A clearerperspectivePORTSHuge investment to welcomean even wider range ofservicesCOMMERCIALPROPERTYIndustrial take-up endedthe year on a high noteLEEDS History repeatingitselfMARCH 2012£3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 27ISSUE 03A clearerperspective01:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:33 Page 102:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:33 Page 110ContentsMarch 2012On the coverPhotograph courtesy ofWelcome to Yorkshirewww.yorkshire.comwww.blmforum.net4517222838Features10Commercial propertyIndustrial take-up ended the year on a high note –but what’s the overall trend? 17LeedsDeputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said thatthe UK economy has been weighted towardsLondon for too long. He should take a closer lookat Leeds22ConferencingWith people’s attention spans short already andthe distractive lure of the smartphone being toogreat for many during long conferences, how doyou keep the momentum up?24Hot topicExecutive pay and bonuses have been the mostcontroversial subject of the last few months. Weask business leaders what they think aboutexecutive pay, and how companies can act moreresponsibly26MultimodalMultimodal 2012, the only gathering for all sectorsof the UK and Irish logistics industry and itscustomers, is held at the NEC in Birmingham on1st to 3rd May28PortsOur region’s ports are enjoying huge investmentto welcome an even wider range of services• PD Ports31LincolnWith new investment pouring in, plans swinginginto action and a supportive and collaborativeatmosphere in which to do business, the questionshould be, why not set up in Lincoln?36Information technology and business telecommunicationsThere are many ways in which you can improveyour business capabilities through server andcommunication applications, but what is the mosteffective way for your company?40Machinery and componentsKeeping up with the latest changes in automationseems to be never ending. But allowing yourcompany to fall behind could result in your rivalsgaining a competitive advantage52Meet the expertCompanies need to ensure they can cope if theworst happensEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is your ultimateguide to the rapidly expanding world of greenbusiness.42Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector44OSLTranslating business ideas into reality45EnergyThe process of anaerobic digestion is something wehave covered before, but recently, even moreemphasis has been placed on this interesting subject,so what does the future hold?48Marine energy is predicted to become a majorcontributor to the UK’s power requirements – andYorkshire and Lincolnshire is heavily involved50FinanceThere are many options when it comes to fundingrenewable energy initiatives. Some funding is providedby agents of the government, some by private energycompanies but much is provided from commercialorganisationsRegulars4From the Editor5News8Business growthIt’s time to rekindle growth in your business saysJames Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner, Streets CharteredAccountants38AutoLinkNearly every aspect of business life requires transportand the car is still seen as one of the only flexible,dependable, options available. Here are just a fewmodels of varying price and class that may help oil thecogs of your business51LettersReader’s letters and replies54EventsWe take a look at business events happening aroundYorkshire and Lincolnshire56Classified57Appointments58And finally…03:Layout 1 2/3/12 14:44 Page 1Well, 2012 certainly seems to be proving an “annus horribllis”. TheGovernment are still trying to sell their NHS reforms, the InlandRevenue have fixed their sights firmly on football clubs and moreunrest is being caused by bonus awards so, you could be forgivenfor thinking the Nostradamus predictions might be unfolding. For those of us who cut our business teeth in the heady days ofthe mid-eighties, the recent furore over executive bonuses andremuneration might seem like a lot of fuss over nothing. Back thenwe were almost implored to earn huge amounts of money, and to hell with theconsequences.Twenty five years on, these are different times, of course. Nowadays wanton displays ofwealth have been replaced by a more meek appreciation of the super-rich, and withunemployment at depressingly high levels, those city boys and girls brandishing hugebonus cheques have become almost figures of hate for the national media.What does all this mean? Are we now a more equitable society? Perhaps. Certainly,words like sustainability and corporate responsibility are high on most companies prioritylist, and a new wave of philanthropists have come to the fore.This month, in addition to our usual selection of news, views and authoritative articles wehighlight the views of a panel of experts, asking them how we can balance rewarding hardwork with a sense of fairness in austere times. If we’re honest, none of us would turn downthe sort of money being thrown at the top professionals in London, but most of wouldadmit we’d have to work for it!As our region becomes more productive, though, it’s certainly likely that we’ll be able tolure up the great and the good. This month we reveal how Yorkshire and Lincolnshire arebecoming world leaders thanks to their port facilities, and take a visit to Leeds to see howthe region’s “capital” is attracting some of businesses’ biggest names. We also delve intothat mystery of cloud computing…Good reading as always,W S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@blmgroup.co.uk)Elis Ballard (e.ballard@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorTeri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Kim Collins (k.collins@blmgroup.co.uk)Hannah Hogarth (h.hogarth@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman Dawn CookTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary JorgensenMark CassonRachel GreenTel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314(studio@blmgroup.co.uk)E-Mail:yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.ukWebsitewww.blmforum.netAddressHaychart Ltd,Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby,N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.ISSN No:1462-2092All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor itsparticipating agents