AUGUST 2021 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 PRINT & PACKAGING The future of print and packaging BUSINESS SERVICES Moving past the pandemic COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Deals and developments THE FAST LANE THE FAST LANE 01.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:25 Page 1Looking forward at new business opportunities SINGLE USE MENUS / NOTICES AND SIGNS / INFORMATION LEAFLETS / LOGOS AND BRANDING STATIONARY / BUSINESS CARDS / NEWSLETTERS / POSTCARDS / FLYERS / BROCHURES VINYL BANNERS / ROLLER BANNERS / POSTERS / PLAN PRINTING Established more than 40 years ago, Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has experienced the highs and lows of the economy alongside many other businesses in the area. Looking at the opportunities as the economy grows, they identified areas where they can help their customers stand out from the crowd and have invested in new printing and finishing equipment. With the latest Xerox Versant 280 press and Kasfold 640 booklet maker, they can now supply landscape A4 brochures, 6 page A4 leaflets and A5 concertina leaflets with other products available in the near future, all in smaller as well as large quantities. The combination of the new machines offer many new exciting products for customers. Their experienced design team have worked in print for many years so understand what’s required in the worlds of commerce, industry, hospitality, culture and tourism. They can help customers understand how the new ideas will work for them, discuss branding and logos, what will attract and inform their customers. For more information visit www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk 9 Clifton Street, Stonefield Park Industrial Estate, Lincoln, LN5 8LQ tel: 01522 546118 email: sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Bricks 2021 A celebration of those helping to create the landscape for the next generation EAST MIDLANDS The prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2021! Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 30 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. After last year’s ceremony was moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic, with cases now dropping and restrictions easing, the 2021 celebration is to be held in person once again, providing ample opportunities for networking in a safe environment. Visit www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk for more information. BUSINESS LINK Thursday 30th September 2021 at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground 02.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:27 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES It should come as no surprise that with the end of imposed social distancing, infection rates have crept up, bringing an irksome new buzz word: ‘pingdemic’. It’s a word worthy of an eyeroll, but it’s a major issue facing businesses across a myriad of sectors. July was supposed to be a boon for businesses, and yet many have complained that they are struggling to maintain operations when so many staff have been told to stay at home. The ping referring to the notifications of the official NHS app which tells you if you have possibly come into contact with an infected person – and therefore need to self-isolate. Unsurprisingly, it has led many to simply delete the app. With fourth lockdown rhetoric rising, it’s hard to know how things will look even next month – adding yet more uncertainty for businesses in every sector. We might not be able to predict the future, but we have put together an august issue serving as a barometer of regional business. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor Welcome... 03.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:38 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region Commercial property 16 With the region coming out of lockdown, now is the best time to see how the East Midlands property market is set to recover. Luckily, a raft of new deals foretells a speedy recovery. Networking 20 Regain clarity of your vision By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. Print and packaging spotlight 22 Following a difficult year for many sectors in print and packaging, Business Link looks at some of the main technologies and trends transforming the industry. Supply chain management 25 As the use of AI, IoT sensors, and blockchain rises, supply chain management is evolving. Public relations 28 Media mastery - how to get your very own “Blue Tweeter” badge By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Business services 30 In response to the coronavirus pandemic, business services firms have had to be agile, quickly adapting to increased digitalisation, home working, et al. While optimism is now on the up, there are still numerous challenges the sector must face. • Stokes Tea & Coffee Q&A Anaerobic digestion and biomass36 Anaerobic digestion is helping Britain evolve to a greener energy mix though roadblocks remain to a more widespread adoption as we explore. Accountancy review39 Whatever challenges come a businesses’ way, an accountant can provide invaluable support and advice. Tax42 Is it back to the office for you and your employees, or