< PreviousManufacturerturnstoUniversity’sstudentengineersAmajorsuppliertotheconstructionindustryisoneofthefirstorganisationstoofferworkplacementsfortraineeengineersattheUniversityofDerbyaspartofanewMastersdegree.JohnBrash,aUKmanufactureroftimberproductsfortheconstructionindustry,willtakeonastudent,tobetaskedwithhelpingreducethecompany’sheatingbillstomakeit‘greener’.TheUniversityhaslaunchedthe(MSc)inInnovativeEngineeringSolutionscourse,beginninginSeptember2014.Itisworkingwithanumberofemployerstoofferthree-monthplacementstostudents.Theprojectisaimedatattractingstudentsalreadyworkingintheindustryaswellasthosealreadystudyingengineeringatundergraduatelevel.Italsoaimstohelpthosefromunder-representedbackgroundsintheindustry(includingwomen)toenterengineering.BrianLancaster,productiondirectoratJohnBrash,said:“WeareexcitedbythisopportunitytoworkwithanengineeringMastersstudent.Wehavealreadydefinedaprojectforthem;tomaximisetheutilisationofourwasteproductstoreduceourheatingbills,carbonemissionsandimproveourgreencredentials.”AngelaDean,headofSchoolofEngineeringandTechnology,added:“ThisisafantasticopportunityfortheUniversityandemployerstoworktogethertodevelopworkforceengineeringskillsthroughpostgraduatestudy.“Employersareinfluencingthedevelopmentofaninnovativeprogrammeofstudyanddevelopingatrainingprogrammethatsuitstheneedsoftheirorganisation,focusingonspecificprojectsandcommissioningbespokeresearch.Theyarereapingthebenefitsofbeinginvolvedintherecruitmentandselectionofapotentialnewmemberofstaff.”TheMScprogrammecoverstendifferentpathwaysinengineeringincludingcivil,electronic,materials,manufacturingandmechanical.TheAspinGroup,StoredEnergyTechnology,CoMechMetrology,SystemQ,theQSSGroupandPentaxiahavealsosigneduptotheprogramme.EEF:DitchurbanmythsaroundmanufacturingConsumersarebeingurgedtoditchurbanmythsandmisconceptionsaboutBritishmanufacturingafterresearchshowedthatthreequarters(74percent)mistakenlybelievethattheUKusedtomanufacturemoregoods30yearsago(inthe'80s)thanitdoestoday.Thefindings,fromEEF,themanufacturers’organisatithon,comeaheadofManufacturing,ScienceandTechnologyWeek(23rd–27thJune)attheInternationalFestivalforBusiness.Theyrevealthat,whileconsumersaresupportiveofBritishmanufacturing,theyarelargelyinthedarkaboutthetruestateofthesectortoday.Manufacturingisontrackfor3.6percengrowththisyear.Butdespitethis,littleoverathirdofconsumers(36percent)believethattheUK’smanufacturingindustryisgrowing.EEFsaythatUKmanufacturerswill,however,bepleasedtoknowthattheystillhaveconsumers’backing-overthreequarters(76percent)wouldbeproudtoworkforamanufacturingcompanyintheUK.Moreimportantlygiventheongoingdrivetoencouragemorewomenintothesector,womenwouldbeequallyasproudasmentoworkforaBritishmanufacturer.Manufacturerswillalsobecheeredtoknowthatoversevenintenconsumers(72percent)prefertobuygoodsthathavebeenmadeinBritain.Womenarethebiggestchampions,with75percentagreeingthattheywouldprefertobuyUKmanufacturedgoodsoverthosemadeelsewhereintheworld–thisfallsto71percentamongstmen.Thereisalsowidespreadrecognitionofthevitalrolemanufacturingplaysinthebroadereconomy.Anoverwhelming91percentofconsumersagreethatmanufacturingisessentialfortheUKeconomytogrow,althoughthisrisesto97percentamongsttheover55s.Thoseaged25to34aretheleastconvinced,althoughevenhere80percentbelievemanufacturingisessentialforgrowth.TerryScuoler,chiefexecutiveofEEF,said:“WiththeglobalspotlightonBritishmanufacturingnextweekitistimetoditchtheurbanmyththatBritainmanufacturedmoreinthe80sthanitdoestoday.TherealityisthatBritishmanufacturingisahugesuccessstoryandisgoingfromstrength-to-strength,employing2.6millionpeopleandaccountingfor11percentofGDP.