accept liability for loss or damage toprints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material ofwhatever nature submitted to this publication. The viewsexpressed in this publication are not necessarily the views ofthose held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recyclingmagazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle your magazine,please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free giftsand samples. If you are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?From theEDITORThe magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than wefound itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key tomaintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staffwill be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We alsoextend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causesand charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources,minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.04:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:36 Page 1Go for growth in NorthLincolnshireNorth Lincolnshire has secured £10 million of Regional Growth Fundto promote private sector investment and employment growth in thearea. The original bid was submitted by North Lincolnshire Council onbehalf of the Tata Steel Taskforce and is now going through the duediligence process. The North Lincolnshire RGF programme’s prime objective is tocreate jobs through business development. Its aim is to help growthe economy which has been disadvantaged through the impact ofjob losses within both the public and private sector. The keypriorities will be to create new businesses, as well as the expansion,rationalisation, modernisation and diversification of existingbusinesses. The £10 million will be made available to support thegeneration of at least five hundred new jobs.Following the conclusion of the due diligence process, it’s anticipatedthat the fund will be available from May. To register your interest in thescheme, email regionalgrowthfund@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297330.KiwiRail bears fruit for MechanSheffield rail depot equipment specialist Mechan has received a second request for itslifting equipment from down under. Mechan has shipped a set of four 30 tonne lifting jacks to KiwiRail’s Hamilton depot inNew Zealand, twelve years after the system was installed at its Palmerston North facility.KiwiRail is New Zealand’s largest freight and passenger rail operator and will be usingthe jacks to maintain rolling stock on the North Island’s mainline. Synchronised lifting isachieved using Mechan’s Microlink control system, which provides a constant feed ofinformation to the operator via a single cable, offering maximum safety and flexibility. Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, says, “We are extremely pleased to securea second prestigious contract with KiwiRail. Our Microlink system remains at theforefront of depot maintenance technology. The simple installation process means ourjacks can be set up by onsite engineers without any specialist training, providing asignificant cost saving.”www.blmforum.net5newsyouryourMinister added to GlobalManufacturingFestival line-up Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State at the Foreignand Commonwealth Office, is the latest guest speaker tobe announced for the Global Manufacturing Festival. Hewill speak to more than four hundred delegates at thefestival’s convention and trade show which will take placein Sheffield on 22nd March. Lee Hopley chief economist at EEF has also beenadded to the list of speakers which already includes RicParker from Rolls-Royce, Dr Alan McLelland fromNAMTEC, Alan Cumming of EDF Energy, Andrew Petersfrom Siemens Drive Technologies, Sir Chris O’Donnellformer CEO of Smith & Nephew and Professor KeithRidgway CBE Executive Dean of the University ofSheffield Advanced Manufacturing Institute.Key themes at the convention will cover the three critical areas of UK strategy and support,new markets and opportunities, and technology and commercialisation. For moreinformation, or to purchase tickets, visit www.globalmanufacturingfestival.com.Made in Britain isset for a good year!With the Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubileethis summer there has never been a better time to beproducing British. The British Craft Trade Fair, at theGreat Yorkshire Showground on 15th to 17th April,illustrates this.Organiser Margeret Bunn says, “The consumer fromhome and abroad will be even more in lovewith the British brand this year, and BCTFwith its thousands of trend settingproducts is an Aladdin’s Cave forindependent interior shops andstudios, as well as the perfect placeto source commission pieces forinterior design and architecturalpractices.”BCTF is totally unique as overfive hundred of the UK’s mostcreative artists and designers –including Jo Downs whoseHandmade Glass is pictured – willexhibit, ensuring that there issomething for everyone. Carparking is free at the venue and thereis also a complimentary courtesy carservice from Harrogate railway stationand Leeds Bradford Airport.To receive to attend visit www.bctf.co.uk.TheCountry Land andBusiness Association hascalled on the Government toensure agriculture is givenpriority for scarce water resourcesto prevent a food shortage. Takingpart in Defra’s drought summit,. CLAregional director Nicola Currie said,“Agriculture is under incredible pressureas a result of the lack of rain throughthe winter. Other sectors havestatutory powers and priority overagriculture, but to ensure foodand environmental security it isvital we are given our fairshare of water.”05-08:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:39 Page 1PKF advises P&L Systemson latest acquisitionA team from the Leeds office of PKF Accountants and BusinessAdvisers, has advised Knaresborough-based P&L Systems on itsacquisition of SX Environmental Supplies from its founder RichardLunn, for an undisclosed sum in a deal supported by Yorkshire Bank.P&L Systems is a provider of innovative brands to the facilitiesmanagement sector and produces and distributes a range ofenvironmental products. The company is targeting significant furthergrowth as it continues with its expansion plans, including aforthcoming move