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Refugee crisis and ancient artefacts among inspiration for new musical premieres on BBC Radio 3

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Thursday 12 January, 2017
Six new commissions for amateur orchestras to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in January Commissioned as part of the 17th year of Making Music’s Adopt a Composer More new works to receive performance premieres in spring/summer 2017

Making Music announces the radio premiere of six new musical works this January, scheduled for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 over the course of one week, from 23-27 January.

These new works are the product of Making Music’s popular Adopt a Composer scheme, which has been running annually since 2000. The scheme pairs innovative new composers with selected amateur orchestras over a period of several months, to create new scores.

Adopt a Composer challenges both amateur orchestra and composer to respond to the requirments and skills of one another, with fascinating musical results. The 2015/16 pairings draw on broad inspirations - from a collection of artefacts discovered by a lorry driver in 1940 (The Thame Hoard by Neil Tomas Smith), to today’s ongoing refugee crisis (Journeys by Alison Willis).

BBC Radio 3 will broadcast the works on the following dates:

Mon 23 Jan 9:20pm – Thame Chamber Choir with Neil Tomas Smith and the Jan Modelski Community Orchestra with Chris Hutchings

Tue 24 Jan 9:30pm – Chiltern Youth Chamber Orchestra with Alison Willis

Wed 25 Jan 9:30pm – La Nova Singers with Ed Scolding

Thu 26 Jan 9:25pm – Lincoln Ukulele Band with Angela Slater

Fri 27 Jan 9:40pm – East London Community Band with Lee Westwood

This year’s 2016/2017 pairings will be performed at concerts in springand summer 2017. Performance details for these concerts can be found in notes to editors.

---Ends---

IMAGES & VIDEO:

Watch the Adopt a Composer trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6VpUWxpYrs Download Adopt a Composer press images from http://makingmusic.org.uk/sites/makingmusic.org.uk/files/pictures/PR/Adopt a Composer press images.7z

For more information contact George Acock, Publications and PR Manager at george@makingmusic.org.uk / 020 7939 6041

Making Music, 8 Holyrood Street, London, SE1 2EL

info@makingmusic.org.uk www.makingmusic.org.uk

Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales no. 308632 Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 249219 and in Scotland no. SC038849

Notes to editors:

The 2016/17 Adopt a Composer scores will have their performance premiere on the following dates:

26 Mar, 7pm at Killearn Kirk, Glasgow G63 9NJ

Strathendrick Singers with Aran Browning

27 May, 8pm at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Glasgow School of Art Choir with Shona Mackay

01 July, 7.30pm at Croydon Minster, Croydon Croydon Bach Choir with Mark Boden 01 July, 7.30pm at The Capitol, Horsham

Horsham Symphony Orchestra with Adriano Adewale 02 July, 6pm at St Mary Brookfield, London NW5 1SL London Medical Orchestra with Martin Humphries

Adopt a Composer is run by Making Music in partnership with Sound and Music (the national agency for new music), in association with BBC Radio 3, and funded by PRS For Music Foundation and the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust. For the first time this year Creative Scotland has provided additional funding for a Scottish project. Since it was launched in 2000, Adopt a Composer has produced over 89 new commissions, with many of the composers going on to have success nationally and internationally.

Since 1935, Making Music has been the membership organisation for amateur music in the UK, bringing together musicians and music groups of all genres and abilities. We support, connect and champion everyone who makes, performs and presents music on a voluntary basis. The services we provide allow our members – ranging from symphony orchestras to samba bands – to cross the boring things off their ‘to-do’ lists and get on with making music. As the voice of amateur music among policy makers and stakeholders at a national and regional level, we aim to transform lives and enrich communities across the UK through music making.

www.makingmusic.org.uk

www.facebook.com/makingmusicuk / www.twitter.com/makingmusic_uk



Other: <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/139918428" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> Welcome to Adopt a Composer from Sound and Music on Vimeo.
* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Making Music.

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MANCHESTER UNITED AND UBER ANNOUNCE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

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Thursday 12 January, 2017

Manchester United (NYSE:MANU) and Uber are today announcing a global partnership, the first of its kind for the football club, which will enhance fans’ matchday experience at Old Trafford and how they connect with the club on a global scale.

As part of the partnership, a dedicated Uber pick-up and drop off zone will be set up at Old Trafford, creating a convenient and safe way for all fans to travel to and from games, with just a few taps of their smartphone. Over the next several months, Uber will also connect fans in over 30 countries around the world to Manchester United through a number of experiences, including behind-the scenes content, bringing fans together on match days wherever they are watching, and sending riders and drivers to the Club’s famous Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold comments:

“Manchester United is always looking at ways in which we can improve our fans’ experience and our relationship with Uber will allow us to do this in new and exciting ways.

“Supporters will tell you that the journey to and from a game, whether they are watching it at Old Trafford or another venue on the other side of the world, is an important part of the matchday experience, contributing to the build-up and anticipation of the day. Working with Uber we will look to enhance this experience for our 659 million followers, both home and abroad, by bringing them the spirit of Old Trafford and Manchester United through various experiences and interactive campaigns.”

Amy Friedlander Hoffman, Head of Business Development - Experiential Marketing at Uber comments:

“Uber makes it easier for people around the world to connect to what they care about and now we’re excited to give that connection to Manchester United fans.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Manchester United to not only make match day transportation more seamless, but to deliver fans incredible experiences throughout the season, no matter where they are supporting from."

ENDS

- See more at: http://otp.investis.com/clients/us/manchester_united/usn/usnews-story.aspx?cid=972&newsid=41998#sthash.wLD4NS9T.dpuf

No media attached. Please contact Manchester United for more information.


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OPPOSITION TO CRUELTY TO CROCODILES HEADS TO LOUIS VUITTON'S BOARDROOM

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Thursday 12 January, 2017

PETA US Purchases Stock in Retailer's Parent Company to Push for an End to Exotic-Skin Sales From Inside the Corporation

London – After a PETA exposé revealed that crocodiles on farms in Vietnam – including two that have supplied skins to a tannery owned by Louis Vuitton's
parent company, LVMH – are confined to tiny pits and sometimes hacked
apart while they're still alive and thrashing, PETA US has become a
shareholder of LVMH on the Euronext Paris in order to put pressure on
the company to stop selling exotic-skins merchandise.

"Every
PETA exposé of the exotic-skins industry has found that sensitive
living beings are crammed into filthy pits, hacked apart, and left to
die", says PETA Director Elisa Allen. "From demonstrating on the street or speaking
up in the boardroom, PETA and our international affiliates will push
LVMH to stop selling any bag, watch strap, or shoe made from a reptile's
skin."

PETA's exposé reveals that on the two farms which have supplied LVMH, thousands of
reptiles lay motionless in tiny concrete cells, some shorter than their
own bodies, for 15 months before finally being slaughtered. Others were
jam-packed by the dozens into barren concrete pits. At another farm,
workers hacked into thrashing crocodiles' necks and rammed metal rods
down their spines as blood poured from the wounds, and one crocodile is
shown still moving after being skinned. This killing method has long
been shown to be inhumane, and experts have found that crocodilians
remain conscious for over an hour after their spinal cord has been
severed and their blood vessels cut.

PETA and its international affiliates – whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to wear" – have exposed
cruelty on reptile farms on three continents (Africa, Asia, and North
America) and each time have shown that these intelligent, sensitive
animals endure squalid imprisonment and a violent death.

For more information about the exotic skins industry, please visit PETA.org.uk.



No media attached. Please contact PETA for more information.


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​REMAR GROUP RAISES $238 MILLION IN THIRD ROUND OF FUNDRAISING WITH 18% YIELD

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Thursday 12 January, 2017

THE FIRST GLOBAL MARKETPLACE FOR THE PRIVATE EQUITY FUND COMMUNITY WILL USE THE NEW CAPITAL TO STRENGTHEN ITS MARKET LEADING POSITION.

Jan 12, 2017 – New investors, comprising various family offices and prominent private equity professionals from Europe and the United States, joined REMAR’s, including founder Manuel Ros, in this latest funding round, which closed today on $238 million in equity. REMAR’s private equity marketplace has raised $719.2 million in 2016. REMAR is the leading private equity marketplace supported by accredited investors fund managers, sponsors of co-investments and sellers of secondary stakes.

