Issuu

NOVEMBER 2023

EDITION

GROUP EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

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BEING PART OF THE GB GLOBAL GROUP IN 2023 Welcome to the first edition of our employee newsletter! We’re thrilled to share with you the exciting journey of being part of the GB Global group of companies. Our collective strength and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to drive our success.

In this issue, we’ll explore the numerous advantages and opportunities that come with being part of the group from cross-collaboration to inspiring success stories. As we delve into the heart of our global network, you’ll discover how being a part of this dynamic business opens doors to new horizons, fosters innovation, and strengthens our shared vision for a brighter and greener future.

Logistics & Supply Chain Technology, Consulting, Education, Security & Outsourcing

Property Development Investment

GB europe Investment & Capital

GBconstruct Container Shipping Services

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CONNECTING THE SUPPLY CHAIN THROUGHOUT THE

ENTIRE PRODUCT LIFECYCLE At the core of our success lies our dedicated employees, who are the driving force behind our accomplishments. The synergy between our people and our commitment to excellence ensures that we remain at the forefront of our industry, delivering exceptional results. Employees are indeed the heart of our achievements, and our holistic and unrivalled supply chain offering will continue to propel us forward.

Supply chain management consultancy Professional Services

Education

Technology

International freight management (road, ocean, air, rail)

Warehousing

Distribution

Customs Clearance

Environmental compliance Risk and trade analysis

CONTENTS

1. Launch of Group Charity Committee - page 6 2. MB Motorsport Update - page 8 3. Great Ormond Street - page 9 4. Family Fun Days - page 10 5. Solar Brilliance - page 12 6. Efret Company Spotlight - page 16 7. Beyondly Company Spotlight - page 18 8. METRO Rebrand- page 23 9. Industry awards success - page 25 10. BCR reports - page 26

We were proud to be a part of the Grocer Awards 2023 as a main sponsor. As one of the most prestigious events in the retail sector, the awards recognise and celebrate excellence across a number of categories, including product innovation, customer service and supply chain management. David Barry, Uniserve’s Director of Warehouse & Transport, proudly presented the award for E-commerce Initiative of the Year at a fabulous evening held in the Royal Albert Hall on 4th July.

BCA AWARDS SPONSORSHIP

Uniserve were proud to be a part of another great awards event this summer. On 29th June, we celebrated the exceptional individuals at the British Citizen Awards at the Palace of Westminster. The prestigious event recognised 26 individuals from across the UK for their outstanding contributions to their communities. Uniserve’s sponsorship of the British Citizen Awards aligns perfectly with our core values of recognising unsung heroes and promoting social responsibility.

ROTARY CLUB BOXING EVENT Uniserve, along with its group companies Seafast Logistics, George Baker, and James Kemball were headline sponsors at this year’s Rotary Club charity boxing event. Now in its eighth year, the five-star charity fundraiser, hosted at Felixstowe’s Brackenbury Sports Centre, entertained over 300 guests whilst raising significant funds to support local good causes.

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GROCER AWARDS SPONSORSHIP

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LAUNCH OF GROUP CHARITY COMMITTEE Uniserve Group are proud to be involved with and support many charities across the Group. As we continue to evolve our corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments we’re delighted to announce the launch of our Group Charity Committee (GCC). The GCC was set up in June this year and provides a platform for all employees to make charity/ sponsorship requests which will be assessed and approved by the newly formed group committee.

WHAT IS THIS GROUP CHARITY

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE GROUP?

INITIATIVE?

CHARITY COMMITTEE?

This initiative provides an opportunity for Group employees to apply and make requests for charity sponsorship/donations, outside of the charities that are currently supported by Uniserve Group companies.

Each committee representative to act as the charity champion for their specific business or department – disseminating key meeting details and outcomes, as well as playing a role in making sure employees are aware of their opportunity to make charity donation requests and the process for doing this.

We have established a Group Charity Committee, with employee representation throughout the Group, and the committee’s ultimate role is to review donation request applications and to then collectively select/vote for the successful submissions. Each submission must receive over 90% of votes from the committee to be successful.

GCC representatives will additionally have the responsibility of collectively reviewing submissions and deciding what charity/ sponsorship requests have been successful.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A CHARITY/ SPONSORSHIP REQUEST? Complete the charity/sponsorship request form, including as much detail as possible to aid the GCC decision making. Submit the form to:

charity.committee@ugroup.co.uk * * Employees without access to email should ask a colleague to submit on their behalf.

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HERE ARE SOME OF THE CHARITIES THAT THE GROUP CHARITY COMMITTEE HAS VOTED TO SUPPORT.

