Monthly Archives: April 2024

News

The Road To Digitalisation: Team Energie Deploys Panasonic ESL Technology

Panasonic announces a service framework agreement with team energie to bring ESLs to 72 petrol stations across Germany. 

Wiesbaden, DE. 25th April 2024 – German energy company team energie is partnering with Panasonic Connect Europe to help drive innovation in petrol station convenience stores with the deployment of 800 Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs), seamlessly integrated through a wireless connection to a centralised Point of Sale (POS) system. A total of 72 team energie petrol stations will be upgraded across Germany, in addition to stations operating under the Aral brand.  

The POS systems will be provided by long-term team energie partner, HUTH. Panasonic engineers will work alongside HUTH to customise and integrate the ESLs with team energie’s back office systems. In trials, petrol station stores fitted with Panasonic ESLs were operational on the same day.  

“Petrol stations, and the wider energy industry, are grappling with rising operating costs, increased regulations, and a shortage of skilled workers. Digitising systems across the petrol station forecourt and shop will help to tackle these challenges head-on, and provide more enjoyable customer experiences,” explains Volker Behn, Managing Director at team energie. “Panasonic’s insight and awareness of how current and future trends will impact the industry, as well as its focus on sustainability; our shared values; its customised solutions; and its understanding of our long-term digitalisation strategy were all instrumental in selecting Panasonic as our technology partner.” 

ESLs key to wider digitalisation strategy 

Following a successful trial in six locations, including its state-of-the-art petrol station in Magdeburg, the installation of ESLs in team energie petrol stations across Germany is the latest step in its digitalisation strategy to deliver an enhanced experience for customers. 

For those petrol stations already fitted with paperless pricing technology, Panasonic ESLs are already streamlining operational efficiencies for team energie employees. By reducing unnecessary manual price changes and automating tasks, pricing errors are reduced, helping to save petrol station employees up to 30 minutes every day. 

In addition, Panasonic ESLs will also be used as digital displays to deliver marketing campaigns and special offers to customers throughout the forecourt, shop, and bistro. 

team energie’s service division will be responsible for planning, installing, and maintaining the ESLs going forward, with Panasonic engineers providing on-site support and spare parts across Germany from its Hamburg, Wiesbaden, and Munich service hubs. 

“team energie continues to set the standard for the modern petrol station. Installing Panasonic ESLs across its German locations demonstrates that it continues to push technological boundaries in pursuit of increased efficiency and market-leading customer experiences,” adds Jens-Michael Pohl, Head of Sales Engineering at Panasonic. 

Panasonic will be demonstrating its ESL solution at the UNITI expo in Stuttgart, Germany, from 14-16 May 2024, in Hall 1, stand IC04.   

For further information on team energie’s first petrol station equipped with Panasonic ESL technology, click here: 

https://oc.connect.panasonic.com/nz/en/case-studies/full-throttle-petrol-station-team-energie 

News

Computer Vision Spearheading AI Productivity in 2024 Says Latest Research

Average productivity gains of 42% over three years predicted but potential barriers are a lack of skills and in-house knowledge. 

Munich, Germany. 18th April 2024 – Adoption of Computer Vision technology, powered by AI, is at a tipping point and set to power productivity across a range of industry sectors, according to the latest research commissioned by Panasonic Connect Europe. On average, decision-makers predict a productivity increase of 42% in the three years following deployment. The manufacturing industry anticipates the biggest boost with increases in productivity as high as 52%.  

Computer Vision is the field of artificial intelligence that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images. It is the “eyes of AI”, observing, identifying, classifying, tracking, and ultimately interpreting images into usable “knowledge” that can be further interrogated by humans or by complementary AI.  

Wide variety of applications 

Respondents report that Computer Vision technology is being used across a wide variety of business departments and applications. Practical activities such as repairs and maintenance, production line monitoring, and quality control slightly outweigh use in security and health and safety. Applications in logistics and supply chain are popular, along with real-time projection mapping and people tracking, demonstrating the broad scope of use cases relevant to Computer Vision tech. 

 Available skills a barrier to deployment 

The biggest barriers to deploying the technology were a lack of external specialist support (37%) and maintaining computer vision knowledge in the business (33%). Businesses are also highly sensitive to the potential ethical concerns of deploying AI-powered Computer Vision applications. The largest concern being data security (35%), closely followed by personal privacy and surveillance concerns, lack of corporate guidance and fears for job replacement – all level at 32%.  

