Chancellor George Osborne Praises ‘Fantastic’ Rolls-Royce Academy in Derby

I was delighted to accept an invitation from Rolls Royce to represent Mills CNC Limited at the official opening of their new training academy in Derby. Mills CNC Limited, the largest independently owned CNC machine tool supplier in the UK, have 2 machines on long term loan at the Rolls Royce Training Academy, a Lynx 220B and a DNM400.

George Osborne, the Chancellor, praised Derby for representing "everything that is right" about the British economy as he opened the Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy, at the firm's Learning and Career Development Centre, in Wilmore Road, Sinfin.
The centre, which has cost around £6 million to create, will not only train Rolls-Royce apprentices but will also train young people who work for the firm's suppliers and other manufacturing companies across the region. Before the centre was created, Rolls-Royce trained around 200 apprentices a year. The academy, which has been funded jointly by Rolls-Royce and the Government, will double that number.

Mr Osborne hailed the centre as a "fantastic facility" and huge asset to the city and country. He said, "Derby is home to a number of great global companies like Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier that compete on the world stage. In many ways, Derby represents everything that is right with the British economy. It is a powerhouse for hi-tech engineering. So facilities like the Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy are so important not only to Derby's future, but to the whole country."
The three-storey, 3,850 square metre academy includes a conference room, meeting rooms, classrooms and workshops, which have been filled with the same equipment found on Rolls-Royce's production line.

The UK Economy Returns to Growth

The UK economy emerged from recession in the three months from July to September, helped by the Olympic Games.

The economy grew by 1.0%, according to official gross domestic product figures (GDP), which measure the value of everything produced in the country.

The Office for National Statistics said that Olympic ticket sales had added 0.2 percentage points to the figures. 

All Olympic and Paralympic ticket sales counted towards July to September's GDP figure. 

The economy had been in recession for the previous nine months and has still not recovered the levels of output seen before the financial crisis in 2008. 

The ONS said that beyond the effect of ticket sales it was hard to put an exact figure on the Olympic effect, although it cited increased hotel and restaurant activity in London as well as strength from employment agencies. 

The GDP figures were also enhanced by comparison with the previous three months, because the second quarter had an extra public holiday as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June, as well as unusually bad weather, which reduced growth. 

"There is still a long way to go, but these figures show we are on the right track," said Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. 

"Yesterday's weak data from the eurozone were a reminder that we still face many economic challenges at home and abroad."

CIMA ‘Habits For a More Productive Finance Team’ Event at Cannock on Thursday 29th November

‘The most important figures in finance - habits for a more productive finance team’ 

Description

Have you ever thought?

•        is it hard to pin down that one single thing that will help you be more productive?

•        are you tempted into overtime every time you are overstretched?

•        do your team struggle to stay motivated beyond month end?

•        Are feedback and atmosphere negative expressions when co-operation, collaboration and celebration wouldn’t go amiss?

If so, then this session is for you, whether you are a manager or team player. Your team are the most important figures in finance so here is the fuel to redress the balance.   

Clare Haynes will introduce you to strategies to address some common issues in – but not exclusive to - the finance function.  

These tactics offer significant yet small changes to kick off more output more easily from your finance team.  

The session will cover:

•        practical management – how to manage and be managed better

•        productivity – ripping through your email and prioritising to produce results

•        positive politics – creating a constructive, fast-flowing communication culture. 

Venue & Date

Roman Way Hotel, Watling Street, Hatherton, Cannock WS11 1SH – www.romanwayhotel.co.uk 

6.30 for 7.00pm 

No charge.   Buffet on arrival 

Speaker details

Clare Haynes from Wildfire (www.wildfireATwork.co.uk ) is a popular CIMA speaker at CPD academies and branch events. Clare has a sparkling style which can enthuse the quietest audience and draw out contributions from all parts of the room.  Her use of practical exercises locks in the learning in a non-confrontational manner.  Clare is a refreshing and dynamic trainer and offers a wide range of areas of expertise.