YMCA ENGLAND AND WALES YMCA helps many young people across England and Wales set a foundation to build a full and rewarding life. Ranging from family and youth support, health and wellbeing, housing support, counselling and mental health services, as well as training and education opportunities.

FRIENDS OF ESSEX AND LONDON HOMELESS Friends of Essex and London Homeless are a small charity with the goal to make a difference and fight to end homelessness. They provide weekly soup kitchens and give words of encouragement with the hope of highlighting services to assist with rehabilitation to a better future.

THE ADDIE BRADY FOUNDATION The Addie Brady Foundation was created following 16 year old Addie Brady’s brave battle with an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour. The foundation supports research into high grade paediatric brain tumours with the hope of finding a cure and better treatment for childhood brain cancer. They also support further study, awareness and support for families.

TREE TOPS SCHOOL Treetops School provides a quality, inclusive model of education to children ages 5-19 in Grays, Essex who require special education needs. The school equips pupils with the necessary skills, understanding and confidence to take their place as valued members of the community.

THURROCK FOODBANK Supported by The Trussell Trust, Thurrock Foodbank now have 10 centres spread across the borough to combat poverty and hunger and help those in

food crisis. They work with over 50 different referral agencies and rely on them to identify the people who most need the support.

KIND Kind help children and families across Liverpool and Merseyside cope with the effects of poverty and disadvantages in their lives. Kind believe that all children have the right to be the best they can, that’s why they provide experiences and services that show children that life can be different.

CURE LEUKAEMIA Cure Leukaemia helps to fund the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP). Cure Leukaemia enables pioneering blood cancer clinical trials to connect patients with potentially life-saving treatments not currently available through standard care.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST Cystic Fibrosis Trust unites people to help stop cystic fibrosis (CF). The charity are working towards a brighter future for everyone suffering with CF by funding cutting-edge research, raising standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones.

CHARITY MEMORIAL FOOTBALL GAME (SCOTT ELLIOT) In memorial of 24 year old Scott Elliot, a charity football match called The Scotty Elliott Cup was played in August. The charity event marked the 3 year anniversary of Scott’s sudden passing with an unknown heart condition and aims to raise money to provide funding for heart screening in young adults, and to raise awareness of unknown heart abnormalities. 7

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MB MOTORSPORT 2023 SEASON UPDATE: The 2023 BTCC MB Motorsport season was filled with highs, lows, drama and excellence. It was another successful year for Jake Hill, who came 3rd in the Drivers’ Championship with a whopping 372 points. The season kicked off at Donington Park on 23rd April and we were joined by a number of our clients for an enjoyable trackside experience. Throughout the season and at each of the race meets we attended, we’ve been joined by many clients and colleagues to enjoy a personable and unique race day experience, which included meeting Jake and having a tour of the track. The season wrapped up at Brands Hatch on 8th October with another dramatic last race win by Jake. We cannot wait for what 2024 may bring! You can find a full roundup of the 2023 season, here: uniserve.co.uk/mb-motorsport

WE’RE HELPING GOSH TO “BUILD IT BEAT IT!” Uniserve’s contributions over the years have made an incredible difference to hundreds of patients, families and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Uniserve has previously raised over £2.5 million for GOSH, which has funded some critical areas within the hospital including research projects, medical equipment and increasing support for GOSH patients and their families. Now, we embark on our next chapter together as GOSH Charity and the hospital take on its biggest challenge yet to transform cancer treatment and care at GOSH and beyond. Uniserve and GOSH are working together over the next 5 years to raise £5 million towards a new Children’s Cancer Centre. Childhood and cancer. Two words that should never go together. Every week, around five children in the UK lose their lives to cancer. That’s five families who are faced with the worst news possible. A child doesn’t have to die from cancer for it to take their life. It can take away their childhood, their opportunities to learn and even to have children of their own one day.

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) cares for children with the hardest-to-treat cancers. We’re already pushing the boundaries. Pioneering research is underway to find the most effective treatments and cures, which give hope to children and their families. But these advances have outstripped GOSH’s current cancer care facilities, and the hospital needs a new home to help deliver breakthrough therapies which will benefit children from all over the world. A place designed with the needs of children at its heart. A place that will support every aspect of care, from diagnosis to remission and beyond. That home will be the Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH. A new world-class centre that will treat the child, not just their disease. A gateway for children to go on to better futures, where they not only survive, but flourish. Help us build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH and save more children’s lives. If you can help build it, you can help beat it. For more information visit gosh.org.uk/cancer

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GREAT ORMOND STREET UPDATE:

