Business Intelligence May-June 22

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May/June 2022

Business

Intelligence The Magazine of Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce

Rolling out the red carpet for VIP guest Bank of England Governor joins Chamber breakfast

Member News

Policy

Sector Focus

Goole and Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards return after two years

Chamber welcomes news of LEPs going into local authorities

The importance of complying with Export Controls when trading

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Contents May/June 2022

Business

Intelligence President’s Message 5

New President Mike Whitehead’s first 40 days in office

Big Interview 6

Simon Clarke, International Trade Consultant

Focus on 8

The benefits of electric vehicles: Members learn about EVs at Chamber business breakfast, hosted by Hatfields Jaguar

Policy 10 Chamber welcomes news of HEY LEP going into local authorities 12 Bank of England Governor joins the Chamber at Breakfast meeting

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14 New President’s plans for his year in office

Member News 16 Awards are a celebration of business excellence

Patrons 28 TfL chooses AA Global for transport translation expertise

Spotlight Features 32 Hotels, Conferences & Events Planning a sustainable event 34 Choosing the perfect venue

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37 Professional Services What is a coaching culture?

39 The value of a strong employer brand

Sector Focus 40 International Trade The importance of using Carnets 44 Legal & Finance Law firm adopts hybrid working 47 Skills & Training Business coach scoops industry award 48 Manufacturing Progress made on medical facility 50 Motoring David Hooper tests the Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid

New Members 56 The Chamber welcomes new members

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The Last Word 58 Alison Ellis, Care to Talk Limited May/June 2022

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Growing your business, building our economy

President’s Message

HEAD OFFICE Hull & East Yorkshire (Head Office) 34/38 Beverley Road, Hull HU3 1YE T: 01482 324976 NORTHERN LINCOLNSHIRE OFFICE Port Offices, Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby North East Lincolnshire DN31 3LL T: 01472 342981 WEBSITE www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk EMAIL To help us deal with your message more quickly, please select the most appropriate address from below: GENERAL: info@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk International Trade: itc@hull-humberchamber.co.uk TRAINING: info@chambertraining.com Press Releases: press@hull-humberchamber.co.uk WEBSITE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS: webmaster@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk PUBLISHED BY:

Kemps Publishing Ltd Unit 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Blake DESIGNER: Lloyd Hollingworth ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk PRINTERS Buxton Press W: www.buxtonpress.com ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Business Intelligence is a bi-monthly magazine distributed to more than 2,000 member companies and affiliates in the Humber region.

Hull & Humber Chamber welcomes newsworthy articles of business interest. As editorial space is limited, inclusion cannot be guaranteed and the editor may amend or reject articles submitted.

Send articles to: press@hull-humber.co.uk

My first 40 days Incredible to think I only became President a short time ago but so much has happened in that time and it’s been such a fabulous journey.

The AGM and lunch was a great start and having a Q&A with North Hull MP Dame Diana Johnson was amazing. Over 90 people attended at the MKM Stadium and everyone seemed to enjoy it almost as much as me!

This was closely followed by being Zoom videotaped in my tuxedo for the forthcoming North East Lincolnshire Business Awards Dinner when the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce will be present too.

We taped a little surprise for the night which I hope is funny? If you haven’t already, do book your tickets for what will be a great night of celebration and entertainment including West End performers. See Page 20 for more details.

I am really looking forward to this awards ceremony as it is one of the highlights of the year. I have started planning the year’s events ahead with lots of exciting ideas we hope to bring to fruition in the next few months.

I am particularly excited how well Horizon Youth Zone has become established as my Presidential Charity.

The charity works with under-privileged youngsters and will set up its first facility in the region at Freshney Place in Grimsby.

This will be a hugely beneficial asset for the community and I am so excited that Chamber members are getting involved.

Finally hosting a Breakfast briefing with The Governor of The Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, was also amazing.

Over 100 attended the excellent breakfast at The Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel and as well as an interesting speech by Andrew, he answered some searching questions from the audience.

What a first 40 days and hopefully much more to come.

Mike Whitehead President, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Patrons

PRIVACY NOTICE

As a not-for-profit organisation, the Chamber is very grateful to our Patrons, who support us in our aim to help our Members develop their businesses.

Kemps Publishing Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: To provide postal copies of this publication to chamber members and Kemps' customers; and to offer marketing and promotional opportunities within this publication to Chamber members and prospects. Whenever we process data for thes e purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard. If you wish to, you can visit www.kempspublishing.co.uk to view our full Privacy Notice and to learn more about our legitimate interests and your rights in this regard.

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KCOM Arco Humberside Streets Chartered Accountants Associated British Ports SPS Group of Companies On Loan Recruitment Ltd Clugston Group Ltd Wilkin Chapman LLP Solicitors University of Hull My Group

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Andrew Jackson Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort Orsted ASM Global Ellgia Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers AA Global Language Services Ltd Kevin Greene Photography Drax Equinor New Energy Ltd May/June 2022

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Big Interview

Phil Ascough of Ascough Associates talks to former Chamber board member Simon Clarke as he returns home and reflects on his time in the Middle East.

Food for thought 6

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addock. Chips. Pint of Black Sheep. Can’t you just tell that food and beverage consultant Simon Clarke is back in his native East Yorkshire after more than six years in Dubai?

A former member of the Chamber’s board, Simon is home for good, drawing on his international experience and contacts including senior roles with Young’s Seafood and Unilever to help businesses find and maximise the opportunities presented by a changing world.

“The pandemic was a big time for retail food with all those online deliveries,” he recalled.

“When I look back at the numbers, 2020 and 2021 were incredible years. It’s not the same now because people have started to eat out again but it’s interesting to see people trying to match those stellar years and asking how they can do it. The businesses I have been involved with have looked at the landscape, seen that business has become flat and found new opportunities elsewhere. For example I’ve got somebody looking at exporting potatoes to the Middle East.”

For someone who loves travel, Simon didn’t stray far from East Yorkshire in his early years. He grew up at Pocklington, studied at the University of Hull and bought his first house with wife Sarah off Ella Street in Hull.

It was close to the legendary Jack Kaye’s, and nobody who remembers that corner shop renowned for being in the mould of Arkwright’s in Open All Hours will be surprised that Simon settled into the food and beverage sector. His departure after more than 10 years travelling the UK with Unilever, three years in Lancashire with Holland’s Pies and 10 years running various units at Young’s Seafoods in Grimsby came because the time was right for a big change.

Now the time is right for another one.

Simon said: “I decided I wanted a workcation! Broaden my work experience and do something different. But now the timing is right for all of us as a family to return.”

Sarah has been running her own property business from afar. Eldest daughter Chiara had been at university in the UK and wanted to work here. Youngest daughter Esme finished her A levels and wanted to go to university in the UK. Simon launched SSC Global Associates Ltd, based at his home in Brantingham.

‘Brexit has been a bit of a wakeup call but once you start looking outside Europe the process is not as onerous as people might think’ He said: “I help European companies set up their business interests outside Europe, primarily the Middle East and the United States, looking at things like scale of the market opportunity, route to market, distribution partners, maybe doing visits with them to understand the market and make some introductions.

“Particularly in the case of food exports Brexit has been a bit of a wake-up call but once you start looking outside Europe the process is not as onerous as people might think.

You just need to know your way around.”

Simon’s first step towards his spell in Dubai was to contact a friend who runs a company in Kuwait and introduced him to a business that wanted a general manager. That was followed by an approach from somebody who wanted to set up a joint venture between a large company in Asia and another one in Saudi Arabia. A new network was coming together and was reinforced as Simon spent six and a half years working in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Simon Clarke - based in the Humber, working globally

As he settles back into life and work in East Yorkshire, Simon recognises that the Chamber still has the international links to support him in opening up new territories to the region’s businesses.

He said: “I have a passion for East Yorkshire and I was part of the Chamber before so I wanted to come back and see if I could help businesses. If I can make life easier getting into one of the most complex areas in the world I am happy to help businesses broaden their offer.

“I know how things operate in the UK and I know the right people to connect with in the Middle East. I’m also doing some work in the US where I have experience – I’m based in East Yorkshire and I’m working globally.”

Awareness of regulatory issues, political pitfalls and the people skills required to unite a multicultural team helps a business plan its expansion into unfamiliar markets, especially those with a degree of volatility.

Simon warned: “When something goes wrong things can literally change overnight. When Saudi banned Vietnamese seafood we had to find another product quickly. You have to be agile and quick to adapt.”

His time in the Middle East has sharpened his awareness of the things he values the most about the UK. Professionally, it’s the calibre of the people who make business work. Personally, there’s a list which came readily to mind over a stroll and lunch in picturesque, pubfriendly Walkington.

Simon said: “I have massively missed friends and family.

We kept in touch and most of them came out to see us so when we came back it felt more like six and a half weeks than six and a half years.

“I missed the seasons. I am fascinated by opening the window and looking at the garden every morning and seeing what’s happened, full of life and colour. In the Middle East it just goes from hot to very hot!

“I missed the pubs – the first place we went when we came back. It’s the friendliness and the culture because it’s a bit more nomadic out there – with so many people from different countries you don’t get that home culture.

“I miss walking. You take public footpaths for granted.

Aren’t they everywhere? No! I miss Hull City – the glue between me and my friends. I got back for two or three matches a season, maybe Christmas trips, and I was at Wembley in 2016.

“I think you have to live away to understand how special the East Riding is.”

To find out more email clarkesimon@hotmail.co.uk

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Electrifying business breakfast for Chamber members at

Hatfields Jaguar

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hamber members enjoyed bacon butties and tasty pastries as they learned about the Jaguar and Land Rover ranges of electric vehicles, charging points and the tax benefits of running an electric vehicle as a company car.

RIGHT: Early visitors learning more about the Jaguar range of electric vehicles BELOW: Jaguar Formula E Race Car on static display in the showroom

ABOVE: Vicki handing over a goody bag to its lucky winner!

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FOCUS ON: The benefits of

electric vehicles

Hatfields on Saxon Way, Priory Park West, Hull, recently became Chamber Patrons and are flying the flag for the luxury Land Rover and Jaguar brands in the north.

Following huge investments on both facilities, they have superb showrooms and service centres and have transformed the sites the family-run business acquired eight years ago. Bespoke workshop space have also been created, which is fitting for the luxury Land Rover and Jaguar ranges.

‘Formula E is the electric vehicle equivalent of Formula 1, with its own race series’ INSET RIGHT: The family pooch likes a bit of comfort too, while the cycle rack is a great accessory for families on the go

Guests were welcomed by Sales Director Craig Petty and Business Development Manager Vicki Welsh, along with Adrian Wilson from The Car Charge Company who was on hand to give advice about electric car chargers.

Hatfields are celebrating their centenary this year, but

are now looking to the future as the switch to electric vehicles is gathering pace. The company had also managed to get a Jaguar Formula E racing car in the showroom, which was an added attraction for their breakfast guests. Formula E is the electric vehicle equivalent of Formula 1, with its own race series in which some of the world’s top drivers compete at circuits all over the world.

