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After founding Denby Catering Equipment more than 20 years ago, managing director George Hartley is retiring and handing over the reins of the Wakefield-based business to former accounts and service manager Richard Garfitt following the completion of a Management Buy Out (MBO). Richard, who is just 29, joined the business ten years ago in an office administration/purchase ledger role, going on to manage client accounts, developing extensive product knowledge and becoming involved in all aspects of the business’ operations, including project quotations and design. The £1.8m turnover business comprises a team of experienced kitchen designers and project managers who specialise in the design, supply and installation of catering equipment for commercial kitchens, from one-off replacements to total re-fits. Their expertise includes supply of prime cooking equipment, kitchen ventilation and extraction systems, bespoke stainless steel fabrication, refrigeration (cold rooms and freezer room installation), and repairs, servicing and installations by their in-house Gas Safe registered team. Denby Catering Equipment has established a strong track record working with local authorities across the UK to supply commercial kitchens in schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, as well as in care homes and sheltered housing accommodation. Its clients include Derbyshire County Council and Wakefield Council. The deal, which completed on 5th June, was supported by Calvin Dexter from Calvin Dexter Financial Solutions in Leeds who acted as fundraising adviser for the MBO. The deal was funded by an SME loan from Mercia, with the Mercia team led by Mike Rogers. Legal advice to Garfitt-Robinson Holdings Limited was provided by Nicola Cooper of Clarion; with financial advice from Mark Spencer of Beaumonts Chartered Accountants in Wakefield. Founder and former managing director George Hartley said: “Having spent the last 40 years in the catering sector, I have passed on as much knowledge as I can to Richard who joined us early in his career with the appetite and potential to learn, and has demonstrated he has the versatility to flourish in a company like this. He knows the business inside-out and his skills now cover our entire process - I am happy to be leaving Denby in his capable hands." “Given Richard’s strong client relationships, it will be a seamless transition as the business moves into the next era. Congratulations to Richard and I wish him every success for a prosperous future.” Richard Garfitt added: “George has built up a successful company which is a credit to his management skills, and I would like to thank him for his generosity and support as I have progressed through the business." “Having established a niche serving the public sector, and a proven track record of meeting the exacting service required, we’re fortunate to work with such wonderful customers. Denby Catering Equipment provides work for numerous staff and sub-contractors and I am proud to be taking it forward.” Calvin Dexter says: “This is an inspiring story, seeing a nineteen-year-old rise through the ranks to ultimately become the owner of the company is a real achievement. I am delighted to have been able to play a part in helping Richard to purchase, and George to exit, this longstanding and successful business. I wish both Richard and George well and look forward to watching the business go from strength to strength under Richard’s stewardship.” Mike Rogers of Mercia added: “Denby has built a compelling reputation in the industry and a solid customer base in the region. In recent years Richard has played an integral role in its success. We are pleased to be able support this deal which will give him full control of the business as it enters the next stage of its growth journey.” Mark Spencer comments: “Having worked with George throughout the Denby journey, I have seen George build a really successful business on the back of excellent personal service and customer relationships. His knowledge and experience has been passed over to Richard who has now taken over the reins and his enthusiasm, drive and ambition to grow the business will ensure continued success.”

Apprenticeships have changed a lot over the past few years with many now offering a fantastic way to start a career. Apprenticeships used to be heavily aligned with trades and skills associated with a career in a trade but today there are plenty of opportunities to undertake apprenticeships in fields as diverse as marketing, human resources and finance too. Family firms are the engine room of the UK economy and provide significant opportunities by way of apprenticeships too. Family Business United, the award winning magazine and resource centre for family firms across the UK has just announced the start of the search for the top family business apprentice employers across the UK for 2023. If you employ more than 5 apprentices then enter for free today and see where you stand in the rankings. Further information and entry can be made here Family businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial and it is great to see so many providing apprenticeships within their organisations. The inaugural report clearly demonstrated the commitment of family firms to invest in the next generation of their staff and that there are a significant number of apprenticeship opportunities within the family business sector. "We look forward to seeing how things have developed over the past year and to identifying the UK’s leading family businesses when it comes to employing apprentices this year."