 Wider AI deployment surging ahead 

Looking at the wider adoption of Generative AI, the momentum is clear. Overall, more than two-thirds (67%) say that using generative AI is important to their business. More than one-third of respondents (37%) have already implemented a solution and are seeing benefits. A further third (34%) are in the planning stage or the process of implementing the technology. 17% are still thinking about it, but only 13% say they will not deploy Generative AI at all. 

“The research shows clearly that Computer Vision technology is not just a concept but a present reality that is already steering businesses towards significant productivity and operational gains,” said Margarita Lindahl, Head of AI at Panasonic Connect Europe. “Organisations across all sectors that are not yet in the planning stages of deployment are in danger of falling behind. There is also a clear need for specialists, such as Panasonic, to assist businesses in understanding how to deploy this technology effectively and responsibly.” 

A full copy of the research executive summary can be downloaded here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/whitepapers/how-computer-vision-technology-transforming-industries 

The independent research, carried out by Opinion Matters and commissioned by Panasonic Connect Europe, surveyed 300 senior decision makers responsible for digital transformation and AI/computer vision implementation, working in companies with an annual turnover of 50 million+ Euros across Germany and the UK. 

News

Panasonic Provides Private 5G Network & Testing Facility For Customers

Panasonic opens its first private 5G network testing environment at the Panasonic Campus in Munich. The company is partnering with leading 5G-as-a-Service providers to make private 5G networks easy to set up and simple to operate across Europe. 

Munich, Germany. 4th April 2024 – Panasonic Connect Europe has today unveiled a new private 5G network at its Customer Experience Centre (CXC) in Munich to help customers deliver uninterrupted connectivity, real-time communications, and increased security for mission-critical applications in a variety of sectors.  

In collaboration with leading 5G-as-a-Service (5GaaS) providers, Panasonic can now offer dedicated, and fully customised private 5G networks with ultra-low latency, delivering faster response times, enhanced data transfer and communication, and improved network efficiency and reliability.  

The simple installation, configuration, and maintenance of Panasonic’s private 5G network is showcased at its innovative Customer Experience Centre on the Panasonic Campus in Munich, demonstrating secure, superfast upload and download speeds.  

With two cells installed in the CXC, customers and partners can perform handover tests with applications and Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 5GSA devices at a controlled speed and experience the benefits of 5G’s increased network capacity. Customers can also experience the enhanced security and control that private 5G networks offer, with advanced encryption protocols and modified Uplink and Downlink data throughputs optimised for applications. 

With Panasonic owning the entirety of the access network, it has removed the complexity for existing and new customers, and business partners, using state-of-the-art technology to migrate to private 5G networks. This simplifies the relationship between hardware, software, and connectivity, with existing prospects in the transport and logistics, manufacturing, and construction sectors able to explore the advantages of connecting a variety of devices across one private network.  

Third-party manufacturers and software developers can also test 5G applications and devices in a real-life environment, helping to optimize their applications, if requested, with devices using Windows, iOS, or Android operating systems. 

Thorsten Lutz, EU Solution Architect at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, explains: “Many organisations are looking to unlock the potential of 5G for enhanced efficiencies and connectivity but have concerns or are unsure about how to proceed. With our connectivity experience and with multiple Panasonic mobile devices already optimised for 5G, it’s a natural next step for us to offer secure, superfast private 5G networks to customers and prospects across Europe, where traditional networks or public 5G is not fit for purpose.” 

Interested organisations can now book an on-site workshop and plan their next level of connectivity with Panasonic’s experts, visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/campus-munich-walk-through-future  

News

x+why celebrates 5 years as trailblazer in provision of services to CRE sector with sustainable business model

Leading flexible workspace and hospitality specialist x+why is marking its five year anniversary this month, celebrating a remarkable record of sustainable growth.

x+why today is a B Corp certified business with twelve innovative, green flexible spaces across the UK, totalling almost 400,000 sq ft of flexible workspace and hospitality amenity at over 85% occupancy, and more scheduled to open this year. The team has expanded to include over 80 employees across its UK wide locations.

