Business confidence dipped to a three-month low in September, the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer has found. Key Findings: Confidence falls to lowest level for three months, but remains above long-term trends Businesses’ trading prospects remain high, suggesting increased activity over the coming months. Five UK regions reported higher confidence levels – firms in the West Midlands and London most upbeat. The survey, which ran from September 2-16, showed that confidence fell three points to 47%, its lowest for three months, but remained higher than the long-term average of 29%. The dip followed a period of sustained positivity from businesses. In July and August 2024, confidence reached 50% - the highest level reported since November 2015. The decline in September comes alongside a decrease in economic optimism. While 57% of businesses felt confident about the economy, 19% were less positive, causing a fall in the net balance (of 9 points), dipping to its lowest level since March this year (38%) – although still above long-term trends. In contrast to the fall in economic optimism, firms’ own trading prospects increased two points to 56%, matching this year’s high to signal solid business activity in the next twelve months. 63% (up from 62%) anticipated stronger output, while 7% (down from 8%) forecast weaker returns. Employment Insights The Barometer survey data also showed that many firms still have positive hiring intentions, although slightly tempered from previous months. 53% of respondents said they planned to increase their staffing levels within the next year – a figure which is unchanged from last month. But a one percentage point increase (16% to 17%) in the proportion of businesses that said they expected to reduce their workforce brought the overall net balance down to 36%. Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking said: “Although overall confidence fell this month, that fall was from a nine-year high and businesses remain positive about their own trading prospects. The joint-highest result this year could suggest that respondents still see a positive future for their own companies, which is also reflected in the largely unchanged employment figures." “The more mixed picture for economic optimism points to some businesses maintaining a degree of caution. While we still expect economic expansion, it may occur at a slower rate than the first half of 2024.” Pricing Insights A significant number of businesses also expressed their intentions to raise prices in the next year. An 11-point rise brought this figure to 65%, which was largely driven by small business-owners seeking to maintain current profit margins. The Barometer looks at how many businesses might raise prices, rather than by how much. This indicates that businesses could increase prices in the coming 12 months, rather than the scale of the increase and is not indicative of longer-term pricing. Sector Insights Projections for output were mixed across the sectors, with some showing significant changes from previous results. In construction, the sharp increase last month was largely counteracted by a drop in expectations in September, falling by 12 points to 46%. Similarly, in manufacturing, trading prospects fell for a second month to 53%, although this figure is still stronger than the year-on-year figure. However, the falls in manufacturing & construction sectors were more than offset by a small rise in retail and a bigger rise in the dominant service sector. Paul Gordon, Managing Director for Relationship Management, Lloyds Bank Business & Commercial said: “These results show that businesses are navigating a complex period, but it’s important to recognise that the underlying numbers remain strong." “We continue to see robust confidence levels in the key sectors and regions, while firms show increasing confidence in themselves as evidenced by the joint-highest trading prospects results this year." “At Lloyds Bank, we’re committed to supporting businesses and are confident that with our help, businesses can maintain a positive outlook as we move towards the final quarter of this year."

QuickBooks Small Business Index Reveals Decline and Stagnation in UK SMB Employment and Vacancies for September 2024 Intuit’s latest Small Business Index for September 2024, confirms a slowing job market based on its sample of 25,000 UK small businesses with one to nine employees, with a decrease in employment of approximately 1400 jobs and fewer open positions. Job vacancies in UK small businesses dropped by 0.08%, with 100 fewer open positions, while employment saw a slight decline of 0.03%, translating to a loss of around 1,400 jobs. This equates to 10,000 fewer UK jobs in the UK SMB sector than 12 months ago. This downturn reflects the broader slowdown in the UK labour market, where wage growth has hit its lowest point in over two years. According to the latest figures from the ONS UK Labour Market Overview for October 2024, the number of estimated vacancies across the UK fell sharply between July and September 2024. The QuickBooks Small Business Index highlights that all sectors either experienced job losses or remained stagnant, with manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and education seeing the most significant declines. This contraction in job vacancies reflects a broader hiring hesitation, as businesses face uncertainty over potential policy changes from the new Labour government ahead of the Autumn budget. The North East of England saw the fastest decline in employment, losing 300 jobs, while the West Midlands provided a rare bright spot, with a slight rise in both employment (200 jobs) and job vacancies (100 openings). The slowing job market comes amid growing speculation that the Bank of England will cut interest rates in November. Wage growth has dropped to 4.9%, the lowest since 2022, adding to expectations that the Bank will reduce rates to 4.75%. This could provide relief to businesses struggling with high borrowing costs, though uncertainty still lingers. Simon Worsfold, Head of Data Communications at Intuit said, “The latest ONS Labour Market figures and our Small Business Index reflect a delicate period for small businesses, with marginal declines and stagnation in employment highlighting the cautious outlook many have as they await the results of the upcoming budget." "The mixed performance across regions and sectors underscores the need for targeted policies that stimulate growth, while addressing the broader economic challenges facing the UK.”

