Category Archives: Sustainability

“Community Furniture Aid 2023” in the running for top prize at the world’s biggest sustainability film festival.

Charity calls upon millions to watch the free screenings of films of change and hope to bring positive changes to our community, planet and future.

An award-winning Welsh charity is calling upon individuals to watch films at an international film festival.

The 6th Big Syn International Film Festival is screening films, until 26 October 2024. The festival had a grand opening at London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights, Europe’s biggest screen. This is the world’s biggest sustainability film festival, reaching over 45 million in 120 countries, led by a Grand Jury of OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY award-winners and leaders from the United Nations, House of Lords, as well as sustainability, policy and media stalwarts.

Viewers are invited to the FREE global screenings of the films on www.bigsyn.org and win 2 tickets to the gala awards.

The festival is screening a dazzling array of nearly 150 films that has been selected from hundreds of feature films, shorts, documentaries, animations, micro-shorts and charity films from over 120 countries. Amongst others, a notable film that is screening at the festival is Community Furniture Aid 2023.

This film explains what the award-winning Welsh charity does to help recycle unwanted items and change people’s lives for the better.

Chairman of Community Furniture Aid, Julian Cash MBE said:

“The charity has been running for ten years and trains up long-term unemployed and ex-offenders to help the poorest in our society. We are very excited to be nominated as a finalist at this year’s award, after a very successful year which also saw us win a Green world champion award.”

The festival is promoted by leading national and international organisations including major UN agencies such as World Meteorological Agency, International Maritime Organisation and UNRIC, as well as other leading art and culture institutions such as the British Council and Directors UK.

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The storytelling power of film is a brilliant way to entertain and inform audiences. Big Syn Film Fest will be hosting a wide range of free screenings that will raise awareness about important sustainability issues and inspire urgent action at a time when we are faced with one of humanity’s biggest challenge – climate change.

From features to animations, these films will show us that we all have a part to play in looking after our planet, as we build a better London for everyone.”

The films screening will not only entertain, but also enlighten viewers about the big issues faced by our environment, economy and society; climate change, plastic pollution, conservation, biodiversity, mental health, equity, diversity, gender equality and many more burning topics are covered by this year’s official selections and finalists. These films tell relatable human stories of struggle, resilience, adaptation, innovation and change from across the world that can inspire positive actions from the viewers.

Inviting viewers to the festival, the festival’s founders, Dr Ragini G Roy and Dr Sourav Roy, said: “We are delighted that over 300 charities from across the world have participated this year and over 50 inspirational charity films are currently screening to millions worldwide, spreading their messages of hope and change.”

Winners will be declared on 8th November at the red carpet gala awards ceremony at Curzon Soho and all the winners will be featured on Europe’s biggest screen, London’s Piccadilly Lights on 14th November 2024.

 

About the Big Syn International Film Festival.

Big Syn International Film Festival is organised by Big Syn Institute, a part of Centre for Big Synergy, a Civil Society Organisation of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

Since 2019, the festival has reached over 45 million in 120 countries to create public awareness about sustainability and the United Nations Global Goals or Sustainable Development Goals, using the power of meaningful cinema.

The festival has been led by celebrated sustainability leaders and OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY winning celebrities such as Gurinder Chadha, OBE (Bend It Like Beckham), Amma Asante, MBE (Belle), OSCAR winner Kevin Willmott (Blackkklansman), Anna Smith (BBC, SKY), Jemima Khan, Baroness Prashar (House of Lords), President Obama’s US Ambassador (Rtd) Howard Gutman, BBC Dragons’ Den green investor Deborah Meaden, BT Group’s Head of environmental sustainability, Gabrielle Giner; Founder of Freegle, Cat Fletcher; Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility guru from London Business School, Prof. Ioannis Ioannou; OSCAR winner Chris Tashima; BAFTA and Cannes award winning filmmaker, Waad Alkateab, and Tom Szaky (Founder Terracycle), to name a few.

Through the films and dialogue, millions of viewers are getting inspired to do more in their own lives because they see the big-picture and how all our lives are interconnected in this modern world. All films touch upon or cover one or more major issues faced by the planet and the people; around social, economic or environmental sustainability such as climate change, climate action, gender inequality, hunger and poverty, discrimination, education, mental health, disability, LGBTQIA+ and many more. The festival screens features, shorts, animations, documentaries, public service announcement, charity films, social media and music videos from independent filmmakers and established production houses, across the globe. Winners are screened in London and worldwide. OSCAR and BAFTA winning films have screened at the festival and vice-versa.

