2024 Business Predictions: Gav Winter, CEO of RapidSpike
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 Gav Winter, CEO of RapidSpike.
Everyday AI is revolutionising how we work by seamlessly integrating automation, data-driven decision-making, and personalised experiences into our personal and professional lives. This transformative technology streamlines tasks and empowers individuals with data-driven insights, enhancing their skills and efficiency across various industries. The first evolution of AI will not be AI taking our jobs; it will be those who can use AI effectively to do more people’s jobs and machine learning taking over logistics transportation.
For those who find themselves made redundant by AI, there is a need to reskill those people, so there is a considerable surge in the technology educational markets, especially in deprived areas. The drivers can become technicians for the new logistics sector, and those who found themselves out of a role will be reskilled to help create more AI integration; this is where we provide the basic universal income in the first instance to allow some of those people to follow a passion rather than a vocation.
Moving onto a subject closer to RapidSpike, changes in E-commerce and Online will be exciting. The future of websites themselves is poised for transformative change, focusing on immersive and interactive experiences, mobile-centric design for personalisation, and an unwavering commitment to enhanced data privacy and security. As technology evolves, websites will continue to adapt to meet users’ changing needs and expectations in an increasingly digital world.
Mobile-centric in the future doesn’t just mean your pocket device. It will be watches, glasses, TVs, intelligent walls and more. E-commerce platforms like Shopify and similar will provide technology to many leading brands, with less being done in-house on the basic structure and more 3rd party tools created to enhance small niche parts of the experience. Standing out will be about the online shopping user experience, zero tolerance for issues, expectation of speed and the product itself.
AR/VAR/AI combining to create a virtual fitting room. Advanced technology, including AI-driven virtual try-ons either on an avatar on a 3D model of yourself, haptic feedback for fabric feel, high-quality imagery, and AI-powered fit predictions and recommendations, will revolutionise the online fashion retail industry, offering immersive almost real world shopping experiences.
Voice commerce is gaining traction due to the growing popularity of voice-activated devices like smart speakers. E-commerce platforms must optimise their voice search capabilities to ensure customers can easily find and purchase products using voice commands. Creating voice-friendly shopping experiences will be essential to effectively tap into this emerging trend.
As we look to the future, sustainability is poised to take centre stage in the technology industry. Beyond addressing the environmental impact of devices and data centres, consumers and stakeholders will increasingly expect brands to take a comprehensive approach to minimising their carbon footprint. Online sustainability extends from managing energy consumption to optimising data centres and making eco-conscious website design choices. Keeping the per-user footprint low will be crucial, aligning technology with the growing global commitment to a sustainable future.
Croda’s Chief Financial Officer plans to move on
Croda’s Chief Financial Officer Louisa Burdett intends to leave the Snoath-based company next June to become Chief Financial Officer at Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc.
Anita Frew, Chair of Croda, said: “On behalf of the Board and all Croda colleagues, Steve Foots and I would like to thank Louisa for her contribution to the Company. Louisa will leave with our best wishes next summer and in the meantime, a search for her successor is under way.”
Croda confirms that trading is in line with previous guidance and Full Year 2023 Group adjusted profit before tax is still expected to be between £300m and £320m. Principally due to recent currency movements, notably in Argentina, PBT is expected to be towards the lower end of that range.
Supporting the vulnerable all adds up for audit specialists at RSM
Poverty-hit children will get help to keep warm this winter and bereaved families will be supported in coping with their loss thanks to the fundraising efforts of staff in the Hull office of global audit, tax and consulting advisers RSM UK.
The 100-strong team raised more than £25,000 from events ranging from food challenges to fitness training with Olympians and have handed it over to the Sailors’ Children’s Society, a charity founded in Hull over 200 years ago and now providing lifelines nationally to the families of seafarers in crisis; and Dove House Hospice, which is expanding its range of services. Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, said: “What RSM did makes a massive difference. They raised a phenomenal amount of money and they had a lot of fun doing it. “The money will go towards our winter appeal, to provide winter coats and sturdy shoes for children across the country, which they would unfortunately not have without the support of the charity. If we have any extra it goes towards our winter heating grants as sadly there are a lot of children in this country who are cold and hungry.” Jonny Bottomley, Partnership Development Fundraiser for Dove House, added: “The money has come in at a really important time for us. The impact of Covid reduced our services right down to our bedded unit and we are working hard to reopen some of the provision that we had to close, and offer some new support. We have so far opened some outpatient services, community groups, and groups for child bereavement and general bereavement.” Andy Capes, office managing partner at RSM in Hull, said: “Our team in Hull, chose the regional charities to benefit as part of a nationwide fundraising effort. In total we raised £206,000 which was topped up by the firm to add another £100,000. Our local team took part in a charity race night, completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, hosted cake and bake events, launched a tuck shop, dressed up as celebrities and superheroes and even ran York marathon all in aid of two important charities.” Other businesses supported the campaign by donating prizes and four companies – Forrester Boyd, MKM, Rix Group and Williamsons Solicitors – paid for some of their staff to join an elite training session at the Village Hotel with Colin Jackson and Jamie Baulch, medal winners at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World and European outdoor and indoor championships. That event took place on the eve of the Society’s sportsman’s lunch, which broke all records for the charity by generating more than £75,000. All involved are aiming to set a new record in 2024. Andy said: “We teamed up with Forrester Boyd for the Olympic event and had a great time, so much so we’re planning on sponsoring next year’s event together. Not only did we have a lot of fun, but we raised a record amount of much-needed money, and set the bar high for next year’s fundraising efforts.”New chocolate factory plans to educate manufacturing engineers of the future
A new chocolate factory is to open in Barnsley to inspire and educate the next generation of UK manufacturing engineers.