“This latest funding ensures that REMAR has plenty of firepower to pursue its long-term development and strengthen its first-mover advantage,” says founder and chief executive Manuel Ros. “Given the rapid diversification of private equity opportunities by geography, specialization and structure, better information exchange and direct online access to otherwise hard-to-reach counter-parties is essential for the healthy growth of the industry. REMAR between the multiple solutions, uses cutting-edge technology to deliver these key ingredients to the world’s private equity professionals. REMAR is creating a more efficient and lucrative asset class for, our investments have produced an average net profit for our investors of 18.5% a year while maintaining the capital guaranteed.”

The latest funding comes at a time of exponential growth for REMAR’s marketplace. New initiatives and services targeting institutional investors and individuals are expected to further accelerate REMAR’s growth. Enriched services for the buying and selling of secondaries and the roll-out of new analysis tools will also enhance REMAR’s value proposition and platform growth. “We are creating a virtuous circle,” says Manuel Ros. “As we continue to help private equity grow, over the next few years we believe REAMR will attract hundreds of thousands members.”

REMAR has become private equity’s leading global hub for investment opportunities. It currently lists over 1,500 primary fundraising, co-investment and secondary opportunities. REMAR is also a key source for news and information, including manager and investor profiles and comprehensive fund performance data, all personalized according to individual member interests.



www.remar-group.com
* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Wall Street Finance News.

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Manuel Ros: “Il perché gli stranieri non investono in Italia

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Friday 13 January, 2017

L’imprenditore presente alla conferenza WBC tenutasi a Singapore si esprime sulla diversificazione d’investimento ricevendo un largo numero di consensi.

L’intervento durato oltre 30 minuti ha visto il Presidente del gruppo FINVEST HOLDING esprimersi in merito alla presentazione del piano finanziario legato all’investimento di 450 Mil USD alle Maldive, il quale ha sottolineato i punti cardinali a sostegno dell’investimento gestito dalla holding londinese.

Ne e’ derivata una dettagliata analisi politico-finanziaria la quale ha trovato larghi consensi da parte di centinaia d’investitori i quali hanno dimostrato la fiducia a favore del Presidente del gruppo FINVEST HOLDING, Manuel Ros, aderendo alla sottoscrizione dell’oltre 68% del piano d’investimento proposto, un risultato aspettato essendo lo stesso supportato dalla primaria banca locale DBS che affianca la holding di Manuel Ros nella gestione degli investimenti locali.

Al centro dell’analisi si e’ posizionata la dinamicita’ dei governi e delle condizioni necessarie per favorire il sistema economico e d’impresa a sostegno di un investimento nelle varie aree geografiche, non e’ mancato un cenno all’Europa con particolare accento all’Italia, paese nativo del Presidente di FINVEST HOLDING che ha sottolineato le difficolta’ d’impresa presenti definendo la nazione non dinamica nella visione d’impresa, ha esternato, “quando si dice sviluppo raramente si considera l’ampiezza dei fattori tecnici che favoriscono la crescita di un paese, i governi possono scrivere tutte le leggi che desiderano ma nessun testo approvato diventa evoluzione concreta se alla base non esiste l’economia produttiva capace di favorire lo sviluppo stesso, nessuna crescita concreta e’ ottenibile senza l’ottimo funzionamento dell’equazione economica vestita dalle dovute regole a sostegno effettivo del lavoro, unica fonte di garanzia per la costruzione di un volano economico capace di crescere in favore dello sviluppo” ha sottolineato.

Ha aggiunto, “Per creare del lavoro, bisogna almeno essere in tre, lo Stato che mette a disposizione l’equazione economica in termine di regole, un imprenditore che apporta l’investimento economico ed la forza lavorativa che presta il servizio, se l’ingranaggio dei tre fattori non e’ bilanciato si provocano quelle crepature d’instabilita’ corrosive nella longevita’ d’impresa danneggiando il lavoro, ovvero, se alla base le tre diverse categorie attribuiscono concetti divergenti alla medesima definizione del significato lavoro, diventa evidente la creazione di uno squilibrio a danno del progetto d’impresa, della sua longetiva’ minando le basi per ottenere i risultati necessari”.

“In Italia, non e’ ancora stato compreso che davanti ad un progetto e maggiormente ad una necessita’ di economia, reale e concreta come quella nazionale, non dovrebbero esistere le discussioni sulle priorita’ dei diritti e doveri spettanti alle single parti in gioco ma semplicemente bisognerebbe focalizzarsi sulla soluzione tecnica necessaria per favorire lo sviluppo ed attuarla sul terreno senza dare troppa attenzione a chi sara’ il danneggiato o il privileggiato. Lucido appare che un’economia in stallo anche avendo scritto nelle pagine di legge i migliori diritti, di fatto non produce nessun beneficio ai destinatari degli stessi essendo il sistema generativo congelato da una mancanza di pulsazione, ecco che, se meno diritti scritti e maggior regole a soddisfazione dei quesiti imprenditoriali favoriscono l’attrazione di capitali a rigenero dell’economia, credo tutti dovrebbero mutare la mentalita’ ed immediatamente accantonare la lotta alla richiesta per l’ottenimento di qualcosa che in concreto non produrra’ mai frutti ma al contrario persevera nel mantenere distanti chi invece vorrebbe andare in Italia per fare impresa. Se ci fosse una ottima educazione sociale, bisognerebbe spiegare la necessita’ non di abbandonare la lotta ai diritti ma semplicemente di sospenderla per riattuarla nei momenti consoni, si eviterebbero inutili polemiche e si potrebbe incanalare l’utilizzo delle medesime energie per riavviare il sistema produttivo”.

“Per sbloccare l’ingranaggio ed riavviare il processo economico, la parte difficile d’accettare per la mentalita’ europea, come quella italiana e’ che le soluzioni tecniche rimuovono parte dei diritti ed aumentano i doveri, fino a quando in tempi di stallo economico i governi, prima di rendere effettiva una regola, accetteranno di fare lo slalom tra le molteplici richieste di conservazione dei diritti derivanti da tutte le parti in causa e l’effettive soluzioni tecniche, non ci saranno mai le condizioni per assicurare agli investitori la famosa equazione economica che un paese alla ricerca di evoluzione dovrebbe imporsi con l’intento di riavviare il polmone produttivo come attirare capitali esteri, una situazione invece non presente nei paesi emergenti contraddistinti da una dinamicita’ che anienta l’Europa e l’Italia dalla competitivita’ straniera”.

“Per capire cosa vuol dire fare impresa in Italia, bisogna prima visitare paesi stranieri per vedere e sentire come funziona il sistema generale legato al lavoro nonchè il significato tecnico ed ideologico che attribuiscono alla definizione d’impresa, ci sono paesi detentori di organizzazioni politiche, sociali ed economiche aventi come unico scopo il supporto delle aziende poste al centro di ogni analisi e salvaguardia, capaci d’agire nella tutela del lavoro mantenendo il rispetto di tutte le parti in causa, la differenza sta che in questi paesi non viene usata la bilancia sociale per la distrubuzione in modo equo dei diritti tra le parti ma bensi’ vengono adottate solo le soluzioni tecniche utili allo svilupo costante del lavoro stesso, unico elemento di attenzione culturale, come offerto tra altri dai governi delle aree geografiche delle Maldive e l’Asia in genere”.

“Quando il lavoro riceve la maggiore attenzione e tutte le regole vengono definite non per garantirsi dei dirittti a priori ma bensi’ per irrobustire il meccanismo d’impresa, la crescita reagisce in modo esponenziale in favore di tutte le parti in causa, molti preferiscono avere meno diritti e piu’ doveri nei confronti del lavoro pur d’ottenere i risultati positivi prodotti dagli investimenti apportati dagli imprenditori ricettori di offerte contraddistinte da un sistema gestito e basato sulla protezione della logevita’ d’impresa a favore del volano economico che il sistema culturale gli ha permesso d’avviare”.

“Ancora una volta, alla base esiste la mentalita’, se tutte le parti in causa non fanno unione senza pretendere l’impossibile, avendo come unico obbiettivo quello di produrre il volano economico, l’impresa non dara’ mai i suoi frutti e l’esempio lo abbiamo in Europa, continente invaso dalle associazioni di rappresentanza che usano soldi dei governi, non per produrre ed insegnare ai loro rappresentati che la richiesta dei diritti va combattuta quando ci sono le condizioni ma bensi per inveire contro quei pochi ancora rimasti che provano a fare impresa in Italia”.

L’analisi ha toccato il cuore della motivazione dove, il Presidente del gruppo FINVEST HOLDING sostiene che in Italia non ci sono investimenti nazionali e tanto meno esteri perche’ il sistema sociale, politico e d’impresa non offre soluzioni che possano stimolare grandi organizzazioni e tantomeno gli imprenditori destinatari di molteplici offerte maggiormente attraenti provvenienti da altre aree, spiega che in Europa non e’ presente la forma in cui costruire un paese attrattivo, non sono considerati i singoli ingredienti che attraggono un imprenditore con l’intento di fare impresa, la concorrenza sul pianeta e’ molta e le soluzioni offerte dall’Italia non vincono sulla competitivita’.

Definisce il concetto d’imprenditore colui il quale ha chiaro l’affronto del primo passo come l’acquisizione di un rischio seguito da uno sborso economico, l’imprenditore agisce per devozione al proprio lavoro oltre che per la soddisfazione derivante dalla realizzazione dei propri ideali, questo contraddistingue la primaria riflessione sulla stabilita’ dell’impresa che intende creare e non solo all’importo finanziario frutto dell’investimento, diventa bisognoso delle regole legate alla gestione del progetto imprenditoriale nel tempo e su questo punto classifica l’Italia non concorrenziale.

Determina il sistema italiano individualista, con l’imprenditore bersaglio del sistema sociale, incapace di garantire agli investitori la protezione degli investimenti, fabbricante di vertenze sindacali, imposizioni sociali su quali e quanti lavoratori deve assumere nella propria azienda, si vede obbligato a dover definire concordati con categorie sociali che pretendono potere decisionale nella sua impresa, un sistema che espone l’imprenditore a ricevere controlli da parte di ogni tipo di autorita’ e per ogni ragione senza pero’ ricevere supporto a sostegno essendo lo stato incapace di fornisce il supporto di infrastrutture, una consona pressione fiscale, una moderna burocrazia e molto altro, ecco perche’ un imprenditore estero che confronta l’Italia con terzi paesi decide di andare altrove”.

Queste sono state parte delle ragioni dichiarate dal Presidente della holding inglese in merito agli investimenti esteri dove ha oltretutto definito sentirsi ammareggiato per aver sempre trovato risposte negative dagli investitori ogni qualvolta il suo gruppo ha presentato opportunita’ italiane.



http://www.manuelrosgroup.com/
* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Wall Street Finance News.

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First Face Ltd: 3 Critical Conversations Every Business Person Must Have

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Friday 13 January, 2017

Nottingham-based First Face Ltd are committed to the development of their people. They invest a significant amount of time into every individual that comes through their door and they have experience coaching and developing budding professionals into successful businessmen and women. Here, the firm has explained 3 critical conversations to have.

About First Face Ltd: http://firstfaceltd.com/about-us/

Unique marketing professionals, First Face Ltd believes that the secret to their success is their commitment to development. The Nottingham-based firm invests a tremendous amount of time and energy into developing and coaching each individual that they work alongside. When developing individuals, there are certain conversations that need to take place for different situations.

Here, the firm explains 3 critical conversations to help boost engagement in the workplace.

The ‘start, stop, continue, increase’ conversation between a mentor and an individual. This type of conversation helps a mentor to find out what they can do to bring the best out in a person. The start refers to finding out what they are doing that is helpful. Stop refers to something that a mentor should stop doing. Continue is asking for feedback about what an individual wants the mentor to start doing that they don't already, and increase will help a mentor to find out what the individual likes that they should be doing more of. The ‘what would be most helpful’ conversation that a mentor and individual may have. This type of question is more focused and requires specific feedback on a development style. The question will give a mentor valuable information that they can use to tailor their approach to developing that individual.The ‘what would you like to know about me’ conversation that a mentor will ask an individual. This is helpful for new business relationships because it allows the mentor to show that it is important to be open and direct about who you are and what you want.

“Professional and personal development is something that we regard as extremely important here at First Face Ltd. The firm is committed to getting the best out of each individual we work alongside and I personally enjoy investing my time and effort into seeing self-motivated and hard-working individual flourish,” explained Managing Director, Paul Sandhu.

First Face Ltd is a direct marketing firm specialising in conducting targeting campaigns at events using face-to-face marketing methods. By using this marketing technique, the firm is able to attract quality consumers and increase their clients’ market share beyond the capabilities of other traditional forms of marketing. First Face Ltd are committed to the professional and personal development of their staff and sales contractors, and regularly have critical conversations to aid continuous development.

Source: https://www.eremedia.com/tlnt/the-conversations-you-need-to-really-boost-employee-engagement/

Follow @FirstFaceLtd on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.



No media attached. Please contact First Face Ltd for more information.


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PG3 Commit to Achieving Goals in 2017

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Friday 13 January, 2017

Only 8% of people achieve the goals they set at the beginning of the year – PG3 is determined and committed to achieving their clearly defined goals for 2017 and as such is taking the necessary steps to ensure they do not fall victim to procrastination.

About PG3: http://www.pg3london.co.uk/about/

PG3 understand the importance of setting clearly-defined goals for 2017. Whether these goals include working out more, eating healthier or increasing personal savings, it’s easy to fall into the trap of setting vague and unmeasurable resolutions. With statistics heavily focusing on a failure rate currently standing at 92%, the firm wants to share their top four tips on how to be part of the winning 8%.

TIP ONE - Keep it Simple.

Trying to tackle a full bucket list can become overwhelming. Change takes a lot of effort and time, and often people can try changing too many things at the same time and can struggle to maintain focus. PG3 recommends keeping resolutions lists small and focusing on points that hold significance to personal values.

TIP TWO - Make it Tangible

One major pitfall of goal setting can be that goals aren’t measurable, for example - committing to eating healthier in 2017 is vague, however committing to not eating chocolate, fast food or drinking fizzy drinks can be easily monitored.

TIP THREE - Make it Obvious

Sharing resolutions can force accountability, whether it’s with friends, family or broadcasting on social media. It makes the goals real and can help people gather support from those looking to help them find the motivation to follow through. PG3 is confident that people can benefit from to do lists, diaries and vision boards.

TIP FOUR - Keep Believing You Can Do It

As the weeks and months pass, people’s commitment to the tasks at hand can start to waver. However statistically, people blame their lack of self-determination as their main contributor to failure. Professors, on the other hand, have found that willpower is a greater indicator of whether people will be successful or not. Self-belief is key to achieving goals in 2017.

PG3 is a trading name of AJG Direct. The firm is an outsourced sales and marketing company based in North London with market reach spreading across the UK. Specialising in direct sales and marketing the company design and implement personalised marketing campaigns on behalf of their clients’ brands. PG3 connect with consumers on a face-to-face basis to encourage long-lasting and personal business relationships between brand and consumer. In turn, this often leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2013/01/01/just-8-of-people-achieve-their-new-years-resolutions-heres-how-they-did-it/#5203cf81304c

For more information follow @PG3_London on Twitter and 'like' them on Facebook.



No media attached. Please contact PG3 for more information.


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The search is on for the Top Employers for Working Families

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Friday 13 January, 2017

Embargoed until 00.01 13th January 2017

Search begins for the Top Employers for Working Families

Working Families calls for entries to find the leaders of the pack in the fast-changing world of flexible, family-friendly working

Working Families’ [5] flexible working and work life awards for employers who are developing engaged and high-performing workforces open for entries today.

The flexible working landscape has changed considerably since the Top Employers for Working Families Special Awards were launched. The extension of flexible working rights to all, shared parental leave for new fathers, the increasing popularity of senior level flexibility, and the changing expectations of millennial workers all mean that future-thinking employers now, more than ever, need to offer exceptional workplaces if they are to attract and retain the best talent.

Now in their 8th year, the Special Awards [2] showcase and celebrate employers’ work-life and flexible working policies and practices. Making the shortlist for a Special Award recognises best practice, innovation and sustainability and marks out winners as leaders in the field.

Employers from a diverse range of sectors will compete to catch the judges’ [4] attention in the following categories:

Flexible Working

• The Direct Line Group Best for Embedded Flexibility award

• The Best Flexible Working Initiative Award

• The Best for Flexible Recruitment Award

Support for Working Parents, Carers and Families

• The Centrica Best for Modern Families Award

• The Carers UK Best for Carers and Eldercare Award

• The Best for All Stages of Motherhood Award

• The Best for All Stages of Fatherhood Award

Innovation and Engagement

• The Allen & Overy Innovation Award

• The Best for Line Manager Engagement Award

Best in Sector

• The Best Large Private Sector Employer Award

• The Best Small Employer Award

• The Best Public Sector Employer Award

• The Best Third Sector Employer Award

Sarah Jackson OBE, chief executive of Working Families said:

‘Working Families is calling for employers everywhere to tell us about the great work that we know is going on across the UK in developing flexible, family-friendly and agile workplaces. As well as recognising the winning organisations, the awards help Working Families to spread the word and share good practice and inspiring new ideas. The judging panel [4] looks forward to reading this year’s entries.’

Read what last year’s entrants say about the awards:

‘These awards send a clear message that the RAF recognises the importance of supporting our personnel in their work/life balance choices, reinforcing our commitment to retaining our people and attracting the best talent in a competitive marketplace’. RAF, Highly Commended, 2016

‘The Working Families Awards and in particular the category of Best for Embedded Flexibility are important to Barclays, helping us to create sustainability around our Dynamic Working Campaign. We aim to ensure dynamic working is available for all our colleagues including our future talent and our alumni who may decide in the future to return to the Bank. The external recognition enables this momentum to continue.’ Barclays, Winner, 2016

Winning ideas in 2016 included the Civil Service Job Share Finder Tool, Cisco’s TimeSwap, JobSwap and Stretch Assignment Marketplace, Pinsent Mason’s Project Sky and West Dunbartonshire Council’s We Care that You Care strategy. A summary of all finalists’ case studies is available here.

For more information and to enter, visit the Working Families’ website. The closing date for entries is 3rd April 2017

Ends

Notes to editors

[1] For more information contact

Liz Whitehead, Working Families’ Press Office on 020 7253 7243, 0777 0657760 or email elizabeth.whitehead@workingfamilies.org.uk

[2] Top Employers for Working Families Awards 2017

http://workingfamilies.org.uk/employers/the-top-employers-for-working-families-special-awards/

The Special Awards are open until 3rd April 2017

The winners of the Top Employers for Working Families Special Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony which takes place on 6th July at Vintners’ Hall in London.

[3] Case studies of previous award winners are available here. Please contact the press office for further details and for contact details of the winners.

[4] Judging Panel. The final winners of each Special Award category are judged by a panel. The judging process for the Special Awards is anonymous - none of the judges knows the identity of the companies which they are judging.

[5] About Working Families

Working Families is the UK’s work life organisation. The charity supports and gives a voice to working parents and carers, whilst also helping employers create workplaces which encourage work-life balance for everyone. www.workingfamilies.org.uk Twitter @workingfamuk

The Working Families helpline for parents, carers and their advisers gives advice on employment rights and benefits. Call 0300 012 0312 or email advice@workingfamilies.org.uk

[6] Sponsors

Special Award sponsors:

Allen & Overy – sponsor of The Innovation Award

Carers UK - sponsor of Best for Carers and Eldercare

Centrica – sponsor of Best for Modern Families

Direct Line Group – sponsor of Best for Embedded Flexibility



No media attached. Please contact Working Families for more information.


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Boxing Charity/Corporate Partnership

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Friday 13 January, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BOXING FUTURES LTD AND BOXERCISE COPRPRATION

From January 2017, Boxing Futures and Boxercise Corporation will be working together in partnership to further their mutual passion for young people to benefit from access to sport.

Boxing Futures Ltd is a registered charity founded in 2013, connecting with 16 – 25 year olds in local communities who are facing social disadvantage, at risk of offending or already caught up in the criminal justice system. Boxing Futures Ltd uses the Boxercise Award Scheme as the framework from which to operate from, because of it’s a straightforward, down to earth and fun way of engaging our young people with this sport. Through the Boxercise Instructor Course, our staff are trained to an exceptionally high standard, with an internationally recognised qualification.

Boxercise and Boxing Futures Ltd believe that their working partnership will allow both organisations to increase the reach, effectiveness and impact that they are able to have on the lives of young people. Increasing participation in sport, mental well-being, offering access to opportunities to improve life chances for young people who often feel ignored, marginalised and who long for a different and brighter future.

From its launch in 1992, Boxercise has grown exponentially and is now recognised as the world leader in non-contact boxing fitness. Through the Boxercise Award scheme, young people are provided with specific lesson plans that take participants from basic Boxercise skill development to more advanced schemes.

Look out for further announcements about the partnership and information on how you can get involved.

Visit our Partnership page at

http://www.boxing-futures.org.uk/charity-partnership.html

Boxercise & Boxing Futures

“Fighting for Better Lives”

END OF RELEASE

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT

Anthony York, Boxing Futures, Tel 0203 031 6439 Mobile 07957998235 E-mail anthony.york@boxing-futures.org.uk Website www.boxing-futures.org.uk

Andy Wake , Boxercise , 0116 2404906, email admin@boxercise.co.uk , www.boxercise.co.uk



https://www.facebook.com/boxingfuturesuk# https://www.facebook.com/boxingfuturesuk# http://www.boxing-futures.org.uk/charity-partnership.html Other: https://www.instagram.com/boxingfuturesuk/
* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Boxing Futures Ltd.

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Vitamin D enriched fresh milk launched in Asda

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Friday 13 January, 2017

Asda Vitamin D milk has launched in-store, fortified fresh milk from Arla, to help customers obtain their recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D.

The launch, a first to market innovation, is in response to increased consumer demand for products with additional dietary or nutritional benefits. Vitamin D milk was developed by Arla, the farmer-owner dairy company, and contains two microgrammes of the vitamin per 100ml. A normal serving is 250ml so that’s half of an adult’s recommended daily intake in one glass of milk*.

One-fifth of the UK population have low-levels of vitamin D. Public Health England advise that it is needed daily to help keep healthy bones, teeth and muscle and that anyone over the age of 1 needs 10 microgrammess of Vitamin D per day. For most people, the bulk of their Vitamin D comes from exposure to sunlight, but due to longer nights and darker days, levels of the vitamin can significantly reduce during the winter months.

Lise Larsen, Nutrition Specialist at Arla Foods UK, said: “This new, vitamin D enriched milk, provides an excellent dietary supplement all year round, but particularly at a time of when vitamin D levels are at their lowest across the UK population. We’ve found with other products – like Arla Protein – that consumers welcome the opportunity to supplement their diet through tasty dairy products.”

Richard Dent, Senior Director for Chilled at Asda said: “Asda and Arla collaborated to develop the Vitamin D milk to offer customers an easy and accessible solution to help combat Vitamin D deficiency, particularly at a time when intake is at a seasonal low. It allows our customers the freedom to make convenient health choices while doing their weekly shop.”

Asda’s Vitamin D milk is semi-skimmed and available in a 2 litre bottle, it is on sale in stores nationwide and online, RRP £1.25. It is bottled at Arla’s state of the art processing site in Aylesbury.

*Public Health England published guidance in July 2016 recommending a daily intake of 10.0 microgrammes (μg). The reference intake for vitamin D that needs to be used for nutrition labelling on packs are 5.0μg a day, and originates from the EU food information regulation. See Annex XIII http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169



No media attached. Please contact Arla for more information.


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Investing in Volunteers to Teach Basic English Skills

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Friday 13 January, 2017

This year Ashley Community Housing (ACH) are supporting the resettlement needs of approximately 230 refugees in Sandwell, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

From March onwards, ACH will be launching free English language courses based in Cape Hill, Smethwick. The courses, which will be free of charge and are open to all, will be led by fully trained volunteers.

Many refugees and asylum seekers with little or no existing English language skills find it difficult to integrate, enrol at college or find employment. A focus group led for refugees by ACH confirmed that, after immediate housing needs, learning English, getting a job and integrating in society are the three key priorities. Gaining even a basic grasp of the language can significantly increase the confidence of individuals who want to get on with life in the UK but face a language barrier.

As well as English language, ACH run courses in employability skills such as CV writing and interview experience, development training and IT skills to members of the community in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

ACH has provided accommodation and support to meet the resettlement needs of refugees in Sandwell and Wolverhampton since 2012.

