SEPTEMBER 2019 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Maintaining standardsTrain old or train new? The office experienceBusiness Seminar Chapter 4: Succession Planning Do you know when you want to retire from your business? Are you going to sell your shares and step away from it completely? Or do you want to keep some shares and just walk away from day-to-day operations? We will help you start thinking about what would suit your situation best and what steps you need to take to start planning. It may feel like a long way off, but this is where early planning pays off dividends! Understand how to ensure your business sale price is the best it can be and know how to find and train the right successors. When: Wednesday 16th of October 2019. The doors will open at 7:30am for breakfast rolls and refreshments, and the seminar will run from 8:00am till 10:00am, followed by networking and drinks. Where: Forever Green, Ransom Woods, Ransom Road, Mansfield NG21 0HJ RSVP: (01623) 468468 www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk/about-hopkins/business-seminars tbutler@hopkins-solicitors.co.uk Always keeping your best interests at heart Forever Green Ransom Woods Mansfield Wednesday 1 6 th of October 2019 a j v A J V 1 Ï Ê Å ∏ ¡ & % 02.qxp_Layout 1 30/08/2019 13:49 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES As the month of September comes around, we enter a world in which waking up to read a news article of our Prime Minister arguing with a pork pie manufacturer to be a normal thing. With Parliament paralysed by such deathly important matters, we’d be forgiven for thinking our region had been abandoned to handle things on its own. No changes there, then. In even worse news, HS2 is under threat after the Government gave a leading role in an “independent review” to a major critic of the scheme. Much like Brexit itself, news around HS2 seems to be polarising and without much in the way of facts, threatening to “destroy” ecosystems and livelihoods. It is reminiscent almost of the original campaigns against trains in the UK at all, which stated that cows – and adult women – would be so frightened by the noise that they would spontaneously suffer miscarriages. Hopefully, saner minds will prevail – but when they haven’t for the last year or two, is it naïve to expect it now? Here in the East Midlands, we’re trying to continue as normal. Difficult, given we still don’t know if we’ll be leaving with a deal, without or at all come the end of October, but we strive to succeed, nonetheless. In this month’s issue we investigate the food and drink industry, which may be hit worse by a no deal Brexit than many others. We also look into the skills gap and whether apprenticeships are the answer, alongside finance and the ever-increasing options available for raising finance. All that and more with up-to-date news, analysis, industry comment and events. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 09:26 Page 1ContentsSeptember 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. FOOD INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT16 The food and drink industry within the UK has challenges ahead thanks both to Brexit and increased demands on freshness, quality and price. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY20 On the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, East Midlands Business Link looks at the important developments taking place in Leicester supporting the region’s booming space sector. PUBLIC RELATIONS24 ‘Carpe Diem’ – how you can leverage the calendar to power your PR. By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham. TRAINING AND EDUCATION 27 It’s undeniable that many industries face a skills shortage, but is the answer really to take on new people – or can we train and up- skill those we already have? CORPORATE HOSPITALITY 30 There’s a lot to consider when it comes to corporate hospitality – food, venue, transport and so on. But one area that might escape one’s attention during the vital planning stages is what to wear. TAX32 Is there something to be said for not keeping it in the family? By James Pinchbeck Marketing Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants FINANCE 34 East Midlands Business Link explores some of the most common finance solutions open to businesses, exploring the advantages and disadvantages and the business situations for which they’re best suited. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING 37 As the recycling and waste management industries enter the forefront of public consciousness due to growing environmental concern, the implementation of circular sustainable systems will only gather pace. • Ward OFFICE SOLUTIONS42 Today, offices need to be more than just a place to sit and work. Instead they are becoming an environment important in promoting workplace wellbeing. NETWORKING44 19 steps to take in order to manifest your goals, by Fiona Duncan- Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency BUSINESS SCENE48 On 31st July, East Midlands Business Link's Directors Lunch took place at Restaurant Six – the brand new sixth floor restaurant and bar at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. AUTOLINK50 The booming SUV market is going electric and it’s something luxury marques are getting on in. OUT OF OFFICE54 All the leisure sector news from the last month