FFB February 2017

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LASTING LEGACIES Modern day philanthropy FIGHTING FIT Top tips to get your business in shape

REALLY WILD Gill Bagshawe turned her hobby into a blooming business

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CONTENTS

First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2017

AGENDA 6

6

From galleries to green spaces, Andy Waple looks at the philanthropists who have made a huge impact on the city

HEALTHY BUSINESS 10 10 steps to take to get your business in shape for 2017

DREAM TEAM 18 With the right motivation, achieving the impossible can become a reality. Just listen to our Dream Team

A PASSION FOR BUSINESS 22 Turning a much-loved hobby into a successful business is something most of us only dream of. Clare Parkin spoke to three women who have taken the plunge and done just that

34

MOTORING 26 We test drive that MG3 Style and look at the latest news

TRAVEL 34 Chris Wilson stays on the move by train, bus and boat to see the sights in Switzerland

DINING OUT 36

22

We dine at Brocco on the Park and All-Siam

WESTSIDE RESTAURANT AWARDS 38 Do you want to be in the running for the 2017 Westside Restaurant Awards, sponsored by My Fathers Heart? Find out how you can make your mark...

TRAVEL 40 Adam Kay heads down under in search of Queensland’s most amazing sights – and some of its biggest visitors…

WORK & PLAY 46 A monthly round-up of news, achievements, celebrations and new faces

Editor Chris Wilson chris.wilson@rmcmedia.co.uk Consultant Editor Andy Waple Chief Feature Writer Clare Parkin

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Chief Sub Editor Richard Abbey Sub Editor Richard Smith Operations Director Jillion Wood Publishing Manager Mandy Ogle mandy.ogle@rmcmedia.co.uk Studio Manager Chris Brierley Design Dan Wray, Steve Levers RMC Media 6 Broadfield Court Broadfield Business Park Sheffield, S8 OXF Tel: 0114 250 6300 Twitter: @ffbmagRMC www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

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PREVIEW

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PREVIEW he campaign to save Sheffield Central Library and Graves Art Gallery building continues, as petitions gather momentum and highprofile celebrities such as Michael Palin reach out to show their support.

T

the negative impact this may have, in this month’s First For Business, consultant editor Andy Waple takes a look at the philanthropists who have made a huge impact on our city – and a few contemporary ones too.

The big row erupted when the council announced that its new-found Chinese business partner, the Sichuan Guodong Construction Group, had been given 12 months to explore the possibility of turning the building into a luxury hotel.

Meanwhile, chief feature writer Clare Parkin talks to three inspiring women who have managed to turn their hobbies into thriving businesses.

If the scheme proves feasible, the building could be leased to the Chinese company to be renovated as a hotel that would raise an estimated £1million a year in business rates. Graves Art Gallery would be moved to the ground floor, whilst the future of the Sheffield Library Theatre remains unclear.

Many are upset because they view the plans as an attack on the city’s heritage and the values of philanthropist, JG Graves. But rather than concentrate on

And if you’d like to follow in their footsteps but don’t know where to begin, take a look at our ten steps to getting your business in shape for 2017.

For more motivation, see what pearls of wisdom our Dream Team are offering this month.

It’s also expected to be another successful year for Sheffield’s dining scene, as we prepare for our sister magazine Westside’s Restaurant Awards, sponsored by media partners My Fathers Heart, in June. If you’d like to be in the running for the most prestigious

CHRIS WILSON, EDITOR

awards of the year, find all of the details on page 38.

Speaking of dining out, we review two of Ecclesall’s best-loved restaurants – Brocco on the Park and All-Siam.

Along with our regular round-up of business news, a spin in the new MG Style and a trip of a lifetime to Australia, this is just a taste of what is in this issue of First For Business. Let us know what you think by tweeting us @ffbmagRMC.

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LASTING LEGACIES FROM GALLERIES TO GREEN SPACES, ANDY WAPLE LOOKS AT THE PHILANTHROPISTS WHO HAVE MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE CITY. he campaign to save Sheffield Central Library and Graves Art Gallery building from being turned into a five-star hotel speaks volumes about the city’s psyche and also asks many questions about its economic destiny.

T

The debate has also thrown the spotlight on to the role of modern-day philanthropy in the current climate of austerity and has uncovered Sheffield’s attempts to harness private benevolent investment, particularly to support its creative industries and save its cultural assets from being swept into storage.

proposals as an “embarrassment”. He is just one of more than 9,000 people to have signed a petition calling for the building to be kept as a public resource.

Civic leaders will be hoping the Chinese

old guard, still strong in numbers and with no shortage of support, which has a long record of resenting change.

Palin’s comment sums up the argument.

He said: “The Sheffield Central Library

Graves Art Gallery

As far as the library itself is concerned, the business community throughout the region would be rewarded with studying the debate and drawing their own conclusions because the argument has much more to do with the future prosperity of the city and the region as a whole than about access to library books.

The big row erupted when the council announced that its new-found Chinese business partner, the Sichuan Guodong Construction Group, had been given 12 months to explore the possibility of turning the Graves building into a luxury hotel.

If the scheme proves feasible, the building could be leased to the Chinese company to be renovated as a hotel that would raise an estimated £1million a year from business rates. This, argues the council, could be spent on a purposebuilt building elsewhere in the city centre. The Graves Art Gallery, which occupies the third floor of the building, would remain, but be moved to the ground floor. The future of the Sheffield Library Theatre remains unclear at this stage.

Objections flew in immediately, and among the most vociferous came from Michael Palin who has described the

6 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

don’t take the public outcry as an affront particularly as the local authority signed a £1billion, 60-year construction deal with them. In the biggest Chinese investment outside London, an initial £220million will pay for four or five city centre projects over the next three years and create “hundreds if not thousands” of jobs in South Yorkshire, according to the council. The library scheme, we must assume, is one of them.

The council says the proposal makes sense as the grade II-listed building does not meet modern standards of accessibility and inclusivity, needs £30million worth of repairs, which it cannot afford after cuts to its budget by central government.

Yet it is facing opposition from the conservative nature of Sheffield’s socialist

embodies the very best aspects of civic pride. It’s a fine building, built to give education and literacy a prominent place at the very heart of the city. That a building, seeking to improve the lot of all Sheffielders, should end up as a hotel for the rich and privileged seems a sad reflection on how little the city cares for its public service legacy.”

One of the main arguments is that the building was a gift to the city from entrepreneur and philanthropist JG Graves, who wanted to see it as a public space. The Labour-controlled council will have to decide if the potential investment outweighs the sentiment expressed by the objectors and the business community will be watching closely.

The link with JG Graves is very interesting because it is the Trust working in his name that is seeking a

AGENDA

The Central Library and Graves Art Gallery building

new generation of philanthropists to make a contribution to prop up the city’s ailing cultural economy.

Throughout last year the JG Graves Charitable Trust celebrated of the work of Graves and his contribution to the city, using the 150th anniversary of his birth to try and inspire a new generation of philanthropists. Its efforts were bolstered by Museums Sheffield, which itself has been exploring all avenues to attract private benefactors.

The ambition is to attract US-style philanthropic giving from wealthy collectors and the business community, rather than charging for admissions to prop up falling revenue stream from the public purse. Rising prices for art also makes it very difficult for public galleries to buy new works.

An example of the search for new philanthropists was seen in the ambitious project, Going Public, launched in 2015

by Museums Sheffield, Site Gallery, Sheffield Cathedral and SIA Gallery, aimed at bring private art collections to the city for public display.

Works from four major European private collectors – Patrizia Sandretto Re

Rebaudengo, Egidio Marzona, Nicolas Cattelain and Dominique and Sylvain Levy were displayed to stimulate debate about the role of modern day philanthropy.

The impact of art and culture on a local economy can be significant and is well documented. In Sheffield the theatres generate a good deal of visitor income and in Liverpool the impact of Tate Liverpool’s positioning in the docklands has had a major impact on the city’s regeneration.

Together with his wife Hanne, he was awarded the 2015 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for environmental protection efforts.

The Grantham Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness of urgent environmental issues, donated £2.6million to the University – the largest individual gift received from an alumnus in the last decade – to establish the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures. >>>

While the arts scene in Sheffield continues to seek its Holy Grail, the University of Sheffield already has major modern day philanthropists in the shape of alumnus Jeremy Grantham and his wife Hanne.

Mr Grantham was brought up in Doncaster, where one of his first jobs was selling bedpans to hospitals.

He studied Economics at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 1961. He went on into the world of investment management and made billions in the US where he is known for his uncanny ability to predict major global financial crises.

Jeremy Grantham

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 7

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AGENDA

FEBRUARY 2017

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Three of Sheffield’s greatest philanthropists: JG GRAVES: 1866-1945 John George Graves, known as George, probably the city’s best-known benefactor, was born in Lincolnshire.

He moved to the city in his teens as an apprentice watchmaker and went on to make his fortune with a mail order business. He made Sheffield his own, embroiling himself in local politics becoming an alderman and Lord Mayor.

He was rewarded for his service to the city in 1929 when he was made a freeman.

He made many gifts for the betterment of local society; the first believed to be a children’s playground, coming in 1903.

The Graves Art Gallery, Graves Park, Graves Trust Homes and Graves Tennis Centre are some of the well-known gifts to the city that bear his name. In addition the public open spaces Blacka Moor and Ecclesall Woods were the outcome of his generosity. Grants from his trust also helped build the home for the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union, the Graves Building.

In 1930 The JG Graves Charitable Trust was formed, and it is still in existence issuing about 50 small grants each year.

8 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

The initial funding for his Trust stemmed from shares in his business.

Successive trustees invested this capital and the overall funds have been enhanced over the years by legacies and gains from property transactions.

The Trust was chaired by Graves himself until his death in 1945 and today his great nephew Richard Graves is a trustee.

Graves donated over £1million in his lifetime, including pictures and artworks from his private collection many hanging in the Graves and in the former Mappin Gallery that he co-funded.

SIR STUART GOODWIN: 1886-1969 Sir Stuart Goodwin was one of Sheffield’s most generous philanthropists who gave a fortune to improve the lives of city people. It is estimated he gave away more than £500,000 – equivalent to around £8million today.

In 1920, he formed the Neepsend Steel and Tool Corporation and became a member of the Cutlers’ Company in 1943. When, in 1920, he was diagnosed as a diabetic, he gave the Royal Infirmary a gift of £10,000. He also provided the money for a new charity, which every year invited approximately

1,600 of Sheffield’s oldest folk to lunch at the Cutlers’ Hall.

One of his donations was for the construction of a new fountain at the head of Fargate in 1961, which became known as the Goodwin Fountain. In 1998, it was replaced by the new fountain in the Peace Gardens under the Heart of the City project.

LT COL GERALD HAYTHORNTHWAITE: 1912-1995 Haythornthwaite was the key driving force behind the formation of the Peak District National Park in 1951 and integral to preserving Sheffield’s Green Belt. With his wife Ethel, he fought tirelessly to preserve Sheffield famous “Golden Frame” and his financial legacy enables the charity Friends of the Peak District to carry on his work to this day. Sadly the legacy left is running dry and the charity is desperate for other saviours of the countryside to step forward.

The Haythornwaites saved areas such as Edale, Mam Tor, Blacka Moor and the Longshaw Estate, prevented a racing circuit near Dovedale, stopped a motorway through Longdendale and ensured responsible quarrying.

TRAINING

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CITY TRAINING PROVIDER HELPS COMPANIES ACCESS NEW £17MILLION SKILLS FUND. eading training and development centre The Source is supporting a new £17million initiative to help businesses in the region grow.

L

The Skills Bank has been launched to bring about a new culture in the skills system by empowering employers to choose and invest in the skills that they need and in turn help to boost the region’s prosperity.

With typically up to 70 per cent funding towards the courses available from the European Social Fund and Growth Funding, The Source is able to work with businesses in the Sheffield City Region to identify skills gaps and then help devise a training plan.

Businesses can then be connected with high quality training providers to meet their needs and help them grow and develop.

Dale Robinson, Head of Sales and Marketing at The Source, said: “We are pleased to be selected as an approved

supplier for the Skills Bank.

“The Skills Bank is an excellent initiative to enable businesses in our region to grow and will enable The Source to support business in many areas.

“We have already seen many ‘deals’ progress through and funding has been awarded to our customers who are now receiving the right training to help them grow.”

Courses The Source can support and deliver include: business development and sales, quality and environmental, finance, first aid, ICT, marketing and design, health and safety, HR, management, security and WorldHost customer service.

The Source has been delivering training for over 13 years and in that time has compiled a comprehensive list of training courses to help businesses succeed and grow.

growing solicitors firm which is undertaking additional HR, management and recruitment training to ensure they make the right appointments and can develop current staff.

A business that is looking to put a number of their staff through CIPS qualifications to help them be more competitive in purchasing is also being supported by The Source and a local manufacturing company currently undertaking multiple digital marketing training courses to enable them to better communication to their customers and be more competitive online.

