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Staff at a Wimborne business have raised more than £1,000 for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity - and every penny raised will go towards the Ladybird Breast Unit at Poole Hospital. Funeral Director Amy Turvey and colleagues at Douch & Small funeral directors carried out a number of events to raise the money. The business is part of Douch Family Funeral Directors that has seven branches across east Dorset and raises money for many causes. A cheque for £1,089 was presented to Hayley Harris, corporate fundraiser for the charity. Amy, whose mother Jan was treated at the clinic after being diagnosed with breast cancer and who is now in remission, led the effort. Her fiancée Robert Atkins and his friend Andy Forrest cycled from Wimborne to Bristol and back again to help raise the money. Other events included raffles and skittles evenings. Amy said: “The Ladybird clinic was brilliant for mum and diagnosed her on the same day she had the test. Treatment was excellent and now she is in remission and we wanted to give something back." “As a company we do a lot of fundraising for local charities and my colleagues really got behind the effort. Every year about 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer so getting diagnosed early is very important.” University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity’s Corporate Fundraiser, Hayley Harris, received a cheque for £1,089 and said: “We are extremely grateful to Amy and the staff at Douch & Small who raised such an amazing amount." “We can work with the team on the Ladybird Unit to use the funds towards items they need that are over and above NHS funding. Most of all, we are thrilled to hear Jan is in remission. Go Jan. “

Cocktails, the artful blend of spirits, mixers, and garnishes, have evolved into more than just a drink – they are an experience. From the classic Old Fashioned to the trendy mixology creations, cocktails are a celebration of flavours, creativity, and craftsmanship. Let's take a look into the world of cocktails, exploring their rich history, the art of mixology, and the vibrant culture that surrounds these liquid masterpieces. Cocktails have a storied past, dating back to the 19th century when bartenders began experimenting with various combinations of spirits, bitters, and sugar. As time passed, iconic drinks like the Martini, Mojito, and Margarita emerged, each with its unique origin story. Prohibition in the 1920s fueled the clandestine creation of cocktails, giving rise to speakeasies and covert mixology. Today, these historic roots continue to influence contemporary cocktail culture. Mixology is more than just pouring ingredients into a shaker; it's a meticulous craft that requires a deep understanding of flavours, balance, and presentation. Skilled mixologists carefully select spirits, experiment with bitters and syrups, and garnish with precision to create a harmonious blend that tantalises the taste buds. The rise of craft cocktails has elevated mixology to an art form, with bars offering bespoke concoctions that showcase the creativity and expertise of the bartender. Cocktail culture is dynamic, with trends constantly evolving. From the resurgence of classic cocktails to the use of exotic ingredients and innovative techniques, the world of cocktails is ever-changing. Barrel-aged cocktails, molecular mixology, and farm-to-glass philosophies are just a few examples of how mixologists are pushing boundaries and redefining the drinking experience. Explore the timeless appeal of classic cocktails and discover how modern mixologists are putting their spin on them. From the Negroni to the Moscow Mule, these drinks have stood the test of time, while contemporary variations add exciting twists and unexpected flavours. Classic Cocktails Martini : A timeless classic, the Martini is a sophisticated cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. Garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon, it's an iconic symbol of elegance. Mojito : Hailing from Cuba, the Mojito is a refreshing blend of white rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. Served over ice, it's a perfect choice for warm, sunny days. Margarita : This Mexican favourite combines tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, served in a salt-rimmed glass. The Margarita strikes a balance between sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavours. Old Fashioned : A cocktail that pays homage to its name, the Old Fashioned is a simple yet sophisticated mix of bourbon or rye whisky, sugar, bitters, and a citrus twist. It's a drink that celebrates the essence of a well-crafted spirit. Negroni : With equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, the Negroni is a bold and vibrant cocktail that originated in Italy. Garnished with an orange slice or twist, it's a drink for those who appreciate a bitter-sweet symphony. Pina Colada : Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with the Pina Colada, a delightful blend of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Served over ice, it's the perfect indulgence for those seeking a taste of the Caribbean. Fun Facts : These fun facts add an extra layer of intrigue to the fascinating world of cocktails and their rich histories. The term "cocktail" has a mysterious origin, but one popular story suggests it originated in the early 19th century when horse traders would gingerly mix the tails of different horses to assess their temperaments. This practice was referred to as "cocktailing," and the term eventually found its way to describe mixed drinks. The Martini gained its iconic status not just in bars but also in Hollywood. The classic line "shaken, not stirred" became synonymous with James Bond, who famously enjoyed a Martini in many of the Bond films. The Margarita is said to have been named after Peggy Lee, a singer, and actress, who, during a visit to a Tijuana bar in the late 1930s, was allergic to all alcohols except tequila. The bartender concocted the drink we now know as the Margarita for her. Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933) was a time when the production and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned. This led to the rise of speakeasies, hidden bars that operated illegally. The need to mask the taste of poorly made alcohol during this time is said to have contributed to the popularity of cocktails. The Mai Tai, a tropical cocktail, has a disputed origin. Two bars claim to have invented it – Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber – sparking a rivalry over who created the iconic drink. The debate continues to this day. The Bloody Mary has a unique history, with one theory suggesting it was named after Queen Mary I of England, known for her violent persecution of Protestants. Another theory links it to a waitress named Mary at a Chicago bar who created the drink. Beyond standalone sipping, cocktails have found their place at the dining table. Pairing cocktails with food has become an art in itself, with complementary flavours enhancing both the drink and the dish. From refreshing citrusy cocktails to bold, spirit-forward options, the possibilities for pairing are as diverse as the world of cuisine. Cocktails are more than just beverages; they are an expression of creativity, a nod to tradition, and a catalyst for socialising. Whether you're sipping a classic Martini or indulging in an avant-garde creation, each cocktail tells a story – a story of flavours, history, and the art of mixology. So, the next time you raise a glass, remember that you're not just toasting; you're engaging in a centuries-old tradition that continues to captivate and evolve. Cheers to the world of cocktails!

The Scottish Government’s decision not to introduce a business rates relief scheme is being felt in a number of venue closures in Scotland. In the Scottish Budget last year, the Government in Holyrood chose for the second year not to pass on Barnett consequentials from the 75% rate relief in England to Scottish businesses. This is despite extensive and sustained representation to Scottish Ministers, from both UKHospitality and our members. UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Leon Thompson said: “These recent closures demonstrate the enormous economic challenges facing hospitality businesses, which are always more acutely felt during the quiet early months of the year." “Persistent rising costs over the past two years have already dented business confidence considerably and this has only been exacerbated by the Scottish Government’s shocking decision not to introduce a business rates relief scheme." The hope of Government support was one of the last lifelines many venues had left and that was brutally ignored in last year’s Budget." “Closures this early in January are just the tip of the iceberg and I truly fear that we will see more to come, as venues struggle to make ends meet." “Given hospitality’s ability to drive economic growth, create jobs and support communities, it is a great shame that the Scottish Government has not taken the decision to support the sector. Unfortunately, these closures are the end result." "I would urge it to reconsider its decision and introduce a business rates relief scheme. This would offer much-needed support for businesses and ensure Scottish businesses are not operating at a competitive disadvantage to England and Wales.”

