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LockerQuest Launches YEEP! Parcel Lockers Across Southeastern Train Stations

LockerQuest, the experts in parcel locker locations, has collaborated with Amey TPT to introduce YEEP! parcel lockers at 50 Southeastern Train Stations.

YEEP! stands as an extensive residential network of open, versatile, battery-powered parcel lockers, enabling all carriers and consumers to conveniently send and receive parcels within their local communities in an eco-conscious manner.

The YEEP! parcel locker service is already operational in various locations, with an expected 400 lockers by the end of this year, including the 50 stationed at Southeastern stations. The parcel locker network is set to expand to 1,000 by Q2 2024, with ambitious plans to install 10,000 units throughout the entire UK.

YEEP! functions as a high-density, hyper-local parcel delivery network, employing a precision-focused, data-driven model for selecting locations. Its aim is to ensure that 90% of the population can access a YEEP! locker within a mere 250 meters – an incredibly convenient “slipper distance.”

These user-friendly, maintenance-free, battery-powered lockers are accessible to all UK carriers, retailers, and local authorities. They offer a hassle-free 24/7 parcel drop-off and pickup service, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional courier deliveries.

Jonathan White, CEO of LockerQuest, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership with Amey TPT, stating, “Thanks to Amey TPT, we were delighted to facilitate an agreement between YEEP! parcel lockers and Southeastern Trains. We have worked with Amey TPT to identify locations for YEEP! parcel lockers and the stations selected where based on where people live and go.”

He further added, “The programme has been very successful based on the governance that Amey TPT follows. From our initial list of stations that met the criteria of a YEEP! locker location, our surveyors were able to follow a clear set of rules regarding station safety and operational activities resulting in excellent conversion rates for final installation.”

Following the fruitful collaboration with Southeastern, LockerQuest is already in collaboration with other Amey TPT portfolio managers to uncover additional opportunities within the rail estate.

Noël Shapton, CEO and founding Director at YEEP!, expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to bring our pioneering parcel delivery solution to locations throughout the UK including many across the rail network. We’re going further and faster and have big ambitions to become the largest, most sustainable agnostic parcel locker network in the UK within a very few years, working with LockerQuest really helps to support our growth plans.”

He continued, “The LockerQuest team is very knowledgeable and work closely with the YEEP! team to ensure locations are where people live and go. They know what makes a perfect YEEP! location and have provided some excellent places for our lockers to operate. Being positioned in the heart of many local communities, railway stations are high footfall locations and provide convenient access to parcel lockers for both commuters and people that live close by.”

LockerQuest is actively seeking new hosts for YEEP! parcel lockers. If you have visible, accessible, and safe locations, get in touch by visiting https://lockerquest.com/become-a-host/

KYND Introduces Novel In-House Security Proficiency to Turbocharge Cybersecurity Risk Governance for Enterprises

Pioneering the realm of cyber risk management, KYND Limited is thrilled to introduce the innovative Internal Security functionality within its widely embraced KYND ON cyber risk monitoring solution, trusted by organizations on a global scale. This formidable addition offers a comprehensive view not only from an external standpoint but also delves deep into an organization’s internal security posture, enhancing the capacity to pinpoint potential areas of vulnerability and risk, thereby facilitating a more strategic approach to bolstering cyber resilience.

With the corporate landscape witnessing a surge in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, the need for businesses to attain crystal-clear visibility into their exposure, both internal and external, has never been more paramount. As a pivotal part of its mission to demystify and streamline the management of cyber risks, KYND ON now leverages the cutting-edge Internal Security feature. It provides an unparalleled insight into an organization’s internal security stance without subjecting them to time-consuming assessments. By simply responding to straightforward queries pertaining to their security procedures and policies within the KYND ON interface, organizations swiftly integrate internal vulnerability insights into their holistic risk evaluations, along with meticulously prioritized and lucid recommendations for remediation.

In addition to offering this invaluable resource to KYND ON clientele, these immediate and exhaustive exposure insights can also be harnessed by portfolio managers. This equips them with the capability to effortlessly spot high-risk entities within their portfolio, allocate resources judiciously, and consolidate all this critical information conveniently within the ON platform, thereby streamlining communication among all stakeholders.

Andy Thomas, the CEO of KYND, elucidated, “At KYND, we’ve always believed that cyber risk is not solely an IT problem, but rather a business risk that necessitates a holistic, proactive approach spanning all levels of an organisation. This is precisely why KYND elevates cyber risk intelligence to a whole new level by empowering both portfolio managers and businesses to assess the complete spectrum of cyber risk. By combining its powerful external scanning data and deeper insights into internal security controls within an organisation, KYND enables our partners and their clients to unlock faster threat identification, prioritisation and remediation, and drive confident, well-informed decisions about cyber risk.” 

Stanislav Kondrashov’s Mariana Trench Expedition: A Dive into the Abyss

In his latest blog post titled “The Depths of the Mariana Trench By Stanislav Kondrashov,” Stanislav Kondrashov embarks on an enthralling journey to unravel the captivating mysteries of the Earth’s deepest abyss: the Mariana Trench. According to the author, this chasm isn’t merely an oceanic enigma; it serves as a veritable portal, connecting us to other uncharted realms waiting to be explored.

The article commences with a precise depiction of the Mariana Trench, located a staggering 36,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. Kondrashov underscores that its profound depth places it in a league with some of the most majestic mountain ranges humanity has ever ventured into, albeit in an entirely different sense. To offer a sense of scale, the piece provides a fascinating perspective: if Mount Everest were submerged within this trench, its summit would still remain submerged.

Furthermore, the author highlights the trench’s unique atmospheric conditions in the western Pacific Ocean, which verge on the otherworldly. Here, the pressure is a thousand times greater than that at regular sea level, accompanied by mysterious luminous phenomena that pierce the abyssal darkness. According to Kondrashov, these flashes may be linked to the presence of enigmatic deep-sea creatures that have adapted to these extreme surroundings over time.

Kondrashov’s publication also emphasises the surprising fact that life persists in the depths of the Mariana Trench. In these unfathomable abysses, ghostly white amphipods, transparent sea cucumbers, ethereal jellyfish, and other astonishing life forms thrive, challenging the extent of human knowledge in the realm of science. The article mentions the exploratory efforts of the Trieste in 1960, which marked the first crewed expedition to plumb the Mariana Trench’s depths, as well as more recent ventures employing cutting-edge submarines equipped with advanced technologies. These endeavors have shed light on some of the lingering mysteries that shroud this enigmatic place.

For those eager to uncover more about the Mariana Trench’s secrets, we encourage readers to explore the full publication by Stanislav Kondrashov.

Starstruck with Stanislav Kondrashov: A Glimpse into the Magical Cosmos

In his latest publication, “Mapping the Stars of Ancient Astronomy By Stanislav Kondrashov,” the author delves into the mesmerizing allure that stars have consistently held over humanity. He elucidates how, across the centuries, these celestial bodies have influenced various aspects of human existence.

Stanislav Kondrashov posits that each time we cast our gaze skyward to behold the stars, we embark on a celestial journey through time. This journey repeats itself whenever we gather under the starry expanse to share stories or simply marvel at the celestial spectacle above. According to the author, these cosmic displays have captivated the human imagination since ancient times, igniting wonder about the mysteries concealed beyond the starry veil.

The text meticulously explores the most enigmatic and captivating facets of ancient astronomy, offering precise insights one by one.

Kondrashov intriguingly draws parallels between contemporary and ancient navigation systems, emphasizing that ancient seafarers heavily relied on star interpretation, particularly the North Star, as their celestial compass to navigate the vast expanses of the ocean. To them, the stars represented not just points of light but invaluable tools to ensure they stayed on course.

The author highlights the profound significance of stars for the ancients, as evidenced by monumental structures such as the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. These architectural marvels, aside from showcasing ancient engineering prowess, also bear testament to the deep understanding of star alignments and celestial phenomena possessed by their architects.

Stanislav Kondrashov references the ancient Babylonians and their practice of charting the heavens. Beyond their utility in predicting eclipses, the author underscores that these celestial maps served as the foundational framework upon which horoscopes, still widely consulted and interpreted today, were constructed.

For an in-depth exploration of these celestial wonders, readers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the full publication and watch the video.

Stanislav Kondrashov Demystifies Ancient Enigmas: Unveiling Mysterious Symbols

Stanislav Kondrashov’s latest publication, “The Mysterious Language of Symbols By Stanislav Kondrashov,” delves deeply into the enigmatic symbols that have woven through the tapestry of human history. Within its pages, Kondrashov unravels the origins and meanings of these symbols, shedding light on their ancient allure.

Kondrashov asserts that these symbols have been integral to human history since prehistoric times, conjuring ancient myths and legends that may have faded from contemporary memory. For Kondrashov, these cryptic symbols carry potent narratives, waiting to be deciphered.

In his exploration, Kondrashov delves into symbols such as the Chinese Yin and Yang and Celtic spirals, contending that their forms can evoke notions of unity and eternal continuity. He also delves into the all-seeing eye, a symbol still emblazoned on American currency and found in the annals of ancient Egypt, portraying it as a universal emblem of vigilance and divine providence.

Among the symbols scrutinised by Kondrashov is the pentagram, often misunderstood but linked to profound connections with pagan rituals and the universe’s most profound mysteries. Another symbol deeply associated with divinity and discovered in the artifacts of ancient Egyptians and Sumerians is the winged disk, which, Kondrashov argues, may also signify royalty and the celestial journeys of gods.

Kondrashov turns his attention to the symbol of the Ouroboros, a serpent devouring its own tail, a motif discovered in alchemical depictions and ancient Egyptian texts. He interprets it as a representation of the cyclical nature of life. Sometimes, these symbols manifest in the characters of legendary tales or myths that have etched themselves into human history, extending into the present. One such symbol is the dragon, a legendary creature that inspired fear in Europe for centuries and reverence in the East. According to Kondrashov, the dragon embodies powerful symbols of strength, wisdom, and enigma.

In the publication’s concluding chapters, Stanislav Kondrashov examines symbols as a collective entity, asserting that they often harbor profound meanings that transcend their immediate visual representation, encapsulating cultural memories, religious beliefs, and enduring mysteries.

To delve deeper into this captivating exploration, readers are encouraged to peruse the full publication and watch the related video.

Man sentenced for vicious rape and attack

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A 21-year-old man has been jailed after he was found guilty of multiple offences including rape.

Met officers investigated quickly, leading them to arrest Kieran Johnson (21) of no fixed abode, the day after the incident.

On October 13, Johnson was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 18 years’ imprisonment. He had been found guilty on March 22 of two counts of rape, one of sexual assault by penetration and one of robbery. Johnson also pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug.

The offences took place on March 13, 2022 at an address in Greenwich.

Johnson hit the 18-year-old victim with a baseball bat and demanded that he handed over his phone, keys and vape pen. After the robbery, Johnson raped and assaulted the man multiple times.

Forensic evidence

Forensic evidence from the scene and mobile phone work led to the arrest of Johnson the following day at an East London hotel.

Detective constable Robert Shires of the Met’s South East BCU said: “I hope that this conviction and the lengthy prison sentence can bring some closure to the victim, and show that justice has been served. We will continue to support the victim and I hope that he recovers in his own time.

“I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to report the matter to police. Dedicated officers will support you and work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”

National police operation takes drugs worth £1.2 million off streets

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Class A and B drugs worth £1.2 million, along with 458 weapons were taken off the streets as part of a national police operation last week.

Drug gangs across London were targeted, leading to a county line being taken down and 18 arrests linked to varying drugs and possession of weapons offences.

The County Lines Intensification Week – coordinated by the NPCC-led National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) – featured action from all forces across the country.

Officers across the force took part in various activities including an intelligence-led Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation, and high-visibility patrols at the biggest transport hubs jointly with the British Transport Police.

Drug seizures

Serious and Organised Crime Team officers conducted warrants at addresses linked to drug supply which also resulted in the seizure of a drugs line and the safeguarding of two children. They also charged one individual with two counts of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack.

Across the week, City of London Police officers seized a large quantity of wraps of cocaine, six bags of cannabis as well as other smaller quantities of MDMA and crystal meth. £2025 in cash was seized and a further three children were safeguarded.

Exploitation, coercion, and violence are cornerstones of the county lines trade, and cannabis is used by gangs to trap young people into debt, forcing them to transport their drugs and sell to other children to continue the cycle.

By rescuing vulnerable people from the grip of these gangs and helping them into support services such as the Home Office-funded Catch 22, this cycle of violence and abuse is being broken.

“We will relentlessly pursue you”

Detective inspector Anne Medlycott from City of London Police said: “Our message is clear to anyone running county lines in the City of London; we will relentlessly pursue you, take the drugs off of the streets and rescue those exploited.

“Drug dealing destroys lives, and we are committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, and the exploitation and violence that is frequently associated with it.”

The intensification week saw across the UK:

  • 250 county lines taken down
  • 1,613 people arrested
  • 458 weapons seized including 33 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, three crossbows, 21 batons and 28 knuckle dusters
  • Over £1.2m worth of Class A and Class B drugs seized
  • £437,000 worth of crack cocaine, £100,000 worth of heroin, 40kg of cocaine and 103kg of cannabis seized
  • £1,284,729.88 in cash seized

Escentual grows sales by 30% to £30 million as more premium beauty users go online for products

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Escentual has grown sales by 30% to £30 million as more premium beauty users go online for their favourite products.

Business is booming for the Cardiff-based ecommerce brand started 23 years ago by entrepreneur Rakesh Aggarwal in his parents’ garage and now dubbed the ‘Amazon of online beauty’.

Online premium beauty sales amount to up to 40% of the market in the UK, compared to only around 25% in other countries;

Aggarwal says a key part of Escentual’s success is a Welsh base with an excellent pool of talented staff from Cardiff’s two world class universities.

He spoke about business success with Escentual on the Retales Podcast from Brightpearl by Sage which features unique and captivating stories of ecommerce retailers

Aggarwal said that Escentual’s revenues had grown from £23 million in 2020 to £30 million currently and that customer loyalty was the key to its success.

He said: “We specialise in a very specific part of the beauty market which we describe as selective beauty – the very premium end. It’s a space with quite high barriers to entry because the brands are very protective of their imagery and are very careful about their choice of the ‘last mile’ retailer.”

Escentual’s core customers are aged 22 to 36 and are largely young professionals who enjoy the convenience of online shopping with a respected specialist brand.

The online beauty market has evolved so much over the last two decades and Aggarwal says they are ‘pro consumers’ – very well informed and responsive to social media highlighting new trends.

It is why the premium online beauty market in the UK is so much bigger than in other countries where customers are much more loyal to individual brands.

Escentual was such an early ecommerce start-up in the beauty industry that Rakesh wrote the code himself for its first website while studying for masters in business administration at Cardiff University.

He started by offering premium beauty brands to customers who could not access them locally because a department store did not serve them.

He now has 93 staff, up 52% on five years ago, at the headquarters in Vanguard Way, Cardiff, and he now sees himself as a ‘glue’ filling in the gaps between the teams, ‘holding it all together’.

He is very proud of Escentual’s #SunPoverty campaign which has so far provided over 50 thousand free sunscreens to hard-up families and is also campaigning for the scrapping of VAT on sunscreen products.

With even supermarket own brand sunscreen costing as much as £10 a bottle, Rakesh is keen to educate children as young as possible about the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of using protection from an early age.

He said: “Most preventable skin cancers have their origins before the age of 18 so it is vital to start that whole process of protection early. It has been a brilliant campaign which we have run over several years.”

Aggarwal is very proud of his Welsh roots. His father Raj Aggarwal OBE owned a chain of pharmacies in Wales and is now India’s honorary consul in Wales – helping to create links between Welsh and Indian business.

Rakesh inherited his father’s entrepreneurial gene and forged ahead with his own online business in his home city of Cardiff.

Talking to the Retales podcast, Aggarwal said: “We have such a huge talent pool from the local universities. Most of our temporary workers are students and they have fed into other parts of the business after they have graduated. We have given people that trust and ownership early in their careers.”

Aggarwal is currently updating his technology and he stresses that efficient stock control has been crucial to his success.

He said: “We have a big focus on operational efficiency in warehousing, order management and shipping integrations. The ability to receive an order, process it and then pick, pack and dispatch it all within between 20 and 40 minutes is crucial for us.”

Around 40% of Escentual’s orders are from existing customers who are rewarded with discounts through the loyalty scheme where they can earn points to redeem against future purchases.

He explained: “This has been an increasing focus over the last few years and it’s been really popular with our audience.”

Aggarwal said that investing in public relations has been a good way to acquire new customers as well as using in-house experts to build trust in the brand.

Looking to the future, Aggarwal called for a level playing field so that all retailers could compete fairly.

He said: “I would ask that brands such as Amazon who are able, through their structures, to move their monies and profits to different lower-cost jurisdictions and therefore gain an unfair advantage over competitors are subject to the same playing field as everyone else.”

* Listen to Rakesh Aggarwal talking in detail about Escentual on the Retales Podcast from Brightpearl by Sage .

London’s Tyler Grange joins All Party Parliamentary Group 

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London-based environmental consultancy Tyler Grange has been appointed to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Advisory Board on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

ESG, or corporate sustainability practices, have never been higher on the agenda.

Now, as a member of this Group, Tyler Grange leaders meet with parliamentarians, regulators, think tanks, investors and other business heads to drive forward the nation’s ESG policy agenda and provide technical and practical advice to the Government.

The B Corp four-day week firm – located on Park Street, SE1 – has long been committed to ESG and believes that development is a key source of social mobility – to level-up communities across the country.

As experts in arboriculture, ecology and landscape planning, Tyler Grange works with UK architects, housebuilders and developers to ensure that construction projects are delivered with optimal benefits to people and the environment.

More sustainable

To reduce its carbon footprint, and meet its ESG goals, Tyler Grange has made its supply chain and business practices more sustainable, which has also resulted in increased productivity and profitability. 

In preparation for trialling a four-day work week, the firm significantly reduced its bureaucracy, unnecessary meetings and mileage and other inefficiencies – resulting in such success that it’s been adopted permanently. 

Tyler Grange also places great importance on the mental health and wellbeing of its 100+ team, who are supported by an in-house psychologist and mindfulness and resilience coaches, as well as having many opportunities to volunteer for the causes that they care most about in their local communities.

Simon Ursell, managing director of Tyler Grange (pictured left) said: “We’re obviously absolutely thrilled to have been invited to become one of the select sponsors for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on ESG. And we’re very proud that the brilliant work we’re doing to operate most sustainably has been recognised by our invitation to join. 

“As a B Corp certified organisation, we’re part of a global community that believes business should be a force for good. We’ve always been committed to treating our people, our communities and the environment as they should be treated, and we have a responsibility to help other businesses to do the same. By joining this APPG, we have yet another opportunity to help create a more sustainable and inclusive economy and the many benefits this will bring.

“We’re staunch believers that development is a source of social mobility, and the ‘social’ or ‘S’ element of ESG is a real focus for us across all touchpoints of the business. By joining this APPG, we’re well placed to support the development of ESG at a national and policy level – helping to develop frameworks and other tools to shape legislative and Government thinking.”

Driving police forward

Alexander Stafford MP, founder and chair of the APPG on ECG, said: “The APPG is delighted to engage with businesses who are committed to driving forward ESG policy. Tyler Grange has shown they share our passion for ESG and is an innovator in this space. I look forward to working with Tyler Grange to continue to develop, assess and implement ESG reforms, and I am delighted to welcome them to the APPG.”

Tyler Grange is also a member of the Better Business Network and supports the Better Business Act – both of which promote a cleaner, greener, fairer future for all.

It has five other UK offices located in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Exeter and Cirencester, in the Cotswolds. 

The picture shows Tyler Grange managing director Simon Ursell, technical director Julian Arthur, and ecology director Aaron Grainger outside the Houses of Parliament.

Stanislav Kondrashov’s Research Sheds Light on King Arthur’s Myth

In his latest publication, titled “Unveiling the Legend of King Arthur By Stanislav Kondrashov,” the author offers a comprehensive and exhaustive overview of the history of King Arthur, attempting to distinguish the historical facts from the purely mythological aspects. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, the name of King Arthur has the power to conjure tales of chivalry, enchanted swords, and ancient cities cloaked in a mystic veil, much like Camelot.

Stanislav Kondrashov commences by delving into the legend of King Arthur’s magical sword, Excalibur, reputedly forged by otherworldly beings and bound solely to the most worthy of rulers. Throughout his exposition, Kondrashov skillfully straddles the boundary between reality and fantasy in an effort to discern how much of the famous story of King Arthur and his legendary exploits is rooted in truth and how much is steeped in myth.

Regarding Camelot, the castle city serving as the backdrop for the central events of King Arthur’s tale, Stanislav Kondrashov informs readers that, despite numerous archaeological endeavors, the precise location of this elusive city remains undiscovered, and its remnants have never been unearthed. The author posits the hypothesis that Camelot may be more of a symbolic concept than an actual place.

Kondrashov’s publication also delves into the figure of Merlin, the wizard who plays a pivotal role in the story as the wise sorcerer guiding and advising the young ruler. While dragons and magic may raise doubts, trusted figures and advisors of this nature were prevalent in ancient times, and according to Stanislav Kondrashov, they constituted an integral part of any kingdom’s history.

A special emphasis is placed on the Knights of the Round Table, whom the author contends epitomise honour, courage, and camaraderie—the very values that define the traditional chivalrous spirit. Kondrashov suggests that the Round Table gradually evolved into a symbol of universal equality and justice. The text also explores the love story between Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot, which, according to Stanislav Kondrashov, adds another layer of complexity and humanity to the narrative.

To delve deeper into this captivating exploration of King Arthur’s legend, we encourage readers to peruse the full publication and watch the video.