< Previous10Business Link www.blmforum.netSomething to say? Write to: Business Link Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby,North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE or email: letters@blmgroup.co.ukReaders’LETTERSReaders’LETTERSLincolnshire show - done withreal styleDear Lincolnshire Today,I know I speak for quite a few readers when I say a huge thankyou for Business Link’s and Lincolnshire Today’s hospitality at theLincolnshire show. As most of us were saying, no other magazine seems able orwilling to come up with such a stylish way to entertain its readersand your people seemed genuinely delighted to see us all. And,judging by the sheer volume of show bags being carried aroundthe showground, I am sure all your hard work and efforts paydividends. We look forward to catching up at the Waddington Show whereI’ve no doubt you’ll be trying to top your success from this onealthough goodness knows how you’ll manage that or where you’llfind the energy!K DalbyLincolnEd’s note: Wow thanks for that – it’s easy to look like we’reenjoying ourselves because we really are! It’s nice for all the hardwork to be appreciated though and for so many readers to dropby too. Let’s hope the weather continues to improve!Wind of changeDear Sir,I am pleased to see your magazine champions renewablesas the way forward, but what is it with this industry that wehave to have our ‘green and pleasant land’ blighted withhuge wind turbines dotted all around? We have all read about the inefficiencies of wind turbines –in fact a friend of mine lives near a wind turbine that costover £48,000 of taxpayers’ money but has been producing solittle electricity it will take some 450 years to make a returnon its investment.Apparently this turbine is generating a mere £9 worth ofelectricity a month - and that’s almost a 200% improvementfrom the £5 it was generating until recently! Surely weshould be harnessing the power of the waves and tides forenergy, after all tides are predictable, and unlike the wind,never stop. R Jones SwanlandCut the wasteDear Sir,I am not one given to griping but it never ceases to amazehow many quangos and non-jobs still exist in the UK, despite allthe rhetoric from Cameron and Clegg when they first oustedLabour.Most recently I learned that the NHS has wasted over £46million in the last year alone on over 1,100 unnecessary jobs. Ofthis total some £34 million alone went on public relations, therest to the EU and “green” staff. Surely, if the money spent onthese had been invested in full time nursing care, people wouldbe able to get their operations quicker and this would’ve savedthe NHS by not allowing patients conditions to worsen. Little wonder that Nigel Farage has been able to get a footholdon the political ladder. G HolbyLeedsElectric Ball a huge successDear Sir,How uplifting to see so many of Lincolnshire’s businesses atthe Bomber Command Memorial Ball held at the Double Tree byHilton Hotel recently.When I heard that the evening had raised over £35,000 I wasstaggered. This is a fantastic achievement by any standard andone that the organisers should be justifiably proud of. Although based in Lincolnshire, this Memorial will act as a trulyinternational celebration of Bomber Command and it is only fittingthat the trustees will be working with all of the countries whoserved in the Command to ensure their efforts and sacrifices arehonoured as part of the Memorial too. I for one can’t recall a charity evening in Lincolnshire everraising so much in a single night and it just goes to show thegenerosity and depth of feeling of those who attended. R LewisWoodhall Spa10:Layout 1 27/6/14 10:29 Page 1There seems to have been a raft ofnew funding options becomingavailable recently. With large grantsbeing offered, is this the start of aperiod of sustained activity?Business Link 11www.blmforum.netFINANCE & FUNDINGLook into funding in Yorkshire andLincolnshire at the moment and youcould be forgiven for being confused.With so many different organisationsoffering funding options it seems that insome circles, the recent financialconstraints on many are a fadingmemory.With banks loosening their grip onlending criteria for businesses in someareas, the Government is also makingfunds available to areas they deemworthy. Recent examples include LeedsLEP, which has called for businesses tobid for a share of the government’sRegional Growth Fund, following thelaunch of the latest round.