< Previous50 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Drive with pride You are what you drive – and whether it’s for business or pleasure we’re all proud of our motors. We take a look at a few cars we’d love to have in our garages. 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:04 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 51 AUTOLINK Bentley Continental GT Speed Coupe The new Continental GT Speed Coupe represents the very pinnacle of performance grand touring, and defines the most dynamic road-going Bentley ever made, with no compromise to comfort or luxury. Combining the new systems the Continental GT Speed still maintains Bentley’s philosophy that a vehicle should feel progressive and secure, yet still be dynamic. The new carbon ceramic braking system boasts 440mm diameter front discs combined with new ten- piston front calipers, making this not only the biggest brake ever fitted to a Bentley but also the largest car brake in the world. The ceramic brake has been extensively tested around the world including at the Nurburgring Nordschleife where it set levels of braking performance never before achieved by a Bentley. In objective tests the ceramic brake has proven itself to be exceptionally fade resistant. 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:04 Page 252 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Jaguar E-Pace Jaguar has enhanced the E-PACE range with the introduction of the sophisticated R-Dynamic Black Edition, and updated connectivity features. The new R-Dynamic Black Edition elevates the compact SUV’s dynamic design and visual appeal with a bespoke choice of exterior elements. The distinctive new R- Dynamic Black Edition is based on the E- PACE R-Dynamic S. It offers customers specially selected design elements that give E-PACE an even more dynamic and sophisticated presence. The design includes Gloss Black door mirror caps and Gloss Black detailing to the front bumper and lower grille surround, main grille surround and grille tips. The side window surround and side vent – complete with the Jaguar leaper – also feature a Gloss Black finish, along with the Jaguar script and rear badging. Distinctive 19-inch Satin Grey alloy wheels with contrasting red brake calipers, privacy glass and a panoramic roof complete the exterior. Hyundai i30 N The New i30 N has undergone a series of exterior design updates, developed with a focus on dynamic performance as well as an aesthetic refresh. At the front, a new wide centre grille has been optimised to allow efficient engine cooling and a redesigned front that significantly improves airflow and reduces turbulence into the wheel housing. As well as design and interior updates, New i30 N has also received a number of mechanical changes. Power from the 2.0- litre turbocharged GDi engine is now increased to 280PS and 392 Nm of torque, an additional 5PS and 39Nm respectively. The engine has been developed to provide maximum performance in real life driving conditions, with maximum torque available between 1,950 and 4,600 RPM, with a 0-62 time reduced by 0.2 seconds to 5.9 and a top speed of 155mph. Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA brings back one of the legends of motoring and a milestone in the brand’s history: the 1965 Giulia GTA. It sees a return to the roots of the brand established 111 years ago, those of the worlds of performance and touring, with a model that epitomises the unique ability of Alfa Romeo to combine style and sport. Jaguar E-Pace 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:04 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 53 AUTOLINK Hyundai i30 N Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA One of the features that has always marked out an Alfa Romeo is its unique design which skillfully combines form and function. The bodywork features a purposeful front that expresses all the power unleashed by the engine, with larger air intakes and technical elements in carbon fibre. Even the iconic ‘’Trilobo” is enhanced, with slots that edge the badge to optimise cooling, reminiscent of the early days of F1. 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:04 Page 454 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Supporting wellbeing in the post-COVID world The pandemic has put health and wellbeing at the forefront of employees’ minds, pushing businesses to place more focus on occupational health services. © Shutterstock /maxbelchenko 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:06 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 55 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Considering the mental and physical wellbeing of employees at work, occupational health is primarily preventative, encouraging and ensuring safe working practices, but it also monitors the health of staff, supports sickness absence management, the return to work, and more. Beneficial for both employers and employees, workers can gain advice and receive training on preventing injury and illness and be helped back into work if they become ill, while employers can maintain a healthy workforce, bolstering productivity, morale, job satisfaction, and lowering absenteeism. Though employers are not legally required to provide occupational health services to employees, employers do have a legal obligation to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees at work - so far as reasonably practicable - and all risks must be assessed and controlled. Medical or health surveillance must also be implemented where necessary. As many small firms do not have a workforce large enough to keep a dedicated internal occupational health service, external occupational health providers will be used to support the business, carrying out medical and other occupational health assessments, and offering guidance and best practice. In light of COVID-19 there is an increased expectation that employers be proactive in supporting employee mental and physical health as they ask staff to return to the workplace - without doing so, reputational risks arise - while the government is looking to reform workplace health provision. In fulfilling these expectations, occupational health professionals will need to be on hand to help businesses adapt, especially as a flood of return to work, mental health, risk management and infection control challenges will need to be addressed. There is a duty for employers, HR, occupational health professionals, and employees to understand how to make the workplace safe and their role in that process. Occupational health assessments are a particularly useful tool for supporting staff and bringing them back to work safely, assessing physical and mental health and providing recommendations to employers as to where adjustments could be made to a workplace to create a safe and healthy environment for an employee. Reflecting on COVID-19, occupational health will be further vital to mitigate risks in sectors such as textile factories and meat processing facilities which have seen numerous outbreaks as transmission hotspots. Employers themselves are also looking to change their approach to health and wellbeing in response to the pandemic, with Unum’s Value of Help study highlighting that eighty-six per cent of employers in the UK have done so. Meanwhile ninety-five per cent note Coronavirus has affected the need to make staff feel more protected. Certainly, when returning to the workplace, confidence will need to be instilled. This has seen many firms provide, and seek out advice on, COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests and temperature checks, installing better ventilation, putting in place more frequent and thorough cleaning programmes, setting up hand sanitiser stations, and taking up fresh occupational health and risk assessments. Ahead of the return to work a conversation between managers and employees is critical, covering what the first day back will be like, issues relating to the commute, and workplace strategies to minimise risk. Staff confidence can be achieved when they have been engaged with and reassured that their concerns are being listened to and acted on, and they know employers are connecting with appropriate experts. Furthermore, while historically occupational health was associated with physical injuries and the prevention of these at work, as the pandemic took its toll and masses of employees made their homes their workplace over the past year, renewed attention has been brought to mental health and wellbeing, and the requirement by law for employers to prevent mental ill health amongst workers. Now with hybrid working set to be a permanent future for many, and staff returning to work, employers and occupational health will need to reconsider their strategy for supporting staff - with a key challenge being how a wellbeing strategy can work as effectively at home as at the office - and ensure the HSE’s stress management standards are applied effectively, and that home assessments are conducted. Though home working has been praised for its positive aspects like cutting out the commute and allowing for extra family time, the switch has been shown to have negative implications too. Research indicates that the number of people experiencing insomnia, isolation, anxiety, and stress has risen, and some are working longer hours than before, which all comes on top of a risk of musculoskeletal pain due to poor ergonomics at home. Being able to spot the signs of mental health issues can be difficult for employers and managers © Shutterstock /Photographee.eu 56 Á 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:06 Page 256 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH however, especially with home working, and many employees do not feel comfortable discussing mental health, with some concerned it may impact career progression. People should therefore remain engaged and feel supported at home. Moving forwards more must be done to remove the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. One option is to have higher level staff members share their experiences with team members, to give them the confidence to speak up themselves. A safe and inclusive environment where open communication is encouraged, regular contact is made with workers to discuss their wellbeing, and resources are available and promoted is essential, and employees should know how and with who to raise concerns. Managers should also be equipped to recognise distress and warning signs, such as subtle changes in demeanour, and offer support with mental health training. In measuring the effectiveness of procedures in place, surveys and discussion forums will be key to hear employee thoughts, while psychological hazard surveillance and psychological health surveillance are also helpful. With the final version of the first global standard offering practical guidance on managing mental health at work, ISO 45003, to be released this Summer, further discussions are sure to be on the cards. There is a wealth of resources available to support staff wellbeing, The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service for employees for example is provided by Remploy for those with diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health conditions, comes at no cost to the employer, and provides nine months vocational workplace support to individuals. This includes workplace mental wellbeing support and advice tailored to individuals, help for individuals to identify successful workplace and condition coping strategies to support their success, advice on workplace adjustments that could be implemented to help individuals fulfil their role, a support plan for individuals to follow to help them to get back on track, and help for employers to understand what support they can offer to employees with a mental health condition. There is also a growing call, as a result of remote working, for businesses to actively promote better working habits and good sleep practices, calling on occupational health professionals to advise on this. When working from home, employees can struggle to switch off, exceed working hours, and thus have trouble sleeping. While sleep may not seem as though it should be a top priority for employers, after all sleep occurs out of working hours, a lack of sleep leaves employees not just tired, but can affect the immune system (seeing more instances of illness, poor performance, and missed workdays), reduce concentration and reaction times, seeing more accidents and mistakes, and increase anxiety, depression, and anger. To help staff, employers and occupational health professionals can offer advice on how to separate home and work life and how to structure the day. Moreover, those establishing permanent home working or a hybrid approach need to make clear expectations with defined working hours, and healthy breaks should be promoted. Though providing better support to staff comes with its costs, the return has been made clear, with a Deloitte report estimating that every £1 spent on mental health interventions sees £5 gained in business value. One might therefore consider offering healthcare plans to staff, which can also give businesses an edge over competitors and attract more talent. © Shutterstock /Zerbor 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:06 Page 3FEATURES Design & Marketing Engineering IT & Telecommunications Legal Services Charity Special Business Spotlight REGULARS Commercial Property Corporate Hospitality Motoring Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in July 2021 - Deadline 23rd June Visit us at www.ea stmidlan dsbusine sslink.co .uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscrib e to our newslett ers so you can have. the latest news emailed to your inbox 57.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:07 Page 1OUT OF OFFICE Lubrizol helps Derby pupils plant their own mini-wood Green-fingered youngsters are set to create a mini-wood in their school grounds after they were given hundreds of pounds to buy saplings and gardening tools. Children at the Arboretum Primary School, in Corden Street, Derby, have just planted a whole host of trees, which include silver birch saplings, after Hazelwood chemical company Lubrizol made a donation of £300. Arboretum Primary is striving to earn itself an Eco-School Green Flag, which awards schools who have helped improve the environment in both the school and local community, and will accompany the tree-planting by painting a mural to celebrate the steps it has made towards a more sustainable future. It will also host an “eco-ball” event this summer, when it will showcase its work to invited guests, including Katherine Wheatley, author of eco-inspired children’s book Carbon Monster. Lubrizol made the donation after it was approached by the school’s geography co-ordinator, Alison Roberts, asking for help. She said: “We are very grateful for Lubrizol’s donation, which has allowed the school to purchase saplings and gardening tools. Their passion for the environment and sustainability mirrors our own, so it was great to form a strong relationship with them. We’re hoping these steps will aid our progress in being awarded the Eco-School Green Flag.” Lincoln College Group takes over Lincoln Drill Hall Lincoln College Group (LCG) has taken ownership of Lincoln Drill Hall. Responsibility for the Drill Hall has transferred from the Lincoln Arts Trust to LCG. The Drill Hall will continue to be a live entertainment venue and the Group will be investing in the café/bar to create a family-friendly environment for coffee and lunch in the daytime and dinner and drinks in the evening. The Drill Hall will also be a training ground for Lincoln College performing and production arts, catering, hospitality and business students and apprentices. In the short-term the venue will remain closed for maintenance and upgrading work to be carried out, but the Group is hoping for an official reopening in the Autumn. LCG Managing Director for International and Commercial James Foster said: “This is tremendous news for the city of Lincoln and for Lincoln College. “We’re hugely excited about becoming the guardians of a real cultural jewel for the arts and live entertainment and we are also really looking forward to investing in the building and what it has to offer. We are aiming to start work soon on significantly upgrading the facilities in time for the much-loved and much-missed Drill Hall panto.” LCG’s vision for the Drill Hall is to invest in achieving a truly multi- purpose arts, entertainment and leisure facility that will continue to offer music, theatre and comedy performances, but also be a well-used exhibition and conference space. Chair of the Lincoln Arts Trust Phil Hamlyn Williams said: “I am delighted that the future of the Drill Hall will be in the hands of Lincoln College which shares so many of our values.” 58 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Leicestershire firms partner to provide school with Dragon- backed books Furnley House, a Leicestershire independent financial adviser, is partnering with another local firm Willsow, to provide plantable children’s books to St Patrick’s School in Leicester. The firm’s charitable organisation, The Furnley House Foundation, has provided all 223 students at the St Patrick’s Catholic Voluntary Academy school with a book as a thank you for the generous donations made for its Christmas Shoebox Appeal last year where the children donated supplies of toiletries, clothes, food and treats for the homeless. Willsow’s educational and environmentally minded plantable books received national exposure after being featured on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den programme and attracting investment from Sara Davies. The books feature pages made from seed paper that when planted in soil grow into the vegetable featured in the story. Stefan Fura, founder at Furnley House, said: “We are proud of our Leicestershire roots and recognise how important it is for us to lead by example in our community. We have a Leicester heart and fully intend to make sure Furnley House doesn’t just operate in the area but helps to ensure it thrives economically, socially and environmentally. For that reason we are thrilled to be able to work together with Willsow, another like-minded local business to invest into our community. “The children at St Patrick’s School all showed that they too have the best possible local principles and pride via their fantastic donations to our shoebox appeal last year. Providing these books is just one way for us to express our gratitude to them for their giving spirit and charitable attitude.” Dee Khunkhuna, Fiona Moffat and Jane Curtis Benjamin and Jodie Heginbotham 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:08 Page 1 HR Solutions steps out to raise funds for Gambian school A team of HR professionals are walking more than 7,000 miles – to raise much needed funds for a school in the Gambia. HR Solutions are backing the Walk To Gambia project, which aims to raise £30,000 to build, equip and staff two new classrooms at Starlight School by walking the equivalent of a round trip from Kettering to the Gambia and back – a total of an impressive 7,378 miles. The dedicated team had walked 4,200.6 miles by 18 May, which means they’ve already reached The Gambia and are now on the way back, having reached Lemhaisratk, Mauritania on the map. Angela Rhodes, director of HR firm Crispin Rhodes, has recently been appointed chairman of an international organisation, The Oasis Project (The Gambia). When Crispin Rhodes was acquired by HR Solutions in October last year, Angela was keen to continue supporting the Gambia. HR Solutions CEO Greg Guilford was encouraging of the idea, and together they came up with the Walk to Gambia challenge. Greg said: “We are thrilled to be able to work together as a team to support such a deserving cause. Angela pours boundless energy and creativity into the The Oasis Project, which provides humanitarian support through education to improve health and living conditions – the creation of the Starlight School for children in Bakau is a shining example of their work.” Angela said: “The economy in Bakau has been devastated by the Covid pandemic because nobody is able to travel to visit this amazing country. Lots of hotels and tourist attractions are closed and lots of people have lost their jobs. It is a huge challenge for the wonderful people living out there at the moment. Education and welfare is key and this amazing project will help so many children to get the best possible start in life. I urge you to support us if you are able.” OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 59 BB&J chooses Safe and Sound as charity of the year Commercial property consultancy BB&J Commercial has adopted child exploitation specialists Safe and Sound as its charity of the year. BB&J Commercial is based in The Wyvern and operates across the East Midlands. The company has supported a number of local charities since it was established in 2010 and is planning a range of fund-raising activities in the coming year for Safe and Sound. Partner Mark Richardson also recently became a Trustee of Safe and Sound, which supports children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, drugs lines, modern slavery and radicalisation. The charity also supports the wider family and raises awareness in local communities of the dangers facing young people. He explained: “BB&J Commercial are active members of the local business community and I was keen to get involved with Safe and Sound from a governance, education and fund raising point of view to help this incredible charity better connect across the city and county. “I was delighted when colleagues agreed that we should all play our part in helping this charity to protect and support young people and their families in our local communities. “As well as fund raising, we are keen to help raise awareness of child exploitation and highlight to our business and personal contacts that any child, anywhere, can fall victim to this criminal activity. It is therefore an issue that we all need to recognise and challenge in our everyday lives.” Virtual student challenge launched to help organisations create positive change Organisations looking for new ways to deliver positive change and growth following the pandemic can access the knowledge and skills of final year business students, as Nottingham Business School (NBS) launches its #NBSBright challenge. Supported by experienced academics, groups of students from a range of courses, including Business, Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, and Economics, will apply their studies to real business issues and present detailed analysis, findings and recommendations to the challenge submitters. The initiative aligns with the mission of NBS, to provide research and education that contributes to academic excellence with a positive impact on people, business and society. Importantly the challenge also ensures that every student engages in experiential learning and gets the chance to apply their learning to real organisational issues. Head of Personalisation and Experiential Learning at NBS, Amanda Thompson, said: “#NBSBright is designed to help businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper through the bright ideas of the next generation of business professionals. “Our highly motivated students have gained a wealth of knowledge during their studies and they are eager to apply their skills to help organisations recover, grow and succeed.” This is the second year that #NBSBright has taken place. NBS students BB&J Commercial partners Graham Bancroft, left, and Mark Richardson with Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison © Shutterstock/ Monster Ztudio 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 16:08 Page 2Next >