Trades and Labour

Powering Net Zero: Workforce Strategies EventWednesday 18th March 2026 | Derby Conference Centre​Ganymede Solutions is proud to host Powering Net Zero: Workforce Strategies Event, a major Net Zero skills event at the Derby Conference Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026.This sustainability conference will bring together leading experts from the UK energy and utilities sector to explore one of the most urgent challenges of our time: how to achieve ambitious Net Zero targets while tackling a growing skills shortage.Delegates will hear about proven solutions for managing operational teams, how behavioural science and innovation can improve workforce performance, and practical steps to build the skilled, sustainable energy workforce our future demands.The Derby Conference Centre, home to Ganymede’s headquarters and a venue with recognised environmental accreditation, provides the perfect location for this important conversation.​Keynote Speakers at the Net Zero Skills Event​Jules Reed - Behavioural Scientist at Ganymede SolutionsThis talk will explore how organisations have successfully applied behavioural science to better understand human factors, support their operational workforce and enhance the customer experience. We will also discuss how behavioural science can shed light on the impact of change and growth on organisational culture, sharing proven methods to help leaders effectively understand and manage culture.Stephen Barrett - Director of Membership & Strategic Engagement at EU SkillsIn this session, Stephen will explore the critical energy and utilities skills required to achieve ambitious Net Zero targets and how the sector can build capacity at pace. He will outline practical workforce strategies to help organisations respond efficiently to growing demand, signposting key resources and industry frameworks that support long-term capability.Vardaan Shekhawat - Policy and Public Affairs Manager at ECITBVardaan takes on one of the industry’s biggest challenges: the need for around 400,000 additional workers by 2030 to hit Net Zero targets. In this session, he’ll share powerful strategies for planning and implementation, from sourcing and developing talent to retaining the critical skills needed to grow and future-proof operational workforces.Eddie Woods - Trustee at Silent Voices CharityEddie will shine a spotlight on mental health in the industry and the urgent need to reduce suicide across the UK, sharing practical ways the industry can support people on site and in the community. He will highlight how counselling, peer support and outreach can break the silence, and challenge leaders to make wellbeing a core part of workforce safety and performance.​Event Details​📍 Venue: The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby📅 Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026⏰ Time: 9:20 - 2:30, including complimentary refreshments and lunch​Who Should Attend This Net Zero and Sustainability Event?​This event is designed for:Business leaders in energy and utilitiesHR professionals and workforce plannersOperational managers and business improvement specialistsEngineers, Operatives, and ApprenticesAnyone passionate about Net Zero, sustainability, and the future of the UK energy industry​Why Attend the Powering Net Zero Event?​This unique Net Zero conference in Derby offers the chance to hear directly from industry leaders, share experiences, and gain practical strategies to take back to your organisation. Alongside expert talks, there will be valuable opportunities for networking and discussion with peers across the energy and utilities sector.Click here to register for your free place at the Derby Conference Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026, for the UK’s leading Net Zero skills event, run by Ganymede.

Spreading festive joy through Revive’s Secret Santa Appeal​Ganymede is delighted to share that the team has once again taken part in the Revive Healthy Living Centre Secret Santa Appeal. A group from Ganymede joined together to put together gifts for ten children from three families. Each child had created a personal wish list, and the team took great pleasure in matching those wishes with presents that will help make their Christmas feel a little brighter. ​The appeal supports children in Derby who are facing incredibly tough circumstances, so it remains a privilege for Ganymede to play a part in this effort. Referrals are still coming through to Revive even in December, and they are working tirelessly to reach as many children as possible. It is already clear that the number of children they will be supporting this year is set to be higher than ever.Thank you to everyone involved for their enthusiasm and generosity. Taking part in Secret Santa has become a tradition the team genuinely looks forward to, and this year has been no exception. A brilliant team effort, and a great way to begin the festive season.​​

Understanding the Upcoming Umbrella Company Legislation and Joint & Several Liability​​On 6 April 2026, new rules under the Finance Bill 2025-26, introduced through the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, will come into force, changing how responsibility for PAYE and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) is shared across labour supply chains. The legislation introduces joint and several liability, meaning that liability for unpaid tax can extend beyond the umbrella company to include recruitment agencies and, in some cases, end clients.​Implications for Agencies and ClientsWhile the legislation aims to raise standards and reduce non-compliance across the umbrella market, it represents a significant change in risk allocation. HMRC will have discretion to pursue any party in the chain, whether the umbrella, agency, or client, for unpaid PAYE and NICs. This creates a strong incentive for all parties to maintain oversight and ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.The position for clients is also important, as liability can extend to an end client if the umbrella company is engaged directly, or where the umbrella is engaged through a connected person. This might include a parent company, subsidiary, or another entity with shared ownership or control. In other words, liability may arise even where the contractual structure appears at first glance to sit elsewhere in the chain.​Ganymede’s ApproachAs an FCSA Recruiter Partner, Ganymede is working closely with its umbrella supply chain to maintain transparency and oversight. The focus is on due diligence, compliance monitoring, and collaboration across the supply chain to strengthen accountability. These measures are designed to ensure that all parties in the chain operate in line with the new legislation, helping to safeguard both Ganymede and our clients from potential exposure under the joint and several liability rules.​We have also sought the perspective of the FCSA to reflect the wider industry approach. Deb Murphy, Head of Operations at the FCSA, said:“Joint and several liability makes one thing absolutely clear, every link in the supply chain needs to be confident in who they are working with and how compliance is being managed.Using accredited providers is more important than ever, and FCSA Accreditation gives agencies and clients independent assurance that the umbrellas they engage meet the highest standards. In addition, tools like veriPAYE and Diligence Hub add an extra layer of transparency, allowing agencies to evidence payslip compliance, review financial stability, and maintain clear oversight. Strong partnerships, open communication, and consistently checking the basics will make all the difference as the new rules come into force.”This reinforces the importance of awareness across the supply chain and careful preparation ahead of the new legislation.​More information on the draft legislation can be found here.

​​The Winter 2025 edition of Safety First, Ganymede’s quarterly safety newsletter is now available to read.​In this edition we focus on:​Spotlight on Safety Lessons LearntProtecting Rail Workers from Industrial DiseasesClose callsNetwork Rail Life Saving RulesWinterisation: Be Prepared, Stay Safe​Key messagesSentinel Logbook - Quick guide to the new processDeclaration of Secondary EmploymentSubcontractor Forum​Read the Winter 2025 Safety First Newsletter here​As always, we trust you will find the newsletter useful and engaging. If you have any questions or feedback after reading this edition of Safety First, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below.​​​

​Ganymede Proud to Support Never Mind The Gap 2025​At Ganymede, we are passionate about creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to thrive in the rail industry. As a leading provider of labour and recruitment services within the rail sector, we believe in the power of diversity and know that women can make a significant impact in shaping the future of rail. That is why we are proud to support Never Mind The Gap 2025, an inspiring initiative designed to attract more women into the industry. Together with our partners Women in Rail, Alstom, London North Eastern Railway, Network Rail and Northern we are helping to create pathways into rail for women from all walks of life. ​What is Never Mind The Gap 2025? Taking place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 October 2025, the programme offers women the chance to experience what it is really like to work in rail. Through work placements with leading organisations, participants will gain valuable insight into the sector and see first hand just how rewarding a career in rail can be. Never Mind The Gap is open to women from all walks of life, whether you have been made redundant, taken a career break, or are simply looking for a fresh start. This is a unique opportunity to build confidence, explore transferrable skills, and discover how you can make a real impact in one of the UK’s most vital industries. ​Why Ganymede Supports Never Mind The Gap At Ganymede, diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility are core values. We are committed to building a more inclusive workplace by engaging with communities and working alongside partners across the rail industry, from consultancies to train operators. Through Never Mind The Gap we can actively promote inclusivity and highlight the opportunities available in rail to those who may not have previously considered it. ​When and Where Locations: Newcastle | Leeds | Derby Dates: 13 to 17 October 2025 Click here to apply ​Building a More Inclusive Future Together with our partners we are working to close the gender gap and ensure the rail industry continues to grow with diverse talent at its heart. ​Participant Testimonial​A past participant from 2024, Serena Woodcock, shared her experience:"I joined this programme after being a stay-at-home mum for 10 years. I was eager to get back to work, but anxious that the gap in employment would be a barrier. This course has been invaluable to me; it has provided me with the confidence to progress in my job searches and has me looking forward to a potential career in rail."