Business Diary: February 14

A YORKSHIRE company is set for a starring role in a new Channel 5 series, starting next week.

Ferno, a Cleckheaton-based manufacturer of medical equipment to emergency services, has developed a range of specialist equipment including ambulance trolleys, wheelchairs, evacuation chairs and hospital trolleys, which will appear in the new fly-on-the-wall documentary, Big Body Squad.

Ferno managing director Jon Ellis said: “The number of morbidly obese people in England has doubled since 2000 and in the next 10 years it is predicted that more than a third of people in England will be obese.

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“As a result over the past 10 years we have developed a range of bariatric equipment to help hospitals and the emergency services safely deal with larger patients, as well as allowing for a more dignified approach. The success of our equipment means Ferno products feature prominently in several medical dramas and documentaries – Big Body Squad is just our latest starring role.”

The programme will follow ambulance teams, fire crews, equipment specialists and carers across the UK as they deal with the associated complications and risks that come with the task of mobilising an obese nation.

Merger brings chance of Falkland posting

SOME lawyers at Pinsent Masons in Leeds might be wondering if they might be sent to the firm’s new office.

The location is a far-flung and very newsworthy part of the world – Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

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The outpost comes with Pinsent Masons’ agreed merger with McGrigors, which has two energy experts stationed on the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.

UK firm Rockhopper recently discovered what it believes could be 1.3 billion barrels of oil offshore.

With the political rhetoric ramping up between Britain and Argentina, it would certainly be a very interesting posting.

Good with charity

Congratulations to the Co-operative which has raised more than £7m for its chosen charity Mencap to help out young people with learning disabilities.

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The money raised by the Co-operative’s staff, members and customers will allow Mencap to launch Inspire Me – a project to provide activities and training that will give thousands of young people with a learning disability the chance to learn new skills and gain access to employment and volunteering opportunities in their communities.

Austin Healey, the former England rugby union player – and a Mencap celebrity ambassador – was on hand as the Co-operative announced the fundraising figure.

The figure is the most raised by the Co-operative during one of its charity of the year campaigns and, is the highest figure received by Mencap from such a partnership.

Peter Marks, the Bradford-born chief executive of the Co-operative, said: “Eight out of 10 children with a learning disability are bullied.

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“Young people with a learning disability face prejudice every day and a lack of opportunities which can make life a desperate struggle.

“This money will leave behind a lasting legacy for a generation of young people with a learning disability.”

Time for bed

Adam Black, managing director of bed retailer Feather and Black, is celebrating after the publication of his debut children’s book, David the Dinosaur. The book, which will be sold in stores and online, was inspired by Mr Black’s four boys who hated bedtime. It tells the story of a naughty dinosaur with an addiction to bad food choice, namely eating boys.

He said: “As a child my favourite part of bedtime was curling up underneath my duvet to listen to my dad read me a story every night...The characters from my bedtime stories fuelled my imagination, playtime and my dreams.”

The Fizz is off

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IT appears nothing is immune from cost-cuts in these austere times.

National Australia Bank’s Fizz Quiz is the latest victim. The monthly quiz, where the winner scooped a bottle of champagne, was sent to investors as part of the Yorkshire Bank-owner’s corporate review, but no more.

“After six years we have decided to stop the Fizz Quiz, we hope that you have enjoyed participating and will continue to use our Corporate Monthly,” said NAB.

No reason was given, but Diary suspects it may have something to do with NAB’s strategic review of Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks.