Business Spotlight Celebrating Peterborough's world-class companies
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Business Spotlight Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies
Business Spotlight
Contents Aebi Schmidt AECOM Alan Boswell Insurance Advisers Aldermore Bank
all the top bananas Amazon Anglian Water Atkins Baker Perkins 06-07
Barnack Estates Bauer Media 08-09 BGL Group 10-11 Blackrock Bonacia
British Sugar 12-13 Canter Holland CDW CityFibre Coca-Cola Enterprises
Coloplast 14-15 Cross Keys Homes Cummins Generators Digital Community (DPiP and Agile) 16-19
Diligenta DMC Software Dresser-Rand Fencor Packaging Fisherprint Forterra Free Thinking Design
Gardman General & Medical Genfrost Gilchrist and Soames Handelsbanken Henderson Insurance
Hobart UK Hochanda i3Media Ideal Shopping Direct Ltd 20-21 iGO4 IKEA Indesit
Breakthrough Innovators 22-23 Marmalade 24-25 Peterborough Reuse 24-25 Escape Fitness 24-25 Solar Polar 24-25
HydroAir™ 24-25 GeorgiePhone 24-25 ABAX 24-25 Flo-Mech 24-25 DNV GL 24-25
Bradshaw Electrical Vehicles 24-25 Institute of Export Johnston Press Kelsey Media Kiddicare LDA Design 26-27
Manasty Packing Mastercard Access Prepaid 28-29 Masteroast 30-31 Media 5 Solutions New Covent Garden Soup Co.
News International Northrup Gruman Oakham Ales 32-33 OAL 34-35 Omega Foundry Machinery
Paper Rhino Parentmail Perkins Engines Company Limited 36-37 Peter Brotherhood 38-39 Peterborough Environment CityTrust
Phoenix Life Photocentric 40-41 Posh Gecko Potter & Moore Innovations Print on Demand Produce World 42-43
Radical Cars Rapid Drop Redring Xpelair Royal HaskoningDHV 44-45 Royal National Institute for the Blind
RSA Skanska Sopp + Sopp The Landlord Hub Thomas Cook 46-47 Travelex 48-49
Western Union White Concierge Willis & Gambier XL Displays Yorkshire Building Society Yours Clothing
02 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 03
Business Spotlight
Business Spotlight
Foreword
This book celebrates just some of city’. This blend led to opportunity many companies have told stories
the companies that have made their and innovation, and a diversity of of employees transferring from
home in Peterborough. It’s the start economy that created stability and other cities and ending up building
of a story - a great story - that shines resilience. Our city transformed itself new lives in Peterborough; put
the spotlight on what makes our city from medieval market gem into simply, people want to succeed
such a fantastic place to do business. modern urban powerhouse, and in our city.
Whether a burgeoning start-up, our businesses adapted to deliver
SME or global giant, our companies new solutions to changing markets – As we say, this is just the start
are making big impacts in their sometimes across the world. of the story, so please visit our
industries, and some of their stories website to continue exploring.
will surprise you. We see this pace of change across We hope you find the stories
all of our sectors, and the stories in of our businesses and their
At Opportunity Peterborough we’re this book highlight just a few: from accomplishments as absorbing
privileged to work with such a wide our leading agri-tech businesses as we do and enjoy discovering
variety of businesses across all sectors. setting new standards in farming and more about how they’re leading
We know there are many companies food security, to our financial sector their markets, at home and
in the city that are changing lives: disrupting markets with innovations across the world.
through their products and services, that are exploring new areas of the
for their workforce, or by their e-commerce landscape. And our bed- Steve Bowyer
contribution to Peterborough’s rock industries, such as manufacturing Chief Executive
growing economy. We witness their and traditional engineering, are Opportunity Peterborough
passion, innovation and expertise pushing the bounds of technological
on a daily basis and we wanted to and environmental excellence.
share that with a wider audience.
This book acknowledges some of There are lots of reasons why
their achievements and marks the companies large and small have set
start of a bigger conversation about up and blossomed in Peterborough
Peterborough as an enviable place to but it’s clear that companies value our
do business. strategic location, fast transport and
digital connections, and the attractive
Peterborough has a unique history: its cost of doing business here.
medieval and Victorian growth was
followed by a further boom with 20th All of our companies share one thing
century New Town investment. The though: an appreciation of their
city quickly diversified and matured, employees as a major driving force
with new businesses and a growing behind their success. Peterborough
population exploiting both the new has a diverse and growing workforce
infrastructure and the close networks that benefits from our low cost of
Cathedral Square, Peterborough that already existed in our ‘market housing and high quality of life. So
04 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 05
Business Spotlight
Engineering DNA and develop solutions appropriately. As including baked goods, biscuits, Did you know?
There is a dominant culture of the demand for more protein in products breakfast cereals, snacks and
engineering in the business, that increased for example, so too did the confectionery. This diversity coupled Baker Perkins also produces
enables Baker Perkins to develop the use of aggressive cleaning chemicals to with a large international customer industrial extrusion equipment
right technology for their customers remove the excess protein build-up on base helps balance and strengthen
for the powder coating industry.
quicker and with greater accuracy. Of existing equipment. Baker Perkins was the business.
their 300 Peterborough employees, able to stay one step ahead by ensuring
The company’s American
the vast majority – including many in their equipment was built using materials Global hub
business started life in 1904 as the
administrative and operational positions that were resistant to chemical damage. Every one of Baker Perkins’ machines
- are qualified engineers. This generates a is designed, developed, built and Dutch Cookie Machine Company.
level of understanding and reassurance Keith Graham is Baker Perkins’ marketing marketed from their Peterborough
that is highly valued by food customers manager, he says: “We’re always looking site. Maintaining production requires Baker Perkins has the largest
in over 80 countries, and sets them apart for solutions to industry problems and skilled expertise and the company installed base of biscuit, cookie and
from other equipment manufacturers. In frequently find them. We’re unique is taking on new apprentices cracker equipment in the world.
fact, in many of their sectors, they remain in our ability to understand not only and graduates to preserve that
one of only two or three manufacturers the engineering needed to make the knowledge base. Keith Graham: For as long as their machines remain
in the world with the right capability to equipment, but the ingredients used by “This is an easy business for new in production, Baker Perkins offers
deliver certain specialist equipment and our customers and, more importantly, employees to engage with. There’s a lifetime support including servicing,
provide post-sales support. the way those ingredients behave when lot of variety and interest – everyone rebuilds, training and performance
processed. It gives us real insight into our works on different machinery and improvement to help reduce
Technology thought-leaders customers’ needs and means we provide across different sectors so they operating costs.