Top Uk Sustainability Experts Revealed In Major New Survey

Business owners must “play the long game” when developing strategies for sustainability, a leading expert has said.

Michelle Li is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected voices on sustainability and women’s empowerment.

She spoke out as a new report revealed the top UK 2024 sustainability experts available to hire today.

Ms Li, the founder and CEO of Clever Carbon, said: “In essence, climate literacy is a journey. It’s not something that happens over a couple of weeks, it really takes time and the advice that I would give business owners is  to find something that is repeatable in your schedule: subscribe to a newsletter that covers different climate topics. Maybe they send out a newsletter once or every couple of weeks and commit to reading through that so that you can start learning some of the terms, some of the themes that come up. And very similar to this there are many really great podcasts that share episodes very regularly and just listening to those, committing to once a week or once every other week is a really great place to start.”

In a new interview with Champions Speakers, Ms Li also shares her advice on how business owners can improve their climate literacy and the best change businesses can make to reduce their carbon footprint.

She also outlined the lessons learned on her journey from Silicon Valley to founding Clever Carbon and tips on explaining carbon removal to general audiences

Jack Hayes, the founder of The Sustainability Speakers Agency, who arranged the interview, has helped many businesses to develop strategies to raise environmental awareness.

He said he is delighted Michelle is now among a number of experts who are available to book for events.

“Developing and implementing better policies around sustainability is now vital for businesses of all sizes,” Mr Hayes said.

“But knowing where to start and how best to achieve your goals can be a difficult process.

“Utilising the knowledge of an expert speaker can be a great way to build a more effective strategy.  And the good news is there are now a huge number of brilliant speakers out there to choose from.”

 

Data compiled by Champions Speakers, which is based on reviews and feedback from thousands of events shows the current top uk speakers for sustainability in 2024 to be:

 

TOP TEN SUSTAINABILITY EXPERTS IN THE WORLD 

 

Pia Heidenmark Cook

 

Pia Heidenmark Cook is an influential sustainability expert and a prominent keynote speaker. With a stellar background including being IKEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Pia has championed a people and planet-positive vision for 2030.

 

Kate Brandt

 

Better known as Google’s Sustainability Officer, Kate Brandt has worked with both businesses and the government to promote circular principles. She is passionate about a circular economy, the idea that resources can be repurposed to lessen the strain on our environment.

 

Mike Barry

 

Focussing on sustainable action leadership, Mike Barry is widely known as the former Director of Sustainable Business for Marks and Spencer and the Director of Mikebarryeco.

 

Sue Garrard

 

Sue Garrard is a distinguished sustainability keynote speaker and expert consultant. Her illustrious background includes pioneering Unilever’s sustainability agenda as the SVP of Global Communications, leading to significant brand growth through sustainable practices.

 

Roger Ballentine

 

Roger Ballentine is a renowned energy and sustainability strategist, who is currently working as the Founding President of Green Strategies Inc. Providing management consultation to corporate clients, Roger expertly advises companies on sustainability strategies, clean energy procurement strategies, decarbonisation and the integration of energy and environmental policies into business strategies.

 

Dorthe Scherling Nielsen

 

Dorthe Scherling Nielsen is a distinguished sustainability professional, who has over 20 years of experience working in government affairs and communicating the urgency of sustainability. An impact-driven executive, Dorthe has previously worked as the Director of Global Sustainability Policy for Nike and as the Chief Sustainability Officer & VP of Corporate Affairs for Bestseller.

 

Håkan Nordkvist

 

A leader with a human-centric vision and innovative solutions, Håkan Nordkist is revered for his former role as the Head of Sustainability Innovation for the IKEA Group. Initially joining IKEA as a Quality Manager, Håkan proved his worth at the company, pioneering countless ground-breaking sustainability projects that prioritised technology and innovation for a sustainable future.

 

Christiana Figueres

 

Christiana Figueres is an esteemed sustainability keynote speaker and architect of the Paris Agreement, advocating for global climate action. Her career began in Costa Rica’s public service, advancing to roles in international environmental policy.

 

David Howell

 

Lord David Howell, the Baron of Guildford, is a Conservative politician and former Secretary of Energy Sustainability. David invests in the youth and believes that they are key to the recovery of hydrocarbons.

