unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #71

FEB 2024 | ISSUE 71 | FREE UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

STITCHING SUCCESS WE DO WORKWEAR’S JAMES SMITH ON THE COMPANY’S JOURNEY FROM HOME PROJECT TO CUSTOM CLOTHING CONNOISSEURS

INVEST FOR THE BEST HOW BUSINESS COACHING HELPED TO CREATE A POSITIVE NEW PATH FOR ANDY FILE ASSOCIATES

BANDING TOGETHER THE STORY OF AN ARTISAN RINGMAKING COMPANY FORGED DURING LOCKDOWN

MAKING WORKPLACES WORK INCLUSIVE CONSULTING’S CALL TO ACTION FOR POSITIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE

PLUS… NEWS, INTERVIEWS, APPOINTMENTS, OPINION AND MORE...

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Contents

14: GOT A RING TO IT In our latest exploration of the formative experiences behind South Yorkshire businesses, we hear from Jessica Flinn, the creative force behind Flinn and Steel, an artisan wedding ring maker based in Sheffield.

33: A NEW DIRECTION Reflecting on his extensive 27-year tenure in the recruitment sector, Andy File, Managing Director of Andy File Associates, underscores the pivotal role recently played

by ActionCOACH Sheffield in steering his business towards a fresh trajectory and positive new goals.

37: POTTERING ABOUT Seeking to reignite a passion cultivated since her teenage years, Rachel Collyer stumbled into the creation of her pottery studio almost inadvertently during the lockdown. We popped down to hear more about the company and tried our hand at sculpting some masterpieces in the process.

40: HAVE LUNCH WITH For this month’s insightful business lunch, unLTD’s Ash Birch meets Daniel Lowe, the Managing Director of The DL Company.

UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS

EDITORIAL EDITOR Joe Food

ON THE COVER...

25: THE PERFECT FIT Family-run business We Do Workwear commemorated its tenth anniversary with a significant rebrand and a renewed focus on providing local businesses with top-quality personalised work attire.

We had a chat with director James Smith about the company’s journey from a modest spare bedroom operation to a prominent player in the custom clothing industry.

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Joe@unltdbusiness.com

BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS Once the post-New Year return-to-work haze dissipates, it’s remarkable how quickly we dive back into the daily grind, isn’t it? We’d barely made the first office cuppa of 2024 before our inboxes were inundated with stories of exciting new developments on the South Yorkshire business scene – from brand-new support programmes for social enterprises (pg.9) to high-profile appointments in the local community (pg.62).

As our regular readers will know, we love a good success story here at unLTD. That’s precisely why we’ve spotlighted James Smith, the director of We Do Workwear, in our cover interview this month.

James, along with his dad, laid the foundation of the business – originally named Direct Print and Promotions – in the spare bedroom of their family home back in 2014. Fast forward a decade, and they now operate out of a 4,000 sq ft office at Sheaf Bank Retail Park, commemorating their 10-year journey with a significant rebrand, fresh staff appointments, upgraded equipment and the launch of a new website. You can read all about the journey on page 25.

Elsewhere, we delve into the tale of a married couple who, after losing their wedding rings, stumbled upon the idea for a flourishing artisan ring-making venture (talk about turning adversity into opportunity!); a seasoned recruitment expert shares insights from his 27-year career in the industry, highlighting how collaboration with a local business coach helped him to rediscover his mojo; and our MD, Phil Turner, laces up his running shoes to join a Sheffield running club that seamlessly blends fitness kicks with networking opportunities.

Throw in your usual mix of business news, thoughtful opinion and sound advice for a bustling second issue of 2024.

Until next month!

Joseph Food, editor.

ONLINE EDITOR Ash Birch

Ash@unltdbusiness.com

COLUMN EDITOR Olivia Warburton

olivia@unltdbusiness.com

VIDEO CONTENT CREATOR Lizzy Capps lizzy@unltdbusiness.com

DESIGN Marc Barker ADVERTISING Phil Turner

phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498 034

Nick Hallam

nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk 07843 483536

FINANCE Lis Ellis accounts@ exposedmagazine.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Charlotte Cassells Ryan Connolly Jo Davison Rachael Flintoft Ross Jarman Becca Morris Tim Renshaw Laura Stead Wendy Ward Jill White

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Sq., Kelham Riverside, Sheffield S3 8SD The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

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Agenda

GAMES CENTRE OWNER YOU WILL HAVE LESS TIME TO PLAY GAMES THAN YOU DID BEFORE YOU RAN A GAMES SHOP

1

Most games shop owners are gamers at heart, but running a modern hobby games store is much harder than most people imagine. Rather than just selling things, we spend a lot of time developing and supporting lots of small gaming communities within the larger one. There are so many games available now, and trying to support everyone means that you always have more to do than you have time to do it.

ORGANISED PLAY EVENTS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO THE BUSINESS AS SELLING GAMES

2

Of the 11,500 square feet that makes up the store, we use approximately two-thirds for event space. We run organised games and tournaments every single day, seven days a week.

Knowing retail is not enough; you have to learn event planning, scheduling and how to put on consistently good events of really varied sizes. There might be three groups of eight people for a bunch of board game events, 160 for Dungeons and Dragons on a Tuesday evening or even multi-day events of 150+ attendees from all over the world. There’s always lots to learn and a lot of people to keep happy!

3

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS CUSTOMER SERVICE

For many years, games stores have been offering experiences rather than just products and, even though the rest of retail has now cottoned on to this, the key thing you learn is that every customer should be happy with the experience they have with you. It doesn’t matter if it is an event, a purchase, a return for

refund or a brand new inquiry, these are all equally important to the customer and so they are all equally important to you.

It’s never about upselling or convincing people that they need something, it is about their experience when they deal with you.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL FIT COMFORTABLY INTO A ROOM PLAYING GAMES JUST BY EYE

4

This is a skill you pick up by osmosis; you definitely don’t try to gain it on purpose. But, after some mental recalibration post Covid (no one wants to be crammed into too small a space after the pandemic), it is possible to know, with a small margin for error, how many people you can put into a space with tables and chairs. You do also find that you walk into any new space and immediately think things like, oh, I could get a 100-player tournament in here.

5

YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH SPACE.

This is true for the homes of gamers and is definitely true for games stores. In the last 30 years, we have gone from market stall to nearly 12,000 square feet of store and still we continually fill the space and wish we had just a little more of it.

I don’t think it is a greed thing; it’s a wish to get more people to join in, or to carry a few more lines to cater to another part of the community.

Jim has run Patriot Games for nearly three decades and continues to love his job. He has a dedicated and knowledgeable team around him that share his passion: striving to give the gamers of Sheffield a community and a place to be themselves and enjoy playing together.

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Agenda

CHANGING THE GAME OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider, Whyy? Change have transformed their apprenticeship training approach, providing SMEs and their learners with a high-quality bespoke learning experience.

To find out how, we caught up with Emma Harrison PCQI, Managing Director of Whyy?

Change to get the lowdown.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 – Skills For Life First things first, National Apprenticeships week.

This year it’s the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships, which aims to raise awareness for apprenticeships across the UK. The event focuses on how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and help employers develop a workforce with future-ready skills.

Maintaining High Quality Apprenticeships What sets us apart from other training providers is our focus on quality, not quantity. For us, it’s about the learner experience and ensuring we deliver a quality provision whilst meeting employer’s needs. To provide a high-quality learning experience, group sizes are no bigger than 10 to provide an interactive and inclusive learning environment. A positive customer relationship is key to delivering a quality provision for apprenticeships, giving a positive outcome for 8

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both learners and employers.

Added Value Something we pride ourselves on is providing added value to our learners. We’ve partnered with some of the world’s leading educational bodies such as the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing), CMI (Chartered Management Institute) and CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) to include internationally recognised qualifications to enhance the professional development of our learners.

Going above and beyond As an independent training

provider that specialises in face-to-face training, every learner matters. Having weekly contact with our tutors, a dedicated study space away from work distractions and continuous support throughout their course and apprenticeship, provides learners with an environment for them to excel in. The team are always at the end of the phone or an email away to support their development journey.

Celebrating Success Completing an apprenticeship is an incredible achievement, one that deserves celebrating.

Over the course, learners at

Whyy? Change expand their network and establish strong relationships. We’re really proud of our apprentices who have helped us to achieve a 98% pass rate at first attempt who have gone through the whole process at EPA (End Point Assessment).

Bespoke Apprenticeship Training Apprenticeship training at Whyy? Change is different.

Unlike traditional courses, we tailor the apprenticeship training and mould it around the apprentice’s organisation to provide their business with tangible benefits.

NIBS EVOLUTED PARTNER WITH LOCAL JEWELLERS Full-service integrated agency Evoluted have partnered with Sheffield bespoke jewellers Jessica Flinn on their organic search strategy.

Evoluted will be leading on the brand’s technical SEO and on-site content after winning a competitive pitch process, applying their integrated approach to delivering marketing services which recently saw the agency crowned Large Integrated Search Agency of the Year at the UK Search Awards.

HOWARD MATTHEWS PARTNERSHIP MERGES INTO SMH GROUP

Sheffield Social Enterprise Network announce new support programme The Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, alongside Sheffield City Council, have announced a new support programme to help new and established enterprises throughout the city.

In partnership with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, the Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA) will provide specialist business support and advice for social enterprises.

The programme aims to create at least 30 new social enterprises in Sheffield, whilst also supporting a minimum of 100 established social enterprises in the city.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda, through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, SEGA covers four key topics including engagement and diagnostic services, specialist support, marketing and communication and referrals and networking.

Terry Murphy, CEO of the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, said: “The SEGA programme will facilitate the development of a more connected Social Enterprise sector and support social entrepreneurs to develop the skills and knowledge they need.

“Through SEGA, social enterprises can demonstrate that they can be the city’s trailblazers, galvanising the changes necessary to shape the future of Britain’s economy into a sustainable one.”

CEO of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Louisa Harrison-Walker, added: “One of Sheffield’s strengths is its thriving social enterprise sector and with collaboration at the heart of everything we do at the Chamber, initiatives like this are exactly what we’re all about.

“Social enterprises are a wonderful example of businesses operating as a force for good so it’s great to be able to contribute our collective business expertise to this cause. SSEN’s impact across the city, of which SEGA is a part, is vital to ensure Sheffield can be a hub for social enterprises.”

Harrogate-based chartered accountants and tax advisors, Howard Matthews Partnership, have merged with the SMH Group. The merger took place on 1st January 2024, with the firm continuing to operate from their offices in Harrogate and Garforth.

TBC PARTNERS SECURE £5 MILLION FOR NEW SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM Joint-family office TBC Partners has secured a £5 million debt facility from investment manager Triple Point to support the development of three Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The agreement will see the development of three BESS across the UK, which will contribute to balancing the electrical grid and bring new renewable energy projects online across the UK.

£250,000 ANNOUNCED TO HELP SHEFFIELD CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS Sheffield City Council have announced a new Cultural Pipeline Fund designed to support a wide range of cultural organisations, including community arts projects, grassroots venues, festivals, performing arts companies and more. The Council said they offer the grants to help cover the cost of everything from mentoring and development work, to feasibility studies and fundraising advice, all to help get new cultural businesses and projects of the ground.

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Agenda

DONCASTER CHAMBER URGES ALL PARTIES TO SHOW A UNITED FRONT WITH AIRPORT CAMPAIGN As negotiations progress to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), Doncaster Chamber of Commerce is calling for all parties concerned to show a united front and focus on delivering the final interventions to successfully get the site back up and running, rather than on political point scoring.

It has been almost 18 months since the future of DSA was called into question and since then, there has been an outpouring of support from residents, political figures, the local authority, campaign groups and the region’s businesses who wish to see the airport reopened.

A recent impact report found that if it were to reopen, DSA could potentially generate around £1.56bn in net economic benefits and create thousands of jobs, over the course of three decades.

Emphasising the need for a more collegiate atmosphere, Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “After months of uncertainty, plans to get South Yorkshire’s airport reopened are moving forward at pace and there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.

10 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

“Unfortunately, we are seeing a lot of unwelcome commentary at the moment that, at best, is a needless distraction and, at worst, could potentially jeopardize the future of this hard-fought campaign by spooking potential investors.

“To reiterate, lots of people have contributed to this and it has been a true collaborative effort. For example,

AIRING POLITICAL DIFFERENCES IN PUBLIC DIMINISHES INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND ACHIEVES VERY LITTLE,...WE ARE URGING OUR POLITICAL FRIENDS AND PARTNERS TO, PLEASE, TONE IT DOWN AND FOCUS ON TELLING THE OUTSIDE WORLD WHAT A GREAT PLACE SOUTH YORKSHIRE CAN BE TO DO BUSINESS

national government played a huge role in conferring Investment Zone status to South Yorkshire and the Civil Aviation Authority has been helpful in retaining the airspace over DSA whilst negotiations take place. Meanwhile, local and regional government has poured considerable resource into the campaign and demonstrated great leadership and tenacity.

“In the fullness of time, it is true that we will need to establish a better plan for increasing the overall quantum of investment into South Yorkshire’s infrastructure and it will be reasonable to ask why other regions, such as West Yorkshire, seem to be more successful than us at leveraging in infrastructure investment. However, that conversation must be decoupled from the immediate need to get our airport reopened.

“Airing political differences in public diminishes investor confidence and achieves very little, even in an election year. With that in mind, we are urging our political friends and partners to, please, tone it down and focus on telling the outside world what a great place South Yorkshire can be to do business.”

ALL-NEW ACTIVITY HUB TAKES OFF AT MAGNA SCIENCE ADVENTURE CENTRE South Yorkshire has become home to England’s first Newton Room, a classroom with three tabletop flight simulators to teach students various Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) concepts, including aviation.

The Boeing-supported Newton South Yorkshire, hosted

by Magna Science Adventure Centre in partnership with the non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia, will promote STEM education and innovation throughout the region.

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, officially opened Newton South Yorkshire, joined by representatives from local government, education and community groups including members of the local Sheffield Air Cadet unit, 362 Squadron.

Commenting at the

opening, Sarah Champion MP said: “I am delighted to officially unveil the Newton Room at Magna Science Adventure Centre.

“It is fantastic to have such advanced learning facilities here in Rotherham that will benefit students across South Yorkshire and beyond.”

Newton South Yorkshire builds on Boeing’s longstanding presence in

the region, which began as co-founders of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in 2001.

President of Boeing UK, Ireland and the Nordic Region, Maria Laine, said: “Nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators is not possible without like-minded partners such as Magna Science Centre and

First Scandinavia, and we’re proud to continue being a conduit for collaborations that help develop vital skills for the future.”

The concept originated in Norway, and South Yorkshire is the latest in a network of six Boeing-supported Newton Rooms across Europe.

CEO of Magna Science Centre, Kevin Tomlinson, said: “The brand-new aviationthemed facility at Magna will help to create new opportunities for visitors to enjoy immersive STEM learning.

“It’s a terrific coup for Magna to be chosen as the site of England’s very first Newton Room, and the new facility will enable us to provide new forms of creative learning, which complements and enhances our existing offering.”

Research reveals that Yorkshire businesses accounted for 10% of all UK administrations in 2023 Yorkshire & The Humber businesses accounted for 10% of administrations in 2023, the fourth highest region in the UK, according to analysis by Sheffield law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

A total of 1,641 businesses, 159 of which came from Yorkshire & The Humber, filed for administration last year, marking a 22% increase compared to 2022 and 91% rise in comparison to 2021.

Regionally, Greater London led the way with 22% of the filings, followed by the North West and the South East, data from The Gazette Official Public Record has revealed.

Andy Taylor, partner and head of restructuring at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “The significant uptick in the number of companies filing for administration in 2023 underscores the challenges faced by businesses amid

changing consumer habits, financial pressures, and geopolitical uncertainties.

“In the labyrinth of economic complexities, the retail sector in particular is bearing the brunt, noted by the collapse of major player Wilko.

There has also been a reduction in housebuilding, which has a knock-on effect in the construction and real estate sectors.

“The cost of money, marked by

high interest rates throughout 2023, exacerbates financial strains on businesses with models that thrived in a sub-2% interest rate environment.

“The global stage, marked by geopolitical tensions in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza, contributes to economic uncertainty and suppressed growth.

“Many predict the rate of inflation to continue its downward trajectory in 2024, perhaps even approaching Bank of England’s target of 2%. If that trend continues one might anticipate something like three interest rate cuts in 2024, which will hopefully stimulate growth.

“However, the economic landscape remains unpredictable, and our advice remains consistent – seeking professional advice early can open up more options for struggling businesses.”

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AGENDA: OPINION

WHY WE SHOULD ALL COMMIT TO POSITIVE WORKPLACES FOR THE FUTURE Ashleigh McCann & Nathan Berresford INCLUSIVE CONSULTING Inclusive Consulting are a Sheffield-based recruitment agency and consultancy that specialises in People and Talent Strategy, working with clients nationally to both attract and retain talent.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for your business to reflect on the culture of the workplace you inhabit: is it a positive, progressive one? Are you merely ticking boxes or being genuinely forward-thinking with the changes you make? Do your staff feel like their feedback is being listened to and prioritised?

A recent study by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre found that solely offering individual initiatives such as access to wellbeing apps, stress management training, or mindfulness courses showed little improvement to staff wellbeing, but combining these with structural, organisation-level interventions is more likely to be beneficial for employees. In a nutshell: your workplace culture will benefit from a varied approach that incorporates individual schemes, as well as tailored, well-thought-out changes like genuine flexible working hours, improved staff resources, and supportive management.

Here at Inclusive Consulting, we regularly receive feedback from candidates seeking employment and learn what qualities are important to them when joining a company. Some of the most attractive attributes include having a sense of autonomy over their work, being listened to by employers, and full transparency on the type of work culture they’ll be part of. This could mean providing clarity on professional or personal development opportunities, or really making employees feel valued as individuals.