Vast improvements As a company at the forefront of the right long-term support to help food experience the whole offer.”
technology, Baker Perkins is delivering manufacturers produce superb products
in the quality of smart solutions to some of the industry’s year after year.” The city has been home to the
bread have been achieved biggest challenges. They recently company since 1903 when the
designed a new valve seal that helped Large high quality processing equipment Perkins side of the business
as a direct result of cereal manufacturers reduce downtime produced by Baker Perkins has a very moved from London to find
innovative ‘light touch’ from 24 hours to 20 minutes – an long operational life and in certain sectors cost-effective space to expand.
equipment designed by incredible improvement that benefits like confectionery, five machine sales They settled conveniently next
their customers’ bottom line and once can constitute market saturation. For to the railway for more than 80
Baker Perkins Baker Perkins.” again sets them apart in their sectors. this reason the company specialises years until, as the merged Baker Baker Perkins
Engineering Excellence
in a broad variety of industry sectors Perkins company, they moved helps its
Keith Graham to their current site only five
This same approach and knowledge
helps them design better customer- miles away. customers to meet
in Equipment Manufacturing focussed equipment to meet changing
consumer tastes too. Their Innovation Peterborough remains a
continual changes in
Centre is a confidential facility that great location not only as food safety legislation
Many of the products in your weekly shopping trolley With roots stretching back to the early 19th Century, Baker allows customers to develop products a convenient base from by designing ultra-
are made by equipment designed and manufactured by Perkins is now a leading specialist manufacturer with their main and processes and test the feasibility of which to ship its equipment hygienic equipment.”
Baker Perkins. Their engineering and process expertise operations in Peterborough and a secondary facility in Michigan, their concepts. around the world, but
is in demand worldwide and it’s here in Baker Perkins’ USA. The company’s strengths lie in their expert knowledge and also as an easy-to-access
Peterborough factory that some of the world’s leading their ability to provide the after sales and process support needed Working alongside customers at this test site for their many
food brands come to develop and trial new products. to ensure the production of consistent, high quality products. stage helps them understand new trends international customers.
06 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 07
Business Spotlight
Bauer Media
Leading the Changing Media Landscape
The Bauer Media Group – one of different content. Motor Cycle business we have a
In the UK alone, more
the world’s largest privately owned News for example, reaches many team of in-house trainers
multi-platform media businesses – thousands of readers in print, but and a structured than 24 million
reaches millions of people around more than three million digitally - and approach to immersing consumers purchase and
the globe through its portfolio of the brand has also built a thriving our new recruits into
digital, magazine media, radio, event e-commerce business. the business and interact with Bauer brands,
and TV brands. their markets. including KISS, Grazia, heat,
Bauer Media’s digital portfolio includes
Absolute Radio, Magic,
Market experts parkers.co.uk, the leading authority on “We also provide a very
Five key specialist markets spanning car buying, and The Debrief, a brand clear career path that Empire, Motor Cycle News,
everything from motoring and sport to that delivers a distinct mix of tailored enables the right people CAR, and Parkers.”
motorcycling and leisure are managed content, mirroring the behaviour to develop and build their
from their Peterborough office. Bauer’s of the constantly-connected careers in a relatively short
Peterborough people are openly 20-something female. space of time. We are proud
passionate about the markets they of the fact that the majority of our
serve, creating an energy that fizzes In radio, Bauer Media is a digital current sales directors joined Bauer
around their large open plan office pioneer. The company owns a strong as sales ‘rookies’.” In numbers
space. From the leather and bike portfolio of digital-only commercial
81
helmets surrounding the desks of the radio brands, 55% of which are Corporate Social Responsibility UK radio stations
Modern Gardens world’s leading motorcycle magazines, accessed via a digital device - against Bauer Media takes corporate social reaching over
to the golf equipment being tested by the current industry average of 44%. responsibility seriously, with its
Magazine is Bauer writers at Today’s Golfer, Bauer Media’s The recent acquisition of Gem and Peterborough employees recently
17 million
listeners a week
Media’s latest launch. Peterborough operation is something Free Radio in the Midlands further fundraising for local charities
Opening up a new market, it is to behold. strengthens their local ‘Bauer City including ‘Little Miracles’ and
the first magazine to tap into
the needs of the modern
Many of the magazine brands within
the company’s Peterborough portfolio
Network’ brands, and further afield,
in 2015 Bauer Media acquired the
SBS radio group in the Nordics, with
the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall
Hospice appeal. 600 Peterborough-
based employees
94
continue to grow their circulations, due 20 radio stations reaching 10 million Additionally, Bauer Media’s radio magazines
homeowner - helping its readers in no small part to the editorial teams’ listeners. business runs its own charity, published from
to create an extension of their unrivalled passion for their subjects ‘Cash for Kids’ – operating from the UK
living space without having to and forensic understanding of their Talented and creative people the Bauer City Network of
target audiences. The business is always looking regional stations. This dynamic
11,000
become an expert gardener.” to attract new and diverse talent. charity raised £17.9 million in global
Embracing a digital future Charlie Brookes, who heads up the 2015 alone - something that employees
Charlie Brookes
Changes in the way we consume Peterborough commercial operation, everyone at Bauer Media is
media in the UK and globally have comments: “Our approach is to justifiably proud of.