During the presentation, Vicki explained the differences between Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Extended Range EVs and Battery Electric Vehicles currently available and the different types of chargers owners will come across.

Vicki also highlighted the Go I-Pace app which anyone can use to see how an electric car might work for them, while they are driving their current vehicle, giving a personalised cost comparison.

For more information about any of the Jaguar Land Rover range, contact Hatfield’s Jaguar on (01482) 627300 or Hatfield’s Land Rover on (01482) 645413.

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Chamber Policy Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is the collective ‘voice’ of business across the Humber region representing the views and interests of our Members at local, regional and national levels.

HEY LEP moves into local authorities

Dr Ian Kelly: announcement on LEPs is welcomed

r Ian Kelly, Chief Executive of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, welcomed a letter from Neil O’Brien MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Levelling Up at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and his colleague Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Department of Business (BEIS), to integrate Local Enterprise Partnerships into local democratic institutions (local councils).

There has been a changing landscape for business over the past quarter of a century with Training and Enterprise Councils, Business Links, then Regional Development Agencies and now Local Enterprise Partnerships which have proved useful as quangos for Government in intervening in local areas to support regeneration.

The recent announcement by Ministers to put them into the new Local Government arrangements either through Elected Mayors or Combined Authorities will help reduce confusion with business organisations like Chambers of Commerce, the FSB, and IOD, who are the genuine representatives of local business communities.

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As the quangos are integrated into local government we will look to define the boundaries of how new Government spending on local Levelling Up and regeneration will work in the most positive way.

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Chamber Policy

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The Governor of the Bank of England (second right) pictured at the Chamber breakfast with (from left) the Director of the Chamber’s Acorn Fund, Craig Simpson, Chamber President Mike Whitehead and Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly

A rare opportunity to listen to the Governor of the Bank of England speaking to the Chamber of Commerce of Hull

Bank of England Governor joins the Chamber for Breakfast meeting T he Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce rolled out the proverbial red carpet for a breakfast meeting with the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, in April.

Mr Bailey was officially welcomed by Chamber President Mike Whitehead and an attentive audience of more than 100 12

Business Intelligence May/June 2022

businessmen and women from across the Humber region at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel.

The President highlighted how pleased the Chamber was to be able to welcome the Governor to the region after a very difficult couple of years for businesses which have had to deal with all manner of challenges, from the

Covid-19 pandemic, to rising energy prices and now the fall-out from the war in Ukraine.

He said: “We are all aware of the inflationary pressures, interest rate rises and how the war has changed policymakers’ views about supply chain and energy security issues.

“The Humber is the Energy Estuary and the growing renewables capital of the UK and will be at the centre of resolving those energy security issues for the nation.”

Against a backdrop of three interest rate rises in a year the Governor explained some of the difficulties of forecasting monetary policy in a complicated world which is currently trying to cope with a major war in Europe and the reemergence of Covid in China on a large scale.

Questions from the floor included some from the Chair of the Chamber’s North Lincolnshire Area Council Paul Cooper who is an insolvency expert, and the Chair of the Chamber’s North East Lincolnshire Council Area Council Irene Keal, as well as numerous other guests.

Thanking the Governor for coming to Hull in a good-humoured exchange, Chamber Chief

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Executive Dr Ian Kelly, highlighted the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey which feeds into the British Chambers National Survey, which in turn is fed up to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, asking people locally to complete the survey and tell the Governor exactly how they see this part of the world’s economy and business environment.

Dr Kelly also referenced former Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, who had worked with the Governor earlier in his career during the financial crisis to ensure Iceland’s fishing industry served Grimsby’s need for fish and in particular kept the UK’s national dish of fish and chips served up across the country.

Ian similarly noted how the Chamber had set up the Humber LEP when asked to do so

by Secretary of State Greg Clarke some 12 years ago and how it had helped to create the enterprise zones which are now home to Siemens’ blade factory in Hull and Orsted’s operations on Grimsby docks. A decade later we were now reaping the reward for those investments and he also highlighted the hopes for the Humber’s next steps on Freeport status

A packed hall saw more than 120 people listen to the Governor’s update

‘The Humber is the Energy Estuary and the growing renewables capital of the UK and will be at the centre of resolving those energy security issues for the nation’ and how Michael Gove’s ambitions for ‘Opportunities Humber’ could yet shape the region’s green future at a faster pace.

In his vote of thanks, Ian asked the Governor to remind his friends in the ‘small

provincial town’ where his Bank is based called London that the Humber is now increasingly the capital of our rapidly growing green renewables industry in the UK and beyond.

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Chamber Policy Quarterly Economic Survey Q1 2022 Growing concerns revealed by QES The Hull & Humber Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey results for the first quarter of 2022 saw Humber business fairing slightly better than they had towards the end of 2021, but rapidly rising costs and their effect on prices and profits were clearly a growing concern.

Research by Hull & Humber Chamber revealed that pressure on prices was a major worry for business as rising interest rates to combat inflation, increasing raw material costs, pay settlements and finance costs were all adding up to a fairly torrid time for firms, as the war in Ukraine may yet add more challenges to the business environment and its supply chains.

Nationally, the British Chambers of Commerce QES results for Q1 2022 – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – shows inflationary pressures on firms reaching levels never previously recorded in its 33-year history.

The economic survey’s Q1 results showed that Home Sales and Home Orders were doing better than in the previous quarter, with Home Sales showing the strongest climb, up 30 points, while Home Orders were up 12 points.

Employment in the last three months also bounced back strongly in Q1, with a balance figure climbing back into positive territory with an increase of 61 points to +13.

Perhaps unsurprisingly firms’ Profit Expectations for the next 12 months also faired badly in Quarter 1, dropping 11 points to –9.

The survey also confirms that widely predicted price rises are also on the way with 78% of firms saying they were expecting to have to increase their prices in the next 12 months.

The Chamber’s External Affairs Director David Hooper said: “These results are quite stark and demonstrate that businesses are under increasing pressure from almost every direction at the moment.

“Steep increases in energy prices are headline news and are a major concern for business as rising interest rates, inflation, raw material costs, pay settlements and finance costs are all adding up to a fairly torrid time for firms.”

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Chamber leaders at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (from left) Dr Ian Kelly, Chief Executive; Mike Whitehead, President; Phil Jones, Immediate Past President and Albert Weatherill, the new Vice President

New President’s plans for his year in office he Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce elected Mike Whitehead as its 110th president during its Annual General Meeting when he succeeded Phil Jones, who completed a rare two-year term, having steered the Chamber through a challenging period of change and the Covid19 pandemic.

In his first speech as President, Mike underlined his commitment to securing regional devolution and ensuring the Humber prospers.

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‘It is a particular honour to be President of the Chamber’ A former NHS manager, he expressed his disappointment at the political battle of wills which saw Humber progress stifled, but is optimistic about the work now emerging under the Opportunities Humber banner, with Reckitt CEO Laxman Narasimhan working alongside the Humber Leadership Board made up of council chiefs and LEP chairs - to focus on strategic growth for a globally significant region.

Mike said: “It is a particular honour to be President of the Chamber. I’m a local lad. I spent 28 years at Hull Royal Infirmary, as a manager of surgery and critical care, and my grandfathers were dockers and trawlermen in Hull - that’s working class aristocracy.”

He has since turned his attention to property development and also served as an East Riding councillor between 2011 and 2015, representing Kirk Ella.

“I’m looking forward to carrying on a lot of things Phil has been involved with,” he

continued. “We are in a very good place, with very good relationships with local authorities and MPs, and in a position to influence and represent businesses in the Humber.

“We are a true pan-Humber organisations at a time when the Humber has split apart hopefully it is only temporary, hopefully it will come back.

“The South Bank is important to the region, and one of the reasons I have chosen Horizon as my charity this year.

“I look forward to a year of activity, my door is always open as I used to say in the NHS, and the same applies here. We have a very good team, an excellent chief executive and excellent officers.”

He aims to support the On Side Youth Zone Charity which is building a new flagship youth facility on Grimsby’s long derelict Garth Lane site with plans to open in 2024.

Mike said he would like to see a similar facility built in Hull.

Mike added: “We have faced challenges we never thought we would have to deal with and have got some big challenges ahead. There is a lot happening, we have a leaner, fitter, stronger financially, very proactive Chamber.”

Phil Jones highlighted his appreciation at becoming part of the Chamber team, having “Seen what’s happened within the organisation, where it has come from and how well it has been done.

“It is in a really good place and in really good hands.

“I do feel a little bit sad to be handing over the chains of office, hopefully there are other things for me to be involved with in and around the Chamber in coming years.”

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Business Intelligence ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Students challenged The Phillips 66 Humber Refinery has challenged young people to come up with creative ideas to support the country’s energy transition and benefit the environment. he competition is open to all North East Lincolnshire schools and is being run alongside the annual Skills Fair, taking place at Grimsby Auditorium on Friday, 15th July.

The Phillips 66 team behind the competition is the Early Careers Network (ECN) group, comprising young people with a degree or professional qualification who have joined the company within five years.

Woody Nunn, one of two ECN leads, was excited about the ideas young people will generate.

“The Education Challenge encourages students to consider how society will look in the future in terms of sustaining our way of life while minimising our carbon footprint” Woody said.

“It is almost impossible to answer as nobody really knows what changes are coming.

“If you’d posed the same question 20 years ago, nobody would have predicted we would be refining used cooking oil to create biofuels, or looking at how wind turbines in the sea could produce renewable hydrogen to power the refinery.

“Imagination is the limit, and we’re excited to hear the student’s ideas.”

The winning team will win £1,000 for their school and will be invited to the refinery on work experience. Runners up will be getting £500 for their school.

Woody explained the competition was split into three sections: research, compare and contrast, and innovation.

“We would like them to look at the wide brief and see where it takes them, rather than us leading them anywhere.”

The ECN group is being supported with the competition by Decarbonisation Project Leader Adam Young and External communications and Public Affairs Lead Nina Stobart are supporting the ECN with the competition.

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The Early Careers Network team (left to right) Connor Benson, Ashin Leons, Holly Gibson, Woody Nunn and Charlotte Atkinson, with Project Leader Adam Young.

Adam said: “Our Refinery of the Future vision focuses on decarbonisation and producing products for a lower carbon world.

We are very much part of the energy transition.

“The Education Challenge will enable children to think about and explore their thoughts. We are looking forward to seeing the entries.”

Every school and academy are being sent details about the competition and how to enter. It will be extended to North Lincolnshire schools and academies later in the year.

It was one task for a busy ECN group. Its purposes is to provide recent professional hires an environment to meet and network in an informal setting while promoting professional and career growth.

It has 45 members at the Humber Refinery and is run by a four-strong team of volunteers.