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FAMILY FUN DAYS

MANCHESTER, UPMINSTER, FELIXSTOWE, HEATHROW

MANCHESTER

It’s been a fun-filled summer with our Family Fun Days. Events have been held in Manchester, Upminster, Felixstowe and Heathrow, with our colleagues and their families enjoying the British summer. We had a variety of outdoor games and activities, including a bouncy castle, large inflatable slide, connect 4, petting zoo, coconut shy and bucking bronco. Delicious BBQ food and refreshing drinks were served throughout the day and ice cream could be enjoyed while watching the children’s entertainer or listening to the DJ. Our friends at MB Motorsport provided us with two race simulators that enabled us to channel our inner Jake Hill and see how fast we could complete a lap of the virtual Silverstone circuit. Striving to be top of the race leaderboard added a little competitive edge and we’re proud to announce Xavier Konczewski, from our Heathrow event, is our winner. Xavier had a time of 57.584 seconds – congratulations!

UPMINSTER

Thanks to everyone who attended. Find a selection of photos from the days here.

FELIXSTOWE

HEATHROW

ANDREW RUSHTON

We’re excited to share the launch of our Aerospace division and welcome Andrew Rushton as Uniserve Group’s Head of Aerospace. Andrew joins us with 40 years of experience working for several airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft heavy maintenance facilities (MROs), aerospace OEMs, aviation technical service providers, and flight simulation training organisations. Find more information about our new Aerospace division, here: uniserve.co.uk/aerospace-logistics

HEALTHCARE DIVISION HEADED UP BY NIGEL BASON

We’re thrilled to welcome Nigel Bason to the group. Nigel heads up Uniserve’s dedicated Healthcare & Pharma division. Nigel joins with more than 20 years of experience in the Healthcare and Automotive verticals, working for DB Schenker, GKN Freight Services and Eddie Stobart Find more information about our Healthcare division, here: uniserve.co.uk/healthcare Find more information about our Healthcare division, here: uniserve.co.uk/healthcare

LUXURY BRANDS DIVISION

HEADED UP BY PENNY GRADWELL We’re pleased to announce the luxury retail division of Uniserve – Luxury Brands, which provides fashion, footwear, accessories, homeware, fragrances and beauty cosmetics to our customers. Welcoming Penny Gradwell, our Luxury Brands Director, the vertical is dedicated to providing sector specific logistics solutions to high-end brands and will cover a full end-to-end supply chain, including warehousing and distribution services.

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NEW AEROSPACE DIVISION HEADED UP BY

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POWERING FELIXSTOWE MEGA

DISTRIBUTION CENTRE WITH SOLAR BRILLIANCE As we continue to work towards Net Zero emissions by 2050, we’re taking steps towards sustainability with the solar panel installation project at our 750,000 sq. ft. Felixstowe Mega Distribution Centre (FMDC). There will be 5,500 photovoltaic panels strategically positioned across the FMDC’s vast rooftop and will ensure we’re producing a remarkable output of clean, renewable energy.

of Uniserve’s electricity demand, helping us to be more self-sufficient than ever. We also anticipate there will be 320,000 kWh estimated surplus power that the project aims to contribute to the national grid! The “Powerhouse” is projected to save 507,927 kg of CO2 each year, which is the equivalent to the weight of 42 London buses, how’s that for a fun fact?

As part of our £2 million investment into sustainability and commitment to a greener future, we’ll be able to cover a whopping 86% of the energy required to cover the operational needs of the FMDC. It’s estimated to cover 26%

KEY STATS 4 The number of months it will take to

install the solar panels

5,500 The number of photovoltaic panels positioned across the FMDC’s rooftop 2,500 MW The amount of clean, renewable energy the panel will produce

£2 million Uniserve’s investment into sustainability and commitment to a greener future 26% The electricity generated will cover over a quarter of Uniserve’s electricity demand

507,927 kg The “Powerhouse” is projected to save this much of CO2 each year, equivalent to the weight of 42 London buses! 86% The energy produced will cover the vast majority of internal operational needs of the FMDC 320,000 kWh Estimated surplus power that the project aims to contribute to the grid

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CHRIS CHADWICK

NUMBER OF ACCREDITATION ACHIEVEMENTS We’re proud to have been accredited with four ISO certifications and one BRC accreditation in the last 12 months. These are in recognition of our commitment to improve our services, environmental responsibilities and create safer working environments.

commitment from senior leadership to internal and external stakeholders.

• ISO 27001 Information Security Management

Certification demonstrates we’ve addressed, implemented, and controlled the security of all the important information needed to operate.