Everyone loves a good looking plant around the office but not everyone has the green fingers needed to look after them and keep them looking good. It is well documented that plants have many benefits that go beyond just the way that they look. In fact, research confirms that biophilic design, the implementation of nature and greenery into a space, can help to actually increase productivity by 20% as well as reducing the levels of absenteeism by 15%. People like to have plants around them and they clearly enhance the working environment for many. But looking after them and the level of maintenance can be a cause for concern and puts many people off introducing them to the workplace. Outdoor plants aren’t normally too tricky, as there’s much more natural light when needed, and you can always use an outdoor heater to give them some warmth on a chilly day. However, meeting the requirements for indoor plants can sometimes be a challenge with the lack of natural light, drier environments and the need to water them on a more regular basis too. But overall, the benefits are too good to ignore, especially when it comes to the office; so it’s important to find the perfect plants to add to the workspace. Here, we have identified five plants that work well in an office based on their low maintenance and air quality advantages. If you are looking to introduce plants into your work environment, these might work well for you as they provide all the benefits of plants being present without the need for too much maintenance and looking after! Pothos Pothos, otherwise known as devil’s ivy, has many advantages, one being that it can be potted in different ways. It can be placed on a desk or in a hanging pot on a wall, so if your foot traffic is high, you can hang this plant up and out of the way to ensure you’re still reaping the benefits. Only indirect light is required for pothos, and it can even handle shade. The best position would be to hang this plant as they can grow up to eight feet a year, not to mention it will save space on your desk. Watering pothos once a week is just enough, but make sure you only water it when the first two inches of soil are dry. At the peak of winter, you may find that you only need to water it around twice a month. This plant is effective at removing common toxins in the air, such as formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide. According to NASA, two to three air-purifying plants in a pot size between eight to ten inches are recommended for every 100 square feet, so consider adding a lot of these around the office. Snake Plant The snake plant can grow between six inches to eight feet tall, so consider the foot traffic in your office. That being said, these plants can handle both low light and direct sun, and they’ll do just fine in the corner of the room where it won’t take up too much space. A minimum of five hours of light is needed for them to grow properly, so consider a corner near a window. The soil needs to completely dry out in between watering for the snake plant, making it the perfect plant for busy office workers who may be forgetful when it comes to care. Watering is required every two weeks, and in winter, this can reduce to once a month if the soil isn’t dry after a fortnight. Yet another benefit is that this plant can filter indoor air and has the ability to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night while you’re away from the office. Chinese Evergreen Chinese evergreen plants do well in medium to low light conditions or indirect sunlight, so it makes for the perfect desk plant if you’re cooped up in a dark corner in the office. However, this plant does prefer a warm temperature and won’t thrive if it is in an environment under 16 degrees, so keep it away from any air conditioning. With the plant on your desk, you’re unlikely to forget to care for it – but remember that watering is needed every seven to ten days and every fortnight when winter arrives. Chinese evergreen is a NASA-recommended air-purifying plant, as it emits a high amount of oxygen and can purify a space of toxins like benzene, making it a top pick for the office. Spider Plants Spider plants will spruce up your space, and you’ll only need to water these around once a week, but only do so when the top two inches are dry. You can even use your water bottle for this, as it won’t require a large quantity, and it’s likely you’ll have one handy on your desk. Medium light is best for spider plants and direct sunlight should be avoided, so your desk is the perfect home for this to maintain its growth. The office’s air quality will improve with spider plants too, as it eliminates toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. Peace Lilies Peace lilies are bound to brighten up the office. East-facing windows are the best home for peace lilies in your office, but north facing will also keep the plant happy. A minimum of ten hours in a well-lit spot will allow your plant to thrive, but direct sun will dry out the plant, so keep this in mind. Additionally, they won’t be too fond of a cold draft, so ensure the window stays closed and there’s no air conditioning close by. Consistency is necessary for peace lilies, so watering every week to keep the soil moist is important. One of the great things about this plant is that it will communicate when it needs watering as the leaves will droop, so if you do notice this, be sure to check on the soil and add some water if it feels