is working from home for all here to stay? By James Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants Domestic abuse44 Domestic abuse is often an unseen epidemic, but victims don’t have to suffer in silence. Solicitors can be a literal lifeline to accessing support services, legal action, and helping a victim move on with their lives. Corporate hospitality48 With an end to lockdown in sight it’s time to get out of our home offices and back into the working world. For many of us who haven’t had to speak face to face for a long time, the prospect of large-scale conferences and meetings could well be an intimidating one. EAST MIDLANDS L E E ADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE AUGUST 20 21 £3. .50 LAN THE NE AASTAEF T L PRINT & BUSINES COMMSS MERCIAL packacking e of print The futur ACKAGINGA WW P pandemic Moving past SERVICE and W EASTMIDL G develop Deals an PROP the ANDSBUSINE ES ments nd TY ESSLINK CO U PER w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk Cover photographs courtesy: Shutterstock/Dmitry Naumov • Alba_alioth • Andrey_Popov • TMLsPhotoG • Jenson Contents August 2021 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AutoLink50 Like many industry sectors, the pandemic hit motoring hard – we look at how the industry is doing now that restrictions are finally being lifted. 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 Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:40 Page 116 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 02/08/2021 15:40 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Road to move forward linking HS2 hub to thousands of homes A major new road in Nottinghamshire which would link the proposed HS2 hub at Toton to thousands of new homes in the surrounding area has moved a step closer. The Toton and Chetwynd Link Road is part of a wide-ranging and high-profile regeneration project that will help unlock employment and development opportunities in the area and bring in millions of pounds to the county’s economy. Nottinghamshire county councillors agreed to move the project forward at a meeting of the Economic Development and Asset Management Committee. It means early pre-construction work with Arc Partnership can begin on the jobs-boosting scheme, which also forms part of the Toton and Chetwynd Barracks Strategic Masterplan. Councillor Keith Girling, Chairman of the Economic Development and Asset Management Committee, said: “This is a major development that further underlines our commitment to deliver key projects to bring thousands of jobs to the area and ultimately add millions of pounds to the county’s economy – which is even more important after the uncertainty and impact of the Covid-19 crisis. “The proposed start of early pre-construction work will enable us and Arc Partnership to be in a significantly better position to unlock funding opportunities and drive the Toton and Chetwynd Link Road forward, which, of course, will be an integral element of the wider HS2 hub proposal at Toton. “The link road will help businesses to thrive, bring more sustainable investment into Nottinghamshire and help regenerate key communities. It is yet another example of the county council trying to secure big money investment for our economy to grow, succeed and ultimately deliver prosperity for our residents.” Business confidence returns to growth in the East Midlands Business confidence in the East Midlands bounced back from a dip in June, rising seven points during July to 38%, the second highest score of any region across the UK, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in the East Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up two points at 26% - one of only three regions to do so. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 10 points to 47%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 38%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 9% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down nine points on last month. Overall UK business confidence dipped three points to 30% in July but remains well above the year-to-date average of 19%. Businesses in the North East (40%), East Midlands (38%) and North West (38%) were the most optimistic overall. In July, four regions reported an increase in confidence: alongside the East Midlands (up seven points to 38%), the North East (up 13 points to 40%), North West (up nine points to 38%), and West Midlands (up one point to 30%) reported an increase, while the remainder reported a drop. Scotland (down 14 points to 28%), East of England (down 11 points to 25%) and Wales (down nine points to 12%) reported the biggest falls in confidence but all retained an overall positive reading. The overall number of UK firms expecting planning to create new jobs in the next twelve months rose one point to 18% in July, the highest reading since November 2018 and the sixth consecutive month that employment expectations have risen. Amanda Dorel, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s great to see that East Midland’s firms are reporting a sixth consecutive month of positive confidence readings and are now among the most confident in the UK. “Businesses will be entering the month ahead with a renewed optimism