ROUND TABLE How to be a successfulentrepreneurWEALTH MANAGEMENT How to find a great financialplannerSUPER 60First 15 revealedwww.blmgroup.co.ukWWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKDECEMBER 2014EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS E-MAGTHE ROAD TORECOVERYA year in reviewTHE ROAD TORECOVERYA year in reviewLinkingbusinesstogetherEast 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...EDITOR’S NOTESwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 3When we launched East Midlands Business Link back in June 2013, the business world wasjust awakening from the slumber caused by the deepest recession in living memory. Lookingback, we have to wonder why we didn't wait another year, but, ever optimistic, on we pressed.Back then, words like devolution were barely mentioned. Growth was spoken of in hushedtones, and companies were operating with a skills gap that you could drive a bus through.Little has changed on the latter point, but now the UK leads the way in terms of growth in theEU, and the East Midlands is the fastest growing region outside of London and the South East.Eighteen months in a long time in business, it seems.And now, very much in focus, is the issue of devolution. Hinted at as some kind of pipedream 18 months ago, now vast swathes of the UK want the power to make their owndecisions, and Westminster is a distant planet in the south.Typically, Manchester has led the way with its 'Northern Powerhouse' schtick. There'snothing particularly new about this - it's typical Mancunian pride, and rather than beingscorned or laughed at, it should be welcomed, and - dare I say it - emulated in the EastMidlands. As I type this, a press release has landed in my inbox headed up: "Chamber calls fordevolution debate..." in response to the Smith Commission's recommendation to devolvefurther powers to Scotland. The Chamber says that any devolution deal for Scotland shouldtrigger a new debate on localised autonomy in England. Businesses across Derbyshire,Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire want greater influence over how they are taxed and howtheir taxes are spent and deserve a say in how a new, less-centralised UK is governed in future.It's hard to disagree. Let the debate begin with earnest in 2015.Have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.Sam MetcalfEditorTime for EastMidlands pride?ContentsDecember 2014Latest News 6The latest news from the regionProperty News 8All the latest from the property sectorManufacturing News 10News and views from around the East MidlandsAppointments12Who’s moving where Deals14The latest news from the dealmakers around the regionYear in Review 16Make no mistake about it - things got a lot better out therein 2014. Second-half jitters aside, the East Midlandseconomy is in a better place than it has been since 2007.But what were the highlights of the year for businessowners and leaders in the East Midlands? We found out.Super 6020Welcome to the first part of our East Midlands Super 60,sponsored by Ryley Wealth Management, Blusource andMazarsWealth Management24How to find a great financial planner by Scott Gallacher,Rowley TurtonBusiness Scene 26Nottingham law firm Rothera Dowson solicitors invitedguests to a casino evening at Alea Casino in UpperParliament Street.Round Table29As part of our East Midlands Super 60 series of articles,we pulled together a panel of the region’s most successfulbusiness owners and advisers to ask: how do you goabout being a good entrepreneur?Commercial Property32Small is beautiful by Alec Hamlin, development manager,BlueprintSupporting Business Growth 34Lincolnshire Today were proud to team up with sponsorsat the latest Dragons’ Den-style event, known as Tamingthe Dragon - an unrivalled opportunity for local businessesand entrepreneurs to pitch their money making ideas to apanel of local investors, right in the heart of Lincoln.Coaching 36Successful business people know that when it comes torelationships, we are greatly influenced — whether we likeit or not — by those closest to us, says Stuart Ross of HighGrowth.Business Scene 38Katie De Niese, Kelly Goodchild and Erica Manderfield ofStreets Chartered Accountants hosted a Masquerade Ballat The Assembly Rooms in Lincoln.Business Lincs39More and more networking groups are cropping uparound the county and big business is being done at eachand every meeting. If you want to start on this path, thenhere’s some things to remember. Business Scene 41The Lincoln Sportsmans Club started a new season of itspopular dinners at the Bentley Hotel with Neil “Razor”Ruddock the guest speaker.Business Plan42Whether you are required to do a business plan to supportbank borrowing or to change the fortunes of the business,typically it is a process fraught with fear, says JamesPinchbeck, marketing partner, Streets CharteredAccountants.Think in Pictures44Greg Simpson from Press for Attention PR wants tohighlight an area that lets PR campaigns down again andagain: pictures.AutoLink46The Paris Motor Show was a great opportunity to seek outwhat we can expect in the regions showrooms veryshortly, so without further ado our intrepid reportedhopped over the channel see what’s hot and what’s not. • Winter DrivingDress Down Friday50The lighter side of East Midlands office life450East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk32EditorSam Metcalfs.metcalf@blmgroup.co.ukAdvertisingLisa Muckle l.muckle@blmgroup.co.ukAccounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cookaccounts@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson,Rachel Greenstudio@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.