OCTOBER 2021 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 IT AND COMMUNICATIONS Constant evolution LEGAL SERVICES Defending business SUPPORTING BUSINESS GROWTH The next level A NEW ERA A NEW ERA 01.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:23 Page 1 I NTER N Food Food &&& Food Food & N ATI O N &&Drin Drin Drin &&Drin AL nk nk nkk Coo Kee l i lf l s in C C Cii On the shel Functional ingredient Cleaning an maintenan nd ceFor 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 TT 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 ANDSBUSINE TION ficef althy of LUTIONS ESSLINK CO U FICE w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk EMPOWER Your Business Focus on TA 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 ooo W coron F ganisa geg l b l g l h O virus na g gency ti medic Nucle Prev aaccinV The nuclea e b f treatment ve The P l t kaage n e t eelopment t v om de rF w w w di i k . p b i f o r u m . n yorkshire & lincolnshhire’s leading business mamagazine april 2020 £3.5 50 TO T RES C THE SPOND CRISIS DING S ACTOR C 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 30/09/2021 12:24 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES Many of our readers may be experiencing déjà vu. With empty shelves expected and congested filling stations, and ‘winter of discontent’ rhetoric doing the rounds, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was 1978. Should things reach boiling point, it’ll likely be an even sorrier state of affairs with the COVID pandemic still claiming lives and overwhelming the NHS. It’s worth noting that when it comes to fuel that the only shortage is one of drivers – if nothing else, let this debacle prove the importance of robust supply chains and the critical need for drivers and logistics operators. Fitting then, that we have warehousing & distribution feature in this month’s issue. Over in the supporting business growth feature, meanwhile, our editorial team take a dive into how businesses can maintain cashflow now that the furlough scheme has come to an end. As per usual, our team and our expert commentators and columnists serve as a barometer of business both regionally and on the national stage. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor Welcome... 03.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:34 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region Commercial property 16 This month East Midlands Business Link highlights fresh office deals and developments across the region as activity slowly increases while occupiers consider how they want to use office space in the future. G F Tomlinson Q&A 20 Chris Flint, Director of G F Tomlinson, reflects on the region and how it has become an area of vast regeneration and growth. East Midlands Business Link Bricks Awards 2021 22 With the East Midlands Bricks Awards complete for another year, it is time to reflect on the event and reveal the evening’s winners. Supporting business growth 16 Although financial aids put in place by the government to ease to economic burden of the pandemic have all come to an end, there are a myriad of other financial lifelines open to businesses to cover losses, as well as measures that can be implemented in-house to support future growth. • OMS Q&A Tax42 Increased National Insurance and tax rates on Dividends: How will the changes affect you? By Jennie Brown, Tax Partner, Streets Chartered Accountants IT and communications44 Updating an outmoded telecoms system not only helps to streamline and modernise a company’s internal process, but also improves competitiveness in an increasingly difficult marketplace. At a time when companies are facing economic pressure, bosses can’t afford not to update. Public relations 48 When it comes to flexible working, great PR is in the bag By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Corporate hospitality 50 The pandemic has changed how events are run, seeing many now adopting a hybrid approach. Business scene 52 Nottingham network, RSViP, are celebrating a victory opening night as they were finally able to raise the curtain, following their much anticipated come-back event, which took place on Thursday 23 September at the country retreat, Goosedale. Networking 54 Coaching, consultancy, training …the hybrid way By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. Facilities management 56 Although managing any facility is a complex, multi-faceted job, part of it involves responding to the unique requirements of a facility and meeting regulatory changes. Legal services59 Given business law is a complex and nebulous branch of legal services, the quality and effectiveness of the advice and assistance a company receives can directly impact its future trading and endeavours. • Hopkins Solicitors Q&A EAST MIDLANDS L EE ADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE OCTOBER 2021£3.50 ERA A NEEW E IT ANDLEGALSUPPORTINGTR Constant evolution WW COMMUNICA Defending SERVIC n TIONST W EASTMIDL A The next le BUSINE business ANDSBUSINE ES evel ESSLINK CO U ESS GROWTH w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk Cover photographs courtesy: Shutterstock/Roman Zaiets • long8614 • Marko Aliaksandr • Andrey_Popov • Zastolskiy Victor Contents