MEMBER NEWS
How has work been affected?
A new study by social inequality experts will investigate how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the working lives of people in the UK – including the potential differences in the experiences of men and women. The University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the UK Women’s
Budget Group, is examining how the workplaces of women and men have been impacted as the pandemic effects roll into 2021. Researchers will analyse whether coronavirus is narrowing
or reinforcing existing gender inequalities in ways of working, and whether it has created new inequalities. Through access to large datasets, the team will
produce new multi-dimensional gendered analyses of the working lives of women and men in the UK. The experts will be able to track key labour force changes resulting from the pandemic and assess if there are differences among women and men in their levels of unemployment, their hours worked and typical earnings. Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, director of the UK Women’s
Budget Group, said: “Early data shows that the pandemic, and Government response, has had a gendered impact. This project will provide valuable new evidence showing which groups have been hardest hit in order to inform policy interventions. We are delighted to be part of it.” The project, led by Professor Tracey Warren and Dr Luis
Torres of Nottingham University Business School, has been awarded funding to accelerate the use of data for vital Covid- 19 research following a rapid call for initiatives by Health Data Research UK, the Office for National Statistics and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It will expand on Professor Warren’s existing research project, in collaboration with Professor Clare Lyonette at the University of Warwick and the UK Women’s Budget Group, analysing how the pandemic is affecting working-class women. Dr Tracey Warren, professor of sociology at Nottingham
University Business School, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work. This project will allow us to build a full picture of the entire UK workforce and pinpoint areas or groups which need urgent help.”
Penguin PR helps firms stay visible
Increased demand from businesses determined to "stay visible" during the pandemic has resulted in increased demand for a Derby PR firm's services. Penguin PR, based in Ashbourne Road, described 2020 as one of its
busiest years yet, having successfully adapted to Covid-19 and picked up a steady stream of new customers in the second half of the year. At the same time, it benefitted from seeking and creating new media opportunities for existing clients during the pandemic and increasing its own visibility on social media and elsewhere during the lockdown. It began working for a number of companies that were either set up
during lockdown or became clients because they needed to change direction and required exposure in order to make their new ventures a success. Sarah Newton, director of Penguin PR, said: “Like everybody else, we
faced some big challenges in 2020 but it was by working through them that new opportunities presented themselves.” Among the new clients picked up during 2020 – and the beginning of
this year – include fast-growing doughnut bakers Project D, postal gift company Colleague Box, Treetops Hospice, Invictus Communications and Aristotle Financial Planning.
Sarah added: “In the end, we were undoubtedly fortunate that we were
able to flex under pressure and were able to secure our clients coverage by using the changing media landscape and news agenda to their advantage. “That coverage helped them to stay visible at a time of great uncertainty
while at the same time we are now serving a new breed of entrepreneur, who has grown up with the internet and understands that having a strong online presence is a marketing necessity, not an added benefit.”
business networkMarch 2021 17
Focus launches refreshed brand
Multi-disciplinary company Focus has unveiled refreshed branding and a new website to mark the latest chapter in the firm’s history. The move also reflects the
current direction in which the business is heading, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. Established in Nottingham
in 1994, Focus is a construction consultancy offering a range of services including project management, energy and sustainability services, funding and economic development and chartered surveying. Focus managing partner
Jason Redfearn said: “Our new website reflects the wide range of services and expertise we have built within the company since 1994, showcasing our commitment to our sustainability offering in particular. “Sustainability is very much
at the top of the agenda and we are proud to have become a leading sustainability construction consultancy practice, offering a wealth of expertise in the sector.”
Sarah Newton
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