CEOs of private companies around the world are cautiously confident about their company’s growth prospects over the next three years, despite deepening economic uncertainty and concerns about an aging, evolving workforce. The KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook, now in its tenth year globally, reveals 68 percent of private company bosses are optimistic about the potential future direction of their business, with well over half (62 percent) putting Gen AI at the top of their corporate investment priorities. Almost half (48 percent) expect their companies to grow by up to 2.9 percent in the next three years, while just over a quarter (26 percent) view M&A as a leading growth strategy option. Key Findings: 68% of private company CEOs are confident in their business’ growth prospects. 62% say that, despite economic uncertainty, Gen AI is a top investment priority for their organization. 33% of respondents say the workforce factor with the biggest impact on their organization today is the number of employees retiring coupled with a lack of skilled workers to replace them. 71% of private company CEOs say that they’ve kept the same ESG strategy but have adapted their communications to meet changing stakeholder demands. 376 private company CEOs were interviewed for the annual report – from eleven countries and eleven different industry groups, providing a detailed picture of their hopes, fears, priorities and aspirations for the next three years. While the survey highlights the resilience right now among private company leaders, there are concerns shifting workforce dynamics could damage long-term sustainable growth plans. More than a third (33 percent) of CEOs questioned reveal the biggest impact on their organization today is the number of employees retiring coupled with a lack of skilled workers available to replace them. Meanwhile, as the business world adapts to the deepening climate crisis, 71 percent of private company CEOs say they’ve stayed true to their ESG strategies, but have adapted their communications to meet changing stakeholder demands. Conor Moore, Global Head of KPMG Private Enterprise at KPMG International, said: “The reality is there’s a limited amount of capital that companies have to grow right now — and the money that they can get is still expensive." "With uncertainty still very high, private companies are acting cautiously to make certain that the money they are spending is purposeful." "While the appetite for M&A is growing, companies will likely evaluate any potential deals quite carefully to determine whether they can get the value they want given the current business environment.” Find out more here

UK consumer confidence rose 1.7 percentage points in the third quarter of 2024, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker, based on responses from 3,200 UK consumers aged 18+ between 6 and 8 September 2024. All six measures of the index improved in Q3 2024, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of improvement to consumer confidence, taking it to its highest level since before the pandemic. Key Findings: Eight consecutive quarters of improved consumer sentiment mark highest level of confidence since Q2 2019; Sentiment towards children’s welfare and job opportunities provided biggest confidence boost; Consumer sentiment towards the state of the UK economy fell five percentage points on the previous quarter, but remains significantly improved year-on-year; Spending on discretionary items rose, reaching positive territory for the first time since Q3 2021. The improvement is in part due to a significant increase in consumer sentiment towards children’s education and welfare, up five percentage points to its highest level since Q3 2016, following the introduction of the government’s free childcare offering. Meanwhile, there was also a significant rise in sentiment towards job opportunities and career progression, which saw a two-percentage point increase to its highest level since the second quarter of 2019. At the same time, consumers are feeling slightly more positive about