Smart tech specialist Sauce has teamed up with former boxing champion Tommy Coyle to develop a unique app to improve health, wellbeing and workplace performance. Sauce was tasked by Tommy to roll out the next phase of his project with renewable energy giant Siemens Gamesa to create a healthier, happier and more productive workforce. The former Commonwealth lightweight champion is working with Siemens Gamesa to help transform the lifestyles of more than 750 staff at its wind turbine blade factory in Hull. His Coyle Health and Wellbeing programme is built on the pillars of “move well”, “eat well”, “think well” and “sleep well”. Through the programme, Tommy and his Coyle Health and Wellbeing team introduced pre-shift warm-ups to avoid injuries, regular health checks for staff, wellbeing planner boards around the site and healthier options in the canteen. However, the introduction of Covid restrictions, including on visitors to the factory, meant Tommy and his team were unable to physically attend the site. During lockdown, sessions continued to take place online, but the opportunity to provide a dedicated platform to continue and expand on the good work already carried out became clear. Even as restrictions have lifted, the uncertainty created by Covid-19 has increased demand for a digital solution. Now, award-winning Sauce has developed the Coyle Health and Wellbeing App. Unlike other health apps on the market, which focus on specific elements such as fitness, diet, or sleep patterns, the Coyle Health and Wellbeing App brings all four pillars of his programme together on one platform. Through the app, Siemens Gamesa staff can follow warm-up and workout plans, track their steps and other fitness goals, monitor their calorie intake, access positive mental health support and receive tips to improve their sleep. It includes a health assessment feature, so users can check on their overall wellbeing based on the information they’ve inputted, or pulled in from other health apps. Users then receive guidance about what they need to do to feel better and be healthier, such as improve nutrition, exercise or change sleep patterns. The app also allows the staff to set and share targets and performance data to encourage healthy competition across the factory. It is now being rolled out across the site to help improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of staff in all departments, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective operation. Jim Wardlaw, Chief of Product and Design at Sauce, said: “There’s no doubt the world has become more digital because of the pandemic. Companies and industries have had to adapt to new ways of working to survive and grow and, along with the challenges, there are positives that have come from this. “Through having to deliver his sessions with Siemens Gamesa remotely, Tommy realised there wasn’t an app that brought together all aspects of health and wellbeing in the same place. That’s what we’ve now created. “The Coyle Health and Wellbeing App is effectively a one stop shop for everything related to physical and mental health and wellbeing. Users can access advice and guidance, follow specific training plans, carry out their own health analysis, and interact and engage with their colleagues. “It’s designed primarily to improve the health and the wellbeing of the individual but, by using it in a corporate setting, it can help improve performance because a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.” The app has been developed specifically for Siemens Gamesa’s Hull factory, but can also be scaled up and adapted for other operations across the country, and the world, in the future. Tommy said: “The pandemic highlighted that we were unable to deliver our programme with Siemens Gamesa as effectively as we would like as we weren’t able to be on site. “We saw that as a challenge but also an opportunity, and through their technical expertise, Sauce have allowed us to adapt and innovate and now we don’t have to be in the factory every day to get the same results. “Siemens Gamesa want a winning team to make the best wind turbine blades in the safest and most efficient way possible. We’re helping them do that by improving the health, wellbeing and, ultimately, the productivity of their staff. “The app now allows us to take that support to the next level and deliver even greater results.” A spokesperson for Siemens Gamesa said: “Siemens Gamesa are proud partners of Coyle Health and Wellbeing and are excited to take part in the launch of the new app. “Our continued relationship with Tommy Coyle is a prime example of our progress to being an industry leader of health and wellbeing at work.” Sauce is based at Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub and has established an outstanding reputation for enabling businesses and other organisations to achieve their objectives through technology solutions. It adopts a flexible, “agile” method of working, acting as co-collaborators with its clients, which include Nestlé, RB, Rix and Ideal Heating, among others.

