Monthly Archives: October 2020

Business Investment, News, News from Wales

New investment in Rural Economy to support sector’s recovery

A £106m financial investment could contribute to the rural economy’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funding package from the Welsh Government and EU Rural Development Programme will be delivered over the next three years to support projects that boost the rural economy, enhance biodiversity and improve food sector resilience in Wales.

The funding has been welcomed by the sector including Don Thomas, Chair of ACCA Wales, who supports businesses who deliver services to the rural economy.

Don’s work primarily focuses on quality assurance in the food production supply chain, ensuring businesses demonstrate compliance and due diligence.

Responding to the financial investment announcement, Don said: “This financial package is a welcome investment for the rural economy and will build upon the sector’s experiences during the pandemic to contribute to a green recovery.

“The rural economy has adapted its practices this year, embracing remote working and sharing knowledge across the sector online which has reduced emissions and the need to travel beyond the local area. However, moving forward we will need to manage a healthy balance of remote and physical work. Funding projects that support the sector to be able to do both will be beneficial.”

Other financial schemes will also be developed in response to the pandemic and other challenges such as Brexit.

Don added: “The rural economy will be greatly affected by Brexit, particularly the food supply chain, as the EU is our primary exports market. The resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic this Autumn has shifted the focus away from Brexit, leaving great uncertainty within the sector about what agreement will be reached by the end of the year and the impact it will have on us.

“As the financial package will be delivered over three years, we hope the investment will also support businesses through any challenges they will face when we leave the EU.”

Appointments, News

Egress appoints David Quantrell as Non-Executive Director

Egress, the leading provider of human layer security solutions, today announced the appointment of David Quantrell as Non-Executive Director, with immediate effect. The appointment will see Quantrell combine his experience in scaling high profile technology businesses, like Box and Clarify, with running large divisions of HP, McAfee, and Nortel, to help support Egress’ rapid business growth.

Industry figurehead Quantrell has more than 30 years of experience in senior management roles across the software sector and currently advises a number of privately-owned and venture-backed cloud software providers in both the United Kingdom and United States. He was Vice President and General Manager, EMEA at Clarify, a global software company where he helped build the business ahead of its sale to Nortel Networks, where he then took the role of President EMEA of the fast growing eBusiness division.

In 2006, David was appointed Vice President and General Manager, EMEA, HP Software, where he led the integration of Mercury Interactive in EMEA, a business he had run prior to its acquisition by HP. Following this role, David was appointed President, EMEA at McAfee where he led a major European change programme to re-establish organic growth. Most recently he was Senior Vice President and a member of the global management team at Box, a cloud storage company, where he helped to establish the brand in Europe during a period of dramatic growth followed by a successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

David is currently Chair of the board of Retail Insights, a Non-executive Director of Oxford Metrics, and is board advisor to several high-growth companies. His extensive data and cybersecurity expertise are particularly relevant to his role on the Egress Board as the company continues to expand its human layer security offering to customers in EMEA and North America.

Tony Pepper, CEO of Egress, comments: “I am delighted to welcome David to the Egress Board, and we look forward to working with him. His track record speaks for itself and his industry experience will prove invaluable as we enter a new accelerated growth phase driven by the heightened security threats and compliance pressures faced by our customers. David’s substantial experience in senior management roles at a variety of global software companies makes him the ideal addition to our board, and his guidance and expertise will prove invaluable in helping us achieve our next set of strategic goals.

David Quantrell comments: “I’m excited to join Egress’ strong leadership team and support the company’s next phase of ambitious expansion. Egress’ proven track record in helping global businesses tackle the biggest data security threats of our time, makes this a huge opportunity for me to use my industry expertise and experience to help fuel the organisation’s continued growth.”

Investment, Start Ups

Tech start-up Exizent secures £3.6 million investment to revolutionise the bereavement process

Exizent, a Glasgow-based technology firm, has raised significant funding to transform the way the legal and financial services industry deals with bereavement and make the process far less stressful for family members experiencing loss.