EVENTS56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands AND FINALLY...58 50 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 11:35 Page 137 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: HUTTERSTOCK.COM GOODLUZ • FEDOR SELIVANOV • FREEPROD33 • DIMA ZEL • WORAWEE MEEPIAN SEPTEMBER 2019 EAST MIDLANDS £3.50 S LEADING BUSINESS MAG GAZINE Maintaining s rain olTdsstandar Tld or train new? fice experiencefThe of www.blmgroup.co.uk 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 11:35 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Bombardier signs £133m services contract for East Midlands Railway franchise Derby’s Bombardier Transportation has signed a new Train Services Agreement (TSA) with Abellio and Eversholt Rail for the new East Midlands Railway franchise. Under the new agreement which lasts until December 31, 2022, Bombardier will maintain Bombardier class 222 diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains at Derby Etches Park depot for use on East Midlands Railway mainline services. The new agreement follows Bombardier’s previous role in maintaining the 125 miles per hour trains for the former East Midlands Trains franchise. The contract is valued at approximately £133 million. Phil Hufton, President, Bombardier Transportation UK said: “We are delighted that we have reached agreement with Abellio to maintain the Class 222 fleet for East Midlands Railway’s mainline services. This important contract win is testament to our team at Derby Etches Park and their hard work and professionalism in continually delivering one of the highest performing and most reliable Intercity fleets.” Steve Timothy, Client Relations Director, Eversholt Rail said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Bombardier Transportation to support the delivery of our Class 222 trains for the Sheffield – London mainline service to Abellio East Midlands Railway from 19th August”. Under the Train Services Agreement, maintenance of the 27-strong fleet of Class 222 trains will take place at Derby Etches Park depot, where 130 staff are employed, with heavy component maintenance taking place at Bombardier Crewe. Record month for Long Eaton digital agency Long Eaton based, specialist PPC Agency Repeat Digital has recorded its best month to date since its launch in 2017, and it’s a double celebration due to four new client wins in recent months. The digital agency has recorded 180 per cent year on year growth and is looking to further expand its team in the coming months to service growing demand from multiple new clients. Recent new client wins include The Merry Men, National Commercial Window Cleaners, who are looking to increase sales leads and enquiries through its website and the Inside Out Group who provide technical, creative and security solutions for the Rail, Construction and Industrial sectors and want to develop their digital marketing a search strategy. Other new signings include Sheffield based antique, vintage and retro furniture retailer Whisper and Echo and vegan treat business Energy Ball Recipe Kits, who have recently been selected as a stockist in London’s Selfridges and want to further boost their presence online. Repeat Digital founder and Director Olly Fisher said: “We couldn’t be happier at the moment. This has been our best month trading so far since our launch and we have recently welcomed a raft of new clients. We’ve got a fantastic team and we are looking forward to helping our clients boost their sales and make a real impact through their digital marketing efforts including Google and Facebook ads, remarketing and e- commerce.” The four new firms join a diverse roster of clients for Repeat, including multi-million-pound turnover international companies and smaller, local businesses looking to improve their online presence. Since launching in 2017, Repeat Digital has grown the team to four and will be recruiting again in coming months to further expand its digital marketing, PPC and remarketing capabilities. Carter Coldstore boast 70- plus years of cold room expertise Carter Coldstore Systems has been designing, installing and repairing cold rooms for over 70 years. Part of the wider Carter Thermal Industries Group, the business has access to a huge wealth of resources in the refrigeration sector. Specialists in the delivery of retail projects, Carter Coldstore systems has worked with almost every UK retailer in every corner of the country. Aside from retail, the business also actively works in a number of other environments including pharmaceutical, fresh & frozen food production, environmental testing chambers, laboratories & clean rooms and fire cladding solutions. The company’s knowledgeable sales team have a wealth of experience gained through years of working within the refrigeration industry; its knowledge base is as broad as the panel applications it has installed. 06-07.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 09:38 Page 1Focus to undertake evaluation of Construction Industry Training Board projects Nottingham-based Focus Consultants has been appointed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, to evaluate a suite of grant- funded projects worth nearly £3.5 million. There is a recognised shortfall in trained vocational qualification assessors within the construction sector and the industry is facing significant skills gaps and shortages. Grant funding has been awarded by the CITB to thirteen projects across England, Scotland and Wales that address these issues, and which are working to develop the training infrastructure within their sector. Projects that have been funded include the setting up of vocational qualification assessment centres and investment in the upskilling of assessors across various sectors including; scaffolding, asbestos removal, plastering, brickwork and modular and portable buildings. Focus Consultants has been appointed for a three-year evaluation period, allowing the company to follow these projects through their lifetime, understanding how they are meeting and responding to the needs of the industry, speaking to those who are benefitting, and capturing the impacts that the investment has on the productivity of the sector. Heather Frecklington, Partner at Focus Consultants, said: “We are delighted to be working with CITB on this long-term evaluation. The projects cover a diverse range of construction sectors and wide geographical area, making it a really interesting evaluation for the company to undertake, utilising our construction industry knowledge with our evaluation and research expertise.” Dr Rachel Iredale, Evaluation Manager at CITB, said: “We believe that all evaluation should be informative, useful and beneficial. We want to focus on activities that make a real difference to the construction industry and use evidence to drive improvements in performance and in skills and training across the sector. Collaborative evaluation is the way forwards and CITB are pleased to be working with an evaluation expert like Focus Consultants.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Nottingham solicitors aid in holiday pay dispute Music teacher Lesley Brazel, supported by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and ARAG who provide legal expenses insurance to the ISM’s members, turned to Nottinghamshire law firm Hopkins Solicitors LLP and counsel Charlotte Hadfield, Lachlan Wilson, and Mathew Gullick from 3PB, to bring her holiday pay claim to court. An employment tribunal found against Mrs Brazel in the first instance. Her appeal before the Employment Appeal Tribunal, however, was successful, and the Court of Appeal rejected a further challenge from the employer, holding that there was no basis to reduce the holiday entitlement of 5.6 weeks under the Working Time Regulations 1998. The Judgment of the Court of Appeal has provided significant clarity on the method of calculating holiday pay for people in Mrs Brazel’s position – i.e. people on zero-hours’ contracts – and who are not required to work every week of the holiday year. © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ JAROSLAW KILIAN Automotive Fashion Commercial Call or email for a quote 07506 998855 steve@autoholic.co.uk Helping you Rev Up your business with custom images Photography Services autoholic photography autoholic.co.uk Lesley Brazel 06-07.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 09:39 Page 2Nottingham law firm expands commercial and conveyancing teams Rothera Sharp has added to its commercial and conveyancing teams with the appointments of corporate and commercial senior associate Robert Haggis and conveyancing associate Lucy Walker. Based at the firm’s Lace Market office, Robert, who has over 35 years’ experience as a barrister and 20 years’ experience working in-house across international markets can act for clients on buying and selling companies, shareholder agreements, contract disputes, intellectual property, trademark issues, IT and software contracts. He has also previously specialised in gaming and software contracts. Robert, whose previous roles include working with international oil companies in Saudi Arabia, helping with the setup of casinos on the Isle of Man as in-house gaming lawyer and advising on the drawing up of the Gambling Act 2005 said: “It’s an exciting challenge and a fresh approach. The reality is that at Rothera Sharp we have people doing all different areas of law and the idea is that we have a one-stop shop where we can supply the client with everything they need. The key message is that our clients don’t need to go anywhere else.” Lucy can assist with all aspects of the house-buying process including buying and selling, right to buy and help to buy and auction properties. She also has particular experience assisting first time buyers with property purchases and has previously worked at firms across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. She will be based at Rothera Sharp’s Mapperley office. 