Woody, originally from Leeds, read Chemical Engineering at Manchester University before joining Phillips 66 as a Process Engineer in September, 2017.

The group organises social activities to help personal development – members have been axe throwing, paddle boarding and go karting recently – and organises lunch and learns, with today’s refinery leaders briefing potential managers of the future.

“The ECN network provides a great interface with our senior leaders,” said Woody.

“It provides an environment where we can discuss the future of the refinery and the energy industry in a wider context.

“We are trying to broaden employees’ horizons.

“It also helps with retention. A lot of colleagues are like me, with professional qualifications but no links to the area. They have moved and are happy living here.”

Another focus was to encourage more young girls into engineering, which is where the Education Challenge will help.

“Engineering has, traditionally, been very male heavy and one of our challenges is to show it is a place for young women to have a great career.”

In addition to the competition, Phillips 66 is sponsoring the STEM Village at the 2022 Skills Fair.

For more details, go to www.phillips66.com/uk @Phillips66UK

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Member News The latest news, success stories and updates from members of Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.

A celebration of business excellence T he Chamber's Goole and Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards returned for 2022 at Goole High School after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The winners were announced at the awards ceremony in February compered by television

personality Harry Gration and well attended by shortlisted finalists, sponsors, judges and other local businesses.

Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce President Phil Jones welcomed everyone to the event and praised the Awards Committee for putting the event

The 2022 winners are as follows: CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY (CHARITY) - Sponsored by Jos. Richardson & Son: • Lunchbox Goole CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY (BUSINESSES) - Sponsored by H. Walton Ltd: • AM Dairies ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Siemens: • Ted’s Patch INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Press Association: • Emma Bateman Art LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Chronicle Publications: • Grotech Production Ltd MARKETING EXCELLENCE - Sponsored by Fil: • Wild Agency Ltd NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Danbrit Holdings: • Ideal Removals SELF-EMPLOYED/MICRO BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce: • The Tipsy Cow Trailer SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by MNA Group Ltd: • Wade Joinery Construction Services TEAM OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Leisure Timber Products: • PA Media - TV Metadata team in Howden THE COVID-19 AWARD: • Selby College TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD - Sponsored by Morgan & Quinn: • Accountancy Tuition Academy Limited

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All the award winners pictured together at the end of the evening

on in challenging circumstances.

The independent panel of judges chose PA Media as the

Katie Taylor receives her award from Garrey Haase and Harry Gration

Overall Business of the Year, an award sponsored by Link Agency.

Katie Taylor MBE was

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Member News

honoured with the Tim Richardson Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the region’s economy. Katie owns and runs Drewton’s Farm Shop and the Manor Rooms at South Cave and employs around 50 people, as well as supporting a network of more than 250 Yorkshire-based farmers, growers and suppliers.

She has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, is a proud ambassador for the local area and a champion of locally sourced food and drink.

Garrey Haase, Chairman of the organising committee, explained: “It was wonderful to be back after a two-year gap and fantastic to see so many local businesses there

to support the event and celebrate with us. As a committee, we only made the decision to proceed with plans for the 2022 event in September so I’d like to thank the committee, which is made up entirely of volunteers from the local business community, for pulling the whole thing together in record time, as well as thanking our judges, sponsors and everyone who entered, especially our fantastic finalists.

“I’d also like to congratulate our winners on their achievement. It’s incredible to see that local businesses, which have shown such resilience over the last two years, are bouncing back from the hardship they have undoubtedly faced.”

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Member News

Chamber Expo returns in new format ne of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s flagship events returns this year with a new one-day format and a change of venue, but is retaining its place taking centre stage in the heart of Humber Business Week 2022.

The date is Tuesday, 7 June, and the venue this year is the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby, Hull, HU10 6EB. Stands are now available for booking through the Chamber’s website at hullhumber-chamber.co.uk, or by contacting Hannah Crookes or Janice Harrison who will be happy to help.

As usual, Chamber Expo will host all kinds of businesses from both banks of the Humber and the spacious venue can accommodate some outside stand space for larger exhibitors.

This year’s standholders can to look forward to electricity and two packed lunches included in the price of the stand,

for networking and making introductions to potential suppliers of everything from cakes to cranes.

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So don’t miss out, book your stand now online at: Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce (hull-humberchamber.co.uk)

Chamber Expo – returning with a new oneday format

Call (01482) 324976 to speak with Janice or Hannah, or email h.crookes@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk with your requirements.

while parking and entry to Chamber Expo 2022 will be free.

The Chamber’s famous Speed Networking will also return this year, providing a great opportunity to meet some new business people from around the region.

Anyone is welcome to visit – you don’t have to be a Chamber member to exhibit, or to attend on the day. The Chamber’s everpopular event provides a great opportunity

Chamber membership now includes five new advice lines – HR, Legal, H&S, tax and VAT Three document libraries – HR, H&S and legal – almost 800 template documents plus lots more information The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has invested in its membership offer and has recently launched four important new services to support Humber businesses which are now included as part of the Chamber package.

Chamber HR, Chamber H&S, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax are all now available to members and are free to use as often as they like.

Chamber members also have access to a huge library of around 800 downloadable documents and templates covering employment, health and safety, tax and legal matters.

All the new services can be accessed by one phone number which gives members immediate advice and support via five advice lines – HR, H&S, Legal, Tax and VAT These new services represent a major investment by the Chamber in its membership offer. The services are part of a national scheme provided by Quest with 45,000 UK Chamber of Commerce users.

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David Hooper, The Chamber’s External Affairs Director, said: “Businesses are facing challenging times at the moment and these new services offer excellent support to all businesses, whatever size they may be. I believe these new services will protect our members, help them stay compliant, particularly with issues around Covid-19 like HR and H&S requirements, and give them peace of mind.

“Our new services are employer focused, so the HR line for example, can help businesses deal with redundancy procedures, appraisals or disciplinary procedures and comes with access to experienced advisors for handholding support when they need it, or provide access to documents which are regularly updated to reflect the latest rules and regulations.

“The Health and Safety package offers unlimited advice and access to documents like H&S policies, risk assessment templates and the offer of free One2One reviews. Chamber Legal provides unlimited access to experienced

legal advisors and a library of documents, while Chamber Tax provides access to tax and VAT advisors who can be a great help at tax return time!”

Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly said: “We are delighted to be able to include these excellent new benefits as part of our membership package. They provide expert advice and support on many key aspects of running a business and I would encourage our members to make good use of these new, premium services.”

Members only can call 01455 852037 for immediate support and assistance.

For more information, contact the Hull and East Yorkshire office: 01482 324976 or email j.harrison@hull-humberchamber.co.uk, or the Northern Lincolnshire Office: 01472 342981 or email a.tate@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

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North Lincolnshire Business Awards gala celebration...

T he nominees for the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2022 were revealed ahead of the 2022 Black Tie Gala Awards Presentation and Dinner held at Grimsby Auditorium, in May. Headline sponsors of the Awards were Phillips 66.

As well as the glittering awards ceremony hosted by Richard Askam, a courtesy drinks reception and three-course dinner catered by Steve Bennett of The Lincolnshire Chef was enjoyed by guests, who were then entertained by an after dinner show performed by both professional West End performers and local students. The theme of the evening was “A Right Royal Do”.

A full report and pictures from the event will feature in the next edition of Business Intelligence, and further information can be found at www.nlincsba.co.uk.

For further information on next year’s awards, or to get involved, contact Anne Tate at a.tate@hull-humberchamber.co.uk

The award categories and nominees: THE SYMES BAINS BROOMER SMALL BUSINESS AWARD • The Pink Pig • Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors • Appoint Consulting Ltd THE HBP SYSTEMS BUSINESS GROWTH AWARD • Know Film • JemBuild Ltd • Lindsey Lodge Hospice & Healthcare THE WILKIN CHAPMAN BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD • Walshe’s Property Ltd Josh Walshe • Card Industry Professionals Ciaran Savage • IMS Flooring T/A GCW & Running International Myles Shaw THE TECHNICAL ABSORBENTS INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARD • Medibiosense Ltd • Virtual Music Academy Ltd • Ramsden International THE BRIDGE MCFARLAND LLP NEW BUSINESS AWARD • Virtual Music Academy Ltd • BeGreatFitness • The Mortgage Space Ltd

Guests enjoying a previous awards evening

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THE DOCKS BEERS YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD • BeGreatFitness Bailey Greetham-Clark • Virtual Music Academy Ltd Cameron Richardson-Eames • Francesca Young Art Francessa Young

THE NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AWARD • Docks Beers • Nunnys Farm • IMS Flooring T/A GCW & Running International THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESS INVESTMENT AWARD • Rapid Travel Group • HBP Systems Ltd • Know Film THE GRIMSBY INSTITUTE TRAINING EXCELLENCE AWARD • HBP Systems Ltd • Sylvester Keal Ltd • JemBuild Ltd THE EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY AWARD • Ongo • Nunnys Farm • Grimbarians CIC THE PEPPERELLS INNOVATION AWARD • Medibiosense Ltd • Paragon Traffic Management Ltd • Virtual Music Academy Ltd TILLETTS BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR • Rapid Travel Group Rebecca Anderson-Hall • Riverhead Coffee Nic Till • Appoint Consulting Ltd Natalie Cook THE BUSINESS LIVE PANDEMIC THRIVE & SURVIVE AWARD. • The Culture House • Go Cruise • Docks Beers

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Member News

... And special guest of honour attends he Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Havilland, as its guest of honour at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2022.

Shevaun became Director General of BCC at the end of April 2021.

She joined BCC from the Cabinet Office where she led Business Partnerships. She joined the Government in 2016 and also ran the Inclusive Economy Partnership for HMG. Shevaun started her career in consultancy in London and New York. She then moved to the Walt Disney Company in strategic planning before joining Disneyland Paris, opening the second theme park. Shevaun then joined the agency world, running global accounts for Millward Brown, Mindshare and WPP. Following this, she became a partner in a start-up digital innovation agency and venture builder, Independents United, where she also became an Advisor for the Danson Foundation.

Most recently, Shevaun was the New Ventures Director for Avado, building new businesses in Edtech and founding the Academy of Digital Business Leaders.

Shevaun has a passion for business as a force for good. She is a social impact investor, sits on the Ventures Advisory Board of UnLtd, and is Trustee of Barefoot College International as well as a board member of Women of the World Foundation.

Shevaun made a short address on the night, before Shevaun Havilland - Director General of presenting a Hull & Humber Chamber of the British Chambers of Commerce attended Commerce Special Award. the Chamber’s business awards

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Member News

Adrian Hunter, Sophie Holmes and Andy Steele

Accountancy firm absorbs client costs Centre Manager Jo Ramsay (left), Alison Smith, Pre-School Manager at Little Gruffalos and Pantry Assistant John Carter

Community centre gets year of support he Cherry Tree Community Centre has always been a popular base for Beverley’s residents, pensioners and those in need, and now it is set to benefit from a full year of support from a local building society.

