Business 'tide about to turn for the better' in East Anglia
A surprise monthly fall in the number of company insolvencies in England and Wales suggests the tide is turning for the local economy with an increase growth and prospects over coming months, says the Eastern branch of R3. Insolvency Service figures show that corporate insolvencies fell by 6.4 per cent in May to 2,006 and were down by 21 pc on May last year. R3 Eastern chair Hayley Watson of McTear Williams & Wood said: “Despite the challenges facing local companies, including the uncertain political and economic climate, business owners appear generally more optimistic about the coming months, and many expect output and sales levels to rise and are planning to recruit extra staff. With the national economy growing in the first quarter of this year and predicted to grow again in the next quarter, the tide may be about to turn for the better in East Anglia." However she added: “Businesses do need to remain cautious, however, as inflation levels, depressed consumer spending, and the costs of energy and fuel have been looming over the local economy for months. Shorter-term issues, like the rain we experienced in April and May, will also have hit local firms in the construction, retail and hospitality sectors, with delays to building projects and a reduced footfall into shops and hospitality businesses."
Ipswich Town FC wins role as patron at Suffolk Chamber
Ipswich Town FC has taken on the role of chamber patron at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. John Dugmore (photo right), chief executive of the chamber, said: "Suffolk Chamber team, board, fellow patrons, and members extend a warm welcome to Mark (Ashton, CEO), Tom (Ball CFO), and the entire Ipswich Town Football Club team. Strengthening their support for the county's leading business organisation by becoming a patron underscores Ipswich Town's commitment to not only our county town but the entirety of Suffolk."
Tom Ball (left) said: "Together, we share a unified vision to advance economic vitality and prosperity for Suffolk, leveraging our collective strengths to create a thriving community for future generations. Our shared ambitions and focus on progress make this partnership a natural evolution in our journey. The synergy and potential for significant impact are evident."
Firm with Norfolk base to work with Nissan on EV battery initiative
Connected Energy, which has a technical base at Hethel Engineering Centre near Norwich, is taking on a key role in a pioneering project led by Nissan to boost electric vehicle battery sustainability in the UK. The Newcastle-based firm will lead on the second-life battery element of the project, building on its existing tech to deliver large-scale energy storage sites using EV batteries. “Our goal is to develop and demonstrate a pioneering economic model for large-scale second life energy storage systems that can be easily scaled up further and replicated,” said CEO Matthew Lumsden. “This will place Connected Energy and our network of partners at the leading edge of second life battery use. Repurposing EV batteries in energy storage is a key contributor to vehicle electrification and sustainability while also helping towards the decarbonisation of the electricity grid.”
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Appointment launches life sciences & tech drive
Advisory firm BDO has launched a life sciences and technology drive with the appointment of a senior industry specialist in Cambridge. Paul Hughes joins the firm as managing director, life sciences & technology, with wide experience in the sector. He joins from BIOS Health, a neural digital therapy technology company and will initially focus on developing BDO’s life science and technology offerings in Cambridge, across its tax, advisory and business services & outsourcing businesses. Peter Harrup, head of BDO in East Anglia, said: “Paul’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to building a dedicated life sciences and technology team in the region – one that is perfectly placed at a local level to support thriving and innovative businesses, while being able to tap into BDO’s regional, national and global life sciences and technology network.
Cambridge company marks International Women In Engineering Day
Cambridge company Domino has marked this year’s International Women in Engineering Day on 23rd June by paying tribute to its female employees working in key technical roles. Domino, a world leader in coding, marking and digital printing technologies welcomes the annual awareness campaign by the Women’s Engineering Society which highlights the range of rewarding careers open to everyone in the STEM subjects. Maggy Manguian, R&D manager in charge of developing inkjets for Domino’s continuous inkjet printing and thermal inkjet printers, said: “From a very young age I had a keen interest in science and maths, studying for a degree in physical and chemistry science and then a PhD in polymer science. This opened up opportunities to work in a range of sectors such as cosmetic and household products, composite materials for wind turbine and marine and for the past nine years in inkjet at Domino." She added: “As a woman working in a job I love, I find a quote from Marie Curie really inspirational: ‘We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained’.”
Domino marks International Women In Engineering Day 2024 (l-r): Maggy Manguian, R&D manager; Rachel Hurst, chief operating officer; Jayasri Allipuram, software test engineer; and Jessica Godleman, team leader for data platform.
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