dry. By adding this into the office, the air will be purified, as it is capable of eliminating 60% of pollutants, like carbon monoxide. Rubber Tree Plant If your office needs something to make a statement, a rubber plant, or ficus elastica, will do the trick. This plant works best for offices with low foot traffic, as it can grow up to 10 metres tall, so it could get in the way slightly if you don’t have much space. While a rubber plant will work best in medium to bright indirect light, it can also manage direct sunlight – but positioning it near a south-facing window along with blinds will be the best location in the office. Just a moderate amount of water is needed for a rubber plant, but be sure to keep the soil consistently moist. In the warmer months, you should water your plant every seven to ten days to keep it moist and avoid it from getting soggy – but this can be every two to three weeks in winter. Rubber plants will also absorb carbon dioxide and turn this into oxygen to help purify the air. Finding the perfect plant for your office space is easier than you might think, and just one of these will brighten up your workspace instantly. As stated up front, plants around the office have been proven to boost morale and even increase productivity so not only do they look good and improve the environment, they can be good for business too!

Wimbledon is one of four Grand Slams in the world of tennis and is the oldest tennis tourament in the world, is the only one played on grass and is widely recognised as the most prestigious tennis tournament too. There are plenty of interesting facts and figures surrounding the tournament too. Here are some fun facts about Wimbledon: Wimbledon is hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club which was founded in 1875. Spencer Gore won the first ever tournament that took place in 1877 Fred Perry won Wimbledon in 1936 and the next British man to take the title was Andy Murray in 2013 Virginia Wade was the last British woman to win Wimbledon in 1977 More than 25,000kg of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream are served during Wimbledon fortnight. During matches, tennis balls are replaced after every 9 games In 2022 the tournament attracted a global television audience of the BBC coverage that exceeded 50 million people! The leading male players to have won the most singles titles at Wimbledon of all time are Roger Federer (8 times), Pete Sampras (7 times) and Novak Djokovic (7 times) Martina Navratilova takes the crown for the most wins of the Ladies singles titles with 9 titles followed by Steffi Graf and Serena Williams (7 titles each) and Venus Williams (5 titles) The grounds have a capacity for 42,000 people at any one time There are 38 courts in total Over 270,000 glasses of Pimms are served during Wimbledon fortnight each year! .

There is only one planet and with the increasing issues associated with climate change and their devastating effects on the lives of millions of people, changes need to be made. The United Nations is well aware of the need for us all to work together to create a more sustainable future, now and for future generations, and launched their Sustainable Development Goals ('SDG') to help everyone collectively come together to make a difference. It is recognised that: "No individual, business, community or government can single-handedly resolve some of the challenges that we face but together, we can make a difference and make the world a better place in which to live." The SDG’s set out to address the challenges faced and take steps to encourage us all to change – patterns and behaviours that ultimately are causing devastating harm to the planet. So what are the SDG’s: No poverty – donate what you don’t use or need. No hunger – waste less food, shop local, eat seasonally and support local farmers and food producers. Good health and wellbeing Quality education – help educate the children in your community. Gender equality – empower women and girls and ensure their equal rights. Clean water and sanitation – avoid wasting water as water scarcity already affects 40% of the world’s population. Affordable and clean energy – reduce consumption and use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. Decent work and economic growth – create job opportunities for the next generation. Industry, innovation and infrastructure – fund projects that provide basic infrastructure. Reduced inequalities – support the marginalised and disadvantaged. Sustainable cities and communities – bike, walk or use public transport. Responsible consumption and production – recycle as much as you can. Climate action – act now to stop global warming. Life below water – avoid plastic bags and help to keep the oceans clean. Life on land – plant a tree and help protect the environment. Peace, justice and strong institutions -stand up for human rights. Partnerships – lobby government to boost development financing. The world is at risk of all sorts of challenges with climate change front and foremost in many minds and we need to collectively take steps to make a difference. Every small step that individuals take to consume less, waste less, remove plastic from their lives, reduce the production of carbon dioxide, changing eating habits to planting trees and being kind to each other will impact on the planet and make a contribution. The planet is a fragile, inter-connected thing and together we can make a difference – we HAVE too.

