Frozen food distributor Central Foods has been awarded the BRC Agents and Brokers certificate for the eighth time – once more achieving the highest possible classification level. The company received an AA grade accreditation again, passing the audit first time and with a full clean sheet. Central Foods MD Oli Sampson said: “We are thrilled to have once again achieved the highest possible grading of BRC accreditation – a ringing endorsement of the high standards that we are committed to." “Confidence in supply chain procedures and processes is extremely important, and we are very proud that Central Foods and its technical team is operating at the very highest levels in this area." “This accreditation is the gold standard for the industry and gives our customers full confidence in the way that we work.” BRC Global Standards operates global standards for Food Safety, Packaging and Packaging Materials, Storage and Distribution, Consumer Products, Agents and Brokers, Retail, Gluten Free, Plant-Based and Ethical Trading which set the benchmark for good manufacturing practice and help provide assurance to customers that products are safe, legal and of high quality. Central Foods is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors to the food service sector, offering a range of sweet and savoury products to the food service industry. The company currently sells to over 200 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. Based in Northamptonshire, Central Foods is proud to be a catering partner across the whole food service sector, supplying to hotels, restaurants, bars, universities, schools, pubs, care homes, garden centres, leisure outlets and more.

The St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, which supports local charities and individuals in need across the South West, is inviting good causes in the region to apply for a grant following its best-ever fundraising year. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, communities and St Austell Brewery’s team members across the business, more than £145,000 was raised in 2024. Founded by St Austell Brewery in 2003, the Trust accepts applications year-round. Since its launch, more than £1.2 million has been awarded. From skydives to sponsored walks, pub quizzes to St Austell Brewery’s annual Celtic Beer Festival - which sees thousands descend on the brewery for a day of great beer and live music -fundraising efforts have resulted in grants, both large and small, being awarded throughout the year. The brewery also donates 25p to the Trust from every large portion of fish & chips sold across its 46 managed pubs in the South West. The primary purpose of the Trust is to support local charitable campaigns and to assist individuals who don’t have access to charity support through traditional means. Every penny raised by the Trust goes back into local communities where it is needed most. In 2024, more than £95,000 was donated to important causes in the region. The Trust has supported a range of causes in the recent months. Mentoring Plus received a donation to help keep their volunteer mentoring programme running, which provides young people facing tough times with a safe space and activities to help them thrive, regardless of their financial situation. And grants for individuals included funding for a new stroller to assist a child with developmental challenges and a person with cerebral palsy was given funding for a glove to improve hand function and support recovery, making a huge difference to their ability to perform everyday activities. Over the years, larger charities, including our regional air ambulances of Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, the RNLI, and Young Lives vs Cancer have also received donations. Piers Thompson, Chair of the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, said: “Thanks to the dedication of our team members, individuals, and partners, we are encouraging communities and charities to apply for a grant to ensure the Trust continues to enhance and improve lives across the South West." “We’re proud to donate to causes large and small and that’s what makes the Trust so unique. Whether you are an individual in need of home equipment to make life easier, or a small regional CIC running a life-enhancing project, the funding is there to help people and communities who need it the most.” Piers added: “We’re very grateful to those who have contributed to the success of last year’s fundraising efforts. There are lots of exciting plans in place to continue the fundraising momentum during 2025.” Last year, St Austell Brewery hosted its annual Celtic Beer Festival—the largest charitable beer festival of its kind —with all profits donated to the Trust. The event in November saw more than 1,300 revellers descend on the brewery for a day of great beer and live music, raising an impressive £12,000. Another successful event organised by St Austell Brewery during 2024 was a Charitable Gala evening, which featured a silent auction and raised an additional £47,000. To apply for a grant from the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, or read more about the causes or charities it has already supported, visit here . In parallel to actively seeking applications for grants, the Trust is also recruiting for two new independent trustees to join its board and to help support the work it does for communities across the region.

