TopicUK October 2023 Edition by Yorkshire BusinessWoman & TopicUK

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ISSN 2756-0457

No62

BI-MONTHLY

BUSINESS MAGAZINE

DR MAGDALENA BEJMA

Visionary doctor & inspirational leader

Young engineer launches new business Growing overseas demand for digital agency

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Contents

This issue Group Editor Gill Laidler

Design

Rob Blackwell

Associate editor Ed Asquith

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047

Official Photographers

Roth Read Photography

Legal Matters

editor@topicuk.co.uk

Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence

The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers and therefore, no responsibility can be held by the publisher for misinterpretation. Reproduction of this magazine without the express permission of the publisher is prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/editor and staff cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme schedules. To subscribe to this magazine contact 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk.co.uk. Published by Ghost Publishing Limited, . Law pages are written by Lawrence & Ramsdens Solicitors LLP and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

Recruitment Stafflex

ADMINISTRATOR

Charlotte Hall

Cover : Dr Magdalena Bejma Image : Vivienne Edge Photography

Transport firm pledges to plant trees

page

Pumping up Britain’s green ambitions

page

From Peru orphanage to new career

page

Growing overseas demand for digital agency Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards

page page

20 32 34 40 86

Editors notes By group editor Gill Laidler Welcome to edition 62 of TopicUK magazine.

OUR PARTNERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LEXUS PHILLIP STONER JEWELLERS AESTHETICS ACCOUNTANTS Yorkshire sculpture park Community Foundation Calderdale BACKSTAGE ACADEMY Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence Wakefield Council Ad:Venture Eaton Smith Solicitors Stafflex Scriba PR Kirklees College University of Law Avenue hq/Barclays Eagle Lab BeVic Fantastic Media Halifax Bid HALSTON MARKETING DAKOTA HOTEL LEEDS CRAGGS ENERGY youbee Media

Our cover this edition features Emily Woodmansey who has come a long way in her career from starting out as a waitress in Ilkley to finding inspiration whilst working at an orphanage in Peru to set up The Hearing Suite five years ago. You can read the full story on page 34.

a host of VIP guests including West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Dame Linda Pollard, two inspirational business ladies who we are proud to announce will both be judges for the Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards.

As we head into Autumn, our diary is getting busier and busier. There are so many events to attend and meetings to go to, I seem to be non-stop.

We are delighted to announce that we will be working with a new partner, Toyota Leeds over the coming months and both Ad:Venture and University of Law have signed with us as partners for another year.

One of these reasons I suppose is the launch of the Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards from our sister magazine. Six months ago, we decided to ‘find’ the Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year by launching our awards, little did we know that it would shape up to potentially be the ‘event of the year’ with almost all tickets sold. There are a few left but hurry we expect them to sell out quickly. The Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards take place at The Marriott Hotel Leeds on 8th March 2024 with a black-tie dinner as we celebrate International Women’s Day. All details can be found on page 86 or head to the website www. yorkshirebusinesswoman.co.uk I was pleased to see that the new state-of-the-art pathology lab has now officially opened. This cuttingedge pathology laboratory, opened by the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, Will Quince, is designed to serve patients right across the West Yorkshire region. Accompanying Minister Quince was

As TopicUK enters its 14th year, we are delighted that we have managed to help so many Yorkshire businesses with affordable publicity. If we can help your business, please do get in touch, every business we work with could have a promotion plan built bespoke for them and can use TopicUK as an addition to their existing marketing and PR plans. Just give us a noobligation call. Our next edition publishes at the end of November, when no doubt everyone will be in full-party mode!

Best wishes Gill

TopicUK August 2023

New head of cyber at CloudCoCo

Leeds-headquartered CloudCoCo has announced another strategic hire, as the transformational technology specialist furthers its quest to reach £100m turnover. Head of cyber Mark Allen is the latest addition to the senior team, bringing 18 years of technical and commercial industry experience. Having worked for multiple telecoms, software, and digital transformation organisations, his last three roles have centred on strengthening the MSP offerings within UK ISPs.

Attracted by CloudCoCo’s ambition to become a modern MSP with a difference — not least due to its recently unveiled multi-cloud proposition for customers that want to hyperscale — he will lead on the firm’s security offering.

Improving His appointment comes hot on the heels of Lee Thatcher joining CloudCoCo last quarter, as the newly instated head of cloud. “We’re well positioned to move

custo m e rs to t he cl o ud, f o r free,” explained CloudCoCo’s director of group sales, Gary Saunders. “This completely contradicts long-standing misconceptions that a cloud journey is cost-prohibitive. “But as they continue that journey, it’s important that we understand and support them with improving their security — that’s where Mark comes in. Cyber will be a core pillar of our growth as we progress our plan to reach £100m turnover, so it’s critical we have ultra-experienced people in the team.”

35% sales surge for Yorkshire timber engineering company despite pandemic Wakefield based timber engineering company, TimberStruc, lockdown period. Whilst many were has shown momentum with sales growth despite starting at a standstill, TimberStruc were able to carry out factory improvements, up just 8 months before the pandemic. Latest figures demonstrate a 35% growth in sales despite being faced with huge financial impacts throughout the Coronavirus period. TimberStruc specialises in the design, manufacture, supply and installation of timber products, with customers including self builders, contractors and house builders.

able to expand the company through the investment of new equipment, the diversifying of projects and the hiring new staff to provide an efficient workforce. They also credit their success to the level of productivity which they were able to maintain during the

implement new processes and plan for the future. Director of operations Tim Capewell says: “Our vision for the next 3 years is to grow all areas of the business while maintaining excellent customer care, supplying an efficient service from enquiry through to delivery, meeting all our customer’s needs.”

Since their beginning in 2019, the business has expanded to a team of 16 people. with projects being taken from a local to national scale. Most recently, TimberStruc have secured a contract with Carevalue for a Bedfordshire care home, to supply timberframe panels, floor joists and roof trusses to add an additional floor to the existing building. Founders and long-time friends Tim Capewell, Simon Capewell and Jon Lee have taken success in their stride after building up years of experience in the industry. Together, they’ve been TopicUK August 2023

SES renews Leeds College of Building as apprenticeship training provider at Wates, said: “We are really excited to work with Leeds College of Building for our Level 2/3 Apprenticeship and our Higher Apprenticeships. SES had a longstanding relationship with the College, and it is great to restart this. Leeds College of Building has an outstanding reputation for high-quality delivery within the construction industry and brilliant account management. I look forward to continuing this relationship. “We are also pleased that the College was able to support us with our Apprentices Induction event at the South Bank Campus. This gave a real insight in to what life will be like for the apprentices on their journey at college.”

A renewed partnership with SES Engineering Services (SES) has brought 20 new apprentices to Leeds College of Building this September.

SES has also asked Leeds College of Building to train a similar number of higher education trainees. A new BSE Degree Apprenticeship is currently being ratified that would provide a training pathway from Level 3 up to a degree qualification, incorporating a Level 4 higher apprenticeship in areas such as Site Supervisor, Quantity Surveying, or Building Services Engineering.

SES selected the College to deliver a Level 3 Electrical apprenticeship to 11 employees and a Level 3 Building Services apprenticeship to another nine. Part of Wates Group, SES is recognised as one of the UK’s leading M&E (mechanical and electrical) partners. The 600-strong SES workforce covers all aspects of M&E engineering, offering the design and installation of building services and infrastructure solutions. Rob Smith, Head of Partnerships and Skills at Leeds College of Building, explained: “The College worked with SES historically, but we recently began talks again to rekindle our relationship and explore how we could enhance their existing apprenticeship training offer. “This dialogue resulted in the creation of apprenticeship programmes for 20 individuals. And when SES said they were looking for somewhere to host their apprenticeship trades induction

day, we were more than happy to assist with that too!” The College hosted the event at South Bank Campus over the summer to allow the apprentices to visit new training facilities and meet tutors over refreshments. SES carried out inductions and team-building tasks. Following lunch, apprentices then listened to a presentation from heating and ventilation lecturers, completed documentation, and participated in short tutor sessions. Samantha Gibbs, Early Careers Advisor

Rob Smith added: “The decision for SES to use Leeds College of Building as their preferred apprenticeship training partner is another feather in our cap. This agreement is the latest in a string of international firms that have opted to send their apprentices to us in Leeds; it is a testament to our exceptional reputation for training across specialisms in the construction industry.”

F i n d o u t m o re a b o u t Apprenticeship training opportunities at Leeds College of Building: www.lcb.ac.uk/ apprenticeships

Visionary Bob is a shining beacon of light I'D DO IT ALL AGAIN! Sir Bob Murray Foreword by Sir Tim Rice By Lance Hardy and Ian Preece Sir Bob Murray is best known as the former Chairman of Sunderland AFC and the visionary behind the Stadium, Academy and Beacon of Light. But away from the Sunderland boardroom he occupied for over 20 years Sir Bob has built successful businesses in Yorkshire, established a charitable foundation to support his home region and led a life so interesting that he’d do it all again! This is his story – from the terraced and dust-choked streets of 1950s’ Consett where he left school with just one 'O' level, took his first steps on the career ladder and then risked it all to start his own kitchen and bathroom business in Yorkshire. It chronicles board room battles at

Roker Park on to the building of the Stadium of Light, Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park. He recounts interactions with a wide cast of characters ranging from Len Shackleton, Brian Clough, Lawrie McMenemy, Peter Reid, Niall Quinn and even a former Prime Minister for whom he had to act a human shield! It is a tale of a remarkable rise from a down-at-heel steel town. Of challenges, setbacks and mis-steps on and off pitch, and triumphs in boardrooms and stadiums around the country at a time when football was undergoing a revolution. His ambition, drive, and passion for his boyhood football club is

evident throughout this book and his story is one that will inspire and entertain readers, whether they support Sunderland or not. Sir Bob is one of Yorkshire’s most successful businessmen, founding the flourishing companies of Omega and Sterling Capitol. He is also the Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University. 100% of proceeds from sales of this book will go to the Foundation of Light.

Sold exclusively through t h e p u b l i s h e r a t w w w. sirbobmurraybook.com and Sunderland A FC from 12th October TopicUK August 2023

Law firm’s commercial division on course for further success

Pictured: Tessa Beaumont, paralegal, corporate; Lindsay Dixon – partner, commercial litigation; Manpreet Bhambra – solicitor, commercial property; Richard Coulthard (front) – director & head of corporate.

A Yorkshire law firm’s company and commercial division is on course for a record year following significant revenue growth and a number of key appointments. The company and commercial division of Leeds headquartered law firm Ison Harrison’s turnover for the year to date is currently 78% higher than at the same time in September 2022. The division comprises litigation, commercial property, company and commercial and employment teams, which have all grown by an average of 27% and the total de partme ntal headcount has increased to 29 employees, making it the firm’s second-largest collective team. Last year the firm experienced a 67% growth in revenue from commercial services as for the same period in 2021, recording its most profitable year to date.

Transaction values for the corporate division have also increased with the team developing a specialism advising business owners on the transition to employee ownership. Ison Harrison switched to become a 100% employee-owned business in early 2022 afte r the three shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust.

We’ve enjoyed solid growth for the past few years and every year we go from strength to strength as the firm continues to expand its commercial offering...

O ver the past 18 months, the firm has experienced significant client growth, taking the number to over 20,000, and opened its newest office in Wakefield last year, further strengthening its presence in the region with the addition of its 17th branch. A new regional office opening is also planned for later this year. New recruits include partner Lindsay D ixon, a commercial litigation specialist, Manpreet Bhambra, an experienced commercial property solicitor, and employment law paralegal, Tessa Beaumont. Lindsay has joined with extensive expe rie nce gained at se ve ral Yorkshire based firms. Her new role will see her deal with a wide range of disputes for individuals and businesses both in and out of Court. Manpreet previously worked at

Bury & Walkers LLP and Oakwood Solicitors. Joining the team in July this year, she deals with all commercial property matters including leasehold management. Tessa will be supporting Ben Palmer, a partner in the company and commercial team, with HR and e mplo yme nt law que ries including contractual work and policy documents. Richard Coulthard, partner and head of commercial services, said: “We’ve enjoyed solid growth for the past few years and every year we go from strength to strength as the firm continues to expand its commercial offering. Driven by the success we’ve achieved, we continue to bolster this offering, cementing our position as leaders in legal professional advisory work to the SME market and always looking for exciting new opportunities, as we’re seeing with the huge increase in businesses transitioning to employee ownership.” “Our latest appointment fully demonstrates our ability to attract top talent and the team has grown to such an extent this year that we’ve had to take additional space at our head office in Leeds city centre. I have known Lindsay and Manpreet for a number of years having worked with both previously and I know the strength they bring. Tessa also brings the knowledge of working in the public sector and this will add further expertise to the team. The team has also been shortlisted in the forthcoming Yorkshire Legal Awards later this year which, should we be lucky enough to win the award for the Company & Commercial team of the year, would be the perfect end to an outstanding year.”

Hull tech company announces partnership with Santander Hull-based regulatory technology company Rubicon Bridge has announced a new partnership with Santander to help Food Supplement companies cut though regulatory bureaucracy and scale internationally quicker. Rubicon Bridge, the Reg Tech Tool® is a self-serve solution which helps Food Supplement companies scale internationally with ease. The Reg Tech Tool® quickly checks if products are compliant in the major European markets and then instantly generates packaging copy in multiple languages, thus saving companies vast amounts of time and providing the ability to bring brands to market much faster. Managing director Kathryn Szymonowicz explains why this is a perfect partnership for Rubicon Bridge as it continues to rapidly grow. Santander Navigator is an online platform that helps businesses identify growth opportunities,

navigate bureaucratic challenges and optimise logistics. We’re really proud to be partnering with Santander to help businesses grow quicker, and venture into new markets.” Rubicon Bridge was co-founded by Kathryn Szymonowicz and Emma Hunt, both leading regulatory experts with decades of experience who spotted a gap in the market for a tool to help brands launch instantly into multiple European markets. The tool currently supports Food Supplements, but consulting support is available across other categories such as Cosmetics, Medical Devices, Medicines and Food in the main European markets. TopicUK August 2023

Parsons, Chartered Accountants named finalist in the Wakefield Business Awards 2023

Parsons, Chartered Accountants is celebrating being a finalist in the Business Growth Success Story category of the Wakefield Business Awards, the first Wakefield business awards brought to you by We Are Wakefield. Managing partner, Ian Parsons said: “We are delighted to be recognised as a finalist in these awards on a list with three other very worthy local businesses. For our entry to have stood out alongside such stiff competition is a great achievement a n d a te s t a m e n t to t h e h a rd work done by our team to grow the business. The work never stops, and we must thank our clients for their continuing, steadfast support as we continue with them on our journey. We wish our fellow finalists huge congratulations, and we can’t wait to share a celebration

oldest accountancy firms to steadily grow the client base.

Managing director of We Are Wakefield, Claire Sutherley, said: “We’ve been hugely impressed by the superb quality a t t h e a w a r d s c e r e m o n y i n of entries for the 2023 awards. We planned them to be a celebration of November!” all that’s amazing about the Wakefield The award category, sponsored business scene, and we’ve not been b y A c t i o n C OAC H Wa ke f i e l d , disappointed. The judging panel recognises small and medium-sized scored everything independently, Wakefield businesses which have with each entry being judged three grown despite all the challenges of times, so we know we have a robust the past few years. The firm’s entry shortlist which really reflects highoutlined the elements of its focused quality businesses. We can’t wait to see growth strategy which have doubled everyone in the room on 9 November its turnover and team headcount at the ceremony.” over the past two years. These include opening a new office in York, Watch out for news from the ceremony, launching two new service lines, and which is being held at the Tileyard merging with one of Wakefield’s North on Thursday 9 November.

up to date as new details emerge, with daily online posts to share information. Nearer the time, star-shaped stickers will be displayed on all businesses lining the route, and local and regional media teams will be briefed to help them cover the show.

All-new Halifax Christmas Parade set to woo visitors For the first time ever,Halifax will launch its popular Christmas programme with a spectacular Christmas Parade set to wow the crowds and start the festive season with a bang! Expectations are rightly high because the family-friendly event will be created and choreographed by Calderdale’s Handmade Productions: the creative specialists behind the now legendary annual Handmade Parade in nearby Hebden Bridge, which attracts an audience of thousands. Creative details of the Halifax Christmas Parade are still under wraps, but organisers are promising a fun, spectacular and unforgettable carnival-style parade, perfect for children and adults. A Christmas event like nothing they will have seen before. The parade takes place on Saturday November 18th and has been commissioned and coordinated by Discover Halifax: the non-profit organisation responsible for supporting the local economy by attracting people into town. It has successfully won Arts Council funding to help pay for the event, which fits nicely into its

2023 campaign message, You Can Do It All in Halifax. Discover Halifax has also helped pay for the Christmas Parade from its own finances, which are earmarked for initiatives that help Halifax businesses thrive. Discover Halifax’s project manager, Chloe McNeill explained, “Our previous Christmas Switch-on events were always very popular, but because they were static, they didn’t reach as many people as we’re expecting the parade to. Handmade Productions are seasoned experts at this kind of moving event and their artistic, practical and logistical skills promise to make this an incredible festive event with a massive wow factor. One not to be missed!”

Chloe explained, “You Can Do It All in Halifax really emphasises the fantastic variety of experiences and events on offer in our town this year, and the Christmas Parade is a perfect example. This is the kind of event people will want to mark on their calendars and visit the town centre for, so we’re putting a huge amount of energy into publicising it well and sharing the details people will need for making plans. People can visit us online, follow our various social media accounts or call in at our Hub in Woolshops to get all the latest information. Nothing quite like this has been done here before, and we’re expecting the public’s support and enthusiasm to be massive. The great thing is that this will only add to the event’s overall success!” The all-new Christmas Parade will mark the launch of a whole programme of Christmas events and festive favourites taking place across Halifax in the runup to Christmas Day. These include competitions, gifting trees, Christmas elves, ticket and chocolate giveaways, a Christmas Tree Festival, a Letter to Santa, upgraded Christmas lights, beautiful fairy lights in shop windows, and the production of a special Christmas story for the town. There will be free performances by choirs and bands throughout town too, while a bigger police presence will make sure Halifax feels even more family-friendly.

The exact route and details of the Christmas Parade are yet to be made public, but Discover Halifax is running busy publicity, PR and social media campaigns to keep residents and visitors TopicUK August 2023

EV adoption: ensure your business doesn’t get left behind By Nicola Mahmood, Business Development Director, Equans EV Solutions

As businesses across the UK look to play their part to support the governments net zero target of 2050 (1), EV adoption naturally becomes part of the conversation. That said, the first question often asked by businesses isn’t ‘should we invest in EV’, ‘but rather ‘when should we start investing in EV?’ – the answer to that question, in the simplest form, is now. Currently, there are over 810,000 fully electric cars (2) on the UK’s roads - more than double the amount in 2021. Of this figure, 43,000 are vans – highlighting that many businesses are already driving forward the switch to EV. In addition, ownership of electric commercial vehicles has also risen, with vans up some 67.3% (3). This signifies the increased demand for more sustainable transport, supporting

the plans to accelerate a greener future for the transport sector. In addition to the increased demand, the government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be enforced from 2030 in the UK (4). This may seem far into the future - however, the reality is that for many businesses, that’s likely just one, or two fleet replacement cycles. It’s now more important than ever to

start the transition to EV, to ensure your business doesn’t get left behind. Start small, scale up If you operate a large-scale fleet, it would typically require significant upfront investment to transition your entire fleet to EV, which many businesses are likely not prepared for. However, it’s important to understand that EV infrastructure doesn't need to be a single, outright investment. Transitioning to EV is completely scalable, and the solution you choose should be modular, meaning it can grow in line with business growth. By starting small and scaling up, you

operate a 100% electric fleet in the next four years. With that in mind, as we approach 2030, it’s highly likely that demand will significantly increase as businesses rush to get prepared. Delaying your transition, or waiting until you are forced to switch could result in higher costs and longer lead times. When infrastructure demand increases, wait times for new grid connections will rise, infrastructure providers will have less capacity and charger demand will increase. By investing now, your business can get ahead and in turn, save valuable time and money in the future. How to get it right the first time

will learn what works for your business and have the flexibility to change your strategy if needed. Having a tried and tested model will provide you with a proof of concept and evidence the feasibility of EV to your stakeholders, before making a large-scale investment and a full fleet transition. Adopting EV should be viewed as scalable programme that works around the demands of your business – not a one-time project. What’s more, as the industry continues to grow, you will also benefit from developments in technology as you expand your infrastructure.

In an attempt to start the process quickly, many businesses make the mistake of investing in electric vehicles before considering their overarching roadmap to EV. This often leads to an ineffective strategy that doesn’t support the needs of the business or fleet drivers. For the transition to EV to be seamless, businesses should look to start the EV infrastructure conversation first. This

We are growing as a business; our team is expanding, we’re extending our geographical presence and our project portfolio is growing in all of our core sectors...

Invest now to reduce costs The combination of an ever-increasing need for EVs and continued regulatory pressure, has in turn created a surge in demand for EV infrastructure. In fact, statistics have shown that almost two-thirds of businesses (5) expect to

ensures your entire EV programme is built around your business operation, rather than as a reactive measure. A good place to start is by mapping out your business and operational needs,

in particular where your fleet vehicles are returned to once they’ve been on the road. For example, if your drivers return vehicles to a depot overnight, installing on-site charging is likely to be most suitable. However, if they return to base throughout the day and require a fast charge before their next route, then rapid charging should be taken into consideration. On the other hand, if your drivers take vehicles home at the end of the day, domestic charging may be considered. Or, you may find that a combination of the three works best to keep you fleet on the move in an optimal way. Taking all of the operational factors of your business into consideration can be complex and many businesses are unsure where to start, which means they often don’t. This is where involving a charge point delivery partner in the early stages can prove beneficial. Your partner will support you to map out the needs of your fleet and business, including uptime, range, and routes, as well as your power availability and required capacity. Ensuring you get this right at the start will make your transition smoother, and reduce costs in the long run. Now is the time to transition It's clear that the EV revolution is within reach. However, businesses who don’t consider adopting soon will face higher costs and significant delays. Involving a delivery partner in the early stages will help to ensure your solution is fully suitable and scalable, supporting the demands and needs of your business. The benefits of adopting EV for businesses are endless from a reduced corporate carbon footprint, to cost savings via lower running costs. There are also various government funding initiatives and grants available to support your journey – meaning there’s never been a better time to switch. TopicUK August 2023

Camira launches eco-friendly fabric inspired by sportswear

Yorkshire textile manufacturer and designer of contract fabrics, Camira has launched a new recycled fabric, woven entirely from plastic bottles. Yorkshire textile manufacturer and designer of contract fabrics, Camira has launched a new recycled fabric, woven entirely from plastic bottles. Re P l ay, w h i c h i s i n s p i re d b y sportswear and created using 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, has a knitted cellular appearance in a woven construction and is designed for use in hybrid workspaces, educational and hospitality settings. Commenting on the launch, head of creative, Lynn Kingdon said: “RePlay is made for the hybrid world in which we live and work, blurring the boundaries with ease. It’s as comfortable in the office, as it is a

suggests. Its construction makes for easy upholstering while meeting the highest durability standards, this fabric is hard working - and deceptively easygoing.” Free from haloge nated flame retardant and achieving higher level global flammability standards, RePlay is an environmentally intelligent textile, backed by third-party accredited eco-labels including EU Ecolabel, Indoor Advantage Gold and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

casual café and all the collaborative spaces in-between. “Just like the best sportswear, it provides comfort and freedom of movement, whilst bringing a contemporary look and feel to any and every interior space. A fabric with great stretch and agility, RePlay is as fun to work with as its name

Available in 33 shades, RePlay’s c o l o u r p a l e t te i s f i l l e d w i t h personality, flipping between bold bright shades and more muted tones. The dyed shades have been carefully balanced with the two-tone ground, creating a multi-layered colouration which adds an appealing depth to each shade.

market for £379,950, while the two Skelmanthorpe properties are available at £350,000. Meanwhile Plots 4 and 10 at Knowle Grange, Shepley are on the market for a reduced price of £365,000 until the end of this month.

Leading Yorkshire developer unveils range of incentives for new homes Yorkshire Country Properties, one of Yorkshire’s leading residential property developers, has unveiled a range of incentives for buyers of their quality new homes at Shepley and Skelmanthorpe in West Yorkshire. The Huddersfield-based company, which has just been shortlisted for honours in the prestigious Yorkshire Residential Real Estate Awards, is determined to break down barriers to home ownership in the region amid a cost-of-living crisis. Sam McGregor, head of sales at YCP, explained: “At Yorkshire Country Properties we’re offering significant help to make it easier for people and families to move house in these tough times of rising interest rates and the higher cost of living.

we can support you at every stage of your journey. “From help with stamp duty, mortgage contributions, home insurance and basic legal or estate agency fees to support with your buildings and contents insurance, groceries or even nice-to-have personal upgrades in your new home, we have something special waiting for you, if you reserve one of our specially selected properties.” YCP have selected three state-ofthe-art properties, Plot 3 at Knowle Grange, Shepley and Plots 10 and 11 at Whistle Bell Court, Skelmanthorpe, to attract the targeted support for would-be buyers mentioned above. Plot 3 at Knowle Grange is on the

Sam McGregor explained: “Built from natural tumbled Yorkshire stone over three levels, these spacious houses are perfect family homes. It’s time to live your life in colour and start a new journey of home ownership with us. We are confident that anyone buying these homes this month will be in before Christmas.” Anne Haggas, head of Yorkshire residential development sales a t S av i l l s i n L e e d s , w h o a re marketing YCP’s developments revealed: “Speaking generally, there has already been a surge of early interest in the homes on all three sites, predominantly because of their attractive appearance, competitive pricing, high-quality design, top interior specification and excelle nt locations. The combination is irresistible and is fuelling the demand we are currently seeing in these schemes.

Please visit www. yorkshirecountryproperties. co.uk to discover more about the properties available at Shepley and Skelmanthorpe.

“That’s because we do things differently. We’re committed to breaking down the barriers to homeownership by offering a suite of benefits tailored to your individual circumstances so that TopicUK August 2023

Award-winning paralegal joins Leeds-based law firm

Leeds-based law firm Ward Hadaway has announced a new appointment as it continues to see strong growth across Yorkshire. Ed Davison, who was named Rising Star of the Year at last year’s Yorkshire Law Society Awards, has joined Ward Hadaway as a paralegal in the family and matrimonial team. Ed joining represents a critical step in the national family and matrimonial department growth strategy and follows the appointment of nationally renowned Partner, David Lister in January 2023, and reflects the considerable growth of the team, the Yorkshire arm of which has experienced an uplift of more than 400% in revenue compared to the same period last year. Before joining, Ed was a paralegal at Prince Family Law Solicitors and, more recently, Hall Brown. As well as five years working in family law, Ed

trained as an accountant, bringing a new dimension to the team.

The consistent growth of our family team, both regionally and nationally, is a testament to our strategic vision and the hard work, commitment and skillset of our talented lawyers...

David Lister said: “Ed’s energy, experience and expertise align perfectly with the innovative direction our team is taking. His appointment highlights our commitment to growth across the region and nationally. We are seeing increasing demand from

clients across Yorkshire and in the city. Excellent client care and a commercial approach are key focus areas for us. Ed will be a key part of that.” Liz Bottrill, joint head of the matrimonial team, said: “The consistent growth of our family team, both regionally and nationally, is a testament to our strategic vision and the hard work, commitment and skillset of our talented lawyers. Ed's appointment is a significant milestone in our pursuit of national leadership in family law services.” Ed added: “Joining Ward Hadaway is an incredible opportunity for me. The firm’s commitment to talent development and its dynamic culture was a key factor in my decision. I’m looking forward to qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive at a firm with such ambitious growth plans and I'm excited to be contributing already to its continued success.”

‘‘Together We Are Mighty’’ that exists at Kirklees College.

Kirklees College’s new promotional video, ‘Together We Are Mighty’, celebrates the college’s values of Kindness, Unity and Excellence and is a tribute to the staff and students who embody those values every day. A real community project, the video features a variety of staff and students from the college, including a moving voiceover from Music student Charlotte Bulloch. Recorded in the college’s recording studio at its Huddersfield Centre, Charlotte took on the project like a true professional and has received very positive feedback from across the Kirklees College community.

The video shows students and staff participating in a range of activities across the college’s seven specialist centres, highlighting the wonderful diversity of vocational education. With snippets showing students and staff chatting, playing sports, celebrating Pride and graduation, the video aims to convey the sense of community and togetherness

Palvinder Singh, Principal and CEO of Kirklees College said:“The video is better than I could have ever imagined. It is a real showcase of our college’s commitment to creating opportunities, changing lives through our uniquely vocational curriculum, enrichment programmes and community work. We are so proud of all our students who were involved in the filming and their contribution to the project has been outstanding.” ‘Together We Are Mighty’ can be watched on Kirklees College’s YouTube channel, on their website, Facebook page and all other social media platforms.

TopicUK August 2023

Walkers Transport pledges to plant one million trees by the end of 2030

Walkers Transport has demonstrated its dedication to driving a greener future in the transport industry by partnering with leading climate action organisation Ecologi to provide its customers with the ability to track and offset their individual carbon footprint. The initiative, launched as ‘Walkers Climate’, will use consignment intelligence from the Walkers I n s i g h t Po r t a l – a b e s p o k e , proprietary transport management system - to calculate the amount of carbon each consignment will produce. This information will be presented to the customer giving them a true understanding of the climate impact, with the opportunity for customers to ‘carbon offset’ at the click of a button. As part of their own commitment to a greener future for all new customers, Walkers has committed to plant a tree for each consignment booked, with a pledge to plant one

million trees by the end of 2030. Fo l l o w i n g e n q u i r i e s f r o m a number of current and prospective customers, Walkers is anticipating a surge in uptake, with Walkers Climate set to create a new industry benchmark for the minimisation of carbon emissions. Embrace The partnership with Ecologi will also provide Walker’s customers with a ‘virtual rainforest’, with full transparency for the customer to see what their carbon offset is contributing towards. Current projects range from reforestation efforts through to solar and onshore wind projects.

Jason Scott, group CEO a t Wa l k e r s T r a n s p o r t s a i d , “We recognise the impact our sector has on the climate, and we embrace the environmental responsibility that comes with that. We aim to minimise our footprint, make positive change, and encourage our customers to do the same.” “Walkers Climate goes beyond just displaying the carbon footprint of upcoming consignments for our customers, it also captures the carbon emissions for all previous consignments, allowing the customer to view their cumulative carbon impact. Going forwards we want to partner with likeminded customers who share our objective of minimising climate impacts from our combined activities.”

Bright future ahead for solar energy firm thanks to £50,000 loan

Gaye and Robert Wilmot with Mark Iley from BEF (centre)

A Leeds-based solar energy firm has invested in stock and people following a £50,000 loan from Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) and NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance, which is managed by BEF and FFE Microfinance, and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. Barnsley-based Wolf Laundry is bringing serviceMaster, an endto-end smart laundry solution, to the UK, in partnership with leading Swiss washing technology group Schulthess. Wolf has more than 30 years’ experience within the laundry

sector and provides bespoke commercial laundry equipment across the UK to heavy users including care homes, universities, and holiday parks. In 2022, Wolf was announced as the exclusive UK supplier for Schulthess washing machines and

now its partnership is taking flight as the Swiss company backs Wolf to roll out its new service. The serviceMaster removes guesswork and provides easy control and optimisation. With innovative digital dashboards and analysis tools, users are empowered to boost efficie nc y, e nhance machine availability, and achieve unparalleled results. Providing remote monitoring and control for providers, app-based user

control, real-time notifications, and alerts, serviceMaster brings commercial laundry into the present.

We have redefined laundry technology standards, It also features data insights and ensuring care homes, analytics, smart diagnosis and social housing, troubleshooting with automatic universities, laundrettes, service triggers, and customisation. and more can enhance their operations Uniquely serviceMaster not only like never before...

them all.”As one of the Schulthess one-stop shop professionals, Wolf is ensuring sustainable, innovative laundry solutions are consistently accessible to UK customers. S a m u e l W i l d h a b e r, h e a d o f sales at Professional Schulthess, s a i d : " T h ro u g h c u t t i n g - e d g e technology and tailored features, the serviceMaster from Schulthess is revolutionising the customer experience.

works for brand new installations of washing machines and dryers, but “Schulthess is a pioneer in laundry it can also be retrofitted into older technology and the brand new machines, as well as those from serviceMaster ensures time efficiency, other brands, to help providers make profitability, flexibility, and sustainability “ We h a v e r e d e f i n e d l a u n d r y the best use of current machinery. are at the forefront of all laundry technology standards, ensuring solutions. This means that with simple c a r e h o m e s , s o c i a l h o u s i n g , Josh Brown, director said: “The last consumption statistics, providers and universities, laundrettes, and year of partnership with Schulthess users alike can ensure a superior more can enhance their operations has grown organically, and as wash every time, via cutting-edge like never before. With increased efficiency and environmental part of our commitment to our remote technology. friendliness, our customers value customers to provide the highest standard of laundry equipment, “The service has many features that these advancements greatly. “I am I am pleased that our unique meet industry specific needs from thrilled to announce that we are partnership continues as we bring our clients, from care homes and now bringing the serviceMaster to the highly innovative serviceMaster social housing to universities and the UK market, expanding its reach to the UK market. laundrettes, serviceMaster boosts and making a difference."

Gaye Wilmot, Robert Wilmot, Phoebe Twigg, Emily Kelly, Mark Iley (BEF) and George Smith

TopicUK August 2023

New appointment and promotion at Youbee Media Leeds -based marketing a g e n c y , Yo u b e e Me d i a who are approaching their third anniversary has just welcomed a new marketing specialist into their busy hive. The appointment comes as the team prepare for further ambitious growth goals. “Coming from an eComme rce marketing background, I’m ready for the challenge of switching gears and

These contracts cement Youbee Media’s status as an established marketing t raining pro vider and agile marketing solutions agency....

joining a thriving marketing agency. I’m a people person by nature, so I’m looking forward to working with and empowering businesses across the Yorkshire region. “I’ve got fresh ideas to share, and I can’t wait to see what incredible opportunities and creative adventures the future has in store for us!” Founder and director Rebecca Hop wood comme nted: “I am

the agency recently securing a trio of tender contracts to work with wellknown public sector organisations that support businesses across the West Yorkshire region. These contracts In addition to Hannah’s appointment cement Youbee Media’s status as and the agency’s third anniversary, an established marketing training Youbee Media are also celebrating the provider and agile marketing solutions promotion of Olivia Rock, following agency. Youbee Media’s achievements Passionate the successful completion of her have also been recognised by being shortlisted as a finalist for the New “Hannah really impressed us during Digital Marketing apprenticeship. Business award at the Enterprise the recruitment process with her breadth of marketing experience, and Rebecca added: “I’m really proud Vision Awards taking place at the her ability to think strategically and to announce that Olivia has been end of the month. ‘outside of the box’. She’s got a keen- promoted to content executive. Olivia to-learn attitude and is passionate joined us just over 12 months ago and about contributing to our positive has really grown into her role. She work environment, where she can continues to impress us, and clients add value and grow professionally. love Olivia’s friendly ‘can-do’ approach. Hannah’s impressive professional This more defined role aligns well with skills and knowledge will no doubt be her creative abilities and ambitions, a powerful influence within our team which will help Olivia flourish in the - plus she’s got bags of personality and next stage of her career.” enthusiasm, which fits well with our objective of bringing joy to clients Hannah and Olivia’s new roles follow absolutely thrilled to welcome Hannah to our team. We took our time recruiting for this role as it was important to find someone who would fit our group dynamic, while also bringing new or complimentary skills to the small but strong core team.

through our marketing services. We knew she was the perfect person to join us, and I’m excited to watch her thrive in what will be her first agency role”.

Leeds marketing agency continues its growth Fo u n d e d i n 2 0 1 9 b y managing directory Barnaby Patchett and head of digital James Bevan, OneNineNine has several high-prof ile sustainabilit y clients including edible oil experts KTC and sustainable palm oil leaders Daabon.

A qualified journalist, Andy built an impressive print career in Dubai including becoming features editor at Time Out and writing for Esquire and Rolling Stone. Since returning to the UK, he’s headed up campaigns for Premier Inn and HSBC and has most recently ghost-written Leeds’ icon Dave Beer’s autobiography which is set to be turned into a feature documentary film.

With their client roster expanding as more businesses recognise the importance of sustainability marketing, ex-TimeOut journalist Andy Buchan has been appointed as the agency’s first head of content for sustainability. Speaking about the appointment, Barnaby said: “With our sustainability division continuing to grow, now is the ideal time to expand our agency and

see the team develop as we build on our strong reputation by delivering results for flagship global clients across the entertainment, food and sustainability sectors.”

bring in Andy Buchan as our head of content. He’s an experienced journalist and editor and brings a wealth of knowledge from the print, digital and data worlds. It's very satisfying to

As well as growth in the sustainability team, the music and entertainment department at OneNineNine continues to thrive, with clients including DJ Annie Mac, Oscar-w i n n i n g actor, and musician Riz Ahmed and Damon Albarn. TopicUK August 2023

Behind theis Scenes with Why NOW the best time to Lee & Sarah submit your Jenkinson Tax Return By Lincoln Roth &Perrin Reed - Roth Reed Photography

Behind the shoot Although we were excited to photograph the guys in their extraordinary outfits, Enka songs are also performed in a storytelling way. Lee uses emotions and gestures to express those stories, so it was important for us to capture those. Their Headshots and Emotipics® were shot in our studio. Lee and Sarah brought along props and kimonos, which we offset with coloured backdrops and lights.

Lee (aka L J English) is the is the only British singer of Japanese Enka and Showa era songs. His wife Sarah (aka Theme Queen) sings themes/songs from TV, film, theatre and games, as well as performing alongside Lee. They asked us to capture a collection of images to showcase their Japanese stage show. Man, we love a photo shoot with themes and costumes! Behind the outfits We knew Lee had previously been a singer in a rock band but, having learned Japanese during lockdown, he’d switched out his double denims for kimonos. He and Sarah had fashioned a stunning kimono which merged the Union Jack and Japanese flags . . . all topped off with feathers and sequins! How fab is that? Sarah had a stunning collection of kimonos which she accentuated with beautiful accessories.

To capture their performance, we all headed up to Jam on Top studio in Keighley. Brian is not only the owner but also a light/sound technician - so his expertise helped to set the scenes. It was great for us to capture a live performance without being jostled by an audience. For our final shoot, we travelled to an incredible Japanese island in the middle of Tatton Park, Cheshire. This serene part of the park is charming with steppingstones, ornate bridges and arches, quirky trees, and a striking pagoda. Our photography gear, lights and lightboxes drew a small crowd – but the sunny day soon saw them drifting away for ice cream. If you’d like to catch Lee and Sarah performing, head over to their website ljenka.com for all the information. And you’ll find more images from this shoot on our own website. Lincoln & Perrin Roth Read Photography Portrait & Commercial Photographers

Great British Bake-Off contestant hosts two events Great British Bake-Off contestant Karen Wright (pictured) is teaming up with family-run business Writers Retreat in Beal , Nor th Yorkshire, to host two informal afternoon workshops with lunch. Baker, cook and Yorkshire lass Karen has recently published her first book, the beautifully illustrated Meals on the Move: A Campsite Cooking Journey. Candid diary entries over 200 pages take readers through the fun, stunning scenery and highs and lows of the tour, while recipes provide the details needed for easy, delicious meals local to the region or country visited. In her workshops with Writers Retreat, badged Freshly baked and self-taught: My journey in books and baking, Karen will take guests through the highs and lows of her own journey, including how she found the resilience to pursue her dream while balancing numerous challenges. Karen said: “I’m really excited to share my story at Writers Retreat’s beautiful venue. Get ready for a fabulous afternoon, complete with a mouth-watering lunch featuring some of my own signature dishes and plenty of time to chat, ask questions and get your book signed. I’ve even agreed to bake my own scones!” Writers Retreat founder Jan Birley said: “Everyone is warmly welcomed to the Retreat and we can’t wait for Karen’s events. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds, from published writers and well-known broadcasters through to beginners who want to give writing a go in a peaceful, supportive environment. We’re also solidifying

our reputation as an excellent events venue as we’re very accessible yet surrounded by the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside.”Jan, herself an established writer, set up Writers Retreat four years ago after being unable to find the kind of experience she was looking for. She has run the Retreat as a passion business ever since.

Tickets for the workshops, from 2-5pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November, can be booked athttps://writersretreatuk.co.uk/shop/

Event details: •

S a t u r d ay 2 5 No v e m b e r or Sunday 26 November 2023 from 2-5pm

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Bookings: https:// writersretreatuk.co.uk/shop/

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Tickets £28 including lunch and goody bag

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Guests can also add overnight accommodation to their stay (subject to availability) TopicUK August 2023

new strategic partner for Digital Sport North. We've been incredibly impressed by the quality of Digital Sport North events to date and are looking forward to seeing the community that Rob, Andy and the team have built continue to grow.

Digital Sport North announce law partnership Following a period of significant growth, Digital Sport North has announced a new strategic partnership and sponsorship deal with commercial law firm Walker Morris. Now a thriving and expanding community for entrepreneurial start-ups and businesses, and for showcasing cutting-edge sports and marketing technology, Digital Sport North was established in Leeds in April 2022 by Rob Powell and Andy Roberts. Since its inception, it has seen a 300% membership increase and it currently runs six annual sector events that it’s looking to expand upon in the future.

has already introduced some new contacts within sports and tech into the community. It’s also believed that this latest sponsorship will significantly support the founders’ shared ambitions. What’s more, all parties hope this will lead to further similar opportunities and partnerships with other businesses.

"This is a sector that we are truly invested in and passionate about and are thrilled to be able to support its growth over the next 12 months." In the long term, Digital Sport North team hopes this will be one of many partnerships to help grow its community and increase the size of its event calendar. Those wishing to get involved should note that any business, entrepreneur or individual that has a connection to sport or leisure activities, or works via digital channels or technologies is welcome to get involved Luke Jackson, commercial director from Walker Morris, added: “We're excited to be announced as the new strategic partner for Digital Sport North. We've been incredibly impressed by the quality of Digital Sport North events to date and are looking forward to seeing the community that Rob, Andy and the team have built continue to grow.

Speaking about the new partnership, Digital Sport North co-founder, Rob Powell, said: “The sponsorship from Walker Morris will undoubtedly help us continue to grow this community and help fund further events. With "This is a sector that we are truly invested their HQ so close to ours in Leeds, plus in and passionate about and are thrilled their own specialism and widespread to be able to support its growth over connections within sports and the the next 12 months." The overarching aims are to give tech division, it’s a very good fit for us. In the long term, Digital Sport those involved opportunities to drive connections, collaborate and find “We’re delighted the Walker Morris North team hopes this will be one successful careers within digital sport team has already got involved with of many partnerships to help grow in the North. Alongside this, the group some of our recent events and that its community and increase the size wants to inspire the next generation of they have expressed how keen they of its event calendar. Those wishing leaders in the sector and create more are to support us with something that to get involved should note that any business, entrepreneur or individual vocational opportunities. helps grow the sector in the north.” that has a connection to sport or Following a relatively short four-month Luke Jackson, commercial director leisure activities, or works via digital consultation period, Walker Morris from Walker Morris, added: “We're channels or technologies is welcome has now signed on as a sponsor and excited to be announced as the to get involved.

Working capital finance can it help cash flow? By: Ian Parsons: Managing Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Parsons, Chartered Accountant

It's essential for business owners to carefully manage their working capital finance to strike a balance between having enough liquidity to cover short-term obligations and investing in long-term growth and profitability. Improper management can lead to cash flow problems, increased borrowing costs, and potential risks to the overall financial health of the business. Working capital finance can assure cashflow by providing funding or financial resources to cover day-today operational expenses, such as • inventory, payroll and rent to ensure that your businesses short-term financial obligations are met. The world of commercial finance and asset based lending (ABL) is complex and expansive, with products, terminology and contractual interpretation varying from lender-to-lender. Seeking expert advice and pursuing an understanding of the various options can, however, deliver considerable business benefits: • •

Advance invoice payments. Quickly access up to 90% of your invoice value using invoice finance.

This effectively ‘sells’ invoices to a lender in return for access to cash at the point products and services are sold. Specific sector based products are available, as is the ability to arrange finance only for selected invoices. Generate a higher level of funding for structured asset based lending (ABL: management buy-outs/buyins) by unlocking the maximum value tied up in combined business assets including debtors, inventory, plant and machinery and property. Other forms of funding can be structured in addition to this, such as top up loans in order to drive growth.

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Guarantee agility: respond quickly to market changes, adapt to customer needs, invest in new projects or expand your operations to stay competitive.

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Weather a financial storm: during unexpected financial crises, having access to working capital finance can provide a safety net to keep the business afloat.

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Manage seasonal and cyclical needs: working capital financing can cover periods of low sales or increased demand.

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Optimise inventory levels: ensure you have enough stock to meet customer demands without tying up excessive funds.

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Enhance your negotiating power: maintaining sufficient working capital can potentially lead to better terms and discounts from suppliers.

To access working capital finance, you will typically need up-to-date management accounts, a detailed list of debtors and creditors, and financial projections. Our experts have years of experience in advising businesses across a wide range of sectors. Contact us on 01924 669 500 or 01904 925 300.

Facilitate the purchase of goods from overseas using trade finance, where you may otherwise be unable to obtain credit from suppliers. TopicUK August 2023

Multi-million-pound launch for Leeds-based Yepic

A multi-million-pound investment by Yepic has seen the Automatically finding all job photos Leeds-based start-up launch a game-changing photo- on your phone, Yepic allows users to quickly sort and categorise thousands of based app for UK tradespeople. images into job albums, tracking hours spent at each job, capturing precise arrival and departure times.

Now available in app stores, Yepic user-friendly interface has been gives electricians, plumbe rs, designed to empower the country's “Every tradesperson has the problem builders, decorators and joiners tradespeople. of needing to record their work a unique new way to record and manage their jobs using photos “Yepic is so easy to get started - all movements and jobs with many relying you need is a phone number and on their memory alone, adding stress taken on their smartphones. the app downloaded," said Sam. to their workday. Yepic is the brainchild of its CEO "When you take a photo on your and former electrical contractor, phone, the app captures the exact "Customers, employers, and tutors can Sam Overment, plus a tech and location and creates a ‘job’ in the challenge how long you are at a job, d e s i g n te a m h e h a s b ro u g h t app. You can add a caption like a so having a detailed log of every visit, together with investment backing customer’s name and include notes every hour and a visual record is really from Labora, the parent company and tasks to help manage the job, helpful; especially when you don’t have while choosing to have every visit to do anything to create it other than of City Electrical Factors’ (CEF). you make and every photo you take take a photo." Rapidly gaining momentum within automatically added using GPS, the construction trades sector accurately recording addresses, The Yepic app is free and has so far since its full launch in May this e l i m i na t i ng t i m e - c o n sum i n g been downloaded by more than 13,000 tradespeople with a target of 50,000 year on mobile and desktop, Yepic's manual data entry."

downloads by the end of the year in what is one of the UK's largest sectors by employment, including 800,000 self-employed tradespeople among the 2.5 million people employed across the country's construction trades industry. Users are now also being offered the opportunity to try out a recent upgrade called Yepic+. Yepic+ has additional functionality and advanced features that include job sharing, videos, timesheets and job reports for £14.99 a month or £149.99 for an annual subscription (both plus VAT). As Yepic's founder, Sam brings industry expertise and a deep understanding of tradespeople's needs, having spent years as a time-served electrician in East Yorkshire. “I know first-hand how much time and energy can go into capturing all your work movements to calculate hours spent on a job for invoices or hours worked for timesheets, let alone completing the work. “We really care about tradespeople and appreciate the demands of their unique situations, supporting everything they want to achieve, liaising and enabling a flow of discussion and information while creating better solutions for all of them. "At the heart of this is Yepic’s real USP, which is about putting tradespeople at the centre of everything we do. It enhances tradespeople and has no real barriers to allowing people to use it. "We are dedicated to continually improving Yepic and exploring opportunities to integrate technology to further enhance tradespeople's lives," added Sam, head of the Yepic team that also includes Gary Worthington, Chief Technology Officer, and Ric Gravina, Chief Product Officer.

Yorkshire manufacturing firm expands range Holmfirth-based, Aqualand Industries is launching a new four-seat pedal car that offers fun for all the family. The Adventurer has a rugged design and can be used on various surfaces, making it easy to operate in any leisure destination. The pedal car platform is modular and will be easy to upgrade with a range of future accessories, from parasols to baskets. Aqualand Industries designed the car in response to customer requests and adds to the company’s range of electric vehicles for all ages. The popular Crazi-bugz and Adventure Trukz are designed for children aged four to 14 years old and can be found at leisure destinations across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Commenting on the launch, Carl Byford, general manager said: “As we continue to evolve and expand our range, we wanted to create a vehicle that the whole family could enjoy together. The Adventurer is a great way for four people to

explore an area in comfort while having a lot of fun!” Each vehicle has a host of safety features to keep riders safe and can be hired out with minimum supervision to reduce staffing costs. All Aqualand Industries products are manufactured in the UK and meet rigorous safety standards. The design follows a year of exhaustive testing and is patent pending. Aqualand Industries works in partnership with leisure destinations to help them drive additional revenue. The company offers leasing, full purchase or a mixture of both to provide operators with the flexibility they need to introduce the range of products. It also provides maintenance and service to its customers for its products. Carl concluded: “As leisure businesses of all sizes tackle the rising cost of business, it’s important that they explore new revenue streams. The Adventurer is designed to be low cost to operate and provides a 27/7 rental opportunity that the whole family can enjoy.” TopicUK August 2023

Staff from Manning Stainton have set foot on a 180-mile relay between branches for Macmillan

Estate agents to run, walk and cycle for Macmillan A team of estate agents from Manning Stainton have launched their most ambitious fundraising initiative to date travelling the breadth of Yorkshire to Lancashire on foot or two wheels to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Over 80 staff have joined together for The Coffee Cup Relay Monday 25 to Friday 29 September, walking, running and cycling their way between each of the company’s 36 branches to raise thousands for the charity. The person behind the idea for the relay was sales negotiator, Jacob O nyando, from the O akwood branch. He says: “My idea was to cycle to every single branch within our network over a day, but then I realised I wasn’t Bradley Wiggins! I took the idea to the senior team, and we agreed to extend the challenge to a five-day relay during the week of Macmillan Coffee Morning and

make it on foot as well as on wheels. It’s been great to get involved with everyone from the company and feel that connection. It’s a good way of bringing everyone together.” Taking the first leg of the 180-mile relay are Garforth branch manager, Ben Banks, mortgage advisor, Giles Nightingale and web developer, Rory Lockett, who will run four miles from the Guiseley branch to the Horsforth branch. More team members will then join them as they make their way to head office and then onto all the other Manning Stainton branches across Leeds. Other staff members will then pedal from Pudsey to Halifax, while 10 staff will take the baton for the last day, walking from Blackburn to Clitheroe to cross the finishing line. Collective Parent company Northern Estate Agencies Group, has a long-term partnership with Macmillan, with a commitment to raise over

£60,000 for the cancer charity in the next four years. It has supported Macmillan Cancer Support in West Yorkshire since 2012. Sarah Whyte, Macmillan’s relationship fundraising co-ordinator, said: “We are in awe of the collective effort from staff across NEAG’s branches for the inaugural Coffee Cup Relay. If they manage to raise the £5,000 target this could fund a Macmillan nurse for five weeks. The company’s drive to raise funds through various activities over the past decade is incredibly humbling, and all money raised will go such a long way in helping Macmillan do whatever it takes for people living with cancer.” Mark Manning, managing director added: “I’m proud of the whole team for making this mammoth relay happen for a charity that’s so dear to so many of us. We’ve been supporting Macmillan for the past 10 years, because we are so grateful for the invaluable clinical and emotional support they offer to people living with cancer.

Pennine Five bringing new ‘vibrancy’ and ‘energy’ to Sheffield City Centre The award-winning Pennine Five development in central back the old HSBC buildings to life Sheffield recently welcomed senior Lib Dem Councillors and I particularly commend them Shaffaq Mohammed and Martin Smith, together with the on their focus to make the facilities Chair of the Sheffield Property Association, Martin McKervey. the most user-accessible and green. “As the property welcomes more new and varied tenants, and also delivers a community plaza for breakout and rest and relaxation, I have no doubt it will help to bring even greater vibrancy and energy to the City centre.” Martin McKervey, commented: “We are very proud to have RBH Properties as a member of the Sheffield Property Association. “Pennine Five is a key location in our city centre. It is much more than bricks and mortar. A business community that brings out the very best in people, it will allow occupiers to thrive and From left to right: Peter Whiteley, Shaffaq Mohammed, Martin McKervey and Martin Smith to grow in a collaborative campusstyle environment, all set around an Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of this area of the city and will help drive inspiring communal plaza. Sheffield Liberal Democrats, visited the future investment. A prominently development alongside Martin Smith, inaccessible and closed-off campus “RBH and Pe nnine Five is an Chair of the Economic Development previously, RBH is opening up the site important statement of the ambition to the wider community, with work and confidence we have in Sheffield and Skills Policy Committee. on an attractive central public plaza and South Yorkshire.” The visit of these two key stakeholders expected to complete later this year. Peter Whitely, Director of Knight shows how Pennine Five has truly captured the attention of those within The project has already been Frank, who acts as agent for the the city and highlights the outstanding recognised regionally within development, added: “Pennine Five refurbishment by RBH Development. the property sector, winning the offers exceptionally high quality The tour also showcased the class- prestigious Sustainable Development and varied office space right in leading accessibility facilities and of the Year at this year’s South the heart of the City. “With over 400 car parking spaces - unheard acclaimed green credentials of Yorkshire Property Dinner Awards. of for the location - together with the development. Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, significant investment in access Creating an inclusive and welcoming said: “It was a great pleasure to visit ramps, EV charging points and bikefocal point for on-site businesses and Pennine Five with my colleague Cllr. friendly faculties - Pennine Five is the wider community, Pennine Five Martin Smith. The developer has really setting the pace for such reis the catalyst behind the rebirth of done an outstanding job bringing purposed office space.” TopicUK August 2023

How an inflatable shelter is helping pump up Britain’s green ambitions

THE Great British weather is no longer a headache for engineers working on the country’s transition to net zero, thanks to a mum-of-five’s invention.

Poor conditions mean that thousands of outdoor jobs are cancelled or rescheduled every year - but a remarkable new product is helping workers to save time and money and get it done safely in any weather. DryCab, an inflatable work shelter, can be set up in two minutes to provide a safe, stable environment for engineers, electricians and installers to work outside. The conce pt was created b y Hull midwife Helen Foster, who decided to hang up her scrubs after

working for the NHS for 17 years and design a work shelter for her husband Stephen, a dual fuel smart meter engineer. Her simple idea is already receiving glowing reviews from sole traders, SMEs and major international companies. Inclement conditions pose major difficulties for engineers, electricians and installers working outside on electrical installations such as EV charging points, heat pumps, smart meters and communications links.

Many tradespeople say they can’t afford to pause jobs for bad weather, with rain delays and cancellations costing businesses millions of pounds a year and slowing the UK’s shift to green energy. But DryCab’s simple, sturdy solution protects electrical equipment from the elements and allows workers to install, repair and maintain safely, and on schedule. Being able to work in all conditions is also helping users to boost productivity, improve working conditions for team members and reduce the regulatory fines sometimes incurred by delays. DryCab’s creators were inspired by

recent innovations in inflatable tent technology, and they teamed up with Vango, the UK’s most successful tent manufacturer, to spearhead production. It’s now manufactured with the same AirBeam® technology found in many of Vango’s popular camping products. The first Airbeam® external work shelter on the market, DryCab can be inflated using a hand pump in just two minutes and packs down in a similar time. After perfecting the design, Helen and Stephen approached nationwide wholesale rs YESSS Electrical headquartered in West Yorkshire, who were impressed by their story and the product itself.

plus EV charging point installations and much more.” YESSS Electrical category manager Barry Brown said: “It’s a fantastic solution to stop you having to reschedule outdoor jobs due to the Great British weather, and for engineers and installers. “We love the solution it provides for the outside worker, and how much money it can save larger firms such as energy suppliers on rescheduling jobs. “The range can also grow to focus on other sectors such as data cabinet installers.”

Not only is DryCab helping to speed up the transition to net zero, but the aim is also to manufacture it using recycled single-use plastic as soon as possible as part of Vango’s sustainable Earth range of tents and accessories. Waterproof, fire retardant and nonconductive, DryCab offers outdoor workers full UV protection and is approved by trade unions. It’s also supported by the Vango services team, which means that users have access to a quick and efficient repair service, should it be needed.

YESSS Electrical own the copyright to DryCab and are now selling it online and in all their 96 stores, as well as through other distributors across the UK and Ireland. Helen said: “Stephen would constantly complain to me about his tools getting wet and having to abort jobs, leaving customers in the lurch. After successfully pitching the idea of DryCab to Vango, we had a prototype! Time after time we approached investors, but with Covid hitting everyone hard we kept hitting brick walls. “Not giving up after years of unpaid hard work where many would have, we finally got our break. “YESSS Electrical recognised our potential, and always striving to lead the way in renewable energy, they saw a great way to help speed up transition to net zero. “DryCab will help energy suppliers meet government deadlines for the rollout of smart meter installations, TopicUK August 2023

Dr.NOW Magdalena Bejma: Why is the best time to A visionaryyour doctor,Tax inspirational leader, and submit Return trailblazing entrepreneur @vivie nnee dgephoto gra ph y - V i v i en n e E d ge Ph oto g rap h y

In the bustling city of Leeds, a beacon of hope and transformation stands Dr. Magdalena Bejma - a trailblazing medical professional whose journey from Poland to England has been nothing short of extraordinary. With her unwavering dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for empowering women in medicine, Dr. Bejma’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the pursuit of dreams. Born and raised in Poland, M agdale na’s fascination with medicine began at an early age. As a young girl, she was drawn to stories

of doctors healing the sick and bringing comfort to those in need. Her mother, recognizing her profound interest, encouraged her to pursue

her dreams. With determination and ambition, she embarked on her academic journey, enrolling at one of Poland’s most prestigious universities to study medicine. Her dedication and diligence earned her numerous accolades and paved the way for a promising career in the medical field. After years of rigorous study, she emerged as a skilled and compassionate doctor, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

However, her quest for knowledge and the desire to broaden her horizons led her to a pivotal decision - to move to England. Leaving behind the familiar comforts of her homeland, Magdalena embraced the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land. Armed with her medical degree and an unyielding spirit, she took her first steps into the bustling world of healthcare in England. Her journey in England began as a hospital doctor, where she immersed herself in the complexities of the healthcare system. Her empathetic approach and exceptional skills quickly gained her the admiration of colleagues and the trust of her patients. Despite her success, she couldn’t ignore the signs of a healthcare system under strain - a system that struggled to provide the level of personalized care she deeply believed her patients deserved. Undeterred by challenges, she decided to chart a new course in her medical career. Her quest for deeper connections with patients and a desire to offer more comprehensive care led her to pursue a specialization as a general practitioner. In this role, she found fulfilment in building longlasting relationships with her patients, gaining a deeper understanding of their unique needs and concerns. As her career progressed, so did her insatiable thirst for knowledge, which led her to explore innovative areas of medicine. Her curiosity led her to the realm of anti-ageing medicine and women’s wellness services - fields that resonated deeply with her vision of holistic care and she embraced a new path which led her to create her own private practice. In the heart of Leeds, the renowned Dr. Bejma Medical Clinic was born TopicUK August 2023

- a sanctuary of luxury and cuttingedge treatments that catered not only to physical enhancements but also to a profound sense of rejuvenation and empowerment. Patients from all walks of life trust Magdalena’s expertise, knowing they will receive not just medical attention but also a transformative journey towards self-love and confidence. The Success Lab As the clinic flourishes and goes from strength to strength, so does the desire to uplift and empower her fellow medical professionals. A second venture, the Success Lab was built with Dominika Taylor and grew from this desire. Both champions for women’s empowerment, this groundbreaking platform was designed to nurture and support industry

colleagues as they venture into the world of entrepreneurship. By providing mentorship and guidance, Success Lab encourages female doctors and medical professionals to embrace their dreams and excel in their chosen paths. Beyond the realm of medicine and business, Dr. Bejma’s personal life is one that many women can relate to. A loving mother of two beautiful children, she cherishes family moments and creates memories through globetrotting adventures, indulging in shopping, and savouring fine dining experiences. Today, Dr. Magdalena Bejma’s dream is to continue to grow and inspire women in medicine and beyond. Her clinic, offers support and transformation, while her

Success Lab empowers fellow professionals to embrace their entrepreneurial dreams. Through her own remarkable journey, Magdalena exemplifies the power of determination, chasing dreams, compassion, and innovation. She seeks to make a positive impact in the world of medicine and entrepreneurship, reminding us that, with unwavering commitment to our passions and compassion, we can shape not only our destinies but also the lives of those we serve. A role model, encouraging women everywhere to pursue their dreams and embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Dr. Bejma’s story remains a testament to the spirit that resides within each of us, waiting to be unleashed for the greater good.

100% retention rate for Leeds-based law firm

Ward Hadaway announced the appointment of nine newly qualified solicitors following a successful training period. Each of the nine graduates has qualified as solicitors and are remaining with the firm, working within a diverse range of departments. They add to a growing Ward Hadaway team across Northern England, with total headcount now at 476. The 100% retention rate reflects the consistent growth of Ward Hadaway as it continues to create jobs for more people and demonstrates the quality and depth of their dedicated training provision. It also highlights the long-term opportunities available at the firm for emerging talent, with graduates developing excellent skills and gaining valuable experience during their training period. Matt Cormack, a partner, and training principal at the firm, said: “Ward Hadaway isn’t just a place to fulfil your training contract; it’s where you lay the foundations for a successful

and rewarding legal career. The comprehensive training, ongoing development and continuous support is why many of us choose to continue our journey at Ward Hadaway. The fact we have retained 100% of our newly qualified solicitors reflects our commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining the best-emerging talent. This year’s cohort is extremely strong and I’m confident they’ll continue to flourish. Congratulations to each of them who have worked incredibly hard to achieve their qualification – it’s thoroughly deserved.” The new solicitors completed a twoyear training contract after graduating from university. The training contract itself involves four placements, each lasting six months, in different departments. Caroline Jones, recruitment, and emerging talent manager said: “We’re

incredibly proud of our 100% retention rate for our newly qualified solicitors. We are committed to providing an inclusive and collaborative workplace where teamwork and personal development are key priorities. We’re focused on providing a diverse range of opportunities to all our employees throughout their careers to ensure they continue to gain the expertise, experience and skills required to excel in the legal sector.” Commercial solicitor Mridvika Elliott said: “I am very pleased to be qualifying as a solicitor after completing my training he re o ve r the last two years. During my training contract, I gained high-quality experience in a variety of seats, which gave me a good understanding of the different practice areas available on qualification. I felt genuinely supported and valued throughout my training, as my colleagues took the time to invest in my personal and professional development.” TopicUK August 2023

for ways to entertain their son Rocco, their research showed that a lot of content out there involved remakes of original nursery rhymes with not a lot diversity and a lack of educational messages. In 2022, Matthew and Claudia decided to explore this gap in the market and created the character Lammy Lamb. The series officially launched in September this year with its very own YouTube channel, with an educational quiz app shortly to follow. Each episode follows the journey of Lammy and his two friends, Pup Pup and Bobsie, as they explore, play, and learn on their journey of growing up.

LAMMY set to change the animation market for parents and children. Yorkshire-based entrepreneurial couple, Matthew and Claudia Hurst, have launched a brandnew animated children’s series on YouTube, best known as LAMMY. Set to revolutionise the animation industry, LAMMY is a fun and exciting children’s video series designed to educate children, under the age of four, through the magical world of song and storytelling. Matthew is a serial entrepreneur, who began his journey at the age of 16 in his hometown of Skipton and has since gone on to work across many sectors such as sport and hospitality,

including his family legacy of Fish and Chips best known as the iconic Mother Hubbard brand. In 2018, Matthew met Claudia and after marrying, the pair decided to move to Portugal for a fresh start and a new adventure. With Claudia’s university degree in Marketing and a wealth of experience, Claudia and Matthew teamed up and began exploring different business endeavours as a couple which led them in many directions with businesses in the event space, fitness and wellness industry and hospitality, before deciding to create and launch their latest venture LAMMY. After exploring the animation market

Speaking on the launch Matthew said: “Entertaining your children can be hard and stressful, yet it’s such a fulfilling and wonderful experience to watch them grow and develop. As a parent, there’s only so much we can give a child without that little extra help, which is why we designed LAMMY, a way to educate children through the magical world of storytelling. Lammy Lamb and his best pals are here to put a smile on our children’s faces through song and dance while teaching them something new every day.” Also commenting on the launch, Claudia added: “We are super excited about the launch of Lammy! After living in Portugal and having Rocco in 2021, Matthew and I relied heavily on several children’s series to keep him entertained as we didn’t have any family around to help out. We soon spotted that a lot of the market was dominated with the same content and that were remakes of original nursery rhymes, so we took matters into our own hands. LAMMY is a fresh take on animation, with original content and songs that children are guaranteed to love.”

TopicUK August 2023

Growing overseas demand sparks US expansion for digital agency Zelst, a 17-strong Harrogatebased search marketing agency launched in 2006 by Peter and Sarah Van Zelst, has established a new US venture following a number of client wins from US agencies looking to collaborate with UK specialists. The firm, which has worked with US clients for over a decade, embarked on a project to investigate US client opportunities in 2022. The new US business, based in Dover, Delaware, will aim to bring US work to the UK team more seamlessly,

providing white-labelled digital services to often stretched US agency and client teams. Peter Van Zelst said: “The US economy is a little hotter than ours at present, and it’s a challenge to find highly experienced search and PPC professionals in some areas of the States. We’ve seen a demand for our services, and the different approaches we bring to projects. Establishing a business in the US was the natural next step. “As one of the north’s longest established and most experienced search marketing agencies, we’re adept at working collaboratively alongside clients and agencies alike, and the

East Coast of the US, in particular, is fairly straightforward to service, with its connections and smaller time difference with the UK. “We’re working closely with the Department for Business and Trade in the US, as well as a variety of bodies and contacts we’ve made since researching the idea of growing our exports to the US and expect the additional traction to bring a handful of new jobs as we build out the team to support the North American market. He added: “Although, like every company, we’ve seen a lot of challenges in the last few years, in many ways, the seismic shifts driven by the pandemic and Brexit have opened people’s minds about how to grow their businesses. “We’ve seen that the US has a challenge to find passionate and highly skilled teams of digital talent, and we’re offering them that additional bandwidth immediately, with lower overheads than they face in the vast majority of US locations.”

TopicUK August 2023

changing government policies and strategies to introduce EV as company cars and staff benefits. Cutting-edge EV innovations Join Rob Woodward from Telsa as he delves into the latest EV innovations and explores the current and future model line-up. Get a firsthand look at the electrifying future of corporate mobility.

Electrify Your Business Fleetwith the GO! Electric Roadshow The future of business transportation is electric,and it’s time for In preparation for the 2035 ban on ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, businesses are faced with the challenge of transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles (EVs) while also supporting their staff through this significant change, all in pursuit of the ultimate goal – achieving net zero emissions. As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concerns and carbon reduction strategies take centre stage in corporate agendas across the nation, there’s no better place to start than with company vehicles and staff cars. However, the shift to electric should be a well-thought-out strategic decision, part of a broader commitment to renewables and cleaner energy. The question is: where do you begin? Fear not, because the GO! Electric Roadshow is here to guide you on this electrifying journey! Hosted by Greenarc in association with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, this national roadshow event will next take place at the Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough, Halifax on Friday 27th October. The event is open and complimentary for business decisionmakers based in West Yorkshire who are eager to explore the electrifying future of corporate mobility.

What can you expect at the event? Expert insights Greenarc has assembled a team of industry specialists to provide delegates with invaluable insights into the world of electric vehicles, including leasing, charging infrastructure, salary sacrifice schemes, energy solutions, taxation implications, government grants and funding opportunities, fleet management strategies, and achieving net-zero emissions. The Journey to Sustainability Chris Bingham, Chairman and CEO of Greenarc will be introducing Greenarc and their mission to ease the world’s journey to clean energy. Marc McLoughlin, Managing Director at Greenarc Vehicles has over 25 years of experience in the automotive finance and leasing industry. Marc will be discussing

Green benefits for business Jeff Whitcombe automotive tax expert, representing BCF, will enlighten attendees on the impressive benefits of ‘going green.’ Discover the substantial tax-saving advantages that transitioning to electric vehicles can bring to both your organisation and your employees. More speakers will be announced soon. Don’t miss this opportunity to join industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. The GO! Electric Roadshow is your gateway to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for your business. Event Details: Date: October 27, 2023 Time: 8:30 – 11:00 Venue: Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough, Halifax Registration: Complimentary for UKbased business decision-makers To reserve your seat at this electrifying event, visit https:// go-electric-roadshow-halifaxtickets.eventbrite.co.uk

TopicUK August 2023

Young engineer sets up new company

regime that extracts airborne particulates and harmful fumes away from the operator’s breathing zone whilst providing a physical barrier between the process and the surrounding environment. It can be wheeled into any lab easily, as its dimensions have been planned strategically to fit through a standard-sized door. The touch screen HMI interface and the height adjustable glass sash simplify users’ processes while the Quick Click technology allows for ultrafast filter change (<3min). Perfect for the additive m a n u f a c t u r i n g, c a n n a b i n o i d production, pharmaceutical and engineering industries, this system can be used for anything from 3D printing to component blowdown.

A new engineering start-up company from Huddersfield, Corinthian Engineering, has just pre -launched their new extraction bench - Meliora - tailored to the needs of the additive manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical and cannabinoid manufacturing industries. The company has already worked on several major manufacturing and engineering projects within Yorkshire and abroad and is now embarking on developing its own engineered products. Corinthian was set up this year by an ambitious young engineer with just 12 years of experience in manufacturing bespoke engineered solutions for the pharmaceutical sector Sam Edwards, an alumnus of the University of Huddersfield. Tuned to the needs of the industry and equipped with the knowledge of its

processes, Sam identified a niche that has driven him to develop the Meliora extraction bench. Corinthian Engineering has recognised that the need for protecting operators from harmful fumes and particulates is becoming more and more important in other fast-growing industries too. That’s why Meliora has been designed with a combined laminar airflow

extracts airborne particulates and harmful fumes away from the operator’s breathing zone whilst providing a physical barrier between the process and the surrounding environment ...

Corinthian Engineering is currently inviting potential clients to enquire about their specific industry requirements through a Meliora configuration form on the website, but the company is also open to inviting a prototyping partner into the process, giving the chosen company an opportunity to participate in a bespoke Meliora development project.

Finalists for the Calderdale Community Spirit Awards 2023 announced of nominations reflecting what a phenomenal amount of outstanding work in happening in the not-forprofit sector in our community.

Guests celebrate at the Calderdale Community Spirit Awards 2022. Photo credit Danny Thompson.

The Community Foundation for Calderdale and its headline sponsors BCA Leisure have announced the finalists for the Community Spirit Awards which will take place on Thursday 23rd November 2023 at The Venue Barkisland to celebrate all the amazing work volunteers, charities and community groups do to make Calderdale a better place to live.

The Community Foundation for Calderdale is a charity, which raises money to fund and support community activity across Calderdale and we have the privilege of reading through the hundreds of nominations that are made and organising the event celebrating the selfless work that is happening. This year, we received a record number

Hawley Group are sponsoring the filming of the finalists. This is the first year that short clips of finalists will be shown in the Awards ceremony showcasing the incredible work they do and why they deserve to be finalists. To read the full list of winners and book tickets, visit https:// cffc.co.uk/calderdalecommunity-spirit-awards/ For more information about events happening at CFFC, visit https:// cffc.co.uk/events/

TopicUK August 2023

Axiologik drives business forward with expert-led expansion into automotive market

Axiologik – a digital leadership firm – has announced its strategic move into the automotive market, as key industry experts lead the charge with the release of a comprehensive report that provides invaluable insights into the automotive software landscape. The Leeds-based company has experienced tremendous growth over the past 12 months and wants to continue on this trajectory. It will move into the forefront of future innovation in a market in which Axiologik’s team has decades of experience with major organisations including Volkswagen Financial Services, BMW Financial Services and BNP Paribas. As this sector undergoes a significant transformation, c h a ra c te r i s e d b y t re n d s l i ke sector convergence, multimodal

Axiologik's strategic entry into the automotive market is an exciting milestone for our team...

mobility, subscription services, and advancements in AI and robotics, the software ecosystem supporting it becomes increasingly complex. The automotive finance and mobility sector – historically divided into retail, fleet, and rental segments – has greatly influenced the growth and composition of the software market supporting it. Many organisations in the sector still operate on restrictive legacy platforms, facing technical debt, limited agility, low automation, scalability challenges, and poor digital integration. But as these organisations realise the need for change, selecting the right vendors and platforms against a rapidly evolving landscape is increasingly

challenging. Therefore, Axiologik recognises the critical need for detailed vendor insights, intelligence, and a proven evaluation framework to help executives make optimal long-term IT architecture decisions.

Expertise Axiologik emphasises the importance of thoroughly understanding a software partner's culture, strengths, weaknesses, and future product roadmap for establishing successful, long-term technology relationships. Selecting vendors and solutions in this complex environment often requires specialist external support. The company brings real-world vendor and solution knowledge, market intelligence, and evaluation frameworks to the table, with the team boasting several hundred years of executive and senior-level industry experience.

Mike Walters, automotive sector lead with over 30 years of automotive and financial services experience, commented, “Axiologik's strategic entry into the automotive market is an exciting milestone for our team. With decades of industry expertise, we're well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the automotive software landscape. The release of our comprehensive report reflects our commitment to providing invaluable insights to industry leaders. In an era o f ra p i d t ra ns fo rm a t i o n a n d innovation, our goal is to empower organisations with the knowledge the y need to make informed technology decisions.” Axiologik's newly released automotive report cuts through the noise of vendor websites and persuasive sales pitches. It

offers senior technology, business, and transformation executives a clear and independent view of the key automotive Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) vendors and solutions available in the international market. To mark this strategic move into the automotive market and the release of the report, Axiologik will host an exclusive launch event on 11th October 2023, at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, hosted by Bryan Marcus, former CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services. With limited spaces available for this event, industry leaders are invited to join the event for networking and thought-provoking discussions a bo ut t he f ut ure o f f i n a n ce, mobility, and technology in the automotive sector.

TopicUK August 2023

https://www.stafflex.co.uk/resources/news/design-the-stafflex-christmas-card-competition-202/1193/

Final great Yorkshire for show director

Charles III and Queen Camilla who supported us at that Show and spent a whole day meeting exhibitors, steward “I have also thoroughly enjoyed hosting members of the Royal family including Princess Anne who visited twice during my tenure and is very highly respected among the farming community. The job of Sho w D irector has bee n a wonderful experience and one that I will never forget.” Since taking over the role in 2016, Charles has been part of the team behind changing the structure of the Great Yorkshire Show which moved from three days to four days since Covid in 2021. Tickets are now sold in advance only with visitor numbers capped at 140,000 equating to 35,000 people a day, to ensure a comfortable experience for visitors. Charles looks forward to spending more time with wife Jill and family and supporting son James in running the family business of hosting weddings at their farm in Appleton Roebuck.

The Great Yorkshire Show 2024 will be the final one for current Director Charles Mills as he comes to the end of his tenure. Charles is set to step down after wonderful organisation and getting the next Great Yorkshire Show the opportunity to meet and work which will run from Tuesday with so many dedicated people will July 9 to Friday July 1This will be stay with me for the rest of my life.” his ninth show and the hunt is now on for a new Show Director. Charles was Show Director during Charles said: “When I was a young one of the most challenging Shows boy in short corduroy trousers which was organised as the UK sitting in the Grandstand, never came through Covid in 2021. in my wildest dreams did I think I would get the honour of one day “We were one of the only agricultural becoming the Show Director of shows to go ahead that year and it the Great Yorkshire Show. It is a was such a pleasure to host King

Allister Nixon, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society which organises the Great Yorkshire Show, said: “Charles has been a fantastic ambassador for the Great Yorkshire Show and we can’t thank him enough for his amazing contribution over the years and for his passion, commitment and leadership.” The search is now on for a new Show Director and a full job description is available for this rare and exciting opportunity. Applicants should apply directly to TriciaM@yas. co.uk by the 31st October with a

covering letter and CV. TopicUK August 2023

Pictured Left – Right: Mohammed Hussain, Ammar Mirza CBE, Sharon Jandu OBE, Philip JJ Turnbull, Jagjeet Jandu, Simon Baldwin, Ummer Daraz, Bolu Fagborun, Paula Grizzard, and Naz Kazmi

Northern Asian Powerhouse launch Business Barometer at the House of Commons

In support of ethnic minority SME’s, founder of the Northern Asian Powerhouse (NAP) Business Barometer Sharon Jandu and her team were at the House of Commons last week to launch her new venture. Having already created the NAP Ethnic Minority Business & Policy Research Group which is committed to creating pathways

towards prosperity and creating a better environment for Ethnic Minority Businesses, Sharon is also involved in the Yorkshire Asian

Business Association (YABA), and UK Northern Powerhouse, which campaigns to better connect towns and cities so that labour markets can act more seamlessly. As part of this work Sharon identified a gap in the marketplace which she explains, “Whilst the key projects I

am involved in represent the Asian business world, it has become more and more noticeable that ethnic minorities as a whole are underrepresented. This includes a much wider field including white minorities such as Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller groups. Basically groups within a community which have different national or cultural traditions from the main population. The more we can understand the economic environment that these groups are working in, the more we can support them too. I want our work to be fully inclusive, so that we represent all minorities in the North of England”. The idea for the barometer evolved from the publication of ‘The time to Change Report’ produced by

the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME), at Aston University. From this report a recommendation was made to gather better data on entrepreneurial diversity to enable more evidence-based policymaking. M s Ja n d u a d d s , “ t h e r e p o r t identified that the contribution of ethnic minority businesses to the UK economy could increase four-fold from £25bn to £100bn by realising the changes in the report. This is a huge offering to the economy, but to support the relevant businesses, we need to understand which areas they need assistance, to then pursue policy changes that will enable this help.”

Craig Beaumont, chief of external affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The business barometer is a great idea, as the more data we have on funding and opportunity gaps for ethnic minority-owned businesses and for entrepreneurs from marginalised groups, the more can be done to offer additional support. FSB is proud to back this launch, and we are very much looking forward to seeing the impact the barometer will have, so that the potential and talents of businesspeople from ethnic minority groups can be allowed to flourish even more, boosting prosperity, and reducing inequality.”

Working with York University who will facilitate the research, the NAP Ethnic Minority Business Barometer will provide research from SMEs across the whole of the North of England. Their goal is to review the impact on these businesses from Brexit, covid and more, check for trends and measure movement. The longer-term goal being policy driven data, which can be reviewed by a judging panel.

Patrick Hurley, the Royal Society of Arts’ North of England manager said, “The Business Barometer is a key tool in ensuring diversity in our entrepreneur community across the North of England. Accurate data on the make-up of SMEs and microbusinesses is essential in targeting resources effectively and implementing the right policy proposals that will add the most to the UK economy. The NAP are filling a much-needed gap in our collective knowledge through this new initiative.”

Concluding Sharon stated, “This barometer is a really important step forwards to help determine business confidence levels and give an insight into emerging economic trends which will help forecasting and forward planning. We aim to cover a range of subjects such as business activity and economic optimism, to wages, staff levels and prices charged. Comparing these across the region will also be insightful. This is an exciting and revolutionary project, that I hope businesses will support and get involved with, to enable us to help and support them in return”

The event which took place at the House Commons was also to support the launch of the Northern Asian Power List 2023, which will be celebrated at the YABA Gala dinner in Bradford next week. The Power List showcases the brilliance and the excellence of the top Asian businesses, professionals, influencers, and politicians across the North of England. It not only highlights the achievements of a diverse UK, and the North in particular, but also acts as an inspiration for generations to come. TopicUK August 2023

Prime 285,000 sq ft Sheffied Industrial site sold to UK investment fund

Privately-owned property development company, Premcor Estates (Premcor), together with JV partner, Peveril Securities (Peveril), have sold a prime development at Catalyst in Sheffield to a UK investment fund for an undisclosed sum. Close to J33 of the M1 and providing 285,000 sq ft of industrial space split across five units of 22,354 to 108,237 sq ft, Catalyst forms part of the Advanced Manufacturing Park which boasts world-class occupiers such as Airbus, Boeing, BAE Systems, McLaren Automotive, Rolls-Royce, UK Atomic Energy Authority and The University of Sheffield, among others. Premcor acquired the 18-acre site offmarket in March 2021 by making a direct approach to its owners with support from agents BNP Paribas. The site had the benefit of an outline planning consent for industrial development

and was the last remaining plot on Sheffield Business Park.

“Premcor has an entrepreneurial approach to property development and a track record of successfully matching market demand with investor requirements...

This month, Premcor and Peveril concluded their deal to forward sell the scheme to Mirastar, KKR Real Estate’s industrial and logistics platform in Europe, having structured the deal in such a way that they delivered the construction while Mirastar took on its own marketing and search for occupiers through Knight Frank, M1 Agency and GV&Co. As a result, fifty per cent of the scheme, Units 1 and 3, were prelet for industrial and logistics use at practical completion. Speaking about the deal, Premcor director, Simon Hawkins, said: “Premcor has an entrepreneurial approach to property development and a track record of successfully matching market demand with investor requirements and this deal was no different. “The site was part of the former Sheffield

Airport land, so we were delighted to be able to buy it off market. It’s in a highly sought after location, just off the M1 and close to the M18 where there has been a lack of new development stock coming forward recently, which means the area benefits from a strong occupier demand with rents moving on towards and beyond £8/sq ft. “We approached Peveril with the site at the outset. It is the first time we have worked together, so I would hope we can do so again going forward. It is also our first time working with Mirastar after marketing the funding

opportunity via our investment agents, Doherty Baines and Knight Frank. It has all gone very smoothly and we are pleased with the result.” Peveril Securities is the wholly owned investment and development division of Bowmer and Kirkland (B+K) and operates on a nationwide basis across all sub-sectors of the UK real estate market. Peveril managing director, Ralph Jones, said: “Peveril specialises in investment and development both in a sole capacity and as a JV partner, so I was pleased to be approached by Premcor with this

opportunity which was a great fit for our portfolio. “As part of the B+K Group, Peveril enjoys the benefit of being able to finance a variety of deals from balance sheet capital. It has been a good experience working with Premcor and a most satisfactory outcome.” Kris Britland, Mirastar’s development director Northern Europe, added: “Mirastar is a pan-European logistics developer, investor and asset manager and acquires land for speculative and built-to-suit developments. The development at Catalyst has been an exemplary acquisition for us. “We agreed terms with Premcor and Peveril to help bring forward the scheme. Fronting Sheffield Parkway, it is in a prime position to satisfy a wide range of occupiers, offering an advantageous location adjacent to the main arterial route from the M1 for occupiers wanting growth or relocation opportunities, in addition to the opportunity to tap into excellent labour resources in the region.”

Sheffield Chamber looks for its next council and board

Louisa

Do you believe Sheffield can be the best place in the UK to run a successful and sustainable business? Are you a big thinker or a change-maker who can help us on our journey? Sheffield Chamber of Sheffield is looking for people with experience across all sectors and industries to help it shape the region in 2024.

Sheffield business community. They support the board and executives in shaping the future activities and policies of the Chamber.

The Chamber is primarily looking for people to join its Chamber Council and play a leading role in supporting the city.

Made up of 30 members, the Council plays an active role in engaging with key stakeholders. Each member is expected to sit for a term of three years, which means each year, there is an opportunity for more new members to get involved in supporting Sheffield

The Chamber Council is a team of committed volunteers who represent Chamber members and the wider

to b e c o m e a b e t te r p l a c e to live and work. Council meetings take place six times a year on a bi-monthly basis at different locations across the city, with other additional meetings and events throughout the year that Council members are invited to attend.At times, these representatives will be called upon for their opinion, feedback, or comment as the voice of Sheffield’s business community. Not only do Council members bring with them their own networks to help support the Chamber and its membership team, but members can

Faaiza

also expand their networks further, develop board-like experiences, and make a difference in Sheffield by getting involved. As the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce looks to become the strongest Chamber in the UK, it is also looking to expand its board with another financially focussed Non-Executive Director. Are you ACCA qualified (or equivalent) and could you use your financial background to strengthen the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce board? The non-executive director will also be a part of the board for a three-year term, attending six yearly board meetings, reviewing 12 board papers, and appearing at meetings where a NED presence is required. Faaiza Ramji, Non-Executive

Director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “This position is a real opportunity to be involved in an organisation that has huge aspirations for its team, membership, and the city region. You can be a part of its collaborative success.” Louisa Harrison-Walker, Chief Executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “Chamber board and Council play a pivotal role in helping us lead the way in making Sheffield the best place for business in the UK. “As a community of people who have generously chosen to give their time to make the city a better place to live and work, their efforts ensure that Sheffield Chamber continues to represent the needs of businesses in our region.

“By encouraging new members to join our council or our board, we can ensure that we continue to diversify our experiences, learn new things from each other, and ensure our activities are up to date with the needs of Sheffield businesses, not just for the future, but right now.” For more than 150 years, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has supported, connected, and represented local businesses of all sizes in Sheffield with an aim to lead the way in making the city the best place in the UK to start, grow and run a successful and sustainable business.

To find out more or apply for a role within the Chamber,head to: https://www.scci.org.uk/ about/jobs-at-the-chamber/ TopicUK August 2023

State-of-the-art pathology laboratory officially opened

A cutting-edge pathology laboratory designed to serve This pioneering regional partnership, patients across West Yorkshire has been officially opened by the forged in collaboration with the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, Will Quince. West Yorkshire Association of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's Centre for Laboratory Medicine marks a significant milestone in regional healthcare as it is set to house pathology services from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. In addition to Minister Quince, the opening event on 26 September attracted a host of VIP guests including West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, all of whom had the privilege of touring the state-ofthe-art facility.

Adding a touch of educational value to the occasion, young scientists from Mount St Mary's Catholic High School participated in pathology experiments alongside the Trust's dedicated staff, as part of the project’s wider community engagement programme.

Acute Trusts (WYAAT), will drive innovation in testing and diagnostics. Equipped with advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment, the laboratory aims to deliver faster results for patients, irrespective of their geographical location.

Health Minister Will Quince said: “This new, cutting-edge pathology Guests also engaged with project laboratory will serve thousands of staff and partne rs from BAM, patients across West Yorkshire – Siemens Healthineers and Clinisys helping to deliver faster results, speed to gain insights into the benefits this up diagnoses and cut waiting lists. modern facility promises to deliver to patients, healthcare professionals, “Backed by £35million of government funding, this new lab will look at and the wider community.

Minister Quince & Tracy Brabin speak to staff in the new lab

more innovative ways to test and testing and deliver better outcomes diagnose patients and will be for patients worldwide. equipped with advanced technology and the latest equipment. Crucially, “It was inspiring to meet the staff who will by consolidating current services into pioneer these new technologies, as well one place it will streamline access as the talented high school students who to testing and improve working could be our homegrown pathologists environments for staff.” of the future. Trac y Brabin, M ayor of West “With this new centre, I’m confident that Yorkshire, said: “This new centre Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust firmly cements West Yorkshire as a will continue to play a vital role in our global leader in health technology – mission to build a brighter, happy West it will fuel innovation in diagnostic Yorkshire that works for all.”

BAM commenced construction of the Centre for Laboratory Medicine in April 2022 and involved fitting 338 glass panels to create its windows, in addition to installing 1,357 individual rainscreen cladding panels on its facade. This new laboratory is a flagship project within the Leeds Teaching Hospital's "Building the Leeds Way" capital investment and improvement program. Currently, most of the Trust’s pathology services are delivered from outdated facilities in the Old Medical School at the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) as well as from St James’s Hospital. The new building will bring many of these services together into one purposebuilt facility and once vacated, the Old Medical School will be repurposed as part of a plan to use surplus estate at the LGI to develop an innovation village which is expected to deliver up to 4,000 new jobs, more than 500 new homes and almost £13bn in net present value.

Minister Quince unveils plaque with Dame Linda Pollard

Consolidating these essential pathology services within this stateof-the-art facility will streamline access to routine and direct testing TopicUK August 2023

Students from Mount St Mary's High School work with Leeds' pathology staff

while fostering improved working environments for staff. It will also facilitate seamless continuity and transfer of patient care across the region. Dame Linda Pollard, Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed her excitement about the opening of the new pathology laboratory, saying: "This is a landmark occasion for Leeds Teaching Hospitals and is the fruition of months of hard work from our staff and partners. “I am incredibly proud to see that this fantastic new facility is now officially opened. Pathology plays a crucial role in the delivery of frontline care, and I am excited to see how, together with our colleagues in Calderdale and Mid Yorkshire, we can really drive innovative diagnostic testing across West Yorkshire.” She also highlighted the broader impact, stating: "This impressive new building is a key milestone in our wider capital investment programme, as we start to progress our plans for a new hospital

standards in staff well-being and sustainability.

Our commitment to giving back to the community is deeply rooted in our company’s ethos, and we will continue to support initiatives that create positive change...

at the LGI. The completion of our new pathology laboratory is a catalyst for our proposed innovation village when the Old Medical School is vacated, bringing far-reaching economic benefits for the whole region." The Trust's commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident in this world-class pathology building. Designed with flexibility and digital integration in mind, the facility is on track to achieving high-certified

Its environmentally conscious features include full mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems to minimise power consumption and promote heat reuse. Additionally, the laboratory will adopt a single, shared Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to enable electronic test requests, tracking, and results reporting to clinical services across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. The Centre for Laboratory Medicine is set to become fully operational in 2024 after the installation of cutting-edge equipment and technology. In addition to this milestone, construction of a new Acute Hospital Laboratory at Leeds General Infirmary has been completed, providing essential pathology testing facilities to support clinical services as the primary pathology services transition to the new St James's facility.

Do my financial obligations end on divorce? The fact that many people are not aware of is that divorce alone does not automatically deal with financial issues. Marriage is a financial commitment for life and unless a court order ends these obligations,they remain.This means that a former spouse could make a financial claim long into the future if matters are not finalised at the time of the divorce. Some individuals who have failed to deal with financial matters on divorce have had to pay out substantial sums to their former spouse after many years. This includes individuals who have gone on to become wealthy from setting up a successful business or even from winning the lottery.

retain a larger share. The court will always try to make sure that the needs of both parties are adequately met however.

By dealing with financial issues on divorce, this can generally be avoided.

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The income, earning capacity, property and financial resources each party has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future

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The needs, obligations and responsibilities of each party, including in the foreseeable future

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The standard of living enjoyed during the marriage

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Any physical or mental disabilities either party has

There is a checklist of points that it will consider in making an order, as follows:

Separating finances on divorce When you marry, your assets become matrimonial assets. On divorce, all of a couple’s assets will be taken into account when working out how much each will have. This includes property owned by one party prior to the marriage as well as savings, investments and pensions. If the court is asked to make a financial order, its starting point will usually be an equal split of the available assets, although if the marriage was only a short one and one party had substantially more wealth than the other before the marriage, this could be taken into account and they could

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The court prefers that the parties resolve matters between themselves wherever possible. Your solicitor will represent you in trying to work out an agreement, negotiating on your behalf where necessary. To deal with this, you and your spouse will have to make full disclosure of all of your assets to each other. If an agreement is reached, this can be put into a consent order for approval by the court. If it is not possible to reach an agreement, you will usually be advised to consider alternative dispute resolution. This includes options such as mediation, collaboration and arbitration. They are generally quicker and more costeffective solutions than litigation. Where a solution cannot be found, then the court can be asked to decide and it’s important that you take legal advice at the earlier opportunity.

What happens to someone hiding assets The contributions made by during a each party, such as childcare and looking after the home, to divorce? include in the foreseeable future

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Is it necessary to go to court to resolve financial issues on divorce?

The value of any benefit that either party would lose the chance of acquiring because of the divorce The conduct of the parties, if it would be inequitable to disregard this

What happens if someone hides assets during a divorce? On divorce, a financial order is usually made dealing with the splitting of matrimonial assets. Before this can happen, both parties need to make full financial disclosure to each other and to the court. We take a look at what

Can hidden assets be discovered? If you believe that assets are being hidden, there are several options open to your solicitor. These include: Asking the court to make a non-party disclosure order – this is an order requiring third parties such as banks and HM Revenue & Customs to disclose information.

happens if one party tries to hide assets. If you are going through a divorce, you will need to come to an arrangement regarding the separation of your finances. This can either be done by agreement between you, in which case the court can be asked to approve a consent order, or by order of the court following a hearing or arbitration. In all instances, you will need to fill in Form E, which sets out details of all of your assets.

for example, to a business investor •

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Hiding money in offshore or overseas holdings

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Concealing money by transferring it to cryptocurrency

• What if attempts are made to hide assets? •

It is sometimes the case that individuals going through a divorce attempt to hide or move assets. This could be by:

Creating false invoices or false debts

The courts have the power to impose penalties if they believe that assets have been hidden.

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Setting aside an order at a future date and making a new order taking into account the amount of money believed to have been hidden

Opening a new bank account

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Giving money to a family member or friend to hold

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Ordering the guilty party to pay the other side’s legal costs

Deliberately undervaluing business and other assets

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Reducing the amount of assets the guilty party receives

Manipulating money held in a business

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A conviction for contempt of court

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In the most serious cases, imprisonment

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Deferring bonuses

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Falsely claiming to owe money,

Asking the court for a freezing order – this is an injunction to prevent assets from being moved or disposed of. The bank or other institution holding the funds would not then allow money to be transferred or withdrawn. Asking the court for avoidance of disposition order – this can stop a third party from disposing of assets passed to them by the guilty party and require the asset to be returned so that it can be dealt with in the settlement.

This includes:

•

Asking the court for a search and seizure order – this is useful if you believe that your spouse may try to move or destroy records and documents to hide evidence of their assets.

Ask the court to ‘add back’ the value of assets that have been disposed of – this is a request to take into account the value of assets that are no longer held by the guilty party when making an order dividing assets. For example, if £100,000 has been disposed of, the court can add this sum back into the calculation and the innocent party would be entitled to receive a share of this, to be paid from available assets. If you believe that your spouse is hiding assets, you are strongly advised to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible. The quicker action can be taken, the harder it is likely to be for the other party to get away with hiding or moving assets. TopicUK August 2023

Law firm announces six new trainee and apprentice solicitors

New starters - (from left) Gordons apprentices Amelia Horne and Jacob Eaton; trainees Tosif Bashir, Abbie Little, Jonathan Wu and Daniel Callaghan

Law firm Gordons has announced the appointment of four new trainee solicitors and two apprentice solicitors as part of its longstanding commitment to supporting and developing legal talent. Two of the new trainees, Jonathan Wu and Tosif Bashir, were already legal assistants with the firm whilst the other two, Abbie Little and Daniel Callaghan, are taking the first steps in their legal careers with Gordons. The trainees will each undertake four six-month seats which will see them involved across a variety of Gordons specialist service areas. All of them will benefit from the firm’s distinct approach to developing its trainee solicitors. This places as much emphasis on personal growth and relationship building as it does on enhancing professional skills. Amelia Horne and Jacob Eaton

have joined the Gordons Law Apprenticeship, the firm’s pioneering, multiple award-winning apprenticeship scheme which was launched 12 years ago. As apprentices, they will both train to become qualified lawyers through a combination of hands-on experience and academic study. Gordons will pay their salary and course fees, meaning they will not accumulate any student debt. Corporate partner Amy Pierechod is responsible for mentoring and managing the trainee solicitors whilst Gordons Law Apprenticeship graduate, Megan Stocks, will do the same for the apprentices.

Welcoming the new trainees and apprentices to the firm, managing partner, Victoria Davey, said: “We have high standards and a rigorous selection process for our training contracts and apprenticeships, which results in us only recruiting exceptional candidates. “A l o n g s i d e s t ro n g a c a d e m i c performance, all six of our new trainees and apprentices demonstrated a positive attitude and enthusiasm throughout the recruitment process. “These skills will play an important role in them becoming trusted advisors, and something we will continue to focus on as part of their development. “All of us at the firm are looking forward to helping them realise their potential so they can become solicitors who will contribute to our future success.”

N E W S U P D AT E

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Business Structures & Reorganisations

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Commercial Debt Collection

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Business Structures • • Commercial Disputes& Reorganisations CommercialProperty Debt Collection • • Commercial Commercial Disputes • • Contracts Commercial Property • • Employment Contracts Property • • Intellectual EmploymentTrade & Transactions • • International Intellectual Property • • Internet Trading International Trade & Disputes Transactions • • Mediation of Business Internet Acquisitions Trading • • Mergers, and Disposals Mediation of Business Disputes • • Planning & Licensing

Accident Claims

Child Care • Accident Claims • Collaborative Law Child Care • • Dispute Resolution • Collaborative Law • Employment Problems Dispute Resolution • • Matrimonial & Family Employment Problems • • Medical Negligence Claims Matrimonial & Family • • Planning for Retirement Medical Negligence • • Residential Property Claims Planning forCases Retirement • • Road Traffic Residential Property • • The Law & The Elderley

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Planning & Licensing

RoadTrusts Traffic • • Wills, & Cases Probate • The Law & The Elderley

•

Starting In Business

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Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals • • Starting In Business

Wills, Trusts & Probate

TopicUK August 2023

University of Law launches new psychology programme in Leeds

The The University of Law has long been recognised as a leader in legal education, however over the past five years it has successfully diversified its programme offering beyond pure law and into business, criminology, policing and now psychology. This Se pte mbe r has see n the launch of a BSc and MSc Conversion in psychology at the Leeds campus and with it has come an expert faculty to deliver the programme and a state of the art laboratory space. Julie Prescott, Head of Psychology at the University, tells us more about the programme at the University of Law and what make psychology such a good subject to study. What makes psychology a great discipline to study? Psychology is a varied and broad discipline which enables you to learn about all the core areas of psychology; developmental, cognitive, biological, social, individual differences as well as research methods and the conceptual and historical issues in psychology. The science of psychology is truly fascinating and we as a society have become much more interested in how the mind works, which accounts for why psychology has become such a popular degree programme. Beyond gaining a deep understanding of psychology, studying psychology also enables you to develop a wide range of other skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, problem solving, data interpretation and research methodology, as well as being attune to ethical principles. These are highly attractive and transferable skills when entering the graduate job market.

What makes courses distinctive?

your

The courses have been designed to be research informed with an applied approach. For instance, the range of assessments enable students to gain experience of work they may encounter as a practicing psychologist. The courses have an ethical practitioner focus so students are gaining skills they will use as a practicing psychologist in order that students increase their employability when they graduate. Students will also get support from the universities employability team throughout your time studying at the university with a bespoke course for the psychology students embedded in all of our programmes. We have a team of psychology experts teaching across the programmes who specialise in the core subjects of psychology. Each member of staff brings a unique experience to the courses and their backgrounds provide a great experience for our students. Dr Elizabeth Abbey’s main interest is in Neuroscience and teaches the core area of biological psychology. Dr Jonny Dudley is a Forensic Psychologist by background and brings his experience of working in Prisons to the courses. Dr Mark Jellicoe’s area of interest centres around personality and individual differences, with a keen interest in Occupational Psychology. Dr Joanne Vaughan is a developmental psychologist and has a strong

interest in mental health and health psychology. The department will soon be joined by another member of staff whose main interest is in Cognitive Psychology. All the staff and students are supported by Patrick Cullen who is the Psychology lab technician based at our new Leeds Psychology Lab. Patrick has an interest in Cognitive and Biological Psychology and will soon be embarking on his own PhD journey. Bethany Civil is the Psychology Administrator who supports students and staff. Is there a connection between psychology and law? Psychology is everywhere and that includes links with the legal system, how people behave in different situations, under pressure and within power dynamics, all of which applies to all aspects of our lives and particularly within the legal system. This aspect of psychology is social psychology and for me one of the key interest aspects as it is observable in the real world. Students learn theory from across the core areas of psychology and then see it in action within their own networks and peer groups, including online behaviour. What is the future for psychology at the University of Law? It is an exciting time for The University as it grows and offers courses in professional disciplines outside of law. The psychology department is expanding rapidly in its recruitment of students and staff as well as developing future courses such as the BSc Psychology with Criminology course expected to start in Leeds September 2024.

Watch this space and do get in touch is you are interested in f inding out more - Julie. Prescott@law.ac.uk. TopicUK August 2023

New funding accelerates global growth for The Data City A new six-figure funding round will accelerate the global The global product represents the first time company data from the US, and roll-out of The Data City’s AI-driven data platform. The funding comes from e x i s t i n g b a c k e r s , Yo r k s h i r e based venture capitalist firm, Venturian. It values The Data City at £10m, only six years since the company was founded. The scale-up data company will use the funding to expand its team and support the expansion of its customer base globally. The global product offers access to 94

million companies, including USA and Europe. The data available is underpinned by CreditSafe’s global financial company data.

the rest of the world will be combined with The Data City’s Classification AI and proprietary RTICs - all available on a world-class platform.

Paul Connell, executive chair of The Data City, said: “This investment is a vital stepping stone in The Data City’s journey to becoming a global data as a service (DaaS) company which will be supported by a Series A funding round during 2025.”

Investment Commenting on the investment, Alex Craven, CEO of The Data City, said: “The investment comes after a landmark year for us. The team achieved 100% growth year-on-year

part of that journey and work with a talented management team.”

Global The Data City platform provides real-time company data on emerging economic sectors. It uses AI technology to gather data from various sources, including ope n data sets and company financials. The platform is designed to help users make discoveries quickly and easily. The successful UK platform already comprises a database of over 5.3 million UK companies a n d 3 5 0 re a l - t i m e i n d u s t r i a l classifications (RTICS). Researchers, policymakers, and investors use it to access realtime data on dynamic sectors and the companies operating within them. The Data City works with global businesses, including The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Lloyds Banking Group and The Royal Academy of Engineering. and achieved record profits. Our plan was always to take our data platform to a global audience, enabling decision makers to benefit from a real-time, AI-driven understanding of the world’s industries.” The Data City is growing its team of data analysts and developers to build capacity and will strengthen its management team. It is also increasing the number of thirdparty data providers it works with to add to the insight capabilities of the platform. It plans to create a minimum of five new jobs in the next 12 months. Building on the existing success of its UK platform, Leeds-based The

Data City’s Global Platform product will take the interface, data and functionality already familiar to its clients and combine it with an expanding global dataset across 11 core territories. The new platform now maps the global emerging economy, allowing governments and investors to direct policy and capital on an international scale. Greg Allsopp, investment director at Venturian, said: “The Data City is changing the way companies and organisations use data to inform the decisions that matter. It has quickly established itself as a respected data partner in the UK and is ready to take the next step in its global expansion. We are pleased to be a

The core global offer includes data and company records across the world’s key economic territories, including the USA (40.2 million companies), France (13 million companies) and Germany (12 million companies), with 13 million companies matched to URL. The development of the Data City’s global platform has been driven by client demand and launched following trials with a number of clients. As part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy, forthcoming features already in development include the classification of D un and Bradstreet data, giving access to 500m+ companies worldwide. TopicUK August 2023

Acquisition - Ed Clapham, managing director of Clapham Engineering (left) and Mark Travis, director at Harry Travis

Clapham agricultural engineering acquires dairy engineers Halifax-based Clapham Agricultural Engineering has a branch in Otley, Harry Travis has announced the acquisition of Ripponden-headquartered been established for almost 70 years dairy engineers Harry Travis in a deal which will support and is well respected in its field. growth for both businesses. The acquisition allows both companies to develop and innovate their product range and services, e n s u r i n g e x i s t i n g a n d f u t u re customers are serviced to the highest of standards. Clapham Agricultural Engineering offers a full range of onsite and workshop-based agricultural engineering services throughout Yorkshire including servicing, repair work and emergency repairs. The company also provides sales and services from its recently awarded Deutz-Fahr tractor dealership. With a head office in Ripponden and

We have a focus on sustainability and currently pursuing how we can support this both with alternative packaging solutions and less harmful chemicals...

Ed Clapham, managing director commented: “It has been an exciting few years for us and the opportunity to acquire Harry Travis made perfect sense. The synergy of the businesses and the additional services we can now offer as a one-stop shop is amazing. “The farming sector, milk industry and smallholders community will benefit from our expertise, rapid response and commitment to service. Whether a milking parlour requires a complete overhaul, a tractor is in need of urgent attention or you simply need a pair of new boots, our team will be delighted to help.”

TopicUK August 2023

Export boost for Yorkshire manufacturing firm A m a n u fa c t u re r o f advanced electric vehicles for leisure destinations is growing its exports to Ireland, with growing interest across the EU.

Aqualand Industries recently attended the IAAPA Expo in Vienna and secured orders from across Europe with continuing demand f o r U K- d e s i g n e d a n d manufactured products.

Holmfirth-based, Aqualand Industries manufactures the six-wheeled Crazi-bugz, the exciting Adventure Trukz and the newly launched a l l - f a m i l y a c t i v i t y, t h e Adventurer. The Company has grown a loyal customer base in the UK and is now expanding internationally.

Commenting on the expansion, Carl Byford, general manager of Aqualand Industries, said: "Europe holds a lot of opportunities for our business. It was one of the world's leading regions for entertainment recovery in the first half of the year, and tourism spending on experiences continues to outpace retail in major European locations. Our products have universal appeal to families and

The company has won a raft of orders from independent leisure parks in Ireland and Scandinavia and is currently s h i p p i n g t h e v e h i c l e s.

offer a proven revenue model for businesses." Aqualand Industries recently expanded its range by launching a new four-seat pedal car that offers fun for all the family. The Adventurer has a rugged design and can be used on various surfaces, making it easy to operate in any leisure destination. The company expects to see revenue top £1m for the first time this year as more tourists choose to enjoy British holiday parks and holidays. Aqualand Industries partners with leisure destinations to help them drive additional revenue. The company offers leasing, full purchase or a mixture of both to provide operators with the flexibility they need to introduce the range of products.

Whitelock’s team to open new food & drink hall in Leeds The owners of Whitelock’s Ale House have announced their acquisition of an iconic building in the heart of Leeds city centre. Located just behind the Corn Exchange, the third White Cloth Hall will be transformed into an exciting new food and drink hall in early 2024, and will champion Leeds’ thriving independent food and drink scene. Originally built in 1775 as a market for merchants to sell undyed or ‘white’ cloth, White Cloth Hall has hosted various Leeds businesses over the past 250 years. The Whitelock’s team will be taking on all three existing units, which most recently housed Pizza Express, a BrewDog bar and hairdressers - returning the premises to a single, unified space. White Cloth Hall will work closely

with independent drinks producers from across the region such as Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology and Whitewood Distilling and will provide a platform for the best local independent food traders. White Cloth Hall is the latest project from Whitelock’s managing director and co-founder of Five Points Brewing, Ed Mason. Ed and the Whitelock’s team took over and

relaunched Whitelock’s in 2012, famous as the oldest pub in Leeds, and most recently opened The Meanwood Tavern in 2022. White Cloth Hall is set to open in Spring 2024 and is open to expressions of interest & enquiries from local independent food and drink traders. Ed said: “This is such a beautiful and iconic building - we’re really excited about taking it over. At Whitelock’s we celebrate and support local independent breweries and food and drink suppliers - and we’re looking forward to doing the same at White Cloth Hall, on an even bigger scale”

TopicUK August 2023

Acquisition - Ed Clapham, managing director of Clapham Engineering (left) and Mark Travis, director at Harry Travis

We have a focus on sustainability and currently pursuing how we can support this both with alternative packaging solutions and less harmful chemicals...

TopicUK August 2023

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

New track is a clear winner for Yorkshire young athletes, says world champion Steve Cram

LtoR: Scarborough College headmaster Guy Emmett (formerly of Ackworth), Steve Cram and Richard Guthrie of Broadland Properties

World and Commonwealth athletics champion Steve Cram described a stunning new running track in Scarborough as “phenomenal” at the official opening. The new si x-la ne 400m track has been bu i lt on t he for mer Bramcote School playing field, which is owned and run by independent school Scarborough College.

It includes an eight-lane finishing straight, also suitable for 100m races and will have floodlights. The Bramcote Athletics Track is

located between Filey Road and South Cliff. It is shared between the college, on whose land it sits, and the community. It h a s b e e n f u nde d b y wel lestablished Broadland Properties, a major sport-supporting Scarborough business, to the tune of £1m. Director Richard Guthrie said: “In 10 years’ time, Steve Cram is going to be talking about the North Riding on the BBC about all the young athletes who have started out on the Yorkshire coast.” Scarborough College students will use the superb new facility during school hours in term-time, and there will be a timetable for community use at evenings and at weekends.

THE YORKSHIRE COAST events. Different groups can use the track at the same time. The training circles for shot put and discus have now arrived as well as the high jump landing area.” His co-coach Julian Reid is a long jump and triple jump athlete, coach and four-time British champion, based at the University of Birmingham.

There will also be a shot-putt and discus area, a 75m long/triple jump facility and grassed area within the track will eventually be set out as a rugby pitch.

opened - it’s more usual to see tracks closing than opening.

More than 140 runners took part in a ‘Scarborough Mile’ as part of the sun-kissed opening day of sport and celebrations.

On the opening day, members Scarborough Athletic Club, Vale of York Club, Bridlington Road Harriers and City of York Harriers took part. Students from Scarborough College and other schools in the area joined in a community team heptathlon event which featured jumping, throwing and running.

Cram, the first man to run 1500m under 3mins and 30 secs, won the 1500m at the 1983 World Championships and was a silver medallist at the Olympic Games, as well as 1500m gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games. He cut a ribbon to declare the track open before firing the starting gun for the first wave of mile-runners against the backdrop of the refurbished sports pavilion and cheered by a crowd of 200. “I’ve been blow n away to see everyone taking part,” he said. “This was only the second track I’ve ever

“The story I’ve learned of how the track came to be built is phenomenal.”

The facility will be managed by athletics development officer Zach Harrop. He said: “Scarborough Athletic Club has booked for a Thursday evening session and our Bramcote Athletics Academy - which is open to all - runs four evenings a week, with each one-hour session costing £5. “For local schools, we are looking to host a summer league and specific

Guests, students and runners at the new Bramcote Athletics Track

“Many big names in sport have come from Yorkshire and now there is an opportunity for more young athletes,” Julian said. Yorkshire-based sports consultant Andy Pope worked on the project. He said: “To have this community facilit y in a tow n t he size of Scarborough is unique.” At least 30 of the opening-day runners were from Scarborough Athletic Club and chairman David Field hopes it will galvanise junior membership. The t r ack is cer t i f ied by UK Athletics which means it can hold licensed competitions and any records will stand. It was built by S&C Slatter, creator of the Commonwealth Games track in Birmingham. The all-weather surface reduces fatigue and risks of injury. Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n or to book sessions in the e v e n i n g fo r i n d i v i d u a l s , club or groups, contact Zach Harrop zach .harrop@ scarboroughcollege.co.uk Bramcote Prep School occupied the site from 1983 to 2012, when the school merged with Scarborough College. The college sold the Bramcote main building but retained the playing fields and sports hall. Part of the sports hall has been remodelled into changing rooms and a viewing area. TopicUK August 2023

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Coast’s new holiday home for seriously-ill youngsters

A superb holiday home in Scarborough offering respite care for seriously-ill children and their families is to be opened in mid-2024, the Bradley Lowery Foundation hopes. The registered charity was established after six-year-old Bradley Lowery, from County Durham, lost his fight against Stage Four High Risk neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. In 2013 Bradley’s mother Gemma started a campaign to raise funds to secure treatment for him in New York, as it was not available in the UK.

of the Whitby coastal road, south of Scalby and Burniston villages.

family and Bradley enjoyed many memories there, said Gemma. It was decided a holiday home would help other families spend time together, having fun and enjoying every moment.

The home has been designed by Sunderland-based Building Design Northern and is being supported by Merlin’s Magic Spaces which has offered to create playrooms.

When Bradley was f ighting an aggressive childhood cancer, they spent a lot of time in hospital, secluded and isolated within four white walls.

Scarborough was chosen as the location because it was a special place for the

The two-storey holiday home would have five bedrooms, a could include

The campaign was successful and with the support of thousands of people, it raised more than £1.3m - as well as awareness of and research into neuroblastoma and childhood cancer in general. One of Gemma’s aims became the creation of a luxury five-bedroom Bradley Lowery House - which will be called ‘Super Brad’s Pad’. It will be built off the Scarborough-end TopicUK August 2023

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

sensory garden and a swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, game rooms, summer room and barbecue terrace. Super Brad’s Pad will offer up to 10 people per visit, so that grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins can be a part of a child’s respite care. Families will be referred via third party organisations and the home could host around 100 families per year. Gemma says: “I wanted to create a legacy for my son Bradley. He inspired me to help others and our aims are to get children the treatment or equipment not yet available on the NHS. “We are looking for support from supporters, schools, parents and youth groups to share this campaign.” The support appeal also goes out to businesses. A launch event for the home was held at the Wrea Head Hotel in Scarborough in 2018 and brought together the town’s Business Ambassadors and a range of local

businesses at an event organised by borough council chiefs. Foundation co-founder Lynn Murphy told TopicUK: “Having a child who spends a lot of time in hospital is extremely hard, you are secluded and cut off from the outside world. “Often when you have an unwell child, the family is separated with one parent

being the main care giver and the other parent having to go to work or look after the other children.” Lynn added: “If you can support in anyway, doing a fund-raising event, giving a donation, offering materials or labour, please get in touch we would love to hear from you.” After Bradley’s battle became public, he was sent more than 250,000 Christmas cards by well-wishers from across the globe. The Football Association invited him to be a mascot when England played in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. He was also a mascot for his favourite team Sunderland - and invited to lead out the Everton team and the club donated £20,000. The foundation also helps adults facing health battles and offers emotional support, guidance, liaising with hospitals and arranging travel, such as flights and transfers. It helped to raise £20,000 so that a child could fly to the US for stem cell treatment.

Why the Yorkshire coast’s most famous shipwreck is treasured JAMES HODGSON of the Filey Bay 1779 Research Group tells of how one of the most dramatic historical events off the Yorkshire coast is the catalyst for a new level of tourism, business and community engagement … and with plans for visits by US and Royal Navy warships Much has been written about the Battle of Flamborough Head as we approach its 250th anniversary. The sensational event took place on September 23 1779, some three years into the American War of Independence.

France had already joined the war against Britain and the fledgling Continental Navy of America’s 13 colonies was for the first time able to take the fight to England’s coast. A squadron of five French and

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

American ships with a combined complement of 130 guns and 1,000 men left France on August 14 1779 to harass and attack shipping. The squadron was led by Scottishborn John Paul Jones aboard the Bonhomme Richard. Almost 100 years later, Jones would be credited as the ‘Founding Father’ of the US Navy and his body interned in a marble sanctum in the Crypt of the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland. FF

THE YORKSHIRE COAST Unknown to Jones at the time, a large merchant fleet, laden with essential supplies for the British war effort (including timber for masts and iron ore for cannons) had left Elsinore in Denmark on September 1 1779 under the escort of HMS Serapis, a 44-gun frigate under Captain Richard Pearson, and The Countess of Scarborough, a converted 22-gun sloop built in Whitby, under Captain Richard Piercy. Having sailed from France and around the coast of Ireland and Scotland in a northerly direction, the enemy squadron led by Jones was sighted from Scarborough Castle on Monday September 20 1779, heading south. A red flag was hoisted at the castle to warn all shipping in the area. Three days later, the merchant fleet and its Royal Naval escorts arrived off

By putting themselves between the enemy squadron and the merchant fleet, the Royal Navy escorts had clearly done their duty and saved the day.... Whitby and proceeded to sail south. The Bailiffs of Scarborough, Messrs William Porrett and Thomas Haggitt, sent a letter by boat to Captain Pearson to warn him that the hostile squadron was nearby. The fleet, which by this time was approaching Filey Brigg, was immediately ordered by Pearson to turn north and take refuge under

Scarborough Castle and the protection afforded by the South Steel Gun Battery above the harbour. The ensuing encounter, in which the two British ships were outnumbered and outgunned two-to-one, is regarded by most Americans as one of their finest naval victories. The reality is that, although Jones and his squadron of four ships captured both HMS Serapis and The Countess of Scarborough following a long and bloody battle (between 300-400 men were killed or wounded) he failed in his objective to capture or destroy any of the merchant fleet of 41 ships - and his own ship, the Bonhomme Richard, sank somewhere off Filey Bay shortly after the battle had ended. By putting themselves between the enemy squadron and the merchant fleet, the Royal Navy escorts had clearly done their duty and saved the day. Captains Pearson and Piercy were awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Scarborough, showered with gifts by grateful insurers and later knighted. But if Jones and his squadron had been sailing past Whitby on the day the merchant fleet made landfall, there could have been a very different outcome. Would the efforts of Pearson and Piercy alone have been enough to prevent the capture or destruction of the merchant fleet without the added protection afforded by the guns of Scarborough Castle?

Efforts to make the most of the anniversary countdown Filey Bay 1779 is a community interest group which undertakes research regarding, and seeks to raise awareness of, the Battle of Flamborough Head

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

The Bonhomme Richard, later sunk

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It is working with businesses and organisations to promote tourism along the 1779 Heritage Coast from Bridlington to Scarborough

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Efforts include fund-raising dinners, coastal heritage trail walks, sea cadet parade – and a booklet for every school child along the heritage trail

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Next year is the 245th anniversary and the start of a 'five year' countdown. In May James Davey will talk about his new book 'Tempest - Royal Navy in the Century of Revolutions' and September will see a bigger 'festival' to include a lantern parade - and visiting warships from the US and Royal Navy

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The group comprises support from Discover Yorkshire Coast, Yorkshire Coast BID – Love Yorkshire Coast, Friends of the Chalk Tower Flamborough, Filey Lifeboat, Filey Sea Cadets Past, Present and Future, Filey

Lions, Filey Tourism and Trade Association, Filey Bay Today, Scarborough Museums Trust, as well as local businesses and individuals, MP Kevin Hollinrake, Filey Town and North Yorkshire councillors, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. •

The group is working on projects such as a 1779 Monument, mobile Heritage Centre, booklets and

guides, an annual collectable poster, and an international extravaganza in 2029 for the 250th anniversary Images and logos are proprietary marks of Filey Bay 1779 and/or third parties. If you are interested in getting involved , please see www. fileybay1779.com email f ileybay1779@ gmail.com

TopicUK August 2023

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Coast’s wide new appeal is unveiled for autumn season Go West’ are part of huge showlist that urges people to go east!

Bavarian bier keller on the coast Go West inviting people to go east

TheYorkshirecoast’swidest-rangingentertainment and leisure venue is aiming to maintain its appeal throughout autumn to West Yorkshire and regional audiences with a new line-up. Scarborough Spa’s Victorian Grand Hall will be transformed into a Bavarian beer hall with German ale and food and with an oompah band for the town’s biggest Oktoberfest. World-class Jimeon

It is taking place at the Spa for the first time on Saturday October 14 with the Edelweiss All-Stars and fancy dress is encouraged. The following month, the Brit Award winning duo Go West will be performing in the Spa’s theatre, one of the greatest singer-songwriter duos to emerge in the ’80s.

Craig Charles

They are heading to the east coast on Saturday November 25 and have sold millions of copies

worldwide, selling out venues everywhere with an ever-increasing fan base. Sheffield’s Paul Carrack, ‘The Man with the Golden Voice,’ will be performing in Grand Hall on Friday October 20. The singersongwriter is renowned for global hit’s such as ‘How Long’, ‘Tempted’ and the Grammy award nominated ‘Living Years’. The Spa has also lined up Donegal-based singer, Daniel O’Donnell, who will be performing in the two-tier Grand Hall on Thursday October 19. His career spans more than 30 years - racking up more than 15 million album sales.

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Irish legend

family show

He is the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988, an unprecede nted and unbroken 35-year span. The Spa is also lining up big-hitter comedians for its theatre venue. Sharp and witty Mark Steel, who has appeared on ‘Mock the Week’ and ‘Have I Got News for You’, will be performing on Thursday October 19. He has been named newspaper columnist of the year and is author of the award-winning audiobook ‘Who Do I Think I Am’.

Jurassic Earth, the original and best live dinosaur show, makes a return to the Grand Hall on Friday November 3. It features several roaming, animatronic life-like dinosaurs in interactive story-telling. Craig Charles then presents his all-new DJ Funk & Soul House Party on Friday November 17, inviting fans to enter his living room at the Grand Hall as he delves into his extensive record collection.

The packed autumn season also includes Oh! What a Night bit-hits music show, The Comedy Store, World-class Irish master Francis Rossi, Scarborough Jimeoin, who has audiences N o r t h e r n S o u l , T h e in stitches across the UK, Makings of a Murder, Europe, the US and of Magic Mike’s Hallowe’en, his adopted-homeland of S c a r b o r o u g h C o m i c Australia, will be bringing Con, Psychic Sally, The his smash-hit comedy show Nutcracker, Scarborough ‘Jimeoin: The Craic!’ on Clubland, Flipside Rock ‘n’ Roll and more. Thursday October 26.

Mark Steel

Sheffield's Paul Carrack

TopicUK August 2023

Staying One Step Ahead of the Game By: Janet Milner-Walker - Founder of Bespoke Advantage

What is the secret ingredient to longevity and how do brands remain relevant to today’s consumers? Recent news has focused on The Body Shop, Launched in 1976 with a single store in Brighton, they have gone on to achieve global success, with a portfolio of over 2 800 stores across 70 markets. Acquired by L’Oreal in March 2006, this created an uproar amongst their ethically minded loyal customers. L’Oreal launched an extensive collection of new product lines and were heavily focused on commerciality.

In 2017 they were bought out by Natura & Co, a company with similar ethics to The Body Shop, who introduced refill stations for body care products, an instore recycling scheme and achieved BCorp certification. L i ke m a ny o t h e r s , t he y hav e experienced difficult times during lockdown, with stores closures they turned their attention swiftly to

investing in their digital marketing. Over the past few years, we have seen the emergence of numerous D2C sustainable brands providing heavy competition. Coupled with the war in the Ukraine leading to further stores closures, and the switch to consumers working a hybrid scheme from home – all have had a direct impact on their sales. Once again news is circulating about The Body Shop being up for sale, and ‘Why no one know what to do with The Body Shop’. They are a great heritage brand, with global presence,

strong brand awareness, an extensive product range, however changes over the years, have led to them losing traction as strong contenders emerge.

into ‘brand activists’, speaking out about what they like and dislike, with social media making it far easier for them to be heard.

The Body Shop is not the only heritage brand questioning ‘where to next’. That said, there are brands older than The Body Shop who continue to remain relevant. It begs the question, what is it that makes the difference? While there isn’t a single answer to this question, there are a number of factors to be considered.

Community

Marketing, AR and VR and Brand Collaborations Selling omni-channel requires a robust marketing strategy. AR and VR make it easier for consumers to shop online; they also provide a great opportunity to bring a brand to life on and offline. Brand collaborations introduce the brand to a new audience - think beauty and fashion, beauty and food, or beauty and athleisure.

During Covid-19 it became very apparent, that those companies who had built a community with their customers pre Covid were onto a winning streak. Building a community provides so many benefits – a sense of belonging, consumers have the opportunity to contribute ideas to a brand they love and they feel they can make a difference. By tapping into what they think and need, particularly as a beauty brand, consumers can become a brand’s raving fans. Story Telling Consumers connect with a brand through storytelling, this creates an emotional bond – they are looking for authenticity and transparency. Through storytelling a brand is taking their customers behind the scenes – focusing on ingredients, suppliers, their ways of manufacturing, the history of the brand, iconic products. All provide great content, and a strong point of difference. It is hard for competitors to copy stories that are unique to the brand.

ABOUT JANET MILNER-WALKER Janet Milner-Walker is the founder and managing director of Bespoke Advantage, and BeautytoLife. She is an international speaker, a trusted advisor, and a freelance writer. Her expertise is built around her ability to shine a light on brands that are creating products to be talked about. Bespoke Advantage is an international brand consultancy, supporting award-winning beauty and wellness clients including well established brands, retailers, investors, embassies, and trade bodies, in building brands across markets. www.thebespokeadvantage.com.

Design and Packaging Social Media Thanks to technology, one of the biggest changes we have seen over the past few years, is the direct interaction between consumers and brands. Social media has made this possible – no longer is a brand distanced from their customers. Consumers have become a lot more vocal over the past few years, turning

One of the easiest ways to ensure a brand remains relevant is through their look and feel – their packaging, stores, and online presence. This is the first thing a consumer sees, and many a heritage brand has gone back to their archives, to revisit their design. It will be interesting to see what The Body Shop does next, and how they remain relevant to future generations. TopicUK August 2023

Yorkshire Businesswoman is proud to announce our first awards celebrating the women of Yorkshire and International Women’s Day, taking place at The Marriott Hotel Leeds on 8th March 2024, with a black-tie dinner. Our network was originally set up because of all the incredible women in our region that we were being told about through our sister magazine TopicUK, this prompted us to create a dedicated magazine and a

networking group who meet regularly, sharing ideas, offering support for each other, and receiving support and publicity from us. Almost three years on and we decided we need to formally recognise the women

in business from across the Yorkshire region. There will be 11 nomination categories and the entries are open to all women across Yorkshire, not just our members.

The categories are:

Our judges:

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Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year

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Networker of the Year

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Tracy Brabin

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Social Media

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Sinead Rocks

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The Mandy Award

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Sarah Power

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The Rising Star

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Andrew Cooper

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Mentor Award

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Dame Linda Pollard

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Lifetime Achievement Award

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Sharon Jandu OBE

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Equality & Diversity

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New Business Award

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Inspirational Volunteer Award

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Digital, Innovation and Technology

Sponsored by Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors Sponsored by Dakota Hotel

Sponsored by Femme Magazine sponsored by YouBee Media Sponsored by Lloyds Bank Sponsored by Grantley Hall Sponsored by Gino’s Restaurant

Sir Rodney Walker

Businessman and chair of the London Marathon Mayor of West Yorkshire Managing director of Channel 4 Partner at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors CEO of Leeds BID

Chair of the NHS Trust

Founder and director Yorkshire Asian Business Association