Yorkshire-based niche construction law firm, Hawkswell Kilvington is continuing its organic growth with the promotion of Prudence Walton and Samantha Murkitt to the role of Associate within the firm’s contentious and non-contentious departments. Partner at Hawkswell Kilvington, Tom Salter said, “Since joining the firm in 2020, Prudence has gone from strength to strength and is already an integral part of the disputes team. Her promotion is testament to the hard work she demonstrates internally and with clients, handling a wide range of matters across a broad spectrum of dispute resolution forums, including adjudication, mediation, and litigation.” Speaking about her promotion, Prudence Walton said, “I am really pleased with the promotion and look forward to continuing my work alongside some very talented and inspiring people.” Commenting on her promotion, Samantha Murkitt, who specialises in providing non contentious construction advice said, “I am delighted to have been promoted and I am really looking forward to continuing to develop and grow alongside the firm.” Rachel Heald, Partner at Hawkswell Kilvington added, “I have worked closely with Samantha for several years and it has been great to watch her gain in experience and confidence over that time. Samantha now handles a variety of complex and interesting work and regularly receives repeat instructions from her clients. Her promotion to Associate is very well-deserved”. The latest promotions underpin Hawkswell Kilvington’s commitment to developing internal talent and providing a platform for further career advancement within a boutique construction law firm.

A pair of south coast companies have joined forces to revamp the booking process for a boat that offers free trips around Poole Harbour for people with disabilities. Property finance specialist MSP Capital and digital marketing agency Uprated have jointly donated expertise and resource to build a new online system to help The Friends of Dolphin charity. The aim is to make it easier and smoother for people to book the Dolphin, a double-hulled catamaran specially adapted to carry passengers of all ages and disabilities, including those in wheelchairs. It comes as the boat’s main season begins, with regular sailings available through to the end of September. The two firms have together provided the new booking solution to the charity free of charge. IT experts at Uprated, a trusted supplier to MSP Capital, reconfigured server capability to enable automated messaging and reminders as part of an improved booking experience. MSP Capital’s input on the funding side falls under the lender’s environmental, social and governance strategy, Foundations for Better Futures. The community-giving part of the strategy is run by a dedicated community committee which has a budget to coordinate fundraising initiatives for charities and good causes. Lee Merrifield, MSP Capital’s Associate Director of Credit and a committee member, said: “The Dolphin is the only boat in Poole Harbour to offer free trips to people with disabilities. Its activity is right on our doorstep." “When we heard The Friends of Dolphin were looking for help with their booking system, we were only too happy to do our bit. A big element of Foundations for Better Futures is support for our local community and the charities that operate in it.” Uprated’s coding and development work was done in the run-up to the season in collaboration with Carol Cox, a trustee of The Friends of Dolphin whose responsibilities include membership and bookings. Pete Norris, Head of Design and Development at Uprated, said both firms understood that The Friends of Dolphin are a small team and all work as volunteers. He said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in this project with MSP Capital and The Friends of Dolphin. It’s all about improving the booking experience for users." “We hope the work we've done automating the system will continue to give Carol and her team stress-free bookings for years to come.” Thanking both firms, Carol said: “The new online booking system is exactly what we needed. Clients are finding it extremely simple to use, the diary is always up to date, and it has cut down my work enormously. It has been a pleasure to work with MSP and Uprated who made the whole process very straightforward.” For more information on The Friends of Dolphin and to book the boat, visit here. Founded in 1981, MSP Capital is a principal development and bridging lender, offering solutions for sums up to £20 million.