£200 million is currently available forprivate sector bidders seeking £1 millionor more for projects that will generatesignificant private sector investmentand sustainable jobs. The LEP is able tosupport firms in the Leeds City Regionby providing advice and feedback onapplications, and endorsing goodquality bids that fit with its strategicpriorities.For the first time, large companieslooking to invest in the Aire ValleyLeeds Enterprise Zone, BradfordGrowth Zone, and other parts ofBradford, Leeds, Kirklees andCalderdale, will be able to apply forRGF, thanks to a recent 90% increase inAssisted Areas coverage in the LeedsCity Region.43 wards in the City Region aredesignated as Assisted Areas by theEuropean Union, and businesseslocated there can receive more publicsupport than other areas. Parts ofWakefield, Barnsley and Selby alsohave Assisted Area status.Companies that have already securedRGF support, with LEP endorsement inprevious rounds, include Haribo inPontefract, Leeds-based bedmanufacturer, Harrison Spinks,Cummins in Huddersfield and BorgWarner in Bradford. Similar calls are being made inLincolnshire. As Ruth Carver, Managerof the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, tellsBusiness Link, “This latest round offunding will provide a welcome boostfor our economy and give businesses inGreater Lincolnshire an opportunity tomove forward with importantinvestment projects.“The Regional Growth Fund waslaunched in 2010 and has alreadysupported a number of businesses andorganisations in Greater Lincolnshire,including engineering firms Bifrangi andDynex Semiconductor, the University ofLincoln, the Lincolnshire Chamber ofCommerce, North East LincolnshireCouncil and Frontier Agriculture.“The RGF funding we have beenawarded to date will deliver more than1,200 new jobs to our area.”As Nick Clegg says: “The RegionalGrowth Fund is a helping hand fromGovernment to create thousands ofjobs that last, boost the private sectorand rebalance the economy.“I would encourage any businessesthat can generate significant privatesector investment and sustainable jobsto bid for a share of the £200 millionavailable from the fund.”This is further underlined by the work12 Opportunitiesfor allPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/STOCKSNAPPERThere seems to have been a raft ofnew funding options becomingavailable recently. With large grantsbeing offered, is this the start of aperiod of sustained activity?Opportunitiesfor all11-13:Layout 1 30/6/14 14:10 Page 112Business Link www.blmforum.netthat the ‘Growing The Humber’ has done in NorthEast Lincolnshire. At the end of 2012, following asuccessful bid made by the Humber LEP andNorth East Lincolnshire Council, £30 million offunding was awarded to the Humber region.‘Growing the Humber’ offers businessinvestment grants to both local businesses andinward investors with investment projects thatcan quickly deliver tangible economic outcomesand new jobs for the local area.A large element of the local programmefocuses on the Humber’s priority businesssectors, with £10 million specifically aimed atenabling further development of the renewableenergy sector on the South Humber bank withinNorth East and North Lincolnshire.The programme offers grants to businessesfrom across most industry sectors that can levertheir own investment on the basis ofapproximately a 1:4 ratio. This means that forevery £1 of RGF invested, applicants mustcontribute a minimum of £4 towards theirproject. This is a great opportunity for thoseseeking a way to not only improve their ownfortunes, but those of the local area too.Tax acting as a dampener?For all the success the region is experiencing, there arestill small issues that are affecting absolute success. Themedium-sized business sector has the potential to furtherdrive business growth and job creation but is being heldback by the UK tax system, according to a new report fromthe CBI and Grant Thornton.Stuck in the middle shows that the tax system is acting as abrake on their growth. It is disrupting their cash flow,absorbing management time and dampening exportambitions. MSBs do not have the resources that largecompanies have to navigate tax rules, nor do they receive thetargeted support that the Government directs at smallbusinesses.The CBI and Grant Thornton are calling on the Governmentto make a number of changes to the tax system, including toimprove cash flow, widen access to R&D tax relief and tomake it easier for MSBs to export.John Cridland, CBI Director-General, says: “Medium-sizedbusinesses have the most potential to drive business growthand job creation. But all too often their resources,management time and ambitions are being sapped by a taxsystem which disproportionately hits firms of this size. “We need our growing businesses to invest, innovate andbreak into new markets to secure the long-term health of oureconomy. The UK’s tax system should support theseentrepreneurs to do this but in many cases it is actuallyworking against them.Once hurdles like this are overcome, the heights ofsuccess are almost a certainty for the region.FINANCE & FUNDINGPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM11-13:Layout 1 30/6/14 14:10 Page 2Business Link 13www.blmforum.netFINANCE & FUNDINGDon’tmiss thedeadlineAlison Rex of Rex Associates Ltd warnsthat firms slow to react could miss out onthe chance of significant funding.