Harrisons has officially acquired the business and assets of Ecotech (Europe) Ltd, a Coventry-based manufacturer known for producing high-quality wet and dry nonwoven wipes for distributors and wholesalers. As a leading manufacturer of nonwoven wipes with a 134-year history, Harrisons have built a reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted nonwoven wipes manufacturers. By joining forces with Ecotech, they’re opening up new opportunities for future growth, combining their strong market position and track record for quality, expertise and reliability with Ecotech’s existing brand equity and focus on sustainability. This marks a significant milestone for the family firm as it’s the first time they’ll be manufacturing and distributing wet wipes. With this expansion, they’re looking forward to offering an even broader range of products while maintaining the same high standards of quality and customer service that define Harrison’s. As Stephen Harrison, Managing Director of Harrisons explains: "Expanding our manufacturing capacity means we’ll have even greater flexibility to meet our customers’ needs. We are committed to taking a customer-first approach to the change of ownership, and the immediate priority is to optimise the level of service delivered to all Harrisons and Ecotech customers." "This exciting development comes shortly after we announced our new logistics partnership with Magnum Logistics, taking our supply chain to the next level through BREEAM-certified sustainable warehousing, access to up to 10,000 pallet spaces, and enhanced stock management technology." "This is a pivotal moment for Harrisons, marking a key milestone in our growth strategy, and a significant development in our 134-year history. It’s clear that Ecotech’s range complements our existing portfolio of products, so I’m excited by what’s next. I really believe that, together, we can set new standards in wiping," concludes Stephen. Jason Lippitt, Director of Ecotech, added: “Joining Harrisons is great news, and the team is already looking forward to the new chapter. Harrisons is a family business that is synonymous with the very highest standards in the industry, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and seize the opportunities this new platform for growth presents.” "With this acquisition, Ecotech will now be registered as Harrison Wiping Limited. We’re looking forward to an exciting future and can’t wait to bring even more innovative solutions to our customers."

Family Business United is delighted to announce the launch of a new campaign that seeks to identify and celebrate the very best of British family businesses. 'Britain's Finest' is the latest campaign from FBU, a leading organisation that champions the UK family business sector, and will feature family firms from all over the country, of all sizes, sectors and generations. Participants will be required to share responses to some core data requests that will then be analysed and ranked against the other family firms taking part and a full listing will be made available in due course. Paul Andrews, Founder & CEO of Family Business United adds: "We are always looking for new ways to celebrate the sector and the significant contribution that family firms make to the national economy and this Finest Family Firms campaign is a great way to do just that. Not only will we be able to showcase the individual family firms in the report but we will also be able to create good data to quantify their collective importance." "Family businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and deserve to be recognised for all that they do in terms of employment, income generated, wealth created, taxes paid and their unwavering support of the communities in which they operate." "Our inaugural Britain's Finest campaign will showcase the sector and help us once again to put the family business sector on the map. We look forward to reviewing the entries and celebrating the depth and diversity of family firms across the UK." Family firms of all sizes are eligible to take part and the methodology has been created to enable the final report to be determined based on a number of factors, and not just size. Family businesses are encouraged to enter their details for inclusion in the inaugural report which will be published in June. Simply click on the button below to submit your details. Along with contact details and information about the business, what it does and where it is located, the form will require the following data: Annual turnover Number of full time employees Number of full time apprentices Confirmation as to whether the business holds an King's Award, Royal Warrant or a B-Corp accreditation Date the business was founded The deadline for submission is March 31, 2024.

