APRIL 2019EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK£3.50Winners revealedThe office in evolutionDifferentiate or die01.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:47 Page 102.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:48 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3EDITORS NOTESApril is an important date in any business calendar, and not for April Fool’s. It’s the start of a new financial year and the end of the last, which means any budgets not spent are lost and our accountants are busier than ever. You can certainly feel the end of the budgets on the daily commute, with more roadworks than any other time of the year as local councils rush to spend every penny. It’s a strange thing, to think that we encourage the spurious expenditure and punish those who are frugal and manage to save. Here in the East Midlands it’s business as usual despite the busy month, and while we have plenty going on in this month’s issue of the magazine, it would be remiss not to thank those who came to attend the Bricks Awards on the 28th March. Those that did would have had the dubious pleasure of listening to me speak and the much more genuine pleasure of seeing businesses in our region celebrated for their hard work. Our review of the event in this month’s issue is filled with all the information on the winners and runners-up, all of which deserve their acclaim. Aside from that, we have numerous other features this month, including office solutions and refrigeration, while our news sections carry the most up-to-date and on-point business news and advice across the region. It may be a new year for business, at least financially, but one thing never changes. The East Midlands is a prime place to do business. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor03.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:48 Page 1ContentsApril 2019LATEST NEWS 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region BRICKS 201910 With the East Midlands Bricks Awards complete for another year, it’s time to reflect on the event and dive into the evening’s winners. FACTORY AUTOMATION26 Falling under the wider Industry 4.0 umbrella, the smart factory concept prescribes intelligent, efficient factory automation and control systems which can increase flexibility, save energy and extend system life. For its myriad benefits, there’s a lot for operators to consider. REFRIGERATION 30 It's vital to ensure that products stay at the correct temperature throughout any production process, and that accurate information is available across the supply chain. Often catering to specific industries such as food and drink or pharmaceutical, cold stores and refrigerated transport are paramount to the operations of such companies. TAX 32 Brexit: easing the transition. By Gerry Myton, Partner and Head of Indirect Tax at Streets Chartered Accountants, looks at what can be done now to prepare for Brexit, whatever form it may take. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY34 A company’s office or workspace says a lot about its corporate culture and can negatively impact worker productivity and wellbeing. But a refurbishment or move to a new build can not only be better for staff, but can also see a company make efficiency gains. CORPORATE HOSPITALITY 38 In order to maintain existing clientele and secure new business, hotel managers must respond to technological change and customer feedback. NETWORKING40 Stop procrastinating and crack on! By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency HEALTHCARE 42 Despite the threat of supply disruption posed by a no-deal Brexit, the medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in our region are ensuring collaborative and innovation survives, helping business and the public alike. OFFICE SOLUTIONS 45 The dictionary describes an office as “a room, set of rooms, or building used as a place for commercial, professional or bureaucratic work”. One could argue that employees make an office what it is; while that’s certainly true, offices owe as much to solutions as diverse as desks and stationery, to carpet, blinds and air con. 52BUTLER & WILLOW Q&A48 James Willow, Managing Director of Butler & Willow. For more than 25 years, Butler & Willow has been helping successful businesses transform their workplaces into incredible spaces that people want to be, rather than just places to ‘work’. Managing director James Willow talked to us about the company’s achievements and how outstanding businesses can get the most out of their workplace and workforce. PR 50 Stuck for ideas for a CSR initiative? Google it. By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham. AUTOLINK52 As the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the public, Business Link’s motoring correspondent jets off to bring readers the low down on what the motor industry has lined up for these shores in the very near future. EVENTS56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands AND FINALLY...582604-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 11:08 Page 134Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Journalists Dominic Cuthbert d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk Stuart Pearcey s.pearcey@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 Fax: (01472) 310314 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.@BLMEastMidlandsBLMEastMidlandsCOVER PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM • PISAPHOTOGRAPHY • RICHARD PICKSLEY • PORTRAIT IMAGES ASIA BY NONWARIT • IVAN KUNTSEVICH • MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 11:11 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukGENERAL NEWSExports from East Midlands businesses increase by over £1.6bn Exports from businesses in the East Midlands increased by more than £1.6bn in 2018, according to recently released HMRC Regional Trade statistics. The report shows that the value of exports in the region was £22.17 billion during the year, compared to £20.54 billion in 2017. Exports from the region were also up in quarter four, increasing by £512 million to £5.93 billion compared to the previous quarter, and were up 5% compared to the same period in 2017. Overall, the total annual value of UK exports increased by 2.6% to £337 billion in the year ending December 2018 compared with the same period the previous year. Ananth Krishnan, Regional Director for Global Trade and Receivables Finance for HSBC UK in the Midlands, said: “It’s really encouraging to see such a significant increase in exports from the region throughout 2018. These statistics show that businesses across the East Midlands are pushing on with their plans to export their goods to the world despite economic uncertainty at home. “During 2018 exports of machinery and transport were the most valuable to the region. While the EU remains the biggest trade partner, there were significant increases in exports to North America and Asia and Oceania compared to the previous year.” Robin Hood Energy wins Nottingham Tram contract from Big Six Robin Hood Energy, after “a long and competitive tender process,” have been awarded a multi-million pound contract to supply 100% green electricity which will power the tram network in Nottingham. NET operator, Nottingham Trams Ltd, which currently buy its energy from a big 6 energy provider ,have agreed a new deal which means from 1st April the company will buy 100% green electricity from the local energy supplier, Robin Hood Energy. Gail Scholes, Chief Executive Officer for Robin Hood Energy, said: “We’re delighted to win the contract to supply one of Nottingham’s iconic businesses. The tram network plays a pivotal role in getting Nottingham people to work, to school or hospital appointments, as well as helping to connect people socially and alleviate some of the problems of social exclusion in the region. So, we’re naturally delighted to play a part in this within our heartland of Nottingham.” The 32-kilometre, public transport network runs from Toton, Clifton, Hucknall and Phoenix Park into the city centre, 7 days a week. Paul Robinson, Managing Director of Nottingham Trams Limited, said: “We conducted a strict Official Journal of the European Union tender process and Robin Hood Energy clearly demonstrated the most competitive price. It is good that we can link up with a local energy provider which has clear green credentials. “This is important since we are constantly striving to make our operations as environmentally friendly as possible. Our network is already providing car drivers with a cleaner alternative form of transport and awarding this contract will help us to improve our green performance even further.” Chesterfield reveals plans to create successful post digital high street Chesterfield has the raw ingredients to adapt and thrive in the face of the national ‘retail apocalypse,’ claims the new owner of the town’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, ALTERIS. “People still want shops, but,” said Bert Broadhead, Director of ALTERIS, “curating them better and creating a personalised experience for town centre visitors is the key to a successful post digital high street.” Mr Broadhead was speaking at the town’s annual Celebrate Chesterfield event, organised by Destination Chesterfield. The property fund company now has ambitious plans to transform the town’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre which it bought out of administration last month. It plans to create ‘a new town centre retail model for the post e-commerce world’. He added: “Chesterfield is already ahead of many town centres in the UK in terms of delivering a town centre experience to visitors. People no longer want identical, faceless town centres. They want a variety and mix of shops – both chain and independent stores as well as events which can engage the whole family.” Plans to develop Vicar Lane have been driven using Facebook, which ALTERIS is using to engage the local community and help them inform the redevelopment of the shopping centre. Colour, seating, events and high speed internet are all set to be introduced to Vicar Lane Shopping Centre over the next six months. ALTERIS has also identified independent retailers as being key to the future success of the shopping centre. Work on the new look Vicar Lane will start later this year. Supporting the drive to regenerate Chesterfield town centre, Huw Bowen Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council revealed that the council will be submitting an application to the government’s Future High Streets Fund to sustain and grow footfall on the high street. As part of the funding bid, Chesterfield Borough Council plans to introduce universal Wi-Fi provision across the town centre. He said: “Our retail occupancy levels are holding up well – 92 per cent compared to 88 per cent nationally, however, it’s a journey and we need to keep going.” © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ CARON BADKIN06-08.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:51 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWSBoost for East Midlands as support pledged for HS2 Eastern Leg Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani has reinforced Government’s commitment to delivering HS2 in its entirety. Speaking at an event in Westminster hosted by Turner & Townsend on behalf of HS2 East, a partnership representing towns and cities along the eastern leg of the Phase 2b route, Ms Ghani stated “let no one doubt my department’s full commitment to the entire project.” Highlighting the far-reaching benefits of this once-in-a-lifetime transport investment, she was also joined by HS2 chair Allan Cook and Lord Kerslake, former head of the Civil Service, as well as speakers from organisations across the Midlands and the North. The eastern leg of HS2 is a high speed connection between Birmingham, Toton in the East Midlands, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle, and will improve journey times up to Scotland. These collective destinations have a combined East Midlands firms confident of job creation Overall business confidence in the East Midlands jumped 15 points to 18 per cent last month, making it the second most confident region in the UK, according to the latest Business Barometer report from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Firms in the region reported higher levels of confidence in their own trading prospects, with a net balance of 29 per cent of firms expecting business activity to increase over the next 12 months, compared with 21 per cent last month. Businesses economic optimism jumped 20 points to stand at seven per cent. When taken together, these two figures give an overall confidence of 18 per cent. A growing number of firms are also looking to recruit new staff, with a net balance of 28 per cent planning to recruit over the next 12 months, compared with 10 per cent a month ago. Across the UK, overall confidence climbed six points to 10 per cent as both firms’ optimism about the economy and confidence in their own prospects bounced back from February’s lows. Mattoili Woods snaps up Belfast firm Leicester-based Mattioli Woods is expanding the group into Northern Ireland with the purchase of Belfast-based SSAS Solutions. Employing 12 staff, the business is Northern Ireland’s largest independent firm of dedicated SSAS (small self-administered scheme) specialists offering business owners bespoke retirement solutions. Established in 2009, it provides pension administration and trustee services to over 350 SSAS clients, with approximately £380m of assets under administration. Mattioli Woods will be looking to enhance the team as it expands its operations into the region, including the creation of a new administration hub for the group and the development of the existing client offering to include SIPPs (self-invested personal pensions). This will make the group the sole SSAS and SIPP operator based in Northern Ireland. Director-Owners of SSAS Solutions Allison Chambers and Michael Galway said: “We are delighted to be part of the Mattioli Woods group and see this as the next exciting phase for SSAS Solutions as we continue to provide entrepreneurial pension solutions for our clients.” © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / SEAN K © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / SUWIN population of 15 million people and already contribute over £320 billion a year to the UK economy. HS2’s construction also comes hand in hand with swathes of development and regeneration, including the creation of a state-of-the-art innovation campus at Toton, as well as plans to double the size of Leeds city centre, transforming the area around the city’s new HS2 station. Last month, a £2 million government fund to establish a locally-led East Midlands Development Corporation was signed off, to maximise and accelerate development opportunities and strategic transport connectivity around the HS2 East Midlands Hub station at Toton and across the region, bringing forward tens of thousands of new jobs and thousands of homes. 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:52 Page 28 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukGENERAL NEWSTrio of new hires for Leicester law firm Bray & Bray Leicester-based law firm, Bray & Bray has made three new appointments, in the wake of sustained growth in instructions for its private client and commercial teams. Joining the firm’s head office in Leicester are Commercial Property Associates Sanveer Sandhu and Beth Lyon, whilst wills, trusts and probate specialist Isobel Mann joins Bray & Bray’s Market Harborough office. Previously Associate Solicitor in the Real Estate team at Shakespeare Martineau, Nottingham, Sanveer has worked at national and international law firms, operating in a range of sectors including retail, leisure, telecommunications and energy. 200,000 sq ft industrial development Trebor Developments and Hillwood have agreed terms to acquire a 14.1 acre site, located at Fulwood Park, close to Junction 28 of the M1, to bring forward an industrial speculative development of 222,000 sq ft, which they have branded LINK28. The Brownfield site will be redeveloped as a single phase, providing manufacturing/logistics accommodation. A planning application will be submitted shortly and subject to consent, construction will commence on site in autumn, providing completion by summer 2020. This announcement follows another recent announcement that Trebor/Hillwood had entered into contract to acquire a 10.30 acre site at Megaloughton Lane, Derby, close to Derby City Centre, where a planning application has been submitted for a 3 unit speculative industrial development, totalling 150,000 sq ft. Property agency makes eight promotions at Ashby office A property agency has made eight promotions at its Ashby office – including a new partner – as the firm sees a record number of employees advance in the business. Fisher German has promoted Sarah DeRenzy-Tomson from associate director to partner, Matthias Charlton from senior surveyor to associate, Laura Knight from associate to senior associate and William Bostock from senior surveyor to associate. The firm has also promoted Adam Baxter from surveyor to senior surveyor, Amanda Davies from HR advisor to HR manager, Janet Bainbridge from accounts assistant to senior regional administrator and Jason Charlton from safety, health and environment advisor to safety, health and environment manager. Fisher German has also announced that head of planning Liberty Stones and head of infrastructure services Richard Broome have accepted an invitation to join the equity of the partnership. Sarah was appointed as a partner after taking part in Fisher German’s inaugural ‘Pathway to Partnership’ scheme, which aims to prepare associate directors for the many responsibilities of being a partner. St. Modwen completes raft of deals at Firth Road Business Park Developer and regeneration specialist, St. Modwen, has completed multiple deals at Firth Road Business Park in Lincoln as the asset is brought to market for sale. With big name tenants, including anchor tenant Siemens plc, ITP Engines, Teledyne E2V and John Greed Jewellery, the 9,900 sqm Firth Road Business Park offers a strong tenant covenant as well as future redevelopment opportunities. St. Modwen has completed lease renewals and regears with almost all tenants across the site, securing both the rental income and significant numbers of jobs at the site for the medium to long-term. WSB Property Consultants has been instructed by St Modwen to market Firth Road Business Park for sale. David Watson, Partner at WSB Property said: “This is an extremely interesting commercial opportunity for an investor looking for the dual benefits of a strong rental income from financially stable tenants as well as the opportunity for redevelopment in the longer term. Interested parties should get in touch with WSB Property Consultants on 0113 2341444.“ 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 09:52 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 9 BRICKS 2019East Midlands Bricks Awards 2019 With the East Midlands Bricks Awards complete for another year, it’s time to reflect on the event and dive into the evening’s winners. On Thursday 28 March, Business Link Magazine held its highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards ceremony. Property and construction professionals gathered at Trent Bridge County Cricket Ground to recognise and celebrate those behind the changing landscape of our region and reward the very best companies, teams and individuals. The event was the prime opportunity to showcase the outstanding work carried out across the East Midlands over the past year and network with many of the region’s industry leaders. After an initial period of networking the ceremony revealing the winners of the awards began with opening remarks from Michael Fisher, East Midlands Business Link Editor, and Tom Farmer of The Brick Association. The first award of the evening was ‘Contractor of the Year’, sponsored by Frank Key Group. Honourable mentions for the category included Willmott Dixon and Stepnell, with the ultimate winner revealed as J Tomlinson. The ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ award, sponsored by Forterra plc, followed. Due to a strong plethora of nominations, four finalists were named, with the Confetti HQ Digital Media Hub, from Stepnell, Nottingham Trent University and Confetti, being crowned the winner. The runners up for the award were the very deserving Gladstone House Extra Care Facility, from Newark and Sherwood Homes, Henry Boot Construction and Studio-G Associates, the University of Nottingham Advanced Manufacturing Building, from Turner and 10 ÁÁ09-25.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 11:48 Page 1Next >