FEBRUARY 2020 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Arrive in styleA hotbed for engineeringStriking a balance 01.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 14:48 Page 1RaiseaboatloadforRainbows! Sunday2August2020-RiverTrent,VictoriaEmbankment Afabulousdayoffun,musicandentertainmentforallthefamily Actnow! Enterateamtoday! Tel01780470718-Entryformandconditionsoverleaf-Nopreviousexperienceneeded 02.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 14:49 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES So, to hear it now Brexit has finally happened. It is done. It doesn’t feel done what with no real explanations of what we can expect after or how we’ll accrue our trade deals, but the Government is declaring it done, so it must be. Right? Already, the invites to conferences discussing how Brexit will impact your company are likely flowing in. Perhaps you’ve signed up to a few or are waiting to see what happens when the dust settles. Companies dealing with import and export will obviously have already spoken with solicitors and experts to have their affairs in order. With little desire to indulge in jingoism, this admittedly will be the start of a new chapter for the United Kingdom. There’s no telling yet what it will entail – certainly not with how cagey the Government is being about it – but it has ever been and will ever be the responsibility of business owners to look after and protect their own. And make no mistake, the UK will need to become more competitive to thrive. Our region will have a part to play in that, but with so much for the Government to do and their tendency to focus on the south well-known, we shall have to look out for ourselves. Thankfully, this is something we have been doing for the last few years now, so at least we shall all be experienced by now, hm? Keep your eyes on our news sections and take in any and all advice you can. Even if Brexit turns out to impact the region’s economy negatively, there is still opportunity to be had for those that can either rise above it or take advantage of the chaos to further their own business goals. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 14:51 Page 1ContentsFebruary 2020 LATEST NEWS 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region BRICKS 202010 East Midlands Business Link Bricks Award 2019 are now open for entries. The awards are a chance to recognise and celebrate the region’s top projects, as well as the teams behind them. 2020 BUSINESS REDICTIONS12 It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. ENGINEERING16 The East Midlands holds a long tradition of engineering expertise, with large and small firms committing to the region and universities consistently investing to boost the industry. BUSINESS SCENE 20 The first Directors Lunch of the year was a great way to kick off the corporate calendar, bringing together decision makers from businesses across the East Midlands. NETWORKING 22 2020 Vision. By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. CORPORATE HOSPITALITY 24 From escape rooms to obstacle courses, there are a wide variety of team building activities across the region that will boost employee morale, communication, productivity and more. PRINTING & PACKAGING27 The printing and packaging sector is having to balance environmental efforts alongside the need for high-quality products that can compete in ever more competitive marketplaces. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 30 A promising pipeline of commercial property across a wide range of innovative sectors sees the East Midlands retains its place as the foremost region to live, work and invest. PUBLIC RELATIONS 34 Make the media fall in love with you this Valentine’s Day. By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham. TRAVEL AND LEISURE36 Business travel is a booming industry, but what are the reasons behind this? TRAINING AND APPRENTICE 39 The skills gap looming over the country has reached the East Midlands, presenting employers with the challenge of finding suitable staff to fill the positions available. • Manufacturing Growth Programme TAX 42 Read All About It: Accountants Urge VAT Caution. By Gerry Myton, Indirect Tax Partner at Streets Myton Mulholland Tax Advisory LLP, the specialist tax advisory arm of Streets Chartered Accountants. MEET THE EXPERTS 44 There’s a wealth of industrial sectors across the East Midlands from its pedigree in manufacturing and construction to emerging fields such as cloud computing and game development. AUTOLINK46 If you need a new car, or you just like motors, read on to see what we’ve been driving since our last issue. • Bentley Continental GT Convertible OUT OF OFFICE54 All the leisure sector news from the last month EVENTS56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands AND FINALLY...58 50 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 14:52 Page 124 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Journalists Dominic Cuthbert d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk Tess Egginton t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk Sales Director Angela Cooper a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman accounts@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson studio@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310304 E-Mail: eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.uk Publisher Haychart Ltd, t/a Business Link Magazine Group, Huntingdon House, 278-290 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham NG1 3LY All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. @BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands COVER PHOTOS: • AUTOHOLIC SHUTTERSTOCK.COM • CHAOSAMRAN_STUDIO • IVANKO80 • RAWPIXEL.COM • DMYTO FEBRUARY 2020 EAST MIDLANDS LE £3.50 EADING BUSINESS MAGAZZINE Arrive in styleA hotbed for enStrikinngineeringng a balance wwww.blmgroup.co.uk 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 14:53 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Lincoln company secures over £6m in export orders to India Greenray Turbine Solutions, a Siemens advance partner, has secured over £6 million pounds in UK export orders to an Indian national oil company in the last 6 months. These orders are for a mix of UK manufactured parts and field service work carried out by UK engineers. Since receiving Enact investment, Greenray has focussed on re-establishing its export business into a number of overseas jurisdictions. Chris Hughes, CEO, says: “It’s been an interesting time since Enact invested in the company last year, but getting focused on our people, their skills and the capabilities of the company as a whole has resulted in our orderbook growing to over £10m. This shows the confidence our customers have in the business and the staff that work here.” Dale Atkins from the Department of International Trade says: “DIT in the East Midlands, have worked with Greenray Turbines for some years now supporting development of overseas markets and assisting with the companies wider export strategy. “This includes DIT support in the UK, but also utilising the wider network of services based in overseas Embassies, Consulates and other overseas partners where needed. The development of export markets in emerging regions is key to the success of UK export growth, and DIT are pleased to have assisted Greenray in their successful closure of key contracts in India ensuring growth for the Lincoln based workforce.” Enact Fund II, invests transformational capital of up to £5 million into UK based SMEs that have a robust business model but are facing capital constraints, strategic challenges or operational issues. Hortons attracts private equity investment Hortons, the estate agency start up established in 2016 by Leicester- based entrepreneur, Adam Horton, has received a substantial six figure investment from Dunelm Partners, a private investment syndicate, with one of the firm’s founding partners, James Johnson, taking a seat on the Mr Johnson is a former Partner in Clifford Chance LLP, and was previously a director of Leicester City FC, having been one of the five people who set up the Lineker consortium to rescue the club from administration in 2003. Hortons’ head office is in Loughborough and the company currently covers Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Hortons plans to use the investment to build their team of agents across the East Midlands, but have their sights set on achieving national coverage within the next few years. “The phrase ‘people buy from people’ is at the centre of our brand,” says founder, Adam. “We’re building a community of experienced estate agents, who are all self-employed. Hortons helps them to develop their personal brands and build their businesses, establishing themselves as local experts whilst paring them with cutting edge technology. “This means Hortons’ clients deal with only one agent, who will manage every aspect of their move, from initial advice, marketing & viewings, through to negotiating offers and navigating the conveyancing process.” Rik Pancholi, Director of Leicester-based Pattersons Commercial Law who advised Hortons on the investment deal, says: “Hortons has a fantastic business model that is bringing a very modern and highly entrepreneurial approach to the estate agency market. It is a very flexible and innovative way of simultaneously creating value for the agents, the brand and ultimately the customers, who get that local service backed by expert support.” Work begins on multi-million pound Nightingale Quarter project A multi-million pound building project to create 800 new homes in the heart of Derby has begun – five years after the site was flattened. It was half a decade ago the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary was demolished, and after a number of false starts to develop the land by previous owners of the site, work has now begun. The 18-acres will slowly be transformed over the next five years by Wavensmere Homes for the £150 million development, which will become a green oasis for its new residents, including cycle routes, an open air gym and fitness area, children’s play areas and planting throughout the site. Over 2,000 people have now registered their interest in the 125 two and three bedroom homes, before the further release of 675 one bed properties which are set to be opened for interest early this year. James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes said: “We are incredibly proud that work has begun on the site and we are able to show residents and businesses surrounding the site that we have been able to follow through on our promise to start the process in developing the land, which has stood as a brownfield site for so many years. “Appointing haart as the estate agents and the contact for prospective buyers last year, and then M. Lambe Construction as the groundworkers has been two milestone contracts to secure, especially as they are now both based in Derby – and has also meant that hundreds of jobs have been created in the area for these plans to become a reality and support the local economy,” he added. Mr Dickens added they were also going to ensure that the Infirmary’s pepper pot buildings will be retained for community use, with residents having access to numerous facilities including a café, gym, exhibition space and meeting rooms. 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 14:10 Page 1Flint Bishop enters Birmingham market Following its most successful year to date, Derby-based law firm Flint Bishop, which employs 187 lawyers and support staff, has opened a new Birmingham office. This comes after a period of expansion across the full- service law firm with the new office to offer a broad range of commercial services. Last year, Flint Bishop posted a record turnover of £14.4 million, up nearly 10% on the previous year with profits also rising over the same period. With a substantial number of new recruits, including two partners in the insurance litigation and employment teams over the last 12 months, the firm has received a lot of interest from lawyers working within Birmingham to join the new office. The new West Midlands operation will be based in the heart of the city’s business district at Grosvenor House on Bennetts Hill, just off Temple Row and Colmore Row. Flint Bishop will have an immediate presence of lawyers working in insurance litigation, commercial litigation and debt recovery followed by further teams in other practice areas. Insurance litigation is the firm’s largest practice area for headcount and revenue, which has significantly grown over the past three years. The team represents clients across government agencies, insurers and companies handling claims such as motor claims, fraud, credit hire, large loss, catastrophic loss and recoveries. The firm has already attracted candidates from BLM, DAC Beachcroft, Keoghs, Browne Jacobson and DWF. With 36 staff, this makes it one of the largest defendant litigation teams across the region. Flint Bishop’s Chief Executive Qamer Ghafoor said: “This is a very exciting time for us and the move into Birmingham reflects a period of sustained and significant growth for the firm. “The new Birmingham office represents a huge investment for Flint Bishop and forms part of a wider strategy to meet the requirements of our national client base, raise our profile and attract more legal talent from the city. “It provides an opportunity for lawyers to work within a gold standard Investors in People accredited law firm where staff are really valued, recognised and rewarded, whilst maintaining the quality of clients and legal work associated with the Birmingham market.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Extension work kicks off at Alfreton site Construction is now underway on an extension at Rock Fall’s “Unit 4,” placed on the second generation family-owned safety boot manufacturer’s Wimsey Way site in Alfreton. Completion is expected in April 2020 and will create an additional 5000 square feet of warehousing space as the firm ramps up stock due to a sustained demand for their range on a variety of national contracts. It will allow them to hold an additional 200 pallet spaces, totalling more than 20,000 pairs. However, the senior management team are still looking for opportunities to acquire a larger, purpose-built unit in the coming years. Rock Fall supply some of the largest companies in the world via a network of authorised distribution partners ranging from small independent safety equipment distributors, FTSE 100 PLCs and multi-national organisations. Major distributors include household names like Bunzl, Travis Perkins, Toolstation, Amazon and Arco. Automotive Fashion Commercial Call or email for a quote 07506 998855 steve@autoholic.co.uk Creating images for your business as individual as you are. Photography Services autoholic photography autoholic.co.uk 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 14:10 Page 2Leicester food manufacturer fulfils appetite for growth with new funding A Leicester-based food manufacturer has more than doubled its production capacity, positioning it for future expansion, with the help of a commercial mortgage from HSBC Having occupied a single manufacturing unit with a large courtyard and car park, the rapidly growing family-run food manufacturer, has purchased an additional 10,000 sq. ft of manufacturing space to increase its physical footprint by 200 per cent. Food Attraction is run by brothers Jake and Naynesh Karia. Founded in 1999, the company recorded 57% year-on-year growth in 2019 and sold over 50,000 units each week through some of the nation’s major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Co-op and WHSmith. The business now employs 105 people. Over the next three years, the family business aims to recruit another 150 members of staff and increase turnover significantly. Jake Karia, Managing Director at Food Attraction, said: “We’re extremely proud of the fact that we’ve managed to retain the family feel of the business at the same time as experiencing huge growth. The additional manufacturing space will help us increase production capabilities and allow us to meet the rising demand for our products. “To support the property purchase, so we turned to HSBC UK, where our Relationship Manager Chris Haslam catered to our needs with the commercial mortgage.” Leicestershire colleges complete merger In May last year, it was revealed that Brooksby Melton College in Melton Mowbray and Stephenson College in Coalville had agreed to merge. After a competitive Structure and Prospects Appraisal, followed by a rigorous Consultation period and due-diligence spanning a total of 12 months, the merger has now successfully reached completion. As of 1st February 2020, both Colleges now legally sit within the newly-formed SMB Group. Both Colleges are rated ‘Good’ by Oftsed, with a shared vision to become ‘Outstanding’ education providers in the near future. Dawn Whitemore, Chief Executive and Principal for the Group, said: “This is an exciting time for our staff and students, as both Colleges will now work together to provide an even stronger offer for all our stakeholders. This truly is a merger of equals and I am looking forward to maximising the provision we can offer, with the learner remaining firmly positioned at the forefront of everything we do. “The merger process ran incredibly smoothly due to our ideally matched culture, vision and education offer, which gives me huge confidence in the progress and growth we will be making as a Group in the near future.” Telephone 0800 009 6066 Email info@nnbcfinancial.co.uk Asset Finance, Leasing, Contract Hire, Sale & Leaseback • Property Development Finance • Commercial Property and Business Mortgages • Factoring and Invoice Finance Nottingham-based WealthKernel secures £4.5m to accelerate WealthKernel, the Nottingham-based digital wealth infrastructure and technology provider, has secured £4.5m Series A funding from ETFS Capital to democratise wealth management. This represents one of the largest deals in Nottingham since 2018. The firm is aiming to enable companies to innovate and widen access to wealth management services for a broader universe of people. WealthKernel, via its proprietary API platform and modular architecture approach, is providing the core infrastructure, custody and regulatory permissions needed to build a digital finance service. It is now a one-stop-shop for firms looking to build their own wealth management service and extend beyond the traditional high net worth (HNW) market. The investment by ETFS Capital means development and functionality will be accelerated, while a greater number of clients are serviced. Karan Shanmugarajah, CEO of WealthKernel, says: “I often describe what we do as the plumbing for the wealth management companies. The current industry is built on leaky legacy pipes and that leakage directly impacts the savings and pensions of millions of people, particularly those with smaller sums of money.” © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / UNIKYLUCKK 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 14:10 Page 3Subscribe now and receive Business Link every month, delivered to your door Delivery Details Name:............................................................................................ Position:......................................................................................... Company:...................................................................................... Address:......................................................................................... ........................................................................................................ 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