The ‘JJA Snack’ facility is an initiative by South Yorkshire-based JJA Pack – a global supplier of industrial chocolate-handling equipment to the likes of Mondelez and Premier Foods. It’s teamed up with long-term partner Siemens to create the advanced, commercially-viable chocolate manufacturing line, which will give young people hands-on experience with the pioneering technologies used to manufacture chocolate bars.
Thousands of school kids will have the opportunity to learn about where chocolate comes from and how its harvested, with pupils able to design a bar and create it on the JJA Snack production line. A group from Outwood Academy Shafton will be among the first to visit the site in Barnsley.
Meanwhile, engineering students will be able to learn about data capture, streamlining manufacturing processes, and energy efficiency.
The Sheffield Steelers and Leeds Knights ice hockey teams are among JJA Snack’s first customers for branded bars, with the facility also set to manufacture chocolate under its own name.
The factory is set to open as Timothée Chalamet and Hugh Grant star in Christmas blockbuster release Wonka, which tells the story of how the beloved Roald Dahl character Willy Wonka become a world-famous chocolate maker.
Jamie Ashpole, director at JJA Snack, said: “It’s so important that we inspire more young people to pursue careers in manufacturing to enable the sector’s future success. Creating an opportunity for students of all ages to get a taste for modern, industrial chocolate-making, is our way of helping to address the UK’s current STEM skills gap.
“It’s exciting to bring this project forward in collaboration with Siemens, which provides a window for young talent to see how industries are advancing with the help of digital technologies.”
Andy Lane, business development manager at Siemens, said: “The modern chocolate factory may look worlds apart from any Roald Dahl creation. But they’re equally exciting – enabled by groundbreaking technologies, including data insight powered by artificial intelligence.
“Chocolate can be an extremely difficult substance to handle due to its inclination to set and become solid. This can damage equipment and bring down-time to production lines, causing big brands millions-of-pounds in losses a week.
“This is just one of the engineering challenges that budding Wonkas at JJA Snack will learn about – alongside how manufacturers are using smart digital technologies to spot and remedy problems before they occur.”
JJA Snack will use cloud-based AI solution Insights Hub to provide a comprehensive picture of the production line’s performance, which can be accessed both remotely and in situ. Through the power of AI, the data collected is used to avoid machine downtime by predicting and diagnosing issues remotely.
Grant funding will help to bring Hull’s Castle Buildings back into use
Castle Buildings LLP has been awarded more than £162,000 from Hull City Council’s government-backed fund towards bringing Castle Buildings back into use.
The Grade II listed building on Waterhouse Lane will be restored to offer city centre floor space, a nione-storey 150 room hotel, and public realm space. The funding represents just 8.2 per cent of a large-scale project expected to bring almost £2m of capital investment into Hull.
The grant award for Castle Buildings supports the wider site development, conceived and being delivered by Hull-based Wykeland Group, which includes reconstruction of the historic Earl de Grey public house building. Plans feature a nine-storey hotel with 150 bedrooms, as well as public realm works.
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Castle Buildings is a much-loved heritage building in our city centre, but one which has stood empty for some time. Castle Buildings is part of the wider, large-scale project which, once completed, will bring further work and leisure opportunities to the city centre.”
Jonathan Stubbs, Development Director of Wykeland, said: “We’re pleased this project has received the funding to support its delivery. It recognises the importance of restoring and bringing back into use this landmark building and we anticipate work beginning in early 2024.
“This will be another significant step in Hull’s ongoing regeneration, which Wykeland Group is proud to be playing a major role in.”
Bradford hydrogen production facility secures government funding
A hydrogen production facility, that will deliver low carbon energy in the heart of Bradford, has won government funding to take the project forward.
Clean energy pioneers Hygen and N-Gen are working in partnership to deliver the Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen (BLCH) production facility, which could achieve the decarbonisation equivalent of removing 800 diesel-fuelled buses a day from West Yorkshire roads.
