79 new eco friendly, cash free, vending machines installed by Northern at 51 Stations across the North of England

TRAIN operator, Northern has teamed up with Decorum Vending to install 79 new vending machines at 51 locations across its network, offering customers a choice of top quality, well known brands.

The new vending machines offer a range of products, including:- low sugar and healthy alternatives, for customers who want to grab a snack:- 'on the go,' whilst travelling across the North of England.

The machines are all cash free, which helps deter vandalism and means customers can purchase items contactless via their bank card or smart phone.

Northern's decision to partner with Decorum was led by the vending operator's commitment to sustainability.

Their vending machines operate using low energy technology, they use considered waste disposal and they are soon to introduce a hybrid fleet of maintenance vehicles.

The new vending machines have been well received by customers, with the units at:- Manchester Victoria and Manchester Oxford Road Stations some of the highest grossing machines in operation by Decorum on the UK rail network.

Additional units are set to be installed at Harrogate and Manchester Victoria with a further 34 locations identified for more vending machines in 2023.

Mark Powles, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said:- "We have worked closely with Decorum to offer our customers the optimum mix of products to suit all tastes. These new machines form an important part of our work to improve the customer experience for our passengers. The income Northern receives from the sale of products in these machines is reinvested into our on going programme of improvement works across trains and Stations."

The new machines are located at:- Alnmouth, Altrincham, Ashton Under Lyne, Barnsley, Beverley, Bingley, Birchwood, Bolton, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bradford Forster Square, Bradford Interchange, Bridlington, Broad Green, Buxton, Cheadle Hulme, Chorley, Earlestown, Garforth, Glossop, Goole, Guiseley, Harrogate, Hartlepool, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, Hebden Bridge, Hexham, Ilkley, Keighley, Kirkham and Wesham, Knutsford, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria, Meadowhall, Menston, New Pudsey, Redcar, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford Crescent, Shipley, Skipton, St Helens Central, Sunderland, Todmordon, Warrington Central, Wigan Wallgate, Wilmslow, Workington and Worksop.

Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 Stations across the North of England.
 

Ukrainian student defies Russian invasion to join ranks of ADIT graduates

A Ukrainian tax professional is among those to secure a prestigious international tax qualification, less than a year after Russia's invasion of the country. Vlad Kupriienko, a senior associate for PwC Ukraine in Kyiv, graduated from the ADIT (Advanced Diploma in International Taxation) following exams in December. He was 1 of the 570 students to sit 609 online exams, despite his preparation being thrown into turmoil by the invasion in February 2022. Vlad, 27, was visiting his mother in law in the Dnipro Region at the time and was due to return home to Kyiv on the day of the invasion. Instead, the couple stayed for several months, with the Region subject to numerous missile attacks from Russian forces. Vlad said:- "She lives there alone, not far from a combat zone. In early months of the war, it was unclear how the events would unfold, so we couldn't leave her for quite long. A large part of my family, including parents, currently lives in Sevastopol. It was autumn 2021 when I saw them last time, and I can't say how soon I'll be able to see them again. It has definitely been mentally difficult for everyone. Now almost everyone in Ukraine lives with regular missile shelling and electricity outages; yet, of course, totally unmatched to what it's like at the front line."

When the couple were able to return home, they still found regular reminders of the war in Kyiv.  Vlad added:- "We live not far from a power plant which is regularly targeted. 1 day missile debris landed in the children's playground nearby our house. So, however far you seem to be from the war, you never really are. Being neither a combatant nor internally displaced person, I've never had 'direct touch' with the war. However, it is just a constant feeling that something has unequivocally changed, that there is no turning back to the previous life. Yet Ukrainians have become stronger, more matured, determined and united than ever before. I think people are now rethinking their existence and just try to live in the moment and value simple, ordinary things."

Despite the ongoing turmoil, Vlad continued to study, putting in many hours of extra preparation for his exams in December 2022. The hard work paid off when he received his results last week, but Vlad says he is not done yet. He now intends to join the Chartered Institute of Taxation as an International Tax Affiliate and is considering studying for further qualifications to expand his professional services repertoire. Vlad commented:- "I certainly consider it a great accomplishment. I remember vividly hearing about the ADIT qualification for the 1st time and I thought I would consider it as a personal triumph if I managed to complete the full set. I feel grateful. To live on and take exams can now be considered a luxury that few can afford."

In December's exams, a total of 377 students passed at least 1 exam, with 73 students, including Vlad, joining the growing ranks of ADIT graduates by successfully completing their 3rd ADIT module. 11 students also achieved the distinction grade for excellence in their exams. The ADIT qualification is now held by 1,762 tax practitioners in 86 countries and territories around the world, including more than 300 who have chosen to subscribe with the CIOT, as International Tax Affiliates. CIOT President Susan Ball said:- "The ADIT exams are not easy, so to attain the full qualification amid the continued turmoil we are seeing in Ukraine is a hugely impressive achievement. On behalf of the CIOT, I extended warm congratulations to Vlad and the many other ADIT students around the world who have passed their latest exams. Any professional who attains the full qualification should feel extremely proud of their achievement, while students who still have exams left to sit can mark their progress through a range of standalone and modular certificates that recognise partial achievement of the qualification. We continue to be impressed by the international tax knowledge and skills demonstrated by our students. It is truly inspiring to witness their achievements, and we look forward to welcoming the latest group of graduates to our next ADIT Awards Ceremony."

The following candidates will also receive awards for their achievements in the exams:-

►  Matthew Birchall of Macclesfield, United Kingdom, who is employed by HMRC in Salford, is awarded the Heather Self Medal for the best overall performance in Module 1 Principles of International Taxation.

►  Chia Chiang Tan of London, United Kingdom, is awarded the Raymond Kelly Medal for the best overall performance in Module 2.09 United Kingdom option.

►  Scott Huxford of Gerrards Cross, United Kingdom, who is employed by HMRC in London, is awarded the Tom O'Shea Prize for the best overall performance in Module 3.01 EU Direct Tax option.

►  Priyanka Dhamotharan of Chennai, India, is awarded the Croner i Prize for the best overall performance in Module 3.03 Transfer Pricing option.

►  Mashaal Amir Khan of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, who is employed by Deloitte in Dubai and sat Module 3.02 EU VAT option, is awarded the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers Prize for the highest mark in Module 3 (All other options).