their job security, up 0.5 percentage points in Q3, as the labour market remains strong. Céline Fenech, consumer insights lead at Deloitte, said: “Consumer confidence has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, marking a significant milestone and reflecting an improving economic environment for consumers. This is driven in part by growing optimism about personal circumstances, bolstered by a strong labour market that instils confidence in job security and career opportunities.” Consumers less confident about state of economy ahead of Autumn Budget Consumer confidence towards the state of the UK economy dropped by five percentage points in Q3 2024 as consumers await the outcome of the upcoming Autumn Budget. However, this remains 20 percentage points higher than the same period a year ago. Consumer sentiment around their level of debt improved marginally (+0.8) in Q3 following the first cut to interest rates in August. Consumers have also been focusing on paying off debts, with fewer consumers (18%) saying they saw an increase in their debts in the last three months compared to the previous quarter (21%). Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, said: “The Bank’s interest rate decision in August was a significant moment, marking the first cut in four years. This, along with inflation now falling below the two percent target, and growth in real income, paints a more positive picture for a consumer sector which has been hit hard by high inflation and interest rates. While consumer sentiment about the economy edged lower this quarter, the overall mood is of cautious optimism among UK consumers.” Summer of culture and sport prompts spending Easing inflationary pressures led to day-to-day spending falling for the second consecutive quarter, down 2.4 percentage points on the previous quarter. Spending on grocery (-3.8), housing (-5.3) and transport (-4.3) have seen some of the biggest decreases, with inflation in those categories having eased significantly in the last year. At the same time, spending on discretionary items rose by 1.9 percentage points in Q3, moving into positive territory for the first time since Q3 2021. The improvement was driven by strong growth in spending on holidays (+3.2), restaurants (+5.5), and clothing (+3.0), as consumers prioritised small treats and activities over the summer period. The data shows that spending across almost all leisure categories improved on the previous quarter, with particular boosts to eating out (+5.5), short holiday breaks (+4.7), and culture and entertainment (+4.1). Of those consumers who indicated they spent more compared with the previous quarter, a higher proportion (22%) said this was because they bought more items and/or spent on more activities than usual (compared with 19% in Q2 2024). Meanwhile, of those who said they spent less in the last three months, fewer said it was because they were trying to save money by paying for fewer items and activities (45%) compared with last quarter (49%). Fenech continued: “Signs that consumer spending is bouncing back are starting to emerge. Spending on non-essential goods and services is now in positive territory for the first time since Q3 2021 when consumers emerged from the pandemic. With many consumers enjoying socialising outdoors, updating their holiday wardrobes, plus a host of sporting and cultural events, it’s not surprising to see discretionary spending receive a much-needed boost." “However, despite the economy returning to normal levels of growth, consumer demand remains weak, with the hangover from high inflation continuing to negatively impact purchasing power. Business sentiment is also lagging behind that of the consumer, with a higher proportion of UK CFOs rating the level of external financial and economic uncertainty facing their business as high or very high in Q3." “Whether consumer sentiment improves, as well as the prospect for business trading this Christmas, will depend on what the Chancellor announces in the upcoming Budget, another Bank of England rate cut, and the strength of the jobs market.”

