JULY 2021 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 36 ISSUE 7 LEGAL SERVICES A changing workforce DESIGN AND MARKETING The importance of digital marketing NHS CHARITY SPECIAL Showing support for charities BUSINESS IN THE FAST LANE BUSINESS IN THE FAST LANE 01.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:17 Page 1www.geodis.com GEODIS Unit 5, Bridge View Henry Boot Way Hull HU4 7DW Tel: 01482 598550 humber.ff.uk@geodis.com Road Transport Customs Ocean Freight Insurance Airfreight Special Cargo 02.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:18 Page 1Further proof that the government’s handling of the COVID crisis has been tantamount to soap opera shenanigans, health secretary Matt Hancock has quit after his affair with an aide came to light. But, of course, flouting COVID restrictions is nothing new with Boris Johnson’s cabinet – why break tradition now? Perhaps worst of all was Johnson’s refusal to give Hancock the sack, instead leaving it to the erstwhile health secretary to quit. If the Tories are trying to convince the public that parliament isn’t just an extension of the Bullingdon Club, that cronyism doesn’t rule the roost, then they’re not doing a very good job. Sajid Javid has been thrust into the role and it’ll very much be trial by fire. But, at this point, all he has to do is stick to the rules and not have any illicit affairs and he’ll already be doing a better job than his predecessor. Nationally the country might be a laughingstock, but I’m happy to say that our region is par excellence as usual. Just have a read though our July issue and you can see for yourselves. Perhaps most importantly this issue is our charity feature which is helping to raise vital funds for those that need it most. Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor From the Editor Looking forward at new business opportunities SINGLE USE MENUS / NOTICES AND SIGNS / INFORMATION LEAFLETS / LOGOS AND BRANDING / STATIONARY / BUSINESS CARDS NEWSLETTERS / POSTCARDS / FLYERS / BROCHURES / VINYL BANNERS / ROLLER BANNERS / POSTERS / PLAN PRINTING Established more than 40 years ago, Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has experienced the highs and lows of the economy alongside many other businesses in the area. Looking at the opportunities as the economy grows, they identified areas where they can help their customers stand out from the crowd and have invested in new printing and finishing equipment. With the latest Xerox Versant 280 press and Kasfold 640 booklet maker, they can now supply landscape A4 brochures, 6 page A4 leaflets and A5 concertina leaflets with other products available in the near future, all in smaller as well as large quantities. The combination of the new machines offer many new exciting products for customers. Their experienced design team have worked in print for many years so understand what’s required in the worlds of commerce, industry, hospitality, culture and tourism. They can help customers understand how the new ideas will work for them, discuss branding and logos, what will attract and inform their customers. For more information visit www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk 9 Clifton Street, Stonefield Park Industrial Estate, Lincoln, LN5 8LQ 01522 546118 sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk 03.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:30 Page 1CONTENTS JULY 2021 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Business Lincolnshire Q&A This month, Growth Hub Project Officer Holly Wells explains why she loves supporting Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland businesses like yours to grow! 12 Commercial property This issue, we highlight several major restoration and regeneration developments across the region that mean jobs and investment. 16 Design and marketing Digital marketing has become vital for companies looking to boost their exposure. 20 Engineering A skills shortage, COVID and lockdown have all forced engineering in our region to become leaner than ever. 24 IT and telecoms As the corporate world continues to grapple with life after COVID, it’s critical that companies do everything they’re able to safeguard themselves against digital threats. 28 Corporate hospitality With the lifting of most social restrictions enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19, senior leaders and company bosses can once again wine, dine and entertain prospective clients to try and secure new contracts and business. Just don’t forget your mask! 31 Legal services With the final stage of vaccinations on the way and life set to return to normal, businesses will now face issues of bringing staff back to how things used to be. With more people than ever working from home, where does a business stand in the eyes of the law? 34 NHS charity special The past year has had a significant negative impact on charities, but businesses are stepping up to show their support and donate their time and funds. 38 Driving and lease hire Commercial fleets and lease hire continues to evolve as pressure mounts for greener vehicles and the coronavirus crisis continues to change the needs of workers and bosses alike. Business Link explores. 42 AutoLink This month we’re profiling a quartet of stunning luxury vehicles that add a touch of prestige parked outside your home or office. 