Focus Consultants on board with replica 17th century sailing ship scheme

Launch of the Lennox in 1678 by Richard Endsor

Funding and business planning experts, Focus Consultants, have been appointed to work on an exciting project which will result in the building and launching of a full-size replica of the Lenox, a 17^th century sailing ship and which will be a major new tourist attraction based at Convoys Wharf, Lewisham, London. 

Convoys Wharf, originally known as the Deptford Dockyard, opened in 1513 and was first used by Henry VIII to build his naval fleet. The HMS Lenox was commissioned under Charles II in 1678 as the first of 30 ships built during his reign to expand the Royal Navy into a leading force in Europe. 

Convoys Wharf, which lies within walking distance of other popular maritime attractions, such as the Cutty Sark, The National Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich, has remained derelict for years. Now, planning consent has been granted for a major mixed-use waterfront development, encompassing both residential and commercial facilities. The Lenox project complements this development by highlighting the area’s unique maritime history.

As well as a replica of the Lenox, a new purpose-built visitor centre is planned which will display exhibits showcasing the history of the Royal Dockyard. It will also enable the public to see the ship’s construction, which is intended to be a mix of modern and traditional skills - the modern involving digitisation of the ship’s model and use of CNC routers to cut some of the timbers – and the traditional skills from the 17^th century, mirroring the Lenox’s original creation. The plans aim to create jobs for specialists in traditional wooden boatbuilding and will also include apprenticeship opportunities to ensure these skills will not be lost to future generations, whilst the use of modern skills is transferable into a wider range of industries. 

Nottingham-based Focus has been appointed by The Lenox Project, a registered charity, to develop a business plan for the project and to prepare funding bids to move the project onto the next stage of development.

Heather Frecklington, Partner at Focus Consultants, said: “This is a unique and extremely exciting project to be involved in. We are working closely with the Charity to set the project up to be a success and look forward to seeing this major London regeneration project come to fruition.”

Focus, which also has offices in London, Leicester and Boston in Lincolnshire, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK. Since its creation in 1994, Focus has helped to secure more than £953 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful companies of its kind.

It also offers a range of services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, and sustainable development support.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Three reasons why small businesses should have a strategy, according to Construction Leaders Club

Terry O'Mahony

A business networking and development organisation for the East Midlands construction sector is highlighting three key reasons why it’s important for small businesses to plan.

The Construction Leaders Club believes that having a strategy is fundamental for success – even though situations can change rapidly in today’s fast-moving world. 

“Not so long ago, business owners and leaders created strategic plans that looked ahead five to ten years – a far longer-term perspective than would be appropriate today,” said Terry O’Mahony, founder of the Nottingham-based Construction Leaders Club. 

“However, having a plan today is still fundamental for any business to stay ahead of the competition and be truly successful. Although there are numerous tools to help develop a plan, there is no standard methodology, and it is down to business owners to choose tools that work for them.” 

He believes there are three main reasons why small businesses should draw up strategies for the future.

Firstly, it provides clarity and direction to give both business owners and employees alike the high-level priorities and objectives that they want to achieve over a specific time period, said Terry.

Secondly, it’s an opportunity to engage and motivate employees, while thirdly it can help to position a business, he added.

“Many business owners I have worked with have often said that when they have taken the time to develop a plan, they’ve made the mistake of putting it in their drawer where it doesn’t see daylight again,” said Terry. “This might not be because the plan wasn’t good. It could be that the plan may have been created for a specific purpose, for example to attract funding or similar, and, as and when the purpose has been served, they are unsure why it matters. But it does matter and having a plan can make a big difference.”

The Construction Leaders Club was established four years ago as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to, or associated with, the UK construction industry. As well as monthly networking events, CLC also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

CLC’s next networking events take place on 14^th September at The Grill at Twenty Five, Bostock Lane, Long Eaton, near Nottingham, from 10am, and on 15^th September at The Preparation Group, Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln, from 10am.

The organisation is supported by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM.

Earlier this year the CLC became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Construction Leaders Club has held the accolade of Chartered Building Consultancy status for the past three years but the CIOB asked holders to re-apply after setting down new and tighter rules for compliance in a bid to drive up standards within the sector.

