BIZ CONNECT Q3 2025

Tourism is blooming!

Visitor economy across South Yorkshire enjoys a massive boost Page 10-11

PLUS: Mayor backs Beds for Babies scheme

NEWS: SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

FEATURE: CORPORATE CHRISTMAS

SECTOR FOCUS: DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

PHOTO CREDIT: Dominic Lipinski

PROMOTING ENTERPRISE IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

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Front cover: The RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse

See pages 10-11

The next issue of BUSINESS CONNECT will be available in November 2025

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Welcome ...to Business Connect

South Yorkshire is definitely the place to

be

this summer

The summer holidays are upon us, but that doesn’t mean that the enterprising and innovative spirit in South Yorkshire has been slowing down. Far from it! Inside this edition of Business Connect, you’ll find plenty of inspiring stories from businesses large and small that are shouting about the incredible work they’re doing.

‘The region welcomed over 32 million day visitors’

Our cover story highlights the amazing impact tourism had on South Yorkshire in 2024 (pages 10-11). The region welcomed over 32 million day visitors, bringing a £3.7bn boost to the region’s visitor economy and supporting local jobs. We also take a look at some of the best cultural events taking place across the region this summer and beyond, so don’t miss out on the fun!

Mayor Oliver Coppard has been working hard to promote housing, health and wellbeing

Laura Blake EDITOR, BUSINESS CONNECT

in South Yorkshire. His pioneering Beds for Babies scheme has, in its first year, helped over 1,900 children get a good night’s sleep (page 12) while a strategic partnership with Schroders Capital will boost infrastructure and affordable housing in the region (page 6). In our Health in the Workplace feature (page 24) we hear from an expert on how good leadership can improve mental health in the workplace.

Our Corporate Christmas feature (pages 26-29) explores how businesses can keep the festivities inclusive for all – and affordable. And finally, our Made in South Yorkshire feature (30-31) celebrates a £2.4m funding boost for local manufacturers.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of summer, and I wait to share even more success stories in our next issue.

BUSINESS CONNECT WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please send your press releases and images to laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk for consideration for the next issue.

Strategic partnership to deliver better infrastructure for region

South Yorkshire’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, has announced a strategic partnership between South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Schroders Capital.

The mayor welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), announced during an event at UKREiiF, which will drive collaboration and support the delivery of economic, housing and infrastructure growth across South Yorkshire.

This new partnership will enable SYMCA and Schroders Capital to explore opportunities to collaborate on key areas to deliver projects and develop appropriate investment strategies across the South Yorkshire region.

Working together SYMCA and Schroders Capital will initially focus on three areas:

• Infrastructure – exploring options to deliver projects in areas such as wind, solar and biomass, hydrogen generation and storage and renewable heat

• Housing – support the delivery of aspirational and affordable housing, regeneration, social infrastructure and decarbonisation

• Venture capital – consider potential investment models that could shape how public and private partners with a common interest could work in a more structured way.

Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire needs a bigger and better economy.

“But we’re only going to build that new future by working in partnerships with world-leading companies and investors, creating jobs and opportunity for everyone who lives here. That’s why we were at UKREiiF, with our biggest presence yet, to show we’re serious; serious, ambitious and open for business.

“And that’s why we’ve signed a strategic partnership with Schroders Capital; because they share our ambitions and our values, and our commitment to good growth.”

Paul Myles, director, Schroders Capital, and Head of LGPS said: “We are excited to partner with SYMCA on this strategic initiative. At Schroders Capital, we are dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable solutions that drive economic growth and enhance community well-being.

‘South Yorkshire needs a bigger and better economy’

“This partnership aligns with our commitment to investing in projects that not only deliver financial returns but also foster community development and resilience in regions such as South Yorkshire.”

The MOU was signed between SYMCA and Schroders Capital during an event at UKREiiF, the UK’s Real Investment and Infrastructure Forum event in Leeds.

Paul Myles, director of Schroders Capital, with Oliver Coppard

Football teams united in red for charity walk

Rotherham United and Sheffield United Football Clubs showed their support for the Red Shoe Walk at their preseason friendly at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Players from both teams were photographed holding Red Shoe Walk t-shirts to help raise awareness ahead of the event, which raised vital funds for people living with dementia.

Their public show of support encouraged fans to join a familyfriendly 3km walk that took place on 3 August around the outside of Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

Those who took part in the walk received their own free Red Shoe Walk t-shirt, which also entitled them to exclusive discounts across Meadowhall on the day and free entry to the Summer Beach Club.

Walkers warmed up with Gladiator finalist and local firefighter Bronte Jones, and charity ambassador Tony Christie –who revealed his own dementia diagnosis in 2023 – is set to perform his classic hit (Is This The Way To) Amarillo

Ahead of the walk, Paul Douglas, chief operating officer at

Rotherham United Football Club, said: “We are always looking to support community initiatives where we can and we were particularly keen to show our backing to Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their Red Shoe Walk. We know how many people in the South Yorkshire area have been sadly affected by memory-related illnesses, so to be able to offer our support to the Red Shoe Walk at

Olivia paints her way to the top at competition

A Doncaster student has received a national award recognising their skill in painting and decorating.

Olivia Williams, who attends Doncaster College, placed second in the Painting and Decorating Association’s (PDA) Apprentice of the Year competition after battling through two six-hour challenges designed to test precision, stamina and skill.

She was revealed as the Senior runner-up of the competition at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by the PDA at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.

Olivia, who works for Chesman Decorators Ltd, Thurnscoe, was among 16 top scorers from five regional heats across England, Scotland and Wales to make it through to the Grand Final held at Doncaster College, DN College Group.

She said: “I feel great. You feel like you’re in the top people in the country and you feel like you can achieve anything coming here, like you’ve pushed yourself to the limits of decorating.

our pre-season friendly with Sheffield United was really important for us.”

Dave McCarthy, head of operations at Sheffield United Football Club, said: “The Blades proudly support Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their amazing work raising money and awareness for dementia. It is an incredible cause and one that is very personal to me and I’m sure many other families across Sheffield.”

“I’m feeling very proud of myself. My family are really excited for me and were all there at the ceremony. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Both stages of the competition involve a six-hour challenge designed to test their precision, stamina and skill in scaling up, measuring out and precisely painting a complex design within the time given and were judged by Andrew Davis of the Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT) and Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive of the PDA.

Neil Ogilvie said: “Olivia was a top scorer regionally and nationally, and I congratulate her wholeheartedly on the outstanding work that secured her second place in the competition.”

New hire joins Belmayne team

Dronfield-based Belmayne is welcoming another experienced financial planner to its team, who will be focusing on developing the firm’s reach into Sheffield.

The independent financial planners have appointed Alex Napier to build a strong presence in the city and highlight their commitment to providing first class client services.

Alex joins Belmayne after almost five years at a Sheffield-based advisory firm. He has experience in property and wills and trusts matters, and specialises in handling complex client situations, particularly those that may require the support of other experts.

Belmayne partner, Jon Stevens, said: “We are in the process of executing an ambitious growth strategy and Alex will be central to our push into Sheffield. He already has an excellent reputation locally and is well connected with other professionals. He has all the qualities we look for in a financial adviser and is a great fit for our expanding team, proving popular with clients and colleagues alike.”

Alex began his career in financial services in 2010 and has been providing advice for more than a decade. He added: “I am thrilled to be part of a team with such a high level of expertise and Belmayne’s reputation for client care was a real draw. As the firm is directly authorised, we can honestly say the advice we provide is independent, allowing me to truly sit on the same side of the table as clients.”

Belmayne partner, Jon Stevens (right), welcomes financial planner, Alex Napier, to the firm

Members of the Sheffield United Football Club proudly show off the t-shirts

Olivia Williams collecting her award

Support for creative industries

Ascheme led by The Sheffield College to support the city’s upcoming creative industries talent has launched in the city.

Sheffcol Creates – The Creative Academy is a new project that aims to connect employers in the creative industries sector with the region’s future workforce.

Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “The creative sector is vital to Sheffield both culturally and as a major economic force.

“This project aims to strengthen the city’s thriving creative economy, bridge the skills gap, nurture future talent and help our students go further in their careers. We want our students and Sheffield’s creative industries to co-create, co-design and co-deliver learning experiences that reflect the realities of the working world in the creative sector.”

Each year, the college educates and trains more than 1,000 students in a wide range of creative industries qualifications, from diploma to degree level, contributing to building a pipeline of industry ready talent.

These students are studying subjects such as art and design, catering, dog grooming, hair and beauty, games and animation, graphic design, journalism, media make-up, media production, performing arts and photography.

As part of Sheffcol Creates, the college is inviting creative industries specialists to get involved in the curriculum and support students’

skills development in different ways.

Employers can provide guest speaker slots, mentorship, live briefs, workshops and industry placements, and work with students on exhibitions and events.

The city is home to more than 2,000 cultural and creative businesses according to Sheffield

City Council’s Culture Strategy for 2035 published last year. Creative industries businesses provide around 9,000 jobs and generate almost £1bn of economic impact annually.

The sector includes design, digital and marketing communications, film, television, radio and podcasting, photography, and the performing

and visual arts as well as other skills specialisms. According to council statistics, the wider regional economy in South Yorkshire comprises around 4,000 businesses. The Sheffcol Creates project launch took place at the 99 Mary Street gallery and event space, based within the Cultural Industries Quarter.

LensGo boss recognised for contributions to charity

Stuart Turner, owner and managing director of LensGo Visual Media, has been presented with the prestigious Special Recognition Corporate Award at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity Awards, celebrating his company’s outstanding contribution as a longstanding media partner of the charity.

LensGo Visual Media has become an invaluable creative partner for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, supporting the organisation by producing high-quality films capturing events, personal stories, and case studies. These films play a vital role in highlighting fundraising campaigns, demonstrating impact, and sharing the remarkable work of Sheffield Children’s Hospital with the wider community.

my heart, and it’s a privilege for our team at LensGo to help tell the stories that show just how amazing this place is. The children, families, and staff inspire us every day, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting the charity’s vital work.”

A multi-award-winning video production company, LensGo Visual Media is renowned for creating captivating films for diverse sectors, including corporate brands, sports clubs, charities, and arts organisations. However, it is their dedication to community partnerships that truly sets them apart.

‘I’m absolutely delighted to have received this award’

The Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity Awards honour individuals, businesses, and organisations who go above and beyond to support the hospital.

Stuart said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have received this award. Working with Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is incredibly close to

The LensGo team’s creativity and storytelling continue to help raise awareness and funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, making a real difference to children, young people, and their families across the region.

L-R: Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE, chief executive, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce; Angela Foulkes CBE, chief executive and principal, The Sheffield College; Alexis Krachai, president, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce; and Diana Buckley, director of economy, skills and culture, Sheffield City Council

Stuart Turner

Celebrating 75 years of a special friendship

Stories of people who have helped the city of Sheffield and the German city of Bochum maintain a special 75-year friendship were revealed in a new exhibition that launched in July.

The exhibition, curated by Holly Satterly, a politics and modern languages student from the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Sheffield City Council, also featured materials uncovered from Sheffield City Archives that illustrate the friendship, many of which are being shown in public for the first time.

On display in Sheffield’s Central Library, the exhibition highlighted the key role that community groups in both cities have played in driving forward the partnership for over seven decades.

Artefacts on display included:

• Declaration of peace between Sheffield and Bochum

• Photo albums of the lord mayor and lady mayoress from the 1950s-1980s with photos from civic delegation visits between Bochum and Sheffield

• Community artifacts such as letters from residential exchanges between Bochum and Sheffield

• Programmes from joint performances of the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus and the Philamonischer Chor of Bochum

• Football kits and other artifacts from Wisewood Juniors and Adler Riemke’s long standing football exchange.

Holly, who is learning German as part of her degree at the University of Sheffield, curated the exhibition during an internship at Sheffield City Council. The internship was developed by Holly’s lecturer, Dr Seán Williams from the university’s School of Languages, Arts and Societies, in collaboration with Robert Swarbrick, international officer at Sheffield City Council.

Holly’s language skills helped her undertake original research and engage with community stakeholders both in Sheffield and Germany to help bring the exhibition together.

She said: “This exhibition plays a key role in not only celebrating 75 years of partnership between Sheffield and Bochum but also highlighting the significance of the two cities on an international stage. The exhibition emphasises the importance of the partnership in not only ensuring joint success and prosperity but also its importance to community groups in enriching the lives of Sheffield and Bochum citizens and promoting a lasting friendship.

“In my research, I uncovered documents from a longstanding adult exchange between Sheffield and Bochum. In this was a letter from a German participant complaining about the bland English food served to her by her host. This is definitely my favourite artifact on display as it adds a relatable human touch to the pomp and ceremony of this formal partnership. Unfamiliar food on a foreign exchange trip is certainly something I can relate to personally from my language exchanges in school.”

INSET LEFT: Thomas Eiskirch, lord mayor of Bochum, visiting Sheffield's Peace Gardens

ABOVE TOP LEFT: A delegation from Bochum visiting Sheffield’s Manor Lodge

ABOVE BOTTOM LEFT: Holly Satterly curated an exhibition to celebrate 75 years of Sheffield and Bochum's twinning partnership

Robert Swarbrick, international officer at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield twinned with Bochum in 1950 as a way of promoting peace, understanding and friendship in the aftermath of the war.

“Sheffield City Council retains a strong, active relationship with Stadt Bochum which extends far beyond civic links. Both sides are committed to ongoing collaboration in respect of business, trade, investment, education, sustainability and more.

“To mark the 75th anniversary of the partnership, the lord mayor of Sheffield visited Bochum in May 2025 to sign a Reaffirmation of Twinning document.”

ABOVE MAIN: Wisewood Juniors FC, from Loxley in Sheffield, on a visit to Bochum in 2022

Tourism brings record boost to economy across South Yorkshire

The latest visitor figures have been released by South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership showing significant growth across the region.

An estimated 36.3 million tourism visits were made to South Yorkshire in 2024 bringing a £3.7bn boost to the region’s visitor economy. This included 32.3 million tourism visits made by day visitors, showing a five per cent increase on the previous year, and a 10.5% increase since 2022. Visitors staying in the region were estimated to have spent 9.4 million nights in local accommodation.

The data commissioned via the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership and processed by Global Tourism Solution’s STEAM Report, also revealed that visitor activity and spend supports more than 32,101 full time equivalent jobs locally, making it a key sector within the region.

The latest announcement comes just as the region prepares to host a wide range of high-profile events in the coming months. Local businesses – including hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions, are set to welcome large groups of visitors to South Yorkshire. Many of these visitors may be experiencing our cities and towns for the first time and spending money in the local visitor economy.

Crossed Wires Festival, the UK’s largest celebration of podcasting, took place from 4-6 July across Sheffield, with BBC Sounds as this year’s official Fringe Festival partner.

The three-day event featured a diverse programme of live podcast recordings, exclusive oneoff events, and after-parties hosted in some of Sheffield’s most iconic venues, including Sheffield City Hall and the Crucible Theatre. The festival welcomed over 20,000 visitors, marking a significant moment for the UK podcasting community and the city’s cultural calendar.

thousands of visitors and will include iconic floral displays, talks and tips, markets, stalls, children’s activities as well as delicious food and drink.

‘We are home to an incredible array of culture, creativity and character’

Doncaster will once again host a celebration of local music with DN One Live on 5–7 September in Sir Nigel Gresley Square. The free, three-day music festival celebrates the very best of Doncaster’s musical talent and a firm favourite with on the events calendar.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park will also be hosting a range of international stars on their Wild Live Stage this summer.

For the first time ever, the RHS Flower Show visited South Yorkshire at Wentworth Woodhouse from the 16–20 July (main picture). With the house as the backdrop, this popular event for gardening enthusiasts and families alike is expected to attract

This year Rotherham is also the home to the Children’s Capital of Culture – created by the children and young people of Rotherham the festival has already been a huge success with a full programme of events and activities featuring music, dance, drama, film and exhibitions.

Main

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski

January, the prestigious St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse featuring the St Leger Stakes celebrating 250 years in September and the Pride of Yorkshire Sculpture trail for Sheffield Children’s Hospital taking to the streets of the region from June to September also.

Sarah McLeod, Chair of the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, said: “The STEAM data is invaluable for us a partnership and for the wider visitor economy as it clearly highlights the vital role of this sector in South Yorkshire. By working collaboratively, we can drive sustainable growth, ensuring that – now more than ever – we encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more with our local businesses.”

South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We are home to an incredible array of culture, creativity and character.

“From world-class festivals and iconic sporting events to museums

that tell our story and music that’s known around the world – we are a place that inspires.

“Our heritage and culture don’t just enrich our lives and shape who we are – they drive our economy too. With a £3.7bn boost and over 32,000 jobs supported, the impact of arts, culture, and tourism is clear: when we invest in our people our places and our stories, we create growth and opportunity, and we build hope.”

The South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (SYLVEP) is a collaboration between Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Doncaster Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) and the private sector. Its purpose is to work collectively on shared priorities and targets to foster the growth of the local visitor economy.

Arit Anderson views the Girl Guiding garden with Girl Guide rangers

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski

Michael Palin in a chat hosted by Greg James at the Crossed Wires Festival

Photo credit: Tom Sunderland

The popular Wild Live Stage event

Photo credit: Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Beds for Babies scheme gives children a safe place to sleep

Ayear after its launch, South Yorkshire’s pioneering Beds for Babies scheme has supported over 1,900 children, ensuring that children aged five and under have a safe place to sleep.

The initiative, led by South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard, has delivered more than 3,800 essential items – including Moses Baskets, cots, toddler beds, mattresses, and bedding bundles –to families across the region.

Backed by a £2.2mn investment from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), the scheme is designed to tackle health inequalities, improve early-years development, and ease pressure on public services, with the ultimate goal of making South Yorkshire the healthiest region in the country.

Beds for Babies tackles the oftenhidden issue of bed poverty, which can include broken or unsuitable beds, mouldy mattresses, or the complete absence of ageappropriate sleeping arrangements. By addressing these challenges, the scheme aims to improve sleep quality, which is vital for children’s development, learning, and overall family wellbeing.

Beds for Babies: a Safe Space to Sleep is a cornerstone of Oliver Coppard’s health strategy, focused on practical, community-led solutions to long-standing challenges.

The mayor said: “When I launched Beds for Babies, I made it my ambition that no child in South Yorkshire should go without a safe place to sleep. One year on, I’m proud that, working with a range of dedicated partners, we’re delivering on that ambition –supporting over 1,900 children and giving out more than 3,800 essential items.

University, IKEA, and many others.

The first bed funded through the scheme was delivered in June 2024 by Oliver Coppard and Baby Basics UK to a Sheffield mother for her 11week-old daughter, Majesty.

‘This project would not succeed without the work of our referral partners’

“The scheme is about more than just beds. It’s about giving every child the best possible start in life, tackling deep-rooted health inequalities, and building a healthier, fairer South Yorkshire for everyone.”

Beds for Babies is delivered through trusted local referral routes, including midwifery services, GPs, Family Hubs, Children’s Centres, and community organisations. It is the result of a collaborative effort involving Baby Basics UK, Save the Children UK, Sheffield Hallam

As part of the broader Safe Space to Sleep Programme, working with councils and key partners, two ‘test and learn’ pilots have been launched in the last year in Mexborough (Doncaster) and Swinton (Rotherham), with Sheffield and Barnsley to follow, to explore new ways of working with disadvantaged families.

These pilots aim to build trust, improve access to services, and identify best practices for improving children’s health outcomes.

Cat Ross, CEO of Baby Basics UK said: “One year on from launching deliveries through our Beds for Babies: a Safe Space to Sleep project, we're incredibly proud of the real and lasting difference it's making for families across South Yorkshire. At Baby Basics, we strive to uphold the dignity of every family we work with. This project reflects that by providing children up to five-years-

old with brand-new mattresses, ageappropriate bedding and highquality beds.

“Our Baby Basics centres in South Yorkshire, along with Families First Rotherham, work faithfully to manage referrals and allocate equipment. Families are now receiving essential equipment within two weeks of referral, replacing what used to be months-long waits. This offer continues to be transformative at every level. For children, having a safe space to sleep directly supports their safety, wellbeing and healthy development. For parents and carers, it removes the burden of sourcing essential items in times of hardship and provides peace of mind. For referral partners, the guarantee of a bed builds trust with families and creates opportunities to address other challenges.

“This project would not succeed without the work of our referral partners, whose dedication ensures families access this vital support. Thank you to the mayor for his commitment to highlighting child poverty in South Yorkshire and beyond. We are grateful for his hands-on involvement, which has even included safety checking donated cots. Thanks also to the wider SYMCA team for their continued partnership.”

Beds for Babies launched to guarantee every child under five a bed to sleep in

New project manager appointed for charity

Green Gables, YWCA Yorkshire’s housing and wrap-around support service in Doncaster, has announced the appointment of Stacey Lynn (pictured) as project manager. In this key leadership role, Stacey will oversee the charity’s services to young women, children, and families in the city.

Stacey brings a wealth of safeguarding, accommodation and community engagement experience to the role of project manager. Seventeen years working in Doncaster across police, social housing and local authority teams, gives Stacey valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities locally. Her professional specialisms in domestic violence, community consultation and housing management align directly with the packages of support Green Gables excel in. A life-long learner, Stacey achieved her teaching degree in 2017, studying part time while also working, and is currently part way through a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Digital Design. Stacey volunteers for a Tenant and Resident Association (TARA) in Doncaster and for a local group raising awareness of a Doncaster Public Health initiative by signposting support pathways for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder.

Green Gables has been empowering vulnerable families, delivering safe accommodation and wrap-around support in Doncaster since 2004. This includes direct support for young women and their children in eight self-contained flats in Mexborough, management of five houses in partnership with Together Housing, and outreach support for 65 more families living across Doncaster.

Stacey, said: “This is an exciting time to join our chief executive Diane Offers and the wider YWCA Yorkshire team. We have a well-established and highly successful commissioner relationship delivering impact locally. We have a renewed focus on our strategic partnerships and are connecting with new supporters every day. We have a missiondriven team, and a value system that puts the families we support at the heart of everything we do.”

Civic Reception for Doncaster Rovers FC

Players, management and staff of Doncaster Rovers FC were honoured at a Civic Reception at the Corn Exchange in July to mark their title-winning season and promotion to the EFL League One.

The team secured the League Two title back in May – with a superb 2-1 victory at promotionchasing Notts County – and, with it, promotion to League One.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, and Civic Mayor, Councillor Tim Needham, joined guests at the special event.

Civic mayor Cllr Tim Needham said: “Congratulations Doncaster Rovers on a truly fantastic season. Football provides a shared experience. It unites communities, fosters local identity, and builds pride.

“Doncaster Rovers’ success last season has done all of that and more. It has lifted spirits across the city, brought people together and created a feel-good factor that goes far beyond the boundaries of the Eco-Power Stadium.

“With the new season fast approaching, I would encourage everyone to get behind Doncaster Rovers and show their support for the club in League One!”

players and staff at

Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster, added: “It has been a great honour to welcome Doncaster Rovers and guests to the Corn Exchange to celebrate their title-winning season.

The event was a fantastic opportunity to recognise the team’s outstanding achievement and present the players with their welldeserved winners’ medals. I would like to express my immense pride

over their phenomenal achievements, which are felt across the city.”

Meanwhile, from a club perspective, Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers FC, Gavin Baldwin, said: "It is a proud moment for all at the club to see our title win honoured by the mayor and City of Doncaster Council and we thank all involved.

“With just a few days to go before we begin the season back in League One, the civic reception in the fine surroundings of the Corn Exchange was a brilliant way to set up Grant McCann, his staff and players for the challenge ahead. It is the perfect boost to be reminded of the excitement the club’s achievements have generated across the city.”

The

the Civic Reception

Local children’s hospice has a new sidekick

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice has appointed Sidekick PR as its public relations partner to raise awareness of its vital services and support its programme of fundraising.

The appointment comes as Bluebell Wood continues to expand its services providing specialist end-of-life care, respite services, and bereavement support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families from across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire, and parts of Lincolnshire.

As well as clinical care services, the hospice also provides a home-from-home for families facing the toughest of times offering plenty of fun activities for families to create special memories together. The team also support other health care providers out in the community and in local hospitals too.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Sidekick PR to our team’

Sidekick PR, who are based in South Yorkshire and specialise in strategic PR and communication, will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to raise the profile of Bluebell Wood's work and support fundraising initiatives that are crucial to the hospice’s operations.

Samantha Wood, director of income generation and communications at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Sidekick PR to our team.

“Their understanding of our mission and proven track record made them the natural choice for us. We know they will help us tell our story more effectively and reach the people who need our services, while also connecting with supporters who can help us continue this vital work. Every

family deserves access to specialist care when they need it most, and with Sidekick PR’s support, we can ensure more families know we're here for them.”

Eve Worthington, director at Sidekick PR, said: “Bluebell Wood does extraordinary work supporting children and families during the most difficult times of their lives. We are honoured to partner with them to help promote the work they do across the region.

“Their holistic approach to care – supporting not just the child but the entire family – is truly inspiring and we’re committed to help raise awareness of their services and drive the support they need to continue their vital work.”

Sidekick PR was founded in 2016 by Eve Worthington, Charlotte Dimond and Kirstie Nickson. The consultancy works with clients across the British Isles to deliver strategic PR and communication services and training for organisations across a number of industries, including the third sector, education, retail and hospitality industries.

L-R: Eve Worthington, Kirstie Nickson and Charlotte Dimond from Sidekick PR

Deaf Awareness has a new official stamp of approval

OSouth Yorkshire who have taken part in Deaf Awareness training received a stamp of approval from Doncaster Deaf Trust during Deaf Awareness Week.

More than 15 organisations received the official stamp to confirm that members of their team have taken part in Deaf Awareness training.

The stamp was designed by three pupils/ students whose winning designs have been incorporated into the stamp. Noah Groom Jones and Jade Hutchinson who are students at

Doncaster and Keira Burnett, who is a pupil at Doncaster School for the Deaf, won the competition run across the trust to design a logo to be used as the stamp.

Among those who received the stamp are Rotherham based Children’s literary charity, Grimm & Co, Wales High School, Wincanton and NHS Audiology,

Accountancy firm raises vital funds for local charity

Yorkshire-based accountants

Brearley & Co have made a significant donation to local charity Hopian after over a year of fundraising efforts.

The grand sum of £3,750 was raised at events hosted by Brearley & Co over the past 18 months, including their 40th anniversary celebration in March last year.

Hopian – formerly Rotherham Rise – supports adults, young people, and children affected by domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation. Over 2,000 individuals

were supported by their services between April 2024 and March 2025.

A cheque was handed over at Hopian’s community café, Frith Space, in Rotherham as two pillars of the local community came together. Hopian have worked in Rotherham since 1976 while Brearley & Co was founded in Swinton in 1984.

Brearley & Co invited hundreds of staff, clients, and partners to the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham last year to

‘We are aiming to make South Yorkshire a Deaf aware region’

Hospital.

Alexis Johnson, chief executive of Doncaster Deaf Trust, said:

“Deaf Awareness Week gives us a great opportunity to talk about how important it is for people to be deaf aware.

“Our training, delivered by our team, provides organisations, businesses, and schools with a great insight into Deaf awareness.

commemorate 40 years of operation, with a large portion of their donation to Hopian collected on the evening.

The accountancy firm also hosted a casino night last November to further supplement their donation pot and made continued collections at their

expanding number of offices across South Yorkshire.

Next year, Hopian will be marking their 50th anniversary –and extended an invitation to Brearley & Co as a valued supporter of their work.

Mark Smallman, Brearley & Co managing director, said: “We’re

Handing over the cheque at Hopian’s community cafe

and Noah holding their

“We offer a range of training and run British Sign Language courses, alongside our free BSL online course.

“By delivering these courses and sessions we are aiming to make South Yorkshire a Deaf aware region.”

For further information about Doncaster Deaf Trust visit www.deaf-trust.co.uk

incredibly proud to have raised this money for a fantastic charity operating in Rotherham.

Supporting the local community has always been a huge part of what we do and Hopian are certainly at the centre of that.

“Their work is incredibly valuable, and we’re delighted we can support their cause in some way. The total donation sum was made possible by the exceptional generosity of everyone who attended our events last year, from staff and clients to partners and friends.”

While the accountancy firm are reputed for their empowerment of regional businesses, they are also renowned for their commitment to the local community.

Along with their support for Hopian, they are regular donors to other local charities like Rotherham Hospice and Bluebell Wood, as well as the main club sponsor for Dinnington Town FC.

Three wins for White Rose PR

Wins were in the air for South Yorkshire based PR agency

White Rose PR, which is delighted to announce not one, not two, but three new client wins. The company, which specialises in health, wellbeing and lifestyle PR, is rapidly expanding its client portfolio in these sectors.

Firstly, Goodie by Cannumo is a range of fermented drinks, which are packed with gutfriendly bacteria, a delicious and natural way to support digestive health from the inside out. Following this year’s successful Natural & Organic Health Show in London, Goodie snapped up the award for Best New Speciality Health Product at the Natural & Organic Innovation Awards.

The second appointment is Beauty Dropz from Nottingham-based MIJO Healthcare, a range of edible skincare supplements which work from the inside out to enhance skin health, complementing topical treatments.

Last but by no means least, Leicester-based Lasting Health, is a new, discreet and innovative way to test for potentially harmful environmental pollutants in the body, a subject which is becoming increasingly talked about in the media.

Sue Pringle, business development lead for lasting health, said: “Louise and I worked together at Boots the Chemists for many years ago so I am confident that we will work well together. Her longstanding professional experience in the healthcare sector combined with a personal interest in wellbeing made White Rose PR the natural choice to drive this innovative launch forward.”

All these brands sit comfortably with the agency’s existing portfolio of clients in the wellness space. Managing director Louise Pinchin said: “We are delighted to be working with all three brands in the health and wellness space, this is at the very core of our work as well as being of personal interest. Working with innovative health brands like these means there is never a dull day in the office or two days never quite the same –and we love it!”

Jade, Keira

winning designs with school and college representatives

Campaign to help property developers

Utility Source Limited, a Yorkshire-based utilities consultancy, has launched Utilitopoly – a campaign designed to cut through the difficulties of utility connections for property developers, site managers, and investors.

The Utilitopoly initiative provides practical, jargon-free guidance on getting utilities connected, disconnected, and reconnected, backed by video guides, case studies, and expert insights drawn from years of industry experience.

Property developers frequently encounter a range of challenges when coordinating utility connections, from navigating complex paperwork and liaising with multiple providers to facing unexpected delays or discovering capacity issues at the last minute. Misunderstandings about installation requirements, confusion over connection timelines, and a lack of clarity around who is responsible for what can all lead to costly setbacks. Utilitopoly is designed to address these pain points head-on, empowering developers with clear, actionable guidance.

Utility Source, founded in 2018 by Dean Pattison, is a specialist utilities consultancy based in South Yorkshire. Dean said: “We’ve seen time and again that developers are struggling with utility connections – whether it’s understanding the process, avoiding costly delays, or knowing who to contact.

“Utilitopoly is our way of putting that knowledge in their hands. It’s about empowering people to make informed decisions about their

development, which can often lead to a more cost-effective development with fewer time delays.”

Aaron Dodwell, owner of Church View Croft Developments, said: “Utility Source has been a game-changer for us. Utility connections can be a nightmare; there’s so much complicated information, red tape, conflicting advice, and room for costly mistakes. Dean and his team not only simplified the process but also gave us the confidence to make the right decisions at the right time. The Utilitopoly campaign is exactly what the industry needs – clear, practical guidance that’s accessible to everyone.”

The Utilitopoly campaign is accessible through Utility Source’s YouTube channel, a comprehensive hub on Utility Source’s website, and across their social media platforms. The campaign features practical videos, expert advice, and case studies.

Employees in charge at The SEO Works

Award-winning digital growth agency

The SEO Works has announced that it is now an employee-owned business.

Through an employee ownership trust (EOT) structure, the Sheffieldbased business has transitioned ownership from its two founders to the staff, a step aimed at enhancing the brand and the organisation's future.

Founded in 2009 by Neil Palmer and Simon Margetts, the digital growth agency has since expanded to a team of more than 80 employees offering SEO, PPC, digital PR, social media and web services.

Alongside impressive growth and a variety of prestigious award wins, the agency has always prioritised its people and its roots – remaining firmly headquartered in Sheffield, focusing on ‘responsible growth’, and investing in its culture.

Moving to being ‘owned by its people’ is the latest evolution of

this mission – allowing the business to retain complete independence, reward employees for the business’s success, and create an ownership culture that properly reflects the ethos of the agency.

CEO Ben Foster said: “I’m incredibly excited by this development. Our transition to

being employee-owned is the perfect evolution, reflecting who we’ve always been – a business driven by its people.

“Across the last 16 years, we’ve grown from an exciting local startup to one of the leading digital growth agencies in the North – all thanks to our team of experts. Our

future as an agency has always been in their hands, but now it’s official.

“For us, an EOT was the obvious choice”, said managing director James Corry. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here as a team, and of the brilliant service we deliver to our clients. This is a very exciting step and gives a genuine stake in the business to all of our brilliant team members.”

The move has been supported by Shawbrook Bank and Brabners LLP, who have both been instrumental in turning the vision into a reality.

Anthony Dean, senior director at Shawbrook Corporate Leverage, said: “We are delighted to support The SEO Works Ltd in their transition to an EOT. The business has a strong management team with a clear vision for the future, and we admire their ambition to give employees a greater share in the strategic direction of the company.”

The Utility Source team

The SEO Works team

Leveraging technology to deliver B2B services

By John Henshall (pictured), general manager, TravelMaster

In June 2023 TravelMaster launched a new app to bring retail and ticket loading together. The rationale for this was driven by feedback from customers.

Outdated systems and a clunky experience were referenced in customer reviews.

The app has been successful, selling over quarter of a million tickets since launch amounting to over £6m in revenue and over 30,000 registered app users. Thirtyfive per cent of TravelMaster’s revenue is now via digital methods from the app to the website and operators own apps. Much of this market share has been gained from on vehicle sales with the biggest contributor being the app.

As an organisation we’ve been delivering B2B sales for some time. One of our biggest customers is Sheffield College whose students receiving a bursary can benefit from travel to and from site. However, we also provide services to other education providers, businesses and charities. It was therefore important

to us to ensure our existing offer could be migrated to the app.

Following our first year the migration has been successful, there are less issues than previously and administration has been reduced.

Leveraging the technology is however only part of the process. Prior to migration testing was critical to ensure commercial risks were eliminated.

Migration itself needed to be handled carefully, change is rarely embraced when brought upon a customer. Customer meetings to explain the new technology and user guides have been critical to ensure this went smoothly. As we move forward there is more self-service options for us to investigate for our customers. However, just like putting in the new system, commercial risks need to be assessed and mitigated. To

fulfil this we are trialling the system with one of our customers to ensure they can get the codes when they need them and their administrative processes don’t hamper their own clients transport needs.

Having the ability to create onetime use codes has delivered benefits in its first full year of operation. We’ve also been able to quickly create travel partnerships, offering five per cent off our seven and 28 day tickets for participating businesses. Previous bulk purchase methods created significant administration for employers, and we can now simplify the process. This means we can effectively close more deals, increasing revenue with limited-zero risk to employers in South Yorkshire.

This year, TravelMaster has strengthened its commitment to supporting local initiatives and businesses. New multi-use coupons,

with a restriction to one use per app account, mean we can support local events through both discounted tickets and special tickets for events.

If you are interested in how you can help your teams get around South Yorkshire sustainably then we are always happy to talk, just send us an email to sales@sytravelmaster.com

Industry and nature grow together at AESSEAL headquarters

Nature has moved in alongside industry on a Tree Walk opened at a Rotherham factory site which now operates without the use of any natural gas.

The one-kilometre trail, which sits within the grounds of AESSEAL’s Mill Close engineering base, was officially opened by Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart.

Its first visitors included 28 children from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Kimberworth, as well as representatives from the Millers, youth sports clubs, business and education, Rotherham Titans rugby club and Olympic Games silver medallist Peter Elliott.

Since then more than 50 children from Redscope Primary School have completed the walk, on which they saw the bug hotels, a pond, meadows and woodlands, a wide variety of trees, a hedgehog crossing and hives for 60,000 bees, all accompanied by interactive information and facts available by scanning QR codes. There’s also a treasure hunt, which adds another fun element to the learning, as well as animal, insect and bird sculptures by local artist Robin Widdowson.

Previous to AESSEAL moving onto the site in 1997 the area was little more than unused fields of mud. The scene now is very different. AESSEAL’s 10-acre Factory for the Future, which contains 175,000 sq ft of new buildings, stands proudly on the land – and alongside it runs the Tree Walk.

Group managing director and founder Chris Rea said: “It’s something that has been created over a long period, and we’ve just enhanced it and developed it and planted more and more trees and added more attractions like wildlife sculptures, the seal family, brass etching stations, wildlife and plant life boards, as well as providing a home for rescue hedgehogs and bees.”

‘What this company has done is incredible’

Opening the walk, Tony Stewart said: “I have been associated with AES for many years and known Chris for a long time and what he has done, not just for Rotherham but on a world stage, sets the standard. He is a great ambassador.

“I have been on the Tree Walk and it is a fantastic facility for staff and for schoolchildren to visit and one that shows his commitment to the town and to the environment.

“What this company has done is incredible, not just in manufacturing but in thinking about the finer things in the world, allowing wildlife to exist. I am proud to open the Tree Walk and proud to be a friend of the company.”

Mayor delivers on clean energy promise

Reacting to the announcement of Government support for South Yorkshire projects through the Mayoral Renewables Fund Grant Scheme, South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said:

“I made a promise to deliver a clean energy transformation for South Yorkshire and we’re delivering on that promise.

“These seven new projects in Doncaster and Rotherham are a clear signal South Yorkshire is at the heart of the UK’s green energy revolution. By working closely with our local authority partners, we’re lowering energy bills, and

building a more sustainable future for South Yorkshire.

“The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience. By reducing emissions and energy costs, we’re supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market – helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers.

“In Doncaster, solar panels on three local schools won’t just save money, they’ll help to

educate the next generation. These installations will become living classrooms, giving young people the chance to learn about renewable energy in a hands-on, meaningful way.

“By powering community centres in Scawthorpe and Carcroft and Rotherham Library with clean solar energy, we’re making sure vital local services can continue to grow and support their communities for years to come.

“The Mayoral Renewables Fund Grant Scheme is creating a cleaner, greener and fairer South Yorkshire.”

Tony Stewart opened the walk

The cornerstone of CDM success

By Stephen Watson, managing director, Watson Safety Ltd

Since the introduction of the CDM Regulations in 1994, and particularly following the 2015 revision, the emphasis has steadily shifted towards proactive risk management during the design stage. Yet despite the clear legal duties placed on clients, designers, and contractors, in my experience, “designing out risk” remains one of the most misunderstood – and underused – principles in the industry.

The CDM Regulations 2015 make it clear: risk elimination should happen as early as possible in the project lifecycle. The goal is simple – reduce the risk of harm to those who build, use, maintain, and eventually demolish a structure. But in practice, we often still see risk passed down the chain to contractors to manage with method statements and permits, when it could have been removed entirely with a few key design decisions.

Here are five core principles to designing out risk under CDM:

1. Start early and collaborate often Designing out risk begins at concept stage, not post-tender. Designers and Principal Designers must work closely with clients and contractors to understand constraints, end-use, and

maintenance requirements. Early design decisions – even down to site layout and access – have a long-term impact on safety.

2. Think beyond construction

A safe design is one that considers the entire lifecycle of the structure. For example, can glazing be cleaned without working at height? Can lighting be replaced without needing specialist access? Maintenance, use, and eventual demolition must all be considered.

3. Eliminate before you mitigate

The hierarchy of risk control is clear: eliminate, reduce, isolate, control, and only as a last resort, protect with PPE or procedures. If a design feature introduces significant risk – such as placing plant on a fragile roof – ask if it’s necessary. Can it be relocated? Can access be improved?

4. Document and communicate design risk CDM doesn’t ask designers to make construction decisions – but it does expect foreseeable risks to be communicated. Design Risk Registers, structured PCI information, and clearly marked drawings help contractors plan safe systems of

work. If it’s not recorded, it may not be considered.

5. Challenge the “we’ve always done it that way” mentality

Designing out risk requires innovation. Traditional solutions may work, they may be the easiest option, but they may not be the safest or most efficient. Encourage your team to explore alternative materials, modular construction methods, or prefabrication where it reduces manual handling and on-site hazards.

Designing out risk isn’t about over-engineering – it’s about smart, informed choices that respect those doing the work. As an industry, our best legacy isn’t just the buildings we create, but the people we protect in the process.

Stephen Watson

‘Voluntary sector organisations play a vital role in our communities’

connect PROFILES

Welcome to Connect Profiles, where local firms can tell our readers all about their business.

Martin Singer

Organisation: South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation

Job Title: Chief executive

What does your organisation do?

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) connects local donors with local needs.

We give out grants of more than £1m every year to support hundreds of community groups, charities and individuals across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield, helping to improve lives and tackle disadvantage.

How did it all start?

SYCF was established in 1986 to bring together local philanthropy and grassroots community need across South Yorkshire.

Our founding mission was to support groups and charities by distributing grants funded by individuals, businesses and trusts in the region.

Over the past 40 years, SYCF has distributed nearly £40m in grassroots grants to thousands of local groups, highlighting our sustained role as a regional anchor for philanthropy and community impact.

What’s your greatest achievement so far?

I joined the team this Spring, so it’s still early days in terms of my role as CEO of the community foundation. In my personal, life, it has been supporting my two young adults to grow into the

brilliant people that they are today.

What has surprised you most in your job?

I have been delighted rather than surprised by the number of businesses who are either supporting their local communities or want to do so.

Very often we see huge impact from businesses connecting with their local communities and with groups delivering great projects.

Our South Yorkshire Giving Network helps businesses to understand and unlock social impact, including supporting them through tender processes where it is increasingly a requirement.

What keeps you awake at night?

Voluntary sector organisations play a vital role in our communities. Often facing difficult issues and developing solutions to problems. Currently, the voluntary sector faces huge challenges with reduced funding and growing demand for critical services.

Locally, we share up to £2m in grants per year and what keeps me awake at night is finding new partners and donors to help us to share even more desperately needed funds.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Do something that interests you, invest in yourself, be prepared to learn from others and importantly have fun.

What exciting projects is your organisation working on?

We’re gearing up to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2026. It will be a year of reflection, recognition and renewed commitment to our mission. This milestone offers a unique opportunity to honour the people, partners and projects that have shaped our hugely successful journey over the last four decades.

Our plans include celebration events and community spotlights which highlight the foundation’s impact across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. We’ll also be looking to the future and working with new and existing donors to help build a lasting legacy for generations to come.

What recent news story has had the biggest impact on your business?

In November 2019, heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding across South Yorkshire. More than 1,000 homes were damaged, and many communities were badly affected.

Within 24 hours, we launched a Flood Disaster Relief Appeal,

raising more than £1.4m for affected households from government match funding, National Lottery and community donations.

We also supported with the distribution of replacement furniture, appliances and everyday items.

The floods were a key moment in the foundation’s history. Our response reinforced SYCF’s role as an emergency responder and highlighted how we have the skills and systems to mobilise crisis funding, distribute large-scale aid and support the immediate and long-term recovery of South Yorkshire communities.

What is your biggest ambition?

To deliver a step change in how our fabulous businesses in our region connect with and support their communities, helping them to thrive.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love travel and exploring new cultures, so I enjoy working through my bucket list of new places to visit.

When I am not travelling, I am a passionate follower of my local football and ice hockey teams.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Website: www.sycf.org.uk

Email: martinsinger@sycf.org.uk

Telephone: 0114 242 4857

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/martin-singer-72855428

Features

• Health in the Workplace

• Corporate Christmas

• Made in South Yorkshire

Mental health awareness

the most impactful but underrated leadership skill

By, Abigail Fearns (pictured), founder of High Hopes Counselling

Iwas on a training course recently that was looking at leaders vs managers, and the inevitable topic of ‘bad managers’ came up. A comment was made that has stuck with me: “people don’t leave bad jobs; they leave bad managers”. This sparked a conversation about what makes a good leader –what came up for me personally was how impactful the environment our leaders and managers create actually is.

