NOVEMBER 2017EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS E-MAGMATERIALSHANDLINGThe human elementCOMMERCIALPROPERTYClick & collectBUSINESSDEVELOPMENTFamily firstwww.blmgroup.co.ukWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKLEADINGTHE WAYLEADINGTHE WAYLinkingbusinesstogetherEast Midlands Business Link has been bringing businesses together through itsonline pages and we’re now offering even more chances to network andcreate new relationships with a host of special events – and there are numerous sponsorship opportunities to help promote your brand!Round TablesBringing together leading names from local businesses, our round table events debate the latest hottopics. By sponsoring the event you can decide on the topic and help shape the guest list to ensurerelevance. The resultant debate will appear in our pages.Breakfast EventsEast Midlands Business Link's breakfast events present topical and incisive discussion. A panel ofexperts offer their views on business matters in front of an informed and interested audience –alongside plenty of opportunities to network! Sponsors of the event receive access to the delegate list as well as extensive pre- and post-event coverage.AwardsHighlighting the best of local business, there are myriad sponsorship opportunities atEast Midlands Business Link's awards evenings. Bringing together guests from across the region,sponsoring a category or even the entire event will ensure exceptional exposure for your business! These events are also a great place to entertain and welcome distinguished guests.Business Link is renowned as the voice of the East Midlands business scene. By partnering with us at these special events you can take advantage of our strong reputation and enjoy exceptional exposure for your brand!Connectwith us today to see what we can do for your business...www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 3EDITOR’S NOTESThis year’s autumn budget brings no small amount ofanticipation for businesses across our region, echoing thefeelings nationwide. Quite how the Chancellor is going toset the economy to rights in the face of overwhelming odds– Brexit, we’re looking at you – remains to be seen. Perhapsit’s as they say, and it’s simply a case of feeling down thebacks of sofas in Number 10 looking for any spare cash. Forour usual budget breakdowns and responses, keep an eyeon future issues and don’t forget to check in with ourwebsite. It’s become something a truism to say that uncertainty is rife across thepolitical divide and is continuing to creep into the economy. But it’s against thisbackdrop that businesses must put expansion plans into effect and target newgrowth. Though this may be the case, it’s not to say that businesses aren’thedging their bets – as we can attest in our business development feature whichputs the spotlight on family businesses. Ever the barometer of our region’s commercial property market, this month’sreport looks at the effect ecommerce has had for property investors and logisticscompanies. A theme continued in our materials handling feature, albeit with atwist. You’ll have to read it to find out.And there you have it, another month, another issue of the region’s mostprestigious business publication. Now, time to check down the back of the sofa.Good reading, as always...Michael FisherEditorWelcomeContentsNovember 2017LATEST NEWS 6A round-up of the latest news from our regionAPPOINTMENTS 8East Midlands on the moveDEALS NEWS 10The latest news from the dealmakers around the regionPROPERTY NEWS 12All the latest from the property sectorCOMMERCIAL PROPERTY14With the rise of ecommerce, our urban spaces have to provideprime logistics space to keep up with demand and remaincompetitiveBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT18Despite making up two thirds of the UK business force, family-runbusinesses are by no means a shoe-in with investmentcompanies as our exposé finds outBUSINES SCENE24Held at The Lawns in Lincoln, and Hosted by Streets CharteredAccountants, Andrew & Co Solicitors and NatWest Bank (andsupported by Business Lincolnshire), the Family Business Forumaims to address the important role that family businesses play inthe region’s economy and help overcome the unique challengesthey faceSILLS & BETTERIDGE25A day at Legal Geek exploring the future of legal services byAndrew Kerrigan, Associate Solicitor Sills & BetteridgeMATERIALS HANDLING 26While new innovation has worked to automate many industries,materials handling remains dominated by manual workers, andlooks to be for the foreseeable future. Getting the most out ofthem is paramountWARD RECYCLING30That’s the message from Donald Ward, Head of Recycling &Technical at Ward Recycling, who we had a chance to chat withthis monthPUBLIC RELATIONS33Rudyard Kipling knew a thing or two about writing By GregSimpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise NationChampion for NottinghamSTREETS34Is it time to get away from the desk? By James Pinchbeck,marketing partner at Streets Chartered AccountantsLEICESTER EXPO36Leicester City Football Club welcomed the 11th Annual BusinessExpo in October, with nearly 100 businesses able to promotethemselves locally, without having to travel down to London orBirmingham. With hundreds of visitors welcomed with excellentcoffee, the scene was set for a very enjoyable dayLINCOLN SCIENCE & INNOVATION PARK38Lincoln Science and Innovation Park has challenged Lincolnshirebusinesses to put innovation at the core of their