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Lidl GB is now the third largest supermarket in London after overtaking Asda and hitting a market share high of 9.1%. As well as experiencing the fastest growth out of all supermarkets in the city, it was also named fastest-growing supermarket in the UK as a whole. With more than double the market share of any other discount supermarket in the capital1, Lidl’s growth forms part of its £500 million investment into London, while reaffirming its unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Londoners have a Lidl store within easy reach. Unlike other supermarkets that run convenience models in city centres, which could be costing London households hundreds more a year, Lidl is committed to providing all its customers with access to good food at low prices, no matter where they live. In 2022, the discounter marked its expansion in London by opening nine new stores, including locations in East Acton, Kingston, and Upton Park, while also securing a further five sites in the city for future expansion, generating hundreds of new job opportunities in the process. Early next year, it’s set to open another store in East Ham and it has started construction at its Newbury Park and Bellingham sites, further contributing to local employment. Those working at Lidl receive the highest pay in the supermarket sector, with hourly wages within the M25 starting at £12.85, rising to £13.15, along with a competitive benefits package including colleague discount. Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB CEO, said: "We have a clear commitment to providing shoppers with the very best value, and becoming the third-largest supermarket in London reinforces our dedication to ensuring that everyone can eat affordable, high quality food, no matter where they live. We know convenience plays a huge factor when choosing where to shop in the city, which is why we’re pushing on with plans to bring many more locations to the capital in the future.” Outlining its intentions to extend its great value offerings to even more households in the capital, the discounter has published a list of priority locations for new stores. Currently, Lidl boasts over 100 within London and the M25, with ambitious plans for more than 100, including areas such as Earls Court, Westminster, Kings Cross, and even Knightsbridge. The discounter has also doubled down on its plans to strengthen its warehouse infrastructure to increase capacity across the country. Just last month, it opened its £300m Regional Distribution Centre in Luton to service over 150 stores in and around the capital, further cementing its commitment to London.

Aldi has donated 40 million meals to local communities since launching its food donations initiative in 2019. In partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly, the supermarket’s UK stores partner with foodbanks, charities and community groups across the country to donate surplus food year-round. In an effort to support even more charities, Aldi is now calling for additional local charities, community groups and food banks to sign up to receive food donations ahead of the festive period. With all Aldi stores set to close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, the holiday season provides an opportunity for even more charities to benefit from the successful partnership. Charities will be paired with local Aldi stores this Christmas and can collect fresh and chilled food products nearing the end of their shelf life – with the supermarket pledging to donate over a million meals during the Christmas period. Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We know that many communities up and down the country continue to feel the impact of the rise in living costs. That’s why we are committed to ensuring that the communities we provide for always get the support they need." “We’re proud to hit our 40 million meals milestone with Neighbourly. This is a huge achievement and motivates us to go further and supply even more meals to local charities.” Steve Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer at Neighbourly, added: “Christmas can be a challenging time for some families, and we expect many more will depend on the services of local charities this year." “We’re sure there are lots more groups out there that could use the extra help that businesses like Aldi provide, so we encourage them to sign up.” Any groups that are interested in collecting unsold food at Christmas that are not currently working with Neighbourly can get in touch with them at aldichristmas@neighbourly.com by 10th November. Customers also have the opportunity to donate any food or household products to local causes all year round through community donation points in all Aldi stores.

