Belstaff – A History of Adventure

4
min AUG 2019

From exploration, aviation and motorsport to catwalks across the world and a firm favourite among the great and good.

LITTLE may be known about Eli Belovitch and his son-in-law Harry Grosberg but their names will forever be linked to one of the most iconic clothing brands in history. For Belstaff, now owned by INEOS, owes its origins to those two men who set up a business in Stoke-on-Trent in 1924 – the same year that explorer George Mallory vanished on Mount Everest.

Had Mallory lived, he too would probably have become a fan of their waxed cotton, breathable, waterproof jackets. For although chiefly designed for motorcyclists, Belstaff quickly became the adventurers’ brand of choice. And it’s a label that stuck.

Pioneer Amy Johnson wore a Belstaff jacket when she became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930. Mountaineer Chris Bonington sported Belstaff gear when he made the first ascent of ‘The Ogre’, a steep, craggy and challenging 23,901ft peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range. And British Army officer Lawrence of Arabia’s tunic of choice was a Belstaff ‘colonial coat’.

In fact, over the past 95 years, Belstaff has kitted out some of the most daring people the world has ever seen, including Communist revolutionary Che Guevara who was shot dead by a soldier in Bolvia in 1967.

“Belstaff is, at its heart, a brand for those who want to push the limits,” said creative director Sean Lehnhardt-Moore.

The Trialmaster waxed-cotton jacket that Che Guevara – and others – wore is still made by Belstaff today.

When it was introduced, it was designed to survive the harsh weather and riding conditions of the Scottish Six Days Trial. First to put it to the test was 18-year-old Sammy Miller who went on to wear Belstaff in more than 1,000 races and has a line of jackets named in his honour.

But it is perhaps actor Steve McQueen who should be credited for widening Belstaff’s appeal.

He sported a Belstaff jacket in the classic, 1963 wartime film, The Great Escape and soon after it began to gain cult status among the rich and famous.

Today Belstaff jackets have been seen on the backs of Ewan McGregor, Kate Moss, Will Smith, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Hilary Swank.

And they have appeared in a host of Hollywood films including Mission: Impossible III, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wall Street 2, Harry Potter and The Half Prince, and Eastern Promises.

INEOS Chairman and Founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe said, when INEOS bought Belstaff in 2017, that he wanted to champion iconic, prestigious British brands.

“We have a lot in common,” he said. “We are British, we are entrepreneurial, straightforward, adventurous and most importantly, we are successful.”

Steve McQueen

An American actor nicknamed The King of Cool. His anti-hero persona developed at the height of the counter-culture of the 1960s and made him a top box-office draw during the sixties and seventies.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara

An Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, activist, guerrilla leader, diplomat and major figure of the Cuban Revolution.

Amelia Earhart

An American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Doreen Evans

One of the leading female racing drivers of the 1930s. Doreen Evans was the youngest child in a motor-racing family whose business, the Bellevue Garage in Wandsworth, was a leading MG agency.

Levison Wood

British Army officer and explorer, who was known for his extended walking expeditions in Africa, Asia and Central America.

David Beckham OBE

English former professional footballer, the current president of Inter Miami CF and
co-owner of Salford City.

Tracey Curtis-Taylor

British aviator who has organised and piloted multiple flight expeditions with historic aircraft across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and America.

Sir Ben Ainslie

One of the most successful sailors in Olympic history. He won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, including gold at the four Games held between 2000 and 2012.

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Egan Bernal takes Tour de France victory

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War on plastic waste

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Zero Pellet Loss

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INEOS is investing in a new research facility.jpg

INEOS is investing in a new research facility to develop the next generation of reusable plastics

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Altered carbon

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Welcome to The Kingdom

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VLEC – Very Large Ethane Carrier

