A new year is always a good time to have a review of your people strategy, looking ahead for the rest of this year and into 2023. Our expert team are on hand to support you. We are Chartered Fellows of the CIPD with over 20 years’ experience and we are here to support businesses in looking after their most important asset – their people! Take a look at the packages we offer: www.ignitepeoplesolutions.co.uk/
One of the UK’s most famous department store chains, Selfridges, is being sold to a Thai-Austrian alliance in a multibillion-pound mega deal. The new parent company will take over all the stores across Great Britain, and the CEOs have stated that they plan to expand on the already well-established luxury brand. Brands being bought out by major parent companies is a growing trend in the business world, and it can bring about numerous benefits for the company that’s been bought. So, what does this acquisition mean for Selfridges? Are there any lessons to be learned from other recent company purchases? Selfridges Sold in Massive Deal In a deal worth around £4 billion, the Thai Central Group and Austrian property form, Signa, combined to purchase the majority of Selfridges Group. This will give the coalition full control of all 18 stores in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. However, the deal did not include the seven stores located in Canada, which are still owned by the billionaire Weston family who bought Selfridges in 2003. The chain of luxury department stores was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1908 and has developed a world-famous reputation in decades since then. It is best known for its flagship store on Oxford Street in London, which is one of the most iconic and visually appealing buildings in the capital. The Central and Signa 50/50 partnership will continue running the stores under their control, meaning that they will still be responsible for more than 10,000 jobs. After the purchase is complete, though, Tos Chirathivat of Central and Dieter Berninghaus have expressed a desire to expand on the brand and develop its online stores in an omnichannel proposition. Many Big Brands are Owned by Parent Companies There is no doubt that the Selfridges deal is one of the highest-profile and expensive acquisitions in business history. However, it’s easy to see how all parties benefit from it. Selfridges Group gets a huge pay-out, and Central and Signa have a well-established brand under their control that they can capitalise on. These types of mergers have been seen in every area of the business world, but they can often happen for different reasons. In highly competitive industries, it can be a way for smaller brands to gain recognition, while the companies that buy them can grow even more dominant. There are various examples of this in the highly saturated iGaming industry, where smaller developers are often bought out by well-known behemoths. An example of this was in 2019 when NetEnt completed the £220 acquisition of Red Tiger Gaming, a slot game studio that was rising rapidly and gaining a lot of attention. Providers of iGaming entertainment are also bought out in the same way. For instance, Race Casino, one of the best new slot sites in the UK, is a brand of L&L Europe Ltd. This deal enabled the site to boost its offerings to more than 1500 slots, along with being able to provide a deposit match welcome bonus. Had the site been operating as a smaller company without the parent investment, it may not have been able to do this. Despite parent companies often owning a few different brands, each one can keep its own distinctive style within the conglomerate. For example, the Central Group in Thailand is renowned for having options to target a wide spectrum of different customers from all walks of life, with the department stores found in almost every city in the country. With its Selfridges purchase, though it is likely to stick with the high-end vibe with its marketing and keep this brand as a relatively exclusive option. People who love shopping at Selfridges don’t need to worry about the chain after this acquisition. Judging by other company buyouts in different areas of industry, having a parent corporation can often add better benefits that are passed on to the customers.
Accountancy training firm, First Intuition, reveals a host of virtual events and resources ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, to give students and businesses the opportunity to learn more about accountancy apprenticeships.