46 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 50 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 20 24 34 04-05.e$S_Layout 1 02/07/2021 09:01 Page 1Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Assistant Editor Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Advertising Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman, John Downes Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) E-Mail: yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.uk Website www.blmforum.net Address Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. ISSN No: 1462-2092 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. COVER PHOTOS : SHUTTERSTOCK - NATALI _ MIS • CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERS • ONE PHOTO • OLEGKOVALEVICHH • ASTON MARTIN www.blmforum.net 16 04-05.e$S_Layout 1 02/07/2021 09:01 Page 2Joint funding bid submitted for decarbonising Port of Immingham Uniper, Siemens Energy, Toyota Tsusho and Associated British Ports have submitted a joint bid into the Clean Maritime Fund for matched funding to develop their vision for a low carbon hydrogen supply to the Port of Immingham. A joint study completed by the four companies shows that the availability of low carbon fuels in ports, such as green hydrogen, can provide a viable opportunity to decarbonise ‘hard to reach sectors’, such as maritime and cargo handling. ABP’s Port of Immingham, located within the Humber industrial cluster, is the UK’s largest port by tonnage, handling over 54Mt of cargo annually. The port is ideally placed to take advantage of the existing infrastructure in the region, combined with technical expertise brought by the four partners. There is the potential for green hydrogen to be produced by electrolysis, using a renewable energy supply such as offshore wind. The hydrogen could then be used as a direct replacement to diesel and heavy fuel oil, or for the production of clean shipping fuels. The funding bid has been submitted so that the companies can undertake a full feasibility study for this exciting project. The study would review the technical and economic feasibility of reducing port greenhouse gas emissions with hydrogen and develop a clear plan for future development. A successful funding bid could allow this work to begin as early as September 2021. The project aims to develop a scalable decarbonisation solution within the Port of Immingham, which, if successful, would be replicable in other ports. Ultimately this could be the first step in the uptake of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels across the whole maritime sector. The project could lead to an initial c.20MW supply of green hydrogen to the Port of Immingham by 2025. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Rebecca Freitas becomes first known ‘Aspiring Solicitors’ Alumni made partner of a law firm Rebecca Freitas has become the first known ‘Aspiring Solicitors’ Alumni who has been made partner of a law firm. Mrs Freitas, who was announced as a partner at Ringrose Law in May, is the first known Alumni from Aspiring Solicitors to achieve this. Aspiring Solicitors was set up in autumn 2013 to increase diversity in the legal profession. At the time of Mrs Freitas starting out in her legal career she was a single mum of two and passionate about law. She studied her law exams and worked part time at Ringrose Law initially whilst raising her young family. “Aspiring Solicitors has always supported me and my career. It is a great group of individuals trying to help increase diversity in the legal sector and it is a fantastic honour for me to now share my experiences with others,” she said. To find out more, visit www.ringroselaw.co.uk. Sheffield Forgemasters’ former apprentice appointed to COO A former Sheffield Forgemasters apprentice has been appointed to the company’s board of directors as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Gareth Barker, who started with the company in 1996 as an apprentice engineer, has progressed through the company ever since, working across all of its production divisions in various managerial roles before his appointment to the board of directors. He now takes overall responsibility for all site operations, technical and quality output, Health, Safety and Environment, implementation of specific new plant investments and works with the CEO, CFO and non-executive directors to shape and develop the future of the business. “Gareth is a valuable addition to the board of directors at Sheffield Forgemasters and has intimate knowledge of the company’s processes, the markets we serve and our strategies for future growth,” said Sheffield Forgemasters’ CEO, David Bond. Gareth Barker John Knight, Senior Director, and Rebecca Freitas, Partner 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:32 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Drax and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sign pioneering carbon capture deal Drax and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have signed a pioneering deal to deliver the world’s largest carbon capture power project. The long-term contract is for Drax to use its carbon capture technology, the Advanced KM CDR process, in what would be the largest deployment of negative emissions in power generation anywhere in the world. The contract, which combines UK innovation and world-leading Japanese technology, will see Drax license MHI’s unique carbon