CONTACT: If you would like to find out more about how The Source can support your business visit www.thesourceacademy.co.uk or call 0114 263 6654.

Currently The Source is working with a

Thinking of investing in

training to grow

your

business within the next 12 months?

The Sour ce A cademy is an appr o v ed Source Academy approved training pr provider o vider with the Sheffield City Region Skills Bank.

We can access funding for training in the follow ing areas: following • • • • • • • • • •

De v elopment and Sales S ales Business Development Cust omer Service S er vice Customer Envir onmental Quality and Environmental pur chasing Finance and purchasing S af ety First Aid and Health & Safety I CT ICT Mark eting and Design Marketing HR Management S Security ecurity

www.thesourceacademy.co.uk www .thesour ceacademy.co.uk

TTypically ypically up ttoo 70% off training costs, contact us ttoo find out mor more. e.

Call: 011 0114 4 26 263 3 66 6654 54 or email: Enquiries@thesour Enquiries@thesourceacademy.co.uk ceacademy.co.uk

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First For Business

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GET YOUR BUSINESS FIGHTING FIT 10 STEPS TO TAKE TO GET YOUR BUSINESS IN SHAPE FOR 2017.

WORDS BY CLARE PARKIN

FEATURE

I

t’s the start of a New Year and while the usual resolutions about exercising more and eating less have probably bitten the dust it’s not too late to make sure your business is as healthy as it can be to ensure a successful 2017. Here First For Business looks at the steps to take to give your business a New Year health check to ensure it is fighting fit for the year ahead.

MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA WORK FOR YOU There are very few businesses which are operating without using some form of social media in today’s digital world. But with so many different tools and platforms to use and for many business people, so little time to update them, it’s important to make sure you are using the ones relevant for your company.

For example, if your

business is very visual, tools such as Instagram and YouTube might work for you and if your business caters mainly to other businesses LinkedIn may be more suitable. To quickly connect with people Twitter and Facebook work well.

Keeping your social media sites updated regularly is vital; sites which are outdated

MAKE SURE YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS EXCELLENT Good customer service is vital for the overall health of your business and brand. It leaves a lasting impression, people will always remember if your customer service was really great or really terrible.

Smile at your customers, make them feel welcome, listen to your customers, be the expert in your field but if you’re unsure, never lie and always keep your word.

Prospective customers like to hear that a company offers ‘excellent customer service’ it’s a strong marketing tool and the message is even stronger if other real-life content customers endorse your message through reviews and testimonials. Make sure this year you collect any positive customer comments for future use.

REFRESH YOUR WEBSITE Make sure your website is right – getting it wrong and it might not be worth having one at all. Sites need to be easy for customers to use and to navigate.

A good website needs a strong clear message, relevant page content and prominent calls to action, to help keep website visitors engaged and interacting with the site once they’ve logged onto it.

could suggest to potential customers that your business is not popular or even no longer trading. Keeping content fresh and relevant will help to keep your online customers engaged.

To use social media effectively requires constant maintenance. It can be helpful to ensure that one person in your business is responsible for coordinating all social media activity or if you’re a one-man-band it can be helpful to set yourself a weekly reminder to update your social media sites.

REVIEW HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES Health and safety policies form the foundation of managing safety, getting them right is vital.

Your health and safety policy is unique to your organisation and must be legally compliant. Health and safety policies also need to be regularly reviewed.

Make it an annual task to ensure your existing health and safety policy is up to date and compliant with best practice and current legislation and guidelines. It might also be a good time to update your employee handbooks.

MAKE THE MOST OF BUSINESS SUPPORT

To climb search engine results post regular relevant content, this demonstrates to the search engines and website visitors that your website is active.

Sheffield City Region Growth Hub is a one-stop shop for free business support and advice.

Meanwhile to ensure websites are as interactive as possible for those surfing a site and to make sure businesses don’t miss out on potential customers when it might not be typical trading hours consider a live chat function. That way when you’re not online, you can set up a script so that a ‘customer service agent’ can chat in your place and you will capture the details of your potential customer.

It aims to act as a gateway and simplify all the regional and national business support that is available to make your business develop and flourish.

RETHINK YOUR UTILITY BILLS

The hub helps businesses in the region access specialists in any field including: innovation, exporting, accessing finance or training.

Many businesses have no idea that they are regularly paying over the odds for their gas, electricity and other utility bills.

Go through all your bills and go online to a comparison website to check you are getting the best deal. If you don’t have time there are online sites that will do the work for you giving you advice on how you can save cash. >>>

Visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk to find out about funding, events and other services available.

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 11

First For Business

FEATURE

FEBRUARY 2017

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ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY WORKFORCE Latest Government figures reveal that in 2015/16, 30.4 million working days were lost in sick days in the UK costing the economy billions.

Investing in your staff ’s health and wellbeing in 2017 could help reduce staff absence.

There are plenty of ways businesses can support their staff to be healthier, including: subsidising membership to a local gym, encouraging staff to cycle or walk to work and putting on lunchtime activities like yoga or exercise classes.

James Wilson, dubbed the ‘Sleep Geek’, will be working internally at the company’s new Sheffield headquarters to offer employees a range of group and one-to-one sleep coaching sessions in the ‘science of sleep’.

“Sleep is fundamental to health. When we sleep our bodies have time to heal and repair, and it is crucial for reducing the risk of chronic health conditions,” said James.

Westfield Health is so aware of the importance of staff wellbeing it has taken a unique approach by appointing a ‘sleep ambassador’.

“However, due to our busy modern lifestyles and concerns like work and family commitments or financial worries, getting a good night’s sleep is something a lot of people have trouble with. It can be hard to access good sleep support and services when needed and I am passionate about changing this through consultations, coaching, and environment and behaviour analysis.”

INVEST IN TRAINING

Fusion@Magna Business Centre, Magna Way, Rotherham, S60 1FE.

Training is one of the best investments employers can make to show staff that they are a valued part of the business.

Also return on investment from a training course can be immediate as staff put into practice new skills learnt immediately.

The Sheffield City Region is rich on excellent education institutions from colleges to leading universities enabling individuals to progress in their careers.

There are also dozens of free events and seminars taking place across the Sheffield City Region which can give workers the opportunity to learn new skills, refresh skills, inspire and provide the chance to network with others in the same field.

Take a look on the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub website at to find out which ones could be beneficial to you and your business.

In February a number of events are planned, these include: The Digital Garage Comes To Barnsley on February 10, 9am – 11.30, at the Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW. The event promises businesses the chance to learn crucial skills for the digital age.

Experts from Google will run a seminar that offers advice and tips to local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on making the internet a growth engine for their business.

Business Finance Masterclass is being held on February 1, 8am - 11am, at 12 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, alongside Rotherham Investment and Development Office, will be providing a masterclass on accessing finance for City Region businesses.

MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS IS A TURN OFF FOR CRIMINALS Securing your business against crime can be done by putting in place a few simple measures.

According to South Yorkshire Police businesses are affected by crime in three main ways; property crime, anti-social behaviour and violent crime. A properly managed CCTV system can be a big deterrent, along with controlled access to your premises and a good alarm system.

When it comes to cybercrime make sure you and your staff members regularly change your passwords and ensure your antivirus and security software is up-to-date.

South Yorkshire Police offers businesses in the region free security assessments, email BusinessCrime@southyorks.pnn.police.uk for more information.

ASSESS YOUR FINANCES To help your business grow there are many ways of accessing finance.

A quick search on the https://www.gov.uk/businessfinance-support-finder website brings up almost 50 financing and support initiatives open to businesses in the Sheffield City Region.

They include: Fit for Nuclear, which offers business support and advice on bidding for work in the nuclear industry for manufacturing companies with a turnover of at least £1.6 million, Creative England which offers interest-free loans of £50,000 to £200,000 for creative digital small or medium-sized enterprises and Finance For Enterprise, which provides loan funding from £1,000 to £150,000 for new start, early stage and established businesses across South Yorkshire and the North Midlands.

Overdrafts, cashflow finance and commercial mortgages are additional finance options which can help if you are looking to develop and expand your business in 2017.

TRAINING/EDUCATION

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GRADUATES OF SHEFFIELD MBA EXCEED EXPECTATIONS IN THE WORKING WORLD – DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE NEXT INTAKE? ould you like to graduate from one of the world’s leading business schools?

Would you like to accelerate your career, increase your potential and stand out from the crowd?

and business networking opportunities and careers support.

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The University of Sheffield’s Management School is educating the leaders of tomorrow and its part-time MBA course could be for you.

With its foundations in entrepreneurship, leadership and consultancy, graduates of Sheffield MBA exceed expectations in the working world.

Sheffield’s applied approach ensures those on the programme gain the skills that today’s leaders need – the ability to analyse, innovate and implement change.

Throughout the Sheffield MBA, delegates apply the theory learned to practical challenges.

The programme integrates real, practical elements at every turn – from guest lectures, to assignments done in

collaboration with an organisation and the possibility of completing your dissertation for a company, addressing a live issue.

If you’re working as you learn, then the return on investment can be immediate as you troubleshoot for your organisation from day one.

There will be the opportunity to engage with high level business leaders from major organisations like Sony and Goldman Sachs through a leadership dinner series.

You will benefit from a close, international cohort learning from each other as experienced professionals and you will become part of a worldwide network of MBA alumni, giving you access to social

One current delegate, with almost 30 years of business experience, said: “Your fellow MBA cohort is such an eclectic mix of backgrounds, cultures and experience.

One moment you’re talking to a tanker captain from Iran, the next a HR professional from Tokyo it opens you up to the world.”

The MBA, which can be studied over two or three years, requires exceptional and committed people. Enrolment for the September 2017 cohort is now taking place.

CONTACT: For more information or to arrange an informal visit to the school, contact Ian Proctor, MBA Programmes Manager at the Management School on 0114 222 3426 or email i.proctor@sheffield.ac.uk

AN EXECUTIVE MBA ADVANCED MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME COULD BE THE WAY TO MAKE SURE YOUR COMPANY REALISES ITS FULL POTENTIAL. anufacturing is changing. To increase productivity, companies have to engage with new markets, new technologies and new ways of creating value and be endlessly adaptable.

Every class on the EMBA is taught by an expert and delegates apply theory to solve business problems based on reallife scenarios. There is also access to expertise and resources at the University’s AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre).

M

This changing world means there has never been a more important time to invest in your employees and your company and the University of Sheffield Management School’s Executive MBA Advanced Manufacturing Management programme could be the way to make sure your company realises its full potential.

The programme is the UK’s first specialist manufacturing EMBA designed to produce manufacturing leaders with the expertise to drive change that translates into prosperity and economic growth.

The programme is designed for manufacturers of all sizes and sectors. It’s about improving productivity – not just on the production side, but in accounting, finance, marketing and sales.

It’s about streamlining supply chains,

identifying new markets and understanding customers better.

The programme includes two week-long field trips to get a glimpse of what the future looks like, delegates will see how innovation is transforming manufacturing businesses in developed economies such as the UK and Germany and in more recently emerged markets such as India.

The modules are directly relevant, whatever your company manufactures.

The timetable means those on the course keep working while they study, bringing fresh ideas and insight back into the business, right from the start. This is education for exceptional and committed executives with purpose and drive.

The University of Sheffield’s Management School is in the top one per cent of business and management schools worldwide due to its excellent teaching, research, links with industry and support for students and alumni.

CONTACT: Enrolment for the September 2017 cohort is now taking place. For more information or to arrange an informal visit to the school, contact Ian Proctor, MBA Programmes Manager at the Management School on 0114 222 3426 or email i.proctor@sheffield.ac.uk

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 13

Bringing comfort to your environment ៉ ៉ ៉ ៉ ៉ ៉

Design Commissioning Maintenance Installation Servicing Energy Assessment

Airmaster Air Conditioning Limited Wetherby House | Parkhill | Swallownest | Sheffield S26 4UN

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14 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

HEATING

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FEBRUARY 2017

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SPEND A PENNY...

SAVE POUNDS LET AIRMASTER CREATE THE PERFECT WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS. eating and cooling specialists Airmaster know the importance of having a healthy business. A great working environment boosts performance and productivity and Airmaster has a passion for creating the perfect workplace experience where employees feel good about coming to work.

H

To help businesses achieve good health, the company’s workplace specialists design, install and maintain bespoke energy efficient systems for heating and cooling, commercial plumbing and ventilation.

But having an energy system installed is quickly redundant if it’s not maintained properly. Ian Fisher, business development manager at the firm based at Swallownest in Sheffield, said a penny spent on maintenance can save pounds on repairs “First and foremost a Preventative Maintenance Agreement is your best insurance that your systems will operate efficiently and as designed,” said Ian. “So there are many benefits to having an effective planned maintenance contract in place. HVAC maintenance isn’t expensive compared to what you might spend if your system degrades (and ultimately fails) prematurely.”

Ian Fisher

Top reasons for having maintenance plan in place:

Ian’s top tips to saving energy and money in your office…

1. During PPM (planned preventative maintenance) a trained engineer will clean, inspect and evaluate your systems and make any needed adjustments to control that ensure everything is running smoothly and efficiently.