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame is celebrating a very special anniversary this summer with a new limited edition golden ale. Go For Gold (3.4% ABV) has been brewed to commemorate 100 years since Lieutenant General Sir Philip Neame’s gold medal success in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Sir Philip was born in Faversham, and was a cousin of Percy Beale Neame, the first Neame to join with the Shepherds to form Shepherd Neame. Sir Philip was also a First World War hero, awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1914 in honour of his heroic actions during a battle in Neuve Chapelle, France. The pump clip design for the beer, part of Shepherd Neame’s real ale Cask Club calendar, features a medal with a figure taking part in the Running Deer event for which Sir Philip won gold. It pays homage to his Faversham roots with the inclusion of St Mary of Charity Parish Church, and the Paris Olympics with the iconic Eiffel Tower. Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “Sir Philip’s achievements - both as a sportsman and as a war hero - were truly extraordinary, so we thought it was only fitting to mark the centenary of his Olympic success with a special beer." “We hope that our customers will join us in raising a glass to Sir Philip, the only man in history to be awarded both a gold Olympic medal and the Victoria Cross.” Go For Gold has a silky, full-bodied mouthfeel courtesy of a blend of Caragold malt and oats. This is complemented with spicy, floral and honey aromas from a quintessential pick of Kentish hops, Challenger and East Kent Goldings, and light citrus notes from UK Centennial dry hopping. This is all rounded off with a well-balanced, gentle bitter finish. Brewer Scott Wilkins, who has led the brew, said: “Creating this very special commemorative beer has been a fun challenge for myself and the brewing team. Go For Gold brings out the best characteristics of the Kentish hops. The sweet notes balanced with the rounded bitterness means that at 3.4%, Go For Gold makes for a refreshing session gold ale, perfect for enjoying in a sunny pub garden or while watching the sport over the summer.” Shepherd Neame’s Cask Club offers an exciting new range of limited edition innovative cask beers incorporating modern styles and flavours, while also celebrating some seasonal classics. Future ales in the Cask Club programme to look out for over the next few months include returning favourites Hop Pocket and Late Red. To be the first to discover new Cask Club beers sign up to hear more : and follow @shepherdneame on social media. About Shepherd Neame Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.

Hendy Van and Truck has pledged its support for a national charity which helps construction workers and tradespeople. For the next 12 months, the Band of Builders charity will have use of two vans to help in its work to deliver life enhancing projects to those dealing with life’s most challenging circumstances. The charity was set up in 2016 and since then has provided practical, financial and wellbeing support for members of the UK construction industry and these vans will be used across the country transporting tools and materials to a wide range of projects. Hendy head of business Performance David Graham said the Ford Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro will be sign written to further raise the profile of Band of Builders. David said: “Many of our customers are in the construction industry. From those operating large fleets to local small businesses, this charity is a perfect fit for us." “The charity does an incredible job in supporting those in need and we wanted to get involved in supporting something which resonates with a key area of the business.” Band of Builders (BoB) CEO Gavin Crane said: “We are forming a great charity partnership with Hendy Van and Truck and its generosity in providing us with the use of two new BoB liveried vans will make a massive difference in enabling us to take BoB on the road. “As a charity, we visit construction sites, attend trade shows, and deliver projects right across the UK - so the vans will be essential in helping us transport materials to where they are needed." “We would like to thank the Hendy Van and Truck for supporting BoB so that we can continue completing practical projects to help members of the UK construction industry and their families who are battling illness or injury.”

In the last year, more women took time off work due to poor mental health; Hybrid working experiences are improving but new return-to-office policies are leading to some women to request workplace adjustments; Those with an unequal share of responsibilities at home are more likely to have poor mental health; Significant increase in women working through menopause related pain. Nearly half of working women (47%) in the UK say that their stress levels are higher than a year ago, partly due to return-to-office policies and long hours, according to a new Deloitte Global report. ‘Women @ Work: A global outlook’, now in its fourth year, surveyed 5,000 women in different sectors in ten countries, including 500 working women in the UK, to better understand the experiences of women in the workplace. Adjustments needed to manage return-to-office policies This year’s report found that hybrid work experiences have improved in the past months. Fewer women feel excluded from workplace meetings or decisions in hybrid work environments compared to last year (a 35% compared to 43% in 2023). However, flexibility remains a challenge and some women have needed to make adjustments to their work and personal lives following return-to-office policies. New data for this year found that more women in the UK (50%), compared to the overall figure globally (47%), have been asked by their employer to return on-site either full-time