First Intuition reveals its programme of apprenticeship-related events and resources to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Between Monday 7th– Friday 11th February, the accountancy training firm will be hosting a number of virtual events and Q&A opportunities, as well as publishing testimonials and a podcast. These events and resources will be useful for employers, young adults, parents, and school and college teachers who want to understand the way that apprenticeship programmes operate in the accountancy and finance sector, and to hear first-hand from those who use the programmes. The events and resources are free and available to anyone. It is hard to overstate the transformational impact that apprenticeships have had on the way that entry-level accountancy trainees are recruited, onboarded and supported towards their qualification. In just five years, First Intuition’s proportion of learners who are apprentices has increased from 5% to 85%. This covers accountancy students working in practice, for businesses in industry, and in public sector organisations such as the NHS. First Intuition is committed to educating businesses and students about the benefits of apprenticeships in accountancy to ensure all trainees and employers have the best chance at prospering. That is why First Intuition centres across the country have organised a comprehensive programme of apprenticeship-related resources that has something for everyone. Some of the resources released during National Apprenticeship Week include: For employers: · Virtual Event: The Value Apprentices can bring to a Business – Employers will have the opportunity to hear from Triple Bottom Line, a business that recently made the switch to using apprentice · Virtual Event: Building Your Talent – For businesses using apprenticeships to learn what they can do to ensure their apprentices are utilised to their full potential · Apprenticeship Case Study: Greene King – Managers at Greene King answer questions about why they decided to move to the apprenticeship programme and their experience working with apprentices For students: · Student Event: Career Guidance and Interview Tips from a Recruiter – Students can hear career guidance and top tips from a recruiter at Goldhawk Associates · Student Webinar: Ask a Graduated Apprentice – Hosts will be joined by a panel of recently graduated apprentices as they discuss their experiences, what it is like being an apprentice, and life after graduating · Testimonial: Current Apprentice – Students currently studying on an apprenticeship programme share what it is like to be an apprentice and why they choose this route of education · Testimonial: Graduated Apprentice – A fully qualified accountant who recently completed an apprenticeship share their experience on the programme and life after qualifying · Student Podcast: Life after Graduating as an Apprentice – Hear a graduated apprentice speak about their experience of life as a qualified accountant Find First Intuition’s full itinerary of events and resources for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 here: https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/apprenticeships/#national-apprenticeship-week-2022. These will add to the wide selection of resources about accountancy apprenticeships already available on the First Intuition website. Including information on accountancy apprenticeship programmes, incentives, apprenticeship testimonials, and the programme’s First Intuition offer. First Intuition pride itself on delivering the best accounting apprenticeship programmes possible. Working with hundreds of employers to support them in the introduction and delivery of their apprenticeship programmes, along with supporting apprentices to give them the tools to build their future and ensure they get the most from their apprenticeship. You can find more information about the accountancy apprenticeship programmes First Intuition offer here.
People across west Norfolk are being asked to join in this year’s Love West Norfolk Day which is focused on the theme of ‘celebrating and protecting our beautiful west Norfolk environment’. Taking place on 14th February, the fifth Love West Norfolk Day will provide an opportunity to highlight the natural beauty of west Norfolk, as well as some of the ways that individuals and organisations can protect the environment. And, the Love West Norfolk logo has gone green for this year to mark the theme. One way in which people can get involved in west Norfolk’s special day is through a photography competition that is launching today (Friday 21st January). People are being invited to share their images of beautiful west Norfolk scenery to win one of three prizes and all of the images submitted will also be published on Love West Norfolk’s social media throughout Love West Norfolk Day. People can enter the competition through the website: Love West Norfolk In addition, competitions for west Norfolk schools are set to take place with junior and secondary pupils invited to come up with ideas to protect the environment, and infants asked to draw a picture of a beautiful west Norfolk place. There will be prizes for the children, and the winning entries will be published after Love West Norfolk Day. On the day itself, people can also join in by taking ‘one step’ towards protecting their local environment, such as by picking up one piece of litter. And, anyone wishing to organise a community litter pick on Love West Norfolk day can – subject to availability – access Love West Norfolk litter pick kits from the borough council. It is be hoped that once again social media will be filled with the #lovewestnorfolk hashtag on Love West Norfolk day as people join in the celebration and share pictures and comments. Organisers are keen to hear from both individuals and organisations who also may wish to highlight some of the work that they are doing to protect the environment in west Norfolk. A Love West Norfolk day engagement pack will be available online from 1st February with all the ways that people can join in with this year’s Love West Norfolk Day. James Bagge, Love West Norfolk Ambassador said: “Love West Norfolk Day gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate our wonderful part of the world, and this year, we’re focusing on the beautiful natural environment which is in abundance here.“As well as celebrating this environment, we felt it was also important to consider how we can protect it, and the difference we can all make, which is timely coming after last autumn’s COP26.“As always, what makes Love West Norfolk Day so successful is the many, many people who get involved by adding their voices to our special celebration. I would ask people to please, once again, join us on 14th February and let’s highlight this very special area.” The Love West Norfolk campaign is organised by the West Norfolk Strategy Group which includes the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Freebridge Community Housing, the QEH, the College of West Anglia, King’s Lynn Police, Norfolk County Council, and Community Action Norfolk. The campaign is also working with partners Discover King’s Lynn and Visit West Norfolk. Anyone wishing to find out more about the day, including getting involved, can visit Love West Norfolk and follow the Love West Norfolk social media channels: Twitter @LoveWestNorfolk Facebook: @LoveWestNorfolk Instagram: love_west_norfolk and LinkedIn: Love West Norfolk.