@BLMEastMidlandsBLMEastMidlands5www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East MidlandsBusiness Link Cover photo:www.stutterstock.com/docstockmediaLATEST NEWSEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk6A third of East Mids MSBs 'have noknowledge of LEP'A survey of leaders from medium-sized businesses (MSBs), by Grant Thornton hasrevealed their top priorities ahead of the Autumn Statement.MSBs are demanding devolution along the lines of budgets and control for local transport(59 per cent), training (52 per cent) and business rates (44 per cent).MSBs' wish list for infrastructure investment also reflects these priorities, with a focus onbetter access to education and training (70 per cent), improved broadband (59 per cent) andimproved road links (57 per cent), particularly reducing congestion.In addition, they have made it clear that more international services from local airports,rather than London, would help unlock growth (77 per cent against 19 per cent), togetherwith better transport links to their local airports.Some 31 per cent of respondents had no knowledge of what a Local EnterprisePartnership (LEP) was and that only 7 per cent felt that their LEP fully understood theirbusiness.Chris Frostwick, partner and practice leader at Grant Thornton in Leicester, said:“Transport links are vital to the economy, particularly so here in the East Midlands. It isheartening to see steps already taken in the region to improve the infrastructure, including the widening of the M1 North of Nottingham to create fourlanes, and the A46 to a dual carriageway. In addition, there is further work in progress, notably on the A453 into Nottingham from Junction 24 of the M1,and improvements to both the A14 around Kettering, and Junction 19 of the M1. East Midlands Airport is performing extremely well, with travellernumbers and air traffic growing. But there is still plenty left to do; increasing investment in transport infrastructure and hubs to reduce congestion, andsupporting improvements to broadband and training for businesses, are essential to support our regional economy and our local businesses.“It is disappointing and concerning that such a small percentage of MSBs actually knows about the local LEP, and of those that do, it is a small minoritythat believe the LEP understands and knows their business. Work towards improving two-way awareness and understanding is clearly very much in order.Paragon set for London debutNottingham-based commercial interiors business Paragon Interiors Group (Paragon) has announced the opening of a London office.Alan Hardy, CEO of Paragon, said the new office, located in the Soho area, will “provide a more localised service to our London based clients,enabling us to work with them more closely and to expand our client base.”Hardy also added that Paragon plans to “open in additional strategic locations over the next three years as part of our growth strategy.”Heading up the new office will be Mark Tatam (director) and Adam Salazar (pre-construction manager). Salazar has over 25 years’ experiencewithin the industry, whilst Tatam brings a wealth of knowledge, contacts, exposure and ideas as a successful entrepreneur in London’s propertymarket.Hardy added: “Opening an office in London has long been a goal for Paragon, and we are thrilled to open our doors in a new location. The newbase will provide the staff and location to take on even more projects and clients in the capital and better serve our existing clients.“Before we made the move, we had to be sure we had the right team on board and in Mark and Adam I know that the time is now. The new officeis part of our existing growth strategy which has the potential of creating more than 30 jobs in the UK by the end of 2015.