The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion, something the team at Hill Cross Group are really passionate about. Hill Cross Furniture is a market-leading, family-owned contract furniture supplier with almost 24 years of expertise. The company was created to meet a rising need for high-quality contract furniture in the hospitality, leisure, healthcare and workplace markets. Their work is global, and it is all done from their HQ, based on the family farm in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside. Research shows that diverse teams are better positioned to unlock innovation and drive growth. At Hill Cross Group, they’re really proud that they buck the industry trend with an almost 50:50 split of male/female talent across their family-run businesses: Hill Cross Furniture and Tamarisk Designs. And the seats at their senior leadership top table are split 4:3 (female to male) too, led by CEO, Jen Barker. This can be attributed to their inclusive nature, from flexible, work from anywhere policies and paid Friday afternoons off work to their investment in female talent, and that balance is important. Jen Barker, CEO at Hill Cross Group said: “Creating an inclusive culture and great place to work are fundamental to my business values and I’m proud that we’ve got such strong female talent in the business. Many of these have been with Hill Cross for a number of years and this investment has seen several progress to Board level." “We get that people have a life outside work and ensuring that balance is why we’ve recently introduced closing the business at lunchtime on a Friday so people can have the afternoon off, for the same salary." “An industry as diverse as ours needs a diverse workforce. All ages, all backgrounds, all skill sets where your skills will be developed, and where your ambitions can be realised. At Hill Cross, we try to replicate this by hiring people from diverse backgrounds to reflect the clients we serve.” New joiner to the business, Jodie Chamberlain, took up her role as Group Marketing & Brand Manager in January of this year. She said: “Joining Hill Cross has been more than just a career move—it’s been a journey of growth and support. Our company culture is all about being welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable, and I’ve experienced it firsthand." "From day one, the team has been there to lend a hand, offer guidance, and empower me to succeed.The flexible working culture, bring your dog to work scheme and having Friday afternoons off makes a huge difference and creates an inclusive environment.” The UN theme for IWD this year is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.” Gender equality remains the greatest human rights challenge. Investing in women is a human rights imperative and cornerstone for building inclusive societies. Hill Cross Group’s support for Nepalaya, a charity based in Nepal, helps the local women to set up micro-businesses to allow them to become more self-sufficient and resilient. Sustainability and giving back to the communities in which they operate, are at the heart of their family business

Family Business United is delighted to confirm that the closing keynote speaker for The Great British Family Business 2024 is Christopher Nieper OBE DL, the current generation at the helm of pioneering British family firm, David Nieper. Since 1961, David Nieper has been manufacturing quality from the heart of Derbyshire and are a British fashion business committed to being world class in everything they do. They design and make premium quality clothes for women over 50 in Derbyshire, the traditional home of British textiles, using time-honoured techniques and put loving care into every stitch, all expertly designed and cut to fit and flatter. David Nieper is a family business built around a culture of quality and a fantastic dressmaking heritage, proudly committed to manufacturing here in the UK and to preserving traditional skills. Step into their sewing or knitting rooms, or talk to their customer services team and you will hear and see excellence in action. Every single person puts pride into their work – whether they are designing or making clothes, speaking to customers or working behind the scenes. This family business is built upon strong family values and a real community of hardworking, dedicated people. They all care about what they do, they care about each other and they care most of all about their customers – and that shows in everything they do and everything they make. They have a great history but remain firmly focused on the future and Christopher will share their story and how they are pioneering in many ways, investing in the future of the business and the broader community to help make Britain great again. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains, "We are delighted that Christopher will be joining us to share the story of this great British textile manufacturing business." "Their story is unique and they are family business pioneers in the way that they tackle challenges head on and lead the nation in many respects in how they are engaging with their local communities to engage with different generations, making a massive difference to the futures of the next generation, and encouraging more people into the workplace too." "We are really looking forward to hearing from Christopher on March 20." To find out more about The Great British Family Business Conference click here