Beverley Building Society, which is based in the town’s Saturday Market, has named the Cherry Tree Centre as its ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2022.

The society’s Chief Executive Karl Elliott said: “After years of running our ‘Charity of the Month’ programme, we’ve selected a ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2022, the Beverley Cherry Tree Centre.

“Our new Community Committee, made up of society team members who are passionate about helping good causes, picked the Cherry Tree Centre from all charities that have previously been nominated for our monthly award of £250.

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‘To kick things off, we are donating a lump sum of £2,000’ “This means we’ll be supporting the charity’s hugely important work for a whole 12 months, in any way we can. To kick things off, we are donating a lump sum of £2,000, which will be used to purchase essential items for the young people who attend its popular Youth Club, fund outings for them, and contribute to activities the centre is planning to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Centre Manager Jo Ramsay said: “It’s fabulous to have Beverley Building Society onboard. The funds and volunteering help the team are giving us will make a huge difference and we very much appreciate it.”

The charity’s mission is to provide top quality legal advice and assistance in welfare benefits, debt advice, consumer advice,

employment advice and advocacy in order to set the best outcome for clients.

Beverley Building Society aims to play an active part in making local life that little bit better wherever it can. In 2021, it donated a monthly cash award to good causes across the region, nominated by its members and its staff, and supported a variety of charity appeals. Those benefiting included Cash for Kids, Mission Christmas appeal, Dove House Hospice Child Bereavement Group, Jacob’s Well Appeal, Beverley Riding for the Disabled, Special Olympics City of Hull Swimming Club, Leven CE Primary School, and the East Yorkshire Foodbank.

The Cherry Tree Centre, which is based in Beverley’s Cherry Tree Lane, was one of the charities to receive a ‘Charity of the Month’ donation from the Society in 2021. Jo added: “The money went towards the community pantry we run. We have 150 people using the pantry, who pay £4 weekly to receive free fruit, vegetables and bread. We offer recipe bags, containing all the ingredients people need to make a meal for themselves and their families, and the money from the Society helped to fund those.”

The Cherry Tree Centre history Launched initially by the local Children’s Society to provide services specifically for disadvantaged children in the area, the organisation has steadily evolved to become an integral part of the community. Established as a Community Centre in 1993, following the closure of a Family Centre run jointly by the Children’s’ Society and Humberside County Council, the Humberside County Council gave the building to the new association in 1996.

For more information about Beverley Building Society visit www.beverleybs.co.uk

360 Chartered Accountants says it will be absorbing increased costs to help their clients as businesses face soaring energy and fuel prices as well as other increases due to Brexit and the war in Ukraine.

Adrian Hunter, Managing Director of 360, which has offices in Hull, East Yorkshire and York, said: “The huge increases that business are facing now is a massive burden on top of the difficulties they already faced as a result of the Covid pandemic. We are on the frontline helping our clients through these difficult times and we see firsthand the impact this is having. We certainly don’t want to add any extra stress which is why we have decided not to increase our standard pricing in 2022 for accountancy services and payroll services, which are delivered by our 5Four Payroll bureau.”

‘We were there doing everything we could for our clients during the dark days of Covid’ 360’s award-winning success has been based on putting their clients front and centre of every decision they make, including this one. They hope it will lessen the anxiety faced by businesses and give them some breathing space to divert funds to manage other increasing costs.

360’s Founder and Director Andy Steele said: “Our costs are also increasing but thanks to the investment we’ve made in IT, software and the team over the years, we’re able to absorb these for the foreseeable future and not pass them on to our clients. We were there doing everything we could for our clients during the dark days of Covid and we will continue to do so during 2022 and beyond.”

Visit: www.360accountants.co.uk

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Member News

Family law experts join Pepperells apidly growing law firm Pepperells, who have offices in East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East, are delighted to welcome six new family law specialists to their Lincoln office.

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Joining the Pepperells Lincoln team are: • John Conlon, highly regarded for his expertise in child law, representing children, parents and family members along with 20 years’ experience in family law.

• Alison McGowan is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and the Association of Lawyers for Children, she specialises in complex court proceedings, including care, private law children matters, special guardianship and adoption.

• Hannah Bell specialises in representing parents in arranging contact orders, residency and guardianship along with supporting parents and family members where the Local Authority has issued care proceedings or commenced pre-proceedings.

Also joining the team are Ivy Waddingham, experienced family law legal assistant, Michelle Kent and Olivia Mychajluk who support the team with paralegal, administration and first line support.

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The new family law team at Pepperells

Ben Pepperell, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are beyond delighted to welcome John, Alison and Hannah to our rapidly expanding Lincoln Office. Their collective expertise will support our existing team in Lincoln and further develop Pepperells’ reputation of being trusted Family Law experts in Lincolnshire.”

John Conlon said: “I am delighted that to join ‘Team Pepps’ and I am looking forward

to being able to continue to deliver exceptional family law advice to clients, colleagues and families in Lincolnshire.”

Pepperells Solicitors offers solutions in areas of Family Law, Residential and Commercial Property, Corporate Business Services, Criminal Defence, Civil and Dispute Resolution Matters, Contentious Probate and Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorneys & Probate.

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Member News Mouthwatering return of Street Food Nights HullBID has confirmed the return of its major events programme which includes some of the region’s most popular food and drink attractions.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Trail is already up and running, building on the crowd-pulling success of the family story trails which HullBID has brought to the city centre during the last two years.

It will run until Sunday 12 June by which time food fans will already be celebrating the return of Hull Street Food Nights and looking forward to the 2022 Yum! Festival of Food and Drink, which will be making its first appearance in an exciting new location.

Hull Street Food Nights will bring the trucks and stalls of vendors offering the highest quality and widest variety of graband-go gastro delights back to Zebedee’s Yard for the first two events on Thursday 9 June and Thursday 7 July.

On Thursday 4 August Hull Street Food Nights will move to Hull Marina as a curtain-raiser for the Yum! Festival of Food and Drink and on Thursday 8 September the stallholders will assemble in Trinity Square, where the event was launched back in 2017.

Alessandro’s in Trinity Market – a stalwart of HullBID’s Hull Street Food Nights

Pictured (from left) are Joanne Wood of Helping Hands Homecare, Freya Cross of The Deep Business Centre and Nell Hackney and Ellen Waites, both of Helping Hands Homecare

Expansions and new arrivals at The Deep he Deep Business Centre has announced the expansion of two of its long-term clients and the arrival of three new businesses.

Freya Cross, Head of Business and Corporate, is also in discussions with another business which is looking to move into the centre and with a “virtual tenant” who is ready to take office space.

Freya said: “All the moves are very encouraging because not only do they indicate that business generally is picking up but they provide more evidence of our appeal to start-up businesses and our commitment to helping them become established and then to thrive.”

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Vizion Network Ltd had just one person when it opened at The Deep in January 2009 and has since grown to become the UK’s biggest motor repair management company with around 100 people at its headquarters in Hull and a further 80 at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire.

Vizion started in an office of 250 square feet and its recent expansion into a further 750 square feet of space gives it a total of more than 6,000 square feet.

Think Cloud employed just five people when it arrived at The Deep Business Centre in 2018 and has now more than doubled its workforce to 12. Specialising in IT support and cyber-security protection, Think Cloud

YMCA Humber opens parent and baby house Following the completion of the Freeman Street project, YMCA Humber have continued their commitment to transforming lives within North East Lincolnshire with the opening of a new parent and baby house.

Samantha England, Head of Housing, said: “We identified a local need for additional good quality supported accommodation for new parents and pregnant women. All residents will receive assistance from a dedicated support coach, who will work closely with them to gain all the skills needed 26

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to successfully maintain a tenancy in the future, whilst also settling into parenthood.”

Lucy Coppin, Accommodation Manager for Community Housing, added: “I’m so pleased we have been able to refurbish one of our properties for this type of accommodation. A huge thank you to Hayden Lets and TR Carpets for completing the work. We have our first resident in with her baby and it’s lovely to see them settled into their home.”

For more information, email abigail.palmer@ymca-humber.com

The new parent and baby house

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Member News

Lynette Leith, Vice Principal Curriculum at Hull College, and Antonio Tombanane, founder of GBE Connect, organisers of Tech Week Humber

recently moved into 1,250 square feet of space and is expecting further growth, with a target of expanding the team to 20 by the time it reaches its 20th anniversary in 2023.

Among the new arrivals at the Business Centre is Medical Solicitors Ltd, which has offices in Sheffield and York.

Roshni Clinic has also opened at the Business Centre with a facility that offers PCR and antigen tests and is part of a network extending across Yorkshire and Lancashire and into the Midlands.

The third new business, Helping Hands Homecare, has added Hull to its nationwide network of more than 140 branches.

Freya said: “Vizion Network and Think Cloud are just two examples of businesses which have gone from strength to strength since moving in. There are many more and we will do all we can to support Medical Solicitors, Roshni Clinic and Helping Hands Homecare in building their businesses.”

Hull College headlines Tech Week Humber Hull College is to reinforce its vision for the development of young people and adults from across the region by taking a lead role in a festival of technology which brings together education and business from around the world.

The college has signed up as the first headline partner for Tech Week Humber incorporating Tech Expo, which will take place in various locations across Hull in November 2022.

Launched in 2019 by Hull-based GBE Connect, Tech Week Humber was repeated in a virtual format in 2020 and returned in 2021 as a hybrid event which attracted some of the world’s top tech brands as partners and participants.

‘I am delighted that the college has decided to step into the digital space’ The activities are designed to showcase innovation from the Humber and to partner with the international tech community.

Details of the programme, speakers and venues will be announced later this month, but one element already confirmed is the educators’ conference, which will assemble industry experts to guide school leaders through the emerging technologies around teaching digital skills.

That sharp focus on education and skills resonated with the work of Hull College which, under new Principal and CEO Debra Gray, has placed technology at the heart of Focused on the Future, its mission and vision for 2022–25.

The college works closely with employers across the region and supports the city

centre economy with thousands of students and staff at its Queens Gardens site.

The new strategy is a commitment by the college to continue to develop its technical provision and alignment with the skills needs and opportunities in the region, taking an inclusive approach which will help to ensure young people and adults at risk of being marginalised are included in the region’s future prosperity.

Debra said: “I am delighted that the college has decided to step into the digital space. I know that much work has been undertaken already to develop the foundations for digital innovation at Hull, and I look forward to accelerating this important agenda, one which is very close to my heart.”

The college has upgraded its entire ICT infrastructure over the last four years, recognising that digital literacy is the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes that enable confident, creative and critical use of technologies and systems at work and at home.