‘MakeitBritain’isvibrant,vitalandproducingmoretodaythanitdid30yearsago.MANUFACTURINGNEWSEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk10EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page10BritishgoodsdrivingmanufacturinggrowthDemandforUK-madegoodsrosestronglyinJune,accordingtothelatestCBIIndustrialTrendsSurvey.Totalorderbookspickedup,reachingtheirstrongestlevelsinceDecember’seighteenyearhigh.Thisstrengthwasbroad-based,withaboveaverageresultsin14outofthe17sectors.Thefoodanddrinksectorwasparticularlyrobust,reportingitsfullestorderbooksinjustunderfouryears.Exportorderbooksralliedtoalevelwellabovethelongrunaverage,drivenbyparticularlystrongresultsfromthemechanicalengineering,electronicsandmotorvehicleindustries.Thesurveyof514manufacturersfoundoutputvolumesalsocontinuedtoriseatasimilarlysolidpacetothatseeninthepastthreemonths,withexpectationsofstrongergrowthforthecomingquarter.KatjaHall,CBIdeputydirector-general,said:“DemandforBritishmadegoodsremainsbuoyantandthat’shelpeddrivethisquarter’sfurtherriseinoutput.“Growthisbroad-based,withtherecoveryspreadingitsroots,andfirmshavehighhopesforthecomingquarter.“However,therecentriseinSterlingcouldimpactontheresilientexportorderswe’veseenlately.“Asaresult,nowistherighttimetocapitaliseonboostingmanufacturingfurtherbytakingactiontostrengthentheUK’ssupplychainsacrossindustry.Thiswillhelpunlockfurthergrowthandincreaseexports.”DerbymakesHS2CollegeshortlistDerbyhasmadetheshortlistforthenewNationalCollegeforHighSpeedrail,whichwillprovidetrainingforHS2engineers.CrossrailchairmanandchairoftheNationalSkillsAcademyforRailwayEngineeringTerryMorganchosetheshortlist,whichalsoincludesBirmingham,DoncasterandManchester.Hesaid:“Engineeringskillsarevitaltotherailindustry,andIamhugelyexcitedtobegiventheopportunitytohelpshapethedesignanddevelopmentofthenewcollege.“Weneedtoensurethatthecollegecandeliverthetopclasstrainingandqualificationsneeded,bothforhighspeedrailandotherfutureinfrastructureprojectsacrossthecountry.”Thefirstphaseofthe£42.6bnHS2projectwillconnectLondontoBirmingham;withDerby,DoncasterandManchestereitheronorneartheproposedsecondphaseoftheroute,connectingBirminghamtoManchesterandLeeds.AfinaldecisiononthesitingoftheCollegewillbemadeinJuly.Alproinvests£18.5mtodoublecapacityatKetteringAlproistostartrecruitmentfor30newjobsatitsKetteringsiteaspartofan£18.5minvestmenttodoubleproductioncapacity.Thecompanyisinvestingintwoofitssites,withWevelgem,Belgium,seeinga£12.2mupgradealongsideKettering,withtheaimofcontinuinggrowthfollowingincreasingsalesofitsdrinksandplant-basedalternativestoyogurtproducts.Theseinvestmentswillresultin50newjobsintheshortterm,30ofwhichwillbeatKettering.Withthegrowthofitssoya-basedproductsandthesuccessofrecentinnovationssuchasalmond,hazelnut,riceandoatdrinks,thelaunchofacoconutdrinkandplant-basedvariationstocreambasedonriceandcoconut,Alprosaysitisconvincedthatevenmorejobswillbecreatedbythefoodcompanyoverthecomingyears.TheKetteringsitewillreceivean£18.5minvestmentinanewbuildingandnewequipmentsuchasstoragetanks,sterilisers,fillingmachines,packagingmachinesandrobots.Someome30newemployeeswillberecruitedoverthenext18monthsandanother10to15moreoverthefollowingyearsasthevolumesincrease.Thisincreasewillbeachievedbyon-siteproductionofthealmondandhazelnutdrink.Ultimatelycoconut,riceandoatdrinkswillalsobeproducedatthesite.Thiswilldoubletheoutputofthesitefrom75millionlitresperyeartoabout150millionlitres.MANUFACTURINGNEWS11www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLinkEMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page11Willsjoinsseven7sevenamidexpansionplansNottinghamboutiqueaccountancyfirmseven7sevenhasannouncedthearrivalofawell-knowncityauditmanager,asitplansforexpansion.SianWillshasjoinedseven7sevenasanassociatefromSmithCooper,whereshewasauditassistantmanager.Willssaid:"Ijoinedseven7sevenasIsawitasagreatbusinessopportunity;aplatformformetostartinabusinessIcouldcallmyownwithownerJasonRoberts."IhaveworkedverycloselywithJasoninthepastandwehavemadeanexcellentteam,soIknewworkinginapartnershipwithhimwasundoubtedlygoingtobeagreatmoveforme.IknewalreadythatJasonhadworkedextremelyhardtobuildagreatclientportfolioandwantedtohelphimbuilditfurther.”WillsjoinedSmithCooperstraightfromcompletingherA-Levelsin2006andoverthenext8yearsgainedAATandACCAqualifications.Sheinitiallyworkedinaccountsandthenpredominatelyinauditandwasthenpromotedtoauditassistantmanager.JasonRoberts,managingdirectorofseven7seven,said:"It'sgreatnewsthatSianisonboard.I'mconfidentthatshewillbuildgreatclientworkingrelationshipsandbringvitalexperience."Robertssetupseven7sevenin2009afterspendingnineteenyearswithSmithCooper.UKTIhireshelpforMSBsMid-sizedbusinesses(MSBs)acrosstheEastMidlandsaresettogetextrasupporttoexploitglobalopportunities,withtheappointmentoftwonewspecialistadvisersforthelocalUKTrade&Investment(UKTI)team.JavierLafuenteandStuartMuirwilljoinexistingMSBadviserHelenFoxley,basedatRaynesway,inprovidingexportadvicetotheregion’s500plusmid-sizedbusinesses.IanHarrison,EastMidlandsregionaldirectorforUKTI,said:“EvidencehassuggestedthatexportsfromourMSBs,inlinewiththerestoftheUK,havenotdevelopedasstronglyoverthepasttenyearsaswemighthaveliked.ResearchhasalsoshownthatmostexportsthatcurrentlydotakeplacetendtobefocusedontheEUratherthanhighergrowthmarkets.“ByemployingdedicatedMSBadviserswehopetoaddresstheseissuesandgivebusinessesthesupporttheyneedtobecomethefutureeconomicpowerhousesoftheregion,creatingsustainablejobsandgrowth.”LafuentepreviouslyworkedforovertenyearsasexportmanagerforanMSBwithanannualturnoverof100m.Hesaid:“Mediumsizedbusinesseshaveveryspecificneeds.WithcorporatestrategiesandcommercialplansinplacetheydonotwantmuchinterventionsothekeyistoensureweatUKTIcanletcompaniesknowwecanofferadviceandsupporttoovercomeveryspecificproblems.Wecanprovideexactlywhattheyneedwhetherthatistoovercomeissueswithintellectualproperty,distributionorfranchising.Ourroleistoletpeopleknowwecansolvespecificissuesandthenhelpputtogetheracomprehensivepackageofsupport.MuirwaspreviouslytheIndiaspecialist.Hehasvastexperienceofworkingwithlargerbusinessesintheregionontheirexportplans.Hesaid:“CompaniesthatwanttoextendtheirinfluenceinnewmarketscangetallthesupporttheyneedfromUKTI.Wecanofferanextendednetworkofpeopleonthegroundthatcanprovide“inside”informationonthecountriesandissuesfirmsneedtoexplore.”SteeleleavesWilsonOrganisationafter27yearsJohnSteelehaslefthispositionasgroupfinancialdirectorandBoarddirectorofinsuranceandfinancialservicesfirmTheWilsonOrganisation,after27years,tojoinCowensinMansfield.StuartWilliamsofCowenssaid:“John’sprofessionalconnectionsandenthusiasmwillhelpCowensbuildtheirgrowingreputationandweareveryhappytohavehimaspartofourteamgoingforward.”Steelesaid:“I’mreallypleasedtobeworkingwithStuartandPaulongeneralinsurancebrokingtohelpthemgaintherecognitionthattheydeservefordrivingtheirbusinessforwardinsuchapassionatemanner.DavidEvansonandhisteamatCowenshavedevelopedaverygoodbusinessmodelwhichIamdelightedtobeassociatedwith.”APPOINTMENTSEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk12EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page12BrownjoinsemploymentteamatGTTheLeicesterofficeofbusinessandfinancialadviserGrantThorntonhashiredPhilBrownasassociatedirectortoitsMidlandsEmployerSolutionteam.BrownjoinsfromDeloitte,andhasalsobeenaninspectoroftaxesatHMRCmanagingwhatwasatthetimethelargestemployercomplianceunitintheUK.TrevorShaw,GrantThornton’sbusinesstaxdirectorinLeicester,said:“Mid-marketbusinessesarefacingincreasedcomplexityandfargreaterexposure,riskandpenaltiesonallemployee-relatedtaxmattersandtheirreporting.Quiterightly,theyarelookingforspecialistandrelevantguidanceoncompliance,reducingcostsandtaxliabilities,andthisispreciselythesupportPhilandtheEmployerSolutionsteamintheregioncandeliver."NewregionalchairmanappointedforEastMidlandsfbeBSPConsulting’sbusinessdevelopmentdirectorJefToddhasbecometheregionalchairmanoftheEastMidlandsfbe(ForumfortheBuiltEnvironment).Todd,whohasbeenonthecommitteeoftheproperty,developmentandconstructionprofessionals’groupforthreeyears,andwasvicechairman,takesoverfromNicJepson,directorofNottingham-basedInLinePropertyConsultants,whoheldthepostfortwoyears.NichasbeenmadeEastMidlandsregionaldirector,havingbeenpromotedafterAdrienneVaughan,AVAPR,completedhertwo-yeartenureintherole.ToddhasworkedatcivilandstructuralengineeringfirmBSPConsulting,whichisbasedatOxfordStreet,Nottingham,andhasofficesinDerby,LeicesterandSheffield,since2001.Hesaid:“ThisisakeyappointmentandIamlookingforwardtopromotingthefbeacrosstheEastMidlands.”Othercommitteemembersinclude:LouiseWhitehead,legaldirectoratsolicitorsShakespearesinLeicester,AdrienneVaughan,managingdirectoratLutterworth-basedAVAPR,andEddieMewies,managingdirectorofcivilengineeringfirmM-ECConsultingDevelopmentEngineersinIbstock.JenkinJonesjoinsShakespearesLawfirmShakespeareshasaddedtoitsrestructuringandinsolvencyteamafterhiringnewpartnerDeborahJenkinJones.JenkinJonesjoinsShakespearesfromFreethCartwrightwheresheworkedintheinsolvencyteamfortwoandahalfyears.Shewillbebasedinthefirm’sNottinghamoffice.AndrewTaylor,headofShakespeares’bankingrestructuringandinsolvencyteamsaid:“IamdelightedtowelcomeDeborahtotheteam.HerreputationprecedesherandIlookforwardtoworkingwithhertobuildonthesuccesstheteamhasenjoyedoverthelastfewyears.”LSHboostsindustrialteamCommercialpropertyagentLambertSmithHampton(LSH)hasappointedanewsurveyortoitsIndustrialandLogisticsteamintheEastMidlands.VictoriaBerrymanhasjoinedLSHinNottingham.The24-year-oldAPC-qualifiedsurveyor,fromNottinghamshire,said:“BeingapartofLambertSmithHamptonisawonderfulopportunityformeandwillhelpmetodevelopmyskillswithanestablished,reputableandambitiousconsultancy.”ShejoinsLSHfromDTZ,whereshewasagraduatesurveyorworkingalongsidetheresidentialandcommercialvaluationdepartment,aswellastheindustrialagencyteam.PwCappointsnewheadofgovernmentandpublicsectorAndyFordhasbeenappointedthenewheadofPwC’sGovernmentandPublicSectorteamintheMidlands.Fordwaspreviouslytheleaderofthefirm'sPublicSectorConsultingpracticeintheSouthEastregionHesaid:“Whiletherehasbeengoodeconomicrecoveryintheregion,publicsectororganisationsremainunderconsiderablefinancialpressures.Thechallengethatmanynowfaceishowtheycontinuetotransformtheirservicessotheyarecustomer-focusedandcost-effective.I'mreallylookingforwardtojoiningtheMidlandsteamtohelpdeliverthesolutionstheseorganisationsneed.”APPOINTMENTSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink13EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page13EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk14DEALSExpansionatBirchoverHotelApartmentsafterfundingsuccessBirchoverHotelApartmentshaslauncheda£460,000refurbishmentofitsflagshipDerbyproperty,thankstoa£96,000grantfromDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund(DEGF).Thecompany,ownedbyhusbandandwifeteamCarlandLisaBridge,appliedforgrantsupporttorefurbishtenofits40luxuryhotelapartmentsatDarleyAbbey.Workstartedrecentlyandwilltaketenmonthstocomplete.Theincreasedbusinessaffordedbytherefurbishmentwillleadtothecreationof11newjobslargelybasedattheDarleyAbbeyvenuewhichhastoppedtheTripAdvisorrankingsinthecityforthepasttwoyears.Birchovercurrentlyoperatesthreevenues–oneinDarleyAbbey,oneinthecitycentreandoneinFrance.TheDarleyAbbeysitehas40apartments,eachwithitsownsauna.Thecitycentrelocation,calledBayTreeApartments,has12flats.AndtheFrenchsite–LesBellemeGolfApartments,inthevillageofBelleme,Normandy–has30properties.ThebusinesswillalsoshortlybeopeninganewvenueinNottingham.DirectorCarlBridgesaid:“SincebuyingthecompanyfromthepreviousownersinJanuary2013,wehaveinvestedeverythingbackintothebusiness.ThankstothesupportfromDEGFwehavebeenabletobringforwardourrefurbishmentplansforDarleyAbbey.“Thehigherspecificationhotelapartmentswillensurethatourproductmatchesourconsistentlyfantasticreviewsandourgrowingreputationinthisrelativelynewmarket.“WehavealreadycreatedfourjobsinthepastfewweekswhichhasincludedyoungpeopleandmothersreturningtotheworkplaceandlookforwardtotakingonfurtheremployeesaspartofthisprogrammesupportedbyDEGF."PHLeicesterstrikestastydealwithPizzaHutPizzafranchisebusinessPHLeicesterhasacquiredfourPizzaHutDeliveryoutletsacrosstheEastandWestMidlandsaftersecuringa£775,000fundingpackagefromHSBC.ThecompanyhasboughtthreeoutletsinLeicesteronLondonRoad,HinckleyRoadandAylestoneRoad.IthasacquiredanoutletinTamworth’stowncentre.HSBC’sSouthYorkshireCommercialCentreprovidedthefinanceinadealmanagedbyseniorcommercialmanagerChrisAlsop,whoworkedwithcolleaguesinHSBC’sspecialistFranchiseteamonthetransaction.PHLeicesterwasfoundedbyUmerChohan,whostartedthebusinessin2009.HeboughtthePizzaHutDeliveryoutletsaftersellinghispreviousDominosPizzaoutletsandnowplanstodevelopaportfolioof10outletsoverthenext12months.ThecompanysaysithasidentifiedsitesinGranthamandNuneatonfornewoutletsandhopestoopentheminthecomingmonths,creatingupto20newjobsateachsite.Itisalsoeyeingacquisitionopportunities.Chonansaid:“Dominosisafantasticbrandanddeliversagreatproduct,butIfeltthereweregreatergrowthopportunitieswiththePizzaHutDeliverybrand,whichisdevelopingwell.PeopleidentifywithPizzaHutbecauseofitsrestaurantchainsobrandawarenessisalreadyinplaceandtheproductisextremelypopular.Wehavetakenonexistingsiteswiththisacquisitionandwewilllooktogrowtoaround10bydevelopingnewstoresandacquiringexistingoutlets.”AlsopaddedisrefocusofthebusinesstothePizzaHutDeliverybrand.Hehasagreattrackrecordinimprovingtheperformanceofexistingoutlets,soIamconfidenthewillmakethisagreatsuccess.”PHLeicesterwasrepresentedbyDuncanShepherd,apartnerwithSheffieldlawfirmWakeSmith.JBEngineeringsettogrowworkforceASouthDerbyshireengineeringcompanyhasreceivedgrantsupportfromDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund(DEGF)tokickstartitsinvestmentandjobcreationprogram.JBEngineering(Hatton),whichspecialisesinsteelfabricationandlaserprofiling,hasbeenawardeda£112,000granttowardstheir£500,000programtoupdateitsworkshopandinvestinnewequipment.Theincreasedcapabilitiesaffordedbythemachineryandequipmentwillenablethecompanytogrowitsworkforcefrom17to21inthecomingyear,withfurtherexpansionplannedin2015.JBEngineering(Hatton)HelenWilliamssaid:“Althoughthe1950sroofhasbeensubjecttoregularrepairsourattemptstokeeptheworkshopweatherproofwerenolongersufficient.“Wedesperatelyneededtoreplacethewholeroofbeforeweinvestedfurtherintheactivitiesthattakeplaceinthatworkshop.WithoutthesupportofDEGF,wewouldnothavebeenabletocarryoutthisworksoitwaskeytoourfutureexpansion.”ThecompanysaysitisnowreadytoexpandtheirbusinessandislookingtorecruitEngineeringfabricatorsandfitterstosupportthisgrowth.EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page14DEALSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink15LeeGlasstoughensupwithnewfinancedealLeeGlassandGlazing(Nottingham),whichhasofficesinBulwellandSherwood,hassecuredassetfinanceworthover£328,000fromSantandertopurchaseanewglasstougheningsystem,inadealbrokeredbyMidlandsAssetFinance.GaryBurns,seniorbusinessdevelopmentmanageratMidlandsAssetFinance,said:“WeareverypleasedtobeworkingwithalongstandingfamilybusinessinNottingham.ThenewdealalsoincludedarrangingbankfundingtoallowthemachinetobepaidforpriortoarrivingintheUKanddrewonmyknowledgeandexperienceinthebankingsector,aswellastheassetfinancemarket.”LeeGlassandGlazingwasfoundedin1967andspecialisesinthemanufacture,supplyandinstallationofglass,windowsanddoubleglazingservicesforbothdomesticandcommercialclients.ClearwaterCorporateFinancerevealsinternationalmergerClearwaterCorporateFinance,whichhasanofficeinNottingham,hasannounceditsmergerwithtwoleadingEuropeancorporatefinancebusinesses-amovewhichitsayswillprovideitsclientswithgreateraccesstointernationalM&Aandfinancingsolutions.ClearwaterCorporateFinancemergedwithDanishfirm,Advizer,andIMAPLynxbasedinSpainandPortugal.AtthesametimeanagreementforastrategicalliancehasbeenreachedwithChina-basedinvestmentbankInterChina,withaviewtocapitalisingonM&AopportunitiesinAsia.ThemergedbusinesshaschangeditsnametoClearwaterInternational.ThecompanyhasitsheadquartersinLondon,withafurther12offices,35partnersand150staffacrossEuropeandAsia.Thefirm’sotherUKofficeswillremaininManchester,BirminghamandNottingham.Thefocusforthenewcompanywillbeonprovidingcorporatefinanceadviceonmid-markettransactions,includingM&A,privateequity,debtadvisoryandrestructuringservices.ClearwaterInternationalsaysitwillcontinuetobeamemberofIMAP,theexclusiveglobalM&Anetwork,toprovidecrossborderexpertisewhereClearwaterInternationaldoesnothavecoverage.MikeReeves,CEOofClearwaterInternational,said:"OurclientsareincreasinglylookingforinternationalsolutionsfortheirM&Aandfundingneeds.Thismergerrepresentsamajorstepindeliveringahighlydifferentiatedservice.“WewillincreasethefootprintofClearwaterInternationaloverthecomingmonthsandyearstocreatetheleadingindependentmid-marketcorporatefirmoperatinggloballythroughoneintegratedbusiness".PhilBurns,UKmanagingpartner,added:"Thismergerprovidesuswiththecapacitytodeepenoursectorfocusinatrulyintegratedway.Thiswillopenupconsiderableopportunityforthebusinessesweworkwithandenableustodeliverexcellentclientoutcomes.”Lloydspumps£50mintoStafflineexpansionNottingham-headquarteredrecruitmentbusinessStafflineGroupplchascompletedthe£65macquisitionofAvantaEnterprisewithfundingsupportledbyLloydsBankCommercialBanking.LloydsBank’smid-marketsteambasedonParkRowinNottinghamarranged£50mofmedium-termfundingtosupportthedeal.TheyworkedalongsideLloydsBank’sspecialiststrategicfinanceteam,whoprovidestructuredtailoredfundingsolutionsinsupportofM&AactivityacrosstheEastMidlandsregion,togetherwithHSBC’sLeicester-basedcorporateteam.TheacquisitionofAvantawillpositiontheenlargedGroupasatopthreeplayerinthewelfaresector,bringingsignificantcontractswiththeDepartmentforWorkandPensions(DWP)aswellastheSkillsFundingAgency(SFA).Asaresultoftheacquisition,Stafflinewillhaveanannualturnoverofapproaching£500m.AndyHogarth,chiefexecutiveofStafflineGroup,said:“TheacquisitionofAvantarepresentsanewandexcitingchapterintheongoingdevelopmentofourbusinessandformspartofourstrategicgrowthplan.“LloydsBankhasbeeninstrumentalinsupportingourgrowthstrategyandthislatestfundingwillbeakeycontributortoouron-goingsuccess.Despitewidespreadspeculationaroundthedifficultiesofraisingfinanceinthecurrenteconomicclimate,theteaminNottinghamhasworkedcloselywithustoprovidemedium-termfacilities,reflectingtheirbeliefinourbusinessmodelandgrowthstrategy.”EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page15THEBIGQUESTIONEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk16WhatcantheEastMidlandsgainfromHS3?WeaskedbusinessleadersfromaroundtheregionwhethertheregionwouldbenefitfromGeorgeOsborne'slatestannouncementonhigh-speedrail.WheredoesHS3leaveEastMidlands?EMBLJULY:Layout126/6/1409:43Page16THEBIGQUESTIONwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink17JeremyBlackburn,RICSheadofpolicy:"Betterconnectingournortherncities,industries,airportsandportswillhelpunleasheconomicpotential.WestronglywelcometheChancellor’scommentsonthepowerandpotentialofournortherncities;itisrecognitionofwhattheycandotocontributenotonlytotheeconomicrecovery,butasthebasisofacompetitivenationontheworldstage."RICShaslongemphasisedtheconceptoflocationalinvestmentandprioritisingregionalinfrastructurethatcreatesbetterconnectivityforpeopleandgoods,particularlyrail.ThisannouncementsowstheseedsforthefocusonregionalinfrastructurepipelinesanddeliverymechanismsinthenextParliament."ThecommitmenttoHS3showsvisionbeyondexistingcommitments,butthereareseveralcandidatesforthat,notleastthroughsouthernEnglandviaBristoltoSwansea.ThatisanevenbiggerEast-Westtransportproblemtobesolved.TheneedsintheNorthcanbemetthroughgreaterinvestmentinexistingnetworksandconventionalrailandroad,properlyexpandedandupgraded,andconnectedtothespineofHS2whichmakesittoNewcastle.TheNorthernHubandPennineElectrificationshowtheway."MatthewSmith,leaddirector,JLL:“TherealimpacttoourregioncomeswithHS2.Thiswillconnectusintoacuttingedgetravelnetwork.HS3creatinggreaterconnectivitybetweenLeedsandManchesterwillhavemoresubtlebenefitsIsuspect,lessabouttraveltimesandmoreaboutourregion’scontributiontodeliveringtheactualscheme."TheEastMidlandsisincreasinglyrecognisedasaglobalcentreofrailtechnology,inparticularfocusedaroundDerby.Frommanufacturingtherollingstock,todevelopingthesignallingsoftware,wehaveabroadrangeoftalentacrossthissector.Thisopportunity,ifimplemented,couldgenerateavastpipelineofnewbusinesstoEastMidlandscompanies,whichinturncreatesincreaseddemandfromtheirsupplychains.Thiscouldthenleadtoinvestmentininfrastructure,expansionandtherecruitmentofnewtalent.”MatthewHannah,directoratInnesEngland:"Governmentspendingonlargeinfrastructureprojectsdoes,inthemain,generatebenefitsforthelocaleconomyandtheannouncementofapotentialHS3connectionisevidencethatthegovernmentistryingtoaddressthebalanceofeconomicperformancebetweentheSouthofEnglandandtherestoftheUK.AsfarastheEastMidlandsisconcerned,thegovernmentandlocalauthoritieshaveinvestedstronglyinthemaincentres.NottinghamhasbeenwaitingfortheduallingoftheA453formanyyears.TheetheJeremyBlackburn,RICSheadofpolicy17EMBL JULY:Layout 1 26/6/14 09:43 Page 17THE BIG QUESTIONEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk18£570m tram extension in Nottingham is also projected toopen this year and is another ‘on the ground’ project. Thedualling of the A46 linking the A1 at Newark to the M1 atLeicester was undertaken through the recession and willgenerate growth opportunities. The decision to electrify theMidland Mainline between Bedford and Sheffield will alsoallow the potential for greater investment."Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are the route to makethe government aware of those infrastructure projects that willlead to economic growth and we need to keep lobbying hardin the East Midlands to make sure we get our share of thecake.”Katja Hall, CBI deputy director-general, said: “To keep thewheels on the recovery turning, we need to maximise growthacross the UK. Better east-west links in the north couldprovide a huge boost to local businesses, and help furtherbalance the UK economy by creating a northern hub.“However, any proposals need careful planning. The prioritymust be boosting connections, not speed. We need to seemore detail for such a project, which must be good value formoney for the taxpayer.” George Cowcher, chief executive of the Chamber ofCommerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire andLeicestershire: “While the Chancellor is right to look at waysof rebalancing the economy away from London and unlockingthe economic potential of the north, he needs to ensure hedoesn’t overlook the importance of the East Midlands, whichis the UK's manufacturing heartland.“Having a new economic power house in the north and analready well-established one in the south would place furtheremphasis on ensuring north to south connectivity for thisregion.“It’s also important to stress that investment in both HS2and HS3 shouldn’t come at the expense of investment in railinfrastructure in general, to ensure the East Midlands has atransport network which befits its reputation as a significantdriver of the UK's economic growth.”Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council:“High Speed Rail will create a step-change in connectivitybetween our regional cities and we welcome today’sannouncement by the Chancellor on HS3 and the benefits itwould bring in developing further interconnectivity andrebalancing the economy. “We would also like to see connectivity improvements andthe timescale for building the Eastern leg of HS2 – whichincludes the East Midlands Hub at Toton – brought forward, tocreate better connectivity between Nottingham and cities suchas Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds, onto York and throughNewcastle and into Edinburgh.” MMaatttthheeww SSmmiitthh,, lead director, JLLMMaatttthheeww HHaannnnaahh, director at Innes EnglandKKaattjjaa HHaallll, CBI deputy director-generalEMBL JULY:Layout 1 26/6/14 09:43 Page 18EMPLOYMENT LAWwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 19Conciliation’swhat you needThe reason for this new mandatoryrequirement is to actively promotenegotiation in the early stages of a disputebefore it progresses to litigation and toreduce the burden on employmenttribunals. The early conciliation schemeactually started on 6th April 2014, but thiswas only on a voluntary basis.The prospective claimant must nowsubmit a completed Early ConciliationNotification Form to ACAS or provide theinformation by telephone. The Form mustinclude the contact details of both theclaimant and the respondent and basicinformation about the anticipated claim,otherwise the application may be rejected.With the permission of the claimant, ACASwill endeavour to contact the respondentto explore the possibility of resolving theemployment dispute without recourse toan employment tribunal. Followingreceipt of the Form or telephone call,ACAS will have up to one calendar monthto facilitate negotiations which can beextended for a further period of 14 days,provided that both parties consent andACAS believes that there is a reasonableprospect of settlement. If a resolution isachieved, this will be outlined in aconfidential document and the matter willnot progress.There are likely to be instances wherethe relationship between the claimant andrespondent has so irretrievably brokendown that negotiation will not be possible.The claimant will be issued with an earlyconciliation certificate number (subject toexemptions) to be inserted into the claimform and will have one calendar monthfrom this date to submit a claim to anemployment tribunal. Many claimants fail to realise that thereare strict time limits to issue a claim,usually 3 months from the date thatemployment was terminated. The newrules will impact on this time limit so thatany accepted formal conciliation processwill effectively stay the limitation date,that is, “stop the clock”, which will createan extension of time. Claimants must bevery careful to ensure that the vitallimitation date is not overlooked.So what will these new changes meanin practice? As with any new rule, onlytime will tell. It is unlikely that claimantswill be aware of these changes and willsimply submit a claim to the employmenttribunal only for it to be rejected whichwill inevitably create a delay. In myexperience, claimants are generally leftreeling from a dismissal and do notimmediately issue a claim or seek legaladvice at all. It is possible that the timelimits could create complacency andconfusion over whether a claim issubmitted on time. This may result in anincrease in short hearings to determinethe issue, contrary to the intention ofreducing tribunal hearings and burdenson business. The length of theconciliation period may also beinsufficient to properly investigateallegations in more complex cases andmany employers are reluctant to settlewithout first knowing whether theclaimant is prepared to incur an issue feeand formally pursue a claim at all. Theconciliation process could be used tobetter understand the strengths andweaknesses of the opponent’s case andemployers may welcome the “heads up”of a looming claim. However, ACASreports a good success rate during thevoluntary conciliation period, which ispromising. When advising clients, I outline all ofthe potential options available one ofwhich is the possibility of exploring asettlement at an early stage. I explain tomy clients exactly what litigation willentail from start to finish, including therisk, the costs in terms of timemanagement and finance, stress, theprocess and what will be expected ofthem, because it is important that theyare able to make an informed decision.This is particularly pertinent when aclaimant has been diagnosed with a workrelated stress, anxiety or depressivecondition and the priority is to act swiftlyto prevent the ongoing situation fromexacerbating the problem. It comesdown to what will be in the best interestsof the client and this is often resolving anemployment dispute where possible.From 6th May 2014, new rules were introduced which regulatethe way that proceedings should be issued in respect ofemployment rights at an employment tribunal. An aggrievedemployee must now formally notify the Advisory Conciliationand Arbitration Service (“ACAS”) before initiating a claim.Angela Shaw, employment solicitor at Lanshaws Solicitorsexplains what this could mean for businesses. EMBL JULY:Layout 1 26/6/14 09:43 Page 19Next >