News

Rocketmakers Named Three-Times Winner at the 2024 Global Tech Awards

Rocketmakers scooped up not one, not two, but three awards at the 2024 Global Tech Awards announced on 9th May 2024. Rocketmakers was awarded Digital Agency of the Year, Best AI Innovation – YourRoom, and Best AI Solution – YourRoom. A theme which ran right through all three winning entries was Rocketmakers’ strong position as a leader in AI and machine learning.

 

The Global Business Tech Awards showcase the best tech from around the world. With the world entering a virtual-dominated era, tech developments are even more important to developing the future than they have been in shaping the past. The Global Business Tech Awards recognises tech that has added tangible benefits to customer experience, management systems, marketing and sales information storage and data tracking.

 

The awards were judged by an independent panel of leading technology experts whose value to the tech industry is exponential, and the ultimate testimony to Rocketmakers’ work and skills. Commenting on the triple win, the judges said: “Rocketmakers’ creative approach to utilising AI demonstrates forward-thinking and commitment to pushing boundaries. The company has not only adapted to change but thrived on it, setting a shining example to the industry. It was great to see their commitment, transparency, clear business focus and innovation.”

 

Rocketmakers was awarded two category wins for YourRoom, an AI-powered application which provides users with groups of expertly crafted AI-powered personas reflecting different knowledge-sets, perspectives and personalities. These can quickly and inexpensively simulate expert panels on a variety of topics.

 

Users engage with the AI personas using a text interface that simulates the experience of a group chat on WhatsApp or Slack. Just like real-life group discussions, the user can direct the discussion to focus on a specific point or ask a specific persona to talk more or less. Agents regularly pose questions to the user to improve their understanding and engage in discussion with each other.

 

Panels can be constructed to provide expert advice about virtually any topic, from software development to buying a new home to surviving a zombie apocalypse. Development for YourRoom started in January 2024, with the first version of the application completed at the end of April.

 

Winning Digital Agency of the Year was the icing on the cake and a significant achievement for Rocketmakers to scoop up three out of 27 awards presented. Rocketmakers was in good company, with other award winners including Microsoft for Best Application for Tech Security, BT Active Intelligence for Best use of Data. Oliver Sanderson Group plc was awarded Best Use of Innovation and The Road and Transport Authority won Transformation Through Technology.

 

Commenting on this outstanding achievement CEO and Founder, Richard Godfrey said: “We’ve always positioned ourselves as one of the most innovative digital agencies in the UK. Now we’re a global winner alongside some of the biggest names in tech like Microsoft and BT. This just demonstrates the calibre of the award entries and I’m immensely proud of the work the team has delivered.”

 

This accolade comes off the back of other significant recognitions achieved this year. In February Rocketmakers was named Dev Agency of the Year at the UK Dev Awards.  Alongside this, the agency also won three other awards:

  • For its work developing the out-of-home advertising design analysis app Super Optimal for client DotScore, Rocketmakers won the Innovation Award
  • It also won a silver award in the App of the Year competition for its work designing and developing the pet-health smartphone app Biscuit for its client Biscuit Pet Health
  • Rocketmakers’ Chief Innovation Officer, Adam Walker, was named Dev of the Year

For further information please go to Global Business Tech Awards.

Paula Elliott
C8 Consulting Ltd.
+44 7894 339645
paula@c8consulting.com

Business Advice

How affiliate sites are making more money than the casinos

Making money online has been an idea pretty much since people could go online. Back then, sending tens of thousands of unsolicited emails was a viable strategy, but as the internet itself, how you make money online has changed dramatically.

Today, not only do we have legal frameworks to abide by, but internet users are more aware of the marketing they are subject to. They have access to, and readily use, a range of tools designed to minimize ads and other marketing efforts. However, one way of profiting online remains both popular and effective, and that is affiliate marketing.

What is affiliate marketing?

The internet is a big place, with over a billion different websites and around half the world’s population connecting to it daily. Whatever a business is selling, whether products or services, there is a huge market for them to reach out to.

But what if you are a small business and don’t really have any marketing skills? Or what if you have a marketing team for your local sales, but want to reach further without spending a fortune? That is where affiliate marketing comes in.

Affiliates promote a business’ products or services to their audience or using their marketing skills. In return, they get a percentage of each sale made from the prospects they send to a business. One of the most famous affiliate programs is Amazon. If you have ever read a blog on almost any subject, chances are it had direct links to products on Amazon. Those are affiliate links, and the blog owner gets a small cut of the sale if you click the link and buy it.

Sounds great, but how does that make more money than a casino?

 

Here’s the thing, affiliate marketing is incredibly scalable. If you can attract a big audience, and a high value product to promote, you can make a substantial amount of money. There are three or four areas of interest that have dominated since the birth of the internet, dieting, sex, food and gambling.

Online casinos are incredibly popular, letting people play poker or casino games not just on computers, but on their phones wherever they may be. You can see the attraction, it’s a chance to make some extra money for some, entertainment for others, but what is really interesting is the affiliate programs they offer.

Most are based on revenue share, meaning that you get a cut of everything the player spends after they sign up through one of your links. No time limits. This is the key to making a lot of money through gambling affiliates. Every player you bring to a program adds more to your monthly earnings. As long as they keep playing, you keep getting paid.

How can you bring in those new players?

 

Being successful as an affiliate requires more than just putting up a load of affiliate links. There are two things you must accomplish, these are:

  1. Give value to your visitors so they keep coming back
  2. Build trust so they click on the links

That means high quality, informative content. Sites like Slot Sites achieve this by offering accurate, informative reviews of online casinos and other information that helps people make good choices in where they spend money. Yes, the goal is to get someone to click a link, but to build a lasting business, a site like this needs to offer honest reviews that match the user experience if they click the affiliate link.

It is no good saying a site is amazing if its buggy or offers poor service, because after they click your link, people will just think you are not to be trusted and ignore your site. Honesty, transparency and accuracy matter. It takes time to create that kind of content, but over time the rewards build.

Affiliate marketing is not a get rich quick scheme, it’s a business that takes time and effort to build. But put the work in, and it can deliver substantial, ongoing rewards that build over time. Making money online is notoriously fickle, with people constantly chasing new fads before they are exploited to death, but affiliate marketing has been going steady for more than two decades.

If you really want to make money online, an affiliate program may be the answer.

Articles & News, Scotland

Brother of dead pilot accuses MoD of “disrespect” for failing to mark 30th anniversary of RAF Chinook crash with official memorial event

Families being invited to attend church-led service on Mull of Kintyre which local minister hopes will “provide comfort, respect and recognition.”

The brother of one of the two pilots killed in the 1994 RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre has today expressed his disappointment at the Ministry of Defence for its “continued unacceptable lack of recognition or respect” for the 29 people who died, and for failing to organise an official memorial service to mark the 30th anniversary.

Airline pilot Chris Cook, brother of Richard

RAF’s worst peacetime loss of life

Some of the families involved, along with campaigners, have already expressed their anger at the failure of the MoD to organise an official event with invitations sent to all families to mark this key anniversary of the tragedy.

It was the RAF’s worst peacetime loss of life. All 25 passengers and four crew were killed when RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on June 2nd 1994. On board were some of the most senior counter terrorism officers working in Northern Ireland at the time.

The two dead pilots, Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, were wrongly accused of gross negligence. It was only after a 17-year campaign for justice by the families that the UK Government finally overturned the verdict.

 

Chris Cook, brother of Flight Lieutenant Richard Cook, said today: “I find it extremely disappointing that the families and loved ones of the 29 passengers and crew continue to be treated with such disrespect by the Ministry of Defence.

“Irrespective of the controversy that followed this disaster and the subsequent long campaign that both my and the Tapper family went through to get justice for the two deceased pilots, there is a continued unacceptable lack of recognition or respect by the MOD of the service that each of these 29 brave individuals gave to their country.”

Chris Cook with wife Nicky and son Richard at the cairn on Mull of Kintyre in 2014

Church-led Remembrance Service to be held on Mull of Kintyre

Mr Cook and other families are now planning to travel to the Mull of Kintyre on the anniversary of the crash next month for a church-led remembrance service at 12:30pm on June 2nd organised by the local parish minister, Rev. Steven Sass, who has been liaising with an army chaplain in Northern Ireland.

Rev. Roddy McNidder, who was the parish minister at the time of the crash in 1994, will deliver the sermon.

 

Rev. Steven Sass

Rev. Steven Sass, Minister of Southend Parish Church said:“We hope that as many of the families as possible will join us. We want them to feel welcome and supported and we hope that this act of remembrance will give them the support which they need on this important anniversary.

“I understand that some of the families feel upset about the lack of an official military-led memorial service, but we hope that the church can offer the comfort, respect, and recognition that is deserved. After the church service which starts at 12:30pm we will travel to the memorial cairn at the crash site for a special act of remembrance at 3pm.”

Dr Susan Phoenix, whose husband Ian was also killed in the accident, will also be attending the church service with her son, Niven

Also attending will be Dr Susan Phoenix, along with her son Niven, a former military and now commercial pilot whose father, senior RUC officer Ian Phoenix was one of those killed.

They and other campaigners believe there is a continuing cover up by the MoD over the real cause of the accident and they point to last week’s erroneous claims by the MoD about the findings of an independent review conducted in 2010.

 

David Hill, a retired aeronautical engineer who worked at the Ministry of Defence for more than 30 years, and who has examined and written extensively on this and various other RAF accidents, is angry at the response of the MoD.  He is the author of “Their Greatest Disgrace,” which examines the incident.

David HIll’s Book cover – Image Credit- Amazon

David Hill said:

“Last week, the MoD claimed the findings of the Mull of Kintyre review were fully accepted and that no safety issues with the Chinook Mark 2 were raised in the report. The findings were not fully accepted by MoD and they continue to trot out this nonsense. The entirety of Section 7 of the report relates to safety and the failing airworthiness culture, culminating in the worst failure imaginable.

“’We know from a Boscombe Down report that there were airworthiness concerns, and that the aircraft should not have been ‘operated in any way that places any reliance whatsoever on the proper functioning of this equipment’.”

 

Flight Lt Richard Cook a year before the accident

Chris Cook, a commercial pilot himself, adds: “It appears from the MoD’s statement that they still don’t accept, after all this time and after all the reports including the official Mull of Kintyre Review, that there could have been any safety issues with the Chinook Mark 2 going into service, which I find staggering. Especially as it’s been proven that Boscombe Down had grounded it because there were known safety issues with the aircraft.

““The fact that the MOD have had the official files on this crash locked away for 100 years, till 2094, does raise serious questions regarding a cover up. Since this came to light many of the bereaved families are now very concerned that a cover up has occurred.”

Headstone of Pilot Richard David Cook, who, along with 28 of his colleagues, will be remembered at Southend Parish church, Mull of Kintyre on the 30th anniversary of the crash.

—

References

  1. Regarding the MoD’s claims of “no safety issues”: Please see the following paragraph in the Mull of Kintyre Review report
  • 7.1.8  At the same time the mid-life upgrade of the Chinook was marred by the malfunctions we have described. A lack of understanding of the cause of these malfunctions led shortly before the accident to a decision by Boscombe Down to cease flying the HC-2. In that situation those in command required to balance the risk to service personnel created by ground troop movements against the risk of flying an aircraft with a history of malfunctions which was comparatively unfamiliar to aircrew. The introduction of the HC-2 could not be halted and on 30 May 1994 it was deployed to Northern Ireland. That decision was taken on the basis of the operational imperative existing at the time and we are not in a position to criticise it.
  1. The BBC’s documentary is available on BBC iPlayer here
  2. A copy of David Hill’s latest expert summary is available to download here.

 

Header image: RAF Chinook ZD576 in service

Data, Data & Analytics, News, Technology

The Data City targets global growth

The Data City has marked its sixth year of consecutive growth with significant progress against its mission to build a new global industrial classification system.

The company has seen turnover rise 63% to £1.25m in the financial year 23/24 and grown its team to 20.

The Data City has made significant updates to its data platform, with insight now available on female founders, the addition of GVA, company births and deaths, ESG statements, job postings over time, and growth filters.