to a new 35,000 sq ft facility in Knaresborough.Peter Mangion, managing director of P&L Systems, says, “We aredelighted to welcome the SX Environmental brand and business intothe P&L Systems family. Richard Lunn and his team have built a strongbusiness in SX and we are delighted that the team there will remainwith us to help with the next stage of the company’s development.”newsyouryour£1.5 million price tag for NHS SleafordOrchard House at Greylees is to besold on the instructions of NHSLincolnshire. The former hospitalbuilding, which will now bedemolished after staff relocated tonew premises, is located south westof Sleaford and set in 4.6 acres. Hodgson Elkington LLP, thechartered surveyors who arehandling the sale, say the site iseminently suitable for residentialdevelopment. Partner Dan Racesays, “This is one of the bestresidential development sites tocome to the market for a while andoffers developers the opportunity toacquire a substantial site within thewell regarded Greyleesdevelopment.”The site is situated on the edge ofthe existing development, adjacent mature woodland and in a rural setting yet close to the A15 and A17 trunkroads and local facilities. The site is being marketed with a guide price of £1.5 million.TheRural EconomyGrant Scheme, worthup to £60 million in total,has been launched. Grantsare available of up to £1million, aimed at micro and SMEbusinesses to boost farmcompetitiveness and supportsignificant growth in particular foragri-food, rural tourism, forestry,renewable energy and high growthsectors. The Rural Economy Grantis another measure to beintroduced under the RuralDevelopment Program forEngland and adds to theFarming and ForestryImprovement Schemelaunched inNovember.6www.blmforum.net05-08:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:39 Page 2www.blmforum.net705-08:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:39 Page 3newsyouryourDivers cover HumberpipelineSpecialist divers battlingstrong tides and zero-visibilityhave completed a year-longproject to cover parts of anexposed underwater pipeline inthe Humber estuary.Teams from Hull-based civilengineering company NorthernDivers worked up to 60ft belowthe surface of the river. Thedivers coated a section ofpipeline in the river with specialconcrete covers, called frondedmattresses, to ensure the routecan better withstand theestuary’s notoriously harshconditions. Because theriverbed in the Humber is verymobile, with strong tidalstreams, the protective trenchwhere the pipeline was originally laid has been gradually eroded –exposing parts of the infrastructure.Two teams of 12 men from Northern Divers worked 24 hours a day in awide stretch of the river and battled the tides and pitch-black conditions tolay the concrete mattresses, each weighing about four tons, over theindustrial pipeline.8www.blmforum.netBUSINESS GROWTHGrow or stagnate orwither on the vine?It’s time to rekindle growth in your business saysJames Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner, StreetsChartered AccountantsGrowing a business in the currentclimate is not easy – seemingly evenimpossible. For most, the challenge isabout trying to safeguard profitabilityor just to stay in business. Given thecircumstances it’s understandablemany businesses seem to have optedfor the default hibernation setting, withthe idea of attaining growth being welloutside their comfort zone. Yet growthdoesn’t have to be a leap of faith into the unknown. This may befood for thought...Reacquaint yourself with your customersWhile you may think you know what, why and how customersbuy from you, all too often we can get out of kilter with ourcustomers’ needs and demands. As a result, compliancy andfamiliarity can lead to missed opportunities. Invigorate your marketingIf you always do what you’ve always done, you only havewhat you’ve already got. Often a marketing approach of doingsomething different to your competitors can have significantsales impact. If your focus is on more traditional marketing youmay be surprised that the effects embracing new approachescan have.From the top down and bottom upLeadership with a simple and clear vision and message for agrowth strategy can have an amazing impact on theperformance of a business, as can recognising and rewardingthose that have positive impact on the business at various levels.Embrace new ideas and innovateFor some, new ideas can be scary, but effective ideas don’thave to be rocket science. Often the simplest ideas have thegreatest impact as they can be easily implemented. Look at howyou do business to see if you are missing a trick.Set measurable and attainable goalsGrowth strategies don’t have to be based on globaldominance. Realistic growth targets with rewards tend to bemore achieveable and underpin a more sustainable business.Finally, don’t put off until tomorrow what you could, andshould, do today! For most, the sense of doing somethingpositive about our business is better than burying our head inthe sand.James Pinchbeck is Marketing Partner with StreetsChartered Accountants, a top 60 UK accountancy firm.Call 0845 880 0320, email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visitwww.streetsweb.co.uk.Health and safety industrygather in SheffieldMore thaneighty businessleaders fromacross Sheffieldattended aninaugural Healthand SafetyConference.Organised bythe SheffieldChamber ofCommerce andstaged atBrinsworthAcademy of Engineering in Rotherham, the conference looked atbehavioural safety and alterations to the Health and Safety Executive. Guest speakers included Paul Spurrier, head of operations for Yorkshireand the Humber HSE and Dr John Herbert, managing director of PeakHSE in Sheffield. David Egan, Partner in the Regulatory and CriminalInvestigations group at Irwin Mitchell LLP, provided an update on legaland legislative issues.Alison Tilley, event coordinator at Sheffield Chamber, says, “Wereceived a high attendance at the conference, which was excellent andshows how relevant this topic is to businesses. The speakers provided avaluable mix, each with their own experiences and knowledge which theywere happy to share with the audience. We will definitely be looking tomake this an annual event.”05-08:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:39 Page 409:Layout 1 2/3/12 09:40 Page 1Next >