NVC Lighting looks forward to a bright year ahead

NVC Lighting is looking forward to 2024 following a significant investment, raising the profile of its brand and lighting solutions. The Birmingham-based business, established in 2007, supplies its extensive range of lighting solutions to electricians and electrical contractors through national and independent wholesalers. NVC Lighting will be embarking on its first major integrated marketing campaign in 2024, alongside introducing a host of new products and innovations to enhance its market position. Spearheading NVC Lighting’s investment in raising its brand profile is Sangita Mistry, the recently appointed Head of Brand Marketing and Communications. Sangita has extensive experience in the building and construction sector, having previously worked in marketing positions for global HVACR pipe fittings business Conex Bänninger, and Geberit – a European sanitaryware business.   Neil Clydesdale, Group Commercial Director at NVC Lighting, expresses his optimism about the market and the company's position in it and says, "We see 2024 as a year to continue building a positive platform for our future. Our reputation is built on creating innovative, quality products at an affordable price while understanding and supporting our customers' priorities."  NVC Lighting’s plans for 2024 include the upcoming launch of its LiFe Emergency lighting range, seeing the rollout of its first-ever integrated marketing campaign to drive awareness with electrical contractors and facilities managers. The company will continue to evolve by expanding its PRO and Core ranges.    For more on NVC Lighting, click here.

The women leading the charge towards a greener future 

To mark National Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Day, The Kensa Group is shining the spotlight on the women working to make net zero a reality.  Since its inception 25 years ago, women have been integral at Kensa. With 29% of its manufacturing workers being women, higher than the national average, and having recently appointed Tamsin Lishman as its CEO, the Kensa Group is an example in the STEM industry where women can succeed at the highest level.  Supporting WISE’s mission to #MoveTheDial and championing gender parity across all STEM sectors, on 17 January, Kensa is recognising some of the many women who have taken the innovative Cornish manufacturing company to where it is today - and who will lead it into an even brighter future.  Tamsin, says, “We all recognise our role at Kensa, providing energy-efficient heating solutions to help the UK reach net zero, and there is a commitment and passion for achieving that goal running through every one of us.''  Marie Hand, Factory Manager at Kensa Heat Pumps, says, “Being at Kensa for 17 years has taught me a lot. There have been ups and downs along the way, but seeing what we’re trying to accomplish excites me for the future. This is a company that inspires you to succeed and better not only yourself but also the lives of others through what we do.   “Each day I’m given the chance and encouragement to prove myself, and being asked to be a Climate Hero for a COP26 campaign is something I’ll remember forever. I’d say to women wanting to break into this industry to just give it a go - with the right support behind you, anything is achievable!”  Lisa Treseder, Director of Business Development at Kensa Utilities, adds, “I love the freedom I get to create new financial solutions for people wanting to decarbonise their homes. Kensa is somewhere that celebrates bright ideas and hard work, and since being here, I’ve been able to work on the ground-breaking Heat the Streets project, something that will make a huge difference in people’s lives.  “There are so many opportunities here to show what you can do, and they’re available to anyone regardless of gender or background. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this industry, we’re making positive changes every day and anyone who wants to be a part of that will be welcomed wholeheartedly!”  April Dunn, Research and Development New Product Integration Manager, concludes, “The dynamic nature of my role, creating new products from scratch and working with such an amazing team are all things I absolutely love. Each day brings new challenges, but what I get to work on always excites and energises me.”  “This industry is open to anyone, and the way Kensa actively supports women to be the best they can be and having visible women leaders across the business is encouraging and empowering. My advice to women wanting to join this brilliant, fast-moving sector is to get out there, build your knowledge, develop that network, and the opportunities will come.”  To read more about The Kensa Group, click here   

Dame Judith Hackitt presents the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma

As the first four people to complete the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems; Shaun Wright, Daren Pool, Gary Flockton, and John Watts had the honour of having their qualifications presented to them by EAL’s Managing Director, Al Parkes and Dame Judith Hackitt DBE, Chair of the EAL board. When it was launched in 2020, the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems was a significant advancement in providing meaningful certification for the fire safety industry but, until now, no one has completed the challenging experienced worker assessment. This is an important development for the fire safety industry as the qualification, simultaneously part of an apprenticeship in Northern Ireland and Wales, provides a pathway for those who have experience working in the fire sector but did not have the chance to undertake an apprenticeship meeting the same standard. It meets the requirements for industry recognition through the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) for a Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Technician gold card, meeting the baseline competency requirements part of the review into individual competence following the tragedy at Grenfell. All four successful learners came through ZZEUS Training, which provides training and examinations for electricians and fire alarm engineers at its training centre. Tom Brookes, Managing Director of ZZEUS Training and Chairman of the Fire and Security Association (FSA), comments, “I am delighted that four learners from ZZEUS Training have broken new ground in achieving the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems. We’re exploring the possibility of making this qualification a recognised pathway to membership of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which would elevate fire alarm engineers to professional engineering status.” In attendance at the presentation, which also saw the learners receive their ECS Fire Systems Technician Gold cards, were Andy Reakes and Kevin Sparrow. As Director of Growth and Development at The Joint Industry Board and the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme, Andy has been working on improving Fire and Security ECS cards to ensure they are meaningful and meet all the legislative and industry competency requirements. Kevin Sparrow, EAL’s Industry Portfolio Manager for Building Services Engineering, worked with Tom and ECS, ensuring anyone completing the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems would meet the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Technician Apprenticeship Standard and the new requirements of the ECS Fire Systems Technician Gold card. To read more about EAL, click here.

NOAH and Knightsbridge support the homeless this winter

In what has become an annual tradition for the company, Knightsbridge has provided additional support to the homeless this winter, with a significant donation to a regional charity doing great work in the field. NOAH Enterprise is local to Knightsbridge and seeks to help the most disadvantaged in Luton and Central Bedfordshire by providing a practical, empowering and caring service to homeless people, particularly those who are temporary or entrenched rough sleepers and those who are socially excluded or have fallen into poverty. NOAH provides a broad range of support services, ranging from an emergency winter night shelter and a welfare centre, providing hot meals and legal and health advice, to outreach on the streets. The NOAH academy delivers education and training, helping people with work experience and volunteering. Knightsbridge is closely aligned with the work of homelessness charities and is donating £9,500 from the December sales of its Weatherproof range to the charity. To read more about Knightsbridge, click here

Ørsted ranked the most sustainable energy developer

Ørsted has been ranked the world’s most sustainable energy developer amongst the 292 ‘power generating companies’ in Corporate Knights’ 2024 Global 100 index for the fifth time. Corporate Knights benchmarks the sustainability performance of a company against its usual peers and across sectors. Once a carbon-intensive company, Ørsted is claimed to have transitioned to renewables faster than any other energy company. The company put sustainability at the core of its strategy as it shifted offshore wind and is committed to a green transformation benefitting nature and people.  Ingrid Reumert, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Stakeholder Relations at Ørsted says, “We’re happy to be recognised by Corporate Knights as the world’s most sustainable energy developer. Working seriously with sustainability requires ambition, thoroughness, and strong partnerships – and adds to our continued commitment to creating a world that runs entirely on green energy.” She continues, “World leaders at COP28 agreed to triple the global renewable energy capacity by 2030 – this will require a build-out of renewables at a pace and scale never seen before. Doing so in a sustainable way is both necessary for our planet and to secure the licence to operate by governments and societies. We’ll only be able to reach a tripling of renewables by 2030 if we gain community support, ease long-term raw material pressures in our supply chains, and unlock access to space to build at land and sea – sustainability is key in all of these endeavours.' Building green energy and doing it right  The company is a developer of offshore wind with a portfolio of 8.9GW in operation and has installed a renewable capacity totalling 15.7GW. It is building renewables across three continents; offshore wind, onshore wind, solar and Power-to-X projects are under construction and will provide access to green energy, benefiting businesses, private homes and nature.   In 2023, Ørsted made strides in decarbonisation, edging closer to delivering net zero wind farms. The company issued the industry’s first blue bond, raising €100 million to fund offshore biodiversity, and teamed up with UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business to advance the positive social impact of renewable energy projects. It procured low carbon copper cables for the world’s single largest offshore wind farm, Hornsea 3 in the UK, thereby reducing the emissions from high-voltage power cables by nearly 50%. The company entered a large-scale supply agreement with Dillinger, its key steel manufacturer for foundations, enabling a shift towards low-emission steel production. It also signed a contract with ESVAGT to take on a second green service operation vessel. Ørsted also contributed to a World Economic Forum paper, laying out the foundations of a people-positive renewables build-out. Specifically related to the Corporate Knights ranking, Ørsted’s sustainable revenue share increased from 66% to 73% in 2022, and its sustainable share of CAPEX remained high at 99%, reflecting its investment in renewable energy projects. Ørsted has reduced its scope 1-2 emissions by 87% from 2006 to 2022 and is on track to phase out coal this year. To read more about Ørsted, click here.

BGEN relocates to new, larger premises in the Midlands

It’s one of 11 UK sites part of an international network.   The company’s move to a larger location - which includes a workshop and manufacturing units, in addition to enhanced testing facilities and storage areas - follows an expansion in client services and commercial growth across the Midlands. The new workspace accommodates the firm’s increasing headcount in the city as BGEN expands its foothold in the region and delivers two recently awarded regional framework agreements.   This new manufacturing hub supports BGEN’s sustainability targets and commitment to zero carbon and smarter logistics by significantly reducing miles travelled and emissions from delivery transportation.   Nationally, BGEN is looking to double its headcount over the next 12 months and is recruiting for numerous positions, including mechanical, instrumental and electrical engineers and fitters. There are also commercial and administrative roles, as well as apprenticeship, graduate, and trainee opportunities, available across the business.  At a time when supply chain sustainability is scrutinised - and with 60% of BGEN’s work being energy transition-related – the move supports clients’ sustainability ambitions whilst reducing manufacturing lead times.   BGEN’s new premises – located on Derwent Park in the city – are home to its locally-based Technology division. The 30-strong team provides a range of specialist engineering services, from system integration and project management to a blue-chip client list. It works in several sectors such as water, power energy and industrial. It is also part of a national Technology team of over 210 employees.   In 2019, BGEN opened its first office in the city. With new premises, BGEN Derby now shares the scope, capacity and capabilities of the firm’s Stafford facility which has, up until now, been its principal Midlands location.   “Our recent move to a larger Derby site reflects our success in providing technical expertise and innovative engineering solutions to a growing customer base across the region,” says Robin Whitehead, CEO of BGEN. “We’re being called upon to solve more engineering challenges of the modern world, which requires more space, facilities and expertise.    “We’ve achieved great success in Derby in just four years, and the city continues to be a strong strategic location for us. We’re now looking forward to our next phase of growth here, during which time we’ll continue to serve more key clients, with an even greater portfolio of products and services, whilst recruiting from the skilled workforce that’s available to us locally.”      To read more about BGEN, click here. 

Develop set to launch a new coaching and mentoring programme

Develop Training is developing a new coaching and mentoring programme due to launch in early 2024.   Designed by Develop’s Organisational Development Consultant, Hanna Magdziarek, the six-month programme will target middle to senior management, helping improve their coaching, mentoring and leadership skills.    As part of the new programme, delegates will be provided with monthly group sessions, one-to-one coaching, and the opportunity to develop, practice and apply coaching and mentoring thought processes, techniques and tools, alongside the support of a qualified and experienced coach.   Hanna Magdziarek, Organisational Development Consultant at Develop, says, “The creation and trialling stages of our new coaching and mentoring programme have been really exciting and insightful. We are now looking forward to the finalisation of the programme, ahead of its launch in the early months of 2024.   “The programme has been curated to take delegates through the process of coaching and mentoring, undergoing a deep self-analysis to acquaint individuals with key leadership skills.”    To read more about Develop Training, click here.

