BUSINESS REPORT


ALLIANCE FORMED DURING PANDEMIC


Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes is at the centre of a country- wide alliance to help fuel recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Several Chamber members are among 13 businesses and one


charity, from Kent to Liverpool, which are focusing on collaboration rather than competition – forming a wide-ranging network to generate opportunities for each other. The move has already triggered a number of ventures, including:


• The formation of a new local company, Bright Stars Group – offering consultancy and specialist services to help established businesses grow further.


• The recruitment of regional directors to stage Business Live networking lunches in a dozen towns and cities, including Milton Keynes – to launch next year.


• Global Business Wellbeing, a not-for-profit online world conference planned for 2021, on the subject of personal and business health following Covid-19.


Many of the companies involved are already profiting from referring work to each other. Included in the list of collaborators are member businesses Poppy Design Studio, Business LIVE UK, Sheila Smith Sales & Events, and Transitions UK. The new Bright Stars Group is expected to become a focal point for expertise in the alliance, to offer a menu of business-to-business support to clients, including recruitment, growth consultancy, marketing and PR.


Visit: www.bright-starsgroup.com


SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT CRIME


After months of tireless campaigning for increased integrity at Companies House, Northamptonshire’s Business Data Group has welcomed the Government’s response to the Corporate Transparency and Register Reform consultation for combating corporate crime in the UK. The new proposals will enable


Companies House to exert enhanced powers to verify the identification of company directors, as well as individuals establishing new companies on behalf of other people. It will also have the authority to investigate and remove false or misleading information that is provided during new company registrations. Companies House is exempt


from abiding by the rules of the Anti-money laundering directive and it currently does not carry out background checks on anyone who sets up a new company. The Government estimates that


FIRST BRACKMILLS BUSINESS AWARD WINNER IS UNVEILED


A determination to manufacture face shields during Covid-19 has seen Laura Stavciuc from Northampton manufacturing firm igus UK scoop a top award. Laura, 24, a credit co-ordinator


at igus UK, has been recognised for her dedication during the pandemic and been presented with an award by the Brackmills Business Improvement District (BID). Laura said: “When I heard that


the local branch of the National 3D Printing Society was striving to produce PPE, I put myself forward to lead on the project.


“igus UK pledged its support and


I spent as much time as I could on it. We repurposed part of our site to check, prepare and produce hundreds of face shields a day.” igus UK moved to Brackmills


Industrial Estate in 2006. It offers a range of plastic plain bearings, spherical bearings, linear guides, cable carriers and continuous-flex cables as well as producing fully integrated systems. The company has remained open during the pandemic. Managing director Matthew Aldridge said: “We made the decision straight away to remain


open during the pandemic – to support the UK economy, help the Government with essential PPE and the manufacture of ventilators and other essential medical equipment. We are rightly proud of this and of the part Laura has played.” Laura added: “I am so glad I had


the opportunity to do this. I felt enthusiastic at the start and accomplished by the end. Seeing the final result and understanding the real difference we had made in keeping people safe during these times has been fantastic.” The Brackmills BID Above and


Laura Stavciuc of ignus UK


Beyond the Call of Duty awards have been designed to shine the spotlight on committed individuals, talented teams, and innovative companies.


To nominate visit: www.brack millsindustrialestate.co.uk/brackmil ls-awards


BIZSPACE OPENS NEW ENTERPRISE CENTRE


Chamber members, Bizspace, are thrilled to announce the opening of their new Enterprise Centre in Raunds, which went ahead in July despite the Covid-19 lockdown. A collaboration with East Northants Council, who own the building, the


partnership is already producing excellent results. Like many businesses, expectations of the launch were muted, as it was uncertain how many firms would be in a position to take advantage of the excellent space; before the end of the first quarter however, the building was already above 17% occupancy, far surpassing even pre-lockdown targets. Managed by Fiona Wells, who has over 14 years’ experience in the


industry, Bizspace have been working hard to ensure that tenants of the building benefit from the same exceptional service the brand has always been known for. As social distancing rules put a hiatus on close-up events, the team were determined to ensure that collaboration and community remained top of the agenda, and that the firms choosing to base


8 inbusiness DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021


themselves from the new Enterprise Centre are supported. In August the team participated in the national Cycle to Work Day, followed by a take- away from a local fast-food outlet – a Covid-friendly, outdoor alternative to the usual catered events that Bizspace hosts. Fiona said: “There’s such a brilliant community within the Centre already,


and it’s brilliant to see the different businesses collaborating with each other. I love bringing people together and helping to support their vision for success. We’ve already built a great atmosphere, and to see businesses working together and building networks is the best part of the job. In my previous role we hit 100% occupancy, and I’m excited to achieve the same here.”


Bizspace are happy to speak with fellow Chamber members, to see how


they can be supported. Email: fiona.wells@bizspace.co.uk


financial fraud alone costs the UK economy £6.8bn per year – the equivalent of over £100 per person. Richard Osborne (pictured), a member of the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Board of directors and CEO of Business Data Group, said: “This is a tremendous step forward in fighting corporate crime in the UK. It is very reassuring to see that almost all of Business Data Group’s recommendations have been included in the Government’s proposed response.”


Visit: www.bdgroup.co.uk


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