From global shortages of materials to transport delays and lack of personnel, supply chains in the UK have experienced several issues in recent years, with at least 20% of businesses experiencing some sort of disruption. 93% of companies expect the pressure on supply chains in our country to persist throughout 2024, meaning their operations might suffer as a result. But the good news is that, even if most organisations have made necessary adaptions to limit problems with their supply chain, further steps can be taken to enhance and refine the process. Cleveland Containers , a leading supplier of 40 ft shipping containers in the UK, offers expert insight on the best ways to optimise your supply chain, from investing in the right technology to fostering collaboration. Plan Carefully First things first, planning ahead and carefully is arguably one of the most critical segments to ensure a smooth supply chain process. Hayley Hedley, Head of Commercial at Cleveland Containers, said: “Planning in a timely fashion is crucial, especially when it comes to order fulfilment. This is because it will allow you to prevent potential issues with your logistics chain and avoid delays that could leave you without the raw materials and products you need to seamlessly carry out your operations." "What’s more, if you fail to plan your orders early, you may end up in a situation where you’ll have to ask for urgent deliveries – and added costs can rack up pretty quickly." “Planning carefully includes looking at any potential process change, evaluating how it might impact the flow of your supply chain and whether it might affect your bottom-line gains. This gives you the opportunity to prepare and account for worst-case contingencies. Hopefully, they will never happen – but if they do, you will have a plan of action to tackle them effectively and with confidence.” Promote Communication And Collaboration Communication and collaboration are the lifeblood of any organisation, as they create an environment where expectations are clear and everyone rows in the same direction. In addition to fostering cooperation among various departments within your business, it is important to extend a culture of open communication with your suppliers and logistics providers. In fact, this can promote a stronger sense of trust, improve responsiveness to changes, eliminate confusion, and lead to a more fruitful relationship overall. If you are using more than one supplier, communication and collaboration become even more essential. By staying in constant touch with all your suppliers, you can keep everything ticking as it should without the risk of delays or misunderstandings. Take Advantage Of Analytics Tools Harnessing the power of data analytics is another great way to optimise your supply chain and give your business a competitive edge. For example, analytical tools allow you to evaluate your sales figures, understand customer preferences, and predict future demands. Based on the data, you can then make more conscious and confident business decisions, such as forecasting demand and recalculating inventory levels to suit both your business and customers’ needs. In short, analytics tools allow you to monitor customer behaviour, keep your stock at appropriate levels, and contact your supplier with more accurate orders and requests. Embrace Technology Technology can act as a much-loved friend in terms of streamlining processes and optimising supply chains. Interestingly, almost half of UK businesses (46%) are not yet relying on modern tech, such as AI, robotics, machine learning, and augmented reality, in their day-to-day activities. However, embracing innovations can have a wide range of benefits when it comes to improving speed and accuracy. For example, blockchain technology can automate repetitive and physically draining processes, increase visibility, and enhance decision-making within the supply chain. What’s more, implementing specific software can aid inventory management, allowing to track locations in real-time and facilitate operations within the warehouse. From planning in advance to promoting collaboration, there are many steps you can take to optimise your supply chain and ensure your business is operating constantly at its best. So, despite the challenges of recent times, having a few handy tips can make the all-important difference between struggling with disruptions and maintaining efficiency at prime levels.

SMEs are switching to monthly payments for insurance bills as premium increases put pressure on their businesses, new research from the UK’s leading insurance premium finance company, Premium Credit , shows. Premium Credit’s Insurance Index, which monitors insurance buying and how it is financed, shows 43% value the ability to pay for insurance monthly through premium finance or finance offered by insurers compared with 32% who prefer to pay in a lump sum. Around 15% say they pay all insurance bills monthly while 18% use monthly payments for many major insurance bills and 10% say they have used monthly payments for major bills in the past. Around 25% are undecided between monthly payments and lump sums. The index found SMEs are under increasing pressure from rising insurance bills – more than half (51%) say total insurance costs have increased in the past 12 months with 12% reporting dramatic increases in their insurance bills. Just 2% reported a drop in the cost of their insurance bills. Nearly one in six SMEs (16%) say they have made cuts in their business to reduce costs so they can continue to pay for insurance in response to increases while 14% have cut cover and 13% have increased the excess on their insurance policies. Around 11% have cut back on investment. That could continue in the year ahead – around 17% say they will make cuts to their business to help meet rising bills while 14% say they will reduce the level of cover they have and 10% will cancel policies. Around 8% say they could cut jobs. The key reason why SMEs value being able to pay monthly for insurance via premium finance or finance from insurers is that it helps with budgeting. Around two-thirds (65%) who value paying monthly pointed to budgeting while nearly half (48%) say monthly payments improve cashflow. However, two out of five (40%) say that monthly payments for insurance simply make sense as they already pay for a range of items such as utilities and mobile phones on a monthly basis. Around 37% say monthly payments ease any issues around paying bills and 28% say it is more cost effective than other forms of borrowing. The research found around a third of firms (32%) have increased the amount of cash they have in savings in the past year while 16% say their savings have fallen. In the year ahead 35% expect to increase their level of savings but 11% expect savings to fall in value. Adam Morghem, Premium Credit’s Strategy, Marketing & Communications Director said: “SMEs are generally facing rising insurance costs and our study shows many have seen dramatic increases in their insurance bills." “Paying for insurance monthly makes sense against this background but the research shows firms see a wide range of benefits from paying monthly which apply even when bills are not increasing. Many SMEs say they already pay for a range of items monthly so it makes sense to do the same with insurance." “Premium finance is creating opportunities for businesses through convenient payments as they buy their insurance, helping firms spread payments to better manage their finances and cashflow.”

