Derby-based Specialist Contractor, Cawarden, was crowned the ‘Demolition Contractor of the Year’ at the 2023 British Demolition Awards and British Asbestos Awards held recently at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Cawarden won the same title in 2021 and is thrilled to win it again, competing with five other contractors from across the UK. The British Demolition Awards, powered by Demolition Hub and headline sponsored by the global machinery specialist, LiuGong Direct UK, is now in its fifth year and has become a highly anticipated event in the demolition industry’s events calendar. Recognising and celebrating the very best in the demolition sector today, the awards reward the very best companies, teams and individuals. This year, Demolition Hub received a record-breaking number of entries across all categories, with eight awards up for grabs on the night. To be considered for the prestigious Demolition Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by Suffolk-based Kocurek Excavators, Cawarden underwent a rigorous judging process that included a comprehensive written submission and supporting evidence showcasing significant growth, accomplishments, and completed projects from the past year. The submission also displayed Cawarden's unwavering dedication to fulfilling its social responsibility commitments. The judging panel was made up of Richard Vann, Founder and Managing Director of project management and engineering consultancy, RVA Group; Dr Terry Quarmby Director of Dorton Group; and Wayne Bagnall MBE, Director at Wayne Bagnall Ltd. The judges commented that “Cawarden always works hard to do all the right things and grow by recognising and addressing the significant challenges the company has overcome. With social value at the core of its business they always showcase the many ways they give back to their employees, the environment and the local community.” William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “It is incredible to watch the growth of the business over the last few years. The way Cawarden's longstanding employees have adapted to the changes in demolition, how our new recruits have integrated into the company and expanded our skill base, and the way our younger recruits have eagerly embraced the industry and become part of the team is fantastic!" “Cawarden is changing. We are no longer a Demolition Contractor the way we were 25 years ago. We offer clients a comprehensive package, including testing, consultancy, demolition, remediation, and building up to slab level. This not only expands our business in a new direction but it enables Cawarden to continue to undertake our traditional core business – demolition." “For Cawarden to win this award with a panel of judges who are three of the most respected people in the demolition world is incredible and makes me very proud of what we have all achieved.” Demolition Hub Founder Ben Chambers said: “Under Managing Director William Crooks’ leadership, supported by sons and fellow directors, ambitious plans are afoot with further sustainable growth. Cawarden regularly promotes careers in this exciting industry to younger generations and to those who are long-term unemployed, while providing work experience opportunities for school pupils, students and graduates.” “Having no say in who wins what at each British Demolition Awards is both a blessing and a curse. However, when as so often the judge’s opinion aligns with my own and a deserving winner is crowned then I cannot help but be that extra bit delighted." “This happened once again when I received confirmation of Cawarden once again winning Demolition Contractor of the Year at the 2023 British Demolition Awards. Cawarden is a family business where the family extends to all employees, offering safe, innovative, clean and impressive sites and obtaining a plethora of contracts within a variety of disciplines across the country." “Cawarden is also an absolute pleasure to deal with - Congratulations.” Attended by more than 400 guests, including a large proportion of all UK-based contractors and global machinery specialists, the event offered the perfect opportunity to talk business, network and socialise. The event raised more than £8,000 for various charitable organisations, including DEMOLISTEN (a joint venture between DEMOLITION HUB and Mates in Mind) which focuses on improving mental health in the demolition industry. Additionally, the Mavis Nye Foundation received support for those impacted by mesothelioma.

