< Previous10Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSRevenues soar for North Yorkshireequipment rental specialistVp, one of North Yorkshire’s largestequipment rental specialists, is in acelebratory mood having seen revenueand profits reach record levels.Revenue increased from £248.7million for the year to 31 March 2016from £208.7 million translating intoprofits of £34.9 million – up from £29.8million.Vp Chairman Jeremy Pilkington said:“It has been another record-breakingperformance for Vp and we aredelighted with the significant progressmade within the Group. “Reflecting this excellent set ofresults, the Board is recommending afinal dividend of 16.0 pence per sharemaking a total for the year of 22.0pence per share, an increase of 17%.”He added: “Looking ahead, the new financial year has started well and at this very early stage, I believe there isevery prospect that we may look forward to another year of significant progress for Vp and our shareholders.”£8.1m fund is unlockinggrowth in the HumberThe Humber LEP’s £8.1 million Business Loan Fund is helpingbusinesses in the region undertake investment, unlock stalled projectsand bring forward development.The revolving fund uses the Humber’s allocation of Growing PlacesFunding to support capital projects that benefit the local economy andreinvests returns into future projects.It will support capital development projects from infrastructure, flooddefence work, housing projects and building, through to machinerypurchases, interior refurbishment and landscaping.Loans of around £100,000 to £1 million are available to businessesthat can demonstrate they are viable, clearly able to deliver the projectand can repay the money.In particular the funding can support smaller development projectsand early stage costs, such as undertaking ground works, where it isdifficult to access finance from traditional lenders.Priority is given to projects that will lead to skilled employment,especially in one of the Humber’s key sectors – e.g. ports & logisticsand energy etc.Yorkshirebusinesswomenshortlisted for majorawardThe Finance Director and HRManager of laundry chemicalsmanufacturer Christeyns have bothbeen shortlisted for the YorkshireWomen in Business Awards.Julie Roberts, who joined Bradford-based Christeyns in 2006 as FinancialAccountant, is in the running to winthe award for the ‘Woman of the YearMedium Business’ category, whilst HRManager Sarah Dufton has beenshortlisted for the ‘Rising Star’ award.Now in its third year, BarclaysCelebrating Women in BusinessAwards aims to recognise successfulwomen and businesses who haveexcelled in their specific business,profession or organisation.The essence of the awards is todiscover and reward exceptionalwomen who, through leadership,entrepreneurialism, and mentoringskills stand out from their colleagues.During Ms Roberts’ time atChristeyns the firm has seen a growthin turnover from £21 million in 2010 tocirca £50 million in 2016.Despite her young age, Ms Duftonhas introduced many new policies andis currently working on the new TalentAcademy initiative.JulieRobertsSarahDrufton© Shutterstock / Jevanto Productions 06-10_Layout 1 04/07/2017 08:12 Page 5readers’www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 11It’s hardlyRocket Science Dear Sir,What a travesty for the Tories in the recentgeneral election although Labour did welland their manifesto is based on the ludicrousbelief that businesses across our region andindeed the UK as a whole, can stand huge taxincreases without any wider impact on theeconomy, jobs and investment. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientistto realise that should even a few of Labour’sideas be implemented, it would mean miseryfor the many and employment for the few. The country’s problems cannot be solvedby taking yet more money from already hard-pressed businesses only to have ourpoliticians waste it. What our economyneeds, instead, is to restore confidence andstimulate growth by simplifying and reducingtaxes, and have a long hard think about whatthe state should and should not do.T Harris emailOne of those EurekamomentsDear Sir,I doth my cap to Frazer’s comment this month (June 2017) onthe research on journalists and what attracted him to the industry. I couldn’t help wondering what good use the research could beput to then I had one of those Eureka moments and realisedUniversities up and down the country could be using this in theirsales literature, as this would surely have students falling overthemselves to sign up. It would also explain why whenever I ring the newsroom of amagazine or newspaper, I always find the journalist I need tospeak to is ‘out at the moment’ yet the minute we hold a