JUNE 2019 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Corners to be cutLet the planning commence Future farming02.qxp_Layout 1 10/06/2019 12:03 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES With June here, it’s well and truly becoming hot and stuffy in the office and the air conditioning is likely blasting out at full strength. It’s easy to see enthusiasm dipping at times like this, which is why it’s important to monitor motivation and keep the staff going. Those with children likely have it doubly worse thanks to the school holidays and the pressure to take children on holiday while they still can and avoid those nasty school fines. Between all of that, we have a State visit by Donald Trump that could make matters better or worse politically – or, at the very least, lead to politicians spending more time bickering and less time governing. With all of that going on and more, and on the backdrop of Brexit, it’s easy to see how the hot summer months might feel a slog. But as every business owner knows, the important part of the sale is enthusiasm, and employees will look to their boss for theirs. So chin up, smile and remember that a business runs through thick and thin. This month, we encapsulate that, looking at various facets of the business industry, from construction machinery to conferencing, and a special look at what makes family businesses so competitive. As if summer wasn’t daunting enough, we also have our Christmas in June feature. It may seem early – because it is – but it’s worth pointing out that the better venues are likely to be heavily booked by the time July and August come around. June is a busy month for us as well thanks to the Lincolnshire Show, taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground on both the 19th and 20th June. We’ll be exhibiting from the marquee of our sister publication, Lincolnshire Today, which is adjacent to the main ring. If you’re in the area, be sure to drop by and have a chat and a drink on us. We’ll even keep the buffet running. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 11:44 Page 1ContentsJune 2019 LATEST NEWS 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region APPOINTMENTS 8 East Midlands on the move. FINANCE NEWS 10 The latest news from the world of finance around the region MANUFACTURING NEWS12 News and views from around the region PROPERTY NEWS 14 All the latest from the property sector. AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT16 Agri-food is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 3.9 million people and generating a GVA of £108 billion. In order to preserve and improve upon this, agri-businesses and farmers must look to the future. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY19 Investment in commercial property may be declining nationally and, unfortunately, here in the East Midlands, but that shouldn’t overshadow the major deals taking place in the regional marketplace. MANUFACTURING GROWTH PROGRAMME Q&A 22 We recently spoke with Dean Barnes, Regional Director at Manufacturing Growth Programme, part of Oxford Innovation Business Park in Melton Mowbray, to talk about the support they offer SME manufactures and overcoming growth barriers. SUPPORTING BUSINESS GROWTH24 Sourcing finance is vital for supporting business growth, but some alterative finance options can offer more. Angel investors and venture capitalists, for example, bring their knowledge to the table, offering advice on top of finance. FAMILY BUSINESS 25 It’s a curious phenomenon, that some can mix business and family in a way that not only avoids strife but grants a company and its brand a competitive advantage. In the East Midlands, we’ve no shortage of family businesses. TAX28 Construction sector faces changes to VAT with the introduction of the Domestic Reverse Chargen by Gerry Myton, Partner & Head of Indirect Tax, Streets Chartered Accountants INSURANCE30 East Midlands Business Link has put together this simple guide, outlining some of the most prevalent business insurance premiums, guiding readers through the types of cover available and what industries they’re best suited for. PUBLIC RELATIONS32 Marketing to Money AND the Many via the power of media by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham. CHRISTMAS IN JUNE34 When firms are looking to save money the Christmas party is often the first thing to go, with employers forgetting the many benefits the annual event provides. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 36 There’s a reason why golf and business go together like gin and tonic as East Midlands Business Link explores. NETWORKING 38 Making the most of your networking experience by Fiona Duncan-Steer, Founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT 40 If the UK construction industry is to keep up with the global pace of change, it needs to fully embrace innovation MEET THE EXPERTS 42 Industry exports from sectors across our region share their expertise, experience and insight. LOGISTICS48 Long seen as both a high expense and a major contributor to emissions and global warming, the logistics and supply chain of any company is under pressure, but companies and manufacturers are seeking to cut ever more costs. Can the sector cope? OUT OF OFFICE48 All the leisure sector news from the last month AUTOLINK50 If you love SUVs, read on to discover what we thought of this trio we’ve been lucky enough to test-drive since our last issue. BUSINESS SCENE54 RSViP Network Spring Social & Garden Party EVENTS56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands AND FINALLY...58 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:04 Page 136 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 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. @BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands COVER PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM • SFIO CRACHO • IONOV ARTEM • GORODENKOFF • PIYADA JAIAREE • MILOS MULLER JUNE 2019 EAST MIDLANDS LE £3.50 EADING BUSINESS MAGAZ ZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk ners to be cutCor commence Let the planning e farFutur rming w 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:05 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Firms to explore feasibility of Rail Innovation Centre at Barrow Hill Focus Consultants and Maber Architects have been appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to explore the feasibility of establishing a Rail Innovation Centre at Barrow Hill, Chesterfield. The proposals for the Centre will enhance an already thriving centre of railway maintenance and engineering at Barrow Hill Engine Shed. In November 2018, Spanish train builder, Talgo announced that it planned to develop an Innovation Centre at Chesterfield as a focus from which the company’s ‘All Britain’ strategy will be developed. Now Focus Consultants and Maber have been appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to investigate the feasibility and opportunities offered through the development of an Innovation Centre at Barrow Hill in a project known as DRIIVe – the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle. The companies have been working with Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College, University of Derby, NewRail at Newcastle University, Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society and representatives from across the sector to explore the creation of a Research and Development and Training Centre to help the region boost its already important rail industry and address a well- recognised skills gap. Midlands companies win places on league table of Britain’s fastest- growing SME exporters The 5th annual Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s small and medium-sized private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. The 11 companies headquartered in the Midlands (compared to 13 last year) include seven new entrants to the league table. Their international sales have grown by an average of 64% a year over two years to a total of £72.8m, and together they employ 1,048 people. The region’s top-ranked company is Leicester-based Delta Global Source, which makes its debut on the league table. It supplies branded luxury packaging to high-end retailers including Tom Ford and Coach. It doubled its international sales to £4.8m in 2017. Another Midlands company featuring for the first time is reusable nappy supplier Bambino Mio, which has tapped into growing demand for environmentally-friendly baby products abroad, helping it grow overseas sales to £2.9m last year. The companies in the Midlands appear with well-known businesses from around Britain, including online jewellery brand Missoma, popcorn maker Joe & Seph’s, and coffee shop chain AMT Coffee. The latest league table shows that despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit, Europe continues to be the most important overseas market with more than four fifths of companies (85) selling there. However, they are looking further afield for future growth – 82 companies are targeting future expansion outside of Europe. The SME Export Track 100 is sponsored by WorldFirst, DHL Express and Heathrow Airport, and issupported by the government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign. It is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford- based research and networking events firm. Nottingham recruitment firm sold for seven figure sum Elizabeth Michael Associates, the Nottingham independent recruitment consultancy, has been sold to Approach Personnel for an undisclosed seven figure sum, with help from Fraser Brown Solicitors. The consultancy, founded in 1991, is respected in Nottinghamshire for its success in both temporary and permanent placements across a plethora of disciplines varying from administration, accountancy, customer services and contact centres, logistics, procurement, sales, business development and HR. Elizabeth Michael founder, John Hyde, said: “For almost 30 years, I have always sought to emphasise the key values of honesty and integrity in professional dealings in business. We have enjoyed tremendous success and growth over the years at Elizabeth Michael and I firmly believe this is down to our keen desire to always maintain these core values in all our dealings with people – whether colleagues, customers or suppliers. “Today the pressures in business and on people are even greater and in our consumer age ‘getting ahead’ is too often put above all else and maintaining good relationships. Short term advantage is usually fleeting. Instead, building a more solid, long term reputation for trustworthiness and reliability has always been my goal and our guiding values at Elizabeth Michael. “I hope that the values we have sought to promote at Elizabeth Michael will carry forward with the new owners. Approach Personnel are a fantastic business and they have built a solid track record, and as such I am confident that the two businesses together will go from strength to strength.” Recruitment agency Approach Personnel, which is based at Chase Park Nottingham, viewed Elizabeth Michael as the perfect acquisition. The company specialises in recruitment in the construction, civil engineering, shopfitting, interiors and industrial sectors. © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / AVIGATOR FORTUNER 06-07.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:06 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS County attracts inward investment thanks to Science Park Companies at Lincoln’s Science Park have attracted a sizeable £8m of inward investment in the past year. Part of the Park’s remit is to create a home for the innovation and research community in Lincolnshire, a county which has historically had a poor track record of winning funding and bids compared to other counties in the UK. The investments have been awarded to science and tech companies in areas such as biotech, pharmacy, agritech, data centre, cybersecurity, chemical engineering and digital technologies, based at the Park’s Boole Technology Centre. On average, each tenant attracted about £800k of inward investment, with the largest investment exceeding £2m. In the most recent report by the Government into the amount of inward investment being attracted on a county level, Lincolnshire scored poorly. In Mapping Local Comparative Advantages in Innovation, Lincolnshire is in the bottom three for research and development expenditure, 34th out of 39 for receiving Innovate UK funding and the second worse Local Enterprise Partnership in the country for the amount of employees who are trained at NVQ level 4 and above. Tom Blount, Director of Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, said: “There is tremendous potential in this county. Part of the Science Park’s role is to help support opportunities coming out of industry and the university. “We have been fortunate that a high calibre of companies have chosen to make Boole Technology Centre their home, which has created a cluster of excellence and high-quality job creation that we hope will spread out across the county.” © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ PICOSTUDIO that businesses looking to export to the US for the first time may face. Mr Krishnan continues: “Doing business in the US does carry some health warnings, accessing a market of more than 320 million people across 50 states can be daunting. While laws on copyright and patents are made entirely at the national level, the laws that relate to consumer protection, public liability and anti-competitive practices are made at both federal and state level. The result is that in many sectors the United States can’t be treated as a single market.” East Midlands businesses venture to US to find growth opportunities Businesses in the East Midlands are increasingly looking to expand their export operations in the US as Brexit uncertainty continues at home. HMRC’s regional trade statistics show that exports of goods to the US increased by almost than £400m in the East Midlands during 2018 compared to the previous year, as businesses looked to step-up exports beyond the EU. Ananth Krishnan, Regional Director for Global Trade and Receivables Finance for HSBC UK in the East Midlands, said: “The US has for many years been the largest national export market for British goods and services. In the East Midlands it was the second most valuable trade corridor during 2018 behind Germany, with £2.527bn worth of goods exported from our businesses across the Atlantic. Driving this activity was exports of machinery and transport equipment which was worth £1.837bn to businesses in the region. “In recent times the US economy has also delivered consistently faster growth than its peer group of major advanced economies and businesses in the East Midlands have been taking advantage of the close ties between the UK and the US.” Sharing similar business cultures and having a common language means that the US continues to be an attractive destination for businesses in the region. However, there are a number of challenges At Lincolnshire & Counties Training Solutions (LACTS) we provide training courses for organisations both large and small across a wide range of sectors, including Health Trusts, Local Authorities, Education, Business and Industry. We are recognised and authorised by the leading UK governing bodies such as, AOFA, QNUK, FOFATO and BALI to train accredited Food Safety, Health and Safety, First Aid, Fire Safety, ROLO and a host of other qualifications throughout the whole of the UK. For more information call 07775877057 or visit www.lacts.co.uk 06-07.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:07 Page 2Hampton Brook appoints new Development Director for growth strategy Midlands-based property developer Hampton Brook has appointed Matthew Connor as a new Development Director who will join the team to drive its ambitious growth strategy for its commercial development portfolio. Mr Connor brings a wide-ranging knowledge to his new role through a 23-year career working within the industry. He joins from agent JLL in London where he held the positon of Head of Development Management, specialising in office and industrial/warehouse projects throughout the UK. Based at Hampton Brook’s Northamptonshire headquarters, he will be responsible for delivering development opportunities through the acquisition of new commercial sites, as well as overseeing leasing and investment activities. He will work closely with Hampton Brook Director Ian Jackson who said: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew into the fold. He will take the lead progressing existing development projects as well as identifying opportunities for us to increase our portfolio of commercial developments. “We are very pleased to have attracted someone with his extensive knowledge and wealth of sector experience to support the expansion of our business. His role will be crucial in ensuring that we continue to deliver our planned and future activities sustainably and in close consultation with key stakeholders.” 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk JLL strengthens Midlands business with new development team JLL has launched a new Midlands’ development team to complement its established planning team. Chris Prescott will head up as planning and development director, supported by graduate, Rose Treasure, working across the commercial and residential teams in the Birmingham and Nottingham offices. Their role will be to work with the public sector, landowners and developers to assess feasibility and viability of sites, with a focus on master planning and bringing forward property developments. Chris recently relocated from the firms Manchester office and has a long history with JLL and previously King Sturge, managing sizeable private and public sector projects. These include the development of the 40 ha Estuary Commerce Park Speke, and the procurement of Kier Property with CTP on behalf of Liverpool City Council to deliver the next phase of the city’s commercial district expansion. APPOINTMENTS Ashby-de-la-Zouch property consultancy appoints new non-Executive Director An Ashby-de-la-Zouch property consultancy has announced the appointment of a new non-Executive Director who has more than 30 years’ experience in finance. David Brewin, originally from Leicestershire, will join the Governance Board of property firm Fisher German with immediate effect. He joins Managing Partner Andrew Bridge, Senior Partner Charles Meynell, Chairman Harry Cotterell and other key partners and directors on the firm’s Board. In a career spanning more than three decades, Mr Brenin has had experience within financial services, most notably with Ernst & Young, where he progressed from Partner to Senior Partner and then Chief Operating Officer. He has an exceptional track record in overseeing successful large-scale transformational and operational change. He also has strong expertise in creating and motivating high performing teams and leading digital transformation through values- based leadership. And now, he is welcoming a new challenge by joining Fisher German. 08-09.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:13 Page 1Five senior promotions for regional law firm Regional law firm, Howes Percival has announced five senior promotions in Northampton as it prepares for further growth. The promotions span the firm’s commercial property, corporate and commercial, employment and intellectual property practices. Erica Gradus (commercial property), Jenna Bruce (intellectual property), Alexandra Kirkwood (commercial property), Hannah Pryce (employment law) and Matthew Thompson (corporate, commercial and banking) have all been promoted to the level of director. Howes Percival has also named a new head of department for its corporate and commercial services. After more than a decade in the role, Senior partner, Gerald Couldrake, will pass the baton on to Daniel Banton. Gerald will continue to head Howes Percival’s very successful Northampton corporate and commercial team and support Daniel in his new role. The firm also confirmed that it is continuing its recruitment drive to bolster its commercial offering still further. Commenting on the promotions, Tessa Haskey, Howes Percival’s Chairman said: “Congratulations to everyone on their promotions – which acknowledge the hard work, dedication and invaluable contribution these individuals have made, both in their respective practice areas and to the firm overall. At Howes Percival, we are committed to investing and developing our people, and giving them opportunities to develop their career with the firm. So, I’m particularly delighted for Alexandra and Matthew who started their law careers with us as trainees.” Central Foods appoints new Business Development Manager Frozen food distributor Central Foods has announced the appointment of John Shephard as its new business development manager. His position at Northamptonshire-based Central Foods will involve taking care of key accounts including Bidfood, Caterfood and South Lincs Foodservice. Bringing a wealth of over 25 years’ worth of experience working in various roles across the foodservice industry, specialising in bakery, frozen and chilled food-to-go (FTG) sectors, John Shephard said: “I am delighted to have joined the Central Foods team and look forward to bringing my many years of experience to a company dedicated to supplying high quality products and service.” Managing Director, Gordon Lauder, added: “We are very pleased to welcome John to Central Foods. His experience right across the foodservice sector will help to strengthen and grow our business development team.” AECOM director joins Destination Chesterfield board AECOM’s Director of Water, Ports and Power North, Michael Timmins, has been appointed to the Board of Destination Chesterfield. In his new voluntary role, Mr Timmins brings experience of working, living and being part of a large employer in Chesterfield. As a board member he will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the promotion of Chesterfield as a place to live, work, visit and invest. The global infrastructure and engineering services company has had a presence in Chesterfield for nearly 40 years and employs around 300 people at its office in the town centre. Globally, AECOM employs 87,000 people who, last year generated $20bn of revenue. Mr Timmins, from Ashover, has being based at the company’s Chesterfield office in the town centre for more than 10 years. In his board member role, he hopes to increase the involvement of AECOM and its employees in the local community as well as raise the profile of the company as an employer. Further senior appointments at Butler & Willow East Midlands commercial fit-out and refurbishment specialist Butler & Willow has expanded its team of professionals with the addition of a further install manager, Andrew Hanson. Andrew joins the award-winning team at its working showroom in Long Eaton, where he will be based when he is not on-site coordinating and managing projects for the firm, which is currently celebrating more than 25 years of business. He is the latest addition to Butler & Willow’s team of skilled designers, project managers and interiors professionals, whose combined expertise allows the company to offer the highest-quality commercial fit-out and refurbishment solutions from full design concept through to complete installation and project aftercare. Bringing with him more than 32 years of experience, Andrew will be responsible for ensuring the high-quality and safe delivery of many of the current and upcoming projects for clients such as Loughborough University. Andrew said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Butler & Willow. The values and culture of the company align with my own personality and work ethic, so I knew that the role was perfect for me. “The team at Butler & Willow take a collaborate approach to their work and always aim to exceed expectations. I have already been active on a number of sites and have seen first-hand the energy and enthusiasm that goes into each project.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS 08-09.qxp_Layout 1 05/06/2019 12:13 Page 2Next >