The Data City has completed large projects, which included helping the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) map innovation clusters across the country to support investment and target growth.

Commenting on the growth, Alex Craven, CEO of The Data City, said: “The Data City continues to go from strength to strength with profitable growth as we expand the platform and target new markets worldwide.

“From founding the company in 2017, The Data City has been on a mission to create a new industrial classification system as an alternative to SIC codes. Our Real-Time Industry Classifications are relevant to the modern economy and dynamic to reflect the rapid technology-driven changes we’re seeing.”

Scale-up technology company, The Data City argues vague SIC codes can lead to a poor understanding of companies and the broader economy. For example, the SIC code 82990 ‘Other business support services’ includes Amazon UK, Sony Interactive Entertainment Network Europe, Santander, Google and Facebook. It is a global problem that has seen a wide range of government, banking and insurance customers use The Data City to help better understand the economy, markets and companies.

The Data City team has also recently worked with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) and CBI Economics to map the UK’s net zero economy and uncovered the gender investment gap in partnership with Panintelligence.

 

Craven concluded: “Our plans for the next year are to maintain this pace of growth, expanding the coverage of our global product to eventually include every company in the world. We will continue to scale the team with talented data professionals who want to work in a dynamic environment with other talented people, working on interesting products that make a real difference to society.”

In September, a new six-figure funding round accelerated the global roll-out of The Data City’s AI-driven data platform to over 120 million companies across Europe, the Nordics and the US. The funding came from existing backers, Yorkshire-based venture capitalist firm, Venturian. It values The Data City at £10m.

Finance and Banking, Food & Drink, News

Crazy Rabbit Inns expands with new acquisition

A fast-growing pub group has added the Stapylton Arms in Wass, North Yorkshire, to its portfolio. Crazy Rabbit Inns will invest in the gastro-pub to enhance its facilities and undertake a sympathetic refurbishment.

The acquisition was supported with £416,000 funding from Fresh Thinking Capital in a move that secures the future of the historic pub. The York-based Crazy Rabbit Inns now operates three pubs across the county with plans to open a fourth this year.

Commenting on the acquisition, Collette Sunderland, director of Crazy Rabbit Inns, said: “The Stapylton Arms dates back to 1620 and is a central part of village life in Wass. We are proud to be taking over the stewardship of this historic venue and will invest to enhance its facilities over the coming months.

“We have ambitious plans for the group that will see us acquire more sites over the coming years. Our team has a great track record of building the business of country pubs and supporting the communities they serve. Fresh Thinking Capital is a flexible and responsive funding partner that shares our vision for the future.”

The former owner, Rob Thompson, is retiring and chose Crazy Rabbit Inns because of their track record of success in operating country pubs.

Niall Conlon, relationship manager at Fresh Thinking Capital, said: “Collette has a real passion for the industry, and it’s great to be able to support her ambitions. Crazy Rabbit Inns has done a great job of acquiring good country pubs and elevating the offering to grow the business. I’m confident the group will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Telecoms, Telecoms News

The Ultimate Guide to Leased Line Providers in the UK

Leased line providers play a pivotal role in the connectivity landscape, particularly in the UK, where businesses increasingly rely on robust internet infrastructure. With a staggering 85% of enterprises citing uninterrupted connectivity as critical for their operations, the choice of leased line provider becomes paramount.

In this comprehensive guide, we navigate the intricacies of selecting the ideal leased line provider in the UK.

 

Understanding Leased Lines:

Leased lines are the backbone of reliable internet connectivity for businesses, offering dedicated and symmetrical bandwidth that ensures consistent performance. Unlike traditional broadband connections, which are shared among multiple users and subject to fluctuations in speed and reliability, leased lines provide a dedicated link exclusively for your business

 

Key Considerations When Choosing a Leased Line Provider:

 

1.   Reliability and Uptime Guarantees:

  • Ensure the provider offers robust service level agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing uptime.
  • Look for redundancy measures and proactive monitoring to minimize downtime risks.

 

2.   Speed and Scalability Options:

  • Assess your current and future bandwidth requirements to choose a provider offering scalable solutions.
  • Look for flexible upgrade options to accommodate your growing needs without hassle.