Could you spare a little time to support refugees?

If you have a teaching experience, are currently training to teach, or simply want to try your skills at something new, Ashley Community Housing wants to hear from you!

ACH will offer 3 days of teaching skills, team building and local community awareness for creative individuals who would like to support the new course of English classes.

Investing your knowledge and a small amount of time each week could make an enormous impact on the future of an individual, as well as contribute positively to the wider community.

For more information about the project and to get involved, please visit www.ashleyhousing.com/careers/volunteer-opportunities, or email Lucy and Hannah at volunteersWM@ashleyhousing.com.

This project has been funded by Big Lottery’s Award for All and Building Better Opportunities.



* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Ashley Community Housing.

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EMBARGOED RELEASE: 2017 Modern Families Index identifies a workplace that is stifling fathers’ aspirations

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Sunday 15 January, 2017

Strictly embargoed until
00.01 16 January 2017

The UK is running the risk of creating a ‘fatherhood penalty’ - as fathers consider stalling or side-lining their careers to find roles they can better combine with family life, according to a major new study.

The 2017 Modern Families Index, published today by work-life charity Working Families and Bright Horizons, captures a broad picture – of fathers wanting to take an active part in childcare and of workplaces failing to adapt and support their aspirations.

Family is the highest priority for fathers. A quarter of fathers that took part in the study drop their children at school or nursery every day; with just over a quarter (26%) collecting them more than half the time.

Seven out of ten fathers work flexibly to fulfil their caring responsibilities. However, for half of the fathers we spoke to their work-life balance is increasingly a source of stress. A third of fathers feel burnt out regularly and one in five fathers are doing extra hours in the evening or weekends all the time.

The study identifies workplace culture in the UK as a key problem. Fathers say they work extra hours because this is the only way to deal with their workload and that being seen to do long hours is important where they work. Tellingly, twice the number of fathers compared to mothers believe that flexible workers are viewed as less committed and that working flexibly will have a negative impact on their career.

For many fathers the workplace is unsupportive of their aspirations for a better work-life fit. For nearly one fifth, their employer is, at best, unsympathetic about childcare, expecting no disruption to work. At worst they say they wouldn’t even tell their employer they had childcare problems - for fear of being viewed negatively. It’s telling that a whopping 44% of fathers have lied or bent the truth to their employer about family related responsibilities that ‘get in the way’ of work.

But the study found seven out of ten fathers say that they would consider their childcare needs before taking a new job or a promotion. Fathers are making the same considerations and face the same barriers to their career progression that mothers have faced for decades simply because they have become a parent. The evidence is parents are feeling the pressure:

Nearly half of working fathers (47%) want to downshift into a less stressful job because they can’t balance the demands of work and family life;

Just over a third of fathers (38%) say that they would be willing to take a pay cut to achieve a better work-life balance.

The study suggests that this risks creating a ‘fatherhood penalty’ [3] - with more fathers compromising career-wise, following a career that is below their skill set and reducing their earnings.

The study suggests this risk isn’t going away - with these considerations being particularly pronounced for millennial fathers:

53% of millennial fathers want to downshift into a less stressful job because they can’t balance the demands of work and family life

48% of millennial fathers admitted that they would be willing to take a pay cut to achieve a better work-life balance.

Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families, said:

“To prevent a ‘fatherhood penalty’ emerging in the UK - and to help tackle the motherhood penalty - employers need to ensure that work is designed in a way that helps women and men find a good work-life fit. Making roles flexible by default and a healthy dose of realism when it comes to what can be done in the hours available are absolutely vital.

“A game-changing first step would be government creating a new, properly paid, extended period of paternity leave - sending clear signal that government recognises the aspirations of modern fathers and is serious about tackling the motherhood penalty that blights the working lives of so many women.”

Denise Priest, Director of Employer Partnerships at Bright Horizons, said:

“It’s clear that the reconciliation of work and family life is now a priority for both mothers and fathers. It is impossible to overstate the positive impact of an understanding and supportive employer - one that adapts to its employees’ needs so that they can progress in their careers. Leading employers are those that protect their employees from parental penalties and provide optimum work and care arrangements.”

In March 2016, the Women and Equalities Committee published a report of its inquiry into the Gender Pay Gap which found that sharing care equally between fathers and mothers is the key to reducing the Gender Pay Gap. Following this, the Committee has today launched a new inquiry into Fathers and the Workplace and is asking whether fathers are being failed by workplace policies. The Committee will be taking written submissions via its website until 1 March 2016.

Maria Miller MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee said:

“The Modern Families Index shines a much-needed light on the experiences of British fathers in the workplace. Many fathers want to take a more active role in caring for their children and our Committee’s inquiry into the Gender Pay Gap last year found that sharing caring responsibilities equally between mothers and fathers is the key to reducing the Gender Pay Gap. However, the Government’s flagship policy of Shared Parental Leave is likely to have little impact as it is predicted by the Government to have a take-up rate of just 2-8%.

“We are now launching a new inquiry into Fathers and the Workplace to look at whether fathers are getting the support they need in the workplace to fulfil their caring responsibilities. We look forward to hearing from Working Families and others as we conduct this Inquiry.”

Some further data from the report:

More than a third of parents (36%) said they would take a pay cut to work fewer hours;

72% of parents work at home in the evenings and at weekends, with 41% saying this happens often or all the time;

50% of parents agreed ‘my work life balance is increasingly a source of stress;

Almost half of parents are not comfortable raising the issue of workload and hours with their employers;

Almost a fifth of parents reported that their employers were unsympathetic toward their childcare responsibilities, with 11% saying their employers made no allowances.

ENDS

For more information, or interview or case study requests please contact the Working Families Press Office: press@workingfamilies.org.uk 07715 651 509

Notes to the editors:

1. The Index provides a snapshot into the lives of working families from across the UK. It was completed by 2,750 parents across the UK in 2016. Responses were gathered online across 11 regions, with 250 responses from each region. To take part respondents needed to be in paid employment (full or part time) or self-employed, and to have a dependent child aged 13 or under who lives with them some or all of the time. 54% of respondents had one child under 13, with 33% having two children under 13. The remaining 13% had three or more children under 13. The survey had an almost equal number of respondents by gender. No selection criteria were attached to relationship status, allowing both couple and single parent households to complete the questionnaire.

2. The Fawcett Society provide a useful definition of the ‘motherhood penalty’ and its consequences. Women subject to it are “more likely to work part time, to be in low skilled jobs and (to make) up two thirds of the low paid. This motherhood penalty is at the core of the gender pay gap, currently 13.9% for full time workers. Women are the majority of part time workers; yet average hourly pay for part time work is 30% less than for full time pay.” Parents, work and care: Striking the balance, Fawcett Society, March 2016

3. Men in the study generally earned more than women. As the TUC have shown, fathers do not currently earn less that their peers. When contrasted with the ‘motherhood penalty’, fathers who work full time currently experience a wage ‘bonus’ - earning 22 per cent more than similar men without children who are working full-time at age 42. Pay and Parenthood: An analysis of wage inequality between mums and dads TUC, 2016

About Working Families

Working Families is the UK’s leading work-life balance charity. We support and advocate on behalf of working parents and carers, and work with employers to create workplaces which encourage work-life balance for everyone. Working Families provides a range of support for parents and carers, including through our legal advice service.

www.workingfamilies.org.uk

For more information, or interview or case study requests please contact the Working Families Press Office: press@workingfamilies.org.uk 07715 651 509

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Bright Horizons® is the UK’s leading provider of early years care and education, with over 300 nurseries in the UK and Ireland. We care for over 25,000 children each week and have over 100 corporate clients for whom we manage workplace nurseries and broader dependent care services.

We believe that by being an employer of choice, we are a natural partner of choice for our clients, and we have been recognised as one of the Best UK Workplaces since 2006 and achieved a Gold Award from RoSPA every year since 2011.

www.brighthorizons.co.uk

For more information, or interview requests please contact: alex.rowbottom@powerscourt-group.com 0203 328 9384 / 07734 568 590

tessa.berry@powerscourt-group.com 0203 328 9382 / 07568 129 512



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Source Marketing Direct Reveal How to Create Great Habits for Success in 2017

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Monday 16 January, 2017

Event marketing specialists Source Marketing Direct insist that developing healthy habits in 2017 will be key to extraordinary success. The firm has shared their top tips on making new habits stick.

