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Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events , the events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the trends for nuptials in 2024, along with other experts in the industry. Virtual Reality Unnecessary Destination weddings remain one of the top trends in weddings for 2024. More and more couples are choosing to host nuptials in far flung destinations across the world – and this is only growing. Vineyards in Italy and Villas in France are now the norm; couples are looking for the biggest and best new destinations further afield, the more unusual the better. Looking ahead to 2024, couples are planning multi-day extravaganzas in beachside locations on the Turkish coast; or Mallorcan mega-parties. That being said, there is a reason the old favourites remain. "Destinations in the South of France and Tuscan Hills never lose their spots at the top of the destination hit list; it is simply that the events become more ambitious and as planners, our ideas become more wild. Recent examples include a South of France celebration over 4 days. Each day was an entirely different theme; overnight builds with cranes and a massive amount of logistics meant that guests awoke to an entirely new setting every single day. It involved boundless creativity from our team to design the concepts, using the absolutely magnificent setting we were in. Cap Estel was this couple’s for the weekend, and they certainly made it their own.” Hotel Takeovers As Emma continues; “Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it’s hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place.” Artificial Intelligence Enters “As with many of the tasks in life these days, there is a place for A.I. as a tool to help couples with administrative tasks. AI-generated wedding speeches have been around for some time and we are now seeing couples use it to help with guest list and table planning, too. By entering some key references, such as ‘relationship to the couple’ and which category they sit into (old friend, family etc) a plan can be generated within moments. Of course, refining the seating plan is necessary and the couples’ input is essential to ensure the most perfect of plans. A.I. isn’t going to know the history of guest x and guest y, and that’s why the human touch never goes amiss!” Creativity With A Conscience “Creativity is king – we are always on the lookout for the newest, hottest, most unusual and beautiful ideas. Previously, this may have been without consideration; more and more we are seeing that guests are truly interested in what we are doing to protect the planet whilst we party. This may be from something as ‘small’ as having biodegradable confetti – which is easy to make at home if you are lucky to have a garden with some flowering plants and some time on your hands!" "Our couples are moving away from excess for excess’ sake, and looking to how they can make changes to improve the sustainability of their celebrations. An example might be how for the floral displays and decorations, we are often tasked to use local, seasonal plants and flowers indigenous to the area we are in. Having excellent quality produce is paramount, so finding local flower suppliers who can meet our needs is always the first port of call." "With all the travelling that can be required for destination weddings, more and more of our couples will look at ways of off-setting carbon emissions. This may be by planting trees or donating to carbon off-setting funds. It extends from environment to social, with many couples not requesting gifts, but donations to favourite charities. This is continuing to become more and more popular across the scene.” Larger suppliers are also seeking to reduce their footprint in innovative ways. Leading marquee provider, English Marquee Company, is investing heavily in sustainable alternatives to traditional canvas pole or steel frame tents. Managing Director Sam Peters commented: “Marquees by nature are relatively sustainable as they are used time and again, however we are increasingly looking at solutions that take it further. 2024 will see wedding couples opting for marquees made of natural materials such as timber and transported in hydrogen trucks, with any canvas donated to humanitarian aid schemes to be remade as tents.” Back To Basics? “As we know, food is a huge part of celebrations for many. For our clients, it can be one of the most integral parts, or a minor focus, but there is one requirement that never changes – quality of ingredient. Despite trends of deconstructed dishes or crazy flavour combinations, we always ensure when choosing our food suppliers to work with, that the quality of the ingredients is the best it could possibly be. This is of particular importance for the year ahead, when the culinary trend we are seeing across events is the notion of back to basics – within reason of course!" "More and more, guests are asking for hyper-local, provenance-traceable ingredients, that speak for themselves on the plate. It is eating like a local from the local area. It is freshly caught fish grilled with Provence herbs when on the South Coast of France; it’s homemade ravioli with local olive oil