Drax is planning capital investments of around £40 million at its North Yorkshire power station during 2022 on the first phase of its bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) project and ensuring it remains on track to begin delivering vital negative emissions technology in 2027. As part of this investment, Drax has selected Worley to begin the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) work at the start of 2022 and may also work with the company on the subsequent design and build phases of the BECCS project, subject to contract. Drax will also commence site preparation works for BECCS across its North Yorkshire power station including relocation and decommissioning work to make space for the project. Worley, a global provider of professional project and asset services, delivers engineering, procurement and construction, as well as consulting services for the energy, chemicals and resources sectors around the world. BECCS is seen as an essential technology to tackle climate change with the project at Drax set to capture and permanently lock away at least eight million tonnes of CO₂ a year, exceeding the government’s ambition to deliver 5Mt of negative emissions from engineered removals each year by 2030 as outlined in the recently published Net Zero Strategy Drax is already the largest decarbonisation project in Europe, having converted its power station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal, reducing its emissions by more than 90%. By deploying BECCS technology, Drax will create and protect tens of thousands of jobs across the North, kickstart new green industries, and make the UK a global leader in negative emissions technologies. Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO, said: “Our investment in BECCS and the signing of this contract with Worley demonstrates Drax’s commitment to deliver a vital technology which is urgently needed to address the climate crisis. It’s no longer enough to reduce emissions – the world has got to start removing carbon from the atmosphere if we are to avert this climate crisis. “The Government’s ambition for BECCS and its backing for the East Coast Cluster further demonstrates the vital role this negative emissions technology at Drax can play in helping the UK reach its net zero targets, as well as creating and protecting thousands of jobs and kickstarting a new green economy.” Chris Ashton, Worley CEO, said: “As a global professional services company headquartered in Australia, we are pleased that Drax has engaged Worley in this important carbon capture project. Our partnership with Drax is one of the ways we’re helping our customers adapt existing assets and decarbonize industrial clusters, whilst also supporting Worley’s strategic focus on sustainability and delivering a more sustainable world.” The announcement follows Drax’s decision in the Summer to partner with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group as its technology partner. As well as this the company outlined its ambition to source 80% of the construction materials and services from UK supply chain, meaning businesses could benefit from contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds, creating and protecting jobs across the North and levelling up the country. With an effective negative emissions policy and investment framework from the government, BECCS could be deployed at Drax as soon as 2027 – delivering the UK’s largest carbon capture project and permanently removing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. Drax has already kickstarted the planning process to deploy BECCS at its power station in North Yorkshire – if successful, work could get underway to build BECCS at Drax as soon as 2024, with the creation of thousands of jobs.

There’s been a shift in the way businesses use their offices over the last 18 months, shaping office trends for 2022. Lincolnshire-based commercial interior design and fit out company APSS has nearly 25 years’ experience in creating amazing workspaces for businesses across the country and it has been looking at the different ways in which offices are changing. Many businesses are now opting for a more permanent hybrid working environment. The office design post-COVID has certainly changed. So what can be expected from the office environment, and what will this mean for companies? In 2022, office design, the flow of people moving about the office and its functionality are at the top the priority list. With a focus on environmental impact and creating flexible, hybrid working environments, businesses are adapting to a new working format. A pleasant office space increases productivity, boosts staff morale and makes an impression on visitors to your place of business. Biophilic offices are proving popular as they provide a link to nature. Nature friendly offices are becoming highly sought after by leading office designers as they create optimal working environments allowing occupants to work more. They have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, productivity, and morale for all who use the office space.