October 2021 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Warehousing and distribution 64 The increased demand placed on the warehousing and distribution sectors in the wake of the pandemic continues and, with the Christmas trading period rapidly approaching, and a dearth of drivers, operators need to act now to ensure they can meet this demand and avoid shortages. AutoLink68 Tech and specs are the name of the game in this month’s round-up of the most compelling luxury motors hitting the market. Events72 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands And finally...74 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 30/09/2021 12:35 Page 144 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 30/09/2021 12:35 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Metal recycling specialist opens new rail-connected site Derbyshire-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has opened a new rail connected, metal processing site in Barking, East London. It will facilitate the movement of bulk material from the south of England to its other facilities across the country for processing and onward export. The site in Barking is a long-term partnership with DB Cargo UK and marks the next stage in the expansion of the firm’s bulk metal processing and export capabilities. It follows the opening of a new deep sea port facility at Redcar Bulk Terminal earlier this year and a deep sea dock at Immingham in North Lincolnshire in 2018 with Associated British Ports. Enabling Ward to move bulk ferrous metal by rail, the site eventually aims to transport a number of trains each month, each carrying over 1,000 tonnes of material on each movement. It forms part of Ward’s broader sustainability plans to reduce road cargo and handle bulk material to rail wherever feasible to do so. Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward, said: “Following a pilot exercise in Pinns Wharf, where we were transporting scrap by barge up to Immingham, we established the potential for buying metals from other London-based merchants and cost effectively transporting them via rail to our other sites, for recycling and export. “We’ve worked with DB Cargo UK to upgrade the site, installing a new weighbridge, radiation detectors, site accommodation facilities, new walls, gates and on-site security. We’ve also invested in new equipment including Liebherr material handlers and a CAT wheel loader. At the moment it has created five new jobs, but we are expecting to grow the team further in the coming months.” DB Cargo UK provides freight, infrastructure and passenger charter trains throughout the UK, and freight services to and from mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. It also provides traction and train crew for scheduled passenger operators. New online course: Understanding the Total Cost of Ownership - how to avoid future problems and buy bulk solids handling equipment intelligently All too often the operational requirements of the equipment to be supplied to bulk terminals is not properly understood by either the buyers or the sellers. Purchase decisions purely based on price or a lack of knowledge of the characteristics of the material to be handled - or frequently both - will fail to understand the true cost of a bulk solids handling system to a business in terms of down-time; energy; maintenance and manning. This course will give both terminal operators and equipment manufacturers an insight into what should be on the one side be specified, and on the other side supplied. It will be delivered online through expert presentations, case studies and group working facilitated by The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology and the Solids Handling & Processing Association (SHAPA). It takes place online from 13:00 - 17:00 GMT on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 November 2021. To register an interest in attending, visit www.bulkterminals.org. New firm founded as well-established accountancy practices merge East Midlands-based Streets Chartered Accountants have announced the founding of the new Luton firm, Streets S J Males. This follows the merger of the well-established Luton practice of S J Males & Co, headed up by Craig and Sarah Males, with Streets, a Top 40 UK mid-tier and multi- regional practice with 15 offices, 36 partners and over 200 staff. When asked about the merger with Streets, Craig Males said: “Prior to the merger we worked informally with Streets accessing advice and support we were not able to provide to our clients. This included specialist tax advice and assistance with more complex accountancy and audit work. “This approach allowed us to get to know each other better and supported the move for both firms to work more closely. We have recognised the need to be able to offer our clients a greater breadth of service to support them with the challenges they face and we also wanted to increase the firm’s capacity to develop the business. “It is with this background that we are delighted to have merged with Streets who not only share our values of providing excellent client centric service but that can also provide both our existing and new clients much more in terms of specialist advice and services. In