Tudor Trust supports The Bridge Homelessness to Hope with £88,000 to provide services to the city’s homeless community. The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity in Leicester has been awarded a grant after successfully applying to the Tudor Trust for funding to support its work over the next three years. The Tudor Trust awarded a total of £90,843 to the Bridge Homelessness to Hope, including an additional wellbeing grant of £2,000 to support staff, volunteer and trustee wellbeing. The main grant will enable the charity to continue to support the city’s homeless community by directly contributing to essential services such as intensive individual case work, mental and physical health services, breakfast provision, access to hot showers, as well as the availability of clothing, toiletries, and washing and drying facilities. The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making trust which supports voluntary and community groups working in any part of the UK. The Tudor Trust committee was impressed with the work of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, particularly supporting an increasing number of people with complex and multiple needs, in creative and holistic ways. David Fawcett, Executive Operations Manager of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Tudor Trust for awarding us this grant for the next three years. This is the second grant the Trust has awarded to us and we feel privileged to have its support.” For more information, visit www.bridgeleicester.org

New grant of £75,000 will help The Bridge Homelessness to Hope to deliver essential services to the city’s homeless community Lloyds Bank Foundation is supporting The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity in Leicester with a three-year unrestricted grant of £75,000. The funding will support the homeless charity’s core services, including individual casework, mental and physical health services, breakfast provision, access to hot showers, as well as the availability of clothing, toiletries, and washing and drying facilities. Lloyds Bank Foundation is an independent charitable foundation, funded by Lloyds Banking Group. It works in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society. The money will go to help people like ‘D’. D first came to The Bridge Homelessness to Hope in October 2021; at a low ebb, facing closed doors wherever he turned. He had recently been released from prison but was getting little support from anywhere on housing. His mental health was very poor and as a result, he had been assessed as unsuitable for accommodation at most places, as his needs were judged to be too high. Liaising with the Outreach team, The Bridge Homelessness to Hope team was able to work and support him into suitable accommodation. The team continued to support him with his mental health, ensuring that he was in regular contact with medical services and getting the support he needed. This helped him to achieve a better mental state and allowed him to progress onto a training programme to gain a qualification to work with Network Rail. He continued to improve and managed to gain full time employment after successfully completing his training. He was then able to gain further control over his situation, and rather than wait for permanent accommodation with the council, he was able to pursue a private rental. He recently bumped into a team member and said that he never had the chance to come and thank The Bridge Homelessness to Hope for supporting him at a time when he felt no one else would. The grant period starts from August 2023 and will be completed in August 2026. Gary Beharrell, Regional Manager, Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and increasing living costs, small charities have consistently demonstrated their dedication to supporting the communities around them. This funding will help The Bridge continue its vital work and extend its reach to people in Leicester facing homelessness and other complex issues. We will also provide a range of development support, helping the charity be even more resilient. We very much look forward to working with them.” David Fawcett, Executive Operations Manager of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, added: “We’re delighted that the Lloyds Bank Foundation has approved our application for funding for the next three years." "It’s a very tough environment for the city’s vulnerable homeless community, and this grant will help us enormously as we look to deliver services that will help our service users cope with their situations and begin to rebuild their lives.” Lloyds Bank Foundation is also working with One Roof Leicester which also supports homeless people in the area. For further information, please contact the Lloyds Bank Foundation press office.

Surrey County Council has been confirmed with the highest number of schools awarded with a Green Flag of any local authority in England, with its 88 Eco-Schools, all of which have a Green Flag status – the highest accreditation in the scheme. Eco-Schools is the largest education programme in the world which helps sustainability become an integral part of school life. Eco-Schools is pupil lead, supports the enrichment of the curriculum and helps unite young people and the wider school community to care more about protecting the environment and making positive changes. Various projects have been set up across Surrey’s schools and have had a positive impact on the environment. Activities that have taken place include: Building new ponds to increase biodiversity. Creating allotments to grow vegetables. Planting trees to encourage more wildlife and improve air quality. Running switch off campaigns to save energy. Making signs for bins to make sure people use the correct bins, to help increase recycling. Building a greenhouse out of plastic bottles to grow plants. Following national campaigns such as Walk to School Week. The projects have engaged over 50,000 pupils and are already reaping benefits which include: Saving a total of 648,330kwh of electricity Diverting 111,645 tonnes of waste from landfill Creating 8,322 (m2) of natural habitat 7,400 pupils participating in walking and cycling initiatives. Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Environment said: “ This project is so important and very close to my heart because we know informing and educating the young generation will pay dividends in the future to protect our environment. I am so proud that Surrey’s schools are getting behind the green agenda and are encouraging so many young people to play their part to help tackle climate change. We know it’s a joint effort and if everyone plays their part, we really can have a positive impact. “ It’s an amazing achievement to be recognised as the highest performing county and we hope this also inspires other Surrey schools to find out more and get involved .” Adam Flint, Eco-Schools England Manager from Eco-Schools said: “ In academic year ‘22/23, schools in Surrey County Council achieved more Eco-Schools Green Flags than any other county council in the country. When it comes to enabling young people and schools staff to make positive impacts on our planet, the region is exemplary. The Council has supported their schools in various, showing a great commitment to the future of their pupils and placing faith in them to lead action on climate change and work for a better future for everyone. It’s a phenomenal achievement .” More information about Eco-Schools in Surrey, including how to sign up can be found on here .

