Owners of small and medium-sized enterprises know how important it is to budget carefully. Without the safety net of a huge savings account or lots of high-dollar investments, business owners must monitor their cash flow scrupulously. If you’re just starting your SME, you understand how critical following your budget is
The decision to do a home improvement project on your own has many pros and cons. Among the most substantial benefits are money savings and total control over the changes happening to your home. On the other hand, you are burdened with many responsibilities. For example, you have to do
The allocation of £500 million towards reducing carbon emissions in 50,000 social housing and low-income households across England and Scotland have been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis. The money, which is being distributed to more than 300 local authorities under the government’s Green Homes Grant, will fund energy saving initiatives
families call for increase in site security A call has gone out to urge property owners of construction sites or abandoned properties to ensure children cannot access them over the Easter holidays, after families in Stoke-on-Trent fear a child might be injured if a former school is not demolished. Also
From the initial designs to all the calculations and specifications required for the materials, there are many forms of Intellectual Property (IP) in any kind of construction project. Therefore, IP protection is something that should concern anyone involved in managing or owning a construction company. At first glance, it may
Planning application submitted which will boost the city’s life science sector CEG has submitted a planning application seeking to revitalise Drapers Yard on Marshall Street in Leeds for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company at the heart of life-science innovation in Leeds. It marks further investment by Labcorp
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Prosper’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Compliance and Facilities Management Services worth an estimated £250m. This DPS offers a range of compliance, hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management provision for public sector organisations across
Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that is has been awarded a contract by leading technology-led global software and robotics platform business Ocado Group to fit out its newly built 164,000 sq ft warehouse development situated
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has submitted plans on behalf of William Davis Homes for the latest phase of 59 new homes at Copcut Rise, a popular development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. In the sixth phase of the ongoing scheme, the 1.55 hectare site will contain a mix of terraced
The logistics and supply chain sector is set to benefit from a dedicated new training and research facility that has been developed through a partnership between industry and education based at the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ at GLP’s Magna Park development in Lutterworth. The Centre for Logistics Education and
Owners of small and medium-sized enterprises know how important it is to budget carefully. Without the safety net of a huge savings account or lots of high-dollar investments, business owners must monitor their cash flow scrupulously. If you’re just starting your SME, you understand how critical following your budget is to your business’s success. However, one area that new business owners often forget to budget for is taxes, so follow these steps to make sure that you’ve adequately prepared for tax season. 1. Get Professional Accounting Help You try to limit the number of employees in your early days so that you make more profit each month. After all, each full-time employee you hire represents 40 hours of wages every week. However, when it comes to accounting services, you must invest in professional, full-time employees. Working with a certified public accountant or an accounting firm gives you peace of mind that you’re working within your budget. Taxes become more complicated as your SME expands, and your accounting team is ready to help you understand the wide variety of business arrangements that affect your taxes: Sole proprietorships Joint-stock businesses Nonprofit organizations Additionally, accountants help you navigate complex situations such as value-added taxes, residual taxes, and salary deductions. To avoid fines from improperly filing your taxes and to maximize your refund, find your professional accounting team today. 2. Learn About Duties Most countries require businesses to file their income taxes annually, but some taxes and duties occur more frequently. Duties are taxes charged by countries when you export or import goods. For example, if you run a restaurant chain and you import wine from France to the United States, you must pay duties on each shipment of wine’s value. If your shipments are worth less than a few hundred dollars, you probably don’t have to pay taxes on them, but you should still check the laws carefully for each country in which you conduct business. Also, remember that the percentage you’re charged varies depending on what products you’re shipping, so don’t expect to pay the same amount for all your international shipments. Because duties are charged at the border, you can easily budget for these taxes each month rather than handling the entire payment once a year. Work with your accounting team to calculate each shipment’s taxes, and include that value in your materials budget. Consider using a spreadsheet to keep track of each country’s reporting and taxation requirements. 