In an era of digitised services, with more transparent and open access to information, Exizent is building the first ever platform that connects data, services and the network of people involved when someone passes away. The company’s mission is to reduce uncertainty, increase speed and make the process far simpler for everyone involved.

The company was founded by former financial services veteran Nick Cousins and transformation and technology leader Aleks Tomczyk. Both have track records of building successful products and businesses, with Tomczyk having formerly been founder and CEO of boutique consultancy Arum, while Cousins was previously Chief Product Owner of Barclays Wealth and Investments division.

The business has successfully raised £3.6 million in funding from several investors including FNZ, the global platform-as-a-service firm which reached unicorn status in 2018.

Nick Cousins, Founder and CEO of Exizent, said: “Our personal experiences are what led to us to establish Exizent. We believe the administrative tasks facing families after the death of a loved one should be far easier, and that modern technology solutions and services can make this a reality. We have spent the last 18 months carefully designing, developing, and testing our product with innovative partners, and look forward to launching the platform to legal services professionals later this year.”

Adrian Durham, Group CEO of FNZ said: “The Exizent team has already achieved an enormous amount and we are proud to support their vision of leveraging technology to make the bereavement process far easier for everyone involved. Exizent will also be joining the fast growing FNZ OpenPlatform App Store.”

Exizent’s platform will begin by helping legal services firms, working for executors, efficiently manage the process of completing and submitting probate applications, or confirmation as it is known in Scotland. It will also make the process of gathering information about an estate easier by connecting third parties to automatically discover assets the person may have had, reducing the reliance on an executor to find and send physical documents.

The company also plans to build digital connections with the various institutions that hold data and information about the person who has passed away to help them deal with queries from executors and legal services firms more efficiently. [1]

Midlands News, News, Technology

Amazon and Enterprise Nation launch West Midlands Amazon Small Business Accelerator virtual event at Birmingham Tech Week, as part of drive to support more than 200,000 businesses across the UK

Amazon and Enterprise Nation announce the West Midlands Amazon Small Business Accelerator virtual event in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which will take place during Birmingham Tech Week at 10.15am on Wednesday 14 October 2020, giving people advice on how to start and grow a business online and sell on Amazon.

This comes as research* by Enterprise Nation, the small business support network, revealed that 77% of small businesses across the West Midlands plan to increase their digital skills as a result of the impact of the pandemic and economic lockdown; 100% of businesses surveyed plan to broaden services to improve their business and avoid future shocks.

The Amazon Small Business Accelerator launched in June 2020 with free online training to help 200,000 businesses at every stage. The West Midlands Amazon Accelerator event will be a virtual live panel discussion hosted by Emma Jones, CEO of Enterprise Nation.

Following the event, attendees will be invited to join the Amazon Small Business Accelerator, where businesses can take a quick online diagnostic test to find the learning path that best fits with the current stage of their journey – ‘Start’, ‘Grow’ or ‘Turbo’ – with free e-learning training on accounting, social media, scaling production, hiring teams and more.

Participants can also apply to free week-long sector-specific bootcamps, to provide additional, tailored personal training and expertise for up to 1,000 startups and small businesses to help them trade online. Businesses will have access to new benefits designed to help them, ranging from discounts on business supplies from Amazon Business, to dedicated Amazon Web Services (AWS) training and partner offers. Businesses will also receive 12 months’ free expert support as part of ongoing membership to Enterprise Nation.

The Amazon Small Business Accelerator virtual event takes place in partnership with the West Midlands Digital Skills Partnership, which formed in 2018 to bring together tech firms, businesses, universities, colleges and training providers from the region, to find ways to improve local people’s digital skills and qualifications.

The Amazon Small Business Accelerator is being supported by the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Rugeley. Gary Norton, Site Leader at Amazon in Rugeley, said: “As someone born and raised in the West Midlands, I know first-hand the importance of a strong local economy for communities across our region, and we hope the Amazon Small Business Accelerator will help many small businesses grow over the coming weeks and months.”