 

3.   Customer Support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs):

  • Evaluate the provider’s customer support availability, responsiveness, and expertise.
  • Review SLAs for response times and resolution commitments to ensure timely support when needed.

 

4.   Pricing and Contract Terms:

  • Compare pricing structures, including installation fees, monthly leased line costs, and any hidden costs.
  • Review contract terms, including contract length, termination clauses, and potential penalties.

 

5.   Reputation and Customer Reviews:

  • Research the provider’s reputation through online reviews, testimonials, and case studies.
  • Seek recommendations from peers or industry experts to gauge overall satisfaction and reliability.

 

Choosing the right leased line provider involves careful consideration of these key factors to ensure a seamless and satisfactory experience.

 

Top Leased Line Providers in the UK:

 

1.   BT Business:

  • Renowned for its extensive network coverage and reliability.
  • Offers a range of scalable leased line solutions tailored to business needs.
  • Known for robust customer support and service level agreements.

 

2.   Virgin Media Business:

  • Boasts high-speed leased line options with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
  • Known for innovative technology and flexibility in service offerings.
  • Offers competitive pricing and attractive contract terms.

 

3.   TalkTalk Business:

  • Provides cost-effective leased line solutions suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Offers a range of bandwidth options with scalable upgrade paths.
  • Known for responsive customer support and transparent pricing.

 

4.   Vodafone Business:

  • Offers a comprehensive portfolio of leased line services, including MPLS and Ethernet options.
  • Known for its nationwide coverage and reliable connectivity.
  • Provides robust SLAs and proactive monitoring for maximum uptime.

 

5.   Colt Technology Services:

  • Specializes in high-bandwidth leased line solutions for enterprise and wholesale customers.
  • Offers flexible contract terms and customizable solutions to meet specific business requirements.
  • Known for its focus on network performance and reliability.

 

These top leased line providers in the UK offer a diverse range of services tailored to meet the unique connectivity needs of businesses, ensuring reliable and high-performance internet access for enhanced productivity and growth.

 

Tips for Negotiating with Leased Line Providers:

 

  1. Know Your Needs: Before entering negotiations, have a clear understanding of your organization’s bandwidth requirements, uptime expectations, and budget constraints. This knowledge will empower you to negotiate effectively and ensure you get the most suitable solution.
  2. Ask the Right Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about specific details regarding service levels, network redundancy, and technical support. Clarify any uncertainties upfront to avoid surprises later on.
  3. Seek Customization: Leverage your negotiation power to request customized solutions tailored to your unique business needs. Whether it’s adjusting bandwidth levels or adding extra security features, a flexible provider will accommodate your requests.
  4. Compare Offers: Don’t settle for the first offer you receive. Take the time to shop around and compare proposals from multiple providers. Look beyond pricing alone and consider factors like reliability, customer support, and scalability.
  5. Negotiate Pricing and Terms: Negotiate pricing structures, including installation fees, monthly leased line charges, and contract lengths. Be prepared to discuss discounts, incentives, and any potential hidden costs to ensure a fair deal for your organization.
  6. Review the Contract Carefully: Once you’ve reached an agreement, thoroughly review the contract terms before signing. Pay close attention to clauses related to service guarantees, termination fees, and escalation procedures to avoid any misunderstandings down the line.

By following these tips, you can navigate negotiations with leased line providers confidently and secure a solution that meets your organization’s connectivity needs while staying within your budget.

 

Future Trends in Leased Line Technology and Providers:

 

  • Enhanced Connectivity Solutions: Leased line providers are continuously innovating to meet the evolving demands of businesses. Expect to see advancements in technology that deliver even faster speeds, greater reliability, and improved security features.

 

  • Adoption of SD-WAN: Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is gaining traction as businesses seek more agile and cost-effective solutions for managing their network infrastructure. Leased line providers are incorporating SD-WAN capabilities into their offerings to provide greater flexibility and control over network traffic.

 

  • Emphasis on Cybersecurity: With the rise of cyber threats, leased line providers are placing greater emphasis on cybersecurity measures to protect customer data and ensure network integrity. Look for enhanced encryption protocols, intrusion detection systems, and other security features as standard offerings from providers.

