Leeds Business Review Issue 24 Take Two by Henry Burkinshaw

LEEDS BUSINESS REVIEW

ISSUE #24 MAY 2017

TRUE COLOURS

CITY SPLASHES OUT FOR ARTIST LOTHAR GÃ&#x2013;TZ

GETTING POLITICAL HOW ARTICLE 50 IMPACTS THE REGION

LAW AND ORDER

THE LAWYER AT THE FRONTLINE OF THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

WELCOME TO issue 24 of Leeds Business Review. Starting with retail, we have our reporter Charlotte Brooke who discovers the secrets of virtual reality that retailers use to attract their customers. Sophie Turner ventured out to the Leeds Digital Festival to find out how technology is helping to build a stronger economy. We have the Professional Indemnity specialists JM Glendennings who are set to quadruple their turnover in the next three years. Fatima Banglawala speaks to Managing Director Nick Houghton to discover the secrets to their success. In this issue we have a political special telling you all you need to know about Article 50 and how the potential impact of Brexit negotiations will affect the Leeds economy. Our reporter Hannah Kirk covered the buzz around the general election which is taking place in June this year.

Virtual Reality technology enhances shopper’s experiences

16 7

Leeds Digital Festival helps to build a stronger digital economy

Financial company quadruples their business in three years

8 CYBG offers £6bn

for lending

11 Political special

how Brexit will affect the city

Our columnist Naomi Cotham is back with a charitable piece about the Alchemist and their philanthropy towards Lineham farm. And finally, we have a profile on Mark Lumley who won Data Protection Lawyer of the year. We hope that you enjoy reading this issue just as much as we loved producing it for you.

Megan Packer, editor

15 Naomi’s Notebook

16 Leeds Art

Gallery launches crowdfunding campaign

18 Mark Lumley

Data Protection Lawyer of the year

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 3

Retail

IS VIRTUAL REALITY THE NEW RETAIL REVOLUTION? Picture caption goes here and here and here and here and here and here and here

The traditional gaming software that could change retail forever

experience is a relatively new and enjoyable experience for people who have not used Virtual Reality before. Retailers of all types in Leeds have been getting involved, and multi award winning marketing company, ‘Get Savvy’, has been helping them gain the Virtual Reality technology they need to impress customers.

Lottie Brooke Retail

The virtual reality experience gives companies and retailers the opportunity to enhance their brand and products. It is also however, used as a method of entertainment. People are getting more used to the idea of being immersed in a different world, simply by putting a mask on their face.

VIRTUAL REALITY technology is one of the latest ways that retailers are enhancing their customer’s s experience in Leeds’s ever-growing shopping centres and Ben Stoney, Digital Development Director at Get Savvy, said: “Todays shopdistricts. ping landscape isn’t restricted to a place, time or circumstance. It is often immediate People can use and test the product and can, on the other hand, take months without having to buy it and return it; of consideration for certain purchases”. therefore saving the efforts of a regular shopping experience. It has also given “In terms of Leeds specific businesses, we retailers the opportunity to enhance and have seen youth clubs, agencies and improve their customer service, as the

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retailers all use the technology for various user cases”.

the immersive entertainment system, has launched it’s own centre in Leeds.

A report by digital analyst company ‘Econsultancy’, reported the 2017 digital trends for retail in the UK: “The potential for augmented reality and virtual reality to be harnessed by marketers has been recognised for a while now”.

“The Hyper Reality experience is a new type of entertainment and new way to explore different realities. It is suitable for anybody with a sense of adventure. It will be coming to the Leeds International Festival as a public installation at Trinity Leeds.”

“Engaging audiences through virtual or augmented reality’ is seen as the single most exciting prospect for 2020”, said Vijayanta Gupta, Product and Industry analyst”. It is not only retail that VR can be designed for. Ben Stoney from ‘Get Savvy’ continued: “We have put VR to effective use in architecture, entertainment, sports simulation, retail rewards and many more uses. VR is only limited by your imagination as creators and the trust and vision of your client partners.” The award winning Leeds Trinity shopping centre is playing host to the Hyper-Reality experience. Tick Tock Unlock, a company that is continuously enhancing

Ali Khan, director of the Hyper Reality Experience and Tick Tock Unlock, said: “Players can immerse themselves in an experience that is out of this world, combining video game, virtual reality, real-world and theatrical elements. It really has to be seen to be believed.” Martin Dickson, Head of Marketing at LeedsBID, said: “Tick Tock Unlock’s new Hyper Reality Experience certainly is an exciting, unique attraction for Leeds city centre”. The Trinity shopping centre has been open for four years, and celebrated it’s 100 million visitor milestone since it’s opening, according to Insider Media Limited. In

the future, it could be expected that virtual ogy Institute (NTI) team, the app enables reality will become as easily recognised and users to interact and explore the market used as much as smart phones and tablets. stalls. The NTI team released a case study report, where they explained how the The headsets that people can buy online augmented reality app worked: to experience the immersive experience at home, are priced from around £10.99 to “The technical challenges involved was £800. The concept is relatively new, and is imaging the architecture of Kirkgate ever developing. Market to capture realistic images of the food traders and their products”. Virtual Reality’s ‘sister’ technology ‘Augmented Reality’, has also been successful “The system used the underlying geometry because of it’s accessibility. Augmented of the market, along with research and Reality is used via a smartphone app or development in a gaming engine used for online, rather than through a headpiece developing video games, to generate the that a user would have to buy online. visual interface.” It is clear that the new shopping centres An example of one the most internationsuch as Trinity and Victoria Gate, are ally successful Augmented Reality apps is getting just as involved in technological ‘Pokemon Go’. Launched in July 2016, advances as older shopping centres, such the app has been downloaded as the Kirkgate Market. approximately 650 million times, according to the Digital Stat Articles website. Leeds’ retail sector, which has been named the ‘best shopping destination in the UK’, An Augmented Reality app that has been is ever growing. Virtual Reality could be developed for Leeds, is the Kirkgate the answer to helping customers connect Market 3D Digital Platform for Online and develop alongside retailers and Shopping. Constructed by Leeds Beckett shopping centres as they advance not only University students and the New Technol- in size, but also in success.

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 5

LET’S GET DIGITAL Leeds Digital Festival was a huge

Media

success showcasing digital experts

Magpie-Curveball Co-creation workshop discussing website design and digital solutions.

Sophie Turner Media LEEDS DIGITAL Festival (LDF) is the Norths largest digital festival. Last year, 56 events took place with around six thousand attendees. This year there were over double the amount of events taking place across different venues held in the final week of April.

different people,” says Tim Brazier, Marketing & Events co-ordinator of LDF, “it offers individuals a chance to build on skills in the digital sector.” Some of the festival’s most popular events included Curveball Co-Creation: Creating Websites for your Audience, Reinventing Data and Next Generation Decisioning, Growing a Digital & Technology Company and She Does Digital #Wheredidyoustart LIVE, which all sold out prior to the festival.

that had businesses in the technology industry speaking to women who wanted to be more involved in the industry.” The event was so successful that She Does Digital decided to return to LDF this year.

“The event I am looking forward to the most is Coding for Beginners at Sky Betting & Gaming. Sky Betting have their head office here in Leeds and it’s great for them to be offering a free course for beginners that can be really useful for people looking to get into the industry”.

It’s a talk from women in the industry that want to encourage other women to be more involved in tech. There were great guest speakers that offered their advice, shared their experiences and hopefully inspired women to be more active in the industry.

Currently, only 26% of the technology industry have women in jobs but She Does Digital aims to change that. She Does Digital asked their followers what they wanted to see this year and they decided on the event #Wheredidyoustart LIVE.

Many of the events were free to attend but Curtis shares that “women are just as some events cost a lot of money. The most capable of doing the jobs involved as men expensive was the ‘Running brilliant digital and we are very passionate about fighting campaigns: that cause and we “Hopefully in years to come, run these events to Monitoring and This year, there were 116 events small events like these will encourage and attract taking place across the city, which is a huge measuring success make a women to join the improvement from last year’s festival. The with Google Analytdifference.” ics’ which would have industry and that is events were accessible and there was set you back £250. the only reason we something for everyone. do this. Hopefully in ‘She Does Digital’ is an organisation set up years to come, small events like these will The core aim of the festival is to build a stronger digital economy in Leeds and the in Leeds to encourage more women to get make a big difference”. into the digital sector. main sponsors this year were Leeds City The festival turned out to be a great sucess Council, Sky Betting and NHS Digital. “We ran an event at Leeds Digital Festival and gained attention from businesses, last year and it was very successful,” says big and small across the North. Brazier “Leeds Digital Festival is a huge event in Brooke Curtis, Co-ordinator of She Does expects the festival to be “bigger and better Leeds’s business calendar. It gives Digital. “We ran a speed-networking event next year”. businesses a chance to reach out to