or on certain days. Of these women, 32% are required to be on-site full-time. Among the women in the UK asked to return to the office full-time, a quarter (27%) said that it has negatively impacted their mental health and a similar proportion (24%) say it has made them less productive. Furthermore, 44% have asked to reduce their hours, 35% think less of their employer as a result, and 30% have needed to move house to be nearer the office. Jackie Henry, managing partner for people and purpose at Deloitte UK, said: “There are concerning findings in this year’s research that reveal increased stress for women, with factors both in and outside of their workplaces." “Flexibility and work-life balance are critical for good mental health and productivity. Despite the importance of flexibility, it’s concerning to see that fewer women than last year feel supported by their employers to balance their work responsibilities with their commitments outside work.” Mental health challenges and stigma increase More than a third of women (39%) surveyed said they have taken time off work in the past year for mental health reasons, a slight increase of 4 percentage points since 2023 and higher compared to the overall figure globally (33%). However, two-thirds (65%) of women do not feel comfortable discussing mental health at work or disclosing mental health as the reason for taking time off. This is felt more acutely by women from ethnic minority backgrounds; over half (56%) needed to take time off but only 20% felt comfortable sharing mental health as the reason for their absence to their employer. New for this year, the report found that the most common reason they did not disclose was because they were concerned that doing so would impact their chance of career progression (28%). Widening disproportion of women taking on all caring responsibilities The report highlights that women who live with a partner still bear the most responsibility for childcare and care of other adults. This year, nearly half of women (44%) who live with a partner and have children at home bear the most responsibility for childcare, this is down slightly from 47% last year. Nearly 51% of women who are involved in care of another adult say they take the greatest responsibility for this, compared to 53% last year. Even more women working through menopause symptoms A quarter (25%) of women say they have experienced challenges related to menstruation, menopause, or fertility in the workplace. About 40% of women who experience high levels of pain due to menstruation or menopause say they work through it without taking time off work. In the past year there has been a significant increase in the number of women working through menopause related pain (47%, compared to 40% in 2023). This year’s report looks into effects of fertility related challenges on women's work lives for the first time. More women who had taken time off work for fertility related issues found their employer was supportive (29%), compared to those who did not receive the support they needed (18%).

The National Trust is marking 125 years of caring for one of the oldest nature reserves in the UK – and the very first it acquired - with the announcement of a £1.8 million project to restore 215 hectares (531 acres) of precious peat at Wicken Fen, making it the conservation charities largest lowland peat restoration project. The work is vital as it’s anticipated that without action, the majority of the remaining peat in the Fens could be lost within 30 years – emitting harmful carbon as it degrades, rather than being an effective carbon capturer. Degrading lowland peat soils are among the largest sources of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 3% of England’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and 88% of all emissions from peat in England. Situated in the southern edge of the Fens, Wicken is also one of the last remaining refuges for a host of fenland wildlife which depend on the peaty soils – such as the fen violet and the silver barred moth. Growing from less than one hectare (two acres) in 1899, today the nature reserve covers 820 hectares (over 2,000 acres) the equivalent of 1,148 football pitches, in Cambridgeshire and contains one of the last surviving fragments of undrained fen, (less than 0.1%) from the original East Anglian Fens. The new project will focus on restoring peat forming vegetation on three key areas within the reserve by repairing and installing low-level clay banks to retain rainwater and managing water tables to create saturated, healthy peat, helping to lock in carbon as well as enhancing habitats for nature. The restoration has been made possible thanks to a Nature for Climate Peatland Restoration grant of over £1.3million from Natural England, and donations from Starling Bank, Anglian Water Flourishing Environment Fund, generous legacies and other fundraising. The project will be delivered in collaboration with other organisations restoring peatland sites through the Fens East Peat Partnership, led by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Alan Kell, the National Trust’s Countryside Manager at Wicken Fen, said: “Healthy peatlands are massively important as we tackle climate change. They store carbon, help to control flooding, reduce the risk of wildfire and drought, act as a natural water filter and provide habitat for rare and unusual plants, birds and insects." “Despite now being considered one of the driest areas of the UK, the East Anglian Fens was once a vast wetland covering more than 3,800km2, larger than Cambridgeshire, consisting of deep peat soils, before being widely drained for agriculture in the 17th century." “Since the first hectare of land was acquired back in 1899, we have been actively protecting the site by reversing historic drainage and re-wetting the peat soils to extend the area of fen and