Global online audience of over
generated more touch points and identify the right attitude first and
more opportunities for Bauer Media to
engage their growing audiences with
then to build the right skills. Within
our part of Bauer’s Peterborough 40 million
08 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 09
Business Spotlight
BGL Group
Shaking up the Insurance Industry
BGL Group is one of the UK’s largest Digital innovation
consumer insurance groups, best Digital innovation is present in internal Aleksandr and Sergei are back on the road for
the latest campaign by comparethemarket.com
known for their comparison site processes as well as the customer
comparethemarket.com and for experience. BGL Group was recently
insurance brands like Budget, Dial shortlisted at the Real IT Awards in the
Direct and Beagle Street. Workplace Transformation category
for their work in creating a connected
The insurance giant currently has more digital workplace. In fact, innovation
than 8 million customers and revenues drives just about every aspect of their
of £507m, giving them significant operations. A focus on ‘what happens
presence and power in their markets. next’ helps the company seek out new
products, services and markets in the
Despite being a large organisation UK and beyond.
with more than 3,000 employees, BGL
Group has a friendly small-business Winning price comparison models
feel and a reputation as a fun place to ‘Thinking differently’ is part of BGL
work. One of our city’s most important Group’s personality. This approach
employers, BGL Group’s Peterborough underpinned the development of Customer Service for these partner Did you know?
sites employ 1,800 people, building on comparethemarket.com and the now brands and for BGL Group’s own
a heritage of more than 20 years in famous Meerkat characters, Alexsandr brands is provided through two contact BGL Group has 8 million
the city. and Sergei. Chief Executive Matthew centres – one in Peterborough and one customers, £507 million of
Donaldson was instrumental in realising in Sunderland. revenue and more than
the characters as a promotional tool
3,000 employees.
having briefed agencies to come up Positive community support
with something different, daring and The BGL community extends far The Prince’s Trust is BGL Group’s
amusing. Now in their seventh year, beyond its employees however;
national CSR partner. The
Alexsandr and Sergei are hard-to-miss it reaches thousands of people,
company works with the Trust
household names. groups and organisations through
an extensive Corporate Social to improve the lives of young
The name behind big brands Responsibility programme. The people, giving them the skills they
Some of the country’s largest brands use company supports a range of life- need to achieve their aspirations.
BGL Group’s insurance expertise through changing projects locally, nationally
their partnership business – Junction. and internationally. A commitment BGL Group’s Fusion Contact
This specialist company is the UK’s to raise £3m for charity has been Centres offer employees the
largest insurance partnership business met and a new strategy to positively chance to undertake additional
designing tailored insurance models impact 100,000 people over the and further qualifications
for a variety of partners including M&S, next three years will translate including NVQ, ILM and the
the Post Office, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, RAC into a variety of programmes Institute of Chartered
Insurance, Halifax and Santander. and activities.
Insurance qualifications.
10 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 11
Business Spotlight
British Sugar
Resilience in Sugar Production Innovation in
British Sugar has changed beyond (BBRO) to implement research, and power up to 8,000 homes for a year. processing
recognition since its early days improve sugar beet yields and the The company is also working with means that our leading
more than 100 years ago. A key competitiveness of the industry. As a farmers on small-scale AD plants
part of Britain’s rural economy direct result of their work, sugar beet crop to help them generate their own sugar producer has the
and an important Peterborough yields have increased by 60% since 1980. electricity. ability to process the
business, British Sugar has evolved
and shaped its operations to meet Nothing wasted Continued evolution
same volume of sugar
changing industrial, economic Part of British Sugar’s future success will The spotlight placed on sugar and in four factories as it
and consumer demands as well as undoubtedly lie in its significant portfolio health continues to challenge the once did in 18.”
driving improvements in production of downstream products that make use industry, but British Sugar and its parent
and crop yield. of nearly all the raw materials used in company AB Sugar have once again
processing. As the sugar beet comes adapted their approach and responded
Change on the horizon into the factories, it inevitably brings soil positively to balance the debate. Their
Today, the company is one of Europe’s and stones collected during harvest. The ‘Making Sense of Sugar’ campaign
leading sugar producers and one of stones are sent for aggregate and the provides access to independent
Britain’s most sustainable businesses with soil ‘waste’ is processed and supplied research as well as a variety of tools and
ambitions to be the most competitive to Topsoil - an associated business that support for consumers so that people
producer in the world. It is an efficient has grown to become the UK’s largest can make truly informed decisions.
and resilient organisation with solid supplier of topsoil products to the Did you know?
foundations that are likely to help it face landscape and leisure sectors. The company’s evolution will continue
the next significant industry change. In with British Sugar’s move to a brand Over the last 10 years, British
September 2017, EU sugar beet quotas The pulp that remains after processing is new facility in Peterborough by the end Sugar has recruited and trained
will be abolished, meaning a much more sent to farmers for animal feed and even of 2017; ensuring that its business needs more than 100 graduates and
competitive and volatile marketplace. the spent lime used in manufacturing are met, while keeping Peterborough 90 apprentices.
is returned to help improve soil quality. its home.
Whilst this challenge could threaten less British Sugar was the first company British Sugar partners with
Peterborough established businesses, British Sugar is in the UK to produce bioethanol at The company has deep-rooted approximately 3,400 farmers in the
confident in the future of the UK Beet its Wissington factory – created by relationships with the city and local
continues to Sugar industry. Managing Director the fermentation of sugar beet. It also education providers who help develop
UK with beet travelling an average of
only 28 miles from field to factory.
meet our needs and Paul Kenward said: “We’re well placed makes use of waste heat and CO2 to the engineering, business, finance
support us as we to compete successfully in a global help grow 140 million tomatoes a year at and agriculture specialists needed
British Sugar has invested £300
market if we continue to build strong neighbouring Cornerways Nursery. in the industry. Long-established
evolve our operations.” relationships with our growers, customers apprenticeship and graduate million over the last 10 years to
and communities. I firmly believe that our This spirit of innovation has accelerated programmes remain critical to helping continuously improve their efficiency
Paul Kenward business will deliver sustainable success.” in recent years and a new anaerobic deliver future success, and those and competitiveness.
digestion (AD) plant is under construction joining today may well experience
Together with growers and the National at their Bury St Edmunds site. This new the long careers enjoyed by current British Sugar’s associate company,
Farmers’ Union, British Sugar established installation will help British Sugar to employees in a 21st century industry Topsoil, supplied soil for the 2012
the British Beet Research Organisation produce 5MW of electricity – enough to that has been around for years. Olympic Village development.