• An A Plus BRC Storage and Distribution

• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems

Certification rating was awarded to our Felixstowe Mega Distribution Centre (FMDC) in recognition of our technical performance and efficiency in customer services.

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems

Chris Chadwick, Group Head of SHEQ at Uniserve, said: “We’re delighted to have received these accreditations which reinforces Uniserve’s commitment to improving and showcases our compliance with standards.

We’ve achieved: Certification which makes us more efficient as a business and can pass these cost savings on to our customers who will enjoy an improved and more consistent service. Certification which recognises our commitment to improving the environment. It’ll help us to detect ways we can minimise waste and dispose of it more effectively, whilst learning how to use energy more efficiently.

• ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management System

“We’re always looking at how we can optimise our systems and processes to benefit our stakeholders and customers and hope to achieve more accreditations in future.”

Certification showcases the strengths in our employee engagement and demonstrates our

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ELLERMAN CITY LINERS AND UNISERVE PROUDLY

EXHIBITED AT MULTIMODAL 2023

Ellerman enjoyed a great three days at Multimodal 23 with a stand inside the NEC, Birmingham. We exhibited our European, Shortsea and USX services and met several colleagues and industry experts to discuss our offerings. We look forward to attending Multimodal 24 and being part of the exhibition and awards event.

ELLERMAN TILBURY AND FELIXSTOWE PORT TOURS LAUNCHED! Ellerman has launched its Port Tours, where colleagues and customers can have a guided tour around the quayside and see our operations first hand. Ellerman recently took its customer Daygard to the port of Tilbury where we introduced them to the Port Operational Team, showed them around the internal operation and took a short minibus trip to the quayside to see our Ellerman vessel, the Kristin Schepers, being unloaded.

JAMES KEMBALL TRUCK APPEARS IN FELIXSTOWE CARNIVAL FOR THE THIRD YEAR We’re proud to have been a part of the Felixstowe Carnival for the third year running! Our truck and trailer accompanied the Felixstowe and Walton Football Club, with both adult and junior teams being on or walking by our truck. Stuart Gordon – Head of Girl’s Football at Felixstowe and Walton United Football Club said: “We’re so grateful for the continued support of James Kemball for providing the truck for the Felixstowe Carnival. A great day was had by all of the young players who took part in the day.”

JAMES KEMBALL LAUNCH OF

OUT OF GAUGE CARGO SERVICE

James Kemball has launched a new Out of Gauge (OOG) Project Cargo Service after investing £400,000 on innovative new equipment that will dramatically increase the weight and height of the cargo we can safely handle. The equipment, including a new Timars OH semi-automatic spreader and multi lift modular spreader frames, will allow us to load OOG cargo from containers arriving and departing at the Port of Felixstowe and other ports around the UK, as well as oversized and bespoke items that require specialist handling – something very few providers can handle.

Andy Tattersall, Commercial & Operations Director at James Kemball Container Services, said: “I am thrilled to announce our Company’s significant investment in a new Out of Gauge Project Cargo Service.

OTX LOGISTICS’ PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHIPHOL TRADE PARK OTX Logistics proudly opened its cutting-edge facility at Schiphol Trade Park (STP) in 2020, being among the first locations to launch at this remarkable logistics hub. Here’s the exciting part: Schiphol Trade Park, where OTX Logistics is based, has achieved something big. It’s now officially recognised as the most environmentally friendly logistics business park in the world, thanks to its Outstanding BREEAM-NL certification. For OTX Logistics, positioning itself at the heart of a sustainable logistics hub like Schiphol Trade Park reinforces their commitment to responsible business practices. This

association showcases their dedication to minimizing their environmental impact and embracing greener operations. This is crucial not only from an ethical standpoint but also as a way to meet the growing demand for environmentally conscious solutions in the logistics industry. The location itself, being situated in the Netherlands and serving as a gateway to Europe, offers OTX Logistics a strategic advantage. It allows them to efficiently connect with various markets and streamline their distribution networks. This accessibility can lead to increased efficiency, reduced transportation costs, and improved overall operational effectiveness.

From a broader perspective, the collaboration contributes to the larger sustainability movement within the logistics sector. By working together to develop innovative, eco-conscious practices, OTX Logistics and Schiphol Trade Park serve as role models for the industry. Their actions showcase the feasibility and benefits of integrating sustainability into logistics operations, inspiring other companies to follow suit. This collective effort is essential for reducing the carbon footprint of the industry and mitigating its impact on the environment.

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND STRATEGIC LOCATION:

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT | WE INTERVIEWED ALAIN JESTIN, EFRET, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, AND ASKED HIM SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT EFRET internal and external partners, are an integral part of Efret’s DNA. Today we operate in 27 European countries and North Africa.

