St Austell Brewery has gained a listing for its first ever low-alcohol IPA with Morrisons. Proper Job 0.5% is due to launch in the supermarket on the 23rd October and will be available in 286 stores across the country. Independent and family-owned St Austell Brewery has been meticulously tweaking its recipe to create a low alcohol beer which celebrates Proper Job - its flagship IPA - with its famous hop-filled flavour profile. The full-strength version of the beer is the best-selling bottled IPA in the off trade* and St Austell Brewery has high ambitions that its 0.5% equivalent will become one of the best no/low IPAs on the market. Brewed with the same heartfelt craft, Proper Job 0.5% uses a special yeast to create a low-alcohol take on its bold original. Ryan Crisp, Off Trade National Account Manager for St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Morrisons as the first supermarket to stock our debut low-alcohol beer. Proper Job 0.5% has been the overwhelming favourite against many of our competitors in extensive taste tests and we can’t wait for more customers to be able to purchase it readily in stores across the country.” Harry Ball, Morrisons Buying Manager for Craft Beer & Ale added: "We're excited to have Proper Job 0.5% hitting Morrisons shelves this October. This is an important market for us and one we know customers enjoy exploring new options in, so we're thrilled to be able to offer it in our stores." The new listing comes off the back of the business’ bold Proper Job rebrand in March 2024 which features a striking new typeface and more prominent colourways, leaning on the brand and elevating its credentials. Proper Job 0.5% will be launching in Morrisons at an introductory More Card price of £1.50 per 500ml bottle until the 31st December.

Clancy has made three new appointments to its senior leadership team, reflecting the growing nature of the business’ work in energy, water and major civil engineering projects. Bryan Curtayne and Martin McGovern have been promoted to Clancy’s executive board of directors. Bryan and Martin will both bring to their new executive director roles over three decades of experience across construction and infrastructure, including 36 years at Clancy between them. Since joining Clancy in 2002, Bryan has led the business’ work on a number of alliances and joint ventures such as the Optimise joint venture to support Thames Water’s AMP5 investment across North London and Thames Valley. With a background in commercial economics and management, Bryan also drove the launch of Clancy’s commercial apprenticeship programme in 2021. Prior to joining Clancy, Bryan had held roles in rail and civil engineering including on the Jubilee Line extension. Martin joined the business in 2010 to develop and expand Clancy’s work in the energy sector and has since overseen strong growth across the south of England, including major capital programmes for UK Power Networks through the ground-breaking ED1SON Alliance. In the past year, Martin has also led Clancy’s team in its mobilisation of work for Scottish and Southern Energy to support grid expansion and shift to decarbonisation in the ED2 control period. Before his arrival at Clancy, Martin had built up 20 years of experience in energy including for Skanska & McNicholas PLC. Jon Arnold has been appointed as operations director to support Clancy’s clients in the energy sector. Jon brings with him a wealth of experience including senior commercial roles for Laing O’Rourke Infrastructure and Morricom. His most recent role as project director at Skanska has seen him lead on the Humber gas replacement pipeline, the procurement for the Lower Thames Crossing and the company’s work for the South East Electricity Substation Alliance (SEESA). These senior appointments come as Clancy recently announced another record year of results with revenue up 13 per cent to £378.5m and pre-tax profits having increased by 54.8 per cent to £20.9m. The business’ annual report for the 2023-24 financial year, filed in October, noted a secured order book of £1.5bn at year end. Matt Cannon, chief executive of Clancy, said: “Bryan and Martin have played integral roles in the recent successes and stable, continued growth we’ve seen at Clancy – building on our long-standing relationships with existing clients, as well as creating new partnerships. The experience and commitment to skills development that both bring to our executive board will be incredibly valuable as we continue to share best practice across our business to support clients in delivering on the UK’s infrastructure needs." “We are also delighted to welcome Jon to our Clancy family. There is huge demand for our energy expertise as the sector works toward decarbonising our grid and supporting the government’s ambition of making Britain a clean energy superpower. Jon’s track record in delivering major infrastructure projects will be a real asset to our teams as we help our clients to tackle challenges around efficiency, capacity and costs.”