Leading glass packaging company Croxsons, has once again provided their primary packaging expertise for award-winning gin distillers, Silent Pool, in the unveiling of their limited-edition 10th Anniversary Celebration Edition Gin. The release is in tribute to the passion, dedication and artistry that has defined Silent Pool Distillers over the last decade. Croxsons, known for its high-quality packaging solutions for the spirits industry, has collaborated closely with Silent Pool to create a bespoke bottle for the celebration edition. The iconic Silent Pool teal glass, complete with intricate copper botanical designs, showcases a bold number 10 in recognition of the distillery’s remarkable journey. The packaging serves not only as a collector’s item but as a symbol of the strong partnership between Silent Pool and Croxsons, which has played a vital role in the brand’s success over the years. Handcrafted in the Surrey Hills, the 10th Anniversary Celebration Edition Gin features Silent Pool’s signature four-step production process, using a specially crafted botanical recipe that highlights pear notes, a nod to their early days producing pear eau de vie. The gin offers a sophisticated, multi-layered profile with floral chamomile, elderflower and pear, balanced by warming ginger and vanilla, elevated by a rich infusion of heather honey. Silent Pool Distillers’ Sophie Best said: “Celebrating ten years of Silent Pool Gin is a remarkable achievement and we wanted to create something truly special to honour our journey. The 10th Anniversary Celebration Edition Gin is not just a tribute to our past but also a celebration of what lies ahead. Working with Croxsons to craft such a distinctive and beautiful bottle has been a delight and we’re excited for our customers to experience this exceptional gin, both in taste and design.” “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Silent Pool Gin, particularly for such an important milestone,” added Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons. “The 10th Anniversary Celebration Edition is a true testament to their craftsmanship and we are proud to have played a part in helping create a package that complements the quality of the gin inside. The design captures the spirit of Silent Pool, combining tradition with innovation, which is something both of our brands value deeply.” This limited-edition gin is packaged in a 1-litre bottle making it a stunning addition to any collection or home bar. Silent Pool Gin’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Edition Gin will be available at selected Surrey retailers and online via the Silent Pool website. Learn more about Croxsons here

The LEGO factory in Kladno has completed yet another phase in the expansion of its rooftop solar park, supporting the company’s commitment to increase capacity and production of renewable energy at its sites. With these new solar panels, the company has more than doubled the total renewable energy generated at the factory – increasing from an existing 1 MWp of energy generated by previously-installed solar panels to a total of 2.5 MWp. This total capacity is the equivalent of powering 400 homes. Michaela T. Horáková, general manager of the LEGO factory in Kladno, says: “Expanding our renewable energy capacity at our factory is a key part of our commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of our manufacturing activities and reducing our carbon footprint. The newly installed solar panels are projected to reduce the factory’s overall carbon footprint by more than 9% of its total annual electricity consumption in the coming years.” The new solar panels have been installed on recently constructed buildings and previously unused rooftop areas of the factory in Kladno. There are now twice as many panels as before, covering an area of approximately 11,000 m2. The –9% reduction of total electricity consumption equates to approximately 1,800 tonnes CO2. Increasing renewable energy investments on a global scale By increasing the production of renewable energy in its factories and buying renewable energy, the company is reducing the absolute figures for the emissions in its factories, stores and offices. Last year, construction began of two new factories, one in Vietnam and another near Richmond, Virginia, USA. The factories are on track to begin operations in 2025 and 2027, respectively, and the ambition is to include on-site and off-site solar facilities with the capacity to match the total annual energy requirements of each factory. At the same time, the company has increased its investments in solar capacity across its manufacturing sites in Denmark, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Mexico and China to a total maximum capacity of 15.6 MWp in 2023, representing a 16% increase relative to 2022. The company also plans to build a solar park in Billund, Denmark, with the ambition of meeting the energy needs of its offices and facilities throughout the city where the legendary LEGO brand was born over ninety years ago.