the biodiversity it supports." “One of the ways we’ve been able to do this in recent years is thanks to the Wicken Fen Vision – a 100 year plan, which we’re a quarter of the way through – to create a landscape for nature, people and carbon capture, through a combination of acquisition and partnership work. Our vision is to expand this further with a bigger, better, more joined up landscape.” Alan continued: “By improving our ability to manage the water table we hope to re-wet areas of dried out, degrading peat to once again enable the soil to become an effective carbon store. The associated wetland conditions should help cool down the microclimate of the area in the face of ever-increasing temperatures which is going to be a significant benefit." “Across the fens, it’s estimated that we lose 10-15mm of peat a year, which would take 10 to 15 years to generate. That’s why we’ve got to act now, to care for the peat we have and the fen habitat it supports which so many species are dependent on, and we couldn’t do this without the vital grants and donations we receive.” Through the peatland restoration work its already completed since the 1950s, the Trust has already seen positive results in reducing carbon emissions with an 80% reduction at Bakers Fen. The Trust’s work at Burwell Fen, to create a wetland habitat by raising the water table during the winter months has also attracted thousands of wintering birds including wigeon, teal, lapwing and Whooper swans. By doing this, the water saturates the peat, and it stands a better chance of surviving the summer months with less risk of drying out therefore reducing the subsequent oxidation and degradation, which results in both the release of carbon and the loss of peat. Ellis Selway, Peatland Restoration Project Manager at Wicken Fen said: “This project will have so many positive knock-on effects for nature including helping to safeguard and protect an array of rare fenland vegetation including the great fen-sedge, fen pondweed, milk parsley, marsh pea, marsh fern, marsh arrowgrass, and parsley water-dropwort." “The creation of additional wetland habitats will provide future areas for these populations to grow and expand into, whilst also improving the biodiversity of the sites with invertebrates, animals and birds all benefitting.” The work already completed to protect and grow Wicken Fen has resulted in it becoming one of the most biodiverse sites in the UK. Although the area of fen remaining today may be small, it is definitely mighty, punching way above its weight with close to 9,500 (9,457) species recorded at Wicken since records began in the 1820s. Insects make up 70% of all the wildlife that thrive in the landscape. The largest species-rich groups are the flies (2,072 species), beetles (1,775 species) and moths (1,252 species). Plants are in abundance too with over 875 species across all types including flowers, trees, grasses, mosses and algae. The earliest species records date from the 1820s when Victorian entomologists (insect specialists) visited the site. Since then, the National Trust’s knowledge of the importance of the fen habitat for scarce wildlife has built considerably. Thirteen species new to science and 30 species new to Great Britain have been discovered at Wicken Fen, the most recent being a parasitic wasp and a flat bark beetle, both in 2019. One of the smallest and rarest UK beetles Microptilium palustre was discovered new to Britain at Wicken in 1967. 2023 saw a further 15 species recorded new to Wicken Fen and in March this year, a new spider species for the reserve was discovered. The gorse orbweb spider (Agalenatea redii) was found in its web, under a plank in the car park, likely hibernating. Alan added: “After 125 years of looking after one of the UK’s oldest nature reserves, you might expect us to have found all of the species that live on the reserve. But nature’s not like that." “One of the reasons we’re still making discoveries is due to the reserve increasing by 476 hectares (more than doubling in size), since the National Trust launched its Vision in 1999. With a greater area, there is more space for nature to colonise, spread and become more abundant. Our active management of the landscape, through the use of grazing herds of Konik ponies and Highland cattle is helping to create a dynamic mosaic of habitats for nature to thrive in." “Another reason is climate change, with warmer summers many species, especially insects, that were limited to the south of England have been moving northwards and inland.” One of the sites great success stories has been the increase in the numbers and range of wetland birds that come to the nature reserve. Cranes and bittern now breed on the reserve along with marsh harrier, garganey, little egret, and in winter the rare hen harrier and short-eared owls can be seen hunting and coming into roost. Water vole and otter which were near extinction in the fens by the 1990s, have re-colonised in the last two decades, alongside other mammals including water shrew, harvest mouse, soprano pipistrelle bat and brown long-eared bat. Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature and Restoration Ecology at the National Trust said: “What has been achieved at Wicken Fen is all the more remarkable in the light of rising temperatures with Cambridge often making the headlines each summer with record breaking highs." “It demonstrates how vitally important it is to invest in our priority habitats – to work at a landscape scale and to engage with landowners and partners to achieve great things for nature." “There is so much more we can all do to rescue these at-risk habitats – and to bring back nature to our lives and landscapes to benefit us now, and in the future.” To coincide with the anniversary, National Trust Ranger, Ajay Tegala has a new book coming out about Wicken Fen called Wetland Diaries.

