MAY 2020£3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 35 ISSUE 5 The importance of online training Securing a lifelinePPE - keeping workers safe 01.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:33 Page 1Struggling to manage the impact of COVID-19 on your business? Business Lincolnshire is here to support you. Remote guidance from our expert advisers, webinars, funding advice, online resources and support that is fully-funded at no cost to your business! Speak to an adviser: businesslincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk COVID-19 advice line: 01522 782189, option 3 Webinars www.businesslincolnshire.com Access the latest news and resources www.businesslincolnshire.com/events Stay in the know www.businesslincolnshire.com/register /Businesslincolnshire @BusinessLincs 02.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:33 Page 1As with any upending of the status quo, the coronavirus crisis has brought with it a range of buzzwords and terms. Chief among them is ‘new normal’ but, with any such terms, there’s a reason why they catch on. We’ve passed through the looking glass and, some six weeks into life under lockdown, we have all adjusted to this new normal. Thousands of workers are now set up from home, whilst thousands more are on furlough and have more free time on their hands than they know what to do with. Consequently, there’s been a spike in the use of online training. Whatever the situation, you can always trust that Business Link to have its ear to the ground and its finger on the pulse. As such, our online training feature dives into this topic in more detail and provides you with plenty of training providers to start upskilling at home. With this new normal, our May issue is at once familiar, with all the usual trusted and valuable content, but whilst also responding to the pandemic and providing advice and guidance from industry experts to help you navigate the crisis. Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor The magazine that cares We care because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Business Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business 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 the much 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 and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. From the Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:34 Page 1MAY 2020 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region plus a look out our region’s response to coronavirus. 14 Commercial property The coronavirus crisis is changing the commercial property landscape with demand shifting in some quarters and spiking in others. Here we explore the effect on logistics and warehousing and how the office market is holding its own. 18 Corporate finance Securing corporate finance can be a literal lifeline for struggling businesses, especially at a time when the entire economy is facing financial insecurity. 22 NNBC Q&A We spoke to Neil Buckley, Managing Director of NNBC Financial, about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting businesses. 24 Online training In the COVID-19 pandemic, “normal” training has gone largely out the window. But business never stands still and with online training, a crisis can become an opportunity. Pharmaceutical spotlight With COVID-19 adding to the list of threats to the population’s health, the pharmaceutical industry has been pushed to innovate quickly. Health and safety Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important in ensuring that your employees are safe in the workplace, but it is important to understand what exactly you need, the legislation that exists, and the new regulations that have come into place. Relocation and inward investment Relocating brings with it many benefits for business and leads to investment in our region, as we explore. Energy and environmental management With the climate emergency and UK goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, businesses must play their part in minimising their carbon footprints. Security Internet security has been forced to evolve in recent years, following an increased level of cyber-attacks targeting small companies. AutoLink The motoring industry has recorded its lowest monthly levels for new car registrations in over seventy years. Here we break down the latest figures and explore how major car makers are responding to the pandemic. Corporate hospitality To ensure your team remains cohesive after lockdown, it is vital to keep team building activities in the schedule. Fortunately, there are now numerous ways to do this remotely online. And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 18 24 40 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:35 Page 1Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Assistant Editor Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sam Trott (s.trott@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. Lincs., DN31 2QE. reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of COVER PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK - TANIASCAMERA • DIRECTORSUWAN • SAKHANPHOTOGRAPHY • DAVID CARILLET • TEBNAD www.blmforum.net 37 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:35 Page 2Drax receives milestone biomass shipment from US export facility The Port of Immingham has received the 100th cargo of sustainable biomass for Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire from the energy company’s dedicated US export facility. The landmark shipment from the port of Baton Rouge in Louisiana marked the fifth anniversary of the start of operations at the dedicated biomass export facility. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is the final deepwater port on the Mississippi River and the closest to Drax’s three pellet plants in the US South. In 2015, Drax completed work on its export facility at the port to process and ship biomass to its power station in the UK. Ultrabulk’s MV Ultra Jaguar vessel carried 62,846 tonnes of sustainable biomass from Baton Rouge to the UK for Drax. The cargo is enough fuel to generate electricity for around 1.3 million homes. The landmark shipment, which arrived at ABP’s Port of Immingham in March, will help Drax to continue to produce the electricity the UK needs during the COVID-19 crisis. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Funding awarded for Humber decarbonisation roadmap The government has awarded funding to the Humber LEP and member organisation CATCH for a roadmap to enable the region to decarbonise. The joint bid for funding from Innovate UK will enable the first phase of work on a detailed decarbonisation delivery plan for the region’s major industrial cluster, which will aim to protect important jobs and industries while reducing carbon emissions. The Humber’s bid was awarded £96,000 to develop a plan for producing the roadmap (phase one), which – if approved – could lead to a multimillion-pound bid to develop the roadmap itself in phase two. Now, the Humber LEP and CATCH are working together to create the Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Roadmap – which would set out plans to decarbonise the region’s major industries through measures such as Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage and hydrogen fuel switching. It will complement wider work on decarbonisation being led by the LEP and partners as the region targets becoming net zero carbon by 2040. Government issues ‘Notice to proceed’ on HS2, providing certainty to construction sector Following the decision to proceed with HS2 earlier this year, HS2 Ltd has taken the next step for the project after issuing ‘Notice to proceed’ to the companies that will undertake construction on the new railway. After consideration of the independent Oakervee review, the Prime Minister confirmed to Parliament in February that the project should go ahead, to deliver improvements to capacity and connectivity across the Midlands and North, alongside a reform package to improve governance at HS2 to ensure the project is delivered better and more efficiently. ‘Notice to proceed’ marks the formal approval for the project to begin the construction phase and HS2 Ltd is now entering Stage 2 of the main works civils contracts, with each held by a specific joint- venture. “While the government’s top priority is rightly to combat the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives, we cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level up the country,” said HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson. © Shutterstock /PhilMacDPhoto The Port of Greater Baton Rouge 06-12.