 

Richard Reed

 

Richard Reed believes that when business owners are ethically responsible they don’t just protect the environment, but inspire trust in their consumers. Along with two friends, Richard founded Innocent Drinks, a smoothie company that prioritises ethics over profits.

 

To read more about the official best Sustainability experts in the UK, read the full article here: The Top 20 Sustainability Speakers Trending In The World (sustainability-speakers.com)

 

Highland Hotel Lands Climate Change Action Award

Accolade follows global recognition

A family-run Inverness hotel has received a major Climate change Action award just days after being voted one of the greenest in the world.

The 4-Star Glen Mhor Hotel was judged winner in the Climate Action category at the sell-out Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards on Friday, which honours excellence in the hospitality sector.

The accolade comes on the back of its £8m on-site Sustainability Centre, Climate Action Plan and pioneering Fair Work policies securing a global award at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards in Belize.

Seeking to embed climate- friendly policies across its business model, Glen Mhor’s co-owners decided to build a ground-breaking Energy Centre in 2021 – the first of its kind in Scotland.

Using water from the River Ness for heating and energy, the centre removes 250 tonnes of carbon annually, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels across the 126-room site.

The innovation, supplemented by Solar PV systems, also powers the production of single highland malt whisky and craft beer at its Uile-heist Distillery and Brewery, incorporated on the site at the Glen Mhor.

The Distillery project was the first in Inverness in over 130 years, when it opened in February 2023, and a new quarter cask programme has been released to celebrate the revival of whisky production in the highland capital.

It was these innovations which secured the Climate Action Award from judges and the Glen Mhor will now progress to the Scottish Thistle Awards National final in November.

The hotel plans to be fully gas-free by the end of 2024 and all of its 146 employees now hold individual Green job titles.

Glen Mhor Hotel’s Victoria Erasmus clutches the Climate Action Award and Highland Ambassador Award at the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards.

 

“It was very humbling to hear people in the industry acknowledging what we’ve done,” said Glen Mhor Co-Owner and Sustainability Director, Victoria Erasmus.

“When we set out to future-proof our business, with sustainability at the very heart of that, it was tough times. We were building an Energy Centre that hadn’t been built before, in a historic conservation area, as well as a Distillery and Brewery.

“The hospitality world was coping with rising costs, rising energy bills and taxes.

“There were so, so many reasons not to do it but we managed to see it through.

“It was lovely to receive the award and the acknowledgement from our peers within the industry.”

The award ceremony was also a memorable and emotional occasion for Mrs Erasmus, on a personal level, as she landed the Highland Ambassador award for her advocacy for the region on both the domestic and international stage.

“It was a total surprise and it means so much to me,” she said. “I feel very honoured and proud for our teams.”

Image credit: Heartland Media/PR

Highland Hotel Wins World Sustainable Energy Prize

-Inverness business flies flag at global event-

A Scottish Highland hotel has become the only UK business to land a major global Green award for a pioneering £8m Energy Centre and for ‘setting a benchmark’ for sustainability.

The family-run Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness was recognised at a special ceremony in the rainforest of Belize, marking the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.

The Hotel, also incorporating Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, was given a special commendation award in the World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative category.

Glen Mhor co-owner and Sustainability Director, Victoria Erasmus, with the award for World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative

It had also been shortlisted in the World Leading Sustainable Water and Waste Innovation and World’s Leading Sustainable Employer categories.

Judges said the accolade recognised how the Glen Mhor was leading the path towards a net positive future for the travel industry by embedding sustainability across all of its operations.

As well as developing the first Water Source Energy solution Centre of its kind in 2021, the business has developed an ambitious Climate Action Plan and embedded ground-breaking Fair Work and inclusion policies.

Co-Owner and Sustainability Director, Victoria Erasmus, attended the ceremony to collect the prize, explaining Glen Mhor’s operating vision to fellow attendees in San Ignacio.

Winners were given guided insights into the Inca Trails and Mayan culture whilst learning how the travel and hospitality sectors were adapting towards ambitious climate change mitigation targets.

“The judges and hosts were impressed by how sustainability was embedded in what we do, across the business, and the sheer scale of that; how committed we had been in transforming the business around sustainability, Fair Work and inclusion,” Victoria said.

“It was a real honour to represent a family business amongst some of the leading names in hospitality in the world, as well as representing Scotland and the UK.

“Personally, it was an amazing learning experience, from a CPD perspective, and there is so much to bring back from it.

