MARCH 2022 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 37 ISSUE 3 Adapting to a world focused on sustainability Time to crunch the numbers Build it green 01.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:31 Page 1ISO/IEC 17020 / ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / OHSAS 18001 For all enquiries please TELEPHONE: 01469 575728 | Email: ukinfo@irisndt.com www.irisndt.co.uk CHATHAM | DERBY | DEESIDE | HULL | IMMINGHAM PEMBROKE DOCK | STOCKTON-ON-TEES ADVANCED NDT •Remote Robotic Inspections – Visual & UT •Drone Surveys – Internal and External •Laser Scanning •Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing •Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) •AUT & PAUT Corrosion Mapping •Tube Inspection (IRIS, ECT, RFT, NFA) •Guided Wave Testing – Long Range UT •QSR1 – Corrosion Under Pipe Supports •MFL – Tank Floors and Pipelines •HTHA Inspections (TOFD, TFM, PAUT & TULA) CONVENTIONAL NDT •X-Radiography & Gamma Radiography •Computed and Digital Radiography •Close Proximity Radiography •Ultrasonic Inspection •Magnetic Particle Inspection •Dye Penetrant Inspection •Eddy Current & Eddy Current Array •Positive Material Identification (PMI) •Hardness Testing •Ferrite Testing •ACFM Inspection •Vacuum Box Testing INSPECTION AND TESTING SERVICES IRISNDT is a leading provider of Asset Integrity Engineering, Non- Destructive Testing, Heat Treatment and Laboratory services. This is achieved through investment in training local personnel, continuous development of our facilities and refreshing our equipment to offer the latest in technology and innovations. This is supported by a strong commitment to safety, quality, and the environment. IRISNDT are closely supported by our colleagues in Canada, the USA and Australia. ADDITIONAL SERVICES •Rope Access •Heat Treatment •Pressure Testing •Welding Inspection •Materials Laboratory (ISO 17025) •Welder Training •Failure Investigations •Pressure System Inspections •Storage Tank Inspections •Pipeline Inspections •Out of Service and In-Service Inspections •Category 1, 2 & 3 Inspectors •Written Schemes of Examination (WSE’s) •Fitness for Service (FFS) Assessments •Engineering Calculations •Maxi-Trak Field Services (Customized Software) •Bund Surveys 02.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:31 Page 1The world has become a very unstable place all of a sudden, and at a time when we could have used some stability in our region. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may feel very far away, but the impact of it will be felt all over the world, including in energy costs and fuel costs for businesses in our region. It’s close to impossible to predict how much or how little the economy will be impacted, but one thing is for sure – the Government will be even more distracted with the crisis and less available to deal with pressing business matters. For once, it will be a forgivable delay. We, like many, have been critical over the Govt’s inability to address many matters affecting our region, but it’s hard to criticise when time is being spent on a crisis like this. That said, our March issue will naturally be focused on business-to-business matters in our region. There’s plenty to look at as we approach the end of the financial year. With talk of a raise on NI at an inopportune time, along with the Govt’s Net Zero pledge set to make commercial property very tricky (a fully detailed dive into this will be coming in our April issue), the economy is not in a strong place. However, it has not been strong for years now and businesses have grown used to operating under such strict conditions. We will continue as normal there, but we do investigate alternative methods of securing finance in this issue – a very pressing concern with the banks looking as reluctant to loan as they are. We also delve into the petrochemicals industry, an industry sure to feel the impact of conflict in the east even all the way from our region. All that with up-to-date news and more. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor From the Editor MIDDLETONS THE GLASS PEOPLE! 52-60 WELLINGTON STREET, GRIMSBY EMAIL: MIDDLETONS.GLASS@HOTMAIL.COM Tel: 01472 352288 l Bespoke glazing company l Double glazing replacement units l Window leading l Window filming l All types of safety glass (laminate, toughened, Wired) 03.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:32 Page 1MARCH 2022 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Business Lincolnshire Q&A This month we caught up with Jeannine Thornley, Senior Project Officer for Business Lincolnshire, about how she can help businesses to grow. 12 Commercial property Sustainability is slowly but steadily becoming a key priority in the commercial property sector and both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have already started investing in new greener developments and projects that will bring great benefits to the regions. 16 Petrochemicals spotlight With a significant carbon footprint, the petrochemical industry must adapt as the region sets its sights on a more sustainable future. 21 Legal services Though the legal services sector has long been perceived as slow to evolve, increased investment in lawtech is signalling change. 24 Freight, storage and movement It is not the easiest of times for freight transport; the freight transport industry was still trying to recover from all the issues that came from the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit when the Ukrainian crisis and the sanctions on Russia hit it considerably. 28 Corporate finance Many businesses are struggling after lockdown and now a war between Russia and Ukraine will impact bottom lines even in our region as fuel and energy prices soar, and as the stock market falters. In times so desperate it becomes more important than ever to be realistic. 