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Super humans

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#No human is limited

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister achieved what many people had thought was near impossible. The then 25-year-old full-time medical student broke the four-minute mile at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, in the UK. It remains one of the most iconic events in the history of sport. Later this year, it will be Eliud Kipchoge’s turn. The greatest marathon runner of all time will be attempting to run 26.2 miles in under two hours. Many, again, believe it is impossible. But not INEOS. Nor Eliud. Both believe it can be done. And the stage is due to be set in October as part of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. “Eluid has got the great part to play,” said INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe. “We can just facilitate it. But however good we are at getting the details right, it’s still a super-human feat.” Eliud came close to making history in his first attempt when he clocked 2:00.25 in a specially-created event at Monza, Italy, in May 2017. “That was the proudest moment of my career,” he said. “To get another chance to break the magical two-hour mark is incredibly exciting. The secret is believing in myself that I can do it. And I always say that no human is limited and I know that it is possible for me to break this barrier.” The venue for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge will be Vienna at some point between the 12th and 20th October this year. The selection of Vienna as the location for Eliud Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 Challenge was the culmination of an extensive worldwide search that started with a map of the world and ended with a pinpoint in the Austrian capital. Vienna offers a perfectly flat looped circuit. A major marketing campaign will publicise the run and live coverage will be broadcasted across the world. Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to attend. In INEOS, Eluid believes he has found the perfect partner to match his vision and who can inspire him and his team, to show the world that no human is limited. “Eliud is the greatest-ever marathon runner and the only athlete in the world who has any chance of beating the two-hour time,” said Jim. “We are going to give him all our support and hopefully witness sporting history.” GRASSROOTS LEVEL: Two INEOS-backed initiatives to encourage children to be more active and healthy continue to take the world by storm. GO Run For Fun is now regularly hosting 2km races in seven countries. And at the last count, 302,388 children had crossed a finish line somewhere in the world. The initiative was launched in the UK in 2013 by INEOS Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe amid concerns about the growing obesity crisis among children. The Daily Mile, which was founded by former Scottish headteacher Elaine Wyllie in 2012, has also become a runaway success thanks to support from INEOS. From one school in Scotland, it is now being run every day in 8,888 schools and nurseries in 65 countries, including – for the first time – America. Nearly 2 million children around the world are running a daily mile.

3 min read

Flying the flag

They believe they may already have designed the boat that can win the 36th America's Cup. But with the race scheduled for March 2021, it is still too early to say and they know there is no room for complacency. "When we get to the race, we have to know that the team we have and the boat we have, cannot be built any better," said Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper and team principal of INEOS Team UK. David Carr, one of the sailors, said the team had now entered a new age of America’s Cup racing. “We are no longer floating,” he said. “We are flying.” The aim is to get their boat up in the air and out of the water for one simple reason. “Pushing a boat through water is harder than pushing it through air,” he said. Once airborne, the new AC75 boat can travel at 60mph – about four times faster than the speed of the wind. The boat will be relying on the same technology as an aircraft, using hydrofoils instead of wings to lift it out of the water. The secret is in the shape. “It is such a unique class of boat we are designing and it is a really big technical challenge,” said CEO Grant Simmer, who has won The America’s Cup four times. “We are really heading into unknown territory with this class of boat.” To test what will, what won’t and what might work, INEOS Team UK designed a 28ft boat, known as T5. “The great thing about the T5 was that we launched it really early so we have been able to learn a lot and quickly about this new style of boat,” said Grant. “And because it is a relatively small scale boat, we have been able to do things fairly economically.” Ben said the actual race boat would be unlike anything the world had ever seen before. “Every decision we make will really push the boundaries of innovation,” he said. “But we are not just building a boat. We are building a team.” That team of sailors is now complete. The 17 athletes are made up of ‘afterguards’ and ‘grinders’. The afterguards’ role is technical; they are not needed to power the boat. As such, they need to be lean and light – and watch their weight. The grinders are effectively the engines. They get to eat. A lot. Ben Williams, head of human performance, said the importance of recovery after arduous training sessions had also changed to reflect the new roles in the boat. The squad was recently issued with top of the range Specialized road bikes by INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, who is a keen cyclist himself. “Sitting on a bike in a gym can be quite monotonous and boring, so having access to a road bike where they can have a bit of fun and be out in the fresh air, is great,” said Ben. “The only difference is the grinders get to eat cake at the coffee stop.” GRASSROOTS LEVEL: Disadvantaged children are being given the chance to learn to sail for the first time – thanks to INEOS. The 1851 Trust, the official charity of INEOS Team UK, has been funding 10-week courses across the UK for children from inner-city schools. The Trust has also been helping to bring science and technology to life in the classrooms and has launched a free, digital education programme for 11 to 16-year-olds.