“Some of the initiatives going on around the world are truly remarkable and I am even more determined, now, to use that experience to adapt our own climate action plan and to take that to the next level.”

Glen Mhor and Uile-bheist: The Glen Mhor Hotel, encompassing Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, is powered by a pioneering £8m Sustainable Energy Centre (Image credit: Heartland Media/PR)

The 126-room hotel, situated on the banks of the River Ness, removes 250 tonnes of carbon per year through its on-site water source Sustainability Centre, which also powers the production of single highland malt whisky and craft beer.

The adoption of Solar PV solutions further reduces reliance on fossil fuels, with the business aiming to be completely gas-free by the end of this year.

Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said: “Congratulations to Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile Distillery and Brewery for its ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative 2024’ Special Commendation.

“This remarkable achievement reflects how the company is setting the benchmark in sustainable practices and leading the way in creating a net positive future for the travel industry. The commitment and vision of the entire team serve as an inspiration to us all.”

The Glen Mhor’s 146 employees now hold individual Green job titles, reflecting their commitment to fair work and inclusion, which was recognised at the global event.

The company has also introduced sensory recruitment practices and programmes to promote positive mental well-being across the business in recent years.

New diploma from ACCA sets the global standard sustainability in finance

  • The qualification has been developed in response to the demand for skills and training in sustainable finance.
  • ACCA has worked with global regulators on their requirements for sustainability auditors, and the new professional diploma has been designed to meet their needs.

 

In response to growing demand from businesses and professional accountants, ACCA has launched a pioneering Professional Diploma in Sustainability, designed for finance professionals at all levels who are looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and accreditation to prove it.

Businesses often lack the essential skills to support the move to more sustainable business models and urgently need the skills to consider non-financial as well as financial business drivers, according to research by ACCA.

The professional diploma brings together high-quality learning support and assessment, aligning with the increasing demand from employers, as well as individuals, wishing to pursue the widening career opportunities related to sustainability, and emerging regulatory requirements around the world.

ACCA has been working closely with regulators globally on their requirements for sustainability auditors and this new professional diploma has been designed to meet their needs. Once completed, the professional diploma provides a comprehensive accreditation in the core areas of sustainability.

This leading-edge qualification builds on the increasing number of sustainability learning opportunities ACCA has added to its portfolio in recent years, as well as the addition of more sustainability content into the ACCA Qualification.

The Professional Diploma in Sustainability consists of a comprehensive, integrated learning programme, in-depth knowledge, a revision kit, and a three-hour exam. Offering over 60 hours of learning and practice across four certificates and one exam, learners will gain in-depth knowledge of sustainability frameworks and ethics, sustainability strategy and management, sustainability reporting and sustainability assurance.

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, said: “The expertise of accounting and finance professionals in driving sustainable approaches to business is absolutely essential if we are to make the progress the planet so desperately needs.

“With their central role working in and for countless businesses and organisations across the world, professional accountants are well placed to play a key role in shaping the future we need. This new qualification is designed to help meet that increasing need and recognises that success is not now just about profits, but about sustainability and social value too.”

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/ Wales noted: “Sustainable organisations that create long-term value for society will be the bedrock of our future economy – and professional accountants will be at the heart of these organisations. This specialist diploma will support them as they drive positive business change and support the Welsh economy.”

 

Visit ACCA’s website for more information.

ZEROMISSION APPOINTS CTO TO DRIVE INNOVATION IN EV FLEET MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

EV commercial fleet software specialist ZeroMission has strengthened its senior executive team with the appointment of Alan Crowley as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He will be responsible for leading technology innovation within the business, using the latest advances in AI, machine learning and data analytics to help shape the future of electric mobility and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) fleet management.

 

“Commercial fleets are under huge pressure to decarbonise their operations, but this can only be truly achieved through the efficient deployment and ongoing management of electric vehicles,” explains Alan Crowley. “ZeroMission is at the forefront of fleet electrification through development of its fully integrated software platform, and I am excited about the contribution I can make to helping businesses successfully transition.”

 

Crowley is an experienced technology leader with a strong academic background and over 25 years of experience in software development and IT consultancy. He has worked across a variety of industry sectors – including e-mobility, utilities, global supply chain and manufacturing – devising innovative solutions and implementing cutting edge technologies to optimise processes, enhance efficiency, and maximise the benefits of automation.