Lynette Leith, Vice Principal Curriculum at Hull College, added: “We’re really excited about the partnership with Tech Week Humber. Digital development is a key priority in all sectors and so having this level of engagement with Tech Week Humber will not only support our digital strategy at organisational level but most importantly provide ample opportunities for our students, who will participate in Tech Week Humber on a much larger scale than ever before.

“With the support of Tech Week Humber, through this partnership, I hope to see Hull College’s digital development really take off.”

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Chamber Patrons Becoming a Patron represents a valuable contribution towards enabling us to provide a wide range of services for our smaller Member companies, as well as raising the profile of your own business.

TfL chooses AA Global for transport translation expertise ull’s leading translation company AA Global Language Services has added to its list of major contract wins by landing the job of keeping millions of Londoners and visitors connected with vital information about the capital’s transport system.

AA Global Language Services, a Chamber Patron which now has its head office in Hull after expanding to the city in 2011, will begin work in September on the three-year contract with Transport for London (TfL).

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global, said there is the possibility of some job creation but much of the work can be absorbed by the expansion which has taken place over the last two years as part of a strategy of gearing for growth.

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‘We had to demonstrate we can meet the highest standards, working across a wide range of languages and providing sensory impairment services’ Kirk said: “We will have people in London working on the contract but the bulk of the work will be done from our head office in Hull. Our workload has increased significantly during the last few years with the result that we have employed more people, with a total of about 30. We have also invested in technology to support our growth and these contract wins are the result of that.”

AA Global will provide written translation and transcription services for documents, signage, maps, posters, handouts, leaflets and more.

The company’s work will extend across all areas of TfL’s activities and operations including bus and tube, overground rail and trams, Docklands Light Railway and even the Emirates Air Line cable car.

It will also embrace the Santander Cycles bike hire scheme, London River Services, Victoria Coach Station, the London Transport Museum and the 580km network of main roads with 6,000 traffic lights.

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Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global

responsibility for a service which is used by millions of people every day and to win it we had to demonstrate we can meet the highest standards, working across a wide range of languages and providing sensory impairment services including Braille.”

During 2021 AA Global Language Services overcame tough competition to be appointed to facilitate vital communications between the thousands of delegates who attended the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

The company also landed the repeat business of providing translation and interpreting services for the test and trace project, helping the NHS reach international

communities throughout the UK. In addition AA Global secured a two-year contract to provide face-to-face services, phone, video and translation for the Equality and Human Rights Commission working in England, Scotland and Wales.

Kirk said: “The contract with TfL further cements our position as a top-tier provider of translation and interpreting services in the UK. We have built our reputation gradually over the last 30 years and have really made a breakthrough during the last 12 months by showing we can be trusted to deliver services of national and even international importance.”

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Spotlight Feature: Business Crime & Protection

Spotlight Features In this issue we take a look at the Hotels, Conferences & Events and Professional Services sectors.

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sustainable

event

Corporate hospitality is seen by many businesses as a vital way to gain and retain customers and improve their brand recognition. However, it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability – but how can you deliver an event that has an enormous impact on your audience but not on the environment?

What’s your impact?

When planning an eco-friendly event, your first action should be to consider past events and measure their environmental impact. This will give you a great starting point to work from and show you the exact areas that need improvement.

Choose a responsible venue For your event to be as sustainable as possible, it’s imperative that you work with a venue that shares your eco-friendly values.

Some venues, such as hotels, will be able to offer a Green Tourism certification, but you can also check their policies on recycling and energy use, too. Consider the fact that a larger event space will require more energy to light and heat, so make sure you choose a space that is appropriately sized for your guest list.

Scrap paper With the advance of digital technology, do you really need to clog printers with invitations, flyers, posters, welcome packs and brochures?

Send out e-vites instead of printed invitations, and consider developing a website – or even an app – where your guests can find all of the information they need during the run up to the big day. This will eliminate the need to print out hundreds or thousands of programmes and will also help your guests stay on top of any last minute changes.

Other ways to reduce paper consumption include only promoting your event on social media and presenting information digitally by utilising interactive screens. Where you must use paper, opt for recycled products.

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Spotlight Feature: Hotels, Conferences & Events

‘Some venues, such as hotels, will be able to offer a Green Tourism certification’ Sustainable refreshments If you are planning on catering your event, there are a few steps you can take to provide sustainable refreshments.

Where possible, choose organic, locally produced food and drink to cut emissions and to support local manufacturers.

Avoid over catering, to save both money and to reduce food waste – but if you do have any leftovers, consider donating them to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

Interactive screens will reduce your need for printed programmes

Go plastic free Plastic cutlery; delegate badges; drinks bottles; straws; goody bags; decorations – how many single-use plastics are usually used and discarded at your corporate events?

A simple way to make your event more eco-friendly is to see where you can minimise or ditch entirely the use of plastic. If your budget allows it, consider giving out reusable drinks bottles as a gift, and encourage your guests to practice being more sustainable once the event is over.

Travel and transportation If you have a large guest list, consider how they will travel to your event – and what you can do to make their journey a little more eco-friendly.

Can you pick a venue that is close to a train, bus or coach station, allowing your guests to travel via public transport? Can you arrange coach travel (or even a car share system) for delegates to travel together and share their emissions?

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Spotlight Feature: Hotels, Conferences & Events

Choosing the

perfect venue W

hen looking to book a venue for your next corporate event, it’s important to remember that you aren’t just hiring a building, but also its facilities, its staff and the service they provide.

Limiting your research to a web-based search is no substitute for a live experience of a venue. But how do you get the most out of an on-site visit?

Make an appointment Turning up to one of your shortlisted venues unannounced and expecting a full show around will most likely prove to be a waste of your time, as the specific rooms you are interested in may be in use and therefore unavailable to view. Though you will still be able to view common areas, such as the reception area, restaurants and bars, will you really be getting a proper feel for the space?

Book an appointment at a time that is convenient for both you and the staff members who will be handling your event. Only then will you be able to appreciate how the venue will look. Talk through the different set up options and spot any potential logistical issues.

First impressions Everyone understands the importance of a good first impression. Are the spaces clean and nicely lit? Are the furnishings well maintained? Are there any strange odours or disruptive noises? Note any wear and tear, carpet stains and build ups of dust or rubbish, and check to see if the venue has any refurbishment or maintenance work planned that could clash with your event.

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If you need to add guest bedrooms to your package ask to see all standards of rooms.

The guest experience Imagine that you’re one of your guests arriving at the venue, as this is the best way to anticipate any issues that might occur on the day.

Make a note of anything that could be a potential issue or create a bottleneck, such as the size of the car park, the lift capacity, disabled access and how many staff will be available at check in. How close is the venue to public transport links? How long will it take your guests to get from point A to point B? Are the facilities clearly signposted? How many staff members will be at your guests’ disposal should they need help? Anything you spot as a potential concern could have an impact on the overall guest experience.

Try to meet as many staff on your walk around as possible, as this will give you a good indication of the standard of service available.

Just what are you getting for your money?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re not just hiring a venue; you’re hiring an experience.

Firstly, the size and condition of the main room should be considered. It must comfortably accommodate your group in your preferred layout; if it’s too small your

‘A good venue will offer multiple menu packages to choose from and discuss potential themes’

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Spotlight Feature: Hotels, Conferences & Events guests will be cramped, if it’s too big they may feel intimidated or lost within the space. The venue should be able to provide photos from previous events depicting the space set up in different layouts, helping you visualise the final look properly. View the space from all angles, making sure that all of your guests will get a clear view, making a note of the nearest toilets and emergency exists.

If there are any obstructions, how can these be managed?

A good venue should be happy to give you demonstrations of any audio/visual equipment that is included in the price, but make sure you are also shown how to control lighting and temperature, and take note of the speed and reliability of internet connections. Does the venue offer a decorating service or will you need to hire an outside company? If so, how early will the space be made available to you and how much time is allotted for room clean up? How much more will it cost if you need more time to set up or pack away?

The size of the room should be considered

Providing refreshment Organising food and refreshments is one of the most important components of hosting a corporate event.

Whether you’re offering a three-course meal or coffee and snacks during a break, how well a venue can provide for your guests should be a huge influence on your final decision.

The first thing is to establish is guest numbers and see how many people the venue can cater for. A good venue will offer multiple menu packages to choose from and discuss potential themes and, of course, your budget.

Make sure you establish options for those with dietary requirements, as you don’t want any such guests to feel like an afterthought – their meals should be just as impressive as those eating off the standard menu.

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Spotlight Feature: Professional Services

T: 01482 658183 M: 07749 094859 E: lizie@adminmadeeasy.co.uk W: adminmadeeasy.co.uk 36

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Spotlight Feature: Professional Services

What is a

Coaching Culture?

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uilding a coaching culture involves focusing on shifting unwritten rules, values, norms, behaviours, and practices to spread a coaching mindset and coaching practices throughout your organisation so that coaching becomes a key part of the company’s identity.

A coaching culture improves not only the way employees interact with each other, but also the interactions they have with customers and potential clients.

A coaching culture enables radical organisational transformation by building conversational and coaching skills on a daily basis. A coaching culture creates a climate where people can freely: • Give and receive feedback • Support and stretch each other’s thinking • Challenge each other with support, and stress-test ideas where appropriate • Engage in development conversations that are short in length, but strong in impact.

In short, a better culture starts with more meaningful conversations.

How to instil a coaching culture Here are three steps to consider for deploying a coaching culture: 1. Make the case for strengthening coaching skills by allowing key influencers to experience its power.

Don’t assert the value of coaching. Instead, demonstrate its value, particularly in situations that are painful for the business leaders. You want the influencer to be able to say something like: “I’ve been struggling with this for the last three weeks. It’s amazing that in only 45 minutes with you, I’ve found alternative ways of handling this. I have newfound confidence!”

3. Equip key leaders, including HR professionals, with coaching conversation skills.

The ideal situation arises when business leaders and HR professionals exhibit coaching skills and a coaching mindset on their own. Contrary to widespread belief, coaching isn’t exclusively for development purposes — it’s also for everyday challenges. Make sure individuals know how to coach their people.

Outcomes of a coaching culture We saw first-hand the impact of a coaching culture with one of our clients in the logistics sector. The HR director set out to introduce coaching throughout the organisation, particularly responding to feedback in a recent survey that revealed issues around engagement, motivation, and a general malaise in the organisation, stemming from a transition in leadership.

Some 100 managers spent two hours, in increments of 30 minutes, over a three-month period, addressing their particular needs with a coach. A follow-up survey showed this initiative’s success. The 100 managers reported collectively that simple coaching conversations were worth the equivalent of one million pounds, based on an aggregated value of time spared, decisions made, actions taken, proposals won, and conflicts managed.

Instilling a coaching culture delivers a great promise — a high-performance environment that holds your people accountable for delivering results while fostering a climate of full engagement, personal development, and mutual support. If you take the steps necessary to implement a coaching culture, the dividends could be exponential.