Sheep producers will be able to improve their flock’s efficiency thanks to Innovate UK and Defra funding towards developing a field based automated system to monitor lamb growth and in turn, provide data to make advanced and accurate predictions of time to reach target finished weight. The funding worth over £430,000 has been made to David Ritchie Agricultural to help bring sheep technology into line with other sectors with a fully researched and validated auto-weigher that will gather extensive datasets to build in-depth pictures of individual and flock growth rates. “The system will provide information to help farmers in their feeding, grazing and breeding management decisions,” explains Agri-EPI’s Charlie Bowyer. “Overall, the system will help farmers to measure and monitor lamb performance, one of their most essential tasks, but one which currently has various limitations." "The auto-weigher will cut across those constraints and improve all round welfare by reducing the number of gathers and subsequent stress on the lambs which can stifle growth rates. The system will also make substantial labour savings.” Ritchie’s Charlie Brown continues: “The three-year project will initially evaluate three different designs: a walk over weigher, a monitor with creep to incentivise throughput and platforms in a field for lambs to jump on. Each design will be accompanied by a data-handling app." “For farmers feeding creep, the project will also develop a metered feed lamb weigher allowing a user adjustable amount of feed to be fed to individual lambs. This prevents the dominant animals from getting more than their share of feed and provides a restriction on intake of feeds which can prevent ill-health from over-feeding.” The platforms will be researched on three of Agri-EPI Centre’s innovation farms and one of Ritchie’s trial farms with lamb weight continually recorded from four weeks of age through to finishing to achieve a real time average for the flock. Ritchie will construct initial prototypes for each design of weigher and commission them on farm for validation while individual lamb weights will be transmitted over mobile phone networks to an online cloud database, processed and displayed on a web-based user platform. National Sheep Association (NSA) project manager Nicola Noble comments: “This technology development should reduce costs, save time, potentially improve health and welfare, and improve levels of data recording and its accuracy, alongside increasing productivity and efficiency at a whole flock level. NSA looks forward to this project progressing and providing industry input at the different stages of development.”

Cath O’Donnell’s desire to see where Loughborough Lightning can go next was a key motivating factor in extending her contract beyond the 2023/24 campaign. The 27-year-old England international has put pen to paper on a new deal with the African Violets that will see her remain at the Club she first joined back in 2017. The powerful lock has gone on to make 54 Lightning appearances scoring an impressive 16 tries in the process – including three in her last two Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby games. “I feel like I’m in a really good place,” said O’Donnell. “I’m happy, enjoying it, but there are still things I want to achieve." “This season has been a really exciting one and the progress we have made is on a different level." “We have been going from strength-to-strength week-in week-out, and the reason I have signed is because I want to see where we can go next. The Club also looks after me really well and that helps me stay at the top of my game.” O’Donnell arrived at Loughborough University to study for her Masters in Psychology and immediately commenced playing for Lightning, making her debut from the bench against Harlequins in September 2017. She was part of Lightning’s first squad as they entered the Premier 15s for its inaugural season in 2017/18, helping them to a fifth-place finish. It was during that season when O’Donnell made her Red Roses debut against Ireland in the Six Nations before earning a second cap against Scotland. Her first international try came against Ireland in the 2018 Quilter Internationals. The 2018/19 season was a successful one at Club and International level, scoring nine tries in 16 games to help Lightning finish third and book their place in the play-offs. O’Donnell crossed the line three more times for the Red Roses to win her first of three Six Nations titles (2019, 2021 and 2023). O’Donnell has moved to 30 Red Roses caps, picking up a Rugby World Cup runners-up medal in 2022 and lifted the inaugural WXV1 title last autumn in New Zealand. The former Firwood Waterloo player was one of five Lightning players selected for this week’s three-day training camp at St George’s Park ahead of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Loughborough Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith said: “I have been really impressed with Cath since I have come into the Club. She is a hard-working, dedicated professional, who is one of the cornerstones of our pack, and I am delighted that she has re-signed and that she believes in the project moving forward." “She is a world-class lock and is very good in the tight play. She is a great person to have in the group, she works hard in training, she is prepared and diligent. We are really lucky to have her in the environment.”