Those who can achieve extraordinary success attribute this to their ability to develop and maintain healthy habits. Good habits allow entrepreneurs to stay focused and improve productivity, often leading to increased opportunities in business. Source Marketing Direct understands the importance of positive habits being repeated daily, to maximise impact and enhance the autonomy of the activity.

About Source Marketing Direct: http://www.sourcemarketingdirect.com/about-us/

Source Marketing Direct shares their top 5 habits they believe in 2017, will have the biggest impact:

1. Keep a Journal –Documenting day to day activities allows a period of reflection to take place. Source Marketing Direct is confident that every situation can provide a learning opportunity. A simple note each day on the positive and negative happenings allows professionals to develop coping strategies for the future while looking back will develop a sense of pride on how well certain obstacles were tackled.

2. Walk – With substantial scientific evidence to support theories of increased mental wellbeing and capacity, it’s hard to hide from the perks that simple exercise offers. The endorphins released through gentle exercise, coupled with the opportunity to take some thinking time can make big decisions easier, and remove the pressures of external influences.

3. Stop Talking –Taking the opportunity to listen to others offers alternative viewpoints which can have a significant impact on success. Often in sales it allows a particular pitch to be tailored, and a product or service to become a specified solution that a person or business cannot pass up. By practising disciplined listening, new opportunities. Will always open up.

4. When You Commit, Follow Through – Professionals should be careful what they commit themselves to and be mindful of other commitments that may make following through difficult. In business letting, someone down on promises can be difficult to overcome.

5. Stay Connected – Everyday different opportunities will arise, from conversations to learning opportunities. Each of these can lead to a series of events that could, in turn, create new prospects. Source Marketing Direct urge their contractors to be on the lookout for opportunities to engage, whether that be reading, attending current events, travel or even as simple as asking a question.

Source Marketing Direct specialise in providing their clients with below line customer acquisitions by generating a cost effective, measurable and tailor-made marketing and sales strategy suited to their clients, target demographic. The London-based firm, build each marketing campaign so that it can be personalised for individual customers; and, the company increase their client’s market share and raise brand awareness for their customers through event marketing and promotion sales campaigns.

The firm will continue to run workshops for their contractors; they believe an enriching environment opens their minds and will present them greater opportunities in the future.

Source: http://www.inc.com/jay-jay-french/5-habits-that-can-help-make-2017-your-best-year-yet.html#_=



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Local charity launches exhibition celebrating 40 years’ support for community groups

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Monday 16 January, 2017
Local charity launches exhibition celebrating 40 years’ support for community groups

The Resource Centre, which supports over 900 local community groups every year, launched its 40th anniversary exhibition at the Jubilee Library today.

The Centre, one of 27 charities currently being supported by the Mayor, has spent four decades helping local volunteers to run activities and events for their own communities. Kate Page, who has worked at the Centre since 1982, said “Small groups create support networks and give people a sense of belonging, which cannot be matched by any top-down large organisation. For example, a street party run by a group of neighbours is much more than just a day’s entertainment. It gives people a sense of pride in their neighbourhood, and a feeling of achievement at having organised an event for their families to enjoy. It also helps residents build friendships with one another, which reduces isolation.”

Beryl Tucknott a Resource Centre trustee, has been using the Resource Centre for 25 years. She said “I first came to the Resource Centre in 1991, when we set up Robert Lodge Tenants Association with the help of Mary Mears. Tenants didn’t have a voice, and we set up the Association to represent tenants’ interests. We managed to get community rooms and a laundry. The Resource Centre helped us with minute taking, bookkeeping and publicity. We wouldn’t have been able to set up the Association without them.”

The exhibition was opened by the Mayor, Cllr. Pete West, who said: “The Resource Centre has touched the lives of so many people over the years. I truly believe we wouldn’t have such a rich and diverse range of community activity without them. For forty years they’ve been working away in the background, providing groups with the services they need to do their work. I would love to hear the stories people have to tell about their memories of the Resource Centre.” The Mayor also invited supporters of the Centre to take part in a sponsored walk on 30th April, which is being organised to raise money for all 27 Mayor’s charities. Information about the Mayor’s Walk is at www.mayorswalk.eventbrite.co.uk.

The exhibition will be on display in the lobby of the Jubilee Library until 22nd January. It showcases the Centre’s 40 years legacy of supporting local groups. It also includes useful information for community organisations, and space for local people to add their own comments and memories.



* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Resource Centre.

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Alpha Gamma Solutions outline the desirable qualities of successful job candidates

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Tuesday 17 January, 2017

With a new year underway many people are looking for new careers, here Alpha Gamma Solutions reveals the desirable qualities that they look for in new starts.

Leicester-based sales and marketing firm, Alpha Gamma Solutions offers ambitious, aspiring entrepreneurs a unique business development opportunity which could lead to exciting new opportunities for any individual. Alpha Gamma Solutions requires no previous experience in sales or marketing to take part in their development opportunity as they offer all relevant training in areas such as sales, marketing, public speaking, leadership, management, financing, hosting an interview, choosing a team, motivating a team, and more. This unique learning opportunity allows individuals to kick-start their career as a business professional while still developing the necessary skills to become an innovative entrepreneur in the sales and marketing field.

About Alpha Gamma Solutions: http://www.alphagamma.co.uk/#about

Alpha Gamma Solutions understands that as the New Year gets underway many people are keen to start new jobs and looking for new career opportunities. Therefore with tough competition in the job market the firm has shared what it takes to stand out and be a successful candidate in their own interview process:

Alpha Gamma Solutions looks for some very important qualities in their potential candidates. The firm is confident that skills can be taught but personality is what sets a candidate apart. Therefore Alpha Gamma Solutions seek out those who have the ability to make friends with anyone, can quickly and successfully build rapport in person, has a confident and outgoing personality, has a strong problem solving and solution focused nature, as well as a friendly and positive vibe.

“Our development opportunity and unique mentoring process helps to teach individuals the necessary skills to be a success in our industry and therefore we look for people who already have all the right personality attributes to be successful,” highlights Alexander Graf of Alpha Gamma Solutions.

Alpha Gamma Solutions is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Leicester. The firm specialises in a personalised form of direct marketing which allows them to connect with their clients’ ideal consumers via face-to-face marketing techniques. This one-to-one interaction with consumers helps to encourage long-lasting and personal business relationships between brand and consumer which, in turn, leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients.

Alpha Gamma Solutions asks all potential candidates who are interested in an opportunity with Alpha Gamma Solutions to apply via their website or send a CV to admin@alphagamma.co.uk



No media attached. Please contact Alpha Gamma Solutions for more information.


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Gregg Wallace helps diners find the best restaurants

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Tuesday 17 January, 2017

A newly launched independent guide to UK restaurants is shaking up how diners find their ideal choice each time they want to eat out.

Backed by Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace, Gourmetguide.co.uk lets customers find restaurants according to style, what they are suitable for, those with deals on offer and those that have unique features – the site features a host of categories as well as a simple search button.

If customers are in the mood for romance, it’s easy to find the best romantic restaurant to suit – those who want a restaurant with a view can search by that term and fun lovers can book into restaurants with a lively atmosphere.

Diners can find the place to take their mum for Mother’s Day, walkers can choose an eatery close to their route, families can find child-friendly locations, pet lovers s can pick somewhere that welcomes their dog and much, much more.

Says Gregg: “Gourmetguide.co.uk is unique and set to revolutionise how people choose an eatery.

“The ratings on the site are based on an amalgamation of awards, not someone’s opinion and so can really be trusted.”

“Gourmetguide.co.uk simply puts the trust back into finding the perfect place to eat.”

Already around 2,000 diners a day are logging on and searching for, say, a romantic restaurant in London or a restaurant with a view

They may look for the best halal restaurant and one of the most popular searches is restaurants with offers which will today yield The River Café’s winter set lunch deal or 20% off at Bernardi’s among the results.

Of the site visitors, 15% are clicking through on links to restaurants’ websites and 10% want to make a booking.

Gregg emphasises what a good deal this marketing platform for restaurants is. “In order to maintain the quality of the Gourmet Guide you can only be included on the website if you are invited or after careful consideration of your application. All restaurants then get a free trial before having the option to upgrade their listing for less than £1 a day - it is very affordable,” he says.

