< PreviousMANUFACTURING NEWSEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk10WFP on expansion trailIlkeston-based WFP Fabrications is on the expansion trail after adding toits workforce and investing in another weld bay.The skip manufacturer has increased its personnel with the introductionof a welder, Tim Bailey and a cutter, Liam Sims.Managing director at WFP Fabrications, Matthew Holmes, said: “It hasbeen an amazing seven years for us at WFP Fabrications and we aredelighted to welcome Tim and Liam to the team.“It has been a very successful twelve months and we are expecting ourturnover to increase by 30 per cent to break our £1m target next year. Thewaste game is a good overall indicator of the overall state of the economyas the more waste that is being produced, demonstrates that consumersare spending more on products such as food, clothing and technology.This increase in spending, has seen a rise in packaging waste and theknock on effect is more skip production and hire is needed.”Holmes said increased demand in the past twelve months has meantthat WFP Fabrications has also invested in a further weld bay to cope withextra business.Granger’s appoints newmanufacturing managerGranger’s International – the Alfreton-based company that develops andmanufactures waterproofing and cleaning products for outdoor gear – hasappointed John White as manufacturing manager.“I spent 14 years in third tier automotive manufacturing – supplyingsafety cut outs to car motor manufacturers,” said White. “For six years myarea of expertise was Quality Control before I moved into ManufacturingManagement where I remained for 8 years. During that time I wasresponsible for 40 staff producing in excess of one million parts per week.”“John’s skills and experience in high volume, high automationmanufacturing will be hugely valuable moving forward – particularly as welaunch new products and expand into wider markets early next year,” saidKarolina Jones, the company’s technical director and general manager. “Inthe short time he’s been with us, he has already created a 10 point actionplan for improvement, which includes suggestions on new layouts,production planning and machine efficiency. John’s understanding of largescale production, coupled with his passion and drive to succeed make himthe ideal addition to the Granger’s International team.”Granger’s recently announced reaching £10m turnover for the first timein its 77-year history.Smiffys wins Family Businessof the Year titleGainsborough-based R H Smith &Sons – Smiffys - wascrowned MidlandsFamily Business of theYear at the MidlandsFamily BusinessAwards last night.Smiffys, founded in1894, is a fancy dress,Halloween andcarnival costumemanufacturingcompany in the UKand distributes over5000 products to 5000stockists around theworld.Smiffys werecrowned winners at a black tie dinner at Nottingham Trent Universityattended by 300 guests including this year’s finalists, judges andsupporters of the Awards.Leicester’s Westermans International won the InternationalDevelopment Award, Nottingham’s John Pye & Sons the FastestGrowing Family Business Award, Nottinghamshire’s A1 Flues theManufacturing Excellence Award, Lestercast of Leicester the inauguralEmployer of the Year Award, Nottingham’s Breedon House Nurseriesthe Service Excellence Award, and Edward Mellors of Nottingham-based Mellors Group the first-ever Director of the Year (under 40)Award.Rolls-Royce wins £3.2bnDelta dealRolls-Royce has won a £3.2bn order for Trent enginesand long-term TotalCare® service support from Delta AirLines to power 50 new aircraft.Trent XWB engines will power 25 Airbus A350s and Trent7000 engines will power 25 Airbus A330neo aircraft.Nat Pieper, Delta Air Lines, vice president of Fleet Strategyand Transactions, said: “We are pleased to be workingclosely with Rolls-Royce to power aircraft that will be a vitalpart of our future, providing a new level of excellence onour Pacific, Atlantic and Latin American routes.”John Rishton, chief executive, Rolls-Royce, said: “We areproud to be selected to power Delta’s new generation ofaircraft and look forward to deepening our relationship witha long-standing and valued customer. It is further evidenceof the success of the Trent XWB in the market andrepresents a powerful vote of confidence in our newly-launched Trent 7000.”MANUFACTURING NEWSwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 11Loughborough steel firm ontrack with £15m dealAn engineering company owned by a former England rugby player is set tocreate jobs after securing a game-changing contract with Network Rail.Loughborough-based Adey Steel is creating up to 20 jobs after securing a£15 million deal to supply fabricated overhead line electrification structures forthe Great Western Electrification programme (GWEp). The programme will see a150-mile stretch of the track modernised to make trains quieter, more efficientand greener as they run between London and Cardiff. The family business, which is led by former Leicester Tigers forward GarryAdey as its executive chairman, has ambitions for continued growth as a resultof securing the deal, and says it will continue to work closely with theManufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to help deliver its long-term strategy.Robert Hall, HR, safety and quality director at Adey Steel, said the opportunityto work with Network Rail on such large infrastructure projects as GWEp ishugely exciting to the business and provides the grounding for growth after achallenging five years within the construction industry.“We’ve managed to maintain a stable business in recent years, but ourgrowth plans have been reviewed as a result of the Network Rail contract andcontrolled expansion is now very much on the agenda,” he said.“Being awarded the contract has allowed us to set longer term plans as itprovides a baseline of work for the next four years and firmly establishes us inthe rail sector, which is an area of the construction industry with promisinglevels of sustained investment.”East Mids manufacturers answerproductivity callImproving productivity is helping small and medium manufacturers in the EastMidlands continue to grow and adapt to a general softening in the marketplace,according to a new influential survey.Some 47 per cent of firms say they expect to increase investment in newtechnology, machinery or premises in a bid to improve their productivity according tonew figures.The latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer revealed that 66 percent of companies report that they have already raised their productivity within thelast six months, with around four fifths (79 per cent) admitting further efficiency gainsare necessary in order to remain competitive.Cautious optimism remains the other overarching sentiment among the 77respondents. For the third successive quarterly report, more than half of manufacturers (51 percent) recorded an increase in sales, with 60 per cent expecting to grow between nowand the end of March 2015.Furthermore, 88 per cent of firms are planning to either maintain or increase theirworkforce, highlighting the determination to retain skills and build capacity across thesupply chain. Precision adds five to teamLeicester-based Precision Recruitment have created five jobs to take its numbers up to 18.The company is based on Meridian Business Park in Leicester.Recruitment director Phil Walker said: “We’ve seen consistent upturn in business across allsectors. We’re now planning for 2015, with the creation of these five roles to fulfil our growthplans and deliver the level of expertise and quality service our clients have to come to rely on. “We’ve got some fantastic roles for hardworking individuals, a number of which candidatesdon’t necessarily have to come from a recruitment background. However, possessing the rightattitude to focus on client and candidate relationships is vital. The roles range from accountmanager, resourcing and contract management.”APPOINTMENT NEWSEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk12New vice-principaljoins Derby CollegeDerby College has appointed a new vice-principalto lead on curriculum strategy. Richard Deanejoins Derby College from WarwickshireCollege where he was Vice principal –curriculum innovation.He started his working life as apersonal trainer. He combined this withhis passion for music which took himaround the UK and Europe as adrummer with several bands includingprogressive rock band Ark and alsotouring with Kirk Brandon and Spear ofDestiny.Although he continued to gig in his sparetime, Deane decided he needed a more securecareer and, at the age of 20 was put in charge of asports centre in Tamworth – supporting a pioneering active learning programme tosupport 30 apprentices.He then set up his own sales and marketing company before joining Sutton Collegein Birmingham as a sports lecturer – working with employers on developing Trainingfor Work programmes.A move to North Birmingham College was then followed by a head of department roleat Solihull College in 2001 where he remained until 2010 when he moved to SheffieldCollege as assistant principal. He was also appointed as a part time Ofsted inspector in2005.Deane said commented: “Derby College has a clear strategy to transform the learners’experience, revolutionise our offer, contribute to economic growth and socialprosperity and invest in our learning environment.“Our challenge is therefore to develop the high quality curriculum that our employersneed in line with the LEP priorities and to be the catalyst that supports individuals’aspirations and business success.”Jackson builds Nelsonsproperty teamNottingham’s Nelsons Solicitors has recruited a newassociate to its commercial property team in responseto what it is calling “an increasingly active market” inthe city.Peter Jackson joins Nelsons as a solicitor andassociate with a wealth of commercial propertyexperience. He has worked at firms in the EastMidlands including Geldards and Shakespeares, aswell as Burges Salmon in Bristol.Jackson leaves his position as solicitor at Larken andCo in Newark to join Nelsons city centre team.He said: “I’m extremely pleased to have beenappointed at Nelsons. The firm has a brilliantreputation across the East Midlands with its three citycentre offices in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby andis renowned for offering very high quality services.“The commercial property market in Nottingham isvery buoyant at the moment and I would say we areseeing the most amount of activity in the city in severalyears.