Of course, there are jobs in some industries 12 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

that might be unable to offer some of the aforementioned benefits for practical reasons.

But in every type of business, there’s a way to make employees feel valued – and something relatively straightforward to organise can make a big difference. For instance, staff recognition programmes are adaptable, easy to set up and give employees, particularly in larger companies, a sense of being recognised and rewarded for their work.

Don’t forget about the importance of team building, and we’re not just talking about postwork drinks here. Is there a time during working hours where you can come together and bond over something that’s not directly related to the job? We’ve seen some really creative takes on this – everything from in-house awards ceremonies to corporate curling sessions!

It’s about hitting the sweet spot. For a lot of businesses, having the ability to meet in person, work together as a team and collaborate is naturally very important. But if you can combine that with a properly designed remote working package, for example, then you’re going to have happier, more motivated staff, which leads to fewer sick days, higher productivity levels, and a business that people are proud to work for.

As a result, your company will establish a reputation as a supportive employer that values its staff, attracting more business and high-quality candidates. Plus, the boost in employee morale and productivity will lead to higher quality of work and levels of collaboration.

With Jill White of Andy Hanselman Consulting

Back to it!

Another recurring point we see today, particularly from younger professionals, are queries about the ethics of potential employers in terms of sustainability and their involvement with the wider community. It’s therefore important for businesses to review their values, reflect on whether they’re implementing eco-friendly practices, and consider how they can actively support local causes they believe in.

Employers should ask themselves, what is our unique selling point? What makes us better than competitors in the same field? It doesn’t just come down to salary, but with the costof-living crisis making itself felt, we’ve seen competitive salaries edge back up individuals’ priorities alongside work/life balance when it comes to what prospective employees value in a new opportunity. So, don’t think twice about analysing the competition, researching the market benchmarks and figuring out where you can stand out from the rest.

In summary, it’s paramount for businesses to take a critical look at their workplace culture and consider the tangible changes that can truly enhance employee wellbeing and satisfaction.

By prioritising these aspects and continually assessing and refining their unique selling points, businesses can cultivate an inclusive, progressive workplace that not only attracts but also retains a motivated and engaged workforce, ultimately driving success and resilience in an ever-changing landscape.

It’s been a bit of a slow start (well for me anyway!) to happenings in 2024. In fact, week one was a case of "This is what you could’ve done!"

I was sorry to miss Kirsty White’s Cavendish Cancer Care networking event with the Sheffield Sharks Basketball team at Cannon Medical Arena, I hear they had a great crowd.

Similarly with the Sheffield Chamber networking event at Burrow’s Motor Company, another well-attended event in a unique venue. Big thanks to Rich Davies from Highlander IT who kept me ‘in the loop!’

I made sure that I didn’t miss out on the Silversmith’s Business Supper Club, although it had stiff competition with Sheffield’s own Bring Me the Horizon (one of Danielle’s favourites) appearing at the Arena!

It didn’t disappoint! Great food, relaxed atmosphere, intelligent conversation, (well, almost) and some useful new business contacts. It’s a big thumbs up from me. Check it out, it’s a monthly happening.

I also made it to the Sheffield Chamber AGM where it was goodbye from Outgoing President, Karen Mosley and hello from Alexis Krachai, the Incoming President.

And what a venue. It was so good to visit Henry Boot’s new city centre location, such a perfect spot and really encouraging to have them back in ‘The Heart of the City’.

It was a fond farewell to Karen, what a great job she’s done.

She’ll be much missed, but it was also really uplifting to hear Alexis’s focus will be young entrepreneurship and culture, both very high on my own agenda.

And speaking of young entrepreneurship... what a delight to have two ‘Hallampreneurs’ speaking at our first 3D Connect session of 2024.

Kudos to Rick Bailey from IPM Group and his stunning new venue Panenka, they were the perfect hosts for our delegates - and all of them left suitably impressed!

Max Scotford from Bullion Chocolate also impressed and I know lots will be heading his way to sample his premium ‘bean to bar’ chocolate.

Sheffield College were also very proud of their two alumni and it was a great way for the college to promote their new Employment Service offer for students.

Any organisation with an opening for a part-time student needs to check them out and chat to Scott Cotterill. It’s a great service. And it’s all free!

Until next time!

Follow Jill at uk.linkedin.com/in/jilltywhite or find Andy Hanselman Consulting at andyhanselman.com. unLTDBUSINESS.COM 13

LIGHTBULB MOMENT:

JESSICA FLINN For our most recent delve into the entrepreneurial stories behind South Yorkshire businesses, Ash Birch caught up with Jessica Flinn, founder of Flinn and Steel, a Sheffield-based, artisan wedding ring maker, to find out how two lost rings spawned a whole new business…

Can you start by telling us about the ‘lightbulb moment’ which led to you setting up your business?

As with a lot of businesses, our lightbulb moment was Covid… oh, and two lost wedding rings!

I’m a trained silversmith and bench jeweller, having run my own successful jewellery brand since 2010. I specialise in unique gemstones and precious metals, but I had a client request two stainless steel wedding bands which I had made by a local supplier in Sheffield.

After picking up the rings - and with a newborn baby in tow, we made the journey home only to find the rings had gone!

With a wedding fast approaching and no way to replace them, my husband Ollie suggested he had a go at making them. An award-winning furniture maker and designer, within days he’d bought a lathe and was turning beautiful rings.

When the Covid pandemic hit, traditional in-person jewellery appointments disappeared overnight so we had to adapt quickly.

We launched Sheffield Steel Rings (Now Flinn & Steel) as an online-first brand in early 2020, with Ollie crafting them from a workshop in our garden! Oh, and we found those rings six months later in the baby bag.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building and growing your business, and how have you overcome them?

One of our biggest challenges was certainly keeping up with demand and up-scaling production from a one-Ollie operation.

Our rings are a unique combination of precision engineering and traditional jewellery, so we now have to commission pieces from some of the best artisan makers, specialist manufacturers and workshops across the UK and Europe.

It’s been a long and highly involved process to ensure quality and control, with all designs still being hand-finished in our Sheffield offices. It now means we can offer even more 14 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

styles and materials, and get them out to our customers quickly.

Can you describe your typical client and how they benefit most from your services?

We don’t really have a typical client, and I love that! We can cater to any celebration, whether you’re planning a wedding next year or something a little more last-minute!

Our free ring-sizer means you can get the perfect fit from home and you can also personalise rings with an inside engraving to make them even more special!

Our customer service and design teams are incredibly knowledgeable and are contactable via showroom appointments, our social channels or on email to provide help and advice.

How do you feel you differ from other jewellery businesses?

Our mission is to challenge and reshape traditional perceptions of wedding jewellery.

We want to debunk, demystify and simplify the wedding ring buying process and create a fun and welcoming space.

The traditional high-street jeweller can be a daunting experience if you’ve never worn rings before and they often have a level of snobbery that we don’t agree with. So, inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of Flinn & Steel whatever your background and whoever you love.

We also want to offer a unique experience whether you visit us in-person or shop online. We embrace new technologies and systems to make our jewellery accessible and approachable and fun for all. Wedding rings are a symbol of commitment and love, so it should be a fantastic experience, rather than just a tick box on the wedding planning list!

Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future?

2024 is set to be a massive year for Flinn & Steel. I can’t say too much yet but there are a lot of exciting new developments in Sheffield city centre, so maybe keep an eye out around there? Maybe…

SEE IT BE IT:

AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT

Lightbulb Moment

NAME: KATIE TILYARD EMPLOYER: SHEFFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ROLE: PROJECT COORDINATOR SHEFFIELD BUSINESS TOGETHER Why motivated you to get involved in the SIBI Ambassador group?

Having successfully helped deliver the Levelling Up Futures in Sheffield Programme and now partnering with See it Be it, I have lived and breathed this programme because I can see the importance and need for it.

Being an ambassador will help me wave the flag for see it be it and get even more people involved.

What have you enjoyed most about being involved in the campaign?

Seeing the development of young people from the start to the end of the engagement. There is so much talent in schools waiting to be unlocked!

What are the benefits to your business / employer?

At the chamber it gives us an opportunity to represent responsible business and be a example to other businesses throughout the city.

Sheffield City Council’s See it Be it in Sheffield campaign aims to inspire the next generation by linking up schools and colleges with local employers to provide meaningful encounters and experiences of the workplace. You can find more information at sheffield.startprofile.com/page/ seeitbeit-employers or by following @SeeItBeIt_ Sheff on Twitter.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 15

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Legal Matters SARA PATEL, PARALEGAL AT BANNER JONES

IMPLEMENTING EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE As we enter 2024, we’ve been reflecting on some of the significant changes in employment law in 2023 along with highlighting the ‘ones to watch’ in 2024. As a business, it is important to be aware of these changes and plan how you will implement them.

Flexible Working With effect from 06 April 2024, The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 states that every employee has the right to request flexible working from day one of employment. Under the Act, employees will be able to make two requests for flexible working in each 12-month period.