 

  • Expansion of 5G Services: As 5G technology continues to roll out across the globe, leased line providers are exploring ways to leverage this high-speed wireless connectivity for business applications. Expect to see an expansion of 5G-based leased line services, particularly in areas where traditional wired connections are challenging to deploy.

 

  • Focus on Sustainability: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, leased line providers are taking steps to minimize their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Look for providers that prioritize energy-efficient infrastructure, use of renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly business practices.

 

As technology evolves and businesses embrace digital transformation, leased line providers will play a crucial role in delivering reliable, high-performance connectivity solutions that empower organizations to thrive in the digital age.

 

Conclusion:

Armed with the insights from our guide, you’re equipped to navigate the complexities of selecting a provider that meets your needs. From understanding the fundamentals to exploring top providers and future trends, embrace the power of reliable connectivity to drive innovation, productivity, and growth. With the right leased line partner by your side, the possibilities are limitless.

Hair and Beauty

What to Consider When Buying a Hair and Beauty Salon

If you’re looking to buy a new business, a hair and beauty salon might be a good fit. Here’s what to consider before going ahead.  

If you’re looking to buy a business, the first thing you’ll probably consider is how viable the industry is in the long term. With the UK hair and beauty industry generating £4.6 billion in the year 2020-2021 (and that’s despite a global pandemic), it doesn’t look to be disappearing any time soon.

If buying a hair and beauty salon might be on your agenda, here are a few things to consider first.

1. Is the location right?

When buying a hair or beauty salon, choosing somewhere with the right location is a bit of a Goldilocks situation. If there are no other salons in the area, that might point to a lack of demand, which could hurt your business. If there are too many other salons, the market could be saturated and you might struggle to compete.

When you’re scooping out the salon, it’s a good idea to visit the surrounding area, so you can get a feel for how much footfall you’ll experience. The best location is one near other businesses (but not too many competitors) so that you’ll benefit from organic footfall. It’s also worth considering how convenient the business will be for you to get to.

If you’re unsure of the viability of the business, you can always ask the current owner(s) why they’re selling. If they say footfall is an issue, you might determine that the location isn’t suitable.

2. Terms and conditions

When you’re buying an existing salon, you need to know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Consider, for example, whether any of the existing equipment is included as part of the sale. If so, you could save some serious cash upfront.

It’s equally important to find out whether existing members of staff will be staying with the business or whether you’ll be expected to hire your own team. If the latter, consider the costs of hiring a new team from scratch, as well as the availability of stylists in the surrounding area.

3. Existing accounts

One of the most important things to do in any business purchase is to check the business’s existing accounts. If you’re looking for a challenge and you’re happy to revamp a failing business, fine.

But if you’re in the market for a fully functioning business that’s turning over a profit, you’ll need to have a good look at the business’s accounts to check its financial health and avoid nasty surprises. Look out for existing debts and liabilities, too. If you’d be expected to take these on when you purchase the business, you’ll need to factor those into your ongoing costs.

4. Lease agreements

If you’re buying a rental, you’ll need to know whether the lease is transferrable upon purchase. If that’s the case, find out the terms of the lease and whether they’ll stay the same upon renewal.

Finding out everything there is to know about the lease before negotiating terms is a must. You don’t want to be stuck with payments that you can’t afford. Remember, if you’re not happy with the terms of the lease, try and see if you can negotiate a new one with the landlord, which ties in with the purchase agreement.

5. Management and staff

Some salons are sold without employees, but others come with staff members that are currently working there. If it’s the latter, find out whether the current employees are a help or a hindrance to the success of the salon.

If the stylists come with a loyal customer base of their own, for example, you might decide that’s a benefit to your business. That way, you won’t have to focus as intently on building up your own customer base from scratch.

Buying a hair and beauty salon – your next business move?

One of the perks of buying a hair and beauty salon is that it’s an evergreen business idea. After all, you’re never going to run out of hair to cut!

If you decide to go ahead with this investment, you’ll need to find beauty salons for sale in your area. Keep our considerations in mind, and you’ll discover the right business for your needs.

News

Stuart Energy Listed as Top 10 Best Places to Work in UK

Brothers create £30m power generation firm in six years

North-West based power generator firm, Stuart Energy, has been listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Best Places to Work 2024 for small organisations – the only business within Greater Manchester to be named as a winner in the small business top ten category.

‘Family first, work second’ is the mantra at this specialist power generation and family-run business – spearheaded by brothers Mark and Lee Stuart. In a year of propelled growth, new hires and client expansion, the firm now has teams across Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London.

 

Co-founder and Joint Managing Director, Mark Stuart said: “Having seen our success in the North West grow during recent years thanks to our well-deserved reputation for quality, innovation and efficiency, delivered by our extremely talented team, further expansion in the UK is the next logical step for the business.”

 

Growing revenues by an incredible 79 per cent in the last three years and operating at a 99.5 per cent employee retention rate – the Northern firm have continued to bolster their operations of late.

Their ongoing high-profile projects include powering the £1.3bn Manchester Airport transformation programme, providing power to the HS2 contract, as well as working on the new A66 road infrastructure programme with Kier Highways as part of the levelling up, which is valued at £1.6bn.

The firm’s innovative battery pack system, the first of its kind to hit the market has been utilised within such projects to create far greater efficiencies and a cost-effective solution for clients.

Enforcing best-in-class policies has led Stuart Energy to build an extensive client portfolio of blue-chip companies, retailers and property experts including, Bentley Motors, Amazon, Boohoo, FIFA Football, Shell, BP, Costa Coffee, Balfour Beatty, Bowmer + Kirkland and McDonald’s.

 

Lee added: “Sustainability and environmental impact is a key priority for us. We saved our clients close to £1million in fuel costs this year with our battery system and last month helped clients save close to £300k in fuel savings, as well as 441 tonnes of Co2 used, which is the equivalent of driving around the earth 400 times in an average car!

“Increasing energy efficiency, diversifying energy sources and creating a culture of sustainability has certainly helped to build our successful team. Demonstrating progress and innovation in these areas, amongst others, has allowed us to attract the very best talent in the field.”

 

The firm also appointed a Director of Strategic Partnerships – Jane Stuart-Puttnam – last month. Jane joined to further accelerate the firm’s growth ambitions – working across the B2B and B2C framework, reaching and building relationships with partners and affiliates to drive the pioneering solutions the firm have created.

 

Stuart Energy have built the business value to circa £30m in just six years and are set for continued growth. The rising success of the firm has already sparked outside interest, however Chairman and major shareholder, Fred Stuart, wishes the firm to remain under the control of the family.

Education

How to celebrate Learning at Work Week by embracing growth in the workplace

Learning At Work Week has been heralded as the perfect opportunity to “foster a culture of continuous improvement.”

Expert Jack Hayes, the director of the Motivational Speakers Agency, specialises in providing experts to businesses who can drive innovation and productivity.

And he says Learning At Work Week, celebrated between May 13 and May 19, can benefit both employers and employees.

Jack said: “Learning At Work Week is now firmly established as a key date in the calendar for business leaders. 87% of employees are less likely to leave their jobs if they are in workplaces which foster a culture of learning, and which organise engaging activities, as well as recognising achievements. Learning at Work Week is also an opportunity to foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth within an organisation. It is a time to also celebrate the value of learning and development in the workplace.

“Employers who recognise and act on learning at work week can reap numerous benefits. These include increased employee engagement and morale; enhanced skills and knowledge within the workforce; improved productivity and performance;

greater innovation and adaptability and enhanced employer brand and reputation as a learning organization.

 

Here are five top tips on how to celebrate Learning at Work Week and the benefits employers can gain by recognizing and acting on this event.

 

  1. Foster a Learning Culture:

Encourage a culture where learning is embraced at all levels. Provide staff with resources, support them, and roll out incentives for employees to engage in learning activities. This could include offering training programs, workshops, mentorship opportunities, or access to online learning platforms. By prioritising learning, you can demonstrate your commitment to employee development and empowerment.