Generation6 is proud to announce the release of "From Stigma to Strength | Cultivating Mental Health for a Thriving Family Business," edited by Co-founder, CEO, and Advisor Andrew Keyt. This pioneering publication, which has already become a Top New Release and #1 Bestseller in Mental Health on Amazon, addresses the often-overlooked issue of mental health within family-operated businesses, serving as an indispensable guide for business owners and their advisors. This book is a key addition to the Innovation Series of Generation6 | Family Enterprise Advisors. With contributions from 11 seasoned professionals across mental health, family business advising, and legal fields, "From Stigma to Strength" equips readers with practical strategies to address specific mental health challenges such as narcissism, depression, anxiety, ADHD, substance use disorders, and dementia. “Family businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, yet the complex dynamics between family and business often complicates navigating mental health issues," said Andrew Keyt, book editor and CEO of Generation6. "Our goal with 'From Stigma to Strength' is to transform how mental health is perceived and managed within these businesses, ensuring both the success of the business and the well-being of the families involved.” The book offers an in-depth exploration of mental health within family business contexts, structured into three parts: • Part One provides a framework for the mental health landscape for family businesses, examining the interplay between family dynamics and mental health. • Part Two discusses common mental health issues including narcissism, anxiety, depression, and more, with actionable advice for addressing these challenges. • Part Three focuses on practical strategies like neuropsychological testing and legal considerations in mental health. "From Stigma to Strength" is an essential resource for family business owners, advisors, and anyone seeking to build a stronger, healthier family enterprise. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com .

Willmott Dixon is continuing its relationship with Forestry England with a £14.5 million project to upgrade its tree nursery near Delamere Forest, Cheshire. It follows a project completed in 2020 that delivered a new timber-frame visitor welcome centre, also at Delamere Forest, which has improved the experience for 750,000 people who visit the forest each year. The new contract for Forestry England, procured via Procurement Hub’s Major Projects Framework, includes a new seed extractory building that will produce seeds for millions of high-quality, climate-resilient trees in the decades ahead. It will be equipped with the best available processing machinery alongside providing expanded areas for cold and dry seed storage that will enable several tonnes of seeds to be stored in the best conditions before germination and planting. The new facility, due to open in spring 2025, will be the largest in the UK, testing and processing up to four tonnes of tree seeds each year. It will replace Forestry England’s current seed extractory at Alice Holt Forest which was built in 1964. Funding for the upgrades is being made available from the Defra Nature for Climate Fund with Forestry England contributing. The development will allow Forestry England to process more seed from a greater variety of tree species located in 13 specially planted orchards and 39 seed stands in the nation’s forests. Focus species include more Douglas fir, western red cedar and Norway spruce because they are expected to grow well and produce high quality timber in England’s future climate conditions. This will produce a secure supply of high-quality tree seed from diverse species over the years ahead to significantly improve availability for UK nurseries and reduce the number of seed imported from overseas. It will benefit the UK forestry sector as a whole and plays a major part in boosting diversity in timber producing tree species. Adopting best practice construction principles, the facility has been sustainably designed to achieve excellent levels of environmental performance and will be net zero carbon in operation. Imam Sayyed, Forestry England Head of Plant and Seed Supply, said: “This investment marks an exciting next phase in our nursery operation building a state-of-the-art seed extractory. We’re delighted to be working with Willmott Dixon who share our commitment to building sustainably. Forestry England is the leading tree seed supplier to the public and private sector and this investment builds our capacity to deliver high quality seeds in the decades ahead.” Michael Poole-Sutherland, north west director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are delighted to be working again with Forestry England in Cheshire and creating a truly sustainable seed processing and nursery facility." “Just as with the Delamere Forest visitor centre we completed in 2020, our experts are prioritising sustainable materials and construction methods. The building will be net zero carbon in operation and built using cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, as a sustainable alternative to steel, concrete and masonry. It will also feature solar PV panels, triple glazing, sustainable drainage solution and benefit from our extensive EnergySynergy performance monitoring process to reduce costs." “We share Forestry England’s passion for creating employment opportunities and skills in this community. We will create apprenticeships and engage local students through our bespoke Green Skills Academy, combining curriculum-enhancing practical, construction-based STEM and sustainability focussed lessons. Our team will be also leading and supporting local community projects, focussing on protecting nature and improving mental and physical wellbeing.” Andy Peck, Senior Client Relationship Manager, Procurement Hub, said: “It has been a pleasure for Procurement Hub to work with Forestry England. Forestry England are always thinking beyond today, and that is the same approach that Procurement Hub takes in this ever-changing world. We look forward to continuing working together with Forestry England.”

