In Brief

WELSH plant baker Brace’s is offering free basic skills training to employees in subjects such as reading, writing, arithmetic and computer training.

A FUND-RAISING poster for National Doughnut Week has been put up on the wall of Eastenders’ Ian Beale’s cafe.

Warburtons’ Ross Warburton has been appointed deputy chairman of salads and readymeals supplier Uniq.

Gastropub diners in Kent now have a wider choice of breads as TV baker Paul Hollywood has started supplying a range of 12 varieties to The Dog Inn, Wingham. The breads include pumpkin and poppyseed, date and walnut, and potato and herb focaccia, as well as onion bread.

Caterer Compass saw half-year profits fall more than 9% in the six months to 31 March. Pre-tax profits for the period fell to £184m from £203m a year earlier, although turnover jumped from £5.14bn to £5.7bn. It spent £4m during the period dealing with investigations into allegations it improperly obtained information about rival bids for contracts to supply meals to UN peacekeepers.

Stewart Foil, which manufactures aluminium foil containers and lidding at its factory in Blanchardstown, Dublin, has been awarded the BRC’s Institute of Packaging certification, one of only five companies in Ireland to achieve the accreditation. MD Des Gall says the award is already opening up the possibilities for export business, with negotiations underway with several large UK companies.