Hybrid Working Environment

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, around 70% of companies will incorporate a hybrid working environment. Office trends will see a shift to create more varied spaces to work in. This includes more than just the normal banks of desks or office and meeting room space. The hybrid office design supports staff working both in and out of the office environment. They need to quickly access the information and speak to the rest of the team easily. The post-pandemic workplace needs to be far more flexible. The key is organising offices so they are optimized for staff productivity and efficiency. Different business types require various layout ideas. Some require a central meeting hub. Others will require staff to be in full time when it is not possible for them to work from home. In this case the traditional desk spaces will continue to be required. Staff have got used to working from home over the last 18 months. It has become apparent the hybrid working environment is not a passing trend. Staff want more comfortable furnishings in the office and separate areas they can work in a quieter environment. They are requesting freedom of movement in the office rather than being chained to a desk, depending on the work they are doing. Many businesses may find they are rarely at full capacity anymore as more people work from home at least some of the time. This has freed up space in the office for meeting areas and staff amusements like a games area or a table tennis table. It has become more important for hybrid working environments to be a central meeting hub for employees and customers.

Bring Nature Into The Office

According to the EMEA, offices which incorporate natural elements report a 13% higher level of well-being than offices that don’t. More businesses are looking to incorporate biophilic (or green) walls, planter storage units or potted plants to incorporate the outside on the inside. Living plants incorporated into offices will help increase oxygen levels, decrease fatigue and improve concentration levels. This will help boost productivity whether at home or in the office. Wooden slatted walls or area dividers are great for creating separation between departments or work/meeting spaces. They look aesthetically pleasing and create a more natural feel. Alternatively, go a step further and incorporate tree trunks for a unique partition wall.

The Sustainable Smart Office

Businesses are looking at the different ways they can become more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint. This is because of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26th meeting (COP26) being held in 2021. As a country, we need to make big changes now so in 2030 we will start to see the effects of our efforts. The majority of consumers look for businesses which pay attention to the environmental and social impact they have on the world. Making changes to your corporate fleet, recycling more and minimizing business travel are great places to start looking to make a change. But many businesses are also looking to create a smarter office environment which reduces energy consumption. The last couple of years have pushed emerging trends into hyperdrive. What would normally have taken five to 10 years to become the norm in office design, has been forced to happen overnight. Many companies don’t want to go back to what can now potentially feel like the Stone Age. A smart office incorporates the best management tools to help staff work better, faster and happier. Using light sensors, installing automatic doors, using automatic bathroom facilities like flushes, taps and hand dryers is a great cost and energy saving tactic. It also helps reduce the number of touch points in a shared environment. You can even install intelligent climate controls now which detect preferences, usage patterns and regulate the temperate automatically. This could potentially end staff disagreements over whether the office is too hot or too cold. This has helped staff feel more confident in the work environment. It includes the extra benefit of creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly workspace, saving money on electricity and water. It’s a win-win situation. The government is looking at ways to incentivize businesses to use renewable energy. We have found many businesses installing solar panels on roofs which can significantly reduce bills and provides energy for your business.

Office Design for Staff Wellbeing

Office design has changed to incorporate more space between desks to accommodate social distancing. Perspex screens, also known as COVID screens, have become standard fittings in offices that continue to utilize an open plan environment. Alternatively, where offices have more space, the cellular office design is being brought back into fashion. This limits the spread of germs and has proven to reduce absence due to sickness by up to a quarter. It promotes productivity thanks to a quieter environment. Fewer distractions and additional privacy are also a benefit. Cellular offices can be tailored to each team or department’s requirements. Glass partition walls provide a good view of the full office and still allow for maximum natural light to penetrate throughout. APSS are specialists in commercial interiors, office fit outs, car showroom refurbishments, healthcare interiors and educational interiors. Since 1997, the company has been helping businesses to refurbish their premises to ensure the best use of space and productivity – priding themselves on being an approachable and innovative interior fit out specialist. For more information visit www.apss.co.uk