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and by helping them we can support families and communities in the West Midlands bounce back more quickly,” commented Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “We have a long track record of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, with more than half of all products sold on Amazon coming from our selling partners, including many in the West Midlands. Some businesses have found their way through this year by providing more goods and services online. Now we are working with the West Midlands Combined Authority to provide firms in the West Midlands with access to the skills, tools and support they need to succeed in the digital world.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA): “The West Midlands economy was in good shape before the pandemic, and we are doing everything we can to get back on our feet quickly. We need to keep as many people in work as possible, so it’s critical that we support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enable our economy to recover.

“We know that companies across the region have had to move their trade online because of the pandemic. Improving their digital capability gives them the potential to increase sales, safeguard jobs and make their business more resilient. The Amazon Small Business Accelerator will help local firms to do exactly that, and I urge SMEs across the West Midlands – whether they’ve just started in business or are an established company wanting to grow their operations – to sign up to the event.”

Emma Jones MBE, CEO of Enterprise Nation: “The pandemic has demonstrated that businesses need to get better at e-commerce in order to continue to trade seamlessly, and our research shows that there is a need for more support. The West Midlands Amazon Small Business Accelerator event will help local businesses become more robust and reduce risk to futureproof trade going forward.”

Small businesses across the UK can learn more about the Amazon Small Business Accelerator and sign up here: enterprisenation.com/accelerator or to access a free place on the event book here: t

News, Work from Home

Most productive lighting for WFH office workers

  • A report by Wren Kitchens has revealed how different room lighting can affect work life
  • Warm lighting has been found to be the biggest impact on people’s positivity 
  • If you’re trying to create a romantic setting, white lighting with dimmer features have been found to be the most alluring 
  • Spotlights have been found to drive the highest productivity for people working from home

The way in which you light up a room has a major bearing on our emotions, as well as our productivity, according to a new report.

The report by Wren Kitchens has revealed that certain types of light fittings are key in getting our spaces right for working from home as we’re asked to stop our return to the office.

Using a range of images with different lighting, the study questioned respondents on how different set ups can vary how people feel.

So if you want you’re wanting to create a romantic setup, or if you’re just looking to create a space which allows you to relax and chill, check out the lighting styles that are most suited to helping you achieve a romantic, productive or relaxed vibe.

Spotlights shine for functionality and productivity

Nearly a third of people (31%) say that spotlights are the best lighting options for home working…

(But warm lighting is better to de-stress after working from home so it’s good to ensure you finish work so warm lighting benefits with 30 percent of respondents saying it can help them de-stress.)

Lighten the load with warm lighting options

A quarter of the UK says that the right lighting in their home can make a difference and improve their well being, with 30 percent of respondents saying it can help them de-stress.

The report revealed that warm lighting had an array of positive impacts on people’s emotions and feelings.

Almost half (48%) of respondents said that warm lighting improved their mood, while 50 percent said they felt calmer and 52 per cent said it made them feel happy. More than two thirds (70%) said that the lighting made them feel warm while 65 percent said it was cosy and relaxed.

Along with the positive sentiment brought on by the lighting choices, the set up was the favourite for entertaining and hosting dinner parties, with a third of people selecting this arrangement and 30 percent say it is the most welcoming.

White and dimmer lighting; A Flicker of Romance

White lighting with dimming options was dubbed the most alluring with more than half (53%) of homeowners stating it to be the most romantic.

So, if you’re looking to create a romantic feeling or just looking to impress that special someone, white lighting with dimming options maybe the best option!

Spotlights shine for functionality and productivity

While a variety of lighting can be used for getting the mood right, the use of spotlights is the favoured option for those practical uses.

Forty-one per cent think that the spotlight lighting is the best option for cooking, while nearly a third (31%) say it is the best lighting for working at home.