Overall confidence unchanged at 42% for third month in a row, signalling continued positivity. Businesses’ economic optimism reaches the highest level for over two years at 39%. Firms’ wage growth expectations pulled back for second month, although still above long -term average. Firms most upbeat in the East of England, Wales and the North East. Lloyds Bank’s latest Business Barometer has found that overall business confidence is unchanged in April – staying at 42%. The result means the overall confidence figure remains at an elevated level compared to the Barometer’s long-term average (28%), with only January 2024 seeing businesses report higher levels of confidence (44%) in the last 12 months. Although April is now the third month in a row where business confidence has not changed, firms did show more positivity than previous months in relation to the wider economy. In this respect, businesses reported the highest level of confidence in the economy since February 2022. Almost two-thirds (57%) of firms expressed greater optimism about their economic prospects, while 18% were less optimistic (down from 21% in March), meaning the net balance increased by 4 points to 39%. Official monthly GDP data appears to corroborate these findings, as the data for January and February suggests the economy began to grow again early this year. When asked about their own trading prospects, businesses continue to be positive, although slightly less than in previous months. Over half (55%) of the companies surveyed said they expected a stronger output over the next 12 months, while an unchanged 10% anticipated weaker activity. As a result, the net balance for trading prospects fell 4 points to 45%. Concerns about supply chain disruption have reduced, compared to previous months. It is no longer the factor most concerning businesses, with interest rates, inflation, and energy prices the most prominent issues. Tellingly, even concern about these issues has continued to trend downward, coinciding with increased confidence reported by businesses. Employment Insights Businesses’ overall staffing expectations regained momentum in April to negate most of March’s decline. Nearly half of all firms (49%) reported that they intended to increase their workforce and hire more employees over the coming months. Meanwhile, businesses expecting to reduce their staff numbers fell to 16% (down from 19% in March). As a result, the net balance increased by 6 points to 33%, in a positive sign for the labour market. Further analysis, however, shows that the smallest companies surveyed – those with the lowest headcount (fewer than 10 employees) – were still somewhat cautious, showing less readiness to hire new employees. This could partly be due to the increase in National Living Wage which came into force this month, with smaller firms potentially more disproportionately affected. The increase to salaries delivered by the new National Living Wage may also have been a factor behind wage growth expectations pulling back in April. The number of firms expecting a 3% increase (or more) fell to 30%, the second consecutive monthly fall. Similarly, the number of firms expecting to issue pay rises of at least 4% declined for a second month. It is important to note that these figures remain above the levels seen before the pandemic. Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking said: “We are beginning to see a consistent trend emerge from our Barometer results in recent months. Businesses are feeling increasingly confident about the economy, coinciding with falling inflation and hopes that interest rates will start to fall this year." “There continues to be a mixed picture among the regions, with the biggest rises seen in Wales and the South West. The strongest confidence was reported in the East of England, with confidence rising for the third consecutive month. Confidence in the North East eased slightly but remained strong in April." “The second quarter of 2024 has started brightly for businesses, and we are seeing firms expressing greater confidence in an enduring economic recovery.” Pricing Insights Elsewhere, this month’s survey also found that businesses expect to increase their prices in the coming months, highlighting increased pressures faced by UK firms. 63% of respondents (up from 60%) plan to increase their prices within the next year, while an unchanged 3% expect to reduce prices. The resulting net balance moved up 3 points to 63%. Sector Insights Businesses in the manufacturing sector reported increased confidence this month, recording an increased score of 45% (up 4 points) which is the highest level for 3 months. Similarly, confidence among firms in the services sector (42%) and construction (41%) also improved, largely driven by greater economic optimism. In retail, confidence pulled back slightly from last month’s strong showing to 40%, illustrating that confidence in this sector remains fragile. Retail is also more liable to be impacted by external factors sectors other sectors do not face into, such as the poor weather. Paul Gordon, Managing Director for Relationship Management, Lloyds Bank Business & Commercial said: “It’s encouraging to see businesses are showing continued confidence in their own prospects and the wider economy. For the second consecutive month, confidence is unchanged which supports the growing sense that businesses are beginning to consistently feel more confident as we progress through the year." “There are positive signs for the labour market with more businesses this month signalling they are open to hiring staff. However, the impact of minimum wage of companies’ hiring intentions will be closely watched, and we are yet to see this materialise among the largest firms. Businesses with smaller headcounts however, have been a bit more cautious, although they remain broadly positive. “Overall, businesses appear to be continuing the positive trend established at the start of the year, and we’re here to support them with their ambitions going forward”. Regional insights There was a mixed picture at a regional level in this month’s results. The most notable positive increases in confidence could be seen in the South West and Wales, taking them above the UK average. Similarly, the East of England was also above the national average, recording a second rise in confidence. Results for London, Scotland and the West Midlands however, kept fairly close to the wider UK average, with the latter increasing by quite a significant margin for confidence.