PLEASE INTRODUCE EFRET AND TELL US ABOUT THE COMPANY AND ITS HISTORY? Founded in 2005 by Jeff Duval and I, Efret was launched believing in a pioneering model that placed people at the heart of the operation. Equipping the team with the very latest technology enabled them to focus on the creation of cost effective, innovative transport solutions. The business expanded quickly by delivering consistently reliable performance which in turn enhanced client relationships and led to organic growth. Efret continues to thrive by staying ahead of the evolving challenges of the complex logistics industry. Individual team member empowerment and state-of-theart technology is critical to Efret’s continued success. Operational control remains firmly in their committed hands and customer communication and information remains precise and transparent. Our European identity and the common values shared by our 16

In 2021, Efret entered into a joint venture partnership with Uniserve which has led to a new era of collaboration opportunities.

TALK US THROUGH EFRET’S SERVICE OFFERING? Efret are at the forefront of European logistics with a large carrier network that delivers full trailer and container loads across the UK and Europe. In addition, we provide multimodal services, utilising a combination of land, sea and waterways, and time critical worldwide airfreight solutions. We are lead logistics providers for an enviable list of blue-chip clients including such globally renowned brands as Michelin, Amazon and Kimberley-Clark. The operations centre is located at Bournemouth International Airport on the south coast of the UK with a satellite office in Paris, but we also have representation at strategic hubs across Europe and North Africa. As a response to Britain’s departure from the EU, we have also established a dedicated inhouse customs brokerage service to enable smooth passage through formalities for our customers time sensitive freight.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WORK FOR EFRET? Efret has earned the trust of its diverse client base by offering pioneering and innovative solutions, putting operational excellence, but most importantly investment in people and effective communication, at the heart of its services. Efret’s team has now expanded to thirty-five experienced freight specialists, most of whom are multilingual with ten nationalities represented.

• Personal touch from a highly

experienced multi-lingual team

• Experts in European, cross

border full trailer and container loads

• Specialists at time sensitive, critical deliveries

• Operation underpinned by best-in-class software and technology

• 24/7 vehicle tracking with full client visibility

• Vital supply chain partners for

some of the world’s leading brands

• Designers of bespoke

multimodal solutions to support customers decarbonisation and cost saving objectives

• Dedicated in-house customs brokerage

This approach has proved to be very effective as the teams become very familiar with the specific demands of that industry. Some of our key clients by sector include:

• Automotive: Michelin, Saint-

Gobain, Bridgestone, Nokian Tyres, AGC

CAN YOU SHARE SOME NAMES OF YOUR CLIENTS?

• Ecommerce: Amazon, NPSG

After years of experience, Efret’s organisational structure is designed to support different commercial sectors with specialist operators to manage those accounts.

• Industrial & FMCG: Kimberley-

Global, Schumacher

Clark, Carousel, Advachem, Deceuninck, Essity

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WHAT WOULD YOU SAY EFRET’S USP’S ARE?

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT | WE INTERVIEWED EMILY BAKER, BEYONDLY’S PARTNERSHIP & MARKETING LEAD, AND ASKED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND ITS RECENT REBRAND brand also better aligns with our B Corp ethos, as well as our future roadmap. Our sector and customer needs are always developing, and we needed a more adaptable brand which ensures longevity as the world evolves further.

CAN YOU PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF BEYONDLY?

ARE THERE ANY EXCITING UPCOMING PROJECTS OR EXPANSIONS THAT THE COMPANY IS WORKING ON?

Beyondly are a B Corp certified environmental consultancy and compliance scheme, who share their knowledge with businesses to help them become more confident about their environmental choices; from compliance obligations, contributing to a circular economy, and going beyond net zero.

We have recently launched our first B Corp support service and look to forward to launching more new services over the next 12 months.

WHAT IS THE COMPANY’S MISSION, AND HOW DOES IT STRIVE TO ACHIEVE IT IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE MARKET?

Beyondly is on a strategic business roadmap for growth, working towards goals across three pillars aligned with the B Corp movement - People, Planet and Performance. Service development and improvement is a continued focus to provide impactful opportunity for our current and future customers; enabling them to take advantage of a holistic approach to knitting mandatory environmental obligations and voluntary measures together, for maximum positive impact. All of this underpins the Beyondly vision to create a better, fairer, sustainable world for all by leading, inspiring, and educating to drive creation of a circular economy.

We lead, inspire, and educate to positively impact society and the environment and our vision is to create a better, fairer, sustainable world for all.