The development will be built on the Northern Gas Network (NGN) Birkshall gas storage site in Bradford. It will deliver one of the UK’s largest low carbon hydrogen production facilities with the aim of using renewable energy to produce hydrogen.
Businesses and other users in West Yorkshire will be able to use the refuelling facilities, with distribution experts Ryze delivering hydrogen to industrial users across the region.
The project has been awarded money under the Hydrogen Production Business Model / Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.
Jamie Burns, Director of Hygen, said: “We are delighted that this project has been selected for government funding to take it to the next phase of development.
“This project will not just produce low carbon hydrogen for Bradford and the surrounding area, but will also provide a blueprint for how complex projects like this can be delivered, boosting the hydrogen and green economies of the UK.
“We very much hope that this project will be replicated in other cities across the UK to provide low carbon energy for generations to come.”
Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen, said: “This is an important and exciting project, not just for Bradford, but also for the wider area and the community that lives here, so we are delighted to now have financial backing from government to allow us to start work on the site.
“Bradford Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we believe this facility will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions.
“We know hydrogen can support decarbonising all energy types including transport, and producing green hydrogen is central to this, so we’re really excited to work with Hygen to deliver this development.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “It’s exciting to see Bradford at the forefront of embracing new energy solutions. Bradford has always been an innovator and we are delighted that we are now being recognised nationally in this space with Government investment in the scheme.”
This project is significant for Bradford’s future economic growth plans. It could be worth £900 million and create over 9,000 high-quality jobs by 2030.
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Hydrogen presents a massive economic opportunity for the UK, unlocking over 12,000 jobs and up to £11 billion of investment by 2030.
“Today’s announcement represents the largest number of commercial scale green hydrogen production projects announced at once anywhere in Europe.
“These 11 major new hydrogen projects across the UK will create over 700 jobs and deliver new opportunities from Plymouth in England to Cromarty in Scotland.”
Hull logistics firm acquires European road freight specialist
Hull logistics firm Good Logistics has acquired European road freight specialist Inter-Ways.
Inter-Ways, which is a family-owned freight forwarding business based in Doncaster, focuses primarily on road freight to Eastern and Northern Europe.
Alan Platt, Divisional Managing Director of Good Logistics, said: “Like Good Logistics, Inter-Ways has a solid focus on superior customer service. With its extensive European road freight network developed over 20 years, it is a perfect fit with Good Logistics.
“The acquisition of Inter-Ways will amplify our skills and knowledge, which, combined with digital innovation, help set Good Logistics apart from other logistics providers. Inter-Ways has a great team of people who are committed to the business and its customers and I am delighted to welcome them to the Good Logistics team.”
Justyna Polom-Wilkinson, former Director and owner of Inter-Ways, said: “I started Inter-Ways in 2003 and, with the support and dedication of a great team of people, the business has flourished to become a trusted logistics provider to our customers.
“I am proud to see Inter-Ways begin a new chapter. With its size, scale and, of course, strong family values, choosing Good Logistics as Inter-Ways’ new owner was a great decision.”
Ian Baker, Branch Manager of Inter-Ways, said: “At Inter-Ways, we have truly put our customers at the heart of our operations for the past 20 years.
“Becoming part of Good Logistics creates an exciting new dynamic for both teams, as we integrate Inter-Ways’ specialist road freight knowledge with Good Logistics’ existing road freight specialists which, combined with digital innovation, is a cornerstone of its service delivery.”
Inter-Ways will continue to trade under its own brand for the foreseeable future and operate from its offices at Doncaster Finningley Airport.
The Business Day adds another speaker for Bridlington event
Geoff Ramm has been added to the line-up of speakers for The Business Day at Bridlington Spa on Friday 7 June next year. He joins previously announced Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA as a speaker at the annual business event hosted by Gyles Brandreth.
Described by Forbes magazine as ‘A Game Changer’, Geoff is an inspirational keynote speaker and the creator and author of Celebrity Service and Celebrity Service Superstars.
Organisers say Geoff’s interactive keynote promises that not only will delegates discover out-of-this-world ideas but how to transform touchpoints to light up their business and excite customers. Renowned for his on-stage and on-screen presence, as well as his infectious enthusiasm and humour, Ramm will have delegates on the edge of their seat.
Throughout his career Geoff has challenged and inspired entrepreneurs, high performance teams and organisations across 49 countries to create award winning ideas to outperform competition
Stephen Parnaby, Event Director, said: “Geoff will bring some thought provoking insights having worked with companies such as Emirates, Warner Brothers, Specsavers and McDonalds.”
Mark Lonsdale, General Manager at Bridlington Spa and Producer of The Business Day said: “Following the announcement of Björn Ulvaeus as the keynote speaker Geoff will bring a fresh perspective on how successful businesses operate globally.”