particular, it is great to be able to now draw on the dedicated tax expertise of Corporate Tax Partner, Luke Prout and Private Client Tax Partner, Jennie Brown. “The merger will provide broader benefits in terms of resources and support to develop our team and to ensure we are able to respond to the challenges we face as a business like those of our clients.” Commenting on the background and strategy to the creation of Streets S J Males and the development of a Luton office, Streets Chairman and Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We have been keen to strengthen our presence in Bedfordshire for some time, looking in particular at Luton and the surrounding area. From our established offices in Stevenage and Wyboston Lakes, we have looked after clients in the area for many years. “Last year we opened a new office in Northamptonshire in response to the wider opportunities for a practice of our breadth and size in the county and south east Midlands. It therefore seemed a logical move to have a much more meaningful presence in Luton. Whilst we considered opening a new office, we have been extremely fortunate to have been able to come together with Craig and Sarah Males, formerly of S J Males & Co and now to be driving forward the new merged practice.” Partners and staff of merged Luton accountancy firm of S J Males with Streets Chartered Accountants. Centre of image (left to right) is Sarah Males, Alan Endersby and Craig Males. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:42 Page 1Million-pound investment sees recruitment specialist become employee-led Recruitment specialist, SF Recruitment, has completed a £1.2m investment which sees both its management team become owners in the business, and every employee given a stake in the future profits of the company. The investment sees CEO Saira Demmer – alongside the management team made up of Rebecca Parnell, Damien Lewis, Dominic Syalon, Mike Lattimer and Joanne Eaton – become shareholders in the business. Having played an instrumental role in developing SF Recruitment into a market-leading position, the leadership team will take on a more significant role in the future direction and strategy of the business. SF Recruitment has also announced the introduction of the SF Ownership Scheme, where every employee shares in the future profits of the company regardless of job title, seniority or tenure. These moves complete SF Recruitment’s shift to a more employee-centric model, where the business is led by, and for, its people and is inspired by the employee-partnership model at businesses like John Lewis and The Co-op. CEO Saira Demmer explains: “It was important to us to put our money where our mouth is and give our people real ownership and a stake in our collective success. We are on a mission to build a business full of brilliant people and we want to reward the contribution each of these individuals makes through more than just standard remuneration models.” As part of the changes, SF Recruitment will continue to be backed by James Caan’s private equity house, Hamilton Bradshaw. On the announcement, James Caan said: “As a business, SF Recruitment continues to go from strength to strength, and I am very excited about its future under this talented management team.” SF has also announced a number of changes to its employee proposition with the launch of a fully-flexible way of working that gives employees the autonomy to choose where, when and how they work. Earlier this year, the company also invested £250,000 in a triple office relocation to champion flexible working. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Ringrose Law shortlisted for ‘Family Law Firm of the Year’ Ringrose Law have been shortlisted for ‘Family Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2021 Family Law Awards for the Midlands and Wales Region. The prestigious awards are an annual event, hosted by LexisNexis, launched in 2011 to recognise the important work of family lawyers, and celebrate their many successes and outstanding achievements. The Family Law Awards brings the family law community together for its biggest night of the year, celebrating excellence, networking and recognising its vital contribution to society. Ringrose Law boasts one of the largest Family & Children departments in the county and provides the very best legal advice, guidance and care to clients every day. The department has seen an exceptional increase in matters over the last 18 months since the start of the global pandemic, particularly with domestic abuse and family relationships breaking down. The team now acts on two national domestic abuse panels and represents clients all over the country. Costa Kyriacou, head of the Children Law Team (which comes under the umbrella of Family Law for the purposes of the award), and Emma McGrath, head of the Family Law team, were both made partners of the firm in the summer of 2020 and since then have significantly grown both of their teams. Costa says: “To be shortlisted for this award is a fantastic achievement for both Emma and I and every member in our teams and we are very proud of this. It is also a reflection of how well the firm has adapted in the last 18 months during the pandemic. “The award is