Founded by two brothers, Adam and Kristian Day, Insight Energy is a joint venture that aims to have a positive impact in the world.

As parents they often ask themselves what the future will be like for their children, and how they can make it better. This question was the inspiration for what they wanted to do.

Growing up and living in a world which is sustainable must be high on the agenda. So, they set out to combine their skills and passion to help accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Adam’s background is in mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (MEP). Kristian’s expertise is in marketing and sales.  During lockdown they researched opportunities in the renewable energy sector and Insight Energy was born. “I couldn’t do this without him, and he couldn’t do it without me!” says Kristian.

With everyone conscious of climate change, carbon footprint and renewable energy, Insight Energy’s holistic approach offers air and ground source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations to both domestic and commercial clients.

‘There’s a heightened awareness to save energy and resources, go green, be sustainable and reduce waste. With new-build homes, they will have solar panels to generate power, heat pumps to deliver low carbon heating, battery storage and an electric vehicle charging point to charge their cars.  Electric and hybrid cars are the future, they’re everywhere now, and they all need charging stations.  Solar panels are efficient and can generate income by feeding power into the national grid. And heat pumps offer a low carbon heating solution that can be four times as efficient as a traditional gas boiler.’

Kristian Day, Insight Energy  

Insight Energy aims to be accredited with The Carbon Trust, a sign that the company is committed to providing sustainable energy resources. Quality control, compliance and accreditation for all installations are vital elements of the company’s future success. The company has Trustmark, NAPIT, RECC and MCS certification, providing reassurance to residential and commercial customers.

After initially operating the business at their homes, Adam and Kristian decided a serviced office at Epsilon House was essential for growth.  With Masterlord’s rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations, the estate is already aligned with Insight Energy’s mission.

‘There’s a great business community at Epsilon House, with all the resources we need. Moving in was simplicity itself. We looked at a number of options, but Masterlord was by far the best. There’s a professional atmosphere, they have a good reputation and I can park my electric Mini right outside!’
Kristian Day, Insight Energy

Providing cleaning services for a major Amazon Prime thriller series, The Power, is one of Vivo Clean’s more unusual business contracts.  George Pennell was contacted by production company Sister
Pictures Power, which is shooting this summer in Bawdsey, Suffolk.  Cleaning is required seven days a week during the construction phase of the convent film set and throughout filming.  

The Power, based on Naomi Alderman’s prize-winning novel, stars Leslie Mann, Catastrophe star Rob Delaney and Tim Robbins from The Shawshank Redemption.  The series is set in a dystopian future where all teenage girls can electrocute people using just their hands. When the teenagers find they are able to awaken this power in older females as well, women across the world begin to seize power.  An everyday story of Suffolk, then: keep your eyes open! 

George Pennell seized the opportunity to explore setting up his own business when he was furloughed from his job in construction recruitment.  As lockdown ended, he created Vivo Group and moved into a new office at Epsilon House in June after a spell working from home using Masterlord’s virtual office  service.  

Now, he employs almost 25 cleaners covering everything from offices, schools, restaurants, factories and places of worship to residential end-of-tenancy or turnaround deep cleans and builders’ cleans.  “We add the sparkle after the work is done,” says George. 

‘As businesses rebuild, cleaning is a growth industry. Contract cleaning, along with property  maintenance and repairs, gives our clients a one-stop shop to look after their premises.  Often, our cleaners spot faults or damage onsite, so we alert the client and can offer a repair service too.  We’re on a mission to raise standards in the cleaning industry, and to support our customers as their needs change.’

George Pennell, Vivo Group

Vivo are already known for their consistency, as property owners rely on them to deliver immaculate  professional service with method statements, eco-friendly biodegradable products, and scrupulous hygiene.  Their 5-star Google reviews confirm their claims. 

George plans to grow organically, employing all his cleaners, encouraging teamwork and a sense of   belonging.  

‘Taking an office in Epsilon House was a natural progression in building the business. I started with a virtual office when I was working from home, but being part of the business community at Masterlord – with all the support they offer – is perfect for us.’

George Pennell, Vivo Group

For more information, visit their website or contact 01473 599500

Famous authors J K Rowling, Ernest Hemingway, Stephen King and Arthur Conan Doyle all created gripping stories, and all preferred to write their manuscripts using a fountain pen. 

Roy van den Brink-Budgen started collecting fine pens, starting with just five, before discovering that there was a business opportunity. He went on to found Izods and created an international business with clients in 38 countries, based at Epsilon House. With a background in the wine trade, he compares that business with pen collecting as both are filled with hugely passionate people. 

Fine fountain pens such as Montblanc – Roy’s specialty – are popular as graduation or special event gifts, lasting decades.  But it’s the collectors, from Indonesia and the Middle East to the USA, Peru and the UK, who drive the market, with some having pen collections worth millions. There are similarities between collecting pens and watches, according to Roy, but pens are more accessible.

‘There’s a real pleasure in ownership of a handmade fountain pen: the materials, craftsmanship, design and aesthetic are all important.  There are stories behind most of the pens, particularly Montblanc who create series of pens linked to famous authors, President Kennedy, even the Beatles.  Now I’ve created my own range of Izods Paradigm fountain pens, made in Italy of ebonite in five different colours, that are proving very successful.”    

Roy van den Brink-Budgen, Izods

A glance through the huge range of pens offered by Izods (izods.ink) is to enter a world of beautiful, hand-crafted writing implements.  Opening a specially designed box could reveal a Montblanc 149 Blue Hour Skeleton, one of their flagship pens.  Or a rare, beautiful 1950’s pen made of celluloid.  

Preloved pens are hugely popular, as there is a flourishing market. Roy is perfectly placed with his international connections to find exactly what a collector is looking for.  Seeking that special gift, a Montblanc Year of the Golden Dragon 2000 limited edition fountain pen could be yours for £2595. But there are also pens priced at less than £200 or a distinctive Izods Paradigm pen, which took 18 months to develop and has an 18k nib, for £400.

“Moving into a serviced office at Epsilon House after working from home introduced me to a business community like no other, with everything onsite.  I have friends who work at Epsilon House, and the package collection and delivery service at reception works perfectly for me.”

Roy van den Brink-Budgen

Find out more at izods.ink or on Instagram: @izods_pens. 

Contact Roy van den Brink-Budgen: hello@izods.ink or call 01473 935704 

Family business with a personal touch on property

For James and Emmelyn Cornish, running their successful family business is all about building relationships with property owners and tenants.  The two directors of Henry Rose Lettings and Sales are well known in the Ipswich area for their distinctive, personal service.  

James and his wife Emmelyn started in Epsilon House at Masterlord Office Village in 2012, later opening a high street location before deciding to work predominantly from home as the market changed. After all, with a phone and laptop, you can work from anywhere. They made use of the virtual office service at Epsilon House, where calls are answered in the company name and messages forwarded immediately by e-mail to be actioned. Epsilon House remained open throughout the pandemic, providing much needed resources for many businesses. 

“Our lettings business is busier than ever, with between 30 and 50 enquiries for each letting. There’s a shortage of properties in the Ipswich area. We decided to return to Epsilon House this year, with my brother-in-law Harry Baker joining the team. A serviced office and meeting rooms are perfect for what we need now.  It’s modern, clean and there are no maintenance worries. With the reception and postal services, everything we need is right here.”

James Cornish, Henry Rose Lettings

Personal recommendation and referrals are the secret of Henry Rose Lettings’ success, with 80% of their business being rental properties. The company advises landlords on suitable properties to buy, managing properties for maintenance, repairs and cleaning, plus electrical and gas checks, and energy efficiency ratings – all to ensure they are in compliance. 

Many landlords have a small portfolio, with some having only a single property. They are handled as efficiently as larger portfolios.  The company offers expert advice for HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) property management and licensing, where facilities are shared by multiple tenants and the requirements are more complex.  

“We give our tenants as much respect and attention as we give our landlords. It’s an important element of our business, which is built on personal reputation and service.”  

James Cornish

A life changing moment in Sonny Cooper-Sutton’s career arrived in August 2017. He decided to leave his job in London, stop commuting and set up his own recruitment business in Suffolk. He also got married just 15 days before starting the new business, and now has three children!

Red Sector Recruitment was a totally new venture with Sonny’s wife, Yasmin.  Now one of the fastest growing recruitment agencies in the UK, it has more than 15 consultants with over 50 years’ combined experience primarily in social care, nursing, veterinary and care work across the UK.   

The move to larger offices at Masterlord Office Village was a step change in diversifying and developing the business.  Specialist consultants in each market sector allow Red Sector to offer unique expertise for recruitment.  

There’s a positive, collaborative feel to Red Sector’s smart open-plan offices on Delta Terrace, where team members enjoy the supportive environment – and the banter.  They all headed off to Miami a couple of years ago on an annual trip in recognition of their achievements. 

“We work hard for everyone, whether it’s an employer or an individual looking to develop their career. Long-term relationships are the key to our success, built on a solid reputation, transparency and honesty.  Masterlord gives us room for expansion in a great business community, with everything on the doorstep.”

Sonny Cooper-Sutton, Red Sector Recruitment 

As a family-run business, diversification and controlled growth are the other elements in Red Sector’s success, recently expanding into criminal justice to provide probation officers and substance misuse specialists.  The company provides NHS and private nurses and mental health practitioners, social care, even vets heading to Australia. 

Red Sector, as an ‘off-contract’ agency, is regularly called in when resources are over-stretched and additional support is needed at short notice.  As with most businesses, the pandemic proved challenging, but remote working and out-of-hours access for clients and candidates saw them through. The team are now back in the office and working flat-out to cope with demand. 

So here we are, nearly six months into the year and a pathway out of lockdown in front of us.

There have been many changes around the building these past few months, not only are many familiar faces beginning to return there are also a lot of new ones.

We would like to welcome HPPN, a software company who have moved into the ground floor. Madfun have also made Masterlord their new home, providing products for outdoor fun, perfect for kids of all ages.

We’d like to welcome housing retrofit specialists, R&J  and cargo and freight disposal company, JS Global .

On the first floor, another recent arrival is freight and courier company Yes 2 Ship , land and property developers Christchurch Holland and Riva Commercial.

Up on the second floor, a warm welcome to Barr Personnel Ltd, food franchise company SB Group, customs clearance agents FC Logistics, and driving and industrial recruitment experts DS Recruitment.

It’s wonderful to welcome so many new faces to the building, made even better by welcoming back James and his team in Henry Rose Lettings  –  Joe and his team in Viking Logistics  – and our long-term maintenance resource, Spotless Surroundings.

Here’s to new faces, returning ones and the easing of restrictions.

While the world’s attention has been focused on coronavirus, Suffolk company Deben Diagnostics has seen huge market growth with In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) to identify and combat cholera, salmonella, shigella, influenza and meningitis. Screening infectious diseases worldwide is vital, as they continue to be an issue during the pandemic. 

From its recently expanded offices and distribution centre at Masterlord Office Village in Ipswich, Deben Diagnostics supplies and distributes laboratory consumables and test kits across the world, particularly to Africa, the Middle East and Far East.  

The company has a varied customer base supplying mainly through country exclusive stock holding distributors, and has direct sales to organizations such as Public Health England, The World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Red Cross, overseas ministries of health and non-governmental organizations.

From a family business started at home in September 2009 by directors Stephen and Julia Hembling, they have seen impressive growth and now supply more than 85 countries. It was soon clear they needed office premises as their testing kits were in high demand. With offices in Unit 4 Alpha Terrace, they added a distribution unit opposite, where they are currently assembling 600 cholera testing kits to be shipped to Ethiopia on 50 pallets.  

‘Masterlord has given us the flexibility to grow our business as needs change.  Adding the distribution unit close by is a real bonus.  We’re a small company trading across the world, so location and communications are important.  We’ve grown organically, the office village is the perfect environment for us.  Sadly, cholera and other diseases have not yet been defeated, but we’re playing our part in controlling them.’

Stephen Hembling, Deben Diagnostics

Last year, a shortage of reagents hit the news. It’s complex, as Stephen Hembling explains: 

‘Deben Diagnostics reagents are liquid products that contain specific agglutinin and are used for serotyping of, for example, Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139.  When these reagents are mixed with a V. cholerae strain which has antigens correspondent to the reagent, the antigen antibody reaction occurs to produce agglutination. This reaction is macroscopically observed to determine each serotype.’   We told you this was complex!

Deben Diagnostics are the only UK-based supplier of the Receptor Destroying Enzyme kit, which is used in the hemagglutination inhibition test for the influenza virus. The company’s branded products are recognised internationally.  

Regulations governing in vitro diagnostics are constantly changing, so keeping up is a challenge.  But Deben Diagnostics is now a leading supplier of cholera diagnostic kits.

Eat inside at the café, keep fit at the new studio or pamper yourself – all at Masterlord!

As the only office village in Suffolk with a café, fitness studio, beautician and unique child-care nursery onsite, we’re thrilled to let you know that Kings Coffee House is now welcoming customers to eat inside.

This week, the exciting new Fitology Studio opens its doors. You can also book beauty treatments or a massage with All About You at Epsilon House.  If you’re looking for child-care, then ABC Wonderland has room for more little ones in their unique family nursery with a curiosity approach at Unit 5, K-Line House.  Find out more at abcwonderland.co.uk

James and his Kings Coffee House team are ready to welcome you to their newly decorated seating areas inside, offering a delicious range of made-to-order salads and hot food, snacks, pastries, cakes and hot or cold drinks.  If you prefer takeaway, start the day with a bacon roll or pastry and a hot drink, or save time and call in advance to order lunch on 01473 237377.  Kings Coffee House is open 7.30am to 2.30pm weekdays.

Fitology Studio, now open at 9a Gamma Terrace has group classes to fit around your work commitments, with everything from Zumba and Pilates to high intensity interval training, aerobics, clubbercise and more.

See the full seven-day class schedule and more information here, where you can also sign up for classes and buy membership or choose pay-as-you-go.  Experienced fitness instructor Emma is happy to arrange a visit before you sign up: call 07786 656208.

Mental well-being goes hand-in-hand with exercise, so visit Fitology each week for classes designed to suit your fitness targets.  See you there!