Holiday Pay The Supreme Court held that a three-month gap between underpayments of holiday pay does not automatically break a series of deductions, with employees being able to claim for deductions before the gap if it can be argued they form part of a series. Employers should ensure that holiday pay constitutes ‘normal pay’ and so needs to include any bonuses, commission, or overtime.

Employment Status and Trade Union Membership Employment status has been at the forefront of employment law developments in recent years. In 2023, the Supreme Court were tasked with deciding whether Deliveroo riders were able to form trade unions.

The Supreme Court ultimately established that the riders had no employment relationship with Deliveroo and could

not therefore rely on trade union rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Anticipated Developments in 2024 Redundancy Protection: The draft Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024 mean employees taking such leave, or those who have suffered a miscarriage, will have their period of protection against redundancy increased to 18 months following their return to work.

“Fire and Rehire”: The Government pledged to tackle the use of dismissal and reengagement by employers and underwent consultation

to introduce a new statutory Code of Practice to regulate such matters. A formal version of the Code is expected to be published in Spring 2024.

Sexual Harassment: The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 will come into force in October 2024, imposing a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees.

Carer’s Leave Regulations: Due to take effect in April 2024, these regulations will offer a day-one right for employees to be absent from work to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a longterm care need. Employees can apply for up to one

week’s unpaid leave in any 12-month period, and leave can be consecutive or nonconsecutive, half-days or full days.

Predictable terms and Conditions: The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 is likely to come into force in September 2024, aiming to give workers and agency workers the right to request more predictable terms and conditions of work where there is a little predictability to their work pattern.

Employers should ensure that they review and update their employment contracts and policies to ensure that the changes in legislation and guidance are incorporated.

SHEFFIELD OFFICE, 3RD FLOOR, LEOPOLD STREET, SHEFFIELD, S1 2GY PHONE 0333 200 2301 EMAIL: EMPLOYMENT@BANNERJONES.CO.UK unLTDBUSINESS.COM 17

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ARE YOU READY TO MEET YOUR COPILOT?

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more of an integral part of your day to day working routine, it’s time to watch your productivity soar with Microsoft Copilot. Here, Rich Davies, Business Development Manager at Highlander IT Solutions, looks at some of the uses of Copilot within the most popular apps in the Microsoft Office 365 software suite.

Copilot will fundamentally change how people work with AI and how AI works with people – for the better.

Combining the power of Microsoft 365 apps, it transforms into the most powerful productivity tool.

More than simply supercharging individual productivity, it creates a new knowledge model for every organisation, harnessing the vast amounts of data and insights that lay largely inaccessible and untapped.

appointments, meetings, and events, providing suggestions for availability and helping you stay organised.

Integration with Other Tools: Copilot seamlessly integrates with other Office 365 applications, allowing business managers to easily access and share files, tasks, and contacts within Outlook.

5. ONENOTE:

1. WORD: Formatting Assistance: Copilot can provide real-time suggestions for formatting documents making it easier to create professionallooking documents.

Document Collaboration: allows multiple users to collaborate on a document simultaneously, with features like track changes and version history, ensuring smooth collaboration and efficient editing.

Research Assistance: assists in researching and inserting relevant information and images, into Word documents, saving time and ensuring accurate and reliable content.

2. EXCEL: Data Analysis and Visualisation: can help analyse and visualise data by providing suggestions for formulas, charts, and pivot tables.

Data Collaboration: enables multiple team members to collaborate on Excel

spreadsheets simultaneously, providing real-time data updates and ensuring data integrity and collaboration across teams.

Data Import and Export: simplifies the process of importing and exporting data from external sources, such as databases and CSV files, making it easier to work with external data sources.

structuring presentation content, providing suggestions for slide order, grouping, and sectioning, ensuring a logical flow of information.

Speaker Notes and Presenter View: helps create speaker notes and utilise the presenter view, allowing for a smooth and confident presentation delivery.

3. POWERPOINT:

4. OUTLOOK:

Presentation Design: offers suggestions for creating visually appealing and engaging PowerPoint presentations, including slide layouts, themes, and graphics, helping create impactful presentations.

Content Organisation: can assist in organising and

Email Organisation: helps organise emails by providing suggestions for email filters, folders, and rules, making it easier to manage and prioritise incoming messages.

Calendar Management: offers assistance in scheduling and managing

Note-Taking and Organisation: assists in taking and organising notes more effectively, providing suggestions for formatting, tagging, and categorising notes, ensuring easy retrieval and reference.

Collaboration and Sharing: real-time collaboration and sharing of OneNote notebooks, allowing multiple users to work together on the same set of notes, promoting teamwork and knowledge sharing.

To-Do Lists and Reminders: helps in creating to-do lists, setting reminders, and managing tasks within OneNote.

These are just a few examples of how I’ve discovered that Copilot can assist you in utilising the Microsoft 365 applications more effectively.

To learn more get in touch or for a demo from one of our experts.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 19

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS RUNNING CLUB

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS RUNNING CLUB

When a casual exchange on LinkedIn turned into a fitness and networking club for the Sheffield business community, we wanted to know why the idea had hit such a nerve. As one of the founders, unLTD’s Phil Turner tells us how he, Sam Newton from Gravitate Accounting and Gameshow Allstars’ Hannah Duraid have turned an offhand exchange on social media into a new kind of networking forum…

Phil: It all started with a casual comment on social media, as most good ideas do these days. I guess that’s the modern day equivalent of brainstorming over a pint in the pub. Hannah had posted on LinkedIn between Christmas and New Year that she was looking for a running challenge this year and wanted some folk to join her. Well, I’m always a sucker for something to get my teeth stuck into and before I knew it, we’d not only signed up to run the Sheffield Half Marathon, raising money for Paces but along with Sam from Gravitate had agreed to launch a local business running club! It’s only been a few weeks but numbers are swelling, so you can tell it’s really caught people’s imagination.

Hannah: The idea came about because last year I got a lot more back into fitness. I started going 20 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

to the gym, doing yoga classes, and all that kind of stuff. I don’t actually like running but my thinking was I should push myself to do something that I find a real challenge. I think making yourself do stuff you don’t necessarily want to do is a helpful thing to do in business, so I just thought I’d put a post out there after I’d been for a run to see who would jump on board. And I really like the idea of building a community. I wanted to do more networking this year, so it seemed like a nice to be able to run regularly and also talk business to people too.

Sam: It’s all about being accountable. If it was just me trying to go out for a run every Monday then when it’s cold, dark and wet, I just wouldn’t do it, but because I know there are other people turning up expecting it,

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 21

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS RUNNING CLUB you drag yourself out. And it’s for everyone, not just regular joggers or fitness obsessives. We are tweaking things all the time, but the idea is that for those who just want to have a nice, slow jog and chat for a few kilometres they can, but for those pushing themselves to a longer goal, we have a faster group that run further and harder, so they can keep building their fitness.

The club meet at the Peddler Warehouse car park at 4.30pm every Monday and cover one mile loops around Kelham and Neepsend.

Some will run for two laps while others keep going to hit the distance that suits them. After seven people showed up for the first session, numbers have grown dramatically the last few weeks while there are over 60 on the What’s App group. People come for a variety of reasons, some are new to the area and are looking for a shared goal and interest as a way of making connections (we already know of one ‘deal’ that has been struck through a connection made at the club) while others are stalwarts of the local business community.

Hannah, Sam, Phil and some of the other regulars do their best to welcome new members each week and make sure someone runs with you to make you feel part of the club. So what made it such a hit so quickly?

Hannah: I think it’s because you can kill a few birds with one stone. I think because we started in January you have a big group of people keen to get back into fitness and if you can do it alongside people you can network with, then why not?

And it’s very casual; you can dip in and dip out whenever you like, so you can treat it as a proper training run or something more casual. We try to be inclusive.

22 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

his own running WhatsApp page (@run4yourmind) to help thousands of others who are also struggling.

For anyone keen to join the Whats App Group use the QR code below.

Sam: At lot of the people who have joined us are probably dealing with a lot of stress on a daily basis, so things like this really help. At one time, my brother was really struggling to cope with his mental health but once he started running, it just transformed him. He set up

With the Sheffield Half marathon as the first goal on April 7th, Sam and Hannah are keen to keep the motivation going, so there will be quarterly events to aim for, such as the Round Sheffield Run over the summer and the Percy Pud in winter. Meanwhile, Leanne Keetley from Sheaf Design Works has designed the group a logo and there’s talk of branded running gear and regular socials to help grow the group’s value to members. The first of these is set for March 7 at Factory Floor.

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After almost 10 years as Direct Print & Promotions, family-run company We Do Workwear celebrated reaching a decade in business with a significant rebrand, new website launch and a fresh focus on kitting out local businesses with highquality customised workwear.

24 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

To congratulate them on the milestone, unLTD headed down to Sheaf Bank Business Park with a bottle of bubbly to speak with director James Smith about the company’s journey from spare bedroom project to cutting-edge clothing and merch enterprise.

James, congratulations on hitting the 10-year mark.

How did your business journey begin?

Me and my dad started the business as Direct Print in 2014. It initially grew from a spare bedroom in my parents’ old house. Initially, we didn’t have any equipment and were buying and selling various printrelated items, from phone cases to printed t-shirts.

It didn’t take long to realise that when you’re relying on suppliers, they can let you down. So, we purchased a heat press to start printing our own products: t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, etc. My dad has a business background with a strong knowledge of the merchandise industry, and I was able to help out with the graphic design side of things.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 25

16th March

Did the business grow quickly from there or was it a slow-burner to begin with?

Quite quickly! After about a year or so, we realised that we couldn’t have big deliveries coming to the house every other day. We moved into our first premises at Sheaf Bank Business Park, a small 400-square-foot office to begin with. We added an embroidery machine which provided a new service for us to offer, and then we started growing our staff, bringing in people for production and sales. This helped drive things forward and two years later, we upsized again, moving into a larger unit at the business park, adding more staff and machines as we grew.

It all sounds like fairly organic growth. What’s the secret?

Yeah, we’ve never really done massive amounts of marketing. We picked up plenty of customers off the back of word of mouth and referrals, which just comes down to looking after your clients. If you do a good quality job, provide a great service and ensure that prices are competitive, the customers are going to return.

Let’s talk about the rebrand. You’ve kicked off the New Year with a new name and website. What inspired the change?

I think during the Covid pandemic, we reflected on where we were at as a business and realised that we were trying to be too many things to too many people. Under Direct Print, we were doing everything from paper prints to signage. However, we see our forte as in-house embroidery and printing onto a range of clothing and workwear. We’ve invested in our equipment, become more specialist in our niche area and We Do Workwear is the result.

The amount of online retail taking place with brands during the pandemic also highlighted the need to improve our web presence. We’ve rebranded our social media and the new website is live, so we feel that we’re in a really good place on that front now.

Fundamentally, we used to do a lot of work on personal use printed products – stag and hen dos, birthdays, gifts, etc. We Do Workwear is now focused more on a business-to-business model, working with customers on a more regular basis and dealing with larger orders.

Was streamlining the business’ services an easy decision to make?

There’s always an aspect of it being a gamble on these types of decisions, but we’re confident in the quality of the products we can provide, the speed we can deliver them out and we think that we’re offering a better, more focused service this way.

Which industries do most of your customers tend to come from?

It’s a fairly big pool, but we work with a lot of colleges and universities, charities, local retailers and a wide range of tradespeople. Our product offering is predominantly anything you can wear or accessories we can get on our machines – from gilets and hoodies to hats and bags.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE We Do Workwear supply to all types of business sectors ranging from individual startups, right through to businesses employing 800+ employees. unLTDBUSINESS.COM 27

What sort of challenges are facing the industry at the moment?

Coming out of Covid was initially quite problematic.

With so many events cancelled, we’d lost a lot of orders almost overnight. We found that a lot of factories had pulled back on clothing production and were moving into face masks and PPE, so there was a lot of pivoting and our stock situation was a bit of a nightmare at first. Thankfully, manufacturers have started going again and that situation has improved.

But the main issues are the sort of things facing a lot of industries at the moment. Rising energy costs and high fuel costs for our customers, especially those in the motor industry, can have problematic knock-on effects. Luckily for us, though, we’ve kept our prices down and managed to grow despite the odd knockback.

What helps you to stand out from competitors?

Our USPs are reliability, speed of turnaround and friendly, straightforward customer service. Being a Sheffield-based company means all our local deliveries are free of charge, which is another bonus for lcustomers. But fundamentally, being a family-

QUALITY COUNTS

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run business, we like to treat all our customers like they’re part of the family. We’re always at the end of the phone if needed, and we like to think that nothing is too much trouble.

What does your day-to-day role tend to look like?

There are four members of staff working downstairs in production, and four working upstairs in the office. Me and my dad will work on sales, my mum does the accounts and Tom looks after the IT. Generally, my role will be working on prospecting, quoting and confirming orders before passing on to production.

As you’ve said, it’s a proud family business. How is it sharing an office with your parents?

It’s alright! We’re quite good at leaving the family side of things at the door when we come to work.

There might be the odd heated discussion, but we all get along fine. To be honest, we live and breathe it. Both of my parents have business backgrounds, and we love what we do. I think you need that passion to get to where we’ve got to.

Now that you’ve reached the decade milestone, what’s the next step for the company?

There are always annual targets, but in terms of more wide-ranging changes we’re wanting to take advantage of our investment in new staff and equipment. We’ve significantly invested and increased our capacity for what we can do, and now we just want to continue growing, bringing new customers on board and working locally with people. The foundations are all in place now, so it’s just a case of cracking on.

LOOKING FOR A FREE QUOTE? GET IN TOUCH… Web: www.wedoworkwear.com Phone: 0114 398 9454 Email: sales@wedoworkwear.com Socials: @we_do_workwear

28 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 29

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WeWe areare a recruitment agency a recruitment agency andand consultancy thatthat consultancy specialises in People andand specialises in People Talent Strategy. Based in Talent Strategy.

Based in ATT Qualifications paying employers can utilise Sheffield,CTA andand working across Sheffield, and working across are covered for the incentive their levy pots. the region, we work with our the region, we work with our Applications for the increased clients payment. to both attract and toare both attract and an If you looking to recruit incentive payment for hiring a clients retain talent. retain talent. apprentice into your Finance new apprentice are now open.

Applications for the increased • Aged 16 to 18 or incentive payment for hiring a • Under 25 with an education, new apprentice are now open. health, and care plan or who The team at First Intuition tell has been in the care of their unLTD readers more. local authority.

Following the Chancellor of Team, then can help.

Level 2, 3, 4 and 7 Our mission is towe assist Our mission is to assist the Exchequer’s announcement Apprentices will have an Contact Sheffield@fi.co.uk Apprenticeship schemes fororganisations in growing PERSONALITY & EQUITY DIVERSITY & WELLBEING IN THE & organisations in growing in April, employers will for more info. additional two months after the COACHING the AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, diverse and motivated teams, APTITUDE TESTING INCLUSION WORKPLACE MENTORING SERVICES diverse and motivated teams, receive £3,000 for eligible deadline ofwork 30 September 2021 within inclusive and effective We with specialists that Our Careers Coach provides Our EDI Consultant offers Master talent acquisition within inclusive and advice and guidance coaching, policy (until 30 offer coaching at and retention with apprentices ofour any age who start November 2021) to on tailored environments. effective The Accountancy Employers Guide companies can improvements and and organisational Personality and Ability environments. employment from 1 April 2021 start theirhow training programme individual Trainees and new staff need as much support as possible to implement effective change to levels: Career Coaching, tests, using the industry- organisational reviews to to 30Saville September 2021.

– this allow for probationary better improve wellbeing in Leadership Coaching, leading ensure that companies areis to We that retention of ease them into work over thebelieve next year. the workplace.

Our consultant Building a Coaching Culture, Assessment suite for for incentive challenging themselves to and We believe that retention of You can apply periods sign-up processes talent requires creating The Accountancy Employers Guide provides links to relevant team communication Team building & Leadership smart insights. provide a more equitable, talent requires creating payments for these apprentices to occur. provides environments that are built resources on trainee recruitment, onboarding, pre-start assessments to explore how Development diverse and inclusive from 1 June 2021 to 30environment.

Furthermore, employers environments that are built individuals react under stress and resources, Organisational Change strong leadership and around employability skills, apprenticeship incentives, and suggests innovative November 2021. will also receive a National around strong leadership open and inclusive cultures. and employer events, and hot topics. methods and tools to improve Insurance exemption if the open and inclusive cultures. individual wellbeing.

The incentive payment is apprentice is aged under 25 The Accountancy Employers Guide is now available in addition the 5720 £1,000 hello@incconsulting.co.uk and a 95 per cent subsidy ofwww.incconsulting.co.uk the (0114)to303 Globe Works, Penistone Rd, S6 3AE to access for free at www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/ employers already receive for training costs (if not paying via accountancy-employers-guide/ hiringFinance an apprentice: the apprenticeship levy).

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ANDY FILE ASSOCIATES

DRIVING FORWARD Andy File, the Managing Director of Andy File Associates, draws upon over 27 years of experience in the recruitment industry as he reflects on his journey with unLTD. In an interview with Joseph Food, he highlights how collaboration with ActionCOACH Sheffield has been instrumental in realigning his business towards a path of growth and success.

How did you first get into the recruitment industry?

When I was a student, I temped for a few agencies. I also took a job as a steward for Sheffield United. One day I turned around and asked my employers, “Do you need any more staff?” It pretty much snowballed from there. Before I knew it, I was running ‘Student Stewarding’ and the same company then asked me to help find students for police ID parades. At one point, I was paying out £2,000 to £3,000 a week to students, as well as trying to do my studies at the same time.

You clearly had a passion for this type of work from an early age?

I loved it. I’d have job lists and descriptions on a board in the halls of residence and get talking to people as they passed through. I played rugby and football for the halls, so managed to recruit people through that too.

Jumping ahead a bit, at which point did you set up your own business?