One of Scotland’s leading hospitality groups Buzzworks is raising a glass in celebration after being shortlisted for four industry-leading awards. The Ayrshire-based bar and restaurant operator – which has 19 venues across Scotland – has been announced as a finalist in the ‘Best Managed Pub Company’ category at the annual Publican Awards. Described as one of the “biggest awards in the business”, the annual event celebrates the very best managed companies currently operating across the UK. Buzzworks is the only Scottish operator of its kind to be shortlisted in the category, with the winner set to be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Evolution London venue on 27 March 2024. Kenny Blair, managing director at Buzzworks, said: “It’s an honour to be recognised among some of the UK hospitality industry’s biggest players on one of the most hotly-anticipated awards nights of the year." “We are incredibly proud to be the only Scottish company nominated for this prestigious title, and are excited to wave the flag for Scotland’s dynamic hospitality sector on a national stage." “This nomination is a testament to the outstanding people who work in our business, as well as our commitment to delivering a superb customer experience to our guests throughout Scotland’s towns and suburbs. I’m looking forward to meeting the other finalists in March and celebrating the very best talent our industry has to offer.” Meanwhile, the family-run hospitality company has also been nominated for two separate categories at the Scottish Hospitality Awards in Glasgow on 22 April. Scotts Greenock, which opened last year at Greenock Ocean Terminal, has been nominated for the ‘Best Dining Experience’ award, while The Corner House in Kilwinning has been named as a finalist in the ‘Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year’ category. Additionally, Scotts Greenock has also been shortlisted for ‘Family Restaurant of the Year’ at the upcoming Scottish Restaurant Awards on 18 March. Kenny added: “We are consistently striving to provide great dining experiences and culinary excellence in each of our venues right across Scotland. I am thrilled this has been recognised by our guests and we couldn’t be more thankful for their continued support.” Buzzworks is renowned for its commitment to the wellbeing and development of its team, as well as its staff benefits, ongoing training, flexible working and career progression. The group was recently named one of the ‘Best Companies to Work For in the UK’ for the eighth year in a row, gaining an ‘Outstanding Levels of Engagement’ accreditation thanks to employee feedback.

Willmott Dixon has secured its latest residential project for Westminster City Council, a £29 million scheme to build 65 new affordable homes on Tavistock Road as part of the council’s Fairer Westminster strategy. Known as Westmead, the six-storey building will seek to achieve the AECB CarbonLite™ New Build standard which is a benchmark for improved comfort, health, energy and carbon performance. This will be done through a mix of PV panels, exhaust air heat pumps and stringent air tightness measures ensuring that the homes provide optimum energy efficiency for future residents. It will also include improved green space for the wider community and 121 new cycle spaces. The contract follows Willmott Dixon’s recent completion of 112 homes on 300 Harrow Road for the council, which itself followed the company’s building of 197 homes on the 22-storey Dudley House in Paddington. Like at Harrow Road and Dudley House, Willmott Dixon is working with CGL Architects to continue the close collaboration the two companies have working with Westminster City Council to create its new generation of affordable homes for local residents for the Fairer Westminster strategy. Work will start this month and complete towards the end of 2025. Stewart Brundell, managing director at Willmott Dixon in north London and Northern Homes Counties, said: “We are delighted to be working again with Westminster City Council and collaborating with CGL Architects for our third project together. It is fantastic to build on the success of the two previous projects to continue providing high-quality, affordable homes for the residents of Westminster.” Councillor Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Willmott Dixon again after the recent completion of our 300 Harrow Road scheme. The Westmead development will see 65 much needed genuinely affordable homes in the North of the borough. This continues our drive to building a Fairer Westminster for everyone.” David Kay, Architect, Child Graddon Lewis said: "The design-led scheme navigates complex site levels and supports the retention of mature trees, whilst taking architectural references from the surrounding conservation areas and late 20th Century neighbouring housing schemes." "The simplicity of form is complemented by a rich, confident and high-quality material palette. Further, improvements to the surrounding existing green space will provide benefits for the whole community." "From developing the scheme with Westminster City Council to RIBA stage 3, we are pleased to be taking the project forward to completion with the team at Willmott Dixon."

