Business Connect Q4 23

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BUSINESS

PROMOTING ENTERPRISE

connect IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Q4 2023

Business goes with the flow How Riverlution’s Stewardship Partnership is engaging local communities with our rivers Page 30

FEATURE: CONSTRUCTION & REDEVELOPMENT SECTOR FOCUS: DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY PLUS: SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

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Contents

BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

Welcome 5

Ending the year on a positive note and looking forward to a prosperous 2024

Business News 6

Citizens’ Assembly to drive clean growth in the region

8

Doncaster mayor backs airport plan

9

Online retailer sponsors football club

10 Recycling - the easy way to do a bit of good 12 University alumni brighten up walkway 13 When travel can be more about the journey than the destination 14 Plans to improve South Yorkshire’s visitor offering 16 Event to inspire the next generation of STEM stars 18 Inspiring charity leader appointed to new role 19 Pledge to pay Living Wage 20 HS2 scrapped: what next for the north?

22 Connect Profiles: Laura Reilly, Taurus HR Solutions

Features 26 Health in the Workplace First aid at work: what you need to know 28 Construction & Redevelopment Replacement or refurbishment?

30 Environmental Services Cleaning up our local waterways

Sector Focus 32 Corporate Hospitality Christmas on your doorstep 34 Digital & Technology Innovation set to stir up food production industry 37 Finance Golf day raises funds for MNDA 38 Green Business Sustainable construction firm up for award 40 Legal Partnership enhances Yorkshire Dales 42 Manufacturing & Engineering Engineering firm marks a return to profitability 44 Skills & Training Manufacturer brings in fresh talent Q4 2023 BUSINESS connect 3

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Business Connect

4 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

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Business Connect BUSINESS

connect PROMOTING ENTERPRISE IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Welcome ...to Business Connect

PUBLISHED BY

KEMPS PUBLISHING LTD 8, The Courtyard 707 Warwick Road Solihull B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR Laura Blake E: laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk DESIGNER Lloyd Hollingworth ADVERTISING T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk PRINTERS Buxton Press W: www.buxtonpress.com Front cover: The River Stewardship Company works to clean the waterways See page 30 The next issue of BUSINESS CONNECT will be available in February 2024 DISCLAIMER Business Connect is produced by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to businesses without charge. The publishers are committed to achieving the highest quality standards.

While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise.

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Looking forward to a prosperous new year for the region A

castles, cathedrals, national parks and sports nother year is coming to a close. venues, and this new partnership with Visit Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday I was penning the England will put the region firmly on the map foreword for the Q1 edition… as a leading destination for tourists.

The past 12 months have had their ups Late last year we were met with the – and their downs. The recent news announcement of the closure of that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Doncaster Airport – but behind has scrapped the Birminghamthe scenes work is underway to ‘I’m looking Manchester leg of the HS2 reverse the decision, and hope route has certainly been a remains high that the plans forward to huge blow to the north. South will take off (page 8). seeing what the Yorkshire mayor Oliver And our cover story this Coppard has responded to issue looks at the fantastic future has in the news with an urgent call work River Stewardship store’ for clarity (page 20).

Company is doing to clean up But there’s good news, too. the local waterways – not just South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined for the benefit of local wildlife Authority has welcomed the creation but also for the local community to of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership, enjoy for many more generations to come which will set out to improve and grow the (page 30). local visitor economy in the region (pages 14I hope you all have a prosperous new year – 15). South Yorkshire is home to many fantastic I’m looking forward to seeing what the future tourism and cultural offerings, including has in store for South Yorkshire.

Laura Blake EDITOR, BUSINESS CONNECT

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.

Q4 2023 BUSINESS connect 5

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Business News Citizens’ Assembly to drive clean growth in the region outh Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has announced a Citizens’ Assembly to focus on the region’s response to the climate crisis.

The Assembly will be a key driver in devising policies to feed into the mayor’s goal of having an entirely Net Zero economy across the region by 2040.

These include deciding how to make homes more energy-efficient, creating new green job opportunities, and making communities healthier.

Thirty-thousand residents of South Yorkshire will at random receive letters inviting them to join the assembly, with 100 members representative of all local authorities – Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley – making up the final membership.

The 100 members will be focusing on one overarching question: “The way our climate is changing will impact us all. How should we

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Mayor Oliver Coppard

‘Citizens’ assemblies are a new way of doing politics’

6 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

respond, to build a thriving and sustainable future for South Yorkshire?”

The mayor has pledged to abide by the decisions of the assembly, placing decision-making directly into the hands of his constituents.

This innovative approach has one aim: to take control out of the hands of unknown, external forces, and instead give South Yorkshire

the opportunity to forge its own path forward in the race to beat climate change.

Oliver Coppard said: “Citizens’ assemblies are a new way of doing politics that put people at the heart of the way we make decisions.

“We’re now launching the South Yorkshire Citizens’ Assembly because I’m determined to do politics differently, particularly

when it comes to the biggest challenges we face.

“We already know that the way in which the climate is changing is going to have an impact on all of us. We are going to have to change how we live, work and travel.

“But we simply can’t tackle those big questions without listening to and learning from everyone who lives in Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield. That’s why I’m clear that the changes we make to tackle climate change have to be done with people, not to people.

“Because if we get this right it’s also a huge opportunity to create good, new jobs for everyone, working in the industries of the future, and to build a cleaner, greener, happier and healthier South Yorkshire.”

The process will consist of a learning phase, a deliberation phase, and a decision-making phase, spread across 31 hours and nine in-person sessions. The final Assembly makeup is due to be confirmed in mid-October, and all Assembly members and those providing evidence or expertise will be compensated for the time spent.

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Business News

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Business News

Nadeem Shah

Milestone for Doncaster boss Nadeem Shah, managing director of Doncaster-based Vigo Group, marked a landmark milestone in October as he celebrated 50 years in the business.

From humble beginnings to becoming a driving force in the property development industry, Nadeem's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to making places better and improving people's quality of life.

Joining his father's fledgling business at the age of 17, Nadeem demonstrated a profound entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, it was his passion for enhancing communities and the lives of people that truly fuelled his ambitions.

Reflecting on his business philosophy, Nadeem said: “For me, business is about more than just money, obviously, you need that to succeed and to be able to employ people and pay their wages, but there are different ways to go about doing business.

“My approach has always been to try and make things better for people. My handshake has and always will be my word, and I've built a business based on good relationships, meeting with people and listening to what they need.

“I am very lucky. I have worked hard and have built a business that I can be proud of, and that my children and grandchildren can be proud of, but more than that, I hope I've helped to change lives for the better.”

In 2011, Nadeem shared his vision for Doncaster to become a city, and today, that vision has become a reality, bringing him immense joy.

He added: “Doncaster becoming a city is just great news all round. I am Doncaster through and through; it is my home, a place that has given me great opportunities, and I have never felt anything other than welcome in this city. It has always been an amazing place to do business.”

8 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

Doncaster mayor backs airport plan ayor of Doncaster Ros Jones and her Cabinet at City of Doncaster Council (CDC) have given their unanimous support to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

CDC’s Cabinet has supported a wide range of work that has been underway during the last year and critically into 2023, to find a solution to reopening the site which could unlock millions of pounds worth of investment and jobs.

Ros Jones and her cabinet members heard that the airport is a viable proposition and could be in profit within five years of reopening

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leading to increased prosperity for the city and the region.

South Yorkshire Airport City (SYAC) is the name of the programme to reopen the airport which closed last year and to develop a cluster of high value economic activity on the site including employment, retail and leisure as well as returning planes to the sky.

Ros Jones said: “Re-opening Doncaster Sheffield Airport is my number one priority. Finding a solution that would mean so much to local communities and businesses and underline our ambition as one of the UK’s newest cities is crucial.

Simoda site move to create new jobs A Sheffield-based IT and innovative technology company is set to create 50 new jobs over the next two years following its move to a new site at Kelham Island.

Simoda Technology Solutions, which provides cloud services and IT solutions, will make the move to a 6,500 sq ft site on Burton Road later this year.

The new site is nearly triple the size of the company’s current office space at Eagle Works in Kelham Island.

Having previously assisted Simoda with the lease on its Eagle Works premises, specialist property law solicitor Mason Thomas Law has negotiated the 10-year lease with a five-year break clause on the new premises.

The move to The Maltings at 81

Burton Road, which comprises two floors and an annex building, futureproofs the business for the next five years.

As part o f the company’s growth ambitions it hopes to establish a training academy on

Cathy Thomas

“We are hopeful that a lease can be secured and look forward to working with interested parties in the reopening the airport. We have already initially tested the market for those industry experts who can partner with us to get the airport reopened as soon as we can. If we get the lease agreed then reopening the airport will not happen overnight of course but it would be a huge step forward.

“Cabinet was certainly reassured by the tremendous amount of hard work that has happened to date and I would like to thank council staff who have been dedicated to the South Yorkshire City Airport

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Business News

Online retailer renews commitment to football Mattress Online, the UK’s leading independent mattress retailer, has renewed its commitment to its hometown base by sponsoring Rotherham United FC. Rotherham-based Mattress Online previously signed a sponsorship deal with the Millers for the 2022/23 season, as well as a deal with Rotherham United Women FC. Both have both been renewed for the 2023/24 season as the company continues its investment in its local community.

Its Rotherham store, The Bed Shop, sponsors local teams Parkgate FC and Rawmarsh St Joseph’s Juniors.

Mattress Online is dedicated to supporting local communities around its offices in Sheffield and Rotherham, and its stores in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Skipton, ensuring that its wider business strategies have a positive impact on its neighbours.

Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online, said: “Rotherham has been at the heart of Mattress Online from the early days and we remain committed to the

town. We also employ many football fans so establishing these new partnerships is a perfect fit, both in supporting our local communities, but also in being able to provide employees with tickets to games.

“We aim to give back to the communities around us while encouraging more employee recognition, improved wellbeing, and better employee engagement.”

Similarly in Sheffield, home to another of its three physical stores, Mattress Online volunteers in local schools with See It Be It as part of Levelling up Futures in Sheffield (LUFIS) programme to inspire the next generation.

One major charitable aim is to help people living in poverty to access beds.

Mattress Online supports Leeds-based charity Zarach and Sheffield-based Cherrytree Support. The company also provides comprehensive researched support to improve sleep habits in local communities and online, working with The Sleep Geek, Cavendish Cancer Care, and The Sleep Charity.

Supporting the community further afield, and as part of its ESG framework and its ever-growing commitment to help protect the environment, Mattress Online introduced an innovative mattress recycling service in 2015 on a non-profit basis and it continues to pledge to recycle 40% of all mattresses by 2025.

Steve added: “It’s important to us that our efforts as a company are not always about growth but are focused inwards to our employees and outwards to our neighbours and the communities in which we work within.”

‘We aim to give back to the communities around us’

Ros Jones

(SYAC) programme and their work continues.”

Cabinet supported the recommendations to put in place the arrangements to sign a lease if it is agreed as well as other requirements including potential funding support.

It also heard that reopening the airport would be a catalyst for economic growth.

The Simoda team

the second floor of the new building.

The academy will provide training for 18–22 year-olds who want to break into the technology industry.

Daniel Bumby, managing director of Simoda, said: “It was really important for us to remain in Kelham Island.

It offers everything we need to enable us to continue to grow and attract future employees, from car parking to bars and restaurants for after work socialising and team building.

“In just over four years we have gone from strength to strength.

The new office location gives us a fan tastic platform to expand our business, create even more jobs and continue to provide a fantastic service to our customers.”

The company, which currently employs 35 people, was established in 2019 and has grown year-on-year after being established by founders Daniel Bumby and Jason Garner.

Cathy Thomas, solicitor and

managing director of Mason Thomas Law said: “We were delighted to be able to assist Daniel and Jason in securing the new premises for Simoda.

“The growth and journey of their business has been phenomenal, and we feel honoured to have been able to play a very small part in this.”

Daniel added: “I really value vendor and supplier relationships and there is a real alignment between Mason Thomas Law and Simoda.

“Our respective approaches to business enable us to achieve a better end result for our clients and stand out in the marketplace.”

Unlike other technology companies, Simoda’s sales team is not incentivised by commission.

“Our focus is finding the right solution for the client and providing an excellent work-life balance for our staff,” added Daniel.

Simoda aims to be fully operational at the new Burton Road site by the end of October.

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Business News

Recycling - the easy way to do a bit of good L

ocal charity Age UK Rotherham is appealing to businesses to hold recycling collections in their workplaces and help raise funds for older people in the community.

With environmental issues being high on the agenda for many, Age UK Rotherham has teamed up with Recycling for Good Causes and made it easy to recycle some of the more obscure items found around the home and office.

The charity will receive funds for old cameras, mobile phones and tablets; jewellery and watches, stamps, and currency – items that are unused and often found taking up space in the back of cupboards and shelves, so it’s a great way to have a clear out and help a good cause at the same time.

Jack Burton, assistant manager of the Furniture Warehouse, is managing the scheme. He said: “Most people already sort their household rubbish into wheelie bins and pop down to the bottle bank to recycle, but there’s lots of other items that you can recycle and even better, you can do it to raise funds for older people in your community.”

“It’s so easy, all you need to do is get in touch to request a recycling

box and it will be delivered free of charge to your workplace, along with some posters to advertise the scheme. Place the bin, which is the size of an average kitchen pedal bin, in your reception, canteen, or staff room, then when it’s full, just let us know and the bin will be collected for you.”

Taking part in the scheme can help to: • Declutter the office • Meet your business’ environmental objectives

Items that can be recycled in the scheme include: Jewellery and costume jewellery – including gold and silver as well as costume jewellery. It can be plastic, metal, or glass, in fact all types of jewellery in any condition are accepted.

Watches – either working or broken, they can still be recycled.

Currency – foreign and UK notes and coins of any age, even if it is now out of circulation.

Cameras and gadgets – old film and digital cameras, video cameras, games consoles, games and controllers, Satnavs, Mp3 players and iPods can all be recycled in the scheme.

Mobile phones and tablets – any make of mobile phone or tablet, working or not (unfortunately not laptops).

Stamps – any stamps, UK or foreign. Just cut off the envelope leaving a small border around the stamps.

• Fulfil your corporate responsibility goals • Generate team spirit • Gain publicity for your company.

It’s such a great way to raise money for charity without taking it out of your budget or asking for financial donations or sponsorship from employees.

Items for recycling can also be dropped off at the Charity’s Furniture Warehouse on Fitzwilliam Road, S65 1SL Tuesday to Friday between 9 and 4pm.

For more information go to the charity’s website or contact Denise on denise.caldecott@ ageukrotherham.org

Balliante moves into historic building Rotherham-based Balliante has announced a move from a serviced office in the town to the historic Furness House, where it will continue to specialise in IT support, high-end bespoke website design and development, software, hardware and its mission of ‘Innovating Businesses with Technology.’

This significant move signifies a key milestone in their journey to bring business back to the heart of Rotherham and solidify their commitment to the local community.

Furness House was built in 1776. Balliante’s decision to make this building their new headquarters aligns with their goal of reinvigorating Rotherham’s economy and preserving its heritage.

Balliante has been a trusted partner in IT support, providing cuttingedge solutions and a wide array of services, including bespoke solutions and the latest technology.

Craig Boddy, managing director at Balliante, said: “We see our move to Furness House as a symbolic step forward.

“It allows us to not only expand our company and team, but also support more businesses while embracing the rich history of Rotherham and be part of its economic resurgence.

“Furness House will become a hub of innovation, where we’ll continue to specialise in IT solutions and technological advancements that drive business growth.”

Balliante is committed to driving business excellence in Rotherham while providing tailored IT solutions.

10 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

The Balliante team move into their new home

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Business News

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Business News

University alumni brighten up walkway with colourful mural new mural celebrating Sheffield, its people and its places has been painted on the wall by the walkway between Sheffield’s bus and rail stations as part of a project to brighten up the transport interchange facilities.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is working in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University to renovate the space with artistic interventions to make it more friendly. Since 2022 around 400 university students and alumni

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have been involved in a number of projects in and around the building.

“My inspiration for this mural is how people connect to a city, to a place and started to think 'How do I connect to a place when I go on holidays?’”, says former Sheffield Hallam University Design student Molly Jones, who painted the mural.

Museums, parks and landmarks are some of the obvious answers, but the illustrator also thought of public transport, which is how many tourists circulate in new places.

‘I thought the adverts could highlight what locals love about the city’

“Doing some research, I stumbled on some Sheffield bus tickets from the 90s, which have beautiful shapes and forms. I also noticed they had adverts for some of the city’s attractions on the back of them and started working from there. I thought the adverts could highlight what locals love about the city but could also be a guide for those arriving in Sheffield via rail or bus. In the end I used the shapes from the tickets and did a bit of a collage about Sheffield and its places.”

Molly moved to the city to go to university and, as many other students, decided to stay after graduating.

“I think I fell in love with Sheffield when I first came to visit,

while looking at universities across the country. I got a lift with a friend and we parked near Fargate. As soon as we stepped out of the car I saw two big portraits, and then I saw a mural here, another there... and I thought: ‘Wow, this city must really support its artists!' and that has been my experience since.”

The partnership between SYMCA and Sheffield Hallam University's Future Now initiative gives the university students and alumni an opportunity to apply their knowledge and try out different projects while improving the environment at the interchange.

This project is now entering its second year and will expand to other transport interchanges across South Yorkshire.

Razor expands portfolio with acquisition Razor, a prominent technology consultancy based in Sheffield, is thrilled to announce its latest strategic expansion through the acquisition of 50% of Nimbitech, a leading player in Power Platform solutions.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the commitment of the Razor Group to delivering cutting-edge technology services, further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the industry.

Nimbitech's renowned expertise in Power Platform aligns seamlessly with the Razor Group mission to provide innovative, comprehensive technology solutions to its clients.

This strategic move amplifies the group's ability to cater to an even broader range of client needs, harnessing the power of Microsoft's 12 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

Jamie Hinton, CEO of Razor Group (left) with Nick Stewart, CEO of Nimbitech

Power Platform to create tailored applications that streamline processes and drive efficiency.

Jamie Hinton, CEO of Razor Group, said: “We are beyond excited to welcome Nimbitech to the Razor family. Their proficiency in Power Platform is exceptional

and complements our existing strengths perfectly. Joining forces allows us to offer our clients an extended array of services.”

Nick Stewart, CEO of Nimbitech, said: “Joining forces with Razor is a remarkable opportunity for us.

Nimbitech’s company culture is at

the core of its founding, this is something that Razor not only understands but is aligned with in its approach. This collaboration unlocks a wealth of possibilities for us to enhance and diversify our service offerings. We're excited to contribute our expertise to the wider Razor Group portfolio and explore synergies that will undoubtedly benefit our clients.”

This new partnership will see Nimbitech move into Speedwell Works alongside the wider Razor Group, giving access to a wider management team support services and development resource.

As Nimbitech embarks on this new chapter as part of the Razor Group, clients can look forward to an even more comprehensive range of technology solutions backed by a wealth of experience.

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Business News

When travel can be more about the journey than the destination

By John Henshall (pictured), general manager at TravelMaster ravel is a basic need, it’s generally undertaken because you are trying to reach a destination be it work, education or a social activity. Rarely is travel, especially via public transport undertaken purely for the journey. There are of course some exceptions to this but in general this is true of most people.

At TravelMaster, I am regularly looking for opportunities for more people to try public transport and where possible use our tickets.

Our tickets are great for people who travel a lot or are unsure of a lot of the complexities which can surround public transport ticketing as they are valid across the network with only a few limited exceptions, dedicated school buses, event buses and alike.

During late October, TravelMasters supported Roundabout a charity based within South Yorkshire. Roundabout is South Yorkshire’s local youth housing charity providing shelter, support and life skills to young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I met with Emily through the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, and we discussed potential ways of benefiting the people of South Yorkshire while

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also promoting both Roundabout and TravelMaster to potential new markets.

Roundabout has also recently completed its Bangers and Cash Rally, an event which was all about the journey as teams completed an epic journey from Sheffield to Munich. The original event did not really have any synergies, the main competition to public transport usage is the private car. However, now the rally is over all the bonnets of the ‘bangers’, which have been painted by local artists are being displayed across Sheffield.

Visitors and Sheffield residents from 14 to 29 October will be able to embark on a colourful and unique journey across Sheffield. The bonnets are spread across the city from well-known Sheffield institutions to up-and-coming independent businesses, this trail will take you on a journey through the city like no other. This presented a great opportunity to work together with the rally being about the private car, the art trial is an opportunity to explore the city and use public transport for those longer journeys.

To deliver this TravelMaster has stocked smartcards in key locations throughout the city

(for people who don’t have a card) and all proceeds from the card sales will go to charity (with a minimum donation applicable for the cards). During the art trial there will be discount codes available for 20% discount on a TravelMaster CityWide 1 Day ticket allowing people to travel around the city all day on bus and tram to see as many of the art installations as possible. The codes will be exclusively redeemed via the TravelMaster App and tickets added to the smartcard directly using the App. If you are interested in finding out more about how TravelMaster helps local businesses and charities in South Yorkshire deliver simplified customer centric travel solutions then please get in touch – sales@sytravelmaster.com

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Business News

Plans to improve South Yorkshire’s visitor offering Committee, said: “It is brilliant that Visit England outh Yorkshire Mayoral Combined has recognised South Yorkshire as a thriving Authority (SYMCA) has welcomed the destination for city breaks and day trips and has creation of the South Yorkshire Local agreed a Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), a region. collaboration between SYMCA, Sheffield “This will unlock more opportunities for local City Council, Doncaster City Council, Rotherham businesses, support the creation of jobs in the MBC and Barnsley MBC to work together on shared visito r economy and put South Yorkshire on the priorities and targets to grow the local visitor map as a tourist destination.” economy.

Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster added: “I am Developed and administered by Visit England, the pleased that South Yorkshire’s Local Visitor LVEP programme is one of the key Economy Partnership application has recommendations in the Government's been approved. This will help to response to the independent de Bois realise our regional ambition, and Review of Destination Management ‘We have ensure Doncaster will be in a Organisations in England.

The LVEP programme, which a new opportunity position to benefit from national to enhance the visitor will be led by Sheffield City to share our beauty, support economy and cultural offering.”

Council, will create a national Rotherham Council’s Cabinet portfolio of strategic and highour history, our Member for Social Inclusion, performing partnerships working culture, and our Councillor David Sheppard in collaboration locally, regionally commented: “The LVEP and nationally on shared priorities talent with the rest accreditation will considerably and target s to support and grow of our world’ strengthen opportunities to the visitor economy. collaborate more effectively with South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver neighbouring boroughs and the MCA and Coppard, said: “Here in South Yorkshire to partner with the private sector to ensure we we couldn’t be more proud of our world class continue to promote the many reasons to work, live, music, landscapes, festivals and sport. We’re the visit and invest in Rotherham and South Yorkshire birthplace of football and the home of snooker, we as a whole. powered the Industrial Revolution and have SYMCA continues to work in partne rship with England’s oldest national park. We celebrate art, local and combined authorities across Yorkshire on music and literature like nowhere else. the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative focused on “And now we have a new opportunity to share promoting Yorkshire as a visitor destination. This our beauty, our history, our culture, and our talent project is being delivered by Barnsley MBC. with the rest of our world.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of “Our new Local Visitor Economy Partnership, Barnsley Council, said: “It’s fantastic that Visit being developed with the support of Visit England, England has agreed to the Local Visitor Economy will give visitors from far and wide the chance to explore and experience South Yorkshire in all its Partnership with South Yorkshire. Barnsley is an glory. award-winning p lace of possibilities and we’ve got “I’m excited to see that partnership develop so much to offer. across all of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and “Culture and heritage are in our roots and places.

Sh effield.”

“We look forward to working with our South Councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield City Yorkshire colleagues to put our area firmly on the Council’s Economic Development and Skills map.”

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L-R: South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard; councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield City Council’s Economic Development and Skills Committee; Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster; councillor David Sheppard, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for social inclusion, and Sir Steve Houghton CBE, leader of Barnsley Council 14 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

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Business News

Children from 48 schools will take part in the annual event

Photo Courtesy of Benno Photography

Event to inspire the next generation of STEM stars our hundred and ninety students from 48 schools across South Yorkshire will take part in the fourth annual North Star Science School, which is designed to inspire the next generation about the wide range of careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths) subjects.

Organised by The Work-wise Foundation, a not-for-profit employer-led charity, the event will take place at the Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in partnership with Well North Enterprises.

Professor Brian Cox CBE will open the event virtually and gave an inspiring talk about the origins of the universe.

John Barber, CEO of The Work-wise Foundation, said: “Bookings for this event sold out within a week, which is testament to just how keen local schools are to get involved. The North Star Science School gives young people the chance to get hands-on and work with local businesses through a range of STEAM-related interactive workshops and to learn

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from some influential speakers from the industry.”

John added: “After the phenomenal feedback we received from students and teachers last year, we are really excited about the impact that this interactive event has and how it helps to widen young people’s understanding and awareness of career options and hopefully inspires them to become our scientists and engineers of the future.”

The Work-wise Foundation responded to feedback from teachers and students and is increasing the number of workshops for 2023 – with 16 different workshops for students to choose from. These included uncovering the science of chocolate - exploring why chocolate cools differently on various foods using thermal imaging technology. Other workshops include making sand moulds by pouring lowtemperature alloys, building and controlling a hydraulic crane and learning the science and art of brickmaking.

‘North Star is such an innovative and exciting event’

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Professor Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox, Britain’s leading physicist and science communicator and co-founder of Science Summer School, said: “An interest in science at a young age can develop into an exciting and rewarding career. With all the challenges our climate faces, we need scientists and engineers more than ever to make a brighter future for everyone.

“I am looking forward to speaking to South Yorkshire pupils and to bring them up to date with some exciting developments.”

Professor Cox will be joined by North Star speakers Ruth Amos, former Young Engineer for Britain, entrepreneur and STEM ambassador, along with Alex Gardner, event host and managing

director of Smile Business Support.

Other speakers include Melanie Oldham OBE, founder of Bob’s Business and director of Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster, and Professor Simon Goodwin, professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield.

In addition, a special presentation by Lord Andrew Mawson with a focus on maritime careers will be presented from the Cunard liner, named Queen Elizabeth, as she cruises through the Mediterranean en route to Australia, using the Starlink satellite system created by SpaceX. Lord Andrew Mawson said: “North Star Science School continues to act as a tremendous catalyst in South Yorkshire and beyond, helping to bring business, education, health, public sector and community together in a spirit of ‘Learning by Doing’ to inspire our scientists and engineers of the future.”

Marie Cooper, managing director of sponsor company CBE+, said: “North Star is such an innovative and exciting event in the region which CBE+ are honoured to sponsor. The work that The Workwise Foundation do to bring employers and educators together as part of this event and the wider programme is incredible and a real testament to the region.”

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Business News

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Business News Reece is new face at DCLT A new sport development officer has joined Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust (DCLT) and his first mission is to expand participation in two key sports; table tennis and cycling.

Reece Goodwin (pictured), from Rotherham, has joined DCLT from Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he worked as an exercise and physical activity therapist and brings with him five years of experience as a PE sports coach. He also has a degree in Sports Development and Coaching.

The sports development officer is a new role for DCLT and is part of the trust's ambition to provide even more opportunities for people from across Doncaster to get active and get involved in physical activities.

Reece said: “I am really looking forward to making a difference in Doncaster and cannot wait to increase the opportunities for more people to get involved in all sports.”

Chris Wright, head of health and leisure at DCLT said: “Reece is a welcome addition to our team. He is full of enthusiasm and will make a real difference to the activities on offer for people from across the region.”

Mark Storey and Dame Hillary Chapman

Inspiring charity leader appointed to new role M

ark Storey, CEO of Sheffield’s award-winning charity, Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) has been named as a Deputy Lieutenant of The County of South Yorkshire alongside other respected individuals.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, professor Dame Hilary Chapman commissioned the appointment after getting to know Mark through his work at SCCCC, a charity that supports older people across the region.

Dame Hilary attended SCCCC’s Winter Pressures launch in October 2022, and got to know the passion and commitment of the charity’s CEO, Mark Storey.

Mark, prior to joining SCCCC in 2015, worked in local authorities and third-sector organisations across Yorkshire and Lancashire, with many of his roles

focused on tackling economic disadvantage. He has also undertaken voluntary work.

He’s currently involved in a range of community activities at local, regional, and national levels including as a volunteer management consultant for the Cranfield Trust, chair of trustees for Wetherby in Support of the Elderly and as a trustee for Bradford Youthbuild Trust.

Mark also serves on the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Yorkshire Group Committee and on the Council of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.

Mark said: “I’m extremely proud, delighted and honoured to be appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Dame Hilary Chapman.

“I look forward to serving our local community as best I can.”

IPM Group partners with football club Sheffield FC are delighted to announce that IPM Group will join the club as an official Community Partner for the 2023/24 season.

The South Yorkshire-based firm specialise in all manner of facilities management services, including CCTV monitoring, access control and a range of security services.

IPM Group CEO Rick Bailey said: “IPM Group is proud to announce that it will be working together with ‘the world’s first football club’.

"We are very much looking forward to supporting the next phase of Sheffield FC’s growth and development.

The club is going through a transition with a new stadium on the horizon and we see this as a great project to be behind. The making of the future is just as interesting as the past heritage.”

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L-R: Rick Bailey, CEO of IPM; Richard Tims, Chairman of SFC and Gavin Page, FD of IPM

After a busy summer for the club, IPM Group become the fourth Community Partner ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Chairman, Richard Tims, said: "It's great to have IPM Group on board at The World's First Football Club.

“There's an obvious synergy because of the new stadium and the need for their services, but they are also proud Sheffield lads who love their football.”