and locally sourced vegetables when in Italy. This simplicity is what we are seeing many of our guests searching for – and that is reliant on ingredient access, which is a luxury in itself. Of course, there is always a place for complicated dishes of expert flavour combinations, but it can be just as difficult to create something equally as delicious with a handful of ingredients of what’s available then and there. It’s part of the consciousness of consumption we are seeing, and also a change of preference following many years of over the top fine dining taking centre stage.” Max Uyanik, Chef Patron of leading event caterer Food Show, notes “Wedding food in 2024 will be much less fussy. Caterers will do away with unnecessary theatre whilst retaining the beautiful presentation and fun elements that keep guests talking." "We’ll be using shorter supply chains and the very best ingredients, with produce sourced as close to the venue as possible." "This freshness and seasonality will let the ingredients speak for themselves as well as telling the story of the location.” Floral Fantasies “In the industry, we are always pushing the boundaries with design and creativity, and when it comes to decoration, this is even more true, as one of the best ways to ensure a true wow-factor is through the flowers. Epic, flowing displays in thematic colours to match the surroundings of a grand-dame hotel; quaint bud vases with grasses and pops of colour for an English Country Estate recovery lunch. The sky is the limit with flower arches for framing couple as they make their vows, totally picture perfect. Aisles lined with vases, bouquets, and candles .. there is no end to what can be achieved with the beauty of flowers, plants and foliage. Incredible displays from the intricate to the over the top can make a huge difference to the overall feel of the day." "When it comes to picking the styles and what to use, there is an abundance of choice, and trends really vary on location and couple, of course. We are seeing couples choosing local flowers more and more; this means working with the best florist but choosing seasonal and indigenous options, even grown in the surrounding areas. We might look at masses of heavenly lavender to be an element of a Provence Chateau wedding; Amalfi lemons as table dressings for a Sicilian soiree." "Guests holding nuptials in Bodrum, Turkey in peak summer may choose the bright pink bougainvillea and mandarin trees local to the area, combined with other Turkish plant varieties.”

More than 9,600 students have graduated from Sheffield Hallam University as part of the biggest ever annual programme of ceremonies. The celebrations, held at Ponds Forge, have seen 9,668 students from across the University graduate in front of 33,818 guests including family and friends at 35 different ceremonies during the last fortnight. Of those graduating, more than 750 were nursing and midwifery students, 600 from allied health professions, such as paramedics and physiotherapists, with another 900 completing their degrees in the University’s Sheffield Institute of Education on teaching related courses. The majority of those graduates have joined the regional workforce since completing their studies in the summer, supporting the NHS and local schools. Among the nursing students who graduated last week was Yordanos Gebrehiwot, who came to Sheffield in 2014 after fleeing war in her home country of Ethiopia. She started on a journey to overcome language barriers and secure the right qualifications to study to become a nurse. In 2020, she was offered a place at Sheffield Hallam after completing her English and Maths GCSEs and securing a Sanctuary Scholarship from the University, a fund set up to support asylum seekers with the cost of their studies. Yordanos wanted to become a mental health nurse after losing her mother at a young age and seeing her brother struggle with addiction and mental health issues. She is now a full-time nurse. Yordanos said: “Throughout my journey, my dream of going to university to study to become a mental health nurse never changed." “My journey could not have been made possible without Sheffield Hallam University. When nobody considered me as a human being, the University provided me with an opportunity to make me feel like a complete person again. I cannot say thank you enough.” Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Chris Husbands said: “This year’s graduation ceremonies have once again been a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making them so special for graduates and their families." “Seeing more than 2,000 nurses, midwives, healthcare and teaching professionals graduate drives home the impact Sheffield Hallam University has on the region and the training of its workforce, and that makes me immensely proud." “It is always a delight for me to chat to attendees before and after the ceremonies, and to understand just how important graduation, and the University, is to them. I wish them the very best for what the future holds.” The annual graduation events also saw notable individuals from across business, media, human rights and the creative industries receive honorary doctorates for their contributions to their fields.