A brewer in Cornwall has developed a beer with the help of artificial intelligence. Barnaby Skerrett, assistant brewing manager, is using AI to kick off St Austell Brewery’s annual Cask Club series. The recipe for Hand Brewed by Robots, a 4.2% American AI-PA was created by an online generator, with Barnaby feeding it instructions based on ingredients he wanted to use, and the beer flavours required. Despite its computerized recipe, the beer has been crafted by hand using St Austell Brewery’s small batch kit. The use of AI didn’t save the brewer any time either - it was purely for novelty and experimental purposes. Barnaby said: “The idea for the beer came from me working with AI tools in my general job with brewhouse automation. As I was talking to the AI one day I thought I’d ask it a question about brewing to catch it out as I was interested to see the results." “I told it to write me a recipe on some broad parameters of colours and flavours and it sent me some ideas, so I decided to turn them into a recipe. There were a couple of tweaks to make it cask appropriate, as it didn’t seem to know what cask was, which was quite interesting.” The beer, packed with Willamette, Cascade and Sulatana hops, will give a tropical juicy and resinous flavour to the AI-PA. St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club series sees each brewer develop their own recipe and brew a beer in its small batch brewery, producing around 40 casks of the beer which are then sold across select pubs in the South West. When asked about the reaction of his team to his experimental AI trial, Barnaby said: “The other brewers think it’s quite funny - they all know I’m a bit of a nerd with computers so they think it’s appropriate." Barnaby also doesn’t think there’s any threat to brewing from AI in the future. “On the beer side, too much requires human input whether that’s checking the ingredients and other quality checks that can’t be done by AI." “It’s the same when the beer comes out the other side and we do tasting checks. An AI can never properly tell you whether that beer tastes fantastic or if it’s not up to scratch.” St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club sees a variety of experimental beers brewed St Austell’s small batch brewery each year, giving brewers the freedom to experiment. As a result, an exciting programme of limited-edition beers in cask are available in select pubs and its Visitor Centre. Many of St Austell Brewery’s most popular beers, including its flagship Tribute pale ale, started out as small batch releases. Cask ale differs from kegged ale in that it doesn’t have any carbonation added – it goes through a natural fermentation process in the cask, making it one of the most natural and fresh beers on the bar.

Women are missing out on the top jobs in firms launching on the stock market but are taking a much bigger role in the £575 billion family business sector, new analysis from Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) shows. Just one in six (16%) of directors at companies which completed IPOs in 2023 are women, the analysis by Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), which is part of Rathbones Group, found. However, its research among the UK’s largest family businesses shows women hold 30% of the senior roles. Data for 2023 shows 23 companies completed IPOs on the London Stock Exchange raising £1 billion from new and existing shareholders. Those companies list 121 directors, of which just 19 are women. Only three of the women have senior titles including chair, chairwoman of the board of directors and deputy general manager and CFO. The other 16 are non-executive directors. However, in the family business sector – which contributes around £575 billion to the UK economy employing 13.9 million and accounting for nearly 86% of all UK private sector businesses – women play a much bigger role and could be involved in more stock market flotations as a result. Investec Wealth & Investment’s research with family businesses, which have an average annual turnover of £7.81 million, found women make up 30% of senior roles. They should become more involved with IPOs as stock market flotations are becoming increasingly popular among family businesses. Around one in three (33%) large family businesses are considering selling to outsiders as part of their exit plan, the study found. The most popular route is a sale to private investors such as private equity or venture capital which is preferred by 17% while 9% are considering a trade sale and 7% are looking to become publicly listed through an IPO. Tamara Marten, Senior Investment Director at Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) said: “In contrast to firms which have completed IPOs in 2023, where women were under-represented in senior roles, family businesses have significant female representation in senior executive positions." “Family businesses offer a way for more women to become involved in IPOs and to access the wealth that can be released when a company is launched on the stock market." “The wealth created by family businesses is a key contributor to the UK economy and these firms in turn are major employers in the private sector. Family-run and founded companies offer women influential roles and are playing a key role in creating wealth for families and staff.” As one of the UK’s leading discretionary wealth managers, Investec Wealth & Management (UK), part of Rathbones Group PLC, focuses on a relationship-based approach to Financial Planning and Investment Management with the purpose of making a tangible and meaningful difference to clients and their families.

Cleenol Group Ltd, a leading UK-based manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene products, is proud to announce the opening of its first overseas manufacturing facility. This groundbreaking expansion is located in the Gulf Region and represents a major milestone in Cleenol's long-term strategy to become a global brand. The new factory is set to produce Cleenol's innovative cleaning solutions locally for the Gulf market, exemplifying the company's commitment to exporting British innovation and quality worldwide. A Testament To British Innovation And Global Aspiration This expansion is a testament to Cleenol's dedication to innovation, quality, and global reach. "As a British company at the forefront of the cleaning and hygiene industry, we are thrilled to mark this pivotal moment in our history," said Sam Greaves, CEO of Cleenol. "The new facility in the Gulf Region is just the beginning of our journey towards establishing Cleenol as a recognised global brand, showcasing our commitment to delivering British innovation to the world." Strategic Partnership And Global Vision The establishment of the new factory was made possible through Cleenol's strategic partnership with CLEENOL MIDDLE EAST and its owner, Mohannad Ghazaleh. This collaboration has been instrumental in bridging the gap between UK innovation and the global market, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. "Our partnership with CLEENOL MIDDLE EAST is based on mutual respect and shared goals. Together, we are setting the stage for Cleenol's continued expansion and success on a global scale," added Sam Greaves. Looking Forward: Cleenol's Global Brand Ambitions The opening of the factory marks a significant step forward in Cleenol's global expansion strategy. It not only enhances the company's ability to serve the Gulf Region more effectively but also sets a precedent for future growth in other international markets. "This is a key milestone for Cleenol, but it's only the start. As an organisation we already deliver to over 50 countries globally and are committed to exploring new opportunities and bringing our high-quality, innovative products to more customers around the world," concludes Sam. Cleenol Group Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene products, offering a wide range of solutions particularly focusing on the catering, hospitality, education, and healthcare markets but having a recognised presence in other areas. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability, Cleenol has been at the forefront of the industry for over 75 years with their vision for a cleaner, safer world now starting to become a reality. The company's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has made it a trusted partner for businesses worldwide. For more information visit their website at www.cleenol.co.uk

