OCTOBER 2014 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 29ISSUE 10IT ANDTELECOMMUNICATIONGetting up to speedPORTS ANDSERVICESA barometer of theeconomySOUTH BANK Shifting sandsPLAYING TO WINInvesting forthe future01:Layout 1 30/9/14 08:42 Page 1Your Local IT Service Partnerwww.passport-it.co.uk02:Layout 1 30/9/14 07:46 Page 1Regulars4From the Editor5News8TaxationThe manufacturing challenge by RobinLee, Partner, Streets CharteredAccountants9Appointments10LettersReader’s letters and replies44AutoLinkWho hasn’t dreamed of owning and drivinga gleaming classic car? For many they aresimply a fun way to invest their money andenjoy an occasional weekend drive out. Toothers they are used for their dailycommute…46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire49Classified50And finally…Features11Commercial property Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are seeing ahuge upsurge in construction activity andit’s not just new projects taking off. Heritageis also being maintained in the region 14Network by numbersThe Business Network South Humbersidehas been helping companies generatefruitful relationships for over two decades16The South BankThe South Bank is well-placed to benefitfrom additional funding and attention, to addto the already energetic business scene19International linkIn the build-up to the 2015 World SeafoodCongress, two major events in our regionhave emphasised the importance of theseafood industry…22Ports and servicesWith Yorkshire and Lincolnshire modellingitself as a renewables and logisticsspecialist area, ports are playing their partin this success. The associated servicesinvolved in this supply chain are alsoseeing a bright future as a result26HealthcareBusinesses are only as healthy as theirworkforce as the old adage goes. What arecompanies doing to help employees andwhat benefits do they bring?www.blmforum.net28IT and telecommunicationsHow well your organisation performs isdown to how your people perform. But,with information technology andtelecommunications increasingly mergingtogether, does our region have theexpertise and infrastructure to deliver?32ApprenticeshipsIt’s now easier than ever for employers tobenefit from apprenticeships34EngineeringInvestment in equipment and peopleshould ensure the region’s engineeringexcellence continues to lead the worldEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is yourultimate guide to the expanding world ofgreen business.38Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-movingsector40Solar Solar energy remains a mainstreamproposition – with numerous companiesenjoying impressive cost savingsCONTENTSOCT 20142822403403:Layout 1 30/9/14 07:50 Page 1The economy might be on the mend, but globally, westill live in very strange times. This of course has aneffect on us all - right down to grass roots level. Forthose who do business in the Middle East and EasternEurope, the latest upheavals are frustrating to say theleast and will no doubt add to the spiralling costs oftrying to continue to do business in those regions.That, combined with the fact that European economies still aren’tperforming as they should be means that new markets are harder to find -never mind break into.Despite these frustrations, growth has been robust and the recovery isprogressing along the right path, or so they say. New figures do bear thisout; with private sector growth continuing to perform strongly in the lastthree months, and one hopes the expectations for another good quarterwon’t be dashed.On the home front, the Scottish vote for independence took our mindsaway from the UK’s run-up to the General Election and, as I write thesewords, the Tory conference in Birmingham is getting underway, just as asecond Conservative MP defects to UKIP – there’s never a dull moment inpolitics it seems.Within this issue, you’ll find Yorkshire and Lincolnshire focusing on one ofits key assets, seafood. With the World Seafood Congress being held inGrimsby next year, two events recently spelled out how important the areais in terms of lucrative global import and export. Elsewhere, we cast a lighton the improving commercial property sector in our region as well as theinvestment being poured into the area’s ports and its associated supplychain. Our region, it seems, is again proving its worth.W S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorTeri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Kim Collins (k.collins@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cook, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson, Rachel GreenTel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314(studio@blmgroup.co.uk)E-Mail:yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.ukWebsitewww.blmforum.netAddressHaychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.ISSN No:1462-2092All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor itsparticipating agents accept liability for loss or damage toprints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material ofwhatever nature submitted to this publication. The viewsexpressed in this publication are not necessarily the views ofthose held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recyclingmagazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle your magazine,please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free giftsand samples. If you are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?The magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than wefound itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key tomaintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staffwill be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We alsoextend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causesand charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources,minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - SERGEY NIVENS • HOLBOX • TERO SIVULA • GENCHO PETKOV • NICHOLAS PETER GAVIN DAVIES04:Layout 1 29/9/14 13:46 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSA joint venture partnershipbetween Evans PropertyGroup and the University ofYork has openedConstantine College, thethird phase ofaccommodation andfacilities totalling some twothousand student beds and£100 million of investmentover three new Colleges atits Heslington East campus.The new BREEAM Excellentrated, £36 millionConstantine College willaccommodate 621 studentsand tutors over eight blocks.Britcon to convertWorld War II hangarBritcon has been awarded a significant contract byPeel Holdings to refurbish a World War II hangar atRobin Hood Airport DoncasterSheffield.As well as an internalupgrade, Britcon will refurbishthe associated officesincluding the strip out ofexisting M&E installations andprovision of new facilities inreadiness for occupation. Amajor part of the brief is torefurbish the existing Hangardoors which have not beenused for many years. Thesliding doors are filled withballast to provide blastprotection to the unit duringthe Second World War. Theworks involves restoration ofthe doors to enable them tooperate fully.Steve Gill, managingdirector of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, says “Therefurbishment of hangar one at Doncaster SheffieldAirport is fantastic news. With work gathering a paceon the new FARRRS link road and developments in andaround the airport building the area is becoming moreand more attractive.”High profile speakers lined up forDirectors’ BriefingThe DirectorGeneral of the BritishChambers ofCommerce will be thekeynote speaker at theDuncan & ToplisDirectors’ Briefing inNovember.The event will takeplace at the BeltonWoods Hotel, nearGrantham, on Friday 21st November. It offers high-level advice and insights to businessleaders from across the region.John Longworth is one of six high profile speakers confirmed for the sixth annual event,this year entitled ‘On the Right Track, and Up for the Challenge’. Other speakers from theregion are Neil Rhodes, Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police and Emma McClarkin, MEPfor the East Midlands.Adrian Reynolds, Managing Partner at Duncan & Toplis, says, “Our annual Directors’Briefing is always well attended as it provides an unmatched opportunity for seniorbusiness leaders to meet, share ideas and hear from a range of influential andknowledgeable speakers.”To book your place, visit www.duntop.co.uk/directors-briefing-2014.On Line Design& Engineeringgoes northBen Wright of On Line Design &Engineering is heading north to spendten days working at the major facility atSullom Voe Terminal in the ShetlandIslands.Ben, who lives in Grimsby, is astructural design draftsman, working atOn Line Design & Engineering’s office inImmingham. Ben has recently obtained afirst class honours degree in Civil Engineeringfrom Leeds Metropolitan University.Ben’s role at Sullom Voe involves assisting a major client and carrying out site measuringfor continuing work in the On Line Design & Engineering office to supplement the designwork, which the firm is currently undertaking. It is hoped that these visits by On Line Design& Engineering personnel will become a regular event to develop engineering and designwork in the Humber area for major operators.Bondholders hear inspiringstories of investment in Hull’swaterfrontBusiness leaders have heard inspiring stories of investment whichare reviving Hull’s waterfront and reinforcing its position as a focalpoint for Hull’s creative community.The emergence of the Marina and Fruit Market as areas of culturaland economic activity was highlighted at a Bondholders breakfaststaged in the Freedom Festival Big Top. The event focused on howbeing UK City of Culture 2017 is acting as a catalyst for investment that will create a thriving environment for business.The event featured presentations by City of Culture Chair Rosie Millard and Chief Executive Martin Green on thetransformative power of culture and the part played by the business community. Hull City Council Chief OperatingOfficer Matt Jukes explained how City of Culture is part of the overarching City Plan masterplan and gave details ofspecific projects such as improvements to Hull’s public realm, plans for a major events and conference centre, andregeneration of the Fruit Market. One of Huddersfield’s oldestbusinesses has beenacquired in a deal that savesall of its 62 jobs. A group oflocal entrepreneurs hasteamed up with anAustralian inward investor tobuy Sellers Engineers, whichhas been designing andmanufacturing machinery forthe carpet industry since1912. The