D 1: +76,1<17616/ 1; :-)44A /77, )< heating and cheaper to run than a conventional radiator or any hot water system. You can save up to 40 per cent of your heating energy bill running air conditioning instead of radiators and around 75 per cent against electric heaters – if its installed, USE IT!

2. You extend the operation life of the equipment; frequent monitoring and early detection can help you identify small problems before they become major repair costs.

3. As a maintenance customer you most likely will get reduced labour rates and more priority than none contract customers for reactive repairs and call outs.

4. Improved air quality is one of the best benefits of a well-designed and maintained air conditioning system, as filters can take out a large portion of the impurities associated with poor health such as dust and pollen.

Airmaster is REFCOM registered company to carry out work with refrigerant and all its engineers are Qualified at FGAS CAT 1, the highest level. They are experts at environmental legislation and a perfect maintenance provider, especially to businesses that are ISO14001 as they provide auditable, electronic documentation covering TM44, FGAS &PSSR2000 legislation.

Visit Airmasters’ website and check out the FAQ page which contains further information about legislation http://www.airmaster.uk.com/faqs.php

CONTACT: To help keep your workforce healthy, happy and productive call the Airmasters team on 0114 288 9911 or email team@airmaster.uk.com

D '0-6 ;75-76- +7584)16; 1< ; <77 cold or hot it’s easy to just reach for the controller or stat to please one person, but cranking up thermostats can be a big waste of energy. Get some thermometers up on the wall; this will help making and justifying adjustments D )6A 8-784- <:-)< *=14,16/; 413their car: I’m going to turn the heat right up, then turn it down or off again once they are melting. Don’t raise your thermostat settings to a temperature other than the general temperature you want to achieve as this rarely cools or heats your space any faster, but will result in excessive and expensive energy use. If you’re not sure, 19C-21C for heating and 23C-25C for cooling are good starting points.

D $77 5=+0 )1: +7516/ 16 )6, 7=< 1; a major cause of the energy waste.

Running ventilation is like having windows opened. If you can, turn down your ventilation fan speed as low as you can to match occupancy when it’s cold and completely review the time schedules on all ventilation.

D $=:6 ;A;<-5; 7.. 0)4. 07=: *-.7:everyone goes… if no one complains – go for an hour or more! Shaving operation time at the end of the day is often overlooked

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 15

First For Business

LEGAL

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

BOUTIQUE FAMILY LAW FIRM EXPANDS...

PRINCE FAMILY LAW ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE OPENED AN OFFICE IN SHEFFIELD CITY CENTRE. rince Family Law opened its doors in Chesterfield in 2005 and was the first boutique family law firm in North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

P

bespoke service, which we tailor to each of our client’s individual needs.

Since then Prince Family Law has grown both in size and reputation. David Prince has put together a formidable team of experts now comprising five fee earners and support staff.

Prince Family Law are recognised as one of the leading family law practices in the area specialising in high net worth and complex divorce cases. Having located offices in a prime city centre location in Sheffield the new office opened on 1 September 2016.

The office is within a short walk of all major transport hubs, the law courts and within easy reach of the M1.

David Prince,who is regarded as one of the foremost family law solicitors, says: “We are fortunate to have secured offices in the heart of the professional quarter in Sheffield City Centre. We already have many clients from South Yorkshire and there is a high level of demand for our

Our Sheffield office furthers our continued growth.”

Prince Family Law offer a free 30 minute consultation for anyone wishing to seek their services both in Sheffield and Chesterfield.

The Prince Family Law team

Northchurch Business Centre Northchurch House, 84 Queen Street, Sheffield, S1 2DW Tel: 0114 3216308

3 Royal Court Basil Close, Holywell, Chesterfield, S41 7SL Tel: 01246 224867

www.princefamilylaw.co.uk

zoe@princefamilylaw.co.uk

Make your event a truly enjoyable day

Eat Healthy, Eat Greek ENJOY GREAT FOOD WITH THE GREEDY GREEK DELI AND GREEK DELI DIRECT Now delivering HOT or Cold food Sheffield wide

Eat in or take-away – we have something for everyone and every occasion with our delicious home made Greek food.

From our famous wraps ouzing with Pork or Chicken or maybe Haloumi or Fallafels to Traditional foods like mouth watering Moussaka or Beef Styfado. Check out our extensive menu on our website www.thegreedygreekdeli.co.uk Don't cook, just eat. You can order hot food on-line too via www.just-eat or give the deli a call on 0114 2667719.

Got a party? Let Greek Deli Direct do the hard work for you. From dinner parties to Weddings – check out our new website www.greekdelidirect.co.uk or call Helen on 07927 673990 to discuss your needs.

Order direct Get our App for exclusive offers and VIP service

We are open from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week at 418-420 Sharrowvale Road, Hunters Bar, S11 8ZP (Next to Nat West Bank) Tel: 0114 2667719

16 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

The Sheffield Town Hall is an impressive Grade 1 listed Victorian building built in 1897 and is located right in the heart of the city.

This unique venue is comprised of four large adaptable function areas and six stunning meeting rooms.

Our larger rooms include our characteristic Reception Suite which can be divided in to two separate rooms and the Council Chamber which is able to accommodate larger conferences.

In addition to our larger rooms our six meeting rooms can be utilised to either accompany large events as breakout space or used for smaller meetings.

Located at the top of the Grand Staircase are the four entrances into the incomparable Reception Suite. The Reception Suite can be divided in to two private rooms each accommodating up to 120 delegates, alternatively the whole room can be used for any type of event and welcome a huge 220 guests.

The Council Chamber can accommodate larger conferences for up to 150 delegates. This room is full of interesting details - the two; most striking details are the beautiful ceiling and the spectator area overlooking the Chamber. The entrance to the Council Chamber is via the Ante Room, located just off the Grand Staircase which shows pictures of all the previous Lord Mayor’s, starting with the Duke of Norfolk in 1897.

Here at the Sheffield Town Hall we have six meeting spaces, each varying in size and character. These rooms can accommodate between 11 – 40 guests, and are all a fixed boardroom layout.

To complement our unique surroundings and exceptional service, we are proud to be partnered with Argent; a young dynamic caterer who continually delivers remarkable food and an outstanding service.

With the captivating location, dedicated team and incredible catering, your event at the Sheffield Town Hall will be a truly enjoyable day.

Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, S1 2HH Email: townhallevents@sheffield.gov.uk Tel: 0114 2734582 @townhallevents sheffieldtownhallevents

FINANCE

First for Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

THE BURLEY GROUP: DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

T

he Burley Group, J W Burley and Partners (UK) Ltd and Burley Financial Services Ltd, started business in 1953. They are a thirdgeneration family business who for more than 60 years have grown and developed their business, giving expert risk and asset protection advice, into being one of the leading insurance brokers and financial advisers in the area.

Burleys are committed to providing clients with the best service and understand that one size does not fit all.

Portfolios and service are tailored to the specific needs of each individual customer.

Burleysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strength lies in their extensive knowledge and expertise gained across a wide range of commercial and corporate sectors where they excel in delivering value-added benefits that actually make a difference.

As professional insurance brokers they firmly believe that effective risk management and proactive claims handling are directly related to the success of any clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insurance programme.

understanding a clients needs and requirements.

2016 saw Burleys launch â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Burley Privilegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a dedicated service for hgh net worth individuals, providing expert advice and tailored products for the protection of the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal assets.

Whilst many brokers small and large choose to outsource their claims handling, Burleys do not. Burleys are proud to boast a dedicated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in-houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; claims team providing expertise advice and assistance when it is needed the most.

Burleys have made significant investment in their infrastructure, helping them to provide an even better customer experience. Customers can now access their own policies and claims records online through the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Burley Portalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Burleys put the clients first and give them the tools they need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each commercial client benefits from a dedicated team and account executive who spends time

As professional advisers Burleys, offer any business, without charge, a thorough insurance and risk review including price checking.

They will detail their findings in a comprehensive report and advise what they can do to help you reduce and maintain your insurance premiums at the lowest level, working in partnership with you to achieve your goals whilst providing long term stable and secure solutions.

CONTACT: The Burley Group Jessops Riverside, 800 Brightside Lane, Sheffield, S9 2RX. Tel: 0114 261 2020 www.theburleygroup.com

Snuff Mill Lane on Ecclesall Road, S11 8AD

SERVICES FROM ÂŁ70 MOT JUST ÂŁ50 , % & , +% & , * (&'& , !! )#% ( % "' , "( " $ %'& '' #" %& &' !! " ) %% "'+ , + # '# ' ! %

Vehicle Testing Station Approved by the Department of Transport

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 17

First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

Rob Moore

Kevin Kerley

STAY POSITIVE

WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVATION, ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE CAN BECOME A REALITY. JUST LISTEN TO OUR DREAM TEAM. DEAR DREAM TEAM: My Chairman and Board of Directors are looking for aggressive sales growth over the next 12 months and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe the budget is achievable. How do I remain motivated and motivate my sales team who also donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe the target is achievable?

ROB MOORE RECOVERY EXPERT AND PARTNER AT TAYLOR & EMMETT A good place to start when your task is to motivate, is to know your team. Know what drives them. Know what makes them perform outstandingly.

What can you do to encourage that person individually? What can you do to encourage the whole team collectively?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a big believer in being honest so consider telling your team that you are also a little apprehensive about the budget being achievable.

Employees respond to good communication in the workplace so keep them in the know and arrange a meeting to solve the problem of making the budget achievable as a team. Your team are the people at the front selling your product. They probably have an abundance of suggestions on new ways to promote sales. You ask in your query what the best way is to motivate your team. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to ask them that exact question. Be clear that the budget is what it is and ask them â&#x20AC;&#x153;how can I

18 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

help and support you?â&#x20AC;? . & ' , * !' , * , "!' , ten-minute meetings in the morning to get them fired up for the day. . & * , "!' , ! & amongst the team would help keep them motivated. . " ,"( *"% * & ' & team leader, what usually keeps you motivated? Will the same thing keep your team motivated?

My best advice is to stop looking at the budget as unachievable as your Chairman and Board of Directors clearly see potential in your team and have set you that budget for a reason.

Depending on what motivates your team, a suggestion could be to have visual achievement by way of a scale, for example, which can be moved each month to show your progress, how far you have come, and how far you have got left to go.

Ensure your team is prepared and go into the next 12 months with their â&#x20AC;&#x153;eyes openâ&#x20AC;? and are fully aware of what is expected of them and have a plan in place to achieve that goal.

DREAM TEAM

KEVIN KERLEY ENTREPENEUR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ACADEMY OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES

As children we naturally believe that anything is possible. As we grow some people acquire limiting beliefs, believe everything is possible and connect with your natural state of empowerment and motivation.

For me, your dilemma is about belief, motivation and determination. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wish to sound evangelical but anything is possible. It is of course better if you can agree targets rather than have them imposed, however, if you begin with the self-limiting belief that the targets are not possible it is most likely you will not achieve them. Whether you believe you can or you believe you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, you are probably right. Managing your state to have self-belief in yourself and your team is the best starting point, leading by example will allow the team to also have the belief that they can achieve the targets.

0 * ) /%+( #%* , * %$ %( % $ * ) job?

I have had years when my targets seemed completely unachievable and I have smashed them and years when I believed that the targets where easy to achieve and fell short, on both occasions I never lost sight of the fact that they were achievable. On both occasions I gave it my best and never gave up on the targets, if you give it all you have got and fall short, and you know you tried your best to achieve it, then thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all you can ask of anybody. If you just go through the motions and pretend to do everything you can, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually go that extra mile, then the only person you are fooling is yourself. Is your glass half full or half empty?

0 % /%+ - $* *% * )* ) " )# $ or average?

0 ( * $ $ " ( - ( ) %( ** $ targets compelling enough, or do you need to renegotiate the terms?

0 % /%+ $ %/ * * ( "" % )# ) $ targets?

0 % /%+ $ %/ "" $ 0 , /%+ %) $ * ( * ( ( path?

0 * , ( * $)- () /%+ )* (* with the targets are not possible you are almost certainly not going to hit them.

The best sales people I have come into contact with over the years all have one common denominator, determination.

No matter what external factors may come into play, the exchange rate, inflation, the competition, our prices are too high, market forces, we are in recession, Brexit, etc etc. Everyone in business comes up against these barriers, the difference between success and not, is that the successful pay no attention to them and are determined to achieve their goals no matter what. They usually do.

So if you focus and have self-belief, know your motivation and are determined to achieve, you will give yourself the very best chance of smashing the targets, and if at the end you gave it your very best and fell short, no one can ask more of you, and you will know in your heart that you gave it youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all. Imagine how you will feel when you smash the targets though, and the impact that will have on the business.

Alternatively you could leave the business and find another job, but then what do you do when you are again faced with stretching targets?

People didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe man would walk on the moon, but he did. No one believed in driverless cars, Google did.

Who would have thought the largest taxi company in the world would not own a single taxi? Uber did.