3. File Your Paperwork Carefully Filing your taxes is a nightmare if you don’t keep track of your paperwork carefully. As a business owner, you’re responsible for many forms for your SME: Cash flow statements Investment reports Property value assessments Employees’ pay rates and hours Loan statements Customers’ invoices All of these forms combine to provide the information your accounting team needs to complete your taxes. Store each one in a secure location, and scan them so that you have copies in the cloud in case your files are damaged or stolen. If you struggle to stay organized with so much paperwork, work with your office assistant to develop a method for maintaining your forms. 4. Watch for Legal Changes Every country’s laws change regularly, but this is especially true for tax laws, which tend to change when different parties or factions gain control of the government. For example, in the US, if the Republican Party is in control, taxes tend to go down; if the Democratic Party is in control, they often go up. Whenever tax laws are up for debate in a country in which you work, watch the process carefully. Bills frequently change as they become laws, so you can’t count on any clause taking effect until the entire bill passes. For example, a politician introduces a bill that increases taxes on companies that use fossil fuels, but environmental concerns do not have enough support, so other politicians vote to remove that part of the bill. Whenever a new tax law is released, make sure that you understand it thoroughly before filing taxes in accordance with it. Talk to your accounting team to make sure they understand the changes, and if anyone is unsure what something means, reach out to a tax lawyer. Ask him or her to brief your company on the recent changes and give you advice on implementing them. Your SME’s income varies greatly from year to year, especially when you’re just getting started. Watch out for the different income levels in your country’s new tax laws, as most nations have progressive taxes. Just because you were in a certain bracket with the previous tax law doesn’t mean that you’re going to be in the same bracket this season. By taking these four steps, you ensure that your SME’s taxes are filed correctly, no matter how complicated your financial system is.
The decision to do a home improvement project on your own has many pros and cons. Among the most substantial benefits are money savings and total control over the changes happening to your home. On the other hand, you are burdened with many responsibilities. For example, you have to do all the work yourself and choose what materials and tools you will use. We are here to help you pick the right equipment for the job. You don’t even have to buy it – there are many companies that offer tools for hire at a reasonable price. No matter if you need to decorate your home or make some small repairs, these tools will help ensure that your home improvement project is a success. Paint Sprayer Painting a small or large space requires a lot of time and physical strength. That is why you need a paint sprayer. This equipment will save you a lot of time and effort and make your job much easier. You can use it to paint walls, ceilings, doors, and other surfaces that are hard to reach. Caulking Gun No matter if you are going to paint, repair leaks or just change the color of your bathroom tiles, you need a caulking gun. Caulking is a crucial part of any home improvement project because it allows you to seal small cracks and holes that may appear in the future. You should buy a high-quality gun that is both durable and easy to use. Hammer Drill Fixing a leaky faucet or painting the ceiling is much easier when you use a hammer drill. It will drill holes into the wall or floor, which is necessary to install new fixtures or set up a curtain rod. It is a necessary tool if you want to replace an old sink or shower stall with a new one. Saw You cannot finish home improvement projects without a saw. It will help you cut off broken parts from wooden furniture, install new cabinets in the kitchen and perform many other tasks. When buying saws, you should opt for a high-quality brand that will serve you for years to come. Hammer A hammer is one of those basic tools that you should always have around the house. Whether you need to drive nails into the wall or remove old tiles from the floor, this simple tool will help you do so within minutes. A standard hammer is good enough for most projects, but a hammer drill is better in this case because it allows you to drill holes into the floor or wall. Wire Cutters If you are looking to renovate your home, you will probably need to use wire cutters. They can help you disconnect old wiring or cable lines. It is also a useful tool if you need to mount a new ceiling lamp or hang a new chandelier. It is advisable to use a high-quality brand when buying wire cutters. This will guarantee that it can withstand heavy use and will not break easily. Nail Gun If you have to hang up anything in your home, a nail gun should be at your service. This tool will help you avoid making holes in the walls and ensure that your project is durable. If you are planning to hang up drywall, it will be very hard to do so without a nail gun. Multimeter A multimeter is a must-have tool if you are going to repair electrical issues in your home. It allows you to check if the wiring is working properly and determine if there are any problems with the electrical outlets or switches. It is also perfect for checking the amount of current that is being used by your appliances, which is a very important component of home improvement projects. Pliers Pliers are another useful tool that is essential for home improvement projects. From pulling out nails to twisting wires together, pliers can help you tackle any task. The best pliers are made of a heavy and durable material that ensures maximum durability. Plastic Putty Knife A putty knife is an essential tool if you want to do any kind of home improvement project. This inexpensive tool will be useful if you want to paint or install new cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, or garage. It can also be used to scrape old paint off the walls. Level Whether you are hanging a photo frame or painting the living room, a level is a must-have tool for every homeowner. It is used to make sure that everything is level and straight. This tool will help you avoid headaches and ensure that your home improvement project is a success. Utility Knife If you are looking to renovate your home, you will probably need to use a utility knife. It is a very helpful tool that can help you cut plastic or wood pieces that you want to use in your project. You can also use it to remove old flooring or wallpaper. Wrench You cannot complete home improvement projects without wrenches. They are a perfect choice if you want to install fixtures or make plumbing and electrical repairs. A good wrench should be made of a sturdy material that will not break easily. The Bottom Line As you can see, home improvement projects can be as easy or as complex as you want them to be. You don’t have to be an experienced DIY enthusiast to engage in some of them. After all, we all need to start somewhere, even if at first we can’t do too much. If you’re just starting your journey in the world of DIY home improvement projects, remember that the beginnings may be rough. You may not have the right supplies, and sometimes you may even need to borrow or rent certain pieces of equipment. Still, keep your eyes on the prize and keep on learning. With time, you’ll be a DIY pro!
The allocation of £500 million towards reducing carbon emissions in 50,000 social housing and low-income households across England and Scotland have been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis. The money, which is being distributed to more than 300 local authorities under the government’s Green Homes Grant, will fund energy saving initiatives for fuel poor households. The measures include insulation in lofts, floors and in walls, as well as renewables such as solar panels and heat pumps. Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper said the move was an important step towards helping improve the thermal efficiency of some of the UK’s poorest performing homes. “Around 25% of Britain’s housing stock is more than 100 years old. It is amongst the worst housing stock in the whole of Europe when it comes to energy efficiency, and is responsible for a third of our carbon emissions. Improving insulation is a pretty crucial element in enabling the nation to reduce its carbon emissions,” he said. He stressed the importance of adopting a “fabric first” approach. “It makes financial sense to ensure that the existing building fabric is as energy efficient as possible before spending resources on other measures. Insulation is generally among the most cost effective and long-lasting measures, and thus the best investment. The Actis Hybrid range tackles U-values, thermal bridging and airtightness. As the products are flexible and can bend round corners and be gently moulded into gaps, they are excellent at creating a thermal envelope, free of gaps through which heat could otherwise escape. The £500 million Green Homes Grant allocation, whose recipients were announced this week, will be augmented by the £62 million first tranche of funding from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
families call for increase in site security A call has gone out to urge property owners of construction sites or abandoned properties to ensure children cannot access them over the Easter holidays, after families in Stoke-on-Trent fear a child might be injured if a former school is not demolished. Also a report in The Times cited that young people were breaking into building sites, including a rising trend in ‘urban explorers’ out to investigate unusual, abandoned properties. As schools break up for Easter, the property security specialists, VPS, have heeded the call from parents to warn owners about the risks to children tempted to use building sites or derelict premises as playgrounds during the holidays. “Construction sites and abandoned buildings are a magnet for children looking to explore and play” says Darron Cavanagh, Chief Operating Officer for VPS, “And not only children, but the growing interest in ‘urban exploring’ means many youths and adults are also curious trespassers. But they can be dangerous places. Last June, an urban explorer fell to his death from the roof of an abandoned dairy in Devon.” “Property and landowners of vacant sites are responsible for keeping them safe and secure whilst they lie empty. To remove combustible materials, ensure access points are well-protected, and, for particularly vulnerable sites, to consider remotely monitored CCTV. Quite apart from the costs of rectifying damage from arson or vandalism, if a serious injury or worse happens to anyone – even if they are trespassing – the owners can be held liable if they are found to have been negligent.” The VPS Group is Europe’s leading temporary security specialist, providing an Intelligent Triple Protection service, securing sites with the widest range of solutions from Monitored Technology such as 24/7 alarms, CCTV Towers, perimeter monitoring and scaffold alarms, as well as traditional Physical Protection, such as steel panels and doors, and Human Intervention – whether that be prevention through use, patrols or surge guarding and inspections. No matter how challenging it is to secure a specific site, VPS can combine the widest range of options to find the best-fit solution for every customer.
From the initial designs to all the calculations and specifications required for the materials, there are many forms of Intellectual Property (IP) in any kind of construction project. Therefore, IP protection is something that should concern anyone involved in managing or owning a construction company. At first glance, it may be a bit difficult to choose the right form of protection for your company and projects because there are several different laws and regulations for various situations. For instance, it’s important to know when to use a trademark or a patent (among others). Also, when it comes to the construction industry, you won’t just be protecting designs and ideas – there are also other items that need protection such as methods of building, machinery used, and materials. That’s why, in order to make sure others won’t profit from your hard work, it’s important to learn how to protect intellectual property. This usually requires knowledge of IP protection laws in your state, but it’s also a good idea to have a specialist review your actions and provide guidance. Why IP Protection is Vital in Constructions Contractors have a complex job that involves a lot more than just physical labor. In fact, the part we all see (the actual construction work) is among the last steps they need to take. But, for a project to reach this stage, there are lots of other elements to consider and plenty of issues to solve. The early parts of a construction project require collaboration with all sorts of specialists, institutions, material suppliers, subcontractors, and owners. Therefore, without proper protection, it is easy for a construction company to lose sight of trade secrets and other IP items that may lead to a loss in profits. In fact, each construction company has its own way of doing things, which can be damaging if it would be rebranded and copied by the competition. Let’s take architectural copyrights as an example (these are among the most interesting intellectual property concepts in this industry). Copyrights can cover blueprints, technical design documents, architectural works, elevations, and more. The rights are usually attributed to the creator (which, in this case, is the architect or the engineer) but can be bought or assigned through a contract. The company can also register the contract at the Copyright Office, but it’s not mandatory in most cases. Another form of IP protection is the utility patent (the most common type of patent), but it may be a bit difficult to obtain since there are already lots of patents related to the construction industry. The patent can make reference to a wide range of elements such as materials, business methods, construction processes, even equipment. However, the litigation for patent infringement can be quite expensive and it’s oftentimes risky, which is why a specialist would recommend adding a contractual clause that prevents anyone involved from leaking out information about IP. Wrap Up Whether you’re a small contractor or a modern company looking to implement life-changing construction projects, IP protection is vital for the well-being and future of your business. Therefore, make sure to find a reliable IP lawyer and advisors that can help you put in place procedures and systems to keep prying eyes away from your intellectual property treasures.
