Business
Women make better homeworkers than men, according to new survey
A GROUNDBREAKING survey conducted by the team behind the British Business Excellence Awards (www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk) have uncovered a significant trend in the remote work landscape: women are leading the charge as successful remote workers, surpassing men in both productivity and overall satisfaction with remote work arrangements.
The survey, encompassing more than 2,300 UK adults in full-time employment (a 50/50 split of men and women), revealed a striking trend: over two thirds of employees (69%) perceive female remote workers as more productive than their male counterparts. Contrary to traditional assumptions, women are not only adapting to remote work, but thriving in it.
Additionally, over three-quarters of women (76%) reported increased productivity since transitioning to remote work, compared to 54% of men. This shift in productivity is closely tied to work-life balance, with 72% of women indicating an improved balance since working remotely, compared to 58% of men.
Female remote workers also stood out in terms of approachability and support, with a staggering three-quarters of respondents (75%) perceiving female colleagues as more approachable in the virtual workspace. This accessibility and support contribute to a more cohesive and connected remote work environment.
In a reflection of the evolving priorities in the business world, over half of men (54%) and three-fifths of women (61%) believe that female remote workers are more progressive when it comes to sustainability and environmental initiatives. Women in remote roles were perceived as having a stronger focus on implementing sustainable practices and promoting eco-consciousness in their virtual teams.
Conversely, the survey highlighted a perception that male remote workers are more comfortable with embracing technology and artificial intelligence (AI), with 78% of men and 61% of women expressing this view. This suggests that male remote workers are seen as driving digital transformation and leveraging tech tools more readily in the virtual workspace.
Sarah Austin, Director of the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, commented:
“These findings challenge traditional norms and underline the importance of fostering an inclusive work environment where all employees, especially women, can thrive. The data clearly shows that women bring unique strengths to remote work, contributing to higher productivity, improved work-life balance, and a focus on sustainability.
“The survey underscores the significant advantages of supporting and promoting women in remote work settings. As businesses continue to navigate the remote work landscape, understanding and leveraging the strengths of female remote workers can lead to enhanced productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall success.”
Business
Welsh Water wins share of £40m to tackle environmental challenges
An innovative solution that could save Welsh Water two tonnes of carbon per year through transforming the management of organics during the treatment of drinking water, is one of the winners of a £40 million competition from Ofwat, the economic water regulator.
Welsh Water provides safe and reliable drinking water to over 1.4 million homes and businesses, making it the sixth largest of the 23 water companies in England and Wales. The not-for-profit water company has water treatment works where raw water is treated to make it safe enough to drink, which supplies over 800 million litres of water every day through a network covering 27,000km. By the time water reaches rivers, reservoir or aquifers, water already contains a wide variety of substances including organics which determines its quality. It absorbs dirt, dust and gases from the air, debris and bacteria from the ground, and soluble minerals from rocks.
At a water treatment works, the main objective is to remove bacteria and other unwanted substances from raw water through a drinking water treatment process. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is used during this treatment process to remove organics from the raw water– an exhaustive process that means the GAC requires thermal regeneration every three years.
The current process is carbon intensive, creating around two tonnes of carbon per year costing around £1m per year to manage. The solution proposed by Welsh Water’s innovation team and partners including Swansea University and Panton McLeod, seeks to investigate ways to regenerate GAC in situ, reducing both financial costs and carbon footprint before proposing a recommended solution that can be adopted by Welsh Water and shared with the wider industry.
Paul Gaskin, Research and Innovation Manager of Water Services at Welsh Water said: “We are excited to be leading this project to investigate transformative ways of regenerating granular activated carbon locally. This project is an example of Welsh Water’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to environmental challenges, whilst bringing the wider industry along with us. This project ties in with our 2050 vision to become a truly world class, resilient and sustainable water service for the benefit of future generations. Along with our partners working on this project, this funding will help us tackle a key challenge faced by the entire water industry.”
Helen Campbell, Senior Director, Ofwat said: “There are big challenges in the water industry that must be solved, some are well known, and others are less so. In our fourth Water Breakthrough Challenge we called for solutions with potential to deliver wide-scale, transformational change for customers, society and the environment – and that’s exactly what today’s winners have done. From raingardens to prevent flooding to green energy from treated sewage, innovations to cut the water sector’s carbon footprint to robots that patrol the pipe network, the winners are all helping shape a more sustainable and efficient water sector.”
Welsh Water is also partnering with others in the industry on other innovative projects including rainwater harvesting, robotic solutions for rising water mains and no-dig leak repair.
The Water Breakthrough Challenge is part of a series of competitions from Ofwat, run by Challenge Works with Arup and Isle Utilities, designed to drive innovation and collaboration in the sector to benefit individuals, society and the environment.
It supports initiatives that help to tackle the biggest challenges facing the water sector, such as achieving net zero, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing leakage, as well as delivering value to society.
For more information, visit: https://waterinnovation.challenges.org/breakthrough4/
Business
Ascona Group announces rebranding of two west Wales sites
PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED Ascona Group has announced the rebranding of two of its Pembrokeshire service stations to the Valero brand. The rebranding process is set to commence next week, starting on 20 May 2024.
The two sites undergoing transformation are the Ascona – Pelcomb Service Station located at Pelcomb Cross and the Ascona – Ivy Service Station in St Clears. The company has assured that the rebranding work will be completed by the end of the week.
Ascona Group expressed their excitement about the upcoming changes and look forward to unveiling the newly branded sites to their loyal customers. In a statement, the company said, “We can’t wait to share these rebranded sites with our loyal customers. Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for your continued support.”
Customers with queries regarding the continued use of loyalty cards or fuel cards under the new Valero banner are encouraged to visit the respective stores, where options will be available to ensure a seamless transition.
Business
“Unlikely to be any relaxation on planning” in Freeport area
THERE IS “unlikely to be any relaxation on planning” in Pembrokeshire’s Freeport area, councillors heard.
In late March 2023 it was announced that Pembrokeshire had been chosen as part of the site for one of Wales’ first freeports, with hopes it will share in the creation of 16,000 new jobs.
The Celtic Freeport will be shared between Milford Haven and Port Talbot, with a second Welsh freeport on Anglesey.
The Celtic Freeport bid was lodged on behalf of a public-private consortium, whose partners include Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.
The freeport aims to attract significant investment, including £3.5bn in the hydrogen industry, as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900m in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030, and £13bn by 2050.
The UK Government will provide up to £26m of starter funding for each of the freeports.
In a submitted question heard at the May 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, member of the public Helen Meopham had asked: “Are councillors aware of the extent of the proposed boundary of the Celtic Freeport, and, if so, could they provide me with a boundary map?
“I understand that PCC have a seat on the board of the Celtic Freeport. Considering the Freeport boundary may include residential areas and that planning and/or other regulations may be ‘relaxed’ in the Freeport area how will council avoid and resolve any conflict between Freeport interest and resident interests?”
Responding, Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the final boundary map was expected to be published later in the summer.
He added the Freeport boundary would not include any residential areas, and there was “unlikely to be any relaxation on planning”.
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