< PreviousEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk20HUMAN RESOURCESWhat would youremployees say aboutworking for you?At My HR Hub we work with ourclients to build their employer brand.According to a survey conducted byGlassdoor, a strong employer brandcan woo passive candidates. Thesurvey found that 84% of participantswould consider leaving their currentcompany if another employer with anexcellent reputation offered them a job.On top of that, 69% of thosesurveyed said they would decline a joboffer from an employer with a badreputation – even if they wereunemployed.Your employer brand needs to beattractive for your business to standout and attract and retain youremployees.What is employerbranding?An employer’s brand reflects the waythat it is perceived. It is shaped by theway a business acts, from the way ittreats its staff to the way it conductsbusiness.80% of my clients are recruiting rightnow. That’s fab. My HR Hub can bringall the solutions, from recruitment,great benefits, health and wellbeingactivities and interesting work, and wecan advise on competitive salaries tohelp you keep up with competition.However, all this is just “bells andwhistles” if you do not have a goodreputation. It is like building a house onsand.There is only so much you can dressup. We work with our clients from the“inside out” to develop and enhancetheir reputation. This absolutely startsfrom the inside. Our well knownEngagement Project – a deep dive intothe hearts and minds of employees –will give you the answers you need.Are you a good employer? Would theyrecommend you to theirnetworks/friends? Are they proud towork for you?If the answers to these questions are“yes”, then you have the foundation fora great employer brand. If the answersare “no” then there is work to do…Why is your reputation soimportant?Word of mouth is the most powerfulrecruitment source. Over any otherBy Rebecca Bull, owner and founder of My HR Hub.recruitment activity, word of mouth isthe best way you can bring the rightemployees into your company.We rate, grade and give feedback oneverything we do, from our holidays,restaurant visits, on-line buys andphone calls. Why wouldn’t you spendtime finding out what your employeesthink of working for you? Only then canyou really start to make a positivedifference and be certain that they willbe promoting you as an Employer ofChoice. Happy staff = positive bottomline.So, does this apply to you? I haveworked for large, global, well knownbrands and unknown small familybusinesses. The model remains thesame. Work on making yourself a greatplace to work, look after youremployees and they will pay youdividends by spreading the word andbeing your best ambassador. It really isthat important but still puzzles me as tohow many companies do not ask thesequestions.A strong employer brand canincrease the amount of qualitycandidates a company receives. It canlead to better engagement, enhancedproductivity, happier teams andemployees, delighted customers and ahealthier bottom line.Company culture is a vital part ofemployer branding. 41% of allcandidates search for informationabout a company’s culture before theyapply for a job. What will they findA strong employer brand canincrease the amount of qualitycandidates a companyreceives. when they look at your website?Workplace culture then is one of thefirst screening tools people use.Candidates are more selective nowdays. Good candidates have a choice –what will they find out about yourcompany and will they want to workthere?Brand advocates andambassadorsCurrent employees are the bestadvocates and ambassadors of youremployer brand. It’s easy for businessleaders to pitch the benefits of theirworkplace, but it takes current (andformer) employees to really sell it.Consider asking employees to writeblog posts for the company website.This is a powerful attraction toolbecause people trust people morethan they trust brands.When employees share their stories,it brings their experiences to life andmakes them relatable.A strong employer branddifferentiates a company from itscompetition. In an increasinglycandidate-centric marketplace, abusiness needs to offer more than justa job in order to be attractive toexcellent and relevant candidates.Every interaction that a candidatehas with a company shapes his or herperception of its brand. Opinionschange, markets change, andbusinesses need to adapt and keepabreast of relevant industry trends.Developing employer branding is along term investment that ensures acompany will stay competitive in thefuture, attracting talented employeesand retaining them too.Contact My HR Hub to discover howwe can help you to build your internalreputation, enhancing your employerbrand. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 22MEET THE SPONSORSQ&ALiz Cartwright, Cartwright CommunicationsMidlands-based PR and digital agency Cartwright Communications is sponsoring theFastest in Property category at the EMBL Fastest 40Awards 2017. We met up with founder and MD LizCartwright to discuss the importance of nurturingyoung business talent and the mechanics of great PR. Hi Liz. You’re sponsoring Fastest inProperty. What attracted you to it? Ever since Cartwright was founded in 2006, we’ve beenexperts in property and construction, so it made sense.There’s so much exciting young talent in those sectors, sowe thought we’d celebrate it. We all know that there is askills gap in the property and construction sector – which isa big concern to our clients. But, over the past couple ofyears, it’s been great to see new talent emerging. It’sespecially pleasing to see more women moving into thesector, with more females moving up the ranks and intosenior roles in some of our region’s biggest property firms.What makes great PR?My background is in journalism, and our foundations arevery much based on this. We know what journalists wantand we know what makes a great story. Plus, as the focusturns to “owned channels” such as blogs, websites andsocial media channels, content has to be captivating for theend-customers too. Ten years ago, clients’ needs wereeasier to manage. It was all about the media coverage – andthey weren’t really fussed about what was online or abouttalking directly to customers themselves. Today, that’stransformed. Clients want all of that, and more – along withstrategy planning, support on business development anddigital services. We’ve worked with some fantastic clients,delivering work we are incredibly proud of. Ultimately though, the key to great PR is well-writtencontent and a story that will appeal to journalists andcustomers. Don’t call us PRs. Call us “communications andcontent experts” – combining PR, marketing, digital anddesign. We deliver so much more as an agency than weever did from marketing plans, support on business plans,business development, digital including video, PR,marketing – and of course delivery. We have to be multi-channel experts. The team here is constantly striving togrow Cartwright, but more importantly ensure that we areoffering our clients the best possible service from the bestpractitioners and providing evaluation and ROI.What’s been your greatest achievementin business?We have won gold awards from the CIPR and otherindustry bodies, and while we are Nottingham-based, weare delivering PR nationally and internationally. Manyorganisations locally think we work just locally, but ourreach is far bigger than that and it makes me proud forCartwright, but also the region’s agencies that Nottinghamhas a great reputation for PR, creative and digital talent.We have seen rapid growth over the past year in termsof new clients, and have taken on more people toaccommodate that growth. We have added new servicesand are really evolving a new business. We have woncontracts when pitching against big London firms and itmakes me immensely proud that we have so manytalented people working here. The team is growing, and tohelp us with our national reach, we are opening a secondoffice very soon.Additionally, we are passionate about training and skills.With the communications world moving at pace with newchannels and new products launched every week, we haveto not only keep on top of that – but be the innovators.Cartwright is passionate about training our people. Wehave devised our own training programme (about to berecognised and affiliated by an industry body) for ouraccount executives, deliver think tank sessions internallywhere we pass on knowledge, and invest in training forour digital staff. We also have shorthand lessons andmentoring. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 23 How important is age/experience inbusiness?The East Midlands is the fastest performing regionoutside of London. The region is doing phenomenallywell, and the local economy is growing thanks to a surfeitof young entrepreneurs. They’re keeping the regionvibrant, and we need to ensure that we keep the talentlocal.Rather than age and experience, it’s enthusiasm andinnovation that really counts. When recruiting, we’relooking for those self-starters who’ve used real imitative tostand out from the crowd. That’s exciting because anytype of person from any background can do thissuccessfully. These awards are a great way of highlighting youngtalent and celebrating it. Experience is important, but it’sequally crucial to nurture the next generation. What advice would you give to youngbusinesspeople?Today, Cartwright Communications is a team of 20 verytalented people – journalists, PRs, digital specialists andvideographers. I have lots of tips, but the most important ofall is: ensure you have the best people working with you.My team is the best – a group of enthusiastic, talentedpractitioners. I would also say, don’t run before you can walk. I workedincredibly hard before I dared to take on my first employeeand took my first premises. It gave me the time to create abusiness strategy which was sustainable and successful. Thirdly, make sure you utilise the support networksavailable to you, e.g. First Enterprise, the D2N2 LocalEnterprise Partnership and the Creative Quarter. Theseorganisations are local and full of good advice – and grantswhich will help kick start your new business.East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk24FINANCEThe impact of tax changes onthose with residential lettingsBy Paul Merrell, tax partner at Streets Chartered Accountants.There have been a number of recent changesto the tax system which impact on individualswith residential lettings. Some of these came intoforce from April 2016 and further changes areoccurring from April 2017.For example: The 10% wear and tearallowance has already be removed andsubstituted by a replacement furniture relief from6th April 2016, which as its name suggests,allows relief on the replacement of certainfurniture and goods but not the original cost.From 6th April 2016 there was also a 3%surcharge on Stamp Duty Land Tax rates onpurchases of additional residential properties,where there has not been a replacement of themain residence.Restriction on finance costsPerhaps the most significant of these changes,which is being phased in from April 2017, is therestriction on tax relief for finance costs.Previously finance costs (e.g. mortgageinterest) would be included as an expense anddeducted from rental income in arriving at thetaxable profit of your lettings business.Accordingly this meant you would be receivingtax relief at the highest rate of tax you pay.By April 2020, rental profits will be computedwithout deducting mortgage interest, withlandlords entitled to a 20% deduction formortgage interest paid instead (known as a taxreducer). This will not make a difference for basicrate taxpayers but higher rate taxpayers withmortgages on their let properties will face highertax bills.Transitional rules apply from 2017/18 to phasethe rules in over a four year period. Should I incorporate my propertybusiness?For those affected by the restriction, many areconsidering owning properties via a company, asthe restriction on finance costs does not apply tocompanies. Corporation tax rates are alsofavourable to income tax rates; from April 2017companies will pay 19% corporation tax on theirprofits compared to the highest rate of incometax of 45%.However there are points to consider beforedeciding to transfer existing rental properties intoa company, which include the administrationcosts of running a company, the cost ofrenegotiating buy-to-let mortgages, arrangementfees, solicitor fees etc.From a tax perspective there are two mainproblems. Firstly, transferring a property to acompany is a disposal for capital gains taxpurposes and this will give rise to a capital gainbased on the market value of the property ontransfer. The capital gains tax rates for residentialproperties remain at 18% for basic rate payersand 28% for higher rate payers. In certaincircumstances it may be possible to claim“incorporation relief” which will mean that thegain would not come into charge, but the relief isnot available in all situations and professionaladvice should be sought.The second consideration when incorporatingis Stamp Duty Land Tax, which applies when aresidential property is transferred from aconnected person into a company and thecharge is based on the market value of theproperty. There is an exemption from SDLT if it can bedemonstrated that the properties weretransferred from a partnership to a company, butthis will be rarely available.Because of the potential capital gains tax andStamp Duty Land Tax charges in many casesincorporation will not be viable and it isimportant that proper advice is taken. It may well,however, be worth considering the acquisition ofnew residential properties within a companystructure.“We’re anengineeringcompany at heart”26ENGINEERINGWhat’s Integrex’s story? “The company was formed in 1969 by twoformer Rolls-Royce engineers, one of whom wasmy father”, says Portus.“They started out making electronic kits peoplecould put together at home – tuners andamplifiers, mainly. Then at a trade show theystumbled across a Canon print engine. They tookthe model, made it faster and better, andproceeded to get into the education market”.“Later, when £30 printers came out, theydecided to concentrate on the higher end of themarket, eventually developing a printer forphotobooths”, he continues.“We won a contract to supply the Post Officewith their photobooths and have made 1200overall. “In parallel, we started making large formattouch screens for the education sector (our“Visilift” range) and mobile trolleys to wheel intoclassrooms, and we now produce self-service POSkiosks. “The trolleys are a useful resource becausesome schools can’t afford to have the touch-screen technology installed on a wide scale. Thisside of the business has blossomed in recentyears”. How did Jonathan get where he istoday?“I’ve always been technologically inclined”, hesays. “My old man strongly suggested that I get adegree and shortly afterwards I joined theIntegrex is the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer ofinteractive electronic and IT products for the education, retail andcorporate sectors. The company has recently launched the SENseMicro – an interactive floor projector that responds to andinteracts with body movement. EMBL met managing directorJonathan Portus to get the lowdown on the firm. company! At first I provided technical support andstarted doing a bit of software development. Isubsequently became project manager and thendevelopment director ten years later. I’ve now beenwith the firm for 26 years, and I’ve been MD for 3years”. The new SENse Micro – which the company saysis “one of the smallest, most portable interactivefloors available” – has recently hit the market. Butwhat was the rationale for introducing it, and whatare the firm’s growth plans?“We’re trying to get into the lower end and homemarkets”, says Portus. “Children with special needs may have access tothe technology at school, but not necessarily athome. The SENse Micro is an affordable solution. “In future, we want to expand upon the investmentin the tech and software we’ve produced, and thenpenetrate into the market as much as possible”.“We employ 22 staff at the moment and have ourown building where we manufacture everything”,adds Portus. “All of the electronics, software and mechanicaldesign and manufacturing is done in-house, which Ibelieve is quite rare”. Integrex is clearly going from strength to strength,but will Brexit have any impact on the business? “I can’t say we’ve felt much impact from Brexit”,says Portus.“It could have a big impact on education, though.Funding is dwindling and our products are premiumitems, so this is where we could possibly feel thepinch. Then again, the fact that funding for educationhas decreased might not be related to Brexit at all”. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk28MEET THE SPONSORSQ&AJonathan Smith, Poppleston AllenPopplestonAllen – theUK’s foremostlicensing lawfirm withexpertise inmattersrelating toalcohol, publicentertainmentand bettingand gaming law – is sponsoring theFastest Restaurant and Bar categoryat the EMBL Fastest 40 Awards 2017.We spoke to managing partnerJonathan Smith to find out more. Hi Jonathan. Can you tell us a bit aboutyour background? I’ve been at Poppleston Allen for 20 years, and managingpartner for 11 of them. I’ve always worked in the EastMidlands with the exception of a short stint in Leeds. When Ifirst started out I did corporate law, but then I decided to stickmy neck out and do something a bit more niche. Licensing lawis appealing because of the wide variety of clients youencounter. You also get to travel a lot!What does Poppleston Allen do? We are a specialist licensing law firm – which means wedon’t do anything else – and we are the largest practice of ourkind in the UK. We act for a diverse range of clients including –to name just a few – Butlins, Jamie’s Italian, Pizza Express,House of Fraser, Paddy Power, Accor Hotels, Vue Cinemas,Chelsea Flower Show and Center Parcs, plus numerous bars,pubs, breweries and off licenses across England, Scotland andWales. Large trade bodies have retained us on the strength ofour reputation. I think it’s also fair to say that our peers wouldregard us as a great firm.The firm has been going since 1994 and now has 57employees over two offices. It was set up with 8 people tobegin with, and was the largest licensing specialist even then.The vision and bravery of founders Jeremy Allen and SusannaPoppleston was a huge factor in our success story. How has the firm grown and what are yourplans for the future?We have grown organically over the years, and we’ve onlyundertaken lateral recruitment of solicitors on two occasions.We’ve invested time, money and energy in our own peopleand for the most part promoted from within. Our approach won’t change as we move forward. In termsof future growth, we will look to our younger solicitors andEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 29 ensure that we have the right people in place to take thebusiness forward. That said, we do look externally from time to time andwould take a dedicated team from another firm – perhapspeople who feel their current firm doesn’t place so muchemphasis on licensing law.It’s also possible that we’ll look at opening a third officeelsewhere in the country (the others being in Nottingham andLondon) soon.What was it about the Fastest 40 Awardsthat appealed to you?I like the fact that these awards are local and all aboutcelebrating young(ish!) entrepreneurs who are setting out andtaking risks. I was under the age of 40 when I becamemanaging partner here. Starting a business is a risk, but it’salso very exciting. These people are brave, and they createemployment opportunities for others, which is a great thing. What advice would you give to youngbusinesspeople? Be brave, research it… and do it! Follow your intuition. Iwas safe and steady doing corporate law, but I jumped shipand became a big fish in a small pond. I followed my gutfeeling and it was wonderful. Be prudent about what you invest in. You can’t underinvestin IT and marketing, even during tough times. Finally, your greatest asset is your people, so look afterthem. Next >