National Grid launches pioneering ‘enterprise model’ as response to UK supply chain and skills shortage, announcing the first seven supply chain partners to form the Great Grid Partnership. The Partnership, which will initially focus on the network design and construction work required by the end of the decade for nine major infrastructure projects across England and Wales, forms part of a £9bn supply chain framework which will also support infrastructure projects beyond 2030. The Partnership will support supply chain capacity and foster collaboration across best practice and skills, delivering benefits for consumers and the wider UK economy. This investment further underlines National Grid’s commitment to the people, jobs and skills required to help deliver the energy transition. Investment in the UK’s electricity network industry will contribute an average of £18.4bn to GDP and support around 220,000 jobs each year between 2024 and 2035. [1] In a major boost to the UK supply chain, National Grid has launched the Great Grid Partnership. The company, which sits at the heart of the UK energy transition, has named the seven partners who will support the delivery of an initial nine Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) projects. The ASTI projects form a key part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which is building the significant new electricity network infrastructure required to reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels by connecting 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. This new ‘enterprise model’ is a collaborative partnership, bringing together National Grid’s supply chain partners. Two design and consenting service partners [AECOM Arup (JV); WSP], and five construction partners [Laing O’Rourke; Morgan Sindall Infrastructure; Morrison Energy Services; Murphy; Omexom / Taylor Woodrow (OTW)] are joining National Grid in the newly formed Great Grid Partnership. Designed to speed up the delivery of much needed national electricity infrastructure by taking a fresh approach to UK supply chain and skills issues. The partnership aims to coordinate the planning and execution of projects, allowing each supplier and National Grid to pool their resources, skills, insights, and experience to deliver faster and more economically – driving value for money and benefits for both consumers and local communities. By creating these long-term strategic contractual relationships, our partners will work collectively as an enterprise to drive value and innovation and secure delivery. Once established, this pioneering model will also deliver significant opportunities and benefits beyond the initial ASTI framework. The partnership comes as the demand for products, services and skills continues to rise on a global scale as countries ramp up investment in the energy transition. It represents a huge challenge but also a great opportunity if industry works together to take advantage of the opportunity. Carl Trowell, President, Strategic Infrastructure, National Grid said: “This announcement is another significant and exciting milestone in the delivery of The Great Grid Upgrade – the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in decades. The scale and pace of this upgrade requires us to unite as an industry and to think and act differently." “This Great Grid Partnership is a ground-breaking initiative from National Grid that places our supply chain partners at the heart of our infrastructure upgrade programme. All our chosen partners have an established history of successful collaboration in delivering major projects and enabling innovation to thrive." “By sharing best practice and collaborating across nine of our critical major ASTI infrastructure projects, we will set the gold-standard for future infrastructure projects in terms of driving innovation, shoring up capacity across the skills base, operating responsibly and sustainably and ultimately in getting the best value for consumers.” National Grid's policy paper: Delivering for 2035 Download here. The nine Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) projects are: Norwich to Tilbury North Norwich to Tilbury South North Humber to High Marnham Grimsby to Walpole Chesterfield to Willington Brinsworth to High Marnham Tilbury to Grain and Tilbury to Kingsnorth Pentir to Trawsfynydd (cable replacement) Pentir to Trawsfynydd (second circuit)

Two of the UK’s biggest food manufacturers, Arla and Nestlé, have announced they will donate the equivalent of 1.25 million breakfasts to food charity FareShare, to support families and communities in need across the UK. Arla and Nestlé are both part of the Coronation Food Project, which was launched in November 2023. This partnership supports FareShare’s goal to bring together businesses from across the food industry to collaborate on new ways to address food insecurity and reduce food waste. Arla will be providing Cravendale milk and Nestlé will be providing cereal, including Shreddies, to contribute towards breakfasts for organisations supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK. The partnership builds on the longstanding relationship between FareShare and Arla that has seen them divert the equivalent of 10 million meals to help feed and support those in need across the UK. Nestlé has been working with FareShare since 2005 to redistribute quality surplus products and to date has contributed to providing the equivalent of more than six million meals. Last