Search Results

Brits are increasingly launching small businesses to capitalise on the festive season, new data from GoDaddy suggests. Key Findings: Over two fifths (41%) of Brits will be launching a festive side hustle this year, according to new research 92% of aspiring founders will do it out of necessity to cope with the cost-of-living crisis – this includes 94% who are employed full-time Two thirds (58%) of Brits hope to generate up to £500 in December thanks to their side hustle – indicating that entrepreneurs intend for their side hustle to top up their bank balance, rather than become their main source of income First-time festive founders will dominate the trends, as 76% of Brits who plan to launch a business this month will do it for the very first time The survey findings show that over 41% of adult Brits will be launching a festive side hustle this year, with the overwhelming majority (92%) citing the cost-of-living crisis and rise in inflation as the main driver behind their plan to launch a festive venture. The survey results show that the need for extra income was cited as the main driver behind starting a festive side hustle for unemployed Brits (89%), full-time employed Brits (94%) and business owners (92%). It also highlights that side-hustlers are mainly looking to generate some extra income for the festive season rather than looking for the side hustle to become a primary source of income, as more than half (58%) of aspiring founders expect to generate up to £500 with their venture. The data suggests themes for these end of year ventures will be predominantly festive, with more than half aspiring entrepreneurs (57%) planning to sell self-made goods, including festive decorations, arts, crafts and toys; 19% will sell personal care and services such as festive make up and nails, and 12% of respondents said they will sell pet care and services, including pet sitting over the holiday break. Chris Simmons is one of those festive entrepreneurs, having started sustainable Christmas tree company Eco Christmas Trees as a side hustle last year. Chris said: “It’s often forgotten that the Christmas period can generate a huge amount of waste, and Christmas trees are chief among that, with healthy trees discarded after being used for just a few weeks." "Our business allows customers to rent a live, pot grown Christmas tree, and return it to us after Christmas so it can be reused for many Christmases to come. Once it is too big for its pot or not up to a Christmas tree standard, we plant it into our woodland.” “My wife’s family owns and runs the farm on which we grow the Christmas trees, and I am a golf caddie full-time. While we started the business out of a desire to help reduce Christmas waste, it has become a useful source of additional income, especially since we set up our online store and have started building our customer base.” For three quarters (76%) of respondents, of which 87% are Gen Z, it will be the very first time that they are launching a side hustle. The data shows that for this age group, following a passion (41%) ranks highly as one of the main reasons why they are launching a side hustle this festive period. For all other age categories surveyed, the data shows that necessity is the primary reason for launching their festive side hustle. Over half (57%) say they will reopen their festive side hustle next year in 2024, if it performs well this year. Andrew Gradon, Head of GoDaddy UK & Ireland said: “Launching a festive side hustle with a website gives small businesses a chance to make the most of holiday-spending. Selling online, enables them to market their products and services quicker. With 76% of respondents reporting that they will be launching a small business side hustle for the first time, highlights Brits’ entrepreneurship interest and GoDaddy’s online products and services are designed to help them succeed. “After all, microbusinesses are the engine of the British economy. When they thrive, we all do.”

Team members at a Dorset property finance specialist have achieved their most ambitious charity challenge to date – lifting more than a million pounds in weight over 24 hours. Thirty-five colleagues at MSP Capital took part in the weighty marathon in their Poole office gym, raising dumbbells, barbells and other weights in aid of Forest Holme Hospice. Working in shifts, participants of different ages and abilities lifted weights from five to ten pounds and upwards until they reached their collective target of 1,000,000lbs, roughly the equivalent of 85 JCB diggers. They continued for the full 24 hours and in the end reached an impressive 1,586,847lbs – 58% over their original target. More than 27,500 weightlifting repetitions were completed. The exercises that contributed the most weight were deadlifts, cable and normal, at 185,000 lbs, lat pull-downs at 118,000 lbs and a 1,000-rep challenge, weighing in at 117,000 lbs. Sponsorship pledges, a complementary bake sale and an accompanying MSP Capital company donation take the total raised so far to more than £4,200. The challenge had particularly heartfelt significance for Team MSP as Forest Holme cared for Sam Thomas, the son of Louise Thomas, Valuation Administrator at the firm. Louise said: “The staff at Forest Holme did an amazing job making Sam and us feel calm and supported during his stay, not just medically but also emotionally. We cannot thank them enough for how they looked after Sam. Hopefully, by MSP Capital fundraising on their behalf, it will go a little way to say thank-you from the Thomas family.” The challenge was organised by members of MSP Capital’s community committee under the firm’s ESG strategy, Foundations for Better Futures, which encompasses a commitment to support ‘people, community, industry and environment’. Committee member Lucy Green said: “I’ve been lucky to be part of the community committee for a few years now, and each year our Christmas challenge pushes the team to new limits. This year was no different and it was incredible to see how many people from the company got involved." “It even helped introduce people to the office gym who haven’t used it before. All in all a really successful 24 hours for a lovely indispensable charity close to all our hearts.” Lucy’s sentiments were echoed by Paul Miracca, MSP Capital Managing Director, who said: “This was definitely a challenge for the team, but it was well worth it in the end. As always, we worked really well together and can be proud that everyone did their bit." “I am especially proud of Louise, whose contribution to the team, and courage for her family, has driven this initiative for an exceptional cause.” Poole-based Forest Holme provides emotional and physical support to families of people who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Community and Corporate Fundraiser Kirsty Perks said: “We are thrilled that Team MSP have supported Forest Holme with this incredible challenge, which is particularly impressive being so close to Christmas. “We are so grateful for support like this from our community and the money raised will make a big difference to local people who need our care and support at the most difficult time of their lives.” The weightlifting challenge was the latest in a series of annual charity initiatives Team MSP has completed. Last year, colleagues staged a 12-hour triathlon in aid of children’s charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Together they covered an equivalent distance of 330 miles using a treadmill, static bike and rowing machine at the Poole office gym, raising a total of £6,800. In December 2021, more than 20 MSP Capital walkers completed a 24-hour treadmill climb to raise nearly £4,500 for Dorset-based children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House. They each completed sections of a continuous hike at a 15% incline on a machine in the staff room. The original aim was to reach a height of 17,460m, equivalent to Mount Everest and K2 - the world’s highest and second highest mountains - but in the end the climb surpassed that and reached more than 21,100m. Donations in support of the weightlifting challenge can still be made on Just Giving here

At a unique event focused on the incredible resilience of those living in rural Britain, The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF), brought together 16 community-focused organisations to share their experiences around rural life, its challenges and solutions. Each of the organisations in attendance have received funding through the RCF’s Supporting Rural Communities flagship grant programme, which has awarded £500,000 each year to power community-led solutions that enhance the viability and sustainability of rural communities. The ‘Supporting Rural Communities’ grant scheme is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and Waitrose. The People’s Postcode Lottery has awarded the RCF an incredible £2.28m of grant funding over the past six years. The conference was supported by Rural Solutions and hosted at the Broughton Sanctuary near Skipton. Founded by HM King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales, in 2010, The Royal Countryside Fund’s vision is for rural communities to achieve their own solutions to build the social infrastructure and local services they need, whether its developing environmental initiatives such as reducing food waste, providing skills training to improve employment opportunities for young people, or creating accessible community spaces, the community commitment behind each project means that thousands of people will directly benefit from the RCF’s support in a way