Sheffield Hallam University degree apprentice Francesca Hume has been named Degree Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards, considered the most prestigious award ceremony for UK apprentices. A BSc Packaging Professional degree apprentice, Francesca works with GSK plc, currently based in Research & Development. She is also a STEM ambassador and a passionately promotes careers in the industry. The Apprentice of the Year award is facilitated by the Department for Education and recognises those who have made exceptional contributions to their employer, while progressing their personal skills and studies. On winning the award, Francesca said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded this award. Pursuing an apprenticeship with GSK and Sheffield Hallam University has allowed me to gain technical skills and confidence, helping me to progress in the workplace. I have been so well supported on my academic journey by Hallam, and I would recommend the packaging professional degree apprenticeship to anyone wishing to develop or upskill in the industry.” Sheffield Hallam is home to the National Centre of Excellence in Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA). Its Packaging Professional degree apprenticeship is the only course of its kind in the UK; students work in the packaging supply chain on projects including the development of new recyclable and sustainable materials. Dr Iain Garner, Dean of College, Social Sciences and Arts at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Everyone at Hallam is tremendously proud to see Francesca win this award, which caps an incredibly successful year for our apprenticeship staff and students. Francesca’s exceptional work with a major multinational business like GSK is a fantastic example of the ways which degree apprenticeships can open doors for students and turbocharge careers." “As home of the National Centre of Excellence in Degree Apprenticeships, we are proud to provide the UK’s only undergraduate degree program focused on the packaging supply chain. Degree apprenticeships offer opportunities for people from all kinds of backgrounds, in all manner of critical industries. Through courses like this one, we are training the next generation of leaders – people who will go on to work on crucial issues like the future of sustainable packaging.” Francesca’s award follows success for Hallam packaging students and staff at the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) awards, the North East National Apprenticeship Awards and the UK Packaging Awards in 2023.

Businesses urge government to provide business support urgently to enable the UK to hit future growth targets. Almost 100% of the country’s key business growth drivers are calling on the government to prioritise business support. The National Enterprise Network (NEN), the country’s leading representative of enterprise support for start-up, small and micro-businesses, has released the results of its 2023 Business Barometer, one of the country’s largest surveys of new start-ups and early-stage businesses. Key Findings: More than half (52%) said they were expecting growth in the coming year Three quarters (76%) were worried about rising costs and a similar number expected to need funding Almost all of them (99%) said they needed business support NOW. Carol Daniels, Operations Director at NEN said: “We need a manifesto for change in enterprise support in this country. The impact of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding and the changes to business support as a result of policies around Local Enterprise Partnerships and devolution has combined with rising costs, in particular wages, to create a massive mountain of challenges for those small businesses we are so passionate about." “Businesses are desperate for support so they can deliver the growth our country needs, so we need policies now around how we sustain and support economic growth, how SMEs can access finance and accommodation, and how they can get the right advice as and when they need it.” Speaking at the recent NEN conference, A Manifesto for Change in Enterprise Support, Alex Till, NEN Chairman said: “This is important to all of us because small and micro businesses drive innovation, which drives growth." "Looking at the statistics, with six million entrepreneurs, small businesses account for 50% of the country’s GDP, 50% of its growth and 75% of its innovation — making them absolutely critical in pushing the nation’s economy.” NEN conducted the Business Barometer survey in collaboration with Enterprise Northern Ireland (ENI) in order to best understand the challenges small businesses face and the support they need to address these challenges. More than 1,000 respondents, who included the owners, founders and senior managers of largely micro, small and self-employed businesses and sole traders from a broad spectrum of business sectors, took part in the survey. The NEN results showed that 52% of the businesses are expecting growth within the coming year, while 38% have seen their turnover increase and 40% have seen an increase in their profits. 82% of businesses report a strong or stable cashflow position and 26% have recruited additional staff in the past year. 81% rate the productivity of their staff as good to excellent. However, 77% of those surveyed reported that they are likely to need additional financing within the next 12 months. Half of businesses looking for finance will be using it for investment in equipment, premises or software and 19% of businesses will be doing it to help fund their transition to net zero. 99% of respondents indicated that they need immediate support. Their concerns centred on increases in the cost of energy, goods and services and staff wages, as well a rise in the cost of debt and late payment by customers. Other concerns included cyber security and privacy and the difficulty of accessing supplies and the difficulty in recruiting. The survey identified that the main areas of support that businesses require include help with sales, business development and export; being efficient and more effective; digital marketing and social media trends; people and skills; financing; new technology and leadership and strategy. Introducing sustainable business practices also presented a challenge for those surveyed. 30% of businesses who took part in the survey turn to Enterprise Agencies or business and trade membership bodies in the first instance when they need support. Others sought the help and advice of local government departments, professional services firms such as lawyers or accountants, or a college or university. The full survey results are available here