soiree[mainly those with a free bar] we’re blessed by their presence. P SkilurnLeedsAnotherLincolnshiresuccess story?Dear Sir,Thank you very much for your kind hospitality over thetwo days of the Lincolnshire Show. I hadn’t realised, until we visited your VIP lounge, thenumber of magazines that Business Link produce – I wasaware of course of the Business Link and LincolnshireToday association, but it wasn’t until visiting the show wesaw you also produce monthly, national, and internationalmagazines too. The fact that all this hails from Lincolnshire and from afamily owned business is all the more astounding. Wethoroughly enjoyed the show thanks to your very hardworking staff. The food was also delicious, the 60’s musicwas nostalgic & the company was great. R AtkinsonLincolnSomething to say? Write to:Business Link Magazine,Armstrong House,Armstrong Street,Grimsby,North East LincolnshireDN31 2QE or email:letters@blmgroup.co.ukPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/NIKODASH11_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:43 Page 1PROPERTY12Business Link www.blmforum.netHere come thecreativesFrom its industrial origins, Yorkshire has grown into a major destination for the creativesector. With it comes an upsurge in appropriate office space and studios and a freshinjection of global and national investors. © Knight Frank12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 13PROPERTYYorkshire’s history is steeped inindustry, built upon the sweat and browof engineers, miners and the glow andspark of steel. Like other areas across our region,Yorkshire has undergone a massivetransformation in the new millennium.Though our engineering prowess is stillalmost second to none, there’s a lotmore to the UK’s largest county. Theregion is striking a chord with thenation’s creative sector and attractingstart-ups, established companies andan entrepreneurial spirit. Our designagencies are booming, the region’s TVand film industries tops the UK’s fastestgrowing, and our creative capabilitiesare attracting a slew of fresh investors. The proof comes in the form ofKnight Frank’s Yorkshire Office MarketReview, which revealed that, last year,firms from the county’s technology,media and telecoms (TMT) sectorcontributed almost £4 billion to the UKeconomy. The county now supportssome 60,000 digital jobs, with aparticular concentration in Leeds andSheffield. Combined, these two citieshave seen growth by almost one thirdin the past five years alone. But whatdoes this influx of digital professionalsmean for the regional commercialproperty market?“From a property market perspective,the rise of the TMT sector is supportingdemand for office space,” says EamonFox, partner with Knight Frank in Leeds6 Queen Street, Leeds15 Á12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 2ArmstronghouseOffering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House onArmstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports ofGrimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre,off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors,meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming officesare located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind.At Armstrong House, the flexible in/out terms of contractmean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a rangeof office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. Ifyou require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 permonth. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements,give Scotts Property a call today on 01472 267000 and askabout Armstrong House.Last remaining office suitesPrime location in GrimsbySuperb Location -- Close to the ports of Grimsby &Immingham- Great motorwaylinks- Close to the town centreSecure off street parkingHigh speed internet availabilityEasy in/out termsA range of affordable office sizes33333Armstrong House, Armstrong Street,Grimsby DN31 2QETel: (01472) 310301 • Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.ukwww.shutterstock.com/terekhov igorwww.shutterstock.com/Yentafern12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 3www.shutterstock.com/Yentafernwww.blmforum.netBusiness Link 15PROPERTY•Spacious conference hall •Smaller meeting rooms and IT/training suite•Serviced office space•On-site caféConvenient for Leeds and BradfordTelephone: 01274 666649 • www.thornburycentre.comand leader of the office agency team.