year alone it contributed towards 220,000 meals that were distributed to more than 2,500 different charities and organisations across the country. Jonathan Dixon, VP of sales at Arla, said: “At Arla Foods, we believe that everyone has the right to eat well and we’re committed to providing natural, nutritious dairy, that’s made in the best possible way." "We also know that there are still some families who don’t have access to nutritious breakfasts, and this can have an impact on health and development. We hope that through this partnership with Nestlé and FareShare that we are able to help provide milk to those most in need.” Andrew Shaw, Supply Chain Director for UK & Ireland at Nestlé, said: “We know just how important the first of meal of the day is, but in the current climate more and more people are starting the day with an empty stomach. That’s why we wanted to work with Arla and FareShare to provide breakfast to those who need it most. I’m proud that my colleagues have come together to produce this cereal to donate to FareShare and we hope this will make a difference to thousands of families across the UK." “The work FareShare does is absolutely vital to so many people. We have a long-standing partnership with them and we’ll continue to support them in whatever way we can, whether that’s donations, redistributing quality surplus from our sites, or through our colleagues volunteering at distribution centres.” Simon Millard, Director of Food at FareShare, said: “As FareShare enters its 30th year, we want to look ahead to the future of tackling food waste. The Coronation Food Project was set up to encourage collaboration and innovation across sectors so we can find ways to make sure more good-to-eat food gets to people who need it, rather than to waste." "By joining forces, Arla and Nestlé are setting a great example to others in the industry of how working together can help unlock even greater environmental and social impact. Arla and Nestlé are long-standing supporters of FareShare. We are incredibly grateful for their support in teaming up in an initiative to help charities across the UK strengthen their communities through the power of food.” Arla, the UK’s largest dairy cooperative, has been a dedicated and longstanding charity partner with FareShare for over eight years, continuing to support the valuable work they do across -the country. Nestlé works with FareShare as part of an ambition to raise greater awareness of food waste and reduce food waste along its product value chain, and has provided the charity with the equivalent of 6.8 million meals that would otherwise have gone to waste. FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity tackling the environmental problem of food waste for social good. It works with the food industry to take good-to-eat surplus food, which might otherwise go to waste, and redistribute it to a network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the country. These include school clubs, community centres, hospices, refuges and homelessness shelters, all working to tackle the root causes of poverty and using food to bring communities together.

ScottishPower has been shortlisted in three categories at the UK Women’s Football Awards, just nine months after it launched a partnership deal dedicated to energising women’s football. Now in its second year, the 2024 Women’s Football Awards celebrates the people, brands and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of the women’s game. Organisers revealed their shortlist ahead of the ceremony which takes place in London on 30th May. Last June, ScottishPower announced the biggest single investment in the women’s game in Scotland, becoming the exclusive Principal Partner for Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), sponsor of the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups and the first ever title sponsor of the Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League. Its aim is to support the women’s game for all generations by driving equality and diversity all the way from grassroots to elite, focusing on opportunities to inspire more young girls into the game while opening doors for girls and women in remote communities around the country. It has been recognised in the Brand of the Year and Best Breakthrough Business of the Year categories, as well as being shortlisted for Grassroots Initiative of the Year for its backing of the Youth Challenge Cup. In shortlisting, the Awards organisers stated the“company’s impressive commitment to innovation goes far beyond the energy sector”. It highlights ScottishPower’s investment as a “a major moment for women’s football” that demonstrates “an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion and equality for women from the company”. Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said: “As a business, we’re committed to promoting equality at all levels and our support for women’s football in Scotland is designed to ensure that we’re supporting girls and women in our communities the length and breadth of the country." “I’m delighted to see the hard work of our teams, and those at the SWPL and SWF, recognised by the Women’s Football Awards just nine months into our partnership. There’s so much more to come but to have this type of recognition so soon by such a prestigious event in the women’s game shows that together, we can be a powerful force for positive change for women and girls in Scotland, both on and off the pitch.”