Top Hampers is disrupting the corporate gifting market, with tailored and personalised hampers that ooze thoughtfulness and take gift giving to a whole new level. Whatever the occasion, be it a birthday or Christmas, a work milestone or thank you, a hamper has always been the cream of the crop when it comes to gifts given and received in the workplace, both internally and externally. And, while Fortnum & Mason has long held the top spot with its champagne and preserves, Top Hampers believes the time for one-size-fits-all gifts of that sort has had its day. By gifting something more interesting, personalised, and tailored to each recipient, this act of thoughtfulness helps strengthen relationships. There is a clear shift towards a more imaginative approach to recognising employees, customers and contacts. After all, why give a gift if it doesn’t convey that the recipient, whether a client or employee, is valued and not just another number? Top Hampers offers thousands of quality products, to ensure the gifting experience is meaningful and memorable. They understand how much the small details really matter, whether it’s a personalised keepsake, artisan-crafted items, or luxury wellness products, each Top Hamper is as unique as the person or team receiving it. The company can source almost anything to provide that personal touch, with quality being paramount in the gifts included within each hamper. For the buyer, the process of creating a corporate hamper could not be easier and can be done online, saving you both time and energy. Top Hampers will then work behind the scenes to make the hamper truly special, and ensure your recipient feels valued. There is a tailored, ready-to-order quality hamper for almost every corporate eventuality. For internal gifting and reaching out to important contacts, clients and suppliers, there are selections of hampers to convey messages of get-well-soon, wedding congratulations, to celebrate work and career milestones and to both welcome new employees and bid others goodbye. There is even a specific client prospecting hamper to demonstrate to potential clients how much their business would mean to you. All these hampers can be sent in personalised and branded boxes that will ensure you stand out from the crowd. But the real heroes of the Top Hampers offerings are the bespoke hampers, which add the truly personal touch to your gift. When you order, you fill in a section with relevant details about your recipient, including information such as hobbies, sports and interests, whether they like a tipple and what kind, whether they love chocolate or prefer savoury snacks, whether they prefer to be healthy, love to pamper themselves and so on. Top Hampers will then create a gift tailored for your employee, customer or corporate contact, that will truly impress and delight them. This is gifting transformed to foster stronger, more meaningful connections in the corporate world. Cathy Catto, Director and Founder of Top Hampers said: “We believe corporate gifts should have lasting impact and spark real appreciation. That’s why we’re pushing boundaries, offering brands and businesses something more than the standard, traditional fare." "Whether it’s for a client or a colleague, our hampers mix timeless treats with modern, coveted contents that leave a lasting impression. As one of our new customers said recently, ‘there are hampers and there are Top Hampers’. The name says it all’.”

A pumpkin shortage across Hampshire in the run-up to Hallowe’en has been caused by excessive wet weather and poor pollination due to cold wet conditions, according to the team at Westlands Farm Shop in Wickham. This year’s harvest has been “disappointing” according to Kayleigh Collett from Westlands Farm Shop because seeds struggled to germinate in the cold and wet that was a feature of this summer. Despite seeing a dip in pumpkin harvest, the family-run farm is still stocking a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds in its farm shop in Wickham, Hampshire. Kayleigh said: “Warm temperatures and ample sunlight are essential for pumpkins to grow to their full size. Countrywide, it has been the wettest summer on record since 2015, which has caused yield problems for farmers across the UK." “Pumpkins are heavily reliant on bees for pollination, and when germination and bee activity is disrupted by cooler temperatures or rain, the plants don’t get the pollination they need to produce healthy fruits." “Bees are vital not only for pumpkins, but for many crops that rely on their hard work. The drop in bee activity because of colder weather and a lack of sunshine is something we’ve been watching closely, and it’s a reminder of how essential pollinators are to a sustainable environment and successful farming.” Kayleigh added: “Westlands Farm Shop is committed to practising sustainable farming all year round.” The farm enhances natural pollination by introducing bee hives directly into its polytunnels. By supporting these vital pollinators, the farm improves its soft fruit yield and contributes to the overall sustainability of British agriculture. The farm also built a reservoir that can collect up to 2.5 million litres of rainwater, which is recycled to be used for crop irrigation. This practice significantly reduces reliance on local water supplies and minimises environmental impact.