“We have a solid strategy of working with the ‘top two’ brands in a variety of sectors and industries across the UK. We have managed to carve aniche for ourselves as a challenger brand from here in the Midlands and it remains a strategically crucial location, as we can reach anyone across theUK very easily.”Derby firm ranked 5th fastest growing in UKA Derby-based business has placed number five in Deloitte’s 2014 UK Technology Fast 50, which ranks the UK’s top 50fastest growing technology companies.BriefYourMarket.com was established six years ago, and offers business an all-in-one marketing platform that is being usedby industries as diverse as estate agency in the UK to recruitment in Hong Kong.BriefYourMarket.com’s platform enables businesses to create and send marketing messages all from one platform. Thefeatures include ‘intelligent’ newsletters, emails, automated customer journeys, direct mail, SMS messages, customer surveysand more.The company experienced a 3,821 per cent growth during 2013/14, and is the highest ranked Midlands business, and theonly East Midlands one to place on this year’s list.Founded by CEO Rick Palmer and CIO Damon Bullimore, the company offers customers the ability to control, automate andsend their marketing messages (including unlimited emails) without the need for a particular expertise in content, design ormarketing.Palmer said: "To be named as one of the fastest growing tech companies is a remarkable achievement - but we won't stopthere. We have ambitious plans to grow further and will be making announcements in the coming weeks regarding key facets ofthat growth strategy. The final pieces of our growth jigsaw are slotting into place, and I believe we can look forward to the next12 months with huge optimism."LATEST NEWSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7BDO posts big hike in profitsAccountancy and business advisory firm BDO has announced a 27 per cent increase in revenues and a 42per cent increase in operating profits as it publishes its 2013/14 annual results.The firm, which has offices in Leicester, Lincoln and Nottingham, saw UK turnover increase to £384m andoperating profit grow to £78m. The 2013/14 results are the first to fully reflect BDO’s merger with PKF in April2013.All three of BDO’s main business areas showed substantial growth. The audit business increased by 19 percent to £128m; the tax business grew by 21 per cent to £99m; and BDO’s advisory business grew by 39 percent to £157m. It has also promoted more than 800 people across the business this year.Simon Michaels, managing partner at BDO, said: “This year’s success story is one of accelerated growth andprofitability – a testament to the hard work and expertise of all our people.“It has been a significant year for us. We ensured our merger with PKF was a success and that it did not distract us from providing the level of servicethat our clients expect. All our people have strived to ensure that the high quality work that we offer our clients has continued.“I am proud that for the third year running the independent Mid-Market Monitor has scored us as number one for client service. This has been thecornerstone of our success and we will continue to work hard to sustain this position.”Collins: Time forEast Mids to join thedevolution debateCouncil leaders in the East Midlands willbe demanding ‘far reaching, radicalreforms’ and a fundamental transfer ofpowers from Whitehall to the local level,at a a region-wide summit of councilsbeing held on ‘Devolution and the Futureof Local Government and Public Services’in Leicester.Council leaders will be launching across-party report – ‘A Prospectus forDevolution’, a blueprint for the transfer ofpowers to the local level in order to savemoney for the taxpayer, better promoteeconomic growth and to deliver servicesmore efficiently and effectively.Chaired by John Hess, BBC EastMidlands Political Editor; confirmed speakers include Kris Hopkins MP, the Minister for LocalGovernment; Graham Allen MP; David Sparks, Chairman of the LGA; Professor Tony Travers;Ben Lucas, The Royal Society of Arts; and Council Leaders from across the East Midlands.Councillor Jon Collins, chairman of East Midlands Councils, said: "It is time that the EastMidlands joined the growing debate on devolution. This summit meeting will do just that,and by bringing together politicians and leading commentators from across the county – wehave an opportunity to present the case for shifting power from Westminster to localcouncils.”Frontline gears up forgrowth in LeicesterLeicester-based Frontline Recruitment says it hasdoubled its staff in the city, and is moving to newoffices in the New Year.Frontline’s team in Leicester has grown from fourto eight since the start of 2014 and it set to relocateto prominent city centre offices in January 2015.David Essam, regional operations manager atFrontline Recruitment in Leicester, said: "OurLeicester office is going great guns, and this is borneout of a jobs boom in the city brought about by asustained upturn in the economy.“The atmosphere in the office is excellent andthere is a real sense that people want to do well andhave a career within recruitment at Frontline.”Essam added: "Employers are "trying before theybuy" in Leicester, and they're turning to FrontlineRecruitment. Our staff can boast a wide a wide skillset of industry experience covering Industrial,Commercial, Engineering, Technical, Logistics,Administration, Sales and Permanent recruitment."CPW expands in the LaceMarketNG Chartered Surveyors, on behalf of its client GW Price, has helped an M&Econsultancy expand in Nottingham.Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW), a firm of M&E Consultants based at 39 Stoney Street inthe Lace Market; has moved into the larger first floor suite after outgrowing its groundfloor office in the same building.Jonathon Seddon, Director at NG, said: “This is a great move for CPW, and for ourclient GW Price. It’s a perfect example of how a landlord can work in conjunction witha tenant to the betterment of both parties.”CPW had outgrown its existing ground floor accommodation, but rather thanrelocating to a different building, a deal was structured whereby the company took alarger refurbished suite on the first floor of the building whilst retaining a ground floorboard room for a longer term. Jonathon added: “By working closely with CPW and its agent, Robert Maxey ofHEB, the move was handled in such a fashion as to cause minimal disruption to thetenants business and a valued tenant was retained.”Ashley Cowdrey of CPW, said: Our business has grown steadily since we took ourfirst office in this building nearly 5 years ago, and we needed a larger floorplate.“We now have a much nicer working environment, with more space for break-outworking and ‘hot-desking’ for staff from our other office in Leicester. We’ve foundroom for a good-sized shower and changing facility, as a lot of our staff cycle orrun to work. We also have room to accommodate further expansion as, hopefully,the construction environment continues into recovery.”PROPERTY NEWSEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk8Derby Triangle couldbring 3,300 jobs to cityAround 3,300 jobs could be created as the result ofthe new Derby Triangle regeneration scheme proposedby St Modwen and Network Rail.The development partners have submitted a planningapplication to Derby City Council to bring forward thelast remaining large area of land at Derby’s Pride Park.The mixed-use proposals for Derby Triangle includeapproximately 780,000 sq ft of offices, warehouse,industrial and retail space.Peter Rudd, senior development Surveyor at St.Modwen said: “Having been appointed as developmentpartner by Network Rail a year ago, we have beenworking closely with all stakeholders to bring forwardproposals that will build on the success of Pride Park. “Derby has one of the most highly skilled workforcesin the UK, and these employment-led plans willgenerate over 3,000 new jobs for the region. Onceconsent is granted, we are aiming to start work quicklyin order to deliver the first phase before the end of2015.”Stuart Kirkwood, head of development at NetworkRail (Property) said: “Network Rail is pleased to see aplanning application submitted to Derby City Council forthis priority regeneration site following a substantialamount of work between the development partners. Theplanning application will help lead to the transformationof this 70-acre site, owned by Network Rail, into abusiness-friendly location aimed at providing high-quality and diverse accommodation, which will create asubstantial number of new employment opportunitiesfor the city. Developing our land in a commercialmanner also means better value back to the tax payer,and the railway.”Savills and Innes England are the joint agents for thescheme. Nick Hosking, director at Innes England said:“This site, formerly known as Chaddesden Triangle, haslong been a priority for Derby City Council, completingthe Pride Park regeneration project which has proven tobe such a success story for the region. “We are already talking to a number of commercialoccupiers given the lack of supply of new modernspace. Indeed, St. Modwen plans to speculatively builda number of light industrial and distribution units earlyon in its development programme to meet thisdemand.”FHP Living puts care home site upfor saleA development site near Bulwell with outline planning consent for a residential carevillage and day nursery has been put on the market by FHP Living.Outline planning permission at the 1.7 acre site on Occupation Road has been grantedfor a 99-bed residential care home facility – including rooms for customary care of theelderly, specialist care for residents with dementia as well as 32 apartments. There is alsoprovision for a children’s day nursery. Associate director at FHP Living Ann Taylor ismarketing the site on behalf of a private client. She said: “This is an excellent opportunity for a developer specialising in residential careprojects to purchase a well-located site in a quiet residential area on the outskirts ofNottingham.“Situated on the edge of Bulwell and Cinderhill, this site offers easy access toNottingham city centre via the A610 and to the M1 via junction 26. It also has access tofantastic public transport links due to its position near to the tram terminus, Bulwell trainstation and various bus routes into the city.