“In Sheffield and Leeds, TMT firmsaccount for 20 – 25 per cent of spacelet between January 2016 and March2017.”As a cluster of tech excellence,SkyBet, WANdisco, Rockstar Gamingand Plusnet each boast an office ineither Sheffield or Leeds. We’vepreviously covered the rise of Leeds asa digital powerhouse, but the resultsfrom Knight Frank’s review putcredence to the notion that our regionhas reinvented itself into a competitive,profitable and viable region in 21stcentury Britain. “The tech umbrella is broadening,”adds Mr Fox. “Organisations whoseprincipal business is not within thetechnology realm are taking space tosupport a growing digital arm. Theemergence of ‘digital transformationteams’ is increasing aimed at aligningcompanies from traditional banking tothe public sector with the digital age.”As well as attracting national firms,global companies are also looking atour region with an increased interest.Asda Walmart, DLA Piper, Lloyds, BAESystems and the NHS all sporttechnology operations within Yorkshire.With this in mind, office demand tomeet and support digital activities willcontinue to grow in parallel. The changing face of the modernoffice was highlighted as a key trendwithin the property market. Yorkshire16 Á© Tupungato / Shutterstock12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 4PROPERTY16Business Link www.blmforum.nethas become something of a perfectstorm in attracting and retaining staff.The county offers a diverse talent pool– supported by eleven universities –as well as quality of life, the relativelylow cost of living, excellent transportlinks and leisure and retail offerings,and all alongside idyllic country side. Things are far from perfect,however, and while the creativesector is indeed flourishing, the lowsupply of offices in Leeds andSheffield is suppressing investmentactivity. Investment volumes remainedon par with the long-term trend in2016 reaching £175 million by year-end. “Although the recent level ofinvestment suggests steady levels ofactivity, volumes have largely beensuppressed by a lack of opportunity inthe market, particularly prime assets,”says Henrie Westlake, Head ofInvestment at Knight Frank inYorkshire. “As such, secondary assetsare gaining greater attention,predominantly where activemanagement adds value.” The elephant in the room is politicalevents which, over the last twelvemonths, have been dramatic (to say theleast). The second quarter of 2017,however, is expected to see a return toan upward trajectory. “Analysis of deals already completedin Q2 indicates that take-up could reach160,000 sq ft for the quarter, 29%above the 10-year quarterly average,”says Elizabeth Ridler, office agencypartner at Knight Frank in Leeds.“Significantly, around 750,000 sq ft ofactive demand remains unfulfilled, thehighest single total on record. Thismeans that 2017 return take-up levelssignificantly above trend.”Rents are also on the up with thelease of 46,000 sq ft at 6 Queen Streetto a confidential FTSE 100 firm hasestablished £30 per sq ft as prime renton new space. Ms Ridler says that“prime rents will increase in Q2 2017from £27.50 per sq ft to £28 per sq ftfor prime Grade A space and up to £30per sq ft for exceptional space”.© Shutterstock / g-stockstudioRevealed: First images ofLincoln’s £250m SwanpooldevelopmentLincoln’s long-planned Swanpool development include a 12,000-seater stadium forLincoln City FC, a leisure centre 3,200 homes and a hotel, says Lincoln City Council.The development will form part of the £250m Western Growth corridor redevelopmentrunning from the A46 bypass in the east to Tritton Road in the west and from SkellingthorpeRoad in the south, to the railway and Fossdyke in the north, covering some 240 hectares.The scheme has been talked about for the last five years, and, is expected to have outlineplanning permission submitted by October.Kate Ellis, strategic director of major developments at the Council, says: “The consultation event on Wednesday, June 28th attracted over 70visitors, and we have gained some valuable feedback during the two sessions.“This is the start of a consultation process where there will be a range of events for people to air their views and give us ideas.“Our intention is to submit outline planning permission for the Western Growth Corridor, along with detailed junction designs, in October thisyear.“We hope that on-site work will begin by late 2018, subject to planning consent.