Skills shortage in the electrical industry under scrutiny

An event for the electrical industry, focusing on the skills, safety, and solutions for the UK’s evolving electrical installations, will be held at IET London on Savoy Place. As the UK heads towards a low carbon future with increased electrification of its built environment, this should be delivered safely and professionally. Given the consequences of not having adequately trained and qualified workers to deal with an increasingly electric future, there is an urgent need to attract new talent to the industry, in addition to bridging the growing skills gap in the electrotechnical workforce.  This topic will be one of several issues under discussion at the Electrical Installation Seminar on 23 April, hosted by Electrical Safety First. With a theme of 'Switch on to the big issues', the seminar will explore how to make people's homes safer and the quality and consistency of EICRs (electrical inspection condition reporting).   A rapid-fire session will feature presentations on emerging technologies and trends such as low carbon technologies (LCT) and prosumer electrical installation (PEI), alongside the importance of understanding safety considerations.   Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director of Electrical Safety First, says, “It is exciting and timely for the charity to be hosting this industry event and highlighting key aspects required to move the UK safely towards its net zero carbon goals.”   The seminar is a free half-day event bringing together a range of industry actors, including manufacturers, wholesalers, awarding bodies, electrical contractors, government representatives, insurers, housing associations, trade associations, certification bodies, and fire and rescue services.  To learn more about Electrical Safety First, click here.

Electrical training officer cycles from Venice to Milan for charity

A Scottish training officer has raised thousands of pounds for the Electrical Industries Charity, helping him face his mental health issues. Frankie Greig, overseeing apprentices for the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, cycled 324 miles from Venice to Milan in the Italian Lakes Cycle Event to raise money in aid of the EIC. The dad-of-three, who looks after young learners at West College Scotland, Paisley Campus, says he undertook the gruelling challenge to repay the charity after it helped him with his wellbeing. Frankie, 41, says, “The EIC is all about helping people when they need it most and I’ve benefited from their support as I suffer from poor mental health. “I know that the EIC has also done a lot for my apprentices as well as some of the adult trainees at West College Scotland so I’m delighted I can give something back to the charity for its support.” During the five-day challenge in October, Frankie said he learned to go at his own pace, and he completed the trek, raising £2,880 for the EIC. Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, says, “Many congratulations to Frankie for completing this exhausting challenge. We applaud too his personal courage in being willing to speak out about issues which sometimes, tragically, remain hidden. “The electrical sector, and the construction industry as a whole, has become much more aware of the importance of mental health, especially since the pandemic, and has redoubled its efforts to support our people and maintain their wellbeing. “I’m sure Frankie’s story will be an inspiration to many in the industry and the money will be used by the EIC to support others needing help.” To read more about EIC, click here.

The ultimate winter-proof jacket has arrived from Carhartt

Tackle the winter months with Carhartt’s Montana Insulated jacket (105474) - designed to keep you warm, dry and hard at work regardless of the weather. Incorporating Rain Defender and Wind Fighter technology, this jacket has a water-repellent finish and tames the harshest gusts. The Montana jacket, made from nylon with synthetic down insulation and a lightweight Sherpa fleece lining, is like a personal portable heater, sealing in the heat where you need it the most, the company claims. The loose-fit design allows maximum movement and flexibility. The jacket is made with practicality in mind, with two chest pockets with secure flaps and snap closures, a hidden zipper-secured pocket, two lower front pockets and a large interior utility pocket that ensures all your essentials are within reach. The jacket consists of an interior storm flap, chin protector, elastic cuffs, a drop-tail, an adjustable hem and a three-piece hood with a hidden adjustable drawcord. It is available in black or oak brown and features the iconic Carhartt label sewn on the pocket. To read more about Carhartt, click here.