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has now installed electric car rapid charging stations at six of its pubs in the South East. A total of 15 rapid charging points are available across the following sites: • Singleton Barn, Ashford • The Woolpack, Banstead • Camden Arms, Pembury • The Wharf, Dartford • Ship and Trades, Chatham Maritime • The Blue Anchor, Crowborough The stations are being installed and operated by Osprey Charging and are powered by 100% renewable energy. They delivered 762,000 miles in 2023 and saved 147,000 kgs of CO2. Points have also been installed for use by team members at its Faversham Brewery, and work is currently being carried out to install points at The Spitfire in Kings Hill and The Marine Hotel at Tankerton, expected to be completed by the summer. It is just one of the initiatives that Shepherd Neame is investing in as part of its People, Pubs, Planet campaign, heralding a trio of ambitious environmental goals: • Net zero carbon for direct emissions by 2030 • Net zero for Scope 3 emissions no later than 2040 • Zero waste to landfill by 2025 Shepherd Neame’s Head of Professional Property Services John Barnes said: “As a company, we are committed to doing the right thing for our environment, and our investment in electric charging points across our estate is part of that strategy. They not only to help promote cleaner transport but offer an additional service for our customers." “All of the sites chosen have big car parks perfect for the installation of the charging points, and are conveniently located for drivers at key points across the country near major road systems. We have seen a great response, with lots of new customers visiting our pub while they are charging their car. A rapid charge typically takes around 30 minutes, depending on the car, so it is the perfect opportunity to pop in for refreshments while you are waiting.” Drivers don’t need an account or an app and there are no connection fees, it is pay-as-you-go with contactless card payment. Charge points also accept electric vehicle roaming cards and fleet solutions.

Ellesse has announced the signing of Francesco Passaro as their latest global sponsored tennis player. Hailing from Perugia, Italy, where the ellesse brand was originally founded, Passaro brings with him a fresh wave of talent and passion. Since the 1980s, ellesse has been a committed supporter of tennis, sponsoring some of the sport’s most iconic figures including champions such as Chris Evert, Boris Becker and Guillermo Villas. Marking a new chapter in tennis history, Passaro’s signing is a milestone in the brand’s support of emerging talent in the world of tennis. Discovered during the ATP Next Gen tournament, Passaoro’s exceptional skills caught the attention of the ellesse global team, leading to his official signing as a sponsored player this year. Passaro’s journey to becoming an ellesse-sponsored player is a story of serendipitous connections. Born and raised in Perugia, Italy, Passaro shares a special bond with ellesse’s founder Leonardo Servadio, whose vision for merging Italian style with industry-leading technology continues to inspire athletes worldwide. With his talent, dedication and Italian heritage, Passaro is poised to make a lasting impact on the tennis world. As he prepares to compete on the international stage, Passaro embodies the values of excellence, sportsmanship and camaraderie that have been synonymous with ellesse for decades. Francesco Passaro shares his excitement about joining ellesse and said: “I am so happy to be a member of the ellesse family.” His advice to young tennis players is to, “Have fun, strive to achieve and always believe in your dreams.”

