DESIGN ANDMARKETINGMastering the marketing mixTHE BUDGETWhat it means for yourbusinessHEALTH ANDSAFETYDon't run the riskwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 29ISSUE 4APRIL 2014 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEWE'VE GOTTHE POWERThe UK'senergy capital01:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:35 Page 1DIRECT GASKETS LIMITEDUnit 2. Lee Smith Street, Hedon Road, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU9 1SDTEL: 01482 219655 FAX: 01482 321162 E-MAIL: info@direct-gaskets.co.ukSince 1989 we have been market leaders in the manufacture of Gaskets.Having been established for over two decades and based in Hull we play an important role in the city’s manufacturing sector. Whilst doing this we have also built up a strong reputaon for supplying high quality products at very compeve prices, and an unbeatable service. No maer if your gasket needs are a one off, or on-going needs- we can help.As well as standard tables such as; ASA 150, Brish Standard Table ‘E’ and PN6/10/16/25 & 40, ranging from 1/2 “ to 32” - we offer a one off bespoke gasket service which will always be kept on file for future use.Our highly trained workforce has the experience to always manufacture high quality gaskets and joints in semi and non-metallic materials. We are also proud to offer an outstanding turn-around me no maer the quanty of your order.Our staff are also available for call out service in mes of desperate need!Specialising in providing systemʼs, spares and engineeringsupport for desalination equipment both onshore and offshore,Uni-Flo Services celebrates 25 years of business in 2014.Throughout our 25 years we have supplied industrial and commercialsystems to municipal, printing, engineering and leisure industries andhave built a reputation on service and commitment to both supplierand client whether UK or overseas based.From our base in the Humber region we feel well placed to support the continually emerging industry needs for potable, drinkingand technical water requirements through our access to a number of globally based suppliers and, are capable of supportingFPSOʼs, platforms, supply boats and maintenance vessels in their pursuit to support both fossil and renewable energy demands.We supply standard, bespoke, containerised and explosion proof systems from 200 USgpd, to industry standard specifications and count a number of prestigious operators amongst our Client list. We continually invest in the necessary training to maintain our service personnel skills, hold consumables on stock to react rapidly to urgent requirements and offer consultative and advisory assistance where upgrade and improvement of existing facilities, or additionalcapital equipment, is an ongoing pre-requisite to the operation and welfare of client assets and personnel. Uni-Flo Services Limited62-66 Cumberland Street, Hull, HU2 0QBTel 01482 668613 www.uni-flo.comUNI-FLOSPECIALISTS IN WATER TREATMENT02:Layout 1 31/3/14 10:53 Page 132Water treatment Companies have doubtless had enoughtrouble with water during the wet winter – buteffective water treatment can certainly savemoney and combat potential problems36Wind farming The wind energy industry has grown andgrown over the last few years and isbecoming even more prominent in our regionRegulars4From the Editor5News9TaxationDon’t be fooled by April tax showerssays Erica Manderfield, Tax Manager, StreetsChartered Accountants12LettersReader’s letters and replies39AutoLinkWe may not get too many opportunities toput the roof down in this country butwhen the weather does smile favourably,there’s nothing we love more44Business SceneWe celebrate a special night at theDoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire48Classified49Appointments50And finally…Features10The budgetWas the Budget as vanilla as it seemed?We ask business leaders throughout theregion whether George Osborne’s speechwas a good one for business13Commercial propertyWith new developments entering themarket, could this be the year our regionsees a marked improvement in thecommercial property market?16Design and marketingWhat’s the right combination to makesure you get your message across mosteffectively?20SecurityThese days, security is no longer simplylocks and alarms. Two strands - digitaland physical - have taken precedencemeaning companies have to plan a dual-pronged attack22Yorkshire Business MarketOne of Yorkshire’s biggest businessevents will continue its winning formula asevidence of green shoots emerges25Health and safetyMaking sure your staff are prepared fortheir jobs and adequately insured for anypossibility of risk is gaining even moreimportance these days• IM&M42EducationBusinesses are now playing a vital role inall aspects of the delivery of educationEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is yourultimate guide to the expanding world ofgreen business.30Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-movingsectorContentsApril 201413162536www.blmforum.net03:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:19 Page 1Only twelve months ago, we predicted our region was set tobecome the country’s showcase for green energy projects, andthe recent signing of a £160 million deal to build major windturbine production and installation facilities on the banks of theHumber speaks volumes.I am of course referring to the Green Port Hull developmentat the city’s Alexandra Dock and the new blade factory in Paull,which is a joint venture between Associated British Ports andSiemens. Designed to meet demand for large wind farms, it isdue to be fully operational by 2016, creating a thousand jobs. We’ve been followingthis story since it was first mooted and we’re thrilled it’s now going ahead.We needed picking up after George Osborne’s Budget which was as vanilla aswe’d anticipated, with only the annuities and pensions measures causing anyimmediate response. But at least we should give credit to Osborne for managing toresist the urge to use giveaways in the budget to get us all to vote for his party comethe next election. With so many people focusing on how the younger generation will pay for thoseretiring you would be forgiven for thinking this a Budget all about the young and old– but there were plenty of other measures tucked away to stimulate exports, not tomention ways to refill the treasury’s coffers, such as the strengthening of the InlandRevenue’s resources. In our post-Budget review we ask experts in their respectivefields what they feel the Chancellor got right, and wrong, and whether it grippedthem or made them fall asleep – like the esteemed Eric Pickles.This month we also look ahead to the Yorkshire Business Market, which remainsone of the most popular events in our region and showcases again the enthusiasmand innovation that exists here – which brings me neatly to our corporate hospitalityand conference guide, which you’ll find here with this issue (if yours is missing or youneed extra copies just drop us a line). Last but by no means least, remember you don’t need to wait an entire monthbetween issues of Business Link as you can now visit us online – you can even signup for our daily newsletter at www.blmgroup.co.uk and receive the very latest newsaffecting our region as it breaks, straight to your inbox each morning.In the meantime, good reading as alwaysW S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@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)Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cook, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson, Rachel 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?The 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.From theEDITOR…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/JORDI C04:Layout 1 28/3/14 12:06 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSHumber Jupiterjoins ABP’sHumber pilotlaunch fleetPV Humber Jupiter, the newestaddition to ABP’s Humber EstuaryServices fleet of pilot launches, hasbeen officially named in a ceremonyat the Port of Hull’s King GeorgeDock. ABP has invested £1.2million in the new Nelson classvessel as part of an upgrade to its fleet of pilot launches. PV Humber Jupiter complements the existing four vessels in the pilot launch fleet and iscapable of carrying eight pilots and a crew of two at speeds of up to 23 knots. Thisinvestment demonstrates ABP’s commitment to the safety and efficiency of the pilotageoperations on the Humber.John Fitzgerald, ABP Director, Humber, says, “Every year over 30,000 commercial vesselmovements take place on the Humber and 60% of these require pilotage. The importance ofthe Humber ports to the whole of the UK cannot be underestimated – without them the lightswould quite literally go out across the country.”CBRE appointed on135,000 sq ft Latitude135The Industrial Agency team atCBRE in Leeds has been instructedby Wilton Developments to market its135,000 sq ft Latitude 135 industrialscheme at Latitude Park nearWakefield.CBRE strengthens the existingagency team of Carter Towler andLambert Smith Hampton on themajor industrial scheme whichcomprises a 131,019 sq ft warehouseunit with 4153 sq ft of offices andpotential for a 65,000 sq ft extension.The instruction follows CBRE’srecent recruitment of Mike Baugh asSenior Director. Mike says, “Latitude 135 occupies one of the North’s most strategic locationswith the M1 intersection, A1(M) and M18 all under five miles away and Wakefield Europort nextdoor. High take-up levels towards the last half of 2013 have seen supply levels of ready-to-occupy stock fall to around 