Give it all you can, who knows you may surprise yourself.

Any advice?

Tweet us @ffbmagRMC

CHALLENGE OUR TEAM. The team will respond to one selected question in each edition of First For Business.

Send your questions to ffb@rmcmedia.co.uk.

Name withheld on request

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 19

First For Business

EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

JOIN THE PARTY AND PLAN YOUR PERFECT EVENT WITH WITH RACHEL BEER AND LISA MORAN OF EXCLUSIVE PARTY. othing is too big or too niche for premier events planning duo Rachel Beer and Lisa Moran of Exclusive Party.

N

The pair, who have worked extensively within the hospitality industry, share a passion and drive for creativity and first class customer service and launched their business last summer.

In that time they have held a number of show-stopping, high profile events including: award ceremonies, corporate parties, product launches, Christmas parties, themed events as well as fantastic away days designed to wow your employees or clients.

Exclusive Party promises a creative and fresh approach to event planning with innovative ideas and attention to detail.

The team can transform your office space for your event or alternatively find you the perfect venue.

Rachel said: “We understand that being at

the forefront of your industry is key when impressing clients or entertaining important guests, utilising our services makes this easy for you. Using creativity and innovation we will assist you in creating a lasting and memorable impression.

“Whatever your corporate event – perhaps an exciting product launch or a client party, an awards ceremony or team building event – we will create a unique brand experience for your business that people will talk about for years to come.”

As well as corporate events Exclusive Party can also take care of your personal needs from amazing birthday celebrations to a range of home dining experiences with your very own private chef.

Sunday 2 July sees a fabulous day out at the upcoming VIP area at The Bawtry Polo Cup in association with Robinsons of Bawtry.

CONTACT: To find out more about how Exclusive Party can transform your event, contact Lisa or Rachel on 07985 410870/ 07900 571295, email info@exclusiveparty.co.uk or visit the website www.exclusiveparty.co.uk

garden buildings

by Beau Vale

buildings by

beau vale

07500 185811 01433 650165 www.beau-vale.com www.beau-valedevelopments.com 20 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

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First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

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A PASSION FOR BUSINESS Gill Bagshawe

TURNING A MUCH-LOVED HOBBY INTO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IS SOMETHING MOST OF US ONLY DREAM OF. CLARE PARKIN SPOKE TO THREE WOMEN WHO HAVE TAKEN THE PLUNGE AND DONE JUST THAT. GILL BAGSHAWE WILD IN THE COUNTRY

“I read a magazine about a lady who had set up a cut flower business and it sparked an interest,” said Gill.

On a patch of land in the pretty Peak District village of Eyam, you’ll find Gill Bagshawe’s Wild In the Country seasonal cut flower business.

“I have always loved flowers and always liked to have them in my house. I read about the British cut flower industry and I discovered nearly all the flowers we sell in this country are from abroad. They tend to come from Holland and Africa.

The 70 x 44 foot plot which Gill works from was previously unused but she has transformed it into a beautiful oasis of British blooms.

Gill is among a growing number of microbusiness flower farmers springing up in a bid to re-establish that part of the horticultural industry.

Since the 1970s the cut-flower business has been in rapid decline in the UK. Then it accounted for about 80 per cent of sales now that figure stands at just 10 or 15 per cent.

22 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

“The international cut flower industry has become a bit of a monster. Flowers are grown on a huge scale in mono- cultural polytunnels, the bees and butterflies don’t get a look in!

“Before they are flown or shipped to this country, flowers are often fed with silver nitrate and doused in preservatives to prolong their shelf life, and all those chemicals eventually find their way into the water system. The carbon footprint is terrible.

“But for me this is not the only reason to choose British blooms over their imported cousins. Seasonal British blooms have a charm that far surpasses anything that can be found in the supermarket. The international growers concentrate on flowers that can be grown in large quantities with strong, straight stems and consistent heads and that can survive the journey to this country. The result is a narrow range and flowers with a stiff, artificial look about them. For me supermarket flowers just don’t have the same charm.

“My own garden is quite small and not suitable but I was determined to grow flowers.”

Armed with information after attending a one-day business start-up course led by Green and Gorgeous Gill found the plot in her home village and started renting it in

FEATURE

March 2015. By August 2015 her flower patch was blooming with beautiful flowers.

It was then a local wedding and event floristry team Frances and Rose contacted Gill after hearing about her venture and both businesses have continued to enjoy a close working relationship.

“At any one time in my garden I try to make sure I have what florists call the three fs: foliage, fillers and focus flowers.” she said.

“The skill is having a good variety of shapes and colours and growing for as many months as possible.”

Her business has also attracted interest from popular BBC show Gardeners’ World and she will be appearing on the programme next year.

Everything Gill uses is natural; there are no chemicals only beer traps for slugs. The seeds are grown in a greenhouse at her home.

LAURA JO OWEN ADORN Stepping into Adorn in Chesterfield town centre and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you have gone back in time.

Laura Jo Owen’s jewellery boutique, within the narrow medieval streets of the Shambles is unique. Jazz music plays softly in the background, Laura Jo’s Cairn Terrier Gandalf is often snoozing on a chair and handwritten receipts are the norm. Life generally goes at a much slower pace.

“It’s old fashioned, people can take their time when they come shopping here,” said Laura Jo. “There’s no rush, no pressure to buy.”

It might be a slightly unusual approach to doing business in today’s hectic world but it is working. Adorn has built up a strong customer base since it opened its doors in 2010 and Laura Jo’s husband Adam has also joined on a full-time basis.

Like many new businesses Gill admitted the first year hadn’t been financially rewarding. Everything she has made has gone straight back into the business.

Her part time job as a building surveyor specialising in building conservation fulfils her other passion for old buildings and has helped supplement her business venture.

The widespread interest in her new cut flower business has been very motivational and Gill has a number of business ideas she is hoping to take forward in 2017.

Setting up the land has been a science.

Flower beds are oriented north to south, allowing the flowers to receive the sun on both sides helps to ensure that they grow with straight stems. Some flowers perform better on poor soil whilst others are hungry feeders.

“I’ve been a keen gardener for many years, but flower farming is quite different,” said Gill. “It has been a steep learning curve, but hugely enjoyable.”

few along with foliage and herbs.

“I could sell buckets of flowers direct to brides, I’m also thinking of holding workshops on growing flowers for cutting and even potentially doing flower arranging classes for hen parties,” she said.

The list of the flowers Gill has grown this year is too long to mention, all the florists’ favourites can be found. Sweetpea, cornflowers, verbena, larkspur, nigella, roses, delphinium, dahlias and foxgloves are just a

I’ve always been drawn to all things sparkly!”

“On Mediterranean cruises I went to Barcelona and the little jewellery stalls on Las Ramblas were a big inspiration.”

Finishing her career on the cruise ships Laura Jo’s passion for gems and sparkles led her to becoming a manager at a large jewellery company.

Customers often complimented her on the jewellery pieces she wore and she realised there was a huge gap in the market for a jeweller specialising in unique pieces.

Gill has also provided a tea room in the village with pretty bud vases and sold jam jars of posies to the tourists..

The reason for the jam jars being: “I don’t like to see flowers out of water.” Gill admits. “If I put them in a jam jar they can get home! >>>

owned businesses to find unique pieces.

It has helped to attract customers from all over the country and even as far and wide as America and Australia through internet sales.

“The one thing I would say to budding entrepreneurs is don’t work with anyone who doesn’t share your ethos,” said Laura Jo. “Make sure they fit in with who you are and are matching your ethos and then it will work.”

In 2010 she decided to follow her heart and open her own shop.

“I have a huge passion for independent design,” said Laura Jo. “All the jewellery I wear is independent.

Laura Jo’s love for jewellery was fuelled while working as an entertainer on cruise ships where she also met Adam.

“I’m very much ‘go big or go home’ so I went for it. When we opened it was nerve-wracking, we were in the depths of a recession, I handed my notice in and there was a queue of people who wanted my job so there was no going back!”

“Every port we stopped at, often in the Carribbean, I would go and find gem stones,” said Laura Jo (34).

Adorn is passionate about unusual jewellery and works with small independent designers and larger family

Laura Jo Owen

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 23

FEATURE

First for Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

NICKY KAY THE CHEESE CAVE

Nicky Kay and husband Russell

Former secondary school teacher Nicky Kay turned a passion for cheese into a fulltime job after opening a cheese lover’s paradise in the pretty market town of Bawtry.

Twelve months ago Nicky was teaching chemistry in a busy Doncaster secondary school when she decided a change was due. The 35-year-old followed her heart and in December last year opened The Cheese Cave selling a huge range of artisan cheeses.

“It was October half-term and I needed a break,” said Nicky (35). “Teaching was running my life, I was working 16 or 17 hour days and I thought if I’m going to do that I may as well work for myself.”

A few days later during a break away with husband Russell Nicky decided to take the plunge and go into business.

“On the Sunday, the day before going back to school I found myself driving to Edinburgh for a retail cheese course,” said Nicky.

“Forty-five cheese tastings later and I came away from that course and I thought ‘I can do this!’”

Nicky returned to work the next day and told her bosses her plans. She admits: “They were rather surprised!”

She opted for Bawtry after falling in love with a “beautiful building on the High Street.”

After checking out the rental fees and discovering it would be too expensive she continued her search in the town and found the shop’s location in Dower House Square.

Nicky got the keys for the premises – a former launderette – on November 22 and worked day and night with firefighter Russell to get the shop ready for its opening on December 11.

by the one Nicky had at her own wedding - are also proving popular.

In the early days Nicky was splitting her time between working as a teacher and the shop with only Russell and friend to help out.

She intended to leave her teaching job at Christmas but worked full-time to February, then part-time and finished for good in the summer to take on the Cheese Cave full time.

Now focusing on the Cheese Cave she has lots of ideas for the future.

“We have just bought a vintage horse box which we plan to take around festivals and markets,” said Nicky. “We have even had requests to take it to weddings and provide camembert and bread.

“I’m also really enjoying doing people’s wedding cakes. We offer a really personalised service, the bride and groom, or often the bride and her mum come to

the shop and we offer a tasting session, we then put together their cake based on what cheese will work for each tier.

“I go to the venue on the day and build and create the cake then and there. That’s how we differ; most companies just provide the cheese.”

The Cheese Cave’s picnic hampers are also clearly a big hit with one customer ordering one for a marriage proposal.

“He even came back into the shop to tell us she said yes!” Said Nicky.

The Cheese Cave gets its products from Neal’s Yard in London as well as directly from local diaries. Nicky admits she would like to have more from local dairies but can’t stock enough as most sell in bulk.

She has just been approved to sell the prestigious Stichelton cheese from the nearby Welbeck Estate.

“I think the one stand out point about us is how friendly we are,” said Nicky.

“We just love what we do and we would never expect someone to buy from us without tasting the product first, we hold lots of tasting sessions.

Now the couple are preparing to celebrate one year in business.

“Customers are now travelling from as far as Barnsley, Wakefield and Beverley.

As well as cheese the Cheese Cave sells artisan breads, crackers, chutney and olives and has space for customers to sit and indulge in a cheese boards and a glass of wine, prosecco, real ale or gin.

“I love cheese and I love learning about cheese. I have signed up to the Academy of Cheese and I will study to become a Master of Cheese. I’m not even fed up with eating it all of the time, I cut a new wheel and I get excited all over again!

Nicky also holds tasting evenings, provides catering for dinner parties and events and sells individually made-up picnic hampers.

The shop’s cheese stack cakes – inspired

24 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

“It’s really nice to have your own business and I never get tired and walking into the shop and thinking ‘this is ours’.”

HEALTH

First For Business

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

‘I CHANGED MY WHOLE LIFE WITH THE HELP OF G&M HEALTHCARE’, SAYS KERRY HARRIS WHO SHED AN AMAZING SEVEN STONE WITH THEIR HELP.

“

f you had told me at the beginning of the year that 2016 would be the year I lost weight, I wouldn't have believed you.”

I

Kerry Harris had struggled with body and self-confidence issues for many years, often yo-yo dieting and attempting to lose weight but always going back to old habits. But when the strains of carrying the extra weight began to affect her family life, it became impossible to ignore.

“Before I started Alevere, I hated my body.

My weight was beginning to affect my confidence and was making me feel very unhappy in all aspects of my life. I stopped doing activities I loved, spending time with my children and avoided situations where I felt my weight would be judged.”

…and after

Kerry before…

Stepping on the scales left Kerry feeling low, but it also gave her the determination she needed to tackle her weight problem head on.

“I hadn’t weighed myself for years. I imagined I would weigh about 13-14 stone, so when the scales told me I was 17st 6.5lbs I couldn’t believe it.

“I had seen advertisements for G&M Healthcare with Alevere and decided I was going to give it a try. I was so sceptical to begin with, since I had always been trying to lose weight - I remembered how exhausting it was trying to find the perfect diet plan or weight loss ‘trick’.”