“It will be a phased project, with key elements taking shape over the next 20 to 25 years.”12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 5Our Current DevelopmentsBourne Heights, BourneButtercross Park, OakhamDoddington Grange, Doddington NEWGreetham Square, GreethamGretton Valley, WeldonHempsted Park, PeterboroughLangham Barns, BarleythorpeOakley Rise, Corby NEWPinchbeck Fields, PinchbeckThorney Meadows, ThorneyWhittlesey Green, WhittleseyThere’s no better time of year to consider a move to a brand new home.Visit one of our sales offices this weekend and talk to us about how we can help you to make your move to a new Larkfleet home...Whittlesey Green, Whittlesey4 bedroom homes from only £246,995Thorney Meadows, Thorney3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from only £184,995Pinchbeck Fields, PInchbeck 3 & 4 bedroom homes from only £172,995www.larkfleethomes.co.uk2594 0617Visit our website for more information on all of our current developments.A choice of purchase options including Shared Ownership, Part Exchange and Help to Buy*Prices and information correct at time of going to print. Images are for illustrative purposes only. *Subject to status.General EnquiriesLarkfleet House, Falcon Way, Bourne PE10 0FF 01778 3915552, 3, 4 and 5bedroom homes Prices from only £147,500relax in a newLarkfleet Home!Phase 2 coming soon!12-17_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:45 Page 618Business Link www.blmforum.netHEALTH & SAFETY SPOTLIGHTCargoTrainingInternationalnAIR, SEA AND ROAD TRAINING nREGULAR UK & USA COURSESnWORLDWIDE IN-HOUSE PROGRAMMES nCAA APPROVEDFOR ALL YOUR DANGEROUS GOODS TRAINING NEEDSFOR ALL OUR TRAINING DATES & VENUES VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.cargotraining.comUK OFFICE: PO Box 176 . Shepperton TW17 8WP. UK Tel: 01932 769 682 • E-mail: sales@cargotraining.comUSA OFFICE: • PO Box 580026 . Houston • Texas . 77258-0026 . USA Tel: 1800 700 4980 • Fax: 281 333 9522 • E-mail: cti@cargotrainingusa.comThe fallout from a health, safety orhygiene scare can be difficult for anycompany to manage. Depending on theseverity of the case it might mean fines,media attention – or worse – loss of amajor contract. Despite this, properhealth and safety management isconsidered a nebulous concern, one tobe adhered to at a bare minimum level,leaving many companies left off-guardand out of place when someoneeventually goes wrong.Most obviously, companies that aren’table to point to clear health and safetyregulations will usually find themselvesMore tosafetyEveryone knows that safety and hygiene is vital, but arecompanies in our region putting in the effort they should?18-22_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:47 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 19HEALTH & SAFETY SPOTLIGHTunable to win contracts from majorcustomers. The importance of securityand speed across the supply chainmeans retailers demand manufacturersand distributors reach the higheststandards and must be able to illustratetheir commitment to quality – and aformal health and safety policy, with fullinformation on potential flashpoints andthe measures in place to deal with them,is usually required.What many in the region tend toforget is that, unlike with most cases ofefficiency, the human element is morerequired than not in safety and hygiene.While automated machines aredesigned not to make mistakes, thatdoes not mean accidents do nothappen, and when there is a spillage orcontamination, most process systemswill not have been designed with asolution in mind. It’s the old adage ofsomething being created to be perfectnot having the solution to what happenswhen it is imperfect. Due to the differing nature of hygienerisks and how they can occur, it is oftena requirement to bring in outside help tojudge and identify potential flashpoints.These can come from any number ofaspects, be it the ingredientsthemselves, the way employees work orsimply the atmosphere of a givenfacility. The latter is one such aspectthat many companies might overlook.Clean air is of paramount concern forsome industry sectors, with food anddrink being a prime example. It mightnot be as important for a factoryoperating in a different industry,however, so as ever, hygiene solutionsneed to be tailored based on individualneed. Within Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, wehave a lot of companies who deal withhazardous waste, and that creates itsown set of unique challenges andproblems. With our region being agateway to Europe, there is an obviousneed for expertise in the transport andhandling of potentially hazardousmaterial – a common flashpoint due tothe risks involved in materials handlingand moving containers from one vehicleto another. Those involved need toknow not only how to minimise the riskof an incident, but also what to do in the(hopefully) unlikely risk that it all goeswrong. Companies like Cargo TrainingInternational help in that regard, withtraining courses designed for variousindustries, including radioactivematerials, infectious substances, andlithium batteries – all of which can be© Shutterstock / Photographee.eu20 ÁAlthough anyone can clean and office,professional agencies offer more benefits- Insurance, for one.18-22_Layout 1 03/07/2017 14:48 Page 2Next >