APRIL 2016 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 31 ISSUE 4SUPPORTINGBUSINESS GROWTH Minding the gapHOT TOPICIs the 2016 Budget goodfor the region?PORTS &LOGISTICS Where there’s awarehouseGOING FORGROWTH?GOING FORGROWTH?01_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:26 Page 1Official fuel economy figures for the BMW 520d M Sport Saloon: Urban 57.6mpg (4.9l/100km). Extra Urban 76.3mpg (3.7l/100km). Combined 68.9mpg (4.1l/100km). CO2emissions 119g/km.Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.Listers King’s Lynn is a credit broker and not a lender.*Business users only.Plus £2,032.56 initial rental. Price shown excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 24 month Business Contract Hire agreement for a BMW 520d M Sport Saloon with optional automatic transmission, with a contract mileage of 8,000 milesand excess mileage charge of 7.90p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 01/04/16 and 31/07/16 and registered by 30/09/16 (subject to availability). At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle conditionand other charges may be payable. Available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer maybe varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Listers Group Ltd, trading as Listers King's Lynn, commonly introduce customers toa selected panel of lenders including BMW Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. Listers Group Limited, Othello House,Stratford-upon-Avon Business and Technology Park, Banbury Road, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 7GY is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.SEARCH: LISTERS KING’S LYNN.THE BMW 5 SERIESBMW Business Contract Hire example: BMW 520d M Sport Saloon with optional automatic transmission and metallic paint.Monthlyrental*AdvancerentalContractlengthAnnualmileagePaymentprofileCO2(g/km)£225.84£2,032.5624 months8,0009 + 23119For more information or to arrange a test drive†, call us on 01553 612963 or visit www.listerskingslynnbmw.co.ukThe BMW 5 SeriesThe UltimateDriving Machine• 119g/km CO2• 68.9mpg (combined)• 21% BIK• 18” alloys• Navigation system• Xenon headlights• Park Distance Control• LED foglights• Sun protection glass02_Layout 1 05/04/2016 09:30 Page 1This time last month we were pondering what George Osborne’s Budget had instore for us and now that the little red briefcase has been unveiled, and thedetails scrutinised, there wasn’t all that many surprises. That is except for theshock announcement of a sugar tax coming into effect in as little as two years’time. It has certainly thrown a spanner into the works, especially for a nation offizzy pop quaffers such as us. Milk and fruit juice are both exempt, despite thelevel of sweet stuff in the latter, meaning that drinks manufacturers have a tightdeadline to reduce their sugar levels or bear the brunt of the tax. But it was the mandatory National Living Wage (NLW) announced in the 2015Summer Budget which has recently come into force that has really caught the eyeof businesses in our region. The NLW requires employers to pay workers aged 25and over at least £7.20 an hour and has been forecast to pay off for some 1.3million workers. Osborne’s thinking was to create a higher-wage, lower-welfareeconomy, but the increase is likely to see many businesses having to let go ofstaff to create the necessary funds. One figure cites as many as 60,000 jobsgetting the axe as a result. Aside from the budget, the NLW and the many repercussions of both, our Aprilissue will delve into the importance of water treatment in the energy andrenewables sector, as well as the complex regulations and legislation surroundingfirms in engineering and construction. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire has long been hailed as an import and export hub forthe UK and, along with maintaining its transport links, this means staying abreastof the latest developments in warehousing and distribution. We’ll get at the heart of the latestin warehousing and what makes the region so special. When it comes to supporting businessgrowth, we explore the importance of educating and training, and elsewhere we touch on thelatest advancements of detection in the food industry. Add to that our regular news, events and commercial property features, not to mention across section of some of our region’s best and brightest businesses with our Meet the Expertsfeature, and you’ve got a jam-packed issue in your hands. Good reading as alwaysW S FisherEditorThe magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishingbusiness that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into themuch broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste andensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…The NLW increase islikely to see manybusinesses having tolet go of staff to createthe necessary fundswith one figure citingas many as 60,000jobs getting the axe asa result03_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:26 Page 116CONTENTSAPRIL 20162443www.blmforum.net6NewsCatch up with the latest business news from around our region11TaxationWhat might affect you in the new tax year ahead? by James Pinchbeck,Marketing Partner Streets Chartered Accountants12LettersReaders’ letters and replies13Business sceneWoodhall Spa & Horncastle Roundtable Ball14Hot topicThe 2016 budget is here, but will it be what the region needs?16Commercial propertyBusiness parks and enterprise hubs offer a magnitude of opportunity for existingcompanies and start-ups20Engineering and constructionHealth and safety remains an important concern within the engineering andconstruction industry, with much of the regulatory and legislative challengesbeing in regard to it24Supporting business growthA skills shortage