Levels of banned chemicals in UK-stranded orcas are 30 times over the toxic threshold, uncovers new ZSL-led research. The finding is just one alarming discovery from the investigation into the scale at which chemical pollution threatens the future of marine mammals. The first-of-its-kind study, reveals that levels of six chemical pollutants remain at highly toxic levels within UK marine mammals – exceeding the safe limits in half of animals investigated – more than two decades after the use of many of them was restricted or banned. Collected over 30 years, the data behind the shocking findings comes from one of the world’s largest marine mammal toxicology datasets, created by partners across the UK - including the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and ZSL’s Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP), a Defra-funded programme which investigates strandings of marine mammals, marine turtles and sharks around the English and Welsh coast to understand the threats they face. By analysing post-mortem records and associated tissue samples from over 1000 animals spanning 11 species of whales, dolphins and seals stranded in the UK, the research uncovered how concentrations of these dangerous chemicals were highest in long-lived species at the top of the food chain - orcas, bottlenose dolphins and white-beaked dolphins. The scientists behind the research call for urgent action to protect marine wildlife from the lethal impacts of chemical pollution. The team identified that in recent years, the average concentrations of banned toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in orcas were thirty times the amount at which marine mammals would start to face negative health effects. Once used widely - including in paints, adhesives and motor oil - PCB’s were internationally banned in 2004. However, the report highlights how many of these chemicals continue to impact the natural world. Dr Rosie Williams, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology explained: “It’s been over 20 years since several of these chemicals were banned globally, yet we still see concerningly high concentrations in wildlife." "Chemical pollutants such as PCB’s pose one of the biggest threats to marine mammal health. Although concentrations of the pollutants appear to be declining, our findings reveal that, in many species, they are still present at levels associated with negative effects on the immune and reproductive systems.” The research identified that in the most recent five years of the study (2014-2018), almost half of the animals studied had pollutant levels exceeding toxic thresholds. In bottlenose dolphins, the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – a chemical used as a flame retardant in several products including electronics and soft furnishings– was on average 200 per cent above the threshold for the onset of negative health effects. Like PCBs, PBDEs are known to weaken the immune system, increasing disease susceptibility. Rosie explained why pollutant levels are so high: “These toxins are initially taken up by plankton at the bottom of the food chain. Unable to be broken down or excreted, these persistent chemicals increase in concentration the further up the food chain they go, in a process known as ‘biomagnification’. As apex predators, many marine mammal species consume large amounts of toxins every time they feed, making them some of the most contaminated wildlife species.” The study identified the rates of decline of most pollutants has slowed – indicating that concentrations are approaching a constant level and raising concern about the potential for ongoing pollution. The situation threatens to worsen further with climate change, as around 10,000 landfills in Europe are situated on coasts at risk of climate change, sea-level rise, flooding or erosion with the potential to release their contaminant load directly to the marine environment. Rosie added: “This is a huge wake-up call. We rely on this same ecosystem for some of our own food – so these findings ring alarm bells not only for the future of marine life, but indicate a risk to human wellbeing. For example, PBDE exposure in humans has been linked to impaired development in children. The global costs associated with environmental chemical exposures – such as the costs of medical treatment - are estimated to be around 10% of global GDP– so there’s a huge economical incentive to address this problem now. Tackling the issue of chemical pollution will not only protect the environment and wildlife but will also protect humans too.” The research was made possible by lab analysis from Cefas, along with partners from Brunel University London, The University of Glasgow/Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme, the Natural History Museum, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, Marine Environmental Monitoring and Atlantic Technological University. The scientists behind the alarming discovery are calling for urgent action to protect the marine environment from both historic and emerging pollutants - by improving current pollution control measures and encouraging governments to take a more proactive approach to regulation – such as phasing out all non-essential use of hazardous chemicals and preventing one harmful chemical from being replaced by a closely-related and equally damaging substitution. Rosie explained: “We’re still cleaning up the mess of historic pollutants that were banned over two decades ago. We need to act now, learn from our past mistakes and employ stronger, science-backed measures to curb pollution. Ambitious and urgent action is required and by taking action today we can start mitigating the profound impact that chemical pollution continues to have on marine life.” Rob Deaville, CSIP Project Manager and researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology explained: “As highly mobile marine species living in the vast expanse of the sea, gaining a better understanding of the dangers that marine mammals face can be difficult." "Our investigations give a unique insight into these threats – including exposure to chemical pollutants. Members of the UK public can continue to directly help us by reporting any strandings they see, so we can further investigate these threats and try to improve the future for these iconic species found in our waters.” Rosie added: “This isn’t just a UK problem and chemical pollution is just one of multiple threats facing marine ecosystems worldwide. We are putting our ocean under an ever-increasing amount of stress as climate change, overfishing and plastic pollution all continue to worsen. As our understanding of these interconnected issues grows, world decision makers must act now to protect our oceans from further harm.”