also reflective of the hardworking nature of all in the team, and our aim to provide the best service to our clients, every day. We would like to wish all of the other shortlisted firms the very best of luck and look forward to the awards night later in November.” The awards ceremony will be taking place on Wednesday 24 November in London. For further information please go to www.familylawawards.com/ehome/fla21/home/ • 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. SF Recruitment Leadership Team: (L-R) Saira Demmer, Damien Lewis, Rebecca Parnell, Dominic Syalon, Joanne Eaton, Mike Lattimer 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:42 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Nottingham financial advisers bolsters team with experienced recruit Nottingham-based George Square Financial Management has bolstered its growing team with the hire of an accredited chartered financial planner, in support of its continuing corporate expansion plans. George Square, which provides independent financial planning solutions and mortgage advice to private individuals and businesses, has recruited George Bonsall as an independent financial adviser, to provide holistic financial planning advice to the firm’s clients, specialising in retirement and later life advice as well as investments, protection, and estate planning. Having recently achieved chartered status through the London Institute of Banking and Finance, George is an accredited member of the Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA) and can advise on long- term care and equity release advice in addition to more mainstream IFA services. Prior to joining George Square, George worked at an independent IFA firm in Nottinghamshire. Beginning his career in the financial services industry in 2006, he has extensive experience working across the sector, having worked at some of the nation’s largest mortgage providers, including Nationwide Building Society, where he was responsible for managing a team of mortgage consultants. Commenting on his appointment, George Bonsall says: “I have worked with George Square on a number of previous cases through an introductory basis and felt strongly that it was a company that I would like to be a part of. Building trust with current and new clients is always a challenge faced by those in the financial services sector. “Whilst having a strong brand, a great team, and the relevant qualifications and recognitions are all key elements to building trust, it is spending time with and showing commitment to clients that really solidifies the relationship. Client satisfaction is at the heart of what George Square does, and as this is something I feel so passionately about, I knew we would be a great fit.” George Goward, Managing Director at George Square, adds: “It is an exciting time for the business as we continue to develop in line with our corporate expansion plans, with the aim having ten independent financial advisers on board by Q1 2022.” 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk New hires and promotions for Purpose Media Derbyshire-based web development, creative and digital marketing agency, Purpose Media, has announced the addition of four new hires and the promotion of two team members as the business continues to grow in 2021. The shake-up comes after a year of strong growth for the South Normanton agency, who have taken on a raft of new clients including Rivus Fleet Solutions and Bam Boom Cloud, as well as securing a new contract with the Chesterfield Digital High Street project. Following up from their recent hire of Dav Nash as head of digital, Purpose Media has further invested in video and account management. Purpose Media swooped to acquire the services of Alistair Bullock to bolster their team. Alistair has joined as a videographer and photographer for the agency, having previously worked for himself and on prominent motoring channels Car Throttle and WTF1. In addition to his editing and production skills, Alistair also brings experience in drone photography, which is a high-in-demand service. Purpose Media has also grown its account management team to improve the level of service to its existing clients on a day-to-day basis. Barney Curzon- Jones has joined as an account manager and brings sales, marketing and business development experience within the construction industry. Becky Sandars and Josh Wallis have joined as account executives to support the wider team with the day-to-day interactions with clients. Becky recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Marketing, Communications and Advertising. She has 2 years’ experience as a marketing assistant in the asset management sector. Josh graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Marketing and Branding, and has worked within marketing, recruitment and events. There have also been two internal promotions at Purpose Media. Matthew Bonser has stepped up from senior account manager to account director, and his role will be focussed on onboarding clients and ensuring the account management team is working effectively across all of Purpose Media’s client base. Emma Blaken has moved from her account manager role to become head of marketing for Purpose Media. Emma now