 

To book your free place, contact Julie Witts at Julie.witts@cimaglobal.com

Cricket Club Pavilion & Car Park Development Appeal

Keith Chambers has recently launched an appeal to raise £300,000 in order to build a new community club pavilion and car park at Rainham Cricket Club. This will assist the club to continue to develop young cricketers (6 to 17 year olds) and improve the facilities for all in the community. 

This project is dear to Keith who has had several members of his family from different generations (himself included) play for the cricket club. 

Rainham Cricket Club was originally formed in 1856 by two wealthy local farmers Richard Mansfield Wakeley and Thomas Dodd. Another farmer named James Miles allowed them to play in his meadow at Siloam Farm situated in the present Mierscourt Road. The players were mainly resident in Rainham from different backgrounds and were trained in the art of cricket by Messrs Wakeley and Dodd, who had previously played for Gore Court. 

The first match was played on July 2nd, 1856 at Siloam Farm against the Angel Club, Strood, which Strood won. However, from 1857 more fixtures were arranged against clubs like Selling, Milton, Gore Court and Throwley and under the captaincy of Richard Wakeley, Rainham progressed to become one of the strongest sides in the area during the late 1850s. 

So there you have it; lots of history and heritage associated with this cricket club – and you can help to preserve and extend this history by making a donation or by sending a message to Keith to show your support. 

Keith can be contacted on 07989 799945 and 01634 361690 or by email at madogkeith@btinternet.com - I know he’d be pleased to hear from you (and even more delighted if you were to make a donation).

CIMA ‘What the heck is social media: how can it help you grow your business?’ – Tuesday 13th November, Penkridge, Stafford

Description

Social media has been the big story of the last couple of years but many business owners and executives are still mystified by its seeming complexity and how they can apply it to their business.

In this event, Adrian Swinscoe will be sharing his experience of social media which will include: -

-        stories from small businesses that are using it successfully

-        key questions to help you figure out how you could be applying it to your business to drive future growth

-        practical tips, pointers and strategies to help you get started.

Speaker details

Adrian runs RARE Business, a strategy and marketing consultancy, which focuses on helping both large and small clients deliver sustainable growth by developing their customer service, customer engagement, marketing strategy and their existing client base. Adrian also writes a popular blog at www.adrianswinscoe.com where he shares some of the ideas and techniques that he uses with clients.

Venue & Time

Mercure Stafford South Hatherton House Hotel, Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5QP

6.30pm for 7.00pm

No charge.  Light refreshments on arrival

For more details or to book your free place, email Julie Witts at julie.witts@cimaglobal.com

CIMA/AAT ‘Charity Accounting’ Event – Tuesday 9th October, Stoke

Description

During this event you will: -

-        be acquainted with recent developments in the area of charity law

-        ensure that you can apply these developments in daily practice

-        be able to discuss the changes with your clients in an informed way

Speaker details

Jenny Hampson is head of the charity unit at Knights Solicitors LLP and is recognised in the legal 500 in the area of charity law.

 

Venue & Time

Best Western Moat House Hotel, Etruria Hall, Festival Way, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5BQ

6.30pm for 7.00pm

No charge.  Light refreshments on arrival

For more details or to book your free place, email Julie Witts at julie.witts@cimaglobal.com

Support CIMA North West Midlands - Open Branch Committee Meeting on 7th August

CIMA NORTH WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH MEETING

Date:    Tues 7 Aug 2012
Time:    6.00 for 6.30pm.
Venue:  The Crown Hotel, 38 High St, Stone, Staffs ST15 8BS
Cost:    No charge

CIMA North West Midlands covers an area around Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Telford.

The branch is looking for enthusiastic CIMA members and students to join the local network to help them plan their programme of events and promote CIMA in the area. We are looking for new members with fresh new ideas for both member and student events.

You are therefore invited to their next branch meeting to meet the committee, and to get an idea of what takes place.

Committee members attend around 4 meetings a year, help with the planning process of the branch, and take it in turns to help run the branch events. Being part of the branch network is an excellent opportunity to network with other CIMA members, students and other professionals in the area.

If you feel you would like to be part of the CIMA North West Midlands committee or have any questions, please contact Julie Witts - email julie.witts@cimaglobal.com or Tel 02476 849380.

We look forward to meeting you.