“Earlier this year thegovernment launched theGrowth Vouchersprogramme, a £30 millionfund that enables smallbusinesses (with 49employees or less) inEngland to access expertadvice from the privatesector. “The scheme connectsbusinesses with professional advisors who can provideassistance in areas like finance and cash flow, recruiting anddeveloping staff, improving leadership and management skillsand digital technology, marketing and customer retention. “Growth vouchers are available up to a value of £2,000 on a50% match funded basis, although businesses can spend morethan this should they need to make up the shortfall themselves.The vouchers are accessible online through the Marketplaceand to ensure the quality of advice, businesses can only spendthe voucher with a Marketplace accredited advisor. “I believe that too often businesses miss the applicationdeadlines and the opportunity to access these vitalprogrammes. Any business owners and directors who areconsidering putting forward an application need to be awarethat they only have until March next year to sign up.” Businesses that attain a voucher should also check with theirdelivery partners to ensure the advice they are about topurchase qualifies for a subsidy. If there is a conflict ofinterest, then the Growth Voucher subsidy could well bedeclined.Alison Rex is Managing Director of Rex Associates Ltd,a business support consultancy. Tel: 01522 850622,email: alison@rexassociates.co.uk or visitwww.rexassociates.co.ukAlisonRexBusinessfinance providerprovides fundsfor regionFinance For Enterprise, previously known asDonbac, is committed to ensuring viablebusinesses in South Yorkshire and NorthMidlands get the support they deserveOften described as a‘best kept secret’, FinanceFor Enterprise haslaunched a brand new lookand ambitious plans toincrease awareness ofalternative funding tobusinesses, unable toaccess mainstreamfinance.Finance For Enterprisemanaging director ArthurForeman, pictured, says,“We want to makebusinesses aware of theadvice and funds availablein the region. We haveextended our geographiccoverage, secured additional funding and are determined toshow our support. We need to bring back the belief andconfidence that businesses can develop and prosper in theregion.“The team at Finance For Enterprise puts a focus on creatingand maintaining personal relationships with the companies theywork with, ensuring a deeper understanding of the needs andcircumstances of each business. As an organisation we haveinvested over £1.1 million in the first quarter of 2014, so wehave a lot to shout about,”Finance for Enterprise has loaned almost £10 million to sixhundred businesses since 2009 and helped to secure or create796 jobs across the region last year. Finance For Enterprise is an accredited CommunityDevelopment Finance Institution, an accredited EnterpriseAgency and a registered lender under the Enterprise FinanceGuarantee scheme.For more information, call Finance for Enterprise on0333 014 3455, email info@finance-for-enterprise.co.ukor visit www.finance-for-enterprise.co.uk.11-13:Layout 1 30/6/14 14:10 Page 314Business Link www.blmforum.netWith talk of high-speed railconnecting key areas of SouthYorkshire with not only the south, butthe rest of the north, it seems the areahas the potential to become even moreof a business hub. With Doncasterbeing touted as somewhat of a centrefor logistics due to its location andexcellent transport links, it is likely thiswill happen, building on the businesssuccess of Sheffield, Rotherham andBarnsley.Sheffield remains the central hub ofthe region it seems, and not withoutreason either. The greenest city in theUK in terms of green space, thanks toits flanking of the Peak District NationalPark, it also still boasts one of the mostsignificant retention rates for graduatesremaining in the city post-educationfrom its two highly regardeduniversities. Combe that with excellenttheatre, music, sport and entertainmentfacilities and it’s easy to see why itspopulation remains buoyant withdynamic individuals. The mix of SouthYorkshire’s more metropolitan townsand cities, combined with its proximityto the great outdoors is a key reason somany people choose it for business, aswell as for pleasure.Sheffield’s commercial propertysector in particular is noteworthy, withseveral large deals having been struckrecently including the £31.4 millionPomona Business Centre being soldand the nearby Magna 34 Business Parkin Rotherham being bought byLondonMetric Property PLC for£10.26 million.Other recent business success hasseen South Yorkshire’s largest propertyinvestment deal for the past two yearsbeing on track to complete both ontime and on budget. The 70,000 sq ft flagship Tesco Extrastore in Rotherham, brought to fruitionby developers TCN UK Ltd, will see acompletion date of October 27th metand within its £39 million budget. The project includes a £4 millionspend on public realm improvements,massive revisions to Rotherham’s roadand utilities infrastructure and the futurecreation of 450 jobs. As Stephen Holme, developmentdirector of TCN UK Ltd, tells BusinessLink: “This is one of the most importantdevelopment projects for Rotherhamtown centre over the past ten years andwill bring a significant volume of