growth strategy.We speak to Director, Tom Blount, to learn more.ALLIED IRISH BANK (GB)40In our latest Q&A with regional business leaders we ask GerryMcPake, Senior Manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) in Nottingham,how his customers are feeling about the year ahead, how thebank can support clients’ growth aspirations and the commoncharacteristics he sees in successful regional businessesEVENTS42We take a look at business events happening around the EastMidlandsAUTOLINK44The UK new car market declined for a sixth consecutive month inSeptember, with 426,170 new units registered, according tofigures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers andTraders (SMMT)• McLaren 570 GTOUT OF OFFICE48Sustainability awards, charity dinners and trentbarton busesAND FINALLY...5118Group EditorSteve Fishers.fisher@blmgroup.co.ukEditorMichael Fisherm.fisher@blmgroup.co.ukJournalistsDominic Cuthbertd.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.ukStuart Pearcey s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.ukSales DirectorAngela Coopera.cooper@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310310Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharmanaccounts@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Cassonstudio@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310304Fax: (01472) 310314E-Mail:eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.ukPublisherHaychart Ltd, t/a Business Link Magazine Group,Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied,recorded or otherwise without expresspermission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to thepublisher. While every reasonable care is taken,neither the publisher nor its participating agentsaccept liability for loss or damage to prints,colour transparencies, negatives or othermaterial of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in thispublication are not necessarily the views of thoseheld by the publisher.@BLMEastMidlandsBLMEastMidlandsNOVEMBER 2017EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS E-MAGMATERIALSHANDLINGThe human elementCOMMERCIALPROPERTYClick & collectBUSINESSDEVELOPMENTFamily firstwww.blmgroup.co.ukWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKLEADINGTHE WAYLEADINGTHE WAYCOVER PHOTOS: • shutterstock.com • Mr. Kosal• Lincoln Science & Innovatin Park • William Potter• ChristianChan• ShutterOKEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk6East Mids firms and lawyers honoured in2017 Legal 500According to the findings: Law work in Nottingham continues to receive a diverse flow of work, with lawfirms increasingly striving to provide a full-service support to the clients, contrasted with the gradualspecialisation of departments in smaller hubs such as Leicester or Northampton.The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 100 jurisdictions and here we show the findings ofthe rankings in East Midlands.According to the report, local authority expert Browne Jacobson LLP and global firm Eversheds Sutherland(International) LLP dominate the Nottingham scene alongside Freeths LLP and Gateley Plc, which also haveoffices in Leicester.Shakespeare Martineau LLP, Geldards LLP and Shoosmiths LLP are other national players with a strongregional presence. Nelsons Solicitors Limited and criminal law market leader Cartwright King are also wellpositioned, says the report, with offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.Business response to inflation:Should MPC resist the temptationto raise interest rates?After Inflation hit a five-year high of 3% the question on everybody’slips is will the Bank of England raise interest rates in November?Speaking after the publication of the figures on Tuesday, Carney saidit was “more likely than not” but could this be a medicine that kills thepatient?Business link invites readers to voice their opinions:Peter Hemington, Head of Corporate Finance at BDO, says: “Despitethe highest rate of inflation for five years, the MPC must resist thetemptation to hike interest rates. Economic growth is uninspiring,consumer spending is struggling and Brexit continues to bring greatuncertainty for business. We want to see the Bank of England keep itspowder dry.The big challenge to the UK economy is low productivitycaused by decades of underinvestment. Policymakers need to committo a huge programme of infrastructure investment and a focus on skills.”Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers ofCommerce, says “The Bank of England’s policymakers should resist thetemptation to raise interest rates, particularly during this period ofheightened political uncertainty.“Raising rates before the UK economy is ready risks underminingconsumer and business confidence, weakening the UK growthprospects further.”Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) NationalChairman, says: “Small businesses are really starting to feel theinflationary squeeze. Rising prices mean less customer spending power– one in three small firms sees consumer demand as a barrier togrowth. Seven in ten report a rise in operating costs, costs whichultimately have to be passed on in the form of reduced wages or furtherprice increases.”Howard Archer, Chief Economic Adviser to the EY club,says: “Webelieve that it is still likely that inflation will fall back markedly through2018 as the impact of sterling’s past drop fades and domestic pricepressures are limited by lacklustre growth, with only a gradual pick-up inearnings.“While it is understandable that the MPC will want to graduallynormalise interest rates from their current ‘emergency levels’, webelieve it would be better to do so once the economy is on a strongerfooting.”LATEST NEWSFirms call for a Brexit-ready Autumn BudgetThe Chancellor is being urged to commit to matchingEU funding allocations post-Brexit while protectinginvestment reliefs at his Autumn Budget.The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is seekingreassurance that no nation or region will lose out after2019 as a result of the Government’s proposed UKShared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).Its Budget submission calls on the Chancellor to ruleout any new business tax increases and maintaininvestment incentives, including Entrepreneurs’ Relief,the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the SeedEnterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said: “With theBrexit clock ticking, other nations are trying to tempt ourbusinesses to their shores. The Budget marks anopportunity to position the UK as the best place in theworld to invest in innovative firms.“We lag behind the EU when it comes to producingserial entrepreneurs. If we want to catch-up, andenhance our international competiveness post-Brexit, weneed to see investor incentives protected. Doing so willinject some much-needed stability into a climate doggedby delayed decision-making because of persistentuncertainty.“If the Chancellor is serious about tackling thestaggering disparity in productivity between differentareas of the UK, he should replace EU funding accordingto existing allocations. No region or nation should loseout as a result of Brexit.”Economic growth picks up in thirdquarter as GDP increases by 0.4%Economic growth picked up moderately in the third quarter as GDPincreased by 0.4 per cent and the manufacturing sector returned toexpansion.Britain’s manufacturers had seen a weak second quarter, with outputfalling, but the sector returned to growth in the three months toSeptember, albeit by only one per cent, according to the Office forNational Statistics (ONS).Output from the services sectorremains unchanged from theprevious quarter at 0.4 per cent.Strong performance in theretail sector, computerprogramming and motor tradesensured it was the main driver ofgrowth overall. However, theconstruction industry, often seenas a barometer for the broadereconomy, contracted for thesecond quarter in a row.The news will offer some reliefin an economy which hassuffered a slow 2017 so far, afterquarterly growth remained flat at0.3 per cent in the first half of theyear.7 © shutterstock.com/ Gunnar Pippel www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Bankrupt recruiterhanded 10-yeardirectorship banThe bankrupt owner of a recruitment companywhich supplied illegal workers in the Midlands hasbeen banned from acting as a director for 10 years.Shane Zeb Khattak’s ban comes after an investigation by the Insolvency Service. TheSecretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualificationundertaking from Khattak which started on 2nd October this year.Khattak was acting as a director for Recruitment Base (UK) Limited which provided payrolland recruitment services in the Midlands. He failed to ensure that Recruitment Base compliedwith obligations around immigration checks, resulting in the employment of 11 illegalworkers.Bank of England raisesinterest rates to 0.5%For the firsttime in adecade, theBank ofEngland hasmade thedecision toincrease theinterest ratefrom 0.25%to 0.5%, anincrease of0.25%.Thisdecisionreverses the rate cut of 2016, which was implementedto ease spending in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.According to reports, the decision was not aunanimous one, with two Deputy Governorsdissenting. They were, however, outvoted by theMonetary Policy Committee.In response, Rain Newton-Smith, CBI ChiefEconomist had the following to say; “The decision toraise interest rates comes as no surprise, given therecent signals from the Bank and several MonetaryPolicy Committee members signalling their intentionto vote for a change of course.“While it’s the first rate rise in over a decade, it isonly taking the rate back to the level seen in August2016 and at 0.5% it remains near rock bottom.“Businesses will be watching the reaction ofconsumers closely and what’s important is the paceof any future rises. As rates creep up, it’ll beimportant to keep an eye on the impact for those atthe lower end of the income scale.”.Economic growth picks up in thirdquarter as GDP increases by 0.4%Economic growth picked up moderately in the third quarter as GDPincreased by 0.4 per cent and the manufacturing sector returned toexpansion.Britain’s manufacturers had seen a weak second quarter, with outputfalling, but the sector returned to growth in the three months toSeptember, albeit by only one per cent, according to the Office forNational Statistics (ONS).Output from the services sectorremains unchanged from theprevious quarter at 0.4 per cent.Strong performance in theretail sector, computerprogramming and motor tradesensured it was the main driver ofgrowth overall. However, theconstruction industry, often seenas a barometer for the broadereconomy, contracted for thesecond quarter in a row.The news will offer some reliefin an economy which hassuffered a slow 2017 so far, afterquarterly growth remained flat at0.3 per cent in the first half of theyear.7 © shutterstock.com/ Gunnar Pippel