that is meaningful to them and their communities. Since its formation, The Royal Countryside Fund has invested more than £11.5 million in over 500 rural community-led projects. The RCF’s priority for the future is to enable sustainable and thriving rural communities. By this they mean sustainable as a whole – economically, environmentally and socially. They want to ensure that rural communities are living places fostering innovation, engaging people and able to play their part in addressing some of the national and global challenges that we all face. The objective of the event was to showcase some of the amazing projects that the RCF have funded and to learn from them, whilst encouraging community organisations to network and share ideas and best practice. Reflecting The Royal Countryside Fund’s vision for rural communities to come together to share knowledge and ideas that fulfil their role in creating a sustainable future, Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Royal Countryside Fund welcomed attendees, saying: “This is a significant moment for the RCF to draw on the knowledge, experience and skills of all the organisations here at our first-ever conference for rural communities, to shape the charity’s future support for those who live and work in the countryside." "The event is all about identifying the challenges and opportunities rural communities face and the solutions. I am most grateful to everyone for taking the time out to join us and to travel here today from all parts of the UK. He encouraged everyone to take full advantage of the learning exchange which the conference offered, saying “I always think it's the informal opportunities to chat with each other that often enable new connections to be made from which derive the most benefit.” William Fry, Managing Director of Rural Solutions, specialists in rural diversification and development who supported the event, commented: “I'm a great believer that the rural sector is probably one of the most innovative in the United Kingdom today and some of the work in terms of use of land and property to create economic opportunity through leading edge design are quite extraordinary, not formulaic in any way and really very powerful in terms of what rural places, and people can deliver." “We've got a task at hand here which I see as being two-fold, not only to share ideas and thoughts as to what successful rural places look like from projects that we have been involved in delivering, but also to help The Royal Countryside Fund shape its future strategy in terms of how they continue to support and develop confident rural communities.” Sessions covered a range of topics including sustainability, identifying community need and opportunity and future planning. On the second day of the conference, Allan Wilkinson, Trustee of the Royal Countryside Fund, interviewed Heather Smith, from Crackington Village Shop – a community Shop in an isolated coastal village in north Cornwall providing essential groceries, newspapers, prescriptions and supporting local producers. Describing the community’s challenges, she said “Through a survey, we proved there was a need for the service. The Royal Countryside Fund stepped in and supported us with core costs, and we were able to advance with our plans, to keep the initiative going and bring people together. Through the pandemic we really saw the need for the community support and the need for the service has continued. We have a book exchange, a prescription service, and a place to meet for a cup of tea - all enabled by some amazing volunteers.” Concluding the conference, Keith said: “Whatever constraints are faced, particularly in rural areas, you have created vibrant and sustainable communities and the RCF is delighted to play a small part in all that you do and in your success.” The Royal Countryside Fund would like to thank Rural Solutions, Broughton Sanctuary and The Wright Wine Co for supporting the event, as well as the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Waitrose & Partners for their support of The Royal Countryside Fund’s Confident Rural Communities network.

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group ended the year on a high as it celebrated its students’ achievements at its Annual Student Awards Ceremony. Held recently at Castleford College, 20 awards were presented throughout the evening across a range of subjects including Construction, Engineering and Mathematics. The event was attended by learners from Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College alongside their family members, staff and Governors from the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and distinguished guests from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Waystone. Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, opened the event by congratulating the students. Sam said: “Our Annual Student Awards enable us to look back on the year and acknowledge our students’ amazing achievements." "Tonight’s winners have shown sheer determination and hard work throughout their studies and because of this, have significantly advanced in their learning – with many progressing onto higher-level programmes with us, securing a place at some of the UK’s top universities or enjoying fulfilling careers. I would also like to thank our employer partners who have generously sponsored the awards, which I know is greatly appreciated by our winners.” This included Jeffrey Utley MBE from the IET, who presented the Engineering Prize for Student Excellence to Elliot Barugh. Jeffrey Utley MBE said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to present this award on behalf of the IET. The IET is an institute for professionals, but we understand that everyone needs to start somewhere and that is why we are committed to supporting awards such as these to inspire and encourage young learners into careers in the Engineering sector.” Elliot Barugh, who studies Engineering (Fitting and Assemblies Technology) at Castleford College, said: “I feel very proud of myself for winning this award and I’m grateful to my tutor Tim Shipman for pushing me to get the grades – it shows that hard work really does pay off.” Alistair McLoughlin, Building Manager at Waystone Ltd. was also on hand to present the Gideon Schreier Bursary Award for Outstanding Student Performance and Potential in the Field of Construction. With the competition fierce for the accolade, two winners were chosen this year – with Level 2 Electrical Installation student Luis Battye and T Level Construction student Oliver Mills both taking home an award. Alistair said: “Waystone has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the Glasshoughon site, so we are extremely keen to support young learners in the community and most importantly, the next-generation of Construction workers. We are determined to carry on the legacy of our former colleague Gideon and his passion to train and promote our industry’s future workforce. Luis’ and Oliver’s exceptional talent is clearly evident, and I hope this is just the start of their journeys in the Construction sector.” Andrew McConnell OBE, Chair of Governors at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, presented the remainder of the awards throughout the evening, including the Walshaw awards which recognise both the highest achieving students and the most improved in Mathematics at Castleford College and Wakefield College. Les Walshaw, who sponsored the award, taught Mathematics at the College in the late 80s and early 90s and enjoyed working with its gifted Mathematicians. When he died, he left the College a substantial amount of money which has been invested to secure annual awards for students in Mathematics. The awards included: • Walshaw Award: Highest Achieving Student at Advanced Level Mathematics – Ishwari Ramasha • Walshaw Award: Teachers’ Award for Advanced Level Mathematics - Jacob Hawkins • Walshaw Award: Most Improved Student at Advanced Level Mathematics - Olivia Saxton • Walshaw Award: Highest Achievement for Student at GCSE Mathematics - Craig Brown • Walshaw Award: Most Improved Student at GCSE Mathematics – Fiona Reny • Walshaw Award: Teachers’ Award for Achievement for Student at GCSE Mathematics  - Damian Morris • Walshaw Award: Teachers’ Award for Achievement at Functional Skills Maths at Level 1 – Nabeela Bilal  • Walshaw Award: Teachers’ Award for Achievement at Functional Skills Maths at Level 2 – Peter McTernan Fiona Reny said about her award win: “I was really surprised to win this award and how far I have come with studies in Mathematics. I’ve progressed from the Level 1 programme right up to the Level 4 meaning that I was able to get a place studying Level 3 Applied Science at the College, which I hope will lead me onto a job in the medical field one day.” The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group also sponsored and presented a range of awards for Selby College students, including: • Highest Achieving Student at Advanced Level Mathematics - Alexus Lambert-Dowell • Most Improved Student at Advanced Level Mathematics - Adam Kosnik • Teachers’ Award for Achievement at Advanced Level Mathematics - Jess Sharp • Highest Achievement for a Student at GCSE Mathematics - Olga Lukjanova • Most Improved Student at GCSE Mathematics - Chloe Petch  • Teachers’ Award for Achievement for Student at GCSE Mathematics - Esme Lee   • Excellence in Engineering Award - Evie Shaw • Excellence in Engineering Award - Billy Lobley  • Excellence in Construction Award - Nikolajs Lukjanovs

Selby College students are giving back to those who need it most this Christmas, with numerous donations made to Selby & District Food Bank. As part of a team building module, Level 3 Business students from the College split into two teams and competed to try and arrange the biggest collection for the food bank. Over 12 large boxes of items were donated which included tinned meats and fruits, juices, toiletries and lifelong products. Nigel Currey, Chairman of Trustees at Selby & District Food Bank, visited the College to collect the donation and personally thank the students for their generosity. Nigel commented: “We’re incredibly grateful to the students for their generous donation which helps support the vital work that we do at Selby & District Food Bank." "Our work goes beyond putting food on peoples’ tables, we offer wrap-around support including financial help to try and help them out of difficult situations. We hope that this means that the hundreds of people we’ve helped this year alone now won’t need to rely on food banks to feed their families.” Level 3 Business student, Deni Chivvu, said: “When our tutor Heidi told us about the project, we were excited to get started and to do something which would make a difference this Christmas." "We had a great response from friends and family who wanted to help and make sure that we could make a generous donation. The aim of the assignment was to teach us how to effectively work in teams, but it has done much more than that – it has taught us how fortunate we are and how we can help those less fortunate than us.” As part of a Christmas fundraiser, Sport and Public Service students from the College also arranged a charitable collection for Selby & District Food Bank.

An increasing need for workers in the catering and hospitality sector in and around Southampton has led a recruitment agency to open a new desk. The city’s long-established Berry Recruitment branch covers a number of sectors but the demand for certain roles prompted the new direction. Tommy Hunt is running the desk that provides temporary and permanent roles across the catering and hospitality sector. With Christmas approaching hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants will be looking for people to work over the festive season. Tommy commented: “The demand has been growing for these types of candidates and with our new app it was an area we were keen to get into. The permanent roles are of the management type - general and duty managers – and the temporary positions are things such as kitchen [porters, bar and waiting staff and assistant chefs." “Already we have a number of clients from Southampton and the wider conurbation which are gearing up for Christmas and New Year. What has made this new desk work so well is the Berry Recruitment app which clients and candidates can use." “It makes finding work and getting hired extremely simple and puts power in the hands of the workers. “The app and the branch working together has made entering the catering and hospitality sector so successful. With Christmas approaching all outlets will be looking for staff, and there will be one-off events that require all manner of staff.” Max Perceau, who manages the branch, said: “Our traditional areas are construction, driving, hospitality, industrial, warehouse, office and professional." “Adding catering and hospitality made sense because there is a high demand for these roles. Providing the workers saves clients a great deal of time and stress, enabling them to run their business or their event. And our candidates know that we will be able to offer jobs that are relevant to their experience and skills.” Berry Recruitment is part of Berry Recruitment Group that works from around 40 branches in England and Wales and includes the Wild Recruitment brand that has a big branch in Portsmouth.

Wakefield College is enabling pupils to build their confidence in the kitchen by hosting a range of cooking demonstrations with local secondary schools. As part of cookery week, the College’s Hospitality & Catering department delivered culinary sessions with pupils from Rodillian Academy and Oulton Academy where they learned how to make and present a range of dishes. Following a demonstration by Hospitality & Catering tutor Daniel McCarthy, pupils were tasked with plating up their own dishes using a range of creative methods such as adding garnishes and sauces. The pupils had to explain the process behind their dish, with tutor Daniel providing students with feedback before they got to enjoy their creations. Rodillian Academy pupils learned how to fillet a fish, later using the seabass and plaice to make goujons using flour, egg and breadcrumbs. They also prepared and chopped vegetables to make the sauce for the meal, before decorating their plates with a range of garnishes such as fondant potatoes and sauteed cabbage. Rachel Hansbro of Rodillian Academy, said: “My pupils thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was extremely helpful for them to learn and cook in a professional kitchen focusing on their presentation skills, which will help in their exams. A huge thank you to Wakefield College’s School Partnerships Team and Hospitality & Catering department for arranging such an engaging session.” Tackling desserts, pupils from Oulton Academy made a chocolate lava cake with a blackcurrant mousse and a Joconde base, which was garnished with meringue bulbs and sticks, candied orange segments, raspberry coulis, chocolate soil and micro herbs. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the session, with one commenting: “'I really enjoyed my visit to Wakefield College. The kitchen was amazing and I felt I gained valuable experience which will help me academically going forward.” Daniel McCarthy, Hospitality & Catering tutor at Wakefield College, said: “Preparing and presenting food is a great way to express your creativity and it was fantastic to see the pupils creating something they were proud of. I hope the sessions have increased their confidence in the kitchen and their culinary skills, which will hopefully stand them in good stead for when they take their exams and potentially a future career path in hospitality and catering.” Wakefield College offers a range of Hospitality & Catering programmes, including vocational courses and apprenticeships. Students learn in the College’s onsite award-winning restaurant, which provides members of the public the opportunity to sample high-quality dishes at moderate prices. This is one of a number of sessions which the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Schools Partnerships Team has arranged with schools in the district, which aim to give pupils a taste of college life and an opportunity expand their skills in a range of subjects. James Pennington, Head of School Partnerships and Admissions at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “It was great to see so many young people working in our professional kitchens at these excellent events. We are committed to working collaboratively with partner schools to offer enhanced learning experiences which compliment pupils’ GCSE courses. Our taster sessions are fun and engaging and provide a line of sight to the exciting opportunities available at our colleges and beyond.”