jobs tothe region as well as opening the areaup for further investment. It ranks as theA changinglandscapeA changinglandscapeSouth Yorkshire is sometimes overshadowed by the rest ofYorkshire in terms of business, but for no good reason. The areais rapidly proving its worth in terms of investment and a future-facing attitude that is sure to lead to further success.14-16:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:14 Page 1Business Link 15www.blmforum.netSOUTH YORKSHIRE SPOTLIGHTbiggest development deal in SouthYorkshire in the last two years.” TCN UK bought the disused Civic Siteplot from Rotherham MetropolitanBorough Council in 2013 in aninvestment deal brokered by theSheffield office of Knight Frank, and hascompletely changed the fortunes of thearea with the Tesco superstore project. Stephen adds: “The work we haveundertaken has radically lifted thequality of Rotherham’s public realm aswell as redefining and improving theroad network following the demolitionof Centenary Flyover, and redevelopingmajor utilities systems includingsewerage and telecoms. “Alongside the redevelopment of theHigh Street, which has been completelyrepaved with premium York stone andincludes the reinstatement of the town’sHastings Clock into Effingham Square,we have created a new road junctionbetween Drummond Street andCentenary Way.” Building more of a baseIt’s not just the existing infrastructurethat is leading South Yorkshire’s future,it’s the extension of the Government’sEnterprise Zones too. It has been saidthat the region could ‘massively’benefit, with Knight Frank expecting anincrease in industrial propertydevelopment and occupier activityfollowing the announcement that theEnterprise Zones have been extendedto March 2018 from a previous end dateof March 2015. As well as the three-year extension tothe EZ, new sites in the South Yorkshireregion have been allocated EZ status,which include Smithywood BusinessPark and Vantage Park in Sheffield andBarnsley’s Capital Park. Rebecca Schofield, Partner at KnightFrank, says: “The Enterprise Zoneextension to 2018 is great news andcould massively benefit SouthYorkshire’s industrial propertydevelopment as well as itsmanufacturing businesses. “The market is beginning to improveand this coupled the capital allowancesavailable for qualifying occupiers, willhopefully result in new development,both on a build to suit basis andpotentially via some speculativedevelopment, which is likely to be atthe smaller end of the size range. “To date, we have seen limited newdevelopment across the region, butwith the extension, we anticipate thatthis will help stimulate growth,especially now that we seem to beturning a corner in respect to thegeneral market. We have, however,witnessed some speculativedevelopment at Shortwood BusinessPark at junction 36 of the M1, where alocal developer has speculatively built70,000 sq ft across 12 units. “This accommodation has provedhugely successful and the businessrates relief which has been available toqualifying tenants as a result of theEnterprise Zone status has undoubtedlyhelped to secure some of the occupiers. “The capital allowances available at16 Doncaster is being toutedas a logistics hub, both forits position close totransport links and its traveland freight infrastructure.Sheffield is still seen as thecentral hub of the region, butBarnsley, Doncaster,Rotherham and other locationsare faring just as well.14-16:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:14 Page 2SOUTH YORKSHIRE SPOTLIGHT16Business Link www.blmforum.netspecific Enterprize Zone sites areparticularly relevant to manufacturingtype occupiers, helping to strengthenthe region’s manufacturing hub,because plant and fit-out expenditurefalls within this allowance.”Training for the futureIt’s not only infrastructure that hasmeant South Yorkshire is an enviableplace to be, more than 140 employeesare now benefiting from trainingsupport after Sheffield Chamber ofCommerce secured funding towards thecost of the courses.The Chamber gained assistance fromthe Skills Funding Agency to pay 90%of the cost towards selected trainingsessions which were available tobusinesses across Sheffield. More thanthirty companies in the city snapped upthe offer within days of it becomingavailable, with courses runningthroughout June and July. The normalcost of the courses was £250 perindividual but with the assisted funding,businesses were able to pay just £25 forthe sessions.Courses which were taken up bybusinesses focused on Leadership andManagement, including Finance for theNon Finance Managers, SuccessionPlanning, Introduction to SupervisoryManagement, Bids and TendersMasterclass, Presentation Skills andExport Documentation.Julie Hardwick, business servicesmanager at Sheffield Chamber, says,“We have worked very hard to ensurethese courses really help the businessperform better through the actions of itsemployees. Even though the course iscompetitive in price, the investment intime by the business is significant, andit needs to see a return. We