Arrow Business Communications Limited announces acquisition of Pescado Ltd.

Richard Burke, CEO, Arrow

Pescado is a specialist in providing Collaboration solutions, such as Cloud Telephony and Mobility and also offers a wide range of Cloud and Infrastructure solutions to its considerable customer base. Established back in 2006, it’s grown into a highly successful and trustworthy technology partner with in excess of 2,500 customers, with offices established in both Ewloe in North Wales and Belfast, in Northern Ireland.

Both Pescado and Arrow have a great deal in common, because both offer their clients and customers a similar range of solutions from similar suppliers to customers throughout all sectors of industry. 

Indeed, Pescado has demonstrated that it has considerable strengths in sales and commercial operations over a number of years. It’s felt that this will enhance Arrow’s ability to cross and upsell into its client base, which now exceeds 7,000 customers.

It is emphasised all staff and directors of Pescado will continue in employment and will become members of the Arrow group, which will ensure a smooth transition for all its highly valued clients.

Says Fraser Watson, who is Pescado’s Group MD: “From our initial meetings with the Arrow team I felt our views on the industry appeared to be perfectly aligned. I really believe that by working with Arrow, we can continue to take our customers on an exciting technologically driven journey, but at the same time offering our staff even greater opportunities as members of a larger group. I am, of course, looking forward to helping take the business forward with the backing and support of Arrow. 

“Bringing the deal to a happy conclusion faced problems brought about by the COVID situation,  but I'm extremely happy with the successful outcome and completion. This will ensure a bright future for everyone who is involved.”

Richard Burke, CEO of Arrow adds: “I’m really looking forward to greeting the vastly experienced Pescado team and welcome the chance to work alongside them to drive forward the organic growth of key areas, groupwide. 

“Pescado's sales focused competency when combined and linked with Arrow’s broad product offering and expertise will greatly enhance our ability to be winners in the marketplace.”

Manufacturing skills shortages set to reach tipping point with the Great Resignation

With the latest reports from CBI showing UK manufacturing output is still struggling to keep pace with demand, global recruitment software provider, JobAdder, has issued a warning that the manufacturing sector is balancing on a skills tipping point, with the Great Resignation set to push resourcing challenges into a critical situation.

The September CBI Industrial Trends Survey reported total order books in September improved to their highest since records started in 1977.

But output growth slowed for the second month in a row. A spokesperson for the CBI highlighted that skill and labour shortages are one of the issues impacting output levels.

According to JobAdder, this issue will only be exacerbated by the Great Resignation that the sector is facing as both the ageing workforce and a desire to switch roles as the economy begins to recover starting to have a detrimental impact on resources.

Rob Brodie, Head of Corporate Sales at JobAdder, said: “Skills shortages are one of the major concerns for everyone all over the UK at the moment. The combination of Covid and Brexit has had a detrimental impact on resources across the country. 

“For the manufacturing sector, though, the Great Resignation is only adding to limited resources – and there’s a concerning number of employers that are unprepared to tackle this.

“While the skills shortage across manufacturing is no easy problem to solve, there are numerous small steps that can make a huge difference, but which are, in many cases, being overlooked. 

“Speed is of the essence in this environment, but many employers are still operating their hiring from a static excel spreadsheet. Fishing from the same pool for resources is another challenge, with hiring managers often turning to their trusted networks which may have been useful in the past, but are arguably hugely limited now.

“Although there is a need to upskill the UK’s manufacturing resources on a longer-term basis, in order to address the more immediate challenges, a more dynamic approach to hiring is required. Now more than ever, recruitment practices need to evolve from the out-dated Excel spreadsheet to something that is proactive, responsive, and enables a significant improvement in talent acquisitions in time to hire."

Nearly half of UK staff would hide health issues from their employer: Report

A shocking report reveals that nearly half of all UK employees wouldn't talk to their employer if they were experiencing a health issue. This would, it is claimed, result in detrimental impacts on business performance and business culture.

This is as a result from the latest  research from not-for-profit healthcare provider, Benenden Health.

41% of employees revealed they would not feel confident enough to discuss any health issue with their employer. Many claim they would worry about what it would mean for their career and relationships within the workplace.

28% acknowledged they'd be concerned about offering support to colleagues in need, with 19% revealing they had previously hired someone with pre-existing health conditions but wouldn’t again, thus perpetuating the cycle of hidden health issues within the workplace, whilst open conservations and effective support aren't forthcoming.

With 51% revealing they have a health issue, long-term condition or disability, Benenden Health is warning fears and stigmas around health in the workplace means millions of workers may not be getting the required, or, indeed, any, support from their employers. This could result in absences, reduced productivity. In some instances it could result in sick employees resigning from their jobs.

Benenden Health has published a new report that focuses on key health issues and conditions that impact on the nation’s workforce and offering advice to businesses on how they can offer support to all employees,  regardless of their background or health issues, and ensure healthcare provision caters equally and inclusively all employees.

The survey covered 2,000 employees and 500 business owners. It showed that the most common ailments workers didn't reveal to their company are mental health issues, high blood pressure and arthritis. These are all conditions which could be worsened in the workplace.

36% of staff revealed they had lied to an employer about taking time off for an appointment, with 44% of 16-24 year olds doing this. Which, Benenden Health asserts,  could make it harder for businesses to ensure workers receive adequate support for any health issues they might have.

Why are so many employees reluctant to discuss their wellbeing at work? This is because 29% are concerned people would presume they couldn’t do their job. And a slightly lower number, 27%, worry that they could lose their job. Others were worried they'd be the subject of workplace gossip or might find it hard to maintain friendships in the workplace.

For a number of people who participated they were able to point to their own experiences. 15% thought they had previously overlooked for a job in the past due to a health issue, long-term health condition or a disability.

As a result of the finding that 26% of employers fail to provide any healthcare support besides statutory allowances and 60% of those that do, don't bother to consult employees when doing so, Benenden Health has issued a call to is calling on business owners to communicate and consult with staff and consider the health needs of their workforce to support positive wellbeing, thus increase retention and reduce unexpected absences.

Naomi Thompson, Head of OD at Benenden Health, said: “It is disappointing so many people still feel they can’t speak to their employers about their wellbeing and that a sizeable number of decision makers reinforce this with dated approaches to hiring people with long-term health issues.

“This stigma is especially prevalent in the workplace, with businesses too often unable to identify wellbeing issues, employees concerned about the implications of discussing them and a continuing lack of tangible support, all of which contribute to lost time and productivity for businesses as well as unaddressed poor employee wellbeing.

“Healthcare support should be available to all employees – not just senior staff - and despite some misconceptions, this can be implemented at an affordable cost. Tailored wellbeing programmes, developed with employee consultation and recognising the different needs of a multigenerational workforce, can increase productivity, support recruitment and promote a happier and healthier workforce.”

Benenden Health enables businesses to offer affordable, high quality, private healthcare to every employee. This includes round the clock care such as mental health helplines, 24/7 GP plus access to services such as mental health counselling support and medical diagnostics so employees can have peace of mind that they can ask for help whenever they need it.

For more information about Benenden Health and to download its guide, visit the Benenden website https://www.benenden.co.uk.