Business & Technology
Foxway Circular UK wins King’s Award for SMART software
Foxway Circular UK has won a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its SMART software platform, placing it among 185 organisations recognised nationally.
SMART is a cloud-based system for managing Microsoft Windows licensing on refurbished technology devices. It automates licence injection and device preparation, allowing refurbishers to prepare machines without complex infrastructure while meeting Microsoft Out-of-Box Experience standards.
The award highlights a longstanding challenge in the secondary technology market. Companies refurbishing used computers and other devices must ensure software is legitimate, secure and consistent before resale to corporate and public sector buyers. Licensing has been a particular hurdle, as buyers want refurbished machines to arrive ready to use and compliant with requirements.
Launched in 2022, SMART is now used by more than 800 refurbishers in over 50 countries. Its users range from smaller independent operators to global IT asset disposition providers, reflecting broad demand for systems that support higher volumes of refurbished hardware.
The platform operates within the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher market, where approved participants need access to valid digital licensing as part of the refurbishment process. In that environment, software handling has become central for companies trying to scale used-device resale while avoiding compliance failures.
Market pressure
Demand for refurbished technology has grown as organisations look to cut costs and reduce waste from short device replacement cycles. Businesses are also under pressure to show progress against environmental targets by extending hardware lifespans and limiting landfill disposal, while still meeting internal standards for security and reliability.
That has created an opportunity for service providers that make refurbished equipment easier to buy and deploy. For sellers of second-life hardware, a key commercial challenge is offering devices with certification, warranty cover and a condition that meets buyer expectations for workplace use.
Foxway argues that SMART helps refurbishers build trust by standardising part of the preparation process. It linked the award to the wider role of refurbishment in the circular economy, where the commercial value of used devices depends on whether they can be returned to service in a compliant way.
Martin Series described the company’s view of the award and the market need behind SMART.
“This is a significant milestone for Foxway Circular UK Ltd and the teams behind SMART. SMART was designed to remove complexity and enable refurbishers to operate with confidence, compliance and scale. As demand for refurbished technology grows, this kind of infrastructure is essential to building trust and unlocking the full potential of the circular IT market,” said Martin Series, Senior Director, Global Solutions, Foxway Circular UK Ltd.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are among the UK’s best-known business honours, recognising achievement across categories including innovation. For Foxway, the award gives public recognition to a software product rather than its core hardware refurbishment activity alone, underscoring how the resale market increasingly depends on process and software as much as logistics and repair.
Refurbishment focus
The circular IT market has expanded beyond simple resale of used machines. Larger buyers now often expect traceability, standard configuration and assurance that products have been restored to a defined specification before purchase. That has increased the importance of platforms that create repeatable workflows for fleets of devices.
In practice, that matters for IT asset disposition companies and channel partners handling retired corporate equipment at volume. If those operators can process machines more consistently, they can return stock to the market faster and reduce the risk that usable devices are scrapped because software preparation is too slow or uncertain.
Foxway said SMART was built around those operational issues. Ben Daniels said the award recognised not just the business but also the firms using the system in day-to-day refurbishment work.
“This award means a lot, not just to us here at Foxway, but to all the refurbishers we work with every day. SMART was built around the challenges they face, so to see that recognised at this level feels like a win for the whole refurbishment community,” said Daniels.
Jayden, 13 launched Jay’s Bakes from his home in Taunton Road in Bicester on Saturday, June 20.
His late nan, a keen baker herself, was the inspiration behind his passion, as well as time spent helping his uncle with his catering business.
Over the last 18 months he has honed his skills by preparing sweat treats every day after school.
READ MORE: Bicester Village open late for outdoor England World Cup screenings
Determined to turn his hobby into something more, Jayden spent two and a half months researching requirements, gaining his Level 2 food hygiene certificate and officially registering his business, mostly without adult intervention.
After four days of preparation, the business officially launched.
Customers were treated to a wide selection of homemade goods, including M&M cookies, Kinder brownies, Biscoff cookies, Victoria sponge trays, lemon drizzle cups and viral ‘dot cakes’.
READ MORE: Heatwave: safest spots to cool off in Oxfordshire
His Kinder brownies proved particularly popular, and by the end of the day he had sold out of everything, taking £210.
Despite feeling “excited and a bit nervous” beforehand, Jayden said the opening was a success, with a strong turnout and positive feedback shared on social media.
His favourite moment came when he officially opened the shed by cutting the ribbon.
Supported by his mum, stepdad, grandparents and uncle, Jayden first began selling from a table in May before building and painting his now-signature blue cake shed.
He now plans to continue baking and selling regularly, bringing his creations to the local community.
Lidl has been given planning permission to build its ninth supermarket in Oxfordshire, despite concerns over flooding.
Aldi opened in Didcot in 2015 and has a supermarket at the Jubilee Way roundabout but shoppers in the town have had to wait over a decade for Lidl to follow.
READ MORE: Popular hi-fi shop has closed down
South Oxfordshire District Council has now backed plans by the German retailer for a new supermarket in Abingdon Road.
Former Didcot mayor Mocky Khan said: “This give the residents of Didcot more choice, especially when you consider the cost of living environment we have at the moment.
“The town is growing with more new homes being built, and with more growth it’s good to have a wide variety of supermarkets to fit all budgets,”
The plans for the new supermarket were first submitted in 2024.
Didcot Town Council previously objected to the scheme, on the grounds of a lack of flood risk mitigation measures, along with the county council who said there was “insufficient information”.
The town council noted there are “several flooding incidents in the area, especially when the Marsh Bridge water pumps fail”.
But in a report by planning officers granting permission to the supermarket, those issues have now been addressed by Lidl.
The officers said the proposals “largely accord” with the policies around planning, and more can be done to “break up” the car park with greenery.
Planning officers chose to let Lidl build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
They said in a report: “Balanced against this policy conflict is the fact that this is a previously developed site, which is currently in a dilapidated state.
“The proposals represent a significant improvement on the current underutilisation of the site and on its appearance.
“The National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan set out significant support for the reuse of previously developed land.
“As stated in the applicant’s planning statement, there have been previous enquiries as to the redevelopment of the site that have not come to fruition.
“Given this, finding a viable use for the site is a clear benefit which I consider to be of substantial benefit.”
Thirty-four residents had objected to Lidl’s plans, highlighting concerns over extra traffic, there being no need for another supermarket in the town and there being more appropriate locations to build in their view.
Didcot already has an Aldi store just off Broadway and a Sainsbury’s, M&S Foodhall and Asda.
The nearest Lidl to the proposed site are in Lupton Road, Wallingford, and Marcham Road in Abingdon.
Three people wrote in to support the new Lidl, recognising the benefits of a discount food store and the further jobs it will create.
Lidl has said its proposals for a Didcot supermarket would deliver 40 full-time equivalent jobs as well as further employment during the construction phase.
No opening date was given by the retailer, while the developer is currently on site progressing with the enabling works.
A spokesman said: “We’ve seen demand for our affordable, high-quality products continue to rise in Oxfordshire, and we are committed to serving more communities in the area.
“Our new store will create around 40 new jobs and build on our continued growth.
“We’re excited to be a step closer to opening this store and thank everyone who has supported us on our journey so far.”
It also said the £12m investment would work with the 6,300 new homes allocated to be built, as per the local plan.
Dalcour Maclaren, a specialist in utilities and infrastructure, announced the news on June 22, following a detailed assessment of its operations, including governance, employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Dalcour Maclaren.
“B Corp status gives us the official badge that recognises everything that matters most to us in our culture, our values, and how we make decisions for our people and our clients. We thrive on doing things differently at DM and B Corp absolutely endorses this.”
The certification means the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Dalcour Maclaren now joins more than 10,000 B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, including well-known names such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, and The Big Issue.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Dalcour Maclaren to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”
Dalcour Maclaren operates across the UK and Ireland, supporting major projects in energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. The company’s services include land, planning, environment, stakeholder engagement, and geospatial services.
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoJeremy Clarkson hits back with sweary response over BGT backlash
-
Student Life4 weeks agoTransgender rights protest in central Oxford following updated EHRC guidance
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoPhotos as 1979 Pontiac Firebird ‘bursts in flames’ at Tesco
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoLaw firm Roythornes Solicitors opens Abingdon office
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoJeremy Clarkson reveals new Clarkson’s Farm surprise guest stars
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoFlex Health Hub officially opens at Milton Park Oxfordshire
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoOxford firm wins major backing for fin-based tidal power
-
UK News3 weeks agoTwo arrests and three police officers injured in protest at asylum hotel