understandthat! This is why we wanted to makethe training as cost-effective as possiblefor a wide range of small and mediumsized enterprises.”Festival seasonSheffield is famous for music, butMADE: The Entrepreneur Festival offersits visitors something else entirely.Taking over the city for two days ofbusiness events and activity in andaround Sheffield, the highlights includethe MADE for Success conference atMADE Festival 2014,celebrating entrepreneurship inthe city, features several high-profile speakers including DougRichard from Dragon’s Den.The Tesco Extra store in Rotherham and itsassociated infrastructure and regeneration spendrepresents £39 million, the biggest propertyinvestment in South Yorkshire in two years.It’s not only infrastructure thathas meant South Yorkshire is anenviable place to be, more than140 employees are nowbenefiting from training supportafter Sheffield Chamber ofCommerce secured fundingtowards the cost of the courses.Sheffield City Hall. This centrepiecefeatures a blend of business expertsand entrepreneurs sharing theirexperience and knowledge on achievingsuccess.Several speakers are alreadyconfirmed for conference, whichpromises to have the best line up yet. Ablend of business knowledge,entrepreneurial experience, andmotivational speakers will join thefestival’s main conference MADE forSuccess on 24 and 25 September.These include Paul McKenna, theworld’s leading expert on behaviouralchange and best-selling author as wellas Dragon’s Den success story LeviRoots, Chief Executive of ForgemastersGraham Honeyman CBE, formerDragon’s Den star Doug Richard,Learning and development specialistJeff Turner and BBC News Home EditorMark Easton. South Yorkshire is shaping up to be agreat place, not only to live now, but aplace in which business is thriving.Long may it continue.14-16:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:14 Page 3Business Link 17www.blmforum.netSOUTH YORKSHIRE SPOTLIGHTThe Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP)will be home to our new “Technology Centre”• The Helix fully integrated model goes way beyond anything the traditional distributor has to offer.• Convert materials including exotic alloys into complex parts and components more profitably.• “Secure Line Side Supply” of Hi Tech branded cutting toolsContact us on www.helixtools.co.ukfor a free benchmarking cost saving analysis.Helix Tools Co LtdHead OfficeUnit 7United Business ParkLeedsWest YorkshireLS12 6UBHelix Tool Co LtdTechnology CentreAdvanced Manufacturing ParkBrunel WayRotherhamSouth YorkshireS60 5WGThis year has seen Helix ToolCompany Limited enjoy new levels ofsuccess thanks to increased demand.Specialists in cutting tools, thecompany was first established in 1994and has recently expanded into SouthYorkshire with the establishment of aTechnology Centre at the AdvancedManufacturing Park, Rotherham. With a ‘Secure Line Side Supply’ of HiTech branded cutting tools, Helix has afully integrated model which goes waybeyond anything traditional distributorscan offer. As managing director CharlesRobinson says: “We’ve opened thefacility in Rotherham as around 50% ofour trade is within South Yorkshire.Many of our customers are investing innew, high-end machine tools and therewas a demand there for technicalsupport from us. “This new facility will act as ourtechnical centre of operations and oursenior engineers and applicationengineers will be headquartered there.We’re glad to be based close to and havelinks with the Advanced ManufacturingResearch Centre which is a centre ofexcellence for industry-focusedmachining and materials research. “We’re also pleased to be offering anexcellent apprentice training schemeand will be recruiting for that very soonin the local area.” “To underline this, Jake Corbally-Lidgett, from Handsworth Sheffieldrecently joined the Helix team as anApprentice Applications Engineer. Jakewill carry out a full three-yearapprenticeship at The AMRC-TrainingCentre in Rotherham. “We recognised there is a “missinggeneration” of engineers. The struggleto recruit is a common problem. We feltwe had a responsibility to do our bitand introduced our own in-housescheme accordingly.” For further information on Helix ToolCompany Limited, call 01142 541276,email sales@helixtools.co.uk or visitwww.helixtools.co.uk Expansion forprecision toolspecialists17:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:03 Page 1RELOCATION & INWARD INVESTMENT18Business Link www.blmforum.netOverall, inward investment projectsinto the UK rose by 15% last year, as itretained its position as Europe’s numberone destination for global investors whilesimultaneously increasing its marketshare. Thankfully this has also had animpact across Yorkshire andLincolnshire. This is mainly due to theemergence of an optimistic realisationthat our area has been ripe fordevelopment in larger terms for years,but also for pushing out its advantagesto a wider audience.As well as improving infrastructure,the likes of Hull, Lincoln, Leeds and othermajor cities have been