Combining high quality, flavoursome foods and state of the art ultrasound technology, it was the maintenance stage of the Alevere programme that Kerry found most difficult. But, under strict medial supervision, she soon realised how important it was to enabling her to manage her weight long term.

“The fast rate of weight loss kept me motivated and the therapy sessions gave me the support I needed to stay on track and help me understand more about my relationship with food.”

So far, Kerry has lost over seven stone and uses her own weight loss as a tool to spur herself on.

“As the weight came off, I could not believe how good I felt and how different I looked. I lost almost seven stone in 21 weeks and I feel amazing.

“Seeing the weight come off gave me encouragement to keep going and I now feel that I know how to eat properly. The plan has taught me to think about what I am putting into my body.”

Like everyone, Kerry has hit the occasional rut but she says she tries to combat it by switching up her workout routine.

"My weight is no longer ruling my life.

Before, I let the weight define me and my boundaries. Now, I don't. I make the rules.

"I've learned to be patient about the rest of the weight loss," and she reminds others to do the same. "Instead of always being down on yourself for how much more you have to go, look back at all you've already done."

Kerry is such a convert to the goals and

outcomes of the programme that she has now joined G & M Healthcare as a weight loss therapist, helping to motivate others along their weight loss journeys.

“All the staff at the clinic were very caring and professional and I wanted to give something back to the programme. It has really helped me and I’m so grateful.

“It’s great to see others achieving their goals.”

G&M Healthcare is a GP-led clinic in Broomhill, Sheffield. The experts at G&M Healthcare are dedicated to helping people look their best and, with a series of complementary cosmetic treatments on offer, alongside Alevere, clients are truly spoilt for choice.

CONTACT: G&M Healthcare 5 Broomfield Road, Broomhill, Sheffield, S10 2SE Tel: 0114 268 6128 www.gandmhealthcare.com

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 25

First For Business

MOTORING

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

DREAM DRIVE

PHOEBE SEYMOUR TAKES THE MG3 STYLE FOR A SPIN.

he MG3 Style has just arrived at Eric Stead – the MG car specialist on The Common in Ecclesfield – and the dealership are so proud of it, they invited me to take a test drive.

T

stand a hand luggage-sized suitcase in.

Once I was on the road, I was pleasantly surprised by how light and smooth it was to handle. The engine hummed quietly and every gear change was effortless.

Having been established in 1962, Eric Stead is one of the longest-running motor dealerships in the area, meaning their staff have tonnes of knowledge and years of experience with various MG models to boot.

First, I drove up to Wentworth to see how the MG handled the narrow country roads. It passed with flying colours, even when faced with road works and temporary traffic lights in the village.

Sales adviser, Dennis Berry, met me at their showroom with the key and explained why the MG3 Style is such a dream to drive.

Then it was time to get on the motorway and pick up some speed. Again, the transition up the gears was easy and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

“The Style is one of the best in the range,” said Dennis. “There’s only one other above this one and that’s the Style Lux. It’s a small car ideal for city driving, but it’s still got lots of room inside. It’s brilliant value for money, with a three year guarantee, and there isn’t much else that can beat it.”

Boasted as being perfect for city driving, I thought it only right to take in Sheffield city centre. After navigating the narrow roads of Wentworth village, the city streets were a breeze to zip through.

I was then taken to the forecourt where I was introduced to my car for the day. As soon as I was behind the wheel, I could see what Dennis meant. There was plenty of space and even with my seat right back, there was enough leg room for someone to sit in the back. The boot was also surprisingly roomy and tall enough to 26 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

Finally, I found a car park to practice some manoeuvres in. Although, reversing into spaces was fairly simple, it was reassuring to hear the bleep of the sensor alarm when I was getting close to a car behind me.

As I returned to my own car, I realised why I was so reluctant to give the MG3 Style back – it actually makes driving fun.

Navigating city streets and country roads

is – dare I say it – an enjoyable experience.You can even have fun personalising the colour and design, from Hello Yellow with a playful Emoticons roof, to the modest Rose Red MG I drove for the day.

With brilliant customer service and every type of MG, from a pristine 1979 MGB GT to the larger MG GS SUV on display, it’s no wonder Eric Stead continues to be the most reputable MG dealership around.

And right now, they have the MG3 Form Sport with 5 years 0 per cent finance.

Only a £159 deposit and then £159 per month.

Eric Stead 248 The Common, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, S35 9WN Tel: 0114 245 4404 www.ericstead.co.uk

DETAILS: Model: MG3 Style Price: From £8,399-10,999 Engine: 1.5 petrol CO2 emissions: 124g/km Economy: 48.7-51.5mpg (combined)

MOTORING

First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

OPEN TO NEW IDEAS You’ll not be dropping the roof just yet but the new Audi A5 Cabriolet should be at the top of your soft-top shopping list in 2017.

The new model is lighter, more rigid, more comfortable and even more elegant – it looks pretty good too.

STYLISH AND SPORTY The super-stylish new Mercedes-Benz EClass Coupé ticks all the right boxes for comfort, performance and the latest technology, including full smartphone integration, the latest driver assistance systems and the option of semiautonomous driving.

There’ll be three engines available from launch – 2.0 TDI 190PS, 3.0 TDI 218PS and 2.0 TFSI 252PS – to be followed by a 2.0 TFSI 190PS and 3.0 TDI 286PS. You can also get your hands on the S5, which comes with a 354hp V6 turbocharged engine and Quattro all-wheel drive.

The new A5 features a fully automatic acoustic hood with new one-touch operation (15 seconds to open, 18 seconds to close) as well as seat-belt microphones, both as standard. Prices are yet to be confirmed.

Unique in this segment is a ‘floating’ widescreen cockpit. Made up of ‘virtual instruments’ and positioned in the driver’s direct field of vision, it can be tailored to each individual.

A new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine will join three petrol powertrains at launch, which delivers 194hp and CO2 emissions of 106g/km.

The first deliveries will arrive in April.

RICHARD ABBEY CASTS AN EYE OVER THE LATEST MOTORING NEWS.

THE GIULIA IN ALFA’S CROWN The order books are now open on the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia, with prices starting from £29,180.

Combining perfect 50/50 weight distribution with new rear-wheel drive, it offers customers best in class power-toweight ratios and innovative engine and driver technologies.

There will be a choice of four engine variants – two petrol and two diesel – which are all paired to a new eightspeed transmission as standard.

THE BIGGER PICTURE Not only is the new MINI Countryman the biggest in the brand’s 57-year history, it is also the first MINI range to feature a plug-in hybrid.

A top-of-the-range £59,000 Giulia Quadrifoglio is also available to order and is powered by a 510hp, 600Nm biturbo V6 petrol engine with eight-speed paddle shift transmission as standard.

The Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 combines a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, which reduces fuel consumption to 134.5mpg yet is still capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in just 6.9 seconds. The combined power output of 224hp is impressive.

The new MINI Countryman, which is 20cm longer and 3cm wider than its predecessor, also features a touchscreen function for the first time as well touchfree electronic tailgate control. Satellite navigation, Bluetooth and emergency e-call are also now standard on all models.

Prices start from £22,465 with first deliveries expected in February.

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 27

D E E W MOV E V A

H

Range Rover 3.0 TD V6 Vogue SE 4x4 5dr

£61,975 · Model year: 2014 (64) · Fuel type: Diesel · Mileage: 29,000

· Transmission: Automatic · Engine size: 3.0L · Colour: Black

Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG Coupe

£49,995 £10,000 WORTH OF EXTRAS · Model year: 2013 (13) · Fuel type: Petrol · Mileage: 21,000

· Transmission: Automatic · Engine size: 5.5L · Colour: White

BMW X5 3.0 30d M Sport xDrive

Specialists in One Owner, Full Service History Vehicles Over 30 Years in the Business e’ve let our kids and younger members of the team influence us and bring the firm into the new age of social media and marketing. So, with the combination of extensive experience and youthful energy, the new Fleet Cars Direct is ready for anything.

Our new customer service team are fully equipped, and ready to deal with any issues or questions you may have, and we have a great collection of new stock just landed from across the country - and all with one owner and full service history.

Our new site is located just off Wheatley Hall Road, next to Homebase - you can’t miss it, just look out for the new, bright red signs on your right, heading into Doncaster form our old site.

Since the 1950’s, when George Roberts of Carcroft decided to give up his singing carrier on London’s West End to open the first ever car accessory shop and tyre and exhaust fitting centres in the North of England, the Roberts family have been in the motor trade. From generation to generation, the motor trade has been in our blood, and, as a result, our philosophy and values are the same today as when old George planted them so many years ago.

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• Our stellar reputation • Our value for money • Our honesty • Our customer satisfaction • Our commitment and effort to giving our customer a great buying experience • Our no high pressure sales

£19,895 SAT NAV, TOP MODEL · Model year: 2012 (61) · Fuel type: Diesel · Mileage: 86,000

· Transmission: Automatic · Engine size: 3.0L · Colour: Silver

Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi N-TEC+

£10,995 SAT NAV, AWESOME DRIVE · Model year: 2012 (12) · Fuel type: Diesel · Mileage: 29,500

· Transmission: Manual · Engine size: 1.5L · Colour: White

Milethorne Lane, Doncaster, DN12SU Tel: 01302 368037 Fax: 01302 326905 Vat No 874 8120 07 Fleet Cars Direct is a trading style of Fleet Direct

Despite the advent of internet sales ushering in a new age of marketing, “treat people as you would like to be treated yourself” is still our most valued ethos, and there’s the singing too, with son Andrew and grandson Ben appearing on Britain’s Got Talent alongside Susan Boyle in 2009 (check them out on YouTube).

Our history and impressive portfolio of customers, past and present, has always been a great asset, and though we remain at the forefront of social media and marketing developments, when it comes to the actual sale, we hope you will appreciate the personal touch.

Financing you next car is a massive commitment - you need to know that you’re getting the best finance package to suit your needs - and far too many dealers are determined to hit you with the ‘one hit sales tact” - meaning the sole aim is to hit customers for as much profit as possible the first time. But here at Fleet Cars Direct, we’re dedicated to customer satisfaction and are interested in your repeat business.

Remember, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so check out our website and our competitive prices, and then call in for a visit - you’re in for a great surprise.

Audi A1 1.6 TDI S Line Sportback 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,990 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Black Edition Sportback 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,480 Audi A4 2.0 TDI SE 4dr (CVT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£3,295 Audi A4 2.0 TDI e SE Technik 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,995 Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI SE Technik Multitronic 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,995 Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI e SE 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,995 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI SE S Tronic Quattro 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£17,995 BMW 1 Series 2.0 120i Sport 2dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,995 BMW 3 Series 2.0 318i SE Business Edition 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,995 BMW 3 Series 2.0 320d EfficientDynamics 4dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£10,999 BMW 3 Series 2.0 320i Sport 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£10,995 BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£14,987 BMW X5 3.0 30d M Sport xDrive 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£19,895 BMW i8 1.5 eDrive 2dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£94,995 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi XTR 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,995 Citroen C1 1.0 i VTR 3dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,295 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi 16v VTR+ 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,995 Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi VTR+ 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,485 Fiat Stilo 2.4 Schumacher 3dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,967 Ford C-Max 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,995 Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi DPF Studio 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,985 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Zetec Hatchback 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,495 Ford Focus 1.6 SCTi EcoBoost Titanium Navigator 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,989 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Titanium Navigator 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,989 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Titanium X 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,478 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5,495 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium Navigator Powershift 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,995 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi ECO Zetec 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,995 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi ECO Zetec Business 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,995 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi ECO Zetec Business 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,495 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,995 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X Business Powershift 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£11,469 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,995 Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC EX CVT 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£7,615 Jaguar S-Type 2.7 D V6 Sport 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,499 Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi KX-3 AWD 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£11,487 Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TD V6 Vogue SE 4x4 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . .£61,975 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 Dynamic LUX 4x4 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£27,980 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 Prestige 4x4 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£22,995 Lexus CT 200h 1.8 Premier CVT 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,995 MINI Hatch 1.6 One 3dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£2,295 Mazda CX-5 2.0 SE-L 2WD 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£10,990 Mercedes-Benz C Class 1.6 C180 SE (Executive Pack) 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,999 Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.1 C200 CDI Elegance 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£4,995 Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.1 C220 CDI SE Edition 125 4dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,995 Mercedes-Benz CL 5.5 CL63 AMG Coupe 2dr Petrol MCT 7S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£48,999 Mercedes-Benz E Class 2.1 E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY SE 2dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9,995 Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 SLK200 Kompressor 2dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,473 Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi Acenta 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6,695 Nissan Juke 1.6 16v Tekna 5dr (start/stop) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8,999 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi N-TEC+ 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£10,651

Audi A4 2.0 TDI e SE Technik

£10,495 SAT NAV, LEATHER · Model year: 2012 (12) · Fuel type: Diesel · Mileage:-

· Transmission: Manual · Engine size: 2.0L · Colour: Black

Mercedes-Benz E Class 2.1 E250 CDI

£9,995 FULL LEATHER, BLUETOOTH · Model year: 2010 (60) · Fuel type: Diesel · Mileage:-

· Transmission: Manual · Engine size: 2.1L · Colour: Black

Peugeot 508 SW 1.6TD Access EGC

£6,485 1 OWNER, 72 MPG & £20 TAX! · Model year: 2012 (61) · Fuel type: Diesel

· Mileage: 80,000 · Transmission: Automatic · Engine size: 1.6L · Colour:Silver

Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 SLK200 Kompressor

£6,473 SAT NAV, FULL LEATHER · Model year: 2004 (54) · Fuel type: Petrol · Mileage: 79,000

· Transmission: Automatic · Engine size: 1.8L · Colour: Silver

Email: www.fleetdirect@btconnect.com Website: www.fleetcarsdirectofdoncaster.co.uk

Our C-Fleet management tool is now available, a cloud-based LIVE permission based access system for both Fleet Managers and Drivers.