Sheffield Football Club was founded in 1857

by Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, who wanted to build a community for the game of football. Sheffield FC initially played Sheffield rules, a code of its own devising. Though the club joined the FA in 1863, it continued to use its own rules until 1877.

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Business News

Telecoms expert pledges to pay staff Living Wage AT Communications has made a commitment towards helping its staff to navigate their way through the cost of living crisis by becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer.

As an accredited employer, the telecoms specialist has committed to ensuring everyone working within the organisation, along with contractors employed by the business, will receive a minimum hourly wage significantly higher that the government’s minimum wage for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour.

According to data published by the National Living Wage Foundation, more than 368,000 employees across Yorkshire and the Humber are paid less than the real Living Wage, the highest proportion anywhere in the UK. The foundation believes that if everyone within the region received a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s

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work more than £165m would be added to the regional economy.

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living.

It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum.

Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 450,000 people and put over £2bn extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

In recent years, KAT Communications and its staff have helped to raise thousands of pounds to support charitable organisations such as the Club Doncaster Foundation within South Yorkshire.

‘We have always prided ourselves in doing our bit’ Anthony Temperton, managing director at KAT Communications, said: “We have always prided ourselves in doing our bit to support local charitable and community organisations, but we recognised that first and foremost we must do more to support our own employees.

With more and more families finding themselves struggling to make ends meet, we felt compelled

Managing director of KAT Communications Anthony Temperton and John Davis, CEO of the Club Doncaster Foundation

to act and we wanted to do something that not only supports those who work in the business, but also those businesses we work alongside. The real Living Foundation Wage recognises that every business has a responsibility to pay a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s pay, and by signing up, we hope to encourage more businesses across the region to pledge their support to this very important initiative.”

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Business News

MAIN PICTURE: The HS2 proposed northern leg has been scrapped INSET: Prime minister Rishi Sunak

HS2 scrapped: what next for the north? t the recent Conservative Party conference, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the scrapping of the HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester.

Mr Sunak defended the move by promising to spend the billions of cash savings on hundreds of other transport schemes across the country instead. They will include: • The ‘Network North’ project to join up northern cities by rail advertisement • A ‘Midlands Rail Hub’ to connect 50 stations • Keeping the £2 bus fare cap across the country.

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Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who coined the phrase ‘Northern Powerhouse’ alongside former chancellor George Osborne criticised the decision, saying it was the “wrong one”.

Reacting to the announcement, South Yorkshire's mayor Oliver

Deeply concerned: Oliver Coppard

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Coppard said: “I’m deeply concerned. The prime minister’s announcement to scrap HS2 creates huge uncertainty for transport plans across South Yorkshire and the rest of the north.

“New promises with very little clarity about how or when money will be made available. Projects and priorities were chosen with no consultation: a new shopping list created but no details of how it will check out.

“The precedent is that the Government don’t deliver for the North. How can we trust this new plan? Since 2019 alone we have been promised HS2 in full, Northern Powerhouse Rail in Full, an Integrated Rail Plan, a London Style Transport System and Levelling-Up. “Following the HS2 announcement, every single one of those promises has been thrown into chaos, while failing to solve a single problem today. To have any confidence in the Government’s plan.”

Mr Coppard called for immediate clarity on these key questions: • South Yorkshire’s most pressing priority is bus funding. Over the last decade 40% of bus routes have been lost in South Yorkshire.

The announcement comes with no commitment to increased funding for bus services in the short term. What does the government intend to do about the crisis in bus funding immediately?

• With HS2 now scrapped ‘in full’, when will the blight on properties in South Yorkshire be lifted? At what date will families living on or near the planned route have legal certainty about future plans?

• The prime minister has said the decision will allow us to ‘quadruple’ services between Sheffield and Leeds. That would mean up to 20 services per hour, one every three minutes. When

will this be in place, and where is the business case that supports this decision? What does this mean for the ‘Leeds Area Study’?

• When the Eastern Leg of HS2 was scrapped, we were promised HS2 trains would still run to South Yorkshire, albeit not on HS2 tracks. That promise was reiterated in July of this year. Is that commitment still in place?

Given that it does not require new HS2 tracks, if not, why not?

• What is the cost of the Hope Valley upgrade? When will it be delivered? Will it allow us to reinstate services to Manchester Airport? How will congestion in Manchester be managed, in a way that allows South Yorkshire to fully utilise greater capacity?

Where is the business case that supports this decision?

• What is the cost of reopening the Don Valley line, and when will the project be developed, permissioned and delivered?

Restoring Your Railways was announced by Government in 2020 - how many projects have been delivered or are even in delivery? We have asked to run tram-trains on that line, a plan supported by Network Rail. Is the government intending to run heavy rail or light rail on that route?

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Business News

Mayor calls for clarity on regional bus funding South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following comments he made about funding for buses in an interview with BBC Look North on 28 September.

During the interview, Mr Sunak stated that buses were “the most popular form of transport in the north and around the country” and spoke about how the government are investing more in bus routes and services.

Responding to the prime minister’s comments in a letter, Oliver Coppard said: “Your statement is simply not true. Like thousands of others across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield, I was deeply disappointed to hear you recognise the importance of buses here in the North while making misleading claims about the bus funding made available to South Yorkshire.”

Mayor Coppard explained in his letter ‘I have that South Yorkshire had received nothing from the £434m bid heard countless submitted as part of the Bus Service stories about Improvement Plan fund, nothing communities cut from the £37m Levelling Up fund bid off because of the for Demand Responsive Transport solutions and that South Yorkshire broken bus received less than 50% of previous network’ support funding in the latest round of emergency restrictions funding in July this year.

The mayor’s letter to the Prime Minister also details stories from people across South Yorkshire who have been badly affected by the region’s declining bus network due to funding cuts: “In recent weeks I have been told about people who have had to turn down job and training opportunities because they couldn’t rely on bus services. I have heard from the family of a pensioner who fell and hit her head because she was forced to walk a difficult route home after her bus services were cut back. I have heard countless stories about communities cut off because of the broken bus network.”

“I would urge you to finally make good on your promises to our communities and deliver the investment in our transport infrastructure that we both need and deserve.”

• There was no funding announced for regional airports, despite the government saying they were responding to local priorities.

Was funding for our plans to reopen DSA considered?

• The plan announced was called ‘Network North’ but included plans for Tavistock, in Cornwall.

The ‘Network North’ plan also included a commitment to spend £2.8bn on fixing potholes in the East, South East and South West.

As a percentage, how much of the money ‘saved’ by scrapping

the northern part of HS2 will be spent outside of the north?

• Will northern transport authorities be asked to follow the wasteful process of competing against one another for any new pots of funding, or projects? If so, when will the rules be announced?

• You can’t spend billions of pounds without worked up plans. The government has cancelled one plan. When will it bring forward its next? We have no details on any of the schemes in South Yorkshire.

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Business News

connect PROFILES

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

To feature in Connect Profiles, email: laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk

Laura Reilly

‘Find someone who is experienced to mentor you or give you guidance and set things up properly with plans at the outset to allow you the space to grow’

Organisation: Taurus HR Solutions Job Title: Managing director

What does your organisation do?

We provide HR and employment law services to businesses in the UK of all sizes, and we also support clients with an international presence if their primary company is based in the UK, which is becoming more common now with the popularity of hybrid working.

We support with grievances, investigations, redundancy processes, employment contracts, policies, training and development, and everything in between.

How did it all start?

I started as a HR freelance alongside working full-time in HR. I climbed the ladder from being a HR Coordinator through to becoming a HR Director for an accountancy practice. I then realised after having my fifth child that I didn’t want to return to a corporate job and I missed consultancy, so I bought another small HR consultancy with an owner who was retiring and off I went! I also wanted to run a company where I could have a small team who genuinely enjoyed the work they did and the variety of clients.

What’s your greatest achievement so far?

Winning the HR independents award for Emerging Talent in October 2023 – it was a great recognition of the effort put in so far!

Completing my CILEx exams was also another – particularly as I sat my last two in the heatwave of June 2022 when I was 37 weeks pregnant.

whether or not my mortgage company would frown upon my brave move. However, I had an incredible amount of determination and selfbelief, and threw myself into business development as well as delivering the service from day one, and it has paid off.

What keeps you awake at night?

Other than whether I’ve forgotten a birthday, I’d say whether I’m being the boss that I’d want to have. I like to lead by example, and it would really bother me if any of my colleagues had ‘Sunday night dread’.

What has surprised you most in your job?

How many grievances we have worked on in 2023, we have handled (as a team) over 45 grievances and appeals this year, and we still have more to go. There is a lot of conflict in workplaces at present, and I’m really keen to try and explore other options for dispute resolution with businesses, such as mediation or understanding more about working behaviour profiles.

If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?

I would have started the business sooner, probably in 2019 before Covid-19 struck.

Everyone always says that I know. However, there’s no point having regrets or dwelling on what you didn’t do – we’re here now, we’re a growing business, and the future is exciting!

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken – and did it work out?

Opening this business. I’ve wanted to do it for years but was always really worried about the reality of it not working out – being the breadwinner in a large family has its own pressures and practical things such as

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Be prepared to be humbled. If you’ve got a HR qualification then great, but you’ll need practical experience, so surround yourself with people you can learn from and make sure you appreciate every bit of advice you are gifted with, even if you don’t agree with it. If you’ve

22 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

been an employee before, it is a total shift in mindset to move from employment to having to deliver and win your own business to pay your bills. Find someone who is experienced to mentor you or give you guidance and set things up properly with plans at the outset to allow you the space to grow.

What exciting projects is your organisation working on?

We have just signed a national client who was referred to us by a fantastic candidate we recently interviewed – he was so impressed by our passion for what we do he recommended us. We have onboarded some large clients with an international presence and will be visiting them in the USA shortly.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Playing netball to let off steam, having downtime with my family where I’m ‘present’ in the moment, and eating out.

Website: www.taurushr.co.uk Email: laura@taurushr.co.uk Call: 07583016291 Social media: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-reilly-hrd

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Business News

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Business News

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Business News

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Features • Health in the Workplace • Construction & Redevelopment • Environmental Services

First aid at work: what you need to know Employers are responsible for making sure their employees receive immediate and adequate attention if they are injured or fall ill at work. While accidents and illness can happen at any time, first aid can help prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones. Business Connect explores what a business can do to help protect its staff.