32 Materials and components Construction materials have ever been binary, but COP26 and the Government’s Net Zero pledge will put a change to that no matter what the industry wants. 36 Corporate hospitality Corporate events are excellent growing opportunities for businesses as they allow companies to increase and implement their networks and consolidate trust between them and their clients. 38 AutoLink Luxury motors breaking the bank aren’t the be all and end all, and sometimes, whether it be for personal use or company cars, we need something a little more economical. Here are some new motors coming out that won’t break the bank nor will they damage any company’s reputation. 42 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 46 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 21 24 32 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:33 Page 1Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Eleonora Gallina (e.gallina@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. 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COVER PHOTOS: STOCK.ADOBE.COM - WHITCOMBERD • OLEKSANDRA • HALFPOINT • TASHATUVANGO • WEERAPONG www.blmforum.net 16 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:33 Page 2Huge investment boost for Hull city centre with launch of new £7.5m Levelling Up Fund Grant Scheme A new grant scheme has been launched to support various businesses and inject millions of pounds of investment into Hull city centre. £7.5m has been allocated from the £19.5m awarded to Hull City Council from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to finance a grant scheme that will support new and existing businesses in the city centre. The Levelling Up Fund Grant Scheme will issue grants of up to £750,000, that can be awarded with a minimum of 50 per cent match funding from the applicant. Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and portfolio holder for regeneration and investment, said: “We’ve seen the success of grant schemes in revitalising our city centre – most notably in the Old Town, on the marina and at Trinity Market. “This new grant scheme is the biggest we have ever created and its reach will be far greater than previous schemes, with the ability to reenergise a much wider area of our city centre. These type of schemes, alongside the various other examples of public and private investment, have the ability to transform the heart of our city for generations to come.” The Levelling Up Fund Grant Scheme will bring unused floorspace of any vacant or partially occupied property back into use. Similar to previous grant schemes in the Old Town, the Levelling Up Grant Scheme will allow various diverse businesses to open and operate, breathing new life into the area. The grant scheme will cover Whitefriargate, Albion Square and the surrounding connecting areas. Previous grant schemes have supported various businesses in the city centre to either open or develop. In November last year, the 55 Group, a collective of leading cross-industry businesses, completed its relocation to the former HSBC building on Whitefriargate in Hull city centre following a £1.6m redevelopment project. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Yorkshire entrepreneur invests in self-defence Academy following surge in demand for training Yorkshire based self-defence club, Spartans Academy of Krav Maga, has secured significant financial investment from York-based entrepreneur and businessman, Tom Maxwell, to support a new strategy for growth following a surge in demand for self- defence training. The Academy operates across Yorkshire and the Northeast, teaching people of all ages the real-world application of Krav Maga, a form of non-competitive self-defence that combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, and karate. Krav Maga was originally developed for Israeli defence forces and military applications. Spartans Academy teaches people how to use the techniques in real life situations and has seen a 24% increase in both male and female membership over the past 12 months. It is on track to recruit 500 members by the end of the year. The club has also had a big impact with young people, helping over 1,800 ‘Young Spartans’ in the past five years, from combating bullying to simply boosting self-confidence. Six more leading businesses join forces with Hull’s employer-led school Leading businesses aiming to shape their future workforces have partnered with Hull’s Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) to equip students with highly sought-after industry skills. The Ofsted Outstanding-rated school has a host of Founding Partners, Major Partners and Partners comprising of many of the region’s foremost companies. Now, six more businesses have committed to opening up further exciting opportunities for students and helping them gain key industry-standard knowledge and skills as they prepare for their future careers. Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal and Head of Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome so many new Major Partners and Partners to share their skills and expertise with our students. “These industries are constantly growing and evolving and the more we can provide our students with the latest technology and knowledge, the more chance they have of securing the careers and paths they aspire to pursue in the future.” 