looks after the marketing and growth of Purpose Media, building awareness by developing and executing marketing strategies for the agency. George Bonsall and George Goward Emma Blaken and Matthew Bonser 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:42 Page 3Health and safety engineering risk management experts make new appointment Leicestershire-based health and safety engineering risk management experts, Finch Consulting, have expanded with Angelica Rutherford-Hacon. Angelica follows in the footsteps of Wayne Herbert, another new Finch recruit in July 2021. With over 25 years of experience in civil engineering, Angelica will be joining Finch as a senior consultant from her most recent position with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In her new role at Finch she will provide expertise to help resolve diverse client issues. Specialising in health and safety management, Angelica has vast experience of working at height regulations. She also has great knowledge of workplace transport issues and Construction Design Management (CDM). Most of Angelica’s work at the HSE involved Expert Witness work on behalf of the Crown relating to the application of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 and 2015. Commenting on her appointment at Finch, Angelica said: “I chose to join Finch seeing this opportunity as a way to contribute from my past 25 year’s experience as an ex HM Specialist Inspector (Construction) and Expert Witness with the UK Regulator the Health and Safety Executive and having worked in various industry sectors for Tier 1 Civil Engineering Contractors to contribute to an exciting growing company offering professional assistance to clients in criminal prosecutions, civil litigation and general Health and Safety issues.” Property consultancy re-elects managing partner and makes senior appointment An Ashby property consultancy has announced the re- election of its managing partner as well as a senior appointment. Fisher German, which has two offices in the town including its headquarters, has confirmed the re- election of Andrew Bridge as managing partner who will lead the business for a further three-year term from April 1, 2022. The firm has also invited associate director Helena Tibbitts, who is based in Ashby, to join the Partnership from October 1, 2021. Andrew became managing partner in April 2019 and will complete his first three-year term in March 2022. He stood uncontested for a second term, garnering overwhelming support from the wider Partnership. Andrew said: “When I became managing partner in 2019, working closely with the wider Partnership, I quickly began implementing our big agenda including a new strategic direction and supporting vision and values. “Negotiating our way through the pandemic has been challenging but with the dedication and commitment shown by our colleagues, we have stuck to our ambitious plans and I look forward to the firm seeing these benefits during my second term in office.” Helena will join the Partnership following a recommendation from the Senior Partner Group overseeing the firm’s Pathway to Partnership scheme, which aims to prepare associate directors to thrive as partners and business leaders. She joined Fisher German in 2006 and leads the Rural and Residential Valuation team. She specialises in valuations for a range of purposes including lending, taxation and matrimonial, in addition to the valuation of residential, agricultural and development property. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS Andrew Bridge EY-Parthenon strengthens strategy & transactions team EY-Parthenon has welcomed a new partner, Claire Gambles, to strengthen its Turnaround & Restructuring Strategy practice. Claire joins EY-Parthenon from Deloitte where she led their Managed Exit business. She has over 20 years’ experience in the industry, and works across a multitude of sectors and geographies, supporting clients nationally and across the globe. In her new role, Claire will continue to be based in the Midlands and work with clients locally, nationally and globally, supporting them to reshape results by developing new strategies to focus on their core value, and making critical decisions, such as whether to fix or divest non-core or under-performing parts of their businesses. She will work with clients to identify opportunities within their organisation to protect and create value. Claire said: “I am excited to be joining the EY- Parthenon team at what is a critical time for many businesses. Right now, our clients need to manage and respond to multiple headwinds, as well as identify opportunities and develop future proof strategies in a world of unparalleled change. I’m looking forward to working alongside our clients to support them through this time.” Alan Hudson, EY-Parthenon, UK&I Turnaround & Restructuring Strategy Leader, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Claire to the team. She brings a wealth of experience in supporting CEOs and business leaders to design and deliver transformation strategies, helping them to protect and create value through times of uncertainty.” Angelica Rutherford-Hacon Claire Gambles 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 12:42 Page 4Next >