What if the most underrated leadership asset, is the ability to create a mentally healthy work culture? Not the innovation, strategy or performance but the awareness and emotional intelligence to provide, nurture and develop an environment in which, not only the business needs are met but also the needs of the team.

It is evident that a lot of businesses don’t have this healthy environment, as shockingly 50% of all ‘long term absence’ has been linked to stress, anxiety and depression caused by the day-today demands of the workplace. If mental health policies/strategies were as respected and enforced as healthy and safety policies, I strongly believe the statistic above would be nowhere near as high. Poor mental health doesn’t just affect the absence rate of employees, it also impacts the productivity, consistency, quality of work, ambition, drive, motivation of the individual.

You’re probably thinking: ‘But what does this have to do with managers and leaders?’ The

answer? Everything. Mental health as a leadership skill is invaluable, but how can we define mental health as a skill? For me it is an umbrella term for a range of incredibly important and empowering skills such as selfawareness, empathy, boundary setting, approachability, active listening, integrity and honesty etc... all these combined with the skills you will have hopefully learnt in your managerial training has the potential to create the foundation of your healthy workplace environment. So how can leaders start practically checking in on the team’s mental health?

Don’t underestimate the power of an effective check in! These can have all kinds of names: one-to-one’s, appraisals, performance reviews etc... but done correctly these can be a game changer. Tips of a effective check in:

• Actually check in! Don’t just talk about work, how are they really doing? What’s going on at home? Do they need anything from you as an employer? Flexi time has got to be better for the company than being signed off for two weeks, right?

• Clarity – uncertainty fuels anxiety. Making sure you’re on the same page with expectations, deadlines and projects. Do you really know what each of your team is working on?

• Capacity – normalise realistic workloads levels and voicing that these levels may change due

to outside influences, creating the space and comfort for these conversations should they arise.

• Vulnerability – sorry but you’re not perfect, share your struggles and challenges, showing compassion and understanding again creates the comfort for conversation.

• Get to know your team - these are real people, not just numbers on a screen. How is their family made up? You don’t want to be asking about Father’s Day plans if someone has lost their dad do you? Sending a bunch of beautiful lilies to congratulate a bride on their wedding day but not knowing they are highly allergic. Rewarding a promotion by gifting a bottle of champagne to someone in recovery. Put some effort into learning about them, not just the professional strengths and weaknesses.

Bottom line is mental health support isn’t ‘soft’ – it’s strategic.

Creating a healthy work environment will hopefully help create a healthy, productive and motivated workforce. What company doesn’t want that? It’s not a case of handholding the staff, it’s empowering and inspiring them to grow and thrive in their roles. Richard Branson once said: ‘Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.’ If you don’t care about them, why should they care about you?

It’s time to put mental health support where it belongs, at the centre of how we lead.

Feature: Health in the Workplace

Keeping Christmas inclusive

The office party; Secret Santa; drinks and nibbles – celebrating Christmas is commonplace in the workplace, and many workers look forward to the chance to let their hair down every December. However, there are also many members of the workforce that either do not celebrate Christmas, or wish to do so in their own way. With this in mind, Business Connect explores how you can create an inclusive environment for all to enjoy during the festive period.

Listen to your employees

It is critical for employees to avoid making assumptions about how people celebrate the festive period. Some may celebrate it as a religious holiday and some as a cultural tradition, while others might not observe it at all.

With this in mind, it is important to remember that inclusivity begins with open conversation. Before planning your festive celebration, take the opportunity to discuss the different ways people might mark the holiday, as this will allow you to shape the proceedings in a way that is culturally sensitive to all staff.

Listening actively and responding thoughtfully will ensure that all your staff feel heard. This will prevent assumptions about how the team wants to celebrate – or whether they wish to celebrate at all.

Celebrating all faiths

Christmas is often regarded as the ‘default’ religious celebration in the UK, and many workplaces close down from Christmas to New Year to allow employees to relax and celebrate with their families and loved ones. However, it’s important for employers to acknowledge that not all of their staff will recognise Christmas as a significant holiday.

Feature: Corporate Christmas

An inclusive employer should observe the calendar of religious celebrations and festivals all year long, and ensure their employees feel their faith is represented, acknowledged and respected. You could consider giving employees the chance to decide whether they work across the Christmas period or use that time at a different point in the year to mark an occasion that is important to their beliefs. You can also celebrate other religious holidays throughout the year. Not only is a great way to make employees of other faiths feel included, it is also an opportunity for the rest of your staff to learn about other faiths and cultures.

The question of alcohol

‘It is critical for employees to avoid making assumptions about how people celebrate’

However, this is not to say that employees of other faiths should not be permitted to join in your Christmas celebrations. They may appreciate and look forward to your workplace Christmas rituals, such as decorating the office or going out for a team meal, and should be made to feel welcome if they choose to take part.

It’s common for Christmas parties to include alcohol (sometimes in large quantities!) but it’s vitally important to cater for those who don’t drink for religious or personal reasons. While all pubs and venues will offer non-alcoholic options such as soft drinks, it’s important to keep in mind the overall atmosphere of the Christmas party, as a setting where the focus is on drinking might make people uncomfortable. Instead of the classic boozefuelled party, consider hosting an event that will cater for non-drinkers that will still be fun and enjoyable for all. An afternoon festive lunch can be a classy affair, but you could also do something completely out of the box and organise an activity, such as an escape room, crazy golf or go-karting. Here, the emphasis will be on having a good time and enjoying each other’s company, and not on who’s going to be hauled in front of HR on Monday morning…

Feature: Corporate Christmas

Saving money at Christmas

‘Encourage your staff to donate to charitable organisations’

Christmas will soon be upon us, and with it, the joy and excitement that comes with giving and receiving gifts. Exchanging presents is a great way to encourage camaraderie and express admiration for co-workers and team members – after all, everyone likes to feel appreciated for a year’s worth of hard work or a job well done. However, with rising cost of living concerns, you might find your employees saying ‘bah humbug!’ at the thought of a costly gift exchange. With this in mind, Business Connect looks at some ways to spread Christmas cheer without breaking the bank.

Second-hand Santa

Secret Santa is a staple of the workplace Christmas celebration, but even with an upper spending limit in place, it can be stressful, or even a let-down. How often have you received a gift someone that doesn’t know you that well? Chances are, it gets thrown in a drawer (or the bin!) and forgotten about. Second-hand Santa provides a timely twist on the classic game. Instead of buying something new, participants are encouraged instead to shop at charity shops or regift a pre-loved item. This way, it not only helps people save money, but it also cuts down on the demand for new, novelty items that may end up in landfill by New Year’s Eve.

Get involved with charitable causes

Instead of gift exchanges, encourage your staff to donate to charitable organisations instead. To incentive your staff to get on

board, consider part-matching their donations, which will not only boost the charity but also reinforce your company’s commitment to CSR. To further incentivise participation, your organisation may want to consider part-matching employees' donations, which increases the impact and reinforces the company's commitment to social responsibility.

Reverse advent calendar Advent calendars are the mainstay of children (and the young at heart) but more and more workplaces are adopting a reverse advent calendar instead as a way of giving back and spreading festive cheer. The concept is simple – instead of opening a window and collecting a treat each day in December, an item is donated every day instead. By the end of the month, your workforce will have created a hamper (or multiple) that can be donated to a local foodbank or charity, helping out those less fortunate. Reverse advent calendars not

only foster community spirit and goodwill toward all men and provide an opportunity for staff to get involved with local initiatives.

Volunteer

During the busy Christmas period, many charities need all the help they can get –whether it’s working in a soup kitchen, wrapping and delivering toys for sick children or visiting an elderly person who can’t get out and enjoy the festivities, there are plenty of ways to get involved with charitable endeavours at this time of year.

So, instead of the usual gift exchange, ask your staff to give their time instead. Rather than attending a party or staff meal, staff can instead spend a few hours volunteering for a local charity. It won’t cost a penny but the impact will be longlasting.

Feature: Made in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire manufacturers get a digital innovation boost

historic firms have the chance to take their businesses into the future, thanks to a massive funding boost.

Hundreds of manufacturing businesses across Yorkshire have put themselves at the forefront of enhancing their business through digital innovation – and now more can join them after a further £2.4m was received to support the region’s digital ambitions.

Since 2021, the “Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber” programme has supported more than 700 Yorkshire manufacturing businesses to take up digital adoption projects to improve efficiency and productivity, boosting the strength of manufacturing across the region.

Now, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has received £2.4m funding to deliver the Made Smarter programme across Yorkshire in 2025/26, opening up

the opportunities to more companies.

South Yorkshire mayor’s Oliver Coppard said: “Yorkshire’s manufacturers are showing the rest of the country what it means to lead from the front – embracing digital innovation to boost productivity,

create good jobs, and build a stronger, greener economy.

“This new £2.4m investment in the Made Smarter programme is another vote of confidence in our region’s potential. It’s a recognition that when we back our businesses with the right tools and support, they deliver –driving growth not just for Yorkshire, but for the whole country.

“In South Yorkshire, we’re proud to be home to world-class companies and cutting-edge sectors. But more than that, we’re building an economy that works for everyone - where people have the opportunity to thrive, right here in the place they call home.”

Among the businesses benefitting from Made Smarter across Yorkshire have been:

1. Investment in a new robot for Filey-based Hunprenco which can operate more than one machine 24

hours a day, meaning staff can be deployed elsewhere to improve the company’s efficiency. The funding meant the robot could be bought 18 months earlier than expected.

2. York’s Choc Affair moving from labelling 600,000 chocolate bars to 1.5 million per year, increasing their growth potential.

3. Introducing new packing automation and business software to improve efficiency and reduce costs at Sheffield-based Labfacility. The new packaging machine has made the process at least twice as efficient, while the software introduction is helping the company make better data-driven decisions, improving operational efficiency and streamlining processes.

4. Moving from a paper-based to a digital system has helped Visual Systems Healthcare in Huddersfield

Oliver Coppard

streamline its operations including reducing manual data entry by 75% across sales, production and dispatch processes. This has improved data accuracy and enabled them to process orders much more quickly. Extending its digital strategy now includes the intention to develop a new range of digitally enhanced healthcare products.

5. Detech Europe in Bewholme, East Yorkshire, fitted out a new room which can demonstrate to potential customers the effectiveness of Detech’s automated products which inspect printed circuit boards in seconds, with accuracy which exceeds expectations.

Since 2021, Made Smarter support has helped businesses by offering specialist digital advice and roadmaps, as well as grants, technical project support, and senior digital change management training. With new funding, this package of support will also include access to digital internships, wider digital change management training, and more project funding opportunities. Leadership training, organisational workforce development and digital internships will be delivered by Sheffield Hallam University. Digital roadmaps and intensive technical support will be delivered by RTC North.

Feature: Made in South Yorkshire

‘We’re proud to be home to world-class companies’

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “A manufacturing powerhouse, Yorkshire is once again driving an industrial revolution for this new age of science and technology, unlocking UK growth and prosperity.