deal sees MikeShotton, former Chairman oftextile company QuantumClothing, lead a group ofYorkshire-based investors toacquire the businessalongside CTS Group in apre-pack administration deal.05-07:Layout 1 30/9/14 07:46 Page 1LATEST NEWS6Business Link www.blmforum.netEvans PropertyGroup’s £5 millioninvestment into itsMinerva office buildingin central Leeds hasattracted its first newoccupier as leadingnational law firm,Gateley, has signed aten year lease for 7500sq ft, doubling itsoffice size in the city.The firm, which has 25members of staff inLeeds, is relocatingfrom Toronto Squarewhere it will sub-let its3880 sq ft office.Keyland unveils plansfor West Yorkshireemployment parkKeyland Developments hasunveiled plans for a major newindustrial and business park ona 57 acre former watertreatment works site in WestYorkshire which couldgenerate around a thousandnew jobs.In line with Keyland’sstrategy of regeneratingYorkshire Water’s redundantsites, it is preparing to submita planning application toKirklees Council to transformthe former North Bierley WasteWater Treatment Works,located to the north of the M62and the east of the M606.The plans seek to createsome 500,000 sq ft ofemployment space in a rangeof industrial and distributionuses designed to address theshortage of new industrialaccommodation in the region.Mike Dove, Partner at DoveHaigh Phillips, consultant toKeyland, says, “This site is welcome news not only forthe broader market where supply is so restricted butalso for more local and regional businesses who wishto expand.”New HETA training centre forScunthorpeThe Humberside EngineeringTraining Association are operatingfrom a new site in Scunthorpe.This development takes thenumber of apprentices trainedacross the company’s three sitesto two hundred per year as HETAlook to develop their businessfurther in North Lincolnshire,Doncaster and Gainsborough.The new site is on FoxhillsIndustrial Estate, next door to the 2 Sisters Food Group factory on Ram Boulevard, andcompared to the old facility can offer a more bespoke first year of training, as well as a largeportfolio of adult upskilling courses for industry. The large potential capacity means HETAcan also deliver their schools engagement programme and STEM activities from the site. James McIntosh, HETA Business Development and Marketing Manager, says, “Thepotential for this site is huge and there is possibility that in a couple of years’ time itwill be as successful as our biggest site in Hull. “Work draws to a close atGainsborough housing developmentChestnut Homes is puttingthe final touches to its FoxbyChase development inGainsborough more than adecade after work began.Construction work is due tobe completed at thedevelopment off Foxby Hilland there are just a handfulof homes left to sell.Chestnut Homes builtseventy homes in the earlierstages of the development,back in 2006. In 2012planning consent was secured for a final phase of 35 homes and construction wasunder way soon afterwards.David Newton, Chestnut Homes Managing Director, says, “While it’s alwayssatisfying to see a development reaching completion, in this case we will be sad to bemoving on. The mix of house types, in addition to the blend of new homes with moreestablished properties, have brought together a diverse but harmonious community.”Chestnut Homes Sales Manager Barbara Goodwin and Sales Advisor Jayne Fable arepictured at Foxby Chase.Yorkshire’s Fodder is“food retailing at its best”Fodder, the shop, butchers and café at the Great YorkshireShowground, has been judged the Great Taste Shop of the Year.Fodder was presented with the coveted award at the Great TasteGolden Forks dinner in London.John Farrand, MD of the Guild of Fine Food, organisers ofGreat Taste, says, “Fodder had glowing comments from ourjudges who described the store as ‘food retailing at its best’ –they were impressed by the layout of the store, the signage andespecially the merchandising explaining the provenance of thehundreds of local and regional products on sale. Fodder also has a brilliant team of people who are friendly, welcoming andknowledgeable. Our judge could see that this was a place where families come to shop regularly.”Fodder has a deli, butchers and café and its products are drawn from the surrounding area – with more than 310 smallproducers and farmers supplying the shop.The Chambers ofCommerce for Sheffield,Doncaster, Barnsley andRotherham and Derbyshireand Nottinghamshire, havejoined forces to create theBig Investment Project. BIPwill act as a catalyst togenerate new growthopportunities – projectstypically between £10million and £75 million –put forward frombusinesses and individualsfor the region. Through anevaluation board featuringlocal and national businessleaders, BIP will identify thebest projects to go forwardto a group of investmentfund managers who are setto visit the region early nextyear.05-07:Layout 1 30/9/14 07:46 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSNational parcel delivery company Yodel has acquired newwarehouse distribution premises at Access 63 in Selby. Yodel hasacquired a 66,000 sq ft warehouse/distribution facility, with 4.5 acresof additional land, for an undisclosed sum. Access 63 was developedby Shepherd Developments and the Abtec Group and