Tim Smith CBE has been appointed as the Chair of the Board (Designate) of Sheffield Hallam University. Tim is the Chairman of Cranswick plc, a leading supplier in the food sector, and the Co-Chair of the Food and Drink Sector Council. He has been the Chairman of the Government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission and was previously Chief Executive of the UK’s Food Standards Agency. Tim was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to agriculture, food, and drink trade policy in the 2022 New Year Honours. Since 2017 Tim has also been a Trustee and Board Member of Farm Africa where he is also the Chair of its Fundraising Committee. He has also been a member of Council for the University of Leeds where he was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Strategy and Investment Committee and Chaired other Council committees. The new Chair was selected by a committee including members of the Board of Governors, staff and the President of the Students’ Union. The Board is responsible for overseeing University activities and determining its future direction. Current Chair of Sheffield Hallam Board of Governors, Meg Munn, said: “I am delighted that we have appointed Tim Smith to the role of Chair. He brings extensive experience from his professional life and thorough knowledge of higher education from his time serving on the University of Leeds Council. Working alongside our new Vice-Chancellor, he will bring strong leadership to ensure the University's continued success.” In response to his appointment, Tim said: “In today’s complex and fast-changing world, the role of our universities has never been more important. They matter not only to their students, their staff and the communities they serve but they have a critical place in the future of society as a whole." “By setting challenging goals, being an integral part of the city and region and living to a clear set of values, Hallam has established a unique place for itself and brought ‘knowledge applied’ to life." “As a native of Sheffield, being appointed to Chair of the Board of Governors at Hallam is a delight and privilege and I’m very much looking forward to leading the Board in their support of the Vice-Chancellor and her team.”

With temperatures set to plummet this weekend and the Met Office issuing a weather warning for snow, local charity Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has issued an urgent call for older people to access the support and services to help keep them warm and well this winter. New research for Age UK reveals that 60% of over 60s with a household income of £20k or less have recently cut back on heating or powering their homes in order to make ends meet. With annual household bills set to continue to increase in the new year, this will have a catastrophic effect on mental and physical health, particularly for older and vulnerable households. Staying warm and well this winter is of utmost importance as lower temperatures increase the risk of flu and other breathing problems and can raise your blood pressure which puts you at risk of a heart attack. The days may be sunny but the reality is it’s cold and people should take necessary precautions to stay well including wearing several layers of clothing, covering any drafts in the home, staying active and eating and drinking well. Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has already seen a steep rise in calls, with many expressing their fears and concerns about the rising energy prices and making the tough of prioritising heating or eating. As demand increases, they want people of Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland to know they are here to listen, to give expert advice and to provide support whenever they, their family or someone they know needs it. Tony Donovan, Executive Director at Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said: “As we head into the winter months, the demand for our services rises and we expect that to be even more so this winter particularly due to the ongoing energy price increases where people are struggling to pay their bills or are fearful of turning on the heating at all. Winter can be hard and we want to encourage anyone who may be struggling to reach out and not be afraid to ask for help.” Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland can support with A free home energy assessment to help reduce energy bills. Identifying benefits entitlements to maximise income Providing a warm space to connect with others and enjoy a cuppa Companionship for those feeling lonely or isolated If you’re unsure of the support you or looking for or simply just need some information and advice, please contact Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Advice Line on 0116 299 2278 (9am - 1pm Monday – Thursday). For more information, please visit www.ageukleics.org.uk

This powerful new research shows the importance of young people taking part in sport and physical activity at school. New research shows sports participation in school is associated with higher levels of wellbeing for young people. It also shows that participation in sport is a significant predictor of self-belief and mental toughness and the continued promotion of school sport throughout a child’s time at school, up to and including during exams, should be encouraged. The survey of 5,481 young people aged 13-15 was undertaken by Manchester Metropolitan University, on behalf of the Youth Sport Trust (YST) and HMC – the Heads Conference. Conducted across both state and independent schools, the results showed similar levels of correlation between wellbeing and sports participation in both. The research showed that the wellbeing benefits of sports participation can be gained for all students, regardless of the sector