A Liverpool-based children’s charity, Team Oasis, has become the second small organisation to be awarded funding from British Safety Council to improve and support the wellbeing of its workforce. Funding of up to £10,000 has been awarded to Team Oasis through British Safety Council’s Keep Thriving campaign to help it implement a programme of wellbeing activity over the coming year. Team Oasis attended a free 3-hour workshop in December 2022 to help them and other small and medium organisations (SMEs) develop a wellbeing strategy. The workshop was delivered by experts from British Safety Council’s Being Well Together programme and, six months after attending, employers were invited to apply for funding with only the most effective and innovative proposals receiving approval. Further awards will be made to other organisations taking part in workshops, which took place between November 2022 and March 2023. Team Oasis CEO and Founder, Paul Nilson (centre right) receives their Keep Thriving award from Matthew Stainer, Strategic Account Manager at British Safety Council (centre left), with James Nilson, Fundraiser at Team Oasis (left), and Julie Nilson (right). Commenting on why the money will make a difference and how the charity will make use of it to support its staff’s wellbeing, CEO and Founder of Team Oasis Paul Nilson said: "It is an honour to receive this genuinely unique support from British Safety Council’s Keep Thriving campaign. It shows they understand just how challenging and even traumatic conditions can be for staff in a small charity like ours." “We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, and our staff and volunteers often work long hours to meet the needs of the children we support. They are truly dedicated to every child, they listen carefully to them and are always looking to find solutions to any problems they may have." “This is the first ever support we have received to improve the wellbeing of our team of leaders and volunteers, and we intend to make full use of British Safety Council’s award to support their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing – something they deserve as much as anyone else.” Team Oasis works with vulnerable young people across south Liverpool, helping them to develop new skills, grow as individuals and delivering day-to-day support to them and their families, including free food and facilities for music, sports and dance. Commenting on the funding award, Mike Robinson, British Safety Council Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that, as a charity, British Safety Council is supporting small organisations in this way, and thrilled that Team Oasis is next to benefit. We know for small employers, who lack the same HR and financial resources as larger ones, even a modest amount of funding can make a big difference." “In its application Team Oasis showed it wants to listen to the needs of its staff and is thinking about how it can use its own internal resources as well as external support to build a programme of activity that is both responsive and engaging to them. “We look forward to working with Team Oasis as it progresses on its wellbeing journey and hearing how it gets on with implementing its plan over the coming months.”

SME owners hold the UK education system responsible for skills gaps, according to new data from small business lender iwoca . Key Findings: Three in four (75%) SME owners say the UK education system does not do enough to prepare young people for employment, as only 4% would check for qualifications first when hiring. Majority of SMEs say the sector is suffering from skills gaps – of those, over a fifth say SME skills gaps have lasted longer than 2 years. More than two in five (42%) say SME owners themselves are having to work longer hours to plug gaps. Over three quarters of SMEs think apprenticeships – qualifying while getting on-the-job experience – will be key to solving their skills gaps, along with upskilling support from Government. The survey of SME owners, by one of Europe’s largest small business lenders, reveals three in four (75%) think the current education system does not adequately prepare young people to take on employment. In terms of hiring, SME owners are first looking for experience in the sector (33%) and the role (28%), before checking for qualifications (4%). Lack Of Talent Affecting Growth A majority (54%) of SME owners say the sector does not currently have the right skills it needs to succeed. Of those, nearly half (48%) say that the skills shortages have been ongoing for at least 12 months. These talent shortages are bearing an impact for small businesses – more than two in five (42%) say SME owners themselves are having to work longer hours to plug gaps. Delays to growth plans (31%) and hiring temporary workers (25%) were cited as the next biggest impacts of skills gaps felt by the SME community. Investing In Skills Key The answer to the lack of skills among employees of small businesses could lie in apprenticeships, say SME owners. Over three quarters (76%) say apprenticeships – where people aged 16 and above have paid jobs, gaining on-the-job training while earning qualifications – are key to solving the sector’s chronic skills issues. Over seven in 10 (72%) believe the Government should introduce more support for SMEs to help employees upskill. By contrast, a loosening of immigration rules to remedy the lack of qualified talent saw support from just over two-fifths of SME owners. Seema Desai, Chief Operating Officer at iwoca, said: “Skills shortages have hit SMEs hard in recent years, and they have yet to recover. Small business owners are rightly looking for alternatives to plug these gaps, and believe strongly in apprenticeships, educational reform and tailored Government support schemes to try and fix these issues." "We must ensure that the young talent coming through today have the skills needed not only to help businesses grow, but perhaps become SME owners of the future.”

