DESIGN ANDMARKETING Selling in styleHULL ANDEAST RIDING Defying the doom-mongersJAMES CAANTop tips for SMEsNOVEMBER 2013 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 28ISSUE 11APPETITEFORSUCCESS01:Layout 1 28/10/13 10:12 Page 1Direct Gaskets LimitedUnit 2. Lee Smith Street. Hedon Road. Hull.East Yorkshire. HU9 1SD. Tel: 01482 219 655 Fax: 01482 321 162 Email: info@direct-gaskets.co.ukDirect Gaskets are the market leaders with the expertise inthe manufacture of gaskets and joints in non-metallic materials.We specialise in one-off emergency supply and specialisedspecifications. All our products conform to British Standards.We carry large stocks of spiral wound gaskets, gland packings, boiler requisites, glass webbings and laddertapes, S.A.B. (self adhesive backed) sponge strip, Tefcan(expanded self adhesive backed PTFE) and ‘O’ rings, Direct Gaskets can tackle almost any sealing request on demand.Direct Gaskets understand how important speed, accuracy and efficiency is when working in industry and effectively offer a very rapid response to their customers’needs without compromising on quality, which continues tobe of paramount importance to its very varied client base,where they have achieved a diamond award(96%) in customer satisfaction within the BS EN ISO 9001:2008 quality manual.www.direct-gaskets.co.ukMint Staffing Solutions - For All Your Hospitality Staffing Needs Whether you wish to hire us for an event or join our elite team, you have come to the right place...Mint is a boutique company, providing a fresh approach to hospitality staffing requirements. Here at Mint Staffing Solutions we offer a bespoke service using hand-picked staff to suit your every hospitality need.www.mint-staff.co.ukTEL: 01133801614EMAIL:INFO@MINT-STAFF.CO.UK25% QUOTE ‘MINT LEEDS’ WHEN ORDERINGOFF FIRST ORDERconsultancyfor hospitality02:Layout 1 28/10/13 10:13 Page 144Insurance and pensionsPensions are currently undergoing thebiggest shake-up for several generations, andemployers may well need to review theirpolicies to ensure their employees can getwhat they’re expecting• Sutcliffe Insurance BrokersEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is your ultimateguide to the expanding world of greenbusiness.48Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector50Carbon footprint Businesses looking to save money andbecome more self-sufficient in terms ofenergy would do well to look towardsYorkshire and Lincolnshire for their needsRegulars4From the Editor5News8Taxation Helping you get the most out of yourinnovation by Chris Connor, Tax Partner,Streets Chartered Accountants9LettersReader’s letters and replies52AutoLinkAs always in our motoring pages webring you the very latest frommanufacturers 54EventsWe take a look at businessevents happening aroundYorkshire and Lincolnshire56Classified57Appointments58And finally…Features10Interview with…Recruitment and investment magnateJames Caan spoke to Business Link andrevealed his five top tips for smallbusinesses.12Commercial propertyBig ideas could well make a majordifference to the future of our region’stowns and cities18Hull and East RidingNever mind the headlines – Hull and theEast Riding are well-placed for success• University of Hull• First Hull Trains26Mercury ExpoWednesday 20th November sees theMercury Expo return to Gainsborough. It’sthe place to get advice on your ownbusiness, entrepreneurship and muchmore. We quiz the speakers about whatto expect28ManufacturingManufacturing is something our region isjustifiably proud of, so what is being doneto inspire and encourage a new heft ofsuccessful companies?31Marketing and designKeeping pace with the changes takingplace in marketing and design cansometimes be a full time job. A concise,focused strategy is what is needed34SMEsTax breaks and funding solutions areallowing our region’s SMEs to expand ona huge scale38Education and trainingWhether it’s Lincoln’s engineeringexcellence or York’s scientific skill, ourregion has always succeeded inproducing a steady stream of talent40ConferencingThe rise of technology in videoconferencing equipment means thatpotential international communication isconnecting our region to the world evenmore• Hotel and conference checklistContentsNovember 201318384840www.blmforum.net03:Layout 1 28/10/13 11:13 Page 1In our part of the world, we’re pretty used toshrugging off derisory comments by the all-powerfulbig city types in London, but there comes a timewhen a line has been crossed. I am, of course, referring to the recent article inThe Economist, which stated that Hull, among othercities, was part of “Rustbelt Britain” and should beleft to rot. Of course, this was nothing more than aLondon hack looking to immortalise his career with attention grabbingheadlines – but what utter rot!To address the balance, this month’s issue celebrates the way Hull hasreinvented itself since the demise of its booming fishing ports. What theaforementioned commentator failed to appreciate is featured within thesepages – we doff our cap to the entrepreneurs who not only recognisedthe need to change but acted on it.Change is often the most difficult thing to manage in an organisationbut if we fail to notice the changes happening all around us and takeappropriate action then our businesses become outdated and vulnerable.In case The Economist hadn’t noticed it, there is life outside their SquareMile.This month we also take a look at how SMEs are able to innovate stillfurther with the latest funding and tax reliefs available to assist in researchand development. In addition we take a look at how the region’seducational establishments are helping employers locate and retain toptalent. It all illustrates the huge creativity that’s going on in Yorkshire andLincolnshire which is creating a vibrant business community – and withoutthe stresses and strains of the South East!In the meantime - good reading, as alwaysW 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)Patrick Hewitt (p.hewitt@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/NIKKOLIA04:Layout 1 28/10/13 10:14 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSHull architects hand over latest health carebuildingHull architects Gelder and Kitchenhas handed over the keys of its latestmulti-million pound healthcarefacility – the £3.4 million MorrillStreet health centre.The scheme saw the creation ofa new building, built by Citycare,next to an existing centre whichwas comprehensivelyrefurbished. It will cater for morethan 18,000 people, with thecapacity to cater for at leastanother 3000 in the coming years.Alessandro Caruso, partner with Gelder and Kitchen, says, “Key to the success of anyproject of this nature is engagement with all parties, with everyone who has an interest in thefinal outcome and the build process as well.“We wanted a building that respected the local vernacular and we believe that is what we havedelivered. It is a combination of wanting to make spaces that are recognisable and welcomingand at the same time giving the impression that they are also spaces where people can relax.”Pegler Yorkshire welcomesMayor and business leadersThe Mayor and business leaders from the British andDoncaster Chambers of Commerce visited an iconicYorkshire business to see first hand its pioneeringmanufacturing processes as it reports a 25% increase inexport sales.Pegler Yorkshire, which has operated from its BelmontWorks in Doncaster for over a hundred years, has recentlyinvested £7 million in new stamping facilities formanufacturing components for plumbing systems, thermostaticmixing and engineering valves and hasenhanced its Middle East operation todeliver greater market penetration whichhas contributed to its export growth.Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, says, “Itis inspiring to see such a historicmanufacturing business continuing to pushthe boundaries of innovation to ensure itscontinued growth. The management teamdisplay a vision which is inspirational andgoes to show that no matter howestablished a business is there is alwaysnew opportunities to be sought and newdevelopments to be made.”Megaplant is a one stop shopMegaplant, suppliers of plant and tool hire to contractors anddomestic users in Hull and East Yorkshire, are a one stop shop for alltheir customers’ plant requirements.Megaplant has been a part of business life in Hull for over threedecades – indeed, one of its first jobs was to supply equipment used inthe construction of the Humber Bridge and the Hull section of the A63.Very quickly it established an enviable reputation for the supply of smalland compact plant to local builders, civil engineering contractors andlocal authorities and many of these have been loyal customers overmany years.Based at Wyke Street in Hull, Megaplant offer a complete service using their combined industry experience of over a hundred years. In plant sales,they promise they’ll do all the leg work getting the best prices and, most importantly, ensure you get the right bit of kit for thejob.Technology boost forBoston businessesBusinesses and students will able to accessstate-of-the-art digital equipment at a newtechnology hub in Boston.Based at the newly-opened £1.6 millionEnterprise Zone at Boston College, the hub willoffer free use of a desktop 3D printer, a hand-heldcolour 3D scanner and a high-precision laser cutterand engraver. The hub will give people the chanceto learn more about emerging technologies, testout equipment before making a purchase, accessworkshops and network.Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member forEconomic Development atLincolnshire County Council,says, “The hub is a fantasticresource for Boston,offering a greatopportunity for youngand talentedentrepreneurs to linkup with a range ofbusinesses. It willgive localemployers thechance to get‘hands on’ withsome of the verylatest technology,helping them todevelop and growtheir business.”The hub is part-funded by the EuropeanRegional Development Fund.HarrisConstructionManagement hasdemonstrated its abilityto work as a team bywinning the prestigiousCollaborative Working Award atthis year’s CelebratingConstruction in South YorkshireAwards. HCM was shortlistedagainst five other companies andthe judging process looked at thecompany’s ability to provide aseamless approach, share bestpractice and work with otherorganisations whilecontinually beinginnovative and pro-active.Morebusinesses willhave the opportunity togather advice on how to growand save money, as LincolnshireCounty Council officially began Phase2 of its SUSTAIN Lincolnshire atLincoln’s Business Live event. Theproject, which will help businessesreduce running costs and carbonfootprints by eliminating waste, aimsto help companies become morecompetitive and resource-efficient, while reducing theirimpact on theenvironment.05-08:Layout 1 28/10/13 11:06 Page 16Business Link www.blmforum.netWarehouse opening recognises famousindustrialist Sheffield’s position as akey location within the UKlogistics and haulageindustry has taken a stepforward with the opening ofa new £2 million warehousefacility. DBL Logistics has officiallyopened its new 33,500 sq ftflagship warehouse and officebuilding on Tinsley Park Road inthe city. The new facility has been named after Benjamin Huntsman, who was the inventorand manufacturer of crucible steel, as the DBL Logistics site is located where one of his formerfactories once stood. David Clarkson, managing director of DBL Logistics, says, “The Huntsman Depot will be ourfirst independently owned building since we launched the company. This official opening istherefore a landmark occasion for us. It will double our capacity to 6000 pallets. We have furtherplans to expand the site by another 16,500ft in the future, so this is a really exciting time for usand the logistics sector in Sheffield.”New ChamberPresidentunveiled at AGM Stephen Williams, property andrelocation solicitor for Lupton Fawcett Lee& Priestley, is the next president of the SheffieldChamber of Commerce. He was inaugurated atthe Chamber’s 155th Annual General Meeting andtakes over from Jon Stewart who has beenpresident for the last twelve months. Sheffield Chamber is reporting a slight rise inincome to £1.89million at the AGM, including anincrease in membership subscriptions. Despite anincrease in its year-end deficit to almost £250,000,the Chamber says it’s on target to generate asurplus by 2014. Richard Wright, executive director of SheffieldChamber, pictured, says, “We know we haveturned the corner and fully expect the group toshow positive numbers this financial year. Ourfocus is on recovering the balance sheet and thatwill take a little more time. The Chamber remainscommitted to offering an excellent service tomembers, especially against the need to delivergrowth in the economy.”2014 looks set to be pants!Partners and staff at Streets Chartered Accountants are busy doing somethingout of the ordinary and venturing into the world of modelling.Over recent weeks twelve of Streets’ male employees have shed their suits anddonned a pair of Streets-branded boxer shorts to have their picture taken in someunusual locations - all for a good cause. The photos will appear in a ‘CalendarGirls’-style calendar in aid of St Barnabas Hospice – a charity that providescomfort, care and relief for cancer patients in Lincolnshire.Paul Tutin, Streets Chairman and Managing Partner, says, “A calendar is anideal all year reminder, although some