Planning application submitted which will boost the city’s life science sector CEG has submitted a planning application seeking to revitalise Drapers Yard on Marshall Street in Leeds for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company at the heart of life-science innovation in Leeds. It marks further investment by Labcorp Drug Development into the local economy. The company currently operates out of two sites in Leeds and plans to consolidate the team into one building for more efficient, collaborative working, as well as having the opportunity to double in size, retaining and creating almost 300 highly skilled scientific and healthcare jobs in the city. Labcorp delivers vital medical research and has worked on most of the available COVID-19 vaccines and is currently involved in more than 400 studies for COVID-19 globally. The new facility offers an exciting opportunity to offer enhanced scientific outcomes and clinical trial testing, something which has become all the more vital during the current pandemic. “The new Covance by Labcorp facility will be a gold standard clinical pharmacology investigational unit, commensurate with the outstanding global reputation of the UK Life Sciences sector,” said Oren Cohen, M.D., chief medical officer and general manager, Clinical Pharmacology Services at Covance by Labcorp. “The new facility will allow us to continue our important work to test next-generation medicines that may improve health and improve lives in an exciting new environment that highlights the growing role of Leeds as a leader in life sciences.” CEG would manage the delivery of the new facility and aims to enable occupation by summer 2022. It would include a 100-bed clinic, pharmacy and Labcorp’s UK office headquarters. Drapers Yard would be dramatically transformed with a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting on Marshall Street and Sweet Street. At the heart of the Temple area of Leeds City Centre, biodiversity will be enhanced and the setting of heritage assets protected, including the adjacent Grade 1 Listed Temple Works. It will provide employment opportunities and kick start high value economic development. Drapers Yard is located within the Temple masterplan area where CEG, alongside Leeds City Council, are bringing forward further development. Here, there is the potential to provide some 4 million sq ft of high quality accommodation with Temple Works as its heart as a cultural centrepiece. Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to deliver a UK Centre of Excellence for Labcorp. It will be a sustainable and energy efficient development, designed with occupant well-being in mind. “It will bring a welcome economic boost to Temple supporting the city’s post-covid recovery plans and helping to create a cluster for science, knowledge and innovation. The commitment to the site will also help to build further confidence that this is a fantastic business destination, just minutes from Leeds City Station, helping to attract future inward investment opportunities.” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a hugely-exciting piece of news for Leeds, and one that will strengthen the city’s reputation as a place where cutting-edge tech and a sense of history come together to positive effect. “We already have an unrivalled health ecosystem, with four out of five NHS national offices being based here. In addition, Leeds is home to one of the largest concentrations of medical device companies in the UK and a rich pool of health, science and digital talent. “Labcorp’s medical research, drug development and clinical trial testing can change lives and Leeds’s supporting role in this work is a real source of pride. The commitment to retaining and creating high-quality jobs in the city is also a timely boost as we begin our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Furthermore, Labcorp’s choice of Drapers Yard is testament to the impressive momentum being generated in both the Temple district and the wider South Bank area, which is one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes in the country. The many transformative projects taking shape here include a collaboration between the council and CEG that is designed to bring Temple Works back into sustainable long-term use.” Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the LEP and NP11 group of Northern local enterprise partnerships, said: “Labcorp has chosen Leeds City Region to build its new state-of the-art facility as our thriving health ecosystem matches their ambitious plans to create game-changing developments in clinical trials. Our region is a world-renowned centre of excellence in health and life sciences and Labcorp’s new facility will allow research to continue at the forefront of clinal trials – from their base in Leeds City Region. “I am delighted that our longstanding relationship with Labcorp is further strengthened as they continue to invest here. Their new facility will drive forward the efficacy of clinical trials, improving the effectiveness of medicines that will have impacts on the health of populations across the globe. This new facility at Drapers Yard places Labcorp at the heart of the city’s Temple District, connecting the city centre to the southern districts of Leeds and creating a vibrant, smart city. “Companies that commission a Labcorp clinical trial will see first-hand that our region offers an ideal location to invest and grow. I very much look forward to welcoming Labcorp to Leeds and the City Region later this year.”