Proeon have been busy over the last year ensuring we meet our customers needs/requirements. We did also manage to fit in the filming (in-between the various lockdowns and observing all government restrictions of course) of our new Company Video.
Proeon pleased to share our new company video, showcasing information on our people, skills, expertise, services and products.
Find out how we can work with you in a variety of industry sectors developing complex and critical applications to meet exacting client requirements.
Thank you to Ink Shark for their expert assistance in filming and editing our video.
Watch our Video on the home page of our website: proeon.co.uk
Leading law firm, Howes Percival, is warning employers considering stopping company sick pay for unvaccinated staff who need to isolate, to seek legal advice before instigating any changes. Depending upon employees’ existing entitlement to company sick pay, a “no jab, no company sick pay” policy could amount to a breach of contract if staff have not been consulted over the change. The warning follows a change in the government’s Covid self-isolation rules* which require different isolation periods depending on an individual’s vaccination status. People with COVID-19 can end their self-isolation after five full days, provided they test negative on day five and day six. Fully vaccinated individuals identified as a contact of someone with Covid should continue to take daily rapid lateral flow tests for seven days but are not legally required to self-isolate. Unvaccinated contacts are legally required to self-isolate for the full 10-day period. In addition to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – the minimum amount employers must pay – some employers offer company or contractual sick pay. The different isolation period rules mean that employers will potentially have to pay more to unvaccinated workers than vaccinated ones if they need to cover longer periods of sick leave. Matthew Potter, Partner and employment law expert at Howes Percival commented, “Covid-related staff absences have put some organisations under intense pressure, leading them to introduce new sick pay policies relating to staff required to self-isolate. Previously, self-isolating employees were entitled to the business’s enhanced sick pay, (not just SSP) regardless of their vaccination status. However, the new policies state that unvaccinated employees (without mitigating circumstances) who have not tested positive for Covid but are forced to isolate because they have been in contact with someone who has, will only receive SSP in future. “Unvaccinated staff may argue that reducing their sick pay is discriminatory, but if a business can prove that the policy is a proportionate means of ensuring they have adequate staff levels then this argument may not present an issue. Depending upon the existing entitlement to company sick pay and whether it is discretionary, any such change could amount to a breach of contract if staff have not been consulted over the change. Employees might even resign and claim constructive unfair dismissal.” If a company intends to dismiss and re-engage staff if they do not accept a change to company sick pay entitlement, and there are 20 or more employees at any location or site, it could trigger the need to enter into collective consultation of 30 or 45 days depending upon the numbers involved. Before making any changes to their sick pay arrangements, employers should seek advice and to consider both the current position as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and ACAS. Matthew Potter continued, “In recent weeks, we’ve seen several major companies, including IKEA, Ocado and Next, introducing new sick pay policies for staff needing to isolate due to Covid – removing or reducing the sick pay available to unvaccinated members of staff. Employers considering following suit will need to be able to objectively justify the proposed change and ensure they engage and communicate sensitively with their staff. “There are various