OCTOBER 2021£3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 36 ISSUE 10 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Running smoothly COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Office opportunities IT AND COMMUNICATIONS Don’t get left behind LEADING THE WAY LEADING THE WAY 01.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 10:54 Page 1Kingston Engineering Co. (Hull) Ltd Pennington Street, Hull, East Yorkshire. HUB 7LD. UK Tel: +44 (0)1482 325676 Email: sales@kingston-engineering.co.uk Website: www.kingston-engineering.co.uk Specialised precision machined components Corrosion prevention Component reclamation and enhancement Production machinery maintenance and repair Ex-stock power nuts and screws Specialised power screw products Leading Specialist Manufacturer and Producers of Bespoke Power Screws Over One Hundred Years Of Engineering Excellence #FindOutInFifteen Book a meeting at www.calendly.com /simon-bulteel GET YOUR CASH FROM HMRC Call COODEN TAX CONSULTING NOW! Our #FindOutInFifteen promotion will allow you to have a no obligation discussion with our director, Simon Bulteel to determine whether your company has a project that is worthy of a claim for Research and Development Tax Credits, go to www.calendly.com/simon-bulteel Call us on: 01424 225 345 | email us on: info@coodentaxconsulting.co.uk @CoodenConsults | www.coodentaxconsulting.co.uk Office 8, Chart House, 43 St Leonards Road, Brexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 1JA 02.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 10:55 Page 1Many of our readers may be experiencing déjà vu. With empty shelves expected and congested filling stations, and ‘winter of discontent’ rhetoric doing the rounds, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was 1978. Should things reach boiling point, it’ll likely be an even sorrier state of affairs with the COVID pandemic still claiming lives and overwhelming the NHS. It’s worth noting that when it comes to fuel that the only shortage is one of drivers – if nothing else, let this debacle prove the importance of robust supply chains and the critical need for drivers and logistics operators. Fitting then, that we have warehousing & distribution feature in this month’s issue. Over in the supporting business growth feature, meanwhile, our editorial team take a dive into how businesses can maintain cashflow now that the furlough scheme has come to an end. As per usual, our team and our expert commentators and columnists serve as a barometer of business both regionally and on the national stage. Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor From the Editor VISIT WWW.DEXTERSHARPE.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Dexter & Sharpe Chartered Certified Accountants At the heart of Lincolnshire We provide a comprehensive range of services, if you would like to find out how we can help you or your business why not head over to the contact us page to find your local office. Our 130 years of experience has taught us to initially listen more than we talk. When we talk, you’ll find that it's plain jargon-free practical advice which is not only accurate but tailored to your specific needs. Having gained a full understanding of your business our aim is to ensure this timely advice helps you and your business achieve its objectives. For a pro-active, friendly and accessible service or your FREE Consultation contact one of our teams: Horncastle: 01507 526071 - Boston: 01205 311966 - Spilsby: 01790 753340 Bourne: 01778 393656 - Louth: 01507 609933 - Skegness: 01754 763222 - Lincoln: 01522 533588 AGRICULTURE • CHARITIES • CONSTRUCTION • FINANCIAL & CONSULTING • MANUFACTURING • MEDIA • MOTOR RETAIL & REPAIR • TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS • VETERINARY 03.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:02 Page 1CONTENTS OCTOBER 2021 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 12 Commercial property This month, Business Link highlights fresh office deals in Yorkshire as activity increases while occupiers consider how they want to use office space in the future. 16 IT and communications spotlight Updating an outmoded telecoms system not only helps to streamline and modernise a company’s internal process, but also improves competitiveness in an increasingly difficult marketplace. At a time when companies are facing economic pressure, bosses can’t afford not to update. 20 Warehousing and distribution The increased demand placed on the warehousing and distribution sectors in the wake of the pandemic continues and, with the Christmas trading period rapidly approaching, and a dearth of drivers, operators need to act now to ensure they can meet this demand and avoid shortages. 24 Supporting business growth Although financial aids put in place by the government to ease the economic burden of the pandemic have all come to an end, there are a myriad of other financial lifelines open to businesses to cover losses, as well as measures that can be implemented in-house to support future growth. 28 Facilities management Whether concerning hygiene, security accessibility, efficiency will be front and foremost for facilities managers. 32 Legal services Given business law is a complex and nebulous branch of legal services, the quality and effectiveness of the advice and assistance a company receives can directly impact its future trading and endeavours. 36 Corporate hospitality Following the drastic impact of the pandemic on events, many are now adopting a hybrid approach. 38 AutoLink Tech and specs are the name of the game in this month’s round-up of the most compelling luxury motors hitting the market. 42 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 46 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 20 24 28 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:02 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 / GORODENKOFF • KNIGHT FRANK • SHUTTERSTOCK / FIZKES • SHUTTERSTOCK / GORODENKOFF • SHUTTERSTOCK / STUDIO DAGDAGAZ www.blmforum.net 16 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:03 Page 2Innovative training unit launch for Yorkshire health & safety specialist Reece Safety has launched a Mobile Training Unit to enable its team to tailor training requirements to its customer’s needs. The Yorkshire-based specialist safety experts has widely developed its business offering in recent years. With substantial time, money and resources invested, Reece Safety increased its offering to establish a Training Division, with LOTOTO, Working at Height and Confined Space Training as its speciality. Generally, it’s common for Confined Space training to take place within a designated training site, with trainees travelling across the country to attend the course. After travel restrictions and various roadblocks meant that this was far more difficult, Reece Safety has invested heavily in a Mobile Training Unit which enables remote training from any client site in the UK. The introduction of the new training unit comes follows news that the training specialists team has more than doubled recently. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS New online course: Understanding the Total Cost of Ownership - how to avoid future problems and buy bulk solids handling equipment intelligently All too often the operational requirements of the equipment to be supplied to bulk terminals is not properly understood by either the buyers or the sellers. Purchase decisions purely based on price or a lack of knowledge of the characteristics of the material to be handled - or frequently both - will fail to understand the true cost of a bulk solids handling system to a business in terms of down-time; energy; maintenance and manning. This course will give both terminal operators and equipment manufacturers an insight into what should be on the one side be specified, and on the other side supplied. It will be delivered online through expert presentations, case studies and group working facilitated by The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology and the Solids Handling & Processing Association (SHAPA). It takes place online from 13:00 - 17:00 GMT on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 November 2021. To register an interest in attending, visit www.bulkterminals.org. West Yorkshire recovery gaining momentum, economic data shows West Yorkshire’s economic recovery has gained pace through summer, with increased activity in towns and cities and an improved jobs market, regional business leaders heard at the latest meeting of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The news comes as the LEP considered the next iteration of the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan, which moves the focus from rescuing the region’s economy to re-imagining and building resilience. As well as its continued focus on levelling up and tackling the climate emergency, the updated Recovery Plan includes measures to deliver on pledges made by the Mayor of West Yorkshire to secure a fair, just and lasting recovery following end of COVID restrictions. “The recovery offers our region the opportunity to rethink how we work and do business so we can build a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy,” said Sir Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 Group of Northern LEPs. Sir Roger Marsh 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:05 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS PepsiCo to invest £24m in Lincoln factory PepsiCo is investing £24 million in its Lincoln factory to upgrade its facilities, meet growing consumer demand for Quavers and secure the listed building’s future. The investment will see existing machinery at its long-standing city centre site replaced by new equipment, creating training opportunities for employees including apprentices, some of whom will be upskilled in using the state-of-the-art equipment and technology. The investment will increase capacity at the factory, enabling the team to produce more Quavers to help satisfy this demand, as well as make space for new production lines. It also follows PepsiCo’s multimillion-pound investment in its Skelmersdale and Coventry Walkers factories to install specialist compact packaging machinery, leading to a 30% reduction in outer packaging on average across snacks multipacks. The new equipment at Lincoln will help remove even more packaging from the supply chain. The new equipment will be installed at Lincoln in mid-2022, with initial work now underway. © Shutterstock/jPHILIPPE MONTIGNY Sheffield video