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Eamon Fox, partner and head of the office agency department at global property consultancy Knight Frank. The death of the office in Leeds is a myth. The market has proved incredibly resilient in the midst of the pandemic and I am looking forward to 2022 with genuine optimism. Headline rents are currently £34 per sq ft and, all being well, I can see them hitting £36 per sq ft by the last quarter of next year, given the high standard of some of the new office space which is coming on to the market. There is a flight to quality, which has accelerated during the past 12 months, as occupiers look for space in which employees feel comfortable and safe. The long-awaited arrival of Channel 4 in Leeds has proved to be a tremendous boost to the city, underlining its potential. The knock-on effect is already being felt with Leeds becoming a magnet for bright young tech, media and creative companies, with state-of-the-art buildings such as Platform, 1 City Square, 34 Boar Lane and Concordia Works welcoming some of the best in class. The education and academic sector will also have an increasingly strong presence in the city centre, with students moving in from the universities for vocational reasons. 2022 promises so much. MRP’s City Square House, next to the station, is going to be another game-changer, with 83,000 sq ft already pre-let to leading global law firm DLA Piper, but there is still another 55,000 sq ft of Grade A brand-new office space available. Meanwhile prestigious developments by Bruntwood, Boultbee Brooks, Kinrise, CEG and Opus North will underline Leeds’s burgeoning reputation as the most progressive city in the north of England. 2022 will be the year of the true pre-let. There are a number already in the making and there will be some wonderful news to share next year.

The Humber could be the location for one of the world’s first low carbon Hydrogen Towns within the decade, after Cadent and Equinor joined forces to realise this ambition. Cadent and Equinor will work together to assess what a hydrogen town conversion could look like in Lincolnshire. Converting the gas networks of a town from natural gas to 100% low carbon hydrogen would drastically reduce the carbon emissions linked to home heating and could bring down overall emissions in the town by around a quarter. Gas distribution network operator Cadent and energy company Equinor have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the technical assessments and concepts for hydrogen production, storage, demand and distribution for heat, in line with Government targets to decarbonise domestic heating. The Government’s recently published Ten Point Plan and Hydrogen Strategy set out the potential for the low carbon gas to decarbonise gas networks, noting that “heating comprises 74 per cent of buildings emissions in the UK and about 23 per cent of all UK emissions”. It also sets out pioneering trials of hydrogen heating “beginning with a hydrogen neighbourhood trial by 2023, followed by a large hydrogen village trial by 2025, and potentially a hydrogen town pilot before the end of the decade”. The Government is planning an initial ‘neighbourhood trial’ of approximately 300 homes in Levenmouth, Fife, due to start in 2023. Often labelled the UK’s ‘Energy Estuary’, the Humber is the ideal location for such pilots due to the number of proposed low carbon hydrogen production projects, including Equinor’s H2H Saltend, the kick-starter for the wider Zero Carbon Humber scheme. As the gas network operator for Northern Lincolnshire, Cadent would assess which parts of its distribution infrastructure could be used to carry hydrogen instead of natural gas and develop any new infrastructure required. Whilst aiming to initially explore both blending and 100% hydrogen options in targeted pilots in the Humber region, the future ambition is to enable the decarbonisation of the gas grid across the North of England and East Midlands, including to major conurbations in South Yorkshire. Sally Brewis, Head of Regional Development at Cadent said: “Northern Lincolnshire is primed to play a major role in the UK hydrogen for heat revolution. With a Hydrogen Transmission Pipeline already at detailed design stage, potential for large-scale hydrogen production and storage nearby and a gas distribution network that is ready to be re-purposed, it’s clearly an ideal location for a Hydrogen Town pilot. We look forward to developing our plans with Equinor.” Dan Sadler, Vice President of UK Low Carbon Solutions at Equinor said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Humber to target yet another ‘world first’ in the low carbon energy agenda, making it a beacon for global investment, innovation and economic growth. Hydrogen offers one of the few options to reduce domestic heating emissions and we see great value in these UK trials happening here. We can continue to build on the multiple exciting hydrogen proposals in the Humber, including the flagship Equinor project at Saltend, to make this region a real focus of expertise in this growing sector.”