One of Australia’s most iconic wineries, Wirra Wirra, begins an exciting new chapter in the United States as E. & J. Gallo Winery is now the exclusive importer of Wirra Wirra’s luxury portfolio of heritage Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. First founded in 1894, the sustainable, family-owned Wirra Wirra estate is synonymous with McLaren Vale. Winemaker Emma Wood, formerly of Penfolds, today elevates the region with aromatic, expressive wines that beautifully balance the power of McLaren Vale with elegance, brightness, integrity and finesse. “As a family-owned winery with history dating back to 1894, Wirra Wirra is delighted to partner in the U.S. with E. & J. Gallo Winery, another historic, family-owned wine company that we admire immensely,” says Matt Deller MW, CEO at Wirra Wirra. “Gallo are unparalleled brand builders in the U.S. market who are uniquely positioned to bring Wirra Wirra’s great McLaren Vale wines to American consumers. Since Wirra Wirra launched Church Block 50 years ago it has grown to be Australia’s favorite premium Cabernet Sauvignon blend, thanks to how it massively overdelivers value for money. We are excited to work with Gallo to see where they can take our generous, energetic, perfumed wines in the US.” Wirra Wirra’s most popular bottling is Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz-Merlot, Australia’s leading Cabernet blend over $20. The winery’s portfolio features a strong range of other offerings, including the highly acclaimed Flagship wines The Holy Thirst and RSW. “We are thrilled to partner with Wirra Wirra, one of the most well-known and well-respected names in Australian winemaking,” says Steve Carlotti, Senior Vice President and General Manager at E. & J. Gallo Winery. “Wirra Wirra consistently delivers elegant, classic wines at incredible value. We look forward to bringing this exciting new choice to American consumers.” Distribution of Wirra Wirra will begin this fall in select markets with McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. Customers and consumers can expect distribution to expand more widely in the future. Wirra Wirra’s iconic Church Block blend will be a primary focus, given its widespread success in Australia as well as its ability to appeal to consumers in the US market. As part of Australia's most sustainable wine region, Wirra Wirra has also demonstrated an enduring commitment to environmental responsibility. The winery’s estate vineyards are 100% Biodynamic and organic certified, while the winery is also Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified.

GAP Group is honoured to receive the internationally recognised RoSPA Gold Award in Fleet Safety, a testament to its dedication to managing occupational road risk, safeguarding its drivers, and ensuring the safety of other road users. Impressively, GAP secured the Gold Award on its first time of entering. The application process allowed GAP to benchmark its fleet safety performance and in particular the Regional Transport Managers (RTMs) approach to managing road risk principles. This comprehensive assessment involved independent evaluation of GAP’s fleet safety procedures, including analysis of accident data performance and the RTMs implementation and management of an effective, cohesive road risk management programme. The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and impacting over seven million employees worldwide. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work. It evaluates entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. Allister Maxwell, Head of Safety, Risk and Compliance at GAP Group, expressed his delight at GAP achieving this award, stating, “I am really pleased with this result as it demonstrates GAP’s deep rooted commitment to delivering and sustaining leading health and safety standards and specifically in relation to occupational road risk. It’s a fantastic and well-deserved achievement for our drivers, General Managers and our Regional Transport Managers as they continue to demonstrate an unwavering passion for keeping people safe and GAP’s Operators Licence compliant.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, highlighted the significance of recognizing safety achievements, saying, “Accidents at work and work-related ill health don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption – they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. That’s why good safety performance deserves to be recognised and rewarded. We are thrilled that GAP Hire Solutions has won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.” Sponsored by Croner-i, the RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for the health and safety industry.

Stirling Distillery has announced they have been shortlisted in a range of categories at the 2023 Scottish Gin Awards, including Gin Tourist Destination of the Year and London Dry Gin of the Year, adding more accolades for their growing business. The awards are always very competitive, bringing together and celebrating the best in Scottish gin from across the country. Shortlisted for Tourist Destination of the Year, Stirling Distillery is a popular tourist destination. Situated in the heart of Stirling on the city’s castle rock, and housed within a renovated building which is said to be the location used by King James VI to stable his horses, the historic distillery produces a range of award-winning gins alongside their industry-leading visitor experiences. Distillery Manager Elle McCann shared her pride in being shortlisted: “After winning Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2023 Stirling Business Awards, recognised with a 2023 Travellers Choice Award and now shortlisted as Gin Tourist Destination of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards, we’re delighted to see our wee distillery collecting these honours and we’re excited to see it continue to grow as we move into whisky production this year.” Many of the distillery’s gins have been shortlisted in a range of categories including Gin Liqueur of the Year for both their unique Green Lady mint and bramble liqueur and their mango, passion fruit, pineapple and lime infused Tropical Triumph, their signature Stirling Classic gin, made with hand-picked Stirlingshire nettles is down to the final few in the London Dry Gin of the Year category, and their renowned Stirling Pink features in the Pink Gin of the Year category. The 7th annual awards will see 45 producers and 107 Scottish gins go head to head at the national competition on Wednesday 8th November in Glasgow.