Previously, Crowley was Head of Delivery at Version 1, a digital transformation specialist, and prior to this, Technical Lead at enterprise software development company DeCare Systems Ireland (DSI). He has also held senior positions at SS&C Technologies, Irish Community Rapid Response and Real World Solutions, which has enabled him to develop a detailed understanding of edge computing, data analytics and IoT.

 

Leah O’Dwyer, CEO of ZeroMission commented: “We are delighted that Alan has chosen to join us on our journey and support our mission to accelerate zero emission vehicle adoption through smart and practical software solutions. Throughout his career, Alan has been instrumental in transforming traditional operations into smart, data-driven ecosystems, so we believe he has a big part to play in bringing data integration, AI decision-making and predictive analysis to our commercial fleet customers.”

Scottish Government Approves 228MW:456MWh Smeaton Battery Energy Storage System

Kona Energy, a leader in energy storage development, is pleased to announce that the Scottish Government has granted consent for the construction and operation of the Smeaton Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a 228MW:456MWh project near Dalkeith, East Lothian. This development is set to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the UK grid, achieving estimated carbon savings of roughly 15,368 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

The Smeaton BESS will store energy from renewable sources and release it during peak demand, reducing grid constraints and lowering energy costs for consumers. The project’s strategic geographical location will play a critical role in enhancing grid resilience and supporting the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon future.

 

Using the same methodology as previous Kona assessments, the Smeaton BESS is expected to save 15,368 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in its first year. This is the equivalent of offsetting the emissions from 17,328 average UK homes – not including heating.

The Smeaton BESS is strategically positioned to particularly reduce energy constraints and related costs on the UK grid. National Grid ESO estimates show that constraint costs could reach as high as £3bn in 2029, with the bulk of this coming from curtailing wind in Scotland.

Projects such as the Smeaton BESS are vital in bringing these costs down, reducing bills for consumers and preventing the waste of clean energy generation.

 

With the nearby Torness nuclear power station due to shut down in 2028, the project will also play a key role in improving local network stability.

The project aligns with Kona Energy’s ongoing work with the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and National Grid to mitigate energy constraints and improve network stability. Kona jointly wrote a proposal paper illustrating how ESO can use batteries to rapidly reduce the public cost of constraints. This was done in partnership with Zenobē, Eku and Field in response to the ESO’s Constraints Collaboration Project.

 

Kona Energy, advised by Opus Corporate Finance LLP, will shortly be seeking investment to bring the Smeaton BESS project to market. To support the project’s delivery, Dr Lu Zhang, previously with Hithium, a leading Chinese cell manufacturer, has joined Kona Energy as Technical Director. Dr Zhang’s expertise will be vital in maximising the project’s potential and ensuring its successful and speedy implementation.

 

Andy Willis, Kona Energy Founder, commented:

“This is fantastic news, adding to Kona’s growing portfolio of work. This project represents a significant step forward in decarbonising the UK’s electricity grid while providing tangible and real benefits in terms of cost reduction and energy security. We are eager to collaborate with investors and partners in order to deliver this project on a rapid timescale.”

“Tackling constraint costs is vital in not only bringing down consumer bills and preventing the costly waste of clean generation, but also for retaining public trust in reaching Net Zero. The huge financial burden of prohibiting wind turbines from operating is becoming a more relevant topic in the wider debate – rightly so. Our industry must do more to tackle this, and projects such as the Smeaton BESS will help to significantly reduce the waste involved.”

“Its strategic location will give it a unique role to play in drastically slashing constraint costs and consumer bills – that was one of the key reasons why our development team was so enthusiastic about the project’s potential.”

“I’d like to thank the Scottish Government for their positive engagement on the project, and look forward to working with them again in the future in order to deliver our shared Net Zero goal.”

Healthy Me Healthy Communities report YOY Growth

After celebrating a decade in business and improving more lives amidst the cost-of-living crisis 

North-West based social enterprise firm – Healthy Me Healthy communities (HMHC) – has been named the Best Firm for Health & Wellbeing SME at the Greater Manchester Good Employment awards, having marked a successful 10 years serving the community.

Deep-rooted within the Manchester region, the firm champions health and well-being services that empower, educate and inspire people for a healthier, happier and longer life.

Having built community engagement and development projects in Rusholme, Fallowfield and Longsight, the firm subsequently identified that food insecurity was becoming a growing concern, and from there ‘Gorton Central’ was established. The scheme helps to provide more well-being and training opportunities for the wider community, as well as narrowing the food poverty gap, particularly prevalent during the cost-of-living crisis.