In a sector that has seen some well-documented failures, x+why has quadrupled in size coming out of COVID. It has achieved this success by building a sustainable business model, with sites operated solely under joint venture arrangements with its landlords, limiting the risks of traditional leases. It has also been responsive to changes in office and amenity requirements post pandemic, opening high-end hospitality spaces within a number of buildings. This approach has ushered in a wave of innovation within the UK flexible workspace sector. 

In five years, x+why has established a track record as a trusted partner with a diverse range of institutional landlords, including the global bank Santander, Salford City Council and two of London’s historic landed estates – the Portman Estate and Grosvenor Properties. 

The team has also achieved a number of landmark transactions with new members, including 65,000 sqft to Lloyds Banking Group in Birmingham which was the largest flexible office deal in 2023.

The growth achieved over the past five years is a result of founders, Rupert Dean, Phil Nevin and Tanya Dean, recognising and responding to the demand for more responsible ways of working and greater amenity in commercial buildings. x+why is a mission-driven business, founded based on a commitment to changing the way the world works for good, and now supports businesses with high-quality office spaces and hospitality-led members clubspaces and events spaces that offer excellent sustainability credentials whilst also creating a collaborative community of purpose-driven organisations.

The founders continue to put Better Business at the core of the work that the company does. It was incorporated as a B Corporation in 2019, making it one of the first coworking spaces to achieve this and paving the way for many other operators to do the same. Members of x+why currently include 28 other B Corps, and x+why have set up a programme, WhyB, in conjunction with B Lab UK, to support businesses through the B Corp process. They have also published a book, Mission Lit, lighting the way to building purpose in business, and regularly hold thought leadership events on the subject. 

The business had a notably strong year of growth in 2023, with five new spaces opening in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Milton Keynes, totalling 270,000 sq ft of additional space. Revenue rose 250%, with over £14,000,000 of revenue for private offices alone and over £3,000,000 of revenue from meetings and events.

x+why continues to innovate to provide the best suite of services for their members. In 2023, it launched a best-in-class hospitality offering, opening a members’ clubspace, eighteen, in 103 Colmore Place in Birmingham, as well as The Orchard at One Great Cumberland Place in London with more due to open in 2024 and beyond. These clubspaces, with food and beverage at their heart, aim to close the gap between work and play, creating a venue ideal for modern hybrid working and employee engagement. In March this year, x+why launched a new in-house award-winning design team, whydesign, focused on customising sustainable and design-led office spaces. 

In an acknowledgement of the success that x+why has achieved, the company has been shortlisted this month for Property Company of the Year in Property Week’s 2024 Awards.

Rupert Dean, CEO and co-founder of x+why said: “Five years ago, we set out on a mission to redefine how people work and connect, based on our belief that business should be a force for good and the office was not simply a place to sit at a desk and work. We wanted to do this using a sustainable business model that avoided the pitfalls of the traditional lease model. We are grateful to work with fantastic, forward-thinking landlords, and to have built an impact-driven team committed to making this aim a reality, and are hugely proud of the 400,000 sqft of innovative, sustainable work and amenity space that we have opened to date.

“As we mark this milestone, we’re not just celebrating our own journey, but the brilliant community that has grown with us, and our members’ stories of creativity and collaboration. We look forward to seeing this community of like-minded, inspiring businesses continue to expand across the country. We remain as passionate today as we were five years ago about driving impactful change with our workspaces, and are excited for what is ahead with even more emphasis on hospitality led amenity spaces across the UK to come.

L&D, News

Rise Up Elevates Personalised Learning with Domoscio Acquisition

Monday 29th April – Rise Up, Europe’s leading integrated learning solution with more than five million active learners globally, has announced its strategic acquisition of Domoscio, a French expert in Adaptive Learning. This acquisition is set to significantly shake up the learning and HR Tech landscape.

Rise Up is on a mission to accelerate Time-to-Skill for organisations by providing a customised learning experience that meets both individual learner and business needs. With the addition of Domoscio’s AI technology to the Rise Up portfolio, learning personalisation and the L&D landscape are set to be transformed. The pairing will enable the creation of one-on-one learning experiences at an unprecedented scale, all within minutes.