Over the past few years there has been widespread recognition of wellbeing and the need for everyone to take steps to ensure they are as healthy as they can be, physically and mentally. Good mental wellbeing ensures that we are comfortable and confident and able to cope with the challenges the everyday life throws at us and one way to improve wellbeing is to get out and about and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it is a walk around the local park or a trip to the beach or just a stroll down a country lane, getting out into the fresh air is packed with benefits. Embracing nature can be fun so what are the benefits? Happy People There is no getting away from the fact that a walk in the woods or a stroll through a summer meadow, a walk in the park or a cycle by the sea refreshes the soul and makes us happy. Energy Boost There is plenty of evidence to suggest that getting out and about in nature can boost energy levels significantly Good For The Eyes Many of spend plenty of time close to screens which can cause tired eyes and research suggests that a break from the screen is good for us and by walking outside, the eyes are drawn further afield which can be good for your vision. Immunity The air outside contains more of the good chemicals created by plants known as phytoncides and by being outside we tend to breathe in more of these chemicals which can have health benefits such as increasing white blood cell levels and therefore helping to counter infections. Boosts Creativity Again there is evidence to suggest that mother nature and the great outdoors is an inspirational environment, making us more creative in our approach to life in general. Vitamin D Being outdoors is a great source of the recommended daily Vitamin D requirement which is essential for a healthy body. Thinking Time Just getting away from the desk or out of the house can be all that it takes to give us the time to think, reflect and consider things more openly. Physical Activity Just being outdoors can be a good thing as we are being active, and active bodies can lead to active minds. Whether it is a walk, cycle or something more physical, being active in the great outdoors can really help with general wellbeing of the body and soul. Change Of Scene We all have a lot to do and face challenges throughout the day and nature can be a really restorative balance to the daily grind. It helps us to focus and prioritise our thoughts and what is generally important to us such as family, friends, health and welfare so can can help us to shrug off some of the daily pressures we face too.

A thriving Staffordshire Moorlands community cricket club has been bowled over by a five-year support deal from digger giant JCB. Oakamoor Cricket Club has secured £2,000 sponsorship from the company which will see all men’s and women’s teams as well as a host of boys and girls junior squads sporting new JCB playing shirts. The club play home games and practise at the Davies/Worthington Memorial Ground, Mill Road, and regularly fields six adult teams and junior squads ranging from under 8s through to under 16s, competing in games across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Club spokesman Jonathan Wood, HR Business Partner at JCB, said: “Oakamoor is a thriving cricket club and we pride ourselves on making the game accessible to all at both competitive and friendly levels. We have six adult teams and more than 100 children a week attending our practice sessions on a Friday evening. This sponsorship makes a great difference to our long-term future and every single player will be proud to wear their JCB shirts. We hope to represent the JCB name with winning results on the cricket field over the coming season and beyond.”