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:35 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS York Handmade Brick Company has played a significant role in a prestigious North Yorkshire office development. The Easingwold- based firm has supplied specially-manufactured bricks for a “beautiful” new office HQ for All Steels Trading on the outskirts of Thirsk. Altogether York Handmade provided more than 8,000 Maxima bricks for the 4,000 sq ft office, called Vulcan House and designed by David Bamford Architects of Otley. David Armitage, chairman of York Handmade, said: “This is one of my very favourite projects that we have undertaken in Yorkshire recently. All Steels Trading’s new headquarters really is a statement building, which enhances the entrance to Thirsk from York Road and the A19. “Our long, thin Maxima bricks, which are proving increasingly popular, give the building an elegant, sophisticated feel that reflect the ethos of All Steels Trading. It has been a privilege to play a part in creating an attractive development.” Wellington Place in Leeds inspires next generation of workforce talent Businesses at Wellington Place in Leeds are celebrating another successful year of engaging young people across the city with exciting future career opportunities, through a programme delivered by Ahead Partnership and MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind the popular business location. Volunteers from Burro Happold; the Ministry of Justice; Willis Towers Watson; Wates; and Brewin Dolphin took part in MEPC’s 2020-2021 programme of online activities, which helped to connect school students – particularly those from disadvantaged areas of the city - with the working world. Making a significant impact following a period of lost opportunities for careers education due to the pandemic, 88% of the young people that took part in the programme said that they now felt more optimistic about the future. Sills & Betteridge LLP announce further expansion activity Sills & Betteridge LLP this month announced further expansion following the recent opening of an office in Howden, Yorkshire. The practice at 94 Hailgate in the town provides an unrivalled range of personal and commercial legal services, with legal teams available Monday to Friday to advise on family law, residential and commercial property and wills, trusts and probate. Colleagues who specialise in other fields will support the branch with regular visits, to enable the firm’s full range of services to be accessed from Howden. Partner Richard Bussell who heads up the firm’s Yorkshire operations commented: “At a time when a number of law firms are retreating from the High Street, we still believe that for most clients, a local, personal service, provided by lawyers who know and understand the communities in which they work, is the right approach. We are absolutely delighted that a team of such well- respected lawyers and support staff, who have lived or worked in Howden for many years have chosen to join us.” The firm has appointed well-known Wills, Trusts & Probate Solicitor and Partner Anna O Mara as Branch Manager. On the expansion, Anna said: “We are extremely proud to be able to offer our legal services in such a wonderfully historic and vibrant town. The lawyers joining the firm have decades of experience in their fields and excellent reputations for client care in the local area. We welcome both the new team and our new clients to Sills & Betteridge.” This latest development follows a busy period of growth north of the firm’s Lincolnshire roots, having acquired 5 new branch offices across Yorkshire through mergers with Bridge Sanderson Munro and Rawson Family Law in the last 3 years. The firm is also preparing for the relocation of its Thorne office in early summer. © Scott Merrylees Back Row: Karen Marshall – Family Law Executive, Melissa Kirk – Commercial Property Partner, Viv Driver – Wills, Trusts & Probate Executive, Anna O’Mara – Wills Trusts & Probate Partner and Branch Manager and Dawn Daly – Conveyancing Executive. Front Row: Dianne Grassby – Receptionist and Family Legal Secretary, Madi Earl – Wills, Trusts & Probate Paralegal and Wendy Sharp – Conveyancing Admin Assistant. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:35 Page 2TOWER FIELD SERVICES Cat Tech Tower Field Services offers bespoke mechanical services to oil refinery and petrochemical plants all around the world. Our team has vast experience in overseeing and undertaking the installation of all types of Tower internals. Our Tower tray, packing and other internals installation services has deep roots, with several of the senior team at Cat Tech being involved in the founding of the Cana-Tex organisation. Since 1971, Cana-Tex had been the premier global Tower speciality contractor; performing Tower maintenance and plant turnaround projects around the world. These origins, with the addition of new team members, make Cat Tech Tower Field services a global operation which is both cost effective and technically experienced. We strive to create new ways to make your Tower work safer, faster and more productive and that can make very good things happen for your business. We thrive on exceeding our clients expectations and understand the need for upfront communication in relation to timescales and costs. No-one likes surprises in this industry and we ensure that everything is done, from pre-job planning, on site activities to post job reporting in a manner which allows our customers to concentrate on their core business. Let us show you what we can do. We work hard to maintain an industry reputation for safety, speed and dependability. Ours crews have been trained by us, this allows us to staff a project with the proven skills necessary to produce customer satisfaction. It is our intention to demonstrate the benefit of utilising Cat Tech for all of your Tower work. The benefits of engaging Cat Tech