4 min read

Fortune Favours The Brave

Even though Team INEOS lost lead rider Chris Froome earlier this year to injury, the team still had one goal: to win this year's Tour de France. The team was unveiled as Team INEOS in May. At the launch Sir Dave Brailsford, the team’s principal, said INEOS' takeover from Sky heralded an exciting new beginning. "We have had a very successful team and we will be looking to maintain that," he said. "But we are looking to grow as well. This is about something new, something pioneering and building something bigger and better." The first race in the team’s new colours was the four-day Tour de Yorkshire, which Team INEOS went on to win. Chris Lawless finished off an incredible display of teamwork to clinch overall victory. “To repay INEOS like this, at a home race, is really special,” he said. The team are also now riding a brand new bike – the Pinarello Dogma F12 – deemed to be the hottest bike in the world. “It is an absolute weapon,” said a spokesman for the Global Cycling Network. GRASSROOTS LEVEL: IN 2017 INEOS was no longer happy to just watch the Tour de France from the sidelines. So it challenged its staff to match the miles covered by the real riders each day – and raise money for charity. By the end of the first Tour de France Challenge, more than 1,000 people – working in teams – had collectively cycled 324,393km. Last year they rode 400,000km – the equivalent of cycling 10 times around the Earth – bringing the total raised for charity to almost €100,000. This summer, 1,325 members of staff from Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, the US and the UK went even further. The 64 teams covered 625,387km, squeezing in their mileage before, during and after work. In 23 days INEOS’ cyclists burned more than 10 million calories as they scaled the equivalent of Mount Everest 323 times, losing almost 20,000 litres in sweat in the process. The winning team – nicknamed Team Cool Colonia – clocked up 25,449km. The men’s winner of the yellow jersey was Raymond Schmitt and Jodi Garner won the women’s vest.

3 min read

Fever Pitch

"It will be a magnificent stadium, especially for the players, the staff and the supporters," said Bob Ratcliffe, President and CEO. The new training centre, which INEOS believes is essential for the club and its success, is also currently under construction. INEOS bought the club, which then competed in Switzerland’s top football league, in November 2017. It has since been relegated, but INEOS remains confident that the club can claw its way back to the top. "We had hoped to do it in one year, but we didn’t quite achieve it," said Bob. "Like all fans, we were disappointed and frustrated, but opportunities exist and we will work on each of them." He said INEOS wanted to develop the club. "We are going to try new things and we will do things differently," he said. "All may not be successful but we will try. Again and again." GRASSROOTS LEVEL: Young African footballers will soon have the chance to develop their skills at a world-class facility in their own country. Two football academies will be built and operated. David Thompson, CEO INEOS Trading & Shipping, said the deals between INEOS and the Tanzanian and Rwandan Football Associations, had been inspired by INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe. “Jim thought young people deserved to have such an opportunity,” he said. Each academy will have at least three full-sized pitches, some five-a-side pitches, and a gym with medical facilities, classrooms, offices, a laundry, a kitchen, a dining room and accommodation for up to 96 students. The training will be aimed at the U15s, U17s and U19s with extra camps laid on for younger players during the holidays. David, who said negotiations were taking place with the Botswanan government for a possible third academy, said football would not be the only focus. “The concept is very much one of a three-pillar structure,” he said. “All students will be expected to continue with full-time education, and we will be providing advice and education regarding social and welfare issues including the importance of diet.”