St Austell Brewery and the Cornish Pirates have announced a new multi-year deal. Tribute, St Austell Brewery’s flagship ale, remains the exclusive beer of the Cornish Pirates. The rugby team will continue to wear its Tribute purple themed away kit, first introduced in 2018, to commemorate their long-standing partnership, with Tribute as one of two main shirt sponsors. A case of Tribute will also be awarded to the ‘Man of the Match’ at the end of each game. St Austell Brewery’s relationship with Cornwall’s premier rugby club sits at the heart of the brand’s association with team sports across the South West region, including clubs and competitions that form part of the fabric of their communities. Laura McKay, Director of Marketing and Communications for St Austell Brewery said: “Tribute continues to support rugby at many levels across the South West, and our relationship with the Cornish Pirates shines as one of our longest and most successful partnerships." “We are proud to work with a club that serves as a major source of pride for Cornwall, representing the county in the second tier of the English rugby union pyramid. We look forward to raising a beer and cheering the team on from the stands.” Ross Hancock, Head of Media, Marketing and Commercial, at Cornish Pirate, added: “We’re very proud of our 16-year association with St Austell Brewery. The Tribute logo that sits proudly on our jersey is now synonymous with the Cornish Pirates and we greatly value relationship that we’ve built together over so many years. “Their ongoing sponsorship is vital to the Cornish Pirates and goes a long way in supporting our players and events throughout the season.” St Austell Brewery also supports the Cornish Pirates’ charity campaigns, with Tribute branding featuring on the reusable pint and two pint cups from its bars. All proceeds go to the clubs’ chosen charity, with more than £10,000 raised for the RNLI through the charity cups campaign last year. To find out more about St Austell Brewery, visit www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

The Caterer have named The Pantry as their 2024 Education Caterer of the Year, at a Gala Awards show for the Foodservice Cateys at The Royal Lancaster in London, beating a host of larger competitors to secure the prize. Now in their 11th year, the Foodservice Cateys are held in especially high-regard across the Catering Industry, recognising innovation and excellence across the U.K’s vast Foodservice sector. Previous winners have included Taylor Shaw, Impact Food Group, Holroyd Howe, and Ch&Co – with The Pantry now joining that illustrious roll of honour. The judging panel commended The Pantry’s ‘standout innovation and a culture that genuinely cares’ as well as their ‘strong customer standards and great commercial evidence’. From innovative meal ordering systems, a family-style approach to employee and customer care, and comprehensive educational support for clients, to competitive pricing, sustainable sourcing and nutritionally-led menus, The Pantry have been the fastest-growing company in the industry over the last four years – and entirely organically, too. And after a year in which the company has won 35 new contracts, welcomed over 200 new employees and won many millions of pounds more in turnover, this award really is culmination of The Pantry’s journey to becoming a Contract Caterer that is about More Than Food. Managing Director Luke Consiglio reflected: “The Foodservice Cateys are seen as the high watermark for awards in our industry – and it’s a real badge of honour for myself and the whole of The Pantry to say we’ve finally got one of our own!" "It’s been the thrill of my life to see so many of our innovations - that have often started as ideas scribbled on my notepad - being brought to life by talented, passionate and creative people across our business, and turn The Pantry into what we’ve always promised to be – More Than Food!” The Pantry is a family business based in Uxbridge, providing the highest-quality food to Schools, Offices, Corporate Events and Private Functions. Starting life as a Sandwich Shop on Hayes High Street, The Pantry now numbers over 150 Schools in their client-base, as well as turning over nearly £17million a year – helping them employ over 700 people in London and across England. The Pantry was founded in 2006 by Luke Consiglio, an award-winning entrepreneur who continues to champion the importance of nutrition and wellbeing as part of The Pantry’s drive to continually be ‘more than food’ for our customers, clients, and children.

