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Global energy tech group Octopus Energy announced today it has signed a framework agreement with Masdar, one of the world's leading clean energy companies, to license Octopus' ground-breaking technology platform Kraken. Masdar will use Kraken to flexibly manage its battery storage portfolio in the UK.

In the presence of HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar, and COP28 President-Designate, the agreement was signed between Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, and Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy Group, at the UAE Climate Tech Forum.

i54 South Staffordshire will be in the spotlight at the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). The major Midlands business park, located in South Staffordshire on the county border with Wolverhampton, has recently seen the completion of a 60-acre western extension.

A new occupier is already lined up for part of the extension but an opportunity for an end user to secure the remaining 25 acres for advanced manufacturing, technology, training and innovation will be showcased by Invest Wolverhampton, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council at UKREiiF (May 16-18).

A street party was recently held by residents at David Wilson Homes’ River Meadow community in Stanford in the Vale to mark the coronation of His Majesty The King. The event, which was held at the development on Ware Road on Sunday 7th May, brought together the community for an afternoon of fun and festivities, which included music, face painting, children's crafts, games, a family quiz and more.  

In partnership with Gaydio, iconic shopping, dining, and leisure destination, Bullring Presents, Late Night Out — an exclusive live music event featuring star guests on Friday 26th May.

With limited tickets set to sell out fast, visitors will get access to Bullring’s after hours event from 9pm until midnight, hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race UK star and fan-favourite, Ginny Lemon. The event will feature a stellar line-up including music producer and promoter, Jodie Harsh, with a DJ set and Girls Aloud member, Nadine Coyle, with a special performance. Music will also be provided by Ginny’s fellow Drag Race UK star, Black Peppa, and DJs from Gaydio.

A business based in the home of the industrial revolution, in Tipton in the West Midlands, is exporting a green revolution to the Middle East.

LetSanify, based in Tipton, has sent its first consignment of eco-friendly disinfectants and cleaning products to Qatar, where they will be sold into the Lulu group of supermarkets that has more than 200 outlets across the region. Proven to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19, E-COLI, MERS and SARS, the product is made entirely from natural products, salt and highly filtered water.

New homes provider Bromford is celebrating a successful partnership with Miller Homes, after all of the Shared Ownership homes sold out on the exclusive Keepers Field development in Codsall.

Keepers Field, located off Keepers Lane between the A41 and the M54, is being built by housebuilder Miller Homes, and comprises two and three-bedroom Shared Ownership properties. All of the homes, designed with modern living in mind, and now sold out, were built specifically to meet the needs of local people, meaning priority was given to those who have a connection to South Staffordshire Council.

Nationwide placemaker, Muse’s industry-leading approach to sustainability and social impact has taken a major step forward, as former EMEA head of social value – sustainable operations at JLL, Syreeta Bayne, has joined the business’ senior leadership team as its first head of social value and sustainability.

With approximately 15 years’ experience, six of which were in the construction sector working at Interserve and BAM UK, Syreeta has created, led and consulted on various social and sustainability projects, in partnership with private and public sector clients including Southwark Council, Legal and General Investment Management, AVIVA, La Salle and Homes England. One of Syreeta’s main drives will be to further develop Muse’s combined approach to social value, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion.

With organisations and purchasers under pressure to pay attention to sustainable procurement, there continues to be an increased interest in more sustainable IT products. During March, a record-high number of products were certified according to the sustainability certification TCO Certified. More certified products make it easier for purchasers to make more sustainable choices.

IT products are a source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) throughout their entire life cycle — from manufacturing through to distribution, use and disposal. With improvements in design, manufacturing, technology and user behaviour it is possible to limit the impact.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice have announced the appointment of seasoned technology executive Mittu Sridhara as an Operating Principal. Mr. Sridhara will play a key role in evaluating investment opportunities and driving value creation at the Firm's portfolio companies.

"We are excited to welcome Mittu to CD&R as we continue to strengthen the breadth and depth of our Operating Principal team, who we believe serve a critical role in the growth and transformation of our portfolio companies," said David Novak, Co-President of CD&R.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes North Midlands has made a £1,000 donation to a Hucknall-based resource centre which houses a variety of groups and services to the local community. Under One Roof is run by a management committee made up of volunteers who look after foodbanks, furniture projects and community cafés for those living in the area.

Rebecca Wells, Centre Co-ordinator at Under One Roof, said: “We were thrilled and very grateful to receive the donation from Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes North Midlands.

Bremont, Britain's largest manufacturer of luxury watches, have announced that it has appointed industry veteran Davide Cerrato as CEO and a member of the Board.

Bolstering Bremont's in-house capabilities, Cerrato brings with him extensive experience in branding, product design and development, supply-chain management, and production. Cerrato has a proven track record, having worked with some of the most notable brands in the watch industry including Tudor, Montblanc and Panerai.

Businesses from across the West Midlands can now submit entries for the prestigious West Midlands Finance Awards. Entering its sixth year, the West Midlands Finance Awards is the only accolade of its kind to recognise the work and achievements of the region’s top finance professionals and businesses.

Bigger than ever, the awards will feature a new category – Finance Transformation and Change – casting an eye to those at the cutting edge of the industry, approaching change with innovation, as well the hotly contested Rising Star of the Year award. The deadline for entries is Friday 9 June 2023, applicants will then be judged by a panel of the region’s industry leaders.

An insolvency practitioner of one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms predicts the number of company insolvencies in England and Wales will set new records during 2023. The warning comes as latest quarterly insolvency statistics for January to March 2023 (Q1) reveal there were 5,747 company insolvencies in England and Wales, 18% higher than in Q1 2022.

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