MARCH 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Time to crunch the numbers Creating a more sustainable industry Surviving another crisis 01.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:12 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. Our customers say Excellent 4.8 our of 5 based on 336 reviews 02.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:13 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES The world has become a very unstable place all of a sudden, and at a time when we could have used some stability in our region. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may feel very far away, but the impact of it will be felt all over the world, including in energy costs and fuel costs for businesses in our region. It’s close to impossible to predict how much or how little the economy will be impacted, but one thing is for sure – the Government will be even more distracted with the crisis and less available to deal with pressing business matters. For once, it will be a forgivable delay. We, like many, have been critical over the Govt’s inability to address many matters affecting our region, but it’s hard to criticise when time is being spent on a crisis like this. That said, our March issue will naturally be focused on business-to-business matters in our region. There’s plenty to look at as we approach the end of the financial year. With talk of a raise on NI at an inopportune time, along with the Govt’s Net Zero pledge set to make commercial property very tricky (a fully detailed dive into this will be coming in our April issue), the economy is not in a strong place. However, it has not been strong for years now and businesses have grown used to operating under such strict conditions. We will continue as normal there, but we do investigate alternative methods of securing finance in this issue – a very pressing concern with the banks looking as reluctant to loan as they are. We also delve into the petrochemicals industry, an industry sure to feel the impact of conflict in the east even all the way from our region. All that with up-to-date news and more. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:13 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region. Commercial property 16 It’s a new season and the commercial property market in the East Midlands has been flourishing thanks to a series of investments in new developments that will undoubtedly bring growth to the region and its communities. G F Tomlinson Q&A20 Celebrating 13 years of G F Tomlinson’s partnership with Scape Tax22 Theresa Waddingham, payroll director at Streets Chartered Accountants, offers some useful information for those managing payroll. Petrochemicals spotlight 24 An industry producing significant carbon emissions, the petrochemical sector must set its sights on a more sustainable future to meet government and societal expectations. Corporate finance 28 Many businesses are struggling after lockdown and now a war between Russia and Ukraine will impact bottom lines even in our region as fuel and energy prices soar, and as the stock market falters. In times so desperate it becomes more important than ever to be realistic. Networking 32 Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, offers some useful tips and reminders on how to best conduct yourself when attending networking events. Freight, storage and movement34 It is not the easiest of times for freight transport; the freight transport industry was still trying to recover from all the issues that came from the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit when the Ukrainian crisis and the sanctions on Russia hit it considerably. Public relations 38 Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, considers costs in marketing. Corporate hospitality 40 Corporate events are excellent growing opportunities for businesses as they allow companies to increase and implement their networks and consolidate trust between them and their clients. Planning exceptional, experiential events for guests can improve that relationship even further, and help create an even deeper connection between the company and clients. Materials and components 42 With Net Zero targets and COP26, the construction industry is poised for a green revolution – and materials will have to be at the forefront of that. AutoLink46 Luxury motors breaking the bank aren’t the be all and end all, and sometimes, whether it be for personal use or company cars, we need something a little more economical. Here are some new motors coming out that won’t break the bank nor will they damage any company’s reputation. MARCH 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LE £3.50 EADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk numbers ime to crunch theT sustainable indust eeating a morCre Surviving a try another crisis w Cover photographs courtesy: stock.adobe.com/JT Jeeraphun • bannafarsai • fizkes • Angelov • Artinun Contents March 2022 Legal services 50 Change is on the horizon for the legal services sector as the benefits of lawtech are recognised and expanded. 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 07/03/2022 10:15 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 07/03/2022 10:15 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS £11m contract sees leading building company go back to school East Midlands contractor Clegg Construction is going back to school after winning an £11m contract to expand the facilities at Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling, Nottinghamshire. Phase one of the project, which gets underway this month, will see the business build and fully fit out a new, two-storey building on the campus called the South Block. Once completed, this will pave the way for phase two – an extensive internal refurbishment of some of the school’s existing facilities. The work will lead to the creation of 29 new classrooms, a new main assembly hall, kitchen canteen and dining areas, and a catering pod that will be used to serve other areas of the school. It will create capacity for a further 400 extra students at Carlton le Willows, as well as giving all young people who attend the school access to brand new, state-of-the-art learning facilities. Social Enterprise Support fund reopens with £16.3m boost for East Midlands enterprises Social enterprises from across the East Midlands are being urged to tap into £16.3m of funding that will help their communities recover from the impact of COVID-19. The Social Enterprise Support Fund (SESF) has reopened for applications, with organisations across the region able to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 to help them deliver essential services or increase trading in the communities they serve. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the initiative’s first round in December received 800 applications and a request for funding of over £37m. Five social enterprise support agencies - Big Issue Invest, Key Fund, Resonance, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and UnLtd - have come together again to deliver the fund with the target of assisting circa 500 enterprises. The fund is due to close for applications on March 24th. “The volume of applications for the first round demonstrates not only the huge need for this financial support as community and social enterprises move to recovery mode, but also the depth and breadth of the impact that these organisations continue to provide to some of the most marginalised groups and communities in our society,” explained Matt Smith, CEO of Key Fund. Redevelopment of Coalville’s Marlborough Square given go- ahead The creation of a new pedestrian space for outdoor markets and events in Marlborough Square will finally start this year after councillors voted to press ahead with the scheme. After a number of years involving detailed design and discussion, the final plans to redesign Marlborough Square have been approved by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC). The scheme has been a key commitment for NWLDC since plans were drawn up in 2018, but it has suffered delays because of the complexity and detail involved in the project. NWLDC Cabinet unanimously approved plans for the square in February, with Full Council agreeing the budget for the work at its recent meeting. Subject to final approval from Leicestershire County Council highways, work will start this year. The scheme is expected to cost £2.7 million. With contractors soon to be appointed, work should start in early summer, and it is hoped the square will be completed by early 2023. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:18 Page 1£5.27 million Community Renewal Fund set to transform the region under East Midlands Accelerator project Businesses across the East Midlands are set to receive a boost in support on jobs, entrepreneurship and growth post-COVID with the roll-out of grant funding and innovation support under the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF). East Midlands Chamber won a bid last autumn to deliver £5.27m of support, in partnership with the region’s universities, specialist support organisations and local authorities. The Chamber is matching funds of £491,000 to the project. Support is now being delivered in those areas identified by Government as being in particular need – namely Derbyshire Dales and High Peak, Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Nottingham city, and Leicester city – between now and the end of June. There is a wealth of opportunities for businesses to get involved, whether it be tapping into training on carbon literacy, free regulatory and compliance advice, graduate student placement projects, or the implementation of digital technologies. Skills scheme rolls out to communities Tailored support with skills, training and employment is now available at special pop-up events in communities, thanks to a popular Leicestershire County Council scheme. Work & Skills has already helped over 300 people since its launch last June and is now expanding and holding sessions in Measham and Anstey. The scheme is open to anyone who is seeking employment or training – from those who have never been employed, to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, or who are at risk of redundancy. Councillor Peter Bedford, cabinet member for post-Covid recovery said: “Work & Skills Leicestershire has already helped many people seeking a new direction in their working lives and we are delighted to be able to roll it out into communities with our pop-up hubs. I would urge anyone who would like to find out more about what Work & Skills Leicestershire can offer, to get in touch and find out more.” Weekly pop-up sessions are being held from 10am until 12pm at: Measham’s community-managed library – on 3 and 10 March Anstey’s community-managed library – on 31 March, and 7, 14 and 21 April Work & Skills Leicestershire also runs at four main centres – at Loughborough Library on Tuesdays 10am until 12 noon, in partnership with Moneywise Plus and on Fridays at Hinckley Library between 10am and 12 noon, in partnership with the WiLL project. There are also sessions at Wigston Library from 10am until 12 noon every Wednesday and at Coalville Library, in partnership with the WiLL project, between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesdays. Everyone who signs up to Work & Skills Leicestershire is offered one to one support and the opportunity to have a tailored work plan drawn up for them. Help is given with CV and letter writing skills, job searches, interview techniques and much more. Work & Skills also plays a part in other projects – recently delivering an online hub specifically aimed at care sector recruitment in partnership with Leicester Employment Hub and Inspire to Care. It has also supported the Kickstart scheme by providing training and is working with the Kickstart employees who are finishing their placements, to prevent them from becoming unemployed. Later this month, the service will be working with Blaby District Council to support a hospitality, tourism and retail careers event. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link GENERAL NEWS • Commercial • Events • Headshots • Automotive • Fashion CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE 07506 998855 STEVE@STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Creating eye-catching images to help businesses build their brands and engage with clients. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:18 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Derby City Council careers scheme welcomes new chair from University of Derby A careers initiative which has helped thousands of secondary school pupils across Derby has welcomed a new chair. Enterprise for Education (E4E) has appointed Louise Pigden, Deputy Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby, to the role. She replaces Mike Copestake, who has been involved with the Derby City Council-backed scheme since it was launched in 2014. E4E was created in a bid to link employers with secondary schools and students in the city. The public-private sector organisation offers mock interviews, CV workshops and mentoring, with employees from organisations in Derby – including Rolls- Royce, Alstrom, Toyota and the University – all volunteering their time. Louise said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed chair of E4E – and I have some big boots to fill; Mike has done a brilliant job for the past eight years and he was the person who suggested I join the board at E4E because of my background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). “I have a keen interest in outreach work and do a lot of that for the University. The core mission of E4E has always been to inspire the school children of Derby to achieve great things, open their eyes to opportunities, and to do this by introducing them to fantastic volunteers from Derby’s employers.” East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Bridge Help appoints new business development manager Chesterfield-based bespoke bridging loan provider, Bridge Help, has further strengthened its business development team with the appointment of Mo Miah. Bringing 11 years’ experience with major high street banks and building societies, Mo joins Bridge Help’s team of regional business development managers. His appointment follows significant growth for Bridge Help during 2021 in which the short-term lender exceeded its own projections, lending more than £23 million. Based in north London, Mo will be working alongside Bridge Help’s business development team managing broker and lender relationships throughout the country. Making the move from a high street lender background, Mo is looking forward to the challenge of working with Bridge Help which specialises in complex deals that mainstream lenders traditionally avoid. He said: “I’m passionate about helping people and providing great customer service, that’s why I got into this sector. Working at Bridge Help is a great opportunity for me to develop broker relationships and work alongside them throughout the loan process from initial enquiry to securing funds. That is a very exciting prospect for me.” Welcoming Mo to the team, Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mo onboard. Developing and maintaining strong broker relationships is at the heart of what we do and a key reason why we can make what seems like an impossible deal, possible.” Mo added: “Bridge Help takes a refreshing approach to commercial lending and I’m excited to be part of it. I already feel like I’m very much part of the team.” Outside work, Mo is kept busy with his two young children, spending time with his wife and his extended family. When he does get time to himself, he enjoys playing 5-a-side and 8-a-side football. FRP continues East Midlands growth with new associate director FRP Corporate Finance has continued to grow its footprint in the East Midlands with the appointment of Oliver Taylor as associate director working from its Leicester and Nottingham offices. With eight years’ experience in the financial services industry, Oliver began his career in corporate foreign exchange, advising on and managing the delivery of funds to a global client base. He joins FRP from a boutique advisory firm, where he provided corporate finance advisory to organisations across a wide range of industries. This included recent roles working on the sale of a national healthcare telecommunications provider to an industry consolidator, the sale of a specialist offshore energy infrastructure maintenance business and the cross-border sale of a marine services business to a Finnish technology group. At FRP, Oliver will work alongside his colleagues in the 16- strong East Midlands practice and across FRP Corporate Finance’s national office network to deliver a full range of corporate finance services, including mergers and acquisitions, management buy- outs, strategic reviews and fundraising. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:18 Page 3CityFibre makes key appointment as work gets underway on Lincoln’s Full Fibre rollout CityFibre, the independent full fibre platform, has announced its city manager for Lincoln as it starts work on a £21m project that will see almost every home and business benefit from access to a full fibre broadband network. Lincoln has been chosen as one of the latest cities to benefit from CityFibre’s £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme, which will bring next generation, gigabit-speed broadband to nearly every home and business in the city, and to up to 8 million premises nationwide. Neal Wright has been appointed by CityFibre to spearhead delivery of the Lincoln project. As city manager, Neal will be responsible for ensuring a state-of-the-art full fibre network is rolled out with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community. With over 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry, Neal is passionate about technology, digital infrastructure, and the benefits of full fibre connectivity. He joined CityFibre in 2017 having previously worked in wholesale for 10 years, where he was responsible for signing on internet service providers as partners and selling private circuits and complex WAN solutions. New Non-Executive Director to join Derbyshire Healthcare Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed a new Non-Executive member to its Board of Directors. Former housing director, Deborah Good, commenced her role as Non-Executive Director with the Trust on 1 March 2022. Deborah, who holds a BA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Housing, has spent most of her career in the social housing sector working to improve the quality of services for local communities. Deborah has experience of serving on various multi-agency boards, including in her role as Executive Director of Customer Experience and Business Support at Solihull Community Housing and as Non-Executive Director at Derwent Living. Deborah said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as a Non-Executive Director at Derbyshire Healthcare. I am keen to bring my experience within the housing sector, my passion for health and wellbeing and my qualities as a leader to help inform the work of the Board.” In addition to attending Trust Board meetings, Deborah will be a member of the Finance and Performance Committee, overseeing all aspects of financial management and operational performance. She will also sit on the Audit and Risk Committee, which ensures that the Trust has an effective system of integrated governance, risk management and internal control. Deborah replaces Dr Julia Tabreham who had been a Non-Executive Director at the Trust since September 2016 and retired from her role at the end of December last year. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link APPOINTMENTS Nottingham CRO goes for growth with senior business development hire Nottingham-based contract research organisation (CRO) Cellomatics Biosciences has made a key business development appointment in support of its ambitious growth plans. Haroon Allybacus joins Cellomatics as senior business development manager. With more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, contract research and ‘omics’ industries, Haroon has held numerous business development roles, most recently as European account manager at Human Metabolome Technologies, the global provider of next generation metabolomics. With a Chemistry with Management Science BSc Hons and an MBA in International Business, Haroon began his career in big pharma, working for Pfizer and Astra Zeneca, before moving into CROs and biotechs. Based at BioCity Nottingham, Cellomatics is a specialist preclinical CRO with expertise in five main therapeutic areas: oncology, immuno-oncology, immunology, inflammation and respiratory. Last year, the company reported year-on-year organic growth of 30 percent since its inception in 2015, following a hike in demand for its bespoke preclinical and early discovery phase laboratory services and expertise. At Cellomatics, Haroon, who has worked in international business development for over ten years, will use his extensive experience at preclinical and clinical CROs and in pharmaceutical sales to develop the company’s global client base. 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 10:18 Page 4Next >