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Prosper’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Compliance and Facilities Management Services worth an estimated £250m. This DPS offers a range of compliance, hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management provision for public sector organisations across the North East of England, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. The DPS caters for specific areas with eight lots including heating services, legionella and water treatment management, extraction/ventilation services, security systems and full FM provision. Neal Grant, Head of Business Development at Derwent fm said “Derwent fm are delighted to be awarded a place on Prosper’s Compliance & FM DPS, we look forward to working with the team at Prosper and expanding our public sector client portfolio in this important geographical region”. Tim Jennett, Head of Procurement – Design at Prosper, said: “It’s great to have Derwent fm on our DPS for Compliance & Facilities Management Services. We think the company will be a good fit on the solution and look forward to working with them.” All Prosper DPSs are compliant solutions and the organisation go through a robust selection process when awarding.
Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that is has been awarded a contract by leading technology-led global software and robotics platform business Ocado Group to fit out its newly built 164,000 sq ft warehouse development situated within Tritax’s new 53-acre Symmetry Park development in Bicester. The project includes the full fit-out of freezer, chill and ambient internal sections and mezzanines within the warehouse. The works will include new internally piled foundations, an extension to the offices and significant alteration works to the building envelope/external facade. The facility once complete will be one of the most advanced of its type in the world featuring high-tech robotics and automation. It will be used to further improve Ocado’s distribution operations across Oxfordshire for its rapidly growing online grocery customer base. Speaking about the contract award Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “Ocado is a highly valued, long-standing customer of Glencar and the award of this project goes to demonstrate the strength of that partnership and Ocado’s trust in our ability to deliver complex projects on time and budget. This ultra-modern, state of the art automated facility will play an integral role in Ocado’s online grocery regional distribution network for many years to come. We are delighted to be part of that story and look forward to delivering a successful outcome. Also commenting Neil Bussey, Construction Project Manager Ocado Group, said “Following the successful delivery of our first mini-CFC in Bristol, on time, to budget, and in the most difficult of circumstances through the global pandemic, Glencar Construction proved themselves to be extremely committed, and professional, throughout the Bristol project, so I am delighted to be able to confirm that I will once again be working with them in the delivery of our second mini-CFC in Bicester.” Tritax’s Symmetry Park, Bicester extends to 53-acres and is home to Bentley Designs (88,000 sq ft); Medline Services (110,000 sq ft) and DPD Group (60,000 sq ft) which is currently under construction and due to be completed in April 2021.
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has submitted plans on behalf of William Davis Homes for the latest phase of 59 new homes at Copcut Rise, a popular development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. In the sixth phase of the ongoing scheme, the 1.55 hectare site will contain a mix of terraced semi-detached and detached, two-, three- and four- bedroom houses, 39% of which will be affordable homes. Explains Peter Brown, Studio Director at SGP: “SGP has been working with William Davis at Copcut Rise since 2012, and we are pleased to bring the latest phase to the planners. Our designs are complementary to the scheme as a whole and develops the vision of the existing masterplan.” SGP chose materials and architectural details that extend the themes already established in previous phases. The design uses warm brick colours and crisp render, and details such as porches and gablettes to articulate the street scene. David Dodge, Development Director for William Davis Homes, said: “We’re delighted to see these plans completed, as they reflect the high quality housebuilding we’re committed to delivering across all our developments. We hope that the planners share our view and will allow this next stage of Copcut Rise to go ahead. Our houses have been selling incredibly fast in recent months. If approved, we expect these homes to prove just as popular.” The homes generally face outwards, so careful consideration has been given to establishing active and passive frontages, as well as defined vistas and views which create a sense of openness without overlooking existing homes. Strong and well-defined building lines are opened up by adding soft landscaping, punctuated by trees and feature planting. Black metal railings and low level hedges, create a layering effect which draws the eye gradually into the scene. Concludes Peter: “This is a quality development which, when complete, will contain just under 700 houses, with just over 600 already built. The variety of housing types will appeal to a wide range of local people, with the social housing element integrated seamlessly.” If approved, it is expected that Phase 6 of Copcut Rise will start on site in May 2021.