they are educated within. Participation in sport was identified by using survey data to create a composite score reflecting the number of sports a child had participated in, their involvement in sports at school, and the perceived importance of sport at school. The research found that: Greater sports participation in school is associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Sports participation is also a significant predictor of self-belief and mental toughness, key life skills for young people. Students in year 10 reported lower participation in sport than those in year 9, and also lower levels of wellbeing, self-belief, and mental toughness. The effects of mental toughness and self-efficacy on life satisfaction and happiness were greater for girls than boys. Ali Oliver MBE, CEO at Youth Sport Trust said: “This powerful new research clearly shows not just the importance of young people taking part in sport and physical activity at school, but crucially continuing to take part throughout exam season." "We know that healthy and happy children learn better, and with mock exam season approaching for many young people, this research highlights the need for young people to remain engaged in sport throughout the school year." "In particular, more needs to be done to ensure that girls remain active throughout their school careers. We have seen both enjoyment and participation levels in PE drop in recent years and as this latest research shows, taking part in sport can play an important role in life satisfaction and happiness for girls.” Simon Hyde, General Secretary of HMC, said; “The research HMC and the Youth Sport Trust have published today is incredibly valuable to schools, parents and policymakers and shows the true value of sport and physical activity to our children. Physical activity is not only great for the wellbeing of young people today, but helps boost their self-belief and mental health." We know that healthy children are more attentive and perform better in the classroom – that is why HMC schools put such an emphasis on the academic but also the co-curricular, extracurricular, pastoral and sporting aspects of their provision.” Kevin Knibbs, Chair of the HMC Sports Committee and Headmaster, Hampton School “These important research findings highlight the hugely beneficial role that sport is able to play in the lives of young people and its positive effects upon their wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience. Ensuring that pupils have plenty of active involvement in sport at school throughout the year - including and especially in the run-up to exams - helps them to maintain a healthy balance and navigate teenage life’s pressures and demands.” For further information and to read the full report entitled ‘The benefits of sport participation and physical activity in schools’ please visit our website. About the Youth Sport Trust The Youth Sport Trust is a UK leading children’s charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. It empowers young people and equips educators to transform lives. Founded in 1995, it works with around 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. Visit the YST website for ideas, tips and information www.youthsporttrust.org About HMC (The Heads’ Conference) HMC (The Heads’ Conference) is a professional association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools. HMC has over 300 member schools in the British Isles educating more than 270,000 children, and a further 50 international members. Our members lead schools that are distinguished by their excellence in sport, pastoral care, co-curricular provision and classroom teaching. Members of HMC have met annually in conference since the first meeting in 1869. HMC is a thriving, proactive Association of leading figures in school education.

Two in five UK employees are considering changing jobs before the end of 2024, with the demand for hybrid roles driving people’s decision to move, a new study has revealed. Workspace company Beyond commissioned an independent survey of 1,262 UK adults in part-time or full-time employment. It found that two in five (39%) employees are weighing up moving jobs in the coming year, with 47% saying that wanting a better hybrid working policy is a factor in doing so. This trend has gathered pace since Covid. For those who have changed jobs since the start of 2022, 43% say that finding an employer with a better remote or hybrid working policy influenced their decision. The overwhelming majority (80%) of UK employees believe that the rise of flexible working is the single best thing to come from the pandemic. Wybo Wijnbergen, CEO of Beyond, said: “Hybrid working arrangements have been both a professional and cultural movement, going from a ‘nice-to-have’ perk to a ‘must-have’ for workers globally. Our research underlines that in the UK, finding roles with flexibility has become a top priority for employees – and we should certainly expect this to shape millions of people’s career decisions in 2024." “What does that mean for business leaders? For one, it is an opportunity to attract and retain top talent, if they can tap into that sentiment. If they can offer flexibility in how, when and where people work, that will better enable them to build great teams – and if they want to encourage their employees to commute into their place of work, then that place of work better be great, too.” Beyond's survey found that, at present, 36% of UK workers are in roles that dictate they must be on site – such as doctors, nurses, teachers, construction workers, and so forth. For those in roles where hybrid working arrangements would be possible, 44% are working in a hybrid model (combining office and remote working), 30% are in the office full-time, and 22% are fully remote.