By Jayne Chudley (pictured), Director at Spacious Coaching

2. Integrate coaching as a core element of your talent and leadership development strategy.

Before trying to embed coaching in your culture, start by integrating coaching into your leadership and talent development frameword. Embed coaching in some of your leadership programs for targeted populations, like high potentials, senior managers, and senior experts. It’s the equivalent of learning how to walk before you run. It also exposes your organisation to a critical mass of adopters.

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Spotlight Feature: Professional Services

The value of a

strong employer brand W

hether you know it or not, your company has an employer brand.

It’s your reputation as a place of work. In essence, defining your employer brand is finding the answer to this simple question: “Why should somebody choose to work for us as opposed to someone else?”

Why should you want to know?

A reputation as a great employer can increase your ability to attract great people, reduce your recruitment costs, and also help you keep hold of your most talented employees.

It is important to remember that an employer brand cannot be created or destroyed. It already exists. But what we can do is influence it.

Where do you begin?

Talking to your current employees is the best place to start. Find out what makes you a great place to work and what your real strengths as an employer are. But don’t be afraid to listen and take on board those areas in which you need to improve. Talk to people outside of your business.

Ask them, how do they see you? How do you measure up against their expectations?

It is this insight that can then be used to create specific marketing messages aimed at each of the groups of job seekers that you are looking to target. It can help shape your recruitment advertising activity, the messages that you have on your careers website and everything that you share on social media.

By championing the things that you do really well and showing how you’re addressing the things you don’t do quite so well, you can start influencing people’s perceptions of you, both internally and externally.

Offering an honest and much deeper insight into what life is like in your company.

What are the benefits?

According to LinkedIn, a strong, positive employer brand can lead to a 43% decrease in a company’s cost per hire.

Additionally, organisations with a strong employer brand are also noticing other attractive benefits:

• Reduced need to engage recruitment consultancies • Increased quantity and quality of applications • Increased conversion from ‘offer’ to ‘hire’ • Improved quality of hire • Reduced attrition of people within the first six months of employment.

All of which suggest that those employers that have a strong employer brand are better placed to attract, engage and retain talented people than those who haven’t.

Your website is your primary employer branding tool Chances are that your careers website is going to be the first place that a job seeker will be exposed to your employer brand. Which means that not only do you have a fantastic opportunity to make a great first impression, but also to position yourself apart from your competitors for talent.

That said, the demands of a job seeker are increasing all the time. They are no longer interested in simply finding a job, they are looking to your website to give them an insight into what it is actually like to work for you. To offer more than a job search engine and online application form, but also information around your culture, values, rewards and benefits, training and development - in fact anything that can position you as an employer of choice.

In fact, your careers website should never be considered ‘finished’. It should be a continuously evolving piece of communication. Changing to meet the recruitment needs of your business. Changing to meet the expectations of job seekers. And changing to build on the things that work well.

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Sector Focus The latest news from the International Trade, Legal & Finance, Skills & Training, Manufacturing and Motoring industries.

International Trade training courses 2022 Our training course programme is constantly being updated and added to in order to meet the needs of our Chamber Members and international traders in the ever changing world of importing and exporting. Below is our current programme (correct at time of print) but please do check our website Events Diary page for up-to-date information.

Beginners Guide to Exporting Tuesday, 3 May Incoterms Monday, 9 May (am) Preference Rules of Origin Monday, 9 May (pm) Import Procedures Thursday, 12 May Customs Compliance, Documentation and Procedures Thursday, 16 June Customs Declarations Thursday, 23 June Understanding Export and Export Documentation Thursday, 7 July Introduction to Export Controls and Licensing Thursday, 21 July Methods of Payment and Letters of Credit Thursday, 28 July Beginners Guide to Exporting Monday, 8 August Please view our website for details of each course and to book your place(s). www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

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Carnets can help to make exporting plain sailing

The importance of using Carnets when exporting goods arnets are for temporary accompanied exports cutting red tape and providing a guarantee to the customs of a foreign country that all duties, taxes, etc. will be paid to them if the conditions are breached.

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What can a Carnet be used for?

• Commercial samples • Exhibition use/trade fair • Professional equipment (going overseas to perform a repair/testing) How does a Carnet work?

The Carnet is a simple international Customs document with vouchers for presentation to each country you visit.

The yellow ‘exp’ is for exportation out of the UK, white ‘imp’ for importation into your destination country, white ‘re-exp’ to come out of

your destination country and yellow ‘re-imp’ for importation back into the UK. You may also have blue ‘tra’ vouchers, which are required for transit or exhibition purposes.

Customs will keep these vouchers and stamp the relevant counterfoil, and when you have completed your trip you will return all the stamped counterfoils to us plus any remaining vouchers you have not used.

How and where do I get a Carnet from?

Get in touch with the Hull and Humber Chamber’s Export Documentation Desk. No need to go to London anymore! HHCC members will benefit from reduced rates.

Contact: l.holt@hull-humberchamber.co.uk

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Sector Focus: International Trade

Complying with Export Controls: why you must consider safety issues xport Control compliance demands that businesses act responsibly in terms of the goods they supply and the information they provide to overseas entities.

Export Controls are not solely a UK consideration.

They apply across world trade.

Countries apply rules and regulations on certain activities by implementing a requirement for a licence or approval to be in place to ensure the business is compliant.

There is a global requirement for all traders to be aware of how their business activities impact on world safety, international security, and a country’s obligations to other nations. It is imperative that a business understands that if they export information or products that are captured under their country’s export control regulations, they will be held responsible for ensuring exports do not fall into the wrong hands, which can result in real life concerns for individuals in other countries.

Concerns about terrorism and internal repression are real and lack of awareness of the UK controls at the border can leave a UK business open to recourse to law implemented by HMRC or Border Force.

A business must recognise that if a UK control is in place that a licence requirement possibility is duly considered before export and UK export authorisation sought from the Department of International Trade Export Control Joint Unit.

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Considerations • Military or Dual Use Controls?

• Classifying against the controls?

• End use control?

• Due diligence?

Export controls apply across world trade for many types of equipment

Course Programme: UK Export Controls • • • • •

Export controls explained Overview of the Strategic Military List and Dual Use Items Introduction to export licences SPIRE/LITE Managing compliance

MoD Form 680 • Introduction to form 680 • Private venture grading • Applying for F680 clearance

ITAR • Defining ITAR and its scope • Explanation of a TAA and who signs it • Working within a TAA For further information or to book on to this course, please contact Lorraine Holt at l.holt@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

Export Control Compliance will impact on different departments within a business. This underlines why the responsibility for exports cannot be one individual’s responsibility within an organisation, it needs a team approach. For compliance to work, the considerations are; individual responsibility supported by awareness, regular training, and established business compliance procedures and processes.

New business activities will need due diligence applied from the bid stage and compliance requirements must have senior management support throughout the life cycle of the plan to export.

Introduction to Export Controls, F680 and ITAR We are running a basic introduction to the UK Export Controls, MoD Form 680 and an overview of the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) on Thursday, 21 July. An ideal course for managers and directors of Small to Medium Size Companies who may already be exporting or looking to export goods, products or services which may be covered by UK Export Licenses or ITAR Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA).

This course shall present an overview of each regulation; their relationships, their impact on business and how they are best managed within a company. This is a first step along the road of compliance for business managers and interested parties.

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Sector Focus: International Trade

Delay to import controls for animal products lans to introduce import controls for animal products from 1 July have been delayed, at least until the end of this year.

Had they gone ahead as planned, it would have meant most animal products would have needed to enter Great Britain via a point of entry that has a border control post (BCP) designated to receive those goods, even where goods are not subject to certification, ID and physical checks.

However, a statement from Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, announced the delay.

The statement said: “When the UK left the European Union (EU), we regained the right to manage our own borders in a way that works for Britain. This includes how we manage imports into our country from overseas. British businesses and people going about their daily lives are being hit b y rising costs caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine and in energy prices. It would therefore be wrong to impose new administrative burdens and risk disruption at ports and to supply chains at this point. The remaining import controls on EU goods will no longer be introduced this year - saving British businesses up to £1bn in annual costs.

“Instead the Government is accelerating our transformative programme to digitise Britain’s borders, harnessing new technologies and data

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Meaty issue: Deadline on import controls for animal products is being extended

to reduce friction and costs for businesses and consumers. This is a new approach for a new era, as Britain maximises the benefits of leaving the EU and puts in place the right policies for our trade with the whole world.

“Introducing controls in July would have replicated the controls that the EU applies to their global trade. This would have introduced complex and costly checks that would have then been altered later as our transformation programme is delivered. The challenges that this country faces has underlined that this is not the right thing to do for Britain.

“No further import controls on EU goods will be introduced this year. Businesses can stop their preparations for July now. We will publish a Target Operating Model in the Autumn that will set out our new regime of border import

controls and will target the end of 2023 as the revised introduction date for our controls regime, which will deliver on our promise to create the world’s best border on our shores.

“This new approach will apply equally to goods from the EU and goods from the rest of the world. It will be based on a proper assessment of risk, with a proportionate, riskbased and technologically advanced approach to controls. This includes the Single Trade Window which will start to deliver from 2023, the creation of an Ecosystem of Trust between government and industry, and other transformational projects as part of our 2025 Borders Strategy. The controls that have already been introduced will remain in place.

Specifically, the following controls which were planned for introduction from July 2022 will now not be introduced: • A requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post (BCP) • A requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports • A requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports • Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU.

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Sector Focus: International Trade

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Sector Focus: Legal & Finance

Ed Jenneson at Rollits’ 2022 annual conference

Law firm adopts hybrid working law firm which has been leading the region’s businesses in their recovery from the pandemic is itself adopting best practice as it moves to a new working regime.

Rollits LLP has looked and learned in addition to supporting clients over the last two years and has implemented a hybrid working policy, starting with a reset to the pre-Covid environment and then focusing on the future, rather than trying to unpick the temporary arrangements that were put in place during the pandemic.

Ed Jenneson, the firm’s People Partner and Head of the Employment Team, said: “We are embracing hybrid working as there are real benefits to the firm and to our people. We are very much forward looking and we thought the best way to plan for the future was to look at what the

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arrangements were pre-pandemic and then implement new hybrid arrangements with individuals and teams.

Our people are our biggest asset and we need to make sure that they are happy and engaged.

The needs of the business are of course paramount but we would not have a business without our people. Individuals and teams are discussing and implementing hybrid working arrangements where desirable and possible. We are keeping everything under review for six months but we do not envisage moving away from hybrid working.”

A key factor is the recognition that hybrid working is not the same as flexible working. The Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) ran a consultation on flexible working from September to December 2021

with the stated ambition to make flexible working the default but also with the emphasis that it can’t work for everybody.

‘Hybrid working is different from flexible working’ Hybrid working is expected to become a permanent feature of the “new-normal” but crucially it will be for employers and their staff to find the model that works best for their business.