 

  1. Organize Engaging Activities:

Plan a variety of interactive and engaging learning activities throughout the week. This could involve workshops, seminars, webinars, lunch-and-learns, team-building exercises, or knowledge-sharing sessions. Also aim to get creative and organise a learning expert to deliver a keynote speech to your audience. The Champions’ Speaker agency recently compiled its list of 10 best learning at work keynote speakers.

They included Inga Beale, the first female CEO of Lloyd’s of London; Olympian Derek Redmond; Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, and Bonita Norris became the youngest British woman to summit Mount Everest

The best keynote speakers for Learning at Work Week are those who can inspire, educate, and motivate employees to embrace learning and personal development.

 

  1. Recognise and Reward Learning Achievements:

Acknowledge and celebrate the learning achievements of employees. Recognise individuals or teams who have demonstrated commitment to learning, acquired new skills, or made significant contributions to knowledge sharing. Consider offering rewards such as certificates, badges, prizes, or public recognition to incentivise participation and showcase the importance of continuous learning.

 

  1. Encourage Collaboration and Peer Learning:

Facilitate opportunities for employees to collaborate and learn from each other. Encourage peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, mentoring, and cross-departmental collaboration. Create forums or online platforms where employees can share insights, best practices, and any lessons learned. By fostering a culture of collaboration, you promote continuous learning and collective growth within the organisation.

 

 

  1. Reflect and Set Goals for the Future:

Use Learning at Work Week as a time for reflection and goal setting. Encourage employees to reflect on their learning journey so far, identify areas for improvement, and set personal or professional development goals for the future. Provide support and guidance in creating actionable plans to achieve these goals, whether through additional training, mentorship, or on-the-job experiences.

News

Corporate CEO turned Entrepreneur launches new support platform to help Business Leaders become ‘Brave Bold Brilliant’

Jeannette Linfoot, a corporate CEO turned Entrepreneur, has unveiled a dedicated support platform to help Business Leaders overcome challenges to growth and become ‘Brave Bold Brilliant’, following the success of her own Mentorship and Executive Leadership Development Programs.

Having established a £multi-million business portfolio, Jeannette Linfoot is the former-CEO of the travel division for Saga and MD of Emerging Markets for TUI and boasts a proven track record in working in senior leadership positions for other household brands, including Thomson, Thomas Cook and First Choice.

After exiting the corporate world in 2019, Jeannette has since leveraged her 30+ years’ of global professional experience to advise executive Boards and help business leaders overcome challenges to growth through business mentoring, masterminds, and board advisory work

Having helped many high-profile organisations – such as Accor Hotels, Virgin Atlantic, Manchester Ao and EY – achieve impressive results, Jeannette decided to launch a new business support platform that would enable more entrepreneurs and business leaders to benefit from her unrivalled approach to business strategy and success.

Officially launched on 19th April 2024, Brave Bold Brilliant is a dedicated business support platform which provides Business Owners, C-Suite Leaders, and Entrepreneurs with access to a library of online support resources, together with business mentoring, masterminds, and courses, including a proven Executive Leadership Development Program.

Already utilised by business leaders across the UK, Brave Bold Brilliant is on track to become one of the UK’s leading support platforms for both individual and business development, with resources spanning key topics ranging from strategy and planning through to imposter syndrome and growth mindset.

This follows the success of Jeannette’s dedicated ‘Brave Bold Brilliant’ Podcast, which is listed in the top 1.5% with a growing audience spanning in excess of 120 different countries worldwide.

Discussing the launch of Brave Bold Brilliant, Jeannette Linfoot said: “I genuinely believe that everyone has greatness within them and the potential to achieve success but sometimes they just need a push in the right direction.

Having honed and implemented the Brave Bold Brilliant approach into the businesses I have ran as a corporate CEO together with the many organisations I have worked with in an advisory capacity, I felt that – in order to reach more people and deliver a greater impact – I needed to develop an accessible suite of business resources able to help both individuals and teams to achieve their business objectives.

I am, therefore, delighted to unveil the official Brave Bold Brilliant site and hope business leaders and entrepreneurs across the UK find it both valuable and useful in their own journey to success.”

The launch of the Brave Bold Brilliant business support platform comes as Jeannette celebrates the 400thepisode of the podcast.

For more information, visit: http://www.brave-bold-brilliant.com/

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