Monthly Archives: July 2023

International News, News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce

Proposed Border Strategy: “Everything is last minute, and poorly thought through,” warns Jenney

The Chief Executive of the UK’s Fresh Produce Consortium, Nigel Jenney, spoke frankly to the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee last Thursday (6 July) urging them to heed the consortium’s warnings concerning the proposed border strategy.

Referencing the governments TOM (Target Operating Model) Jenney remarked: “Well, they’ve missed the first target, because the target was to actually respond to the industry with guidance by the end of last month. This hasn’t materialised and won’t materialise for weeks, which puts huge pressure on the industry in terms of being able to prepare for the hard delivery dates that the government is currently suggesting.

“We are operating in a sector which grows and distributes highly perishable, highly sensitive products as quickly and efficiently as possible ,” he continued. “So frankly, from my industry’s point of view, we believe the current proposed strategy will fundamentally compromise our industry’s least cost, highly efficient supply chain from Europe, without a doubt.

“We don’t manufacture widgets, we don’t keep them in a UK warehouse for six months, hoping someone’s going to buy them. Our produce is literally harvested, packed, and delivered within hours, not days.

“As such, the TOM provides some huge challenges for our sector in terms of compromising that just -in -time least cost to maintain both the quality of the products, but also the cost of the products,” Jenney explained.

“We are extremely concerned that the current proposed government border strategy which adopts government managed border control points (BCPs) , are frankly highly inefficient.

“We believe the current proposed strategy will fundamentally compromise our industry’s least cost highly efficient supply chain from Europe which will have considerable and wide ranging impacts.

We will proactively, and we have for years now, offered solutions to the current BCP model, including adoption of control points. They are facilities which are managed by our industry, or our commercial partners.

“A Government managed BCP adds, brutally, no value for my industry,” he continued.

“One of the things that we proposed several years ago but which didn’t happen at that time, is that we offered government the opportunity to use our industries facilities to carry out these inspections. This wasn’t an option that was considered appropriate at that time.

“We also suggested it would be wise to allow responsible businesses within the industry to be trained and accredited to complete official inspections. Because do you want a few hundred official inspectors managing your border security, or do you want thousands of people managing your border security?

“And the best part is that you wouldn’t have to pay them because the industry pays for those people. It’s incredibly disheartening that this system will not be available, assuming the 31st of January date is the go live date.

“Our industry will be forced to either use BCPs or control points but still wait for an official inspection by an official officer. Which is so frustrating, because we’ve had years to manage and plan the processes, yet everything is last minute, and it appears to be poorly thought through.

“The industry, ultimately, is going to have to pick up the pieces and I’ll remind you all again today that, with the costs  we envisage the industry having to incur, I have to sadly say that we simply cannot absorb those costs. They will instead be passed on to hard pressed consumers in a very difficult environment at this moment in time.

“We have no choice. Our margins just simply do not allow us to do anything else.”

The House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee plans to release its report by the conclusion of this year to summarize their findings and recommendations.

Healthcare Tech, News, NHS News

NHS wastes over £100M on post, enough to employ thousands of Junior Doctors

  • New analysis shows postal expenditure of 57 NHS Trusts could be used to hire over 3,000 more Junior Doctors
  • Total expenditure of NHS equates to over half of the £1.03bn required to deliver Junior Doctor pay restoration pushed for in strike action this week
  • The NHS could save £98 million pounds by digitising their postal output

 

New analysis by secure digital communications specialists Beyond Encryption, reveals the huge cost that the use of postal services inflicts on the NHS, with £1o3.7m spent by 57 NHS Trusts over the past five years1.

The figures obtained from an FOI request reveal that individual NHS Trusts were, on average, spending over £500,000 each year on post. This equates to the whole of the NHS spending over £100 million each year on post and over half a billion pounds every 5 years2.

The NHS, which is currently experiencing a staff shortage crisis and is being affected by a Junior Doctors strike this week, could theoretically hire the equivalent of 3,048 more junior Doctors with the reported spend on post3. Alternatively, as the British Medical Association4 stated, Junior Doctor pay restoration would cost the Government £1.03bn so this could contribute significantly to that deficit.

The NHS could save over £98 million by digitising their communications and no longer relying on postal services according to Beyond Encryption5.

The NHS trusts shown to have spent the most on post were as follows:

  1. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust – £9.3m
  2. Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust – £8.55m
  3. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – £7.3m
  4. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust – £4.3m
  5. University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust – £3.5m

The figures also revealed significant environmental impact from the NHS’ reliance on post. When looking at the FOI responses from 39 NHS trusts, it was revealed that over 100 million letters have been sent since 20186. This significant output emits 3,680tCO2e7 which is the equivalent of driving over nine million miles in a petrol car, and would require over 6,000 trees to be planted to offset the emissions8.

The NHS trusts that have sent the most letters since 2018 are as follows:

  1. North Bristol NHS Trust – 15.7m
  2. Southport and Ormskirk Hospital – 8.7m
  3. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – 7.8m
  4. Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – 7.4m
  5. University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust – 6.4m

 

Paul Holland CEO and founder at Beyond Encryption commented: “All organisations should be looking for ways they can improve operating efficiencies, reduce costs and lower their environmental impact – and the NHS is no different. These figures reveal not only the astronomical financial cost but also the damaging environmental impact the NHS’ reliance on post is having. It’s vital that in 2023, the NHS looks to modernise and embrace digital transformation strategies to implement secure, cost effective and efficient communication services. Otherwise, the institution will simply be unable to navigate future challenges and deal with the  increased pressure and strain it will undoubtedly face.”

 

Tom Baldock, Managing Director at Synertec, which provides 35% of the communication output for the NHS, said: “I completely agree with Paul’s comments regarding the need for comms with improved efficiency and reduced costs within organisations. At Synertec, we firmly believe that digital communication will play a significant part in the future of NHS comms, and we are excited by some of the innovation that Beyond Encryption has applied to this area. Secure email can become a huge piece of the communications puzzle for organisations looking to streamline their interactions. However, as we continue to support many NHS trusts with their conversion to digital, we believe a wider communication strategy must be put in place to ensure that patients receive correspondence in a format that meets their needs. This could be digital, post, a mixture of both, or specific accessibility formats such as braille.”

News

Castle estate plans to redevelop disused school building and create 30 jobs with new pub restaurant

REDEVELOPMENT of a disused school building will create up to 30 jobs and breathe new life into a picturesque Cheshire village.

Bolesworth Estate has submitted plans to transform the Grade II-listed former Harthill School and schoolmaster’s house into a high-quality restaurant and pub.

Proposals also include a staff apartment, the demolition of a 1960s extension and conservatory, and construction of a single-storey rear extension with patio, and the rebuilding of an existing barn as a storage facility for plant and bicycles.

Neglected outdoor space would be utilised for landscaping, parking for up to 59 vehicles, and an accessible children’s play area and dog-friendly 1,000-metre trail which will later feature interactive displays and sculptures.

Bolesworth’s Managing Director Nina Barbour said their long-term vision is to work in partnership with Sandstone Ridge Trust – Sandstone Ridge has been shortlisted for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation – and create a venue which supports the local economy while complementing its scenic surroundings, nature, and biodiversity.

“As well as creating a brand-new leisure space that generates footfall and creates jobs, we want to breathe life back into what is one of the most beautiful areas of Cheshire,” said Nina.

“We are mindful of the impact it will have locally as this is such a historic building, and the response has been positive and welcoming, with many people keen to see an empty site turned into something that will benefit the community, notably families, walkers, and small businesses.”

She added: “The emphasis is on quality, from the design and construction of the restaurant to customer service and food and beverages – we will be setting the bar high.

“As part of a vision that stretches over the next five years and beyond, we will be looking at the leisure, hospitality and accommodation offering across the 6,500-acre Bolesworth Estate for residents and visitors to the area.

“There are so many opportunities out there, notably around Sandstone Ridge which is a stunning location fully deserving of AONB status; this project will support that and give the village of Harthill and surrounding areas an economic boost. Together with local businesses and stakeholders we plan to use this project as a catalyst and platform to really showcase what Cheshire West has to offer.

“We will be looking to make quick progress and begin the development immediately if we do receive the green light from planning. The school has been vacant for a long time and there is an appetite for a high-class, top-quality destination that will reinvigorate the village.”

The school building dates back to 1868 but was ravaged by fire in 1922. It was rebuilt but closed 15 years ago with just nine pupils. It then became a cookery school but shut down in the pandemic and has been empty ever since.

Bolesworth’s Property and Leisure Director Mike Crowther said the Harthill School development will act as a gateway to Sandstone Ridge and form part of the popular walking and cycling network.

“The project celebrates this incredible rural area, its nature and heritage,” added Mike.

“There are so many benefits beyond the investment into the area, from the sourcing of local food and drink from independent suppliers to the restoration of a historic building which has lain empty for years, improvements in access to the site to ease traffic congestion, and a high-quality customer experience.

“We will continue to work closely with the community, the Sandstone Ridge Trust, the parish council and other relevant bodies to ensure we all take this journey together and provide an opportunity for sustainable economic growth that we hope will become a firm favourite with locals and attract new visitors – notably walkers and cyclists – to one of this region’s hidden gems.”

For more information and if you have any questions on the proposed development, visit www.bolesworth.com/Harthill.

Visit www.bolesworth.com for the latest news and events at Bolesworth Estate.

News

Student wins prestigious forestry award

Jacob Goodwin has won the ‘Top Performing Student’ award on the Tilhill Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture. 

Jacob, from Wrexham, received a specially carved wooden trophy along with £250 prize money. The award was presented by Simon Miller, Tilhill Senior Forest Manager and Assistant Forest Manager, Simon Smith at the Coleg Cambria Llysfasi awards ceremony.

Jacob, first started on a Level 1 course in Land-Based Studies without any clear idea of what he wanted to do for the future.

The course was broad and gave him a taste of different areas of work, including agriculture and machinery, forestry, and conservation. Jacob developed an interest in working in forestry and went on to take the Level 2 course in Agricultural Machinery before joining the Tilhill Extended Diploma in 2021.

The 19-year-old, who also works for a local tree surgery company, said: “It has been a pleasure to take part in the Tilhill diploma for the last two years. I never thought I could learn so much in such a short time and it made me realise how much potential is out there for the future!

“I prefer practical learning and getting hands on with different tasks and I think this diploma balances different styles of learning perfectly. The most enjoyable time in the diploma was when we were exploring the various stages of timber processing from felling trees in our plantation, transporting them back to college and using our sawmills to cut them to different specs! I also thoroughly enjoyed the arboriculture aspect of the course where we experienced carrying out aerial surveys of different trees and carried out specified work.

“It feels amazing to be presented with such an incredible award after all the hard work that has been put in within the last 2 years and I am very grateful.

“My plan for the near future is to pursue a career in Tree Surgery which is a very rewarding job and will help me build my knowledge up even more! I hope to transfer my skills into commercial forestry later and explore the potentials that the sector has to offer.”

Simon Miller, Tilhill Forest Manager on presenting the award, said: “The Institute of Chartered Foresters announced in 2021 an industry shortfall of 10,000 trained workers, something which Tilhill is continuously working to address through initiatives like the Tilhill Diploma and Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme.

“The Tilhill Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture, is part of a unique partnership between Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and Tilhill, specially designed to prepare enthusiastic people in Wales for a successful career in forestry. The course will get you ‘industry ready’ and trained for employment, therefore, it is great to see Jacob already in a role within forestry in tree surgery.

“A huge congratulation to Jacob for his hard work and we wish him a long and fruitful career in forestry.”

Andy White, coordinator of the Tilhill Diploma at Llysfasi, said: “Jacob achieved practical qualifications alongside his main course, including first aid, brushcutters, woodchipper, chainsaw and tree climbing. He has particularly enjoyed the tree climbing units. He is cheerful and enthusiastic, works hard and is very capable, and always ready to try anything. We hope the Tilhill award will inspire him to further success in the future.

“Coleg Cambria Llysfasi are extremely lucky and grateful, to have the support, knowledge, and skills of Tilhill staff, readily available, and their willingness to share this with our students is invaluable.

“This vital link between education and industry is an important part of our commitment to providing clear pathways through education and training, and into work in forestry and woodland management. As a college we recognise the challenges of recruitment within the sector, but also the exciting opportunities available to those willing to learn and work with trees and woodlands. There has never been a better time to think about a career in forestry, or a change in career, and we are here to make that happen.”

For more information, visit the website; https://www.tilhill.com/about-us/tilhill-diploma.

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

Charity & CSR, Charity News, News

“Without sponsors like yourselves, events like this would be impossible for a small charity to put on.”

CBC URGES OTHER LOCAL GROUPS TO APPLY FOR FUNDING GRANTS

A LOCAL charity has become the latest organisation to benefit from Chester Business Club support.

The Arts and Charity Foundation, Amasing, says the donation from the Chester Business Club will contribute to “their most ambitious project to date”.

The organisation, which promotes the fact that arts should be for everyone, received a £250 grant from a funding pot that’s available to a wide range of groups to apply for if their activity benefits Chester in some way.

Amasing now plans to use the money to help organise an upcoming event, called Aspire, which will be held at Chester FC.

 

Commenting, Amasing’s Director, Rachael Borman, said: “Without sponsors like yourselves, events like this would be impossible for a small charity to put on as we gain very little funding at present.

“This is the most ambitious project we have done to date and it’s a brand new event for Chester FC Stadium too.”

So far this year, via their Aspire project, the charity has reached over 8000 young people locally. It’s estimated their Cheshire shows will eventually include 1500 young people from 42 local primary schools.

Rachael added: “We can’t wait to bring everyone together and showcase all the wonderful things they have been doing throughout the project and see the young people perform to all their families in our uplifting and positive shows. Our projects are all about arts for all and supporting young people’s mental health through creative arts opportunities and experiences . We want to give young people an experience they wouldn’t normally get in everyday life.”

 

Commenting on the funding award and the work that Amasing is involved in, Jan Chillery, newly elected Chair, of the Chester Business Club said: “Charities like Amasing are the lifeblood of the city and our community and the Chester Business Club is committed to trying to support as many of them as possible. The cost of living crisis has created huge challenges for organisations within the charitable sector which is why we are so keen to support groups who can demonstrate they make a positive impact in the Chester area.”

 

Roy Shelton, Past-Chair of Chester Business Club added: “The CBC exists to support so many great causes and Amasing is yet another example of our ethos. Rachael and her team work so hard to make a difference and we are thrilled to be supporting their latest event.“

 

How Charities can apply for funding: 

Chester Business Club charity funding is available for registered charities to assist with new projects, building maintenance and services. Funding will not be granted for day to day running costs.

Local and National registered charities can apply for a Charity Funding grant of up to £1,500. Applications must demonstrate a positive impact in the Chester area.

It is important your application is well-founded, demonstrating a clear benefit to Chester and the local community. The executive committee makes funding decisions based on the information you provide.

To ensure allocated funds are correctly used, you will be required to provide a summary ‘follow up’ after the project / event or scheme has been completed. We’re keen to see the benefits of our funding and a better understanding of each project will allow the Business Club to learn from funding decisions and assist with future application considerations.

Chester Business Club will notify the applicant of the outcome within 3 months of receipt. Occasionally a charity will be notified that the application has been deferred, not refused, so it can be considered further or more information requested to support a decision. 

To apply for funding, please complete an application and return to info@chesterbusinessclub.co.uk.

Finance and Banking, Fintech, News, Tech

Nearly half of banking customers say they are missing the human connection in banking

Research released today shows that banking customers are frustrated with their banking experience and are craving a more human connection from their interactions with their bank. The research has been commissioned by experience services business – Foolproof, a Zensar company.

Findings show that – as a consequence of banks closing branches and making a move towards more faceless solutions (such as telephone banking, automation and chatbots) – customers are frustrated with these services as they are falling short of being useful, especially in the current climate where many customers are more financially vulnerable due to rising costs.

 

Highlights from the research showed:

  • Human interaction is what nearly half (46%) of banking customers want.
  • Nearly a third of people (29%) stated that they want more high street branches.
    • This number rises to 45% for over 55s, a demographic that may typically be viewed as having lower levels of digital capability or access.
  • 47% say chatbots are not answering their questions.
  • 23% believe their banking experience has gotten worse in the last 12 months, across all age groups.
    • Only 19% of over 55s think their banking experience has improved. However, 31.5% of under 35s think it has improved.
  • 74% of people don’t think banking is personal enough.

 

Foolproof has distilled the following insight from the research:

  • Customers missing the human connection: Banks have evolved to a large percentage of their customer interactions being faceless, for convenience and facilitating an ‘always on’ offering. However, many digital systems need work to avoid frustrating customers at a time when they could conceivably need communication with their bank more, due to rising costs. If banks can’t solve the frustrations for customers quickly, consideration should be given to what temporary experiences could be put in place to provide support – albeit digital or face-to-face – while work happens on aligning and designing digital experiences that fit with current customers. Short-term investment could create a lot of value and minimise the potential risk while generating brand good-will and value for customers in the process.
  • AI experiences need a next-generation look & feel: Banks should be careful not to roll out generative AI solutions to customers, without doing the work to understand what customers want from AI-powered experiences. Many of the current solutions are causing more pain than good. However, next-generation technologies could bridge this gap, going deeper into solving customer requests and eliminating the need for human interaction by better meeting customer needs with the right level of design to aid successful implementation.
  • Blend of human + digital experiences is the support customers desire: With something as sensitive as money matters, Foolproof’s experience of interviewing banking customers has shown that they crave the right balance of digital convenience with opportunities for human interaction if digital experiences aren’t meeting their needs. Especially during this period when financial worries may be heightened for many. However, with banking businesses driving for cost-savings and increased efficiencies, digital teams should be looking at how to utilise next-generation technologies and design to improve digital experiences in a way that brings human interactions to life in more sophisticated ways.

Foolproof, a Zensar company, has a long history of working with many of the largest banks in the world, helping them define their digital offerings. These findings fall under a wider initiative to garner more understanding of how customers are interacting with digital products and services within the sector today.

When discussing the research, Anup Rege, Chief Business Officer, Integrated Studios at Foolproof said:

“As the data shows, customers are rightfully expecting some kind of change in their relationship with their bank. While it’s not realistic to expect a return to bricks and mortar branches, or to see an expansion of call centres given a focus on reducing cost to serve and large investments in offering a better digital experience, it is reasonable for customers to expect a better relationship with their bank. Especially during this time of economic precarity.

“There are technological advancements being made inside banks to evolve chatbots and other automated process functions to take them to the next level because they recognise the opportunity for innovation and the ability to improve experiences and self-service at a lower cost, without a loss of service. Moreover, with the rise of LLMs, creating chat and automated functions which solve customer problems at a deeper level would be incredibly timely and useful. What is required now is a step change rather than the optimisation of existing tools, systems or even digital products themselves, this means releasing these next-generation automations and the experiences which house them.

“It is also crucial for banks to understand the pains customers are experiencing, especially at a time when people’s relationships with all financial products and services particularly mortgages, loans and other credit products, are under increased strain. This means designing and radically overhauling help, support, chat and other digital experiences to offer more of a human edge to banking to meet the need of the hour. This might also mean putting touchpoints which are high touch under the microscope, this could enhance systems that support a call centre or online advisor, increase efficiency and drive down cost while still offering a more human connection if they were designed better, with a grounding in employee and customer needs.

“Solving this desire for a more human connection is not about some great outpouring of emotion from banks in marketing or digital design but rather connecting with and understanding customers better. This work should facilitate understanding and comprehension through content and design as well as being fundamentally usable and useful. While this may mean a short-term incursion of cost, it will give banks a better chance of maintaining customers and projecting a strong brand when customers need someone to trust.

“The end goal of this work should be creating banks or financial products that are as dynamic as people’s lives. What we could see coming to the fore is Open Banking powered financial products which meet more specific needs through more targeted design and service. Banks need to wise up now to respond to this threat.”

 

News, Rugged Tech, Tech

Getac Recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape Assessments of Worldwide Rugged Mobile Devices, Tablets and PCs

Getac Technology Corporation, a leading producer of rugged technology, today announced that two new IDC MarketScape reports named the company a worldwide Leader in Rugged Mobile Devices and Rugged Tablet and PC.

The reports, “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Rugged Mobile Devices 2023 Vendor Assessment1 and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Tablet and PC 2023 Vendor Assessment2,” noted, “Despite challenges, the future of rugged mobility is secure. Rugged devices perform tasks that consumer-grade devices cannot, and they excel in highly specialized enterprise workflows. As more businesses seek to enable larger segments of their workforce, frontline workers present a clear opportunity for growth.”

“We believe these results are further proof of Getac’s leadership in setting the standard in rugged computing devices, software, accessories and professional services tailored to each customer,” said James Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation. “We collaborate proactively with our customers to resolve operational challenges at every level to ensure performance in extreme working environments. This results in a lower total cost of ownership because Getac devices are designed from the ground up to handle challenging conditions.”

 

The IDC MarketScape noted that “Enterprise organizations that require either Android- or Windows-based fully rugged solutions designed for a multitude of frontline use cases should consider Getac high on their list of rugged device providers.”

Additional specific strengths of Getac featured in the reports include:

 

  • Extensive solutions portfolio: “Getac offers an extensive portfolio of rugged hardware that is differentiated across multiple OSs, form factors, and screen sizes. In addition, Getac has differentiated offerings in rugged in-car video and body-worn cameras not offered by its direct competitors. These adjacent offerings create potential for additional expansion into public safety and law enforcement.”
  • Vertically integrated supply chain: “Getac designs and manufactures its own products and works with Getac Holdings’ subsidiaries to make key critical components, including motherboards, batteries, mobile computing chassis, and copolymer mechanical components for a vertically integrated supply chain.”
  • Android Enterprise Recommended: Getac’s participation in the Android Enterprise Recommended program, ensures “its Android devices will receive timely security updates and OS support during deployment life cycles.”

 

For more information, please download the IDC MarketScape excerpt.

 1“IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Rugged Mobile Devices 2023 Vendor Assessment”, doc#US50689523, June 2023.

2“IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Rugged Tablet and PC 2023 Vendor Assessment”, doc#US50776823, June 2023.

 

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

 

About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac’s solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defense, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. For more information, visit: http://www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

Getac and Getac logo are trademarks of Getac Holdings Corporation or its affiliates. Other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2023 Getac Technology Corporation.

Commercial Property, Insurance, News

Cost of living crisis means underinsured businesses are at risk of disaster

Warning from leading insurance broker

One of the UK’s leading insurance brokers is warning businesses struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living that they shouldn’t be cutting back on their insurance costs as they may not survive the consequences of being underinsured.

In the UK, 84% of property owners, both private and business, are underinsured*, meaning that if their property is damaged and they need to claim, the pay-out amount will not cover all of the costs of reinstatement, leaving owners vulnerable should the worst happen.

Robert Lewis, Corporate Broking Director at Towergate Insurance Brokers, said, “To put it simply, when agreeing on an insurance amount building owners should be looking at the same cost that it would cost to entirely rebuild including adequate provision for debris removal and professional fees. When businesses are underinsuring their commercial properties, they aren’t covering the entire cost and can be left with a significant shortfall, especially after a recent spike in construction costs.”

Data collected by industry specialist RebuildcostASSESSMENT.com shows that on average, buildings are covered for just 66% of their rebuild costs. These soaring costs would put even more financial strain on most businesses and homeowners with many unable to make up the deficit, especially during the cost of living crisis.

Robert said: “Not only is the cost of energy increasing rapidly, which has a major impact on production costs, there is also huge demand for building materials and ongoing supply chain issues. While people might be aware of this, they may not realise the impact it’s having on their insurance.

“Some people may worry that alerting their insurers to the higher rebuild cost of their property will increase their insurance premium, but this rise will be negligible and is a worthy investment in comparison to the shortfall in coverage should the property be damaged. Up-to-date valuation is key to ensuring that you aren’t left out of pocket following property damage, especially during the current crisis.”

Towergate Insurance Brokers is one of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers and risk management advisors. Boasting an experienced team of insurance specialists, Towergate Insurance Brokers has built a solid reputation for understanding many business sectors and industries, and the everyday risks that they face in today’s increasingly complex world. They also look after the insurance needs of private individuals and families seeking tailored personal covers.

 

—

Towergate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited.

Registered in England No.4043759. Registered Address: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7PD.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

 

Cleaning & Facilities Management

Reasons to Keep Your Home Clean and Neat

It’s great to come home to a clean and neat house. And it’s in your best interests to keep it that way.

By keeping your home tidy, not only do you ensure it’s free of dust, dirt, and dangerous microbes, but also maintain its value and spiritual worth. Here are some important reasons why you should take care of your house, keep it clean and organized.

Health Benefits

A dirty and messy house is not only an eyesore but it also poses a danger to your family’s health. So, if you want to make your home a safe and healthy place to live in, you should never compromise on its cleanliness. If you fail to attend to your cleaning duties, chances are you’ll end up facing a bunch of unpleasant problems including allergies, respiratory issues, foodborne diseases, etc.

Dust particles and pollen can harbor allergens, toxins, and bacteria, which will multiply in your home by leaps and bounds if you don’t clean and disinfect your house regularly. It’s a good idea to use specialized cleaning solutions when dusting and mopping. They will help you get rid of dust and debris and kill most of the dangerous germs and bacteria in your house. It’s also critical that you thoroughly vacuum your carpets, which tend to absorb grease and dirt and become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria over time. Lots of households now prefer to hire professional domestic cleaners in London when it comes to deep-cleaning and disinfecting carpets and upholstery. So, should you need any help cleaning your whole home or some specific area, don’t hesitate to contact specialists.

Relaxation and Meditation

Needless to say, it’s hard to relax amidst dirty dishes, littered countertops, and dusty furniture. Psychologists also alert us to the dangers posed by a messy home. It’s much harder to concentrate and remain productive when everything surrounding you is in disarray. There’s no better place for relaxation and daily meditation than a clean and tidy house. Don’t neglect your cleaning duties and soon you’ll create the ideal space where you can easily unwind. And the positive mood transformation won’t be long in coming.

As a matter of fact, cleaning per se can be a great form of meditation. Next time when you attend to your everyday chores like dusting, hoovering, scrubbing, mopping, etc., embrace the monotony of your current actions and focus on them. This can go a long way toward helping you take your mind off intrusive thoughts and de-stress.

Spending Less Time Searching for Misplaces Items

If you often rummage through your home in search of everyday items, you should definitely devote more time to organizing your space. An organized and clutter-free home is beneficial for your peace of mind as it allows you to quickly put your hands on the thing you need without straining your memory or ransacking the whole house.

Have a designated storage space for your correspondence, clothes, shoes, tableware, accessories, and other items that may otherwise end up on your countertops, couches, chairs, or simply pile up in the corners. If you assign a specific place for each item in your home, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and worry in the long run, especially when looking for something at the last minute.

A Welcoming Space

How many times did you feel awkward or ill at ease when inviting in unannounced visitors? If this feeling is familiar to you, chances are you tend to turn a blind eye to a mess in your apartment. If you want to create a more inviting place for your guests, though, consider investing more time and effort in decluttering and tidying up your space. To ensure you don’t skip any duties, create a cleaning schedule, and try to stick to it.

Something as simple as wiping down your surfaces or putting away the things scattered around your house can help you instantly spruce up your home. So, if you want your home to convey a sense of hospitality and just be more pleasant to be in, you should never neglect your cleaning routine.

Accountancy & Accounts, FInance, News, Software, Tech

Taking Back January – How New Tech is Set to Revolutionise The Accountancy Sector

NEW TECH which allows accountants to “take back their January” is set to help drive up efficiency levels for those working in the sector. 

APARI Pro, is a HMRC-recognised, AI-powered platform that simplifies and automates Income Tax Self Assessment, is making its mark on the accountancy sector.

It uses automated data capture to remove spreadsheets, paperwork and email attachments from the process, which in turn helps accountants to save up to 70% of their workload for sole trader and landlord clients.

Commenting on the role Apari Pro can play in the industry, Sudesh Sud, co-founder and CEO of the  business, said: “Last year, over 4 million Self Assessment tax returns were for sole traders or landlords with turnover below £50,000 per year. When you add in company directors and employees in Self Assessment, it’s clear that existing tax software isn’t suited to most clients.  APARI Pro was developed as a future-proof, long-term solution to simplify the process, while still providing an advice-led service to your clients.”

“Accountants spend their January processing tax returns for high-volume, low-margin clients, often sifting through badly organised paperwork or battling with over-engineered software to do tasks that should be simple. We wanted to find a solution that has been purpose built to tackle these issues effectively,” he said.

With years of experience in accountancy, tax, banking, business relationships, digitalisation and more, the individuals behind APARI Pro say they combined expertise into the development of the platform can address these pain points, and also provide added value.

“As well as focusing on the functionality of the platform, we created avenues within APARI Pro that can be exploited to provide added value that goes beyond its main purpose.”

“Utilising APARI Pro’s platform results in less hours of staff time and a smoother workload throughout the year, which translates to increased efficiency. What’s more, the use of direct client data sources limits human input error, significantly increasing accuracy – we believe these factors are of vital importance to accountants in practice.”

Crucially, APARI Pro helps to future-proof accounting firms, as it has been approved for MTD for Income Tax since 2018 and increasingly harnesses the power of AI and automation in the service.

“The delayed rollout of Making Tax Digital shouldn’t influence the decisions that accountancy practices make regarding digitalisation. There are benefits for accountants and clients today, and it is a journey that should be embraced, not driven by HMRC policy.” added Anish Mehta, Chief Product Officer at APARI Pro and formerly of HMRC’s MTD Programme.

APARI Pro offers the power and control that comes from having access to real-time data, enabling easier and quicker access to information. Ultimately, APARI Pro is able to remove admin time currently required by accountants so that they can focus on the advice they can offer to their tax affairs.

Sudesh continued: “The difference between APARI Pro and our competitors is that we are a dedicated Self Assessment product that applies cutting-edge technology to the needs of the high volume, low-fee clients that are ignored by the traditional software market.”

“APARI Pro is a unique platform in the market. It has been proven to reduce costs and increase profitability for accountants, but also reduce the stress of meeting last-minute deadlines. It’s simply the most viable Self Assessment tax solution in the market.”

“As we start to play a more active role with our partners like the Institute of Financial Accountants, we are incredibly excited to share our expertise with the industry.  APARI Pro has been widely embraced by the industry already and we look forward to helping more accountants to “Take back their January” whilst returning margin and advice to their Self Assessment service.

To learn more about APARI Pro and its benefits to accountants, please visit: www.apari.pro/accountants