New Milton Advertiser 18th December 2020

16 · Friday 18th December 2020

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Business

Tech company appoints ‘elite’ global risk chief

Day nurseries open up 35 jobs for youngsters

A NURSERY group with branches in the New Forest has opened up 35 new jobs after signing up to a govern- ment scheme. Tops Day Nurseries, which has nurseries in Lymington and Fawley, is taking part in the Kickstart Scheme, a £2bn national initiative designed to help young people at risk of long-term unemployment find roles. The placements will pro- vide “an incredible and unique experience for young people seeking their first role in and around the early years sector”, the company said in a statement. The new roles at Topsin- clude lunch support assis- tants, department juniors, marketing support assistants and legal interns. Managing director Cher- yl Hadland said: “In such an

uncertain time I am delighted to be able to offer secure po- sitions at Tops Day Nurseries to support the economy. “The pandemic has been difficult for us all, but it has been particularly difficult for the younger workers who have been made redundant or are facing long-term em- ployment issues. “We have created brand new positions in all of our nurseries and have even of- fered the opportunity to work alongside our head office team to gain experience in a Covid-secure office environ- ment.” The Kickstart scheme will initially be open until Decem- ber 2021, but there is the op- tion for it to be extended. Youngsters will be referred to the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach.

A RINGWOOD tech firm has appointed a new head of glob- al risk as it expands its security operations. Smarter Technologies, based in the town’s Austin Park in- dustrial area, has enlisted Mark Roche to boost the firm’s asset recovery, which has amounted to £5m of business over the past four years. The company said its new re- cruit was considered “one of an elite group trained to manage high-value asset recovery oper- ations”. Mark said: “In the cat-and- mouse game of fighting crim- inal activity, it’s our goal to al- ways be one step ahead of the criminals. “We are building and strengthening an expert team to tackle asset recoveries across a global network.” Smarter Technologies works with institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and RAF and, with Mark on board, is looking to help SMEs, blue chip companies and police forces across the country. “Police forces sometimes don’t have the resources to deal with asset theft,” added

Mark. “When it comes to their resource allocation and prioriti- sation between the theft of an asset and a case that involves potential preservation of life, the latter will always come first. “My process involves liaising with the police force wherev- er that asset was stolen from, working with the troops on the ground and locating the tracker to a precise location.” One force already familiar with Mark’s work is Essex and Kent Police. Jason Hendy, head of seri- ous and organised crime at the branch, said: “I have worked with Mark for a number of years, and he has had signifi- cant impact in reducing crime and improving recovery rates. “Mark has helped catch more criminals with his equipment than any other company we know. He is also known now as an expert tracker across many police forces and trains officers on tracking. “We look forward to contin- uing our association to ensure we maintain our position at the forefront of detection and the successful prosecution of crim- inal behaviour.”

Mark Young was head chef at Bramshaw’s Bell Inn before it closed in July

Chef’s campaign for local produce

Bogof o er for New Forest discount card

Push for independent businesses struggling during the pandemic BY LYNDON HOGG A NEW Forest chef has cooked up a campaign to help local food producers hit hard by the pandemic. Mark Young, former head chef at The Bell Inn, was made redundant along with the rest of the staff at the historic Bramshaw establishment when it closed in July, just as restric- tions on pubs were eased dur- ing the first lockdown. Now he is offering his exper- tise to struggling independent

businesses with the launch of a new online e-commerce plat- form. Through his website, You- Tube videos and Instagram pictures, Mark is hoping to encourage shoppers to steer clear of supermarkets and in- ternational online retailers, instead promoting local farm shops. Mark, who has spent 32 years working in and running restau- rants, said rather than worry about his own future, he decid- ed to work with others. “My career highlights have all revolved around the amazing people I have worked with and met along the way, passionate and dedicated people who, day in and day out, work tirelessly

to feed us all from the New For- est larder. “We are at risk of losing them if we don’t make some changes to the way we shop, which is why I’ve decided to launch this online community.” Mark started a Save Our Sau- sages campaign when the sec- ond lockdown was announced and, under the moniker New Forest Chef, has been promot- ing local food producers online. He has also added an e-com- merce store to his website where shoppers can buy products like Blackwater Pork, Naked Jam and New Forest Shortbread. Follow Mark’s campaign on www.newforestchef.com, and on social media via @newforest chef

A DISCOUNT card offering hundreds of deals from firms across the New Forest is on of- fer. T h r o u g h o u t December, bar-

commodation around the New Forest. The 2021 card is valid from 1st December, so Christ- mas shoppers looking to

Tops Day Nurseries has two branches in the New Forest

g a i n - h u n t e r s can pick up two Go New Forest Cards for the price of one. The card enables holders to take advantage of around 350

keep their ef- forts local will find plenty of ways to support i n d e p e n d e n t businesses. The card costs £10 and

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Whether you have launched a new venture, are expanding, made an important staff appointment, won an award or have any other news, we want to hear from you

offers, saving money at pubs, attractions, restaurants and ac-

can be or- dered via gonew forest.com/product/gnf-card/

We’re open to new residents The health and welfare of our residents continues to be of the utmost importance to us at Gracewell and we’re always developing creative new ways to help our residents safely maintain meaningful contact with loved ones. Here is what you can expect when you join us. • Comprehensive Testing and Infection Control procedures for all our visitors and team members • Safe Visit Rooms to support face-to-face visits with loved ones • Enhanced Visiting for residents who display clinical indicators of vulnerability or frailty that show they need close family support. • Nominated Person protocol in place to allow physical meeting and holding of hands • A safe move-in process using a two test approach to minimise the risk of infection

Call 01590 631939 or visit GracewellSway.co.uk for more details.

Gracewell of Sway Sway Place, Church Lane, Sway, Hampshire SO41 6AD

Independent living, residential and dementia care home

12 April 2018