Work completes on Sheffield’s new food hall
Henry Boot Construction has completed work on Cambridge Street Collective this week, handing the building over to the food hall operator for the final fit-out.
Cambridge Street Collective is a key development within Heart of the City – the transformative city centre regeneration scheme led by Sheffield City Council and their Strategic Development manager, Queensberry.
The new venue is located between Cambridge Street and Wellington Street, sitting behind the distinctive Henry’s Corner and Bethel Sunday School. Once the fit-out work is completed, it will be run by Blend Family – the same company behind Sheffield’s acclaimed Cutlery Works – and feature a contemporary food hall, cookery school and rooftop bar.
Construction of this unique development saw several historic building façades sensitively refurbished and integrated into a contemporary new structure behind. The new build elements are finished with an orange-coloured weathering steel façade.
Alongside the neighbouring Elshaw House development – also being delivered by Henry Boot Construction, the Cambridge Street Collective construction site was designated an ‘Ultra Site’ with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. This means it was recognised within the sector as a beacon of best practice, with everything from supply chain management to sustainability performance measured against the absolute highest standards.
The site, which is one of only three Ultra Sites in Yorkshire, has also delivered significant social value impact for the local community in Sheffield. During the lifecycle of the scheme, Henry Boot welcomed seven groups of visitors from local education partners, delivered 17 work experience placements and teams across the site hired six apprentices.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “Cambridge Street Collective has been an incredible project to be involved with and I’m incredibly proud of the team for delivering such an important and complex development.
“The final product is really striking, with an array of materials contrasting and complementing the restored original architecture. Inside is just as impressive and I look forward to seeing it become a thriving space for the city centre’s visitors to enjoy soon.
“As always with our projects, we are proud of the social value that the scheme has generated, using the Ultra Site status as a driver throughout the build to achieve incredible things – strengthening our position as market leader in this field.”
Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “It’s great to see the Cambridge Street Collective development reach practical completion. Henry Boot Construction has delivered a fantastic job, blending old with new and protecting the important heritage façade along Cambridge Street.
“The venue, with the impressive food hall space at its core, will be a hugely exciting addition to the city centre and provide a major footfall boost. We can’t wait to see the internal fit out coming together over the coming months. This is another fantastic example of Sheffield city centre on the up.”
Andrew Davison, Project Director at Queensberry, added: “The venue is looking stunning and has delivered a high quality, truly original piece of architecture for Sheffield. Once it opens to the public, we have no doubt it will become the leading social hub in the city centre, driving a critical mass of footfall to this area of town – further supporting surrounding businesses, encouraging new ones to open, and acting as a catalyst for further development.”
Yorkshire and the Humber struggles in difficult economic climate
Much of the UK showed a worsening economic picture in November with many regions and nations, including Yorkshire and the Humber, seeing the pressure of high interest rates continuing to take its toll as the number of start-ups fell since the previous month while levels of insolvency-related activity rose.
According to the latest research from the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3, based on an analysis of data provided by CreditSafe, only four of the 12 regions and nations surveyed saw a rise in the number of new businesses last month. Yorkshire and the Humber’s performance ranked around the middle with a fall of 3.3% month-on-month, while Northern Ireland achieved the highest levels of new businesses (up 11%) followed by the West Midlands (up 2.9%) – all of the others saw either a small rise or a fall since October.
However, the figure of 4,744 start-ups in Yorkshire and the Humber last month was among the highest during 2023 with only March (5,315) and October (4,907) seeing significantly more new businesses. Looking at the year-on-year figures, November 2023 represented a 1.7% rise compared with November 2022.
In terms of levels of insolvency-related activity (which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings), two-thirds of the regions and nations saw a rise in November compared with the previous month.
Yorkshire and the Humber was among those with the greatest increases (up by 19.1%), closely followed by Wales (up 19%) and East Anglia (up 18.8%). The strongest performances were in the East Midlands (-8.7%), Northern Ireland (-7.4%) and the South East (-4.3%).
“Increasingly, GDP data is showing the UK as a ‘stagnation nation’ and it is concerning to see this being borne out with our latest analysis of the research revealing falling numbers of new businesses and growing insolvency-related activity here and across much of the country,” says Eleanor Temple, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds.
“The economy appears to be flatlining with little sign of sustained growth, and the impact of inflation is continuing to hamper consumer spending and business activity in what should be one of the busiest periods of the year.
“There’s no doubt that the rapid rise in interest rates since late 2021 is taking its toll and it now looks like there is a real risk of the UK falling into recession next year. With January renowned as one of the most difficult trading months for many sectors, it is vital that directors approach the New Year with caution and enlist the services of qualified insolvency professionals as early as possible should any signs of financial problems appear.”