is one of thelargest single owned industrial estates in North Yorkshire. Thistransaction follows the sale of 15,000 sq ft to pipework suppliers andcontractors Solid Eight in January.Yara invests in state ofthe art centreThe officialopening of thenewDevelopment &Training Centreat YaraPocklington isthe latest part ofYara’s recentinvestment of£2.5 million atthe site.The DTC is abrand new hightech trainingfacility with state of the art and interactive AV equipment, linked to alarge climate controlled glasshouse, which will enable continueddevelopment of new products & demonstration of plant nutrientrequirements. The DTC is adjacent to Yara Analytical Laboratory whichhas also been extended to accommodate the growth of the analysisbusiness. Egil Hogna, Yara’s global Head of Downstream, says the investmentis “a clear demonstration of the high esteem in which the Pocklingtonteam is held by Yara and the strong belief the Company has in thebusiness growth of the advanced YaraVita range of foliar and micro-nutrient products they produce”.Huge event made possibleby Leeds’ UniversitiesThe UK’slargest teachertraining event,Teach First’sSummerInstitute, whichtook place inLeeds for thefirst time, hasbeen hailed amajor successby organisers.The event wasproject managed by Leeds Metropolitan University, in partnership withthe University of Leeds, first direct Arena and accommodationproviders Unite, Downing and CLV.The event included the two-day Teach First Impact Conference,which marked the largest single event in the history of Teach First.This event included the Teach First Exhibition featuring 75 partnerorganisations, 120 teacher training and professional developmentworkshops and a 120 piece youth orchestra concert performance inthe first direct Arena.Pete Borley, Teach First’s Summer Institute Manager, says, “As wecontinue to recruit more participants and ensure that all of them areable to make a difference to young people, Leeds’ Universities and firstdirect Arena provide the perfect settings.”New head offices forA Torn ConstructionA TornConstructionhave recentlymoved in totheir brandnew purposebuilt headoffice at Kirtonin Lindsey.Thecompany hasseensignificant growth in the last couple of years, and now employs over 25staff. Although the majority of these are based on sites across theregion, the number of Head Office staff has gradually increased and theneed for more space became a real necessity.Director Mandy Torn says,“ The new offices are a huge improvementon the cramped offices we have been working from during the lasteight years. We are delighted that our staff now have a far improvedworking environment, and we are set up to continue to support all ofour site teams, our clients and our suppliers in the best way possible.”The investment was supported by a Regional Growth Fund grantfrom North Lincolnshire Council of £50,000.05-07:Layout 1 30/9/14 07:46 Page 3TAXATION8Business Link www.blmforum.netThemanufacturingchallengeby Robin Lee, Partner, Streets CharteredAccountantsWith what seems to be a genuinesustained increase inmanufacturing in the UK, the sectorfaces new challenges.With perhaps little recruitment,investment or training in the sectorover the years, securing andretaining staff creates its own set ofproblems around a sustainable andeffective workforce. While taking onapprentices may help address thisin part, the sector has seen pressure on wages and terms andconditions. Imaginative employment terms and conditionscertainly are playing an increasing part in securing and retainingpersonnel.Economic downturn and now renewed prosperity has seenmany manufacturers look to re-engineer products and create newones – a process often involving elements of research anddevelopment. While the number of businesses claiming tax reliefsin the form of R&D tax credits and Patent Box has increased, manymanufacturers are missing out on the financial benefits.Increased levels of trade coupled with new or higher levels ofinvestment undoubtedly place pressure on working capital andoverall business funding. Certainly the market for finance andfunding solutions has become much more diverse, with numerousfunding options for those seeking backing for their business. While the idea, pre-recession, of there being much interest inthe acquisition of manufacturing ventures was not commonplace,there does seem to be an emerging deal market for those lookingto acquire businesses that could offer market share, a competitiveadvantage, skills or manufacturing capacity.A growing order book may be pleasing but equally increaseddemand often leads to supply chain issues including scarcity ofsupply, raw material price hikes and even an inability to fulfilorders. Supply chain management and the need to focus oncosting and procurement are ever important, and so is the need tohave a robust financial reporting system to report and manageprofitability. Certainly cloud-based accounting has been aneffective tool in assisting with financial management from ordertaking to order fulfilment, and even debt collection.The manufacturing sector is experiencing renewed vigour andprosperity and it is a great sector for us to be supporting. There ismuch we can bring to the table.Robin Lee is a Partner with Streets Chartered