Pioneering Leicestershire firm Abacus Flooring Solutions has announced its imminent move to bigger premises following an incredible year of continued growth.   The resin flooring specialist will triple the size of its facility when it moves from its current site in Coalville to a new 3,000 sq ft industrial unit in Belton Road, Loughborough.   Established only three-and-a-half years ago by husband-and-wife-team Nick and Amanda Megson, Abacus has also grown from nothing in 2020 to a £1m-plus turnover last year – with a current forecast that it will break the £2m barrier by the end of this year.   The multi-award-winning company’s rapid success is largely the result of a ‘world-first’ innovation developed by Nick called Abaplas.   Abaplas is a resin flooring system that uses 100 per cent recycled waste plastic as a bulking material instead of the traditionally used silica sand, which is damaging to human health and the environment.   The firm’s expansion will trigger the launch of a new umbrella company, Abacus Materials Ltd, which will consolidate the trading and handling of all recycled plastics and resin flooring systems. Nick said the Loughborough move is initially expected to create up to five new jobs, adding to the eight full-time staff already employed by Abacus. He will also establish a new training centre to encourage a new generation of younger workers into the resin flooring industry. “If you’d told me three years ago that Abacus would grow to a £2m company operating from a 3,000 sq ft site, I simply wouldn’t have believed you,” said Nick. “I often have to pinch myself to convince me that this is not a dream." “But our order book has gone through roof and continues to grow. After winning multiple awards, mostly as a result of the Abaplas invention, we are now making great strides in the global market as well as the UK."   “Business is certainly booming. People have quickly caught on to the fact that Abaplas is hugely sustainable; it cuts the carbon emissions produced by the heavy mining of silica sand as well as preventing vast quantities of waste plastic ending up in landfill or the world’s oceans.”   Abacus Flooring Solutions racked up eight international and regional industry awards in 2023, adding to another eight awards picked up since it launched during lockdown.   The Abacus count last year included a global bronze award at the Green World Awards in Miami, where the Coalville-based firm pipped 500 international nominees to the post.   The team also won two prized FeRFA (the resin flooring association) awards, another brace at the Leicestershire Live Business Awards, best start-up firm in the East Midlands Business Masters Awards and both innovation and environmental impact plaudits at the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards.   The first resin flooring installation using the Abaplas 100 per cent recycled plastic system was at JCB’s global headquarters in Staffordshire. The firm also recycled old plastic seats at Wembley Stadium in order to use within the stadium’s new Abaplas flooring in the royal box in addition to numerous other installations in healthcare, logistics, commercial and manufacturing sites.   Nick, who is travelling to the US this month to discuss the expansion of Abaplas with US, Canadian and other British firms, said: “We’re the only company in the world doing this. It’s more important now than ever to protect our planet so I will not rest until I’ve shared our innovation with the rest of the world."   “Our new training centre is also designed to ensure the next generation of flooring professionals puts the environment at the forefront of their priorities.”

A study of 4,383 employees has revealed that the amount of professionals experiencing anxiety and stress has increased, with one in three people reporting they never or rarely feel relaxed. Data released today by global workplace wellbeing provider Champion Health gives an insight into the health and wellbeing of the working population between January 2023 and October 2023. While female professionals remain more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety (68%) the number of men experiencing at least mild symptoms has seen a rapid increase from 38% in 2022 to 60% in 2023. Financial worries continue to rise and are reported as the leading cause of stress outside of work, cited by 41%, up from 37% last year. And it’s male workers who are experiencing the most financial pressure (42% compared to 36% of men last year). Worryingly, the number of 16-24-year-olds experiencing negative stress at work has doubled since last year; and the same age group cite financial pressure as a major cause of stress, an increase from 34% to 46%. The data, which has been published in Champion Health’s annual report also revealed that: Prevalence of thoughts of suicide/self-harm has increased to 13%, up from 8% in 2021 and 9% in 2022 40% of young people between ages 16-24 experience clinically-relevant symptoms of anxiety 38% of people are experiencing unhelpful/negative levels of stress in the workplace 53% reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless Physical health symptoms have also increased; 64% report eye strain, 46% report tired eyes and 34% experience headaches during the working day Harry Bliss, CEO of Champion Health comments: “It’s no surprise that the last few years have been extremely tough on employees. The fact that workers experiencing suicidal thoughts are continuing to rise year-on-year is distressing, and a 44% increase from last year is a statistic that cannot be ignored. The reality is that in a workforce of 1,000 staff, 130 will be having thoughts about taking their own lives, which could have a devastating impact." “Our report shows financial pressure is affecting more people – especially younger people. However, the wellbeing scores correlate with the person’s relationship with money – the healthier your understanding of finances, ability to budget and how you feel about money, the more positive your wellbeing is likely to be. In our report, financial expert Ryan Briggs mentions the importance of creating a psychologically safe space to talk about money in the workplace – in the same way we are for mental health. This is an important message for business leaders to empower their people with knowledge about managing finances." “On a personal level, I’m happy to see that people who have access to the Champion Health platform are feeling healthier, happier and supported at work. The data shows the prevalence of low mood symptoms decreased by 12% after using Champion Health for six months or longer, as well as a 16% rise in people saying they feel supported at work after accessing Champion Health resources. That has been our purpose from day one and this data demonstrates support from Employee Assistance Programmes is needed now more than ever.” Champion Health’s solutions were developed by world-leading academics, GPs, and technology professionals. Through a team of over 100 professionals and academics, the company is proud to have improved health and wellbeing outcomes across the UK. It works with companies including E.ON, Currys, Rabobank, and the NHS. The Workplace Health Report: 2024 was developed by Champion Health with a team of external contributors including occupational health and mental health specialists, physiotherapists, fitness coaches, and financial and female health experts. Laura Dallas, Head of Product at Champion Health who played a key role in analysing the data behind the report, comments: “For me, the most exciting trend is the positive impact the Champion Health platform is having on employee wellbeing. Even though symptoms of anxiety and low mood are rising, these difficulties are less prevalent in those using the platform. We also show that employees feel more supported and part of a team after their organisation partners with us." “These encouraging results emphasise the significance of early intervention in creating a supportive and resilient workplace. By giving employees the right tools at the right time, they can take control of their wellbeing and make it a priority - especially when employers promote a culture that normalises the wellbeing conversation." “What lies ahead of us in 2024 is uncertain, but one thing I'm sure of is that a continued prioritisation of proactive initiatives is going to be crucial in fostering healthier, more resilient workforces.” View the report here:

Sheffield Hallam University has pledged to contribute over £200,000 to a new regional scheme which will provide significant support to apprenticeships in South Yorkshire. The Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service, which is being led by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), allows large employers to pool unspent apprenticeship levy funding so that it can be accessed by smaller regional businesses rather than being reclaimed by central government. The University has pledged an initial contribution of over £200,000, the largest of any regional organisation. Apprenticeships funded by Sheffield Hallam through the matchmaking service will be focused on the voluntary and early years sectors, priority areas which have been identified through close collaboration with local leaders. Greg Burke, Director of Place and Civic Engagement at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “At Sheffield Hallam, we have strong civic values and are committed to supporting businesses and our regional economy." "Apprenticeships play an incredibly important role in upskilling and – at a time when investment into South Yorkshire is beginning to boom – training and skills are key. This initiative will enable local people to access transformational opportunities, and attract new talent from across the UK to help grow South Yorkshire’s economy.” Professor Sally Pearse, Director of the Early Years Community Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The early years sector plays a vital role in supporting families and giving young children a firm foundation to build upon." "Having a strong and diverse pool of highly trained and skilled staff has an enormous impact on children’s lives. Providers in the sector face a number of financial and recruitment challenges, but this initiative will help to ease the cost of training new staff, and build a talented workforce for the future.” South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. But if we’re going to get there, and if everyone is going to be able to access the jobs and opportunities that the new economy will bring, we need to make sure people have the right educational skills, so they can access opportunity wherever it might be." “That’s what our new Apprenticeship Hub is all about; offering people, organisations and businesses a ‘one-stop shop’ for all the information and support they need to get the right skills, in the right place, so we can all benefit from more jobs.” The Apprenticeship Levy was launched in 2017 and requires large employers to earmark funding for apprenticeships. The matchmaking service will ensure that unused funding is made available to smaller businesses and organisations in the region, giving them the opportunity to take on apprentices with no training costs. The Apprentice Levy Matchmaking Service was launched alongside the new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub (with which Sheffield Hallam is involved as a provider of degree apprentices) on 5 December 2023. SYMCA‘s first ambition is to bring 300 new high-quality apprenticeships to the region by June 2025.