The University of Glasgow is celebrating its links to Albert Einstein by planting a cutting on campus taken from an apple tree in his summer home. Researchers from the School of Physics & Astronomy planted the Holsteiner cox apple tree cutting on Monday 26th June, 90 years since Einstein visited the city and received an honorary degree from the University in recognition of his contribution to physics. Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric spacetime caused by massive astronomical events like the merger of black holes – in 1916 as part of his general theory of relativity. Researchers from the University’s Institute for Gravitational Research (IGR) were part of the international collaboration which discovered the first direct evidence of gravitational waves in 2015, finally confirming his theory a century later. Glasgow scientists developed the mirror suspension technology at the heart of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) which made the detection possible. LIGO, the most sensitive scientific equipment ever developed, is capable of detecting the very faint traces of gravitational waves as they pass through the Earth. The suspensions help hold 40kg mirrors completely still so lasers bounced from their surfaces can measure the tiny displacement the gravitational waves cause – a movement of around 1/10,000th the width of a proton. The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network of gravitational wave detectors began its fourth observing run on May 24th. Glasgow researchers continue to play key roles in the data processing and analysis which underpins each detection, and will contribute to future upgrades which aim to make the detectors even more sensitive. The network expects to detect signals from hundreds of new astronomical events during its 18-month run. Professor Sheila Rowan, director of the Institute for Gravitational Research, said: “Albert Einstein’s theories laid the foundations for much of modern physics, and we’re proud that our predecessors at the University of Glasgow had the opportunity to present him with an honorary degree in recognition of his work." “A century later, gravitational wave astronomy has given us a whole new way of observing the universe, helping us to detect the previously undetectable, and Glasgow researchers are important parts of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network." “We’re delighted to be able to plant a tree from Einstein’s garden here at the University today. It’s inspiring to think that a tree from Einstein’s garden will be growing on campus at the same time that our understanding of the universe grows through gravitational wave astronomy.” The cutting from Albert Einstein’s tree was donated by John Hancox, a graduate of the University’s School of Chemistry who runs the social enterprise Scottish Fruit Trees. The cutting was arranged by the Einstein Forum in Berlin and the James Clark Maxwell Foundation. The original tree is on the grounds of Einstein’s home in Caputh, Germany, where he spent time before fleeing the Nazis. The cutting was planted beside the Kelvin Building, where the School of Physics & Astronomy is based. John Hancox said: “As a science graduate of the University of Glasgow, it’s lovely to be able to supply this tree in part to contribute back to the University. There is a personal connection too, as my Mum was from Berlin and in my mind this is also a quiet memorial to her as well." “The Holsteiner cox is a nice eating apple and it would be nice to think that the tree might inspire the next generation of scientists in making significant advances. As anyone knows the story of how Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity can tell you, apples have played a key role in the story of physics before now and they might once again.” Einstein visited the University in June 1933. On June 20th, he delivered a lecture on general relativity and his work. The next day, he was officially presented with an honorary LL.D at the University’s graduation ceremony.

Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels is celebrating the first anniversary of Highland Safaris joining the group, following the acquisition of the local Perthshire business in June 2022. Since then, the popular attraction, located in Aberfeldy, has gone from strength to strength, with new offerings added and more set to launch in the coming weeks. Over the past year, the award-winning destination has secured an exciting new location for its Loch Tay Safaris. Its boat, Lolaire, now sails from Taymouth Marina in Kenmore, boasting much better facilities for customers such as parking, restrooms and a Café onsite, as well as a more weather-proof base for the Highland Safaris team. The visitor attraction has also been able to develop new adventures for guests including a shorter, 50-minute Loch Tay Cruise and an action-packed Land Rover Mini Safari. New activities set to launch at Highland Safaris in the near future include mini electric Land Rovers for younger visitors, a Walking Safari for those keen to up their step count and archery and air rifle experiences for those who want to test their aim. Commenting on a successful first year, Stephen Leckie, Chairman and CEO of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: “Outdoor, adventure and wildlife experiences are a key part of what makes a visit to Scotland so unique and memorable. Bringing a successful business such as Highland Safaris into our portfolio has meant that we are able to provide visitors with an exciting glimpse into our rich natural heritage and truly enhance their experience of our country. " “With ever increasing visitor numbers and a host of thrilling new experiences and activities introduced over the past year, our partnership with the Highland Safaris team has got off to a fantastic start, all whilst engaging with the landscape and community of Perthshire in a positive and environmentally sensitive way." “We have invested in the area and continued to help support local suppliers and partners, and with much more planned for the near future, the team can’t wait to welcome new and returning guests, as they enjoy an authentic look at what wild Scotland has to offer.” Looking back on a busy 12 months, Helga Petersone, General Manager at Highland Safaris, said: “Since joining the Crieff Hydro Family, we have been able to implement numerous improvements which have made a noticeable difference to the business, team, our visitors and the local community. " “In particular, our new experiences have been very popular with young families and customers looking for exciting excursions to fit into their action-packed day." “We aim to provide a world class experience taking in the local countryside and wildlife for those keen to get closer to nature, and our partnership with Crieff Hydro Family has ensured we continue to do just that.” Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels comprises eight hotels located in Perthshire, Dundee, the Scottish Borders and the Highlands.

