JANUARY 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 2022 BUSINESS PREDICTIONS Looking ahead LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT Solving sustainability and skills struggles EMPLOYMENT LAW Fit for purpose THE YEAR AHEAD THE YEAR AHEAD 01.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:29 Page 1www.oms.uk.com 01530 833 533 info@oms.uk.com Helping you to perform at the highest level OMS have delivered consultancy and training services throughout the Midlands and UK for over 22 years. We are a leading authority in health and safety, employment, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems and training. Our tailored solutions support organisations throughout the UK. Could we help you too? Some of the benefits of using OMS 3 5 star Trustpilot rating. 3 Trusted by many major and local organisations to deliver consultancy and training. 3 Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 for “The provision of Consultancy and Training Services” giving you the assurance that we have management controls in place to provide a quality offering safely, with minimal impact on the environment. 3 Easy access to our training centre, with free car parking, centrally located just a few minutes from Junction 22 of the M1. 3 Covid Secure training centre and head office. 3 Approved CITB touch screen (ITC) test centre, which allows you to attend a Site Safety Plus Health & Safety Awareness course and your touch screen test on the same day. 3 Wide range of health and safety e-learning courses. 3 Accredited to run a wide variety of courses at our training centre at Bardon Hill. 3 NEBOSH Gold training provider. Visit www.oms.uk.com, call us on 01530 833 533 or email info@oms.uk.com to learn more about us and how we can enhance your organisation. 02.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:30 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES Come the start of a New Year, it’s customary to look at the past and consider how much things have changed. In our region, starting 2022 with many of us working from home must make it feel like nothing has, but that’s not entirely the truth. The advent of Omicron has not seen as devastating an impact as the first variants of COVID-19, and vaccinations have progressed at a fair pace. As more and more of the region becomes vaccinated or immune, the impact of Coronavirus is being lessened. That might not be much solace to the companies in lockdown without financial aid from the Government, but some small relief can come from the fact that this is, as of yet, not a mandatory lockdown. That said, the pressures and risks of the so-called “Great Resignation” may have many feeling they cannot pressure their employees lest they lose them. Traditionally, most job losses happen over the Christmas break or before it, however, with jobs beginning in the new year, so it may be that businesses in our region have evaded this problem for now. We’ll all have to keep an eye on the shift to see how long it lasts and what, if anything, needs to be done. Until then, the dawn of a new year means little more than business as usual. However, those in a position to do so may want to take the first month to look to the future and ask whether these circumstances might happen again. In an increasingly global world, further pandemics might become recurring features, so modernising businesses now may protect them against later concerns. If nothing else, it’s best to prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t happen. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor Welcome... 03.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:30 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region. Commercial property 16 A new year is the perfect opportunity to leave a challenging past behind and focus on a better future, which is what the East Midlands commercial property sector has been successfully doing. GF Tomlinson20 G F Tomlinson celebrates achievements in 2021 with £9m of social value generated. 2022 business predictions 22 It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. Tax26 Customs declarations on imports from the EU – have you got to grips with changes from 1 January 2022? By James Pinchbeck, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants and director of SBC Global Alliance, the firm’s international association of professional advisory firms. Productivity and efficiency in manufacturing 28 The robots are not trying to take over, they are just here to help. Networking 32 New year, new goals… or is it? By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. IT and communications34 From robust cybersecurity measures to efficiency gains, East Midlands Business Link explores the many benefits of updating IT and telecoms systems. Public relations 38 Ooh, I do LOVE a January audit - let’s find out what the press thinks about you! By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Logistics and transport 40 The logistics and transport industry has myriad challenges to tackle, with the driver shortage and reducing emissions key amongst these. Employment law43 Whether it’s bosses mandating that their staff be double jabbed, the right to request flexible working, or calls for extending statutory sick leave, businesses have many employment law issues to contend with as we continue to transition out of the pandemic. New year, new supplier 46 With so much to do in the new year it can feel daunting to look at suppliers, and easier to just go with what you know, but that attitude could lead businesses into trouble. Corporate hospitality48 With COVID-19 making another comeback this winter and governments recommending people to limit social gatherings and interactions, there is a chance businesses will need to turn to online conferences and events once again. JANUARY 2022 EAST MIDLANDS L E £3.50 E ADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE AHEAD THE YEARR UK www.blmgroup.co.uk A 2022 BUSINE LOGISTIC ESS EMPCS ANDYMENTLO Looking ahead WW PREDICTIONS and skills str Solving sust TRANSPO W EASTMIDL S Fit for p WWLA ruggles ainability TT ANDSBUSINE OR ESSLINK CO U purpose w Cover photographs courtesy: stock.adobe.com/Soonthorn • Dilok • Elnur • Photocreo Bednarek • Ondra Contents January 2022 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Renewables 50 As we leave fossil fuels