Recycling Solutions is delighted to offer our Chamber Colleagues a New Year’s Discount on our waste management service. If you use paper, (including confidential waste), glass, card, steel cans, aluminum cans, mixed plastics, plastic cups, buckets, mixed bottles, mixed polypropylene, cartridge toners and mobile phones, we would be pleased to help you set up a recycling scheme if you do not already have one. Our fees are very reasonable.

Recycling Solutions is owned by the Award Winning Charity Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and the money we earn from recycling is ploughed back into improving Leicester and Leicestershire’s environment, to deliver conservation projects, improve green spaces and support environmental education with young people.

For a free onsite consultation, and a guaranteed 10% discount please contact Michelle Roe on 01664 434777 or by e-mail michelle.roe@groundwork.org.uk

Leicester’s inaugural Green Light Festival, held at DeMontfort University in February of last year was a roaring success attracting more than 1,000 visitors. Co-managed by Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and Transition Leicester, the festival was a showcase of sustainable living that included business demonstrations, practical activities, music, film and debate, all aimed at helping Leicester to lower its carbon footprint and to become more sustainable.

The 2012 Festival takes place on the 31st March at the Queens Building, DeMontfort University and will be another bumper, day long event. It will provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to showcase sustainable products to the public and to join in the debate about how to achieve low carbon city status for Leicester.

If you would like your business to exhibit at the event, please contact Chris Shaw on 0116 2220239 or e-mail him chris.shaw@groundwork.org.uk

9 December 2011: PKF Accountants & business advisers has been named ‘Accountants of the Year’ at the General Practice Awards 2011.
 
PKF’s team collected its award from Dr Phil Hammond during a gala dinner last night at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on London’s Park Lane.
 
The General Practice Awards were established to showcase the achievements of individuals such as practice managers and GPs across the UK, as well as the work undertaken by private sector businesses within the primary healthcare sector.
 
Valerie Martin-Long, a partner and member of PKF’s healthcare team, said: “This award is undoubtedly one of the highlights of what has been a very busy and successful past twelve months for PKF’s healthcare team.  I am delighted that PKF’s expertise and advice to GP practices and other primary care organisations has been recognised in such a high profile way.
 
“We hope to build on this success in 2012 and look forward to continuing to assist our clients across the country in developing their practices and new commissioning and provider businesses in the future.”

The Executive’s Survival Guide to Commercial Fraud and Corruption
One-day senior management workshops delivered by the University of Leicester: 
24th February 2012;
18th May 2012

For more information and booking:
http://go.le.ac.uk/fraud-workshop.

When it comes to white collar crime, the typical fraudster is male, aged 36-45 with a senior job in finance according to a survey published in June 2011 by accountancy firm KPMG. The pressure to meet targets, together with weak internal controls, has contributed to the rise in the number of corporate fraud cases, up from 49% in 2007 to 74% in 2011. Undetected fraud costs the insurance industry and its customers over £2 billion every year, according to the Association of British Insurers.

According to the latest quarterly UK Business and Economic Outlook Survey by CIMA less than half (44.3%) of businesses in the East Midlands say they are prepared for the new Bribery Act.
In response to such alarming statistics, the University of Leicester, together with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), has enlisted two of the UK’s leading experts in the field in order to train senior managers to stop, or spot, the fraudster in their firms. The sessions will be led by Nigel Iyer of Septia Group who has over 20 years experience of preventing, detecting and investigating fraud and corruption. He is joined by Professor Peter Jackson of the University of Leicester, a prominent strategic thinker and economist.
These one-day training workshops are open to anyone in a senior management position whose responsibilities cover financial management, operational controls, and board-level governance. The sessions will enable delegates to gain an understanding of how such unethical behaviour affects organisations, implement strategies and tools which can reduce the risk of fraud and give them the ability to train staff to become more aware of the risks and the potential fraudster in their midst.
Nigel Iyer helps senior managers build integrity back into their company operations: “Compliance and form filling does not work against fraud and corruption.  We have done it for so long, and are still ‘desperately seeking a solution’ and ignoring the fact that really the solution lies within. Companies can help themselves by understanding how fraud and corruption affects them and how to push it out of their business.  In other words we are teaching how to turn hidden losses into profit.”
Professor Peter Jackson brings considerable experience in working at senior government levels as well as in management training: “Ignorance is no defence when it comes to commercial fraud and corruption. I am amazed how little attention is paid by senior staff to this growing and increasingly complex issue. Through practical advice, case studies and discussion I believe these one-day sessions will make an enormous impact on every company attending.”
Former head of security with international distribution company TNT Simon Scales can provide tangible proof of how fraud management works in practice: “Treating Fraud and Corruption is one thing, but how do you identify and apply the necessary skills to deal with it both proactively and reactively? Any training programme that provides solid and dependable learning, with a specific focus on ensuring which practical processes and procedures can work will benefit the delegate, organisation and society as a whole.”
Organising the seminars is University of Leicester Director of Professional and Flexible Learning Elain Crewe, who says: “Engaging with the business community in this series of seminars is  an important way of sharing our expertise. We know that such training makes a really tangible difference to the sustainability and growth of successful companies, so we would encourage anyone interested in proactively managing fraud from across the UK to book a place as soon as possible.”

Venue: Birmingham NEC
Date: 27 & 28 June 2012

BUSINESS MIDLANDS, Birmingham NEC
Don't miss out on your opportunity to take part in the Midlands' essential event for business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs and decision-makers looking for solutions to make their business grow. Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce support this event offering members a 10% discount on stand prices.

For more information, call Fotoulla Michael - Sales Manager
+44 (0)20 8843 8822 or Fotoulla.Michael@easyFairs.com . www.Business-Midlands.co.uk

A free and confidential on line security survey for business users.

This is a new and confidential on line service that allows the user to complete a security survey and review of their business and its vulnerability to crime and terrorism. 

It takes around 30 minutes to complete and provides a bespoke report with recommendations.

It is administered by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and can be accessed is via the Leicestershire Constabulary, Counter Terrorism Security Advisers

In brief, it is about raising the awareness of, and reducing the opportunity for crime and terrorism.

Business users can register for this free service by sending an electronic business card to:   CTSA@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk

Would your business like some free problem solving help from university students?

Business Builder is working on a project with some very talented math’s and physics university students. They would like the opportunity to work with 3 Leicestershire businesses that are currently facing a business problem and could benefit from some outside help to solve it.

This might include developing a database, developing some software, analysing information, financial systems, mapping programmes, probabilities or logistics.

This is a great opportunity for a business to take advantage of some young innovative talent.  Please contact us for further details at jackiel@bizbuild.co.uk or Tel 0116 2587354.

Members of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce can now receive substantial discounts on new Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars thanks to an agreement between Fiat Group and Leicester motor retailer Sturgess.
Under the scheme, savings of up to 19 per cent on a new Alfa Romeo will be available to chamber members (and their direct family members) who buy their new vehicles from Sturgess Alfa Romeo in Almond Road, Leicester or Sturgess Fiat on Aylestone Road..
By buying their cars through the Fiat Group Affiliation Scheme they will for example save up to 16 per cent on the price of a new Alfa Mito and up to 19 per cent on an Alfa Giulietta models
Similarly, chamber members purchasing Fiat models from Sturgess Fiat on Aylestone Road, Leicester will be eligible for discounts of up to 27.5 per cent on a Fiat Punto Evo, up to 27 per cent on a Fiat Panda and up to 24 per cent on a Fiat Bravo.
Sturgess marketing manager Nichola Moore said: “We’re pleased to be able to support Leicestershire’s business community by offering new cars at preferential prices which aren’t normally available. Our intention is to run this initiative until the end of 2011 but  we will have the option to continue it into next year if it proves a success.”
She added “The discounts available will change quarterly but will be posted on our website www.sturgessgroup.com/offers.”
To qualify,  potential purchasers  must prove that they are members of Leicester Chamber of Commerce and let know Sturgess know  that they wish to buy their new car though the affiliation scheme when visiting the dealership and/or placing an order.

The Carbon Trust is running a campaign to encourage more businesses to take a look at their carbon output. The not-for-profit organisation has designed an infographic http://www.carbontruststandard.com/pages/cutcarbon to demonstrate the scale of the challenge.

From 1990 to 2050 the UK’s target is to reduce its annual carbon emission by 80%. More than 65% of those emissions are created by businesses.

The Carbon Trust Standard is awarded to companies who successfully reduce emissions. A total 500 businesses currently bear the Standard and are reducing their carbon emissions by more than enough to achieve the 2050 target.
To achieve the Standard an organisation has to:

1. Accurately measure its carbon footprint
2. Achieve a reduction in its footprint year on year
3. Demonstrate good carbon management

To encourage UK businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and prove it, visit the Carbon Trust Standard website and click YES - http://www.carbontruststandard.com/pages/cutcarbon

To find out more about becoming a Standard bearer, visit www.carbontruststandard.com

bmibaby is only airline to offer flights to the MIPIM conference from East Midlands Airport

Low cost airline bmibaby has launched a special service from East Midlands Airport to Nice specifically for the world famous MIPIM conference.  The flights will depart from East Midlands Airport on 6th March 2012 and will arrive back on 9th March 2012.  bmibaby is the only airline to offer flights to the MIPIM conference from East Midlands Airport.

Customers travelling on this flight can also enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at East Midlands Airport, before they travel.

MIPIM runs from 6-9 March 2012 in Cannes and is the world’s premier real estate event, renowned for being a hotbed for international property trade.  In 2011 the show attracted over 18,000 participants from across the globe over the four day event.

Julian Carr, managing director, bmibaby, said:

“We are pleased to launch our dedicated service to Nice for the MIPIM conference.   The service will allow businesses in the region to travel from their local airport to one of the most important events in the property calendar.

“We are the only airline to offer this service from East Midlands Airport, meaning that getting to MIPIM is now even easier for businesses in the region.”

Brad Miller, managing director, East Midlands Airport said:

"We're absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with bmibaby to provide this dedicated service to the business community for the first time and we're confident that it will be welcomed by the many businesses in the region looking to attend next year’s MIPIM conference."

Flights are available to book now on www.bmibaby.com. ; bmibaby will operate flights to Nice up to 5 times a week throughout the summer season, starting from 31 March 2012.

Book now at www.bmibaby.com

Young Chamber is an initiative to bridge the gap between businesses and their future workforce – school students.  Participating students have the opportunity to work on:

• Enterprising projects
• Start up and operate small businesses
• Attend business events and workshops
• Organise meetings and conferences

This gives students a genuine opportunity to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills and potentially support real businesses by working on solving real business issues and challenges.

We have successfully established Young Chambers within The City of Leicester College, Casterton Business and Enterprise College, Lutterworth College and Rushey Mead School.

The Young Chamber does need support from local businesses to help with forging links between the business sector and our local schools and college.  More information is available on this wonderful opportunity to use your business skills to help.