Family Business United is delighted to launch the inaugural Family Business Fortnight which will be taking place across the UK from June 9-21, 2025 celebrating the family business sector across the UK. Events will be taking place in person and online and there will be plenty of insights, articles and social media engagement throughout the period. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, "The significance of the family business sector in the UK should be recognised for its importance to the national economy." "Family firms are the engine room of the national economy through the jobs they provide, the income they generate, the wealth they create and the taxes they pay, not forgetting their contribution to the very fabric of our society through their involvement in the communities in which they operate." "We are champions of the UK family business sector and already host National Family Business Day annually in September but with an increased reach and connections within key sectors of the economy we wanted to create something special to enable more engagement and to truly amplify the family business voice." Key events within Family Business Fortnight include a family business conference in Scotland (June 11) and the annual celebration of the very best of British family firms at the National Family Business of the Year Awards (June 18) and we are planning other events and themes for the duration of the fortnight, online and in person, with partners and sponsors throughout the UK. Outlined below are the key themes and events already planned with more to be announced in due course and if you would like to sponsor one of the days or host an event during the fortnight, please do not hesitate to get in touch . Monday June 9 Food & Drink Day - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the food and drink sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Visit (11am) - An Audience In The Kitchen With Luke Consiglio more Family Business Webinar (4pm) - The Family Business Agenda more ------------------------------------------------- Tuesday June 10 CONSTRUCTION DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the construction sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Dinner (6.30pm) - Glasgow more ------------------------------------------------- Wednesday June 11 The Family Business Conference (8.30am) - Glasgow more ------------------------------------------------- Thursday June 12 MANUFACTURING DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the manufacturing sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Visit - [TBC] ------------------------------------------------- Friday June 13 HOSPITALITY DAY -Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the hospitality sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Friday (10.00am) - more Family Business Visit - [TBC] Family Business Publication - Family Business As A Force For Good Report more ------------------------------------------------- Saturday June 14 Family Business Saturday ------------------------------------------------- Monday June 16 AGRICULTURE & FARMING DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the farming and agricultural sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Visit - [TBC] Family Business Publication - Britain's Finest Family Businesses Report more ------------------------------------------------- Tuesday June 17 RETAIL DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the retail sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Visit (10am) - Furniture Village, An Audience With Charlie Harrison At The Furniture Village Store In Guildford more Family Business Webinar (4pm) - A Discussion On Communication In Family Businesses with Nick Mayhew, Alembic Strategy more ------------------------------------------------- Wednesday June 18 PROPERTY DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the property sector on social media throughout the day. The National Family Business of the Year Awards more ------------------------------------------------- Thursday June 19 TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS DAY - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the transport and logistics sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Webinar (9am) - Family Business Leadership Insights - Family Business Leaders Share Their Thoughts On All Things Family Business more ------------------------------------------------- Friday June 20 HOMES & GARDENS DAY - - Celebrating the importance of family businesses in the homes and gardens sector on social media throughout the day. Family Business Webinar (9am) - The Next Generation In Family Firms more Family Business Friday  (10am) - more Family Business Cuppa for Good (11am) - [TBC] -------------------------------------------------

A new version of JCB's 403E ultra-compact electric loader keeps the operator warm and snug as it eliminates at-source emissions and reduces a farm's carbon footprint. The new machine is equipped with a fully glazed, heated cab designed to provide a comfortable environment while minimising its draw on battery power, despite having heated front and rear windscreens, a heated seat and three-speed blower, and auto control features that warm-up the cab without reducing the machine’s power reserves. The 403E was introduced in 2023 with a fixed or folding open canopy as part of JCB’s growing E-Tech range of battery-electric farming and light construction machines that offer minimal running costs, exceptionally low operator and bystander noise levels, and an opportunity for businesses to lower their carbon footprint. The new JCB 403E Full Cab features include: 972kg or 1,090kg tipping load; 2.9m or 3.1m lift height with parallel-lift arms. 33.4kW electric drive motor with 0.5kph, 8kph and 20kph speed ranges. 