< Previous50 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY discussion and further connections between attendees. Virtual conferences are well established in the e-gathering world, and offer a chance to reach just as many, and in some cases even more, people than their real life counterpart - especially since there is no need for potential attendees to try to rush from an office in Northampton to an event in Lincoln. A large number of sessions can be run, just as one would organise in person, and with a virtual lobby attendees can select which streams and sessions to watch. Though in person communication and networking is taken away with such events, using the right platform, high levels of interaction can be achieved. With Zoom for instance - a good platform for beginners that accommodates up to 100 people - a chat feature can be enabled as well as a Q&A option and polls during webinars and live streams. Meanwhile break out rooms can be provided and by allocating people into groups ahead of time, one can create focused and tailored spaces for effective conversation. As the host of an online event it is important to push out questions, encourage participation and contributions and remind attendees that though the event is virtual, the people watching and speaking are very much real. To do this make sure that you have team members to moderate and engage in the communication channel you choose for your delegates. Virtual events can be lucrative. One can charge a fee for access with a simple paywall. Alternatively, one might present limited time free viewing to those registered to the event and then offer permanent purchased access to content recorded live after 24 hours. In running an event, by embedding videos and streams to your website one can also ensure that people remain on your website and improve traffic to it. When using technology in this way of course, it’s easy for attendees to come across problems, thus one should make sure to have a support contact for your virtual event - an email and phone number should suffice. © Shutterstock /GoodStudio 48-50.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:42 Page 3FEATURES Pharmaceuticals Spotlight Corporate Finance Health & Safety Relocation & Inward Investment Energy & Environmental Management Security REGULARS Commercial Property Corporate Hospitality Motoring Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in May 2020 - Deadline 15th April Visit us at www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have. the latest news emailed to your inbox 51.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:42 Page 1motors The emphasis is on luxury in this month’s motoring pages as we take a closer look at some of the most highly anticipated new car releases in the coming months, featuring exclusive hypercars and models redefining the very limits of electric vehicles. Luxury 52 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:45 Page 1Ferrari SP90 Stradale 2019 was a busy year for Ferrari as the Italian super car maker presented five new models. The second of which, the SP90 Stradale, was described by the marque’s CEO Louis Camilleri as a “milestone in Ferrari’s history”. That’s not just PR either, with the SP90 Stradale being the marque’s first ever plug-in hybrid. But don’t worry, that’s not come with any compromise in power or handling. The model’s turbocharged V8 is the most powerful of its kind to appear in a Ferrari with a 7.9kWh battery and three electric motors combined to give a total output of 986php and 800Nm of torque. That’s more horsepower than any roadgoing Ferrari ever built. If you’re still not convinced, the marque claims that the model will do 0.62 in 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 211mph. Of course, this is a hybrid so that it means it can run on electric. The SP90 Stradale comes with a new power mode selector – called eManettino – which cycles through four driving modes: Hybrid is the default setting; eDrive keeps the engine switched off for as long as the battery lasts; Performance keeps the engine running to ensure the battery is fully charged; and Qualify allows maximum motor power for a certain time period to deliver all-out performance. All that and there’s two bodies to choose from with a standard option and the Assetto Fiorano packaging sacrificing some comfort for better track pace. All customers should receive theirs by summer. 54 Á Ferrari SP90 Stradale www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 53 AUTOLINK 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:45 Page 254 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Aston Martin DBX Mercedes-AMG One Aston Martin DBX Never one to rest on its laurels, the luxury sportscar maker is gearing up for the launch of its first ever SUV. Though ostensibly shaped like one would imagine from an SUV, this new direction from the marque is still very much an Aston Martin at heart – one need only look under the bonnet. The DBX sports an impressive 542bhp twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the most powerful V8 in any current production Aston, going 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds with 700Nm of torque and a top speed of 181mph. It also boasts sports car levels of grip and handling. But this isn’t just a SUV body stuck on a sports car chassis, with the DBX sat on an all-new platform designed exclusively for the SUV. Coupled with its handling and horsepower, it’s also brimming with 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:45 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 55 AUTOLINK Lotus Evija the latest tech and features including active all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution and height adjustable air suspension. For those familiar with their Astons, there’s plenty of recognisable flourishes in the body and cabin and that same bonded aluminium body that’s light, strong and tough. Aston Martin claims it “drives like no other SUV. It drives like a sports car”. We’ll all see how true that is come summer when the DBX officially launches. Lotus Evija Lotus’ new hypercar is inspired by Le Mans sports cars and Formula 1 racers and nowhere is that as obvious than with the specs. The Evija delivers an incredible 1,972bhp and 1,700Nm of torque and can reach 0-62mph in less than three seconds. As it’s the marque’s first electric vehicle, not to mention the UK’s first ever electric hypercar, it’s a big department from Lotus’ current range, but the results speak for themselves. This impressive performance comes from four electric motors, one housed in each wheel, and a carbon fibre chassis. The 70kW battery promises a 250-mile range and can be fully recharged in 18 minutes – that is once 800kW chargers exist. With the Evija, Lotus said its aims to make the world’s most powerful production car and they very well have accomplished that, but the limited production sports car will set you back. Only 130 are being made with each costing £1.7 million. The Evija launches this summer. Mercedes-AMG One If you thought the Lotus Evija was expensive, then you haven’t seen anything yet. The highly anticipated Mercedes-AMG One will cost £2.4 million and there’s a good reason why. The hybrid power unit houses in this hypercar is almost identical to the one that powered Lewis Hamilton to the 2015 F1 World Championship. The 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine with two motor/generator units delivers 986bhp. It will also have an electric- only mode battery pack, larger than the F1 cars, allowing for a range of around 15.5 miles on electric power alone before the petrol engine needs to be engaged. Although the model was originally presented years ago, it was delayed until 2020 because of the marque’s difficulties in adapting its Formula 1 derived engine for road use, but it should be well worth the wait. 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:45 Page 4OUT OF OFFICE FHP named East Midlands’ most active agent FHP has been named the East Midlands’ Most Active Agents by Estates Gazette for the third year in a row. The EG Deals Competition reviews the number of deals across Office, Industrial, Retail, Leisure and Investment with FHP Property Consultants completing more deals in the East Midlands than any other agent to secure this title. David Hargreaves, founding director at FHP said: “The EG in particular mention our Retail and Leisure Team – in 2019 we completed between us 120 deals in a sector that is apparently ‘dead’ – a great effort under difficult circumstances.” Detailing FHP’s win Estates Gazette said: “FHP Property Consultants makes it three years on the trot as overall winner following a ten year winning streak by regional rival Innes England. “FHP’s strength in the retail sector was enough to give it a solid lead. The two companies are head and shoulders above the rest of the market in transaction volumes.” Castle Donington’s new relief road opens A new relief road in Castle Donington, designed to ease congestion, is now open for use. The relief road will give quicker access to residential and business areas which are currently being developed, including Redrow Homes’ Foxbridge Manor off Park Lane. The relief road project is part of a £7.76 million investment into the Castle Donington area given jointly by Redrow Homes and Miller Homes. The investment includes over £1.5m towards new bus services, bus stops and passes, alongside a £330,000 commitment to improving traffic calming measures. This is in addition to a healthcare investment of £400,000 to expand Castle Donington Surgery. Redrow Homes has also made a contribution of £30,000 towards improvements to a neighbourhood play facility near the new development. The housebuilders investment includes £4.25 million towards education, including its contribution to a brand new primary school, which opens September 2021. Mary Timlin, Sales Director of Redrow Homes East Midlands, said: “We are glad to announce that the new relief road is open for public use. This will decrease commuter’s journey time, and allow easier access to the town’s newest residential areas, including Foxbridge Manor. “Our aim is not just to create beautiful homes but also thriving communities to live in them. This relief road, as well as the new primary school, will help local people and businesses long-term. “We are thrilled to be supporting the community of Castle Donington and ensuring the sustainability of our latest development in the town, while building much-needed homes in the region.” 56 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk © Shutterstock /TATSIANAMA £1bn Shared Rural Network to end poor rural mobile coverage The government has announced £1 billion deal to expand 4G coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025. Signed by ministers and mobile network operator bosses, the Shared Rural Network (SRN) will put an end to poor and patchy rural phone coverage in a boon to rural businesses across the East Midlands. The deal will provide a major boost for businesses and individuals across the country in rural areas, delivering strong 4G coverage regardless of what network provider they use. Government said the deal will “spur economic growth and close the digital divide across the country through better connectivity.” SRN is a deal with EE, O2, Three and Vodafone investing in a network of new and existing phone masts, overseen by a jointly owned company called Digital Mobile Spectrum, they would all share. It will provide guaranteed coverage to 280,000 premises and 16,000km of roads. Further direct improvements are also expected “over time,” the government says, including a boost to ‘in car’ coverage on around 45,000 km of road and better indoor coverage in around 1.2 million business premises and homes. “Access to mobile voice and data services is a basic requirement of business today, and it is essential to consumers and for linking people and communities,” said Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. “Today’s announcement is a long-overdue step in the right direction, and Chambers will continue to work with operators and government during the rollout to ensure that the new Shared Rural Network gives our local communities and businesses the mobile coverage they need.” David Hargreaves, founding director at FHP 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:46 Page 1UK’s CO2 emissions fall 29% over past decade CO2 levels in the UK have fallen 29% over the past decade even as the economy grew by a fifth, according to analysis from the Carbon Brief. Last year alone, there was a 29% reduction in coal use driving a decline in emissions for 2019. Over the past decade, carbon emissions from coal have fallen by 80% while oil and gas are largely unchanged – at 20% and 6% respectively, the analysis shows. The 2.9% fall in 2019 marks a seventh consecutive year of carbon cuts for the UK, the longest series on record. It also means UK carbon emissions in 2019 fell to levels last seen in 1888. Ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit this November, countries are expected to submit enhanced pledges to tackle emissions. But UK government projections show the country will miss its legally binding carbon targets later this decade. To meet the UK’s carbon budgets, CO2 emissions would need to fall by another 31% by 2030, whereas government projections expect just a 10% cut, based on current policies. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which is the UK government’s official climate advisory body, has also said the UK’s targets over the next decade are “likely” to be insufficient, given the increased goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. In order to meet climate goals towards 2030, the UK’s CO2 emissions will need to fall another 31% from 2019, compared with the 29% achieved over the past decade, the Carbon Brief said. Emissions would need to fall even faster if the targets are raised in line with net-zero by 2050. In contrast, government projections suggest CO2 emissions will only fall by a further 10% by 2030. Moreover, coal’s share of the UK electricity mix is now so low that there is very limited scope to continue driving emissions cuts by reducing use of the fuel. This means other, more visible sectors of the economy will need to make progress for the UK to continue hitting its legally binding goals. OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 57 Nottingham Universities provide help to enable more COVID-19 tests Universities in Nottingham have supplied 16 machines to support the national effort in the fight against COVID-19. The machines, 13 of which were from the Schools of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, and three from Nottingham Trent University were collected by the British Armed Forces. They have a total value of £1 million and can together perform an estimated 20,000 tests a day. Using a technique of testing called Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR, the machines can also be used to test for other viruses such as Hepatitis C and influenzas. Professor Nigel Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Whilst we’re busy supporting our staff and students in this unprecedented situation, we are also committed to support people beyond the university both locally and nationally. “This equipment which is normally used by our researchers will be vital to the national response to COVID-19 and we’re delighted to be working with our friends at the University of Nottingham on this.” The news comes as more than 600 students from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham have volunteered to help local hospitals and support NHS staff or researchers responding to the requests from the national government. The winners Twelve businesses claim prizes at FSB East Midlands Small Businesses Awards A dozen regional businesses have been recognised in the East Midlands regional finals of the ‘Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Celebrating Small Business Awards 2020’. Nearly 160 delegates attended the finals event at the King Power Stadium in Leicester in March with twelve awards up for grabs. The Awards recognise the very best small businesses from right across the country. Every sector, every location and every type of small business is represented. They have all been encouraged to enter, free of charge and whether an FSB member or not. The winners of each category, with the exception of the Community Award which is regional only, will go forward to the FSB’s UK Awards ceremony. Les Phillimore, FSB Regional Chairman for the East Midlands, said: “I was delighted to open the FSB Awards and spend the afternoon seeing and learning about a diverse range of entrepreneurs from a candle maker to a lead exporter. “We had twelve fantastic businesses win on the afternoon from all five of the counties which make up the East Midlands and I have very high hopes for their future successes. “I would also like to congratulate those nominated and just missed out. Judging is always very hard, and I wish everyone shortlisted the very best for the future too.” © Shutterstock /petrmalinak 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:46 Page 2Here’s Frazer’s monthly collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks! And finally The world of Frazer Now that’s smart We all know too well the sadness of preparing a cuppa in the office, only to get back to one’s desk and be pulled away from it by a task of upmost importance, then upon going for a sip find the drink to be cold. Well, this need be a problem no more! Frazer has discovered ‘smart mugs’ which keep beverages at your preferred temperature all day — all you have to do is leave your drink on the charging plate! Hurrah! You can even connect them to an app and regulate the temperature with your phone. Indeed, you could just go make another drink or use the microwave, but that’s no fun — this is the future we’re talking about here… 58 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk © SHUTTERSTOCK/ RIDO Corona-bot While coronavirus crashes global markets and affects a variety of industries, businesses and supply chains, some firms are seemingly benefitting from the outbreak. Of course this includes those selling hand sanitisers and cleaning products, but the virus has also become an opportunity for bringing attention to more peculiar items. During a recent ‘e-meeting’ Frazer heard about how robots have been let loose on the streets of New York, quizzing people to see if they have any coronavirus symptoms and handing out face masks. A smiley faced bot spotted in the city’s Bryant Park even got kicked out for lacking a permit. Of course person after person touching the screen of the robot to interact with it is perhaps not the best for preventing transmission of the virus… © SHUTTERSTOCK/ ANATOLIY KOSOLAPOV Feeling forgetful? Leaving items in a taxi is almost too easy when you’re rushing between meetings, answering emails on your phone, or simply tired at the end of a long day. One might expect to leave behind earphones, a wallet, or keys, but it turns out that much more peculiar items are found by drivers after their passengers have departed the vehicle. Uber recently shared the most weird and wonderful items left behind by Brits, also revealing that Nottingham - yes you Nottingham - is amongst the top 10 most forgetful cities in the UK. Left behind items included six tins of tripe, a bucket (yes bucket) of green Sicilian olives, a single coat hanger, 32 bottles of perfume (the passenger must have been rather potent) and a miniature railway. The report also stated that the most forgetful hour for passengers is between 11pm and 12am, and the most forgetful day, Saturday - Frazer has a sneaky suspicion that this may be a result of alcohol related memory impairment. While reading the Lost and Found Index it also became clear that last year’s peak lost item dates - Sunday 8th December followed by December 14th - were well placed right in the midst of the work Christmas party season. Something to bear in mind this year perhaps… © SHUTTERSTOCK/ ELNUR 58.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:47 Page 1Flexible Office Space Huntingdon House is located just a few minutes’ walk from The Lace Market area of Hockley and the Victoria Centre in Nottingham. The building was constructed in the 1950’s with shops to the ground floor and offices on the first and second floors. We have a professional and friendly business community and strive to maintain high standards throughout the Centre and its facilities which are supported by our reception staff. Offices to Let At the moment there are a range of offices available which vary in size from approximately 150 sq. ft. to 1000 sq. ft. some of which can be occupied on a monthly rolling licence (subject to contract), our terms are very competitive. We offer flexible working solutions for small and start-up businesses and can provide you with a professional presence in Nottingham at very affordable prices. Subject to agreement, the licence fee can include all utilities, telephone connection and broadband; meaning your only additional costs would be for telephone calls made and use of Reception support services. Virtual Office We can also provide a Virtual Office for your company - an address away from your home, a dedicated telephone line, message taking – calls answered in your company name – which all adds up to being able to give a professional image not to mention supporting you whilst you concentrate on work! Costs vary depending on the services required, but can include message taking, call diverting to accommodation address facility and mail forwarding etc. All our business support services such as mail franking, photocopying, meeting room hire can be used when required (at an extra cost). Meeting and Conference Rooms area available for hire by the hour, day or week for you to meet your clients in professional surroundings. Meeting Rooms We have two meeting rooms available at competitive rates; one to accommodate up to 14 persons with desks or 25 theatre style; the layout can be changed to suit your needs, the other to accommodate 6 persons. Both have air conditioning and equipment can also be provided for example projectors and note pads. Both rooms are close to kitchens or if you prefer, refreshments can be provided. Huntingdon House Business Centre 278-290, Huntingdon Street, Nottingham, NG1 3LY 0115 9934200 reception@huntingdonhousebusinesscentre.co.uk huntingdonhousebusinesscentre.co.uk 59.qxp_Layout 1 02/04/2020 15:48 Page 1Next >