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:38 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS First start-up joins Sheffield Hallam’s £900k Wellbeing Accelerator Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) has welcomed the first start-up business to its £900,000 Wellbeing Accelerator programme. Footfalls & Heartbeats, a Nottingham-based intelligent textiles business, will access state-of-the-art laboratories, business support packages and specialist facilities to help bring its products to market and improve people’s quality of life. Based at Sheffield Hallam’s new £14 million research centre, start-up businesses on the programme have access to world- class research and development that allows for rapid prototyping, precision engineering, laboratories for product testing, support networks and a clinical research centre. The programme works with start-ups, SMEs, founders and agencies to accelerate the development of health and wellbeing technologies and applications. The Wellbeing Accelerator at the AWRC is one of 20 University Enterprise Zones (UEZs), launched with a £20 million investment delivered by Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation. Board formed to guide West Yorks economy out of pandemic A new board has been formed by leaders from organisations and businesses across West Yorkshire to help the region’s economy fight back against the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board will focus on developing strategies and collective action to rebuild the economy while also minimising the impact of the crisis for disadvantaged communities and the environment. Chaired by Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, the Board brings together the council leaders of each of the five West Yorkshire local authorities plus senior leaders from a broad range of sectors, the local enterprise partnership (LEP), business representative bodies, public health, the police, trade unions, universities and the community sector. “We are already working together through the Local Resilience Forum and other regional partnerships to respond to the immediate crisis,” said Ms Hinchcliffe. “By joining forces through this Economic Recovery Board and by making the most of opportunities such as our recently secured devolution deal, we can consider how to give West Yorkshire the best chance of recovery in future.” The board will use evidence about the specific impacts of the pandemic on the region to put in place targeted measures to ensure businesses and people receive the right support. It will consider how existing strategies, including the Local Industrial Strategy and transport plans should be adapted to take account of a new economic reality as a result of COVID-19. The Board will also provide a strong, collective voice for the region to Government, making the most of the opportunities offered by the historic West Yorkshire devolution deal council leaders agreed in March to put in place tailored support to rebuild a prosperous, competitive and inclusive economy. © Shutterstock/SAKhanPhotography Remote working ups risk of cyber breach, most businesses believe The rise in remote working in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis has increased the risk of a cyber breach, say three quarters of UK businesses. The data was obtained via a poll of 200 senior business decision makers in large and medium sized UK companies donated by Censuswide for cyber security company, Centrify. It revealed that 46% have already noted an increase in phishing attacks since implementing a policy of widespread remote working. The research also found that 79% of business decision makers have increased their cyber security procedures to manage high volumes of remote access over the next three months. Similarly, 73% of businesses have given staff extra training on how to remain cyber-safe when working remotely, with specific training around verifying passwords and log-in credentials. The survey also noted additional fears that IT systems are at risk, with over half (53%) saying they believe that privileged IT admin remote access is at risk of security breach. © Shutterstock/Song_about_summer 06-12.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:38 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 06-12.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:38 Page 3Green hydrogen project in Humberside takes step forward A sustainability project in Humberside that aims to assess the feasibility and scope of deploying green hydrogen has taken a major step forward. ITM Power, the listed energy storage and clean fuel company based in Sheffield, has along with partner Element Energy won a first stage deployment project in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund competition ‘Decarbonisation of Industrial Clusters’. ‘Green Hydrogen for Humberside’ will lead to the production of renewable hydrogen at the Gigawatt (GW) scale distributed to a mix of industrial energy users in Immingham, Humberside. Decarbonisation of this cluster is critical in reaching the UK’s legally binding 2050 net zero emission targets. The project will work with customers in the region to establish the feasibility of switching to renewable hydrogen and justify a number of 100MW deployments of electrolysers. The project will cost the supply of hydrogen to these end users. Local leaders meet remotely to discuss West Yorks devolution deal Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have met remotely in light of the pandemic to agree the next steps to deliver the West Yorkshire devolution deal. The deal, the biggest ever of its kind, will unlock more than £1.8 billion in investment to drive up living standards through better transport, improved skills and stronger businesses, while tackling the climate emergency. In partnership with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, the Combined Authority has been focusing on the immediate crisis and the many challenges COVID-19 presents for public transport, our economy, businesses our partners and communities. This urgent work is being done in tandem with informed and considered planning about how the region’s economy will work towards recovery. A wide range of active measures have already been put in place to support businesses through the crisis, and progress continues to be made on pre-crisis plans, including work on the West Yorkshire devolution deal. www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS CWind add four vessels to Grimsby fleet Offshore support services provider, CWind, has added four new vessels to its Grimsby fleet after signing a long-term agreement with Dalby Offshore. The agreement, which also includes the option of an additional two vessels later in the year, is part of the company’s continued expansion plan. Supported throughout negotiations by vessel procurement advisor Colebrook Offshore, CWind – a part of the Global Marine Group – have already chartered some of the new vessels following a quick turnaround by marine engineering company Alicat Workboats. The new vessels have been renamed and registered to CWind’s East of England hub in Grimsby, where they will operate in support of several different offshore wind farms. The new vessels range from 20m to 26.5m in length, with one of them able to carry 24 passengers and two carrying 12 passengers each. The remaining 12-passenger vessel, CWind Voyager, will be upgraded to accommodate 24 passengers following completion of her current charter. © Shutterstock/Anusorn Nakdee © Shutterstock/SAKhanPhotography 06-12.qxp_Layout 1 06/05/2020 09:38 Page 4Next >