MEMBER NEWS


Father lands role with son at expanding firm


Dave Connolly has joined his son Alan to drive expansion at Connolly Land & Developments. While Alan continues to run the


The QHotels brainwaves experiment


Brain monitors can improve services


The Nottingham Belfry is using the brainwave activity of conference delegates and organisers to improve its support for businesses. Parent company QHotels used


hi-tech headsets to track the feelings and behaviour of organisers and attendees during a series of conferences to learn more about the pressure points during corporate events. Key findings from the study are


now being used by the Nottingham Belfry to offer clients the latest insights. They included:


• A delegate’s concentration starts to drop after three-and-a-half minutes of a presentation


• Delegates’ concentration levels are at their lowest 26 minutes before lunch


• Delegates who take notes or tweet about the seminar are likely to process information more fluently and remain engaged for longer


• 75% of delegates switch off if they are familiar with the content


• Stress levels among organisers peak 32 minutes before an event begins


• Speakers feel the most nerves on average two minutes before they start.


During the experiment,


organisers, speakers and delegates at conferences were fitted with EEG (electroencephalogram) headsets, which use sensitive pads to monitor brainwave activity. By analysing the variations in


gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta brainwaves – the different ‘pulses’ of electrical activity in the brain – the QHotels research team could identify the different emotions and behaviours associated with those brainwave changes. Hayleigh Parkhurst, General Manager at the Nottingham Belfry, said: We’re always looking for new, innovative ways to get feedback from our clients to improve the experience we deliver.”


4 business network February 2016


North Midlands base in West Bridgford, Dave will take responsibility for the new South Midlands office, in Corby. The company specialises in


identifying rural sites for small, high quality housing developments and large scale solar farms in rural areas and offers consultancy services to buyers and sellers. The new office has been set up


in Corby in recognition of the East Midlands’ buoyant property market. Since its establishment in 2008,


Connolly Land & Developments has focused its efforts on the East Midlands but says the new office, at Priors Hall Business Park, “demonstrates the strength of the market and the ambition of the company”. The company was founded by


Alan. Dave was previously land director at Larkfleet Homes. Dave said: “This is an exciting


time for Connolly Land. Setting up the new Corby office demonstrates both the strength of the market


Keeping it in the family: Alan and Dave Connolly


‘Connolly Land has cut its teeth in the East Midlands’


and the ambition of the company. The chance to work with Alan was too good an opportunity to miss. “I have had a long and successful


career within the housing sector – bringing that experience into a family-run company is the right


step for me, and the right step for Connolly Land.” Alan said: “Connolly Land has


cut its teeth in the East Midlands, delivering housing sites and large scale solar farms across the area. “We are delighted to have our


new regional office at Corby and we are actively looking to buy sites. With dad’s experience we can help local land owners deliver the value in their land.”


Former apprentice is cut above the rest


A former apprentice from Burton and South Derbyshire College has won a place in Squad UK for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. Nicola Sharratt, 20, could represent the UK hairdressing industry on the world stage after excelling in the finals of the WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions. WorldSkills is the largest international


skills competition in the world. Held every two years, it sees around


1,000 young people, aged 18-25, from all over the world, come together to


compete for medals in more than 40 different skills. WorldSkills Abu Dhabi takes place from


14 to 19 October 2017. Nicola, who now works for a salon in


Burton, said: “I’m over the moon to have been selected for the WorldSkills UK Squad. “I am now going through intense training


and will compete against the other members of the squad for the chance to represent the UK in the international WorldSkills final. “If it wasn’t for my apprenticeship, I would never have had the opportunity to take part in a


competition like this.” Hairdressing Lecturer Joanne Fairbrother said:


“The college has worked very closely with Nicola, offering intensive performance and technical training. We are extremely proud of her.”


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