Unsworth Sugden Group

Unsworth Sugden has a fantastic reputation of allowing students and young people to come and do some work experience with them, to see if the metaphorical PR shoe fits. I certainly know this to be true; I was fortunate enough to be able to come and do a week’s work experience with USG last July.

In the last year, I have graduated with a 2:1 in American Studies degree and am continuing my University of Leicester journey with a Master’s Degree in Media and Public Relations (due for completion in September 2013), and thought it was about time that I gained some more work experience.

There wasn’t even a question of which company I would email! Director of PR, Hannah Elwell, was kind enough to agree for me to come and do two weeks with the PR team almost a year after my first visit.

Like with anything in life, doing things the second-time around is much less nerve-wracking and you can enjoy the experience a lot more. It was so lovely walking in on the Monday morning to be greeted by people I already knew.

Like with any work experience student, I was invited to a meeting with Hannah where we both laid out our expectations and what projects I would endeavour to achieve by the end of the two weeks. The tasks set challenged my previous knowledge and experience that I gained whilst being here last year.

I was given a lot more responsibility, which I was able to match with the theoretical knowledge I have gained from my MA. My academic research skills certainly came in handy; I was charged with researching various media lists (Contacts and places to send press releases to) for clients, as well as researching arguments as to why clients should make the leap and put themselves on social media websites. This was really an opportunity to put theory into practise!

Other assignments included taking company news and press releases and condensing them into an informal style for a client’s internal newsletter, as well as developing and enhancing staff databases, both paper and electronic. I even had the chance to be responsible for a client’s monthly Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE) analysis; I felt quite proud seeing the research I had done be printed and bound and be ready to give to the client in a forthcoming meeting!

By far, the biggest challenge was getting out of the office and into the field – literally. Hannah was kind enough to invite me to sit on client meetings and to attend a site visit to Whittleford Park where we learnt about its history as the Midland’s centre of coal mining and brick making, and its place in the local community, where a client’s development is currently being built.

Overall the two weeks I have spent with USG have far surpassed my expectation; which was elevated anyway! Every member of staff, especially the PR team have been so kind, enthusiastic and were always ready to answer any questions I had or to teach me something I didn’t know. The USG PR den (informally known as ‘the cave’) is a wonderful environment to work in, and I would highly recommend it to others who want to get a taster of what real public relations involves!

Well, needless to say, what a great opportunity for me to be involved with! If I’m honest, from what I’ve experienced with other work experience opportunities, I thought I was going to be a typical “tea girl” and be running errands for people. When in fact, I was being asked if I wanted a tea from another member of the team! Unsworth Sugden really knew how to make me feel part of the PR office.

With applying to university in November, it really got me thinking about my future. I knew I wanted to go into business/marketing. When I was looking at Unsworth Sugden’s website, there was no doubt I had to contact, as they look at PR, advertising, and marketing and digital media. With PR in mind, I thought I should get some work experience just to get a feel of this field.

After landing this work experience opportunity, I was constantly looking at Unsworth Sugden’s blog and seeing how other people’s work experience went. Now it is my turn to tell you my story…

After being greeted by Hannah, who organised this whole week, she took me to my desk where I was told to settle in. A list of jobs to do was given to me to make sure I was not bored through the week. From writing posts for Unsworth Sugden’s blog to making contact lists of different media companies, it gave me a variety of tasks that gave me an insight into the world of print media marketing and will be helpful to me in the future. I was then introduced to the whole team in the building – and I was not expecting quite as many people as there were!

I’d like to give a special mention to Dave who helped me a lot whilst Hannah was not there and also to Sarah, Kayleigh and Sophie for their help too! Thank you to Unsworth Sugden for this huge opportunity, and I wish each and every one of them the best of luck for the future.

Abby Law

Client David Wilson Homes East Midlands, has recruited two new people to its land department as the Bardon-based firm steps up its search for new development sites.

Newly recruited John Turner (left) Gareth Staff (right) and centre Managing Director, John Reddington

The appointments come after the company announced that a total of 1,500 jobs will be created thanks to the launch of several new developments across Leicestershire. These positions are integral to this planned growth and will aid the firm secure new locations for its high quality new homes.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands said, “We’re obviously delighted to have more hands on deck to help us acquire new land for the division – which is also great news for the economy.

“One of the best ways to boost economic growth and employment is through building projects. A whole range of jobs are created as part of the process and the people who ultimately move into the new housing will also spend their wages locally, which translates into a significant boost for local retailers.”

Newly recruited John Turner, 23, from Newtown Linford has been appointed as a Land Buyer. He said “It’s great to have secured this position at a company of David Wilson Homes’ stature in a difficult time for graduates. I am looking forward to getting involved with the acquisition of new sites for future projects.”

Gareth Staff, aged 34 from Nottingham has been appointed as Senior Land Manager. He said, “It’s great to work with company where you have real faith in the company’s ethos and product. The role is extremely varied and I’m really enjoying my time here.”

From all here at Unsworth Sugden, best of luck for the future John and Gareth.

A training specialist has seen a rise in the number of people starting apprenticeships in Nottingham over the last year.

Client Positive Outcomes, which is based in South Normanton, more than doubled the number of people it signed up for Government-funded training in 2011/12 compared to the previous year’s figures.

From August 2011 to July 2012 Positive Outcomes signed up 638 apprentices, a huge increase on the 249 who started apprenticeships between August 2010 and July 2011.

Chris Longmate, Managing Director, comments: “We think this is a really encouraging sign that people of all ages are keen to learn new skills and work towards nationally recognised qualifications through work-based training.”

Of the 638 apprentices signed up over the last year, 96 were aged 16 to 18, a figure Positive Outcomes is hoping to increase over the next year with its new Paid to Learn scheme.

Paid to Learn is a brand new website, created by Unsworth Sugden’s digital team, that provides a tailored service to 16 to 18-year-olds seeking apprenticeships around the country, allowing teenagers to find and apply for roles online, as well as access advice and support.

Since its launch in August, Paid to Learn has already generated 300 applications from eager apprentices around the country.  We’re delighted with the success of the website so far, it’s a great example of how fresh design and tailored SEO and PPC can really drive results.

Chris Longmate, Positive Outcomes' Managing Director

Homebuyers interested in purchasing one of the few remaining luxury apartments at client Kebbell Homes’ Caedmon’s Prospect development in Whitby were invited to a special open evening on Thursday 27th September where they could meet their potential new neighbours.

The event allowed those thinking of purchasing at the development the fantastic opportunity to view the limited number of apartments left available and to meet those residents already calling Caedmon’s Prospect their home.

Linda Tillisch, Northern Sales Manager for Kebbell Homes, comments, “This event at Caedmon’s Prospect provides potential customers with an excellent opportunity to visit the development, view the remaining luxury apartments and also talk to those who have already taken the opportunity to purchase here. There’s a really friendly community spirit here and we hope that by holding this open evening this will come across and help convince people that this really is the place to be in Whitby.”

Front Elevation of Kebbell Homes’ Caedmon’s Prospect development

Stuart Stokes, Site Manager, with students from The Lyng Primary School with their designs behind them on the construction site’s hoardings.

Children from The Lyng Primary School, have leant their artistic talents to client Barratt West Midlands at its The Lyng development, and recently visited the site to see how their creative flair has been used to decorate the construction site’s hoardings.

Local residents are being advised to keep their eyes peeled for fresh artistic designs as the hoardings are set to be updated with new pictures from the area’s youngsters every few months.

“We’re delighted with the artwork that the children have produced” commented Katie Yates, Sales Manager for Barratt West Midlands. “It has given the site a real splash of colour and we’ve all been really impressed with the creativity of the children’s pictures.

“It was great that the children had a chance to see how their creative efforts have contributed to the site. Our aim at The Lyng is to involve local people as much as possible and working with nearby schools is an important part of that.

“We would like to thank The Lyng Primary School and all the children for taking part, their artwork gives the site a real boost. We’re thoroughly looking forward to seeing what they create for our hoardings as the months go by.”

Unsworth Sugden designers helped produce creative hoardings turning the children’s artwork into large scale graphics.  We also sent a photographer down to site to get a few pictures!

Residents enjoying their coffee and cakes

Well done to the residents at client David Wilson Homes’ Newton Park development, who took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and raised over £700 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The housebuilder gave a helping hand by accommodating the event in the show home on Wellington Avenue in Newton near Bingham and donating a huge chocolate hamper as a raffle prize.