“Bulwell town centre is just a few minutes’ walk away, giving access to a broad range ofcommunity facilities, making this an attractive location for developers and ultimatelypotential residents and staff members.”Garratt steps up at Innes England andhints at capital ambitionTim Garratt is set to take over as managing director at commercial property agent InnesEngland in the New Year - and has hinted that the firm may look to open an office in London.Garratt, who has been with Innes England for 15 years, will step up to MD from 1stJanuary. He told East Midlands Business Link that the firm remains committed to the EastMidlands, but is increasingly working on a nationwide basis.“We’ve got a broad commitment to the East Midlands,” he said. “The fact we have officesin Nottingham, Derby and Leicester is unique, and historically we have a powerbase in theregion. We’ve got no intention to leave.“The bulk of our work is still in the East Midlands, but we are winning more and morenational work. Over the last few months we’ve been working with clients from Weymouthup to Newcastle.“If we’re looking into a crystal ball, then I’d say it would be logical to have a Londonpresence at some time in the near future to help us service national clients.”Current MD Robert Hartley who has headed Innes England for more than 10 years, is tomove into the role of chairman and head of professional services. He will continue to beinvolved with the business on a day to day basis.Garratt added: “Robert has strategically steered Innes England through one of the worstrecessions this country has ever known. After more than a decade at the helm, Robert willcontinue to oversee thebusiness as chairman.“He will be very muchinvolved with Innes Englandmoving forward and he and Iwill be working closelytogether to develop ourgrowth nationally. With Robertand the talented InnesEngland senior team, we havea fresh, energetic line-upwhich is poised to steer thebusiness in the successfuldirection it is alreadyheading.”Innes England employs 55people across its three officesin Derby, Leicester andNottingham.Hazid sets up new HQ inNottingham city centreA software development firm has moved relocated itsoffices to Nottingham city centre, after moving fromBeeston Business Park.Hazid, which also has offices in Cambridge andDunfermline, has moved into Nottingham’s CreativeQuarter.Jim Madden, chairman, said: “ “With a vibrant city onour doorstep, two renowned universities here for ourrecruitment needs and good connectivity by rail androad, Hazid has found an ideal location in the middle ofNottingham.”Councillor Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for Jobsand Skills at Nottingham City Council, said: “Hazid area great example of creativity and logic comingtogether to improve processes for their clients, sothey were a good fit with the innovative ethos andquick thinking that characterise companies inNottingham’s Creative Quarter.”“Invest in Nottingham can signpost incomingcompanies to many resources and providesupport to make their move to Nottinghameasier – there’s no doubt that for businesseslooking for fresh talent, reduced operatingcosts, a network of entrepreneurialbusinesses and a central location,we’re the place to be.”PROPERTY NEWSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9Shepherd ushers in new £700mhousing contractA Chilwell-based business led by Nottingham businessmen, Paul Gratton and Rob Clifford,has landed a major nationwide deal to manage thousands of new private rental homes acrossthe UK.Gratton and Clifford are chief executive officer and group commercial director of ShepherdDirect, based in Regan Way, Chilwell, a property services provider and owners of nationalestate agency, Century 21 UK, lettings business Direct Lettings, and mortgage firms,moneyQuest and If I Were You. Much of the group and its 200 staff are based in Nottingham.Shepherd Direct will manage all lettings and property management in a deal, created bySigma with equity from Gatehouse Bank and bank finance. It will see the roll-out of up to 6,600new rental properties in a potential £700m joint venture. Phase one of the joint venturecreates Britain’s largest private rental sector portfolio.Shepherd Direct businesses, Century 21 UK and Direct Lettings, will deliver the project asSigma’s partner with Century 21 agency offices handling tenant selection across the UK for allproperties, with ongoing portfolio management undertaken by the Group’s Direct Lettingsbusiness.The deal officially completed this week and the first construction phase of the building project began withthe building of 927 new rental homes at a development cost of approximately £100m.The 927 new homes will comprise a mix of family homes and apartments and will be built across 14 sites inphase one including 10 in Greater Manchester and four in the Liverpool area. Further phases of new homesare planned across the UK.Next >