The basics The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 puts the duty on employers to assess the risks of the workplace and, where necessary, take action to eliminate or control those risks.

Additionally, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or take ill at the workplace.

These regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and to the selfemployed. The UK Government Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute employers who fail to provide the appropriate first aid so it’s important to make the right provisions.

Assessing your first aid needs When making your first aid arrangements, it’s best to start with an assessment of your workplace and its needs. Consider the health and safety risks that may already be present and, most importantly, how significant these risks are.

Low-risk workplaces, such as an office, might only need a basic first aid kit and an appointed person to take charge of it, including re-stocking items. This person can also be appointed as designated caller of the emergency services if and when the need should ever arise, but they do not require specific first aid training.

Your assessment should also consider the type of work done, the size of your workforce and employee experience levels. Do you need to consider factors outside of the immediate workplace, such as the safety of remote workers, or the first aid provision for site visitors or the general public?

What you need As a minimum, you need a suitably stocked first aid kit, and should provide at least one for each workplace (more than one may be needed on larger sites).

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All kits should be easily accessible and the contents of each checked and restocked regularly. Useful items include plasters and dressings, antiseptic wipes and disposable gloves.

Larger or more hazardous workplaces will require a designated first aid room. This room should be clearly signposted, easily accessible and a designated person should be given the responsibility for supervising it. It should be large enough to hold a medical couch, with adequate heating and ventilation, lighting and running water and be available for use at all time during working hours.

All employers should implement a health and safety policy and make sure that all staff are aware of it. It is also advised that all workplaces have an accident report book in which all workplace incidents are reported. All employers/workplace managers have a duty under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) to report serious workplace accidents and dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases.

‘You need a suitably stocked first aid kit, and should provide at least one for each workplace’

Your first aider If you require a first aider, it is your responsibility as employer to appoint one and pay for the appropriate level of first aid training.

There are a wide range of courses and training providers to choose from, but before selecting a course check what will be taught and how the course is structured, what official qualifications, if any, the trainee will receive and what duties the trainee should be able to undertake as a result of the training. This will help you select the right course for your workplace needs. It is important to remember that your first aider will need to be trained specifically in first aid for the workplace – a generic or basic first aid course will not be extensive enough.

It is also prudent to send your trained first aiders on annual refresher courses, to help refresh their knowledge and skills and to keep them up-to-date with any changes to first aid at work protocol.

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Feature: Health in the Workplace

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Feature: Construction & Redevelopment

Replacement or refurbishment?

By Alyssia Bailey (pictured), marketing manager at Lightmain ulti-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) are versatile spaces accommodating a variety of sporting activities such as basketball, football, netball, and tennis. Over time, these facilities show signs of wear and tear.

You may have one in your local area that is looking a bit tired and are pondering whether it’s time for a replacement or if refurbishment is a viable option within your budget.

In this article we will provide clarity on MUGA refurbishments and associated costs.

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Longevity of a MUGA: How long do MUGAs typically last?

MUGAs, when installed by reputable firms with high-quality materials and proper maintenance, can endure for over 20 years before requiring significant repair or refurbishment.

Of course, there are unforeseen circumstances that could mean your MUGA needs attention sooner than this, like anti-social behaviour. It’s essential to check if your MUGA is covered by any manufacturer’s warranties, as this may include touch-ups and maintenance.

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At Lightmain for example, our MUGAs steel work is fully guaranteed for 20 years.

Determining the need for refurbishment or replacement Deciding between refurbishment and replacement hinges on the extent of damage. If your MUGA primarily needs a fresh coat of paint and resurfacing, refurbishment is the cost-effective choice.

While severe damage might warrant replacement, most MUGAs can be refurbished to appear brand new, giving them a new lease of life for years to come. It’s advisable to consult a MUGA supplier that offers refurbishments to assess the condition and recommend the best course of action.

Cost comparison: refurbishment vs. replacement Generally, refurbishing a MUGA is more cost-effective than replacing it entirely. The cost considerations include: • Extent of damage or wear

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Feature: Construction & Redevelopment

• Whether the refurbishment provides a long-term solution or serves as a temporary fix • The size of your MUGA. For instance, a recent refurbishment project at Lightmain cost approximately £36,000, whereas installing a like-forlike MUGA would have cost around £75,000.

MUGAS often experience heavy usage and wear and tear

Ideal timing for refurbishment MUGAs often experience heavy usage. To minimise disruption, refurbishment work should ideally take place during the winter months when usage is lower, ensuring minimal impact on the public’s access to the facility.

paint touch-ups, can prolong the life of your MUGA. Preventative measures help avoid the need for extensive refurbishment.

Choosing the right refurbishment provider

In conclusion, MUGAs can indeed be refurbished, offering a cost-effective alternative to replacement.

The decision between refurbishment and replacement depends on factors like damage extent, budget constraints, and the quality of the refurbishment work.

Choosing the right provider and practicing maintenance can further extend the life of your MUGA.

It’s essential to entrust MUGA repairs to a reputable company that offers guarantees and warranties on their work. This ensures the quality and durability of the refurbishment.

Maintenance tips for MUGAs Regular cleaning and addressing minor repairs, such as

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Feature: Environmental Services

Cleaning up our local waterways

By Geoffrey Guy, Riverlution manager, River Stewardship Company ivers are the lifeblood of our planet, not just from an ecological perspective or their vital role in the water cycle but for Sheffield in particular they are what has made the city such an industrial powerhouse.

With the rivers providing power and transportation for milling, the cutlery, metalwork and steel industries, putting Sheffield on the map as the steel capital of the world.

Over time though, modernisation of manufacturing processes and a reduced reliance on water power and water as a medium for transport, the rivers of Sheffield have become less valuable to business, as nowadays only a few Sheffield businesses really rely on water from the rivers, and their character has changed and much of their ecological value was diminished.

In many senses the rivers have become a liability for many when you consider the threat of flooding to residents and businesses.

But it doesn’t have to be like that; rivers can be an incredible asset in terms of wellbeing, wildlife and recreation and all this has knock on effects for businesses, especially if they can join with the communities what they are a part of to help in the recovery and management of the rivers.

That is the ambition of Riverlution and the River Stewardship Company’s ‘Sheffield Stewardship Partnership’, which aims to engage local communities and businesses in the stewardship of Sheffield’s rivers. Riparian businesses have a responsibility for their river side properties and riverbanks and through a ‘Stewardship Partnership’ will be able to participate in a socially impactful, as well as ecologically beneficial project which also tackles issues

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such as flood mitigation through careful rotational management of riverside vegetation.

The Riverlution programme is totally unique featuring a groundbreaking blend of community, education and environmental outcomes. It’s scope which stretches citywide and beyond, forms a landscape scale approach to management of the rivers and riparian habitats, an approach that will maximise the benefits of the project for wildlife, flood prevention and communities.

As well as delivering the basic channel maintenance works and ecological improvements, our Riverlution programme will encourage local businesses and communities to re-engage with their local waterway.

The Stewardship partnership requires the support of business, who will see a genuine return on their investment into the partnership in the form of management of their riverbanks, social impact, flood mitigation and improved biodiversity on their riverbanks. There aren’t many cities in the country where you can look out of your office window at a kingfisher flying past, or take a walk at lunchtime with a chance, albeit slim, to see a salmon leaping a weir but in partnership with Riverlution, the River Stewardship Company and communities those chances can improve, flooding can be combated and Sheffield’s ties to the rivers can enter another era, moving on from the rivers as an industrial tool, past the era of neglect of the rivers and into an era of full community and business engagement with the rivers as a resource for wildlife, for people and as a tranquil retreat to aid in the wellbeing of employees, residents and visitors to the city.

‘Rivers can be an incredible asset in terms of wellbeing, wildlife and recreation’

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Visit: www.the-rsc.co.uk

Staff from Sheffield-based Gripple, a Riparian business, supported the work of the River Stewardship Company by joining in a Riverlution Corporate Volunteer Day to remove litter and Himalayan Balsam from the River Don, which runs near the company’s factory

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Feature: Environmental Services

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Sector Focus

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

Christmas on your doorstep

Waterton Park Hotel

Still looking to book your workplace Christmas party? You’re sure to find the perfect venue to suit your needs and budget in South Yorkshire.

Christmas party is a great way to reward hardworking staff or thank loyal customers and clients at the end of the year.

Traditionally, the workplace Christmas party takes the form of dinner and entertainment at a local hotel or restaurant, organised by the venue. This kind of party can offer great value for money, especially as many venues offer both private and shared party options. Are parties not really your thing? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered too!

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Party nights Waterton Park Hotel, Barnsley A four-star hotel in a scenic setting, Waterton Park Hotel is offering both private and group parties, complete with a three-course menu and disco. There is no need to worry about driving home afterwards either, with special 32 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

reduced seasonal accommodation rates for party guests.

Hellaby Hall Hotel, Rotherham Fancy a different kind of party night? This Christmas, Hellaby Hall Hotel is hosting an incredible Soul and Motown Night. Featuring fantastic live entertainment and a three-course meal, you’re sure to dance the night away.

Wentbridge House Hotel, South Yorkshire It’s show time at Wentbridge House Hotel! Dust off your platform boots and get ready for a fabulous party night featuring a top ABBA tribute band. Following a three-course meal, guests can relive the magic of the music and dance the night away to their favourite ABBA hits.

The Earl of Doncaster, Doncaster When it comes to Christmas parties, The Earl of Doncaster has

something for everyone. This historic, art deco-inspired hotel is offering mid week party nights, perfect for busy firms with full diaries in the runup to Christmas. And if you fancy something a little different, they also have themed party nights too – the Freddie Mercury experience is a popular choice!

Thinking outside the box Whitley Hall, Sheffield As well as 80s and 90s disco nights, Whitley Hall is also offering a wreath making class; with afternoon and evening sessions available, guests will have access to everything they need to make a picture-perfect wreath and can also enjoy a roast turkey dinner and after dinner drinks.

