JULY 2020 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 IT AND TELECOMS Communications step-change ENGINEERING Ever-evolving engineering CHANGING TIMES Staying afloat LEADING THE WAY LEADING THE WAY 01.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:12 Page 1 INTER N Food Food &&& Food Food & N ATI O N &&Drin Drin Drin &&Drin AL nk nk nkk Coo Kee l i lf l ts in C C Cii On the shel uncF ctional ingredient Cleaning an maintenan nd nceFor businesses that are serious about reducing their carbon footprint www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 W W W. R E N E W A B L E S A N D E N V I R O N M E N T. C O M E A S T M I D L A N D S L E A E A D I N G B U S I N E S S M A G A A Z I N E APRIL 2020 0 £3. .50 BUS SUP SINES T PPOR SS TING B THCART HEAL YY FACTOR RE OFF FICE ea Stopping the spr THCAR WW HEAL d thinkin Forwar TT AUTOMA Y AFACTOR ad WW EASTMIDL RE A hea SOL OFF ng factories LANDSBUSINE TION ficef althy of LUTIONS ESSLINK CO U FICE w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk EMPOWER Your Business Focus on T A Pharm rld o our guide to the pharmaceutical w Y B U S I N E S S I N T E R N A L ma olume 8 Issue 1 V T I O N declares g rrld Hea oooW coron F ganisa gg l b l g l h O virus na g gency ti medi Nucle Prev aaccin V The nuclea b f treatment ve The P l t k aage n e t eelopment t vv om de rF w w w di i k . p b i f o r u m . n yorkshire & lincolnsh hire’s leading business ma magazine april 2020 £3.5 50 TO T RES C THE SPOND CRISIS DING S YY FACTOR C TT HEAL OFF THCARE FICE safety Ensuring e TT HEAL e of factories The futur TION T AUTOMA YY AFACTOR fices healthy f Keeping of SOLUTIONS OFFICE employee THCARE V w VOLUME 35 ISSUE 4 .blmgroup.co.uk www Often Imitated - Never Equalled www.blmgroup.co.uk 02.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:13 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES By the time you’re reading this, the UK will have entered the latest stage of its ongoing easing of the lockdown. June brought with it some key changes as the government attempted to get the economy moving again and, now that we’ve moved into July, things are beginning to return to the way things were pre-pandemic. Of course, social distancing measures remain in place and the fine for businesses that flout these regulations are steep. Yet workers have returned to the office in droves and with the tentative re-opening of bars and restaurants, things are looking more familiar. At a glance, it might be easy to think that the worst has passed us by, but the pandemic is still very much in effect. That’s why this month our changing times feature explores how companies can reduce overheads and creating a leaner operation. Throughout the pandemic, senior management and industry leaders have turned to East Midlands Business Link for a light in the dark, a dependable source of trusted news, opinion and insight as they look to navigate the crisis. That remains as true for our July issue as at the beginning of the outbreak. Here’s to staying safe and getting the economy back on track! Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor Welcome... 03.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:14 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region Commercial property 16 With encouraging recovery signs taking place in commercial property, it’s clear the market is moving towards a new normal. Tax 20 Has your business made changes to its trading activities during the pandemic? By Jennie Brown, Tax Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants Engineering22 Engineering and the role of engineers is constantly changing, with new technology enabling faster design, optimisation, and time to market. IT and telecoms 26 East Midlands Business Link looks at how companies are evolving their IT & telecoms and how the coronavirus crisis has forced some businesses to adapt. Networking 30 Success in adaptation - stories shared By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. Changing times32 In times like these, it’s no surprise to see that businesses are looking to reduce overheads, maximise efficiencies and ensure they’re not wasting a single pound more than necessary. Design and marketing 36 Marketing is an art that has been misunderstood and neglected in recent years – it’s time to change that. Brand is everything and post-lockdown East Midlands is a new world. Public relations 40 Bravehearts required if you want to win the media war and your freedom! By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham Corporate hospitality 42 With lockdown winding down and restrictions easing, East Midlands Business Link presents some initial considerations for event planning. AutoLink46 From manufacturing right through to retail, it’s altogether a grim state of affairs for the automotive industry with COVID-19 the most profound crisis it has ever faced. With production resuming and dealerships re- opened, we explore the future of motoring. EAST MIDLANDS L E E ADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE JULY 2020 £3. .50 THE LEA YYW YA ADING Y IT AND TELE AA ENGINECOMS CHANEERING ANGING step-change Communications WW IT AND TELE engineerin -evolvEver ENGIN W EASTMIDL ECOMS Stay TIM CHA ng ving ANDSBUSINE NEERING ying afloat MES ESSLINK CO U ANGING w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk Cover photographs courtesy: Shutterstock - Willyam Bradberry • karin claus • Rawpixel.com • metamorworks • fizkes Out of office50 All the leisure sector news from the last month Events52 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands And finally...54 Contents July 2020 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:14 Page 122 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Assistant Editor Dominic Cuthbert d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk Journalist 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. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:15 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Space Park Leicester selected for business incubation programme Space Park Leicester has been selected as a new centre to offer the business incubation programme for start-ups in the UK, run by the European Space Agency (ESA). The European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC UK) supports innovative start-up businesses using space technologies or data, enabling them to gain a competitive advantage in today’s global market place. Building on the growing list of companies at Space Park Leicester, from start-ups to multi-nationals, organisations joining the ESA BIC at Space Park will gain access to the University of Leicester’s research and development capability across a number of areas including earth observation and environmental monitoring; high performance computing; data science; AI and space engineering. Grant Bourhill, Chief Executive of Leicester Science Parks and Interim Director Research & Enterprise at the University of Leicester, said: “Leicester has consistently been recognised as one of the best cities in the UK for start-ups and the ESA BIC at Space Park will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, partnership working with our academic and student talent, as well as colocation with other companies. “The space sector already underpins burgeoning commercial markets in communications, location based services and earth observation, and the ESA BIC will support new entrants to these and other space-enabled markets. This is an exciting step forward for the East Midlands.” Opening in early 2021, Space Park Leicester is a landmark international initiative being developed by the University of Leicester in collaboration with partners, including Leicester City Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, to create a world-leading cluster for innovative research, enterprise and education in space, earth observation and space-enabled sectors. Almost 200 jobs at risk at aerospace supply-chain firm Almost 200 jobs are at risk at aerospace supply- chain firm Incora (formally Pattonair). Incora operates across three city sites in Derby and announced that there would be 186 redundancies in Derby, out of their 550 strong workforce. Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, has responded to the news, saying it was deeply concerning to hear of the job losses. “The company, formerly known as Pattonair, is a valued member of the city’s business sector and has also made a huge contribution to our wider community – supporting local charities and sponsoring Derbyshire County Cricket Club. “We will be contacting the company to offer our assistance as it and others in the aerospace sector grapple with the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic. “Derby’s Economic Recovery Task Force has already established an employment and skills group to assist staff facing redundancy at Rolls-Royce in finding new employment or launching their own businesses. This group stands ready to provide help to members of the Incora team. “Derby’s success in aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors means the city is particularly vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. We have formulated a detailed and ambitious recovery strategy and will be working with partners – in the private sector and within central Government – to ensure that the city can build back quickly and retain its place as a driving force within the UK economy.” 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 WWW .NNBCFINANCIAL.CO.UK University of Leicester supports 1 in 23 jobs in the city The University of Leicester contributes £360m annually to Leicester and Leicestershire and supports every 1 in 23 jobs in the city, a new report reveals. An economic and social impact report shows for the first time the scale of the contribution the 99-year-old institution makes to the region and country – the University is worth £600m to the UK a year and supports 10,000 jobs nationally. And now its President and Vice-Chancellor has pledged to drive forward economic prosperity, as new YouGov survey data highlights how the University of Leicester is well placed to support economic recovery after lockdown. Professor Nishan Canagarajah said: “Universities make a difference to people’s lives, not only do they bring about positive change, they also enrich the communities they are a part of. “All that we have experienced during the pandemic has strengthened our path – alongside our partners, we will strive for a future of prosperity within our region. Our ambition is for successful emergence as a community and as Citizens of Change.” Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor for Leicester said: “Never has it been more important to be united and work together for the benefit of our city. As we shape the future of Leicester in the wake of the pandemic, we recognise the positive contributions the University of Leicester has made. “As it enters its second century, we look forward to building upon our many successes, strengthening our partnership, and helping Leicester to grow and prosper. “We are enormously proud of the University and what it has achieved – the discovery of DNA fingerprinting, world-class space science, advances in medical and biological sciences, and the discovery of King Richard III to name but a few.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:20 Page 1Details of Derby’s economic recovery strategy revealed The team leading efforts to reboot Derby’s economy after the COVID-19 crisis has revealed details of its recovery strategy. It is now seeking discussions with ministers over how Government can support its ambitious efforts to restart, revive and renew the city’s fortunes. The plan is the brainchild of the Derby Economic Recovery Task Force, a partnership of public and private sector organisations, including Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Marketing Derby, D2N2, East Midlands Chamber and representatives of a number of the city’s businesses. It is built around three key areas: maintaining short-term confidence amongst local businesses and external investors, diversifying the city centre and Derby’s employment base, decarbonising the city. Schemes being discussed could inject tens of millions of pounds into the city’s economy, as it seeks to mitigate blows such as the loss of jobs this year at its biggest company, Rolls-Royce. The task force has already enacted a short-term plan to help businesses cope with the impact of the Coronavirus lockdown. More than £40m has been distributed through Derby City Council in grant aid to more than 3,300 recipients. A team has been established to help workers made redundant by Rolls-Royce to find alternative employment or launch their own businesses. And a bid for £23.7m is being lodged with the Government’s Future High Streets Fund to enable a number of projects to enhance the city centre. The task force has been supporting outside investors and companies behind three major schemes, worth a combined £450m and delivering hundreds of new city centre homes, offices and major public realm improvements, have pledged to continue with their developments. It is also working with the council’s Transportation team to consider how money awarded from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund can assist the economic recovery. Derby and Nottingham are to jointly receive £161m from the fund, with Derby’s share supporting ambitions to launch an electric rapid transit route through the city centre, create new park and ride hubs, improved cycling and public transport links and electric vehicle charging points. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Picsolve sold out of administration saving over 600 jobs Derby-based Picsolve, the supplier of digital photography solutions to the theme parks and other tourist attractions worldwide, has been sold. The joint administrators of Picsolve International Limited sold the business and assets of the Company to PomVom UK Limited, a newly incorporated entity wholly owned by PomVom Limited. PomVom is an advanced artificial intelligence technology company that creates real-time digital photography experience in amusement parks, events and sports. The sale means that all 607 permanent employees at Picsolve International Limited will transfer to the new owners, along with 35 sites based across the UK and Europe. Matt Cowlishaw, joint administrator, said: “We are really pleased to announce the successful sale to Pomvom. The combination of technologies should provide a compelling offering in the market. We would like to thank all of the Company’s employees for their continued support and we wish the new owners every success for the future.” • Commercial • Events • Headshots • Automotive • Fashion CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE 07506 998855 STEVE@STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Creating eye-catching images to help businesses build their brands and engage with clients. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:20 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Pall-Ex appoints UK Commercial Director Leicestershire-based Pall-Ex has appointed a new UK Commercial Director to accelerate growth in its new era as a management and member- owned pallet network. Former Palletways Network Development Director, Michelle Naylor, brings 25 years’ experience within the logistics industry to the role and will be based at Pall-Ex’s central hub in Ellistown. Michelle’s previous roles within a pallet network ensure she is fully equipped to guide the company’s sales team, while increasing Pall-Ex’s corporate customer base, building partnerships, and supporting its network with additional contracts. The appointment follows a number of new hires and promotions at Pall-Ex as it prepares for growth with a new team at the wheel. Barry Byers, Managing Director UK, says: “We are bringing in fresh talent and new perspectives as we fully prepare Pall-Ex for national and international growth. “Michelle is a driven leader with a focus on high standards of service, which makes her a great fit for Pall-Ex and our quality ethos. Recent weeks have been incredibly tough on the logistics industry as a whole and we have all had to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. “Michelle’s proven results in improving member profitability and hub volumes will be a real asset to the Pall-Ex team as we work together to strengthen and build the network for our customers and our members.” Michelle says: “I am excited to be joining Pall-Ex at this time of change and look forward to using my sector knowledge to build on its success. “It is a real pleasure to be part of such an enthusiastic team and forward-thinking business, and while recent events have been challenging for the entire industry, I’m confident that Pall-Ex will continue to innovate the sector.” Michelle Naylor Associate partner of property consultancy voted chair of industry association An associate partner of a property consultancy is set to focus on education after being voted Midlands chair of a key pipeline industry association. Rachel Bridge, of Fisher German, has become the Midlands chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild (PIG), the only association world-wide to cater directly for the needs of the pipeline industry. She was voted in at the association’s national AGM, which was held remotely via Microsoft Teams. Rachel was first introduced to the Midlands PIG during a university placement in 2007 and has since been an active member. She is set to use her year as Midlands chair to focus on education, linking more young people to the pipeline industry and highlighting the wide range of career opportunities available. Rachel is an associate partner within the utilities and infrastructure sector at Fisher German and is based at the firm’s Ashby office. She specialises in linear infrastructure property management and has experience managing a fibre optic cable network measuring 2,500km and oil networks measuring more than 2,500km. Rachel said: “I am very pleased to be voted in as chair and look forward to developing the Midlands branch in what looks to be a challenging year with opportunities for us all to develop our skills and deliver in the virtual environment. “In my role I will be focusing on the integration of education links with the guild and industry on a national level. “There are huge opportunities in the pipeline industry, and I will be working with the guild on their Training and Education Guild 2025 strategy. “It’s an extremely exciting time for the industry, and connecting with young people will be key for its future.” Rachel Bridge 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:20 Page 3Bourne-based housebuilder names new CEO Larkfleet Group, the Bourne-based housebuilder, has appointed a new Chief Executive as it looks to triple in size over the next five years. John Anderson replaces Karl Hick, the founder of Larkfleet Group – owner of Larkfleet Homes and Allison Homes – who will step up to the position of chairman. Mr Anderson said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this exciting role. Working closely with Karl and the team, my aim is to build on the core strengths that already exist in the group to help drive performance and quality and expand Larkfleet into a premier, customer focused nationwide home builder. “I will build on Karl’s excellent reputation for achieving an engaged workforce, with core values, and a culture of employee and customer wellbeing. These are essential goals for evolving and agile businesses in today’s highly competitive marketplace.” Mr Anderson has experience covering all aspects of general management in house building and the residential development sector, land acquisition, mixed use property development, and corporate turnaround and recovery, throughout the UK. He spent the last ten years at FTSE 250 Kier Group where he was most recently executive director responsible for the group’s home building business Kier Living. New IoD appointment to drive East Midlands skills agenda The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Dr Craig Marsh as Skills and Education Ambassador for the East Midlands. Craig is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Director at Lincoln International Business School. He has 30 years’ experience in management learning and development as a teacher, consultant, researcher and senior manager. The appointment comes as the IoD launches its Next Gen Director programme and relaunches its student membership package. IoD chair Charlotte Valeur has placed skills and education at the top of the Institute’s agenda, with a mission to forge strong partnerships with Higher Education institutions that connect students with business leaders. The aim is to provide students with a strong grasp of how boards operate, while a ‘reverse mentoring’ scheme will help businesses tap into the insights of the next generation. Craig is an Oxford University graduate and former RAF pilot. He worked on HR transformation projects for BP and Marconi before making the transition to an academic career. For the last 10 years, Craig has worked in senior academic leadership roles, as Chief Academic Officer for the UK in Laureate Online Education and currently as a member of the senior leadership team at the University of Lincoln. As an IoD Ambassador Craig will provide local connectivity with members and give a regional voice to the Institute’s work with education providers and students. Craig said: “As we emerge from this incredibly challenging time, it will he more important than ever to forge links between business and academia, equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to be the next generation of directors and contribute to long-term, sustainable economic growth.” Gary Headland, IoD East Midlands chair, added: “I’m delighted that Craig has been appointed to this key position on our regional committee. Together, we will drive forward the skills and education agenda across the East Midlands including the appointment of further skills and education ambassadors at a local level.” University of Derby appoints new Director of Finance The University of Derby has appointed Craig Jones as its new Director of Finance, to help drive forward the institution as it looks to take advantage of opportunities for growth and commercial development within the region and beyond. In his new role, Craig will be working with the University’s executive team, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, responsible for the strategic management of all finance related functions, as well as the delivery and implementation of future- focused strategies that secure the long-term financial sustainability of the University. Craig said: “I am delighted to have joined the University of Derby, an ambitious institution with significant scale and influence in the city, county and region. There is no doubt that changing roles and sectors during a global pandemic is a challenge, but I am excited to be in a position where I can help navigate change while also building for the future. “The value the University places on its civic responsibilities is important to me, as is the opportunity to contribute to the skills and progression of my hometown, and I look forward to being a part of that.” Craig, who hails from Derby and began his career as a trainee accountant with the city council, has joined the University after 18 years in the corporate finance sector, working for some of the industry’s best-known firms, including KPMG, PwC and Deloitte. While with Deloitte, he led major projects across a range of government departments including health, housing, local government and further education. He has also overseen public sector mergers and service reconfigurations and led large-scale public procurement projects. For the past six years, Craig has been a director in the social housing and care sector in the Midlands, helping to develop new companies and attracting substantial investment from within the UK and overseas. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS Craig Jones Dr Craig Marsh John Anderson 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2020 15:20 Page 4Next >