3 min read

Belstaff – A History of Adventure

Belstaff has been synonymous with adventure ever since it was founded in 1924 by Harry Grosberg and his father-in-law Eli Belovitch, who traversed the globe in search of innovative technologies. And that label has stuck. LITTLE may be known about Eli Belovitch and his son-in-law Harry Grosberg but their names will forever be linked to one of the most iconic clothing brands in history. For Belstaff, now owned by INEOS, owes its origins to those two men who set up a business in Stoke-on-Trent in 1924 – the same year that explorer George Mallory vanished on Mount Everest. Had Mallory lived, he too would probably have become a fan of their waxed cotton, breathable, waterproof jackets. For although chiefly designed for motorcyclists, Belstaff quickly became the adventurers’ brand of choice. And it’s a label that stuck. Pioneer Amy Johnson wore a Belstaff jacket when she became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930. Mountaineer Chris Bonington sported Belstaff gear when he made the first ascent of ‘The Ogre’, a steep, craggy and challenging 23,901ft peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range. And British Army officer Lawrence of Arabia’s tunic of choice was a Belstaff ‘colonial coat’. In fact, over the past 95 years, Belstaff has kitted out some of the most daring people the world has ever seen, including Communist revolutionary Che Guevara who was shot dead by a soldier in Bolvia in 1967. “Belstaff is, at its heart, a brand for those who want to push the limits,” said creative director Sean Lehnhardt-Moore. The Trialmaster waxed-cotton jacket that Che Guevara – and others – wore is still made by Belstaff today. When it was introduced, it was designed to survive the harsh weather and riding conditions of the Scottish Six Days Trial. First to put it to the test was 18-year-old Sammy Miller who went on to wear Belstaff in more than 1,000 races and has a line of jackets named in his honour. But it is perhaps actor Steve McQueen who should be credited for widening Belstaff’s appeal. He sported a Belstaff jacket in the classic, 1963 wartime film, The Great Escape and soon after it began to gain cult status among the rich and famous. Today Belstaff jackets have been seen on the backs of Ewan McGregor, Kate Moss, Will Smith, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Hilary Swank. And they have appeared in a host of Hollywood films including Mission: Impossible III, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wall Street 2, Harry Potter and The Half Prince, and Eastern Promises. INEOS Chairman and Founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe said, when INEOS bought Belstaff in 2017, that he wanted to champion iconic, prestigious British brands. “We have a lot in common,” he said. “We are British, we are entrepreneurial, straightforward, adventurous and most importantly, we are successful.” Steve McQueen An American actor nicknamed The King of Cool. His anti-hero persona developed at the height of the counter-culture of the 1960s and made him a top box-office draw during the sixties and seventies.   Ernesto "Che" Guevara An Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, activist, guerrilla leader, diplomat and major figure of the Cuban Revolution.   Amelia Earhart An American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.   Doreen Evans One of the leading female racing drivers of the 1930s. Doreen Evans was the youngest child in a motor-racing family whose business, the Bellevue Garage in Wandsworth, was a leading MG agency.   Levison Wood British Army officer and explorer, who was known for his extended walking expeditions in Africa, Asia and Central America.   David Beckham OBE English former professional footballer, the current president of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City.   Tracey Curtis-Taylor British aviator who has organised and piloted multiple flight expeditions with historic aircraft across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and America.   Sir Ben Ainslie One of the most successful sailors in Olympic history. He won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, including gold at the four Games held between 2000 and 2012.

4 min read

Meet Refresh Refuel

It is investing in the iconic brand because it wants people to see the shops as more than just places to buy clothes. And in the UK - where Belstaff reopened its Spitalfields store in East London in February - it's not gone unnoticed. "Where other shops are closing down in bigger numbers than ever before, Belstaff are innovating and reopening left, right and centre," said Natasha Colyer, editor-in-chief of Seen in the City. The Spitalfields store has been modelled on Belstaff’s industrial heritage and now has a corner where customers can meet, refresh and refuel. “Customers can now enjoy a hot drink, or, if the mood takes them, something a little stronger, like a perfectly-mixed G&T,” said Belstaff’s creative director Sean Lehnhardt-Moore. But the Spitalfields store is just the first store to acquire the new-look. All of Belstaff’s stores, all over the world, will follow suit. In May Belstaff moved its flagship German store to 25 Residenzstrasse in Munich and opened Café@Belstaff on the first floor. The café itself has always been a destination, thanks to the incredible mural that features behind the bar. Café@Belstaff, which serves coffees, teas, German wines and beers and cocktails, is being run by the owners of Frank, a much-loved restaurant across the road.

2 min read

Brutal and brilliant

Brutal and brilliant is how one of the group described the In Nam 19 challenge. And we have to agree with him. Using a combination of hiking, mountain biking and running, INEOS graduates traversed the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Kaokaveld Wilderness areas of Northern Namibia. They passed over three ancient volcanic craters (calderas), climbed Namibia’s highest peak, conquered the unforgiving basalt lavas of the Ugab on foot, bridged two major ephemeral river systems in one 100km desert day and traversed the last frontier of the Big 3 – the Black Rhino, Desert Elephant and Dryland Lions of Africa. www.in-nam19.com Quotes There are no words for the stunning beauty of the sun-baked landscapes of the deserts of Namibia. And there are no words to describe the determination, true grit and positive energy shown by all the graduates. - Hans Casier, CEO INEOS Phenol Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Preparation is key. I learned to see past the struggle and focus on the sweetest bit of each day - a pint of beer in the knowledge that I had successfully completed that day’s challenge. - Davidson Ching, Process engineer (Asia Pacific) My teammates helped me realise that any extremely difficult task can be made easier, and maybe even fun, with the support of your team. - Cara Lauber, Process controls engineer, Chocolate Bayou, America I learned that even when times get tough – and they did in Namibia – the only feelings that remain are proudness, gratitude and joy about the accomplishments. - Benedikt Kannenberg, Safety engineer, INEOS O&P Europe North Teamwork is the most important thing. Alone you may go faster but as a group, you can go further. - Nicolas Monino, Optimisation & planning engineer, PetroINEOS, Lavera, France