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Notts flue firm names Hamnett as new MD John Hamnett has been appointed the new Managing Director of A1 Flue Systems, the designer, manufacturer and installer of commercial and industrial chimney, flue and exhaust systems. Mr Hamnett succeeds Colin Moir, who founded the company in 1973, as Managing Director with overall responsibility for running the business, which employs 140 people and is based in Ollerton near Newark. Speaking about his appointment, Mr Hamnett said he is immensely proud to take the helm of the company he joined as a schoolboy 33 years ago. “I started working at A1 Flues straight after leaving school, and I could never have dreamt that I would one day ascend to become Managing Director of a business that has grown to become what I believe to be the best flue firm in the UK,” said John. “I really did start at the bottom, making flues in our factory and then working on sites across the UK installing them – and this grounding has been fundamental in understanding every aspect of the business and industry. “I’m very grateful to Colin Moir for giving me a job all those years ago and now for the opportunity to become Managing Director. I appreciate this isn’t an easy decision for Colin to make because A1 Flues has been his life’s work, and it’s a privilege that he has entrusted it to me to drive the business forward. “I’ve been a director for eight years and have played a key part in developing the business in that time – which has included securing some landmark projects, such as The Shard in London – and I’m very excited about the new chapter for A1 Flues.” APPOINTMENTS 08-09.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 09:42 Page 1Milton ushers in new ERA for Clumber Consultancy Clumber Consultancy, the north Nottinghamshire-based specialist Pensions and ERA Service provider for the UK insolvency market, has appointed Paul Milton as a Director. Milton has over 30 years of experience in the sector, having begun his career at Pannell Kerr Forster in Leicester in 1987, before joining Stoy Hayward (now RSM UK) at the start of the 1990 recession. He joins Clumber Consultancy to strengthen its ERA offering for Insolvency Practitioners having spent his career dealing with this complex and sensitive area onsite with employers and employees alike. Clumber Consultancy’s primary focus is compliance and ensuring that beneficiaries of company pension schemes receive their pension entitlement. Managing Director Darren Toms says: “Paul’s arrival is a major part of the next phase of growth within our ERA offering, which enhances an all-inclusive suite of solutions to Insolvency Practitioners looking for efficiency and cost effectiveness, without compromising on quality.” Assetz Capital appoints experienced banker as Relationship Director Peer-to-peer lender Assetz Capital has appointed Chris Mason as Regional Relationship Director in East Anglia and the East Midlands. Chris has a wealth of experience across the banking sector, having worked in the industry for 37 years. Chris started his career at Barclays where he worked for 21 years. He has also worked as a property finance new business director at the Bank of Scotland, subsequently as a property finance broker and most recently as a corporate banker with Handelsbanken. In his new position at Assetz Capital, Chris will operate mainly across East Anglia, the East Midlands and London. He will work with brokers and intermediaries to provide ambitious businesses and property developers with development finance, property investment finance, commercial mortgages and bridging loans. Double director appointment boosts growth for logistics firm A national supply chain solutions firm based in Northamptonshire has recently appointed two new non-executive directors to its Board, bolstering its strategy team as the company continues to expand its customer base and operations at home and abroad. Helen Bell and Dave Howorth have recently joined The NX Group, a Crick-based warehousing, distribution and courier firm whose services and divisions have been growing steadily for more than a decade. Dave and Helen’s roles will encompass developing the firm’s strategy within the transport and logistics sector, as well as providing guidance on how the company can accelerate its growth in various business areas. Dave, 58, from Wokingham, came to the company from a long-established career in the supply chain sector. For more than a decade he was Northern Europe Supply Chain Director for General Mills, who produce brands including Häagen Dazs, Green Giant, Nature Valley, Yoplait and Old El Paso, and he has also worked in in-house logistics at Pepsico and in third party logistics, providing services to clients such as Mars and Comet. Financial planner earns place on LEP’s business growth board Derbyshire financial planner Jillian Thomas has been appointed to the Business Growth Board of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. The advisory board is made up of representatives from the public, private and third sectors, including from local councils, universities, the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Business Bank, Rolls Royce and the CBI. D2N2 LEP, which covers Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, is a partnership between the public sector and businesses which plays a central role in deciding local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and create jobs. Jillian, MD of Renishaw-based Future Wealth Management, said: “I am delighted to join this influential organisation at such an important time. I moved to Derbyshire as a child and have lived in, and loved, the area ever since. I have championed the region both through my profession and through my civic roles. “I am keen to do my bit to help grow the prosperity of the area and I know that the LEP is doing some really important work.” Jillian is a former president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and governor of Chesterfield College, and a current patron of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS 08-09.qxp_Layout 1 28/08/2019 09:43 Page 2Next >