Employees are more likely to make donations and willingly volunteer outside of work if their employers engage in environmentally-conscious activities, finds new research from Mannheim Business School (MBS). Dr. Irmela Koch-Bayram and Prof. Dr. Torsten Biemann, both from MBS, conducted three experiments to investigate how an employees’ private prosocial behaviour is impacted by their organisation’s environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) and environmental corporate social irresponsibility (ECSIR). ECSR includes behaviours such as reducing pollution, conserving resource, and planting of trees; ECSIR includes the use of harmful production methods and creating massive amounts of waste. In study one, workers were provided with information about their employer’s environmental activities before measuring their willingness to volunteer. Study two investigated whether students were more or less likely to donate to a charity when they believed they worked for a start-up that engaged in ECSR vs. ECSIR activities. The final study measured ECSR and ECSIR perceptions of employees from a variety of organisations and observed their willingness to volunteer. Results suggest that an employers’ ECSR activities increase employees’ donations and willingness to volunteer outside work. Employers engaging in ECSIR activities, on the other hand, reduce employees’ private donations and willingness to volunteer. “Companies not only contribute to environmental protection and harm through their own activities but also contribute to environmental issues by influencing employee behaviour,” says Dr. Koch-Bayram. “The positive effects of environmental CSR are partly explained by the strengthening of employees’ environmental self-identity.” Environmental self-identity (ESI) refers to the perception individuals have of themselves in relation to the environment. Those with a strong ESI may actively engage in environmentally-friendly behaviours such as recycling and reducing waste. In the final study, participants also recalled ECSR, ECSIR, or neutral employer activities and had their ESI and guilt measured. Recalling ECSR activities of one’s employer enhanced employees’ ESI, while recalling ECSIR activities of an employee increased feelings of guilt. Organisations have an ethical responsibility toward the environment and their employees, and should implement environmentally-conscious practices that influence the private behaviour of employees positively, say the researchers. Politicians and legislators must also set boundaries and regulations that ensure organisations do not negatively impact the environment, to ensure the influence on employee behaviour is positive. These findings were published in the Journal of Business Ethics.

Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust has donated a £1,000 supermarket voucher to a North Glasgow nursery to maintain the operation of the nursery’s food bank and continue providing essential support to the families it serves. Balmore Kindergarten provides early childhood education and care to children from areas including Possilpark, Parkhouse, Milton and Lambhill. Recognising a pressing need among the children, many of whom come from deprived backgrounds and often arrive hungry, Balmore nursery nurse Bekki Florence started a foodbank service to offer relief. This initiative has been gratefully received by parents and carers and helps to ensure that children have access to the nutrition they need. However, due to the foodbank's popularity, resources have been dwindling, a situation aggravated by the rising cost-of-living. In response to this urgent need, the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust stepped forward to provide £1,000 in supermarket vouchers, ensuring that the foodbank can remain stocked and continue to support the families it serves. Carrie Lloyd, Manager of Balmore Kindergarten, expressed her gratitude for the donation, noting, "This contribution from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is a lifeline for our foodbank and the families it serves. Many of our children come from backgrounds where hunger is an everyday reality. Thanks to this donation, we can continue to provide essential support to those in need, ensuring that no child in our care goes hungry." Gerry Facenna, owner and founder of Allied Vehicles, expressed his commitment to supporting the local community, stating, "Allied Vehicles started life in North Glasgow and we’ve been here ever since. Our donation to Balmore Kindergarten's foodbank reflects our commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of those in our local communities, and I’m proud that the Trust supports children and families so close to home."

The UK’s Morris Leslie Plant Hire is kicking off its 50th birthday celebrations in style by placing an order for a huge fleet of new JCB machines worth £68 million. The machines will all be supplied throughout 2024 in an expression of confidence in the UK’s housebuilding and construction market. The substantial order - to be supplied by dealer Scot JCB - includes Loadall telescopic handlers, X Series excavators, mini excavators, compaction rollers and site dumpers. Significantly, the deal also includes 50 JCB backhoe loaders – one for every year Morris Leslie Plant Hire has been in business and a product on which the success of the company was built. JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford handed over the keys to one of the backhoes to Founder Morris Leslie – a special Platinum Edition machine produced to mark the JCB backhoe’s 70th birthday. Lord Bamford said: “We are very proud of our long association with Morris Leslie Plant Hire." "Like many of our customers, the company has grown from very small beginnings into a force to be reckoned with in the plant hire sector. From one family company to another, we wish Morris Leslie Plant Hire a very happy 50th birthday.” Morris Leslie said: “Over the years we have bought more than 7,000 JCB machines, so our success over the past half century is very much intertwined with that of JCB and we look forward to building on our partnership in the years to come.” Scot JCB Sales Director David Park added: “This significant order for new JCB machines in the company’s 50th anniversary year underlines Morris Leslie’s commitment and confidence in the construction industry.” Perth-based Morris Leslie has 15 depots across the UK with nationwide coverage, and prides itself in having one of the youngest fleets of machines available. The deal comes less than a year after Morris Leslie Plant Hire ordered £87.5 million worth of JCB machines. Morris Leslie founded his company on his parents’ farm in 1974 in the Carse of Gowrie, near Perth, where he began buying and selling construction equipment. Today the company has a fleet of more than 5,000 machines.