MAY 2022 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 37 ISSUE 5 Flagging finance Training the ideal candidate Supporting cyber security 01.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:08 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 04/05/2022 12:09 Page 1From the Editor VISIT WWW.DEXTERSHARPE.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Dexter & Sharpe Chartered Certified Accountants At the heart of Lincolnshire We provide a comprehensive range of services, if you would like to find out how we can help you or your business why not head over to the contact us page to find your local office. Our 130 years of experience has taught us to initially listen more than we talk. When we talk, you’ll find that it's plain jargon-free practical advice which is not only accurate but tailored to your specific needs. Having gained a full understanding of your business our aim is to ensure this timely advice helps you and your business achieve its objectives. For a pro-active, friendly and accessible service or your FREE Consultation contact one of our teams: Horncastle: 01507 526071 - Boston: 01205 311966 - Spilsby: 01790 753340 Bourne: 01778 393656 - Louth: 01507 609933 - Skegness: 01754 763222 - Lincoln: 01522 533588 AGRICULTURE • CHARITIES • CONSTRUCTION • FINANCIAL & CONSULTING • MANUFACTURING • MEDIA • MOTOR RETAIL & REPAIR • TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS • VETERINARY It’s a troubling time to be in business. The quarterly insolvency statistics have just been released and show a rise of over 6% in insolvencies in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same in 2021 right in the midst of the pandemic. For many SMEs this comes because of leaving the lockdown and furlough schemes and then being faced not with a strong economic recovery, but a sharp rise in inflation. If that is the case then what it shows is that the Government’s measures during lockdown were in fact successful in mitigating the impact of it, but that they were ultimately little more than delaying actions. The impact of the pandemic could not be held off forever, and these statistics show that. On the other hand, this means that companies doing well out of lockdown may be in a stronger position than ever before – ready to weather the uncertain times ahead. If it’s true that the insolvencies reported this month are due to said delaying action, then it shows that those companies had been struggling prior to 2022 and may in fact represent less insolvencies this year with them taken out. As always it is hard to tell and parse through the data. What this ultimately means, and what we strive to cover in this issue, is that business is in a precarious but not dangerous state right now. With rising energy costs, inflation and difficulty in securing new candidates due to a skills shortage, things may look bad, but those that fall by the wayside will be the companies who keep trying to do things the old-fashioned way. Times have changed, technology has changed and this is an opportunity for forward-thinking companies to adopt new measures and approaches to old problems. We consider such this month in our training feature, where we look at the difficulty in recruiting skilled employees and whether training early on might be used to enable lesser-skilled candidates to reach the level that recruiters are looking for. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:09 Page 1MAY 2022 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property Commercial property remains one of the strongest sectors and has aided the recovery of the region greatly. There’s reason to celebrate, but the success story has come at the cost of a skills shortage the industry will need to look at. 14 Corporate finance After lockdown, and now with an uncertain stock market due to the war in Ukraine, securing finance has become difficult. We look at some of the measures and methods involved. 18 Stokes Tea & Coffee Q&A Family-run and Lincolnshire-based Stokes Tea & Coffee, has been brewing up our favourite drink for 120 years, now they’re sharing knowledge and magic with more people through a dedicated training academy – we sat down with Managing Director, Nick Peel for a cup of freshly roasted coffee to find out more. 20 Training With skills shortages and the great resignation squeezing recruitment pools and agencies alike, businesses may want to look to creating their own ideal candidate rather than waiting for one to show up. 24 Leeds Beckett University Q&A Help to Grow: Management is a government-backed scheme to help boost the economy of our region by supporting and upskilling business leaders. We spoke with Olga Munroe, the Help to Grow Programme Director at Leeds Business School - part of Leeds Beckett University - to find out more about it. 26 Relocation & inward investment A region with a lot to offer, businesses continue to flock to Yorkshire. 30 Energy & environmental management With rising energy costs thanks to the diplomatic uncertainty with Russia, and Net Zero Carbon emissions set by the Government, businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire can’t afford to sleep on improving their energy efficiency. 34 Security Cyber attacks are on the rise, making it more crucial than ever for businesses to improve their security levels. 38 Corporate hospitality Perfect for entertaining clients and showing employees they are valued, it’s almost the season for summer parties. 42 AutoLink We’ve looked at economical and electric cars in the past few months but this month we wanted to look at what luxury feels like, and what is being offered in terms of not just power and price, but the interior and driving experience. 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 10 20 34 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:10 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. 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 those held by the publisher. COVER PHOTOS: STOCK.ADOBE.COM - ARILD • MAZDA • BNENIN • KZENON • IRSTONE www.blmforum.net 26 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:10 Page 2New Catalyst development on site for much needed speculative space Leading investor, developer and asset manager Mirastar has committed to a multimillion-pound funding agreement to help deliver 285,000 sq ft of high quality industrial and warehousing space in a prime South Yorkshire location. The KKR-backed firm, which now has a total UK portfolio of 3.2m sq ft, will fund the speculative Catalyst scheme at Sheffield Business Park with developers Premcor and Peveril Securities, and work has now started on site, with practical completion due March 2023. Five units of 22,354 to 108,237 sq ft at the prime 18- acre site just off the M1, will be to let on completion, with the scheme expected to create around 500 jobs. Agents Knight Frank, Gent Visick and M1 have been appointed to market the units suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing, which all sit in Sheffield City Region’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and front directly onto the main arterial route Sheffield Parkway. Robert Brophy UK Asset Management at Mirastar said: “We’re excited that speculative construction has started on this prime development site which will offer much needed supply into the Sheffield market. The exceptional location within the wider Sheffield Business Park, the Advanced Manufacturing district and immediate transport links are unparalleled. We’ve surrounded ourselves with a great professional team and look forward to presenting the scheme to the market.” 