12 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 13
Business Spotlight
manufacturer picked up the benefits of Smart design here contribute significantly to
her invention, and Coloplast was born. The thinking behind Coloplast’s the success of our business
innovations is refreshingly simple and and the happiness of our
This spirit of compassion and personal reflects the natural empathy they Charter customers.” In the UK alone,
care remains with the organisation have with their consumers. They
today. It is deeply embedded in their have cleverly developed catheters for The company’s strong 25,000 people a
daily operations, their approach to women that look perfectly at home focus on learning and week contact Coloplast
innovation, their values and their in cosmetic bags with design features development, coupled with
contact with consumers. to enable people with all needs and clear internal development for help, advice and
disabilities to be able to use them - opportunity is also having an guidance and they start
A visit to their Peterborough Consumer from easy handling, to preventing impact on the commitment work on every contact
Care Centre is an extraordinarily calm them rolling away under a toilet door. of employees, Birgitte Brink
experience where conversations Colostomy pouches that have the Felding again: “The people request on the same day.”
take place in a serene atmosphere of look and feel of soft fabric have been who work with us are proud
productivity. Consumer specialists take deliberately coloured to be invisible of our heritage, culture and
thousands of calls from users, often at under white clothing, and their Charter products. We’re always looking for
highly sensitive post-operative stages, Home Delivery service ensures patients people who appreciate our DNA of
when what starts as a simple product receive their products in discreet passion, care and respect to join us and
query can result in longer periods of unmarked packaging without having to share a genuine regard for what we are In numbers
reassurance and active listening. visit a pharmacy - all of which usually achieving in intimate healthcare.”
happens within 24 hours of them
Reliable digital
Helping patients achieve full and
rewarding lives is at the core of
Coloplast’s business, but the company
receiving the prescription.
Their culture of innovating through
136 countries selling
Coloplast products
10,000
is making other contributions to the care undoubtedly comes from their
connectivity is healthcare economy. Their products closeness to customers. Coloplast is a
Coloplast promote faster recovery and reduce large and ambitious organisation, but
critical; our prescriptions the risk of infection, meaning patients there is a great sense of collaboration
Advanced Medical service is electronic and have a far greater chance of staying out and pulling in the same direction that
helps them accelerate their innovation
employees
300,000
our consumers rely on of hospital – a benefit to the individual,
Technology Experts us to deliver.”
and to the NHS purse. to market as quickly as possible to
enable the people that need their
It is important for Coloplast to develop products to live the best life possible. Coloplast Care subscribers
Despite their proven position as the best med-tech
Birgitte Brink Felding
Origin of care conversations around intimate
company in the world, to those in the industry, Coloplast is Their story began in Denmark in 1954 when district healthcare, not only to improve general Building the conversation from
also healthcare’s best kept secret. nurse Elise Sørensen began helping her sister to
recover from a colon cancer operation. Sørensen
awareness, but because greater
openness can lead to the identification
Peterborough
Coloplast’s Peterborough operations 13.9 billion
This understated organisation has been delivering advanced witnessed first-hand the difficulties and limitations placed on of warning signs - much earlier. Thanks are a vital part of their success. Birgitte DKK annual revenue
products, services and care for people with deeply personal her sister by the relatively primitive colostomy device care to continued marketing and social Brink Felding, Coloplast’s HR Director,
and intimate medical conditions for more than 60 years.
These days, the specialist company occupies a leading
position in intimate healthcare, supplying patients with world-
of the day. Spurred by her sister’s discomfort, Sørensen set
about creating a new approach to ostomy care – a plastic
bag that would stick to the skin, completely preventing
media, these discussions are growing
and the volume of this important brand
is being amplified - both across our city
says: “The UK market is critical to
the global business. Strategically
and logistically, our Peterborough
40% 40%
ostomy care continence
class products and raising standards in every continent. leaks and odour. She doggedly pursued her idea until a and around the world. operations and our warehousing facility market care market
14 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 15
Business Spotlight
Digital Community
Peterborough’s Collaborative Digital Development
As businesses grow their digital, Consultancy and Ikea operating here - People in Peterborough (DPiP) Did you know?
tech and e-commerce offer, new all with industry-leading digital are two such digital communities
ecosystems emerge around them. commerce platforms. that have developed in the city. Peterborough is one of
These digital ecosystems are blurring Agile Peterborough was set up only a handful of gigabit-
the boundaries between organisations As more business is done online, by Alex Shaw - Head of Labs at
speed cities in the UK
and helping businesses engage with security becomes even more important. comparethemarket.com - as a way to
new partners in and around their World-renowned cyber security test the availability and viability of local with a fully installed city-
industries, creating an interconnected specialists DNV GL recently set up digital skills. wide pure fibre network
digital landscape. in Peterborough, and a number of providing speed, storage and
innovative micro businesses in this field Since its inception, Agile Peterborough communication benefits to
Peterborough is ahead of the game are beginning to attract the interest of has given a voice to the digital businesses all over the city.
through its Smart City status, its large IT companies looking out for the community. It has actively supported
city-wide gigabit speed fibre internet next ‘big thing’. local skills development through its 74% of the country’s digital
network, and crucially through its work with schools and Peterborough’s companies are located
cluster of digital and tech companies The tech community emerging university, and has acted as outside London 1.