BEYONDLY RECENTLY REBRANDED, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THIS? To reflect the business, we’ve evolved to be since our inception in 2006 and better represent our full spectrum of capabilities and service offerings. Our new 18

CAN YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE COMPANY’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND ITS LONGTERM GOALS?

CP TRAINING SERVICES

PROUDLY RECEIVE ‘GOOD’ RATING FOLLOWING RECENT OFSTED INSPECTION We’re proud to have obtained a ‘good’ rating, following our recent Ofsted inspection in relation to our delivery of the Level 3 Supply Chain Practitioner Diploma. The report commended the “calm and supportive environment, both at CP Training Services and on site with their employers.” Ofsted said the students “develop positive and respectful relationships with their tutors and each other” whilst having a “positive attitude towards their studies and work.” Paul Stone, CPT Managing Director, said: “We are extremely proud to receive a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted, validating our commitment to creating a supportive environment at CP Training Services. “Our students foster positive and respectful relationships with their tutors and peers, demonstrating a remarkable attitude towards their studies and work.”

HOSTED BY PRIVATE CHEF JULIA AT THE GB OFFICE The team at George Baker decided to break away from the usual birthday celebrations and make Dave and Sharon’s birthdays truly exceptional! We welcomed the talented Julia Dudley from Flock Suffolk Catering to create a gourmet experience for us all. On a sunny Wednesday, Julia arrived at our FMDC office to treat us to a lovely lunch. The main dish featured local freerange pulled pork served in soft brioche buns, topped with a delightful kohlrabi and apple slaw. The addition of grainy mustard mayo added the perfect zing to the dish, complemented

by a refreshing dressed wedge salad. For our vegetarian colleagues, Julia prepared a mouthwatering halloumi and avocado brioche bap, bursting with textures and flavours.

Julia Dudley’s catering expertise and attention to detail made the celebration an unforgettable one for our team.

The brandied fruit cake bites brought a sense of nostalgia, while the scones served with jam and cream added an elegant touch. And let’s not forget the heavenly salted caramel brownies, which disappeared within moments of being served! Julia’s delightful dessert spread added the perfect finishing touch to our gourmet experience.

GEORGE BAKER TEAM TAKES ON IPSWICH WATERFRONT DRAGON BOAT RACE FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

On Saturday, 3rd June, the spirited members of the George Baker team gathered at Ipswich Waterfront, ready to dive into some fierce competition at the annual Dragon Boat Race. This exciting event saw 32 enthusiastic teams representing local businesses, all vying for the coveted first place. Our dedicated Team George Baker gave it their all and secured an impressive 16th

place overall in the challenging race. But beyond the thrill of the competition, what truly made the day special was the camaraderie and joy they experienced throughout. However, the significance of the day extended far beyond the excitement of the race. We are delighted to announce that the event was not just about fun and games; it also served a noble cause. The Dragon Boat Race managed to raise a staggering £20,000 for Brave Futures, a Suffolk-based charity providing crucial support services to child victims and survivors of sexual abuse. By participating in the race, Team George Baker contributed to making a real difference in the lives of those in need.

Together, we have shown how coming together for a day of enjoyment can also have a profound impact on our community. Thank you to the team for exemplifying the true spirit of George Baker – caring, competitive, and committed to making a positive change in our communities. We couldn’t be prouder of our team! Well done, Team George Baker!

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A DELIGHTFUL MID-SUMMER LUNCH

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UNISERVE TAKE PART

IN THE THEO PAPHITIS RETAIL GROUP (TPRG) PARTNER EVENT We were delighted to be invited to exhibit at TPRG’s annual partner event. It was a great opportunity to meet other TPRG head office employees, suppliers and vendors. The Uniserve exhibition team also had a visit to the stand from Theo Paphitis, who took time to talk to the team and have a photo.

DELIVERY OF THE NEW CURTAIN SIDE TRAILER Introducing our newest addition to the George Baker fleet - a cutting-edge curtain-sided trailer featuring new brand colourways. This state-of-the-art trailer has been meticulously designed with absolute volume in mind, boasting an internal height of 3m. This generous loading capacity empowers our customers with the advantage of

double stacking, all secured by EN12642 XL rated curtains. The BWP telematics system plays a crucial role by enhancing visibility and safety. Incorporating the latest advancements in Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring technology, it contributes to our unwavering commitment to compliance and excellence.

This remarkable trailer represents a significant milestone in our dedication to offering exceptional transportation solutions. It joins our fleet of curtain-sided trailers, renowned for their versatility, efficiency, and advanced security features tailored to accommodate goods of various sizes and shapes. With its sleek design and cutting-edge attributes, we stand ready to not only meet but surpass our clients’ expectations. Our team is eager to showcase the trailer’s capabilities and deliver seamless logistics services, reaffirming our position as a trusted and reliable partner in the industry.

