Permasteelisa Group, the global leader in the design, construction, manufacture, and installation of technically advanced building envelopes, has moved to a new state-of-the-art premises in the heart of London ,Yarnwicke, Cannon Street. Recognised as the world’s premier integrated provider of high quality, bespoke curtain wall solutions, colleagues from all three of the Group’s specialist brands – Permasteelisa, Gartner and Scheldebouw – will operate from the new office as it strengthens its position in the capital. Formerly known as Sherbourne House, Yarnwicke has been refurbished by developer Riverside Capital to BREEAM Excellent standard, with an EPC A rating. Situated two doors down from the new Bank Station entrance, Yarnwicke offers immediate access to Bank and Monument Stations which, serviced by six tube lines, ensures that London Bridge, Waterloo, Kings Cross and Liverpool Street are only minutes away. Boasting nine multi-media meeting rooms, a kitchen area, a mix of desks and touchdown areas, sofa seating, outside terraces and cycle storage, the new office forms a central hub in London for the global organisation, where 100 colleagues will be based at any given time. A modern, collaborative, and inspiring space, Permasteelisa’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Lee Marks, explains it is a home that all colleagues can be proud to work in. He comments: “London is a strategically important market for the Group. As our UK headquarters, we’re already really happy in our new home, and hope that colleagues from further afield, customers and suppliers alike enjoy visiting our new space.” Permasteelisa Group occupies the whole of the fifth floor, over 6,851 sq. ft, having signed a lease for five years. Riverside Capital delivered the fit-out in line with its ‘Ready To Work’ managed office product at Yarnwicke. As a Group, the company has delivered many of the capital’s iconic developments including The Shard, 22 Bishopsgate, 20 Fenchurch Street (a.k.a. the Walkie Talkie building) and significant residential projects at Battersea Power Station.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has again published its annual carbon emissions report as its journey towards net zero by 2030 continues to make positive progress. The firm voluntarily releases the data to demonstrate transparency and accountability around the impact that its business has on the planet. The overall total gross CO2 output remained relatively static in 2023 with a 0.7% increase on 2022 (161.4 tonnes of CO2), despite business travel having increased by 4%. Carbon emissions per person of 172 employees across 12 offices remained under one tonne at 0.95 tCO2, based on the firm’s carbon management dashboard. There was also a 75% increase in electric vehicle (EV) miles over 2022, a trend expected to continue through 2024 and beyond. Gas emissions were also down, and electricity consumption decreased by 19% over 2022, thanks in part to switching gas and electricity suppliers to green and renewable sources. Managing Partner Matthew Samuel-Camps said: “By voluntarily disclosing this data, we recognise where we are making positive changes in meeting our carbon commitment and environmental policy goals, whilst acknowledging, identifying and planning potential areas for improvement." “We have made great strides as a business over the last year and are encouraged by the results of our carbon report. Our overall objective is to shrink our carbon footprint by 10% year on year and we have implemented lots of adjustments, big and small, to gain the momentum needed to move towards this goal." “Like any business, there will always be more that we can achieve in reducing our carbon footprint. We are candid about those areas we can continue to improve on, including travel. We accept that travel is a necessity for our business because we have to inspect properties, for example, and this will continue to be an area of primary focus for us." “We remain focussed on measuring, monitoring and reducing our carbon emissions in energy, transport, our products and services, as well as our waste and are encouraging our people to do the same.” “As we look to the year ahead, we will continue to challenge ourselves and our supply chain and work with our clients to proactively reduce our carbon emissions further, as well as potentially exploring carbon offsetting measures alongside what we are already doing.” Vail Williams’ Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Team and Regional Managing Partners implemented several changes throughout 2023 which have had a positive impact on the firm’s carbon footprint. These include a switch to 100% renewable energy across several offices, as well as relocating to more sustainable premises with better green credentials and EPC ratings in Reading and London in 2022 and Woking in 2023. In 2023, more than 30% of LLP members moved from petrol or diesel cars to hybrid or EVs, meaning the firm remains on track to be petrol free by the end March 2026. Also, the Sustainability Action Plan 2022-25 laid out several initiatives to help drive down carbon emissions, including promoting and incentivising smarter travel such as public transport, cycling and car sharing. Read the full report .