 

Rich Browning, Founder & CEO at HMHC said: “We’re so proud to have seen our success in the North-West grow during recent years thanks to the commitment, care and sheer dedication of our incredible team.

“We have been located at the centre since 2017 and following closure due to the pandemic reopened with a range of covid support services. Since then, we’ve taken sole charge of the building or taken on a 25-year lease for the building, refurbished the centre, created a new community room for well-being activities, training & co-working space for learning opportunities, as well as a food hub. The scheme has subsequently distributed over eight tonnes of food diverted from landfill and six tonnes of fresh produce to people experiencing food poverty.”

 

Growing their revenues by an incredible 30 per cent in the last three years and adding to their growing team of talent – the Northern firm have continued to bolster their operations of late.

Following a time of significant growth, they are now undergoing a £350k transformation at their Gorton Headquarters. Local businesses are also supporting the transformation by donating either money or time to the projects ranging from refurbishment to delivering financial expertise and other forms of training.

 

Rich went on to say: “The centre has already delivered more than 3500 hours of community activities, ranging from keep-fit to job clubs, and the club’s advice services have led to over 600 referrals to partner services. Residents have also gained more than £175,000 from accessing the One Manchester Money Service, through benefits checks and debt advice.”

 

Rich’s motivations for the business were clear and unwavering from a young age, having lived amongst poverty and unemployment in his early years. As a teenager he cared for his mum, who was in and out of hospital with mental health issues, and his experiences spurred him on to set up a business that would help people overcome social exclusivity and discrimination.

His drive to alleviate food poverty has also led to his recent appointment as Vice-Chair of Manchester Food Board, bringing together decision-makers from multiple sectors to use food for positive, meaningful and lasting change within a sustainable food system.

 

Rich added: “In terms of alleviating poverty, projects such as Community Grocer are just the hook. What’s important is the quality of engagement people have when they come for that food. Our volunteers are trained to find out what is going on in people’s lives, why they’re using food poverty projects and how can we support them.

“Another objective when starting the business that I’ve never lost sight of is helping people get back into work. It’s really important to create jobs and opportunities as employment is the best way to help people out of poverty.”

 

Ambitious plans for the next three years include increasing their turnover by a further 60 per cent, expanding their accredited training programmes by partnering with some private sector training providers and growing Gorton Central. The next phase of which will include overhauling the three quarters of an acre RHS award-winning community garden at the back of the property, a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh who visited on several occasions – putting into perspective the potential of the sizeable green space.

Most importantly to the firm, they plan to work towards making a lifelong impact on people’s lives and creating lasting change for communities.

 

Rich concluded: “It feels as if there is a real drive in the community right now, something special is happening to make Manchester seem fairer for all.”

Used Kitchen Hub opens new North London office to accommodate rapid growth

The UK’s leading re-seller of luxury pre-owned and ex-display kitchens, Used Kitchen Hub, is delighted to announce the expansion of its operations with the opening of a new office in North London.

This new space is in addition to the family business’ flagship office on the prestigious Wigmore Street, situated in the heart of London’s West End, where all luxury kitchen brands converge.

 

Since its establishment in 2015, Used Kitchen Hub has become synonymous with exceptional quality and service in the luxury kitchen market. The company’s HQ on Wigmore Street has been instrumental in cementing their reputation within the industry, thanks to its prime location and the array of top-tier kitchen brands it hosts.

The new North London office is a strategic addition designed to support the company’s rapid growth and ambitious expansion plans. The opening of this secondary office is yet another achievement for Used Kitchen Hub, following a highly successful six months, after the business saw a remarkable 30% increase in operations at the end of 2023.

 

Daniel Abrahams, Founder of Used Kitchen Hub said: “Our expansion into North London marks a significant milestone for Used Kitchen Hub. Wigmore Street has been a fantastic base for us, and our new office will allow us to better serve our growing customer base and continue our mission of providing top-quality, sustainable kitchen solutions.

“The North London office will also facilitate Used Kitchen Hub’s venture into the kitchen furniture market, offering a broader range of products to meet the diverse needs of our clientele. This move aligns with our long-term vision of continued growth and expansion within the luxury kitchen sector.

“Our goal has always been to offer the best possible products and services to our customers, and this new office will help us do just that. We are excited about the opportunities this expansion presents and look forward to continuing our growth journey.”