May 2009. I’d worked my way up at a national recruitment agency, Spring Personnel, where I was an area manager. After thirteen years with them, I was made redundant alongside six out of seven of the senior management team. Within two weeks of redundancy, I’d set up my own company.

Was it an easy decision to make?

Well, it was right in the middle of a recession, so perhaps not the best timing! But there’s always an element of risk, isn’t there? I’d certainly become comfortable in my former role and fate kind of made the call for me.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 33

ANDY FILE ASSOCIATES How was that early experience of flying solo?

My first client was a close friend of mine, Paul Collings of Timberplay, and I’ve looked after his business’s recruitment for over twenty years now. He helped me start up, gave me a phone and a desk in his office and I got to work. I found a lot of contacts through playing for Dronfield Rugby Club, which I’ve done since my university days, and that network remains integral for me. There are business owners and directors within the club who’ve passed work to me over the years, and I’ve also been able to place young players with suitable jobs.

Six months on from starting out on my own, I was ready to take on more staff to ensure that I wouldn’t let anyone down. Slowly but surely, I continued to add to the team.

You’ve spoken to unLTD about how your experience with a business coach a couple of years ago helped to provide a new sense of direction for the company. Could you tell us about the big changes you’ve made since?

Yes, this was after the Covid lockdowns. I was feeling tired and felt like we’d hit a certain level as a company and were struggling to push on. I went to a conference that ActionCOACH ran down in Farnborough, originally looking for networking opportunities more than anything. They had a number of guest speakers and a lot of what was said resonated with me. I realised that I’d stopped learning and my aspirations with the business had hit a ceiling.

So, off the back of that experience, I went to see John Asquith, the MD at ActionCOACH in Sheffield. We spoke about the structure of the company, and it brought home how I was stretching myself too far; I was managing a team while also being in charge of HR, finance, team management and business development. I was fearful of spending the money to change that. We were making a small bit of profit each year, retaining it in the business, and I had a real fear of losing what we’d made.

I was given the choice: you either stay as you are, or you invest in your business to change it. My favourite part of the job is 34 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

client relationships and business development, but to be able to focus on that, I had to bring in someone to manage and help grow the team. I brought in a Recruitment Manager, who brought with him a renewed focus on systems and processes and is really helping to get the most out of the team.

Has it allowed you the opportunity to take a step back and look at the business more holistically?

Yes. Fundamentally, I was spending too much time in the business, doing roles I didn’t have to be doing. It’s taken some time to implement the changes, but things have started to turn around. We’ve invested a good amount of money into a new CRM System, staff and advertising. It doesn’t happen overnight, but now the business is heading in the right direction. The investment is working.

You’ve removed the ceiling?

It feels that way! I’ve always been risk-averse, particularly since my kids came along. But it’s all about pushing on and growing. As well as adding a Recruitment Manager, we’ve had a new Business Executive starting this year, so it’s a really exciting time for us.

It’s about pushing yourself out of the comfort zone. I’ve done that and I’m enjoying the job again. I suppose the best way to sum it up is I’ve changed my thinking from short-term to long-term, aligning that with the vision and culture of the company.

On that note, which values hold significance for your business?

Loyalty is a big one, and that’s reflected in the staff. Becky [Associate] will have been with us for 10 years in February.

Debra [Senior Associate] and Anne [Business Manager] have been with us for 8 to 9 years.

We’d like to think that loyalty is reciprocal, so we can offer support when people are going through a difficult period with their work. This team have a combined experience of 135 years in recruitment, and we’re really pleased with the people we’ve got on board. Importantly, I think that sense of loyalty extends to clients, many of whom we’ve looked after

for a long time.

How has the recruitment industry changed since you first came into it?

Digitalisation has been the biggest change. When I first started out, you’d meet everyone face to face. People would come in for an interview and you’d fill the paperwork in. We’d put job updates in the local paper or do leaflet drops around housing estates. Now, you can recruit anywhere throughout the world and we’ve recently placed someone in Australia for a software client of ours.

There are a lot more recruitment agencies out there, which means it’s highly competitive. But not everyone spends the quality time with candidates anymore, and candidates don’t always want to spend quality time with you either!

The whole process of applying for a job is so much quicker which has both upsides and downsides.

What would you say is a key challenge in the job today?

At times, it can be a frustrating sector to work in. You’re not working with a product; it’s people, which can be far more unpredictable. Sometimes you can do all the work during the week and on a Sunday night a candidate will drop out unexpectedly. So, I’d say managing people can be one of the toughest parts.

Finally, what gets you out of bed in the morning?

Family. And nobody else would hire me! But seriously, I really do enjoy the role. I like helping candidates and I like helping clients. When you go around businesses and see people you’ve placed thriving and making a difference to people’s companies, I can get quite emotional about it – as I did when I visited Stauff recently and met up with a couple of candidates I’d placed over 13 years ago.

If you are looking to recruit additional staff for your business or for your next career opportunity, email Andy File Associates on info@ andyfileassociates.com or call 01709 717842 // 0114 282 1281. www.andyfileassociates.com

I WAS GIVEN THE CHOICE: YOU EITHER STAY AS YOU ARE, OR YOU INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS TO CHANGE IT

RACHEL COLLYER CERAMICS

Me Softly

We meet ceramics afficionado Rachel Collyer to discover more about her pottery classes…

Looking to re-engage with a hobby she’d had since she was a teenager, Rachel Collyer set up her own pottery studio almost by accident during lockdown. Four years on, she has a thriving micro-business offering a great escape for individuals as well as organisations looking for an alternative staff away day or team building exercise. The unLTD team went along to her beautifully appointed studio in Totley to see if we could discover our inner Grayson Perry as well as find out what made her leave her recruitment career behind…

Hi Rachel, can you tell us a little bit about your background and what led you to pursue pottery as a career?

It was in high school really. Since leaving school, I worked in advertising sales and then directories. I finished with The Yellow Pages in 2000, then went on a grownup gap year. When I got back, I set up a recruitment agency called Rise Recruitment, recruiting advertising and salespeople. We went through various guises, mainly in advertising, then when the bottom fell out of print advertising, I turned to payment and merchant services. I followed a sales manager around as his recruiter and ended up recruiting salespeople to sell mobility products and funeral plans to the older market.

Of course, when COVID hit, those industries suffered tremendously because nobody was going into old people’s homes. So I came to a bit of a crossroads and picked up pottery again.

I’d done it for years as a hobby, gone to night school, made friends with the pottery teacher, borrowed somebody’s kiln and brought bags of clay home. I had a break when my kids were little because I was so engrossed in it that there wasn’t much room for anything else! But during lockdown, I picked it back up and just ran with it.

36 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Was it something you instantly thought could be an enterprise, or was it something to keep yourself busy?

Initially, it was something to keep me busy.

Meanwhile, I was thinking ‘What do I do?’ I had loads of contacts in the recruitment industry, so I wondered whether I’d go out and resurrect that or have a go at something else? Rather than resurrecting Rise, I decided to give this a go, which was scary, but thankfully, it’s turned out really well.

When did it start taking off as a business, rather than just a hobby?

My daughter Ruby was doing a skydive for a local charity and I started making flower cane toppers to sell to raise money for her. People came to the house to buy them and I was putting them on Facebook, and that was the start of the ceramics company.

After that I opened an Etsy shop, had a brilliant first Christmas, and every time I did a market or met people, they asked if I did workshops. At the time, it wasn’t something I’d considered because I’m not a teacher. I’m a self-taught potter, and although I have been on loads of courses, my home studio wasn’t suitable for people to come and visit. But we tweaked it and have been inviting people to come and enjoy workshops since February 2023.

Tell us about the workshops. What do people get out of them?

People get the opportunity to make whatever they want, whether it’s something that I suggest or something that they have been thinking about and want to see come to fruition.

Somebody this morning made a butter dish with a cow handle. Somebody else brought their niece and made a chicken on a skateboard.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 37

RACHEL COLLYER CERAMICS I will always give people an idea, and go along with them until they know exactly what they’re doing, but you get the opportunity to come and spend two and a half hours totally zoning out, which is what most people say happens.

I’ve got people who come in as a oneoff, or others turn in into a regular hobby.

For example, one of my Wednesday morning ladies, her son bought a workshop for her as a Mother’s Day present and she’s been every week since.

I only have six to eight people per session, and I’ll only have two new people each session, but I am expanding the studio, so by the summer we’ll have room for double that.

I also have ‘Bring Your Own’ Pinot and Pottery night. That’s when people can come one evening with all their mates and bottles of wine and make pottery.

They aren’t set sessions as such, but something informal to enjoy the creative side as well as unwinding and relaxing.

How much do your workshops cost?

It’s £25 per person per session, but you need to come twice, so it’s £50. If you can’t come back, I will glaze them for you, but it’s still £50. You don’t have to book in for a six week course or anything like that.

If your children are over four, which is probably the right age to start doing pottery, it’s £30 per person for two visits.

You’ve mentioned the therapeutic qualities of pottery. Tell us about that.

A lot of people refer to pottery sessions as therapeutic. When I was thinking about the business, I thought, “Right, what is it I would actually like to do?” I read somewhere to think about what takes you out of yourself, what makes time go in a flash and what absolutely absorbs you. And the only thing I could think of was pottery, which has always been my passion.

It’s for everybody. I wouldn’t pretend to be able to teach somebody who’s done lots of pottery anything new, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s enabling people to release their ideas.

For more information about Rachel Collyer Cereamics, follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook or head to rachelcollyerceramics.com. You can call direct on 07763 983736.

38 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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HAVE LUNCH WITH

DANIEL LOWE

This month, unLTD’s Ash Birch heads to city centre Szechuan specialists China Red to grab lunch with Daniel Lowe, Managing Director of Sheffieldbased office fit-out firm, The DL Company, to discuss his 25-years as the third generation at the helm of the family business…

Hi Dan, so you began working at The DL Company in 1999 – was it always the plan to join the family business?

Yes and no. Through the retirement of somebody else at the company, I was given the opportunity to go into the business.

We'd never actually had a conversation about it as a family.

It was always open, and I’d done things like van driving when I was 18 and 19, in the summer holidays to subsidise the usual student lifestyle, but actually working in the business full time was a different conversation.

I suppose I'd always had it in the back of my mind and it was a bit of a no brainer when the question came up because I still had family in the business, and if I hadn’t stepped up, it would have changed the direction of the business.

Did you feel a sense of responsibility then?

Not as much as I do now, because I was young and didn't think about it in the same way. Now I’m older, and as I’ve gone through it, I’ve had thoughts on whether I’m doing this for myself or for somebody else? and the answer is, a bit of both.

We’re coming into 50 years as a business – so I've worked half the lifespan of the company – and I do feel responsible for that and everybody that works there, because it's the people that make it great.

I'm really pleased to be able to say that we’ve managed to survive another 25 years and I’ve not ruined the place! Hopefully, it’s around for another 50 years, but I don’t think I’ll be fit enough to be around then.

40 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Could there be a fourth generation taking over then?

Possibly. Again, like with me, that conversation hasn't been had.

There's no master plan. It’s a challenge for anybody who's in a family business. Does the business define you, or do you define the business?

When you're working, you want to have achievements, so it’s important you put your own stamp on it and create your own version of it.

What was your focus when you first came into the business?

I was doing the job I'm doing now, which is lots of different things; It can be salesperson, project manager, designer, sometime accountant. I would hesitate to say builder because the lads would laugh at me, as I'm not a practical person in the way they are.

I think at the time it was more a case of, this is the way you do it, you carry it on. Over the years, you’re trying to grow yourself and grow in your knowledge to be able to offer more and move forwards.

You mentioned your dad, who was one of the founders, how did the business come into being?

It was started by my mum’s dad, so my grandfather, and my dad.

People think that the DL in the name is Daniel Lowe, but it's Dobson and Lowe. They started it together in 1974.

They worked at the same firm, which was a shelving and racking company called Wakefield’s, in Nottingham, and they decided to have a go themselves.

How did the business develop from shelving and racking to include full office fit outs?

Shelving and racking was how they became known in Sheffield and the area was obviously a major manufacturing city then. It's interesting because we play a big part in a lot of company's history.

If you think about it, we were organising and designing the engine room of the business.

That carried on until the mid-80s, when we started to supply steel partitions, which would create a free-standing room with a lid on it that could be used as an office for a storeman.

Once we could do that, then you get into the more conventional stud and plaster board partitioning that you see now in the modern office.

We've done miles of that over the years.

Over the last 20 years, there hasn’t been as many jobs where there's lots of solely partitioning jobs, so you've got to do everything. Before you know it, you’re delivering a full office fit out, supplying the furniture, and you’re office designers.

From British Steel to BOC and from SBD to Simoda, we've worked for multi-nationals and local start-ups, forming relationships that have lasted for decades.

How has the world of office fit outs changed over your time with the company?

The demands on the modern office are so different to what they were, even four years ago. If you’d asked people then, what's an office space?

Most people are giving you a single answer. But now there’s a myriad of options and opinions.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 41

HAVE LUNCH WITH

There's a staff retention question that comes into play now. People want choice and are trying to attract younger people who are used to having that choice. You're trying to get them out of the house, to get them into the office, so you've got to make it attractive.

Covid accelerated about 20-years of change in those four years. Working from home was always going to happen but it very much influences what people want from a workspace. It’s not simply about fitting 60-people into a small office space anymore.

We had to be flexible and adapt, but if my dad read that, he would say, well we had to be flexible and adapt too, or we’d still be doing shelving and racking.

We’ve always tried to stay one step ahead and give people what they want.

Looking back over your 25 years, what are you most proud of?

The thing I'm most proud of is the people and what the business stands for. Both the people who work in the company and the people that we deal with as customers in the area.

We’re a local company with access to all the market has to offer and we know the kind of challenges that people face locally and their outlook, because it isn't too different to ours.

We had a Joiner, Ian, who worked for us for 39 years; Steve, who worked for us for 40 years; and now Martin, who's retiring after 40 years with us next month. We call them the DL Legends. They started in 1978 and 1979 so they grew up on the tools with us and I take great pride in them having been able to work with us for that period of time.

That kind of contribution to a firm is priceless and I want people to feel they can be with us for as long as they want to. It's like any family, which probably sounds a bit cliched, but I view it as everyone being part of the family.

Especially for the lads on site, because they have to trust each other with power tools.

Fortunately, they don’t have to trust me with that!

Take yourself back to 1999, would you do it all again?

I’d be daft to say no! But yeah, absolutely I would. thedlcompany.com 42 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

As this month marks the changing of the Chinese New Year to the Year of the Dragon, we headed down to authentic Szechaun specialists, China Red, for a spicy spot of lunch.

Just off The Moor, on Rockingham Gate, China Red has a reputation for being one of the best Chinese restaurants anywhere in the city, and having already visited a couple of times in recent years, I was very excited at the prospect of both my chat with the ever-good company, Daniel Lowe, and some Sezchaun-inspired spice.

As it’s lunch, we skipped the starters, and dived straight into the mains. Covering the veggie and vegan bases, I opted for the braised aubergine in sourly sauce (above), accompanied by steamed rice and stir-fried flat bean and chilli.

Daniel opted for duck with pepper and pickled chill, again accompanied by steamed rice, and we washed it down with traditional Chinese tea.

The food arrives in no time at all, which means Daniel is left with unenviable task of answering my questions while trying to enjoy the delicious food on offer. He bravely soldiers on and makes light work of his succulent looking duck.

My braised aubergine dish is fast becoming one of my favourite dishes to be found anywhere; the kick of spice and the hint of bitterness from the sourly sauce is a perfect way to treat an aubergine, in my humble opinion, and I could eat buckets of it.

For a hearty lunch, that makes a change from your standard café or supermarket fare, China Red is a fantastic alternative and one we highly recommend.

THE BENCHMARK.

Helping brilliant businesses to grow and matching candidates to their perfect role.

Providing a bespoke, efficient, and dedicated recruitment service.

Benchmark are expert match-makers; a specialist commercial recruitment consultancy that supports businesses from multiple sectors and industries including the third and charity sectors.

Benchmark specialise in permanent, temporary, and contract positions.

Contact: rebecca@benchmarkrecruit.co.uk / 07714771600

5 MINUTES WITH

Sophie Rowe unLTD’s Ash Birch caught up with Sophie Archer, founder and owner of Hillsborough Bookshop, to talk about the experience of opening her first shop…

Hi Sophie. What inspired you to open your own bookshop?

There’s a real power in stories, and that’s something I wanted to share with my community. Feeling seen in a book is absolute magic, and to have the opportunity to create that space in my local area was my real driver.

Although you could argue it’s the worst possible time to try with the cost of living crisis and real uncertainty in the landscape, especially for small and new businesses, I am one for a challenge.

With my background and studies focusing on writing for children [Sophie holds a BA in Creative Writing and a masters in Writing for Young People], I’ve always felt very passionate about getting families reading and enjoying stories together.

Our free daily Storytime is my absolute favourite part of the day because it really makes the bookshop come alive. I’ve had parents who’ve met at Storytime become good friends and meet up regularly together with their children, and that to me is what it’s all about.

How did you get started?

The bookshop began as a tiny seed of an idea, which I planted in the form of two Billy bookcases into a shop on the high street [Annie Jude’s] to see how my books 44 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

would sell. They did really well and gave me a real boost to think that one day I could actually have my very own shop on Middlewood Road.

I had my eye on number 89 for a while - a very traditional looking shop, with two floors and a classic bookshop feel - it even has the dreamy spiral staircase.

When it came up for rent for the first time in 20+ years, it was a sure sign to me that now was the time to create this community hub on the high street and grow my idea into a reality.

Why did you decide to start in Hillsborough?

I’ve lived in Hillsborough since 2019 and since then it’s just got better and better.

There is a real community of independents, which gave me such confidence in choosing to open the bookshop here.

Not only is the high street a constant hive of activity, but the other shops are so supportive of each other.