– a community of businesses helping Peterborough is distinct in a magnet for some of the world’s most
to drive the knowledge-base, skills, encouraging digital to collaborate renowned names in tech. In the space Digital tech industries in the UK
innovation and focus needed to power and cooperate between businesses. of a few months, digital luminaries such are growing 32% faster than the
the city’s digital economy. Agile Peterborough and Digital as George Berkowski and Troy Hunt rest of the economy according
There are exceptional to a Tech Nation report.
The digital cluster
levels of enthusiasm in More than 750 cutting-edge digital, Local entrepreneur and
media and e-commerce companies
Peterborough underpinned by call Peterborough home. Household
Zazzle Media founder, Simon
our growing tech community. Penson, is ranked in The
names such as Thomas Cook and the
BGL Group are large local employers, Drum’s ‘Digerati’ Top 100 most
Given the city’s gigabit speed influential digital people.
but small digital media companies such
infrastructure and low operating as i3Media, Brave Creative, Posh Gecko
84% of employers see digital
costs, this has got to be the best and Free Thinking Design are making
big impacts in the sector too. These literacy as important in the
time for any business to be here.” dynamic organisations are providing business place 2.
Alex Shaw, Agile Peterborough digital and creative support to some of
our best known brands like the BBC,
and comparethemarket.com
Budweiser, Grand Designs, Crayola,
Ralph Lauren, Silver Spoon, Bauer Media,
The Royal Navy and The British Army.
E-commerce is also particularly strong
in the city with global giants such as 1. Tech City | Powering the Digital Economy
Amazon, comparethemarket.com, Tata 2. Cap Gemini You Gov Poll | Feb 2016
16 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 17
Digital Community Business Spotlight
both visited Peterborough to share and of digital work in local schools and
transfer knowledge. Shaw says: “We provide engineers to run after-school There is a passion and momentum
set the bar high with our events and code clubs. in the city keenly demonstrated by
have never had a problem attracting the commitment of advocates like
high-profile speakers to the city. We Skills for our digital future Alex Shaw, members of DPiP and
concentrate on producing quality Alert to future demand, our local Agile Peterborough, and by those
events that are really valued by our digital companies are helping young behind our growing digital industries.
members and contribute in a concrete people with digital skills, coding and Businesses that take advantage of and
way to local businesses.” programming. In some cases they’re become involved with Peterborough’s
influencing what’s being taught, with digital community now are likely
DPIP supports networking and Peterborough’s University Centre to reap rewards in the future. The
engagement events for its members hosting industry workshops and city’s digital community is open and
and maintains strong connections with modelling its curriculum to meet ready for newcomers to help forge
local city challenges. It has been a key business needs. A ‘Hack the Holidays’ Peterborough’s digital future and
player in Peterborough’s ‘Smart City’ event initiated by an enterprising Year accelerate its success.
initiative, driving the open city agenda 12 student created tremendous interest, businesses; our digital community can
and providing software solutions for as did new app designs pitched through help bring all the constituent parts Find out more about our
complex technological challenges. the city’s ‘Smart Supper’ programme as together to develop more tech projects networks at: Mydpip.com and
part of the Peterborough DNA Future in the area.” Meetup.com/Agile-Peterborough
“We have a strong digital skills base Cities work.
here in Peterborough rooted in our
technology and engineering heritage. Around 25 weather stations have been
Together with our digital infrastructure, installed at schools across the city to
this puts us in a great position to grow collect weather data and help monitor
At DPiP we’ve seen a our local economy.” the city’s climate. School children are
significant increase in being encouraged to access this data I wanted to prove
Digital city to solve some of the city’s challenges,
interest in our monthly events Our gigabit speed internet helps position and through the Internet of School that you didn’t
– our numbers have tripled and the city as one of the most digitally Things, engage with data from around need to be in London to
advanced in the world - helping to the world.
we’re attracting speakers from deliver limitless digital opportunities for
access digital skills.
across the country. There’s a people and businesses. Peterborough’s City energy and advocacy Around 100 people
noticeable community spirit council has been bold in embracing DPiP and Agile Peterborough prove turned up for our first free
the benefits of our digital infrastructure that the city’s digital ecosystem is
with project collaboration and and transforming its approach to digital growing. Alex Shaw: “Peterborough talks and we now have
recruiting taking place too.” technologies. The local authority is offers the right culture, the right quality more than 500 members.”
working imaginatively with private sector of knowledge and longer lengths of
Jonathan Frascella, DPiP partners such as Amazon Web Services, service because we have a more settled Alex Shaw, Agile Peterborough
Salesforce, Google and Box, to create a workforce; people want to build lives and comparethemarket.com
21st century city for its citizens. and stay here.”
Peterborough’s big employers like “The responsibility to engage with
comparethemarket.com are supportive young people locally lies with our
18 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 19Business Spotlight
Ideal Shopping Direct Ltd
TV Shopping Success Fuelling US Expansion
Ideal World
Ideal Shopping Direct is one of Direct is to entertain and engage craft trends and meeting the American identifies,
the UK’s leading multi-channel TV viewers, demonstrating how products appetite for high quality British and
shopping and digital retailers. The can make a difference to them in a way European products.
launches and sells
company set up in Peterborough in that other promotional methods cannot. many popular new
2000 and has grown to employ more Create and Craft TV - Ideal Shopping products before
than 1,000 staff and generate sales of A mix of professional presenters, Direct’s world-leading crafting and
over £165m. guests and celebrity ambassadors hobby channel - successfully responded they go on to be
demonstrate a whole variety of to the growing interest in home crafting sold elsewhere
In the UK, the company develops and products from kitchen essentials to and has been instrumental in increasing
distributes original content via web garden and craft items – explaining new the company’s share of the £3.5bn UK
- like Nutribullet.”
and TV including two live channels; products and often helping to establish craft market.
Ideal World and Create and Craft – both new small and medium-sized suppliers
delivering programmes 365 days a year in the marketplace. People and place
from their state-of-the-art Peterborough The company relies on its ability to
TV studios. Five transactional websites, The craft boom access creative and technical media
In numbers
We currently a telephone service, social media In the US, more than 62 million talent and the perception that media
200
streaming and an app complement people take part in one or more craft and TV skills are hard to find outside hours of TV
reach 45 million their TV offer allowing customers to activities so the demand for education, London has been easy to dispel. produced
households in the US and discover further content and make innovation and new products is high. Mike Hancox, Ideal Shopping Direct’s each week
purchases 24 hours a day. The success of Create and Craft in the CEO says: “We have some very high
expect to see further
growth following our
recent acquisition by
Entertaining and engaging content
The philosophy behind Ideal Shopping
UK has allowed the company to open
up the $30bn American market to
UK suppliers, promoting transatlantic
quality people here in Peterborough
who are helping our business deliver
outstanding growth and improved
800 Peterborough
employees
customer satisfaction. Our current
Blackstone - the world’s success means we will be recruiting
Ideal World and Create and
Craft websites attract over
largest private equity firm.” more skilled people to support our
Mike Hancox
growth plans and I have no doubt we
will find them here in Peterborough.” 18 million visitors a year
With two warehouses in the city,
Peterborough has provided the
company not only with the right
calibre people, but the space to grow
too. Proximity to other major cities
100,000
members of Create and Craft Club
like Birmingham and Manchester
and easy links to London have
also supported operations as they
source and deliver products to 2 145,000 600
million UK shoppers. app users suppliers
20 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 21Business Spotlight
Breakthrough Innovators
Peterborough Companies
Setting the Pace in Innovation
There is a distinct entrepreneurial spirit in the city of development freedom, while bigger businesses This atmosphere of collaboration and evolution is
Peterborough that stimulates a high volume of start- moved in to make the most of the opportunity. This reflective of the start-up spirit so prevalent in our city;
ups each year. Importantly, these start-ups have a perfect economic dynamic saw a quick succession it is highly valued by those businesses operating here
strong survival rate - partly due to the diversity of our of smaller supporting businesses set up in the city and continues to underpin some of the most exciting
economy, partly due to the strength of connections at the same time as our supply chains matured to new businesses and innovations in the country.
within our business ecosystems, but also due to the become more accessible and responsive to the
ease of doing business here. needs of newcomers. Diversity in economy, diversity in scale and diversity
in our communities has helped many companies
Our unique history has also informed this character. It is worth noting that Peterborough is also unusual find their place and thrive in Peterborough. On these
A medieval city with ancient heritage, we received among other entrepreneurial cities in that its higher pages, we celebrate some of the ones to watch –
new town investment that enabled rapid growth academic offer is emerging and shaping itself breakthrough innovators; those taking huge leaps in
and gave established businesses the opportunity alongside our growing and innovative businesses. growth, making their mark on our city and having an
to innovate and reach new markets. Existing New courses are emerging and curriculums are impact nationally and globally across a wide range
businesses benefitted from new infrastructure and being fine-tuned to meet the needs of our industries. of sectors.
ABAX
Peterborough Reuse
Escape Fitness
22 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 23Business Spotlight
Breakthrough Innovators fitness products and programmes that
have positively disrupted the market.
The company is rapidly gaining global
recognition for its innovative and
Solar Polar top prize for Digital Inclusion at the
Birmingham Made Me Awards.
unique solutions and now sells in more
Solar Polar is a clean-tech start-up that than 80 different countries.
specialises in solar thermal cooling and
heating products that do not require
electricity or other fuels. The company
was awarded an innovation grant from Peterborough Bradshaw
Peterborough Brainwave and now
develops off-grid heating and cooling Reuse Electric Vehicles
technologies to bring sustainable Peterborough Reuse was set up with Britain’s largest and best known
refrigeration, air conditioning and the aim of repurposing hessian coffee manufacturer of industrial electric
terrace heating to the whole world. sacks into saleable products. Founders vehicles is based near Peterborough.
Pav Patel and Gary Graves created a The company designs and
range of shopping bags and textile manufactures a diverse range from
items and are now exploring ways of Solar Polar industrial waste moving, airport and
HydroAir™ reusing other city waste. The business
employs members of new arrival
hospital vehicles to tow tractors,
load carriers, personnel carriers,
HydroAir™ is a patented variable communities to help them integrate road-going pick-ups, buses and golf
radius turbine (VRT) from the and improve their English and also cars. Most of us will have seen a
operating in more than 100 countries.
Dresser-Rand business, part of Siemens
Power and Gas Division. Developed in
works with the Environment Agency
to support tree planting and flood
Flo-Mech It provides classification and advisory Bradshaw vehicle, but few realise
they are made by this highly
Peterborough, the HydroAir VRT uses services to the maritime, oil & gas
alleviation projects. Flo-Mech is a highly experienced innovative family-owned
oscillating water column technology to and energy industries. Importantly for
privately owned food industry local business.
extract energy from ocean waves and Peterborough, it has recently launched
equipment and project management
is helping to commercialise wave power a new Centre of Excellence for smart
company. They are leading the market
through significant improvements in energy and cyber security in the city
in innovative solutions particularly
efficiency and range. ABAX in improving existing plant and
- the first of its kind in the UK. This
ABAX is the market-leader in the equipment facilities for some of the
Centre will specialise in smart metering
assurance and DNV GL is keen to play
Marmalade
development and delivery of world’s leading food and beverage Marmalade was formed in 2006
a major part in Peterborough’s ‘Smart
electronic Triplogs, GPS tracking, companies around the world - including in Peterborough to provide
to Future City’ initiative.