“But to maximise and deliver on our incredible assets and potential, our businesses must get the support they need to embrace new technologies, boost their productivity, upskill their workforce and create new jobs.

“By coming together under our White Rose banner and with the backing of Government, our Made Smarter initiative will give manufacturing businesses across God’s own country the support they need to succeed, helping us build a stronger, brighter Britain that works for all.”

Luke Campbell MBE, mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “We will make sure manufacturing businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire know about the financial support and expertise on offer to help adopt new digital technologies, so it can help improve their competitiveness and efficiency.

“We have some fantastic Advanced Manufacturing businesses here in sectors such as Life Sciences, MedTech and New Energy. We’ve also got the strength of a UK-leading university in AI education on our doorstep.

"Thanks to HEYCA teaming up with other Combined Authorities across Yorkshire, we can make this support available to local firms through the Made Smarter programme. I hope many businesses will apply and benefit.”

David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “When we invest in our businesses to make them more competitive and productive, we secure jobs and boost communities across York and North Yorkshire.

“This is felt in our rural and coastal towns when we support businesses like Hunprenco in Filey as well as our cities when Choc Affair in York uses the funding to scale up production.

“Now with an additional £2.4m for Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber, we can give more businesses and communities the tools they need to thrive.

“By working across our regions, we can attract more investment for our businesses and ensure that Yorkshire and the Humber can continue to lead the way in manufacturing.”

Tracy Brabin

Luke Campbell MBE

David Skaith

Sector Focus

The latest news from South Yorkshire businesses operating in the Digital & Technology, Green Business, Legal & Finance, Manufacturing & Engineering, International Trade, Motoring, Skills & Training and Corporate Hospitality sectors.

Innovation flies high at defence tech hackathon

On 20 July 2025, engineers, technologists, and innovators gathered at Sheffield’s Pennine Five for the final day of the European Defence Tech Hackathon, a landmark event focused on developing rapid, deployable solutions to urgent defence and humanitarian challenges.

Hosted over three days in the heart of Sheffield’s Innovation Spine, the hackathon brought together over 70 participants, with contributors joining remotely from across Europe. Designed to bridge cutting-edge innovation with realworld operational needs, the event reflects a growing emphasis on sovereign capability and dual-use technologies across the UK and allied nations.

The programme opened on Friday 18 July with a mission briefing based on operational inputs in collaboration with the

Over 70 participants took part

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and UK-based defence partners. From there, participants formed teams and began developing solutions to complex field challenges, ranging from drone interception and EW (electronic warfare) countermeasures to battlefield communications and AI-assisted targeting systems.

Teams also had the opportunity to build their own drones using

Pilotix drone kits, providing handson technical experience with hardware under realistic mission constraints.

“By hosting this event in Sheffield, we’re reinforcing the role of regional innovation hubs in supporting national resilience and dual-use capability development,” said Peter Hopton of Atuin Ventures.

Winning projects included:

• First Place – GUI for Personal Impact Ballistic Alert System Fredrik Mayer, Kamil Amin, Gabriele Barteskaite.

• Second Place – Stronghold AI: Electronic Warfare Defence Against FPV Drones Rafael Licursi, Jonathan Armstrong.

• Third Place – Autonomous Targeting for Low-Cost Drone Interceptors Hugh Hopkins, Tim Swait.

Challenge sets addressed topics such as last-mile navigation in

‘Pennine Five is right at the centre of Sheffield’s growing tech scene’

GNSS-denied environments, situational awareness for frontline medics, and protection against drone-based threats in contested airspace.

The event was hosted at Pennine Five, a landmark redevelopment and growing tech community at the centre of Sheffield’s Innovation Spine –home to a growing cluster of advanced technology firms, digital start-ups, and innovation-led organisations.

Pennine Five is right at the centre of Sheffield’s growing tech scene,” said Jeremy Hughes, director at RBH Properties. “We’re building a place where ambitious, futurethinking companies can grow. It’s exciting to see the kind of talent that’s coming through the doors.”

The European Defence Tech Hackathon was delivered in collaboration with Resilience Media, TECH SY, Pilotix, Atuin.Ventures, Inflection.xyz, and DroneAid Collective.

We’re proud to support awards

By Mike Smith (pictured), managing director, TwentyFour IT Services

TwentyFour IT Services have been named Headline Sponsor for the 2025 Doncaster Business Awards, taking place on 11 December at Doncaster Racecourse.

This milestone is far more than just a sponsorship – it’s a reflection of our deep-rooted commitment to our business community and the region that’s shaped so much of our growth journey over the past 10 years.

From our beginnings as a nine-person operation to now supporting over 15,000 users across 17 countries, our history has always been grounded in South Yorkshire. Back in 2014, we were thrilled to win Small Business of the Year. That moment was a springboard to continued investment in 2017, our growth, since then, has been consistent and purposeful. Today, we employ more than 50 highly skilled and talented team members.

Over the past year alone, we've been lucky enough to see our end user support base grow by more than 30%, and our internal team increase by 14. But this is not cause for complacency.

Our average customer satisfaction rating of 98% throughout 2024 speaks volumes about the standards we strive for, far exceeding the industry average of 78% for IT Support and SaaS providers. Our aim is to be the silent engine behind client success, always on, always reliable.

Taking on the headline sponsorship of the Doncaster Business Awards feels like the natural next step. This isn’t just about brand visibility, it’s about celebrating the remarkable work being done by companies (you) in our local area. The awards bring together nearly 1,000

professionals each year to celebrate resilience, innovation and collaboration, values that sit at our very heart.

We’ve never been ones to just ‘turn up’. Whether through Business Connect, our talks on cyber security, AI and automation, or our longstanding support of Doncaster Knights at Castle Park, we’re active in helping our local business community grow and thrive. We’re heavily invested in people, training, innovative new services & solutions, and culture, to ensure our teams are equipped to meet the evolving challenges of tomorrow.

The Doncaster Business Awards are a celebration of everything our local city stands for. We’re thrilled to play our part and look forward to joining the finalists, partners, and friends in applauding what makes Doncaster truly great.

Sector Focus: Green Business

MOPO secures funding from Innovate UK

MOPO, a UK-based clean energy technology company specialising in sustainable energy solutions through pay-peruse battery rentals, has secured £1m in funding via Innovate UK, on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), to expand its generator replacement MOPOMax pay-per-use battery rental business in Nigeria. Following the funding, MOPO is delighted to be joining ZE-Gen’s international initiative to end the use of polluting fossil fuel generators.

Launched at COP27, ZE-Gen, is the leading international initiative working to improve the lives of people across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region by driving the use of renewable energy in place of polluting fossil fuel generators.

MOPO’s business is revolutionising access to sustainable energy for millions of households and businesses across

both urban and rural communities in Africa, which suffer from unstable or no electricity infrastructure. It offers two types of MOPO battery rentals: the compact MOPO50, ideal for lighting, phone charging, and powering DC appliances, and the larger MOPOMax, designed to power larger 230V appliances, replacing petrol generators or serve as a battery swap solution for emotorbike taxis.

Customers rent, return, and replace these MOPO batteries on a pay-per-use basis at MOPO’s solarpowered hubs, which are managed by local agents. This approach enables families and small businesses to access affordable electricity without the need for costly upfront investments in equipment or the need for consumer debt burdens.

MOPO is one of six companies that have secured part of £4.84m funding for the ZE-Gen

Demonstrators from DESNZ as part of the UK government’s Ayrton Fund.

MOPO CEO Chris Longbothom said: “Our innovative pay-per-use battery rental model continues to be recognised as a high-impact solution for delivering affordable, sustainable energy across Africa. Access to energy is fundamental to economic growth, and MOPO empowers households and small businesses by providing electricity

Mayor welcomes energy minister to Rotherham

South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard, has welcomed minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh MP (pictured) to Maltby, Rotherham, to see first-hand how investment in energy efficiency is transforming lives and homes across the borough.

Nearly one in five households in South Yorkshire are living in fuel poverty - often in homes that are cold, draughty, and expensive to heat. That’s not just a cost-of-living issue, it’s a health issue, a climate issue, and a fairness issue.

Domestic homes account for 39% of the region’s carbon emissions, and 60% of properties in South Yorkshire fall below an EPC Band C rating. That means the majority of homes are not energy efficient and local residents are paying the price.

The minister and the mayor visited Linden Drive, Redwood Drive and surrounding roads in Maltby, meeting with local residents, staff from Rotherham Council and sustainable regeneration specialist Equans, the contractor responsible for the work, to hear how government investment and local initiatives are tackling fuel poverty, cutting carbon emissions, and bringing down bills.

South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said: “When we work together – government, councils, housing associations, landlords and most importantly, our residents – we can make real, lasting change. We can build a South Yorkshire

where no one has to choose between heating and eating. A region where everyone can live in a warm, safe, and affordable home.

“The government’s Warm Homes Plan is a step in the right direction, and I’m proud that here in South Yorkshire, we’re stepping up too. That’s why it was great to welcome the energy minister to Maltby today, to see what a real difference investing in warm homes can make. Warmer homes mean lower bills, better health, and a cleaner future.”

Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh MP said: “It was fantastic to visit Rotherham, seeing first-hand how transformative energy saving upgrades can be used to help ease the cost of living.

“Our Warm Homes Plan – backed by £13.2bn, will help upgrade millions of homes, tackling fuel poverty and lowering energy bills for households across the country.”

130 homes in and around Maltby were part of a pilot project to install thermal improvement measures. Some properties also received new roofs. As a result, families are saving in excess of £400 a year on their energy bills.

without the burden of high upfront equipment costs. We are already facilitating over one million rentals per month, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with ZE-Gen to finance the further expansion of our MOPOMax generator-replacement business in Nigeria, one of our key markets. Together, we’re making clean, affordable energy accessible to those who need it most, while fostering long-term growth in the communities we serve.”

MOPO’s solar powered hubs are managed by local agents

Sector Focus: Legal & Finance

Navigating business insolvency: trends and survival strategies

By Paul Hargreaves (pictured), licensed insolvency practitioner, Nexus Corporate Solutions Limited

The UK business landscape in 2025 is marked by persistent economic challenges, with rising costs, shifting tax policies, and global uncertainties impacting companies across various sectors. Recent data from the Insolvency Service highlights a concerning trend in corporate insolvencies, underscoring the need for businesses to adopt proactive strategies to navigate these turbulent times.

Current UK insolvency landscape

According to the Insolvency Service, in March 2025, there were 1,992 registered company insolvencies in England and Wales, a nine per cent increase compared to the same month the previous year. Of these, 1,543 were creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), accounting for 77% of the total. Compulsory liquidations and administrations also saw upticks, indicating a broader strain on businesses.

underscores the region's significant exposure to insolvency risks.

Sector-specific distress

The construction sector in Yorkshire was particularly affected, with 6,925 businesses identified as financially distressed – a 26.3% increase from the previous year. This trend mirrors the national situation, where the construction industry has been the most impacted by administrations.

Additionally, the food and drink sector in Yorkshire experienced a significant rise in distress. The number of distressed food and drug retailers increased by 44.5% yearon-year, while food and beverage production saw a 34.6% rise in distress.

Factors contributing to financial distress

Several factors have contributed to the financial challenges faced by businesses in Yorkshire:

community. In January 2025, the region saw a 35% increase in new business start-ups compared to December 2024, indicating a potential rebound and entrepreneurial optimism. However, businesses must remain vigilant. The ongoing economic pressures necessitate proactive financial management and strategic planning to navigate the uncertainties ahead.

Strategies for business survival

In light of these challenges, businesses must adopt strategic measures to enhance resilience and ensure long-term viability:

1. Financial prudence and cash flow management

Maintaining robust cash flow is crucial. Businesses should implement stringent financial controls, monitor expenses closely, and explore cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.

2. Diversification of revenue streams

Relying on a single revenue source can increase vulnerability. Exploring new markets, products, or services can provide additional income streams and reduce dependency on fluctuating sectors.

The construction, retail, and hospitality sectors have been particularly affected, with high-profile collapses leading to significant job losses. Factors contributing to this trend include weak consumer confidence, higher borrowing costs, increased national insurance contributions, and a raised national minimum wage.

Insolvency trends in Yorkshire

Seventy-five companies in Yorkshire entered administration during the first nine months of 2024, a decrease from 97 in the same period the previous year. Despite this decline, the construction and manufacturing sectors remained vulnerable. The building and construction sector reported 13 administrations, while industrial manufacturing saw 12 cases, aligning with national patterns.

Further analysis revealed that Yorkshire and The Humber accounted for 11% of UK administrations in the first half of 2024, the third-highest regional share. This percentage

• Economic uncertainty: Ongoing geopolitical instability and fluctuating consumer confidence have created an unpredictable business environment.

• Inflation and interest rates: Rising inflation and high interest rates have increased operational costs, particularly for capitalintensive industries like construction and manufacturing.

• Supply chain disruptions: Ongoing supply chain issues have led to delays and increased costs, affecting production and profitability.

• Sector-specific challenges: Industries such as food and drink production have faced increased competition and changing consumer preferences, impacting their financial stability.

Outlook for 2025

Despite the challenges, there are signs of resilience within the Yorkshire business

3. Engagement with financial advisors

Seeking advice from accountants and insolvency practitioners can provide valuable insights into managing debt, restructuring operations, and exploring funding options.

4. Employee retention and engagement

Employees are a vital asset. Investing in staff development, maintaining open communication, and fostering a positive work environment can enhance productivity and reduce turnover. Engaged employees are more likely to contribute to the company’s success during challenging periods.

5. Adaptation to market changes

Staying attuned to market trends and consumer preferences allows businesses to adapt swiftly. Flexibility in operations, such as adjusting product offerings or modifying business models, can help meet evolving demands and maintain competitiveness.

Law firm secures dentist’s dream

Specialist legal teams from Sheffield-based Mason Thomas Law and Chesterfieldbased CMP Legal have enabled a dentist to realise her long-held dream to acquire her own dental practise.

The purchase of Number One Dental Surgery and the property, on 307 Durham Road in Consett. County Durham, follows an eight-year search by Dr. Asqa Burki to acquire her own dental practice.

The successful acquisition of Number One Dental Surgery follows an attempt in 2022 to buy another dental practice which, unfortunately failed. It was the positive experience with both CMP Legal and Mason Thomas Law in 2022 that led her to approach both firms again when she found another opportunity.

“I turned immediately to Mason Thomas Law and CMP Legal when my offer on Durham Road was accepted. During my earlier attempt to buy a practice, the communication and attention to detail of both legal teams had really impressed me. They were also very thorough when it came to due diligence. I had no hesitation in using them again. They have held my hand and guided me through every step of the purchase of Number One Dental Surgery.”

Dr. Burki praised the responsiveness of Mason Thomas Law and associate solicitor Candice Birch (pictured) who handled the property purchase.

She said: “Candice was brilliant. She helped all the way, answering all my questions about the property purchase quickly and clarifying everything for me. I shall be using Mason Thomas Law again for future additions to my growing dental practice business."

Dr. Burki is not stopping at one practice. She is already looking to purchase a second practice in Sunderland to add to her growing empire.

Candice Birch

Sector Focus: Manufacturing & Engineering Factory opens its doors for exclusive event

Yorkshire-based offsite manufacturer, Thurston Group, opened its doors for an exclusive event with trade body, Made in Yorkshire, as it showcased the improvements made to its company culture, digital infrastructure and facilities in recent years. The firm is targeting £104m turnover by 2027.

Thurston Group currently turns over £51m and employs 377 talented staff across four sites in Yorkshire.

It is growing at an impressive rate, having recently acquired Storplan, a specialist fabrication business, and the assets of Alsim System Building, a temporary living and

secure accommodation specialist, following its insolvency.

The Made in Yorkshire Factory Tour saw Thurston open its doors to over 40 manufacturers from the national Made In network, including Rolls-Royce PLC, Trojan Baths, and A.W. Hainsworth & Sons.

The event kicked off with a candid talk from Thurston’s managing director, Matt Goff, before attendees embarked on a tour around the working factory, they then returned to a panel discussion.

Matt’s presentation prominently featured Thurston’s remarkable growth, directly attributing it to the leadership team’s forward-thinking

embrace of digital transformation.

As part of the factory tours, Thuston showcased its newly renovated machine shop, demonstrating the evolving integration of automation in its processes, a transformation delivered in partnership with Software as a Service company, WrxFlo.

Speaking about the event, Matt Goff, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Made in Yorkshire community to our site.

“This is a really important time for our business as we’re implementing technologies that are allowing us to truly level up our business.”

Investment creates hundreds of jobs

Oliver Coppard, mayor of South Yorkshire, has responded to the news that hundreds of high skilled jobs are to be created in Sheffield after Taiwanese advanced manufacturing company Walsin Lihwa (WL) announced a major investment for Special Melted Products (SMP).

The mayor (pictured) said: “Walsin Lihwa choosing to invest in SMP and build their new research and development centre in South Yorkshire is a huge vote of confidence in our region’s talent, innovation and expertise, and the advanced manufacturing ecosystem we’re creating here.

“I promised to build a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire, creating good jobs in the industries of the future.

“I’m proud my office has been able to provide support that has helped to unlock this major investment, offering new jobs and opportunities, and bolstering our world leading steel industry.

“We have always been known for our strengths in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and industrial excellence.

“Walsin Lihwa’s investment builds on our legacy, reaffirming South Yorkshire’s place at the heart of UK high-value manufacturing and innovation.”

Made in Yorkshire toured the factory

Thurston’s managing director, Matt Goff

Sector Focus: International Trade

‘Any disruption in shipping lanes often has a ripple effect on global trade’

Not all plain sailing: the key disruptions to shipping routes

By Andrew Ford (pictured), branch manager at Davies Turner Rotherham

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran, shippers are facing new challenges that could disrupt supply chains and impact shipping routes in the region.

At the forefront of these issues is the potential for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that sees a significant portion of global oil shipments. This situation, along with potential security concerns, has led many companies to reassess their logistics strategies when shipping to or from the Middle East.

Already there has been airlines cancelling and adjusting flight schedules, heavily restricting availability for flights that tranship and stopover in the Middle East. The reduced accessibility to these flights, along with increased risk to airlines will increase the Air freight rates.

For businesses relying on ocean freight to move goods through this region, it’s essential to stay informed and prepare for potential disruptions. Here are a few items to consider:

1. Monitor key shipping routes closely

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping lane that connects the Middle East Gulf to the rest of the world. If tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, there is a real risk that the strait could be closed or restricted, significantly disrupting global shipping operations. In such a case, alternative routes may be necessary, but these routes could be longer and more expensive. Keeping an eye on real-time shipping updates from your freight forwarder will be key to ensuring you are aware of any changes.

2. Prepare for port congestion and delays

In the event of disruptions, port congestion is a common consequence. When vessels are forced to reroute or delayed, ports can become overcrowded, resulting in longer waiting times for ships to dock and unload. This can also lead to delays

in getting cargo to its final destination. It’s important to allow for flexibility in your shipping timelines and communicate with your logistics providers about the expected delivery schedules as well as being transparent with clients as there will be little opportunity for “just in time” deliveries due to uncertain delays.

3. Understand the impact of rising costs

Any disruption in shipping lanes often has a ripple effect on global trade, particularly in the form of rising shipping costs. Carriers may introduce a "surcharge" to offset the increased risk and operational costs associated with navigating the region. This may also affect Marine Insurance premiums, both annually and ad hoc. Shippers should be prepared for potential increases in freight rates and plan their budgets accordingly.

4. Stay updated on carrier communications

Carriers remain committed to delivering the best possible service, but the safety of crews, vessels, and cargo is always their top priority.

Given the volatile situation, carriers are closely monitoring developments and may make adjustments to their operations based on unfolding events. It’s crucial to stay in constant communication with your freight forwarders and carriers. They will provide timely and transparent updates on any operational changes that may affect your shipments.

While the geopolitical situation in the Middle East poses unique challenges for ocean freight, staying informed, adaptable, and proactive will help businesses manage the risks associated with shipping in this region. By closely monitoring shipping routes, preparing for potential delays, understanding the impact of rising costs, and maintaining open lines of communication with your freight forwarder, you can ensure your supply chain remains resilient in these uncertain times.

It’s my Civic duty to recommend

this glorious hot hatch…

The Vital Statistics

MODEL: Honda Civic Type R

ENGINE: 1996cc, 329PS four-cylinder VTEC petrol engine, driving front wheels through 6 speed gearbox

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 171 mph. 0-62mph in 5.4 secs

ECONOMY: City: 24.8mpg. Country: 39.8mpg. Combined: 34.4mpg.

Wheel World test average: 24.3mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS: 260g/km

FUEL TANK: 47 litres

PRICE: £52,605

WARRANTY: 3 years/Unlimited miles

WEBSITE: www.honda.co.uk

• All data correct at time of publication.

A hot hatch that’s

as home

on

Sector Focus: Motoring

the road

as it is on a race circuit, DAVID HOOPER reacquaints himself with a hard-core performance car for real enthusiasts.

What a sheer delight this gorgeous Honda Civic Type R has been – it reminded me why I’ve been a petrolhead since I was a toddler and why hot hatches have always been so popular! This is a proper car!

As anodyne and soulless electric vehicles are increasingly forced upon us, a high revving VTEC petrol engine is a joy to behold, so buy one, and enjoy it while you can is my advice.

The last time I drove a Type R was during a Honda launch event at Silverstone with three-time British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden in the passenger seat, chasing another three-time champion Matt Neal in a sister Type R who was giving a demo ride around the circuit to another journo who didn’t fancy driving in the soaking wet conditions. It was great fun, and the grip levels in the wet were highly impressive with minimal understeer even at “almost” competitive speeds, but in the dry, as it was during my recent week with our test car, the responsiveness and grip at the front end was sublime.

A race circuit is the Type R’s spiritual home and where it is probably most suited. This model, like previous generations I’ve driven over the years, is very firmly sprung. You know you’re getting too old and fat when your wobbly bits bounce up and down as the car’s suspension doesn’t, but joking apart, I had to actually slow down at times because the car was moving around so much on our crap road surfaces –

and these were some of Lincolnshire’s finest and most enjoyable flowing A roads. To make it worse, that was before I discovered the R setting, which stiffens up the dampers even more, and sharpens the steering response, which on anything less than a snooker table smooth surface of a track is virtually unusable.

