< PreviousBusinesses join forces to deliver £1million rehabilitation centreHigh-profile Nottingham businesses have joined a unique national partnership to seethe realisation of the Get Busy Living centre, a brand-new £1 million rehabilitation facilityfor those who have suffered catastrophic injury through sport.Construction company Willmott Dixon, engineering consultants BSP Consulting, andPR and marketing agency Cartwright Communications have joined a consortium of otherorganisations from across the Midlands and East of England to deliver the project, manyof whom are providing their time, services, materials or expertise for free.The Get Busy Living centre, the brainchild of Leicestershire-based charity the MattHampson Foundation, will see a derelict aircraft hangar on the Burrough Court Estatenear Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, transformed into a state-of-the-art facility wherebeneficiaries of the foundation’s services will be able to receive physical rehabilitation,spend time with their families and share experiences with those in a similar situation tothemselves.Matt Hampson, a former England Under-21 rugby player who suffered a life-changingaccident during a training session in 2005, set up the foundation to help those who havehad a similar injury by offering support and assistance.He said: “We are incredibly grateful to our project partners, who are giving their time,services and support so generously to help the Get Busy Living centre become areality.“The centre was initially a dream of mine, a place for our beneficiaries to comealong to and receive physical rehabilitation. Since then, our plans for this new facilityhave evolved and become a reality, with the centre giving us the opportunity tooffer not only physical support, but, more crucially, mental support too.“The facility will be a place for specialist companies to exhibit state-of-the-artequipment, offering the possibility for our beneficiaries to sample life-changingtechnology without having to endure the astronomical costs of specialistequipment.“This is a very exciting time for us as a charity and one we couldn’t havereached without the support of these organisations. We can’t wait to seework begin on the build in coming weeks”.Revised planning permission was submitted for the centre in Octoberand ground work for the access road is due to begin later this month.The project is being delivered by a number of local partners fromacross the UK including construction company Willmott Dixon;professional services firm MDA Consulting; architects CorporateArchitecture; engineering consultants Couch Perry Wilkes, Salusand BSP Consulting; PR and marketing agency CartwrightCommunications; earthmoving, ground engineering andrestoration contractor Barton Plant and supplier PeterBennie, both part of The Bennie Group; and supplierGRS RoadstoneEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk10Former England rugbyplayer buys second carehomeA former England Rugby player who moved into thecare industry six years ago has purchased his second carehome with funding from Barclays.Simon Hodgkinson, who runs Owen & Owen RetirementDevelopments, has purchased the Beech House CareHome in Worksop. The home offers residential anddementia care for 32 service users and employs 35 staff.The company bought its first home, Westcliffe CareHome in Radcliffe on Trent, which caters for 19 serviceusers and employs 22 staff, in 2011.Director Simon Hodgkinson said: “It has been ourambition for some time to extend our care home businessand when the opportunity arose to purchase Beech House,we knew that it aligned with our existing home and wouldenable us to grow the business further. We want tocontinue to offer the excellent level of care and build onthe home’s reputation”.Funding for the purchase was provided by Barclays.James Rutter, relationship director in Nottingham, said: “Iam delighted we have been able to support the ownerswith funding to help expand their business. The purchaseof Beech House offered a strategic fit with their existinghome”.Commenting on the deal, HSKS Greenhalgh corporatefinance manager Simon Hopkin said: “We have continuedto work closely with Simon since he first entered thesector five years ago with the acquisition of Westcliffe CareHome. It is very pleasing to see the knowledge, experienceand enjoyment he has gained from running this particularbusiness inspire him to buy a second home and we weredelighted to help him identify a suitable business andcomplete the deal on his behalf”.Roger Harcourt of Shakespeare Martineau LLP acted forthe buyers.PROPERTY NEWSMulti-million pound residential schemeset to create over 650 jobsA multi-million pound residential scheme earmarked for Nottingham is set to create jobs,boost the local economy and breathe new life into one of the city’s major arterial routes.Maryland Securities Group has submitted plans for Avitus, a residential led scheme whichwill see a former lace factory site on Alfreton Road transformed into a major mixed usescheme of housing and shops.According to the planning application, the scheme is expected to create around 650 jobsduring construction and an additional 100-plus permanent jobs in various sectors whileinjecting £124 million during construction and £26 million from retail and other sectors tothe economy.Maryland’s Jacob Jebreel said the phased scheme will provide more than 300 one, twoand three-bedroom apartments and townhouses targeted at both sale and rental markets,plus 10,000 sq ft of retail and leisure units on the ground floor.David Hargreaves, director of FHP Living, who has been working with Maryland on thescheme, said: “Maryland has brought forward plans for a high quality major regenerationproject, designed by one of the leading architects in the UK. This extends the well-established Arboretum residential and student area of Nottingham and is to be a key assetto the local community”.The gateway site approach to thecity is designed by Stephen HodderMBE, the Sterling prize winner forarchitecture. Originally fromNottingham, Hodder is one of themost celebrated architects in the UK.Avitus is a ten-minute walk from thecity centre and close to the city tramroute. It is close to both universities,and within easy access to the ringroad and main arterial routes intoNottingham.Jebreel added: “We are delightedto be bringing forward this highquality mixed use project and lookforward to progress this scheme withthe local authority”.Fast-growing financial planning firm openssecond office in converted Magistrate’sCourtBalance: Wealth Planning, a financial planning business based in Nottingham, has opened asecond office in Riverside Chambers, Derby following the expansion of its team, just twoyears after launching.The office will provide a base for director Gemma Murden and three of the team. The officewill provide a welcome point of contact for clients based in Derbyshire and enable thecompany to extend its services in the region.The company specialises in giving holistic wealth planning advice to clients who areworking towards, or have already experienced, a big financial change.The former Magistrates’ Court on Full Street in Derby has been transformed into an officecomplex as part of major £4.075m regeneration project. Strategically located in the city centreclose to the bus and train station, the new Riverside Chambers is home to a variety of smalllocal businesses.Murden said: “As soon as I entered the building I knew this was the home for our Derbybased team.“We’re very excited to be working in a building attracting a diverse new mix of businessesto Derby”.Managing director Rebecca Aldridge added: “Opening an office in Derby has been animportant step in our strategic plan from day one. Now, just two years from launching, wehave a strong and growing team, based in one of the most prestigious offices in Derby citycentre, with a strong local history. I am absolutely thrilled”.NG fixes Toolstation’sLoughboroughexpansionToolstation, the multinational direct sale and onlinesupplier of trade tools, accessories and hardwareproducts, has expanded into Loughborough in aproperty deal brokered by NG Chartered Surveyors.Toolstation has completed the lease of the 3,827 sq ftformer Floors 2 Go unit located on the corner of PrinceWilliam Road and Jubilee Drive in a prominent positionat the entrance to the Belton Park Industrial Estate.Richard Sutton at NG has acted for the landlord sincethe property was first pre-let in 1994 to AutoWindscreens.He said: “This unit has always been massivelypopular due to its prime position, so when it came tothe market Toolstation were quick to secure a dealfighting off massive levels of competing interest.“This deal goes to underpin both the strength ofthe market at the moment and of the location”.Philip MacLauchlan, director of AdeptConsultancy, acted for Toolstation. He said: “Theopening of a new trade counter facility inLoughborough means that Toolstation has over275 open or under offer throughout England,Scotland and Wales.“We have a good working relationship withRichard and the NG team in what was acomplex transaction with many issuesresolved”.Toolstation will join other majoroccupiers on Belton Park Industrial Estateincluded Wickes, B&Q, Topps Tiles, Aldiand Screwfix.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 11 12Serjeantsexpands itsEastMidlandsteamTrade mark and patentattorneys Serjeants haswelcomed Leanne Hall to itsgrowing East Midlands team.Hall – a trade markattorney – joins Serjeants asan associate from RollsRoyce, where she was part ofthe in-house trade mark team.At Serjeants, she will beadvising on the protectionand enforcement of trade marks for the firm’s clients as well as working with thepartners to grow the business in Derby following the opening of a new office at theiHub development at Infinity Park.She said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of being back in private practice;from previous experience no two days are ever the same! I am also looking forwardto building up client relationships – helping and educating them to ensure that theyhave the correct protection for their brands and businesses”.Serjeants’ partner Darran Thacker added: “We are delighted to welcome Leanneto Serjeants; she brings valuable expertise in trade marks, copyright and domainnames and her appointment strengthens and supports our busy and fast-growingteam”.Hall graduated from De Montfort University in 2008 with an LLB (Hons) degree inLaw and went on to qualify as a trade mark attorney in 2012 whilst training at alarge intellectual property firm. She then took up the in-house role at Rolls Roycebefore joining Serjeants in October 2016.She will be based across Serjeants’ Leicester and Derby offices.Across the boardgrowth triggers five newappointments atMitchellsFollowing across-the-board business growth of 20percent in 2016, Chesterfield-based Mitchells CharteredAccountants and Business Advisers has made five newappointments.Chartered accountant and Sheffield University graduateEmily Coy strengthens the firm’s corporate team. She joinsfrom a local accountancy firm and brings a broad range ofexperience in a wide variety of business sectors to hernew role.She said: “The opportunity to join a well-respected andlarge firm, yet still be hands-on and involved with my ownportfolio of clients, attracted me to the role at Mitchells”.Vaughan Carr also joins as an AAT accredited senioraccountant. Alongside Coy, his appointment supportsMitchells’ current growth while a further three newappointments will support future business developmentand the firm’s commitment to developing talent fromwithin.Connie Shaw joins as an AAT apprentice and MathewNutt joins as a tax and employer solutions apprentice,working with Mitchells’ small business and tax and payrollteams respectively.Completing the new appointment line-up is AbigailChadburn, who joins from Sheffield Hallam University on a12-month undergraduate placement. She will besupporting Mitchells’ corporate services team.The addition of auto enrolment services to Mitchells’portfolio last year has contributed to the firm’s growth.Mitchells has also experienced significant growth in itscorporate business.Richard Trueman, managing partner of MitchellsChartered Accountants and Business Advisers, said:“Mitchells goes into 2017 in impressive shape. We have anexcellent team made stronger by our recent appointments.We are now looking to make further senior appointmentswithin the firm during 2017”.East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukPHOTO: SHAWN RYANAPPOINTMENTSTwo new partners at BB&J CommercialDerby-basedcommercial propertyconsultants BB&JCommercial hasannounced two newappointments to itspartnership. Joiningexisting partners RobJones, MarkRichardson and ChrisBirds are GrahamBancroft and ChrisWright.Richardson said:“These promotionsrepresent asignificantlandmark in bothBB&J’s heritage and future growth strategy. Over recent years we have continued to expanddespite a challenging backdrop and all four individuals have played a major role in contributing tothis success. “We are now the top agency in Derby city centre across both residential and commercialproperty, and plan to grow further as a major player within the East Midlands”.Bancroft said: “I hope to continue growing the brand in a more structured way in the new rolewhilst investing in the team to help us move to the next level of regional commercial propertyconsultancy”.Wright added: “As partner I’m looking forward to expanding the firm’s success beyond Derby,securing instructions within the wider East Midlands regional market and honing my skills withinthe office, land and industrial sectors”.Russell Scanlan strengthens NottinghamteamNottingham-based insurancebroker Russell Scanlan hasappointed Samantha Gray assenior account handler. Graybrings with her 31 years ofexperience and a wealth ofknowledge across a number ofindustry sectors.She said: “Russell Scanlan’sbroad range of clients gives methe opportunity to apply myexperience and knowledge.Many of them operate in keysectors and are important, interms of productivity and jobs,to the success of the MidlandsEngine which aims to boost theregion’s economy.“There are some interesting and challenging opportunities, not least how businesses are going to beaffected by the Chancellor’s Autumn statement on the 23rd of November, as well as the wider, long termimplications of Brexit”.Bryan Banbury, managing director at Russell Scanlan, said: “Samantha joins a very experienced team and willbe an asset advising clients across a number of business sectors. We are enjoying a busy period of activity andSamantha’s appointment consolidates the team’s approach to providing innovative and customer focusedservices across the SME sector as well as our larger clients”.A qualified chartered broker, Gray began her career at the age of 16, undertaking a Youth Training Scheme – agovernment based initiative to get young people into the industry. She has previously worked for a number ofinsurance companies including LMi Insurance Brokers and Franklands Commercial Insurance Brokers.KPMGappoints newhead ofenterprise forthe MidlandsIan Borley has been appointed asKPMG’s head of enterprise for theMidlands. He takes over from StephenCraik who plans to retire in 2017.Enterprise, which is KPMG’s offering forprivately-owned businesses, was launchedin the Midlands under Craik’s leadership in2014 and has grown significantly eversince. Borley takes on the leadership rolewith immediate effect to ensure a smoothtransition prior to Craik’s retirement.Alongside his existing responsibilities assenior partner for the East Midlands, Borleywill build on KPMG’s existing presence inthe region using his significant experience towork with privately-owned and privateequity-backed businesses.Borley has strong links with localbusinesses and the business community.Outside of his day job, he is a member of theCBI’s East Midlands Regional Council and hewas recently named Leicestershire’s non-executive director of 2016.Mike Steventon, Midlands regional chairat KPMG, said: “Ian has an impressivebackground working with businesses in theprivate and public sectors, and hisknowledge will provide invaluable insightand advice for clients. He has worked withsome of the most successful brands in thelocal market and we’re confident we havethe right people in place to continuedriving our business forward”.Borley added: “The Enterprise market inthe region is booming and we expect tosee further significant growth in thefuture. However, it’s likely that turbulenttimes are ahead following the Brexit voteand the US Presidential Election result,and careful planning and tactics areessential if privately-owned businessesare going to continue to thrive. Now,more than ever, these businessesneed access to the best possibleadvice, from professionals whoreally understand the issues andwho are proactive in bringingrelevant, value-adding solutions totheir clients.“I’m really looking forward toleading the KPMG Enterpriseteam through thesechallenges, and workingmore closely withbusinesses across theregion”.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 13East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk14Post-referendum sales boost for Nottinghamelectronics companyNottingham-based electronics company Kitronik has reported significant growth – largely due to increased exports following theEU referendum.Kitronik, which specialises in developing electronics project kits and learning resources for schools and home hobbyists, has seenimpressive growth in 2016, in no small part bolstered by a surge in exports post-Brexit. The company’s turnover has increased by55% which enabled the creation new jobs at its Basford headquarters.In the four months following referendum, the firm’s exports have grown by 610% when compared to the same period lastyear. In financial terms, this equates to £160,353 of exports in four months compared to £22,556 between June and the end ofOctober in 2015.The global reach of the company has more than doubled in this short time span. The company is now supplying its products to36 countries, compared with 16 in 2015.The strong growth in exports experienced by Kitronik reflects that of several other British manufacturing firms, where the pound’sdepreciation caused by the referendum result is supporting overseas demand.Kitronik director and co-founder Kevin Spurr said: “In the weeks immediately following the Brexit vote we were concerned aboutthe fall in the value of the pound against the US dollar. We pay for many of our raw components in dollars and it was thereforegoing to cost us more to create our electronics project kits. However, the fall in the value of the pound does seem to be offset bythe fact that our products are now more price competitive to buyers in overseas markets and this has resulted in a surge inexports”.In addition to increasing sales and creating jobs, 2016 has seen Kitronik, which is now in its tenth year of business, partner withthe BBC and some of the largest companies in technology including Microsoft and Samsung in the BBC micro:bit project. Theproject has delivered a million pocket sized computers to UK schools to help students engage in a practical, meaningful way incoding, technology and digital creativity, a strategy which in the longer term could help to address the UK digital skills gap.MANUFACTURING NEWSDavid Nieper celebrates55th anniversaryLast month marked the 55th anniversary of Derbyshire fashionhouse David Nieper. The occasion was celebrated at a uniquefashion event held at iconic Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Intrue Nieper family style, the company’s 250 staff were invited tothe black tie event, which began with a high octane danceperformance to open the catwalk show by students from the newDavid Nieper Academy.Students from Chesterfield College provided hair and make-upstyling for the models, taking inspiration from fashion trends overthe half century.The fashion show was uniquely “by the staff for the staff’ andfeatured some of the designer’s vintage pieces taken from the fivedecades of its fashion archives, before unveiling this season’s newcollection as a grand finale.Other milestones in the company’s history have includedopening four European offices, introducing day wear collections alongside its nightwear and lingerie collections, establishing a knitwear division, openinga purpose built garment cutting factory and the formation of the David Nieper Education Trust.However, one thing that has not altered since day one has been the company’s commitment to British skills. Each and every David Nieper garment hasbeen made from first sketch to final stitch at the fashion house in Derbyshire.By keeping manufacturing in Britain, David Nieper has created significant local employment, and tremendous staff loyalty – 50% of David Nieper staffhave been with the company for over 10 years.Christopher Nieper, managing director of David Nieper, said: “This is a people business; people are the secret of our success and our magic ingredientthat makes the spools spin, the sewing machines whir and the wheels of commerce turn. Each and every person plays an important role – we are herecelebrating 55 years because of our people and people will be the secret of our success in the future.“It has been our family’s privilege to work with such highly skilled individuals over the years and through them to have been able to make a contributionto British fashion and British manufacturing.“This event has been a celebration not just for our own family business but of all that is great about British produced fashion. It has been a show of firstclass design, luxury fabrics and beautiful craftsmanship. However, what really secures the future of fashion manufacturing in Britain is young talent andpassing skills down from the older to the younger generation.“If we, and indeed any UK manufacturer want to be trading in Britain in another 55 years, it is crucial to train and nurture young talent. This is thepurpose of our David Nieper Education Trust and it’s only through the creation of a skilled workforce that UK manufacturing can flourish and grow!”Steel firm’s new truck delivers the goodsMatlock-based steel company Twiggs has invested in an additional lorry for its transport fleet to increase its delivery capacity and further reducedelivery times for steelstock and fabrication customers.The family firm specialises in providing a very quick turnaround on cut steel and can already deliver within two days for most customers. The purchaseof the new DAF LF220 FA Rigid 18-tonne lorry continues the modernisation of the firm’s fleet and will reduce waiting times for steel project deliveriesacross Derbyshire and beyond.Report shows four percent increase in engineering graduates’ payPay for professional engineers has increased by 2% year-on-year, while engineering graduates can expect to pocket 4% a year more compared to 2015,according to the latest professionals’ pay benchmarking report from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.The annual report shows that engineering graduates can now expect to earn £28,000 a year on average – up by 4% from £26,890 last year. Incomparison, according to the latest data from HESA, the average professional graduate salary is £22,984 a year. This means that engineering graduatesnow earn over £5,000 or 22% a year more than other UK graduates – a figure that further reinforces engineering’s reputation for being a well-paid career.This trend continues with both senior engineers and engineers earning more than the average UK worker. The report shows that an engineer can expectto earn £32,699 a year, while a senior engineer can expect £41, 800. In contrast, the national average pay in the UK according to ONS is £27,607 a year.EEF’s Professionals’ Pay Benchmark Report is one of the most comprehensive sources of pay data for engineers and managers in the industry. The2016 data is based on responses from over 240 companies, covering salary data for almost 6,000 managers and engineers across Great Britain.The report is produced annually to provide a benchmark to assist companies in setting pay levels and to help them understand market rates acrossmanufacturing.Tim Thomas, director of employment and skills policy at EEF, said: “Engineering skills are in high demand and short supply, which is why they continueto command a premium and why employers are prepared to pay it.