BEIS Industrial Energy Consultation
A very constructive meeting between BEIS officials, Trade bodies and manufacturing companies to discuss two schemes to reduce UK’s Carbon Footprint.
It was an interesting meeting which discussed how to improve the efficiency of high energy use businesses but also begin to tackle the “long tail” of low energy use small businesses. Thes businesses may only have energy costs of 2-3% of total costs but the sheer volume of them has a massive effect on UL energy usage.
Designing the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund
The £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund will support businesses with high energy use to:
- cut their bills and emissions through increased energy efficiency
- transition to a low carbon future through the use of lower carbon energy and processes
This informal consultation seeks views and supporting evidence to help us design the fund. Its focus is particularly on the benefits and barriers to industrial decarbonisation as government has a good understanding of these issues for energy efficiency.
Details can be found here
Energy efficiency scheme for small and medium sized businesses
This call for evidence seeks views on various proposals for a new Business Energy Efficiency Scheme focused on SMEs.
We are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in how a new scheme for SMEs could be designed, including:
- energy companies
- network operators
- SMEs
- financial institutions
- Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)
- academics
SMEs account for 99% of UK business and have a very low awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency. The additional documents here provide summaries of findings from 2 projects which explored how to engage SMEs in energy efficiency:
- Digital Discovery: funded by BEIS and delivered through external contractors (completed November 2017) considers the demand for a website targeting SMEs with information about energy efficiency
- Digital Alpha: a 12-week project (completed July 2018) to build 3 prototypes with the aim of motivating SMEs to make a significant contribution to the 20% ambition
We have issued the government response to our previous call for evidence, Helping businesses to improve the way they use energy, in parallel with this call for evidence.
The link can be found here
MakeUK/APMG Parliamentary reception
Rousing speeches by Jonathan Reynolds MP Richard Harrington MP at the recent MakeUK APMG Parliamentary reception. An event to celebrate all that’s best about British Manufacturing and catch up with valued colleagues.
Manufacturing Commission Inquiry
At the House of Lords recently with fellow Commissioners, Chair Lord Bilimoria CBE and Vice Chair Barry Sheerman MP to launch the Manufacturing Commission’s Inquiry “Making the Local Industrial Strategy work for Manufacturing”. An interesting and wide ranging discussion to set the scene. Policy Connect hashtag#manufacturing hashtag#policy hashtag#local hashtag#industrialstrategy
We have launched an inquiry which will explore how we can create Local Industrial Strategies that support manufacturing and respond to local needs, whilst addressing national economic priorities. We would like as many submissions as possible so please feel free to contribute. hashtag#manufacturing hashtag#thefuture hashtag#industrial hashtag#local
Surrey Business School Business Insights Breakfast
Recently I attended an SBS Business Breakfast concerning the power of the platform economy.
Prof Annabelle Gawer from the business school gave a thought provoking presentation explaining how platforms such as Amazon, ebay and the Apple App store work and the way that they have transformed business. Seven of the top ten valued businesses in the world are platforms and two are based in China.
There was also a healthy debate and a view on what the future holds for these business models.
A stimulative and informative day at the IBG Conference and India Business Awards
I recently had the pleasure of being invited to attend both the inaugural Conference of the India Business Group – held at the prestigious Nash room at IoD Headquarters 116 Pall Mall and the India Business awards held at the House of Lords.
It was a fascinating morning hearing about the fabulous connections and common themes that exist between India and the UK- not least my beloved cricket!
As usual the dinner was a celebration of all things Indian with business awards, music, celebrity and fine company!
The conference keynote speaker Ms Nusrat Ghani MP Minister for Maritime
The welcome to the dinner by The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE
Interesting event at the RAF Museum Hendon.
This week I had the pleasure of being a guest of the US Embassy at an event held at the RAF Museum at Hendon celebrating the “rebirth” of the C-47 Dakota “That’s all Brother” The C-47 that led the airborne landings of US forces at the Normandy landings on D-Day.
The aircraft was found at a refurbishment yard in Wisconsin and has been painstakingly restored and is now flying again. It will fly to Normandy on 5th June this year and with airborne troops who will parachute into France.
A programme about the aircraft will be on the History Channel on 7th June.
Whilst at the museum I took the chance to have a good look at the exhibits with photos below.
Even the chance to sit in a Spitfire!
CP Cases at Ocean Business
Helping out the team at CP Cases’ stand at the recent Ocean Business show in Southampton.
A really interesting show for businesses involved in off shore exploration and analysing the sea bed.
Such a wide range of interest in our products too for all sorts of applications.
Re-Manufacturing discussion at the House of Commons
An afternoon supporting the Policy Connect All Party Parliamentary Groups Manufacturing and Sustainable Resource (APMG and APSRG) for a discussion to explore how public procurement can support Remanufacturing and create a more circular economy. An excellent session chaired by Ruth Cadbury MP with contributions from a variety of sectors helping us to obtain a wide range of inputs and perspectives.
Deloitte connected supply chain
A very interesting morning spent at the Deloitte connected supply chain installation with Policy Connect colleague Ben Carpenter Merritt and hosts Luciano Lo Tito and Benjamin Swyer. A fascinating exposition of 4IR and the connected supply chain demonstrating some amazing technology and insight into the factories of tomorrow.
Day with the RAF
An amazing day out at RAF Benson with colleagues from the Worshipful Company of World Traders.
It was interesting and informative to chat with the officers and men of the airbase and learn about how they maintained and flew their flight of Boeing Chinook helicopters. Then after lunch in the Officers’ Mess it was off on a trip to the City for a flight around Canary Wharf followed by a close view of Heathrow.
A truly astounding day out.
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