For more details or to book any CLC events, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Frozen food distributor Central Foods expands gluten-free range with new pasta product

New gluten-free pasta from Central Foods

Leading frozen food distributor Central Foods has boosted its free-from range with a new individual portion of gluten and dairy-free penne pasta.

The ready-cooked penne pasta, which is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians, provides a convenient product for chefs and foodservice operators to use either hot or cold.

“The free-from market is huge and growing all the time,” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of Central Foods. “Diners quite rightly expect high quality free-from dishes to be available, and the penne pasta offers a simple and quick way for chefs and operators to create tasty and appealing menu ideas.

“According to the British Frozen Food Federation, 95% of chefs are now stocking and using frozen ingredients and 82% claimed that frozen food could help with long-term menu planning. It’s very useful as a back-up, in case demand outstrips supply, but there are many other reasons why it makes good sense to have pre-prepared frozen items to hand.

“Pre-prepared frozen food is supplied in a consistent shape, size or portion which helps with presentation and cost controls. Being able to defrost and serve just what is required is key to reducing waste and unnecessary costs. It’s also a great idea for operators to have frozen back-up supplies of free-from items to avoid being caught out when customers have specific dietary requirements.”

The penne pasta, which microwaves to reheat from frozen in around two minutes, is the latest in a wide range of savoury and sweet free-from products supplied by Central Foods to the foodservice sector.

With a defrosted shelf-life of five days, the penne pasta is available in packs of 20 x 200g portions.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Focus Consultants hosts work experience student in Lincolnshire office

Andrew Sharp and Callum Hunt

Focus Consultants once again showed a willingness to help the next generation progress by hosting a student for two weeks’ work experience.

Callum Hunt, 15, a pupil at the William Lovell Church of England Academy in Stickney, spent a fortnight at Focus’ Boston office this summer.

The Boston office, which is based at Endeavour Park in the town, has won two Investors in Education Awards for its commitment to providing top quality work experience for young people and Callum was the latest student to join the team to find out more about the industry.

Partner at Focus Consultants, Trevor Newton, said: “At Focus Consultants we strive to provide young people with work experience that is valuable and helps their development, and we were happy to have hosted Callum for a two weeks and hope that he enjoyed his time in our Boston office.”

Focus, which has its head office in Nottingham, and other branches in London and Leicester, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK. Since its creation in 1994, Focus has helped to secure more than £953 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful companies of its kind.

It also offers a range of services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, and sustainable development support.

Pictured with Callum Hunt is Andrew Sharp, senior consultant at the Focus Boston office.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Frozen food distributor Central Foods launches its first Red Tractor accredited product

KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has relaunched its popular KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs after the product achieved Red Tractor accreditation.

The Red Tractor logo provides added assurance that the food originates from a trustworthy and traceable source – signalling high standards of welfare and food safety and hygiene.

The Prime Pork Meatballs, part of the KaterKing range of meat products and accompaniments, are made with British pork and have been a popular product distributed by the Northamptonshire-based company since 2014.

Last year the company sold almost two million meatballs.

Managing director Gordon Lauder said: “Caterers and foodservice operators include the KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs on their menus in a range of different dishes from Italian-style meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta to spicy tapas dishes.

“It’s a great-tasting product, made with British meat. But now it has also been given Red Tractor accreditation, which means added assurance for our customers and for their customers too. 

“Red Tractor is the UK’s biggest farm and food standards scheme, and is a vital signpost for consumers looking to eat quality UK food. The accreditation is something that restaurants, pubs, hotels, bars and other outlets can highlight on their menus.

“The Red Tractor logo also signifies support for British farmers.”

The KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs are suitable for all types of caterers to use in a range of recipe dishes such as topping pizzas, filling sub rolls or pitta pockets or as part of tapas sharing-style platters.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, it sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs, which are supplied ready-cooked, are free from MSG and hydrogenated fats. To cook from frozen: pre-heat oven 200°C (Fan assisted), place meatballs on a baking tray and reheat for 8 mins (turn the meatballs halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking). 