game developer swoops for Bristol business Sumo Group, the listed Sheffield-headquartered video game developer, has acquired Auroch Digital in a £6 million deal. The acquisition of the Bristol-based videogame developer and publisher adds a further 48 people to the business. Founded by Tomas and Debbie Rawlings in 2010, Auroch Digital has a pipeline of original IP and a track record for developing innovative, high- quality titles, including Mars Horizon, the strategy management game launched on Steam, Switch, Xbox, and PS4 in November 2020. Mr Rawlings will continue to lead the business, which will trade as Auroch Digital Limited, post-acquisition. Carl Cavers, CEO of Sumo Group, said: “Given our increasing focus on Own-IP, we are particularly excited by Auroch Digital’s pipeline of original IP. So, while this is a relatively small acquisition, it is a highly significant one for us strategically.” Drax and NFU partnership to boost UK energy crop market Drax Group has partnered with the National Farmers Union of England and Wales (NFU) to identify opportunities to scale up perennial energy crop production and help the UK meet its climate goals. Through the partnership, Drax and the NFU plan to develop a roadmap for boosting the market in perennial energy crops, identifying how they can be used sustainably. The programme of work will help to provide insights into important diversification opportunities for UK farming businesses as they adapt to new agricultural policies and will seek to identify new revenue streams that may include utilising marginal land unsuitable for food crops, as well as delivering meaningful climate action. It will also support Drax’s ambition for British farmers to supply some of the biomass needed for its plans to develop the vital negative emissions technology bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). © Shutterstock/korobskyph © Shutterstock/Jevanto Productions 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:05 Page 2Streets Chartered Accountants found new Luton firm Streets Chartered Accountants has founded a new Luton firm, Streets S J Males. This follows the merger of the well-established and widely respected Luton practice of S J Males & Co, headed up by Craig and Sarah Males, with Streets, a Top 40 UK mid-tier and multi-regional practice with 15 offices, 36 partners and over 200 staff. When asked about the merger with Streets, Craig Males said: “Prior to the merger we worked informally with Streets accessing advice and support we were not able to provide to our clients. This included specialist tax advice and assistance with more complex accountancy and audit work. “This approach allowed us to get to know each other better and supported the move for both firms to work more closely. We have recognised the need to be able to offer our clients a greater breadth of service to support them with the challenges they face and we also wanted to increase the firm’s capacity to develop the business. “It is with this background that we are delighted to have merged with Streets who not only share our values of providing excellent client centric service but that can also provide both our existing and new clients much more in terms of specialist advice and services. In particular, it is great to be able to now draw on the dedicated tax expertise of Corporate Tax Partner, Luke Prout and Private Client Tax Partner, Jennie Brown. “The merger will provide broader benefits in terms of resources and support to develop our team and to ensure we are able to respond to the challenges we face as a business like those of our clients.” Commenting on the background and strategy to the creation of Streets S J Males and the development of a Luton office, Streets Chairman and Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We have been keen to strengthen our presence in Bedfordshire for some time, looking in particular at Luton and the surrounding area. From our established offices in Stevenage and Wyboston Lakes, we have looked after clients in the area for many years. “Last year we opened a new office in Northamptonshire in response to the wider opportunities for a practice of our breadth and size in the county and south east Midlands. It therefore seemed a logical move to have a much more meaningful presence in Luton. “Whilst we considered opening a new office, we have been extremely fortunate to have been able to come together with Craig and Sarah Males, formerly of S J Males & Co and now to be driving forward the new merged practice.” “The creation of Streets S J Males will serve to enhance the provision and access to professional advisory services available to businesses and individuals in Luton and its surrounding business region. “Whilst many large firms have moved to more regional models, Streets remains committed to and focused on looking after clients that live, work and operate businesses in the local area.” Going forward the new office will be headed up by Streets audit and accountancy partner Alan Endersby. Alan has established links to the town and surrounding area and as such is well placed to spearhead the firm’s growth and development in Luton and surrounding locations including St Albans, Hitchin, Dunstable, Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead. The merged