“The Domoscio team has developed complementary AI-technology to our 3-in-1 LMS, LXP, Authoring Tool solution. By joining forces, we will establish Rise Up as the uncontested leader in personalised learning, benefiting all of our customers across 73 countries. With this acquisition, the future of personalisation is here, and it’s adaptive. I would like to thank our trusted advisors for their guidance through this successful acquisition – Corinne Cousseau of Gramond & Associés on the legal side and Bruno Deutsch of Bruno Deutsch Corporate Finance on the financial side.” Arnaud Blachon, Co-founder and CEO of Rise Up. 

One of Rise Up’s unique strengths is its ability to facilitate Learning In the Flow of Work (LIFOW). This is achieved by seamlessly and efficiently integrating its L&D platform with existing business and HR technology ecosystems.

For instance, by integrating Domoscio’s customisable AI-based solutions with Rise Up’s product suite, customers can identify and map an employee’s skills gaps in relation to job requirements and desired competencies. This enables the creation of personalised, automated learning paths and real-time tracking of progress to enhance skill acquisition.

The three features of the Domoscio application that are revolutionising learning:

  • Skills Gap Measurement to accurately measure learners’ skill gaps against job requirements and target skills. Users achieve an astounding 37% reduction in time needed to acquire crucial skills.
  • Personalised Learning Paths that are automatically generated and adapt to identified skill gaps and organisational needs. Learners experience an impressive 46% increase in knowledge retention just three months after training.
  • Real-Time Progress Monitoring watches learners’ advancement, introducing new skills and adjusting learning paths on-the-fly. Resulting in a remarkable 49% decrease in learners failing to complete their learning paths.

“Whilst traditional training paths are intellectually stimulating, the vast majority of companies come up against problems of cost, time and adaptation. By leveraging AI, Domoscio removes all obstacles, providing the learner with a totally personalised course in line with the company’s expectations. We’re very excited to be joining the Rise Up family; bringing together our passion for learning and innovation to deliver a personalised learning experience on a massive scale.  Together, we’ll be moving up a gear and accelerating our customers’ precious Time-to-Skill”, François Thiounn, General Manager of Domoscio.

 

​​​Blachon added: “We envision this acquisition as the first of many strategic moves for Rise Up. As we continue to experience explosive organic growth, we are actively exploring additional acquisitions and growth financing opportunities. Our goal is to combine inorganic growth initiatives with our impressive commercial expansion, aiming to solidify Rise Up as the number one platform in Europe.”

Creative & Marketing, Creative News, News, North of England

Rebrand for Cheshire creative agency, LOVELIVE

Cheshire creative agency LOVELIVE has unveiled a new-look branding; coinciding with the launch of a new website as they celebrate 22% year on year growth and an exciting new focus.

LOVELIVE are a Cheshire based full-service design agency. They began life working largely with design, print and events, but have since grown a strong additional team in creative strategy, video animation and e-learning; offering a full service to clients. Founded in 2010 by James Gibson and Kim Collier, they are now a team of 17 and are currently hiring for a full time Presentations Designer role to boost their team.

The majority of their clients are in the healthcare sector and this specialism has evolved over the last 14 years. However, more recently they have branched out into the professional services sector.

The rebrand incorporates a dynamic new logo, look and identity for their brand alongside a new website and strapline “Bringing to life everything from complex data to creative storytelling”.

Kim Collier, joint CEO of LOVELIVE said: “We’ve been the powerhouse behind the transformation of brands in the healthcare services sector since 2010, so we understand the importance of offering new creative and digital solutions whilst maintaining high-quality delivery. We’re currently expanding our team and diversifying into the professional services sector. With new clients in this space, it felt like it was the ideal time to refresh the look and feel of our brand and website.”

James Gibson, joint CEO of LOVELIVE also commented: “In the past 14 years, we’ve gone from strength to strength; growing our team as well as clocking up an incredible 22% year on year sales growth. But the journey doesn’t end there! As we continue to expand and grow; as does our passion for delivering the best results for our clients. With our new website and brand – we wanted something that showcased our expertise and creative prowess and we’re confident we’ve achieved this.”

To learn more, visit www.loveliveagency.com

Appointments, News, South East England News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

Bridge Health & Wellbeing Boosts Clinical Team with New Sports Massage Therapist

Family-run clinic Bridge Health & Wellbeing in Christchurch, Dorset, is delighted to welcome another experienced sports massage therapist to its growing clinical team.

Alice Loveridge (SM, MA, CPT) is a Level 3 Sport Massage Therapist, trained in Deep Tissue, Pregnancy and Post Natal Massage and a Medical Acupuncturist. She qualified in 2017 and completed her acupuncture training in 2018. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer.

Alice has worked with numerous sporting teams, including the Netherlands cricket team, helping to manage injuries and providing deep tissue relaxation treatments. She relocated to the New Forest from the Channel Islands in 2023 after working in a busy Sports Clinic in St Peter Port and setting up her own Sports Massage and Medical Acupuncture clinic.

A keen sportswoman herself, Alice is an active member of Lymington Cross Fit + Hyrox and will compete in the European circuit later this year. An accomplished table tennis player, Alice represented Great Britain at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and Guernsey at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Paul O’Connell, co-founder and lead physiotherapist at Bridge Health & Wellbeing, said, “We are delighted to welcome Alice to our team. With three massage therapists, we are able to offer a variety of sports massage and remedial massage services, as well as specialist services in pregnancy massage, post-natal massage and acupuncture. Discomfort, aches and pains are warning signs that something is not quite right in our bodies. Massage therapy can unlock soft tissue, decrease muscle tightness and provide welcome relief.”

Bridge Health & Wellbeing is a friendly, family-run clinic in the heart of Christchurch in Dorset, with high quality physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, sports massage and rehabilitation services,  expert Pilates, yoga classes and other wellbeing classes, and state-of-the-art gym facilities all under one roof.

Whether you need help with pain or an injury or just want to stay fit and healthy, come and join them for the journey. Book your appointment now at www.bridgehw.com or call 01202 473800 to speak to their friendly team of wellbeing experts.

Hospitality, HR, News

New HR managers’ research on attractiveness of hospitality professions released in Sommet Education Foundation launch

Sommet Education, a leading worldwide player in hospitality education boasting a community of 10,000 students and 60,000 influential alumni worldwide, has launched its Foundation, a significant milestone aimed at supporting employment challenges within the hospitality sector.

The Foundation will concentrate on tackling the sector’s employment challenges by focusing on two levers of action: offering scholarships for hospitality education to talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and advocating for careers and professions in hospitality.

 

Empowering individuals from underserved communities to pursue rewarding careers in hospitality

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, with the travel and tourism sector projected to provide employment for 449 million people worldwide by 2034, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). By then, 12.2% of the global workforce will be powering this vibrant sector. Despite these promising figures, many destinations and hospitality employers continue to face recruitment challenges.

Drawing on Sommet Education’s long-standing commitment to developing hospitality talent, the Sommet Education Foundation will leverage its global network of hospitality schools (Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, École Ducasse, Invictus, and Indian School of Hospitality) to train and open doors to careers in this industry for individuals from diverse and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Sommet Education Foundation will identify talents supported by a network of social partners, including UN agencies, governmental entities and NGOs. Talents will be selected in alignment with the framework of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 4, focusing on inclusive education. Funding and support will be provided to educate and empower, particularly youth from impoverished backgrounds and women, while also creating lifelong learning opportunities and ensuring talents are gainfully employed within the sector.

 

Sommet Education Foundation patronage

“Joining the hospitality industry is more than a job guarantee; it is a promise of a rewarding and fulfilling career nurtured by human encounters, passion, cultural exchanges, and experiences,” said Anouck Weiss, Executive Vice-President at Sommet Education Foundation. “By offering scholarships leading to employment opportunities, we aim at offering life-changing opportunities to a new generation of talents and empowering them with the necessary skills to join the thriving hospitality industry.”

The Foundation can already count on Accor as a Founding Patron. The hospitality group has already committed to promoting talent development, fostering social equality, and bolstering economic growth through a first dedicated initiative in India. Steven Daines, Chief Talent & Culture Officer at Accor, said: “As a leading hospitality group, investing in people’s talent is a key priority. Hospitality is a sector that transcends territories and borders. This implies open-mindedness and connection to others. I am proud to be in a sector that promotes cross-border work experiences and multicultural environments”.

Echoing his views, Anne-Sophie Beraud, SVP Diversity & Inclusion & Social Care at Accor, added: “The success of our employees must not be determined by diplomas, origins or nationalities. We want to guarantee each of our talents the opportunity to reach their full potential by preventing inequalities and discrimination.”

Promoting hospitality professions: survey shows strong sector attractiveness and employer voluntarism to attract and retain new talents

 

To inform the Foundation’s roadmap and strategic direction, the Sommet Education Foundation engaged OpinionWay, a pioneering market research institute, to conduct a comprehensive European survey to identify the key factors that attract and retain talents in the hospitality industry. 1,300 young professionals and hospitality HR managers across Europe were interviewed, along with 20 key industry leaders (below) encompassing the broader spectrum of the sector, including hotels, restaurants, travel, tourism, independent, medium-sized and large hotel groups, and high-end retail.

Alain Ducasse, Chef and Founder, École Ducasse

Carole Pourchet, Director General, Majorian

Christelle Grisoni, CEO, Bertrand Hospitality

Christian Catiello, Manager Director Organization, Alpitour World

Christopher Jones, Director General, Brioche Dorée

Cyril Baron, General Manager, Caviar House & Prunier

Eric Frechon, Chef, Meilleur Ouvrier de France

Isabelle de Bardies, Director General – CEO Division, Angelina

Jade Frommer, Co-Founder and CEO, Ephemera

Katrin Melle, Regional Vice President DEI & Talent EAME, Hyatt

Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mandarin Oriental

Maribel Rodriguez, Senior Vice-President, WTTC

Marion Amacker, Associate Director, Morgan Philipps Executive Search

Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism

Nathalie Seiler Hayez, Managing Director, Swiss Deluxe Hotels

Philippe Héry, Managing Director, Hippopotamus

Pierre-Olivier Aguinalin, Chief HR Officer, Hublot (until February 2024)

Sabine Masseglia, Managing Director, St Barts Tourism

Steven Daines, Chief Talent & Culture Officer, Accor

Tigrane Seydoux, Co-Founder, Big Mamma

The research found that the service sector holds considerable appeal for 85% of young professionals across Europe. Three-quarters of young European professionals would be ready to join high-end hotels, restaurants and retail shops, praising the career opportunities, especially internationally, and the people-to-people connections. The survey confirms the overall challenge of the sector throughout Europe, with 59% of HR managers facing employment challenges. 78% state that Generation Z (18 to 28 years old) brings specific challenges around identification, recruitment and loyalty.

 

Hospitality’s unique promise fuels optimism in the sector

Professionals within the sector are resolutely convinced of the depth and appeal of their respective fields, the survey found, with an overwhelming 86% expressing confidence in the sector’s allure. Moreover, they exhibit unwavering faith in their ability to sustain employee commitment, rating it at an impressive 7.5 out of 10.

This sector offers pathways for individuals to advance socially and professionally, regardless of their educational background. It stands out as one of the few industries where individuals can achieve rapid success and take on greater responsibilities over time, effectively climbing the social ladder. This unique promise of upward mobility makes it particularly appealing to many. Furthermore, employers place a premium on motivation, soft skills and service-oriented personalities, prioritising these qualities over formal diplomas and are ready to invest in their talents. The overwhelming majority – 93% of HR managers – emphasise the centrality of training in fostering talent excellence, development and long-term loyalty.

On this subject, Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive at Mandarin Oriental, shared: “Architects design the buildings of tomorrow. I would like people coming out of hospitality schools to be able to design the experience of tomorrow.”

News, Storage

Robert Symon marks 20 years of success in the self storage sector

Local Stoke-on-Trent professional, Robert Symon, has celebrated an impressive 20 years of career success in the self storage sector.

Head of Operations for leading self storage provider, Ready Steady Store, Robert originally joined the self storage sector at grass roots level in 2004 where his day to day tasks ranged from meeting and greeting customers to patching roofs or painting walls and floors.

2016 marked a turning point for his career, when the small operator he was working for was acquired by Ready Steady Store, and – since this time – Robert has worked hard to embrace new challenges and opportunities, which culminated in him being promoted to Head of Operations for the growing self storage provider in 2023.

Focused on ensuring all sites operate to standard of excellence, Robert has since been responsible for core business functions, ranging from strategic planning, team management and business development to integrating and leveraging new technologies to ensure the brand remains at the forefront of the self storage industry.

Reflecting on the growth and evolution of the sector, Robert said: “One of the most profound shifts over the last 20 years has been the integration of technology into every aspect of our operations. From advanced security systems to online booking platforms, technology has revolutionised the way we serve our customers. Additionally, the industry has seen a tremendous influx of new sites opening, reflecting the growing demand for self storage solutions UK wide.

While I may not foresee another 20-year stint ahead, I am genuinely excited about the next phase of my career and the opportunities it holds. Here’s to continued growth, learning, and making a difference in this dynamic industry!”

Established in 2005, Ready Steady Store is one of the fastest growing self storage providers with cost effective storage units located in the Midlands, and South, North and East of England.

Earlier this month the business was recognised once again for its standards of excellence in three different categories at the Self Storage Association UK Awards 2024.

For more information, visit: https://www.readysteadystore.com

Charity, FInance, Finance News

Swansea Building Society Reports Record Results, Presents Major Donation to Maggie’s at AGM

At the annual general meeting (AGM) hosted at the Swansea.com Stadium on Thursday, April 25, Swansea Building Society unveiled outstanding financial results for the year. Additionally, the Society showcased its dedication to community support by presenting a significant donation to Maggie’s, amounting to more than a pound per vote received.

At the well-attended event the board of the Society presented and explained its best-ever set of results to members as it benefitted from supporting local communities from its growing network of local branches across South Wales while reaping the rewards of an investment programme it started in 2015.

The Society was thanked by a representative from cancer charity Maggie’s, which received almost £20,000 of donations from the Building Society last year. This figure was topped by a further donation of £2,000 rounded up based on the almost 1900 votes it received from members, the highest number of votes ever submitted.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“As we reflect on the past year, I am pleased to announce that Swansea Building Society has achieved an unprecedented level of success, despite navigating through turbulent market conditions. Our steadfast commitment to serving the needs of both borrowers and savers amidst a challenging backdrop of cost-of-living crises, fluctuating house prices, and rising interest rates fills me with immense pride.

“Furthermore, throughout our centenary year, the dedication and care exhibited by my colleagues surpassed all expectations, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to our members. Central to our mission is our dedication to social responsibility and community impact. Beyond our core products and services, we have been proud to contribute our time, skills, and resources to support local initiatives. In commemoration of our milestone anniversary last year, we proudly donated an additional £100k to local charities alongside our ongoing support for Maggie’s, our official charity partner.

“Looking ahead, Swansea Building Society is poised to navigate the complexities of today’s economic landscape with confidence. Our strategic focus on digital transformation underscores our commitment to adaptability and innovation, ensuring our members experience continual enhancements in our products and services. The sustained growth and profitability we’ve experienced in recent years will enable us to make strategic investments that benefit both our current and future members.”

Lucia Osmond, Centre Fundraising Manager, Maggie’s, said:

“We extend a massive thanks to Swansea Building Society and are so grateful that the Society has extended its support of our charity for a third year. Our centres now cover the whole of Wales, but we cannot do what we do without this kind of support. So, thanks again to the Society team and its members for their continuing generosity.”

The Society achieved double digit growth in its total assets, mortgages, savings and capital last year despite the difficult economic environment.

For the year to December 31, 2023, total assets grew by 15% driven by mortgages and savings growth of 16% and 15% respectively. Total assets increased by £77.2 million to £607 million, savings balances increased by £72.6 million to £565.5 million, while mortgage balances grew by £66.9 million to £477.8 million. The Society’s mortgage growth was driven by gross mortgage completions of £120.1 million, another record, beating the previous highest set in 2021.

The Society’s growth was supported by record profits before tax of £6.2 million, beating the previous record of £5.4 million achieved in 2022. This increased the Society’s capital reserves to £39.8 million. This is vitally important to the Society, as it provides greater reserves to support members achieve their financial goals.

Swansea Building Society remains one of the few financial institutions in the UK that receives no wholesale funding or support from the Bank of England in the form of cheap funding. Its balance sheet is funded entirely by customer savings balances and its own capital reserves built up from retained profits over many years.