BUSINESS NEWS


Adept4 wins fleet


firm IT contract IT management company Adept4 has been appointed by global fleet solutions company Axis Fleet Management to provide IT infrastructure and future proof solutions. The two companies have agreed


a five-year deal which will see Adept4 providing a scalable, reliable and resilient IT and communications system for Axis. Axis Fleet Management specialises in the contract hire and leasing of trucks, trailers and specialist marine containers. It is a global organisation, operating in Europe as well as the Far East. The firm’s existing IT systems were not fulfilling the requirements of the company for communicating both with its employees and with clients. Adept4 will provide Axis with a client solution for its staff worldwide, enabling them to utilise smart phones, tablets, desktop PCs and laptops, both in office locations and remotely. The solutions will provide optimum performance levels for Axis’s infrastructure as it is all housed at Adept4’s data centres allowing user devices to work efficiently worldwide. David Potter, UK MD for the truck and trailer division of Axis Fleet Management, said: “On commencement of the migration to Adept4’s long-term solutions, the company carried this out in a professional and positive manner. We look forward to working with them on telecoms as well as the IT/data side of the business to ensure we achieve our expansion goals in the next five years.”


Juicy business: A member of one of 600 family farmers growing cranberries for Ocean Spray


Co-ops to celebrate 2012 C


o-operatives West Midlands is hosting a networking lunch at the Birmingham City Council Banqueting Suite on 23 March to celebrate the 2012 International Year of Co-operatives. Guests include Len Wardle, chair of The Co-operative


Len Wardle


Group, and Antonia Hagemann, head of international development at Supporters’ Direct.


‘While the British economy has stagnated, the 5,400 independent co-operative businesses have flourished’


There are over 1.4 million co-operative businesses in the world, with a turnover of $1.6 trillion. And, while the British economy has stagnated, the 5,400 independent co-operative businesses have flourished, growing by 21 per cent to a turnover of £33 billion since the start of the credit crunch in 2008. The United Nations has designated 2012 the


International Year of Co-operatives, which are owned and run by their members.


Antonia Hagemann There are nearly 1 billion members of co-operative


businesses across the globe. And they are in all sectors of the economy – from farming to football, healthcare to housing, wind farms to web design. Barca in football, Ocean Spray in food stores, The Co-operative on the high street – as well as these familiar names there are thousands more businesses like them. The International Year of Co-operatives is an opportunity for everyone to find out more about these businesses that are leading the way by working to build a better world. During 2012 there will be increased visibility in the media, events exhibitions, new feature films and mobile apps.


Details about the lunch are available at www.cooperatives-wm.coop Alternatively, contact Jenny de Villiers on jdevilliers@btinternet.com or 07773 705552. For information about the International Year of Co-operatives, visit www.uk.coop/2012


HSBC to fund King Edward’s scholarships


HSBC has agreed to fund four 16+ scholarships at King Edward’s School for each of the next three years. The funding is part of the banking corporation’s new scholarship programme which aims to help bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds attend leading schools and universities in England. In total HSBC is providing £12 million over five years


to help over 200 students attend some of the best universities and schools in the UK, including King Edward’s. The first HSBC scholars will start at the school in September.


12 CHAMBERLINK FEBRUARY 2012 John Claughton, Chief Master of King Edward’s, said:


“HSBC’s support of the school means a very great deal to us. They are keen to ensure that the kind of world- class education which we offer is available to bright boys, whatever the financial situation of their families.” Simon Martin, head of group corporate sustainability


at HSBC, said: "This programme invests in the futures of talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Not only is this hugely important for each individual student who benefits from the programme, but hopefully it will also contribute to the future economic and social well-being of their communities."


‘HSBC is providing £12 million over five years’


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