ARC-UK Technologies, one of the first providers of digital print and document imaging to work towards being carbon net zero, has ramped up its sustainability efforts by investing more than £1m in eco-friendly printing that saves resources, enhances time efficiency and improves sustainability practices. The investment allows ARC-UK Technologies, which provides vinyl displays for some of the UK’s largest companies, to further support companies and communities’ net carbon zero ambitions by offering neutral print production at speed and scale. The wide format Fujifilm printing press, called the Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED, uses recyclable inks which are free from environmentally damaging solvents and uses up to half the energy of traditional printing machines. The second to be installed in the UK, the press has the capability to eco-friendly print all the signage for a 1.6 million sq. ft shopping malls, such as Bluewater in Kent, in just 48 hours. Darren Moorhouse, Head of Sales UK & Europe, said: “The investment highlights our continued journey towards achieving our carbon net zero targets within the UK Governments stipulated timelines, whilst allowing us to further align with industry-leading sustainability strategies, from some of the UK’s leading companies, to provide carbon neutral print and document solutions. We can now drive greater levels of productivity without compromising on neutral status or cost efficiencies.” ARC-UK Technologies has witnessed rapid business growth in recent years because of its sustainability and print credentials, with turnover nearly doubling in just three years. Today, the company announced that from 2021 figures rocketed from £5.9m to £9.2m for 2023, a 56% increase. Darren added: “Beyond the environmental benefits of practicing sustainable habits, businesses can reap financial rewards when they choose to be environmentally friendly. We are finding that customers are more likely to partner with companies that engage in and promote sustainable practices.” Last year ARC-UK Technologies and Landsec, one of the UK’s largest property and investment companies, formed a strategic partnership, working together on opportunities to help reduce carbon emissions, helping to support local council’s carbon neutral strategies. This included neutral print production at Landsec’s major retail destinations in Leeds, Dartford, London, Somerset, Hertfordshire, Portsmouth, Oxford, Cardiff, Essex and West Yorkshire. The investment builds on the company’s rapid sustainability strategy. In 2022 ARC-UK Technologies, became one of the first print businesses in the UK to work towards having a carbon-net zero headquarters with a newly built 30,000 sq. ft multi-million-pound facility in Dartford, helping to kickstart Kent County Council’s plans to be net zero by 2030. The company plans to be using 100% renewable energy this year and is in discussions to purchase 60 solar panels for its Dartford facility. ARC-UK Technologies is part of New York listed ARC Document Solutions, which provides digital printing and document-related services to more than 90,000 customers worldwide and operates in more than 140 locations.