“It’s innovative marketing for restaurants and diners can always find somewhere fantastic to eat.”



https://www.gourmetguide.co.uk/
* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Gourmet Guide Limited.

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Forward Pharma Agrees to Enter Into Settlement and License Agreement with Biogen

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Tuesday 17 January, 2017
Biogen will pay Forward a non-refundable cash fee of $1.25 billionForward may be eligible to receive royalties of 10% of net sales of Tecfidera beginning in 2021, and of 20% of net sales beginning in 2029, depending on the outcome of certain existing litigation and the receipt of regulatory approvals

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, January 17, 2017 – Forward Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:FWP) (“we” or “Forward”) today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with two wholly owned subsidiaries of Biogen, Inc. and certain other parties to enter into a Settlement and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) subject to the approval of Forward’s shareholders and certain other limited customary conditions. Biogen will pay Forward a non-refundable cash fee of $1.25 billion in connection with the execution and delivery of the License Agreement. Under certain circumstances, Biogen will also be obligated to pay Forward royalties of up to 10-20% of net sales of Biogen products, including Tecfidera, approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis that are covered by a Forward patent and have dimethyl fumarate (“DMF”) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

The License Agreement does not resolve the issues pending in the interference proceeding between Forward and Biogen that is currently pending at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “Interference Proceeding”) or the opposition proceeding against Forward’s European patent EP 2801355 (Application No. 14172398.1) (the “Opposition Proceeding”). Biogen and Forward intend to permit the PTAB and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as applicable, and the European Patent Office and the Technical Board of Appeal and the Enlarged Board of Appeal, as applicable, to make final determinations in the proceedings before them. The non-refundable fee of $1.25 billion to be paid by Biogen is not conditional on the outcome of either proceeding.

Should Forward obtain patent rights in the U.S. arising from the Interference Proceeding that cover treatment for multiple sclerosis by orally administering 480 mg per day of DMF, Biogen will be obligated to pay Forward royalties in the U.S. If royalties are payable in the U.S. and Biogen holds an exclusive license, a royalty of 10% will be payable from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2028 and a royalty of 20% will be payable from January 1, 2029 until the earlier of the expiration, unenforceability or invalidation of the patents included in the U.S. Licensed Intellectual Property.

Should Forward obtain similar patent rights in other countries arising from the Opposition Proceeding, Biogen will be obligated to pay Forward royalties in countries other than the U.S. If royalties are payable in countries other than the U.S., a royalty of 10% of Net Sales of applicable infringing products will be payable on a country-by-country basis, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2028, and a royalty of 20% will be payable on a country-by-country basis from January 1, 2029 until the earlier of the expiration, unenforceability or invalidation of the patents included in the Designated Countries Licensed Intellectual Property in each country.

The approval of the holders of two-thirds of Forward’s voting share capital is required to approve the License Agreement. Forward will convene an extraordinary general meeting to obtain the approval of its shareholders on February 1, 2017. Shareholders representing approximately 77% of Forward’s voting share capital have irrevocably agreed to vote in favor of the License Agreement. The License Agreement provides for the payment of the $1.25 billion cash fee within five business days of the extraordinary general meeting, subject to certain limited conditions.

The License Agreement will have a perpetual term and provide for the grant to Biogen of an irrevocable, exclusive license to all applicable intellectual property owned by Forward in the U.S. (the “U.S. Licensed Intellectual Property”), subject to the conditions in the License Agreement, which include the absence of legal restraints and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. If those conditions are not satisfied, the U.S. license will be an irrevocable co-exclusive license, under which Forward will maintain the ability to develop and commercialize medicines based on its intellectual property or to license such intellectual property to a third party, at Forward’s discretion. If Biogen holds a co-exclusive license, a royalty of 1% will be payable from January 1, 2023 until the earlier of the expiration, unenforceability or invalidation of the patents included in the U.S. Licensed Intellectual Property.

“We are excited to enter into this agreement with Biogen and believe it is in the best interests of Forward shareholders. This agreement limits our downside risk should we not be successful in either the US or European proceedings and it provides clarity as to our royalty stream should we be successful in either or both of those proceedings. We continue to believe in the strength of Forward’s positions in the pending proceedings and this settlement allows those cases to continue to move forward to final decisions while delivering Forward an immediate cash payment of $1.25 billion”, said Florian Schönharting, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Forward.

Forward is evaluating the most efficient way to deliver directly to its shareholders a substantial portion of the cash it will be receiving from Biogen. The Board is considering both stock buybacks as well as cash distributions. The $1.25 billion cash payment made to Forward by Biogen will be subject to a Danish corporate tax of 22%. The Company advises shareholders (as well as holders in the United States of Forward’s American Depositary Shares) to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax ramifications they will have with respect to any future cash distributions from Forward.

Forward expects to file today a Form 6-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission containing a complete copy of the License Agreement and certain related documents. The summary of the License Agreement above does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the License Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the Form 6-K and is also available on Forward’s website, http://www.forwardpharma.com, and Forward shareholders are strongly urged to read the License Agreement in its entirety.

In connection with the License Agreement, Forward was represented in the United States by Sidley Austin LLP and in Denmark by Mazanti-Andersen Korsø Jensen.

About Forward Pharma:

Forward Pharma A/S is a Danish biopharmaceutical company developing FP187, a proprietary formulation of DMF (dimethyl fumarate) for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological indications. Since our founding in 2005, we have worked to advance unique formulations of DMF, which is an immune modulator, as a therapeutic agent to improve the health and well-being of patients with immune disorders including multiple sclerosis. FP187, our clinical candidate, is a DMF formulation in a delayed and slow release oral dose.

Our principal executive offices are located at Østergade 24A, 1st Floor, 1100 Copenhagen K, Denmark and our American Depositary Shares are publicly traded on NASDAQ Stock Market (FWP). For more information about the Company’s products and developments, please visit our web site at http://www.forward-pharma.com.

Forward Pharma A/S Media Contact:

Sharon Klahre, Director, Investor Relations

Forward Pharma USA, LLC

7 Skyline Drive

Hawthorne, NY 10532

SK@forward-pharma.com

+1 914-752-3542

The Ruth Group

Lee Roth

lroth@theruthgroup.com

+1 646-536-7014

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release or in the above-referenced presentation may constitute “forward-looking statements” of Forward Pharma A/S (the “Company”) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements which contain language such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “hope,” “would” and “potential.” Forward-looking statements are predictions only which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed in such statements. Many such risks, uncertainties and other factors are taken into account as part of our assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements and include, among others, the following: the satisfaction of certain conditions, and the accuracy of certain representations of the Company, in the License Agreement; the Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and defend issued patents with protective claims; the issuance and term of patents; the Company’s ability to prevail in or obtain a favorable decision in any patent interference or infringement action; the Company’s ability to recover damages in any patent infringement action; uncertainties relating to our development plans and activities, including the commencement of any clinical trial and the results, timing, cost and location thereof; risks and uncertainties related to the scope, validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights in general and the impact on us of patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties; our ability to commercialize and generate revenue from our sole clinical candidate, FP187; clinical development, and clinical trials of FP187 may not be successful; completion of required clinical trials may take longer than we anticipate, which could result in increased costs, limit our access to funding and delay or limit our ability to obtain regulatory approval for FP187; and our evaluation of alternative Phase 3 clinical strategies in RRMS may not be successful or shorten our time to commercialization and/or reduce costs. These and other factors are identified and described in detail in certain of our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Forward Pharma A/S



* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Forward Pharma A/S.

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Mojico highlights 10 New Year’s resolutions that entrepreneurs can set for success

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Tuesday 17 January, 2017

Sheffield- based sales and marketing firm, Mojico, has revealed 10 New Year’s resolutions that all entrepreneurs can set for success in 2017.

About Mojico: http://www.mojico.co.uk/about-us/

The onset of the New Year is a time for self-reflection, resulting in many setting themselves resolutions for the year. Research conducted by The Guardian UK revealed that 43% of UK adults admitted to their New Year’s resolutions lasting less than a month, and 80% of the same audience acknowledging that it lasted less than three months. Mojico believes firmly in setting realistic goals and finding ways to motivate yourself towards these. The firm has outlined 10 resolutions that can be set to lead to business success and self-motivation.