A collaboration of local colleges, led by Leicester College, has been awarded a grant of £3 million from the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to fund a range of new projects focused on decarbonising transportation, encouraging green leadership skills, digital upskilling and employer skills training. The collaboration includes Leicester College, Loughborough College, North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College and SMB College Group. More than £200 million has been announced as part of a funding boost to support colleges and training providers to offer more high-quality training opportunities in key industries, including the green sector. Leicester College will receive a part of the £165 million funding to work collaboratively to meet the employer skills needs identified in the local area's Local Skills Improvement Plans. This will provide local businesses with access to the skilled workforce they need to grow. The funding will support four key projects: Decarbonising Transportation: Delivering skills training through seven new LSIF-enabled courses for industry at levels 3 and 4, covering current and future green transport technologies to drive a step-change in becoming Carbon Neutral. Green Leadership Skills (Cross-sector): The collaborative development of short contextualised, level 3 courses including a new ‘Green Leadership Health Check Tool’ for leaders, managers and decision-making staff within organisations to assess the viability of implementing sustainable energy/waste/building technologies. Digital Upskilling: Creating easy-access, flexible, short courses/units/modules between levels 3-5 for Digital Skills in business, including digital marketing, social media, cloud computing, data analytics and an introduction to Artificial Intelligence. Employer Skills Training (including Harborough): Reviewing Further Education training options across Harborough and the surrounding districts. This will include adult provision and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) across Leicestershire. The project will include a Training Needs Analysis and a review of travel to learn times/zones and options across Leicester and Leicestershire. The College will also receive a share of £44 million from the Skills Injection Fund to support more people to take the Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) to gain in demand skills including digital, health care and engineering as an alternative to a traditional three-year degree. Verity Hancock, Principal of Leicester College, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive a share of the LSIF. As the leading local provider of training and apprenticeships, the funding will enable us to continue to invest in our vocational training programmes and develop relationships with local businesses. This will ensure that our students have access to the best industry-wide employment opportunities and that employers can work with highly skilled young people and adults.”

A new University of Dundee design concept can help communities threatened by extreme weather events fight back in the battle against climate change. The sustainable properties, designed to cope with flooding and other climate emergencies, are appearing in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in the latest evolution of a housing concept developed thousands of miles away on the banks of the River Tay. As well as having the ability to float, the properties can produce their own power and grow food, allowing communities that would otherwise face displacement to remain resolute in the face of increased rainfall. The first of these Dundee-designed demonstration properties have now been completed in Dhaka, giving hope to those who live at the mercy of the elements. “The communities that we have been working with are ecstatic about what they are seeing,” says Roufa Khanum, from the Resilience Solution and Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of BRAC University, which is working with Dundee experts. “Conventional housing typically prioritises aesthetics and functionality over environmental considerations. These homes, however, are designed with a focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimising environmental impact, while being three to four times cheaper than conventional homes in the city. “The ultimate goal of scaling up the concept of climate-resilient homes in Bangladesh and elsewhere is to offer self-reliance to climate 'at-risk' communities. By providing education and training, access to resources, advocacy and representation, support networks, and information and communication, individuals can be empowered to take control of their lives.” While the concept homes may look similar to traditional “box” style homes seen throughout the world, Dr Nandan Mukherjee, of Dundee’s UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, says that construction has only been possible due to development of a revolutionary brick which has further improved the project’s environmental credentials. “Nature has been a great teacher and it has ultimately taken two years to develop this new brick,” he says. “When soil is compressed with sand it turns into a semi-stone. We used clay soils, which have natural binding properties, as well as additives like lime that promote a chemical reaction, not a thermal reaction, that creates a mineral complex. This negates the requirement to toast the brick, but also draws carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, which is beneficial to the environment." “This is science and technology coming together, which as a university is hugely enjoyable to have witnessed." “Our first disaster-resilient homes were built from bamboo, which is often referred to as ‘poor person’s timber’. From extensive community consultation exercises it became clear that people want to live in ‘box’ houses, constructed with a recognisable type of brick." “Box architecture is prevalent everywhere from Africa to America, as well as here in the UK. Climate change is a global problem, so it makes sense to create a design that can be replicated anywhere.” Around 40% of the world’s population live in coastal areas less than 100 km from the sea. As the world struggles to adapt to climate change there is an urgent need to help these inhabitants deal with rising sea levels, heavy rainfall and increasing numbers of natural disasters such as extreme flooding. In Bangladesh, some 45 million people live in areas where extreme cyclones frequently destroy homes and livelihood assets, causing further complex social and economic challenges. In 2017, Dr Mukherjee, then a PhD student at Dundee, developed the initial disaster-resilient home. Costing $12,000 each, the properties could produce their own food, water and energy, using permaculture-based food production systems and renewable energy generation. Furthermore, they were capable of floating, allowing communities to remain resolute in the face of floods and cyclones, issues becoming increasingly prevalent as climate change tightens its grip on the planet. Two years later, the concept won the United Nation’s prestigious Risk Award, accompanied by the award of $100,000 prize-fund supporting a Research Fellowship to develop the concept further. This additional funding to the UNESCO Water Centre has resulted in the new, full-scale demonstration home, located in the Bangladeshi capital. Designed to be replicated anywhere in the world, the homes utilise bricks that can also incorporate fibres and materials specific to regions. Dundee was once a famous hub for the global jute trade, and this is one fibre that can easily be incorporated into the brick design to strengthen it further. In a twist of fate, could the material that helped build Dundee now help Dundee build the rest of the world? “Our bricks are comparable in strength to a conventional brick, and cost just a third of the price,” added Dr Mukherjee. “We also found that including fibres such as jute or bamboo to our formula meant they could be strengthened further." “This will be our next avenue of exploration, where we will study how other natural fibres can be incorporated into the construction process. Doing this successfully allows us to develop further nature-based solutions, making our homes stronger, more durable, and even more sustainable.” The creation of the concept homes in Dhaka provided the opportunity for around 100 local people to be trained in the construction process. While acknowledging that overcoming scepticism will be a factor, Professor John Rowan, Director of UNESCO Centre for Water Law Policy and Science, said that the concept has the potential to revolutionise house design for communities at risk from climate change. “When something is cheaper, people often believe that it is an inferior product,” he says. “As educators, we need to tell the world that this is not the case in this instance. There are clearly sensitivities about how this concept can be rolled out because it has the potential to disrupt the conventional construction market. However, we are committed to help deliver the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and we believe that this project addresses each one in important ways. “In the short-term, we need to illustrate the potential of this concept, demonstrate its success and then allow others to utilise it. We are not trying to control the market and establish a construction spinout. This is a global concept and one we want to gift to the world.” The ongoing financial support of the UNESCO Centre, supported by the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation Agenda, are warmly acknowledged.

Four of St Austell Brewery’s apprentices have joined together to create a special Christmas beer to round off a successful 2023. Secret Santa was designed by Cavan Lewis, Joe Baker, Finn Price and Josh Bonner, who completed their brewing apprenticeships with HIT training at Nottingham University’s International Centre for Brewing Science in September. The brew is the last of three special edition beers produced across this year. Brewing Director of St Austell Brewery, Georgina Young, said: “The apprentices were brimming with ideas for our special edition Christmas beer, and coming together to create it has been a great way to celebrate their recent shared success of graduation.” Josh wanted to use pine needles, Joe wanted to use fruit, Finn wanted to use Pheonix hops and Cavan wanted to use rye. The ingredients produced a rich mahogany coloured 4.3% abv ale with red rye crystal and oats complementing the base malt to make a warming beer which has been bittered with British Bramling Cross hops which contribute hedgerow fruit flavours. Phoenix and Brambling Cross hops, also British, gave the beer chocolate and spice, whilst plum fruit was added to bring some Christmas magic. Secret Santa is now available across selected St Austell pubs.