showing theirnous to the rest of the world and are setto do so even more. Recently, membersof the Humber Renewables team andeight Humber businesses confirmed theywill be showcasing the region alongsideSiemens, ABP, Dong Energy, Vestas andRes Offshore at the Global Offshorewind exhibition in Glasgow.The Renewable UK Offshore Wind2014 - an annual conference andexhibition that demonstrates world-classdevelopments and gathers leadingplayers in the UK’s offshore wind market- is being held at one of the most excitingtimes for the sector in general.This event is the first dedicated‘offshore wind’ event the HumberRenewables team and businesses willbe attending since Siemens and ABPannounced their £310 million investmentto bring a wind turbine assembly andshipping facility and blademanufacturing factory to enterprise zonesites in Hull and the East Riding.Humber LEP Manager Richard Kendallsays: “Our stand at the Renewable UKOffshore Wind 2014 in Glasgow will actas a great base for holding meetingsLincoln has done much recently, not only to improveits heritage and tourism offering, but reasons tokeep highly skilled graduates in the county.Innovatingfor the futureInward investment and relocation are serving as pointerstowards growth in our region. What draws so many businessesto Lincolnshire and Yorkshire?18-20:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:17 Page 1RELOCATION & INWARD INVESTMENTBusiness Link 19www.blmforum.netIt’s the same story in Lincolnshire, withScunthorpe-based Clugston Constructionbeing selected to build the town’srecently-announced £9.5 million HumberUniversity Technical College. The UTC is a government-fundedschool for 14 to 19 year-olds that willhave significant input from businessesand education partners from across theregion. It will specialise in engineeringand renewable energy, alongside themore traditional subjects includingEnglish, maths and science. The projectwill be delivered via the Local EducationPartnership – which is comprised ofNorth Lincolnshire Council and itsdelivery partner Engage, a Joint Venturebetween Clugston and MAST ITC. The UTC will prepare young peoplefrom North Lincolnshire and the Humberfor the world of work. All successful UTCgraduates will be offered an interviewwith a major employer and a conditionaloffer to study engineering at theUniversity of Hull.Cllr Liz Redfern, leader, NorthLincolnshire Council, says: “The newUTC will be built in the heart of the towncentre where the former leisure centrestood in Church Square – close to theshops, library, market, and 20-21 VisualArts Centre. It will create a massiveboost to the town. We gave localresidents and businesses the opportunityto have their say on the UTC plans at anevent held in April and through ouronline consultation. Their views will helpshape the UTC and ensure that we areproviding a facility that meets parents’and young people’s needs.“Using local contractors means a greatdeal. We are able to keep jobs local, anduse local sub-contractors and suppliers.The Humber has attractedinvestment by pushing out thebenefits of its position of beingat the mouth of the so-calledEnergy Estuary.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SC77Training, as well as capital investment means thereare many more reasons to move to, or remain inour region’s cities and towns.PHOTO: LEEDS COLLEGE OF BUILDINGand will attract visitors from the offshorewind industry and its supply chain.“With eight businesses joining theHumber Renewables stand, and manyinvestors linked to our region having apresence at this exhibition, the Humber hasa very strong representation at the event.“The last exhibition we did was one ofthe most successful so far, so I’m gladthat we can again make an impact andsupport local SMEs to sell their servicesalongside us.”Leading by exampleIt’s not just attracting new settlers to theregion that is driving success. Recently agrowing social enterprise offering acrucial lifeline to businesses across Westand North Yorkshire announced it wasexpanding into York and has created fivenew jobs, proving commitment to theircause by further investing in the area. The Business Enterprise Fund hasmoved into its third Yorkshire office in thecentre of York, which will be the base oftwo new investment managers, DavidWinspear and Simon Middleton, whohave recently joined the team. Over the last 12 months BEF hasreached its target of 100% growth issuingover £4 million of loans to businessesturned down by the High Street banks. In the last ten years, BEF has loanedover £10 million which has assisted almost1,500 businesses across West and NorthYorkshire of which 940 were newbusinesses, creating over 1,000 jobs. Fund director Stephen Waud says themove into a third office in York in additionto Bradford and Leeds was due to therecord number of businesses that werestarted in the city in 2013. With 288businesses starting in the third quarter oflast year BEF saw a growing need forfinancial and mentoring support in the city. 20 18-20:Layout 1 30/6/14 09:17 Page 2Next >