National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield Turn the clock back and step into fabulous 1940s festive wonderland!

Enjoy live music and explore a series of interactive history displays, from life on the line to the home front.

Live actors and realistic scenes make for a unique experience as you tour a part of the battlefront, talk to the troops, handle the equipment and take home a piece of history.

Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster Join Doncaster Racecourse for a brilliant day of festive fun! The Christmas Festival will feature gourmet food vendors, artisanal cocktails, crafts and an ice rink.

Halifax Hall, Sheffield Are you looking for a more relaxed way to celebrate Christmas with your staff or key clients this year?

A festive afternoon tea at Halifax Hall may be just thing. Enjoy a delightful menu of finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries in a beautiful setting, with tea, coffee or even a warming mulled wine.

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Sector Focus:Corporate Hospitality

Hotel’s new dining pods are a clear winner onference and event planners can now take advantage of a new outdoor dining space at the Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, as the popular hotel and events venue has unveiled three new private dining pods.

Each pod occupies a prime vantage point high on the hotel’s manicured lawns, from where delegates can enjoy a choice of breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, while taking in panoramic views of the private lake, and gardens.

A unique al fresco break-out space for delegate networking or a team building lunch, or an alternative to restaurant dining for a post-conference meal, the domes host up to 18-24 guests sharing

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round tables of six or eight. There is the option to hire one, multiple, or all the domes exclusively, depending on the size of your event. Those with a larger corporate event in mind can hire the domes for the entire day and evening, scheduling different dining options for delegates throughout the conference timetable.

Domes come fully airconditioned and lit in the evening.

Delegates can enjoy sharing charcuterie boards starting at £13.99 per person, a selection of roasts from £17 per person and the ultimate dessert sharing platter at £10 per person, which is fast becoming a guests’ favourite.

Alternatively, they can feast on a breakfast or brunch menu. Where

‘We know our corporate clients are keen for their events to have something extra’

The three new dining pods at Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa

better to get ready for a full day of learning and networking than in a breakfast dome at sunrise, with stunning views of the Yorkshire countryside? And for an incentive event, you can try a stylish afternoon tea, courtesy of the Hotel’s Laura Ashley The Tea Room.

Ruslana Yarmolyuk, general manager from Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, said: “We know our corporate clients are keen for their events to have something extra – a standout

element to the day that guests will remember for a long time to come.

We’re continually looking for new, innovative ways to upgrade our clients’ experience.

“The Domes are a shining example of this, tapping into what all our guests love about the Hotel – our excellent service and stunning scenery. They provide an exciting outdoor private dining space that capitalises on our lake views, while being sheltered from the elements.”

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Sector Focus:Digital & Technology

3D printer’s innovation set to stir up food production industry A

design and industrial 3D printing firm has created a revolutionary new way for the food industry to detect problems in the production process and embrace new technologies.

Addition Design, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre, has designed a new process that allows food manufacturers to access production parts that meet the stringent regulatory requirements of food production components whilst taking full advantage of industrial additive manufacturing.

The process extends Addition Design’s ‘AddParts’ service – which supplies digital spares for automated production lines through the use of 3D scanning, digital data management and industrial 3D printing – into the food processing sector.

The new technique addresses a number of renowned issues that affect the industry’s ability to fully embrace the benefits of industrial 3D printing while complying with food-safety regulations and production line efficiency needs including those of low-cost, fast turnaround, blue, food contact components.

Tom Fripp, director at Addition Design, said: “If a component on a

The new Food Contact Blue parts by Addition Design’s AddParts service

‘We’re incredibly proud to have found a solution that works for all parties’

food production line fails, it is of course imperative that any parts of that item are stopped from getting into the final food product.

One of the traditional routes to achieving this takes advantage of the fact that there are very few foods that are blue in colour so blue plastic component parts have historically been used on food production lines to make broken parts easy and quick to identify.

“However, when it comes to 3D printing, this requirement has acted as a barrier for the food industry, as there are very few ways to make

cost-effective, high-quality certified, blue, food contact parts using industrial 3D printing processes.

“Most approaches require the material itself to be blue which is an issue. It means the whole material stock then needs to be that colour, making the process often prohibitively expensive.”

The new process created by Addition Design exclusively for AddParts tackles the issue and aims to bring the food industry up to pace with the wider manufacturing industry’s move towards the use of industrial 3D printing.

Tom added: “We’re incredibly proud to have found a solution that

works for all parties and, importantly, reduces the costs for food manufacturers which opens them up more to the possibilities and opportunities that industrial 3D printing brings.

“The particular process we have developed means that we can produce parts on demand for manufacturers, using our Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machine and then post-process them in a way that means they still meet food contact requirements.

“Under our AddParts service, all the components are supplied with certification of conformity and traceability and now this is available for on-demand, hard-tosource and legacy components for food manufacturing too.

“The food and drinks industry is one of th e largest sectors in UK manufacturing and our AddParts service compliments the industry perfectly but traditionally we’ve struggled to supply components into it because of the specific requirements for low cost, fast turnaround, durable, blue, food contact components. But now we can.”

AddParts, which is delivered exclusively by Addition Design, supplies digital spares for automated production lines on demand th rough the use of 3D scanning, digital data management and industrial 3D printing.

Evolving cyber threats – what can we do?

By Mike Smith (pictured), managing director, TwentyFour IT Services Amid a dramatic surge in everevolving cyber threats, UK businesses encountered an estimated 2.39 million cyberattacks over the last year, translating to roughly 4.55 attacks every minute.

Particularly concerning within this is the near doubling of ransomware attacks from 2022 to 2023. In response to these elevated threats, and the daily cyber threat additions, we feel that the minimum cyber defence level is changing in order to keep businesses throughout the UK protected against the latest cyber threats.

Gone are the days when traditional anti-virus software sufficed to shield your business 34 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

from potential cyber threats.

Traditional signature-based anti-virus is now only 30%-50% effective against these latest threats. Malicious cyber threat actors are armed with advanced tools that can adeptly modify existing malware to dodge detection by conventional anti-virus such as: • Artificial intelligence • Machine learning • Large language models.

The Achilles heel of signaturebased anti-virus lies in its reliance on a database of only “known” malware signatures. This method falters when

faced with new or altered viruses, leaving your business exposed to a myriad of threats. Moreover, threat actors often leap to take advantage of ‘Zero Day Threats’—newly discovered software or system vulnerabilities—which traditional anti-virus can not immediately protect against, often requiring updates to stay effective.

As cyber threat actors advance, leveraging new tools such as AI and machine learning, to outwit traditional defences, so must our strategies evolve. The next evolution of defence is Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), a robust approach that goes beyond scanning for known threats. Instead, by harnessing AI and machine learning to scrutinise endpoint behaviour for any unusual, suspicious or malicious activity, we can promptly neutralise threats before they can wreak havoc.

But where does TwentyFour

stand in this battle against cyber malevolence? We transcend standard EDR solutions by integrating it with our dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC), delivering a holistic 24/7 managed cyber security solution.

This synergy empowers us to proactively monitor, identify, and neutralise potential threats in under 100 milliseconds, offering a virtually impenetrable shield against malicious actors who seek to infiltrate and attack your business. Such a SOC approach doesn’t just react to threats but engages in advanced threat hunting, meticulously analysing data from diverse cyber defence tools to swiftly respond to incidents and isolate lurking threats.

This, we feel, is the immediate future in the constant battle for Cyber Security in industry and commerce.

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Sector Focus:Digital & Technology

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Sector Focus: Finance

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Sector Focus: Finance

Andrew Boulton

Understanding your pension

SMH Group’s golf day raises funds for MNDA S

MH Group, the Yorkshire and Derbyshire-based firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, have raised over £7,000 for their charity of the year, the South Yorkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), at their annual charity golf day, which took place at Chesterfield Golf Club in September 2023.

The tournament, expanded to 29 teams for its third year, included teams of four from local businesses, all competing for a range of prizes on the day, with the team from Freeman Bennett Jewellers coming out on top claiming first place.

Organised by Ross Jordan, partner of SMH BullockWoodburn, who form part of the SMH Group, the day gave clients and close contacts of the firm a great opportunity to take up some inperson networking, as well as being the catalyst to raise funds for a very deserving local charity.

The MNDA is a charity close to many people at the SMH Group, as it supports individuals and families battling the devastating impact of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). With no known cure, the MNDA plays a pivotal role in providing essential care, support, and research funding to improve the lives of those affected by MND. Ross Jordan said: “As a progressive company by nature, we wanted to make this year’s charity golf day bigger and better than ever. After the success of our first two events, we had a big target to aim at and we’re absolutely thrilled to have smashed it, raising more than three times the amount we did last year.

“This was achieved by opening the event up to more sponsors, who we can’t thank enough for their kind donations of tee sponsorship, competition sponsorship,

raffle and auction prize donations, as well as all 29 teams who donated to take part.

“We had a lot of keen, and competitive, golfers take part, which made for a very entertaining day with the individual on course competitions, as well the overall team competition for first, second and third place.

“A big well done to the team from Freeman Bennett Jewellers who finished in first place, along with Ben Conlan of Graywoods and Cath Lake of Services Design Associates who won the longest drive competitions, Andrew Sharman of Services Design Associates and Paul Trudgill of Virgin Money who won the closest to the pin competitions, and Shaun Smith of Sheffield Steelers who won the simulator closest to the pin competition on hole 7 at the iconic Pebble Beach course.

“SMH Group have been supporting our local branch of MNDA for a number of years, so it’s a pleasure to be able to hold this event again and raise a great sum of money for the charity. We’d like to extend our thanks to the MNDA charity team who helped out on the day with the raffle, our marketing team who helped make sure the day ran smoothly, as well as some fantastic local organisations who donated raffle and auction prizes, who we have publicly thanked via our social media channels.

“We’re looking forward to making next year’s event bigger and better already!”

Paul Hebblethwaite, of MNDA South Yorkshire Branch, added: “The raffle, together with the other fundraising taking place across the day raised over £7,000 thanks to the generosity of SMH Group and the golfers. Thank you for choosing to support the MNDA charity and in doing so, enabling us to continue to help people living with MND in the South Yorkshire area.”

‘It’s a pleasure to be able to hold this event again and raise a great sum of money’

Dronfield-based financial planners Belmayne are advising pension savers to find out more about what is happening to the money they are investing.

Recent research by the firm has revealed some people are paying exorbitant fees, being subject to underperforming funds and having money invested in areas of concentrated risk.

Belmayne financial planner Andrew Boulton said: “We have reviewed a few pensions for new clients recently that have uncovered some shocking findings. Some were subject to fees of well over two-three per cent, while others were being invested with consistently underperforming active managers or in small, high-risk sections of the market.

“A pension provider should be able to explain clearly and concisely where clients’ money is invested, how it is performing and what impact fees are having on returns.

“It is vital to determine if your pension contributions are enough, how the money is being invested and what fees you are paying and to whom.”

Belmayne has created a four-point action plan to help savers work out if their pension is on track: • Check your state pension – are your contributions up to date?

• Check where all of your pensions are – who do you contact to obtain information about your pensions?

• Check the total fees you are paying – if they amount to more than 1.5% you should be asking why.

• Check how your money is invested – your pension provider should be able to clarify this and should not charge you extra for the privilege.

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Sector Focus: Green Business

Sustainable construction firm up for top award

cofill, a pioneering force in sustainable earthworks construction technology, is celebrating its collaborative contribution to Avove’s recent shortlisting for the Collaborative Excellence Award in the prestigious 2023 Utility Week Awards.

This recognition stems from the collective innovation demonstrated in the Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme in Cheshire, a project steered by Avove, a leading utilities infrastructure and engineering services company, and supported by key supply chain partners, including Ecofill and iNPIPE PRODUCTS. This award nomination underscores the transformative outcomes possible through strategic partnerships within the supply chain, spotlighting the enhanced efficiency, resilience, and

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Members of the Ecofill and Avove teams

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‘We are committed to relentless innovation and to fostering partnerships’

innovative service delivery to utility clients.

A critical aspect of this collaboration is Ecofill’s groundbreaking technology, which transforms on-site clays and subsoils into aggregate replacement products, meeting the National and European specifications for Highways and Earthworks.

The Ecofill revolutionary process, centred around a circular economy ethos, significantly reduces both the export of soils to landfill and the import of aggregates, thereby drastically cutting lorry movements, carbon emissions and construction costs.

Dr Nigel Griffiths, chairman of Ecofill and a former UK Minister for

Construction, expressed his enthusiasm for the joint nomination: “The recognition from Utility Week Awards is not just an honour but a significant validation of the collaborative ethos we share with Avove and iNPIPE PRODUCTS. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of these efforts, demonstrating what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and a shared vision for a more sustainable future.”

Ecofill’s contributions to sustainable earthworks construction extend far beyond this project, as evidenced by their numerous green tech, innovation, and low carbon accolades. Their commitments are further solidified through affiliations with esteemed

organisations like the UK Green Building Council and The Supply Chain Sustainability School, and through recognitions including Insider Magazine’s Most Exciting Company, Net Zero Business Champion by The Construction Leadership Council, and Sustainability Initiative Of The Year by Corporate Livewire.

Patrick Rafferty, Avove’s business director of operations, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the value of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Ecofill and other partners is a testament to the collective ingenuity and relentless pursuit of sustainable, customer-centric solutions in the utilities sector.”

Ecofill salutes Avove for its shared commitment and leadership in this venture and extends gratitude for the recognition this nomination brings to all the collaborative partners. It highlights Ecofill’s dedication to its role as a global pioneer in the realm of sustainable construction technologies.

The team at Ecofill is looking forward to the Utility Week Awards ceremony, scheduled for 5 December at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, with high hopes that this collaboration under Avove’s leadership will secure further accolades to its name.

“As we celebrate this milestone, our vision remains firmly set on the future,” concluded Dr Griffiths.

“We are committed to relentless innovation and to fostering partnerships that not only enrich our industry but also safeguard our planet for generations to come.”

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Sector Focus: Green Business

Ed Clancy OBE, SYMCA active travel commissioner

City improvements move up a gear oncaster residents and visitors will benefit from improved routes to and from the city centre after a £1.6m cash injection from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to boost active travel in the city.

The improvements will enable a greater number of people to consider more active and sustainable forms of transport for shorter journeys in to and out of Doncaster City Centre via nearly 800 metres of resurfaced cycle paths and footways, enhanced street lighting and a new pedestrian crossing.

The works along South Parade links users to recently improved existing infrastructure along Bennetthorpe and Hall Gate ensuring greater levels of connectivity. The scheme will also join works taking place along Thorne Road linking users to

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areas of employment, education, and green space.

Councillor Nigel Ball, portfolio holder for public health, communities, leisure and culture, said: “A lot of work and planning has gone in to delivering this scheme. We feel that it is the completion of the missing link for those who want to make journeys by walking or cycling across the city.

Ahead of this project, two-thirds of local residents who responded to our consultation believed that to improve the condition of the roads and pavements would encourage walking and cycling – and we’re delighted that we have been able to act on that feedback.

The addition of new pedestrian crossing and enhanced street lighting will also improve safety along the route.

South Parade improvements have been funded via SYMCA Transforming Cities Fund which aims to improve productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in some of the largest English city regions, this follows on from the government ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’ which seeks to increase walking and cycling across town and city centres.

Treble Olympic champion and SYMCA active travel commissioner, Ed Clancy OBE, said: “I’ve been to Doncaster several times since becoming Active Travel Commissioner and I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact these active travel schemes have had. They’re not only improving conditions for walking and cycling in the city, but also creating new spaces for people to enjoy.”

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Sector Focus: Legal

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Legal expert joins law firm Sheffield-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau has announced the addition of corporate partner Ryan Fitzpatrick to its team. With over a decade of corporate legal experience under his belt, Fitzpatrick’s introduction brings a wealth of expertise to the firm.

Ryan’s legal career has encompassed a wide spectrum of corporate matters. His portfolio includes mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, corporate finance, management buyouts, business startups, joint ventures, partnership agreements, corporate restructuring, and shareholder agreement drafting.

He said: “I am proud to have joined Shakespeare Martineau.

The firm has an outstanding reputation for investing in its people and clients, resulting in a high level of service, which is clearly evidenced by its numerous awards and accolades, including its prestigious B Corporation status.

“Sheffield is a vibrant city and is celebrated for its innovative technology companies and strong commercial market, which makes it an inspiring place to work as a corporate lawyer. I am looking forward to being part of a team responsible for expanding the Shakespeare Martineau brand and footprint in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond by offering firstclass corporate and healthcare legal services.”

Michael Stace, partner and head of corporate at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to the Sheffield team. He has a strong reputation in and his technical knowledge and broad experience will be a real asset to our team as we look to enhance our transactional offering.”

40 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

Some of the LCF Law volunteers planting trees with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

Partnership enhances beauty of Yorkshire Dales Y

orkshire-based full-service firm LCF Law is marking its second year of dedicated support for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is a charitable organisation committed to the preservation and enhancement of the Yorkshire Dales’ natural and cultural heritage.

To date, LCF Law has donated £7,500 to the cause, contributing to the planting of 500 trees. These trees are expected to offset 80 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next five decades, a substantial environmental impact.

Part of the donated funds is also channelled into supporting various community projects initiated by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Several members of LCF Law’s

team have also actively volunteered with the Trust.

Bridie Johnson-Power, from LCF Law, said: “Our first volunteering project with the trust involved us helping to maintain the woodland and clear redundant plastic tubes for recycling at Bargh Wood.

“Then more volunteers ventured out into the Dales to join a mixed group of corporate partners planting trees to extend the Hawes woodland. Most recently a group of us volunteered for the woodland maintenance day at Swinesett Hill, and despite the torrential rain, we got a lot done!”

Swinesett Hill, near Hawes, is a native woodland which is vital for local wildlife. With the planting of around 13,000 trees, the woodland is poised to become a habitat for

black grouse and red squirrels close to the renown Pennine Way. LCF Law’s managing partner Simon Stell emphasised the significance of their collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, stating, “Through this partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, we are helping to address the climate and biodiversity crises, while supporting the creation of beautiful new woodlands for everyone to enjoy.”

Richard Hore, from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, said: “It’s been great getting to know some of the LCF Law team.

“We know they have enjoyed engaging with our partnership and connecting with nature to improve their wellbeing and that of our planet.”

Switalskis adds to Sheffield office Switalskis has strengthened its growing family law team with the appointment of solicitor Emma Davey to its Sheffield office.

As a solicitor in Switalskis’ family law department, Emma represents clients in family law matters both in and out of court.

Having grown up in the city and attending Tapton School, Emma went on to obtain her law degree from Manchester University in 2018.

She then took a role as a paralegal in Stockport, and returned to Sheffield to obtain her masters in legal practice.

Emma said: “During my studies and subsequent training it became clear that family law was the area I was most passionate about and would like to specialise in. Family law is an incredibly fulfilling and

rewarding area to work in. Being able to help people who are going through a difficult time in their lives is a pleasure.

After completing her training contract in Bristol, Emma was pleased to be able to move back to Sheffield to be closer to family. She currently lives within walking distance of Switalskis’ Paradise Square office in the city centre.

Toby Netting, Switalskis director and head of family law in Sheffield, said: “We are committed to finding and developing the talented individuals who will lead the industry in the future. Emma’s appointment is very much a reflection of this. She is confident, approachable and is passionate about achieving the most fair and best outcomes for our clients.”

Toby Netting and Emma Davey

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Sector Focus: Legal

Real estate expert joins the team at BRM Solicitors RM Solicitors, with offices in Sheffield and Chesterfield, has recently welcomed Julie Carr as the newest addition to its real estate team.

BRM Solicitors has been providing services to private individuals, commercial organisations, trusts, and charities since 1982.

Julie Carr arrives at BRM Solicitors from the national law firm Knights, bringing with her a wealth of experience in residential property development. Her impressive track record includes managing conditional contracts for the purchase and sale of development land, overseeing options and overage agreements, and navigating planning promotion

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agreements, joint ventures, and collaborative arrangements.

Carr has a notable talent for coordinating land assembly and establishing development sites for plot sales.

BRM Solicitors’ property team, now boasting 26 members, welcomes Julie as one of its nine directors. The firm’s impressive client roster includes renowned names such as Woodall Group, Gleeson Homes, Reef Group, and Global Brands.

Adrian Sheehan, the head of BRM’s Real Estate department, expressed his excitement about this significant addition to the team, saying: “The appointment of a new director is a pivotal step for us and reflects our

‘The appointment of a new Director is a pivotal step for us’

Adrian Sheehan and Julie Carr

ambitious strategy for BRM’s real estate department.

“Julie’s substantial experience and strong track record perfectly align with our growing residential developer client portfolio. We provide her with a regional and national platform to further enhance her career.”

Julie herself is eager to contribute to BRM’s ongoing success. She said: “BRM’s Real Estate department has cultivated

an enviable client portfolio and earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most highly regarded in the region. I am enthusiastic about being a part of its future growth and contributing to its continued success.”

Julie’s appointment marks a significant development for BRM Solicitors as they continue to strengthen their position in the legal industry, particularly in the realm of property development.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Meet Ryan Fitzpatrick – Shakespeare Martineau’s newest corporate lawyer Partner Ryan Fitzpatrick, who recently joined Shakespeare Martineau’s Sheffield hub, shares five things you only know if you’re a corporate lawyer.

1.It’s nothing like Suits

3. Commercial awareness

5. AI

Contrary to popular media portrayals, the life of a corporate lawyer is less about courtroom drama and more about highly complex document management. We spend hours meticulously combing through contracts, sale agreements and financial documents, ensuring every detail is in order and drafted accurately.

One of the most crucial attributes for a corporate lawyer is an acute sense of commercial awareness. This means being intimately attuned to the ever-shifting currents of the business world, and also interpreting how deals evolve, identifying trends in the marketplace and understanding industry dynamics.

The legal landscape is undergoing a technological transformation and corporate lawyers are no exception. AI is becoming more common in our field, particularly in mergers and acquisitions, making our work more efficient.

2. Sheffield is the place to be

4. Teamwork

Sheffield is an effervescent city renowned for its innovative technology companies and robust commercial environment, with some of the UK’s leading SMEs being based in the city, which makes it an inspiring place to work as a corporate lawyer.

Most corporate transactions require seamless collaboration between various professionals, all working toward a common goal – getting the deal done. This necessitates building and nurturing strong networks to ensure the best possible outcome.

For more information on Shakespeare Martineau, visit www.shma.co.uk

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing & Engineering

Engineering firm marks a return to profitability S heffield-based specialist engineering group, Pressure Technologies, expects to report revenue of about £32m (FY22: £25m) in FY23, representing like-for-like growth of 28%, underpinning a return to profitability.

The group anticipates adjusted EBITDA of around £2m (FY22: loss of £0.9m). This performance was driven by group order intake of about £43m (FY22: £25m) in the year, a 72% increase on prior year, supporting an order book of approximately £21m (FY22: £10m) at year-end, providing much improved forward revenue visibility.

Pressure Technologies operates across two divisions – Chesterfield Special Cylinders (CSC) and Precision Machined Components (PMC).

Chris Walters, chief executive, said: “Strong order intake in both divisions and recent operational

improvements have driven a more consistent performance in the second half of FY23 which has enabled a return to much improved levels of profitability.

“We continue to see opportunities for further margin improvement in both divisions.

“Global defence programmes present strong opportunities for Chesterfield Special Cylinders and we remain well positioned to transition into the developing hydrogen energy market to supply static and mobile storage solutions, and to provide the through-life inspection, testing and recertification services for these

Chris Walters

‘We continue to see opportunities for further margin improvement’

safety-critical systems over the longer term.”

The group adds that it made a scheduled repayment of £1m to Lloyds Banking Group on 29 September 2023 from existing cash resources.

This cut the remaining debt balance payable to Lloyds to £0.9m

which Pressure Technologies expects to repay in full on 31 December 2023, at which point the facility will expire.

Pressure Technologies notes it has continued to explore options for raising additional finance to provide increased working capital headroom and to fund the transition of its CSC division into the hydrogen energy market.

New machine added to AME-3D’s offering AME-3D are pleased to announce the acquisition of a new cuttingedge depowdering & shot blasting system to their workshop technology, furthering their commitment to innovation and excellence for their customers.

The new machinery added will be the PostPro DP, which will significantly enhance AME-3D’s efficiency, quality, and overall productivity.

This advanced machinery ensures faster turnaround times while maintaining the highest standards of precision and performance.

The PostPro DP is CE & ISO 9001:2015 certified, allowing AME-3D to maintain their high standards.

Rich Proctor, AME-3D’s managing director, said: “We are thrilled to announce the addition of this new shot blasting machine to our workshop lineup, a great investment demonstrating AME-3D’s commitment to providing nothing but excellence to its customers.

“This technology will empower us to continue setting benchmarks for quality & efficiency.”

This strategic acquisition marks another milestone in AME-3D’s exciting growth, as they head towards further acquisition of the latest industry-leading tools & upscaling their services.

By investing in this new technology, AME-3D solidifies its place as a leading rapid prototyping, 3D printing and low volume manufacturer.

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing & Engineering

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Latest Gripple Graduate Scheme recruits, from left: Jacob Bradder, Claudia Creswell and Samuel Valentine

Gripple brings in fresh talent ripple, the Sheffieldheadquartered, employeeowned manufacturer of wire joiners and tensioners and suspension solutions for agriculture, construction, solar and infrastructure, has appointed two new graduates, plus an undergraduate placement student to the business, demonstrating its commitment to investing in its future talent.

Joining the Gripple Graduate Scheme is Jacob Bradder, a mechanical engineering graduate of Sheffield Hallam University and Claudia Creswell, an economic and modern languages graduate from the University of Sheffield. In addition, Samuel Valentine, a product design engineering student from Loughborough University has joined Gripple on

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an undergraduate placement.

Samuel is spending a year working in product design within the ideas & innovation team at the Innovation Centre in Sheffield, gai ning real life experience of product design and design engineering.

Jacob and Claudia were successful in applying for Gripple’s scheme, which always receives a huge number of applications and is in its 11th year. They will spend 16 months rotating around the business, spending several weeks in a number of key departments, including

engineering and advanced manufacturing, marketing, finance, digital transformation, IT and sales, where they will work on specific projects and get real hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in each department.

To enhance their personal development, each graduate is allocated a ‘home’ department for the duration of the programme and is encouraged to find a senior mentor in the business, while being supported by Gripple’s people and culture team.

Emma Hibbert, recruitment

‘Our graduates can, and indeed are, expected to make an impact from day one’

manager at Gripple, s aid: “What makes our grad scheme different is that our graduates can, and indeed are, expected to make an impact from day one and they are involved in real-life projects that add value to the business.

“They are able to experience many different areas of working at Gripple, which helps them build up their knowledge and reach the right decision as to the best role for them within the company at the end of the programme.”

Gripple will shortly be launching its 2024 scheme, with pathways on offer including technology, commercial, people & culture and operations, with the company looking to recruit graduates with a specific interest in business IT, business management and human resources.

Aspire to Be receives vital funding boost South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has announced that £465k has been awarded to Doncaster Deaf Trust (DDT) to fund a recently developed project that will support people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) into further learning and employment.

The project, called Aspire to Be, offers tailored, sector-specific training for those aged 16-60 with SEND. The project aims to build on personal skills and provide opportunities to increase confidence, self-esteem, selfdevelopment, and improve health and wellbeing as individuals are supported to achieve employment in various sectors, including hospitality, logistics/driving, warehousing/distribution and retail.

The training modules have been inclusively designed to aid support for those with limited abilities or anxieties that would otherwise be excluded from or would not engage in an educational setting. In addition, the programme offers a clear focus on employment outcomes and non-accredited training within these

44 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard (centre) with staff and clients of the Doncaster Deaf Trust, including CEO Alexis Johnson (second from left)

sectors as it prepares people for work and is tailored to ability and needs.

Alexis Johnson, chief executive officer of Doncaster Deaf Trust, which manages Aspire to Be, said: “We are thrilled that Aspire to Be has been awarded a contract from SYMCA so we can deliver this innovative and much-needed project providing specialist employability and

employment outcomes to adults across South Yorkshire.”

“We’re all excited to start this new chapter for this project with this vital funding. We now really want to hear from individuals who think this programme may be right for them or professionals in the education and employment field who are aware of people who could benefit.”

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Q4 2023 BUSINESS connect 45

BIZ CONNECT Q4 2023.qxp_Chamberlink 16/11/2023 09:18 Page 46

Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Silver rating awarded to The Sheffield College he Sheffield College has achieved a silver rating in a national scheme that recognises excellence in university level teaching.

Run by the Office for Students, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence.

It focuses on the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

The TEF does this by assessing and rating universities and colleges for excellence above a set of minimum requirements for quality and standards.

Education providers that take

T

part in the TEF receive an overall rating as well as two underpinning ratings for the student experience and student outcomes.

The ratings reflect the extent to which a provider delivers an excellent experience and outcomes for its mix of undergraduate students and across the range of its undergraduate courses and subjects.

Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal, said: “Achieving a TEF silver rating overall is a fabulous result for the college and our higher education students. It demonstrates our commitment to truly transforming lives through learning and is a real credit to the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

‘Achieving a TEF silver rating overall is a fabulous result for the college’

46 BUSINESS connect Q4 2023

Higher education students celebrate at the college’s graduation ceremony

Overall, the college achieved a silver rating which means that the student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.

In addition to the overall rating, the college was awarded an underpinning silver rating for student outcomes, which are typically very high.

The college also received an underpinning bronze rating for student experience, which means it

is typically high quality and there are some very high quality features.

A wide range of degree level courses are offered by the college at its university centre - UC Sheffield - based at City Campus and Hillsborough Campus.

The college also offers higher technical qualifications in computing, construction and health, available at Levels 4 and 5, and which have been developed with employers.

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