reasons why some people are unvaccinated – including medical conditions, religious belief, age and pregnancy, so a blanket ‘no jab, no company sick pay’ policy is inappropriate. Taking individual circumstances into account will also help companies avoid costly discrimination claims. “The implications of companies’ decisions to change sick pay terms for unvaccinated employees remain to be seen. It could be that these policies encourage employees to get vaccinated, which could reduce time-off for Covid-isolation in the long-term. However, some sceptics have suggested that the new policies may simply lead to employees hiding the fact that they have been in contact with a Covid-positive individual, to avoid only being paid SSP.” For more information on employment law related issues visit: https://www.howespercival.com/services/employment-and-hr/ *Rules came into effect 17 January 2022 and only apply to England. Howes Percival has offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich. It has 51 partners and 169 lawyers in total. The firm is recommended in The Legal 500 – the authoritative guide to the UK’s leading law firms. In the 2022 guide, no fewer than 11 different departments achieved the guide’s highest possible ranking (Tier 1): Corporate and Commercial; Dispute Resolution – Commercial Litigation; Dispute Resolution – Debt Recovery; Finance – Insolvency and Corporate Recovery; Human Resources – Employment Law; Private Client – Agriculture and Estates; Private Client – Tax, Trusts and Probate; Real Estate – Commercial Property; Real Estate – Property litigation; Real Estate – Environment & Planning; Intellectual Property.
A new year is a great time to run an HR Health Check on your business. We are a team of highly experienced and qualified HR Consultants and our mission is to help your business realise its full potential by supporting you in managing your people and ensuring they’re the best they can be. Ignite will get to know you and your business and will tailor HR solutions to support your business needs. Contact us to arrange your FREE Health Check: sarah@ignitepeoplesolutions.co.uk
An energy efficient communal heat pump installed by Attleborough based heating firm Finn Geotherm, has been shortlisted in a prestigious national awards scheme. The £1.4million district heating project has been installed by Finn Geotherm on the Grange Farm estate in Felixstowe for Flagship Group housing association. The installation has just been shortlisted in the Renewable Energy category of the National Energy Efficiency Awards, which aim to recognise best practice within the energy saving and efficiency industry. The installation comprises a six-phase ground source heat pump project for 113 homes at Grange Farm. The system provides heating and hot water for each property from a central heat pump. The project has cut heating bills for residents, as well as energy use and carbon emissions, all by 70%. Guy Ransom, Commercial Director at Finn Geotherm said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for our installation in Felixstowe. This project has made a huge impact not only in ensuring homes on the estate are adequately and efficiently heated but also in delivering cheaper bills, and reduced carbon emissions and energy use. It was a privilege to install the system and to be shortlisted for a prestigious national award is testament to the hard work of the entire team at Finn Geotherm.” Madeleine Jefferies, Head of Housing at Newtide Homes (Flagship Group’s housing provider), said: “Fuel poverty is a serious issue which can affect the wider community, and we’re always looking at ways to make our tenants’ homes more affordable and giving people some breathing space when things get tough. Our tenants in Felixstowe have already seen a difference in their prices and we’re delighted that we can help to make a difference.” Winners of the National Energy Efficiency Awards will be announced in February. For more information on renewable heating and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.