is facing the business industry in our region, but is the solutionto hire new talent, or work on the people you already have? • HCUK Training28Ports and logisticsE-commerce and technological advancement is driving evolution in thewarehouse sector, with traceability, efficacy and security all benefiting32Business sceneLincoln Sportsman’s dinner33Energy and renewablesThe water sector is certainly strategically important for the UK and in Yorkshireand Lincolnshire, where renewable energy and engineering makes up a largepercentage of the region's prosperity36Meet the expertsWe illustrate the vast array of successful companies that exist across our regionand invite them to share their expertise38Multimodal ShowSupply chain specialists from across the Food and Drink industry will beamongst the 8,500 visitors expected at the UK and Ireland’s leading transportshow, Multimodal, this May40Food, chemicals and process industriesFood producers can rely on advancements in automated detection to meet thegrowing demand for efficiency, authenticity and optimum safety standards43AutoLinkBattling the elements, our motoring correspondent took off to the 88th GenevaMotor show to bring you the low down on the very latest offerings that’ll bearriving in our showrooms very soon46EventsWe take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire50And finally…04-05_Layout 1 04/04/2016 11:18 Page 1EditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsMichael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Stuart Pearcey (s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.uk)Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorAngela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingDanielle Chester (d.chester@blmgroup.co.uk)Christine Jewitt (c.jewitt@blmgroup.co.uk)Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk)Tel: (01472) 310310Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark CassonTel: (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 be reproduced,transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without expresspermission of the copyright holder, for which application should beaddressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care istaken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents acceptliability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies,negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines,you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year.Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you removeall plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable toparticipate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass yourmagazine onto a local hospital or charity?Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - ZORABC • YORKMAN • PHOVOIR • EL NARIZ • AMAZON.CO.UK4004-05_Layout 1 04/04/2016 11:20 Page 26Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWS£115m commitment toadditional flood defencesfor YorkshireYorkshire is to receive £115 million for flood defences over the next five years,says Chancellor George Osborne in his 2016 Budget as part of the Government’spledge to “ensure communities are protected against increasingly extremeweather.” The Government has said a total of £115 million is to be provided for schemesin Leeds, York and the Calder Valley, which has been set aside to help protect3,000 homes and 1,700 businesses and other properties. Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “I’m pleased theGovernment appears to have listened to demands for a Leeds flood defencescheme. However, there are still many unanswered questions, not least when will it be delivered. Leeds residents and businesses will want a firmtimeframe putting in place as soon as possible, especially as the current lack of certainty s seeing companies close and leading to the loss of jobs.”“We will keep pressure on Government to make sure Leeds businesses and residents get the flood defences they need as soon as possible.” Hull Uni launchespartnership withMoroccan logisticsspecialist Experts from the University of Hull are embarking on a newpartnership with a logistics service provider in Morocco.Staff from the University’s Logistics Institute are set to beginwork on two supply chain and logistics related projects, as part ofa long-term collaboration with state-owned but privately managedtransport company SNTL.Initially the company and the Logistics Institute will be jointlydeveloping a new logistics hub index which will be used tomeasure the potential of countries, particularly in Africa, tobecome logistics hubs and taps into the Logistics Institute’sextensive expertise and research in this field.The joint venture to develop the index was agreed afterProfessor Amar Ramudhin, pictured, Director of the LogisticsInstitute, visited Morocco to give a talk on emerging trends in thelogistics sector.He said: “Currently, we don’t have a profile in French-speakingcountries in Africa, so in that respect, it’s a first. For the LogisticsInstitute, it brings added credibility to be able to showcase ourexpertise in emerging countries such as Morocco. It builds on thework I have done before with Georgia Tech Panama to positionthat country as the logistics hub of the Americas.”Jobs boost for Riponas manufacturerexpandsNew jobs will be created in Ripon when gritter and snow ploughmanufacturer Econ Engineering expands its contract hire divisionwith a £250,000 investment.Econ, which operates the country’s largest hire fleet of gritters andsnowploughs, is set to boost its contract hire fleet by a further 100 vehicles,taking its total hire fleet to 500 high-tech spreaders, worth more than £50 million. The company has bought a two acre site adjoining the Econ manufacturingfacility from Yorkshire Water for £150,000.Harrogate Borough Council granted outline planning for a £100,000extension to Econ’s current production facility and a vehicle storage area withspace to park a further 100 gritters that will make up part of its hire fleet. Workgot underway on site earlier this month and the development is due forcompletion in May. Andrew Lupton, pictured middle right, Joint Managing Director at EconEngineering, said: “The option to lease gritters and snowploughs that can bemaintained on a fixed-cost basis suits many local authorities’ budgets and it’san attractive alternative for many councils to owning their winter maintenancestock outright.”06-11_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:59 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 7Barnsley companyputs 3D in thepalm of your handBarnsley-based tech company 3DU has launched a smart phoneaccessory that enables users to access 3D technology in the palm oftheir hand at this year’s Gadget Show Live. The screen protector and app allows users to watch three-dimensional content on their smart phones without the need ofspecial 3D glasses. Currently the only product of this kind in the UK,the 3D conversion works by applying the specially designed microlens screen protector to a device and then downloading the freeWhoosh3D app. Within the app, users have the option to streamvideos and adjust the depth of field, creating a 3D effect.The company, based at Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre andsupported by Enterprising Barnsley, has aspirations to furtherdevelop this technology to offer 3D house viewing for estate agents,3D scanning for medical use and for the first time, 3D gaming forsmart phones. Tom Kitchen-Dunn, pictured, Managing Director at 3DU, said:“We’re really grateful for all the support we have received from theDMC and Enterprising Barnsley. It has been instrumental in thegrowth and development of the company.”Every business facesa Stealth Threat –what’s yours?How can you protect your business by pre-empting a threat thatmay be travelling in your direction and challenge the robustness ofyour current strategy?DPI’s latest Stealth Threat Development Program (dpi-europe.com) challenges a fully briefed cross-functional group of an organisation’s ‘highpotentials’ to work as a team to design a Stealth Competitor that could destroy their own organisation. They look beyond the conventional environmentto identify what might be disruptive to the Future Business Arena (FBA) of their organisation. In essence – they must come up with a new StealthCompetitor that could potentially put them out of business.DPI’s powerful and proven Stealth Threat Program opens a business’ eyes to trends that could potentially lead to a disruptive threat in their FBA.Organisations are armed with game-changing information to either defend themselves or attack. Dynamic, innovative, creative and engaging.Region’s businessesinvited to share in newgrowth fund releaseBusiness and local authority leaders in Greater Lincolnshire arebeing invited to bid for funds from a £1.7 billion pot to boost growthin the region.The Communities Secretary Greg Clark MP has announced the thirdround of Growth Deals, and asked England’s 39 Local EnterprisePartnerships to apply for a share on £1.8 billion to support projects intheir areas that boost local economic growth and create jobs. The Greater Lincolnshire LEP signed its first Growth Deal inOctober 2014 and secured another deal in January 2015. Totalgrowth-related funds linked to 17 major projects now add up to£146.2 million. Ursula Lidbetter, pictured, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP,said: “Greater Lincolnshire has done very well out of the first twoGrowth Deals and the money we have secured from centralGovernment is making a tangible difference, kick-starting majorinfrastructure projects that will give a boost to our economicperformance.” LEPs have until the summer to apply for a share of Local GrowthFunding.06-11_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:59 Page 28Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSOfcom boss promisesbetter 4G for businesses Ofcom Chief ExecutiveSharon White hascommitted to enforcingrules which shouldensure up to 98% of alloffices will get indoor 4Gmobile signal by the endof next year. Speaking at theFederation of SmallBusiness NationalConference in Glasgow,White, pictured, saidsmall firms were less well served than larger ones when it came tosuperfast broadband.She said: “When small businesses do get a decent connection, toooften they face problems with their service, and a poor response whenthey complain. The Federation of Small Business has been a powerfulvoice for change, working hard for things to improve. “We know mobile data is increasingly vital to businesses. So we’veset rules to ensure that virtually all homes at offices – 98% - mustreceive an indoor 4G mobile signal by the end of next year.”In response to the Ofcom Chief Executive’s speech, FSP PolicyDirector, Mike Cherry, said: “Ofcom clearly gets the importance ofsmall businesses – but we need to keep up the pressure and help themdeliver.”