20kWh lithium-ion battery providing four- to five-hour mixed-cycle work time. 20kW electric motor-driven hydraulics with ‘shovel/bucket’ and ‘fork’ modes. On-board and off-board battery charging solutions for 2hr to 8hr full charges. Full-time four-wheel drive, open or locking axle differentials, pivot steering JCB Agriculture Managing Director John Smith, said: “Providing a fully enclosed, warm and weather-proof working environment involved a lot more than just taking the cab from the 403 diesel and installing it on the all-electric version." “A key requirement of any electrically-driven machine is a decent amount of work-time between charges; by designing special control functions for the 403E Full Cab, we meet that demand while keeping the operator warm and comfortable.” Powertrain The 403E – JCB’s first fully electric ultra-compact wheeled loader – has a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack, among the largest in the sector, providing four to five hours of continuous use in a mixed operating cycle. This is sufficient for a full-day’s work on a typical pig, poultry or dairy farm, or in commercial horticulture, especially if top-up charges are taken during breaks. A tipping load of 972kg or 1,090kg (with the heavy-duty counter-weight) and a choice of 2.9 metre or 3.1 metre lift heights with parallel-lift loader arms makes the 403E a practical and highly manoeuvrable proposition for handling chores in and around farm and horticultural buildings. And given an all-up weight of around 2.6 tonnes, the canopy and Full Cab versions of the machine can be transported quickly and easily between sites on a 3.5 tonne road trailer behind a 4x4 SUV or pick-up, or a light commercial vehicle. Cab environment For the new 403E Full Cab loader, JCB installs a 2.2kW heater with three temperature settings and a “blower boost” function to rapidly increase the interior temperature for 10 minutes before switching off to conserve energy. The heater is automatically disabled to preserve battery power if the cab doors are open, but in warmer months, the blower can be used to circulate air regardless of whether the doors are open or closed. During cold periods, a timer function can be used to warm up the cab for 30 minutes while the battery and charger are connected so that the machine remains primed ready to work with a full charge. A heated seat is an added comfort that will also conserve energy and run time by reducing the operator’s reliance on the cab heater, and heating elements rapidly defrost or clear condensation from the front and rear windscreen for clear visibility as work gets under way.

Yorkshire-based wool bedding brand, Floks, has partnered with fellow luxury Yorkshire bedmaker, Harrison Spinks, to create a premium range of responsibly-sourced wool mattresses. United by a shared passion for ethical manufacturing, quality, and support for British farming, the collaboration combines Floks’ expertise in sustainable wool bedding with Harrison Spinks’ heritage in crafting mattresses from natural materials. This collaboration represents a new benchmark in wool-rich sleep solutions that prioritise comfort and the environment – all handmade in Yorkshire. Floks is dedicated to providing the best night’s sleep possible while supporting British farming and local manufacturing. Specialising in wool bedding, the brand’s products are naturally hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, and biodegradable, making it an ideal partnership to complement Harrison Spinks’ responsibly made wool and hemp mattresses. Harrison Spinks is a fifth-generation luxury bedmaker based in Leeds, and has been handcrafting mattresses and beds in Yorkshire since 1840. As one of the most vertically integrated bed manufacturers in the world, the company controls every aspect of production, from growing hemp and flax on its Yorkshire farm to designing unique recyclable pocket spring-systems in-house. Sophie Platts, Founder and CEO of Floks, said: "For us, the key is working closely with Harrison Spinks to complete the fully ethical sleep story. We exist to help people enjoy their very best sleep in the most responsible way, and these products we have created together offer the ideal sleep microclimate to promote healthier and more restorative sleep." “The fact we’re both based in Yorkshire and are passionate about utilising wool to improve sleep is incredible, and we feel so excited about the potential of our partnership. Wool is a miraculous fibre, offering both comfort whilst being regenerative, and together we are creating a stand-out product that not only supports British farming but offers a truly luxurious and environmentally responsible sleep experience." Wool fibres are naturally absorbent, durable and antibacterial, producing a sumptuous, breathable and temperature-regulating mattress filling that keeps the body cool, dry and comfortable. The material is extremely beneficial for sleep, helping to create the perfect microclimate, being dust-mite and mould resistant, as well as anti-allergy. It is also naturally fire-retardant, meaning the mattresses don’t need to be treated with potentially harmful FR chemicals, as they are encased in a flame-resistant wool fabric which is woven in-house at Harrison Spinks. Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks Beds, added: "Floks is another Yorkshire brand that shares our ethos and passion for responsible sourcing, ethical manufacturing and quality." “At Harrison Spinks we’ve always championed the use of natural materials like wool and hemp in our mattresses, and with this collection we’re crafting a sleep experience that prioritises comfort and health whilst respecting the environment. Yorkshire has a rich heritage in textiles and manufacturing, and collaborations like this showcase the very best our region has to offer.” The mattress collection has been created with traceable British wool in partnership with British Wool and its Traceable Wool Scheme, which supports UK farmers in getting a premium price for their product and ensures a transparent supply chain, further supporting low-impact farming and manufacturing in the UK.