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 7

Finance

BANK’S £6BN BOOST TO SMALL BUSINESSES BY HENRY BURKINSHAW

BETWEEN 2017 and 2019, the owner of Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks, CYBG PLC, is making a minimum of £6 billion worth of lending available to aid the growth of small and medium businesses across the United Kingdom. On a study piloted on behalf of CYBG, it was discovered that around 5% of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to find it a challenge to access financial support from banks across the UK. Another statistic that was highlighted in the survey was that 41% of SMEs stated that an upsurge in the availability of funding would significantly help them become more prosperous. The move, instigated by this research, follows CYBG PLC’s commitment to providing financial support across the UK. In 2017 alone, £1 billion will be made available for SMEs supporting their day to day financial needs. This includes £200 million available for the agriculture sector, branching out into the rural economy.

“CYBG has been acting as a regional economic champion for over 175 years and we have a history of supporting businesses at critical moments in their growth,” said Gavin Opperman, the Group Customer Banking Director at CYBG.

READY, SET, QUADRUPLE space of just three years.

The company has 7 separate businesses across 5 locations across the country – Since expanding to a Leeds based platform Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, – from its initial launch in London – the Scarborough, York and Sheffield – and business has produced a turnover in the employs over 80 different people. region of £5.5 million. Yet there is one particular employee that It now proudly boasts the title of being one Houghton feels is fundamental to the of the top 75 insurance brokers in the UK. success of JM Glendenning’s PI division.

Fatima Banglawala Finance JM GLENDENNING have used the success of their specialist Professional Indemnity (PI) division to predict a quadruple in their company size in the

Nick Houghton, the Managing Director of the company, pins the success of the company on the importance of Professional Indemnity to the finance industry. “The UK economy has shifted from being manufacturing led to service and advice led. So we decided to set up a business providing insurance and take advantage of this opportunity.”

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“Insurance is an intangible product, so it comes down the people you employ. We believe in going out and getting the best people to advise our customers and Jake Fox is one of the best in the market. He’s also great fun to work with.” Although the company has relished its continuing growth and success, Houghton is ambitious they can outperform even further.

“Access to finance is a critical part of helping them [SMEs] to grow and play an even bigger part in the local economy,” said Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council.

Not only this, but £350 million is being set aside for medium sized companies looking for a growth in business as well as a final £650 million being distributed to other sectors to help provide lending in the finance world, the property market as well as industry in the UK. With 90% of CYBG’s SME business being outside of London, the main purpose of the increase in lending is to help SMEs across the UK improve and grow as businesses. It was discovered that 41% of small and medium sized businesses outside of the South East and London controversially claim that they do not have the same financial support that those in London are subjected to. This research outlines the importance of banks in supporting economies across the UK, not just those in The Big Smoke. This move can only be a positive one for Leeds with the Yorkshire Bank’s headquarters being located in its city centre.

“Someone once said to me, ‘Nick…know what you’re good at and get really good at it’. In an insurance context that means recruiting the best client facing team to work with Jake and have a proposition for your customers that is personal and gives them what they are looking for.” “That is how we will grow… organically.” Houghton flushes Leeds as a contributing factor to the JM Glendenning’s outstanding performance. “We’ve always been based in North West Leeds…and you need to be where the customers are.“ “Leeds is a major hub for professional service firms however we do also look after clients across the UK.” Here at Leeds Business Review, we congratulate JM Glendenning on their success and look forward to seeing what they do next.

Nick Houghton, Managing Director of JM Glendenning May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview |Page 9

POLITICAL SPECIAL

On 29 March prime minister Theresa May triggered Article 50. Leeds has begun preparations for the potential damage it could have on the cityâ&#x20AC;Ś REPORT BY MEGAN PACKER AND HANNAH KIRK

ON THE morning of 23 June 2016 millions of people travelled to their local polling station to cast their vote in the European referendum. The public had one decision to make, either remain one of the 23 member states or leave the European Union. The following day, the nation woke to the news that over half of the country had voted to leave the EU. Theresa May took over from a resigned David Cameron, leaving one question: would the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision be enough for the government to withdraw from the EU? Theresa May has since triggered Article 50. The UK now have two years to discuss the plans that will be implemented upon their leave on 29 March 2019. There are a number of issues that have a heightened concern since the announcement of Article 50. The rights of EU

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 11

Political Special citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Europe, the uncertainty of free trade, taxes on financial businesses and immigration. A city that is preparing for the potential impact is Leeds, as they understand that they need to present themselves as a united, outgoing city. “If the whole UK economy contracts because of the effects of Brexit, it is very unlikely that Leeds would continue to grow,’’ says Simon Brereton, Head of Innovation and Sector Development at Leeds City Council. According to the BBC, 50.3% of the Leeds population voted remain and 49.7% voted leave. The Leeds City Region benefits from the EU as they receive funding to help businesses develop and create economic growth. Across the entirety of the scheme, the Leeds City Region have received £303m for projects and £29m of this has been designated specifically to Leeds to ensure financial expansion. If the negotiations between the EU and the UK are unsuccessful, the city will be at great risk of loss of funding. Local businesses and the economy will be impacted as a result. As it currently stands, the Leeds economy is thriving. Leeds City Council has a vision that it wishes for the city to achieve the status of being the best city in the UK by 2030. Their main objectives are to be fair, opening/welcoming, for the economy to be prosperous and sustainable and all communities to be successful. Since Article 50 has been implemented, Leeds

faces issues such as loss of employment, a decrease in the number of foreign students and decrease of arounf 1.5m visitors that travel to the city for tourism. There is a chance that these conditions could impact the Vision for Leeds strategy and lengthen the amount of time that “If the whole city will need to spend UK to put the scheme economy where it needs to be. contracts

“We are currently on because of track but unfortunate- the effects ly Brexit will make of Brexit, it is things harder for us very to progress,’’ explains unlikely that Thomas Bridges, Chief Officer of Econ- Leeds would omy and Regeneration continue to at Leeds City Council. grow.”

Leeds has done really well for inward investment recently and this is now at risk,’’ he warns. Larger companies are also concerned about the effects of Article 50.

“Ultimately our influence on Brexit will be limited, and we have to respond in supporting our city to cope with the consequences and to push on with all the good things that we are doing at the moment,” urges Bridges.

With this in mind, businesses across the city have begun to prepare themselves and their staff for the potential impact. There is a chance that UK businesses will have access revoked from the single market and their import and export costs will rise as a result.

The uncertainty that the city feels does not just affect small business, as some large companies are also concerned with the effects of Article 50.

Bridges offers his advice to businesses in Leeds and says that they need to start taking precautions now. “Leaders need to lobby for the UK to remain open for business and open to talent. They are going to have to invest more in developing their workforces as the potential restrictions on international migration will cut off sourcHe continues, “there is a real risk of an economic slowdown and of major develop- es,” he explains. ment and growth projects stalling. We are already seeing investment decisions, such If this is to be Britain’s fate, small businesses will have two options: either as Burberry’s proposals for a new factory in Leeds, being build relationships and make trade deals with non-EU countries or limit trading to delayed.” within the UK. Small and Medium sized Leeds is a business orientated city and has Enterprises (SME) need to be open to change and prepared to adapt if they are reason to worry over the uncertainty that the next two years will bring. The key con- going to continue to thrive through the negotiations of leaving the EU. cerns for all business owners and leaders in Leeds, regardless of their size, is if they Jonathan Emery, Managing Director of will be able to import and export goods with the EU, the rights of EU and non-EU commercial business Vector Photography, is nervous about the potential impact that works and the flexibility of the free trade Brexit will have on his company. Emery agreement which could impact taxes.

Leeds City Council aims to be fair, opening and welcoming.

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Vodafone receive a substantial amount of their revenue from European customers in their Leeds stores. They frequently have new customers coming in to request a phone contract as they have recently moved to the UK. Ryan Deach, Sales Advisor at Commercial Street in Leeds says, “Although we are a national company it doesn’t mean we won’t be impacted. Each city has an important role in contributing to the business and our store happens to have a large amount of foreign custom.” Additional problems that the city are at risk of as a result of Article 50 are migration conditions. Leeds have a large number of EU citizens that work, study and have set up home in the city.

50.3 percent of people in Leeds voted to remain in the EU has concerns that the economy will dip and affect all business spending, especially as marketing and imagery services are usually the first thing that businesses will cut during economic uncertainty.

referendum,” says Johnson. “SMEs can be more competitive against their larger opposition “Ultimately as business will boil our influence down to quality of on Brexit will products, He is doing all that he can to prepare for employees and cus- be limited, the exit. “We are developing our CRM tomer service,’’ says and we have system and increasing outbound marketing May. to respond in email campaigns, as well as keeping in supporting our touch with clients as to how they feel the “If everyone pulls city to cope economy is moving,’’ he says. together it will be a success, whatever we with the Some SME businesses in Leeds are anvoted as a city we live consequences ticipating the impact of Article 50, as they in a democracy and and to push believe it could increase profit. Frances have to go with the on with all the May, Project Manager at Inspired Design majority vote.’’ good things kitchen company, explains that leaving the EU could strengthen the Leeds economy Bridges explains that it that we are as it will encourage people to shop and is unrealistic to believe doing at the trade more locally. that the economy will moment” not be “There won’t be as much red tape around impacted by the nation’s withdrawal from businesses when we leave the EU. the EU, as it will reduce the attractiveness of Leeds as a destination for Vanessa Johnson, business owner of inward investment. manufacturing company Urban Metal Works, says that her experience of Brexit “It is almost ten years since the last receshas only been positive. ‘’I think a lot of the sion started, consumer spending is slowing Brexit noise is just that, we have continued and we run the risk of another recession to promote our products and we seem to which could be exacerbated by Brexit.” have gathered more momentum since the

Leeds City Council reports that there are 1,300 students who attend Leeds University, as well as 690 members of staff who are employed there. Leeds Beckett University have a further 545 European students and 184 members of staff. According to the migration observatory, 7% of the West Yorkshire population have a foreign nationality and 12% are foreign born. All of these individuals could potentially be affected if there are restrictions implemented on migration and ultimately it will affect Leeds as a tourist city in the UK. A spokesperson from Leeds University press office says, “Many questions remain unanswered in relation to Brexit, including the long-term residency status for EU citizen. The university remains steadfast in supporting all students and staff, and particularly those from the EU during this unsettling time.” It is clear to see that there is a great deal of confusion that comes with the announcement of Article 50 as the two years of agreements between both the UK and the EU have only just begun. Until negotiations have been made there will continue to be a degree of uncertainty throughout the city.

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 13

Political Special

Opinion

POWERHOUSE OR POWERLESS? The future of Northern Powerhouse is uncertain with a general election looming

May has always been less willing to further the plight of the Northern Powerhouse, unlike the idealistic duo of Cameron and Osborne, so it is quite concerning that she has called an unexpected general election, after previously vowing she would see out her leadership till 2020. It could a way of giving the people of Britain the opportunity to vote for their leader, or it could be a way to reinforce the Conservative’s strength and drop policies made by former Tory leaders. Leeds is worth around £65 billion, and is the biggest city outside London. This year, a £400m investment fund was opened to small businesses in the area, which was obviously greeted with cries of delight.

Picture caption goes here and here and here and here and here and here and here

George Osbourne remains passionate about the Northern Powerhouse

THE FORMER Chancellor of the ExNorthern promises were nothing more chequer, George Osborne, announced the than a pipedream. “need for a Northern Powerhouse” at an event in Manchester, in 2014. David Cameron was passionate about the Northern Powerhouse, and even TheIt was a way for a collective of Northern resa May has promised £556 million to cities to be banded together and heavily the Northern Powerhouse with Greater invested in so they could one day even Manchester walking rival London. It was integral to gaining vital away with £130.1m “It’s clear that seats in the North, often a Labour from this. Conservative guarantee after Margaret Thatcher’s enthusiasm for decimation of the North during her time as The money, which is the Northern Prime Minister in the 80s. being spread across Powerhouse 11 local enterprishad all but After the General Election was announced es, has managed to drained away and Osborne took up the role as editor of cause controversy. and the Genthe London Evening Standard, he made According to The eral election is the decision to step down from parliament Guardian, “Greater a convienient as he was accused of having a huge conflict Manchester, which time for them of interest. has a population to quietly drop of 2.6m people, the entire However, this left one less person from will benefit from area” Cameron’s government in May’s cabinet, nearly twice as much who still made out they were somewhat funding as Leeds city passionate about the North and its further region, which will receive £67.5m for its development. The ex-Chancellor has still population of 3 million people”. promised to support the Northern Powerhouse, but whatever he says will have no It has often been said that Greater ManTory party-backing. chester has been ‘favoured’ over other places in the North of England by this All of this came weeks after the 2017 Conservative Government. Considering Northern Powerhouse Conference, held Leeds is a constantly developing city, alin Manchester, led to masses of uncertain- ways regenerating and is often dubbed the ty, making those in attendance begin to ‘London of the North’, why has the city question how seriously the Government been somewhat neglected in this push to were taking this and that maybe Osborne’s abolish the North/South divide?

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However, it does feel like a ‘fur coat and no knickers’ approach - it’s one thing promising all this money, but when is the infamous Hilton hotel in the city centre going to get the support to be finished? The financial leech that is sucking out taxpayers money has received no support from the government to help reach its completion. £4.8m taxpayer-backed loan from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has simply left an eyesore opposite the newly-built arena, that opened in 2013. Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West and member of the Liberal Democrats is dismissive of the progress that has been made, saying that, “it’s clear that Conservative enthusiasm for the Northern Powerhouse had all but drained away and the general election is a convenient time for them to quietly drop the entire idea”. Regarding the Liberal Democrats plight in the North, Mulholland says that he will “continue to fight for proper investment into the North that allows our towns and cities to flourish, makes us a true hub of business with a strong economy across the North of England”. Money is being promised, often outside of Leeds, and there is no real focus on the continuing development of the city’s landscape. Hopefully this election will manage to get the truth from out of the woodwork, and help the citizens of Leeds begin to understand what the money that has been promised to improve the city will be used for to continue Leeds rise to the top.

NAOMI’S NOTEBOOK

Mixing business with charity? It gets a cheers from me IF YOU’RE living in Leeds and haven’t found yourself sipping a cocktail in either one of the two Alchemists, what have you been doing? The Alchemists as a company is known for its irresistible crazy cocktails, and I personally find it hard to resist their Bubble Bath and Mad Hatters Tea Party cocktails. Very recently though the company have revealed that they have once again chosen to do something very unique with their brand, following their motto ‘we’re alchemists, we do things differently.’ The definition of alchemy is a process of transformation, creations or combination. The Alchemist has taken inspiration from their creative cocktails and concocted another unique creative project. The Currency of Kindness is a charity bid like no other. The well-known company has decided to pay their members of staff to take time out of work to complete charity work. Georgia Zaryckyj, Leeds business development manager and operator of the Leeds Alchemists said: “Staff were asked which line of charity work they would like to get involved with the most and having worked with children’s charities the last 3 years at Christmas; this is the route the majority decided they would like to go down again. The staff were given a talk by the charity before going ahead and getting involved.” Both the Leeds Trinity and Greek Street Alchemists have decided by a majority vote that the local charity they will be work with is Lineham Farm. Each Alchemist around the country has chosen their own local charities to work with.

were once not able to take time out off work to help other people now have the chance to by being paid to take time away. Charity projects will then have help from hardworking, committed individuals. This also means that the members of staff who choose to take part in the project will be investing in their local neighbourhood and ensuring that different parts in the surrounding areas improve. Everybody is a winner. “All staff that want to get involved will have the opportunity to get involved. We are sending four staff members from each venue per month, with alternating staff the following month. It is important for our staff to go out there into the community and do a day’s work that is slightly different to what they are used to. Our staff have voiced that they wanted to do something like this often and so we wanted to give them the opportunity to which is why the Currency of Kindness is such a great project. We can’t wait to start giving a little back.” I don’t know about you but I can’t see how

Georgia told us: “Lineham Farm is in the early stages of development and so with a team of 8 per month from Alchemist working 8 hour days, this will be a vast amount of help for the Farm as well as learning how the children spend their time at Lineham and why volunteer help goes such a long way.” Lineham Farm is a charity which offers less fortunate primary school children the opportunity for activity holidays and provides much needed respite. The children will arrive on the Monday and leave again on the following Friday, essentially the charity is giving each child a residential holiday which are usually offered to children who attend primary school. However, Lineham Farm isn’t just open through term time, but also runs camps in the school holidays. Coming from the perspective of somebody who was fortunate enough to go on a residential trip with primary school, this is such a good opportunity. I will always remember the week I spent away with primary school when I was in year six. The official Lineham Farm website claims: “Perhaps the real value of Lineham is that weMay ensure thousands of children each year take away15 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview| Page something that can’t be seen but is priceless, lasting childhood memories that they can cherish for years to come.” The charity caters to all the children’s needs from visiting special needs or disability groups, to other visiting groups such as the Chernobyl Children UK Project. Lineham Farm promises that its door are open to everybody. The Farm claims that the project will help children to learn about helping and respecting others as well as giving them the opportunity to build their confidence, skills, and make new friends. The Currency of Kindness shows that The Alchemist, as always, are one step ahead of the game. Staff members who

anybody could possibly think this is a negative movement. The staff at Leeds Trinity Alchemist and Greek Street Alchemist are given the rare chance to take time off work whilst being paid to do so, as well as being given the chance to do something different and positive with their time. Other businesses have something to look up to and follow, I don’t know why any other business wouldn’t want to follow in The Alchemists footsteps. As always, The Alchemist is one step ahead of the game. If you don’t see your favourite Alchemist bartender at work for a while, you’ll know where they are.

May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview| Page 15

Art

OUR CITY’S ANSWER TO THE LOUVRE Leeds Art Gallery has launched a crowdfunded campaign named Art Happens, with artist

Lothar Gotz to showcase the most bespoke and ambitious commission of his career to date or a bungalow overlooking the sea.

Lothar Gotz is part of the Contemporary Arts Society

Sarah Brown, Principle Keeper at Leeds Art Gallery articulates:

Catrina Butler Arts LEEDS ART Gallery has launched a crowdfunded campaign named Art Happens, with artist Lothar Gotz to showcase the most bespoke and ambitious commission of his career to date. The gallery closed its doors last year and is set to open them back up again in October to present the beautiful newly renovated roof. Along with a stunning view of the new glass roof, Art Happens is trying to raise £17,000 for a mural created by Gotz which will sit perfectly at the top of the Victorian staircase inside the building.

“We proposed that Lothar will do a wall painting on the wall leading up the original Victorian stairs to the first floor as Lothar’s work is perfect for our proposal as it will animate the stairs. It will also animate the wall and offer a new perspective of Leeds Art Gallery for visitors when it re-opens later this year”. Brown oversees all aspects of the collections and exhibitions programme and the smooth running of the Gallery. She was responsible for the opening and

launch of British Art Show 8 at Leeds Art Gallery in 2015 including major commissions with Martino Gamper, Ciara Philips and Linder Sterling with Northern Ballet. “Our commission with Lothar Götz will transform the heart of Leeds Art Gallery creating a unique and stunning work that will have a dramatic impact on visitors’ experience of the gallery when we re-open in October” Brown tells us.

1970s. Browns’ project, Art Happens, is the UK’s first crowdfunding platform designed especially for museums and galleries. Art Happens claims that it “gives you the power to have a real and meaningful impact on our national art scene.”

The audience of Art Happens finds a project that they like and are interested in and then helps by funding them. The individual donating money will receive a reward for the This project was started up after the donation and this projects prize will feature gallery’s closure to recover and reglaze the Lothar Gotz’ teacup and saucer along with beautiful, victorian roof. She was other treats. astounded to have come across the original barrel vaulted ceiling covered over in the

Lothar Gotz wall art

Gotz says: “Staircases provide the veins of a building, immersing the visitor spatially in a different way to that of the traditional gallery space. I am interested in how an artwork can be experienced by one’s whole body, the image changing constantly as one moves up or down the stairs. I want to turn the staircase of Leeds Art Gallery into a colourful contemporary artwork, juxtaposed with its Victorian architecture.” Lothar Gotz’s practice ranges from site-specific wall paintings and spatial installations to paintings and drawings. There is a clear coherence across his body of work in its continual referencing and engagement with ideas about architecture and space; his painting is characterized by its use of abstract geometric forms, fields and lines of intense colour, contrasted with one another. Gotz completed an MA at the Royal College of Art after studying in Germany at Aachen, Düsseldorf and Wuppertal. He currently lives and works in London and is Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland. The artworks produced are often an array of colours which vary from a basic to complex design. The colours in these drawings are used to denote the functions and atmospheres of rooms, or the situations and qualities of the surrounding landscape – from a Schloß set in a meadow

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May 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 17

TALKING TECH Lawyer Mark Lumley gives counsel on data protection laws

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he says. Businesses now have to understand and map the personal data they hold, and then have perfect systems in place to control that to be able to manage people’s permissions around their data better. “It’s a much more sophisticated approach which will give people more individual rights around their data and how it is used.” Lumley’s job is to advise businesses on how to approach such a change and ensure they are compliant with the new rules, since noncompliance can result in very heavy fines which can go into the millions or tens of millions, incurring serious losses for business. According to Lumley, the legal technology space is a growing area, and a really interesting one to qualify into. “We’re always looking to talk to people about their future careers and providing resources and seminars to provide educational support,” says Lumley. He is part of a community called the Society for Computers and Law (SCL), which is a national non-profit organisation where he is chair for the Northern region.

Mark Lumley stands by the new data protection law Law firm, Lumley has been named the Data Protection Lawyer for the year 2017 at the FinTech Awards after being nominated by one of his clients. The awards recognise and celebrate individuals, businesses, and startups who are exceptional leaders within their field of expertise. Lumley specialises in commercial strategy advising in IT and data protection, where he is involved in big projects concerning the software systems behind stock exchanges, banking systems, and payment technology systems — all complicated and heavily regulated issues.

advances developing every day, everything is more networked and a lot more convenient. “You can do anything you want, and information is always at your fingertips. Devices around you are more sensitive and capable of engaging with you.”

However, the resulting increasing dependence on technology makes us incredibly vulnerable. “There are very few things that can’t be hacked, taken over or taken control of by somebody with the Fairouz Khallad right knowledge and skills.” And that, says Lumley, is one of the main challenges in the area: increasing security and the MARK LUMLEY remembers life before “As technology increases in everybody’s life, regulation law is really just trying to understanding around it, and the law and the internet. Born in Harrogate and growing up in North Yorkshire, he recalls catch up,” says Lumley. “We’re just on the regulations relating to that. Such cusp of a real change in technology and knowledge can be difficult for people to his fascination with technology from an its regulation, so now is quite an exciting come to grips with. “You’ve got to train early age, when computers were just time to be involved in IT.”He explains people to understand the law and starting to become accessible in households. He also remembers writing an that the reasons for this oncoming change technology, and that’s where somebody are varied, not least of which is the digital with my skills comes in,” he says. essay speculating that the internet as it revolution. The amount of things that are advanced would someday take over the possible through the technology today are One major change to be managed in the world, and he may not have been far off. more than ever before. Additionally, there near future is the adoption of the Generis the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), as al Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), After studying in Bristol, and working in well as the increase in networked devices coming into effect in May 2018, which is the South West, Lumley moved back up said to be the most important change in North in 2005, where he led a varied legal in what is called the Internet of Things data privacy regulation in 20 years. “The career dealing with a wide range of issues, (IoT). last set of rules around data protection are which even took him to court to represent According to Lumley, these changes from the 1990s, and if you think of what a client in a murder trial. brought on by technology bring with them technology was back then, you can imagine benefits, but also real risks. With all the what kind of work we have ahead of us,” Currently an equity partner at Shulman’s

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When he’s not working or doing what his three and a half year old daughter says he should do, Lumley doesn’t stray far from his field of work — he spends his time tinkering with new bits and pieces of technology. He calls himself an ‘early adopter’ of new gadgets that he thinks may become more successful widespread in the future. He also makes sure to remain physically active through football and biking. Long hours and the need to be constantly available to clients are inevitable aspects to being a successful lawyer. However, it is a highly rewarding path to those who enjoy it. Lumley states the best perk of the job is without a doubt working with clever people who have plenty of great ideas, and dealing with challenging circumstances then finding solutions to the different problems which arise. His advice to young people considering a similar career path is to find their passion and pursue it in order to enjoy their work. Lumley is a strong believer in the power of incremental change. “Every week I set a small amount of time to read and learn something new that interests me, and over time those many weekly hours add up to a large amount of knowledge by putting in relatively small amounts of time and effort each week.” He also highlights the benefits of effective networking, saying that making connections with various business can often lead to opportunities people may not have imagined for themselves. Finally, Mark believes that showing commitment by setting oneself apart and looking to gain extra qualifications and working for relevant industry-specific organisations is crucial for thriving in such a competitive world.

“There are very few things that can’t be hacked, taken over or taken control of by somebody with the right knowledge and skills.”

Q&A What is the Data Protection Act?

It is a law that protects personal data stored in both organised paper filing systems or on computers. The Act allows anyone the right to find out what information organisations such as the government about you. Some organisations may charge anything up to £10 but can be more depending on the content such as education and health records.

Why was it introduced? Created in 1998, the Data Protection Act was passed by parliament in order to control information and provide legal rights to information that has been stored.

What is meant by sensitive data? Sensitive data encompasses a myriad of information and includes the likes of ethnicity, health details, political opinion, personal life and criminal offences.

How long do data protection rights last? It applies throughout the period that personal data is being processed. You have to comply with the Act from the moment you acquire the data until it has been returned, deleted or destroyed.

What are the penalties for misuse of data protection? It is a criminal offence for a company not to notify the Office of the Information Commissioner when information is being collected. It is also law to explain what the purpose is for the information to be collected. If the Information Commissioner believes you of failing to notify, you could find yourself in an unwanted investigation, also known as an assessment. Failure to comply may result in criminal conviction, damages or a fine.

Example of data breach: In 2015, a cyber-attack on the company Talk Talk affected up to 157,000 of its customers who had their financial details hacked. The breach in data ended up costing the telecoms company a £400,000 fine which was issued by the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office).

May 2017 |Leeds Business Review| Page 19