in the past, in search of a more sustainable future, the transition to renewable energy sources is picking up pace. Out of office 54 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 10/01/2022 08:31 Page 150 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Journalist Tess Egginton t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk Eleonora Gallina e.gallina@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 10/01/2022 08:31 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Anglian Water appoints M-EC to landmark pipeline infrastructure programme M-EC has been appointed by Anglian Water to work on one of the largest strategic infrastructure programmes currently taking place in the UK. The firm of technical development consultants, which is headquartered in Leicestershire, are working with Anglian Water on various sections of its 500km long stretch of new, interconnecting pipelines that run from Elsham in North Lincolnshire, to Ipswich in Suffolk. M-EC’s Geomatics Team has been commissioned to undertake topographical survey work and utility tracing on the sections between Grantham and Peterborough and Elsham to Lincoln, some 140 km of pipeline. M-EC will also carry out survey work on associated infrastructure which includes several reservoirs, pumping stations and river crossings. Anglian Water has invested approximately £400 million into the new infrastructure programme and, once completed, the network will be longer than any UK motorway. The new pipelines will help Anglian move water more freely around the region so it can divert it from areas of water surplus in North Lincolnshire to the south and east of the region, where it isn’t as readily available. The network will also help combat the impact of climate change as James Crompton, strategic pipeline alliance director at Anglian Water, comments: “The programme will make it possible to reduce the amount of water taken from the environment, as well as strengthening local resilience by reducing the number of homes and businesses which rely on a single water source.” Alex Bennett, director at M-EC, says: “This is an exciting project for M-EC and our Geomatics team, and we are proud to be working alongside Anglian Water and specialist partners to deliver this critical piece of UK infrastructure. Our team is already on the ground and our surveys will help inform other engineers at critical stages in the design and development of this programme.” James Crompton adds: “Each of our partners who have joined our new Strategic Pipeline Alliance, delivering this programme bring not only a wealth of experience but new mindsets, thinking and innovation for what is an incredibly exciting project, but also collectively, one of the largest investments in our water infrastructure we’ve made in recent years.” The entire infrastructure programme is due to be completed by 2025. Pandemic rattles East Midlands business confidence – again The confidence and resilience of East Midlands businesses that held up well during the roller-coaster journey through 2021 is facing another dip over the impact of Covid this winter. Grant Thornton UK LLP’s Business Outlook Tracker surveyed c.600 mid-market businesses every other month during a year that began in full lockdown and was followed by a gradual exit from restrictions up to ‘Freedom Day’ in July. Optimism in the East Midlands about the country’s economic prospects averaged 72% over the year, matching the national average. One of the biggest dents in confidence was recorded in the penultimate survey, conducted in late September and early October, with 16% of businesses in the region describing themselves as ‘pessimistic’ about the future of the UK economy. September’s panic buying and resulting fuel shortages also led to the year’s most marked setback in regional confidence, with 18% of businesses in the East Midlands saying they were ‘pessimistic’ about their ability to grow revenues. The latest round of views were gathered during the initial outbreak of the Omicron variant, just prior to the announcement of the Government’s Plan B measures. Pessimism in the nation’s business landscape was evident, with more than a quarter (26%) of firms in the East Midlands being unwilling to express optimism in the UK economy. Across the UK, confidence around revenue growth within businesses peaked in the summer (with 83% expressing optimism), before plunging 17 percentage points to 66% by December. The East Midlands ended the year above the national average for the same metric at 82%, resurging from only 66% of businesses expressing optimism in the autumn. Newly published business book supports Uganda charity Starting a business in 2022? Will you manage your own publicity? If so, have a copy of PR ON A BEERMAT on your desk and learn from the experience of smaller businesses, journalists, and digital PR experts. This plain-talking guide to public relations is written for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owner-managers of growing businesses. Louise Third draws from over 30 years as a business adviser and PR consultant. “I decided it was time to capture in print the advice I share through my mentoring and online workshops,” she says. “Everyone can do PR. It’s simple once you understand the basics, but it must be done well. No excuses.” Louise is a volunteer with the charity Teso Development Trust. She is giving £1 of every book sold towards the cost of sinking a fresh water borehole in north east Uganda. PR ON A BEERMAT is available on Amazon, priced £12.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CGS11TN 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:35 Page 190% of Midlands businesses to be impacted by R&D tax reform Ninety per cent of Midlands business leaders will need to rethink their tax and innovation strategy as the Government has confirmed new R&D tax relief rules, first announced in the Budget, according to new research from accountancy firm, BDO. The bi-monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 leaders of medium- sized businesses reveals the significant proportion of Midlands businesses that will be impacted by the announcement which aims to target abuse, improve compliance and drive UK innovation. Experts warn that without forward planning and a holistic tax strategy, this could have substantial implications on business’s cashflow and moreover for innovation in UK businesses and particularly in the regions. Ross Northall, partner at BDO LLP, said: “At a policy level, it makes sense that the Government are seeking to onshore R&D, enhance UK innovation and better police genuine UK R&D but, practically, business leaders need a plan. “The 90% of Midlands businesses with overseas R&D will need to consider modelling the impact of these tax changes on their R&D claim. This will allow them to truly understand the net cost of innovation for future R&D now the detail has been announced. “Of course, the greatest cost to UK Plc could be that businesses invest less in R&D overall as they’re not able to transfer the current level of investment into the UK.” ONS figures estimate that approximately £25.9 billion of the £47.5 billion of R&D investment in 2019 was in the UK with the remainder spent overseas. BDO tax director, Claire Hudson, added: “For business leaders, this isn’t a case of just re-looking at their approach to R&D. Companies need to take a strategic approach and consider the detail of these changes and whether a restructure is required. “There are several corporate tax considerations, such as whether onshoring would result in a transfer of IP, whether transfer pricing is impacted, and any overseas entities need to be liquidated. The good news is there is time to get into the detail, but this needs to be a priority for leaders in the new year.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS East Midlands economic recovery slows as businesses grapple with uncertainty and price rises The brakes are being applied to job creation, sales and investment in the East Midlands as economic growth slows down, new research reveals. Every indicator of economic activity recorded a drop between the third and fourth quarters of 2021 in East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey, while confidence was also down. It was also the first time the State of the Economy Index – which aggregates the various indicators to rate the region’s economic health – fell since the beginning of the pandemic, having grown consistently since Q2 2020. Chris Hobson, director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The reading of our State of the Economy Index will be a disappointment for businesses and indicates an economy that continues to grow, but at a rate of pace that is slowing. “To put it another way, over the past few months, the brakes have started to be applied to parts of our economy. When we dig a little deeper, we can see the reality for many businesses. They are having to contend with rising prices for raw materials and staffing, which is putting the squeeze on margins. “While many businesses spent much of 2021 trying to stave off passing these price rises on to support competitiveness, additional pressures at the end of the year, including increased energy costs, seem to have provided the proverbial straw to break the camel’s back.” • 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. Chris Hobson Ross Northall 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:35 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Barwood boosts acquisitions team Towcester-based Barwood Capital has made two major appointments as it expands its acquisitions team to meet market demand across the UK regions. Tom Gold, investment director, will focus primarily on acquisition of new commercial property opportunities across the sectors, for the Barwood managed funds. He joins from RO Real Estate where he was investment and development director, responsible for all acquisition, disposal and development across a diverse portfolio of assets. Nick Masters, senior investment manager, is responsible for sourcing and analysis of new commercial opportunities and making recommendations on behalf of Barwood’s managed funds. His previous role as associate partner in Cluttons’ investment and development team saw him provide UK-wide, cross-sector acquisition, disposal and development consultancy advice to leading institutional investors, private investors and developers. Both will work with Edward Henson, director and head of transactions at Barwood Capital. He said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tom and Nick to the transactions team as we continually expand on the various funds we have under management across the UK regions. Barwood Capital prides itself on its long- serving, dedicated professional team, for which we look forward to Tom and Nick being very much a part of.” The new appointments follow a year in which Barwood managed over £100m worth of acquisitions, including a B&Q unit in Sheffield, the JLR building in Ellesmere Port, Tungsten Park, Bardon and most recently, the office acquisition, Eton House, Richmond. 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk rg+p promotes three new directors Multi-disciplinary design practice, rg+p, has promoted three longstanding employees to directors. Melvyn King becomes technical director, John Roberts is technical associate director for housing, and Ben Walton is design director. Collectively the trio has amassed over three decades with rg+p, delivering some of the firm’s flagship schemes including Royal Warwick Square in Kensington and Chelsea, Leicester’s Sock Island waterfront regeneration, the award-winning Passivhaus homes at Heathcott Road and the 692-bed student scheme at The Bendigo Building in Nottingham. “Melvyn, John and Ben are significantly talented architects, with a breadth of knowledge and expertise that the practice draws upon regularly,” said James Badley, rg+p’s director. “They each champion the creation of sustainable buildings through design quality and technical accuracy, and as such, have become well-respected by both our team and clients. My co-directors and I were pleased to reward these three professionals with well-deserved promotions and begin a new phase of business growth.” Whilst Melvyn, John and Ben’s promotions have specific practice-wide responsibilities, each is also expected to train the next generation and will lead in-house forums, review boards, CPD workshops and seminars. Melvyn will also continue his longstanding partnership with De Montfort University where he provides lectures and tutorials for undergraduates studying towards BA Architecture and BSc Architectural Technology as well as mentoring and guidance aligned to the PEDR (Professional Experience Development Record) programme. James added: “It’s really important that we continue developing new talent and we’re confident that Melvyn, John and Ben are excellent role models for our aspiring architects. The pandemic has caused swathes of changes to the architectural landscape and it’s an exciting time to be re-imagining our homes, communities, places of work and leisure. “However, it’s also indefinitely altered the patterns of our working life. With further positive companywide changes soon to be announced, we agreed the timing was right to make these promotions to provide continuity and reassurance.” Tom Gold and Nick Masters L-R: John Roberts, Ben Walton and Melvyn King 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:35 Page 3Northamptonshire Chamber welcomes its first female president An organisation which supports around 1,000 businesses from across Northamptonshire has welcomed its first female board president. Award-winning personal insurance expert Robyn Allen, of Robyn Allen Solutions Ltd, became the first woman president in the Chamber’s 104-year history at the end of its annual general meeting. Robyn, who at 33 is also the organisation’s youngest ever president, had been an active member of the Chamber board for two years prior to taking up her new role. She said: “I originally joined the Chamber board because I felt it was important that we have a diverse collection of voices to represent our wide range of members. There’s a bit of a weight on my shoulders because I’m the first female president but I’m very excited about my new role. “I love the Chamber and what it stands for. It gives organisations so many opportunities to raise their profile as well as access to a wide range of fantastic support services. My focus will be on the needs of the Chamber membership so that together we can ensure the Chamber continues to lead the way, grow and move forward. “I’m already looking forward to [2022’s] Northamptonshire Business Awards and to seeing how we can help Northamptonshire Chamber’s Women With Vision network and Next Generation Chamber to further develop and grow. “I’m also excited about the Chamber’s first exhibition [in 2022] – I know their team is already working on great plans for it involving the Women With Vision network and it promises to be a fantastic event.” Senior associate at property consultancy voted Midlands chair of key industry association A senior associate at a property consultancy has been voted Midland’s chair of a key pipeline industry association. Jenny Occleshaw, of Fisher German, has become the Midlands chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild (PIG), the only association worldwide to cater directly for the needs of the pipeline industry. She was voted in at the association’s regional AGM, succeeding Rachel Bridge, also of Fisher German. Jenny joined Midlands PIG in November 2015 as part of its Professional Development Network (PDN) for young professionals, becoming chair in 2019, before moving up to the main branch committee in 2020 as deputy chair and secretary. She is set to focus on sustainability and achieving net zero during her tenure as chair, looking at how innovation, new technologies and sharing best practice can help achieve sustainability across the pipeline industry. Jenny is an integral part of the infrastructure and sustainable energy planning team at Fisher German, and is based at the firm’s Ashby office, providing planning advice to corporate and private clients working in water, waste, gas, electricity and sustainable energy. She said: “I am very pleased to be voted in as chair at what is an extremely exciting time for the industry. Fisher German has a strong connection with the Guild, with Rachel as outgoing Midlands Chair, planner Antonia Wyatt as the current PDN chair, and a number of PIG members across the firm. “As we look forward to the net zero targets there needs to be a shift towards new ways of working in the pipeline industry to ensure there is sustainability throughout the supply chain and at every stage of a development. “This includes everything from the materials we use to ensuring that the project itself is sustainable, taking into consideration new regulations around biodiversity net gain. We need to adapt across all areas and make use of new technologies and innovations to achieve net zero targets.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS Jenny Occleshaw Azets strengthens tax practice in the Midlands Azets, the accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, with 14 offices across the Midlands, Shropshire, and Welsh Borders, has strengthened its tax practice in the region with three senior appointments. Gurj Sandhu, Stuart Bentley and Jay Mistry have all joined Azets in specialist tax roles as the firm continues to broaden and grow its expertise both in the region and nationally. Gurj Sandhu, partner and national head of capital allowances with Azets, is dual qualified as a chartered surveyor and accountant, specialising in capital allowances and land remediation relief. Gurj qualified at a Big 4 firm and later moved on to establish the central region capital allowances team at RSM. Gurj advises across a broad range of clients and sectors and his experience includes discussions with HMRC to agree capital allowances claims, as well as specialist consultancy reviews of internal capital allowances systems and processes. Stuart Bentley, research & development (R&D) tax director with Azets, joins from Fortus Business Advisors & Accountants. Stuart is an experienced advisor, specialising in the optimisation of government incentives, primarily R&D Tax Credits. He has a degree in Materials Science, a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters in executive coaching, helping him get a deeper understanding of clients’ businesses. Jay Mistry, R&D tax manager with Azets, has experience in the automotive and engineering industries before moving into financial services and working at a top 15 accounting and business advisory firm, consulting on R&D Tax. Jay was most recently senior consultant with BDO, working with SME clients to deliver R&D benefits by preparing accurate, technical projects for R&D relief. Robyn Allen Gurj Sandhu 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:35 Page 4Next >