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Yorkshire Wolds businesses collaborate to create unique beer Sibling businesses from the Yorkshire coast have collaborated to launch a third barrel-aged beer. The teams at Wold Top Brewery and sister company, Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery have launched Crest, a limited-edition lager that has been matured for over a year in casks that had previously contained Filey Bay Flagship whisky from Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky distillery. Of the launch, Wold Top’s Brewery Manager, Alex Balchin said: “The lightness of Landmark lager, with its notes of honey and fresh herbs, takes the smooth and creamy vanilla notes from the Filey Bay Flagship casks to create a delicious, fresh tasting beer with aromas of green apples and a gentle, warming flavour. “At 7.9% abv, this is a very easy drinking barrel aged beer, ideal for late summer evenings enjoyed with friends round the fire pit.” Kryptokloud take floor of newly opened Alchemy Building Midlands Engine chair Sir John Peace has opened up a new cyber intelligence centre at Lincoln Science and Innovation Park. Cyber security experts Kryptokloud have taken on a whole floor of the newly opened Alchemy Building after they outgrew their premises in the Park’s Boole Technology Centre. Sir John said he was delighted to officially open the new premises for the expanding Lincolnshire company. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:11 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Lincoln press release distribution service acquired by US firm 3BL Media, the environmental, social and governance (ESG) content distribution and analytics platform for purpose-driven companies, has acquired RealWire Limited, expanding audience and reach in the United Kingdom and Europe. The acquisition is the eighth for 3BL Media since 2009. Terms were not disclosed. “Companies worldwide are committing themselves to ESG performance and transparency, and the combination of RealWire with 3BL Media will provide greater reach to stakeholders including online news outlets, journalists and investors,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media, adding that previous UK acquisitions included Ethical Performance and ReportAlert. Based in Lincoln, since launching in 2000, RealWire specializes in increasing the online impact of press releases while cultivating positive relationships with business and trade journalists. RealWire’s editorial and client services team, led by Managing Director Emily Gosling, will enhance 3BL Media’s distribution network by providing concierge service to the growing journalist corps covering climate and sustainability topics. Inaugural Sheffield event unites city’s business community with Inspiring Futures entrepreneurial event Budding young entrepreneurs have pitched their ideas to the city’s business community at Sheffield’s inaugural Inspiring Futures. Inspiring Futures is a campaign delivered annually by the Adam Bradford Agency (ABA). The event in Sheffield is part of a global campaign which is run in association with Dan Bolton Creative Management, Pearson Business School and the British Business Group. ABA consults with entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses and devises specialist projects which provide education and a platform to budding young social entrepreneurs of which this event is a part. While Inspiring Futures aims to celebrate the business community and its young entrepreneurs, the event also celebrates ABA’s ongoing relationship with Pearson Business School, where the company are helping to embed social enterprise into the curriculum. BNPPRE sells Lincoln National Grid site to Hawksmount Properties BNP Paribas Real Estate (BNPPRE) has completed the unconditional sale of a Depot and former Gas Holder site in Lincoln on behalf of National Grid to Hawksmount Properties for a price in excess of £600,000. The circa 5.93 acre site on Clayton Road (LN5 8RE) has development potential for a range of uses (subject to planning). It was sold subject to a short term lease to Cadent Gas for the office / depot, workshop, stores, car parking and yard located within the northern section of the site. The remainder of the site was vacant and comprises the cleared site of the former gas holders and associated hard standing used for parking, storage and access. The site is located less than 2 miles from Lincoln City Centre and is surrounded by a number of commercial and residential properties, as well as The Priory Academy LSST secondary school. © stock.adobe.com / SFIO CRACHO 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:11 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 04/05/2022 12:11 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Government pledges £20m to enhance facilities for HGV drivers HGV drivers could benefit from £20m to improve roadside facilities as part of continued government action with industry to boost driver welfare and tackle the effects of the global driver shortage in the UK. The funding is part of National Highways’ existing £169m, and will go specifically towards improving security, showers and eating facilities as well as exploring increasing parking spaces for lorry drivers. Roadside service operators are being encouraged to apply for the multi-million- pound fund immediately. The funding takes the total government investment in driver facilities to £52.5m since last year. Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “HGV drivers play a key role in keeping our nation running and contributing to the economy, and it is vital they feel safe and comfortable wherever they stop. “That’s why we’re allocating £20m to ramp up security and improve amenities for drivers – building on the raft of measures we’ve already taken to support the industry. We’ll continue to work closely with the sector to boost professional driver numbers even further.” 22 Yorkshire businesses revealed as winners in 2022 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise More than 200 British businesses are being celebrated as the winners of the 2022 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise have been revealed. Businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country. This includes 22 firms in Yorkshire & The Humber. Awards have been won in the categories of International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity. The winners in our region include: Cares Laboratory Ltd, Tickhill Engineering Co Ltd, Brandon Medical Co Ltd, Essential Healthcare Solutions (UK) Ltd, Jemmtec Limited T/A Magma Ceramics and Catalysts, The Body Doctor Limited, Corrosion Resistant Materials Ltd, ICD Europe Ltd, Loadhog Ltd, Special Quality Alloys Limited, Sport:80 Limited, Sumo Group plc, Waterman Corporate Enterprises Ltd, Watermill – CT Holdings Limited T/A Cooper Turner Beck, A-SAFE HQ Limited, Jack Brodie Limited, Quality Bearings Online Ltd, Regal Food Products Group Plc, Subpixel Ltd, trading as SALT.agency, THE LONDON OIL REFINING CO LTD and the University of Huddersfield. 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. © stock.adobe.com / Siwakorn1933 Image courtesy of royal.gov.uk/John Swannell 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 12:11 Page 4Next >