Ruth Lilley and her parents who have lived at Newton Park since March helped organised the event. She said, “We were expecting to raise about £200 so we’re all thrilled that we’ve so much more has been donated.”

Newly recruited David Wilson Sales Adviser Bridgett helped the residents set up the event. She said, “It’s been so much fun helping out at the fundraiser. There’s a fantastic community spirit here - I’ve only been here a few weeks and the residents have made me feel so welcome.”

What once was just a few new homes in a small, countryside village, Newton is now home to over 80 families and a growing community – the Macmillan coffee morning is just one of a long line of events for them.

Resident Karl Richardson, aged 42 said, “Having lived in cities for quite some time, it’s really refreshing to be in a rural area and Newton Park itself has taken shape as a really welcoming community.”

Congratulation from Unsworth Sugden for raising a remarkable amount for Macmillan Cancer Support and we hope to see future events to turn out just as successful.

A Barratt Homes show home in Buckingham, has been kitted out with a pink theme to help raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

The brightly coloured show home at Windsor Park on London Road boasts hot pink walls, a girl’s room with a ballet theme, as well as pink curtains, mirrors and wallpaper throughout the house.

Barratt Homes has also asked its construction teams to switch their standard yellow high viz waistcoats for some girly pink ones and wear them on site on today (Friday 26^th October).  Visitors to Windsor Park may find the traditional masculine builder looking a little more feminine! They will even wear pink hard hats too!

Barratt Homes’ Northampton division will be donating £100 to the breast cancer care charity for every home reserved at Windsor Park during October.

Sales director Sue Blackman said, “We are delighted to show our support for this incredibly worthwhile cause and the charity deserves every bit of help it can get.”

Everyone here at Unsworth Sugden hope that they raise as much as possible for the Breast Cancer Care charity. We’re also doing our bit by wearing pink in the office today.  Look out for pictures!

Inside the show home which is kitted out in pink.

Construction team on site dressed in pink!

A new sports playing field and pavilion named after the Queen, to mark her Diamond Jubilee, has been unveiled in West Bromwich.

And Prince William - HRH the Duke of Cambridge and patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge - has sent a letter of support to Sandwell Council.

The Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields are part of client David Wilson Homes’, Churchfields Place and Aspire developments off All Saint’s Way, on the site of the former Churchfields High School.

Funded by David Wilson Homes, the £1 million playing fields include grass sports football pitches with a sports pavilion, all designed to the latest Sport England standards. Also included is a children’s play area.

Sandwell’s Mayor Councillor Keith Davies unveiled a plaque produced by Unsworth Sugden at the playing fields.

Councillor Davies said: “This is the first time for some years that a new sports field and pavilion has been constructed in Sandwell, and it contributes to protecting and enhancing sports provision following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The PR team also helped the event by preparing a speech and worked with Sandwell Council’s press office on the press release.  We also sent photographer Steve Baker along to record the event.

Entrance to the sports pavilion.

Unveiled plaque to the new sports playing field and pavilion.

Client, Schlüter-Systems Ltd, has recorded an increase in sales of 40% for its underfloor heating product.

Carl Stokes, Divisional Manager at Schlüter-Systems, comments, “The increase in enquiries and sales for our Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM system is something we have been monitoring for some time, with the rise in the number of self-build projects in the UK a possible key factor.

“Underfloor heating systems such as ours are no longer only found in spas, hotels and other high-end projects with many domestic customers now viewing it as a perfect way of adding a touch of quality to their projects. We’ve also been able to benefit from the recent poor weather with many self-builders opting to install the system now so they can be prepared for the unpredictable British climate.

“Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is seen as the perfect investment thanks to its quick and even distribution of heat and low supply temperature, which in turn lead to low heating costs. As well as its simple installation, top performance and ease of use, what really makes it stand out from the crowd is its five year covering assembly warranty. Unlike other systems, which just provide component warranties, our customers have the peace of mind that our warranty covers the whole floor assembly therefore adding additional safety and benefits to this innovative system.”

This news comes as the Office for National Statistics yesterday announced that the UK is officially out of recession. Could this be a sign that things are on the up?

Carl Stokes, Divisional Manager