www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Bankrupt recruiterhanded 10-yeardirectorship banThe bankrupt owner of a recruitment companywhich supplied illegal workers in the Midlands hasbeen banned from acting as a director for 10 years.Shane Zeb Khattak’s ban comes after an investigation by the Insolvency Service. TheSecretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualificationundertaking from Khattak which started on 2nd October this year.Khattak was acting as a director for Recruitment Base (UK) Limited which provided payrolland recruitment services in the Midlands. He failed to ensure that Recruitment Base compliedwith obligations around immigration checks, resulting in the employment of 11 illegalworkers.Bank of England raisesinterest rates to 0.5%For the firsttime in adecade, theBank ofEngland hasmade thedecision toincrease theinterest ratefrom 0.25%to 0.5%, anincrease of0.25%.Thisdecisionreverses the rate cut of 2016, which was implementedto ease spending in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.According to reports, the decision was not aunanimous one, with two Deputy Governorsdissenting. They were, however, outvoted by theMonetary Policy Committee.In response, Rain Newton-Smith, CBI ChiefEconomist had the following to say; “The decision toraise interest rates comes as no surprise, given therecent signals from the Bank and several MonetaryPolicy Committee members signalling their intentionto vote for a change of course.“While it’s the first rate rise in over a decade, it isonly taking the rate back to the level seen in August2016 and at 0.5% it remains near rock bottom.“Businesses will be watching the reaction ofconsumers closely and what’s important is the paceof any future rises. As rates creep up, it’ll beimportant to keep an eye on the impact for those atthe lower end of the income scale.”.8New BusinessDevelopment Director forRSMAudit, tax and consulting firm RSM has appointed DaveGraham as a new Business Development Director for theMidlands.Graham, who will be based at RSM’s Leicester office in GrovePark, joins RSM from PKF Cooper Parry in Derbyshire. Prior tothat he spent 15 years at Natwest in the East Midlands, initiallyworking in corporate and commercial banking roles beforebecoming business development director in 2010.In his new role for RSM, Graham will work on buildingrelationships with middle market businesses across theBirmingham, Leicester and Nottingham markets.Mark Taylor, RSM’s Regional Managing Partner, said: “With astrong background in corporate and commercial banking, Daveis well placed to understand the opportunities and challengesfacing local businesses. He is also well-known across theregion’s business community and has an extensive network ofcontacts. I’m delighted to be able to welcome Dave to the RSMteam and I am sure he will be a great asset to us and ourclients.”East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukAPPOINTMENTSSir John Peace announced asnew Chancellor of NottinghamTrent UniversitySir John Peace has been announced as the new Chancellor ofNottingham Trent University.Sir John is the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, and has had a longand distinguished career across the technology, financial services and retailsectors.He is currently Chairman of global fashion brand Burberry plc andChairman of the Midlands Engine.He is committed to supporting the growth of the region and has a long-standing interest in education.Between 1999 and 2009 he was Chairman of the Board of Governors atNTU, and he is also a Trustee of the Djanogly City Academy in Nottingham.Sir John has held Chief Executive roles within a range of organisationsincluding the financial services company Experian plc, of which he was oneof the founders, and GUS plc.He has also been Chairman of Standard Chartered plc and the WorkFoundation, a leading independent think-tank.Sir John said: “I am delighted to be returning to a role at NottinghamTrent University. It is a fantastic institution and one that I know well from mytime as a member of the Board of Governors. The University has much tobe proud of, and makes a hugely important contribution to the ongoinggrowth and cultural development of the region.”Neil Goulden, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors ofNottingham Trent University said: “I am very pleased that Sir John will betaking up the role of Chancellor at NTU. His vast experience across theworld of business along with his strong connection and commitment to theregion’s growth and future success make him the perfect candidate for thisimportant role.”Sir John will be officially installed in his new role at a special ceremonyon 8 December at the University during the Winter graduation period.The role of Chancellor is to undertake a number of important ceremonialduties, including conferring degrees at graduation ceremonies andrepresenting the University at events. He takes over the role from KevinCahill OBE, who was Chancellor of the University for three years from 2014.Sir John was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntarysector, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administrationfrom NTU in 2015, in recognition of his contribution to the civic andcommercial life of the City and County.Professor Edward Peck,Vice-Chancellor with SirJohn Peace, Chancellorof Nottingham TrentUniversityDave Graham (centre), with Ben Lawrance, office managingpartner in Leicester (right) and Kevin Harris, audit partner (left)Next >