The logistics and supply chain sector is set to benefit from a dedicated new training and research facility that has been developed through a partnership between industry and education based at the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ at GLP’s Magna Park development in Lutterworth. The Centre for Logistics Education and Research (CLEAR) will help the sector to address key challenges as the UK moves towards economic recovery and renewed growth following the coronavirus pandemic. North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) is working in collaboration with Aston University, Wincanton, supply chain partner, and leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, GLP to provide skills training and professional development at all levels across the spectrum of logistics and supply chain roles, to enable the sector to become increasingly agile, flexible and resilient. CLEAR is due to launch in the summer of 2021 and will initially be based Bittesby House within the Magna Park Northern extension within the broader Magna Park Lutterworth development, eventually moving to a bespoke, state of the art facility. The ambitions of the centre were revealed to industry at a webinar last month with speakers hosted by Richard Atkinson CBE, Teaching Fellow, Leadership, Strategy, Engagement at Aston University and including NWSLC’s Principal and Chief Executive, Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Professor Edward Sweeney from Aston University, and Dean Clamp, who is Group HSEQ Director for Wincanton and a board member of the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT). Outlining the challenges currently faced by the sector, Professor Edward Sweeney commented on the central role of skills development within logistics and supply chain in helping the UK to retain its leading role in the sector. He said, “Operating within a highly competitive environment with the challenges of harnessing new technology and ‘big data’ across businesses of all sizes in a changing political and environmental context requires a highly skilled and professional workforce. The aim is that working closely with industry, CLEAR will be ideally positioned to address its needs and provide skills training and development opportunities that are tailor-made for the sector.” Marion Plant said, “Our ambitions for CLEAR are based on offering a holistic one-stop-shop training service both from its base at Magna Park and also remotely online, enabling a flexible skills pathway tailored to meet the needs of specific businesses and providing individuals with well-defined opportunities to progress their careers. “Businesses can train one or many members of their team with flexible start dates and bespoke provision and students will be able to move seamlessly between training partners as their development needs progress and skills gaps are identified, improving retention, and driving down costs. “CLEAR can get training programmes up and running very quickly as it already has systems in place to fulfil training design briefs at all levels. Commissioning training through CLEAR will bring shorter lead times between the identification of training needs and students starting their courses or programmes. Businesses can also benefit from advice on funding for apprenticeships, whether organisations pay the Apprenticeship Levy or not, and can find out how levy-payers can share funds to support training across their supply chain.” Dean Clamp, Group HSEQ Director at Wincanton said, “Over the last twelve months we have seen how much the UK relies on the ability of its logistics and supply chain operators to keep the shelves stocked in the essential retail outlets that have remained open during lockdown. As clients demand increased efficiencies, higher safety standards and greater sustainability, we need to act smarter as a sector and make sure that we are attracting, developing and retaining the highly skilled individuals on which our business relies.” Also commenting GLP Planning Director Gwyn Stubbings said, “As the UK and Europe’s largest and most successful dedicated logistics park, it is fantastic to be able deliver CLEAR within that environment. This is a truly pioneering and exciting initiative that is focused on logistics led research, innovation, education, and training at the heart of Magna Park. “Situated as part of the Magna Park Northern expansion, CLEAR provides students and businesses with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Magna Park as the ‘classroom’ and be an integral part of the ongoing growth and evolution of Magna Park into the UK’s top logistics cluster.” Magna Park Lutterworth, the UK and Europe’s premier logistics hub, developed by GLP over the past 30 years is currently home to over 27 blue chip businesses within 33 buildings. The Park extends to over 10 million square feet of floor space and will expand to 16 million square feet over 1,350 acres via the Northern and Southern expansion project. It is centrally located within the so-called “logistics golden triangle’ between the M1, M6 and M69 motorways. The first phase of provision, commencing when CLEAR opens its doors this summer, will provide the platform for a future national centre of excellence with a campus that will accommodate, when fully operational, up to 1,000 students as well as providing applied research and associated facilities. Businesses that are interested in finding out more about should get in touch via CLEAR@nwslc.ac.uk.