A scheme has been launched to support Charnwood businesses which are looking to reach new heights. Charnwood’s Scale-Up programme is searching for companies which may benefit from business support to help them grow and expand. It is being supported by the borough council using the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is being delivered by specialist expert advisors, Exemplas. Each business which takes part will be thoroughly assessed on its ambition, capacity and potential for growth, and will work one-to-one with an expert advisor to draw up a bespoke growth action plan. Councillor Jenni Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for economy development, regeneration and town centres, said: “This scheme will help businesses which have ambitions to be bigger, better and more prosperous. The Scale-Up programme will help local companies take that next big step into growth. By supporting businesses like this, the Council is helping to create jobs and opportunities for people in the future and continue to make Charnwood a great place to do business and invest.” Mark Taft, the programme’s dedicated Scale-Up Advisor, said: “I take great pride in working with ambitious SMEs and am excited about working closely with Charnwood’s business community to offer support and advice they can use to scale up.” Companies can apply to be part of the Scale-Up programme via the Leicestershire Business Advice Service. As there are limited places available on the programme, each business will be evaluated by a panel for suitability. If successful, the Scale-Up Advisor will undertake a comprehensive diagnostic with the business to establish their priorities, compose an action plan and agree a business improvement project. This could include a grant contribution capped at a maximum of £1,000 to use to fund an expert to help remove the company’s barrier, accelerate business growth, and scale up their business. For more information on Charnwood’s Scale-Up programme, visit here. The Scale-Up project is on top of 10 other projects chosen by Charnwood Borough Council for support The Council has been allocated £4 million from the fund to invest in communities, support local businesses and improve skills. Other projects are seeing improvements made to community venues, parks, sports facilities, and town centre regeneration. For more information, visit here.

Stars of the screen, Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood, are preparing to put their walking boots on as they reunite in support of popular Harrogate businessman and close friend David Simister. The former ITV Calendar presenters will be among those taking part in Harrogate’s first ‘Walk & Talk’ event, which will see the local business community coming together for what promises to be a sponsored walk with a difference. Organised by the Big Bamboo Agency, and sponsored by luxury and supercar financier Apollo Capital, the ‘Walk & Talk’ is open to all businesses or business professionals and offers the perfect opportunity for either an office team-bonding exercise, a client catch-up, or even a business meeting with a difference. Starting and finishing at Roosters Brewing Co Taproom on Hornbeam Park, the ‘Walk & Talk’ will take place on Thursday, June 27 with registration taking place at 7am for a 7.30am departure. There will be three routes available along the Harrogate Ringway based on how far entrants wish to walk, ranging from 10 miles up to 25. The entry cost is a minimum donation of £25, all of which will go to the family of David Simister. David suffered a life-changing stroke in March last year and now requires round-the-clock care. Having worked closely alongside the Harrogate-based Big Bamboo Agency, providing invaluable PR expertise, the team launched a fundraising campaign at the start of this year to ensure David continues to get the daily care that he requires. The total raised has already reached £1,285. Both Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood have known and worked alongside David for many years and were keen to step out and put their best feet forward in an effort to raise as much funding as possible. Christine commented: “David is not only a well-respected figure of the regional business community, but he is also a dear friend to so many people across the North of Yorkshire and I hope people will come out and show their support for him by signing up for the brilliant ‘Walk & Talk’ event.” Duncan commented: “David worked tirelessly for the good of Harrogate and for the people and businesses who were lucky enough to know him and to spend time with him. Now we have the opportunity to do something for him and his family at this difficult time, and I am delighted to be involved.” CEO of Apollo Capital, Andy King, comments: “As soon as we heard about the event, we offered our support, and are looking forward to jumping out of the supercars and getting some steps in on the Ringway, raising funds and creating awareness with the business community of Harrogate.”