Food waste is a global challenge that has far-reaching environmental, economic, and ethical consequences. According to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, amounting to 1.3 billion tons of food annually. This wastage not only strains our planet's resources but also contributes to hunger and poverty. However, there are various strategies and initiatives that individuals, communities, and governments can adopt to reduce food waste and pave the way for a more sustainable future. Understanding The Impact of Food Waste Before delving into solutions, it's essential to comprehend the extent of the problem. Food waste occurs at various stages of the supply chain, from production and distribution to retail and consumption. When food ends up in landfills, it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Moreover, the resources used to produce wasted food, including water, energy, and land, are squandered, exacerbating environmental degradation. Reducing Food Waste at Source Clearly, one of the best ways to reduce food waste is to go right to the heart of the food chain and adopt policies that can make a tangible difference such as promoting and encouraging sustainable agriculture, redistributing surpluses and educating consumers. Sustainable Agriculture : Encouraging sustainable farming practices can reduce food waste at the production stage. Precision agriculture techniques, which optimize planting, irrigation, and harvesting, can minimize crop losses. Surplus Redistribution : Organizations can partner with farmers and food producers to redirect surplus or imperfect produce to food banks, shelters, or soup kitchens, ensuring that edible food doesn't go to waste. Educating Consumers : Consumers can play a pivotal role in reducing food waste by making informed choices. Understanding food labels, planning meals, and avoiding over-purchasing can significantly cut down household waste. Minimizing Waste in Retail Again, simple steps within the retail environment can also make a major impact too such as the sale of 'ugly' or 'wonky' produce, stock management and donation partnerships. Imperfect Produce Sales : Retailers can offer "ugly" or imperfect produce at a discounted price, reducing the stigma associated with aesthetically non-standard fruits and vegetables. Smarter Inventory Management : Improved inventory management systems can help retailers track and manage their stock efficiently, reducing the likelihood of perishable items going unsold. Donation Programmes : Retailers can establish partnerships with food banks and charities such as City Harvest to donate surplus or close-to-expiry products rather than disposing of them. Reducing Food Waste at Home Each and every one of us can make a difference in the way that we consume food too. Whether it involves more meal planning, improved storage or more creativity in the kitchen, every little helps. Meal Planning : Creating weekly meal plans and shopping lists can help households buy only what they need, reducing impulse purchases and food waste. Proper Storage : Learning how to store food correctly, such as using airtight containers and refrigerating perishables promptly, can extend the shelf life of groceries. Leftover Creativity : Repurposing leftovers into new meals is a practical way to minimize food waste and save money. Government Initiatives Governments can implement policies and regulations to address food waste systematically. Some strategies include: Legislation : Enacting laws that require businesses to report and reduce food waste can incentivize better practices. Tax Incentives : Providing tax incentives to food producers and retailers that donate surplus food to charities can encourage waste reduction. Public Awareness Campaigns : Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the consequences of food waste and promote sustainable behaviour. Reducing food waste is not only an environmental imperative but also an ethical and economic one. By adopting strategies at every stage of the food supply chain, from production to consumption, we can make significant strides toward a more sustainable and equitable future. It's crucial for individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to work collaboratively to tackle this pressing issue and pave the way for a greener, more food-secure world.

An Aberdeenshire nature education and outdoor experience business has successfully expanded its service offering after the business owner received support and funding advice from Business Gateway. Located in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park of Scotland, Wild Braemar provides unique services such as guided walks, wild swimming adventures, outdoor learning, nature art sessions and creative workshops that are tailored exclusively to clients. The business was launched in 2022 by Annie Armstrong, a qualified open water swimming guide, and has since welcomed both locals and international visitors, being situated close to notable tourist attractions such as Balmoral Castle. Having studied Zoology at the University of St. Andrews, Annie has worked and trained with ecologists and scientists all over the world. It was through these travels that Annie sought to start her own unique business built around sustainable tourism in Scotland, which would also highlight some of Scotland’s outstanding natural areas. Despite enjoying a successful launch, Wild Braemar’s scope for expansion was limited. Annie operating as a one-woman business drove her decision to begin working with other local freelance guides and activity providers, ensuring the business could maximise their capacity for booking. Annie then went on to approach Business Gateway for advice and guidance on how to future-proof her business operations. Through Business Gateway, Annie accessed one-to-one guidance from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on funding and HR issues. Annie also attended several of Business Gateway’s webinars, which focused on subjects including website optimisation, how to protect and manage your IP, bookkeeping, and building an effective strategy to grow. Since approaching Business Gateway, Wild Braemar has successfully expanded its service offering, launch a new riverside sauna experience, which can be combined with guided wild swimming for those looking for a bit of luxury. The business has also launched a small programme of forest training school sessions for the local community, offering a free outdoor learning service. Annie Armstrong, Founder, Wild Braemar, said: ‘‘Business Gateway has given me the confidence that I can run my own business. My mentor provided me with fantastic contacts to support me going forward, saving me time, money and stress. He also helped me to fight the imposter syndrome and made me feel that I can succeed as a business.” Guilherme Theiss De Roso, Adviser at Business Gateway, commented: ‘‘Annie has worked extremely hard to ensure that her business stands out. We were able to support her through our one-to-one guidance, which has helped her build relationships and collaborate with bigger private companies. We will continue to support Annie and are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Wild Braemar.’’

All schools, nurseries and colleges in England can join the National Education Nature Park, a new programme designed to empower young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature’s future. The programme is being delivered by the Natural History Museum with the Royal Horticultural Society and other partners, working alongside Esri UK. Responding to the urgency of the planetary emergency, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way we teach climate education and support young people to act and increase biodiversity across England. This new initiative gives children and young people the opportunity to connect to nature while investigating and recording what’s living and growing on their learning sites. They will plan and take action to boost biodiversity, through improvements such as building rain gardens, growing pollinator-friendly plants, installing bird boxes and more. Places of education taking part in the programme will become part of a vast network of spaces across England that together form the National Education Nature Park. The land from schools in England forms an area the equivalent to roughly twice the size of Birmingham, so alongside nurseries and colleges that represents huge potential to collectively contribute to nature recovery across the country. After a successful pilot phase, teachers and education staff across England are now being invited to register their education setting for the National Education Nature Park on a brand new website. Once registered they can access the programme – which includes making sure their school, nursery or college is on the Nature Park map, activities to get started and a growing library of free newly-developed and collated climate education resources, quality assured by the Royal Meteorological Society. To celebrate the roll out, schools, nurseries and colleges across the country are being encouraged to take part in a ‘Hidden Nature Challenge’ today to get started and a taste of what the National Education Nature Park is all about. They’ll see green skills in action and the positive impact they can have by working together. They’ll go outside and follow prompts to discover the hidden nature on their learning sites site in a quick activity that will help reveal the nature that's all around, but that might not always be seen. They’ll upload findings to an online map, where they'll be able to see hidden nature being revealed in places of education across the country on this day. “Together with our partners, we are creating opportunities for every child and young person in England to use practical science and make actionable changes in their learning environments, to have a positive impact on biodiversity on a national scale”, says Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum. “I’m looking forward to seeing what difference it will make to nature across the country and to the programme helping to create a new generation of advocates for the planet.” The programme is designed to develop an understanding of biodiversity and knowledge of climate change, and all learners will be able to recognise their role in the programme and how they can contribute no matter what their interests or future aspirations. The planetary emergency requires understanding and action from all, so whether learners are aspiring scientists or writers, campaigners or artists, the programme will develop the knowledge, agency and nature connectedness needed for children, young people and nature to thrive. Clare Matterson, Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “With the world facing multiple crises, from the climate emergency to biodiversity loss, gardening can be integral to addressing them. Through gardening and development of practical and digital skills, we want to empower children and young people to make their nurseries, schools and colleges better places for people, wildlife and the planet. Saving the world starts at our fingertips.” Eminent economist Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, whose 2021 review provided recommendations for changes in education to protect the natural world, says “Rooting Nature into our education system is a vital part of tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. The National Education Nature Park programme aims to do exactly that, by embedding Nature across subject areas and giving the next generation the opportunities to connect to Nature, along with the knowledge and skills needed to help both themselves and Nature to thrive.” The accompanying Climate Action Awards, being developed by the Royal Society, will roll out in January 2024. They will recognise schools and colleges that have brought about change at an institutional level, supporting their students in developing green skills, championing nature and working towards a sustainable future. Schools, colleges and nurseries can join the National Education Nature Park here.

The LEGO Group celebrated the completion of 50,000 trees being planted at its new LEGO® factory in Binh Duong province in southern Vietnam. The event was attended by His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Minh Khai, national and provincial officials, as well as business and community partners. The tree planting comes as the next round of LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam’s community engagements begin, which are expected to reach nearly 5,000 local children, and as the company accelerates recruitment towards a total of 100 employees by the end of 2023. Preben Elnef, General Manager of LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam and Vice President of the LEGO Group, said: “Today is about taking a moment to celebrate the positive environmental and community-focused momentum the LEGO Group has had in Vietnam, as well as recognizing the significant progress we’ve made in the construction on our state-of the-art factory – our most sustainable to date.” “As construction is underway, we are grateful for the continued support from the authorities and our many partners, whose collaboration has ensured that we are on-track to begin production in the second half of 2024, allowing us to reach even more children with learning through play and creating long-term growth in the Asia-Pacific region.” Tree planting marks environmental milestone for the LEGO Group in Vietnam The LEGO Group aims to ensure that the factory has a minimal impact on the environment. As part of this ambition, the company completed its planting of 50,000 trees at the site, which began in September 2022 and amounts for twice as many as were removed for construction of the new factory, and includes seven different species native to Vietnam, fostering greater biodiversity in the long term. The planting was supported by Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Company Limited (VSIP). The factory is designed to be the LEGO Group’s most sustainable to date, supporting the company’s sustainability ambitions to reduce absolute global carbon emissions by 37 percent by 2032*. It will feature rooftop solar panels, and a solar plant will be built on a neighbouring plot of land, which combined aims to match the total annual energy requirement of the site. The factory will use the latest energy-efficient production equipment while buildings and manufacturing processes are designed to minimise energy use. Next phase of local community partnerships to benefit nearly 5,000 children In August 2023, LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam began implementation of its Build the Change (BtC) programme together with the LIFE Centre in the Tan Uyen District of Binh Duong. The programme encourages children to use their creativity to solve real-world challenges with LEGO bricks and other creative materials. The company is piloting a new delivery format for the first time, equipping mobile vans and motorbikes with resources to conduct workshops in farther, more remote locations. A total of 60 workshops are expected to be completed through Q1 2024, benefitting over 2,000 local children. The LEGO Group is also helping to fund OneSky’s pilot project which seeks to develop and strengthen private independent childcare services in support of low-income families through a co-led Vietnam government and OneSky training model, benefitting over 2,600 children in Binh Duong in its first year. The company’s funds will primarily go towards supporting capacity-building efforts of government trainers and lead educators, as well as towards establishing a demonstration centre in Binh Duong. Preben Elnef said: “While it will be some months before LEGO® bricks are produced in Vietnam, our work with the local community began back when we broke ground here in November 2022 and continues today. We are thankful to local partners and organisations who have collaborated with us thus far and share our commitment to give children opportunities to realise their potential.” Recruitment to reach 100 employees by end of 2023, up to 500 by end of 2024 The LEGO Group is committed to building a local talent pool and contributing to the local community through the creation of highly skilled jobs. The company is on-track to hire 100 new employees by the end of 2023, with up to 500 to be hired by the end of 2024, to be responsible for operating state-of-the-art moulding, processing, and packing machinery when the factory is fully operational. On-site training will begin in Q1 2024, with the company’s overseas factories providing additional opportunities for further training and knowledge exchange. More than 2,000 contracted construction workers are working on-site – a number that will double by the end of 2023. With more than one-and-a-half million working hours recorded to date, there have been no lost-time injuries, ensuring that the LEGO Group and its facilities remain a safe workplace for all. Production on-track to begin in H2 2024 Significant progress has been made on the 44-hectare site since the company broke ground in November 2022, including the ongoing construction of an energy centre and 110kV power station, moulding and packing facilities, and an automated, high-bay warehouse. The LEGO Group announced its plans to build the new US $1 billion factory in December 2021. The investment is the largest by any Danish company in Vietnam and part of the company’s strategy to expand its supply chain network to support long-term growth and locate production facilities close to its major markets to respond to shifts in local demand, shorten the supply chain, and reduce its environmental impact. Facts LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam Investment: US $1 billion. Jobs: 4,000 positions over 15 years, recruitment ongoing for roles. For a full list of jobs, visit: www.LEGO.com. Land: 44-hecares, size of 62 football pitches. Buildings: Five buildings that will span over approximately 150,000 m2 ranging from office spaces, energy centre, moulding, packing buildings, a high bay warehouse and other miscellaneous buildings. Blueprint: Same blueprint for all LEGO factories – high-tech production equipment that ensures each brick is made to the accuracy of 1/10th of a hair’s width. This precision means that LEGO bricks made today fit perfectly with bricks and products made over the past 60 years. Location: Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, approximately 50km from Ho Chi Minh City. Sustainability Solar power on-site: 12,500+ (7.4 MWp) rooftop solar panels to be installed; solar plant to be built on neighbouring plot of land. Production: The packaging line in this new factory will only package LEGO bricks in our new paper-based bags, replacing single-use plastic bags. Compliance: Delivered following our Responsible Business Principles (RBP) due-diligence plan and timeline. Zero waste to landfill: The new factory shares the same ambition as all LEGO operations of achieving zero waste from factories to landfill. Certification: The aim is to secure Gold LEED certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) for the building once it is completed including energy, water and waste. Planted trees: 50,000 new trees over 30 hectares, creating a self-sustaining Miyawaki forest of native trees along the factory perimeter.

How your leaders (and line managers) communicate and behave has a huge impact on the shape of your family business company culture. For family-owned businesses in particular, there is such a close connection between the owners and the business that sometimes it can be difficult to take a step back and look at what it might be like for their employees to work there. However, if there’s any misalignment between the culture you communicate and the culture your employees experience via their leaders then you have a problem. Your leaders need to ‘walk the talk’. For example, if your culture clearly states that an excellent customer experience is central to all that you do but the leader of the customer service department is more focused on measuring the number of calls handled per day than customer experience, you have a disconnect which will impact on the engagement of your employees. Beverley Mitchell, the founder of Beverley Mitchell Consulting Ltd has identified 12 ways for managers to positively impact employee engagement in your family business. Provide Clear Direction & Purpose 1. Ensure that every member of your team knows how their individual role links to and impacts on the overall success of team and the business as a whole. 2. Set clear expectations for each member of your team; explain what great performance looks like not just in terms of what needs to be achieved but the behaviours used to achieve it. Understand What Motivates Your Team 1. Get to know your team as individuals; learn what motivates them, how they like to be recognised and what their aspirations are. 2. Create opportunities for team members to put forward ideas and share their opinions and ensure that you provide feedback on those. Provide Regular Feedback & Recognition 1. Provide timely recognition to team members when they demonstrate great performance. 2. Provide your team members with timely, constructive and motivating feedback. 3. Have frequent conversations, both informal and formal, with your team members. Provide Opportunities For Development 1. Be open to allowing your team members to take on new responsibilities and support them to learn new skills. 2. Look for ways to align responsibilities within the team to the strengths and talents of the individuals. Create The Right Environment 1. Treat your team members with respect 2. Promote an environment of openness and honesty within your team 3. Provide opportunities for team members to meet socially About the Author - Beverley Mitchell has been working in or alongside family businesses for most of her career and has personally experienced the high levels of engagement and commitment that a strong family business culture can inspire. She set up Beverley Mitchell Consulting Ltd (BMC) in early 2015 to help family businesses to leverage their unique culture to drive engagement across every level and in every area of their business. Beverley’s approach is one of partnership and collaboration and she uses her personal, intuitive and pragmatic style to create tailored solutions which drive both business growth and staff engagement and retention.