1.6 m sq ft, so opportunities where occupiers can move in and havepotential to expand later are more in demand than ever.”Crane lift spectacle complete iconicbridge job for BritconA spectacular crane lifting exercise to put in place an iconic 65 metre longbridge in Boston town centre marked the successful completion of an£850,000 contract for Lincolnshire County Council. Britcon completed the precision exercise over the River Witham in front ofa crowd of spectators and officially opened the bowstring arch footbridge,complete with decorative lighting to provide an impressive new gateway tothe town. Pre-construction by Britcon included major trenching works to reveal utilitylocations and a major dilapidation survey was undertaken for thesurrounding area and buildings. It was necessary to construct a mini anchorpiling system to avoid vibration adjacent to nearby properties. Laboratorytesting was also undertaken to provide ground information to aid the foundation design. A thousandtonne crane was required to lift the bridge in place.Growth put in thespotlightBusiness leaders have been given the chance toput forward their ideas on future growth for Lincoln.A Growth Forum was organised by City ofLincoln Council to look at a proposed strategy,consider a draft vision, identify essential elementsthat need to be included and discuss ways in whichpartners can work together to ensure the aspirationsand objectives are brought to life. Businesses hadthe opportunity to give their views on what they’dlike to see in the document, what they think thecouncil needs to do and who needs to be involved.Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the CityCouncil, says, “I was delighted with the supportgiven to the event by the Lincoln businesscommunity and am pleased there were a lot oforganisations present. The council will now take lotsof good ideas away and incorporate them in a finalversion of the city’s Growth Strategy.”Taylor&EmmetLLP is enhancing the services itoffers to clients by investing in softwarethat will improve the efficiency of itsmanagement systems. Peppermint Technology’sLegal Services Platform will integrate its records intoone database that can be accessed company-wide.Peppermint is installing the system at Taylor&Emmet’sfour offices in Sheffield and North Derbyshire tohelp the firm to pursue plans for future growthwithout compromising its high standardsof customer service.ASheffield supplier ofdownhole tool technology todrilling equipment manufacturers hasopened a new stock location in Dubai.Cutting & Wear in Ecclesfield exportsproducts regularly to the Middle East andthe new central hub will act as adistribution facility to customers inthe United Arab Emirates andother key countries.PHOTO BY ABP/DAVE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY05-09:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:18 Page 1Bradford College recognised withHospitality Guild awardBradford College has beenrecognised for its provision ofhigh quality training and excellentskills development for hospitality– gaining a Silver Accreditationfrom the Hospitality Guild.The College is one of the firstin the country to be recognisedthrough the accreditation scheme,which has been developed torecognise and celebrateexcellence in the training andqualification delivery. BradfordCollege was commended for itsexcellent commitment to serviceand students, placing it amongthe best colleges in the country tostudy hospitality.Bradford College also offersstudents the opportunity to getexperience working in a realrestaurant through its Level6 Restaurant, which has also been given an AACollege Rosette Award.Hayley Lomas, Programme Manager for Hospitality and Travel atBradford College, says, “We have put a lot of work into making sure ourstudents get the experience they need through our college restaurant andto have that work recognised has been fantastic.”LATEST NEWSNew tenant for Kings HouseThe Office AgencyTeam at CBRE Leeds hassecured a letting to HomeFundraising at theprominent Grade II listedKings House officebuilding in Leeds citycentre. The organisationhas signed a five yearlease for 2500 sq ft ofoffice accommodation onthe lower ground floor ofKings House.The 15,200 sq ft sixstorey building is situatedon the corner of KingStreet and WellingtonStreet and has been fullyrefurbished to offermodern offices behind anhistoric façade. Existingoccupiers within Kings House include Skipton Business Finance and theRoyal College of Midwifes.Ben White, Surveyor at CBRE’s Leeds office, says, “Kings House is anexcellent example of where a traditional building has been successfullymodernised to offer contemporary space while retaining its character. Itcontinues to appeal to firms who appreciate both the aesthetics and itskey location.” Sanderson