024 (Sponsored by Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation and presented by Head of Technology, Darren Elvidge and Talent Development Business Partner, Emma Harvey): Well Group Services (WSG) Chloe Wallace, Head of HR at the Heat Exchange Group, said: “We are absolutely ecstatic to have won the New Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award." "It goes a long way in recognising the partnership we have built with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and the investment we have put into jointly developing and delivering apprenticeships which are right for our business and for our workforce needs. Apprenticeships are the key to securing a thriving and successful future for our industry and it’s great to be able to celebrate the impact that they have.” Richard Carr, Director at Volta Compliance, said: “It was an honour to win the Small to Medium Apprentice Employer award at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Apprenticeship Awards." "Apprentices, SMEs and large companies joined together to celebrate the amazing talent that apprenticeships bring to businesses across Yorkshire. At Volta Compliance, we understand that apprentices and having a strong relationship with training providers like the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group are vital to our business growth.” Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “I always look forward to our Annual Apprenticeship Awards, as it brings together apprentices and employers from across our regions to shine a light on outstanding achievements and the positive impact apprenticeships make to people, businesses and the wider economy." "It’s fantastic to see this first-hand, as we share and celebrate the inspirational stories of our apprentices and employer partners at the awards - giving them the recognition they so rightly deserve.” Throughout the evening, guests were entertained with performances from singer Abbi-Kay Ellison and a keynote speech from Alex Miles, Managing Director at Yorkshire Learning Providers and Governor at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. Alex passionately advocated the importance of apprenticeships in meeting skills gaps across the region and the significant contribution training providers such as the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group are making to this. The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group offers a range of Apprenticeship programmes in Business, Construction, Engineering, Healthcare and more. It works with over 500 employers to deliver its Apprenticeship provision, which includes SMEs, local authorities and national organisations such as Unilever, Coca Cola, Haribo, ENGIE, Burberry, Warburtons, the Emergency Services, Bosch, Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, Mars and NHS Trusts.

British Cycling has unveiled the version of the cutting-edge bike that will be ridden by Great Britain’s track cyclists at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer. Developed by the Great Britain Cycling Team’s in-house experts in collaboration with the best of British engineering talent, the bike will play a key role in helping the team maintain its proud record of success at the Olympic Games. Following on from the success of the Tokyo track bike, this evolved model has benefited from the continued partnerships with those at the forefront of equipment technology, including Lotus Engineering, Renishaw and Hope Technology. Notable developments of the bike include its 3D-printed optimised Renishaw titanium crank, unique Lotus trailing-edged fork and handlebars that support increased aerodynamic positioning, and the Hope HBT Paris frame with refined Renishaw split seat post and headstays. Every component of the bike has been designed to work as one with the rider, bringing the machine and athlete together perfectly. Once again, our partners have pulled together at every stage of development, testing and manufacture to condense the project into a three-year Olympic cycle. Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director of the Great Britain Cycling Team, said: “British Cycling has a long and renowned history of being a world-leader in bike technology, and we are continuing to break new ground when it comes to the speed, efficiency and innovation of track bikes." “For the Paris track bike, the team have continued to look to new and innovative solutions to deliver this impressive machine, which we believe will give our riders the best possible platform to succeed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Mark Stringer, Commercial Director at Lotus Engineering said: “Lotus’ longstanding collaboration with British Cycling has been pivotal in advancing the frontiers of sporting performance and engineering with the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike." "This ongoing partnership has enriched our depth of knowledge, further enhancing and embracing the innovation that proved successful in Tokyo. We’ve been able to continue pushing engineering boundaries in the pursuit of performance to deliver efficiencies and to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success." “The Hope-Lotus bike is the perfect demonstration of our ability to transfer the skills and knowledge we’ve gained through over 75 years of automotive development to bring a new perspective to other industries. We wish British Cycling the best of luck in the upcoming Olympics.”. Ben Collins, Lead Additive Manufacturing Application Engineer at Renishaw said: "We have been able to refine the design even further and showcase how additive manufacturing can deliver strong, yet lightweight parts for cycling, while demonstrating these benefits to other industries." "Our aim for this Olympic bike is to push the boundaries with AM technology further, whilst still achieving high-performance components that are tailored to the riders and meet Olympic requirements for strength and weight.” “We were delighted to be asked to continue our partnership with the British Cycling team and develop components for the Paris 2024 bike, and we can’t wait to see how the bike performs.” Ian Weatherill, Director of Hope Technology said: “With our manufacturing and production based in Lancashire, being so close to the British Cycling base in Manchester, has allowed a close working relationship with the GBCT team throughout the new bike development process." “Once again, our staff are proud to be working on this prestigious project and are looking forward to seeing positive results in Paris this summer. "Alongside this project, we continue to support all levels of cycling in cyclocross, XC, enduro, downhill and children through our popular Academy.” The development of the Hope-Lotus track bike would not be possible without the support of UK Sport and National Lottery funding, while we also continue to benefit from the support of the UK Sports Institute, who work with the Great Britain Cycling Team to research and refine bike design. This research and development work covers all aspects of bike design from aerodynamics to ergonomics.