Accountants,a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Telephone 0845 880 0320,email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visit www.streetsweb.co.uk.Don’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir office08:Layout 1 29/9/14 10:05 Page 1Business Link 9APPOINTMENTSThe Danwood Grouphas appointed DouglasGreenwell into the newrole of Group Strategyand MarketingDirector. In hisprevious role, Douglaswas Sales and StrategyDirector at G4S wherehe spent seven yearsdriving revenue growthwithin the company byfocusing on improvedsales processes andbehaviours, as well asputting in place clearcustomer valuepropositions.John Rodda joinsConroy BrookConroy Brook has recruited one of the housebuilding industry’s most respected ConstructionDirectors to help deliver a number of major projects.John Rodda joins Conroy Brook from PersimmonHomes where he worked for seven years.At Conroy Brook, John will be heading up a numberof key pipeline projects including forthcoming jointventure developments with Keyland Developments.He will also be delivering a number of large-scalehousing schemes currently in the planning process.Richard Conroy, ChiefExecutive of Conroy Brook,pictured with John, says“Construction Directors withstrong track-records andreputations are highly soughtafter in the industry so weare delighted that John hasdecided to bring this wealthof experience to the ConroyBrook team. Our policy torecruit the best people in thebusiness in line with oursustained growth has provensuccessful and we now havea highly capable team to takethe business forward overthe next five years.”Yorkshire recruitment company landshigh profile signingExperienced deal makerJonathan Wright has become anon-executive director of FordeRecruitment. It is a major coup for Forde, theSheffield recruitment businesswhich is looking to strategicallyexpand around its core areas oftransport and distribution,engineering and manufacturing,sales, medical, waste managementand education.Managing director Paul Forde,pictured with Jonathan, says “Thisis an exciting and significant step forward for Forde. In discussions with Jonathan we quicklyrecognised that he would bring enormous amounts of experience in the recruitment andstaffing sectors. As a non-executive director he will support our team to deliver exciting andstrategic development plans for the company.”Jonathan says, “We will be looking to build on the outstanding track record of clientservice that Forde have developed over the past two decades and to leverage the formsability to attract the outstanding talent that we will need to achieve our growth plans.”Clough & Company calculates sixappointmentsAccountancy firm Clough & Companyhas expanded its team with six newappointments across a number of itsdivisions.Sam Batch joins CloughManagement Services as aManagement Accountant. Clough &Company’s Audit division has madetwo new appointments with Wei Songjoining as an Audit Senior and ThomasConway joins as an Audit Assistant. Inaddition, Bethany Naylor joins as aTrainee Chartered Accountant andRebecca Dixon joins the firm on aplacement from Leeds University where she is studying for a maths degree.Lottie Smith has been appointed as a Client Administrator supporting Chartford FinancialManagement’s team of independent financial advisors.Lesley Kendrew, Staff and Audit Partner at Clough & Company, says, “Since the start ofthe year we’ve seen a dramatic increase in business across all of our divisions and theseappointments will help us to maintain the standards of service that we are renowned for.”Lincat appoints newmarketing managerCatering equipment manufacturer Lincat has appointed HelenApplewhite as its new marketing manager. Helen will beresponsible for the marketing of the Lincoln-based business, aswell the FriFri and Q90 brands. Helen says, “Lincat has a fantastic reputation, both in theindustry it serves and as a local employer, so I am delighted tobe a part of this vibrant and buoyant business and look forwardto being a major player in delivering Lincat’s ambitious growthplans.”Helen joins the company having spent the past eight years inmarketing management roles across the public, consumer and private sectors.Managing Director Nick McDonald says, “It’s a great opportunity for Helen to bring hermarketing expertise to bear on continuing to increase brand awareness, supporting our dealernetwork, developing customer relationships and playing a vital role in new productdevelopment and launches.”The Leeds office of IrwinMitchell has appointedformer Haines WattsPartner and taxinvestigations specialistGary Clarkson, as itcontinues to bolster itsBusiness Legal Servicesteam. Joining as a SeniorManager, Gary is one ofthe leading specialists inhis field within the Northof England and hasworked as a Director atDeloitte and a TaxInvestigations Manager atPricewaterhouseCoopers.Wetherby-based farm-scale renewablesspecialist Earthmill hasappointed Andy Mill toits board as financedirector. Andy is aformer PwC accountantand has spent the lastfive years as a financedirector and financialconsultant to firmsincluding Lexia Solutionsand Andrew Page. Hewill take over thefinancial management ofEarthmill fromcommercial directorMark Woodward.www.blmforum.net09:Layout 1 29/9/14 13:21 Page 1Next >