Weatherall is joint agent with CBRE on Kings House.6Business Link www.blmforum.netwww.investnewarkandsherwood.co.ukPerfectly positioned, at the heart of England, where major road and rail routes converge.Newark & Sherwood - a great place to do business.05-09:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:18 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSNew look hall for Great YorkshireShowgroundThe GreatYorkshireShowground ispoised to entera new era asthe YorkshireAgriculturalSociety hasunveiled plansto replace itsoriginalexhibition hall.The Societyis applying for planning permission to replace the original hall with amore modern and visually pleasing building, so it can continue to usethis for its own events and the other events that come to theShowground. The £10 million project will be the largest ever undertakenby the Society.The Great Yorkshire Showground has 5372 sq m of lettable eventspace in the current Hall 1 and adjacent Hall 2 which, if the application isapproved, would increase to 6270 sq m.Heather Parry, Deputy Chief Executive, says, “It’s expected that thecost of this building will be in the region of £10 million, which is asignificant investment but an important one for the financial future of theSociety and the local economy.”PD Ports awarded for safetystandards in North LincolnshirePD Ports haswon two awardsat the recentNorth LincsHealth andSafety GroupAnnual Awardsfor the level ofsafety achievedat the operationsbased aroundthe Humber. PD Ports werecommended fora better accident performance than the average for their industry, andalso won the Special Safety award for the organisation that haddemonstrated outstanding achievement in health and safetyimprovement. Russell McCallion, PD Ports Group Human Resources Director, says,“At PD Ports the safety of our staff, contractors and visitors is ournumber one priority. We continuously strive to improve the safety ofour sites throughout the company. We are delighted to have collectedtwo awards for safety, and huge credit goes to all of our employees, thelocal management and to the health and safety team who have all donean excellent job in improving safety standards.”New shipping report showsHumber following Channel’s wakeA new report has revealed eastern Channel routes are likely to buildon their dominance in serving European trade, despite the Humber’scontinued prominent role. The UK Short Sea Freight RoRo and LoLo Capacity Analysis andReport from PRB Associates shows Channel services now represent44% of the total UK short sea market capacity for RoRo and LoLoservices.Peter Baker, managing director of the Grimsby consultancy, says,“There are clear indications that capacity handled and market share willincrease still further at ports such as Dover, and at EuroTunnel. Thiscould also take critical mass away from future portcentric developmentat other ports.”There were bright spots for the Humber ports, including Immingham,which has strengthened its position handling short sea capacity in theScandinavian and Baltic market. The Humber Sea Terminal atKillingholme, meanwhile, has retained its premier position for ferrycapacity serving the Near Continental market.PICTURE BY LINCS PHOTOSPHOTO: NORTH DOWNS PICTURE AGENCY05-09:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:18 Page 38Business Link www.blmforum.netCharttoppersenlist EventsSolution forUK toursSheffield’s Events Solution is hitting the highway to ensure the mostdevoted fans of The Wanted and Elbow can enjoy their UK arena tours insafety. The crowd control specialists have joined forces with thegroups’ entourages to erect its aluminium touring barriers atshows around the country. Events Solution has provided 50 metres of front of stagebarrier for The Wanted’s tour. Working with SJM Concerts,the firm used the fencing to provide a stable and securebuffer between the band and audience. Events Solution thentook to the road again with 80 metres of stock aluminiumbarrier for a nine-date tour with Elbow, taking in arenas fromGlasgow and Cardiff, ending at London’s O2. James Wood, operations manager at Events Solution, says,“Aluminium barrier is a recent addition to our stock products andits light weight, durable construction is a hit with touringproductions, opening up new opportunities for us.”LCF Law expands into new officeLCF Law has relocated its Bradford headquarters to an 11,000 sq ftmodern office space at One St James Business Park. The office move is thesecond major development for the legal firm this year after it underwent anextensive rebrand, which saw it abbreviate its former name Last CawthraFeather and create the strap-line ‘Law Fair & Square’.The new office houses sixty of the firm’s 85 employees who specialise incorporate, property, dispute resolution and personal