The food manufacturing industry, which contributes £162 billion to the economy and supports over 4.5 million jobs, has joined forces like never before to urge the Treasury to rethink changes to inheritance tax announced at the Budget. Led by the NFU, a letter from the food supply chain, which includes all major supermarket retailers, has voiced concerns about the government’s plan to scrap Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). The coalition warns that removing these reliefs threatens the long-term stability of the nation's food resilience, which relies on continued investment to futureproof sustainable food production, at a time when the government has stated that food security is national security. It also highlights the barriers the changes could cause for boosting growth and productivity in the sector and tackling diet-related health issues. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “We have made our views on this awful family farm tax very clear. Now so have 57 other businesses across the food supply chain. This abhorrent policy has united farming and the whole of the supply chain like never before. How loud does the chorus of concern around the policy have to be for Treasury to listen and take action?" “Scrapping critical inheritance tax reliefs not only affects family-run farms, but it stands to have far-reaching consequences for the whole industry, from food processors to supermarket retailers." “Faced with a backdrop of global instability, a changing climate, high input costs and a growing global population to feed, this policy risks destabilising an industry that is vital to feeding the nation and one that supports millions of jobs. Because when one link in a supply chain, the link that is producing the raw materials, has a crisis of confidence and has already all but stopped investment, it has an impact on the whole of the industry; an impact that will eventually be felt on supermarket shelves. Is this the vision for economic growth the country was promised? “The Chancellor has said she has seen no alternative proposals put forward, yet there have been solutions put forward by tax experts and Labour MPs. With large numbers of Britain’s biggest manufacturing sector – food and drink – against this policy, it is time for the Chancellor to heed our calls to meet to discuss options and find a way forward out of this current mess.” Signatories from the food industry include: NFU NFU Cymru NFU Scotland UFU Morrisons Asda Marks & Spencer Waitrose Lidl Sainsbury’s Tesco Aldi Co-op Arla Muller Yeo Valley ABP Rodda’s County Milk Belton Farm Paynes Dairy Organic Herd Long Clawson RABDF PTF Dairy UK First Milk Meadow Cotteswold Dunbia Kepak Pickstock (Telford) Myton Food Group Cranswick Dovecote Park 2 Sisters Food Group Puffin Produce Castell Howell Foyle Food Group C&J Meats WD Meats Hewitt Meats Pembrokeshire Creamery Leprino South Caernarfon Creameries Laeth y Llan Cyf/Village Dairy Calon Wen Dairy Crediton Dairy Bawnbua Foods NI NIMEA Dale Farm Fane Valley Ready Eggs Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Pilgrims Photo: NFU President Tom Bradshaw signing a Stop the Family Farm Tax poster

Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering important upgrade work to the roof of one of London’s most iconic cultural landmarks. The company is installing more than 23,000 square foot of new, sun-protected glazing, above the central court area of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich The £12 million project is designed to address water ingress and reduce solar heat gain issues associated with the existing glazing of the Grade I listed building. It is also expected to provide better acoustics and a much-improved visitor experience. Alongside the roof upgrades, Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a deep clean and servicing of the building’s capital plant, including chillers, air coolers, air handling units, and the underfloor heating and cooling system, which will also undergo a flush. Existing plate heat exchangers are being replaced, and enhancements are being made to the air cooling systems to improve efficiency and performance. Additionally, works to the internal space will include the renewal of electrical lighting, power, and data systems. Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering a series of social value-led activities alongside the main works. The contractor and its supply chain are engaging local communities in initiatives ranging from career and employability workshops, to work experience placements for students. Roger Forsdyke, chief operations officer at Willmott Dixon Interiors: “The central court is the much-loved heart of the National Maritime Museum, with many visitors passing beneath its huge glass roof every year. This project is about ensuring the best possible experience for those people, as well as the museum’s staff and the collections they care for. The new glazing we are installing will enable natural light to flood the space and give much improved thermal and acoustic qualities too.” The contract to deliver the works was awarded by public-sector procurement specialist, SCAPE. Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE: “We are delighted to be working closely with our partner, Willmott Dixon Interiors, to accelerate the delivery of the National Maritime Museum’s roof through our Major Works Framework. At SCAPE, we are committed to delivering social value across each one of our projects and this refurbishment is a fantastic example of how this can be achieved with local community initiatives and career opportunities.”

An award-winning JCB apprentice is kickstarting National Apprenticeship Week by urging local youngsters to consider following in her footsteps. Engineering Technician Apprentice, Amelia Dartnall, of Leek, this week graduates from the prestigious JCB Apprenticeship Scheme and is encouraging local school-leavers to explore careers with JCB by visiting its Apprenticeships Open Day on Saturday February 15th. The Rocester-based digger giant, which has more than 370 apprentices on its books, is opening its Global Learning Centre doors to launch this year’s recruitment process and hopes to showcase apprenticeship opportunities to hundreds of students, parents and teachers. The company is recruiting apprentices for its September 2025 intake - ranging from Level 2 welding and assembly opportunities for age 16+ to Level 3 Manufacturing, Engineering and Technician posts as well as business-wide degree apprenticeships. Former Endon High School student, Ameila, 26, joined JCB after studying health care and health sciences and has gone on to win a string of national and regional awards: Regional Apprentice of the Year 2023, National Highly Commended Apprentice of the Year 2023 and Career Development Metals Apprentice of the Year 2024 awarded by The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers. She said: “JCB offers a multitude of apprenticeship routes and the qualifications are transferrable skills that can take you anywhere. What’s great about an apprenticeship is you get to say yes to new experiences without being afraid to fail. We all learn from our mistakes and the best thing about being an apprentice is that you CAN make mistakes." “I have learned a great deal from many mentors and shadowing the experts, continuously asking questions and just getting stuck in. I also had the opportunity to gain an extra qualification alongside my apprenticeship in ultrasonic weld testing, and this opened up many doors for me as it made me the only qualified ultrasonic weld tester in the whole of JCB UK." “My ambition now is to enter a leadership role within JCB. I would also like to continue to advocate for apprenticeships and use the knowledge and experiences I have gained to inspire future apprentices to ensure they take as much as they can from the experience.” The JCB Apprenticeships Open Day will feature two sessions – 10am and 1pm – with insight talks on the journey through a JCB apprenticeship, how to apply, opportunities for women in engineering and the exciting projects which apprentices take part in. JCB Early Careers Talent Manager Neil Fowkes said: “JCB is one of the largest manufacturers of construction equipment in the world. Through our apprenticeship schemes we are proud to train and develop the next generation of engineers, assemblers and business administrators who will keep us at the forefront of innovation and always pushing those boundaries." “More than 1,800 people have joined us through our Early Careers programmes. Whether it is working on our ground-breaking Hydrogen engines or welding our world-leading Backhoe Loaders, our apprenticeship schemes are integral to our vision of the future." “We hope young people and those considering a career change will take this opportunity to visit us and hear for themselves about the varied and exciting opportunities at JCB. The open day could be their first step on an incredibly exciting pathway into work.” To find out more about apprenticeships and careers at JCB visit their website here and if you are interested in attending the Global Learning Centre Open Day can register at www.eventbrite.co.uk and search JCB Apprenticeship and Graduate Open Day.