months look more promising than others interms of the photos. Few of us are likely to be giving up the accountancyprofession for a career in modelling although April looks promising!”Streets’ 2014 calendar will go on sale in November and full details are availableonline at www.streetsweb.co.uk/calendarboysStephenson’s InsuranceServices announces newnameStephenson’s, the long-established Lincolnshireinsurance broker, has changed its name to Cooke& Mason. The new name marks another milestonein the company’s history and continues tostrengthen its position in the UK insurance market.Stephenson’s was first established by SydneyStephenson in 1959, providinginsurance to local and largelyagricultural businesses. Itgrew significantly and fiveyears ago was acquiredby Retford-basedinsurance brokers andrisk managementspecialists Cooke &Mason Through aperiod of successfulgrowth anddevelopment the twooffices have achievedChartered InsuranceBroker status – theindustry’s gold award forcustomer excellence andprofessionalism.The name change consolidatesthe businesses and enhances the range ofproducts and services available to clients. DavidCharles, Managing Director of Cooke & Mason,says, “The new name reflects our shared effort andcommitment to provide exceptional service,quality and value to clients.”AndrewJackson’s shippingand transport team hasbeen appointed on three multi-million pound cases on behalf ofIndian-based clients. With over 25years’ international shipping lawexperience, Dominic Ward, head of theshipping and transport department and aregular visitor to India, is acting onbehalf of two companies who producecoke for the steel industry, as well asacting for a client involved in adispute concerning theconstruction of a solarpower station.Thefirst UK course to focus on howpeople work and learn together withinbusiness, aimed at graduates and professionals, isset to be launched at Leeds Metropolitan University. ThePostgraduate Certificate in Action Learning Facilitation isfor those working as a coach, consultant, projectmanager or general manager, to learn how to getteams working together to the best of theirability.LATEST NEWS05-08:Layout 1 28/10/13 11:06 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir officeThe Inmotion! team can help your businessssssget the most out of the travel options aaarrroooouuuunnddyou, from bus, tram and train to wwwwwwaaaallllkkiinngg,,cycling and betteeerrrrr dddrrrrriiiivvviinnggg...travel@inmotion.co.ukinmotion.co.uk01709 51 51 5105-08:Layout 1 28/10/13 11:06 Page 3Helping youget the mostout of yourinnovationby Chris Connor, Tax Partner, StreetsChartered AccountantsAre you aware of theGovernment’s R&D taxcredit scheme designed toprovide significant financialincentives to companiesengaged in innovativeactivities in science andtechnology?Does your companyactively develop newtechnology and products,seek solutions tochallenging technicalissues, look to enhanceexisting techniques andprocesses by seeking further efficiencies and advances incapabilities or processes? If so, then your company could well beundertaking R&D activities eligible for the generous taxincentives.The R&D scheme works by allowing an enhanced deduction forR&D related costs in your company’s tax computation. SMEs candeduct 225% of their qualifying expenditure against their profitsor can surrender the enhanced R&D deduction for a repayment oftax if it results in the company making a tax loss. The precise sizeof the tax credit will depend upon the size of the company and itstax rate but as a general rule SME’s can now claim back up to25% of eligible costs. Larger companies with more than 500employees receive an uplift of eligible costs to 130% and canclaim back up to 7.8%.Companies can claim R&D Tax Credits for their annual revenueexpenditure on a relevant proportion of the costs of employingstaff actively engaged in the R&D activity, materials used andconsumed in the R&D activity including energy costs and certainpayments to third parties who provide staff to assist in the R&Dprocess.If you feel you may be undertaking development work in orderto achieve some kind of technological advance, we can quicklyexplore whether you may be eligible for the relief.Chris Connor is Tax Partner at Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Call 0845 8800320, email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visitwww.streetsweb.co.ukTAXATIONLATEST NEWSLawyeradvises portsindustry onemploymentissuesAn employment lawyerwith