Robinsons Brewery have recently completed a full refurbishment of the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, situated in Longnor, just outside of Buxton. The well-loved pub has now been given a new lease of life. Externally, the front terrace has been refreshed with new planting and wooden furniture. Across the road, previously a car park, a newly formed external seating area has increased the outdoor seating capacity further. These welcoming outdoor spaces now provide an inviting setting for customers to relax and enjoy their favourite food and drink outdoors. Stepping inside, the pub boasts four distinct areas which have all had full makeovers, each room displaying its own individual character. The colour palette, featuring muted reds, rich greens and browns, fit perfectly with its rustic countryside setting. In the cooler months, guests can enjoy the warmth of a log-burning stove, with brand-new stoves installed in each of the four rooms, adding to the new cosy atmosphere of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Unexpected discoveries were made by the building team during the refurbishment process, including a beautifully preserved stone floor, which has been cleaned and restored to its former glory. In the rear dining area, charming quarry tiles and natural stone walls were uncovered, contributing to the pub’s character and natural charm. The newly built bar extends across two interconnected rooms, ‘the vault’ and the adjacent lounge room area, offering an extensive drinks range and increased bar seating. The food offering is set to be very popular here, with the kitchen space having also undergone a renovation. The result is an upgraded catering facility that can accommodate a wider and more diverse menu. Robert Lester, Robinsons business partner and licensee of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese said: “The refurbishment from Robinsons has completely transformed the pub. Since re-opening last Thursday, trade has been crazy! It’s great to see the pub busy, the food offering is really popular amongst locals and I’m really proud to run such a hub for the community of Longnor.” In addition to its aesthetic and functional improvements, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese hosts four newly refurbished bedrooms. With new beds, furniture, carpets and decorations, the en-suite bedrooms are now refreshed and offer a comfortable space for visitors who wish to extend their stay and experience the Derbyshire village’s charm. As the only pub in the village, the re-opening of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is well anticipated by the community as it holds a special place in the hearts of many locals and visitors alike. Nestled in the heart of the Peak District National Park, its appeal as a tourist destination is enhanced by its welcoming atmosphere, where muddy boots and dogs are very much embraced.

Two Leicester-based companies, B-Sure Recycling and Lurex®, have teamed up with national charity Headway to find a crafty way to both remove waste from landfill and boost funds to support people affected by brain injuries. Lurex, a world-renowned yarn company, has been creating threads for the most prestigious names in fashion since 1946, and has recently been searching for a way to recycle its trim waste from its metallic threads. Working with family run B-Sure Recycling – which is based at Manor Business Park in Enderby Road - the waste from Lurex’s® UK yarn factory in Whetstone, Leicester, is bagged, collected and delivered to Headway’s 27 charity shops in the Midlands and the North. Once the bags of trim waste from Lurex are delivered to a Headway charity shop, volunteers separate the trims into colours, bag them into small packets and sell them in stores’ craft areas. Every 90 seconds, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a brain injury which can have a devastating life-long impact on lives. This could be due to a fall, stroke, road traffic collision, an assault, tumour, or brain haemorrhage. Headway - the brain injury association, raises awareness of and supports people affected. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and the effects can be devastating and permanent. David Byrne, Head of Retail at Headway says, “Reducing any waste is always positive, and here is an example of businesses working together to find a clever and productive way to reuse waste and support services and survivors of brain injury. The packets of thread trim waste are sold in the arts and crafts sections of Headway stores, plus we are getting them instore just in time for our Second Hand September campaign.” Second Hand September is a campaign to encourage people to buy only second-hand items for 30 days during the whole of September. Second Hand September has been inspiring people since 2019, to shop in a way that is kinder to people and planet. To donate or volunteer find your nearest Headway shop here . Aaron Cooke, production manager for Lurex® explains, “As a company we have been looking to find a way to repurpose or reuse our trim waste for a long time with no avail, until B-Sure recycling came to our aid. Initially our goal was to try and reduce our landfill deposits but knowing it is being used to help people is a more than we could have hoped for. Thank you to everyone for their effort and help in making this happen.” B-Sure Recycling was set up by Leicester-based Ross Chambers, Managing Director of B-Sure Installations in 2023 following a £70k investment. Family owned and run, B-Sure set up the new waste management company to help customers reach waste management targets by providing a complete collection and recycling service, or reuse solution. Ross Chambers found this crafty solution, he adds, “Previously this waste was sent to landfill but we saw an opportunity for this high quality thread to be reused. Craft hobbies are very popular and Headway features second hand craft items in its stores. Working with Lurex and the Headway team, the idea was born and the collection and delivery service was set up across the charities stores.”

At Brewers, people are at the heart of everything they do. As a fourth-generation family business, their priority is always their people and how they can continually evolve to enrich the lives of all their incredibly talented and dedicated employees. Becoming an accredited living wage employer is a huge step in the right direction, allowing them to better support colleagues financially. What Is An Accredited Living Wage Employer? The real living wage is the only hourly pay rate based on the true cost of living. It is independently calculated each year based on living costs and accredited employers choose to go further by paying all their staff, including subcontracted staff, a real Living Wage. A hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. In 2016 the government introduced a rise in the minimum wage for over 25s and called this new statutory minimum: The National Living Wage. But there is still a gap between the amount all employers have to pay by law and the real Living Wage that meets the cost of living. That’s why thousands of UK employers have voluntarily committed to going further - because it’s fair. As Simon Brewer, CEO of Brewers adds, “We are really pleased to have been accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. Becoming a Living Wage Employer is a reflection of our values as an Employer in to treat colleagues fairly and with respect." "We want to ensure that our colleagues have the security that we will follow the pay recommendations from the Living Wage Foundation, who will set our minimum pay rate for all colleagues aged 18 or over. We look forward to working with the Living Wage Foundation going forward.” Earlier this year Brewers introduced a new employee benefit, Wagestream, to help colleagues manage their money. Plus, all colleagues have the option to join the Medicash plan, supporting them with costs for eye care, dentistry, prescriptions and more.

Derby-based specialist contractor Cawarden has won a place on a £8 billion framework deal. Procure Partnerships Framework has appointed 87 contractors to its second-generation National Framework. The body has been operating and delivering a successful national contractor framework across England for the past four years, supporting the delivery of over 150 projects year on year. 35 contractors were reappointed on the next iteration of the framework, which is set to be the biggest framework ever awarded across the UK, structured across 9 sub-regional lots covering 5 value bands starting at 50K and going up to 50M+. 65% of contractors within the lots up to £15m are small to medium enterprises. The successful bidders will now cover four disciplines: Construction, Decarbonisation and Retrofit, Demolition and Site Preparation, and Infrastructure. Procure Partnerships Framework will start to support the procurement of projects from 1st November, and successful bidders will lend to its success for the next 4 years until 2027. Faye Dolan, Head of National Frameworks commented: “It was of paramount importance to Procure Partnerships Framework that the new framework addresses the growing needs of the industry, whilst ensuring clients have access to specialist contractors for their projects." "As a result, we are delighted to have some new faces on the framework which will bring invaluable expertise to our clients and their projects. The new iteration of the framework is set to transform public and private sector procurement and we look forward to seeing what Cawarden achieves over the next four years.” Oliver Crooks, Commercial Director said: “We are excited to have earned a spot on the Procure Partnerships Framework. Our goal is to work together to secure new opportunities and provide our demolition and site preparation expertise to deliver quality projects.”