The LEGO Group is kicking off a comprehensive training programme for hundreds of its team members at its new LEGO factory in Binh Duong province in southern Vietnam. The programme is designed to equip employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to operate high-tech production equipment ahead of the factory’s grand opening in the first half of 2025. The training programme will include both hands-on learning overseas at the company’s factories worldwide, as well as local-on-the-job training, creating an exchange between newly hired employees in Vietnam and international colleagues with deep subject matter expertise. Participants will be exposed to scenario-based knowledge and learn troubleshooting skills across a range of functions, including moulding, packing, continuous improvement and more. Jesper Hassellund Mikkelsen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, said: “Our team members are our most important assets. I’m incredibly thankful for the close collaboration we have had with other LEGO factories around the world to design trainings that provide our colleagues with best-in-class knowledge into the scale and technology behind what we are building at the site. These trainings are essential in ensuring operational readiness and are the foundation on which future team successes are built.” The programme places quality and expertise at the forefront, incorporating best-in-class manufacturing practices from LEGO factories around the world. For example, the company’s factory in Billund, Denmark is helping to train new employees in Vietnam on moulding, while the factories in Jiaxing, China and Kladno, Czech Republic are lending their expertise on packing. The factory in Jiaxing, China also plays a significant role as the company’s only other Asia-based manufacturing site. The China factory hosted the first round of trainees in August for a weeks-long exchange. The LEGO Manufacturing Jiaxing Diversity & inclusion team welcomes trainees from LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam to the factory. The acceleration of hiring and launch of the training programme marks a significant milestone for the factory as it progresses towards operational readiness. Construction of the factory is now approximately 85% complete with test production on track to begin later this year. The LEGO Group announced its investment in a new factory in Vietnam in 2021 and is committed to creating more than 4,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

Hendy Group has appointed Louise Woolley as its new Head of Marketing, effective immediately, to oversee the development and implementation of all strategic and tactical marketing activity at a central and dealership level. Hendy is Britain’s longest family-run dealer group, employing over 1,700 colleagues across 80 sites along the south coast of England. Woolley joined Hendy Group in 2022 as Marketing Manager, bringing over 15 years’ experience in strategic marketing roles. Reporting into Mark Busby, Director of Commercial Operations, Woolley will be responsible for helping the Group further improve positive brand awareness, increase engagement with a growing volume of current and prospective customers, and ensure all communications activities are aligned with Hendy’s vision and values. Director of Commercial Operations at Hendy Group, Mark Busby, said: “Louise has made a significant contribution as Marketing Manager, and is now even better placed to demonstrate her strategic leadership capabilities and technical marketing expertise. Her creative and commercial instincts will help us identify and develop new revenue streams and build strong operational foundations from which the business can scale.” Woolley added: “I’ve loved my time at Hendy so far and I’m honoured to step into this role. Our commitment to excellence and innovation lies at the heart of everything we do." "I look forward to driving the Group’s vision, strengthening our brand partnerships, and implementing strategic initiatives to connect with our customers more effectively, both digitally and in our showrooms to enhance the overall experience.”