“I am from Nottingham and have seen the marketchange over the years and I’ve kept a close eye on thedevelopments. In my new role at Nelsons I will utilisemy knowledge of the local market to ensure that I offerthe best possible service.”Beckett makes VP atArbonneNorthampton-based health, beauty andwellness organisation, Arbonne, has promotedVicky Beckett to UK vice president and generalmanager, the company’s most senior UKposition. Beckett, who has worked in the beauty sectorfor 20 years for companies including Avon, EstéeLauder and Harrods, is responsible for themanagement of Arbonne’s entire UK operation,which she will continue to oversee from its headquarters in Northampton. Arbonne is sold online and via a network of independent consultants, each of whom engages indirect selling. The company currently has over one million people operating on its behalf worldwideand has seen its number of staff working in the UK increase by 36 per cent over the last 12 months.Gardner joins Everyman networkCommercial property lawyer Antonia Gardner has left Geldards to work on a freelance basis for theEveryman network.Gardner told East Midlands Business Link that Everyman Legal is providing infrastructure and back-office support. She added: “ This enables me to tailor my legalservices provision to client needs rather than being restricted bya conventional law firm model.”Client feedback so far has been very positive, says Gardner,adding: “The two main areas that give lawyers a bad name aretimescales and fees, and working freelance provides animmediate resolution to both of these. “I work more quickly for fewer clients, and am able to chargefar less (my overheads are practically non-existent) whileproviding the same technical standard of service and advice. “In addition, consulting for Everyman Legal means that I haveimmediate access to a network of experienced lawyers in everydiscipline so I can still provide a ‘one-stop-shop” for clients whoalso require company, commercial, corporate, private client, orany other aspect of legal advice.”Gardner started her career at Eversheds, before moving toGeldards, where she worked for over eight years.Alexandersadd twomoreEast Midlands estateagents Alexanders hasexpanded its sales teamwith the appointment ofsales negotiator EmilyWilliamson andadministration assistantRachel Holland.Alexanders has officesin Loughborough andWest Bridgford.Bradley Thompsonsales director of Alexanders said: “We are delighted to welcome Emily and Rachel to our salesteam. We felt the need to expand our sales staff due to the recent uptake in our business toensure we can continue to offer the highest possible service.“Both Emily and Rachel have the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running atAlexanders; and our clients - past, present and future can expect the same expert service acrossthe board.”Pall-Ex announcesseniormanagementoverhaulLeicestershire-based pallet network firm Pall-Ex has announced significant changes to itssenior management team.CEO Hilary Devey has appointed formerPalletline MD Kevin Buchanan to the role ofgroup managing director at Pall-Ex with effectfrom the 24th November 2014. The changes will see former Group MD AdrianRussell moving to a new role on the Groupboard as deputy chairman.In addition, Chris Tancock is promoted fromhis existing role as sales director to deputygroup MD as part of the strategy for thedevelopment of the European networks. Devey said: “Kevin and I have been indiscussion for some time about how he mighthelp with the ongoing development of thebusiness. It was Kevin’s track record andpassion for quality and growth thatconvinced me that he has a pivotal role toplay in the future success of the business. “No business can stand still and besuccessful. We have to look to the future toensure we are well equipped andpositioned for the challenges that layahead. Further growth of both the UKnetwork and our European structure isplanned with talks in both Benelux andBulgaria already well underway. “We have also planned furtherinvestments in people, technology andnetwork infrastructure as part of ourstrategic development plan for the UKand Europe.“I’m delighted to be able towelcome Kevin on board. His driveand commitment will help ensurethat we remain at the forefront ofthe palletised freight sector, andalongside Chris and the rest ofthe team, I’m confident thatwe will continue to enforceour reputation as leadersin the industry.”www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 13APPOINTMENT NEWSEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk14DEALSFleet management companyshifts gear with fundingA Leicestershire fleet management company has securedfunding that it says will help deliver its future growth strategy.Total Motion, which is based in Leicester city centre, hassecured the multi-million pound asset line and working capitalfacilities from Barclays.The family owned business, which was established in 1999,manages a portfolio of outsourced fleet management vehicles andboasts over 200 clients across the UK and overseas, includingSouth America and Australasia.The business, which is owned by husband and wife Simon andCaroline Hill, currently turns over £16m a year and employs 31staff.Commenting on the funding, director Simon Hill said: “We areproud of what we have achieved since the business was formed.This new funding facility will enable us to realise the next stage inour strategic growth plan. We have been able to save our clients acombined £190 million by managing their vehicle fleets and justthis year we have appeared in 31st position in the FleetManagement Top 50 Index which is the benchmark for ourindustry.”Richard Parker, relationship director at Barclays in Leicester said:“Simon and Caroline have a clear focus about the direction inwhich they want to take the business. They have achieved greatsuccess in recent years and I look forward to working with them inthe New Year as they start to implement the new expansion plans.”Total Motion is currently working from from a 1,500 sq ft site inLeicester but has plans to move to a larger site in the New Yearwhich will create new jobs and potentially see the company doublein size.Bonington Plastics lands £7.5m finance dealA Nottingham plastics wholesaler is planning to create new jobs after Yorkshire Bank provided a £7.5m funding package to refinancethe business.Bonnington Plastics is an importer of gardening, DIY and homeware products. The company began trading 45 years ago, operatingout of the back of a village shop in Sutton Bonnington. The business now supplies to major chains, including Aldi, and a number ofindependent retailers, importing mainly from China and the Far East, with its first overseas office opening in 2008 in Ningbo, China.The refinancing of the company has made additional funds available which Ian Fisher, managing director at Bonnington Plastics,intends to invest back into the business by increasing product lines and stock holdings and growing the team.Fisher said: “We’ve experienced an impressive increase in turnover in the last year and with the funding from Yorkshire Bank will beable to continue to grow and diversify. Recruitment will be a major priority for the company.“Working with the Bank has always been a simple and positive experience, which I contribute partly to our long relationship of 12years. The team has a deep understanding of our business and always supports our aspirations.”Carl Dickinson, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Nottingham, said: “We have supported BonningtonPlastic’s development for more than a decade. It is an innovative business with more than 40 years of experience under its belt and wewill continue to help it reach its growth ambitions.“As economic conditions continue to improve, Yorkshire Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of Nottingham’sbusinesses.”Yorkshire Bank fundspharmacy's futureA pharmacist with more than 17 years’ experience has taken the reins ofa local pharmacy in Chesterfield, after securing a funding deal fromYorkshire Bank.Pete Johal has bought the business after securing a deal with byhealthcare business development manager, Graham Harper inNottingham.Johal said: “I’ve worked in the industry for nearly 20 years and I’vealways wanted to work for myself so I jumped at the opportunity topurchase Calow Pharmacy. It already has an excellent reputation inChesterfield and the team provides a vital service to the local community,so it’s great to be able to play a role in providing that service.“The team at the Bank have been very supportive in recognising andsupporting my ambitions, taking the time to understand the business. Ilook forward to working with them in the future.” Carl Dickinson, head of business and private banking for Yorkshire Bankin Nottingham said: “Pete brings huge experience of working in theindustry, which will only serve to bolster the already excellent customerservice Calow Pharmacy provides. We look forward to providing ongoingsupport to Pete and the team at Calow as they continue to serve the localcommunity in Chesterfield.“As the business community continues to display more confidence inthe economic recovery, Yorkshire Bank will continue to focus on investingin firms like Calow Pharmacy.”15DEALSVets on the move with Lloyds loanAn Ashbourne-based veterinary practice has built new premises following a £960,000investment from Lloyds Bank.Derbyshire Veterinary Services was able to commission the building work after agreeing a£900,000 development funding loan from Lloyds Bank.A further investment of £60,000 from Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance has also seen theacquisition of a state-of-the-art gas anaesthetic system, utilising an on-site oxygen generator,as well as a new digital x-ray system, optimising the standard of care offered in the surgery.Bought using a hire purchase facility, the new equipment will be paid down over an agreedperiod.Derbyshire Veterinary Services grew out of an existing business founded in Ashbourne in1967, which was also established via succession. The business can track its origins back to1796, and employs 43 people, with plans to recruit more staff in the coming months.Synseal snaps upextrusion anddoorsbusinessesHuthwaite-based window andconservatory manufacturer Synseal hasbought the Litchfield Group’s UKwindow and trade extrusion and doorbusinesses, trading as LB Plastics andManse Masterdor, for an undisclosedsum.Based at Nether Heage inDerbyshire, LB Plastics pioneered theuse of PVC-U windows for the Britishmarket back in the 1970s.David Leng, Synseal’s cief executive, said: “LB Plastics boasts a proud tradition havingserved the UK fenestration industry for more than 35 years offering established and provenproducts that have stood the test of time. This acquisition is a good fit to expand the scopeof our business, as LB Plastics primarily supplies commercial market sectors with a full rangeof specification products which complement our market-leading Synseal solutions forresidential and home improvement market applications. "We will continue to invest in the proven and respected Sheerframe and Masterdor brandsand, replicating business integration achievements following our major acquisition of K2Conservatories in 2012, we will fully support the on-development of LB Plastics and ManseMasterdor product offerings and service logistics to strengthen these businesses for futuresuccess.”The deal comes on the back a deal in July which saw Synseal acquire the business andassets of Prospect, trading as Systems Glass, to create Global Glass Wigan and add a thirdIGU manufacturing facility.CAMRx sold toCambrian AllianceLeicester-based pharmacy buying group, CAMRx,has been sold to Cambrian Alliance, in a deal thatcreates one of the UK’s largest buying and supportgroups for the pharmacy sector.The corporate finance team at BDO advisedCAMRx.CAMRx is based in Whitwick, Leicestershire, isled by Rajni Hindocha, who has more than 30 yearspharmacy experience. It has been acquired byCardiff-based Cambrian Alliance, which was formedin 2000.Satvir Bungar, M&A director at BDO, said: “Thesector has become very active in the M&A market,as organisations drive to enhance buying powerwith global pharmaceutical groups.“This deal represents a great strategic fit for bothorganisations and their members. Importantly, italso highlights the local appetite for consolidationand growth as organisations aim to increase marketshare.”Rajni Hindocha, managing director of CAMRx,said: “I am personally extremely pleased with whatthis agreement will mean for both organisations’memberships and I look forward to working withthe group to expand the benefits we are able tooffer.“I am certain that this partnership will offerindependent pharmacies across the country a realopportunity to expand and prosper.”The acquisition sees CAMRx become part of theCambrian Alliance group, although both companieswill remain separate operating businesses for theforeseeable future. Combined they will have morethan 1,200 members.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link YEAR IN REVIEWEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk16Make no mistake about it - things got a lot better outthere in 2014. Second-half jitters aside, the EastMidlands economy is in a better place than it hasbeen since 2007. But what were the highlights of the year for business owners and leaders inthe East Midlands? We found out.2014- the road torecoveryJohn Forkin, managingdirector, Marketing DerbyWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?Without doubt, this was the significant stepin the amount of inward investment enquirieswe are handling. This is evidence of theeconomic pickup and especially in Fundsseeking opportunity outside of London.In particular, there has been a boom inresidential enquiries.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?2014 was very much expected – the broadereconomic picture had been predicted to growand Derby was well placed to take advantageof this. Marketing Derby has bulked up theteam, and grown our experience in creatingand handling investment enquiries.Also, 2014 was the year Bombardier wonthe massive Crossrail contract and Webhelpwon the EE contract, these now support 4,000jobs and have both helped with confidence inthe city.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?Without doubt, the Scottish referendum. Itseriously looked as if the UK was about to bebroken up – this would have had a significantbusiness impact, many of which are unknown.Gareth Singleton, head ofEast Midlands, BDOWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?Delivering and beating our budget for thefirst full financial year following the BDO/PKFmerger. Our annual results reported a 27 percent increase in revenue and 42 per cent risein operating profits for 2013/14 – a fantasticachievement that is testament to the hard workof everyone in the team. We were alsodelighted to hear that for the third yearrunning, we have the highest client satisfactionscore, outperforming all our majorcompetitors.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?Better – while I expected big things this yeargiven the improving economic outlook, it’sexceeded expectations. We have invested in anew corporate finance offering in the regionthat is already reaping the rewards, withseveral deals done and a strong and solidpipeline for 2015. I’m particularly proud of thecalibre of people we have retained andrecruited. In a competitive market where thereis a real war on talent, it’s been great towitness the quality and technical ability of thenew members of the East Midlands team.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?“The outcome the referendum on Scottishindependence and the resultant devolution ofpowers out of London to other areas of the UKput the marker in the sand for me. I hope wewill look back on the events of 2014 as a gamechanger in re-balancing the UK economy andaddressing the North/South divide. There is nodoubt that following the Scottish referendumresult, and the debate that started in itsaftermath, businesses have been very engagedwith looking at what future form of localgovernance would work best.Andrew Granger, partner atproperty specialists AndrewGranger & CoWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?2014 has brought a reasonably steadyincrease in work and profit for AndrewYEAR IN REVIEWwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 17Granger & Co. There have certainly been peaksand troughs, but with a business as diverse asours, variation is to be expected. We’ve alsomade the most of more sponsorshipopportunities this year, particularly Ride +Stride and Harborough in Bloom.