For more information visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Construction sector small business support group expands into Lincolnshire

Terry O'Mahony

A new business networking event for the construction sector is launching in Lincolnshire after successful networking and business growth organisation the Construction Leaders Club (CLC) announced it is expanding.

The pilot session takes place in Lincoln on 15^th September and is open to anyone who works within the construction sector or in a business associated with the construction industry.

Sponsored by Lincoln-based The Preparation Group, the trial networking event follows the success of CLC in Nottingham. Its monthly networking meetings attract professionals from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. It also run a series of aligned and well-received business growth programmes for small business owners and senior decision makers.

Terry O’Mahony, who founded and runs the organisation, said: “Over the last four years the Construction Leaders Club has been very successful in building a networking event for construction industry professionals in the Nottingham, Derby, Leicester area and we want to take it east and north to Lincolnshire and the surrounding districts as a proven formula for connecting businesses and their professional teams.

“As well as networking opportunities, we offer business growth and development training programmes for small businesses associated with the construction sector. We welcome anyone working in the sector or alongside the sector who is interested in networking or in business growth and development to join us on 15^th September at our trial event in Lincoln.”

Earlier this year the CLC became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Construction Leaders Club has held the accolade of Chartered Building Consultancy status for the past three years but the CIOB asked holders to re-apply after setting down new and tighter rules for compliance in a bid to drive up standards within the sector.

Founded by business growth expert Terry O’Mahony in Nottingham, CLC was established as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to, or associated with, the UK construction industry. As well as monthly networking events, CLC also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

The organisation is supported in Nottingham by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM, who will also be sponsoring the Lincoln event.

Terry added: “We very much hope that the construction community in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and surrounding areas will support our expansion by joining us on 15^th September and also by considering sponsorship of any future events. If it is to become a regularly held and successful networking event then we need some leading organisations to step forward, get involved and support us.”

September’s event will include a presentation by group managing director of The Preparation Group, Tracey Glew, on setting the industry standards, and takes place between 10am to noon at The Training Hub, Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln LN2 4JB. It costs £30 per head and includes Danish pastries and coffee.

For more details or to book the event on 15^th September, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Gold star awards for Croots Farm Shop includes Bake Off star’s cake

Steve Croot and Val Stones

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots has scooped two gold star awards in this year’s Great Taste Awards – including one for a cake designed in conjunction with Bake Off star Val Stones.

Val’s Virtuous Cake, a fat-free, sugar-free and egg-free bake created by Val, who is the sister of Croots’ owner Steve Croot, was awarded a gold star accolade in the 2017 awards.

Croots Hickory Smoked Chicken Sausage, created in-house by the butchers at the farm shop near Duffield, also won a gold star in the awards, which are widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine food world.

A one star gold award identifies a product as being ‘simply delicious’, according to the Guild of Fine Food, who organise the annual awards.

The judges’ comments for Val’s cake, which is suitable for vegans, included: “A good, wholesome, homemade cake” and “A very good cake – and for all that is missing, you’ve made up for in taste. Good fruit, peel, spice, richness and moisture – very satisfying and with a full flavour without relying on many ingredients.”

Val shot to fame as a popular contestant of last year’s Great British Bake Off, screened on BBC1. She later devised a range of bakes for Croots under the Val at Croots……made with love brand, which include banana and pecan loaf, a range of cookies, cherry shortbread and the virtuous cake.

She is a regular visitor to the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield - travelling from her Somerset home to bake and advise on recipes for Croots.

Val said: “I am delighted to hear that Val’s Virtuous Cake has been awarded a one star gold award. I’m very proud of the baking team at Croots.”

For the chicken sausage, the judges’ comments included: “Plump little sausages with an inviting colour.  The aroma is of cured, smoked meats. We felt that for a low-fat chicken sausage this is oozing with positive, meaty flavours” and “A very pleasant, plump and well-cooked sausage, the grind of the meat is good, we detect chorizo in the aroma too, the mouth feel is pleasant, the sweet chorizo has worked with the chicken, we are also very pleased that the sausage is not at all dry and remains moist and pleasantly delicious.”

Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop and café with wife Kay, said: “We are chuffed to win two gold star awards for our products in the 2017 Great Taste Awards, as these really are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine food world.

“I think we’ve now won 21 Great Taste Awards over the years for products ranging from our sausages and meat to our Croots sloe gin and our Croots muesli mix, which is a huge honour and illustrates the wide range of top quality products we produce here at our Derbyshire farm shop.”

Some 12,366 products were put forward by producers across the UK and other countries for consideration for the 2017 Great Taste Awards, which are acknowledged as the benchmark for speciality food and drink and have been described as the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’. Just 35% of entries were accredited after rigorous testing by a panel of more than 500 judges.

These are the latest awards won by Croots, which in June scooped the People’s Choice Award for the Midlands at the Family Business United Awards 2017 and which also recently had two products - Croots Lemon Tart and Croots Lemon Rapeseed Oil - selected as finalists in this year’s Great British Food Awards 2017, run by national magazine Great British Food.

Croots is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

For more information, visit www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Appointment at BSP Consulting as firm launches new project information management system

James Payne

East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has promoted James Payne to the position of finance and IT manager.

He has been with the company for exactly 16 years, having joined BSP straight from school in August 2001.

James has recently been instrumental in introducing a new project information management system at BSP’s headquarters in Nottingham and across its offices in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.

The Union Square software is used worldwide by organisations in the construction sector to help them work smarter and collaborate more effectively, and it has already begun showing positive results for BSP.

BSP managing director David Sumner said: “James has been a loyal and valued BSP employee since joining us in 2001. He has recently spearheaded the introduction of Union Square across the business after putting forward the case to the senior team of the benefits of integrating and streamlining our management of information – something which has become increasingly important to the efficiency of the business as we continue to expand.

“We have a commitment to staff development and are delighted to have promoted James to this newly created position at BSP Consulting, which reflects his new role.”

The Union Square system is being used throughout the business, primarily for project accounting but also for internal processes such as HR.  

“Union Square has only been in place for a short while but already it is bringing benefits to BSP in making our project accounting more efficient,” said James. “The prediction is that it will help us with our long-term forecasting and planning, and become an increasingly valuable tool in the future.”

James joined BSP as a civil engineering technician at the age of 16, before becoming civil engineering technician and IT manager in 2004 and subsequently IT manager. He is based in BSP’s Nottingham HQ in Oxford Street but works across the group.

BSP, which also has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. It was founded in 1999 and operates across the UK, working in sectors including education, industrial, commercial, retail, affordable housing, older persons living, leisure, private housing, heritage, and pre-planning.

For more information, visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

J Tomlinson invests in health and safety with new defibrillators

J Tomlinson with the new defibrillators

Growing integrated building services company J Tomlinson has continued its investment in health and safety by installing life-saving defibrillators across key sites.

The Nottingham-based firm has purchased 22 defibrillators to be located at the firm’s permanent offices in the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, as well as on all major project sites while work is ongoing.

The equipment, which can give a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest, could be a potential life-saver to employees or members of the public who become ill.

“As a company, J Tomlinson continues to strive to provide a safer working environment and keep our employees, visitors and the local community safe and healthy,” said Richard Ball, Head of Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality, at J Tomlinson, which has its headquarters in Lilac Grove, Beeston.

“Although no training is required to operate the defibrillators, the business has also invested in AED (automated external defibrillator) training for primary users and this will be supported with Tool Box Talk training to all associated first aiders to familiarise them with the equipment where required.”

J Tomlinson, which provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management, has invested in 22 Lifepak CR2 defibrillators that are fully automated.

The company, which employs more than 420 staff across its offices and sites, is committed to excellence in safety, health, well-being and quality – believing it is integral to maintaining a sustainable integrated building solutions business. It has its own internal health and safety committee, takes part in special health and safety weeks, and runs its own ‘Safetys’ awards for colleagues who show initiative in these areas.

“Automated external defibrillators in the workplace can help save lives, as access to an AED in the first couple of minutes after cardiac arrest improves a patient’s chances of survival,” added Richard.  “They are simple to use, so it makes sense to have them available in case of emergency.”

For more details about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk