DECEMBER 2020 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 HEALTH AND SAFETY Staying safe COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Focus on innovation LOGISTICS A stalling sector? ROAD TO SUCCESS ROAD TO SUCCESS 01.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:06 Page 1Whether just starting out or well established, businesses use finance for any number of reasons. Cashflow along the supply chain is a frequent concern. Suppliers, tax liabilities and wages can’t wait. Straightforward and quick access to cash helps meet your expenses, and can help boost your growth. Paul specialises in: l Business Loans l Invoice Finance l Supply Chain & Trade Finance Telephone: 07863 753 111 Email: info@pmichelfinance.com Web: www.pmichelfinance.com Paul Works With You To Deliver Growth For Your Business De-risk Late Payments Speed Up Invoice Payments Provide Better Terms In Partnership with: Support Your Suppliers Commercial Finance Solutions The Right Funding Solution For Your Business Visit www.oms.uk.com, call us on 01530 833 533 or email info@oms.uk.com to learn more about us and how we can enhance your organisation. www.oms.uk.com 01530 833 533 info@oms.uk.com Helping you to perform at the highest level OMS have delivered consultancy and training services throughout the Midlands and UK for over 22 years. We are a leading authority in health and safety, employment, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems and training. Our tailored solutions support organisations throughout the UK. Could we help you too? For all your Health & Safety Training & Consultancy needs visit www.oms.uk.com. 02.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 11:13 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES While not the end of the financial year, December brings with it the chance to review and evaluate the last twelve months. And what a year it’s been! Although the government had been warned to prepare for a pandemic as far back as 2016, few of us had any notion that we’d all be living and trading through one. While there’s been some promising vaccine candidates, it will take years before things return to normal. But, for businesses, things will never be the same. Having had to rapidly adapt to remain afloat and competitive these last nine months, bosses won’t be caught short again. Pandemic planning will be part and parcel of running a business going forward. Safety measures, such as sanitising stations, screens and PPE, will likely continue to be a necessary expense for many companies. Of course, the challenges are far from over. With the end of the second national lockdown, we’re once again on the three-tier system. These stringent rules mean that many businesses are still operating with clipped wings. Fortunately, financial aids have been extended to take some of the sting. Yet businesses have more than just the pandemic to contend with. January 1 2021 sees the end of the Brexit transition period adding fuel to the fire for many. You’ll find plenty of insight, advice and guidance on both challenges throughout our December issue. But the crowning jewel is our end of year round-up where we invite local companies to share their insights, achievements and innovations throughout the past year. 2021 will undoubtedly be a challenging time for all of us, regardless of sector, but as we’ve heard time and again of late, we are all in this together. If there’s one thing I’m more certain of now than this time last year, it’s that our region is nothing if not resilient in a crisis. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor Welcome... 03.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:07 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region Commercial property 17 The East Midlands is a region synonymous with excellence in innovation, so this month we’re highlighting the new builds and plans that prioritise research and development. Reed in Partnership Q&A 20 We caught up with Nicola Whelan, head of delivery support at Reed in Partnership. Tax 22 Is the self-assessment tax return a valuable tool in the midst of a pandemic? By Jennie Brown, Tax Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants. End of year success stories24 It’s been a tough year for every sector, but in the wake of the pandemic, companies across our region have evolved, innovated, supported and survived. That’s why for our December issue, we wanted to highlight and celebrate them. Networking28 Goal setting - know what you want and how to achieve it By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. Health and safety in construction30 Health and safety has been focused so heavily on coronavirus that other measures are being forgotten – this could cost businesses big in 2021. GEDA Construction Q&A 34 We spoke to Aaron Hughes, soon to be Managing Director of GEDA Construction, about the upcoming tenth anniversary of the company’s GB division, connections in the East Midlands, and what the future holds. Logistics 36 Confidence in the logistics sector has plummeted to its lowest ever levels as companies contend with the burden of Brexit and the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. Engineering 39 A skills shortage, COVID and lockdown; the engineering sector has a lot of problems to solve, but then, that has always been an engineer’s greatest strength. Corporate hospitality42 Though the pandemic has cancelled office Christmas parties across the region, they don’t have to be abandoned entirely. Public relations 44 Cue Mariah! All the media wants for Christmas is YOU! By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and Enterprise Nation Champion for Nottingham. EAST MIDLANDS L E E ADING BUSINESS MAG AZINE DECEMBER 2020 £3. .50 SUC ROA CCESS AD TO S O S TH ANDTHEAL COMMED LOGERCIAL GISTICS Staying safe SAFETY TH AND WW HEAL Focus on inn PROPER COMME W EASTMIDL D A sta LOG novation TYR ANDSBUSINE ERCIAL alling sector? ESSLINK CO U GISTICS w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk Cover photographs courtesy: • BMW • Shutterstock - JurassicPaul • insta_photos • weerasak saeku • Jevanto Productions Contents December 2020 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AutoLink 46 Car makers are investing more in their electric car line ups as the petrol and diesel ban nears, and demand for greener options grows. Invoice and finance solutions 50 The Coronavirus pandemic has amplified the cashflow issues faced by businesses. Here, Business Link considers some of the solutions available to plug finance gaps. Out of office54 All the leisure sector news from the last month Events56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands And finally...58 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 14:42 Page 136 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Assistant Editor Dominic Cuthbert d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk Journalist Tess Egginton t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk Sales Director Angela Cooper a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman accounts@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson studio@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310304 E-Mail: eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.uk Publisher Haychart Ltd, t/a Business Link Magazine Group, Huntingdon House, 278-290 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham NG1 3LY All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 14:42 Page 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS £121k awarded for AI research to create regional ‘data powerhouse’ Artificial intelligence will be used in an innovative new project to build the clearest and most comprehensive picture yet of business in the East Midlands. East Midlands Chamber and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have been awarded £121,000 Government funding to create a new Regional Business Intelligence Unit, which aims to improve competitiveness and productivity across the region, highlight business strengths and ultimately, win more investment. They are partners in a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a type of project in which academics and researchers work alongside businesses. It is funded by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports UK research and innovation programmes. DMU is home to experts in enterprise, economics, business intelligence and AI, and will combine those strengths to identify new opportunities in the digital economy and help the Chamber create a data powerhouse that will raise the profile of the region as a great place to do business. By developing and enhancing economic and business intelligence for enterprise, the East Midlands will be able to inform policymakers such as Government agencies, local enterprise partnerships, All-Party Parliamentary Group of East Midlands MPs, local authorities and the East Midlands Development Corporation, as well as individual businesses and communities. Professor David Rae, director of DMU’s Centre for Enterprise and Innovation, said: “This will give us better data, better intelligence and lead to better decision-making for the region as a whole. “We know the East Midlands voice is less strong than other regions. Having the Chamber as the business partner in this, with its networks across the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, will ensure we can work together at a regional level and create a comprehensive business intelligence unit. “This should contribute to revitalising the region’s economy after the shock from the pandemic and the possible business impact of Brexit.” Summit details roadmap key to Chesterfield thriving post pandemic Mass Covid testing could be the key for the short and medium- term survival of Chesterfield’s high street. That was the message from Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, Ojay McDonald, who headlined the fourth annual Chesterfield Investment Summit held on Wednesday 25 November. Speaking at the virtual event which was organised by Destination Chesterfield, Mr McDonald said: “Public health will absolutely dominate the debate and will dictate how our town centres evolve going forward. We need to see town centres as ultra safe zones. People want safe, regulated spaces where they can meet, greet and network.” He stressed that, despite the imminent vaccine, no-one knows whether the current town centre issues caused by the pandemic are short or long-term. Mr McDonald did, however, highlight opportunities for the town centre brought about by the increase in home working. “Town centres can look to Paris in France for inspiration and its 15-minute city plan which has everything you need within a 15-minute radius on foot or bike.” As well as addressing the challenges facing the high street and its long- term survival, the summit also outlined how the town plans to capitalise on the office and rail opportunities that are projected to emerge post Covid. Telephone 0800 009 6066 Email info@nnbcfinancial.co.uk Asset Finance, Leasing, Contract Hire, Sale & Leaseback • Property Development Finance • Commercial Property and Business Mortgages • Factoring and Invoice Finance WWW .NNBCFINANCIAL.CO.UK Minister pledges to back Midlands’ automotive sector EV transition The Midlands can play a key role in the UK’s so-called “green industrial revolution,” according to one of the Government’s Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth. Kwasi Kwarteng MP pledged to back the region’s automotive sector in the transition to electric vehicles. He was speaking at the East Midlands Energy Summit, run by East Midlands Chamber, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a 10-point plan to unleash a “green industrial revolution” – headlined by bringing forward a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales to 2030. Mr Kwarteng said: “We’ll support regions such as the Midlands by backing our world-leading automotive sector to transition to electric vehicles. “This includes nearly £500m to be spent on the development on the mass- scale production of electric vehicle batteries and other strategic technologies we’re engaged in. “This means we’ll be able to provide up to £1bn and attract more private capital and international investment into our strong manufacturing bases, including in the North East and particularly the Midlands.” Mr Kwarteng said he hoped the £12bn Government investment that will be mobilised as part of the 10-point plan would attract three-times as much private capital – aided by the UK’s strong financial sector in securing this extra funding – creating 250,000 green jobs. He said £1bn would be invested to create industrial clusters in carbon capture, utilisation and storage, while the Green White Paper – which he “fervently hopes” will be published before the end of the year – will include strategies for decarbonising buildings and the hydrogen economy. © Shutterstock /Alexey Fedorenko © Shutterstock /Smile Fight 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:12 Page 1Future of Allestree Park Golf Course decided Allestree Park Golf Course will close by the end of the year and be returned to parkland, after no viable business proposals were put forward to take over its running from Derby City Council. Meanwhile the sale of the historic Allestree Hall is expected to be completed in the New Year. The decision to sell off the Grade II* listed hall to ensure it could be brought back into use prompted the need to make a decision about the future of the golf course, which currently uses some of the buildings within the hall and stable block. Earlier this year Derby City Council invited expressions of interest (EOI) from third party organisations into taking over the running of the 18-hole course and providing new facilities for players. At the same time, a consultation exercise was carried out with stakeholders regarding the potential closure of the golf course. Although around three quarters of consultees believed that it was important to the local area that Allestree continued to have a golf course, following due consideration of the outcomes of both the consultation and EOI exercises, it was resolved that no viable business proposals to operate the golf course were submitted and that golf provision at Allestree Park would cease on 31 December. It is anticipated that the disposal of Allestree Hall will be completed in the New Year, paving the way for the building to be transformed into a wedding and event venue. Allestree Park will continue to be a public park, and work will begin in the New Year to decommission the course and incorporate it into the existing parkland. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 7 GENERAL NEWS Staffline to sell apprenticeships business Staffline, the Nottingham-based recruitment and training group, has revealed that its PeoplePlus division has agreed terms to sell its Apprenticeships business to Babington Business College Ltd (Babington), a professional training course, apprenticeships and traineeships provider. It is anticipated that the transaction will complete in early December. Under the agreement, Babington will acquire contracts and assets from PeoplePlus associated with the delivery of Apprenticeships across England and Scotland. Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of Staffline, said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Babington, which will ensure our Apprenticeship clients and learners continue with another high-quality training provider. “PeoplePlus has unique capabilities, experience and scale in the employability and adult skills sectors and this transaction will enable the division to fully focus on the UK wide unemployment challenge that now exists.” • Commercial • Events • Headshots • Automotive • Fashion CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE 07506 998855 STEVE@STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Creating eye-catching images to help businesses build their brands and engage with clients. © Shutterstock /Matthew Stone © Shutterstock /SmartPhotoLab 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:12 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Breedon Consulting Limited appoints new operations director Leicestershire-based HR company, Breedon Consulting Limited, has appointed a new operations director to take a leading role in facilitating the growth and future expansion of the business. The multi-sector HR consultancy, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has selected Bev Brady for the position of operations director. With over 30 years’ experience within HR, Bev has been with the company for eight years, taking on various roles prior to operations director, and in her new position she will be driving the strategic elements of the business. Her career with Breedon Consulting Limited started with an initial appointment as HR consultant back in 2013, and responsibilities included dealing with client caseloads and HR compliance. Together with Managing Director, Nicki Robson, she continued to grow the services within the company to include Learning and Development five years ago. Following significant team growth, Bev became head of HR in 2015, and whilst still dealing directly with caseloads, there was an increased focus on the direction of the business as a whole, whilst continuing to manage the team’s development. Finally, Bev was appointed to her current role as operations director this year. On her new role, Bev said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as operations director and look forward to the opportunities that come with this new position. I will be responsible for the direction and coordination of the company, whilst ensuring that the business has the best working environment and processes. My initial focus has been to review Breedon’s internal processes to ensure our efficiency. “I am really enjoying getting even more involved with the company’s growth strategy and plans are beginning to come to fruition, which is both exciting and inspiring. Breedon has always been an organically successful business, however, the drive we now have to build on our success is fantastic and the sky really is the limit. The fact that we have a great team behind us has been key to our success.” Filling another new position within the team, Megan Hughes has been promoted to client relationship manager, and will be focusing on business development through networking, close client management and marketing duties. Megan previously held the role of recruitment specialist and has been with the company since June 2019. KPMG makes 70 promotions in the Midlands Professional services firm, KPMG, which employs more than 1,600 people across the region, has promoted 70 colleagues within its Midlands practice, including two new partners, five directors and ten senior managers. As part of the latest round of promotions, Sarah Brown and Gordon Docherty have joined the partnership. With over 17 years of experience, including a period leading the firm’s Accounting Advisory Services team across the Midlands, Gordon has been appointed as a partner within KPMG’s Audit