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Twelve employees at total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International are delighted after qualifying as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA).

 

Delivered by St. John’s Ambulance, the two-day course saw all trainees achieving qualification and taught how to recognise the signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health issues and how to know how to effectively guide a person towards the right mental health support.

 

Oakland International Head of Talent Development Kate Hewitt commented: “We are delighted to confirm that our first group of MHFA trainees are now all fully qualified workplace mental health first aiders.

 

“Whilst we’d rather our employees didn’t experience mental health issues; we’re delighted to know our team are now trained and equipped to provide support when needed.”

 

The course covered factors that can affect wellbeing, how to spot the triggers and signs of mental illness, first aid, and the skills to create a positive mental health culture in the workplace, with the successful trainees awarded a level 3 Mental Health Workplace First Aider qualification, equivalent to an A Level.

 

A Certified B Corporation business and an equal opportunities employer, Oakland International is a specialist and a leader in direct to consumer, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering and brand development support for all types of food, servicing diverse markets across the UK and Ireland. They are also experts in saving food and non-food products from going to waste via their distress load management service and aiming to be the first business within their sector to reach net zero.

 

Group HR Director Nicola Harris added: “I would like to thank all our trainees for accepting our invitation to become a Mental Health First Aider as their willingness to participate and share their personal experiences, was humbling, and it’s now good to know we’re closer to our aim of having one MHFA on each shift, at each of our depots.”

 

It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas 2025, and as part of those plans, Pacific West has been reviewing the retailer ranges of Christmas delights, ready to inspire your festive feast planning.

The retailers had a pretty successful festive 2024 trading period, with M&S identified as the best performer, with sales +8.7% in the 13 weeks up to 28.12.24.

M&S is known for its premium quality and innovative products, which showcased a range of value added shellfish and “picky bits”. Here are some of our highlights from the M&S 2024 range, which included:

• Layered seafood towers served as starters
• Lots of Prawns – including a King Prawn medley with paprika sauce & harissa butter
• Mini Wholetail Breaded Scampi & Chips in little cones

Reviewing the other retailers, there was a lot of Smoked Salmon, upgraded Prawn cocktails and seafood platters.
Here are some of our favourites:

• Aldi – King Prawn Selection, with Prawn lollipops, Penang
  style butterfly Prawns and Filo Green Thai Prawns
• Tesco – King Prawn Selection, with spicy firecracker,
  lemon & herb and tempura coatings
• Waitrose – Shimmering Salmon mousse
• There were also festive Bao Buns with various fillings and
  fun looking bites across different categories and ranges

Download the full Festive Seafood Recommendations from Pacific Westfor 2025 – here

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Zeelo, a leading provider of smart and sustainable transportation services, has released its 2024 Annual Rider Survey results, highlighting the impact of its transportation solutions on employees and businesses. The survey demonstrates how reliable and efficient commutes are transforming workforce mobility across the UK, US, and Ireland.

In 2024, Zeelo riders collectively saved £38,685,235 annually and reclaimed 234 years in commute time, demonstrating the significant impact of transportation solutions on financial and personal well-being.

With over 13 million rides completed to date, Zeelo’s shuttles have become a critical tool for connecting employees to job opportunities while delivering measurable business results. The survey highlights significant outcomes in job retention, recruitment, and employee well-being:

● Riders save an average of £1,200 annually through Zeelo’s cost-efficient solution.

● 85% said the service saves them time daily, with riders gaining an average of 83 hours annually – equivalent to two full workweeks.

● 98% of riders agreed that the availability of Zeelo’s transportation was important for them getting to work.

For employers, these results translate to significant cost savings and productivity gains. Zeelo’s services reduce absenteeism, improve retention rates, and enable businesses to expand their recruitment catchment areas. By providing transportation as a benefit, companies can better compete in today’s challenging labour market while fostering employee loyalty and engagement.

“At Zeelo, we’ve always believed that transportation is about more than moving people – it’s about creating opportunities,” says Sam Ryan, CEO and Co-founder of Zeelo. “These insights reaffirm that when employers prioritise access and reliability in transportation as a benefit, they’re not just addressing logistical challenges – they’re fostering stronger, more resilient workforces and communities.”

Zeelo’s services have proven particularly impactful in underserved communities, where access to reliable transportation is a key barrier to economic opportunity. By addressing this challenge, Zeelo is not only improving individual outcomes but also driving systemic change in workforce mobility.

By optimising routes and leveraging smart technology, Zeelo has eliminated the equivalent of millions of cars from the road, contributing to significant reductions in carbon emissions.

Zeelo’s asset-light model, paired with its proprietary routing algorithm and rider apps, enables it to deliver scalable, efficient, and cost-effective transportation solutions across industries, including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate services. As businesses face ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, Zeelo’s fully managed programmes are a vital partner in overcoming workforce mobility barriers.

 

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched a new range of high quality, handmade tray cakes, providing customers who need an exceptional cake with a next level taste experience.

 

Created under the exclusive Enchanted Bakery brand, the range was developed following research that showed foodservice businesses wanted a tray cake that delivered a premium look and taste. The range is designed to offer a complete cake solution for customers.

 

Enchanted Bakery promises a magical experience delivering on its mission to bring happiness to the world, one slice at a time.  The initial range comprises six tray cakes, including a decadent Triple Chocolate Fudge cake, a classic Strawberry Victoria Sponge, a moist Banana Caramel & Malt cake, a zesty Dragonfruit & Lime cake, a perfectly spiced Carrot & Orange cake and a Sticky Rum & Raisin cake. Both the Carrot & Orange cake and the Sticky Rum & Raisin cake are suitable for vegans.

 

The range is delivered frozen in trays of 18 pre-cut portions, helping to minimise wastage and ensuring that caterers never run out of stock.

 

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive of Sysco GB, said: “Our new range of tray cakes delivers a second-to-none eating experience. It’s the best combination - a great looking cake that also tastes amazing. We’re confident this new range will become a fixture for customers looking to drive excitement and delivers a slice of happiness to their consumers.”