 

Used Kitchen Hub’s unique business model, which focuses on selling privately owned and ex-display kitchens for a fraction of the cost, has positioned the company as the UK’s go-to platform for affordable luxury kitchens. Their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them a loyal customer base and partnerships with prestigious brands such as Nolte and Poggenpohl.

 

For more information, visit: https://usedkitchenhub.com

Renewables company Sinewave chooses Mintivo as strategic IT partner to help home in on £100 million turnover target

RENEWABLES company Sinewave has appointed Mintivo as its strategic IT partner to help reach its £100 million turnover target within five years.

The Swindon-based independent connection provider designs and builds electrical infrastructure solutions for major EV charging stations, Renewable sites and has more than 2,500 maintenance sites across the UK, including supermarkets, factories and battery storage sites.

Sinewave CEO Adam Woodley said the nine-year-old company chose Chippenham-based Mintivo, which offers managed IT support, consultancy, cyber security and automation, because of its track record in helping companies push their boundaries through strategic IT development.

“We need an IT partner who is going to push us to make sure that we’re at the top of our game and that we’re not falling behind the competition,” he said. “Having someone that’s agile, forward thinking, also growing and can understand us as a business is really important.

Sinewave, which became B-Corp certified in 2022, is one of the top UK companies helping lead the charge into renewable energy and its 60 per cent growth over the last year reflects the surge in sustainable projects as industry gets to grips with climate change.

“We’re in the energy transformation sector and if you look at the government’s agenda, if you look at net zero targets, existing energy sources are all turning green,” said Mr Woodley.

“We’ve grown because of this pace of change and the increasing size of the projects we are undertaking. If you go back five years we were looking at five megawatt solar parks, we’re now connecting solar parks that are 120 megawatts, so significantly bigger. That drives the opportunity for growth that we have.”

Its work includes connecting large-scale projects that are helping convert traditionally diesel-powered vehicles, like buses, HGVs and shoreside maritime equipment, to cleaner electricity. It is currently engaged on an £11 million contract in Stockton-on-Tees that includes three solar parks and eight kilometres of cabling.

“Our involvement in these projects is the infrastructure, bringing in electricity from the grid,  connecting the renewable energy sources up so it can then power them and then bringing those renewable energy sources back onto the grid,” said Mr Woodley.

The company has around 40 staff at its Swindon base and 50 more engineers working remotely around the UK. It is forecasting £35 million turnover this year but Mr Woodley said its ambition is to keep growing on the back of the sustainable energy boom. “We have a target to be a £100 million business in the next five years, with a headcount of around 250,” he said.

Mintivo is charged with keeping Sinewave’s remote staff connected and its workforce management system resilient. “The workforce management system runs our end-to-end process, from bid management right through to contract management, deployment of field engineers and down to the final invoicing,” said Mr Woodley.

“We have a lot of field-based staff who may not come into the office, in some cases for months on end, so making sure their connectivity, their support, is there is really important to us.

“If we lose a couple of hours because of an IT outage or there’s an issue with systems that means we lose data, we’re not going to be compliant on projects. We are also measuring our carbon footprint across all of our projects to be able to offset. Every project we do is carbon neutral.”

Mintivo Managing Director Alex Jukes said the two companies are aligned in their values because they are of similar age and size. “We understand the challenges they have because we’ve been going through a similar journey ,” he said.

“We’re fortunate because Sinewave is so forward thinking, they’ve got a very clear vision for the future. We will be advising Adam and his team on how IT can support them, what routes will be the right ones and then help them to make the right decisions in getting there more efficiently from an IT point of view.”

Mintivo is already helping Sinewave migrate to a fully cloud-based system and exploring the use of AI to help staff work more efficiently. “We’re looking at AI to streamline some of our existing processes to make sure that we’re making the systems work harder for us and allowing our team to concentrate on the more technical and enjoyable aspects of their jobs,” said Mr Woodley.

Mr Jukes said: “We’re excited to be working with a company like Sinewave. Our responsibility is to use our strategic knowledge to ensure the opportunities to leverage technology better are efficient, scalable and secure.

“We’re going to be focused on the future with Sinewave and how we can help push them forward.”

Find out more about Sinewave at sinewave.co.uk and about Mintivo’s services at Mintivo.co.uk.

Pictured: Mintivo Managing Director Alex Jukes, left, with Sinewave CEO Adam Woodley