‘This generation is much better with a more linear power delivery’

Other brands may talk about go-kart like handling, but trust me, this Civic takes it to the next level. The slightest turn of the steering wheel results in an instant response from the wheels on the road and the car feels poised and completely composed at all times, although you can provoke some lift-off oversteer without trying too hard!

Power comes from a well-proven 2.0litre four cylinder VTEC engine which now features a turbo to deliver its maximum power of 329PS and 420Nm of torque. Compared to previous models, the turbo gives smoother, more progressive power delivery through the rev range, and better pick up from lower speeds, something the previous incarnations struggled with. They lacked low end torque, and only came on song towards the top end of the power band when the clever VTEC cams did their thing unleashing more power and revving to 8 or 9,000 rpm. It sounded glorious, but was actually quite difficult to keep in the power band when driving quickly.

This generation is much better with a more linear power delivery and a much better torque curve, but stirring the close ratio and short throw gearbox still brings rewards – and to save you heel and toeing on the downshifts to match engine and gearbox speeds, the car does it for you, which makes you sound like a pro driver even if you’re not.

The 0-62mph sprint is despatched in just 5.4 seconds and there’s a potential top speed of 171mph! There’s a plethora of information on a selection of screens on the central display, showing key temperatures, turbo boost pressures and G-force meters, while one of the dials in front of the driver can be configured to become a lap counter to check your own lap times on a track day – just don’t tell the organisers!

Inside, the bright red upholstery does look outrageously bold and sporty, but I loved it, and the sports seats hold you firmly in place, despite the Gforces the car can generate. It’s the nearest thing I’ve driven to a race car since… I was racing!

Honda has a proud motorsport heritage, and this Type R almost pays homage to the brand’s successes –another bit of trivia is that Type R is the fastest frontwheel-drive car to have driven the Suzuka circuit, completing a lap in just two minutes and 23 seconds, but still a bit slower than Kimi Antonelli’s fastest lap at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix when he did a 1.30.9 in his Mercedes F1 car.

All this fun comes at a sobering price though. Somehow, this Honda Civic will now cost you a whopping £52,605 on the road, but you know what, if you can afford one, and you’re a “driver”, I don’t think you’d regret a penny of it!

Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Conference seeks to enact social change

National academic and political leaders headlined the 12th People, Place and Policy (PPP) Annual Conference in Sheffield on 11 July.

The conference – hosted by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University – was opened by Lord David Blunkett, and focused on discussions around social policy in a dynamically changing political world.

Speakers explored what the prospects are for enacting change toward greater social, political, environmental and economic justice in a period of political transition. As societies grapple with the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic, growing digital divides, a cost-of-living crisis, and the escalating climate crisis, research and practice are at the forefront of understanding these challenges and devising solutions.

Dr Sadie Parr, senior research fellow in Sheffield Hallam’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), said: “Today’s political landscape is constantly

changing. This comes with challenges for those working in social policy and research, but also opportunities as the possibility of real progressive change opens up.

“The conference is all about how we can manage this dynamic landscape, and achieve real, tangible outcomes through transformative social policy.

“From long-standing inequalities to the development of new policy frameworks aimed at fostering inclusion, these discussions

encouraged critical reflection on how positive change is possible in the modern world.”

Opening the conference with a presentation on using communitarianism as a bulwark against populism, Lord David Blunkett said: “One key counterweight to populism globally or nationally is building democratic engagement from the bottom up. Communitarianism, which engages people in their own neighbourhood and community – both directly and using modern technology in order to empower those who feel alienated from democratic and traditional political systems – is both educative and fulfilling.

“In that way, men and women can be involved in demonstrating what works, and be part of the delivery process. Decentralising is not just about institutions and devolved Authorities, but much more understanding of both the challenges and possibilities when active citizenship and dynamic democratic forces can be mobilised to bring about definable and significant change.”

Climate action project inspires children

School pupils from across South Yorkshire have come together to celebrate a successful climate action project which has supported more than 600 children to understand the importance of sustainability.

Young people from 50 schools in the region took part in the Children’s University ‘Project in a Box: Think Climate’, which delivers a range of climate and sustainabilityfocused activities to engage children and young people in thinking about sustainability and how climate change affects our day to day lives.

The project was being delivered as part of the South Yorkshire Children’s University, which is jointly funded by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. Using the Children’s University Project in a Box model, Think Climate was designed and led by Lee Jowett, Climate Change and Sustainability Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.

as growing green roof tiles, building and racing reusable land yachts and designing a low-carbon pizza.

The Think Climate resources also include takehome tips for pupils to share with their families, to encourage them to continue with their own climate initiatives at home.

‘The Think Climate project exemplifies our universities’

Lee Jowett said: “In a time when climate action is more urgent than ever, schools are seeking support to help the next generation understand and address the impacts of climate change. Our educational box supports school staff in achieving this in an empowering and meaningful way, to educate the next generation and is solution focussed which from our research is important.”

Professor Liz Mossop, Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor, said: “This fantastic initiative demonstrates the power of collaborative education in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Seeing over 600 young people from across South Yorkshire actively engage with climate science and sustainability through hands-on learning fills me with hope for the future.

“The Think Climate project exemplifies our universities’ commitment to fostering environmental stewardship in the next generation; while providing educators with the practical tools they need to make complex topics accessible and inspiring."

Dave Forrest, deputy vice-president for education at the University of Sheffield, said:

“We’re proud to support an initiative that nurtures young minds and inspires them to dream big, while actively engaging with some of the most urgent global challenges of our time.

The boxes include different climate-themed activities and resources, enabling school staff to deliver eight extra-curricular sessions to their pupils. Packed into their own reusable boxes, the sessions each contain fun, learning activities such

The Project in a Box model was developed by Sheffield Children’s University and has been running in the city for over 10 years, and the project expanded across South Yorkshire for the first time in 2023. The model of providing sustainable resources as well as confidencebuilding training and support for school staff has proven hugely successful in helping children to learn about important topics in an empowering and engaging way.

“It was a real joy to join so many children from across the region and celebrate the skills they've developed thanks to their hard work, determination and the excellent programme developed and delivered by the Children’s University team.

“We all have our part to play in combating climate change and it’s reassuring to know that the next generation are more than ready to take on that challenge.”

Lord Blunkett

Sheffield Hallam University

Sector Focus: Corporate Hospitality tourism impact of The

The tourism industry is not just important to seaside towns and holiday hotspots –for regions like South Yorkshire, the visitor economy is crucial contributor to the growth of the local economy. Business Connect explores the key benefits of tourism.

Increased revenue

Tourism is a significant source of revenue for towns, cities and regions. Visitors who come to explore a new place spend money, whether that is at hotels and restaurants, shopping in local stores or taking part in unique activities, such as tours, theatre shows or cultural events. As a result, local businesses have the potential to earn more income.

Job creation

As well as revenue, tourism also generates employment opportunities. Firstly, the growth of the tourism industry means more job opportunities for local people in fields such as hospitality, transportation and entertainment, the sectors typically associated with the tourism industry.

Additionally, a bump in tourism can lead to the creation of new businesses, as demand for services creates new opportunities for growth. A town or city seeing an influx in visitors will not only have a higher demand for more accommodation options, restaurants and entertainment facilities, but there will be more opportunities for smaller, independent

businesses, such as specialist shops and cafés, to take advantage a higher footfall of visitors. More job opportunities result in lower unemployment opportunities and an increase in standard of living for the local community.

The preservation of culture

Tourism can play a vital role in the preservation of local culture and history, but care must be taken to ensure it is treated with sensitivity and respect.

An obvious example of how tourism can protect local culture is through museums and art galleries. A great number of museums in the UK are free, which make them the perfect activity for visitors (especially on rainy days). Local markets support artisan craft makers and food suppliers, while events, such as music and dance performances, can share the story of a place in creative ways.

Tourism also plays a huge role in helping preserve historic sites and landmarks that otherwise may have been lost to time. The UNESCO World Heritage List identifies and protects cultural and natural heritage sites of universal significance, while in the UK, The National Trust protects and cares for historic

places and natural beauty spots for future generations to enjoy. South Yorkshire and the surrounding area are home to a number of National Trust locations, including Wentworth Castle Gardens (Barnsley), Nostell (near Wakefield) and the Longshaw, Burbage and Eastern Moors (near Sheffield).

Infrastructure

development and improved quality of life

As more visitors come to an area, the need for more and better-quality amenities, including public transportation networks, accommodation and public toilets, increases.

Improved infrastructure will not just benefit tourists though – it can also lead to a better quality of life for locals. For example, improved roads and public transport systems will make it easier for locals to get to work or school, while beauty spots such as parks and community spaces can improve air quality. It is important for councils to give residents a say on the improvements made, as community participation and engagement in infrastructure development projects can empower local residents and enhance social cohesion, making towns and cities better for everyone, residents and visitors alike.

Why a guidedtour holiday might be exactly what you need

By Joe Barber (pictured), personal travel consultant, Travel with Joe and Emily Ltd.

If you’ve ever returned from a holiday feeling like you have barely scratched the surface, you’re definitely not alone. Many travellers book a week or two in one place, only to realise there was so much more they wanted to see.

With the modern-day universe of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it can often leave you feeling like you have missed out on the best places to eat, hidden gems of the destination or simply that you didn’t make the most of your time while you were there.

Enter the touring (or guided-tour) holiday – the often-overlooked answer for those craving depth, variety, and a more immersive travel experience.

Touring holidays are designed to take the hassle out of seeing more in less time. Rather than spending hours planning routes, sorting local transport, or wondering what to prioritise, a tour does the heavy lifting. You simply turn up and soak it all in – from the must-see landmarks to the hidden gems that independent travellers often miss.

One of the biggest perks? Time. Touring holidays are expertly curated to maximise your days without that feeling of being rushed. You’ll explore multiple destinations in one trip, often with knowledgeable guides who bring each stop to life with history, culture and local anecdotes. Whether it’s island hopping in Greece, journeying through Japan’s fascinating cities, or discovering the true beauty of Italy’s Tuscany region, you’ll cover more ground – and come away with a richer understanding of the place.

If you’re the kind of traveller who’s always said, “I don’t just want to sit on a beach,” a tour could be the game-changer you are looking for. It’s a great middle ground between adventure and comfort.

Many tours now cater to different travel styles too – whether you prefer luxury coaches and boutique hotels, or small-group experiences with a local feel. And if you’re worried about being herded around in a crowd –forget the stereotypes. Today’s touring holidays are more flexible, allowing you to choose the one that caters to your needs with free time built in so you can wander, rest, and not feel trapped on a schedule.

They’re also ideal for solo travellers, couples, and even multi-generational families who want someone else to handle the logistics while they focus on enjoying themselves, saving you time and stress. And with sustainability in mind too, group touring is often a greener way to travel – with fewer emissions per person than individual journeys.

If you’ve never considered one before, now might be the perfect time to rethink what a holiday can be. Instead of staying in one spot and missing the bigger picture, a touring holiday offers a well-paced, enriching way to experience more – without any concerns at all.

So next time you’re dreaming of ticking off a country from your bucket list, ask yourself: what if you didn’t just visit – what if you truly toured it?