“Offering an attractive salary remains the first line of defence for firms fiercely competing to attract and retain skilled workers vital to their business. It’s akey factor behind our sector’s reputation for offering well-paid, sustainable careers, but it also reinforces the need for employers to be fully aware ofindustry pay rates so that they can benchmark and position themselves accordingly”.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 15Toyota launches newskills centreToyota Manufacturing UK has launched a newskills centre at its Derbyshire headquarters. TheAcademy will provide skills training to staff fromacross the country, and will train apprentices aswell as staff in manufacturing, sales, after salesand marketing.The Academy features a replica productionline, two vehicle showrooms, nine workshops andsixteen training rooms. Attendees can gainqualifications through courses in the Toyota 21programme, including Institute of the MotorIndustry (IMI) accredited courses.Tony Walker, deputy managing director, said:“The new Academy will support our efforts totrain apprentices and maintenance engineers toachieve nationally recognised qualification.“Not only do we train apprentices for Toyota,but also for supply chain companies and localengineering companies, operating as a centre ofexcellence”. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PORTRAIT IMAGES ASIA BYNONWARITEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk16CHRISTMASIan Hodgkinson, director at HodgkinsonBuilders What’s on my Christmas wish list? Keeping productionup and some good weather. I’m not wishing for a whiteChristmas, I want a nice warm one where we can keeplaying lots of bricks! At the moment my team, includingapprentices, are working on a number of projectsincluding a new housing development in Eastwood andthe flood defence works in Derby.I’d like to see continuity of the demand for bricklayersand builders as well as demand for housing and theexpansion of the National Construction Academy whichopened in Derby in October. We want to train morebricklayers to meet the huge demand for housing in thecountry.I would also like to help more deserving causes out onDIY SOS projects, like the one we did in the summer atDerbyshire County Cricket Club to create a newcommunity space.Helena Taylor, solicitor - litigation atBray & BrayCash! Cold hard cash… or notes, bank transfer I’m notfussy. Evidently I have fallen into the stereotype of amoney hungry lawyer, although I hope this is not thecase. I’m looking to go away for a city breakbetween Christmas and New Year but haven’tdecided where, hopefully somewhere with aChristmas feel - Prague, Brussels, Iceland. Again,I’m not fussy, I’m waiting for a cheap last minutedeal… I am starting to sound moreand more like thestereotype aren’t I?What’s next for the sector? Mediation, mediation,mediation. This is the mantra of the court system and isfast becoming the mantra of every litigation solicitorregardless of the dispute they are involved with. Mediation, in its various forms, offers an effectivemeans of resolution with the parties being empoweredto resolve the dispute for themselves without the needfor judicial intervention. With rising court fees and the risk of potentially payingthe other party’s costs if the case is not successful, alongwith your own legal fees, keeping a dispute out of courtlooks more attractive, and in my experience the best wayto resolve a dispute is through mediation. Parties are able to clearly see each other’s point ofview, the process is confidential and the points indispute can be narrowed with “negative outcomes”being avoided because both parties can agree tosettlement terms. Finally, it’s not only the lawyers whowin.Claire Kershaw, director of businessdevelopment at J Tomlinson If I could have any wish granted, it would be to find asolution to the UK’s homelessness crisis that has such ahuge negative impact on hundreds and thousands ofpeople’s health, safety, security and life chances.Without a permanent home, homeless people must findit impossible to plan for the future and feel hopelesslytrapped. While the Autumn Statement 2016 included acommitment of £4bn to increase the supply of homes forrent andWe asked East Midlands professionals what’s on their Christmas wish list, and what’snext for their sector in 2017. All I want for www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 17sale, the goal of having any secure home will remain outof reach for many people both in the East Midlands andacross the UK. It would be nice if there wasmore government support to increase all types ofhousing, including affordable and social rent, to makehomes affordable and prevent families from falling intocrisis and becoming homeless.The private rented sector/build to rent sector in the UKhas grown substantially in recent years, accounting foralmost 16.5% of all UK households, with investorsbenefitting from both value rises in their acquired assetsand from rising rents. Add to this growth the £10bnhousing debt guarantee promised by central governmentto stimulate the sector and the new landmarksupplementary planning guidance, giving the rentalmarket its own affordable housing classification inLondon, J Tomlinson’s prediction is that investors’appetite for build to rent isn’t going anywhere and willgrow significantly in all regions including the Midlandsover the next few years.As build to rent developments are designed for long-term investment purposes, the life-cycle of the buildingand its operational maintenance plays a much greater rolethan in other developments. Design and long-termbuilding and facilities management are critical. JTomlinson is an integrated construction, mechanical &electrical service and facilities management provider andwe are primed to provide a turn-key solution todevelopers who are looking for a partner that can design,build and maintain a quality asset over the life cycle tooptimise their return on investment.Alistair Wesson, East Midlands managingpartner at MazarsI would like an early present fromthe Chancellor for Britishbusiness whichencourages investment and recruitment and positions usstrongly for the New Year. Perhaps a little Christmasempathy for the SME sector as regards regulatorybureaucracy too – despite the promises of simplification,most SMEs seem to face an increase in paperwork andrules.Personally, I would like some snow on Christmas daywhich melts in time for the return to work: just so muchthat I am forced to eat and drown my sorrows.We have seen in 2016 the emergence of anotherconsolidator in the accountancy sector and I expect themto continue to grow by further acquisition as they seek toestablish market profile and position. I think the sector willrespond favourably to the uncertain economic conditionsand put together a service approach which helps clientsthrough the next couple of years – already various firmshave begun to offer serious help around the Europeanposition and I can see further support being provided.I can also see further audit regulation being movedforward to break the stranglehold of the giant 4 firms onthe larger company market and allow other top 10 firmsaccess in order to assist with the obvious conflicts ofinterest which undoubtedly exist.Brendan Dawson, managing director atQdos VantageAs a keen sports man there would be several things onmy Christmas wish list. Firstly, I would like a fullytrained gun dog (preferably a black Labrador Bitch). Icurrently have a large yellow Labrador dog.However, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth!Secondly, I would like a matched pair of Purdy20 bore shotguns. To go with these I would Christmas…17ÁEast Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk18CHRISTMASalso like a top of the range range rover such that the dogand guns can travel in to any shoots and arrive in style.Finally, I would like to wake up on Christmas day andfind that the last 6 months had been a dream and that wehadn’t really voted to leave the EU and that Mr Trumpand Mrs Clinton had decided that they were suitablecandidates and withdrew from the race leaving theprospective vice presidents to run in their stead.There has been a period of consolidation over anumber of years in the insurance company and Brokingmarket place. There have been some big dealsannounced that will take place in the new year as well anumber of smaller brokers being acquired by biggerbusinesses. The drop in the value of the pound willincrease this activity as investment flows inwards frompotential foreign buyers who find they can get more fortheir money. The Qdos Group and its associatedcompanies has been growing rapidly for some time andour investment in technology and people will continue toallow the business to expand without the need for us toacquire anyone. The coming year will be unprecedentedas we move closer to Brexit and the Trump presidencyreally gets going. However, we are all looking forward tonext year for further growth and opportunity.Chrissie Rowell, director at Black HareMarketingContrary to what people think, I’m actually really lowmaintenance when it comes to presents! I’m seriouslyobsessed with candles, especially Woodwick ones. I havethem everywhere in winter, even around the office - theyjust make the place feel warmer. I always have books onmy list too, this year I’ve asked my other half for RobertCialdini’s new book “Pre-Suasion” and I’ve wanted “The4 Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferris for ages. If I learnanything from that I might be able to ask for a yacht nextChristmas.Things get more complex and more challenging everyyear for marketers, we absolutely have to be on top ofthe game. Data profiling and multi-channel accessto messages means there’s so much to keep upwith, not to mention the development of tech.Targeting is getting more sophisticated andclients are looking for guaranteed ROI, it’sincredibly demanding to bein marketingtoday.I think the trend for collaboration is going to continue togrow throughout 2017 because we need to depend oneach other’s specialisms - it’s just not possible to haveenough knowledge in every area of marketing and unlessyou’re a huge agency with a big team skilled in everyarea, we need to work together to provide a full offering.Phil Glenn, director at Innes EnglandI’d love to be part of a team commissioned to visit andfilm a documentary on some of the world’s many bestdive sites I haven’t yet visited!We are quite positive about the prospects for theproperty sector here in Leicester; there is quite a bitgoing on in terms of development, the industrial side inparticular is strong and there is good demand forfreehold properties. The residential investment market isalso performing well. Across the board, our agency team is upbeat. There is,however, a shortage of stock. It is difficult to knowwhether or how far Brexit negotiations will beprogressed in 2017 and the outcome of these could havean impact on the economy and property market.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 19CHRISTMASJonathan Wheeler, managing partner -commercial dispute resolution atSpearing WaiteFor Christmas I’d like a decisive strategy from thegovernment as to Post Brexit Britain in order that thebusiness world can plan and invest with certainty. Thelast thing that the economy needs is to lurch from oneuncertain period to another based on a steady stream ofleaked memos, bullish statements from Brussels, and therising and falling of the Pound. Failing that I’ll takeLeicester City scoring a last minute goal against RealMadrid to lift the Champions League.In the world of dispute resolution we are facing thepotential of fixed recoverable costs being introduced forall civil claims up to £250,000. That might sound good inpractice for consumers but it could be hugely detrimentalas it applies a “one size fits all” approach. If you have hadto incur significant expense with solicitors and expertwitnesses to prove your case, say in a personal injuryclaim, then why should you be penalised and justrecover the costs that a much simpler case would haveincurred. In addition, a richdefendant may be far lesswilling to cometo the table and negotiate if its potential costs liability ismassively reduced and now considered a minor risk. Thefixed costs regime was strongly advocated a few yearsago by Lord Justice Jackson when he looked at generalcosts reforms. The person now chosen to lead the newgovernment review of fixed recoverable costs is, wait forit, Lord Justice Jackson. The result of the review isunlikely to be as surprising as the recent U.S election.Ollie Piddubriwnyj, founder andmanaging director at FifteenAs the festive cheer spreads itself round the office andmistletoe creeps over more than one water cooler, wefind ourselves penning a relatively short letter to Santa.There’s only one thing we want this year.The deal is sweetened with a thimble of whisky andone of Waitrose’s mince pies, but that’s just a formality,Santa has this one in the bag. It’ll only take the push of abutton – and we all know the North Pole went digital withNORAD back in 1997.And what is it that Fifteen really want for Christmas thisyear? To be the top entry of Google, for the search term“Google”, of course. An easily achievable feat surely, if Google has found itsway onto Santa’s naughty list this year.And if Saint Nicholas can’t fit that tall SEO order in theback of his Coca-Cola lorry? Well, we’ll settle for a biggerawards trophy cabinet then. 2016 has seen our biggest growth spurt since thecompany¹s inception, and we have our sights set on anexpanding and highly exciting industry over the next 12months. In the same way that Google transitioned from anoun to a verb, we hope that 2017 will be the year thatall businesses just Fifteen it. But here are some things wecan pretty much guarantee in the meantime: AMP will bethe only word you hear from your developers. Facebookcanvas will be the social media staple of every campaignyou run. Mobile sales will keep eclipsing desktop.Everything will be live-streamed, so you might aswell install that camera over the office fish tanknow. And more importantly than anything: Digitalwill continue to grow. 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