now restrictions have eased but for some there is still a lingering sense of caution amid the uncertainty over whether Covid-19 cases will rise. We will work with local businesses to help them navigate any changes or new challenges that they face in the months ahead.” “Brand Britain” boosted by Brexit, say region’s businesses Following Brexit, new research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that more than three quarters (76%) of mid-sized businesses in the East Midlands believe Brexit has strengthened ‘Brand Britain’. In a survey of mid-sized businesses, Grant Thornton found that ‘Brand Britain’ is considered to be an advantage to East Midlands-based firms looking to venture into new international markets, with 86% of the region’s businesses believing it is helpful when trading internationally. While Brexit posed a level of uncertainty to many businesses at the start of the year, most (68%) of those surveyed believed that they were well prepared for the impacts felt from Brexit so far. But the transition has not come without its challenges. The research identifies the four biggest impacts felt from Brexit in the region’s mid- market over the past six months as: trade compliance issues (44%), setting up new overseas operations (42%), supply chain disruption (42%), uncertainty over product labelling (34%). Dave Hillan, partner and practice leader at Grant Thornton UK LLP in the region, said: “The last year has presented huge uncertainty for businesses of all sizes, with Brexit and the pandemic creating an ever-changing operating environment which has been extremely difficult to navigate. “But mid-sized businesses in the East Midlands have proven their resilience and it is clear from our research that, despite the challenges posed, the majority are currently feeling more positive about the impacts of Brexit than first feared. “But there are still further changes and milestones to come from Brexit. Careful management will continue to be needed by businesses throughout the coming months to avoid further disruption to their operations; particularly once the level of international travel increases and the current grace periods come to an end.” © Shutterstock /ratlos Amanda Dorel 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:44 Page 1£5m business growth programme launched in Derby A £5 million business growth programme has been launched in Derby, to help local businesses innovate and expand. The Ascend programme will support up to 40 local businesses over the next two years and aims to create over 500 jobs. Applications are open to businesses based within seven and a half miles of Derby city centre, who commit to creating jobs for Derby residents, graduates, or students. Ascend – part of the city’s coronavirus economic recovery strategy – is being run by Derby City Council alongside the University of Derby. Businesses chosen to participate in the programme will be able to access bespoke support and advice, to help develop and implement business growth strategies and where appropriate prepare an investment case for equity investors or access loans for capital investment where traditional finance is not available. Support is available for three key areas; growth readiness, investment readiness, and growth projects. The Ascend team has appointed an expert panel including senior officials from the council and university, business advisors, investors and entrepreneurs to consider applications. Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Retaining graduate talent is a challenge for most university towns and cities in the UK, and it requires the availability of opportunities for students to start their careers or set up their own business ventures. “To create those opportunities here, it is vital that businesses in Derby have the support they need to innovate, attract investment and grow. That growth will generate the need for the skills and knowledge that our students acquire through high quality teaching delivered by the University, and which they can develop further through excellent work experience placements in industry. “I am very pleased that the University is part of this exciting collaboration to propel the potential of businesses in our city and create the opportunities which our students will identify as integral to their decision to study in Derby.” Derby City Council Leader, Councillor Chris Poulter, said the aim of the Ascend programme was to develop ‘an entrepreneurial eco-system’ in Derby. “We want to make our city a fantastic place to establish and grow a business, to create high-quality and sustainable jobs while, at the same time, supporting and diversifying the local economy,” he said. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Midlands businesses need urgent help with staff mental health Small businesses across the Midlands need urgent help with improving wellbeing in the workplace after a new report showed COVID-19 is now a main factor in causing mental health absences from work. The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) is encouraging businesses to get in touch for advice on adopting a free mental health and wellbeing programme for workplaces, to help combat the problem. The report, published by the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) and authored by researchers at University of Warwick – a partner of MHPP – showed that mental health issues related to COVID-19 were a more common factor for sickness absences at Midlands workplaces than issues related to in-work problems or physical health. It also revealed that smaller firms were much less likely to have adopted a mental health plan or to have changed working practices due to COVID-19 compared to larger companies. MHPP, funded by Midlands Engine, has been helping companies across the Midlands to take steps to support and improve the mental health of their workforce – and boost their bottom line at the same time. Kate Wood, MHPP Project Manager at University of Derby, said: “The ERC’s report makes it clear that COVID-19 has had a strong impact on mental health absences from work and is therefore having a detrimental effect on productivity. “COVID-19 has become a bigger factor for mental health absences than in-work issues or physical health, so now more than ever, businesses need to act to help identify any problems their workers are having before they need to take time off. “Smaller businesses were found to be much less likely to have adopted policies to improve mental health in their workplaces during the pandemic, which suggests they need extra support in order to do this.” • 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. © Shutterstock/Alex Daniels © Shutterstock/DmytroPerov 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:44 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Five new faces join Smith Partnership in Leicester Smith Partnership has bolstered its operation in Leicester by hiring five new staff. The city branch, led by managing partner Alison Neate, has seen steady expansion in recent years and now it is growing further. Smith Partnership has been recognised by the Legal 500 for its work in professional negligence and runs a sister company, Claims Against, from Leicester. Associate solicitor Suhail Alloo joins that department from Nelsons and specialises in complex cases. Paralegal Sophie Wilson has arrived from the Josiah Hincks law firm and will add even more strength to the same division. Meanwhile, Samuel Mason, a solicitor who specialises in family law, is also joining the Leicester team from Dodds Solicitors where he had spent four years. Further depth will be added by conveyancing legal executive Marcus Samuel-Brown and Paricce Davis who has become a legal secretary in the commercial property department. Alison said: “I am delighted to be able to add a wealth of talent to our Leicester team. “Our hard work at immersing ourselves in the community is being reflected by a big increase in caseloads which meant we were able to sign people of the highest calibre. “I look forward to working with them all and continuing to expand our offer in Leicester and Leicestershire and, in some cases, beyond.” 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PwC invests in Midlands team with partner and director promotions PwC is investing in the next generation of business leaders in the Midlands with the admission of three new partners and 16 directors across its deals, audit, tax, risk, technology & investment and consulting practices. Across the Midlands business there has been a further 270 promotions to senior manager, manager and senior associate posts, making the total number of promotions 289. The new cohort also reflects rapidly growing client demand in areas such as ESG, with partners increasingly focused on Net Zero strategy, diversity and inclusion priorities, corporate governance, and transformation. Last month, PwC announced plans to invest $1.2bn in the UK over the next three to four years, in areas including ESG and technology, with a focus on creating 4,000 new jobs nationally, expanding the business from 22,000 to 26,000. Matthew Hammond, PwC’s Midlands region leader, said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming our new partners and directors into our Midlands business. We are committed to investing in the future of our business and our new promotees bring sector expertise, local and international experiences as well as the diverse skills we need to continue to grow sustainably while supporting our clients and people as they respond to unique challenges and opportunities.” Partner admissions in the Midlands are; Tom Copeland in the corporate finance deals team, Sarah Philips in the audit practice and Karen Senior, a tax partner in the compliance services team. Tom Copeland leads the national consumer sector team, within corporate finance and has over 12 years experience of both sell-side and buy-side advisory, working extensively with privately owned and private equity backed businesses on UK and cross-border transactions. Sarah Phillips is an audit partner, specialising in listed and multinational audits. Alongside working with many of the Midlands based listed companies, she also leads consumer markets for the Midlands, bringing 18 years experience of working with a broad range of clients in this sector and supporting them through transactions, organisational and regulatory change. Karen Senior started her career in PwC’s assurance practice before moving to specialise in corporate tax compliance, where she has spent the last 19 years. Karen leads the UK tax compliance practice and has experience across all market sectors from private business to global organisations. PwC has also named 16 new directors in the Midlands, six of whom are female and four from ethnic minority backgrounds, these include; Alex Smith – audit, Nick Durrans and Viswanathan Swaminathan – consulting, Krushi Hindocha, Neil Houston and Tim Higgins – deals, Victoria Broadhurst – internal firm services, Anoop Gandhi, Christian Hilpert, Emma Brittain and Vanessa Tufnell – risk, Matt Hughes, Reena Fursier, Tracey Crowder and Katie Attenborough – tax, Simon Wootton – technology and investment. Matthew Hammond, Midlands region leader, with new PwC partners and directors Sophie Wilson, Marcus Samuel-Brown, Alison Neate, Paricce Davis, Suhail Alloo 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:44 Page 3Lorien makes duo of promotions Lorien Engineering Solutions has appointed two new directors to its UK board following the retirement of director Bill Treddenick and a series of project wins to support its continued expansion. Matthew Hidderley becomes sales and marketing director. Having joined Lorien in 2016 as business development manager, Matthew’s latest step-up sees him lead the development and delivery of the overall sales and marketing strategy. Matthew has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and more than 20 years’ business development experience working with a diverse range of FMCG clients for the company’s multi-disciplined engineering and project management team. Steve Brown has been promoted to account director following various roles over 24 years at Lorien. He successfully led key account growth in Europe and latterly into the AMESA region (Africa, Middle East and South Asia). Lorien specialises in capital projects for food, brewing, drinks, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics. The company is headquartered in Burton-upon-Trent, with international offices in Poland and South Africa. David Mallinson, Group Managing Director, said: “These are well-deserved promotions which support our ambitious growth strategy. We are seeing a recovery with some exceptional project wins and a strong pipeline for the longer-term. These successes enable us to invest in the business by rewarding the achievements of the talented people we have.” Barclays makes key regional appointment Barclays has welcomed Nick Carrington to the Midlands as the new Corporate Development Director for the Midlands Region, with responsibility for businesses with a turnover up to £50 million. Nick, who has been in banking for 16 years, has a wealth of experience across mid-market SMEs with Trade & Working Capital Solutions and will be tasked with growing the Barclays mid corporate market share with a focus on industry and sector leaders. Commenting on his appointment, Nick said: “I am incredibly proud of the opportunity to help mid- corporate businesses across the region to grow and thrive.” Keith Ross, Head of Mid Corporate, Midlands, said: “The Midlands continues to be an important market for Barclays and the region has demonstrated, throughout the pandemic, its diversity and dexterity to consistently deliver growth. Nick’s appointment is a reflection of these growth opportunities and we are keen to help and support dynamic businesses as the economic recovery continues.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS Wayne Herbert Nick Carrington Growth plans continue at Finch Consulting with new appointment Leicestershire-based, health and safety engineering risk management experts, Finch Consulting are continuing growth plans with the appointment of Wayne Herbert. With over forty years’ experience in the engineering sector, Wayne Herbert will be joining Finch as a Senior Consultant. Specialising in Mechanical Engineering, Herbert has experience in working with a range of equipment and machinery. He also has in depth knowledge of relevant H&S & Environmental legislation, CE certification in accordance with the EU machinery directive of individual plant and complex assemblies. Commenting on his appointment at Finch, Wayne Herbert said: “This is a great opportunity to join a forward thinking company that places engineering excellence and its people at the heart of everything they do. In previous job roles, I have come across Finch and have always been extremely impressed with the depth of knowledge within the business and the high profile projects they are associated with.” Adding, Dom Barraclough, Managing Director at Finch, said: “Finch already employs some of the UK’s leading consultants within the field of health and safety, so to recruit someone with Wayne’s knowledge and experience is a real coup for the business. “With the growth plans we have in place, we feel it is imperative to recruit the right people to ensure that our clients receive the very best advice when looking to mitigate environmental, health and safety and engineering risks.” L-R: David Mallinson, Matthew Hidderley and Steve Brown 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 02/08/2021 15:45 Page 4Next >