practice of Streets S J Males will continue to operate from the former S J Males & Co office located at the Basepoint Business Centre at the Butterfield Technology Park. The office is already well known by existing clients of Craig and Sarah Males and no doubt will be welcomed by Streets’ clients locally, who can now access it as well as those offices they are currently serviced by. 8 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Sheffield Forgemasters gains material testing accreditation Sheffield Forgemasters has been granted a coveted material testing accreditation for civil nuclear applications and its work on the UK submarine programme. The company has secured Fracture Toughness certifications, ASTM E1820- 20b and ASTM E1921-20 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), making it one of a handful of UK organisations with this level of qualification. Securing the accreditation required significant spending on new testing equipment and the establishment of highly complex processes to undertake the tests, but having done so, Sheffield Forgemasters passed the accreditation at its first time of evaluation. Jesus Talamantes-Silva, Research, Design and Technology Director at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “Securing the Fracture Toughness accreditations to these levels is a significant milestone for our test-house facility and will improve our testing time-frames and dramatically reduce costs.” He added: “This capability is almost non-existent in the UK and we can use the testing for not only production work, but also in the R&D process, helping to define material characteristics for specific applications.” Partners and staff of merged Luton accountancy firm of S J Males with Streets Chartered Accountants. Centre of image (left to right) is Sarah Males, Alan Endersby and Craig Males. Sheffield Forgemasters’ new Fracture Testing machinery 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:05 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Wood awarded contract for Humber Zero project Wood, the global consulting and engineering company, has been appointed as the integration project management contractor (IPMC) for Humber Zero. Humber Zero, a partnership between the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery and Vitol’s VPI Immingham power plant, is a hybrid carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen project. It could decarbonise the Immingham industrial complex by capturing up to 8m/tCO2 per annum for transportation and storage in nearby offshore storage locations. The project has benefitted from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) support. The decarbonisation roadmap developed for Humber Zero envisages that Immingham will become a carbon capture and hydrogen hub, providing cost effective decarbonised energy supply and storage opportunities to both industry and National Grid. As part of the scope of work, a multidisciplinary team from across Wood will facilitate the development and integration of the designs across the FEED packages including interface management, safety studies, licensor selection and scoping of future services. Ringrose Law shortlisted for ‘Family Law Firm of the Year Ringrose Law has been shortlisted for ‘Family Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2021 Family Law Awards for the Midlands and Wales Region. The prestigious awards are an annual event, hosted by LexisNexis, launched in 2011 to recognise the important work of family lawyers, and celebrate their many successes and outstanding achievements. The Family Law Awards brings the family law community together for its biggest night of the year, celebrating excellence, networking and recognising its vital contribution to society. Ringrose Law boasts one of the largest Family & Children departments in the county and provides the very best legal advice, guidance and care to clients every day. The department has seen an exceptional increase in matters over the last 18 months since the start of the global pandemic, particularly with domestic abuse and family relationships breaking down. The team now acts on two national domestic abuse panels and represents clients all over the country. Costa Kyriacou, head of the Children Law Team (which comes under the umbrella of Family Law for the purposes of the award), and Emma McGrath, head of the Family Law team, were both made partners of the firm in the summer of 2020 and since then have significantly grown both of their teams. Costa says: “To be shortlisted for this award is a fantastic achievement for both Emma and I and every member in our teams and we are very proud of this. It is also a reflection of how well the firm has adapted in the last 18 months during the pandemic. “The award is also reflective of the hardworking nature of all in the team, and our aim to provide the best service to our clients, every day. We would like to wish all of the other shortlisted firms the very best of luck and look forward to the awards night later in November.” The awards ceremony will be taking place on Wednesday 24 November in London. For further information please go to www.familylawawards.com/ehome/fla21/home. © Shutterstock/JMiniStocker 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 11:05 Page 4Next >