Baked Earth Bakery has launched its authentic garlic and coriander naan bites into supermarket chain Asda. The packs of 20 naan bites are available at 241 Asda stores nationwide in the bakery section. Dan Butt, MD of Nottingham-based Baked Earth Bakery, said: “We are excited to see our Baked Earth Bakery garlic and coriander naan bites on the bakery shelves in Asda. We believe we are the first to market with these delicious and versatile naan bites, which are mini versions of our popular naan breads." “As a family, we’ve been making naans for over 50 years and this collaboration with Asda means that their customers can now buy our authentic Baked Earth Bakery naan breads for their own families to enjoy.” The garlic and coriander naans can be used for dipping, topping, as a side or served in a big bowl for sharing. Suitable for vegans, they take two to three minutes to cook in an oven or one to two minutes under the grill. They are also suitable for home freezing. The Butt family is a fourth generation family that has been baking authentic naans and flatbreads since the early 1970s – originally from a small restaurant which was Nottingham’s first curry house and since 1990 from a purposely designed factory, using bespoke ovens that replicate a Tandoor that were developed by the family. The company has grown to become a leading producer of naans and flatbreads, supplying to the retail and food service sectors.

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) will join beekeepers, conservationists, naturalists and growers around the world in observing World Bee Day on 20 May 2024. The BBKA’s 27,000-strong membership is actively involved in helping to safeguard more than 50 million honey bees¹. In addition to managing their hives for healthy bees, they produce honey, collect swarms and are on the front-line of protecting the UK’s pollinators from invasive, yellow-legged Asian hornets. BBKA Chair, Diane Drinkwater, said: “We are passionate about bees and enthusiastically support World Bee Day by helping to raise awareness of the real and present threats facing these incredibly important insects. We all depend on bees and other pollinators to produce much of our food, and safeguard and enhance the biodiversity of the world around us.” The BBKA was created in this month 150 years ago and beekeepers’ associations have been planting commemorative trees in their apiaries to further support honey bees, bumblebees and many other species dependent on trees for food. Across the country, thousands of beekeepers’ lawns are sprouting buttercups, daisies, bird’s foot trefoil and clover as part of the No Mow May campaign to encourage gardeners to put their mower away during the month and let wildflowers flourish. The UK has lost 97 per cent of wildflower meadows since the 1930s, which has removed a vital source of food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Diane Drinkwater added: “Beekeepers are as passionate about the environment as they are their own honey bees, and less mowing encourages wildflowers to grow in a grass lawn which is beneficial to lots of pollinating insects.” World Bee Day, created by the United Nations, aims to strengthen measures to protect bees, which are vital pollinators for almost 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species and more than 75% of global food crops. Despite their importance in supporting food security and biodiversity, bees are under significant threat worldwide from intensive and monocultural farming practices, land-use change and habitat loss, pesticides and rising temperatures linked to climate change. The UK’s biodiversity indicator for pollinators (which uses bees and hoverflies as the key indicator species) has been assessed as showing long term decline since 1980 but as remaining stable in the short term².

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has been granted use of the Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III. Royal Warrants are awarded to companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for a minimum of five consecutive years to the Royal Household. King Charles III first granted a Royal Warrant to the Faversham-based brewer in 1998, in his former role as the Prince of Wales, for Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy. The drink dates back to 1774, and was originally produced by Thomas Grant and Sons in Dover before moving to Maidstone, where it lasted until the 1950s. Shepherd Neame bought the liqueur in 1988. In 2014, the Prince of Wales gave permission for the Royal Warrant to be used on bottles of Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire Amber Ale. Named after the legendary Supermarine Spitfire, this Kentish ale was first brewed in 1990 to commemorate the Battle of Britain which was fought in the skies above Kent 50 years earlier. Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We have a long association with the Royal Family, and are incredibly proud to be among the first UK businesses to be awarded a Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III." "As Britain’s oldest brewer, we take great pride in preserving the traditions of our long brewing heritage, creating quality products using the finest locally sourced ingredients, so it wonderful to have our efforts recognised with this special honour.”

