New manager at IoD East

Business forum focuses on growth for the year ahead.

A former global hospitality executive has been appointed as the new regional lead for the Institute of Directors (IoD) in the East of England.

Cambridgeshire-based Richard Holdaway joins the IoD from Corus and Laura Ashley Hotels. His role as senior branch manager will see him lead the membership organisation in the East of England, with plans for a series of local and regional events and collaborations already underway.

IoD East of England represents thousands of directors across the region, including Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. With a focus on recovery, the organisation promises a range of initiatives in the coming months, as Richard explains.

“We have seen regional membership steadily growing in the last few months, which is a great indicator that our business community is ready to embrace new opportunities,” says Richard.

“There is significant investment across the East of England, and our focus is on building momentum around a multitude of new opportunities that will develop new jobs and housing and give businesses an opportunity for growth.

“Alongside this, we know our members have missed the business and social events we are so well-known for, so we are planning a calendar of events across the East that will also support some of the region’s outstanding hospitality venues.”

IoD East recently announced the pilot launch of its Tomorrow’s Director Programme for students and will once again search for the region’s most successful and inspirational directors in the 2021 Director of the Year Awards, now open for entries.

“We haven’t stood still,” says Richard. “We have continued to support our members, create opportunities to develop and influence, and we know that there is a strong appetite to get back to business.”

Cambridge firm to work on EV ‘game-changer’

Cambridge construction consultants Ingleton Wood have been selected to work on a major rollout of “game-changing” ultra-fast charging stations at key locations across the UK.

The company is teaming up with electric vehicle charging infrastructure company The EV Network to deliver over 100 ultra-fast charging stations before the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is banned by 2030.

Using the latest technology, a 15-minute visit using 300kW chargers can charge a typical vehicle back up to around 80% from approximately 10-20%.

A planning application for the first site has been submitted in Northamptonshire, and Ingleton Wood is providing planning, architectural and project management for the schemes.

£25m planning bid

A major planning bid has been submitted for a new trading estate in Peterborough. The site, which will be called Bourges View, will include three drive-thru restaurants, nine trade counter units and eight industrial units, on a derelict site next to Maskew Retail Park. Property developers Chancerygate and Bridges Fund Management are behind the proposal.

A spokesman said: “This is a significant development for Peterborough which will rejuvenate dormant land adjacent to a key retail destination.”

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