Family run Robert Scott’s P-Wave brand is looking forward to a year of growth after unveiling a fresh new look. P-Wave Brand Manager Mark Wintle at Robert Scott commented: “We’ve been enhancing the washroom experience with our air-freshening products for many years, and now it’s time to refresh our brand." “Simple and elegant, our newly developed branding is as memorable and effective as our popular fragrances and brings a breath of fresh air to the P-Wave brand. The new design captures the bold and fun side of what we do, and it is appropriate to go into a new year with a new look as we celebrate two major milestones for P-Wave in 2024." “First, the huge success of our collaboration with NHS England to deliver its incredibly important men’s health message – “Blood in your pee? Contact your GP practice” – via specially branded awareness-raising urinal mats in thousands of washrooms nationwide, and the second, our becoming a Robert Scott brand in September." Success for NHS collaboration “During Q1, with the help of our customers, we will have succeeded in placing over 750,000 of our NHS-branded Slant6 urinal mats in men’s washrooms across the country, from pubs, offices and restaurants, to shopping malls and stadiums. Our partnership with NHS England is unique and has gained amazing momentum as many large businesses have come on board to support this important and potentially life-saving initiative. We are thrilled that this ever-growing group of partners includes Sodexo, PHS Group, Balfour Beatty, Mitchells & Butlers, Wincanton, and even Manchester United football club. The more men see the message, the more effective the campaign becomes." P-Wave – the trailblazers in fragrance solutions “We were delighted to welcome P-Wave into the Robert Scott family last September,” says Alastair Scott, Sales Director at Robert Scott. “We’re always looking to add innovative brands that can help us enhance our position in the market and the offering to our customers. P-Wave is a brand we have long admired and fits that bill perfectly." “P-Wave has built a strong reputation for innovation and quality in the washroom sector, and we see great potential to grow its market share and commercial success even further." “Our aim is to integrate the high-performance product range with our established distribution channels, to extend the reach of the brand to new audiences and deliver even more value to our customers. The new look will help us to further differentiate P-Wave, rightfully positioning the brand as the trailblazers in fragrance solutions that captivate and inspire.” The Cleaning Show 2025 “Our fragrances are unrivalled in potency and longevity, standing head and shoulders above the competition, and we maintain a relentless focus on innovation – pushing boundaries with cutting-edge designs and forward-thinking solutions,” concludes Mark Wintle. “Our commitment goes beyond products – it’s about contributing to a better future – through sustainable practices and our ongoing meaningful partnership with NHS England." “We achieved over 25% growth last year and we’ll be introducing new air freshening products in 2025. A fresh look to our website and literature is on the way, and we are excited that our new branding, as part of the Robert Scott group, will enable a dynamic and fresh approach for the coming year.” The new look brand will be unveiled in its entirety at The Cleaning Show 2025.

Berry Recruitment, headquartered in St Albans with branches across the country, is to change the name to Professional Services Division. It now has a team of more than 20 that recruit high-volume staff for public and private sector clients. With the help of the app it has been able to extend its range to cover the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The division recruits in volume for a wide range of roles including customer service, data entry, help desk, secure data processing and general administration. Lee Gamble, managing director, said: “Our Professional Services division works for a large number of businesses and government agencies to quickly fill roles at volume – both temporary and permanent." “Changing the name of the division has made it easier for us to market across the whole country and its title is now much more descriptive." “What has supercharged the division’s growth is our app that helps the team streamline their service and makes it a whole lot easier for candidates." “We have invested £4m in the technology over the last four years and it works in conjunction with our experienced recruitment consultants." “I think that businesses will start changing their models of recruitment and will be offering more short-term contracts instead of permanent ones." “This will help protect them and at the same time provide more work for agencies such as ours." “One thing our Professional Services Division delivers is consistency of quality service, with the same team dealing with all the recruiting." “It means they benefit from ‘human learning’ and develop a deep understanding of their clients’ needs." “They are based in the Midlands but travel when necessary and they are able to make use of our high street branches which are embedded in their communities.”