are: l Experienced Tower specialists. l Proven track record. l Ability to supply spares and replacements. l Spade to Spade service. l Revamps or modifications to Towers / Internals. l Inspection of Tower internals. l Supervision of external/client labour force. l Detailed inspection reports. l Cleaning of tower internals. l Reactor tray field services. l Turnkey reactor tray field services. At Cat Tech, we continue to create new ways to make Tower work safer, faster and more productive. And that can make very good things happen for your business. Contact us for further information. Our well established sales team have a wealth of experience. We take pride on ensuring all enquires are dealt with quickly and efficiently. UK: Cat Tech (Europe) Ltd., 1 South Park Road, South Park Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN17 2BY UK Phone: +44 (0) 1724 871747 Fax: + 44 (0) 1724 861928 Bulgaria: Cat Tech Services (South Eastern Europe) Ltd., Devnia, Varna District, Povelyanovo, 20 Droujba Str, R Bulgaria, 9160 Phone: +(35) 9519 92052 Fax: +(35) 9527 46770 China: Cat Tech Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Room 1230 No.1, 58 Nong Huachi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 20061 CN Phone: +(86) 2152 9175 08 Fax: +(86) 2152 9175 05 Singapore: Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., 17 Fan Yoong Road, Singapore 629794 Phone: +(65) 6264 6261 Fax: +(65) 6264 6401 South America: Please contact the UK office on +44 1724 871 747 Thailand: Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd., 2/1 Soi Banbon Nuenpayom Road, Maptaphut Sub District, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province 21150 TH Phone: +(66) 894 064 100 Fax: +(66) 638 692 382 MAKING YOUR PLANT WORK… SMARTER www.cat-tech.com PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAWINNINGS 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:35 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Law firm Lupton Fawcett appoints new marketing manager Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett LLP has appointed a new marketing manager to support the next phase of its growth. Lauren Perry will lead the firm’s brand and marketing activity as it continues to expand its client base and service offering. She brings to the role over 10 years’ experience in business marketing, gained at firms including Clarion and DLA Piper. Lupton Fawcett’s 142- strong team offers a full range of commercial and private legal services from its offices in Leeds, Sheffield and York. Commenting on Lauren’s appointment, Lupton Fawcett’s managing partner James Richardson said: “I am delighted to welcome Lauren to our growing team. During the past two years we have invested in our infrastructure and in evolving our service offering, which has put us in a strong position to meet the changing needs of our clients as the region continues to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic.” Yorkshire’s workplace wellbeing champions crowned at national awards The Yorkshire & Humberside organisations and businesses leading the way in promoting their employees’ wellbeing have been honoured in a brand new awards series. Three prizes were given out to Yorkshire-based companies with Best Wellbeing Initiative going to Humberside Police, Best Financial Initiative to Yorkshire Building Society and Best Physical Initiative to Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards were founded last year by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards team and industry specialists Wellity Global to recognise the inspiring response of employers across the UK to the ongoing wellbeing and mental health crisis amongst the working population. Work-life balance, stress management and personal struggles have increasingly impacted employees in recent years, and were particularly highlighted during the global COVID-19 outbreak when organisations were compelled to pay closer attention to their staff’s welfare. The final was held for the first time at the Grosvenor Hotel in London and was hosted by radio presenter and opera singer Wynne Evans, who also interviewed former world champion boxer Frank Bruno MBE live on stage. Seventeen awards were given out to the applicants whose efforts to innovate their company’s wellbeing policy had the biggest impact on the judges. The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and campaigners for better standards of wellbeing and mental health support, including Simon Blake OBE, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, and Amanda Webb from Gymshark. The Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards is one of several series run by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards founders, who were blown away by the huge number of applications they received in its inaugural year. Co-founder of the awards Francesca James is eager to see the event put on annually following its success: “We were proud to see the awards generate so much enthusiasm and participation, from the opening of applications through to awards night, and found the stories of the finalists to be immensely inspiring.” 07710 792907 • 07711 206611 enquiries@dustandgocleethorpes.co.uk www.dustandgocleethorpes.co.uk Contract Cleaners Commercial /residential cleaning, deep cleaning, weekly cleans, daily antibacterial wiping of touch points/surfaces and much more. We also have disinfection machines which are used as standard on all deep cleans and contract cleans. We currently have contracts for: • Schools • Pubs • Offices • Workshops • Houses All our staff are DBS checked and fully up to date with relevant training needed. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2022 11:35 Page 4Next >