Andrew Jackson haspresented to key figures fromthe ports industry at theBritish Ports Association’sannual conference inLincolnshire.Employment lawyerJoanne Wright presented to a150-strong audience on thesubject of apprentices and the skills gap against the background of thecurrent skills shortage within British ports. Delegates were interested tohear about the legalities behind employing apprentices, a hugelyuntapped resource.Hosted by Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises and Port of Grimsby East,the event at the Forest Pines Resort featured an impressive speaker lineup including presentations from Simon Brett, ABP’s deputy port directorfor Grimsby and Immingham, and Lord Haskins, chairman of the HumberLocal Enterprise Partnership.Mark Pearson-Kendall, Andrew Jackson’s managing partner, says,“Jo’s involvement in the BPA conference reflects our long-standing linkswith the ports industry, where we have been actively engaged since thefirm was established in 1874.”Businesses give Sailors’ Children’sSociety big cash injectionMore than £36,000has been raised by theHull-based nationalcharity, the Sailor’sChildren’s Society, at itsannual sportsman’slunch. The event,sponsored byWilliamsons Solicitorsand supported by Hullbusinesses, easily brokeits fund-raising recordafter selling all tickets atthe Mercure GrangePark Hotel, Willerby.The society’s chiefofficer, DeanneThomas, says, “Thebusiness communityhave given mostgenerously to helpstruggling families who are among the worst affected by recession andrising living costs. The number we help is rising year by year.”Guest speaker Ben Kay, the former England rugby union star and thelatest in a long line of sports personalities who have spoken at the event,gave the inside track on being a World Cup winner. In addition to ticketsales, an auction conducted by the High Sheriff of the East Riding ofYorkshire, Stephen Larard, raised £16,640 and a raffle contributed £4690.8Business Link www.blmforum.net05-08:Layout 1 28/10/13 11:06 Page 4Business Link 9www.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’LETTERSPower onDear Sir,I welcome the landmark deal to build a newnuclear plant at Hinkley.New nuclear plants must be a fundamentalfeature of our future energy landscape, and HinkleyPoint C is the starter gun to securing theinvestment we need.Amid understandable public concern about risingbills, it’s important to remember this investmentwill help mitigate the impact of increasing costs.The fact is whatever we do, energy prices are goingto have to go up to replace ageing infrastructureand meet climate change targets - unless we buildnew nuclear as part of a diverse energy mix.J CridlandLondonJust the jobDear Sir,Looking at the recent unemployment figures, they suggest the morepositive economic outlook is beginning to flow through to the jobsmarket. However, overall unemployment remains high. It is really encouraging that the increase in employment is almostentirely driven by a rise in full-time work and that long-termunemployment has begun to drop, particularly in rural areas of thecounty. However, it is clear that pay restraint is underpinning employmentgrowth so we must ensure that minimum wage policy continues to reflectthe wider labour market to ensure people aren’t priced out ofopportunities to work. T PowerLincolnSkill set fare?Dear Sir,The UK cannot afford to stand still on skills, theresimply must be more action taken!Our economic future depends on raising skill levels sobusinesses are equipped with the talent they need tosucceed and grow.As a small business owner, my concerns lay with thereadiness of younger potential employees. Having theskills needed to hit the ground running are essential forbusinesses like mine short on time and high on demand.Schemes need to be stepped up, not hindered bybureaucracy.R JohnsonGrimsbyHard wiredDear SirI read with interest thenews in your publicationaround the UKGuarantees Scheme bythe Chief Secretary to theTreasury, DannyAlexander.Infrastructure is thehard wiring of oureconomy and keeping itup-to-date is essential tosupporting growth. Despite the scale of the UK Guarantees Scheme, only around a third of firmsare aware of it, so this announcement will help raise awareness to other projectsstruggling to find finance.The Government now needs to push more of these pre-qualification projectsthrough the approval stage so that they can get off the drawing board.P LawlessLeeds09:Layout 1 28/10/13 10:41 Page 1Next >