Brewers were thrilled to be able to help Minstead Trust once again with the donation of woodcare products to paint their Health and Wellbeing Hut at Minstead Lodge. We donated 90L of Ronseal One Coat Fencelife in Forest Green to protect the timber of the Health and Wellbeing Hut, whilst adding a fresh new colour! The final result looks fantastic and we can’t wait to see people enjoying the refreshed space. Petra Palser from Minstead Trust said: “Minstead Trust supports over 300 people with learning disabilities along the south coast from Poole to Portsmouth and Minstead Lodge is the central hub for all our operations." "The buildings and grounds were gifted to the charity by the founder, Tim Selwood, and provide some amazing opportunities for people with learning disabilities to learn crafts such as pottery, felting, weaving, woodwork, gardening and more. Maintaining the grounds and the buildings is costly for a charity and we rely a lot on volunteers and the generosity of people and businesses to keep everything going.” “Our Health and Wellbeing Hut is of huge importance to the people we support, it provides a sensory space away from the hustle and bustle of the other activities. Groups of 2 – 8 people attend one of three sessions every day in meditation, drama and dance. The building was in desperate need of re-painting before the wood degraded and without Brewers generous donation of paint and brushes for the job, we would not have managed this before winter when the weather would have made things even worse.” “Thank you so much for preserving this space for us, in the session that I sat in on last Thursday afternoon it was plain to see the need for, and the incredible worth of, this space for the people who use it.”

Long-serving landlord Gerry Dolan retired from The Westminster Arms after exactly three decades behind the bar. Gerry, 68, began managing the central London pub, which has been owned by independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame for the past 15 years, on September 4, 1993. His long pub career started in his home town of Cavan, Ireland where he worked as a barman before moving to Dublin and then to London in 1989. It was rounded off with some emotional moments for him as past and present colleagues, as well as a few well-known faces including former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, popped by to see him. Gerry said: “I purposely timed my retirement to coincide with my 30th anniversary at the pub. It has been an amazing three decades - I’ve served everybody. You name it, they’ve been here – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bob Geldof and Prince Edward. I think a lot of the celebrities come in here because we never bother them. They just come in here for a quiet drink.” The Westminster Arms is in the heart of political London, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament. A particular favourite with MPs, it features a division bell so they can dash back to the House in time for the vote. Gerry said: “I have a lot of happy memories. We have seen everything here, and have been at the heart of so many momentous events as the pub is in such a central location." “But we got to the point where we wanted a rest – though I feel a bit emotional. I will definitely miss London.” Gerry and wife Marie have three children and are awaiting the arrival of a fifth grandchild next month. The couple are retiring to their home in West Sussex, and immediate plans include playing golf and a month-long holiday, though Gerry is still planning on keeping busy in his retirement, saying: “I won’t be sat in front of the telly, that’s for sure!” Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “Gerry and Marie have done a fantastic job at The Westminster Arms over many years, and particularly during the past 15 years with Shepherd Neame, creating a very successful pub with a loyal customer base. They are hugely popular and will be much missed. I would like to personally thank them for their hard work and enthusiasm and wish them every success for the future.”

Noémie Keime is the author of a recently published book entitled 'Working with your family: 3-step reflection on whether the family business is right for you.' Paul Andrews spoke to her to find out more of her background and the process that led to the book being written. As Noémie explains, "After the Lycée Français de Toronto, I joined the large HEC Montréal family in 2016. I graduated in 2020 with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and International Affairs. During my last year, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the first cohort of the 'Circuit Sur la voie de la relève' powered by the Families in Business – HEC Montreal chapter which strongly influenced the rest of my professional career." In fact, the experience resulted in a decision for Noémie to get involved with her family business. "I was greatly motivated and chose to take over the family business founded by my father in 2004. In September 2020 I joined AB Foods as export manager. The integration was long and laborious but with focus and dedication I finally succeeded and now our succession process is underway!" "Given my experience before joining the business and subsequent learnings and personal experiences within the family business, I decided to write a book to help young people in their thinking about getting involved in their own family businesses," continues Noémie. This is a book that is aimed at the next generation asking themselves questions like: Are you about to start your career or do you want to reorient yourself? Would you like to have the autonomy of an entrepreneur without starting from scratch? Have you considered the family business as a career option? The book aims to provide next generation members with the necessary support in their process of reflection. This book introduces some of the particularities of a family business by exploring the 3 spheres that make it up: the business, the property and the family and will prompt consideration and questions about whether the family business is a solution for you. Whether you want to get involved full-time, part-time, or not at all, this book will provide you with the opportunity to find out about the information needed to make informed decisions. You can find out more and purchase a copy of the book here

Family firms often have a unique set of core values that are deeply ingrained in their culture and guide their actions. These values reflect the family's principles, traditions, and long-term vision for the business. They also become entrenched in the underlying DNA of successful family businesses, and whilst they may change over time, they link directly back to the values of the founder and will be driven from that starting point - an entrepreneurial founder who set out on a journey with a dream that has created a sustainable business from their heart, steeped in emotion, determination and drive to succeed, with the baton picked up by subsequent generations too. The founders indelible stamp will have been made on the founding business which will have evolved but it is likely that many of those values will be embedded into the family firm that they have passed on too. While the specific core values may vary from one family firm to another, some common inherent values include: Family Unity : The preservation of family unity and harmony is a central value. Family firms often prioritize maintaining strong family relationships while working together in the business and whilst their may be conflicts and disagreements along the way, many will put family and relationships between family members at the top of their priority list. Long-Term Perspective : Family firms tend to focus on long-term sustainability and the well-being of future generations. They are often less driven by short-term financial gains and take decisions accordingly. Legacy and Tradition : The value of preserving and building upon the legacy and traditions of the family and the business is fundamental. Each family was born from an idea, an entrepreneurial spark that grew into a sustainable business. Accordingly, each has a narrative, a history and a source of heritage that has been part of their ongoing journey. Respecting where they have come from whilst focusing on the needs of the business to enable it to be successful going forward is often found deeply rooted in family businesses. Stewardship : Family firms often view themselves as stewards of the business, with a sense of responsibility to pass it on to the next generation in a better state than they received it. Doing business the right way and being responsible owners is important to many family business leaders too. Ethical Conduct : Ethical behaviour and integrity are highly emphasized. Maintaining a reputation for honesty and fairness is crucial. Honesty and integrity often top the list of core values when family business owners are asked what values are important to them. Community Involvement : Many family firms prioritise being actively involved in and giving back to their local communities. It is often intrinsic and becomes part of the way they do business on a daily basis. Customer and Employee Loyalty : Building strong, long-term relationships with customers and employees is often seen as a key value. Adaptability : A willingness to adapt and innovate while preserving core values and traditions is essential for success across generations. Respect for Employees : Family firms tend to value their employees as part of the extended family, showing respect and care for their well-being and investing in their development too. Innovation : Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, often with a focus on finding new ways to stay competitive and relevant. Open Communication : Maintaining open and transparent communication, both within the family and with employees and stakeholders, is highly valued. Community and Social Responsibility : A commitment to social responsibility, which may include philanthropic efforts, sustainability initiatives, and ethical business practices. Quality and Excellence : A commitment to delivering high-quality products or services and striving for excellence in all aspects of the business. Collaboration : A culture of collaboration, where family members work together and with non-family employees to achieve common goals. Independence : Maintaining independence and control over the business's destiny can be a core value for some family firms. These values often shape the identity of the family firm and influence its strategic decisions, governance structures, and relationships with stakeholders. While family firms are diverse, and each may prioritise certain values over others, these core values are generally deeply ingrained in their DNA and guide their actions over generations.