West-Yorkshire-based homelessness charity Simon on the Streets has made two new appointments to its fundraising team. Simon on the Streets, which offers practical and emotional support to rough sleepers in Leeds and Bradford has recruited Andy Sharpe as senior fundraiser and Dan Taylor as fundraising assistant. Coming from St George's Crypt as community and events fundraiser, Andy is a seasoned fundraiser who has personally raised an impressive £100,000 for charities over the past 13 years. Supporting Andy as fundraising assistant is Dan Taylor who comes from the NHS. Both Andy and Dan’s roles will ensure Simon on the Streets creates a long-term sustainable income for the charity to continue to support people experiencing homelessness. Andy Sharpe comments: “I am incredibly passionate about helping to improve the lives of others. I was drawn to Simon on the Streets due to the charity’s hardworking outreach team and our inspiring CEO’s ethos towards changing the lives of other people." “I’m most looking forward to creating new partnerships across Leeds and Bradford and ensuring we can continue to provide our life-changing outreach support service to as many individuals on the streets as possible.” New fundraising assistant, Dan Taylor adds: “I greatly value the job satisfaction of working for a good cause. I have learnt a lot about homelessness and I’m very glad to be able to help raise awareness of some of its surrounding issues.” Simon on the Streets’ CEO Natalie Moran commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Andy and Dan at what is a critical time for Simon on the Streets. The rising cost of living and energy crisis has seen demand for our service surge. Focussing on increasing our fundraising efforts is of the utmost importance to help us engage with as many people we can who are suffering from homelessness, and of course with those who are worried that they may become homeless in the future.” Simon on the Streets is an independent charity whose core mission is ‘providing hope to those without a voice’. The charity has been supporting those rough sleeping, sofa surfing and at risk of homelessness in Leeds and Bradford for over 20 years. The charity’s offer of emotional and practical support is not time limited and means their work can be tailored to the individual for as long as that person needs, whether this be support around accessing accommodation, linking into primary healthcare for their physical and mental health or working with addiction services or specialists in trauma-informed care. For more information about the charity visit www.simononthestreets.co.uk

It might not be obvious, but indoor air quality can sometimes be more harmful than the outdoor pollutants we encounter and can have a significant effect on the health of your staff. This is concerning. The Royal College of Physicians in London has estimated that poor indoor air quality contributes to 99,000 deaths per year in Europe alone. Stark reading. Less alarming, but also as important to factor in your thinking, are stats from the United States that show that one in two office workers have experienced a lack of concentration because of poor air quality in their workplace. Have your employees ever complained of headaches, coughing and respiratory problems at work? If so it might be that you will need to address the indoor air quality in your office. We’d like to reassure you that it is not all doom and gloom and it is possible to improve the quality of the air in your office. We have spoken to the cleaning experts at Cleanology who have provided their expert insights Here are our recommendations to make a difference in air quality in the office: Deep Cleaning Carpets And Upholstery There are so many benefits to having your carpets commercially cleaned. But mostly because it will make your work environment better for all. Carpets and upholstery collect pollutants such as dirt, dust, bacteria, pollen and mould spores that can affect indoor air quality. Dust mites, for example, leave their faeces in carpets and upholstery, causing allergies if not cleaned and removed. These pollutants can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma and can cause skin rashes and headaches. There are a number of different methods for deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery and it’s advisable to seek professional help with this. A good cleaning company will be able to recommend the best possible option for your offices. Disinfecting Some offices require regular deep cleaning and this is where fogging can be employed. It’s a way of disinfecting a space with a fog of disinfectant, dispensed from a spray gun that saturates and disinfects hard-to-reach surfaces. Very effective, it's more efficient than wiping each surface