DECEMBER 2020 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 35 ISSUE 12 PORTS AND LOGISTICS Preparing for the inevitable COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Power to the Humber CORPORATE HOSPITALITY The virtual Christmas party FOR THE FUTURE FOR THE FUTURE 01.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:34 Page 1Whether just starting out or well established, businesses use finance for any number of reasons. Cashflow along the supply chain is a frequent concern. Suppliers, tax liabilities and wages can’t wait. Straightforward and quick access to cash helps meet your expenses, and can help boost your growth. Paul specialises in: l Business Loans l Invoice Finance l Supply Chain & Trade Finance Telephone: 07863 753 111 Email: info@pmichelfinance.com Web: www.pmichelfinance.com Paul Works With You To Deliver Growth For Your Business De-risk Late Payments Speed Up Invoice Payments Provide Better Terms In Partnership with: Support Your Suppliers Commercial Finance Solutions The Right Funding Solution For Your Business Visit www.oms.uk.com, call us on 01530 833 533 or email info@oms.uk.com to learn more about us and how we can enhance your organisation. www.oms.uk.com 01530 833 533 info@oms.uk.com Helping you to perform at the highest level OMS have delivered consultancy and training services throughout the Midlands and UK for over 22 years. We are a leading authority in health and safety, employment, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems and training. Our tailored solutions support organisations throughout the UK. Could we help you too? For all your Health & Safety Training & Consultancy needs visit www.oms.uk.com. 02.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:35 Page 1While not the end of the financial year, December brings with it the chance to review and evaluate the last twelve months. And what a year it’s been! Although the government had been warned to prepare for a pandemic as far back as 2016, few of us had any notion that we’d all be living and trading through one. While there’s been some promising vaccine candidates, it will take years before things return to normal. But, for businesses, things will never be the same. Having had to rapidly adapt to remain afloat and competitive these last nine months, bosses won’t be caught short again. Pandemic planning will be part and parcel of running a business going forward. Safety measures, such as sanitising stations, screens and PPE, will likely continue to be a necessary expense for many companies. Of course, the challenges are far from over. With the end of the second national lockdown, we’re once again on the three-tier system. These stringent rules mean that many businesses are still operating with clipped wings. Fortunately, financial aids have been extended to take some of the sting. Yet businesses have more than just the pandemic to contend with. January 1 2021 sees the end of the Brexit transition period adding fuel to the fire for many. You’ll find plenty of insight, advice and guidance on both challenges throughout our December issue. But the crowning jewel is our end of year round-up where we invite local companies to share their insights, achievements and innovations throughout the past year. 2021 will undoubtedly be a challenging time for all of us, regardless of sector, but as we’ve heard time and again of late, we are all in this together. If there’s one thing I’m more certain of now than this time last year, it’s that our region is nothing if not resilient in a crisis. Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor The magazine that cares We care because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Business Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. From the Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:38 Page 1CONTENTS DECEMBER 2020 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 12 Quantum Air Fibre Q&A We spoke to Nick Hugill, founder and CEO of Quantum Air Fibre, about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting demand for broadband, and how the telecommunications industry has adapted. 14 Commercial property Yorkshire and Lincolnshire form the keystone of the UK’s renewable energy industry. With its new zero clusters, the Humber, in particular, is at the forefront of the government’s target for the UK to be net-zero by 2050. Over the last few months, there has been a slew of major developments in the area that will help to boost not only our region’s green credentials, but the nation at large. 18 End of year success stories It’s been a tough year for every sector, but in the wake of the pandemic, companies across our region have evolved, innovated, supported and survived. That’s why for our December issue, we wanted to highlight and celebrate them. 22 Invoice and finance solutions With the cashflow problems faced by businesses further enhanced by the COVID-19 outbreak, Business Link considers the invoice and finance solutions available to ease these. 26 Health and safety Health and safety has been focused so heavily on coronavirus that other measures are being forgotten – this could cost businesses big in 2021. 30 Ports and logistics The pandemic has combined with heightened Christmas trading and the looming end of the Brexit transition period to create a perfect storm for ports. Despite assurances from government, the nation is facing delays, backlogs and reels of red tape in only a matter of weeks. 34 Engineering A skills shortage, COVID and lockdown; the engineering sector has a lot of problems to solve, but then, that has always been an engineer’s greatest strength. 38 Corporate hospitality The pandemic and its associated restrictions have cancelled office Christmas parties across the region, pushing employers to get creative to provide an alternative. 42 AutoLink Car makers are investing more in their electric car line ups as the petrol and diesel ban nears, and demand for greener options grows. 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 18 26 38 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:40 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 Sam Trott (s.trott@blmgroup.co.uk) 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 : BENTLEY • SHUTTERSTOCK - TEBNAD • INSTA _ PHOTOS • ETIAMMOS • SHUTTER .B www.blmforum.net 14 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:42 Page 2‘Huge’ economic benefit for decarbonising Humber industries The economic benefits of utilising innovative green energy technologies to decarbonise industries in the Humber would be “huge”, new research has shown. The research from Vivid Economics and commissioned by Drax Group, a founding member of the Zero Carbon Humber partnership, found that employing these technologies could boost skills, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform the region’s fortunes in the face of economic uncertainty caused by the COVID crisis. Vivid Economics’ analysis shows that scaling up bioenergy with carbon capture technology (BECCS), which Drax has already successfully proven at its power station in North Yorkshire, would support almost 17,000 jobs during construction in 2028. “The boost to the economy created by developing these new green energy technologies in the Yorkshire and Humber region would be huge – and we can do it quickly,” said Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO. “The technologies are ready to go, so tens of thousands of jobs could be created as early as 2024. This would deliver a real shot in the arm to communities struggling as a result of the COVID crisis. “The positive impacts of these new green energy schemes aren’t limited to the Humber region, either. This could kickstart a whole new industry in the UK, enabling us to show the world what can be achieved for the environment and the economy when governments, businesses and communities work together.” Using carbon capture technology across Drax’s four biomass units would accelerate the UK’s efforts to reach net zero by permanently removing 16 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year – a significant proportion of the negative emissions the UK needs to meet its net zero targets. With the right policies from government, BECCS could be operational at Drax as soon as 2027, accelerating the Humber’s efforts to become the UK’s first zero carbon industrial cluster. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Calls for freeport on the Humber to boost post-Brexit trade Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), has called for the Humber to be made one of the UK’s first freeports after the Government confirmed that the bidding process is now open “The Humber is home to one the largest and most far-reaching ports complexes in the UK, and it’s the perfect location to take a leading role in post-Brexit international trade,” he said. “This would be a massive opportunity for our area and would help bring huge investment and jobs for local people in Lincolnshire in offshore wind, decarbonisation and advanced manufacturing. “The ports currently employ 35,000 people and handle £74 billion in trade every year. Announcing the Humber as a UK freeport will be crucial to this Government’s commitment to levelling up the economy across the UK.” At least seven freeports are to be established in England, the first as early as next year. They will benefit from a wide range of tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and streamlined planning processes to promote regeneration and innovation. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Our new freeports will create national hubs for trade, innovation and commerce, levelling up communities across the UK, creating new jobs, and turbocharging our economic recovery. “As we embrace our new opportunities as an independent trading nation we want to deliver lasting prosperity to the British people, and freeports will be key to delivering this.” Businesses can import goods into a freeport without paying tariffs, process them into a final product and then either pay a tariff on the sales into the domestic market or export without paying UK tariffs. A deadline for bids has been set as Friday 5th February 2021 and decisions are expected to be announced in the spring. Pat Doody Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:46 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS British Steel secures £50m facility to expand production & sales British Steel has secured a £50 million facility from Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance as it looks to expand production and sales over the coming months. In March, British Steel was acquired by Jingye Group, a distinguished Chinese multi-industrial company specialising in iron and steel manufacturing. Following the acquisition, Jingye committed to making the business more competitive and sustainable. British Steel is currently developing new products to support the UK’s infrastructure drive and is investing in its existing assets to modernise plants and improve performance. This £50 million facility will be instrumental in supporting British Steel in growing its production and sales volumes to maximise opportunities across the market. © Shutterstock/Praphan Jampala £1m tax break extended to stimulate investment in UK manufacturing A £1 million tax break to stimulate investment in UK manufacturing, to support business confidence, is to be extended, HM Treasury has announced. Businesses, including manufacturing firms, can continue to claim up to £1 million in same-year tax relief through the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) for capital investments in plant and machinery assets until 1 January 2022. The extension of the temporary £1 million cap was originally due to revert to £200,000 on 1 January 2021. This move is intended to boost confidence as companies look to weather the pandemic and plan for the future. The government is also delivering on its commitment to help protect UK taxpayers through clamping down on promoters of tax avoidance schemes. © Shutterstock/Natee K Jindakum Endless raises £400m for 2021 market opportunities Leeds-based private equity firm, Endless, has raised a further £400 million to invest in mid-market opportunities in 2021. For its fifth fund, Endless has once again secured the support of global investors including world-leading Universities, Pension Funds, Family Offices and Charitable Foundations. “To be able to raise £400 million in 12 weeks without the ability to meet face to face with our investors is a testament to the firm’s track record in the last 15 years and the fact that the volatile current market conditions will bring the best out of the Endless team and our portfolio,” said Endless Managing Partner, Garry Wilson. “As we approach our 15th anniversary, this brings total funds raised by Endless to almost £1.4 billion. Since we founded the firm, we have made more than 80 acquisitions and safeguarded over 40,000 jobs.” The Endless team has made a £50 million personal commitment to the fund and is the joint largest single investor in Endless V. 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:46 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 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:47 Page 3Avacta makes ‘excellent progress’ on rapid COVID antigen test Avacta Group has made “excellent progress” in the development of a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). The listed Wetherby-based life sciences company is developing several coronavirus tests using Affimer binders that are highly specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. The development of an Affimer-based lateral flow antigen test that can be manufactured at scale being carried out in partnership with BBI Solutions has made substantial progress. A highly scalable test device using readily available components and routine manufacturing processes has now been shown to have a sensitivity for coronavirus spike protein in laboratory samples better than 300 pg/ml which is in the range expected for spike protein in clinical samples. In preparation for clinical validation of the lateral flow test Avacta is working on both saliva and anterior nasal swab samples. Avacta and its partners will continue to develop both sampling methods in parallel in order to bring high performance COVID-19 tests to market quickly to suit a range of use cases. The performance of the test with clinical samples will now be evaluated as a precursor to a much larger clinical study with COVID-19 patients of known viral load to determine the clinical sensitivity of the test. In parallel, BBI Solutions is working to finalise and validate the manufacturing process so that the Group can carry out a full clinical validation on the final product to support the regulatory approval process. “I am delighted with the excellent progress that has been made with BBI Solutions in developing a scalable version of a lateral flow rapid SARS- CoV-2 antigen test with sensitivity in the expected clinical range for spike protein,” said Avacta CEO, Alastair Smith. “BBI Solutions is an excellent development partner and I am particularly pleased at how well the teams are working together to shorten the timeline as much as possible without compromising quality.” www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS © Shutterstock/NicoElNino Local Space Agency will boost Yorkshire economy A consortium of Yorkshire organisations are uniting to develop an emerging Local Space Agency which, it says, will boost the local economy. The project will see the University, Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and other partners work together to further develop the Hub across West Yorkshire. It aims to identify existing industry strengths while unearthing challenges and knowledge gaps to develop a strong and sustainable space hub in these West Yorkshire regions over the next five to ten years. The six-month programme is being supported by £80,000 in funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA). Dr Anna Hogg, University Academic Fellow and Earth observation expert at Leeds’ School of Earth and Environment, said space activity such as examining satellite data was essential for monitoring the Earth’s climate. “This work will be of great benefit to the local, national, and international Space community for years to come,” she said. © A vacta 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 04/12/2020 12:48 Page 4Next >