35% of UK-based CEOs saw a drop in their overall remuneration in 2022, finds newly published research from Vlerick Business School. Conducted by Professor Xavier Baeten and researcher Marthe Van Hove, the annual CEO Remuneration study analyses the compensation practices of CEOs in the Stoxx 600, a stock index of 600 large, mid and small-cap companies across 15 countries in Europe. This year, it is based on the latest available data from 2022 and reveals insights into the developing levels, structures, and complexity of CEO pay. CEO pay reflects a company's strategy, stakeholder expectations, and market conditions, and the executive remuneration report provides insight into how it works, as well as concrete pay figures. The data was hand-collected by researchers. According to the study, the median total remuneration of CEOs in the Stoxx 600 was approximately £3.011 million (€3.5 million) in 2022, a slight decrease from almost £3.096 million (€3.6 million) in 2021. The median total remuneration of CEOs in the Stoxx 600 was nearly stable at approximately £3.011 million (€3.5 million) in 2022, with a marginal decrease of €55,000, from the 2021 figure of almost £3.096 million (€3.6 million). However, there was significant variation across countries, with Germany, the UK and France having the highest median pay. The median total remuneration in Germany was £4,118,274.30 (€4,787,522), beating both the medians for the UK (£3,533,715.15 or €4,107,968) and France (£3,428,217.28 or €3,985,326). On the other end of the scale, the median total remuneration in Sweden was £1,512,857.35 (€1,758,707), in the Netherlands it was £2,223,539.62 (€2,584,880), and in Belgium it was £2,686,226.80 (€3,122,757). The study also found that 66% of UK CEOs received an increase in their total remuneration from 2021, whilst 34% have since seen their total pay packages decrease. Baeten and Van Hove also explored the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine short-term incentives (STI) and long-term incentives (LTI) for CEOs. They found that while financial KPIs were still dominant, environmental, social and governance (ESG) KPIs are becoming more prevalent year after year. The results showed that UK CEOs are more likely to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their short-term performance incentives compared to the average of companies in the Stoxx 600 index. However, when it comes to long-term incentives, the opposite is true. For instance, 29% of UK CEOs include reducing emissions as a goal in their short-term incentives, while this is at 24% for the Stoxx 600. On the other hand, in long-term incentives, 73% of UK firms include relative return measures, compared with only 52% for the Stoxx 600 as a whole. When examining the top 10 most commonly utilised KPIs in STIs across the Stoxx 600, half of them are associated with ESG —namely, employee engagement, emissions, health and safety, environmental strategy, and diversity. Next to reducing emission (29%), health & safety (24%), the development of an environmental strategy (22%), and diversity (20%) are among the most popular KPIs determining short-term incentives. For the first time, the study also measured the complexity of CEO pay, using a scorecard that considered the number and type of pay instruments, performance measures, ESG dimensions and holding periods. The study found that the complexity of CEO pay has increased drastically over the past five years. “We see an interesting relationship between pay systems and share ownership structures. In cases of more concentrated share ownership, pay systems are less complex. On the other hand, when higher-stakes are held by institutional investors, pay systems are more complex. In our opinion, this is related to the fact that major shareholders exercise more direct monitoring, being frequent performance dialogues, etc. This decreases the need for highly formulaic and controlling incentive systems," says Professor Baeten. “Even though there isn't an immediate consequence of having excessively complex CEO pay structures, our observation indicates that after three years of doing so, companies tend to experience negative financial impacts on their overall business. Boards need to carefully strike a balance, providing incentives for leadership without making it overly complex to the extent that it leads to a lower financial performance.” Partnered with Deloitte, the Executive Remuneration Centre at Vlerick Business School, where Professor Xavier Baeten and Marthe Van Hove are both based, produced this annual survey to show the year-on-year development in executive compensation.