When it comes to awards, Leamington’s favourite food champion Bianca Rodrigues-Perry certainly has an appetite for winning! The Brazilian-born entrepreneur is making a big mark on her new community in Leamington, after being named as a finalist for three national awards. In June she will learn if she’s been named Outstanding Entrepreneur or Start-up of the Year in the Ladies First Network Business and Inspirational Women Awards and Business Start-up of the Year in the Business Success Recognition Awards. The recognition follows the launch, in January, of Bianca’s new pilot TV show championing local businesses – and now reaching over 32.5k followers on Instagram alone, with some of the episodes reaching 3.6k views on YouTube in less than 24 hours - and growing. Bianca said: “I feel honoured to be acknowledged, not just for an award, but also as an entrepreneur starting out. It's a surreal feeling when your ideas materialise. I am proud and also grateful to everyone who nominated me, and I hope we can keep inspiring our community." Bia’s Kitchen Show highlights some of the best of the area’s foodie scene when it’s streamed to audiences twice monthly on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. It is an extension to the successful Bia’s Kitchen brand and features local independent chefs and restaurateurs cooking signature dishes as well as Bianca’s own top tips and recipes. The passion project also marks the latest chapter on a journey of reinvention for the 44-year-old Brazilian-born mum-of-three, who walked away from a high-flying career in marketing in Rio de Janeiro after meeting a Leamington man. Despite huge transition in her life, the one constant has been her passion for cooking. She started cooking for friends, hosted cooking classes in Warwick and even a pop-up restaurant in Kenilworth. Buoyed by the positive feedback - and a win on Channel Four’s Couples Come Dine With Me TV show - she launched herself as a private chef and reignited her entrepreneurial spirit with successful businesses - Fresh to Freeze, a pre-cooked food delivery business which thrived throughout the pandemic – and Bia’s Kitchen. Bianca is planning the release of the first in a series of books later this year, compiling some of her guests’ best recipes, the profits from which will support two causes close to her heart – post-natal depression and mental health. The Ladies First Awards ceremony takes place at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam, on June 13th while the Business Success Recognition Awards will be announced on June 29th at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. Ladies First co-director Tracey McAtamney said: “Bianca is a force of nature! Her enthusiasm and passion for cooking lights up a room and encourages others around her to appreciate food for both business and relaxation.” See episodes of Bia’s Kitchen Show here.

East Midlands-based civil and structural engineer BSP Consulting has been appointed onto the (Longhurst Group) Keystone Developments (LG) Limited Professional Services and Consultancy Framework. The company has been successfully appointed on three lots relating to civil and structural engineering for new build residential schemes, new build extra care facilities and refurbishment projects. BSP Consulting MD Carl Hilton said: “We are very pleased that BSP Consulting has been appointed onto the (Longhurst Group) Keystone Developments (LG) Limited Professional Services and Consultancy Framework. The company has wide experience of working with housing providers across the Midlands and beyond, including Longhurst and Nottingham Community Housing Association who can both access this framework." “As one of the leading independent civil and structural engineering companies in the East Midlands, BSP Consulting is currently on numerous frameworks and we are proud to have been appointed to this latest one, which highlights our expertise in the affordable housing and extra care sectors and opens up an additional pipeline of opportunities for us.” Keystone Developments is part of Longhurst Group which is one of the largest housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, owning and managing more than 24,000 homes and delivering a wide range of care and support, specialist housing and home ownership services. The four-year framework can be accessed by a number of organisations including Longhurst Group, Nottingham Community Housing Association, Tuntum Housing Association, Lace Housing, Norton Housing and Support, YMCA Derbyshire, Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, Lincolnshire YMCA, Framework Housing Association, Lincolnshire Rural Housing Association and YMCA Robin Hood Group. BSP Consulting, based in Oxford Street, Nottingham, and with offices in Derby and Leicester, was successful in its application to be appointed to all three civil and structural engineering lots. The company is an award-winning firm that operates across the UK, offering civil engineering, structural engineering, transport engineering, geotechnical and environmental engineering. BSP works across all sectors including housing, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, health, education, senior living, retail and heritage.