Whether it be for canal boats, historic tractors or vintage vehicles, Coach Enamel from HMG Paints has been the go-to product for vintage restoration and decorative work for over 20 years. As a traditional high quality, high build, long oil synthetic alkyd enamel it offers an extra-long wet edge to allow for the product to be brushed for a premium finish. The latest bit of stunning craftsmanship with Coach Enamel comes via the way of Harry's Hot Rod Shop, who has transformed an iconic Series 1 Lambretta with a custom Timothy Taylors Brewery design. This eye-catching project has been brought to life using Coach Enamel, provided by Morleys Derby Ltd, producing a flawless finish that highlights the scooter's timeless appeal. Harry's Hot Rod Shop, renowned for its expertise in 'hand crafted' traditional designs for shop windows, custom automotive and motorcycle work amongst other things, produced this project for the East Midlands Scooter Show at Newark. Based in Derbyshire, the shop has become a go-to destination for enthusiasts seeking bespoke, high-quality traditional designs. This latest project is just the latest example of their exceptional craftsmanship. Owner Harry commented “I’ve been using HMG Paints since I started 10 years ago. I use KX Undercoat, 14 Line Polyurethane and Coach Enamel on a regular basis all supplied by Morleys in Derby. I work on so many different styles of projects for customers from fairground art to old rusty American trucks and the products are very versatile and produce a great finish.” As an independent paint manufacturer HMG Paints Ltd rely on a loyal, countrywide distribution network to supply and service customers. On this occasion, Morleys Derby was able to supply a variety of products, thanks to their in-depth product knowledge in specific colours. Like many HMG distributors Morleys have access to HMG’s ColourBase Tinting Software which allows them to produce over 90,000 colours, including RAL, British Standard and more colour standards across several bases. This project exemplifies why HMG Coach Enamel is such a popular product and when in the right hands can produce a classic design with a flawless finish – making it a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. All HMG Paints products, including Coach Enamel, are manufactured in Manchester, under the stringent quality control of an ISO 9001 management system. The company's dedication to quality and innovation is further affirmed by its Made in Britain accreditation. HMG Paints Ltd is the UK’s leading independent Paint Manufacturer and a proud, family-owned business situated in Manchester. Working alongside new and long-term customers, HMG are committed to sustainability, innovation and customer satisfaction. With over 90 years’ experience in developing innovative coatings, HMG’s portfolio of wet paint and aerosols cover virtually every type of surface imaginable across a whole host of industries including industrial, commercial vehicle, decorative, automotive, protective coatings, defence, toll manufacturing, wood finish and arts & craft. HMG have a drive to set the standards for the industry not just meet them. For more information, please visit www.hmgpaint.com

Twin sisters Susan Stoten and Hazel Sturmer are celebrating two decades running Shepherd Neame pub The Hastings Arms. The pair took on the historic pub in Hastings Old Town, which dates back to the 18th century, on September 29, 2004. Susan said: “Hazel was working at another Shepherd Neame pub in Hastings, The Anchor, and heard that The Hastings Arms was up for grabs. I was living and working in London as head of security at Hatton Garden, and didn’t have any previous pub experience, but I decided to come down and see it." “As soon as I walked into the pub with Hazel it felt right. Our parents lived in Hastings, so I liked the idea of being near them, and the change of lifestyle, living by the sea and being my own boss, really appealed.” The sisters grew up in the town, with their parents, sister Heather and brother Gareth, and Susan attended Hastings College, so they were familiar with the area. They also had experience of working together, as they were both employed in the offices of manufacturing company Rigby’s in Wadhurst for nine years, before it closed in 1995. Hazel said: “As twin sisters, we have always been incredibly close and worked well as a team, so being able to spend more time together by taking on the pub just made sense.” During the past two decades, the sisters have put their own unique stamp on the pub, building an excellent reputation for their well-kept cask ales, along with their delicious menu of homemade pub classics, including the popular Tuesday Curry Nights and Tapas Thursdays. Hazel said: “We love meeting new people, and take real pride in ensuring that our food and drink is of the highest quality. We want every customer to enjoy their experience with us and leave the pub happy.” The sisters are also incredibly community-focused, welcoming local groups and holding numerous fundraising events, including entering the Hastings Pram Race in aid of local charities every year – an event they have won for the past three years! Susan said: “Hastings is such a special place with a tight, loving community, and we are incredibly proud that The Hastings Arms really is at the heart of the town.” It has also become even more of a family affair, as shortly after Susan met her now-husband Steven in 2010, he moved in and took on the role of Head Chef. The couple have two rescue Terriers, Bob and Buster, who live with them above the pub. Susan said: “Part of the reason that we have really enjoyed working with the team at Shepherd Neame during the past 20 years, is that it is a family business and we share the same values. They have always treated us well and supported us in every way.” Shepherd Neame’s Chief Executive Jonathan Neame visited the pub to celebrate their 20th anniversary and present them with a commemorative plaque and magnum of Champagne. Jonathan Neame said: “I was delighted to join Susan and Hazel to mark this special occasion, and thank them for their dedication and hard work during the past two decades. It was also great to meet their Head Chef Steven, who has created a fantastic menu which has been key to the pub’s success." "The Hastings Arms is everything a good pub should be, offering superb food and drink, a warm welcome, and loved by the community it serves. The team should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”

Family Business United has compiled a list of the UK's leading Family Business Apprentice Employers for 2024 to demonstrate the contribution that family firms across the UK are making to employing apprentices and their investment in the next generation of employees. This is the third year that the report has been complied to showcase the family business sector and their commitment to apprentices within their businesses. Key Findings: Bagnalls come out on top as the overall top family business apprentice employer in the UK JCB top the list when it comes to employing the most apprentices in the UK by a family business Scot JCB have the highest proportion of apprentices within their workforce The top 20 family business apprentice employers have 1,012 apprentices working for them 384 new apprenticeships started in the year to June 2024 127 apprentices were concluded in the year to June 2024. The Top UK Family Business Apprentice Employers Submissions were received from all corners of the UK and the top 20 included in the report represent the best in terms of number of apprentices, the creation of new apprenticeships and the number of apprentices completing and graduating from their apprenticeship programme in the year to June 2024. The top family business apprentice employers in the UK for 2024 are: Bagnalls Hendy Group KW Bell Group JCB Scot JCB William Hare Group Simpsons Malt Ltd GAP Group Frederic Robinson Ltd The Clancy Group John Good Group McAlpine & Co Ltd Malcolm Group Bailie Group Novus Property Solutions JW Lees & Co HE Simm Group Walker's Shortbread Ltd Allied Vehicles Group Brewers Decorator Centres Apprenticeships are seen as a rich source of craftsmanship, worthy of ongoing investment and it is great to see the number of apprentices in this annual report increasing year on year. Furthermore, the businesses in the report represent sectors of the economy that include property and construction, manufacturing and engineering, motor retail, consulting services and food and drink mirroring the growth and availability of apprenticeships in sectors away from where they may have been more traditionally aligned in the past. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business Untied concludes: "Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships within their organisations." "This is our third report and it clearly highlights the growing importance of apprenticeships to family firms across the UK and the continuing commitment from leading family businesses to continue to invest in the ongoing development of the next generation of their staff. There are significant numbers of apprenticeship opportunities available within the family business sector in the UK today and they provide a fantastic stepping stone into a career with long term development opportunities that may even take you to a board position in the future." "It is a privilege to be able to highlight the positive contribution that family firms are making by way of apprenticeships and to shine a light once more on the fantastic way that the family business sector is embracing learning and development within the way that they operate." A copy of the final report is available to download here and is free to Family Business United members and digital subscribers. Furthermore, if you would like further details about the report, wish to supply figures for the 2025 campaign or are interested in sponsoring the next report, please do not hesitate to contact us .

Family Business United has launched a new campaign to celebrate the role of women in family firms. There are some incredible women, family members and non-family members alike doing some amazing things in family firms across the UK and we want to celebrate their contribution to this thriving sector and are compiling our inaugural report highlighting some of these incredible women. The report will be published in early 2025 and focus on women that are making a difference, be it through their leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship or by leading change, pushing the environmental agenda, being the next generation pioneer or making a significant contribution to the broader impact of the business in their sector or through community and charitable endeavours. As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United adds: "We are always looking for ways to shine the spotlight on the family business sector and the incredible contribution it makes to the national economy through employment, income generation and wealth creation. What better way to do this than to celebrate the role that women play in family businesses throughout the UK that collectively make such an impact each and every day." "We are looking for individuals who make a difference, contribute to the success of the family firms in which they operate and are great ambassadors for the sector too. We are excited about the compilation of a report that showcases the depth and diversity of roles that women play in family firms across the country today." Do you know a woman working in a family business who deserves recognition? Nominate an individual using the online form here  and help us in our quest to compile a report celebrating the contribution of women in family businesses across the UK today.

Family Business United has compiled a list of the top family businesses employing apprentices to demonstrate the contribution that businesses are making to employing apprentices and their investment in the next generation of employees. Submissions were received from all corners of the UK and the final top 10 represent the best in terms of the number of apprentices, the creation of new apprenticeships and the number of apprentices completing and graduating from their apprenticeships. Entries were open to family businesses employing more than five apprentices and and they were analysed and rank on a number of different factors which were consolidated to determine the final listing. As Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United adds, “Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships. This inaugural report has clearly demonstrated the commitment of family firms to invest in the next generation of their staff and that there are a significant number of apprenticeship opportunities within the family business sector.” The Top 10 Family Business Apprentice Employers Hodgkinson Builders Novus Solutions JCT600 Bagnalls Sound Leisure JCB The Malcolm Group The Clancy Group Portakabin Ltd Arco As Chris Black, Managing Director of Sound Leisure explains, “Sound Leisure has benefited from welcoming apprentices into our business for decades and we now have various members of the team in management levels and throughout the business that started with us as apprentices.” “There is nothing more rewarding in business than to see a young person enter the business with little knowledge and grow into an adult full of confidence and with a skill that they will be able to use for the rest of their working career.” Ellie Jobes is the HR Director at Bagnalls, another Yorkshire based family businesses that recognises the value of apprentices. As she explains, “We have been employing apprentices continually since 1899. Each year we recruit more than 20 apprentice painters and decorators, as well as offering existing employees the opportunity to expand their skills through an apprenticeship.” “Recruitment and development of apprenticeships is key to ensuring that we continue to provide skilled tradespeople to our customers. Many of our Branch Managers and Directors joined the business as apprentices, demonstrating that apprenticeships give a solid foundation on which to build a long-term career. We continue to promote the value of apprenticeships within our industry and more widely wherever we can,” concludes Ellie. Rose Bamber is one of the apprentices at Bagnalls, the specialist painting and decorating contractor. As Rose explains, “Being an apprentice for Bagnalls is important to me as it has provided the opportunity to gain valuable real-world work experience, whilst also giving me the support and training to develop my skills and confidence as a painter and decorator.” Dave Boot, is the Branch Manager of the Wolverhampton Branch of Bagnalls and himself a big fan of apprenticeships. “An apprenticeship is a great way of gaining experience whilst training and I decided that was the route for me.” “When I left school I wanted to get a trade and stumbled across Bagnalls and I applied due to the fact it was a family company, the type of projects that the business is involved with and the length of time the business had operated were all a huge factors that influenced my decision to apply.” “I really enjoyed the 3 year apprenticeship and at the end of it was approached to be a management trainee. I had wanted to progress into a management position from an early stage and jumped at the opportunity. Bagnalls promote from within and support good people and have helped me to progress to my position today,” concludes Dave. Nicola Tordoff-Sohne is the Head of Colleague Experience and JCT600, another Yorkshire based family business that recognises the benefits that apprentices afford their business. “‘It means so much to us as a family business to help nurture the future generations of our business. Our apprentices bring so much at every stage of their journey. Starting with a fresh perspective and lots of enthusiastic energy. As they grow and develop their careers with us, they bring a level of skill and expertise that helps us deliver our mission of ‘just being the best at what we do’ here at JCT600,” she adds. Ben Collinson is one of the JCT600 customer service team who recently qualified with a Level 3 in Customer Service. He really appreciates the apprenticeship programme and adds that “The apprenticeship has given me a sense of purpose, a good base and opportunity for a rewarding career. It’s improved my confidence massively. I have enjoyed such support from both the Academy and my colleagues on site. I have picked up a mix of skills from them and I wouldn’t change a thing.” Craig Wilson is a Workshop Trainer for The Malcolm Group. Historically, The Malcolm Group has always been an employer of apprentices across most aspects of the business, and he started as an apprentice HGV Technician with the company when leaving school in 1999. Craig explains, “Whilst I served my time mostly in our logistics depot at Newhouse, I helped at other locations from time to time which gave me the opportunity to travel and meet new people, which is something I enjoy. As time progressed, I always took an interest in the new apprentices coming through and tried to help in any way I could by sharing my experiences, whilst they completed their apprenticeships.” “Now in my current role as Workshop Trainer, part of my remit is to help recruit suitable new apprentices for our workshops and keep track of their progress both in the workshop and when they attend college, which is something I have enjoyed immensely. Watching them progress from sometimes shy sixteen/seventeen-year-olds to completing their course with help from myself and others along the way is very fulfilling and rewarding. We as a company see apprentices as our future and invest in them heavily to give them and us the best