It’s no surprise that the lighting is so highly thought of when getting down to work with nearly two thirds (65%) saying they think it’s the brightest, 47 per cent stating that it’s the most vibrant and 70 percent saying it’s the cleanest.

Commenting on the findings, Darren Watts, Creative Director at Wren Kitchens, stated:

“Lighting is often overlooked during the design stage of kitchens, however it’s an important aspect to incorporate right from the beginning. Always consider where the room gets natural light when making decisions. Good lighting can take a kitchen from functional to fantastic, as clever placement can make your kitchen look bigger and fiddly food preparation easier by illuminating the workspace.

The first step is to work out where you want lighting to illuminate space where you really need it – such as spotlights above your hobs and counters.

It’s then important to consider adding accent lighting for visual interest. This could be a statement ceiling light above your island or bold floor-lamps placed strategically around the room.”

Full information can be seen at https://www.wrenkitchens.com/blog/lighting-suit-mood/

Appointments, News

New appointments at Visionary Group

Caerphilly based food and drink specialists Visionary Group, have announced a number of new appointments, as they prepare for a year of growth. 

The new appointments will bolster the staff within the Visionary Food Solutions division, as well as the wider group. The new recruits include Stephen Thomas who joins as Finance Director, Mike Johns as Business Development Manager, and Maria Reed who takes up the post of Food Service Executive.

The business had planned to make the new appointments early in 2020 but as the pandemic took hold, were forced to divert their focus into supporting their existing clients, in order to help support their future.  While the effects of COVID-19 caused a downturn in business in the early stages, the stabilising of the customer base and a renewed confidence going into the second half of the year, allowed the growth plans to be put back on course.

Gareth Hobbs, Managing Director of Visionary said: “There is no hiding from the fact that this year has been tough for everyone, and continues to be so.  We have always been a business to invest ahead of the curve, and the one benefit the pandemic has brought businesses looking to recruit, is that there is an extensive talent pool.  We have been fortunate to recruit some really high calibre people to our team, and are delighted to welcome Stephen, Mike and Maria to Visionary.”

Speaking of his appointment, Mike Johns commented: “It was refreshing to see the drive and ambition of the Directors during a very difficult time for all businesses.  They took the decision to develop and grow rather than give up.”

Maria Reed was similarly delighted at joining the business, she added: “I feel incredibly lucky to be working with a forward-thinking company like Visionary Food Solutions, especially during Covid-19. Even with the uncertainty of the market, VFS continues to pioneer their way through the foodservice industry, and I have truly felt that the founders of VFS care about their employees.” 

Following the appointments, Visionary have big plans for 2021 which includes supporting their client businesses to launch products into US based retailers, as well as developing non-food products as an additional service line.   The company also plan to put time aside to stay close to their communities and supporting those in need, a valuable lesson learned during the pandemic. 

Mr. Hobbs concluded: “This year has had its ups and downs, and while we are pleased to get our growth plans back on track for 2021, I am also confident we will use the experiences of this year to stay true to ourselves, to innovate and make time for others. The pandemic made us think differently, and we were able to produce the charity recipe book for the NHS called The Little Rainbow Book of Recipes.  I would like to see that become the sort of initiative we can repeat in 2021 and beyond”.

Finance and Banking, News

Five things to consider during your mortgage application to avoid money laundering suspicion

Mortgage application fraud occurs when an individual provides false or altered documents in support of a mortgage application. Research¹ revealed that fraudulent applications on mortgages were up by 5% in 2019, as 13% of British adults believe it is ‘reasonable’ to exaggerate income on a mortgage application.

With this in mind, experts from anti-money laundering service, SmartSearch, reveal some of the biggest considerations for Brits when it comes to mortgage applications.

Gifted deposits

If you’re lucky enough to receive help from your family or friends in the form of a gifted deposit towards your home purchase, there are a few considerations you should make. Lenders and solicitors will always question the source of your deposit, so it’s important to explain to your mortgage advisor from the outset exactly where the money has come from.

This is especially true in the case of gifted deposits, as large sums of money being transferred into an account are flagged as unusual activity, and may warrant anti-money laundering investigations or harm your mortgage application.

Providing proof that your deposit is a gift and not a loan, is also an important step to consider. This can be a signed letter or document outlining that the deposit is a gift, which is typically enough to satisfy lenders. The signed document should clearly state that the deposit is not a loan and doesn’t need to be repaid. In addition, it should also state that the gift doesn’t grant your friend or family member any rights to the property. Your mortgage advisor can provide you with a document template if you’re unsure.

Deposits from inheritance and personal savings

The most common source of deposit for a home is from personal savings or inheritance. Both of these funding sources should be accepted by mortgage lenders without issue. However, additional checks may need to be completed to clarify the source of the money, so make sure that you can prove your claim to the inheritance and there is documentation showing exactly where the money has come from, and where it’s been since you claimed it.

Lenders very rarely require additional checks for personal savings, but, if you have had big salary changes that have helped to contribute towards your savings, it can help to have older payslips on hand to verify your previous income.

Deposits from credit cards

Credit card fraud accounts for 39% of identity fraud cases in the UK2, with the main aim of the activity being to purchase goods without paying, or to steal money from someone else’s credit account. The most common types of credit fraud are lost or stolen credit cards being used without the owner’s permission, skimmed credit cards, stealing credit card details and committing fraudulent applications in someone else’s name.

With this in mind it’s no surprise that credit cards are typically not accepted by mortgage lenders, as they are unsecured loans and high risk. Using a credit card as part of your deposit is likely to see your application rejected and set you back in terms of securing your home.

Register on the electoral roll

Lenders must be able to verify your identity for purposes of anti-money laundering. Registering on the electoral roll helps to prove your identity and make sure you are who you say you are, as it enables lenders to check your information and confirm your name, address and residential history.

If you’re not registered on the electoral roll it is just about impossible to secure a mortgage, as banks and building societies need to know that the information about you is up to date. Therefore, it is important to make sure you are registered before applying.

De-link from ex-partners

When taking out loans or bank accounts with another person, typically a partner, you become financially linked to them and their activity can impact your credit score and how lenders see you. This makes it more difficult for those reviewing your application to attribute certain spending patterns to you and can raise suspicion if there are irregularities.

If you believe you may still be linked financially to an ex-partner, contact credit reference agencies and explain the situation to them, they will be able to disassociate you with your ex-partner.

John Dobson, CEO at SmartSearch, says: “Applying for a mortgage can be an exciting and also daunting task, with many first-time buyers unsure of what to expect during the rigorous application process.

“It is important to remember that a mortgage is a significant financial commitment, and making exaggerations or withholding any changes in circumstances may result in you being investigated for money laundering and fraud, making it more difficult to secure a mortgage or other financial products in the future.

“We hope by revealing some of the biggest considerations for mortgage applications, you will be equipped with the knowledge you need to easily secure a mortgage.”

To find out more about fraud and money laundering, please visit: https://www.smartsearch.com/

 

News, Property

House builder progresses works on new £15m housing development in West Oxfordshire

Building works on a new housing development in Carterton, by property developer Taggart Homes, are progressing on track, with the show home set to open to the public in October.

Located in the sought-after town of Carterton in West Oxfordshire, luxury development Linden Gardens, which is due for completion in late 2021, will comprise of 32 semi-detached and detached family homes.

Featuring eight different property types starting from £250,000 and going up to £800,000, the development will offer 2 bed apartments, 3 and 4 bed semi-detached homes and 3, 4 and 5 bed detached homes, all of which will be finished to the finest quality with high spec fixtures and fittings and landscaped gardens.

Situated just a mile south of Carterton town centre, the development is in a prime location next to Carterton Health Centre and a wide range of leisure facilities, shopping amenities and employment opportunities. The location is next to the Kilkenny Lane Allotments and Kilkenny Lane Country Park and surrounding towns are Witney, Burford, Cheltenham and Swindon. The nearest city being Oxford.

Appealing to a varied demographic, Linden Gardens is suited to growing families looking to upsize or commuters looking to improve their home working surroundings. There is also provision for first-time homebuyers with a range of Help to Buy and Shared Ownership options on smaller properties.

Ideal for A40 commuters and very close to the Cotswolds – the development’s closest train station -Long Hanborough – is just over 10 minutes from Oxford, 40 minutes from Reading and one hour from London Paddington for city workers.

Importantly for families, Linden Gardens is in the catchment area of many in-demand primary schools including Carterton, Shilton Park, Brize Norton and St John Evangelist, and secondary schools including Cokethorpe Private, Burford College, The Kings School and Carterton Community College.

It’s also a short drive away from a range of locations for days out including Crocodiles of the World, Bourton on the Water, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Sherbourne National Trust Park.

The scheme will inject new life into a previously underutilised rural site which had a single family house on it, that backs onto the edge of the Shilton Park housing development.

On the new Linden Gardens development, co-founder and chief executive officer of Taggart Homes, Michael Taggart, said: “We are delighted and excited to be bringing this exquisite luxury family development to this great location nestled in West Oxfordshire. Its location is the biggest selling point, adjacent to the country park, and with open fields beyond, it is ideal for families and commuters due to being in the close vicinity of major road and rail routes.

“As with all properties by Taggart Homes, our dedicated team of professionals ensure that each detail of each property is designed and built to the highest standards to provide the best possible product on the market – from the layout and design, to the workmanship and materials used for the build, interior fixtures and fittings and surrounding landscaped spaces.

“We want to build communities where neighbours become friends, where memories are made and we understand what a huge step buying a new home is, so we always strive to provide the finest quality properties, where luxury meets convenience.”

Paul Stachura, new homes sales manager at Connells estate agents in Oxford, said: “We’re hugely excited to be working alongside Taggart Homes and offering these very special homes to the people of Carterton.

“Interest in the development is already exceptional and the local branch is being inundated with enquiries for details, from people within the town and further afield. With such a great mix of houses in a stunning location, Linden Gardens will undoubtedly become the ‘place to live’ in Carterton.”

Interested homebuyers can now register interest at Connells in Carterton on 01993 847309. The brochure is due to launch September, with an off-plan reservation event scheduled for late September and official launch planned for early October.

Jobs, News

Number of new jobs in the UK continues to grow, despite economic uncertainty

Job vacancies increased 17% in the week ending 20th September, with the number of roles advertised up 34% when compared to the last week of August as the UK adapts to the ‘new normal’. That’s according to the latest real-time statistics from the world’s largest network of job boards, Broadbean Technology.

Vacancies in the capital dominate, while northern cities report sharp increase

According to the data, London continues told hold the lion’s share of the UK’s vacancies, with 15% of all jobs advertised hosted in the capital – a 20% increase week-on-week. This upward trend in vacancies was also reported in numerous cities across the UK, with Manchester and Birmingham seeing an uptick in jobs of 32% and 22% respectively week-on-week. This is indicative of a continued attempt by businesses to ‘return to normal’ as more employers adapt to an extended period of remote working.

IT vacancies bolster hiring

Broadbean’s statistics also revealed that across the sectors, IT vacancies remain high, accounting for 9% of all jobs advertised for the week ending 20th September. This represents a 39% increase week-on-week in the lead up to the Prime Minister’s announcement that employees should return to remote working where they can. With predictions that this home working rule will remain in place for a possible six-month period, this demand for tech experts will likely continue on this upward trajectory in the immediate future as businesses seek the tech expertise to manage and update IT infrastructures.

Alex Fourlis, Managing Director at Broadbean Technology commented:

“While there’s a level of uncertainty still, September’s figures suggest that the UK is adapting to this ‘new normal’, with job numbers remaining at promising levels. Although in the lead up to Boris Johnson’s announcement of further remote working requirements, the idea was simply a prediction rather than a certainty, the increase in IT vacancies at this time suggests employers across the UK were keen to get ahead of the game this time around and prepare as far in advance as possible.”

“We are still facing tough economic times and we are by no means out of the woods yet. However, these promising signs indicate that for some employers at least, resilience remains intact. And with the Chancellor announcing further measures to not only secure jobs, but also extend loan schemes for businesses, we hope that this positive trend in recruitment continues in the immediate future.”

News

Research reveals the most productive time of day for each profession

A new study has pinpointed the most productive and creative times of day for each profession, with the average UK worker being most effective around lunchtime.

Brits are most productive late in the morning, at 11:54am, but feel most inventive during their midday break, reaching their creative peak at 12:42pm.

The research[1], conducted by Tic Watches, the watch and sunglasses specialist, asked 1,500 employees to reveal the hour of day they feel most creative, productive and energetic.

It appears that Brits have their most creative ideas just before lunch, with 10am-11am (15%) and 11am-12pm (11%) the most common responses. Women reach maximum creativity slightly later in the day than men, at 12:54pm and 12:24pm respectively.

The findings also suggest that the introduction of more flexible working hours could increase the nation’s creativity and productivity among younger workers.

While the average times were pretty consistent across age groups, younger workers are the least likely to feel creative between the hours of 9am and 5pm. More than two in five (42%) 25-34-year-olds feel most creative outside of these traditional work hours, compared to only a third (33%) of 35-44s and around a quarter (27%) of 45-54s.

Productivity follows the same pattern. More than one in six (18%) millennials feel most productive before 9am, while the same number feel they’re most efficient on an evening after 5pm – more than any other age category.

There is also considerable variation by profession. Accountants feel most productive in the morning at 9:48am, the earliest of all the occupations surveyed, while sales professionals get most work done in the early afternoon, at 1:12pm.

The professions that feel productive earliest in the day are:

1) Accounts – 9:48am

2) Civil Servants – 11:00am

3) Plumbers/Electricians/Builders – 11:00am

4) Administration/Office Workers – 11:42am

5) IT – 11:48am

The professions that feel productive latest in the day are:

1) Sales – 1:12pm

2) HR/Recruitment – 12:54pm

3) Finance – 12:36pm

4) Operations – 12:24pm

5) Teacher – 12:00pm

Despite not reaching their creative and productive peaks until lunchtime, Brits feel most energetic at 11:06am. More than a fifth (21%) of workers say they feel most active between 10 and 11am, before slowly fading as the day progresses. Workers feel laziest in the later hours, with 4-5pm and 3-4pm being the least energetic hours – just 3% of Brits feel most energetic at this time.

Interestingly, nearly a quarter of employees (23%) feel most sprightly before 9am, again suggesting that earlier working shifts might be worth exploring.

Joanna Shurety, Lifestyle Coach at Shurety Coaching, has shared her top three tips for increasing productivity at work:

● Find your best time – everyone is different, so find the best time for you to work. Assess the things that need to be done each day and identify the pockets of time available.

● Regular sleep – having a regular sleep and wake-up time is the best way to get consistent, restorative sleep. It will help your mind and body unwind and recover so you can start your days off in the best possible way.

● Plan your day – spend the first bit of your morning planning, building in time for tasks, lunch and periods away from your screen. Having a structure and focus for each day lets you celebrate and be accountable for what you achieve.

Danny Richmond, Managing Director at Tic Watches, said: “Covid-19 will undoubtedly have a long-lasting impact on the day-to-day of many professions. Lots of workers have enjoyed the flexible working arrangements afforded to them over lockdown and some may push for these to become permanent.

“Our new research has shown that many Brits feel more energetic, creative and productive outside of the typical 9-5 working hours, so it could benefit both employers and employees to continue this flexibility.”

For more expert advice on how to increase your productivity at work, visit: https://www.ticwatches.co.uk/blog/2020/09/how-to-make-to-boost-your-productivity-by-hacking-your-body-clock/