Leading glass packaging company, Croxsons, is currently promoting its new sustainability campaign, reiterating its commitment to environmental stewardship in the packaging industry. As part of this initiative, Croxsons is focusing on major sustainability efforts including promoting the use of and planning for zero-carbon furnaces for glass production, which are part of the UK’s broader aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The company is planning for a rapid transition from traditional natural gas furnaces to those powered entirely by renewable electricity and hydrogen, aiming to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of its manufacturing processes. Further demonstrating its dedication to environmental causes, Croxsons has partnered with Ecologi to fund global climate initiatives and has already planted 150,000 trees to combat deforestation and climate change, as well as offsetting the carbon footprint of their entire team. This undertaking highlights the company’s pledge to undo decades of carbon damage and provide tangible benefits to the environment, meeting 13 of the UN Sustaintability Development Goals. Additionally, Croxsons’ recent recognition at the Ecologi Awards, where it won a Gold Award, highlights the company's proactive approach to sustainability and its effective strategies in setting and achieving significant emission reduction targets. Providing bespoke solutions to global food and beverage brands, Croxsons continues to expand its reach and services worldwide, maintaining its commitment to sustainable practices in all aspects of its business. Tim Croxson, Croxsons CEO, said: “Our commitment to sustainability is central to our operations. We are not just adjusting to a better way of doing business, we have to make sure that we are playing our part in ensuring that the packaging industry contributes positively to the planet's future.”

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey.  Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at an intimidating 72m (236ft) and will reach speeds of over 80mph. The safety systems installed by working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services provide a continuous safe connection on the rollercoaster, allowing maintenance crews to carry out routine and reactive tasks with confidence. Arco installed Two MSA Latchways BridgeLatch fall arrest and restraint systems along the entire 111m (364ft) incline and crest of the rollercoaster, allowing workers to access the lift portion of the rollercoaster safely. They also fixed MSA Latchways Mansafe fall arrest systems along the station return brake platform and the station exit maintenance platform.  Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “We were thrilled to be a part of this project for the Hyperia coaster, the latest attraction at one of the UK’s top theme parks." “This installation is the latest in a longstanding partnership with Merlin Entertainments that has allowed Arco, the Experts in Safety, to demonstrate our expertise in working at height safety and love of (safe) thrills." “I know I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we are looking forward to getting to experience the UK’s new tallest and fastest ride when it opens.” Dan Warwick, health & safety director at Thorpe Park, said: “Arco have been an instrumental part of the team, assisting us with the installation of working at height lines - a vital element of the Hyperia ride construction." “With the ride standing at an epic 236ft tall, these lines will be used to safely enable our engineering team to get up and down the incredible lift hill for all maintenance and daily pre-opening checks." “The lines will also be used by our staff and guests in the event of an evacuation being required on the ride. As part of this, the Arco team worked closely with us to ensure we have well-planned and expertly curated evacuation plans, which form a critical part of the overall project.” Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios, specialising in working at height, confined spaces and respiratory management.  Find out more here.

Harlequins are excited to announce the signing of three-time Premiership winning prop and Samoan international Titi Lamositele. The 29-year-old, who has been capped for Samoa and the USA, will join the Club from French Top 14 side Montpellier in preparation for the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season. The tighthead prop, who was born in Tacoma Washington, made his international debut in 2013 against Canada, becoming the youngest ever USA international at the age of 18. He went on to achieve 32 Test caps for the USA, including seven appearances at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup, before switching his international alliance to Samoa in 2023. At club level, Lamositele joined Saracens in 2015, winning three Premiership titles and three Champions Cup titles. He then moved to Montpellier in 2020, helping the French side to their Challenge Cup victory over Leicester Tigers in 2021, before winning the Top 14 title in 2021/22. Commenting on his move to The Stoop, Lamositele said: “I’m excited to be joining Quins. I’ve been impressed with the rugby they have played this season, and I can’t wait to return to the Premiership and link up with my new teammates. I’ve enjoyed my time in France but I’m excited for this new chapter and I can’t wait to pull on the Quarters and play in front of a packed Quins crowd.” Director of Rugby Billy Millard added: “I’ve known Titi since my time coaching with USA Rugby and I’ve followed his progress closely throughout his career." "He’s a very experienced and dynamic tighthead, who has achieved great success at club and international level and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our front-row. He’s a hard-working, tough ball carrier, who adds plenty of power to our scrum and will be ready to make a good impact next season.”

Former professional boxer and well-known boxing pundit Johnny Nelson MBE is putting his weight behind a Leamington distillery brand which is inspired by boxing. Johnny announced his collaboration with Warwickshire Gin Company during a recent visit to the county where he met local amateur boxers at Cleary’s Boxing Gym. Nelson, now a boxing pundit & motivational speaker, remains the longest reigning cruiserweight world champion of all time. Since his retirement, he has spent time working with charities, including the prison service where he helps inmates with life management skills. Last year he was appointed an MBE in King Charles’ first New Year’s Honours for services to boxing and young people in his local area of South Yorkshire. He is partnering with Warwickshire Gin Company’s award-winning Pugilist rum range, which has been named in honour of Leamington’s own boxing great, Randolph Turpin. Turpin, who is recognised with a statue in Warwick’s Market Square, went down in British boxing history for his sensational World Title win against the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson and earning himself the nickname ‘The Leamington Licker.’ Johnny Nelson MBE said of the new partnership: “I love boxing, and I love rum, so Pugilist Blended Rum and its history with Randolph Turpin is the perfect collaboration for me. Rum has been my tipple of choice since I retired. I didn’t drink as a professional, and if I’m honest didn’t really like the taste of alcohol, but you’ll often find me drinking it neat, or enjoying it at home mixed with ginger ale." “The quality of Pugilist Blended Rum speaks for itself and hopefully through this new partnership, more people will get to know about it and hear the story behind the brand. The connection to Randolph Turpin couldn’t be more of an honour." “Hopefully I can help The Pugilist bring to life the connection to boxing through appearances at gyms in the Warwickshire community, through to promotional campaigns. I’m proud to be an ambassador for the brand.” The prestigious promoter joins ringside as the distillery and the three rums - Spice Blended Rum; The Pugilist - Sting Like a Bee - Honey Rum and Pugilist Ghost Edition White Rum, are already punching above their weight in the awards arena - the signature Spice Blended Rum taking Bronze at from the 2022 International Spirits Awards. Warwickshire Gin Company is, this year, also celebrating becoming the ‘Number One Thing to Do in Leamington Spa’ on Trip Advisor. The distillery’s tasting experiences have shot to the envied top spot thanks to over 100 five-star reviews from visitors. Internationally it’s also made its mark, achieving the “Travellers Choice Award” which puts the Warwickshire distillery in the top 10% of businesses listed in the world based on reviews. Dave Blick, who established Warwickshire Gin Company at Victoria Business Centre, in 2018, adds: “It’s great to have such a prestigious member of the boxing community as an ambassador for Warwickshire Gin Company, endorsing our rum products. It will also help us in our plans to grow the brand in getting it into sporting and boxing venues and to carry on sharing the wider story of Warwickshire’s Randolph Turpin, extending his legacy beyond the county borders.” The partnership followed the distillery’s sponsorship of Cleary’s Boxing Gym, which opened the doors to its new £100k premises in Whitnash last year. Edwin Cleary now welcomes up to 400 members into his gym, from as young as six, some of whom were excited to meet Johnny Nelson MBE during his recent drop-in. Edwin finishes: “Johnny opened Cleary’s amateur club with Jack Turpin, and I’ve since introduced him to a lot of my boxers. He’s an inspiration to any striving young boxer who comes through the gym. He teaches them the philosophy he himself lived by - if you don’t succeed try and try again.”

Demonstrating its commitment to supporting student and staff mental health and wellbeing, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has officially signed the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) new Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter. Developed in partnership with education professionals and senior health leads, the charter has been updated following its creation in 2019 to address the rise in mental health difficulties in young people. This comes following research published by the AoC in 2023 which found that 95% of colleges said there had been a significant or slight increase of disclosed mental health difficulties among 16 to 18-year-olds. The research also found that 82% of colleges were encountering a significant number of students experiencing mental health difficulties without a formal disclosure. Research published by the NHS in November 2023 also found that 20.3% of young people aged 8-16 had a probable mental disorder. Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the proportion was 23.3%, while in 20 to 25-year-olds it was 21.7%. Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “We work closely with thousands of young people across our three Colleges, so it’s vital that we understand the challenges they are facing and that staff have the correct mental health training." "Although we have been members of the AoC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter since 2019, these new practices and standards ensure that we are evolving and adapting our approach to ensure its holistic and meets the needs of both our learners and colleagues." “We have implemented a number of initiatives across the Group such as mental health and wellbeing support groups and services, feel good days and activities, celebration events, staff reward schemes and more – ensuring that we create a working environment where students and colleagues feel valued and supported,” added Sam. The 11 principles outlined in the original charter remain but are now embedded across four themes that make up the new Mental Health Charter framework, underpinned by good practice principles and standards. These themes focus on leadership and ethos, support for students, workplace wellbeing and evidence and impact. To support the mental health and wellbeing of its students, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has a dedicated Student Experience Team who ensure that all students receive the support they need to make the most of their student experience and studies. The team includes Student Wellbeing Officers who can support students with a wide range of needs, including confidence, low mood, managing emotions, healthy relationships, homelessness, bullying, problems at home and more.

Croots Farm Shop products went down a storm at the Houses of Parliament when they were showcased at the bi-annual Derbyshire Food and Drinks Fair ’A Taste of Derbyshire’ hosted by Derbyshire MPs. Croots took along some of its award-winning homemade products including pork pie, sausage roll, lemon drizzle cake, and Bakewell tart, plus a number of beers specially brewed for Croots. The farm shop sent a team to the event, which was held in the Jubilee Room at the Palace of Westminster, after being invited to attend by Pauline Latham, Conservative MP for Mid-Derbyshire. They also met Conservative MP for Derbyshire Dales, Sarah Dines, whose constituency borders Croots. Kay Croot, who owns and runs the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, said: “The Taste of Derbyshire event at the Houses of Parliament was a great opportunity for us to showcase some of our award-winning products to MPs." “It was also an excellent experience to visit such an historic and important place. We had super feedback and, as keen ambassadors of Derbyshire and the food produced in the county, we were proud to have had the chance to be part of the fair.” Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords visited the event, including Minister of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake, who talked to Kay about her experience of running a small business. “It was a good opportunity to share with him the challenges facing small businesses, such as huge energy bills, which have risen so much in recent times,” added Kay. Croots was launched in 2008 on the farm run by Kay’s parents and is one of Derbyshire’s most popular farm shops, with a stack of awards under its belt both for the shop and its homemade products. Croots Farm Shop specialises in selling food and drink made by local producers in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, and other nearby counties. It features products from more than 40 suppliers within a 50-mile radius – supporting many other family run businesses - and also sells a wide and expanding range of home-produced items made by the Croots team in-house. The store offers an extensive selection of food, drink, meat, cheeses and deli items, along with gift ideas, wines and spirits. Croots Farm Shop is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The café is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm and 10am to 3pm on Sundays.

Luxury Cotswolds hotel Tewkesbury Park has secured a £500,000 investment from Lombard for upgrading its plant room to include combined heat and power (CHP) in a move which the resort estimates will save it £100,000 per year in energy costs. This highly efficient process captures the heat created by electricity generation to meet its water and space heating requirements. Tewkesbury Park is a family-owned, luxury hotel resort and 18-hole golf course situated on the site of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. The hotel hosts premium stays, golf and tennis trips, weddings and conferences, and also has an onsite spa and fitness centre. The business, which employs 134 people, is run by Linda McIntosh, with her son Chris McIntosh and daughter Claire White. They estimate that the use of combined heat and power will save 200 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year. Chris McIntosh, Managing Director at Tewkesbury Park Limited, said: “We are passionate about making our hotel more sustainable and setting a positive example that others in the hotel industry can follow. This investment from Lombard has allowed us to take a big step forward in this regard." “Due to space and listed building constraints, we were unable to install solar panels – but Lombard helped us find a solution that will allow us reduce our emissions and make huge costs savings, while increasing our security of supply with a system powered by LPG that can run even if the grid does not.” Jason Holness, Senior Relationship Manager at Lombard, said: “It was fantastic to work with the McIntosh family on this deal and help them to take a big step towards their sustainability goals, with the added benefit of saving them a lot of money in the long run." "One of our business aims is to provide financing options that encourage and empower businesses to improve their sustainability, and the Tewkesbury Park team embodies exactly what we’re trying to achieve.” The family discovered the neglected hotel in 2014 and, seeing its potential, purchased and refurbished it over a four-year period, adding a new events venue and bedrooms in the main house. For further assistance with their climate action plan, Tewkesbury Park has registered with NatWest’s Carbon Planner, a free tool providing businesses with tailored solutions to reduce their operational emissions. Commercial Director Claire is putting her luxury hotel experience to good use on new ITV game show The Fortune Hotel. Claire and husband Dan are competing for a £250,000 cash prize.