Nova Motorsport is a new global motorsport brand poised to revolutionise the world of premium competition and specialist tyres. The new company, founded by Paul Hallas, Managing Director of parent company, SPC Rubber Group, is dedicated to creating a range of superior premium competition and specialist tyres that will deliver unforgettable experiences and exemplary performance on the racetrack and beyond. To quickly establish the new business, a strong and experienced commercial and technical team has been assembled. Nova Motorsport’s in-house R&D department, with its newly formed team of global industry experts, aims to eclipse industry standards for bespoke tyre technology and speed to market, setting new benchmarks for performance and customer service. The brand’s ambition is to be the number one choice for specialist high-performance, low-volume automotive manufacturers, connoisseurs and private collectors. Nova Motorsport aims to establish its brand presence in global motorsport and the racing community. By concentrating exclusively on the motorsport and specialist tyre sectors, the brand will leverage its specialised knowledge and expertise to create tyres to deliver success in ultra-demanding racing conditions. Founder, Paul Hallas, said: “Our strategy is inspired by the opportunity to flip the motorsport tyre business marketing model on its head by focusing solely on low-volume racing and specialist tyres as the core of our commercial offering. With an impressive team of motorsport and tyre industry experts already on board, we will introduce several exciting products in the premium competition and specialist tyre market this year." "Supported by our established parent company, SPC, and new business partners internationally, we look forward to growing the Nova Motorsport team, business and brand globally.” New appointments include Paul Coates, who joins the Nova Motorsport launch team bringing in-depth industry experience from his former role as the head of Avon Motorsport, which he held for over a decade. Paul has a profound understanding of numerous motorsport disciplines, including Formula 1, hillclimbing, rallying, rallycross, and more. Paul Coates said: “Many of the world’s tyre manufacturers look upon the low-volume racing and specialist tyre sector as a marketing tool for their broader business. For Nova Motorsport, this is our only business. This gives us the flexibility, focus and dedication to deliver exceptional products with performance, quality, and customer service at the core of everything we do.” The team’s expertise will enable Nova Motorsport to tailor its tyre offerings to meet the specific needs of diverse racing categories. In addition, the brand is committed to substantial investments in research and development to ensure Nova Motorsport remains firmly at the forefront of tyre technology for competition cars and high-performance vehicles. Nova Motorsport will make further announcements detailing the brand’s products and partnerships in the coming weeks. The brand will be an exhibitor at Retromobile – The Classic Car Show, in Paris from 31 January to 4 February 2024 (Hall 1, M-002). For more information, visit www.novamotorsport.com

Board directors of leading firms with an annual turnover of over $250 million, are intensifying their focus on developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for use in their sector as initial projects they have run deliver strong results, new research from Ocorian, a market leader in regulation and compliance services for funds, corporates, capital markets and private clients. Key Findings: Three out of five board directors of leading firms are very focused on developing AI in their sector, Ocorian study shows More than two in five have seen strong results from projects they have already run Compliance and regulation and identifying and reviewing investments seen as the key uses for AI by board directors The international study with board directors found 61% are very focused on the development of AI for their sector while 33% say they are quite focused. Just 6% are not focused or do not have a view. Almost all (94%) say AI will be important to the success of their company over the next five years including 53% who believe AI will be very important to how their fund performs. That is partly explained by the success of projects that firms have run with AI – around two in five (41%) have seen strong results from tests they have done, and the same number say the results have been quite strong. Just 14% say projects have delivered average results while just 4% did not express a view or said they had not at least tested AI. Ocorian ’s study found that compliance and regulation is regarded as the area most likely to provide a role for the use of AI with identifying and reviewing investments ranked as the second most likely area for the use of AI. Administration, client servicing and recruitment are also seen as a fertile ground for the use of AI. Relatively low numbers of board directors ranked sales and marketing as areas where AI could play a major role. More than four out of five (86%) of board directors questioned said their budgets for AI will increase over the next two years with nearly two in five (37%) predicting a dramatic increase in budgets. Yegor Lanovenko, Co-Head of Fund Services at Ocorian, said: “It is clear that generative AI has transformative potential for productivity, ways of working and economy as a whole." "When new technologies emerge, they benefit different sectors at different times. First companies spend time experimenting with generative AI, before starting to plan to deploy on a larger scale. This research shows AI is being embraced by the alternative funds sector with fund managers globally along this pattern, recognising its potential and competitive advantages for first movers." “Alternative fund managers are moving from an experimentation period after achieving success with pilots to larger scale adoption for real-world use cases across investment operations, compliance and managing risks." “Given the continued investment into AI globally, we can expect more AI products to hit the market, and there is potential for alternative managers to take the lead in early adoption with the help of partners with a strong technology and innovation ethos to navigate emerging regulatory landscape, implementation and privacy considerations." "Alternative fund managers see a growing role for AI in compliance and regulation as well as identifying and selecting investments but that is likely to change as firms make more use of the technology and it underlines the need for partners with strong technological understanding.”