One World is blazing ahead at full speed. We have rapidly expanded the team, this time last year the team could have fitted into a minibus, now we have over 60 people. Not only have we expanded the technical capability, but we have brought onboard a Commercial team that will help to evangelise the vision of One World. With the new team we have the chance to step back and look at not only the what we want to be, but the how we want to do it. We will need to have

innovation embedded in the minds of all our people, luckily, we have an incredibly talented and diverse team, so we are pushing at open doors. Diversity and Inclusion is critical for us, our purpose is to support a fairer and more sustainable world. We can do that through the technology we build and the way we engage with our customers, but this thinking starts at home and comes from our MD downwards. We are looking forward to being able to update the group on

how we are doing, with the right Leadership, the best planning, and our amazing diverse team, we should be as successful as Uniserve has been over the last 39 years.

EVENTS AND SOCIALS WOMEN’S WORLD The One World women came together last week for a wine and painting night as part of our Women’s World initiative. Led by our resident artist Fara, we had a fun-filled evening of painting accompanied by some delicious wine and cheese. It was a fantastic way to unwind and get our creative juices flowing! You can see the results of our

hard work below and via our Instagram. As a tech company we know how important it is to attract and nurture female talent. The industry average for women in tech companies falls short at only 26%. At One World we are grateful to be ahead of this at 35%, and we are working hard to keep improving.

CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING One World recently celebrated the end of a productive Q3 with a trip to Clays Bar in London. It was fantastic opportunity to get out of the office and try something new – virtual clay pigeon shooting. A combination of games, delicious food, drinks, and a healthy dose of friendly competition, made for a great evening!

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ONE WORLD

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COLLABORATION IN ACTION: GROUP

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S PROGRESS UPDATE The Group Finance Committee and business leaders from across the Group recently came together to receive a comprehensive update on the responsibilities and projects that individual committee members have been working on. This gathering highlighted the strong spirit of collaboration and shared commitment to driving excellence within the GB Global Group of Companies. The Group Finance Board, comprised of senior finance leaders from various divisions, continues to be a vital medium for sharing knowledge, promoting best practices, and implementing policies. It remains dedicated to enhancing our financial operations to better serve our global family of companies. Together, we’re working towards a more prosperous future. The Group Finance Committee: Iain Liddell (Chairman & CFO), Alan Turnball (Financial Reporting & Systems), Ian Dennis (Tresury), Laurence Burford (Asset Management), Geard Pearce (Control & Procurement), Craig Neame (Legal), David Barry (Operations), Alex Hille (Tax & Compliance), Michele Bongiorni (Systems) and Martin Shuttle (Systems).

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METRO LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW BRANDING Keep your eyes peeled for the new Metro branding. It is currently being rolled out in a soft launch, with stationery and signage already carrying the new identity.

In developing the branding, Metro promote their strengths and value propositions, while highlighting their tech capability and acknowledging their history.

To reflect the multi-modal strengths of the business, ‘shipping’ has been dropped from the new identity and the E of Metro has been changed to represent sea, earth and sky.

METRO ENJOY SUMMER PARTY CELEBRATIONS On Saturday the 22nd August, 140 staff and partners from across Metro’s UK offices, gathered at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club, for their new tradition: The Metro Summer Party.

Food, beverages and a live DJ were enjoyed by all in a giant marquee in the Forest of Arden’s beautiful grounds. Unfortunately, the outside entertainment was rained off, but that certainly didn’t stop anyone from dancing the night away.

RICHARD BRETT COMPLETES 192 MILE COASTAL HIKE FOR CHARITY Richard Brett, a Truck Driver at James Kemball, walked the 192 mile Coast to Coast path, raising money for East Anglian Children’s Hospice. England’s Coast to Coast path begins at St Bees, Cumbria, and concludes at Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, passing through three National Parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Richard says: ‘Being a keen walker and passionate about countryside and landscape I’ve wanted to walk the Coast to Coast for a number of years, and as I’m not getting any younger, I figured that if I want to do it, I’d better get on with it.’ Richard’s JustGiving page is still open if you wish to show your support and donate.

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SEAFAST

ATTENDED AIDEX EVENT Seafast recently exhibited at the AidEx 2023 event in Geneva on 25-26 October. As the world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event, the main agenda theme of this year is addressing the forgotten crises – how can we manage and anticipate crises when so much of our focus is on Ukraine? The conference shined a light on other crises that are obscured by the war in Europe and explored creative solutions to turn the tide on the crises that are not getting the attention they deserve.

BEYONDLY

WELCOMES NEW COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, OKSANA RIGBY Following their recent rebrand from Comply Direct to Beyondly, the company continues to evolve, strengthening the board with a new Commercial Director position. Oksana Rigby joins the team and will work closely with Jessica Aldersley, the Managing Director, to define the commercial business strategy and ensure accelerated, sustainable organisational growth.

UNISERVE’S TONY GAVIN COMPLETES SVP50

Introducing Tony Gavin: Uniserve’s Maintenance Supervisor who ran an impressive 50km in 4hrs 02secs, coming second place in the race overall. Having suffered long term injury with his plantar fasciitis , Tony started getting back into running in January 2023 and completed the London marathon in April 2023 from the championship pen – just behind the elite men including the mighty Mo Farah. In May 2023, Tony decided he was going to put his focus on running the SVP50 course and breaking the record of 3hrs 56mins 39secs. Sadly, at the 40km mark, Tony started to feel the fatigue in his legs and dropped his pace considerably. He may not be a SVP50 record holder (yet), but he achieved a brilliant 50km PB and will come back stronger next year. Congratulations Tony! 24

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ELLERMAN ISO

ACCREDITATION ACHIEVED: ISO 9001:2015 Ellerman has achieved the ISO accreditation ISO 9001:2015. ISO 9001 is the international standard that defines the requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS). A Quality Management System enables us to manage processes and systems in order that customer and other stakeholder

requirements can be achieved. At its core is the principle of continuous improvement and aims to ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. Ellerman are now working towards its AEO accreditation.

SUCCESSFUL AWARDS SHORTLISTING ACROSS THE GROUP We are thrilled to announce that Metro, Uniserve and Seafast have achieved significant recognition by being shortlisted in prestigious BIFA Freight Service Awards, Supply Chain Excellence and Logistics UK awards. These nominations underscore our commitment to excellence in various facets of the supply chain industry.

BIFA FREIGHT SERVICE AWARDS

• European Logistics: Uniserve • Staff Development: Uniserve • Supply Chain Management: Uniserve

• Specialist Services: Metro and Seafast

• Sustainable Logistics & the

SUPPLY CHAIN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

• Logistics Retail Supply

Chain Excellence Award: Uniserve Supply Chain Operations Award: Falkland Islands Company & Falkland Islands Trading Company in partnership with Seafast Logistic • Supply Chain Innovation Award (Operations): South American Atlantic Service & Seafast Logistics • Supply Chain Innovation Award (Technology): Metro & Windward • Kinaxia Logistics Food & Drink Supply Chain Excellence Award: Westbridge Foods & Seafast Logistics

LOGISTICS UK

• Logistics Partner of the Year • Metro & Uniserve shortlisted

Environment: Metro

MARKET ANALYSTS AND BUSINESS CRITICAL RESEARCH Introducing Our Team of European Logistics Market Analysts - Gustavo, Rebecca, and Mathias! We’re excited to introduce our trio of European Logistics Market Analysts, Gustavo, Becky, and Mathias, who are at the forefront of our European development. They are entrusted with the vital task of thoroughly researching and dissecting market trends, competitor strategies, and customer preferences within their respective regions. Their role entails the expertise to proficiently gather, evaluate, and interpret data, enabling them to pinpoint the crucial drivers and factors influencing the market. This analysis serves as the foundation for delivering valuable insights, strategic pathways, and

actionable recommendations to foster the growth of both existing and new business endeavours. Furthermore, they are dedicated to the comprehensive exploration and tailored targeting of manufacturers, retailers, and transport service providers, all meticulously aligned with specific countries. Keep a lookout for their BusinessCritical Research documents on LinkedIn! These specialised documents are crafted to cater to our potential customers and clients, delivering essential insights into the world of international trade between the UK and specific markets. These documents entail thorough research, utilising the robust PESTEL framework, to offer a comprehensive analysis

of the respective countries. Following this meticulous analysis, we present specific national and regional data pertaining to the flow of goods, along with a comprehensive overview of primary import and export trends. What’s more, we’ve taken a targeted approach by identifying at least five key commodities for each country. This approach has led us to create five distinct Business-Critical Research documents for each, each packed with tailored information about the particular industry landscape within that country. So, if any of your prospective clients have European business interests, be sure to share these invaluable Business-Critical Research documents with them.

becca Mee e r R

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stavo Mol Gu

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UNIEUROPE

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Thank you to all the businesses and employees who have contributed to this issue.

marketing@ugroup.co.uk