individually. Properly Ventilating The Space Indoor air quality in offices can be impaired by a number of different pollutants that are released by carpets, office equipment and paint for example. These are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and these will be higher if ventilation is poor. Humidity levels too have an impact and these can be kept at healthy levels with a professionally installed ventilation system. Without good ventilation, stale and potentially polluted air can circulate for long periods. This can have a direct bearing on the health of your employees. It’s important to ensure your ventilation system is regularly checked, inspected and well-maintained. Over time, dust will collect in the filters so professional cleaning of the ventilation system and all air conditioning filters is key and an easy way to help improve air quality and to ensure it works as effectively as possible. This is something our expert and fully trained cleaners will be able to help you with. Air filters should be replaced at least once a year, but preferably every six months. Again a professional cleaning service would make sure this gets done. If your office doesn’t have a ventilation system, then keeping the air flowing through the regular opening of windows is important and a very simple way to maintain a healthy working environment. Removing Dust & Pollen Dust and pollen can also pollute the air and be harmful to your health. This may lead to respiratory issues, asthma and eye irritation. Dusting with a damp microfibre cloth is one of the most effective methods for removing dust, with the use of a steam cleaner for those harder-to-reach areas with an eco-friendly sanitiser that helps to prevent mould. It’s also important to ensure that you use the correct vacuum cleaners fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) that collect the tiny particles that an ordinary vacuum cleaner can’t capture. Using Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are contained in some disinfectants and other cleaning products and will affect the air quality in your office, and could cause respiratory issues. Professional cleaning companies will use products that contain low or no VOCs, and also eco-friendly cleaning products that are not harmful to the environment or air quality. A healthy workforce is important and the steps outlined above will help to maintain high standards of air quality, helping to protect your staff. Good ventilation, clean and dust-free offices, eco-friendly cleaning products and deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery will all make a significant difference. In addition to incorporating our professional recommendations into your office cleaning routine, we have a couple of additional suggestions that are easily executed and will help to improve the air quality in your working environment. Having a thorough cleaning regime is key. That can include keeping work surfaces clear and dust-free, regular cleaning of furnishings and also investing in an air purifier. Alternatively, be sure to keep windows and doors open as much as possible.

Premiership Women's Rugby can today confirm a new, significant partnership with the Women's Sports Group to deliver its media rights strategy. Founded by Dame Heather Rabbatts and David Kogan, the Women's Sports Group (WSG) was established in 2021 to develop opportunities to promote and empower women’s sport. Steph Harries, Managing Director at the Women's Sports Group said: "We are delighted to be working with Premiership Women’s Rugby. We believe that the growth of women’s cricket and football will be joined by women’s rugby in attracting new fans and larger audiences." “The profile is getting bigger and bigger, and the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England will be game-changing, with more eyes on Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby." “We will provide Premiership Women’s Rugby with a full service, advising on their media strategy, undertake the broadcast sales process and oversee the broadcast tender process to ensure quality coverage and the best solution for fans." Belinda Moore, CEO of Premiership Women's Rugby said: "Our vision is to create the most competitive, progressive and sustainable domestic rugby competition in the world and we need a compelling broadcast proposition to do that. Partnerships will be crucial for us as we deliver our 10-year strategy and the Women's Sports Group is the perfect home for our media rights. Steph Harries and David Kogan have huge experience in the broadcast market and with the recent arrival of Rachel Knight - after her time at BT Sport - they are a team who will deliver for Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby and for the profile of women's rugby."