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?Staff have worked incredibly hard this year.We’re pleased that the market didn’t improvetoo rapidly – it’s always a challenge to balanceincreased demand and capacity, howeverfortunate!Across the East Midlands, we have seenlow housing stock despite high demand,particularly for residential purchasers andinvestors. It’s also tougher to get planningpermission now, and the process takes muchlonger. We’ve had to contend with changesfrom government to the planning system, andlooking forward the election will certainlyinfluence market confidence.It’s also fair to say that higher costs formaterials have impacted the whole of theconstruction industry, so that too has had aknock on effect.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?The ability of the Bank of England to holdinterest rates down. This won’t last forever butit has certainly been a benefit this year.Tracey Burridge, creativedirector at strategic brandconsultancy TribeWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?The past twelve months have been strong atTribe. We kick-started our high growth planwhich has seen the beginning of a new era forthe business. It is allowing us to get theagency’s name out there, and to be moreselective about our clients.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?We set tough targets at the start of the yearas part of our growth plan and can proudly saythat the business has surpassed them. It’s beenhard work, but creating a new internalmanagement structure and working withexperienced entrepreneurs across variousfields, has helped us to focus and achieve ourgoals.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?2014 will be remembered as the cornerstonewhere we finally came out of recession. Almostall the industries we work with have seenbusiness strengthen – the impact this has hadon morale and confidence has been widely felt.Chris Frostwick, partner andpractice leader of GrantThorntonWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?The re-emergence of M&A activity. With thecontinued improvement in the economy during2014, we have seen more appetite from privateshareholders to start to consider their exitoptions, having put those plans on hold since2008. In addition, large Corporates bothoverseas and UK, are keen to makeinvestments in the UK. A highlight for GrantThornton in 2014 was advising Benson BoxGroup on its sale to US Group GraphicPackaging in a deal valued at £100m.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?Probably about where we had hoped, but tobe fair we were taking a pretty optimistic viewabout economic recovery.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?The Tesco fraud. Here was a respectedhousehold name caught doing somethingreally stupid. I think the ramifications of thiswill be significant, not only for the auditprofession, but in the wider context ofgovernance and oversight of business.Jill Evenden, MD, EBSAccountantsWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?This year marked the firm’s 21stanniversary, an important highlight andmilestone for EBS, and which, combined witha 20% growth in revenues and the addition oftwo senior accountants to our team, has made2014 particularly significant.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?2014 has been much better than expected,largely due to a palpable increase in optimismand confidence amongst the region’sbusinesses, alongside sustained strong growththroughout the year, much as we were18 ÁJohn ForkinAndrew GrangerGareth SingletonYEAR IN REVIEWEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk18expecting to be honest, and one of the reasonsbehind our recruitment drive this year.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?2014 has represented an improvement inbusiness optimism not seen for several years,and in my view one significant event forbusinesses that has helped in the economicrecovery, was the publication in May by HMRCof new and clearer guidelines on who can, orcannot, claim the £2,000 a year NICEmployment Allowance. This was anotherboost and good news for business – and theyshould all make sure they have completedtheir claims before the end of 2014.Steve Croot, Croots FarmShopWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?It’s been a good year for Croots Farm Shop,but the personal highlight was being awardedthe title of Derbyshire Food Hero 2014. Forsomeone who is passionate about food anddrink, it was an absolute honour to have beengiven the award by Derbyshire County Council.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?We’ve had a great year, better thanexpected, but then we’ve introduced a fewnew aspects to the business, such as openingon Mondays so that Croots is now open sevendays a week, and also introducing themedevenings in our restaurant, like steak nights.Both have been very well received bycustomers.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?As far as the retail sector is concerned, Ithink 2014 will be remembered for the bignews about Tesco and its tumbling profits andinvestigations into its accounting methods.Matthew Tucker, managingdirector of consultingengineers Morgan TuckerWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?Cementing our relationships with the localauthorities in the East Midlands. We set out todo that this year and we have achieved it. Wealso acquired Bolton Priestley in London whichhas been fantastic for us to expand ourservices there and we have made some keyappointments which have helped us to growthe business.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?For Morgan Tucker it has been better thanexpected but the market place hasn’t pickedup as expected.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?Hopefully 2014 will be remembered for thestart of the turnaround for the construction andinfrastructure markets as the recession beginsto slow down.Jef Todd, businessdevelopment director, BSPConsultingWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?We’ve worked on many key projects acrossthe country during the last year but it’s beenparticularly pleasing to be part of the teamJill EvendenTracey BurridgeChris Frostwickinvolved in the Castleward regenerationscheme in Derby, which has really been takingshape during 2014. Show homes wereunveiled, properties have now been sold andthe development won an award at the EastMidlands fbe Awards in October. Thescheme’s progress illustrates a general upturnin the economy and confidence in theresidential market. Another highlight during2014 for BSP Consulting was the celebration ofour 15th anniversary, and we were also veryproud to win an award, as a company, at ahigh-profile business awards ceremony inNottingham.”Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?Business has been pretty much as expected.The construction sector appears to be on theup, which is good news, but there is still a lotof competition for contracts.”On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?I think regionally the construction industry,as well as the wider East Midlands economy,will remember 2014 as the year in which therewas a lot of talk about the HS2 high speedrailway. The project is significant for all thosewho work in the rail sector, such as ourselves,but also for the wider business community inthe region and elsewhere.Paul Norbury, office seniorpartner at PwC in the EastMidlandsWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?2014 has been a great year for PwC in theEast Midlands, but my person highlight is thatwe recruited a record number of people intoour office in Castle Donington, including overYEAR IN REVIEWwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 19turned out to be an excellent decision. It was ahuge thing for us after being in our last officefor 14 years, but it’s like we’ve never beenanywhere else. It’s a fantastic space that isresulting in some really exciting, collaborativethinking happening across the agency.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?It’s been better than we expected. We’veworked hard to build a team of people who canhelp us deliver our vision for the agency, andwe’re starting to see the results of that in bothbig client wins and some great work beingproduced. We’ve added eight new members ofstaff this year, and are now on the look out fortwo PR and advertising account executives, andanother Django web developer.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?Real-time marketing has been in the spotlightin 2014. It’ll certainly be remembered more as amovement than just by favouring onememorable event (although there are many ofnotable claim from the likes of Oreo’s ‘dunk inthe dark’ and Nissan’s royal baby advert).Essentially, it’s all about taking advantage ofbreaking news and calendar events, that’s thenspread quickly via social media. There’s a lot ofdebate surrounding the influence, agility andmeasurability of this type of marketing, andwhether more time should be allocated tosource the right brand-related content andmessaging for greater long-term value.However, some feel that triggering such instantcommunications in response to consumertrends and behaviour, enables brands to quicklybuild one-to-one rapport with wider audiences.No matter which side of the fence you sit on,real-time marketing has made a significantimpact this year, and is forecast as beingfundamental across future integrated marketingcampaigns.Steve CrootPaul NorburyMatthew TuckerJamie Mollart30 new graduates and 20 qualifiedaccountants. We recognise that great peoplemake us a great business and we're committedto attracting, developing and exciting the bestlocal talent and in investing to help our peoplecontinue to grow throughout their careers.Was the year better, worse or prettymuch as you expected, business-wise?The year was much better than expected. Aswell at the region's ongoing economicrecovery - the East Midlands is the fastestgrowing UK region - we also saw double digitgrowth across all of our major service offeringsin the region.On a wider note, what one event will thebusiness world be remembered for in2014?Although the wheels were set in motion atthe end of 2013 with the merger of theDerbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber ofCommerce and the Leicestershire Chamber ofCommerce, 2014 saw the formal creation ofthe unified East Midlands Chamber ofCommerce (EMC), which is a big step forwardfor the region's business community. I hopethis combination may be the catalyst forbringing other East Midlands organisationstogether with a focus on building a strongregional economy. In an increasinglyconnected world, it's vital that we all worktogether to ensure the East Midlands continuesto be the vibrant, growing and successful placewhere we all live and work.Jamie Mollart, clientservices director, RockKitchen HarrisWhat was the highlight of 2014 for yourbusiness?We’ve had a great year. It’s hard to thinkpast moving into our lovely new home, whichJef ToddNext >