4 min read

Ripple Effect

Youngsters are learning to sail for the first time and teachers are using lessons, learned by the world's most successful Olympic sailor, to inspire a love of science and technology. And it's all being done with INEOS' blessing and financial backing through the 1851 Trust, the official charity of INEOS Team UK, which will be aiming to become the first British team to win sailing’s most prized trophy for the first time in the competition's 168-year history. "We’re passionate about getting more young people out sailing who wouldn’t normally have the chance to try it," said Ben. “And thanks to INEOS' support, we’re able to take our programmes to more young people and make a bigger impact - both in the classroom and on the water.” The 1851 Trust and the team, who will be vying for victory, are based in Portsmouth, but the Trust’s educational programmes are spreading far and wide. The STEM Crew’s free online teaching resources, which are sponsored by INEOS, are helping high school teachers to bring science to life. More than 1,100 secondary schools throughout the UK and overseas are now using those resources to harness the excitement surrounding The America’s Cup to open their students’ eyes to the wide variety of opportunities in science and sport. With worldwide research showing how young women are regularly shunning careers in science, technology, engineering and maths, The 1851 Trust also runs roadshows specifically aimed at girls. But the excitement doesn’t end there. The 1851 Trust recently also launched 10-week programmes to give disadvantaged, inner-city youngsters, aged 11 to 16, the chance to sail for the first time. The INEOS Rebels Crew programme aims to develop the youngsters’ character and resilience as well as a passion for sailing. “Already 1,000 young people are taking part," said Ben Cartledge, CEO of The 1851 Trust. So far 45 schools have signed up to the programme, which is being rolled out across the UK. The programme runs in partnership with 12 flagship sailing centres, including locations near INEOS sites in Grangemouth, Hull, Runcorn and Seal Sands. Usman Muhammed, one of the instructors running the sessions in Birmingham, is passionate about INEOS Rebels Crew, having experienced the life-changing benefits of sailing first hand. “When I was at secondary school, I was very passive during lessons due to my difficult and stressful home life,” he said. “Once I was put in a mandatory after-school sailing club, however, this all changed. I began to gain confidence in myself, which played a pivotal role in my GCSE success.” And teachers rate the programme too. “It has been a fantastic experience for pupils and they are desperate to get back and give it another go," said Michael O’Donnell, a teacher at Bo’ness Academy in Falkirk, Scotland. “We’ve seen them develop new skills as well as improving their resilience and their confidence. I cannot thank INEOS enough for all that they have done to provide our young people with such a rewarding experience.” This year INEOS Rebels Crew will challenge 3,000 children to get active, learn to sail and be inspired by the sport.

4 min read

Don’t give up

Luke Wigman and Ibi Ali lined up with the children for the start of the races, which had been organised by INEOS GO Run For Fun and The Daily Mile charities. Earlier both men, whose lives and bodies had been shattered by war, had spoken briefly to the 2,500 children about the importance of perseverance, overcoming adversity and challenging yourself. That’s certainly what they did in 2017 when the two ambassadors for The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Loughborough completed seven marathons in seven days across seven continents. For the first time, schools signed up to The Daily Mile had also been invited so their pupils could run the 2km race in London. “The two initiatives have so far inspired over two million children throughout the world to get active,” said The Daily Mile founder Elaine Wyllie. This year’s event was hosted by GB athlete Jazmin Sawyers and former Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya. And performing on stage was The Voice Kids UK winner Jess Folley. “The kids loved it,” said Elaine. During the event, dubbed GO Run London, The Daily Mile Foundation announced a partnership with Imperial College London. The three-year research project, which is being supported by INEOS, will be delving deeper into the benefits of primary school children running or walking 15 minutes every day. Former Para Luke Wigman (second in from the left) suffered serious leg injuries in Afghanistan when he stepped on a bomb in 2011. The accident ended his military career but made him a stronger person. He went on to finish second in two of the world's most mentally and physically demanding marathons – at the North Pole and Antarctica. He has also represented Britain in the Invictus Games 2014 and 2016, twice winning the 1500m gold medal. Ibi Ali (far left) was a Captain in the British Army when he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007. Despite losing his right hand in the blast and sustaining injuries to his left hand and right leg, he continued to lead his men, and was later awarded the Military Cross. After treatment, he returned to the frontline 18 months later and continued to serve his country until 2013 when he left the Army to help raise money for Walking With The Wounded by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and skiing to the South Pole with Prince Harry and 12 other injured service personnel. Since then he has completed the much-vaunted Marathon des Sables in 2015 and earned medals at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016.