The work of local cancer charity, Big C, has been recognised with a national grant from NHS Charities Together. Bids were encouraged from across Norfolk and Waveney to run projects covering support for older people, vulnerable communities and those with physical and mental health issues. Big C’s grant of £49,752 will be used to pilot a 12-week patient-centred nutrition and wellness intervention programme for individuals living with cancer, aimed at educational lifestyle, behavioural change and psychological support. The ‘Nourish & Nurture’ programme focuses on well-rounded, evidence based, holistic care, including education on healthy eating, weight management and ‘mood and food’, plus health walks for mental and physical wellbeing, 1:1 psychological support, cancer support groups, wellbeing complementary therapies and food and nutrition myth busting sessions. The team at Big C will work closely with oncology dieticians from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). Dr Melanie Pascale, Director of Charitable Operations at Big C said, “We are thrilled to receive this important grant so that we can embark on this innovative nutrition and wellness intervention. I believe this will be the first complete 360 holistic care package for patients following a cancer diagnosis, designed to complement and run alongside their clinical care. Small group sessions will enhance empathetic peer support, facilitated by experienced cancer specialist nurses, dieticians, nutritionists and physical activity coaches. A healthy and well-balanced diet that provides adequate nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment. Correct nutrition provides patients with the ability to recover between cancer treatments and as a result, has the potential to improve their clinical outcomes and quality of life.” Dr Melanie Pascale continued, “The prevalence of malnutrition among patients with cancer, especially patients receiving some types of chemotherapy is high and presents a significant public health burden. Stage of cancer, appetite loss and presence of side effects such as diarrhoea are significant factors for malnutrition. Furthermore, malnutrition and lean muscle wastage is a common problem among patients with cancer, potentially affecting up to 85% of patients with certain cancer types. Malnutrition occurs when a person doesn’t get enough food or the right type of food, or experiences absorption issues. Inadequate dietary intake and reduced physical activity can lead to malnutrition and remains a common challenge due to the many factors which may lead to the issue. Regardless of cancer type, the overall prevalence of malnutrition in patients at time of diagnosis can be up to 60% and can be over 80% during treatment. Cancer treatment can be impeded by the frequent development of malnutrition and metabolic derangements in patients with cancer, induced by the cancer itself, or by its treatment. “Malnutrition can influence the effectiveness and response to the cancer treatment, recovery time during treatments, prognosis, continued compliance with treatment and overall quality of life. It can increase the time spent in hospital and the risk of infection. Malnutrition also has the potential to reduce the survival rate.” Some of the many aims and benefits of this intervention will be to identify, prevent or reverse dietary deficiencies, preserve lean body mass, help patients better tolerate treatments, maintain strength and minimise treatment related side effects and protect immune function decreasing the risk of infection. One of the most important aspects of the intervention, is to help the patient regain a sense of control in what can be a very uncertain time. Up to 80% of patients diagnosed with cancer could benefit from this type of intervention, improving quality of life and clinical outcomes with less pausing of essential treatment due to the uncontrolled side effects. The programme also aims to support the NHS by reducing the risk of infections and lessen severe side effects resulting in re-admission. The NHS Charities Together grant was facilitated by the Norfolk Community Foundation with finances administered by the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity, on behalf of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System. John Paul Garside, Director of the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity, said, “We are delighted to be supporting this important work to help the vulnerable communities in Norfolk and Waveney. Our hospitals have seen at first hand the devastation that the pandemic has brought to people’s health and we want to do everything we can to support the recovery.” Claire Cullens, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, said, “During the Covid-19 pandemic, our fantastic charities and community groups have been the glue that has held communities together and offered a vital lifeline to many, helping people to cope day to day, or with an urgent response to sudden crisis. We’re proud to champion their innovation and determination as they continue to tackle the physical and psychological impact of a global crisis.” If you are interested in taking part in Big C’s Nourish & Nurture programme, please contact the charity on 0800 092 7640 or email support@big-c.co.uk
Road to Net Zero grants will support Norfolk and Suffolk businesses to access grants from £1,000 to £25,000 for projects that will deliver carbon saving reductions. This is a pilot project, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund from HM Government. The grant can contribute up to 75% of eligible project costs. Projects can be wide ranging and include, but not restricted to, energy efficiency, clean energy, supply chain engagement, behaviour change/education, reducing waste. The scheme will also help create and enhance a business’s decarbonisation plans. There is a limited pot of funding available, so we are looking for businesses to bring forward investment projects that will have a significant impact on their business, and grant applications will be considered by the panel on “first-come, first-served” basis. The projects must be completed in full by 30 April 2022 so we are looking for projects that are ready to proceed immediately and are not dependent on planning or any other permissions and which have confirmed delivery and completion dates. Examples of projects can include, but are not restricted to:
LED lighting
Energy efficient plant and machinery
Insulation, replacement windows, doors etc. to improve energy efficiency of buildings
Heating e.g., Biomass, ASHP/WSHP etc. but not fossil fuel alternatives
Electric commercial vehicles*
Solar Panels (building regs and planning permission may apply)
Creation or enhancement of decarbonisation plans
Further specialist consultancy
Eligibility The grant cannot fund any projects that have been completed or commenced in any way. You must not make any orders or pay deposits until you have been notified of the outcome of your application. Businesses must have been actively trading for a minimum of 12-months to access the grant funding. The scheme is unable to support applications from the Agricultural Sector (primary processing of agricultural products). To speak to the New Anglia Growth Hub’s Net Zero advisers and to apply for the scheme, call 0300 333 6536 or email info@newangliagrowthhub.co.ukProject background: The programme will also support advisers at the New Anglia Growth Hub and at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to deliver specialist advice, helping businesses identify the changes they can make. There will also be a Net Zero Challenge Fund to help bring forward innovative ideas. Partners in the project include New Anglia LEP, the New Anglia Growth Hub, Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils, Suffolk and Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, UEA and the University of Suffolk, Groundwork East, Eastern New Energy and Greater South East Energy Hub. For details, visit Community Renewal Fund – New Anglia
No turning back: UK CEOs are approaching a purpose tipping pointCommitments to purpose and ESG are rising as CEOs make stronger connections to business strategy and growth. But there is work still to do. PwC’s 25th Annual CEO Survey reveals a growing trend towards more purposeful business practices, including a greater focus on trust, transparency and personal accountability from CEOs on issues such as climate change and inequality. There are also interviews with a number of leading CEOs providing their perspective on agenda-setting issues. Here is the link to the UK CEO survey report and interviews. You can contact PwC to discuss any of the topics raised in more detail via www.pwc.co.uk
Demonstrating the competence, knowledge and culture required for the offshore renewables sector through a vigorous business development programme, Prior Power Solutions has been granted Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) status. In attaining this status, the company has also demonstrated it has the leadership, resources, and processes in place to maintain this status. Prior Power Solutions joins a number of companies from the Norfolk and Suffolk cohort of the programme, which is delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and funded by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership in becoming Fit for Offshore Renewables. James Rix, Managing Director says, “We are delighted to receive this F4OR ‘granted status’. The programme has allowed us to analyse and understand how to apply our skills and services to the offshore renewables industry. “This is just the beginning of our journey as we look to continually improve our business to secure more work in the offshore renewables sector.” F4OR is a unique offering from ORE Catapult, put together with input from the offshore renewables energy sector. A course of business improvement and sector specific capability building, it helps companies in the UK supply chain to be in the best possible position to bid for work in the offshore renewable energy industry. Some of the world’s biggest wind farms are being built off the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline including East Anglia Hub, Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas, in addition to four extension projects: Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, North Falls and Five Estuaries. While other UK Round 3 developments, Dogger Bank and Hornsea, as well as Dutch offshore wind developments are easily accessible. “This provides us with considerable opportunities to support offshore wind farm development as well as ongoing operations and maintenance that will continue to bring economic benefits to the area for decades to come” explains Mr Rix. “In addition to providing marine servicing, repair and offshore substation generator maintenance and breakdown services, we can provide specialist hydraulic control system services and look after critical equipment for Offshore Transmission Owners (OFTOs). “Our decades of experience and considerable expertise with a wide range of offshore and marine equipment and the learning through the F4OR programme puts us in perfect position for growth.”