ABCC
Updates and useful information from the largest ethnic support organisation in the UK
Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0845 603 6650
New chief executive for Edward’s Trust
Family bereavement charity Edward’s Trust has appointed Yvonne Gilligan as chief executive. Yvonne, a former regional director at Sustrans,
the UK’s cycling and walking charity, has joined the Trust, following the farewell of long-standing predecessor Christine Bodkin, who had guided the organisation for the past 27 years. Yvonne has arrived to a busy work
programme, with a top priority being to secure new, modern and functional premises to deliver bereavement support and well-being services. Yvonne said: “The year ahead is going to be challenging, yet exciting as we look for new premises to build on the already well-respected work we deliver here in Birmingham but I am confident that, with the team at Edward’s Trust, we can achieve our targets.”
Manufacturing firms in energy re-rethink
UK manufacturers could inject an additional £2.56bn into the UK economy, cut energy consumption by nearly a third (31.6 per cent) and boost their energy resilience by increasing investment in energy technology over the course of the next decade, according to a Barclays report. The research shows a growing concern about
the availability, reliability and cost of energy with more than 16 per cent of the West Midlands region’s manufacturers surveyed saying that energy supply is more of a concern to their business now than at the start of 2016. This compares to 27 per cent at the national level. Ray O’Donoghue, corporate banking managing director for Barclays in the West Midlands region, said: “Energy resilience and costs are vital considerations for manufacturers.”
Miss Macaroon enjoys the taste of success
A Birmingham-based macaroon maker is set to expand after securing major backing from BCRS Business Loans. BCRS stepped in to help Miss Macaroon
launch its new retail arm, after other backers pulled out. The first of a planned 100 Miss Macaroon
shops has now been opened in Birmingham’s Great Western Arcade, where customers can sample 30 different types of macaroons. Four new staff have been taken on to run
the shop and profits generated will go towards expanding the organisation’s ‘Macaroons Make a Difference (MacsMAD)’ course that helps the long-term unemployed, ex-offenders or care leavers to gain vital training, employability skills and jobs. None of this would have been possible
without the BCRS loan. BCRS is a not-for- profit business lender that supports the growth of viable Midlands-based SMEs with loans from £10,000 to £150,000. BCRS’ aim is to ‘leave no viable business unsupported.’ Rosie Ginday, managing director of Miss
Macaroon, said: “I required additional funding to establish a retail arm of Miss Macaroon which almost didn’t materialise when I was unable to secure the necessary funding from a number of traditional and social lenders. Thankfully BCRS Business Loans understood our needs and stepped in to support us. “The process at BCRS was fast and efficient,
which was essential in meeting the deadline for our match funding bid. It was great to work with someone who wanted to help make a
Expansion: Lakhbir Singh and Rosie Ginday
difference. Our plan is to use the funding to open three new retail outlets, which will help us create training and employment opportunities. “Miss Macaroon has grown from producing
500 macaroons per day to over 7,000 per day at present. We are also the only patisserie in the world that is able to pantone match the colours of our macaroons, which has proved incredibly popular with corporate customers. “Whilst Birmingham will be our first outlet,
there are ambitious plans to open multiple venues across the UK. Leeds will hopefully be our next destination and we have an ambitious business plan that will see us hopefully hit 100 Miss Macaroon shops by 2021.” Lakhbir Singh, regional manager at BCRS
Business Loans, said: “Miss Macaroon is having an impressive impact in the local community and has bright plans for the future, so we were delighted to support Rosie’s expansion plans.”
Careers advice goes to infinity and beyond
A Wolverhampton company has launched an out- of-this-world careers exploration initiative which aims to revolutionise the way young people experience and navigate the world of work. PLANit Global is a user-friendly online
interface which connects local businesses with young people. Trialled and tested with a number of West Midlands schools and students, the company is confident it has something a bit different to offer businesses and students alike. The initiative consists of 27 different ‘PLANits’,
each featuring a different business sector, including professional services, manufacturing and retail. Businesses buy a space on the relevant
‘PLANit’ for their sector, and upload information about the company, the staff who work there, the jobs they do, the qualifications and experience they have, and also their opinions on what it’s like to work there.
40 CHAMBERLINK February 2017
Blast off: Judy Hart (Investors In Excellence), Edward Williams (St Peters Collegiate School, Wolverhampton) and David Darlaston
Young people pilot customisable spaceships
around the PLANits, landing on the ones that appeal to them. David Darlaston, PLANit Global’s CEO, said:
“It’s widely recognised that current careers advice and guidance simply isn’t fit for purpose. “What’s missing is meaningful engagement
between businesses and young people, giving students and school leavers the opportunity to connect with real companies and spend time exploring what they have to offer in terms of work experience, apprenticeships and career paths. “PLANit Global has been designed to be appealing and functional for young people, presenting information using the game-play format they are familiar with. “Businesses, too, can cost-effectively promote
their brand, their values and the sector in which they operate – fulfilling corporate social responsibility commitments.”
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