practice. Gordon will draw on his extensive experience of working with some of the region’s largest and most complex businesses as he focuses on delivering quality audits to clients. Sarah, who joined the firm as a graduate in 2002, has been appointed as a partner within KPMG’s Public Sector Audit practice and she heads up the public sector audit function across the Midlands & South West specialising in audit and assurance services. Her previous experience includes working with social housing providers, local authorities and other publicly funded organisations. Commenting on her promotion, Sarah added: “I am thrilled to be leading our Public Sector audit offering across the Midlands & South West as we continue to strengthen our growing team. The majority of 2020 has been incredibly challenging with Covid-19, and I’m really proud to be working with a team dedicated to ensure that public sector organisations can continue to provide the vital services that so many rely on every day.” The newly promoted directors are Charlotte Carter, Hannah Roberts, Jeremy Harber, Sarah Tannock-Kitchen and Taj Lalli. Also included within this round of promotions are 25 managers and 28 assistant managers. Karl Edge 8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk L-R: Nicki Robson, Megan Hughes, Bev Brady 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:12 Page 3IoD appoints trio of Ambassadors in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire The Institute of Directors has appointed a trio of Ambassadors to its Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire team. Peter Wingrove joins as Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassador, while Paul Eeles comes on board as Skills and Education Ambassador and Sam Kirk takes the role of Young Directors Ambassador. Peter is Chief Executive of Newark- based charity Shawmind, which provides mental health education and support to communities, schools and workplaces across the UK. Having experienced mental health issues within his family, Peter has a deep understanding of how debilitating this can be if left untreated and is a staunch advocate for early intervention. Paul Eeles is Chief Executive of the Nottingham-based Skills and Education Group. He has more than three decades’ experience in the post-16 skills sector and set up an independent apprenticeship training provider business. He has been on the senior teams of all key membership bodies across the further education and skills sector, representing apprenticeship providers and colleges, government and its agencies. Sam Kirk is Managing Director of J-Flex, a family business supplying innovative rubber solutions to the international food and drink, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, marine, rail and automotive industries. Since his appointment in 2018, Sam has developed a new vision and strategic plan for the Retford-based business, recruited and built a senior leadership team and earned recognition at the IoD Director of the Year and Midlands Family Business Awards. Gallagher appoints Gareth Parry-Jones to lead the Midlands Insurance, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has appointed Gareth Parry-Jones Regional Managing Director of the Midlands. In his new role, Gareth is responsible for leading over 200 colleagues across branches in Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester. Gareth will report into Peter Matthews, Managing Director of the North in Gallagher’s UK Retail division. Gareth has over 30 years’ insurance experience and joined Gallagher in 2014 as Managing Director of the East Midlands. Prior to that, he held several leadership roles at The Oval Group, which was acquired by Gallagher in 2014. Commenting on his new role, Gareth said: “In recent years, the Midlands has seen numerous exciting and progressive developments, including major infrastructure projects and advancements in the life sciences sector, and we have been well placed to support clients in these industries as they expand. “I am delighted to be expanding my remit and look forward to working with the team to further enhance our service.” Peter added: “We are continuing to invest in our regional presence and capabilities, and Gareth will make an excellent leader for the teams in the Midlands. “His proven leadership skills, natural ability to build strong relationships with clients, and commitment to helping them with their risk management and insurance requirements, will ensure that we continue to achieve our growth aspirations in the region.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 9 APPOINTMENTS Chris Miller-Jones Gareth Parry-Jones Paul Eeles Engineering consultancy targets green growth with senior sustainability hire Nottingham-based BWB Consulting has made a strategic hire as it prepares to exploit major new opportunities driving the future of the built environment. Chris Miller-Jones joins the CAF-owned business as Director of Sustainability with a brief to offer a sustainable asset management service to clients and drive the company’s own net zero pathway. Miller-Jones’ appointment follows his return to the UK after a two-and-a-half-year stint with Arcadis in Boston, USA, and this is his second spell with BWB. His appointment comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson put sustainability front and centre of government priorities with a 10 point-plan for a green recovery. Chris explained: “Sustainability is one of the fastest-accelerating trends impacting on the built environment as the industry responds to the UK government’s pledge to be net zero by 2050. The same applies to digitalisation, where we have developed our own data platform to complement industry-standard tools. “Government has ground to make up as it seeks to get on track with some ambitious carbon reduction targets, and people’s expectations about sustainable living will drive societal change as we emerge from the pandemic. “Both of these trends have huge implications for current and future development, across supply chains and throughout asset lifecycles. But they also bring huge opportunities and BWB is well-placed to support clients by helping them develop and deliver compelling net zero propositions which embrace these sustainability challenges and unlock long-term benefits.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 03/12/2020 10:13 Page 4Next >