1. Plan Better

It is common to constantly be thinking about and generating long-range strategies, leading to the management of several things at once. From hiring and training, to closing sales and attracting new clientele. Remember, it is essential to stop, take a step back and address the bigger picture.

2. Watch your spending

Talk of things such the previous prediction of the of the tech market crash, and even the uncertainty of the capital markets, it is essential that you maintain those finances, regardless of the economic condition. Things can change rapidly.

3. Manage your time better

Unclog your calendar. Instead of attending every meeting and event possible, attend those that matter. By only attending the meetings that are important, you will be able to focus your time on using that information and use this to develop your business.

4. Completely disconnect once or twice during the year

Remove yourself from the digital world, and make sure you have time to relax and refresh. By allowing yourself this time once or twice a year, when you return, your mind will be clear, and you will be able to focus more and take on the world.

5. Work with only the best

One fantastic contractor is better than three average ones. Hiring is key to business success, and by ensuring that you are only hiring and training the best, you will allow yourself the chance to monetize the opportunities that exist.

6. Take care of yourself

The most common resolution is to get into shape or lose weight. Studies show that taking care of yourself releases endorphins in your body, and this is what you need to maintain a positive mindset and take on those challenges.

7. Perform charitable acts

Everyone has support when building a business, emotional or financial. Although starting or growing a business is draining, giving back to the community in some way, is very rewarding and motivating and will help you find a sense of achievement.

8. Know your customers

This is obvious, but committing to knowing your customer as well as possible will result in being able to provide a better product or service. Make sure everything you do is aimed towards that customer.

9. Laugh more

Starting and growing a business is hard work and requires commitment. But remember, laughter is said to provide a range of health benefits such as lowering stress and increasing your immune system. Besides, it makes you a happier person and more open to tackling challenges.

10. Minimise the gibberish

Every industry has its jargon, so when talking to like-minded business owners, the use of these words is acceptable. But remember to speak like a normal person when needed. By using jargon in unnecessary situations, you could affect your level of communications. Be direct and to the point.

Mojico is an event marketing firm based in Sheffield which focuses on producing exciting projects and innovative ideas for clients. The firm has set some impressive goals for 2017 such as to expand into new locations and attract the top talent for their business, as well to work closer with clients to produce a strong force within the industry.

###

Sources:

http://fortune.com/2017/01/04/new-years-resolutions-2017-entrepreneurs/ https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/dec/31/how-long-do-people-keep-their-new-year-resolutions

No media attached. Please contact Mojico Ltd for more information.


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AtlasCorp encourages travel with fun trip to Holland

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Tuesday 17 January, 2017

Sheffield-based sales and marketing firm AtlasCorp recently travelled to Holland with their business partners to emphasise the importance of travel opportunities in business.

At the start of the New Year, sales and marketing firm AtlasCorp travelled to Amsterdam, Holland with their business partners in order to celebrate their 2016 achievements and bring in 2017 in a fun and exciting way. “It is important to start as you mean to go on. We want our year to be incredibly exciting and productive as well as fun and motivating, which is why we decided to take our business partners to Holland as a motivating and exciting trip to start the year,” revealed Matthew Stewart of AtlasCorp.

About Atlas Corp: http://www.atlascorp.co.uk

AtlasCorp is a strong advocate of travel and how travelling can benefit businesses and entrepreneurs via the development and learning of new skills. The firm is confident that travel helps business professionals to develop skills in areas such as time-management, organisation, experiencing new cultures, potential new languages, and dealing with new situations. AtlasCorp highlights how these areas are vital for success in entrepreneurship.

Having spent time in Holland and taking a small amount of time away from a busy business environment, AtlasCorp feels refreshed and motivated to start their year on a positive note. The firm has also revealed how they will be setting up exciting new travel opportunities for their business partners and contractors in 2017 such as road trips to new locations to connect with new ideal consumers, business trips to attend exciting business meetings and connect with industry professionals, as well as R&R trips to encourage positive breaks which stimulate creativity and motivation.

AtlasCorp has some large goals for 2017 and highlights how kick-starting the year with a positive travel opportunity which allowed them to connect and share these ideas with their business partners will help them set these goals into motion. AtlasCorp aims to expand into multiple new locations within the UK by the end of the year as well as start working with exciting new clients which will help the firm to attract top talent to their firm.

AtlasCorp is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Sheffield. The firm specialises in a personalised form of direct marketing which allows them to connect with their clients’ ideal consumers on a face-to-face basis. This one-to-one interaction with consumers helps to drive long-lasting and personal business relationships between brand and consumer. In turn, this often leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients.



No media attached. Please contact AtlasCorp for more information.


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Business community pledges to help 1 million more small businesses become digitally active in 2017

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Thursday 19 January, 2017

Leading players in the UK’s digital economy have made public pledges today to help an additional one million UK small businesses becoming more digitally engaged during 2017.

At an event staged by independent, not-for-profit campaign, ‘Do It Digital’, eBay UK was the first to make a public pledge towards reaching the one million target. Its Senior Director of UK Trading, Murray Lambell, announced the launch of ‘eBay for Business’, a new UK campaign to help British SMBs to get online in 2017. eBay also pledged to reach out to small businesses across the country offering support, guidance and access to tools and resources as well as training on a range of topics, from visual merchandising to becoming a fully online retailer.

Others included Google, which will expand its digital skills training programme to make five hours of free digital available to everyone in the UK, with specialist training for small businesses. The Google Digital Garage will expand to 100 cities and towns adding on online courses for those who wish to train at home.

The British Library and its national network of Business & IP Centres and Enterprise Nation are aiming to train 10,000 and 20,000 small business this year respectively; The Good Things Foundation pledged to support 10,000 small businesses through its community digital skills programme with Google, as well as building new partnerships and growing existing ones to extend its reach even further, and the Federation of Small Businesses, which FSB will support its 200,000 members in 2017 with a range of digital initiatives. This includes partnering with Facebook on #shemeansbusiness campaign to inspire women to start their own business and improve digital skills, using webinars and videos. It will also provide its members with free cyber-security insurance to drive confidence to expand online safely.

Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, attended the event in London to add his backing to the call for pledges, saying:

"Digital knowhow can help firms save money, increase profits and improve productivity, yet too many firms still do not use websites, trading platforms or social media channels.

"It is essential we take every opportunity to create the world-leading businesses of tomorrow, so I welcome Do It Digital's campaign and pledges from other organisations to increase digital skills in small businesses.”

Michelle Ovens MBE, Director at Do It Digital, says:

“All evidence supports the belief that there are clear financial benefits for small businesses embracing digital. But we also know that many don’t have the time or access to the expertise to take advantage of what’s available to them. We want to help change that, one step at a time, by showing that digital needn’t mean a leap into the unknown by giving them access to support and guidance on how to engage in a way that is best for their particular business.”

New research produced by eBay UK[1] and published today suggests that the UK economy could be £8.4 billion larger if the final fifth (23 per cent) of small businesses without key digital capabilities closed the ‘digital gap’.

Small businesses in Britain without digital infrastructure including a website, social media channels or a presence on an online marketplace are missing out on £20.2 billion in revenue each year, according to the research. This equates to £20,000 in increased revenue or efficiency savings per business, across all sectors from retail to manufacturing.

The Do It Digital campaign not only aims to help people take their first steps online but also encourages those already online to engage further and expand their digital horizons. This could include anything from a simple web presence and social media to being able to access a wider market for selling online. The campaign says that

digital engagement is crucial for all aspects of business, not just marketing, from recruitment and stock management to banking and accounting, including tax returns online.

Ends.

About Do It Digital

Do It Digital is a campaign to share, signpost and celebrate all things that help small businesses get more out of digital. It is an independent, not-for-profit campaign that looks to highlight resources around the UK, online and off, that can help small businesses take the next step in digital, what ever their current level of skill and engagement may be. Greater digital engagement strengthens small businesses, and no matter what level of digital confidence you have - Do It Digital can point towards the most appropriate next steps.

For more information visit www.doitdigital.co.uk , on Twitter @doitdigitaluk , and at www.facebook.com/doitdigitaluk

[1] About the research:

Polling based on YouGov Business Survey, conducted December 2016

Economic research conducted by Development Economics Ltd, January 2017



* For more information regarding media usage, ownership and rights please contact Astute Marketeers Ltd.

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