£1m funding bid willbuild talent inconstruction industry A collaborative partnership thataims to address the major skillsshortages in the construction industryhas been granted £500,000 of fundingfrom the England European Structuraland Investment Funds GrowthProgramme (ESIF) 2014-2020 andmatch funded by the ConstructionIndustry Training Board (CITB)providing an overall total of £1million.The project, known as ‘Step UpInto Construction’ is a strategicpartnership between a number ofleading Yorkshire-based educationproviders, local councils, housingassociations, social enterprise groups, careers advisors, training boardsand public sector and government departments. It will use the money toaddress the chronic need for more skilled workers by engaging withhundreds of people to deliver relevant work placements, training, furthereducation and employment. Deputy Principal Derek Whitehead, pictured, from the project’s leadpartner, Leeds College of Building, said: “Step Up Into Construction willbe the first port of call for anyone who wants to find out more about thehuge range of careers available in the industry.”University spinoutsecures future with helpfrom Yorkshire Bank escubed limited,which began as aUniversity of Leedsstart-up in theuniversity’s businessincubator in 2008, islooking to expandand invest into newmarkets with thesupport of YorkshireBank. A new £50,000overdraft facility,delivered by AndySimpson, Relationship Manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Business and PrivateBanking Centre in Leeds, will help the firm free up capital to expand intonew markets, while also allowing them to develop their R&D activities. The company was originally founded in 2008 by Simon Lawson,Susanne Patel and Simon Biggs who worked together at the University ofLeeds. As the company grew, Simon Lawson resigned his position at theuniversity to focus all his efforts on the business, taking over the role ofCEO. Mr Lawson said: “Funding from Yorkshire Bank has been helpful ingiving us the breathing space we need to focus on expanding thebusiness and investing in new characterisation facilities to bolster thevalue and future of our company.” You might not expect your accountant to be trendy, but you would expect them to be on trend.Tax planning is not something you should leave until the end of the tax year. Taking appropriate action will help to ensure that you are able to make the most of the tax saving opportunities available to you and your business.For further information and hints and tips for 2016/17 please visit our website:www.streetsweb.co.ukWhat’s trending this month?info@streetsweb.co.ukFollow us on Twitter @streetsaccConnect with us on LinkedInWatch us on YouTubewww.streetsweb.co.uk0845 880032006-11_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:59 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 9Capital B Mediacelebrates ten yearsin business Capital B Media, whichspecialises in publicrelations, media training,crisis communicationsand social media, iscelebrating ten years inbusiness. Since it was formed byformer BBC journalistKate Betts a decade agothe company has gonefrom strength to strengthand has alreadyappointed two membersof staff since the turn ofthe year, taking theirtotal number ofemployees andassociates up to 11.Ms Betts set up theagency in 2006, offeringmedia training afterleaving her job as abroadcast journalist with the BBC. Due to thegrowing reputation of the company, she soon started providing servicesin public relations, and, in 2012, moved into offices at Millhouse Green,near Penistone.Capital B Media, which also provide services in multi-mediaincluding audio, video and photography, continued to expand andfollowing the appointment of more staff moved into largerneighbouring premises last March. Turnover this year is on track to be30 per cent up on last year.“The whole journey has been incredible,” said Ms Betts, pictured.“To now be working out here in the countryside in a great office isbrilliant.”Bonmarché appoints new CEO Helen Connolly has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Wakefield-based women’sfashion brand and retailer, Bonmarché, replacing its outgoing Chief Executive, Beth Butterwick. Ms Connolly, pictured, is currently Senior Buying Director for George at ASDA, where she isresponsible for all women’s clothing, non-clothing and male and female essentials. She bringssignificant relevant experience from the value retail sector, with particular expertise in women’sapparel, which is Bonmarché’s core market.John Coleman, Chairman of Bonmarché Holdings plc, said: “We are delighted to be appointingsomeone of Helen’s calibre and experience to Bonmarché. With a strong track record in deliveringexceptional results, Helen is an ambitious, talented and passionate individual who will make anoutstanding leader for the business.“Helen’s expertise in buying, merchandising, sourcing, product, and business development is first-class, and she has demonstrated a dedicated focus on delivering a high quality consumer experience.We look forward to welcoming her to Bonmarché and working with her to deliver further progress forthe brand and the Company.”Ms Connelly will take up her position later in the year.Tata Steel sellsplate mills toScottishgovernment Tata Steel has reached an agreement to sell its Clydebridge andDalzell steel facilities in Scotland. The deal involves the sale of thetwo plants to the Scottish Government, which would then sell themon to Liberty House.The agreement follows Tata Steel’s announcement in October2015 that it would stop its European plate production, which led tothe mothballing of the Dalzell and Clydebridge plants at the end of2015, as well as the plate mill in Scunthorpe. Rather than closingthe Scots facilities, Tata Steel has continued to maintain them toenable plate production to potentially restart in the future.Bimlendra Jha, Executive Chairman of Tata Steel’s Long ProductsEurope business, said: “We welcome this deal which opens thepossibility of a resumption of steel processing in Scotland. This hasbeen achieved with the determination and support of employees,trade unions and the Scottish Government all working together.”The Dalzell plate mill transforms a semi-finished steel slab into asteel plate, while the Clydebridge facility processes steel plate usinga quench and tempering technique.06-11_Layout 1 04/04/2016 09:59 Page 4Next >