A £250,000 grant pot of Government cash is to be used to help businesses invest in low energy technology – protecting the environment and jobs. Up to £10,000 will be available to local businesses looking cut their carbon footprint and embrace a more sustainable future. The Sustainability Business Grant can be used to invest in energy production infrastructure such as solar pv panels or biomass boilers and building improvements including insulation and heat pumps. It can also be used to buy energy efficient products including LED lighting and low energy equipment such as fridges and dishwashers. Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Council is committed to being carbon neutral, and this massive injection of Government money will help our businesses go a long way towards achieving that. “We all want a greener, cleaner future for the planet, and we can achieve that by putting North Lincolnshire at the cutting edge of sustainable technology. “This grant is not just aimed at our larger industries – small businesses can make a big difference just by replacing their light bulbs or buying A+ rated appliances.” The grant announcement comes after a £75,000 investment in start-ups was launched last week, giving eligible businesses up to £1,000 to get up and running. It follows more than £200m of Government investment in the region since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. More information on both grants, eligibility criteria and how to apply is on the Invest in North Lincolnshire website.

Two of Lincoln’s largest property specialists, Brown & Co and JH Walter LLP, recently joined forces in a deal handled for JH Walter by Sills & Betteridge’s Lead Corporate Partner, Martin Walsh. The combined business which provides property, business, planning and energy services to corporate and private clients, will continue to operate from both JH Walter’s Lincoln city centre location and Brown & Co’s existing offices on Doddington Road Lincoln, and its other offices throughout East Anglia and the East Midlands. The new trading name of the Lincoln operation is Brown & Co JH Walter. John Elliot, Managing Partner of JH Walter, explained the firm’s decision to bring Martin on board to deal with the sale: “Having been approached by a number of interested parties with a view to merging our long-standing chartered surveying and property sales business, we needed an experienced senior corporate lawyer to assist us in the process. “We had no previous experience of combining with another business. Fortunately for us, the law firm Sills & Betteridge, with whom we have worked for a number of years, had such a lawyer, in Martin Walsh. “Throughout the whole process his experience shone through. He guided us through our preliminary discussions with various interested parties before we reached a conditional agreement with Brown &Co to combine our respective businesses. “During the process to give effect to the combination, Martin’s advice was commercial, practical, clear and concise. In addition, he worked calmly and tirelessly in making sure each issue was properly considered, negotiated and settled to meet the agreed deadline for completion of the combination of the business of JH Walter LLP with that of Brown & Co. “I know I speak for all of the partners in JH Walter in saying we have no hesitation in recommending Martin Walsh and the law firm Sills and Betteridge to anyone considering selling or buying a business as Martin made the process so much more manageable, leading to a successful outcome for all involved.” Martin Walsh added: “JHW have been a very long-standing client of the firm. I was delighted to be able to help JHW and its partners successfully transition their business to that of Brown &Co resulting in a larger complimentary client base and so increased business opportunities for the combined firm. I very much look forward to seeing the business continuing to thrive.”

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Richard Heslop, Managing Director of DE Commercial, a boutique property consultancy in Ilkley. The first half of 2022 will be dominated by Covid, supply chain issues and the increasing costs of construction. While Covid has been with us for 2 years now, the latter two came to the fore in the second half of 2021. What is certain going forward into 2022 is the uncertainty created by these issues. Having said that the commercial property market remains resilient. We expect to see the warehouse/industrial market continue to make the gains witnessed over the past 12 months which has seen development land deals exceed £1million per acre with freehold and leasehold values gaining more than 20%. A cloud will remain over the office market which is now dominated by “work from home.” Going forward we expect more companies to develop their strategies of employees mixing home and office working. This will have a dampening effect on the growth potential for this market. The investment market remains robust and the supply shortages will continue to hold back this sector at the smaller end. Property yields continue to outstrip other asset classes and private investors will be loathe to sell if there is no alternative home for their capital. Demand from institutional investors, particularly for warehousing/distribution buildings, will ensure yields harden further as they look to strike deals off plan or during the early stage of construction. With regard to the retail market, the two overriding factors affecting demand will continue to be the high level of rates payable coupled with the inexorable rise of internet shopping. As work from home spills over into 2022, the internet will continue to win out.