3 min read

Quick off the mark

Earlier this year, the Kenyan father-of-three visited a school in Oxford, UK, to run The Daily Mile with the children. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to ask him questions around footwear, nutrition, sleep and Eliud's passion for running. His visit to the John Henry Newman Academy, which has been running The Daily Mile since April 2018, came shortly after he had announced his INEOS-backed bid to become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours. The Daily Mile, which Eliud supports, is a simple initiative founded in 2012 by a Scottish headteacher who was worried about her unfit pupils. Today it is up and running in 65 countries, including America, which recently hired its first Daily Mile team member based in the INEOS O&P office in Houston, Texas. Currently, 122 American schools have signed up, but The Daily Mile Foundation is keen to recruit more and is working on other partnerships to help spread the word. Back in the UK, 250 children from 35 primary schools, all sporting Daily Mile T-shirts, took part in the London Marathon’s Westminster Mile. It was The Daily Mile’s third appearance in the race, which this year was started by founder Elaine Wyllie and athlete Mo Farah, who is also a Daily Mile ambassador. Research has shown that children, who run or walk The Daily Mile, are not only fitter, leaner, healthier and happier, but they are also more eager to learn when they return to their desks. Today about 1.8 million children from 8,600 schools all over the world now regularly run for 15 minutes every day – thanks, in part, to INEOS, which has helped to spread the word. “We know how important it is to encourage children to get fit and healthy and look after themselves, not just for today but for the years to come,” said INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe.

3 min read

The Brick Man

But Mark Cranston believes more treasures could be lurking within the perimeter fence that surrounds the petrochemical plant. "I have spent many hours searching around the Firth of Forth and INEOS' plant at Grangemouth but I'd love to explore the shoreline and river bank areas within the site itself," said Mark. But he’s not searching for gold; he's looking for bricks that helped to shape Scotland’s brick manufacturing industry. “The humble brick is very much underrated, underappreciated, undervalued and overlooked,” he said. “Yet it has had such a huge impact on Scotland’s economic, social and industrial history.” Over the past nine years he has amassed about 3,000 bricks, all of which he keeps in two converted stables in his garden. “The shoreline between the INEOS site and Bonnybridge is littered with old bricks covering many decades of brick manufacture,” he said. Many are fire bricks which Scotland exported all over the world due to their high quality. “Ship's captains and owners were keen to ship these orders because the loads doubled up as ballast to steady their ships on rough ocean voyages,” said Mark. “That’s also the reason why Scottish bricks have turned up in dozens of countries around the world.” The Falkirk area was the epicentre of fire brick production in Scotland. Many industrial sites, such as the Carron Iron Works, exploited fire clay seams and made bricks for themselves. “It is entirely possible that at some point INEOS’ Grangemouth refinery site did likewise, because they would, no doubt, have needed bricks,” he said. Among Mark’s collection is a brick from the doorway of the execution cell of Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow. He also has one that was recovered from the wreckage of SS Politician, whose sinking in February 1941 inspired the film Whisky Galore, and two others salvaged from a wreck off Hawaii. Mark’s short-term goal is to find, recover and record bricks made in Scotland. His long-term goal, though, is to create a Scottish national brick collection and data-base for future generations – and open a museum. “This is a huge story that deserves to be told,” he said. He already works with local individuals, heritage groups and archaeological societies, and liaises with brick collectors and academics from all over the world. And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2016 he received the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation’s Scottish Angel Heritage Award. “I was elated to receive that award for my endeavours,” he said. His wife Karen is also supportive and proud of what he has achieved so far, using his own money. “Sometimes he can spend up to 70 hours a week, travelling around Scotland in search of new examples, or on research,” she said. “But his collection is proving an invaluable, educational tool for people from all walks of life.”

3 min read

Help for heroes

"There is no better cause than to help those who were prepared to lay down their lives for their country," said INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe. "And you know when people come here with a trauma that their head is not in a very good place." Former corporal Andy Reid said the new wing - named INEOS Prosthetics Wing - would make a massive difference to wounded servicemen and women. "I know from my own experience how important it is to have the right facilities as well as the correct expertise to help people through their rehabilitation because the journey back from major injury is tough," he said. Andy was on a routine foot patrol in Afghanistan in 2009 when he stepped on a bomb. “I remember lying on my back,” he said. “I looked down and couldn’t see my legs. But straight away, I thought I am a survivor not a victim.” The former corporal, who also lost an arm, is now an ambassador for The Black Stork Charity, the organisation which developed the new centre. “This new wing has been purpose built to get guys out of their wheelchairs, get some legs on and get them walking,” he said. INEOS’ donation is thought to be one of the largest corporate gifts ever made. It builds on the incredible work of the late Duke of Westminster who came up with the idea of a rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen and women, with the potential for also helping NHS patients. The former member of The Territorial Army for 40 years led the £300 million fundraising drive, donating £70 million out of his own pocket, but sadly died in 2016. Late last year The Ministry of Defence took over full tenancy of the new centre, which has replaced the former rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Surrey. At the official handover ceremony, his son Hugh told guests: “My father was a man who liked to do things and get things done. It seems unjust and sad that he didn’t live to see his gift to the nation honoured and formalised. In a life full of projects, this was the one that meant the most to him.” Photograph provided courtesy of the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. This was used as part of their campaign to help raise awareness of their work nationally. 

3 min read

Marvellous Mavis

Her epic, 1,027-mile journey not only raised almost £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, but it also earned her a place in the Guinness Book of Records - and the respect of the world's greatest cycling team. Team INEOS, had sent Mavis a message of support via Twitter as they trained for this year's Tour de France. "We heard you were doing an even tougher challenge and we wanted to wish you good luck," said Wout Poels during a training ride in Tenerife with teammates Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome. "We believe in you, so smash them." INEOS had agreed to donate £10,000 to Mavis’ chosen charity after being inspired by her story. And during the race, Team INEOS was on hand to help if needed. Mavis was cycling in memory of her three adult children, Sandy, Katie and Bob, who died within four years of each other. All three were in their 40s. “It’s impossibly hard going from being part of a family of five to being alone,” she said. “But taking on challenges like this, keeps me going.” As she rode into John O’Groats, sporting the Team INEOS kit, she was clearly relieved it was all over. She had earlier told BBC Breakfast: “I wanted to give up so many times. It really has been so hard. I didn’t realise it was going to be so difficult.” She was full of praise for INEOS, which had also provided her with a replacement satnav for her bike so she did not get lost. “I just cannot thank INEOS enough for the support they have given us,” she said. “They’re wonderful.” If you would like to make a donation, please visit the link below and search Mavis Paterson: www.justgiving.com

2 min read

The Alternative Tour de France Challenge

Once again INEOS taken on its own Tour De France Challenge. As the main Tour hurtled across Belgium and France, 1325 INEOS employees around the world, organised into 64 teams, matched every kilometre on every day for three weeks. The teams that completed every stage stood to win €2000 Euro to donate to a local children’s charity of their choice. Many of the teams completed the challenge and many completed the challenge many times over. Here are some of the statistics: 625,387 km covered 15 x around the globe 1325 people in 64 teams 23 days Participants that: covered 50km+ 94% covered 100km+ 87% covered 500km+ 38% covered 1000km+ 11% 526,825 m Total elevation gain = 323 MOUNT EVEREST Challenge Stats Rides 21,168 Sweat 19,272 litres most km by 1 team in 1 day 2010 km avg speed 24 km/h avg distance 26.5 km Ride Time 1070 hours Winning Teams: Seal Sands Slipstreamers - Drawn from teams that completed every stage Team Cool Colonia - based on total km collected Energy 10,151,058 KCAL burned The winner of the INEOS internal team jersey competition is: Kurt De Keersmaeker from INEOS in Belgium €104,000 raised for charity from 52 of 64 teams completing the challenge

3 min read