upgrades to gas heat exchangers that insurance and car buying
GeorgiePhone fleet management platforms, and
Equipment & Vehicle Control systems. can improve efficiency by up to 15%. services to young people. The
The recipient of Peterborough DNA Their approach to in-house R&D and company won the Original
grant funding, GeorgiePhone is a small Business Concept Award in the
local business that created a family of
technology development, as well as
exploring new markets, means they’ve Escape Fitness BT Essence of Entrepreneur
apps for blind and low vision people to achieved year on year growth since Leaders in functional training solutions, Awards for its innovative
help make travelling easier. Now part their inception. DNV GL Escape Fitness lives by its philosophy telematics system – satellite
of the Conigital Group, the company Already a global giant, DNV GL is a of designing fitness around function technology that monitors the
has won several awards including the large technical assurance company and has developed a large range of use of the insured car. Marmalade
24 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 25Business Spotlight
© Claire Borley LDA Design
Unrivalled Leaders in Landscape Design
“It’s been an amazing journey,” Sustainable evolution high quality square that showcases – even quirky. We deliberately choose
says director Ashley Dunseath. “From Closer to home, LDA Design is helping our historic buildings and, by installing inspiring spaces knowing the difference
a small street-calming project in to transform one of the UK’s most playful fountains, delights visitors. they can make. But aside from our
Peterborough’s Williamson Avenue to iconic landmarks – London’s Battersea Like much of LDA Design’s work, Peterborough office location, this city
the Olympics; it’s surprised even us.” Power Station. Their designs include the Cathedral Square project works has been a great location to grow our
new green spaces spanning an area hard on so many fronts: creating a organisation. We’re grateful for that
LDA Design is one of Peterborough’s equivalent to three and a half full-sized focal point, attracting visitors - and early show of faith because it enabled
most compelling success stories. At football pitches. Their work here and encouraging them to stay a while - and us to expand and develop something
the heart of their knowledge is place- on many other regeneration projects, generating investment by world-class we’re intensely proud of; a company
making, the process of connecting is playing a critical role in bringing retailers and restaurateurs. The scheme that attracts great people and has
people with their environment to create underused space to life. won many awards and has been held significant influence in our sector.”
inspiring public spaces. It’s an approach up as best practice by the national
that requires many different skills in The company’s environmental impact heritage body, Historic England.
order to imagine and deliver projects assessment (EIA) expertise has also
that make us say ‘Wow’. helped them gain an enviable track Peterborough-born business
record in consents for renewable energy Dunseath, a landscape architect
Global impact projects. They continue to be involved specialising in regeneration and
But much of LDA Design’s work is doing in coordinating EIAs for many of the development projects, also directs LDA
just that and winning awards in the largest solar farms in the UK - providing Design’s Peterborough operations. He
process. Their philosophy that great clean renewable energy to hundreds of says: “One of the best things about
Peterborough has design should be efficient, affordable, thousands of homes and reducing our the growth of the business since its Did you know?
excellent north to sustainable, inclusive and beautiful is dependence on fossil fuels. inception in Peterborough in 1979 is
applied to some of the world’s most how the original ethos of the company LDA Design led the first DCO
south and east to west Award-winning place-making
important energy, environment, is still so intact. We remain the same approved Nationally Significant
connections, fast airport links, landscape and development projects. Very few industries have the ability to values-driven place to work which we Infrastructure Project to develop
close proximity to London, green make such a vast and visible impact always have been. But now we come Rookery South Energy from
The company was appointed to lead on the world in the way that landscape with an unrivalled knowledge-base in
credentials and access to an the master-planning and detailed design and environmental design does. The environmental design that has taken us
Waste Facility.
incredible variety of landscapes of the London 2012 Olympic Park - ideas that emerge from LDA Design’s all over the world and supported our Norway’s Sahara Forest project
Europe’s most significant landscape practice reach many countries and development into a mature business
within an hour’s drive. Our city’s project for a generation. Their innovative locations, improving the experiences with five offices and 150 people.”
in Qatar benefitted from LDA
location really is its USP.” Design’s services to explore the
design and planning skills have been of communities and fortifying the
sought for the Swansea Tidal Lagoon connections we have with our Tucked away behind Peterborough’s production of food, water and
Ashley Dunseath project - the world’s first, manufactured, immediate environment. stunning Norman Cathedral are energy in hot desert coastal areas.
energy-generating lagoon, and they the Minster Precincts, a collection
were appointed to deliver the strategy Peterborough’s own Cathedral of historic buildings and home to The company delivered landscape
and masterplan for Moscow’s Gorky Square is a case-in-point. LDA Design LDA Design’s Peterborough HQ. design proposals for Google’s
Park – a million pound transformation of implemented a dynamic change at Dunseath says: “All of our offices are new multi-million pound King’s
Russia’s most important public space. the heart of our city; creating a new situated somewhere a little special Cross Headquarters.
26 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 27Business Spotlight
MasterCard Prepaid Management Services
Did you know?
Directing the Prepaid Card Evolution The company powers some
of the world’s biggest brand
Navigating the differences in culture, first prepaid card in 1996 and has
cards including prepaid travel
language, technology and customer helped shape the growth of the sector.
needs across 23 countries can pose He says: “At MasterCard, we’re leading MasterCard money cards for Qantas,
significant challenges for business the evolution of prepaid products provides the Virgin, Tesco and Travelex.
leaders and business models. Achieving and know there is huge potential
cross-border success requires well- for our business. We’re focussed on
innovation that allows MasterCard Prepaid
thought out innovative approaches making life simpler and more secure safe and secure payments Management Services is
of the type being implemented by for our partners and customers – enabling financial considered an expert in
MasterCard Prepaid Management by providing payment solutions programme operations and
Services in Peterborough. to help them grow their business. inclusion and has a deep understanding
And, ultimately, we’re focussed on empowering consumers.” of how to differentiate brand
Innovative, bespoke solutions driving cash out of the system, because propositions and enter
A robust part of the MasterCard it is inefficient, costly to handle, and
new geographies.
business, Prepaid Management Services travellers prefer the security afforded
delivers global end-to-end prepaid by cards.” New infrastructure is being built
card programmes to large and small
with partners that delivers a
companies around the world, managing This philosophy of improving life have never had a problem recruiting
whole range of prepaid solutions
its innovative, growing and dynamic for users of their cards is felt by all – the calibre of people here is
global business from Peterborough. employees of the business. The exceptionally high. The sector is well including compensation,
MasterCard ‘force for good’ mission represented locally; and our attrition incentive, benefit and emergency
Operating in multiple countries, underpins their drive to promote rates remain low.” money programmes for the
their products must meet different financial inclusion around the world, public as well as private sector.
needs across varying regulatory and prepaid products are seen as a Custom-made location
Innovation sits at the environments – a process that major enabler of this process, especially Peterborough’s transport connections The global prepaid card market is
heart of what we do at positively activates innovative thinking in emerging markets. are also valued by the business - set to be worth $3.1 trillion by 2022.
MasterCard; it’s woven through and bespoke solutions. facilitating the fast access to airports
The Peterborough-based team from needed by any serious international MasterCard Prepaid Management
our products and services, it MasterCard Prepaid Management MasterCard Prepaid Management organisation. Their Peterborough Services is supported by
informs the way we tailor our Services is the only prepaid programme Services is helping to grow this leading headquarters were custom-built MasterCard - the world’s fastest
management company to be part of a prepaid business. They are enabling for them and provide rapid access payment processing network
programmes and the way we global payments network – MasterCard. customers to set up and issue prepaid to the A1 and the city centre with operating in more than 210
structure our business.” This means customers benefit from travel cards to consumers and are a range of leisure and shopping
countries and 150 currencies.
the unrivalled awareness, safety and helping them embrace the latest facilities nearby. “Our current
Graham Perry reliability of the MasterCard brand. digital solutions. global reach from this building
MasterCard is on the
is incredible,” says Perry, “It’s the
first Fortune ‘Change the World’
A force for good The mix of skills needed to enact this perfect base to grow and develop
A champion of the travel money business strategy is broad; Graham as we take on more countries, list of companies that have made a
industry, President Graham Perry was Perry again: “We run an efficient support more cards and help more sizable impact on major global social
involved in the launch of the world’s business here in Peterborough and people around the world.” or environmental problems.
28 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 29Jonny England and Marie-Anne Rogers, Business Spotlight
Masteroast’s qualified Q-Graders.
Masteroast
Coffee’s Top Bespoke Label Supplier
The London
In 2015, we spent nearly £8bn in coffee Managing Director Andy Fawkes says: Patel and Gary Graves responded with Stock
shops, making the sector one of the “Support from the Eastern Agri-Tech an idea to re-purpose the sacks into a
most successful and fastest growing Growth initiative will bolster our position range of shopping bags and other items
Exchange recognised
in the UK economy. But did you know as an innovator in the coffee sector, and a new company - Peterborough Masteroast in their
that one in seven of our favourite creating new opportunities both in Reuse - was born. 2016 publication
away-from-home cups is made from the UK and export markets. It also
coffee roasted by Peterborough underpins our commitment to the Outstanding knowledge ‘1000 Companies to
company, Masteroast? region and means we’ll be creating Grading and roasting high quality coffee Inspire Britain’.”
more new jobs here in Peterborough.” requires a unique set of skills. Masteroast
The family-owned roasting and packing employs experienced professionals
specialist roasts around 4,000 tons of In fact Masteroast is a growing who deploy their artistry in a series of
coffee a year and ships it to more than exporter and was recently cited as steps to identify, grade and blend beans
600 customers globally. It is one of the a shining example of how exporting for production. Many of the people
top five coffee roasting and packing can deliver local business growth. As at Masteroast have worked their way
companies in the country and the UK’s the GCGP LEP reported: “We hope up through the business meaning
number one supplier for bespoke labels. (Masteroast) will serve as an inspiration their skills are honed and developed
Did you know?
The company produces coffee for many for other companies thinking about through hands-on experience. This
Masteroast hosts the UK
familiar brands sold in our supermarkets exporting their goods and services, human expertise coupled with the use
and is also responsible for some of the motivating them to take that first step of robotics, technology and scrupulous Barista Championships Judges
coffee served as we travel, including that towards exporting.” Quality Assurance (QA) from bean to Certification Programme that
on board EasyJet and Virgin Trains. bag, ensures customers receive top- helps develop judges for other
Masteroast has Supporting the circular economy rate coffee. UK coffee events.
enjoyed considerable Best area to locate and grow With 80 staff and modern well-equipped
The strength of Peterborough’s 40,000sqft premises, Masteroast offers Masteroast boasts one of the British consumption of coffee has
growth since it set up in agri-tech food and drink sector makes it its customers the widest range of best-equipped QA laboratories in burgeoned in recent years. The
Peterborough in 1987 and a natural base for a cluster of food-related coffees in the UK, including Fairtrade the business. number of coffee shops surpassed
has bold plans for further businesses. Masteroast is a significant and organically-certified coffees. Beans 20,000 in 2015, boosting coffee
contributor to the region’s £4bn agri-food are delivered in hessian sacks from According to the World Coffee sales by 10% to £7.9 billion.
growth over the next five industry and is well-served by a strong almost every coffee-producing country Portal, consumers will become
years, having just acquired transport and logistics infrastructure that in the world before being sorted, roasted, even more informed about the Masteroast is one of the biggest
allows the company to connect quickly blended and packed. subtleties of coffee preparation
an additional 1.5 acre site to with its supply chain and distribute its and delivery from bean to cup in
roasters of Fairtrade coffee in
the UK and is part of Fairtrade
expand in manufacturing products easily. The entire process produces up to 1,200 future years. Masteroast is well-
Peterborough, the campaign to
and logistics.” waste hessian sacks a week, but rather placed to consolidate its position
Support from a local initiative helped than send them to landfill, the company as a knowledge leader through its make Peterborough a Fairtrade city.
the company to firmly establish posted a challenge on Peterborough’s strong market position, accredited
Students from all over the country
themselves as innovators, and in 2015 Brainwave Innovation Portal - an online training and its regular roasting
they began production of the world’s platform that shares ideas about local demonstrations, tasting sessions, visit Masteroast to understand the
first fully compostable coffee capsule. challenges. Local entrepreneurs Pav courses and competitions. science behind coffee.
30 Celebrating Peterborough’s world-class companies 31You can also read