opportunities going forward.” “In an industry where recruiting the right people is not always easy, having a steady flow of apprentices coming through reduces the need to look elsewhere too,” concludes Craig. Nathan Black is another one of The Malcolm Group apprentices. He is an HGV Apprentice Technician having started as an HGV Apprentice Technician in the Logistics Division earlier this year, aged 17. “This was my first job since leaving school and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills through ongoing training, such as gaining my HGV licence. The role has helped me to become a more independent and confident individual, with financial stability. I have been given a great opportunity to develop a secure progressive career within a forward-thinking company,” adds Nathan. “Due to the variety and volume of work, I genuinely enjoy all aspects of my job. It has been great meeting new people and I like the balance of working within a team and on my own. Every day is different, with the opportunity to learn different skills. I particularly enjoyed my shunter training within the yard. The Malcolm Group has depots throughout the UK, and this gives me the opportunity to visit other locations. As part of the workshop team, I enjoy socialising with my colleagues as well as working alongside them, which gives me a good work life balance,” Nathan concludes. “Family business continue to offer excellent career opportunities for those in the next generation looking for the chance to learn skills and apply them directly in the workplace. It is refreshing, but not unsurprising, that a significant number of family firms across the UK are providing apprenticeships and reaping the benefits too. Family firms are renowned for being good places to work and retaining staff for many years so the increasing role that apprenticeships have to play is yet more testament to the long term view taken by family firms with a desire to invest in their people too. This inaugural report shines a positive light on family firms continuing to make a difference and we look forward to seeing how the trend continues in years to come,” concludes Paul. The full findings are summarised in the report below:

Eight leading chefs participated in a comprehensive two-day trip to Holland to mark the official launch of the Dutch premium kitchen suite brand Qook! into the UK hospitality market. The event was organised by Qook!’s sole UK distributor, Peterborough-based KFE, in conjunction with manufacturer QBTEC, based in Woerden, Holland. Chefs on the trip included Adam Smith, Woven by Adam Smith, Ascot; Eric Snaith, Titchwell Manor, King’s Lynn; Jason Wass, Stein’s Group, Cornwall; John Molnar, The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham; Laurence Henry, The Martin’s Arms, Colston Basset; Lenny Carr-Roberts, Bugle Inn/The Fox, East Sussex; Mark Poynton, Caistor Hall, Norwich; and Simon Hulstone, The Elephant, Torquay. Qook! is the leading brand of premium commercial kitchen suites in Europe, supplying high-end restaurants and hotels in Holland, Belgium, Germany and France. Its custom-made suites are manufactured from the highest quality, 5mm thick stainless steel and can be configured in wall or island configurations, in round or square designs, and without any joins for a flawless finish. Qook! suites can incorporate any combination of equipment from worktables and sink units to extractor hoods and advanced cooking solutions such as deep fryers, warming drawers and convection ovens, to deliver a fully equipped kitchen tailored to professional requirements. What sets Qook! apart is its ability to provide a cohesive solution throughout the kitchen. From the workstations to the chef’s pass, the same high quality finish and unmistakable Qook! design is applied, ensuring synergy throughout. Day one featured visits to the Michelin-starred restaurant Inter Scaldes in Kruiningen, where chefs enjoyed a personal tasting menu from head chef Jerome Achtien and a private tour of the kitchen, including the Qook! suite. The next stop was Pesca, a unique seafood concept in Rotterdam, where customers buy their fish at market prices from the fishmongers, choose their sides, and a unique menu is created. After a night of rest at the boutique Van Rossum Stadshotel in Woerden, chefs embarked on a tour of QBTEC’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to witness the skill and expertise that goes into every custom-made Qook! suite. A final stop at fine dining restaurant Calva in Nootdorp saw chefs participate in an interactive workshop with master chef Tom Beckers, cooking a range of dishes including steak, cod and oysters on an Adieu grill built into a Qook! suite. Commenting on the trip, Adam Smith, Head Chef at the Michelin-starred Woven at Coworth Park, says: “The Qook! kitchen we saw at Inter Scaldes is the sort of kitchen that all chefs dream of. It has everything you could want for and was absolutely beautiful. It’s obviously a restaurant that's aiming to be at the absolute top of the league of the gastronomic scene and it was special. It's very, very impressive.” Discussing the opportunity to design a bespoke Qook! kitchen suite, Adam adds: “When you want to operate at the elite level and you want to work in restaurants that aspire to have fantastic accolades and be busy, with all cooking there is no rulebook. You choose how you want to work, and everybody will work slightly differently. To have that opportunity with Qook! to design something bespoke for yourself, to have the expertise and the knowledge of people who do that for a living all the time, I think is fantastic.” Nikki Williams, Sales Director for Qook! by KFE, comments: “It was an amazing trip to Holland and it was great to see the chefs’ reactions to the superior quality of Qook! equipment. We are excited to bring Qook! to the UK and to introduce a new standard for commercial kitchens.” Qook! is distributed in the UK by KFE, a trusted leader in foodservice equipment since 1996. Find out more here: www.qookbykfe.kitchen