capture solvent, KS-21, to capture CO2 at its power station near Selby, North Yorkshire. The project combines MHI’s proven and world-leading technology with offshore geological storage under the North Sea, helping the UK achieve its target to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and demonstrates global climate leadership ahead this weekend’s G7 in Cornwall and of COP26 in Glasgow in November. © Shutterstock/Dmitry Kalinovsky Roger Marsh knighted in Queen’s Birthday Honours list Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 Group of Northern LEPs, has been Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The honour has been given for his services to business, economy and the community across North and in West Yorkshire. Since joining the LEP as Chair in 2013, Mr Marsh has led a significant period of transformation for the region. He has been instrumental in securing the country’s largest ever Local Growth Deal with Government, bringing Channel 4’s new National HQ and news centre to Leeds, and most recently, the West Yorkshire devolution deal. In a joint statement, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire’s Leaders, said: “Roger Marsh has made a huge contribution to businesses and communities across West Yorkshire, the wider Leeds City Region and the North over many years and the award of his knighthood is a well-deserved recognition for his work.” Sir Roger Marsh Lincolnshire drone business acquired by US firm Lincolnshire-based Tetra Drones has been acquired by Plymouth Rock Technologies, a developer of threat detection and unmanned technologies. Founded in 2017, Tetra Drones is a developer of custom-made, high-performance and niche Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). USA-based Plymouth Rock acquired 100 ordinary shares of Tetra from the sole shareholder, Ben Pickard. Pickard will continue to work for PRT following completion of the acquisition. Dana Wheeler, President and CEO of Plymouth Rock, said: “The acquisition of Tetra provides us with a UK-based production and sales team with a record of success. “We welcome the Tetra team to Plymouth Rock, as we move forward to a sales phase within the USA and EU.” 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:32 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 02/07/2021 07:33 Page 3Haribo invests £22m in Yorkshire facility Haribo is investing £22 million to enhance technology across its purpose-built facility in Castleford, West Yorkshire. The business will use the strategic investment to deliver additional capacity, greater efficiencies and reduced costs as it continues to produce 30,000 tonnes of product from this site each year. Furthermore, the focus on reformulation of products within the portfolio will be strengthened, reducing sugar and creating treats that deliver greater choice to retailers and shoppers. “As we continue to face tough challenges following the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we are showing our resilience and commitment to world-class production in an increasingly competitive market,” said Managing Director of Haribo UK, Jon Hughes. “Investing £22 million into our already world-class manufacturing facility will give us greater opportunity to produce the variety of sweets that we know bring childlike happiness to our customers.” The investment will be rolled out throughout 2021. www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Leeds libraries to support small businesses across West Yorks The British Library has announced a major expansion of its network of library-based Business & IP Centres (BIPCs) to regional and local libraries across England – including in Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Following last year’s pledge of £13 million in Treasury funding towards the expansion, Leeds Libraries has been allocated £252,000 to equip four local libraries across the region with Business & IP Centre spaces, resources and services by 2023, building on the popular support already available through Leeds Libraries. This is a major boost for anyone who has recently launched or is looking to start their own business and the roll out will help anyone to grow their own business in West Yorkshire. A range of free support and resources, such as up-to-date market research and business databases, will be available for residents at their local Business & IP Centres in Bradford, Halifax and Wakefield from July, and will also be available in Kirklees later this year. Leeds named among top UK locations for international investment Professional services firm EY’s latest ‘UK Attractiveness Survey’ shows Leeds was the seventh best performing place in the country for foreign direct investment (FDI) projects during 2020. The survey identifies a total of 16 FDI projects secured by the city over the course of the year, despite the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. EY’s report – which includes analysis of 570 international investors’ perceptions of the UK as a destination for FDI – also pinpoints digital technology as a sector with “significant growth potential” for Yorkshire as a whole. Leeds’s total of 16 FDI projects accounts for nearly a third of all those secured across Yorkshire and the Humber in 2020. © Shutterstock/Photon photo © Shutterstock/hristopher Chambers 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/07/2021 07:33 Page 4Next >