Leeds-based golf mental performance coaching company, Underpin Sports has cemented its recent expansion in Scotland by agreeing a unique partnership deal with the Tartan Pro Tour – founded by 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie.   The two-year deal enables the company to expand its player portfolio and business network north of the border, whilst enabling an increasing number of elite amateur and professional golfers competing on the tour to access mental performance coaching.   Underpin Sports first launched in Scotland late last year after appointing Edinburgh-based Scott Dickson, a well-known figure from the golf, drinks and whisky industry, to head it up.   The business partnership is also in response to the increasing pressures and expectations on players competing on the Tartan Pro Tour, which showcases up-and-coming talent across Scotland and the wider golfing world - providing playing opportunities for the next generation of professional golfers. It also offers a stepping-stone for aspiring tournament professionals to reach the highest levels of competition by challenging players to overcome of the country’s best courses.   Already partnered with the Clutch Pro Tour, a feeder to both the Challenge and DP World Tours, the partnership enables Underpin Sports to now support players in Scotland as well as England, Ireland and Wales.   The company’s team of mental performance coaches, led by Greg Robertson, will work with players beneath the surface, challenging them to learn and understand how to get the best out of themselves and their game.    Several rising stars, competing on this year’s Tartan Pro Tour, are already benefitting from Underpin Sports’ mental performance coaching with improved results, including two-time 2020 Pro Tour Scottish Showdown winner, Stuart McLaren from Edinburgh.   Paul Lawrie, founder of the Tartan Pro Tour, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Underpin, as mental performance coaching support is key to the development of the majority of Scottish players on the tour and vital to helping them reach their full potential." “Competing in any sport at the top level not only requires skill, but it also relies on strong mental focus to perform consistently against the best players in the world. The partnership is integral to the future of the tour in helping players cope with very high-pressure situations, particularly those in the early stages of their career.”   Stewart Clough, managing director for Underpin Sports, said: “Having recently launched in Scotland, partnering with the Tartan Pro Tour is integral to the next stage of our business growth and player development. The team have been amazing to work with and are so passionate about their mission to providing a stepping stone for aspiring tournament professionals to reach the highest levels of competition." “As we continue to develop Underpin to be the leading mental performance partner for elite amateur and professional golfers, establishing our business in the ‘home of golf’ is an exciting next step for us. We look forward to supporting as many of the players from the tour as possible and watching them develop the mental side of the game to support the talent they already possess.”

A memorial fund set up in honour of former Yorkshire businessman Andrew Lupton is set to smash its fundraising target of £20,000. Ripon-based Econ Engineering set up the Just Giving campaign to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation following the tragic death of Sales Director Andrew Lupton in 2022. Mr Lupton, who ran the second-generation family business alongside his brother Jonathan, was just 56 years old when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Founded by their father Bill 55 years ago, Econ is now the leading UK manufacturer and supplier of winter maintenance vehicles with an 85% share of the market. A series of fundraising events and team-building exercises have been held by the team, while donations have also been made from local groups, individuals and business associates. And despite the £20,000-mark being reached this week, there remains one more event for the staff to undertake as a group of employees prepare to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks on May 18. Econ’s Managing Director, Jonathan Lupton said: "We have been proud to partner with the British Heart Foundation and absolutely delighted that we have been able to support them with our fundraising." “This is particularly poignant given the sad death of Andrew and we want to do as much as we can to increase awareness of heart disease and raise vital money for the charity, in his memory." “We may have reached the £20,000 mark, but we are not finished yet. A team of Econ employees will be tackling the Three Peaks in May and we hope people will continue to support the memory of Andrew by donating to their efforts.” BHF figures show that around 183,000 people living in North Yorkshire have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and 45,000 people are living with coronary heart disease. In Yorkshire there are around 3,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year and only 1 in 11 people survive these attacks. Every three hours, someone in the region dies from a heart or circulatory disease. BHF Fundraising Manager, Leya Baksh, said: “We are honoured that Econ Engineering has chosen to support us. More than one in four people in the UK die from heart and circulatory conditions, so the money raised is vital for us to continue our research into better ways of diagnosing, preventing and treating patients.” As well as raising money during the year, employees have been given the opportunity to participate in a number of BHF-supported health and wellbeing engagement activities, to ensure a healthier workforce. Econ’s team of expert engineers design and build every aspect of their vehicles at the Ripon factory and recently launched and sold the world’s first fully electric gritter (E-QCB) which has been successfully trialled at highways depots across the country.

Contractor Clegg Construction has completed an exciting £5.9m renovation scheme to transform Maltby Grammar School near Rotherham into a community resource and education centre. During the course of the project, Clegg invested more than £3m into the local economy by using local labour and materials wherever possible. The company’s commitment to South Yorkshire provided local employment opportunities for those living in the area which also enabled reduced travel-to-work times and distances – helping the environment too. Nine former Maltby Grammar School students, as well as a number of people from the Maltby area, were part of the workforce. Pre-construction director at Clegg Construction Ross Crowcroft said: “We are delighted to have handed over the repurposed and renovated Maltby Grammar School to Maltby Learning Trust." “The building has had a distinguished past and now has a bright future as a superb community resource, providing local services and learning facilities." “Clegg Construction takes pride in supporting local communities wherever we work, which has been aptly demonstrated by our commitment to the local economy in the Maltby and South Yorkshire area and the people who live there." “We wish Maltby Learning Trust all the best as Maltby Grammar School once again comes to life to provide facilities for the local community.” During the course of the renovation, Clegg worked with clock repair and dial restoration specialists, Smith of Derby Ltd, to repair the iconic clock tower at Maltby Grammar School – getting it working again for the first time in ten years. The renovated Maltby Grammar School will accommodate local services, support wellbeing, employment and enterprise, and provide substantial learning opportunities. The building will also extend Maltby Learning Trust’s post-16 specialist facilities and create an incubator space for training, apprenticeships and start-up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Maltby Learning Trust CEO, David Sutton, said: “We are thrilled with the work that Clegg Construction has done to renovate and refurbish the former Maltby Grammar School Building. The Trust will now be working to fit out the interior of the multi-purpose building to make it suitable for our sixth form, business, and community audiences." “This project will make a huge difference to the area by offering a space for people to learn, reskill, work, and thrive. We are looking forward to opening the building later in the year with a series of events.” Built in the early 1930s, the school closed in 2012 and had fallen into a state of disrepair after being mothballed. The redevelopment project was part of a winning bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund secured by Rotherham Council, which focused on boosting the leisure and hospitality sectors in the area. The Levelling Up Fund provided £4.5m towards the project. During the renovation, Clegg supported careers events at Maltby Academy, sponsored Maltby Learning Trust’s 2023 annual staff conference and awards, and also delivered 212.5kg of food, nappies and other donated items to Maltby Foodbank for distribution to local families as part of its commitment to the area. Other members of the team involved in the scheme included Self Architects, engineer GCA Ltd and employer’s agent and project manager Cube. Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors. For more information visit he re.

Luxury bedmaker Harrison Spinks has teamed up with designer and BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee  judge Patrick Grant to champion quality British craftmanship and highlight the company’s innovative manufacturing processes.    Patrick has visited the 300-acre Harrison Spinks farm in Yorkshire where it grows its own natural fillings, and the nearby factory where award-winning recyclable spring systems and FR chemical-free mattress fabrics are made in-house.    It marks a return to Leeds for the owner of Savile Row tailors, Norton & Sons, who studied at the University of Leeds. Patrick is also the founder of Community Clothing  which champions affordable, quality clothes made in the UK from the finest materials.    Fifth-generation family-owned business Harrison Spinks is one of the UK’s largest growers of hemp and the only bedmaker in the UK to weave its own mattress ticking and upholstery fabrics, which, due to their high wool content are naturally fire-retardant. It also currently grows flax, which is a more sustainable alternative to cotton.  Patrick said: “Harrison Spinks and I share many core values, from working with natural, quality, British materials to championing sustainability and innovation, making it a perfect fit."  “I’m so pleased to be working with this 180-year-old British company, as not only are the beds amazing, but its dedication to doing things the right way for customers, staff, and the planet, is a fantastic example to other businesses."    “Harrison Spinks is an industry leader, and I am particularly impressed with their in-house weaving and artisan bedmaking, keeping traditional manufacturing techniques alive."    “Their approach to sustainable innovation and using homegrown materials and fabrics is inspiring, as is their unique approach to luxury bedmaking.”    Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, said: “Patrick shares our passion for celebrating the very best of great British craftmanship and creating exceptional quality products made with locally sourced, natural materials, handcrafted here in the UK using traditional techniques."  “He is a true champion of British manufacturing and British textiles – something close to our heart – and will be helping us to spread the word on how we’re cut from a different cloth. Our shared ethos is a key driving force behind this partnership."     “Patrick has spearheaded initiatives to revive flax growing and linen textile production across the UK – and we grow some of the finest natural fibres, including hemp and flax, right here in Yorkshire to create luxurious filling pads that are layered into our mattresses."    “We’re looking forward to welcoming Patrick back to the farm and factory so he can see the incredible process for himself, and explore how we can support each other and work together further in the future.”    For more information about Harrison Spinks, visit here.

A large, modern, high specification warehouse distribution centre in East Sussex, formerly occupied by John Lewis Partnership, has been let. Unit 4, Ashdown Business Park is a high spec 50,664 sq ft (4,707 sq m) warehouse premises on a 3.3-acre securely fenced site located at Maresfield, near Uckfield. Property consultancy and agents Vail Williams acted for John Lewis Partnership (JLP) on the letting. The property was deemed surplus to requirements and closed in 2022 and Vail Williams worked with landlord, property company LondonMetric Property plc, to market and assign JLP’s lease. However, following significant interest, a deal was concluded on basis of a lease surrender by JLP and grant of a brand new 15 year lease on an improved market rent of just under £10 per sq ft with CPI reviews. The occupier is unnamed. Designed and built for JLP in 2016 as a regional distributional hub in 2016, the detached, self-contained distribution warehouse has 21 loading doors, a large servicing yard, high quality office accommodation and parking for 93 vehicles. Steve Berrett, Vail Williams Gatwick region Partner, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this transaction, not only for John Lewis but also for the landlord. We received a great deal of interest in the unit and it was a complex transaction." “It was very much a successful result for all parties – JLP were able to relinquish the liability and LondonMetric achieved a new lease on improved terms.” Vail Williams, based in Crawley and Brighton and covering West & East Sussex, has been advising public and private sector organisations on their property needs throughout the Gatwick region for more than 25 years. The firm’s full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.

A team of JCB cyclists today crossed the finish line of an epic charity fundraising effort to ride around the world in 80 days - four days early. The 42-strong group began the 42,000-kilometre challenge last month to raise money for Hannah’s Hope charity, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company. The aim was to complete the ride on Tuesday, April 30th - Hannah’s 21st birthday - but the team put so much pedal power into the initiative, that they finished four days early, completing the last 500 kilometres today at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester. So far, the challenge has raised around £34,000 for Hannah’s Hope charity. And there to join them in a sprint to the finish was 1500 metre Olympic Gold Medallist Lord Coe, who congratulated the team on their efforts. Lord Coe said: “This has been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and for such a wonderful cause. It just shows what can be achieved through teamwork.” Hannah was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it. Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together. Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Friday to watch the conclusion of the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge. Gail said: “We are so overwhelmed by what the JCB cyclists have done for Hannah’s Hope and their efforts have given the appeal a tremendous shot in the arm. We really are truly grateful.” JCB Principal Engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, said: “It’s been a tough challenge and we are delighted to have completed it earlier than anticipated and give Hannah an earlier than expected 21st birthday. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way, and most importantly, to everyone who has donated money to the appeal. It really will make a big difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer.” Over the ten-week challenge the cyclists clocked up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina, where Hannah’s lodge will be sited. The total was also topped during spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Ryan Owens has announced his retirement from the Great Britain Cycling Team, after a stellar career in track sprinting that has seen him amass Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth medals over almost a decade. Owens will be stepping away from competitive cycling to move into a full-time role in strategy consultancy, having recently completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) alongside his training. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both competed themselves, Owens picked up the sport at the age of 11 and enjoyed consistent success at a national level. His performances attracted the attention of the Great Britain Cycling Team who handed him a trial with the sprint squad in September 2015, before swiftly progressing on to the then Senior Academy to train full-time and follow his Olympic dream. Impressive progress saw Owens take back-to-back gold medals in the team sprint at UCI Track Cycling World Cup rounds in 2016, as well as a silver medal in the same event at the UEC Under-23 Track European Championships and a selection as reserve for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. These performances earned Owens his first world championships selection, in 2017 in Hong Kong, where he finished fourth in the individual sprint. The following year brought another opportunity where Owens went on to win his first world championship medal, a silver as part of a five-man team sprint squad alongside Sir Jason Kenny, Phil Hindes, Jack Carlin and Joe Truman, just losing out in the final to the home Dutch team. The following month, Owens added a first Commonwealth Games medal to his growing collection - teaming up with Hindes and Truman for Team England to win team sprint silver in Australia. More success followed in 2019, with three team sprint silver medals across the European Championships and two world cups, followed by another team sprint silver at the 2020 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Having delivered consistent medal success since joining the GBCT sprint programme, Owens was selected alongside Kenny and Carlin as the sprint squad for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. After strong qualifying rounds, the trio faced long-standing rivals the Netherlands in the gold medal ride off and having kicked off with a blistering pace on the first lap, Owens was rewarded with a silver medal. Owens began pursuing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) qualification at the London Business School. Having balanced this with track and gym training throughout, Owens has now decided that the time is right to hang up his wheels, before taking up a strategy consultancy role later in the year, after working full-time during the summer for Team GB. On his retirement and time on the GBCT programme, Owens said: “Over the past eight years with the Great Britian Cycling Team, I’ve truly been able to live out my childhood dream and I’ll look back at my time as an athlete with immense pride." “I will savour the memories of the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve travelled, the people I’ve worked with, and the opportunities I’ve had to represent my country, all through my love of riding my bike.” Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team said: “Ryan has been a valuable and well-liked member of the Great Britian Cycling Team for almost 10 years now, and in that time has delivered a number of impressive results as part of our men’s sprint squad. Specifically, he has seen great success playing a key role in the team sprint squad, where he won his silver Olympic medal in Tokyo – a moment which I'm sure will stay with him for life." “As a team, we put a lot of work into making sure our riders are encouraged to pursue their interests outside of cycling, and to develop skills that will stand them in good stead when their cycling career does come to a close. Ryan is a fantastic example of this, and it’s been great to see him complete his MBA qualification which has given him with the skills and confidence to move into what I’m sure will be an incredibly successful career now he has decided to hang up his wheels, and the whole team wishes him all the best.” Photo credit SWPix.

The latest insolvency figures for England and Wales show a 17% decrease in all company insolvencies in March 2024 compared with the month prior, yet figures remain much higher than seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oliver Collinge, Director at restructuring and insolvency firm, PKF Littlejohn, says that despite the fall in numbers the corporate failure rate remains unusually high. These statistics and the recent failure of some high-profile businesses like Body Shop and Ted Baker are a reminder that there is still significant uncertainty in the UK economy and many businesses remain vulnerable. “Although the latest figures show a fall overall, corporate insolvencies remain at a very high level and, whilst high profile casualties tend to grab the headlines, it is worth considering how the climate of economic uncertainty affects SMEs, which make up 99% of all UK businesses. Ongoing supply chain challenges, weak consumer confidence and a consistently high cost of doing business all present real challenges. “It's critical that businesses act early and seek advice if they are struggling, or if they expect their cash flow to be limited in the coming months. The earlier they act, the more options they will have to secure the long-term survival of their business. This is crucial to enable SMEs, which are at the core of the UK economy, to survive and thrive.”