law. In addition LCFLaw, which was previously based on Sunbridge Road, operates offices inLeeds city centre and Ilkley.Simon Stell, Managing Partner at LCF Law, says: “We have operated inBradford for more than 25 years and this new office gives us a prominentbase at one of the city’s best addresses to continue growing and building onour reputation as the area’s leading corporate and personal legal firm.”Major investment at SkegnessA £3 million investment at the Lincolnshire coast is expected to openthe door to about 150 new jobs. Chartered surveyors Banks Long & Coand HEB are looking to lease new units at the Skegness Trade Park onthe Wainfleet Industrial Estate.The brighter economic outlook has encouraged the firms’ client BSPHoldings to embark on a 40,000 sq ft speculative development on landjust behind the Skegness Retail Park.Banks Long & Co Director William Wall says,“The development itself forms part of a largerbusiness park which already houses TravisPerkins Builders Merchants, MKMBuilders Merchants and BSS. The newunits are designed to suit businesseslooking for trade counter premises orspace for light industrial, storage anddistribution purposes.“BSP Holdings’ decision reflects itsconfidence in the local market and thecompany has already been rewardedafter receiving strong interest and acommitment from one business to take 10,000sq ft.”Leadingmaintenance providerKier Sheffield LLP is celebratinga double win at the Sheffield CollegeAwards. The company collected theEmployer-College Partnership Award afterbeing nominated by curriculum leader at thecollege, Russ Dean. Kier Sheffield is alsocelebrating after one of its apprentices,third year joiner Harry Hewitt, wascrowned the Most OutstandingJoinery Student.LATEST NEWSThepartnership betweenLeeds Metropolitan Universityand Wakefield Council has beenstrengthened with the signing ofrenewed agreement for the next five years.Wakefield is one of the largest districts inEngland without a dedicated university andthis official partnership with WakefieldCouncil helps them work together withlocal businesses and to share theUniversity’s expertise in areasincluding economic growth andpublic health.05-09:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:18 Page 4Business Link 9Don’t befooled by Apriltax showerssays Erica Manderfield, Tax Manager, StreetsChartered Accountants1st April is a date synonymous withpranksters and practical jokers. It is notnecessarily linked to the introduction of anumber of tax and financial changes.Along with this date, on 6th April, thestart of the tax year, we can expect tosee the introduction of a number of otherchanges to taxation affecting individualsand businesses in the financial yearahead. What are the changes for businesses this April?* The VAT registration threshold will increase from £79,000 to£81,000. For those considering deregistration the threshold forthis has increased from £77,000 to £79,000, from 1st April.* Most businesses and charities can receive an allowance of£2000 against their employers’ National Insurance bill, from 6thApril.* Third sector organisations will be able receive investmentsfrom individuals through the introduction of a new SocialInvestment Tax Relief scheme announced in the Budget. Thescheme offers philanthropic investors the benefit for tax reliefscovering Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax, from 6th April).* The Annual Investment Allowance will be increased from£250,000 to £500,000 for all qualifying expenditure on plant andmachinery, made from 1st April for Corporation Tax and 6th Aprilfor Income Tax.* From 1st April, the rate of R&D payable tax credit for loss-making SMEs will be increased from 11% to 14.5%.* For those businesses that operate as a Limited LiabilityPartnership, new rules come into effect from 6th April around theuse of such structures and associated structures to gain a taxadvantage.* Employers with 160+ employees will also need to have theirworkforce pension scheme in place for employees. Those with astaging date of 1st May 2014 should be near completion of itsimplementation, while others ought to be considering its impact.Against a background where it seems paying tax is becomingincreasingly inevitable, paying the right amount and ensuring youhave taken advantage has never been more relevant. Followingthe Budget, we would advocate you take time out to considerhow the changes may affect you and seek the advice of youraccountant and tax specialist.Erica Manderfield is Tax Manager at Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Call 0845 880 0320,email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visit www.streetsweb.co.ukTAXATIONDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir officewww.blmforum.net05-09:Layout 1 28/3/14 11:18 Page 5Next >