Drivers, administrators and fleet managers have live 'real time' access to fleet data through one cloud based portal, ensuring your entire fleet is running at its optimum performance.

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Drivers can update mileage, vehicle inspection and fleet management system condition reports, book services & tyres and get in touch directly with all of the other associated services, while administrators and fleet managers can see, and receive alerts for all of the actions as they happen.

CLOUD-BASED & reporting suite

Consolidated reports are available at the click of a button too!

Please contact us about C-Fleet, live cloud based fleet management system.

Email: geoff.bell@neva@consultants.com Call: 01709 940770

Providing high quality Business & Personal Contract Hire, Vehicle finance & Fleet Management consultancy services.

Courses from from

£48 £48pp pp

Do your staff have up to date first aid training?

Westside Field Sales Executive An Advertising Sales Executive is required for Westside Magazine, covering the Derbyshire and Sheffield Areas. Preference will be given to candidates who can show previous success in the field of selling print/internet advertising.

OTE - upon application and dependent upon experience A company car can be supplied

For more information call 0114 237 4563 or visit www.sivtraining.co.uk 30 First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

Holidays - 25 days plus statutory Bank Holidays - Pro-rata If you feel you have the experience and the drive to succeed within our company, please email your current CV to jillion.wood@rmcmedia.co.uk

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DESIGN

First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

CJ SIGNS – THE VEHICLE WRAPPING EXPERTS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR IDEAS A REALITY. nnovative and bespoke pieces for a host of projects are what vehicle wrapping expert CJ Signs excel in.

I

The company creates a range of highimpact branding pieces for clients and with its highly skilled in-house graphic design team, anything can be created simply from a drawing.

Customers to benefit from its first class service include race team owner Richard Hibbert and his racing driver son Tom. For more than 12 years CJ Signs has worked extensively with Ginetta cars and their drivers, who run their own teams, to do the vehicle design and wrap in preparation for the race calendar.

The pair approached the company with a complex request to take the design of Tom’s custom hand-painted helmet and replicate this onto his car for the race weekend just six weeks away.

result, working on this project, but we knew we had the capabilities to deliver the project on time and that it would be a ‘head-turner’ once complete,” said Jason Bell, MD of CJ Signs.

The results were extremely impressive with Rich Hibbert, Harlaxton Engineering Services Ltd giving CJ Signs 10/10 for the results and customer service.

From fleets of Minis, to transit vans and even internationally – recently working on two G55 models bound for the USA – CJ Signs has the expertise to make any design a reality for your vehicle.

CONTACT: To find out more call them on 0114 247 1501, email enquiries@cjsigns.co.uk or visit the website www.cjsigns.co.uk

“We had no brand guideline and as a

Get your business noticed with

CJ Signs have many years experience at getting businesses seen and noticed, using the most modern equipment, techniques and highest quality materials.

Vehicle Wrapping Vehicle Graphics General Signage Call us on 0114 247 1501 email enquiries@cjsigns.co.uk or visit our website www.cjsigns.co.uk

First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 33

First For Business

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

The Matterhorn

TOUR DE FORCE CHRIS WILSON STAYS ON THE MOVE BY TRAIN, BUS AND BOAT TO SEE THE SIGHTS IN SWITZERLAND.

hatever happened to the Grand Tour? Back in the 17th century, wealthy English gentlemen would spend several months travelling across Europe, accruing knowledge and purchasing beautiful antiques and carpets to furnish their country estates back home.

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Nowadays, even if budgets are not an issue, we tend to settle for a single location. Unpack, head for the pool, and return home a fortnight later, several shades darker but no wiser.

Switzerland, where the trains, buses and boats always run on time and itineraries can be planned with total confidence.

Just to make the travel easier, you can buy a Swiss Pass for unlimited travel on eight consecutive days on railways, boats and most alpine postbuses, covering a network of 16,000km.The Swiss Pass also allows a half price reduction on all privately owned funicular and mountain railways and free entrance to 450 museums. It really is the ultimate ticket to ride.

I didn’t need the lecture; she was preaching to the converted. Have suitcase on wheels will travel…that’s my motto.

On arrival at Zurich airport, it was a short stroll to the adjoining railway station and half an hour by train to the sleepy town of Kusnacht and the Romantik Seehotel Sonne. Dating back to 1641, the picturesque location on Lake Zurich was mesmerising and the hotel’s private bathing area was irresistible on a scorching July day. The water was crystal clear – very refreshing and with nothing but the occasional steam boat gliding by to make ripples on the water – and a quick dip was the perfect way to unwind.

Mind you, it does make it a lot easier when the country you are visiting is

Dinner on the terrace, watching the sun set and the lights from small towns

It’s a habit that has not gone unnoticed among our continental cousins. As I checked in to one hotel for a single night’s stay on a whistlestop tour of Switzerland, my host was vexed about the holiday habits of the archetypal Brit abroad. “Why do you stay in one place?

You should see more of the country you are staying in,” I was told.

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across the bay start to twinkle, added to my sense of well-being. Food and wine, I realised, was going to be a major plus point.

Throughout the tour I ate incredibly well on outstanding local produce including home-smoked salmon, veal, river fish and berries. The wine, meanwhile, was a revelation. It is produced in all 26 Cantons, although not in sufficient volume that you are likely to find it imported to your local supermarket.

So, make the most of it: many patriotic bars and restaurants stock only Swiss wines, and that is no hardship when the choice includes creamy sparkling Cremands, flinty Rieslings and smooth rich Merlots.

After that first night, I awakened to a ridiculously perfect chocolate-box view of mountains, lake, blue skies and fluffy clouds.

So I checked out with some sadness, but I had an itinerary to follow and a series of trains, boats and buses to catch.

The next few days passed in a blur of activity with fresh highlights around every corner. Whatever our mode of transport,

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the views were amazing and if some, even for first time visitor, were eerily familiar, it might have been because some of Switzerland’s most picturesque scenery is much loved by TV and film location scouts. So, at various times, we found ourselves in the same spot as some of fiction’s most memorable action scenes involving legendary heroes and villains.

On one train journey through the Beernese Oberland region, we found ourselves looking up at the Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes and his arch rival Professor Moriarty fought and perished in a dramatic death plunge onto the rocks below… until a disapproving public demanded that logic be defied and Holmes was resurrected in a later story.

Perhaps the most spectacular hotel on our tour was the Grimsel Hospiz, perched at 2000m in the middle of bleakly beautiful rocky landscape on the turquoise waters of an artificial lake which is built on top of a hydro-electric dam. We travelled by train and bus, then the hotel’s mini bus took us through the dizzying steep mountain roads. It came as no surprise to learn that James Bond and Blofeld had battled it out on these very same twisting roads in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The hotel is accessible only by cable car in winter and is so remote that skiing is too dangerous.

People come to revel in the luxurious hotel and watch the scenery. This being high summer, we simply drove on a road blasted through the rock, arriving at our mountain retreat not quite able to believe our eyes. Don’t miss those views, but also don’t miss the wine cellar of which the owners are rightly proud.

A more sedate mode of arrival, though just as exciting in its own way, is the steam boat to Lucerne, which is worth a

walking tour for its hidden alleys, teeming town squares and beautifully preserved 13th century city walls.

Summer in Switzerland means there are, of course, mountains to climb, and it was appropriate that we ended our truncated version of the Grand Tour in Zermatt, the town that started it all. The Matterhorn dominates the view here and there are wonderful summer walks for all levels of fitness.

However, if you simply want to take in the view, there is a train up to Gornergat at an altitude of 3,089m. We were staying at the Monte Rosa hotel, which was the mountaineering base of Edward Whymper, the man who made the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn.

Legend has it that Queen Victoria disapproved of such dangerous leisure pursuits and pronounced that it must stop. To anyone with a remotely rebellious taste for adventure this was just the incentive needed – and hardy hikers have been coming to Zermatt to tackle the Matterhorn and the less challenging lower ranges ever since.

Zermatt is a quirky town. Local farmers still drive their goats down the main street every day, but the glitzy bars and restaurants are testament to the fact that this is one of Switzerland’s most fashionable resorts, winter and summer.

But while the town may be buzzing the one thing you won’t hear is the roar of the internal combustion engine. Cars are banned, although you can always find an electric buggy at the station to transport you and your luggage to the hotel.

And that seems a suitably strange final stop on this truncated version of the Grand Tour.

Lake Lucerne

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DINING OUT

FEBRUARY 2017

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THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE ADAM KAY SPENDS A RELAXING SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT BROCCO ON THE PARK.

went to Brocco On The Park with a pulverising hangover. The night before my visit to the stylish hotel and restaurant on Brocco Bank, I’d been out for a casual catch-up with schoolfriends.

We ended up nightclubbing till 3am.

When you’ve just turned 30, the aftereffects of those late nights linger longer than they used to.

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dinners, alongside its usual lunchtime menu. Accompaniment is provided by live jazz – local duos playing chilled-out covers of classics and chart hits. Perfect, particularly for my delicate state.

How fortuitous, then, to be spending Sunday afternoon somewhere so ideally suited to the soothing of sore heads and hungry bellies.

So both the setting and soundtrack are brilliant – but even in the best restaurants, those things can easily be undone if the kitchen and/or front-ofhouse aren’t up to scratch. I’d been to Brocco once before, not long after it opened, and there was teething trouble – hit-and-miss service, average food.

Brocco is Sheffield’s home of ‘hygge’. The Scandinavian word, pronounced ‘hooga’, refers to a feeling of cosiness and contentment. And that’s exactly what you get the moment you walk through Brocco’s doors.

No longer. We were looked after by a waiting team at the top of its game – a sea of smiling faces, attentive but never fussy. As for the food, it alternated equally between the excellent and the outstanding.

Owner Tiina Carr has Finnish roots (hence the double ‘i’). That Scandi background has clearly given her an eye for design. In Brocco’s ‘neighbourhood kitchen’ restaurant, the walls are palecoloured but not clinical; flowers and plants are dotted subtly around the room; and the overall effect is bright and inviting. Even the loos look great.

To start, my ham hock ravioli (£8) were tasty and delicate, narrowly beaten in the flavour stakes by my girlfriend’s earthy mushroom soup (£6). (Is a good mushroom soup ever anything other than ‘earthy’? Answers on a postcard please.)

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Onto mains, and a sweet potato and mixed-bean cassoulet (£14) tasted of smoke and spice, with toasted seeds

adding texture and interest. She’d chosen the roast beef dinner (£18), and I was counting on her not being able to finish it so I could snatch a taste myself. She is very small. The dinner was very big. My luck was in.

It was glorious: tender beef, a lighterthan-air Yorkshire pudding, and an accompanying dish of cauliflower cheese which was the best I’ve ever had the good fortune to eat. A lemon posset with blueberry and jasmine compote and chunks of homemade honeycomb (£6) brought things to a sharp, sweet finish.

Had I had the proper foresight, I would have booked out one of Brocco’s gorgeous hotel rooms in advance, trundled upstairs full and satisfied, and rested my weary head on a fluffy pillow.

Sadly, I had to go home instead – but at least I’d had an incredible, world-class meal, every detail of which I’d remember for weeks to come. Shame I can’t say the same about Saturday night.

Brocco On The Park 92 Brocco Bank, Sheffield, S11 8RS Tel: 0114 266 1233 www.brocco.co.uk

DINING OUT

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A QUESTION OF TASTE THE WELCOME MAYBE ALL WARM AND COSY BUT HOW DOES THE FOOD MEASURE UP AT THIS POPULAR THAI RESTAURANT? BY CHRIS WILSON.

016 was the year of Hygge, the Danish word used to sum up all things cosy, from light fittings and soft furnishings to comfort food and candles. But you don’t need to come from the dark and dour outposts of Northern Europe to understand the importance of making your surroundings warm and welcoming.

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It has been just one of the factors behind the success over the last few years of All-Siam, a treasure of a Thai restaurant on Ecclesall Road. It only takes a casual stroll past the front window to be assured that someone here cares deeply about first impressions – those displays of fresh flowers are always eyecatchingly beautiful and immaculate, any day of the week.

Step inside and all is calm. While many Thai restaurants go for grand display, with Buddha statues and rickshaws at every turn and staff in brightly coloured national costume, the mood at All-Siam is distinctly low-key.

Streamlined wooden flooring and white tablecloths create a clean, serene feel with candles and low lights to complete the gentle picture. Waitresses in chic black dresses are unobtrusive but very friendly.

So it’s all down to the food, served on chic patterned blue and white china, to provide the fireworks, and this is where All-Siam truly delivers.

Thai menus tend to be so busy it can be bewildering, but rather than get lost in the sheer number of dishes on offer we began with Pearls of All-Siam (£15), a sharing dish offering up endless variety and beautifully presented, to get the ball rolling.

This mixed starter includes chicken on toast, seasoned pork balls wrapped in vermicelli, prawns on a bed of orange slices drizzled in Thai sauce and sprinkled with roasted coconut, and golden baskets filled with seasoned chicken and vegetables. With sweet chilli and plum dips this was a lovely contrast of taste and texture.

Where Thai food really excels for me is the use of fresh herbs, spices and chillies to create clean, distinctive flavours and this is perfectly illustrated with the soups. AllSiam’s Tom Yum Goong (£6.50) is a classic spicy, hot and sour soup with prawns, mushrooms, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves and an extra splash of lime juice. If you can stand a little heat (this dish comes with a deserved three-chilli rating on the menu) it’s zingy and delicious.

Thai food is ideal for sharing and we selected three contrasting dishes for a richly varied and satisfying main course.

Gaeng phed ped yang (£9.25) was duck in red curry with coconut milk, pineapple, lychee, tomatoes and sweet basil leaves, a familiar favourite that did not disappoint.

With so much choice I always try to sample at least one new dish when I visit a Thai restaurant. This time it was Pud pak fai daeng (£4.95) a moreish dish of stir-fried spinach with chilli, fermented soya beans and garlic, topped with tender pork in a crispy batter.

A generous dish of Pud Thai (£6.50), stirfried noodles with egg, prawns, bean sprouts and spring onions was most welcome, and with a portion of steamed thai rice (£2.10) to soak up the last drops of those delicious sauces and Singha beer (£3.30) and jasmine tea (£2.20) to drink this was a meal to savour in deliciously relaxed surroundings.

All-Siam 639 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8PT Tel: 0114 267 0580 www.allsiamsheffield.co.uk First For Business | www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk 37

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THE BIG PRIZE AWAITS OUR SISTER MAGAZINE, WESTSIDE, IS LAUNCHING ITS 2017 RESTAURANT AWARDS, SPONSORED BY MY FATHERS HEART. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR MARK...

he search is on for the finest dining establishments across the Sheffield and North Derbyshire region, as our sister magazine Westside joins forces with our media partner My Fathers Heart, to launch the 2017 Westside Restaurant Awards.

T

This glamorous event, to be held at Baldwins Omega on Monday 5 June, is well established as one of the big nights of the year in the culinary and social calendar; it also offers a huge boost to the local restaurant scene, as the winners enjoy their moment of triumph and all the nominated restaurants bask in the glow of positive publicity.

Last year’s big winners, Peppercorn, scooped two prizes on the night – Best Contemporary Restaurant and the coveted Restaurant of the Year. Now the race is on again to find the venues that have truly excelled in the art of delivering delicious food in a superlative setting.

Westside’s reviewers have been out in force over the last few months, and the search will intensify in the build-up to the big event as we seek out the very best the region has to offer. All our recent award winners have been exceptional, so expectations are high.

Meanwhile here’s a reminder to all restaurant, hotel, café and pub owners: to make sure your establishment is under consideration for the big prizes in 2017, contact Westside’s publishing manager Sam Warsop at sam.warsop@rmcmedia.co.uk

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RESTAURANT AWARDS

Cast your vote

Join our Judging Panel

We will always give our readers their say in our Restaurant Awards.

They are a discerning bunch who travel the region to experience the best restaurants, bistros and gastro pubs. That is why our Readers’ Choice trophy is so highly prized.

The Readers’ Choice Award cuts across all boundaries. Whether you select your favourite local cafe, a much-loved Indian or Italian restaurant or any other type of food venue, all votes are equal.

Everyone who casts a vote will be entered into a draw, and one lucky winner will receive dinner for two at their favourite restaurant.

Voting is free: simply go online to www.rmcmedia.co.uk/events/awar ds/ westside and let us know where you have enjoyed eating out most over the last 12 months. All entries must include a home address and contact details.

We want to give readers a voice on the independent judging panel that decides the ultimate prize – the Westside Restaurant of the Year.

The search is on to find one reader to join with our other judges, all chosen for their knowledge of food and their passion for dining out on the Sheffield scene, to eat together at some of the region’s finest restaurants before deciding which venue should be named as Restaurant of the Year.

Our guest judge will also be invited to join us for a special event at My Fathers Heart, the stunning kitchen showroom on Broadfield Court, where we will be putting the region’s best and newest culinary talents to the test in a Masterchef-style cook-off to find the RMC Media / My Fathers Heart Young Chef of the Year.

Does this opportunity tickle your tastebuds?

To apply for a place on our judging panel, please email the managing editor, Chris Wilson, at chris.wilson@rmcmedia.co.uk and tell him in no more than 150 words what qualities you think the judges should be looking out for in the search for Westside’s Restaurant of the Year.

“NOW THE RACE IS ON AGAIN TO FIND THE VENUES THAT HAVE TRULY EXCELLED IN THE ART OF DELIVERING DELICIOUS FOOD IN A SUPERLATIVE SETTING.”

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A WHALE OF A TIME ADAM KAY HEADS DOWN UNDER IN SEARCH OF QUEENSLAND’S MOST AMAZING SIGHTS – AND SOME OF ITS BIGGEST VISITORS…

t’s the source of countless jokes and internet memes. ‘Australia: where everything wants to kill you.’ The apparent deadliness of the land down under has become such a cliché that we’re more likely to shrug it off than pay it proper attention.

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So it felt as if the universe was trying to prove a point when, on my first full day in the country, I was stung by a poisonous jellyfish.

I’m fine, obviously – this article hasn’t been dictated via ouija board from beyond the grave – although I do feel a bit daft for not taking those ‘jokes’ more seriously.

At the moment I was stung by that

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jellyfish, however, I was snorkelling off the coast of a private island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Golden sunlight poured down on me from above, falling to the ocean floor in bright straight beams, illuminating a kaleidoscope of coral and ocean wildlife. On balance, I think it was worth the risk.

Gallery of Modern Art

Australia is a land of diverse charm and beauty – and nowhere is this more evident than in Queensland, the country’s second-largest state. Our trip took in bustling Brisbane, the state capital; the Capricorn Coast, named after the Tropic of Capricorn and with the climate to match; the Bundaberg region with its quaint coastal resorts; and the natural wonders of the Fraser Coast.

Each was full of highlights, varied and plentiful – but some things were common to them all.

Firstly: good ol’ Aussie hospitality.

Wherever we went, we were greeted by beaming smiles and laidback attitudes.

(The clichés are true; Aussies really do say “No worries” a lot.)

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This was the case in busy cities as well as quiet seaside towns: throughout Brisbane, from the Gallery of Modern Art to the South Bank Parklands (both highly recommended), we met strangers who made us feel like old friends.

Second: the weather. Queensland does experience occasional heavy rainfall (more about that later), but for the most part it’s blue skies and high temperatures all year round.

In Yeppoon, the sunrises and sunsets made the endless beach glow purple and pink. Our coach driver, a local, told us he’d never seen snow. Reader, I envied him.

Thirdly, the food. Aussies love their tucker. Queensland is big on local produce: macadamia nuts, native to the region, feature on every menu; in the town of Bundaberg, famed for its sugar mills and rum distillery, the air smells of thick molasses.

The local delicacy of the Brisbane region is the Moreton Bay bug, a type of lobster.

The delicate flavour of its sweet, white flesh is in no way diminished by the fact that it looks like the thing that burst out of John Hurt’s chest in Alien.

That bug is ugly, yes, but at least it isn’t dangerous. It might not be true that everything in Australia wants to kill you, but most things certainly could. Even the fluffiest creatures can be a threat: on one coach journey, we passed a family of kangaroos sunbathing by the roadside – a common sight, our driver said. Very cute – but one swift kick from their hind legs and you’d be pushing up the daisies faster than you could say “Strewth!”

The deadliest of all Queensland’s inhabitants, at least in theory, is the humpback whale. Up to 52ft in length with an average weight of 36,000kg, these marine mammals could squish a human without even realising it. But humpbacks are gentle giants, prone to playful displays and hugely popular with tourists.

Hervey Bay touts itself as ‘the whalewatching capital of the world’ – unique amongst similar sites around the globe because whales use it as a stopping-off point, rather than somewhere they simply pass through. Expert locals operate boat trips which take visitors right alongside the whales as they play, slapping their enormous fins and leaping dramatically from the waves.

There’s currently an application in progress for Hervey Bay to become an internationally-recognised ‘Whale Heritage Site’. Here’s hoping it gets approved, because this is a spectacle which deserves to be protected and promoted.

Also worth protecting: the Great Barrier Reef. We’ve all seen the David Attenborough programmes: it’s stunning, even on screen. But spend an afternoon snorkelling beside it, over it, through it, and you realise why it really is one of nature’s true miracles. > The waters around Lady Musgrave Island are a particularly beautiful part of the reef. The route out to the island is notoriously choppy, and our boat ride came the day after the area’s worst storm in years. Put it this way: next time I’ll take a helicopter.

But the remarkable sights made every wretch and heave worthwhile. I saw coral of every type and hue. I watched shoals of orange-and-white clownfish, and followed a ray as it glided effortlessly along the seabed. A green sea turtle passed right in front of me, close enough to touch, on its way to the surface for air.

I was in undersea heaven. >>>

Lake Mackenzie at Fraser Island

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TRAVEL

FEBRUARY 2017

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Brisbane

Pumpkin Island

Unspoiled beauty abounds in Queensland. On Fraser Island, a short ferry ride out from Hervey Bay and the largest sand island in the world, the sheer number of natural wonders is overwhelming.

Our drive (a guided tour by four-wheel drive; ‘normal’ cars aren’t permitted) took in Lake McKenzie, with its white silica beach; Eli Creek, warm and shallow enough to wade along; 75-Mile Beach (bet you can’t guess why it’s called that); and the coloured cliffs at the Pinnacles.

Central Station, a forest filled with lush ferns and trees that stretch to the sky, is

positively Jurassic. If a T-Rex had wandered into view, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.

And what of the place I was describing earlier, where I got stung by the poisonous jellyfish? That’s Pumpkin Island, off the coast of Keppel Bay, and though I’d hesitate to call anywhere ‘paradise’, this comes mighty close.

Owner Wayne Rumble was gifted the island by his father for his 27th birthday.

(I got some boxer shorts for mine, so it’s one-nil to Wayne on that.) He and his wife Laureth live there, on this tranquil dot in the South Pacific, and the public can share a taste of their charmed life through the island’s seven holiday cottages.

We spent a lazy afternoon sunbathing and paddle-boarding (I only fell in once), watched the sun go down over cocktails at the beach bar, then cooked a barbecue late into the night. The next morning, after a walk round the island (we dawdled and took an hour; you could easily do it in ten minutes), Laureth gave us an impromptu yoga lesson, peaceful and silent but for the waves lapping gently at the shoreline.

Suffice to say, I would let a thousand jellyfish sting me for a thousand days to spend one more hour on Pumpkin Island. And the same applies for Queensland – the glistening jewel in Australia’s crown.

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IS ON IT! For an up-to-the-minute lowdown of life in the steel city – it has to be

www.sheffieldvibe.com Want to be the first to hear about all the amazing things happening right here in Sheffield?

From the best places to eat and drink to secret gigs to the hottest new bar launches … Vibe shouts loud and proud about what makes Sheffield the best place to live, work and study.

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You’ll find it all - and more - from RMC Media on rmcmedia.co.uk. Alongside details of all nine of our monthly titles - including who to contact if you have an idea for an advert or story - we deliver the news, views, events, photos, competitions and features that matter to you, direct from your region.

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WORK AND PLAY

A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS, CELEBRATIONS AND NEW FACES Mitch Burke with Joy Clegg, managing director of BHP Financial Planning.

PROPERTY DEVELOPER SCOOPS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The man behind a multi-million property development in Sheffield has scooped a prestigious award in recognition of his contribution to the local economy.

Jerry Cheung, managing director of New Era Development UK Ltd, won the Special Recognition Award at the 2016 Sheffield Business Awards, which took place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

NEW APPOINTMENT AT BHP FINANCIAL PLANNING BHP Financial Planning has expanded its team with the appointment of Mitch Burke.

Mitch joins the team as a financial planner and brings more than ten years of industry experience to his new role.

Mitch, who previously worked at The Bartlett Group in Leeds, provide financial advice on pensions, inheritance tax and estate planning, protection and investments as well as lifetime cashflow planning.

Sheffield-based BHP Financial Planning is headed up by managing director Joy Clegg, the company which employs six financial planners, two corporate advisers and a support team of 13, provides advice to both private and corporate clients of BHP accountants.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS AT WCEC ARCHITECTS Three senior promotions have been announced by WCEC Architects.

Nick Riley, former design director, has been promoted to board director, Mark Williams to regional director and David Skelton to technical director.

As part of the management changes, chairman James Kemp, who has played an instrumental lead role in managing the Chesterfield-based company for more than twenty years, has stepped down from the board. He will continue to work in a consultancy support role for the firm.

Image: L-R: Mark Williams, David Skelton and Nick Riley. architect

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Chief Executive Ashley Turner, said: “It is an exciting time for WCEC and a genuine pleasure to recognise the contributions of these three crucial team members, by promoting them accordingly. Their dedication has helped WCEC build on its reputation for both technical and design excellence, within both existing and new sector markets.”

Jerry spearheaded the development of New Era Square - the £65 million 21storey mixed leisure, commercial and residential development between London Road and Bramall Lane, close to Sheffield city centre.

Jerry, originally from Hong Kong, has been tirelessly working on creating a ‘Sheffield Chinatown’ since 2005 and he secured £65 million Chinese investment for the development after showcasing Sheffield’s huge potential.

Jerry, who is also board member of Sheffield Hallam University’s Business School Advisory Board and Sheffield University’s Management School Internationalisation Advisory Board, said: “New Era is something that had been a vision for such a long time so to see it coming to life is wonderful. It is my aim to put the Sheffield City Region on the map as a key destination for international trade, so I hope this development will go some way to achieving that.”

Jerry Cheung

WORK & PLAY

RESEARCHERS HELP ORTHOPAEDIC COMPANY LAUNCH NEW SOLUTION FOR SPORTS INJURIES

A prototype of the new orthopaedic screw

Researchers from the Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre have helped an orthopaedic products company develop a new type of surgical screw that improves the process for surgeons and the lives of their patients.

Innovate Orthopaedics (IO) asked the Medical AMRC – part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing – to evaluate two new designs it had developed for specialised orthopaedic screws.

The screws are designed for specific surgical procedures, including reconstructing cruciate ligaments torn during sport activities. Reconstruction is carried out by inserting a piece of healthy tendon in place and securing it to the bone with a screw, over which the bone will grow.

An X-ray of one of the implanted new screws, in position,

Marcus Crossley, from the Medical AMRC, said: “We worked with IO to combine different aspects of their two designs and create one universal design that reduced the force needed to insert the screw while maintaining fixation.”

Huddersfield-based IO’s founder, Alex Gutteridge, said: “Clinical tests have produced extremely positive results and we are already seeing demand rising among British and international surgeons, who see the benefit of using these innovative, new designs!”

WESTFIELD HEALTH ‘EMBEDS’ SLEEP GEEK AT NEW HQ Employees at Westfield Health are set to benefit from a sleep ambassador, appointed to help staff change their environment and behaviours in order to improve sleep and boost wellbeing.

With 20 years’ experience in his field, Doncasterborn James Wilson, also known as the ‘Sleep Geek’, will be working internally at the company’s new Sheffield James Wilson, the headquarters to Sleep Geek. offer employees a range of group and one-to-one sleep coaching sessions in the ‘science of sleep’.

Following the employee trial, Westfield Health plans to look at how it can work with James to find ways of improving the company’s existing health and wellbeing propositions.

The company’s new headquarters on Charter Row in Sheffield includes enterprise hub spaces to support the growth of health and wellbeing startups. Entrepreneurs and start-ups are encouraged to get in touch for more information on the types of support being offered.

Tim Nye’s Marmadukes had a record 2016

SHEEFFIELD COFFEE SHOP SEES SOARING SUCCESS Sheffield-based Marmadukes has announced 2016 as a ‘record year’ for owners Tim and Clare Nye. Formerly known as 22a, the business, which is based on Norfolk Row in the city centre, had been turning over around £200k per annum when it was taken over by the current management team.

Now, just four years on, the couple have reached turnover in excess of £800k for the year ending December 2016.

The deli’s employee headcount is now at 25 which includes: a full time head chef, kitchen staff, five qualified baristas and 16 serving staff.

Tim and Clare carried out a full rebrand in 2013 before going on to purchase the upstairs of the premises in 2015 which they converted into an on-site bakery. Work on the new facility completed in April 2015.

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CHARITY’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS A Sheffield-based national charity has celebrated three decades of supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities with an anniversary dinner.

The International Federation of Intellectual Disability Sport (INAS) welcomed two times Paralympian and ambassador Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE as guest of honour to the event at Sheffield’s Hilton Hotel.

Swimmer, Jessica-Jane recently returned from the Rio Paralympics with a haul of three medals to add to the gold medal she won at the London Paralympics at the age of 16.

She was joined by five-time World Champion paracanoeist Emma Wiggs, who also took home gold after her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016.

INAS was formed in 1986 and has grown to a membership of more than 80 nations across the world, representing more than 130,000 athletes with an intellectual disability.

Attendees and honourees at last year’s ATHENA Awards. WIB Athena Awards

REGION’S WOMEN LEADERS UP FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The region’s most inspirational women leaders will be in the spotlight next month during International Women’s Day. Barnsley and Rotherham’s Women in Business group will mark the event on Wednesday, March 8 by staging the ATHENA International Awards, which recognise leadership and those individuals and organisations that encourage women to achieve their own leadership potential.

The awards were open to individuals or organisations, living or working, in the Sheffield City Region, South Yorkshire and North Notts area. Women in Business are the only licence holder of the prestigious awards in the whole of the UK, and the awards run in over 500 communities worldwide.

This year, as well as recognising an individual for the official ATHENA leadership award, there are also a further two awards that have been introduced, which includes a young person’s leadership award as well as an organisational award. The awards have been supported by Airmaster Air conditioning, Crystal Clean Services and The Source Skills Academy.

From left: – swim coach Alex Penniger , Jessica Jane Applegate , Emma Wiggs , Karen Nicol, from INAS and Nick Parr INAS chief executive

Chair of Women in Business, Jackie Freeborn said: “I’m looking forward to celebrating the day with many inspirational Women and Men from our region. We have attracted speakers of high calibre and I’m eager to hear from them. These opportunities and awards are here to celebrate the great leaders we have in our region and we have many, we just need to shout about them much more.”

MASTER AND MISTRESS CUTLER GET HANDS ON AT COLLEGE In keeping with a tradition established 12 years ago, the Master and Mistress Cutler, Richard and Julie Edwards, have had their hands cast in pewter at Freeman College.

From left: student Callum Olive, Mistress Cutler Julie Edwards, tutor Danny Rowen, Master Cutler Richard Edwards, student Rebecca Atkinson

Since the college was opened in 2005 all newly elected Masters have been invited to mark the occasion with the permanent memento.

The Master Cutler, Richard Edwards, said: “Having our hands cast in pewter has been a wonderful experience and has given us a unique and permanent reminder of Freeman College and the good work it does.”

The college works with young people aged 16-25 with complex behaviour and learning difficulties and disabilities, including autism. It provides a range of practical activities in the heart of Sheffield’s industrial heritage, as well as a cultural programme at the Merlin Theatre.

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THREE NEW BUSINESSES FOR LAKESIDE VILLAGE Lakeside Village, Doncaster, is celebrating the opening of three new businesses.

Women’s fashion retailer Bonmarché , The Body Shop and Costa Drive Thru made up a hatrick of new retailers to recently open their doors at the out of town shopping centre.

Costa drive-Thru

John Magee, centre manager at Lakeside Village said: “This is great news for our shoppers. We are working hard to bring new brands and new retailers to the outlet to ensure that our customers have a wide range of choice when they visit us.”

WORK & PLAY

WAKE SMITH BOOSTS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TEAM Solicitor Laura Sanderson has become the latest recruit to join the commercial property team at Sheffield’s Wake Smith.

Laura joins from Gordons in Leeds and brings significant experience in retail and landlord and tenant work, advising on a variety of issues from acquisitions and disposals to lease work.

Wake Smith's latest recruit Laura Sanderson with commercial property directors Paul Gibbon and Lisa Davison

As a commercial property specialist, Laura, who lives in Crookes, will work with Wake Smith’s clients on a range of matters from acquisitions and disposals to commercial leases.

NEW FLIGHT ROUTE TAKES T0 THE SKIES FROM DONCASTER SHEFFIELD AIRPORT Flights to the Bulgarian capital Sofia have taken off from Doncaster Sheffield airport.

The new route is being operated by low-cost airline WIZZ Air and will fly twice a week all year round.

The additional destination means that Wizz Air now serve 12 destinations from the region’s airport and bring Wizz Air’s annual passenger numbers at Doncaster Sheffield Airport to over 600,000.

FUNDING BOOST FOR CITY CULTURE

Sheffield Food Festival one of the city’s unique events that the funding grant could promote. Sheffield Food

Sheffield has been awarded £150,000 to encourage more visitors to the city. Sheffield Culture Consortium received the Cultural Destinations funding from Arts Council England to run campaigns and highlight the city as a destination for regional, national and

international cultural consumers.

The cash boost will be used to help promote and strengthen the city’s renown for art, music and fine beers.

Listings website Our Favourite Places will also expand to spread the word about Sheffield’s five ‘cultural strengths’, namely: street art, festivals, modernist architecture, music and beer.

Three major projects will also be commissioned from the Sheffield-based electronic musician Mark Fell; illustrator Phlegm, whose street art has won him international acclaim; and the artist and writer Tim Etchells.

FORGEMASTERS INVEST IN FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH APPRENTICE DRIVE Manufacturing giant, Sheffield Forgemasters, is expecting to take on 14 new apprentices in the first quarter of this year and more could follow.

The firm, which produces castings and forgings for suppliers to the engineering, nuclear, and process industries, is offering fouryear apprenticeship programmes.

The recruitment drive is part of Graham the company’s Honeyman commitment to a £1m training framework for its specialist staff.

Graham Honeyman, chief executive of Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The introduction of an apprentice Levy in April 2017 will not affect our policy on recruiting and training apprentices, which we see as vital to the future of this business.”

He added that the position would be reviewed again later in 2017 with potentially another intake later in the year or early 2018.

Sheffield Forgemasters has recruited 103 apprentices since 2007 with a 92 per cent retention rate. Every apprentice that has graduated has been offered a full time job.

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First For Business

10 THINGS…

FEBRUARY 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

10 THINGS...

PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STAFF TRAINING

BY DALE ROBINSON, HEAD OF SALES, MARKETING AND PR AT THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY. TRAINING YOUR STAFF INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY 1

Looking at it simply – if you provide your staff with the appropriate training for their job role, they will be able to do the job better and more efficiently.

STAFF BECOME MORE LOYAL 2

We have found that staff become more engaged, feel valued and become loyal employees when you take the time to invest in them as a person. At The Source we invest in our people’s development and we have received hardworking and loyal employees in return.

KEEPS YOUR BUSINESS COMPETITIVE 3

Keeping your staff up to date with their personal development means they stay ahead of the game. Whether it is technological advances, project management techniques or industry specific qualifications, keep ahead means your customer will receive better value from you.

THE CHOICE IS ENDLESS! 4

There are many different training opportunities, short courses,

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apprenticeships, accredited, beginner to advanced, there will always be something that is suitable for your business. The Source offers a variety of business short courses, to qualifications such as NEBOSH, ILM and CIPS to apprentices ranging from Level 2 to Level 4.

THERE’S FUNDING OUT THERE 5

Businesses in the Sheffield City Region are currently able to typically receive up to 70 per cent funding through the SCR Skills Bank so there is no better time to address your training needs. We are an approved provider to the Skills Bank so most of our courses are available for funding.

STAFF PROGRESSION AND SUCCESSION 6

Employing new staff can be costly and time consuming, developing your staff makes succession planning easier. You can train your staff to meet the growing needs of your business which can be particularly useful if you employ an ageing workforce. Don’t be afraid to train someone who is looking to progress their career in case you lose them, you might not and you’ve made them better for your business!

WE DON’T JUST DELIVER THE TRAINING 7

The Source doesn’t just train your staff.

We can help you to identify skills gaps in your organisation and help you devise a training plan. We employ a team of business development account managers to help you get the best out of your staff to make your business stronger.

8

AGE ISN’T AN ISSUE

You don’t have to be a young person in education to continue your learning, it’s available to everyone and there is also something for any skill level. We work a lot with school leavers through apprenticeship and traineeships, helping them achieve their first position but we’ve even trained someone in their eighties who wanted to learn a new skill.

9

BE THE BEST

Help your staff train to do their best and they’ll make sure your business is at its best. We take the development of our people very seriously at The Source and we proudly won an award for Skills Development at the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards last year.

YOU’RE SUPPORTING THE ECONOMY 10

By training your staff you are supporting the region’s skills agenda and supporting our local economy. You’ll become more competitive as a business, and we can attract greater talent and inward investment into our region.