Ed said: “Hybrid working is different from flexible working – hybrid working is a fluid arrangement that changes with the needs and demands of the business whereas flexible working is an agreed permanent change to a contract of employment.”

“We are encouraging people to come into the office, and our

offices are in good locations, which helps attract people back in. But we also know there are many positives with working from home. People can maximise the working day if they are not commuting but it’s still very important for people to be in the office, particularly those who are still learning their roles.

“It is almost a commentary on the last two years - we have looked at how the workplace is changing and looked at how people are adapting their working practices.

“Our policy looks to the future and at recruitment and retention of staff. We are a responsible employer and we want to highlight that Rollits is a great place to work with equality and fairness at its core and where we have created a modern workplace in which we implement best practice.”

Providing solutions for your financial needs At Killimore Financial Management Limited their aim is to provide you and your business with solutions to your financial needs. Killimore Financial Management Limited has built a firm reputation in providing financial planning solutions for their clients.

Killimore Financial Management offers services across the whole of the market and is a fully independent financial adviser firm, which means their drive is to provide bespoke advice to suite your individual and business needs, with over 30 years of investment experience.

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Services: • Personal and corporate pensions advice • Investment and savings advice • Ethical and responsible investments • Personal and business protection planning • Personal and business trust planning • Inheritance tax planning.

For further information contact Neil Grey (DipCii) on Tel : 07885 783895, Email: Neil@Killimore.co.ck or visit: www.killimore.co.uk

Get help with investment and savings advice

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Business coach scoops major industry award peerless track record of success has seen the work of a world-class business coach recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.

John McHale, who hails from Scawby in North Lincolnshire, scooped the award for Best Client Results for the Europe, Middle East and African region, at the Business Excellence Awards BizX2022 held at the International Convention Centre in Farnborough.

Hosted by ActionCOACH, the annual awards celebrate the success of both its network of business coaches and the thousands of companies they support around the world. To John’s surprise, he garnered not one but two trophies at the event, as he also received an ‘ActionMan’ award.

John said: “The ‘ActionMan’ awards are voted for by the ActionCOACH community, for services to fellow coaches, so it makes it extremely special to win one. I was absolutely stunned to be announced as the winner of the Best Client Results category too.”

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This isn’t the first time John has garnered this particular accolade – for which around 400 ActionCOACH members are eligible – as he triumphed in the same category in 2019. He added: “It’s great to see Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire leading the way, and my personal success with this award is testament to all the great things achieved by my clients in the past year.”

And John’s clients – which are all SMEs based in the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire area – also dominated the night, with nine nominations and one winner – Julie Priestley, Managing Director of DBS Digital, a digital agency based in Lincoln, who walked away with the Best Company Culture award.

Julie said: “Myself and the DBS team are absolutely thrilled to win this award, being recognised for the work we have done feels incredibly rewarding. Since working with John the business growth has taken on a life of its own. John has taught me that my belief really is my greatest power, and he provides me with the support I need when I need it.”

John McHale (left) receiving his ActionMan award from Brad Sugars

John McHale (right) with Julie Priestley of DBS Digital, receiving her award for Best Company Culture from Brad Sugars, Founder of ActionCOACH

John’s role as a business coach is to support business owners to firstly envisage and then achieve their goals, and this has included one company progressing from a standing start to turning over £5m in three years under his mentorship. Another client, Melanie Tillett, who runs Tillett’s Clothing in Cleethorpes, was shortlisted for three awards at the National Business Women’s Awards in 2018 and won the Influential Business Woman of the Year category.

John amassed a wealth of senior management experience working at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe, until 2014, when he decided to leave the corporate world and instead put his expertise to use supporting burgeoning business people.

Since then, he has helped clients think big and achieve their

dreams. He puts his success down to not just his obvious business acumen, but his passion for helping others to build their businesses.

So what’s the secret of his success?

“It’s because I care,” he said. “I can quickly get to the root of complex problems, and then support my client with identifying the solutions, along with devising a plan for how to fulfil their goals.”

There are of course many business coaches available, so why should anyone choose John? He said: “I always tell people to check out other coaches, then come and meet me, then make their decision. At ActionCOACH we offer a guarantee that if you don’t make back the money you’ve invested in us within a year, we will repay you the difference.

“Winning these awards is a huge recognition of the effort and work put in by all of our clients, as well as my team. Thanks also go to my coach from New Zealand, Bruce Wilson, and to Ian Christelow, Julie Wagstaff, James F Vincent and the whole of the ActionCOACH UK team.”

Any business owners wishing to enquire about John’s services can contact him by calling 01724 231282 or 07795 046345, or emailing johnmchale@actioncoach.com

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing

Progress made on £8.8m medical facility charity which is working to offer UK-leading detection and personalised treatment facilities for patients with cancer, heart disease and dementia has unveiled the equipment inside the new £8.8m Molecular Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) which it will move into this summer after the disruption of Covid.

Professor Nick Stafford, Chair of the Daisy Appeal, was joined by Lars-Olof Arlasjö, Project Manager from GE Healthcare, on a tour of the new facility at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham. The pair unveiled the Daisy Appeal totem outside the new Centre and then undertook a brief tour of the facilities including GE Healthcare’s GENtrace 600 cyclotron, which was delivered in October and has now been assembled.

They also saw the hot cells which have been in place for two years and have now been set up by technicians from the Italian manufacturers Tema Sinergie.

Professor Stafford said: “It’s been a long haul because of Covid and various technical difficulties but we are here now. It’s great to see something that we have planned for a decade coming to fruition.

“We decided to buy the cyclotron about four years ago and Covid is the main reason everything has taken so long. The hot cells have been in since before Covid but the technicians from Tema Sinergie in northern Italy haven’t been able to come over to set them up.”

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Mr Arlasjö, who manages projects across Europe and is based at GE Healthcare’s site in Uppsala, Sweden, said: “This is the first GENtrace 600 cyclotron in the UK and that is an important step for us but because of travel restrictions I haven’t been to Castle Hill since the cyclotron was delivered in October.

“It has been really good working with the team here so it is great to see how things have been growing at the site and to see the results of a lot of hard work.”

‘This investment establishes us as a UK leader and one of the best in the world’ Since 2000 the Daisy Appeal has raised more than £20m to fund cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

The Daisy Appeal Medical Research Centre opened at Castle Hill Hospital in 2008 and was followed, in 2014, by the opening of the Jack Brignall PET-CT Scanning Centre, housing the first in a new type of Siemens scanner in the country.

Once up and running the centre will initially be able to produce fluorine 18 radiotracers, which are currently used in most scans but which are made elsewhere in large scale production units. During the next two or three years the centre will also be able to produce carbon 11 radiotracers, which have great potential for neurological and

Prof Nick Stafford (right) and Lars-Olof Arlasjö pictured outside the Molecular Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) at Castle Hill Hospital

cardiological use and will open up other opportunities.

The total cost of the new centre is around £8.8m, including equipment to the cost of about £3.5m, about £1m of which is accounted for by the cyclotron. The Daisy Appeal is closing in on its target and will continue fundraising to cover running costs.

Professor Stafford said the work being done in Hull has led to the University of Hull becoming a member of the elite UK PET Network, joining Imperial College London, King’s College London and the Universities of Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Oxford.

He added that the work is also attracting interest from organisations including the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK. He said: “This investment establishes us as a UK leader and one of the best in the world not only in terms of the service but also with regard to research and development, which is just as important because it will attract the best research-based scientists to come and to work at a centre which is now established and recognised internationally.

“There will also be considerable economic benefits from raising the region’s profile with a project which is unique in the UK, generating high-quality jobs and creating opportunities in the local supply chain.”

Visit: daisyappeal.org

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing

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Motoring

In association with

Life can’t be all about work! Chamber Motoring reviews some of the latest offerings on the market

Volvo’s hybrid

ticks all the boxes Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD R-Design Volvo’s XC60 is still a favourite travelling companion and as David Hooper finds out in this T6 guise packs quite a punch, but it was the software that had him floored!

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have never been beaten by technology in a car before, but this lovely Volvo XC60 had me stumped, and after much fiddling, scratching of heads, and even asking a neighbour with an earlier model for advice, there was nothing left to do but seek help at Hull’s Riverside Volvo dealership.

My issue was getting Apple CarPlay to work – the spec sheet said it had it, but could I find it? I connected the phone, tried both of the available USB slots and scoured the menus, but nope, couldn’t make it work.

This XC60 is equipped with the new Google Automotive Services system which operates Google Maps, voice control gives access to apps via the Google Play Store and allows you to connect your phone, smartwatch or tablet which allows you to control various functions remotely and also acts as an emergency assistant and tracking service – so I logged into that – and still couldn’t get CarPlay to work.

Volvo’s friendly dealer soon had the answer though – there is currently a conflict between Apple CarPlay and the Google system – Volvo’s people are apparently working on it and when it’s fixed there will be an overnight software update and Apple CarPlay will appear back in the car’s menus, as if by magic!

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time with the car, so I couldn’t use my favourite navigation app.

The XC60 is a lovely car, it looks great from the outside, sitting on its large 21” Diamond Cut/Black alloy wheels (a £1,500 option), and the interior is even better, with beautifully sculpted and comfortable seats, finished with white stitching. It’s good to drive too, and for such a big car does a good impression of a hot hatch, with a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and electric motor, with a potential top speed of 112 mph.

A large 71-litre fuel tank gives the car a good range, too.

‘On the road, the car is very comfortable and a pleasure to drive’ A superb Bowers & Wilkins sound system is a great travelling companion and the heated seats and steering wheel (a cost option) were nice and cosy on cold winter’s mornings.

Open the large boot and you find a couple of electrical charging cables for the car’s modest electric battery, which when fully charged will give an indicated 25-miles

The vital statistics Model: Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD R-Design Engine: 1969cc, 253bhp four-cylinder petrol engine, driving four wheels through 6 speed automatic gearbox Performance: Top speed 112 mph.

0-62 mph in 5.9 secs Economy: Wheel World test average: 38 mpg Fuel tank: 71 litres Price: £54,975 (£59,650 as tested) Website: www.volvocars.com/uk • All data correct at time of publication

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Sector Focus: Motoring

Climbing new heights with the Cupra Formentor Cupra Formentor 1.4 eHybrid DSG The interior is as comfortable as they come

The XC60's styling is distinctive from any angle

of range. This can be used either as a hybrid, where the car uses a combination of its petrol engine and electric battery, as a Pure-ly electric car, or you can use just the petrol engine and save your electric battery charge, useful if you’re going to be driving into slow moving town or city traffic when your petrol engine is at its most uneconomical. You can also use the petrol engine to charge the electric battery as you drive, but obviously there’s a fuel consumption penalty should you choose to do that.

Selecting the appropriate driving mode then is a key function every time you get into the car, yet for some reason Volvo has not put this menu on the top of the display, you have to press Settings, then Driving before you can select your preferred driving mode.

So what about economy and the claims of high miles per gallon you can get? That very much depends on what kind of driving you do. If you spend a lot of time pottering around town, using your 25 miles of electric battery, then recharging when you get home, it could be quite high as you would rarely use the petrol engine.

During my week of “normal” motoring, a mix of town, city and country driving, using the battery to best effect, the car averaged around 38mpg overall – and that’s using two fuel sources – petrol, and electricity plugging it into my house to charge the battery.

The XC60, like all Volvos, is packed with all manner of safety systems, too many to list here, and a nice smattering of extras, like the Active Bending Headlights which are a £825 option, heated rear seats, steering wheel and windscreen, which is great on a frosty morning , although you can see the heating filaments in the glass, especially noticeable on a dark wet night.

Volvo’s XC60 has always been one of my favourites, and still is – it ticks most boxes, can tow more than two tonnes and in this T6 guise can show most things a clean pair of heels on the road, yet with AWD and hill descent can go most places any owner would ever want to take a £60,000 car.

Named after a Majorcan mountain, this sporty Plug-in Hybrid looks good and drives well, but David Hooper asks if it reaches the summit of desirability?

Electric cars are the future, we are told – I remain unconvinced that they are right for everyone at the moment, or that they will save the planet, but we are certainly being driven that way at the moment, almost like a flock of sheep being herded into an electric car pen.

Many electric cars are too expensive and the national charging infrastructure is inadequate - if you need to charge your car on a long journey, just finding a charger that’s working can be a challenge in itself, as many a motoring journo will testify.

But something like this Cupra Formentor eHybrid might be a good starting point for those wishing to dip their toes into the world of electric vehicles. Cupra is the sporty arm of SEAT, and there are two Plug In Electric Hybrid models in the Formentor range offering 201 or 242bhp – other more potent and conventionally powered options are available, including a 306bhp version with a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds!

The Formentor itself, named after a Majorcan mountain, is a comfortable travelling companion, with lots of tech, lovely sporty seats and enjoyable performance, thanks to its 201bhp power output, and a good sized boot for all the clutter of family life – and charging cables!

Our Formentor has a battery which

The vital statistics Model: Cupra Formentor 1.4 eHybrid DSG Engine: 1395cccc, 201bhp four-cylinder petrol engine, with a 6-speed gearbox Performance: Top speed 127mph. 062mph in 7.8 secs Economy: Official electric range of up to 37 miles. Combined: 47.9mpg.

CO2 Emissions: 29g/km.

Fuel tank: 40 litres Price: From £38,720 Warranty: 43 years/60,000 miles Website: www.cupraofficial.co.uk • All data correct at time of publication.

gives the car a 37-mile range on its battery alone – enough for most people’s daily commute, running around town, the school run, shopping etc, but when you venture further afield, you can select the hybrid mode, which uses its 1.4-litre petrol engine and battery together, giving the car it’s optimum efficiency. When the battery eventually runs out on a longer trip, the petrol engine then seamlessly takes over, with the hybrid system gathering Continued on page 52...

The Cupra’s designers created a striking look

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Sector Focus: Motoring ...From page 51

electricity when it can from braking or coasting to extend its range. For me, if I had to go down the electric route, a PHEV would be my choice at the moment. It eliminates range anxiety because you always have petrol to fall back on, you can charge the car on a normal household socket in a few hours without have to go to the expense of installing a larger charger at your home, and you get some emissions free driving.

My commute to the office is 35 miles, and on two of those trips, I achieved 78 and then 104mpg, using a combination of electric and hybrid driving to best effect.

You have to think about it though. You can choose when to use the battery, and the car allows you to save the battery until you want to use it, which is great. So driving to the town’s outskirts, I’m on the battery – the Formentor starts up in that mode as default. When I get into the countryside, and can drive nearer to 60mph, switch into hybrid mode, and then as I get into Hull and its appalling traffic congestion near the office, switch back to electric power only and you’re emissions free.

Clever stuff, although it would be cleverer still if there were buttons on the steering wheel, or on the centre console to switch between the drive modes instead of having to delve into the menus on the big central screen which I felt was over-complicated.

A big plus is that you can use the petrol engine to charge the battery while you’re driving – but that impacts the fuel consumption, of course.

Overall, I was quite impressed with the Formentor and its technology. As it was about to go back after a busy week’s motoring in which I clocked up more than 500 miles, a check of the overall consumption revealed an average of 47.7mpg, which is ok, but not great,

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ABOVE: The Cupra badge still makes people look twice LEFT: Lots of design detail to catch the eye

‘A big plus is that you can use the petrol engine to charge the battery while you’re driving – but that impacts the fuel consumption’ especially when you consider that to achieve that, as well as the fuel, I had been paying extra to charge up the electric battery from my domestic supply, when a diesel engine, or even a particularly economical petrol engine could match that figure, but then for company car drivers, there are tax benefits too – at the moment, but how long will they continue as more drivers make the switch? The Chancellor will have a big hole in his revenue from fuel duty to fill soon.

So there’s no right or wrong answer to this debate, it depends on the sort of driving you do and the sort of journeys you make as to what will work for you, or not.

The Formentor itself, is a comfortable travelling companion, with lots of tech, lovely sporty seats, and enjoyable performance, so well worth a look.

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Business Intelligence

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Services are ex Wuhan and the approx. transit time is 31-33 days.

Cargo can be accepted moving under FCA or exworks terms.

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T: 01709 529709 W: www.daviesturner.com E: rotherhamsales@daviesturner.co.uk

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T: 01482 219 655 E: info@direct-gaskets.co.uk W: direct-gaskets.co.uk May/June 2022

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New Members AC Dickinson International Transport Ltd Anthony Dickinson Hull 07736 370439 Haulier Caden Homes Ltd Aline Faivre-Pierret Royston 07711 597193 Real Estate & Letting

News Extra Round-up of news from Chamber businesses

Doing R Bit’s sustainable street furniture

Caden Property Services Ltd Paul Caden Royston 07972 878 439 Property Consultants Doing R Bit Ltd Dave Spencer Grimsby 01472 841122 Environmentally Produce Timber Products Parcel Pal Ian Waterson Hull 01482 950247 Courier Company SSC Global Associates Ltd Simon Anthony Clarke Brantingham 07783 113117 International Food Trade Consulting Stowe Family Law LLP Tom Suttill Beverley 01482 755385 Family Law VKV Services Ltd Richard Vaughan Barrow upon Humberside 07414 615540 Industrial & Martime Signage Water Technology Engineering Ltd James Webb York 01759 369915 Manufacturing Withernsea Pier & Promenade Association Sheila E Robinson Withernsea 07834 760024 Pier Association To find out about Chamber Membership visit www.hull-humberchamber.co.uk/memberships or call Janice Harrison on (01482) 324976, or Anne Tate or Marilyn Waud on (01472) 342981.

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Grandad comes out of retirement to do his bit Grimsby businessman has ditched retirement after being given a lesson in sustainability by his grandson.

Dave Spencer founded one of the largest cycle parking companies in the UK in the early 90s, selling up in 2017.

Now he is bringing a career’s worth of experience at the helm of Lock It Safe together with an ambition to fulfil environmental desires. In doing so he is looking to breathe a greener life into supermarket car parks, street furniture and other public realm structures.

Dave, who runs his new entity Doing R Bit out of The Enterprise Village, said: “I was visiting my daughter in the Cotswolds, taking things out of the back of the car and dropped an

A

elastic band on the ground and my grandson said ‘don’t leave that there’. He explained what he had learned at school, about pollution and the scale of plastic waste. and I felt compelled to do something.”

He has now brought forward a range of timber products, some incorporating planters and living roofs, with solutions for cycle storage, outdoor eating, bus stops and more.

One key area is parklets, roadside spaces repurposed as public amenities that can help calm or eliminate unwanted traffic.

He added: “It has opened up a new world for me. It is about behavioural change, what this is doing is so important, yet it will be the norm for my grandson’s generation.”

Historic flypast planned for Jubilee It is with absolute delight that Withernsea Pier & Promenade Association (WPPA) announce that they have secured a flypast by The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of a Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire on Saturday 4 June and Sunday 5 June.

These dates will mark the end of HRH Jubilee weekend and it is hoped that the WPPA can welcome as many visitors to the town as possible.

WPPA, formed some six years ago, has the vision to bring back the pier raising considerable funds and meeting very strict design and planning regulations to achieve fulfilment of their ambitious project.

Bring your children and grandchildren, and

your buckets and spades for a memorable two days celebrating a memorable week.

Visit: withernsea1.co.uk

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Last Word

Last Word If you like to have the Last Word, here's your chance - email David Hooper at d.hooper@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

Name: Alison Ellis Job Title: Account Manager Name of the business: Care to Talk Limited

Describe your job in a nutshell: I look after clients by finding them a mobile communications contract that fits with their needs and then ensure it continues to work for them throughout the term of their contract. I take care of any issues and work on their behalf if they have any problems with their account, the network, handsets or anything else mobile related.

Where is it based: Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

What has been your biggest challenge in the last year: I know I don’t need to say it, but Covid. It’s challenged us all in many and differing ways.

From a business perspective I’ve been very lucky to be in an industry that has continued to grow, although some of my customers haven’t been as lucky, and I’m hugely sad that some haven’t survived. Even when normality returns the landscape will be much changed.

What are you most looking forward to in the next three months: The return of enough confidence for us all to meet socially. Business meetings have continued but I can’t wait to be sat in reception with a cup of tepid tea, waiting to see new potential customers. How I’ve missed actual personal interaction with new and exciting people!

What news story has had the biggest impact recently: The invasion of the Ukraine has to be one of the worst manmade disasters imaginable. As we all struggled to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and believed the future to be brighter and at our fingertips, this catastrophe has unfolded before our eyes. The human loss and destruction is unfathomable.

What is your biggest ambition: For me and my children to continue to be healthy, happy and contented.

Where will your next holiday be: My sons and I have just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Paris. My next trip 58

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is a cruise which includes a visit to my very favourite city, Dubrovnik.

Selfishly I preferred it before quite so much of the world rediscovered it but I still love to visit and look forward to seeing more of Croatia.

What are your hobbies and which is your favourite pastime: I love to travel, so my wings have been severely clipped over the past two years! I have a number of holidays and trips planned for the near future so I’m really looking forward to those.

I would like to say I read a lot. I used to, but

since starting my own business in 2015 my mind always drifts to thinking about work if I sit down with a book. Most of my pastimes are borne from necessity, gardening, cooking, DIY but I do love a good film and support our local cinema every week.

I LOVE football (watching not playing!), the theatre, a good TV series and live music. If I get the opportunity my best Saturday night is to go to Ronnie Scott’s.

What are your plans for the weekend: I’m going to visit my mum.

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T: 01482 214169 M: 07926 566220 E: darren@randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk E: accounts@randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk W: randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk