CorporateVision The future of better business Corporate Vision- Issue 2 2024 Featuring:
Contents AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. As we leave the first month of 2024 behind us, we hope that all of our readers have had a prosperous start to the new year. February is upon us, a month often associated with love and appreciation, and an opportune time to express gratitude for the people in our lives, whether family, friends, or employees/colleagues. Employees are at the heart of every business, propelling them forward with their passion for what they do. Further, the week of 5th-11th February saw National Apprenticeship Week, which was an opportunity to appreciate apprentices for the positive impact they have on businesses, communities, and the wider economy. This year’s theme was ‘Skills for Life’, promoting how apprenticeships have so much potential to change both lives and businesses for the better. Now, this issue of Corporate Vision brings you the latest trends and insights from the world of business. We hope you enjoy perusing this issue as we provide valuable content to keep you informed and prepared for the road ahead. In the meantime, we wish you another month filled with inspiration and success, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon for our March issue. Rebecca Scotland- Editor Welcome to the February Issue of Corporate Vision Magazine. 4. News 6. Employee benefits technology provider Zest launches new tech marketplace to offer employers enhanced control over benefits packages 7. Quest Recruitment Ltd: Most Client-Focused Job Seeker & Employers Relationship- Building Organisation 2023 - UK 8. A quarter of UK businesses spend up to 10 hours a week just scheduling interviews 10. Elemental Holding and Mitsubishi Corporation Agrees to Strategic Partnership in Platinum-Group Metals Recycling 11. Discover Your Wild Side with the Exclusive Ed Stafford OLPRO Outdoor Range Editorial Team Sofi Parry, Senior Editor | Rebecca Scotland, Editor | Izzy Mifsud, Writer | Emily Godbold, Writer | Matthew Wright, Writer | Joshua Beardsmore, Writer Design Team Lauren Baldwin, Graphic Designer | Ali Mohammed, Junior Graphic Designer
News Corporate Visiopn CORPORATE GREETINGS EXPERIENCE A TREND SHIFT AS SUSTAINABILITY LEADS New research by James Cropper, a leader in Advanced Materials and Paper Products, has highlighted a shift in the way businesses celebrate key moments with customers and stakeholders alike. Evolving preferences among C-suite executives and directors are driving a growing consciousness towards sustainability and purposeful communication. Traditionally, leaders would send greeting cards to their stakeholders to show gratitude and support during the year, particularly at Christmas. However, research conducted by the papermaker with 500 C-suite executives and directors shows that this practice is changing. Leaders are looking for more sustainable options. Almost a third[1] of the 500 respondents expressed a preference for corporate greeting cards that also have a secondary purpose, a sentiment well-aligned with James Cropper’s dedication to sustainable growth. Despite society’s rapid digitisation, 15% of executives found digital cards to be a poor substitute for traditional greetings, underscoring the enduring appeal of tangible, tactile experiences and challenging the assumption that digital alternatives are universally well-received. Jordan Scott, Marketing Communications Manager at James Cropper, says: “As leaders in innovative paper solutions, we recognise the need for purposeful and sustainable choices in today’s business landscape. The research we’ve undertaken shows that this extends to all communications of the business, including the greeting cards that are sent. “We recently partnered with Hallmark to create a corporate greeting card which symbolises hope, a fresh start, sustainability, and innovation. The card has been designed for second use as decorative floral ornament or thank you piece, allowing for a perpetual sentiment that extends beyond the confines of a few weeks and is a gift that could last a lifetime.” Working with Hallmark Cards UK to create the ‘New Beginnings’ card marks the first time James Cropper has partnered with a customer for its annual greeting to all of its stakeholders. The latest project reaffirms the long standing partnership between James Cropper and Hallmark after the papermaker created a card collection using waste from disposable coffee cups. driving forward sustainable alternatives to make an impact. As two, family businesses with innovation and caring at the heart of their values, the companies are working towards a world that’s less wasteful and more beautiful. Eve Gray, Creative Development Director, says: “Continuing to build our relationship with James Cropper through this collaboration, has really demonstrated the possibilities of thinking differently and collectively. With innovation and caring as core values for both companies, that synergy led to an exciting project with sustainability and creativity at its heart.” Jordan concludes: “Our latest collaboration with Hallmark showcases the capabilities of our partnership and our excitement for the future. In today’s world, we must be agile and adapt to a continual changing landscape and this project demonstrates one example of how we are doing this.” [1] 27% of C-Suite executives and directors Virgin Money introduces new self-certification scheme to help businesses highlight their commitment to sustainability Virgin Money has introduced a new self-certification scheme to its Sustainable Business Coach, designed to help businesses better demonstrate their commitments to sustainability and get on the path to achieving their environmental and social goals. The Future-Fit Engaged self-certification scheme is the first of its kind in banking and has been developed by Virgin Money in partnership with Future-Fit Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to catalyse the transition to a regenerative society. The free-to-use tool, which can be accessed via Virgin Money’s Sustainable Business Coach app, enables businesses to set environmental and social ambitions, take better day-to-day decisions to achieve these and demonstrate their progress to stakeholders, with the self-certification achieved when they meet the Future-Fit Engaged criteria. The scheme forms part of the Sustainable Business Coach, which helps companies to determine the impact of their business on the environment and wider society, prioritise their sustainability targets and the actions required to meet these and track delivery. To qualify for self-certification through Future-Fit Engaged, businesses need to complete five key actions: 1. Register for and complete the Virgin Money Sustainable Business Coach. 2. Take action on at least one high priority goal determined by the coach to meet the requirements of the business. 3. Assign a business owner to monitor progress against these actions and goals. 4. Discuss the progress at a board/senior management meeting to ensure sustainability becomes a focal point for accountability and action. 5. Set a date to review and report on progress. Once complete, companies will receive their Future-Fit Engaged self-certification and can display their logo alongside other businesses on the Future-Fit website to showcase that they are on the path to achieving their sustainability goals to their customers, colleagues and other organisations. Scott McFarlane, sustainability lead for business banking at Virgin Money, said: “Customers and stakeholders rightly expect businesses of all sizes to prioritise ESG and demonstrate actions to minimise their environmental and social impact. The new Future-Fit Engaged self-certification on our Sustainable Business Coach apps helps SMEs to educate themselves on the most effective ways to operate more sustainably and make positive decisions to achieve this, backed by clear goals and progress tracking. Offering access to a straightforward, independent certification that will encourage more resilient and sustainable businesses, is just one way we’re helping change business for good in partnership with Future-Fit Foundation.” Martin Rich, CEO & Co-founder, Future-Fit Foundation, said: “Future-Fit Engaged recognises a company’s first steps on the journey to becoming a truly regenerative business. We’re therefore delighted to continue deepening our partnership with Virgin Money in this way and working together on supporting businesses to build a flourishing future for all.”
Small Business Awards 2023 | 7 Issue 2 2024 | 7 Corporate Visiopn Employee benefits technology provider, Zest, today launches Zest Marketplace, to provide customers with even more flexibility, control and choice when building a benefits package that works for their employees. With 60% of employees stating that company benefits have become more important to them when deciding where to work*, the launch of the platform comes at a vital time, enabling employers to support their workforce in a way that extends beyond salary. Zest Marketplace includes a handpicked network of providers, offers, or individual benefits for employers to choose from including workplace savings schemes from Octopus Money, electric company cars from Electric Car Scheme and health tests from YorkTest. The benefits on offer cover a broad intersection of perks including wellbeing, sustainability and increased financial support. Employers that access Zest Marketplace will now be offered increased choice and flexibility, and the opportunity to craft more personalised packages for their employees. It will also allow employers to align these packages to their company’s values, and quickly adapt them throughout the year at an even faster pace to match rapidly changing employee expectations. Matt Russell, CEO of Zest, comments: “Zest Marketplace is the latest development of our ever-evolving employee benefits proposition. “Employers are increasingly understanding that one size does not fit all when it comes to benefits, and our research is showing that employees are placing a greater emphasis on securing value from this – our platform plays a vital role in supporting employers to offer bespoke benefits solutions to their workforce. “Being equipped to quickly administer accessible, personalised benefits is key for Zest’s growing customer base as they continue to adapt to the new world of work where employee expectations and needs are constantly changing.” The launch of Zest Marketplace caps a successful 12 months for Zest, with major highlights including: • Growing the customer base to over 500, including Hargreaves Lansdown, Taylor Wimpey, Yahoo and Travis Perkins, serving over 300,000 employees. • Zest Marketplace launches today to assist employers in building personalised benefits packages for their employees, offering enhanced flexibility when responding to evolving worker demands. • With six in ten (57%) employees saying company benefits have become more important to them when deciding where to work, this new tech-led service comes at a critical time to support customers retain a motivated and engaged workforce. • Amid a highly successful business year, Zest has grown its customer base to over 500 customers, serving 300,000 employees and increased its revenue by 17% from 2022 to 2023. Employee benefits technology provider Zest launches new tech marketplace to offer employers enhanced control over benefits packages • Adapting the senior leadership team with new CEO Matt Russell joined by Liliana Teixeira as Head of Marketing, and Graham Meinke as Chief Product and Innovation Officer. • Increasing revenue by 17% from 2022 to 2023. Following the successful launch of its new App in 2023, throughout 2024 the business will be looking to further develop its technology to deliver more personalisation for its customers and their employees and deliver tailored benefits solutions to enable a more dynamic and engaged workforce. At the end of the process, each person deserves to feel a sense of fulfilment, and Quest Recruitment is proud to be the catalyst for such a sensation. It’s clear that the organisation truly loves what it has done for its clients, allowing for a more involved approach that is unlike anything the recruitment sphere currently has to offer. It’s for this very reason that Quest Recruitment has been recognised by Corporate Vision. No other organisation of a similar nature has come close to replicating the tried and true formula that Quest Recruitment has adapted over the years, resulting in this aspirational collective standing as a wholly unique entity within its field. As it takes its bold steps into 2024, we’re certain that Quest Recruitment will only continue to flourish on behalf of both clients and candidates alike. Contact: Anna Laszkowska Company: Quest Recruitment Ltd Web Address: https://www.quest-recruitment.com/ Every company is different. Even if they operate within the same industry, no two share the same characteristics. As such, they hold a host of unique challenges and aspirations that they must face together with their teams in order to reach their own respective versions of success. Recognising this notion is none other than Quest Recruitment, an organisation that has an active presence across a variety of business landscapes. From legal and finance, to HR and transport and logistics, Quest Recruitment specialises in, not just filling positions with matching resumes, but uniting kindred spirits across a myriad of markets. Only then can the fires of success blaze into a collaborative cacophony between employer and employee. To fully understand the breadth of Quest Recruitment’s capabilities, however, we believe it necessary to walk through each of its areas of expertise. To begin, Quest Recruitment expresses its exceptional talent in managing the financial sector. In fact, it recognises finance as more than just a market, but a passion. A passion that the collective is all too familiar with, and actively looks to create tailored solutions for. Whether it’s actively unlocking talent within candidates, or even its clients, Quest Recruitment makes sure to handpick the very best from all potential applicants. From there, it’s simply a matter of helping both parties to bring their true potential into the light. Finance isn’t the only area in which Quest Recruitment has mastered the art of uncovering hidden talent, however. On the contrary, when operating within the legal field, the organisation doesn’t simply place lawyers, but instead curates them in line with its impeccable standards. This is conducted via a four-stage screening process, in which it leads a meticulous pursuit – one that goes beyond simple resumes – in order to find individuals whose aspirations align with the client’s vision for their company. From there, it ignites their passion for the role, ultimately guaranteeing undeniable growth on both a personal and professional level. Similarly, these very approaches translate to HR and Transport and Logistics. In every scenario, Quest Recruitment becomes the face of understanding a company’s culture, and how to integrate individuals who wholly support the internal workings of any environment. Only then can both collective and candidate thrive in harmony. Quest Recruitment has long since been attuned to this notion, and has imbued each of its practises with communicating it to both clients and applicants alike. Set on establishing invaluable connections between jobseekers and employers alike, Quest Recruitment is an organisation that has long since recognised just how critical such a bond can be when it comes to individual success. As opposed to simply helping a company to fill slots, it instead turns its attention to fostering meaningful relationships that nurture the ambitions of each person involved. In turn, both employer and candidate are granted an opportunity to flourish alongside one another. Below, we take a closer look at how Quest Recruitment has developed a knack for creating harmony within the workplace. Most Client-Focused Job Seeker & Employers RelationshipBuilding Organisation 2023 - UK
Issue 2 2024 | 9 Corporate Visiopn Employers who do not use AI in their hiring process say that interview scheduling (45%), CV screening (41%), background checks (34%) and candidate sourcing (30%) would all benefit from the technology, reflecting areas that businesses have highlighted as challenging or time consuming. Using AI to reduce the time spent on these processes would free up hiring decision makers to focus on other work that they say should be human-driven, including final decision making (55%), candidate interviews (52%) and personalised communication (43%). The latest iteration of automated hiring With these challenges in mind, Indeed today launches its latest iteration of its industry-leading matching technologies. Indeed’s automated hiring tools are designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, and allow employers to hire faster than ever before. The features being rolled out increase speed to hire in three main ways: reach, efficiency and control. The tools are: • Direct to Interview - Fast-track hiring by simply setting job criteria and availability and Indeed connects employers with matched candidates for a first conversation. Jobs using Direct to Interview schedule 10.5 times more interviews on Indeed. They are also completing a successful interview 33% faster than other jobs. • Direct to Message - Employers can automatically start conversations with qualified candidates. Simply set your job criteria, and use Indeed to help screen candidates and send a pre-created message to candidates who have passed your criteria. • Hiring Events - An all-in-one solution to help attract talent. This tool helps automate tasks such as interview scheduling, and candidate messaging, and will then run virtual and in-person hiring events efficiently and costeffectively. Employers can also have more control over automating functionalities that could help save screening time. With businesses losing so much time to scheduling interviews, the average employer on Indeed Hiring Events has 18 candidates show up ready to interview. Raj Mukherjee, EVP and General Manager at the global matching and hiring platform Indeed, said: “In order to stay competitive, employers need simpler ways to get to hire faster. Indeed’s research indicates that businesses believe more can be done to improve the efficiency of the hiring process, and that many of the most time-consuming and challenging tasks are ripe for automation. We’ve created our new hiring tools to eliminate manual tasks so that employers can focus on what matters most – human connection. “Indeed is uniquely positioned as an end-to-end hiring platform to help businesses address their hiring pain points. Our automated hiring capabilities serve employer’s wide range of hiring needs from self service, to fully automating all of their administrative tasks. These tools further Indeed’s evolution into a matching and hiring platform that delivers unparalleled access to the most qualified candidates.” A quarter of UK businesses spend up to 10 hours a week just scheduling interviews • UK businesses say the second biggest challenge to hiring is the process being ‘time-consuming’, only behind talent shortages • However, 42% of businesses aren’t using AI in their hiring process, despite so many mundane tasks being ripe for automation • Indeed today launches latest automated hiring tools too allow employers to hire more quickly and efficiently than ever before 1 in 4 (24%) of UK businesses spend up to 10 hours a week just scheduling interviews, according to new research from global matching and hiring platform Indeed. According to ONS data, there are 934,000 job vacancies in the UK. Businesses are eager to fill these roles, but the findings from Indeed show that teams spend too much time on inefficient processes and mundane tasks. In fact, the survey of UK businesses found that employers say the second biggest challenge to hiring is the process being ‘time-consuming’, only behind talent shortages. Businesses bogged down by administrative tasks On average, employers spend a third (33%) of their hiring budget on administrative tasks. While hiring decision makers are spending the majority of time (6+ hours per week) on this type of work, including CV screening (56%), candidate assessment (55%) and candidate sourcing (55%). This trend is also evident on a wider business level. On average, employers spend 37% of their time on tasks associated with hiring activities, showing that these processes have become a major time drain. Employers also say that administrative parts of hiring can be the most challenging, including candidate sourcing (29%), candidate assessment (23%), resume screening 22%) and background checks (21%). Employers aren’t yet taking advantage of AI to accelerate hiring Despite the need to make processes more efficient, a significant 42% of businesses aren’t using AI in their hiring process, despite so many mundane tasks being ripe for automation. Indeed, 86% of those who are using AI say it’s had a positive impact. Against this backdrop of time-sucking tasks, more than half of businesses say efficiency (53%) and time savings (51%) are the top advantages of implementing AI.
Issue 2 2024 | 11 Corporate Visiopn Elemental Holding and Mitsubishi Corporation Agrees to Strategic Partnership in Platinum-Group Metals Recycling Elemental Holding SA (“Elemental”) and Mitsubishi Corporation (“Mitsubishi”) have agreed to form a strategic partnership in platinum-group metals (“PGM”) recycling, covering Elemental’s global operations from collection to refined metal. In an exciting new venture into extreme outdoor exploration, OLPRO announces a ground-breaking collaboration with renowned adventurer Ed Stafford. This partnership unveils a range of tents and sleeping bags, blending OLPRO’s innovative design and sustainable materials with Ed Stafford’s vast experience in the field. By co-creating this range of high-quality, dependable, durable products with a distinctive look at accessible price points they aim to enable friends and family to enjoy more frequent adventures in the great outdoors. The collaborative range features five tents, including 2- and 8-berth tents, and two newly designed sleeping bags. The Ed Stafford OLPRO range provides customers with a wider variety of designs and product features. Using OLTECH® REPRO, a sustainable material crafted from repurposed plastic bottles, these products exemplify the fusion of sustainability and cutting-edge design. The tents are designed featuring rain diverters on zips to keep the inside of the tents warm and dry, and black inners to keep the tents cool and dark for comfortable summer sleeping. “As a brand designed for adventure, it’s been an incredible experience working with one of the world’s best-known adventurers. Working alongside Ed, we’ve developed a range of tents for people who want to get out there and enjoy the outdoors using our innovation and Ed’s experience.” says Daniel Walton, OLPRO CEO. Rooted in a passion for the outdoors, OLPRO is a B-Corp certified camping brand, committed to positively impacting workers, communities, customers, and the planet. Backed by an industryleading lifetime warranty, OLPRO products encourage adventurers to stand up for the planet and stand out with gear designed in the Discover Your Wild Side with the Exclusive Ed Stafford OLPRO Outdoor Range The strategic partnership will combine Elemental’s and Mitsubishi’s expertise and resources in the collection and pre-processing of spent automotive catalytic converters and the smelting, refining and marketing of refined PGM metal. The parties will work together across a number of avenues to scale and grow Elemental’s globally leading PGM recycling business. Elemental has built an integrated PGM smelter / refinery in Southern Poland that uses 100% recycled feedstock, which will make a significant contribution to critical mineral independence in the European Union. Through Elemental’s integrated PGM recycling production chain, the ElementalMitsubishi partnership will aim to deliver the greenest and most sustainable PGMs in the world to its customers. As part of the strategic partnership, Mitsubishi will provide a trade finance working capital facility that will support ramping up of Elemental’s PGM smelter / refinery to full production. Mitsubishi will also make an equity investment in Elemental’s operating subsidiary in the United States. The parties have a clear intent to grow their partnership through further collaboration in PGMs and other metals. Pawel Jarski, CEO and Founder of Elemental, said: “We are excited to establish a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi in our PGM recycling business. Mitsubishi is the leading trader of PGMs in the world and will be able to add significant value to our business through their marketing expertise, global network, balance sheet and reputation. Following the US$290 million equity capital raise completed in January 2023, we are thrilled to add another blue-chip partner to our unique recycling business model. The partnership with Mitsubishi will help us deliver more recycled critical minerals to the European Union and beyond.” Koichiro Takagi, Mineral Resources Trading Division COO of Mitsubishi Corporation, said: “The rise of the hydrogen economy and a global recognition of PGM as critical minerals materially increase PGM’s relevance. Mitsubishi is thrilled to expand our relationship in the PGM recycling business with Elemental, a highly respected and skilled global supplier of recycled PGMs, and to jointly build a responsible and green supply chain of recycled PGM. This partnership will help us strengthen our supply chain and underpin our ability to deliver green PGMs for the growing demand of PGM including from the hydrogen economy. We also view this partnership as a potential step to expand our partnership with Elemental in the recycling business of other critical minerals such as base metals and battery metals on a global basis.” UK for the UK. The Ed Stafford OLPRO collection challenges the economy of ‘disposable’ tents, with products that are developed with durability and dependability in mind. By producing equipment that will withstand frequent use, adventurers can enjoy years of costeffective and life-enhancing outdoor exploration. Ed Stafford, the Guinness World Record holder for walking the length of the Amazon River, played a crucial role in the design, offering insights and feedback throughout the product development process. His adventure and survival knowledge has developed throughout his lifetime, from Scouts as a lad to his years in the army and expeditions in adulthood. The latter being showcased on TV shows such as ‘First Man Out’ and the ‘60 Days’ Series, with his most recent series, ‘Kings of the Jungle,’ airing on Channel 4 later this year. These experiences have enabled him to help OLPRO develop a product range that is truly fit for purpose. “We’ve crafted some great kit based on our shared love for exploration and the outdoors. With many of my experiences being impacted by waste plastic, I’m also thrilled that our collection can repurpose that into durable, adventure-enabling equipment. I’m excited to see adventurers embrace this unique collection.” expresses Ed Stafford. The exclusive Ed Stafford OLPRO range is set to launch in early February 2024, with pre-orders available on OLPROSHOP.COM. This product line is an OLPRO exclusive and will be available to purchase directly from olproshop.com as well as select UK-based retailers and marketplaces, including Mountain Warehouse, Decathlon, and Halfords. Products will be showcased at The National Outdoor Expo in Birmingham in March, and the first stock will arrive in the UK in May.
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