A Poole storage company is offering free space for people to wrap their presents this Christmas. Store & Secure, which has a magnificently-themed festive entrance at ‘Joyce House’, wants to send a little cheer. The huge facility in Hamworthy is run by the ‘storage sisters’ Lucy and Sophie Maidman who understand the need for wrapping space. Lucy commented: “Some storage businesses are anonymous with very little personal contact between staff and customers. We are different and love people popping in for a cup of tea and a chat. The kettle is always on and mince pies are at the ready." “We also decided to offer a space for wrapping Christmas presents - without charge. There are rooms available where people can spread out and get it all done. We know all too well how helpful it is to have a place away from home where presents can be wrapped. Children are extremely good at finding things that parents have hidden." “Again we’re grateful for our customer Josie Murgatroyd of Little Dreams Events for sprucing up our entrance.”

Plans have been submitted by specialist senior living developer Charterpoint for a 72-bedroom care home in Markfield in north west Leicestershire. The detailed proposals are for land to the north of Leicester Road. They include plans for a mainly two-storey, modern care home, which also features en-suite bathrooms to each bedroom, residents’ lounge and dining areas, a café/bar, plus activity areas. The proposals also include 34 car parking spaces, along with terraces, patios and landscaped gardens. The plans have been submitted to Charnwood Borough and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Councils following a public consultation process. MD of Charterpoint, Giles Nursey, said: “Charterpoint is a specialist senior living developer, with a significant portfolio of care homes developed across the East Midlands and elsewhere." “We have established that there is a need for a modern, purpose-built care home to meet the needs of older people in the Markfield area of Leicestershire." “In preparing our scheme we have sought to provide a high quality, modern and neighbourly development that sits within the existing landscape, maintaining and enhancing the existing boundary hedgerow along Leicester Road.” Charterpoint, which is based at Edwalton near Nottingham, specialises in developing first-class senior living accommodation, mixed-use and sustainable housing schemes, and primary care premises. For more information about Charterpoint, visit www.cpseniorliving.co.uk

The number of entrepreneurs under the age of 40 selling their businesses has increased by 23% in the last year, rising from 4,719 in 2019/20 to 5,803 in 2020/21, shows new research by Hazlewoods, the chartered financial planning and business advisers. Recent years have seen significant success stories for young UK tech company entrepreneurs selling their businesses to PE/VC funds, alongside consolidation across various other sectors, including veterinary, healthcare and financial services. These deals formed part of a strong period of private equity-led dealmaking in the UK from late 2020 to mid-2022. The year ending April 5 2021 saw under-40 entrepreneurs sell businesses worth £1.03bn. Andy Hogarth, financial planning partner at Hazlewoods says: “In the last few years, a lot of young entrepreneurs in the UK have become extremely wealthy by building their businesses and exiting them, often to PE. These figures show just how successful those exits were.” Andy says those selling their businesses will need to carefully consider their exits – both before and after the deal is made. Andy adds: “Having sold their businesses, many of these young entrepreneurs now have new opportunities, including potentially retiring early. However, it’s important to consider how the change will impact their income, pension planning and tax position.” He also says that tax efficient investment management is vital for those who have exited businesses. “Sellers need to think long term by investing sale proceeds in tax efficient funds. Inflation will often erode the value of funds held in cash, meaning through investing these monies it will provide individuals with the opportunity to grow their funds in real terms, or the potential for a more sustainable income stream.” “Often cash flow modelling can help with contextualizing matters and provide insight for these individuals to help them in making decisions on their next step. Those selling their businesses will often have different objectives with the funds and need to consider their affairs holistically, including the impact of the sale on their dependents.” “Post-sale, the cash from the sale of a business becomes part of their estate, making it potentially subject to inheritance tax, whereas If the business had been passed on before sale, those assets would normally be exempt from IHT.”

Contractor Clegg Construction has broken ground on a £13.5m Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College. The company has been appointed by the Inspire Education Group for the design and build of the three-storey reinforced concrete frame green technology centre, which is being constructed at the main college campus, off Park Crescent. The centre – which will be a low-carbon project – will offer a curriculum that includes modern methods of construction, emerging construction technologies, alternative heat sources and electric vehicle technology. It will include a total floor space of 2,300 sq m and is due to be completed towards the end of next year. Darren Chapman, director at Clegg Construction, said: “The Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College is an inspiring project which will make a real difference to the future, training the next generation to work in green technologies and modern methods of construction." “Clegg Construction is very pleased to have been appointed to partner with the Inspire Education Group to deliver this exciting scheme and we are delighted to have now started on site. With this being a live and busy educational setting, with public access, and lessons and exams to consider, the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and visitors is at the forefront of our approach – particularly as the building phase of the project gets underway.” Over the course of the build, Clegg will be engaging with the college to provide experience and insight into the construction sector and associated professions for students. Clegg Construction has previous experience of building a similar low-carbon project, having delivered the Energy Technologies Building at the University of Nottingham, which at the time it was built was the world’s first zero-carbon operational laboratory complex to facilitate research into bioenergy, hydrogen fuels, carbon capture and storage, biomass and sustainable architecture. Clegg has also delivered numerous educational facilities including projects at Carlton le Willows Academy and Maltby Grammar School. The company also has local experience in the Peterborough area and is currently building an 80-bed care home on Waterhouse Way. Other members of the project team building the Centre for Green Technology include consultant Gleeds, building services consultancy QODA, architects rg+p, and civil and structural engineers Stirling Maynard. Peterborough City Council has provided £1.9m towards the cost of the scheme via the Towns Funds scheme, with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority providing £2.471m. 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 www.cleggconstruction.co.uk

Reinforcing their commitment to excellence, GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s leading independent hire company, proudly announces a substantial investment in their plant hire fleet in collaboration with JCB. This substantial investment includes a diverse range of equipment such as Dumpers, Rollers and Telehandlers. Key additions to GAP's hire fleet include machinery such as 6 and 9-tonne Dumpers, Compaction Rollers (CT160-80 and CT260-120), and a versatile range of Telehandlers, featuring the 525-60 HIVIZ, 531-70, 535-90, 535-125, and more. Further reinforcing their commitment to environmental responsibility, GAP continues to integrate JCB Dieselmax Stage V engines into its equipment. James Anderson, Head of Asset Management & Supply Chain, at GAP Hire Solutions, commented: “This substantial investment solidifies our longstanding partnership with JCB. It not only reflects our unwavering confidence in JCB equipment but also underscores our dedication to providing our customers with the finest tools for success." "Strengthening our collaboration aims to raise industry standards, delivering unparalleled service, and empowering our clients to thrive. This investment is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and excellence.” Iain Bryant, Joint Managing Director at Scot JCB, highlighted: “Building a strong relationship with GAP Group is a testament to our shared dedication to customer service excellence." "Our mutual focus on fostering successful relationships, both with our customers and each other, is the cornerstone of our commitment to providing the most efficient machinery solutions for our customers’ needs.” GAP's unwavering commitment to supplying top-tier equipment aligns seamlessly with JCB's consistent delivery of machinery renowned for safety, productivity, and unmatched performance, equipped to tackle any on-site challenge head-on.