Seeing people enjoying the high street is absolutely brilliant - so many people, all supporting their local independent shops.

We don’t want to compete with the big names, and the perk of being a much smaller shop with a curated selection means we don’t need to do so directly. Instead, we’re

THE BOOKSHOP DELIBERATELY SPECIALISES IN A RANGE OF DIVERSE, REPRESENTATIVE BOOKS BECAUSE THE AIM HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY FEELS SEEN THROUGH THE BOOKS I SELL. THAT’S THE USP. good at looking at our community and working with them to stock our shelves.

The bookshop deliberately specialises in a range of diverse, representative books because the aim has always been to make sure everyone in the community feels seen through the books I sell.

That’s the USP. It can sometimes be tough setting out on your own – how have you found the experience so far?

It’s probably both the hardest and easiest thing I’ve ever done. The easiest because I know my own mind, and once I’m set on something it’s very rare that I don’t go at it 100 per cent, which is why the bookshop is now a staple on the high street.

But the hardest too because of the realities that come with running a small business on your own. I know lots of people who dream of opening a bookshop, but the reality is far from how you imagine. I don’t sit and read books all day sadly I’d absolutely love to, but instead I’m using my jack-ofall-trades experience working my many jobs to try and do this one very well.

I’ve had to sacrifice a lot, especially initially, but I’m of the belief that you will get out a lot more than you put in, so I feel it’s more than worth it. I’ve already got a bunch of regulars who come in and support the shop, I’m taking sales both from the shop and online and also really value feedback and input from customers - it’s always lovely to hear that people love the shop, but I also love it when someone tells me I should be doing something I’m not and I’m like, yeah, why am I not doing that?

What are your plans for the future of the shop?

The shop space we have means there’s plenty of scope to grow as business continues.

Currently we have books on our ground floor, with a selection of children’s fiction and nonfiction along with a smaller adult section. The long-term aim is to move into the upstairs space too, stocking a full adult section and creating a room which can be used for events and our Book Clubs, but also a space for local community groups and schools to use.

I’m working hard at the moment to build relationships with local schools, get a consistent calendar of author and illustrator events going, and maintain our adult Book Clubs, which we now have three of!

Hillsborough Bookshop, 89 Middlewood Road, Hillsborough, S6 4GX

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 45

BENCHMARK

LET’S TALK SALARIES In light of the forthcoming National Living Wage increase, Benchmark MD Becca Morris sheds light on its potential impact on employers when it comes to hiring and retaining staff.

As all UK-based employers are undoubtedly aware, the new National Living Wage increases to £11.44 for workers over 21 from April 2024. The current minimum wage is set at £10.42 per hour for over-23s and £10.18 per hour for workers aged 21-22.

So, it’s a significant jump – in fact, it’s the largestever cash increase in the minimum wage to date.

An average working week of 37.5 hours on the new wage will put candidates on just over £22,000 a year, and that’s a non-negotiable factor that businesses need to work around.

However, what employers might not have considered is how this will also squeeze the wage gap between entry-level staff and more experienced staff. It’s important, therefore, that business owners use this interim time to review and benchmark wages across 46 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

the board ahead of the changes. In other words: it’s time to talk salaries.

As most of us will know simply by looking at our grocery and utility bills, the cost-of-living crisis is still biting hard. Naturally, the pandemic accelerated a growing focus on work-life balance when it came to job priorities for professionals, but salary remains the most important factor when attracting candidates to a

business – and in the current climate, competitive pay and progressive wage structures will determine how long they stay. This doesn’t mean that everyone in the business instantly requires a pay rise, but it’s increasingly incumbent on employers to provide a sense of clarity concerning job specifications and potential routes to increased wages.

What also can’t be underestimated is the impact of a global pandemic when it comes to inspiring people to shop around for jobs. There was an element of craving security during the lockdowns, of course, but people have come out of the other side feeling braver and more motivated than ever to make the jump if they’re feeling undervalued.

I’ve had more calls over the last few months from candidates at all levels exploring new jobs than I ever had pre-COVID. And if

middle-earners are feeling underpaid in their respective roles now, they certainly will be when the new legislation kicks in.

So, don’t let these incoming changes become a catalyst to missing out on ideal candidates and losing good staff. The goalposts are shifting and, now more than ever, it’s integral that businesses do their research and keep up. If needed, recruiters like ourselves will always be more than happy to steer you in the right direction on where wages are currently benchmarked for various roles.

It’s ultimately all about getting the pitch right, both to potential and current employees. Do that and the motivation, loyalty and productivity will follow!

Head to benchmark.co.uk/ contact-us for bespoke, efficient and dedicated recruitment advice

ANY OTHER BUSINESS S I M O DA

INNOVATING CONNECTIVITY: SIMODA’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE UPCOMING FOREFRONT ITS In this article, Charlotte Garner from Simoda with Jon Carr, Head of Communications Solutions, delve into the unique selling points of ITS and explore why it’s making waves as a disruptor in the industry.

As we inch closer to the Government’s promise of achieving 100% Gigabit capability by 2025, the demand for faster, more reliable internet services is skyrocketing. As a technological consultant company, not only do Simoda foresee this incoming demand, but have tracked down a company that is best suited to meet this necessity.

INTRODUCING ITS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. Aggressive Pricing: Redefining Affordability without Compromise ITS is committed to offering competitive pricing without compromising on quality. In fact, their pricing is consistently 25% to 50% lower than their competitors. By leveraging their agility and streamlined operations, ITS can pass on significant cost savings to their customers, making them an attractive option for businesses looking to optimise their budgets without compromising on internet connectivity.

Efficiency and Speed of Delivery: Where Swiftness Meets Service One of the key advantages of ITS is their efficiency and speed of service, qualities that align with our values at Simoda to ‘deliver operational agility’.

Unlike larger competitors, ITS operates with a lean infrastructure, allowing them to process orders immediately and dispatch 48 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

engineers promptly, meaning businesses can expect a faster turnaround time for installation and activation.

Business-Focused Approach: Precision Tailoring for Corporate Needs: As consultants navigating the technological needs of businesses, we appreciate ITS’s strategic focus on the corporate arena. More specifically Jon Carr, our Head of Communication Solutions, values ITS as it “primarily caters to the business market, which gives them an advantage in terms of agility and customer service.” By not dealing with legacy consumer bases, they can focus on providing quicker, slicker, and cheaper services to customers, prioritising the specific needs of businesses and delivering tailored solutions.

Brand New Infrastructure: The Advantage of Starting Fresh Being a relatively new player in the market, ITS has the advantage of not being burdened by legacy infrastructure. Unlike other providers who may have to deal with outdated copper wiring or transitioning customers from legacy products, ITS offers a brandnew infrastructure that just works. This allows for a smoother and more reliable connection, free from the complications that can arise from outdated systems.

Targeted Approach: Connecting the UK, One City at a Time ITS focuses exclusively on the UK market, allowing them to tailor their services to the specific needs of businesses in the region. By targeting major cities like Sheffield, ITS aims to bring fast internet connectivity

to every willing business by 2025. This commitment to coverage ensures that businesses, regardless of their location, can benefit from ITS’s affordable and reliable internet solutions.

Partnerships and Collaboration: Accelerating Connectivity with Trusted Alliances Simoda recognises the power of collaboration, and we are pleased to acknowledge our partnership with ITS. By joining forces, we aim to accelerate the adoption of their connectivity offerings in Sheffield and beyond.

ITS is making waves in the network market with its disruptive approach, aggressive pricing, and focus on efficiency and by working together, ITS and their partners aim to bring fast internet to everyone before 2025.

STEEL CACTUS

WHY REMOTE WORKING ISN’T FOR EVERYONE…

ARE YOU AGEIST?

Research reveals people from Yorkshire and the Humber experience high levels of age discrimination as England’s first ever anti-ageism campaign launches…

The Centre for Ageing Better has launched Age Without Limits, a hard-hitting new campaign highlighting the issue of ageism.

With new data from the charity revealing almost a third of people in Yorkshire and the Humber don’t expect to be in good physical health (28%), or to be mobile (27%) when they’re old, and are worried about it, the campaign hopes to change the way we all think about ageing, tackle prejudices and empower people to age with confidence.

Data also revealed half of adults aged over 50 in England have experienced age discrimination in the last year.

The new data demonstrates the way people internalise the negative stereotypes and misconceptions about ageing. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, affecting the way people perceive themselves, their self-esteem and what they think they are capable or worthy of.

Age Without Limits campaign supporter Danielle Barbereau (from Sheffield) said: “Having experienced ageism myself, I know first-hand how harmful it can be.

Our society would be a much better place if we did not have its negative influence holding us back. Don’t underestimate us, we can still play an important role in society.”

With at least a third of people holding ageist beliefs, and many likely not realising that they do, the campaign will be calling on the nation to change the way we think about ageing for the benefit of everyone.

The campaign makes the case that ageism, whilst often dismissed as being harmless, is actually detrimental to the lives of millions of people, impacting their opportunities, livelihoods, health and mental wellbeing.

This has a knock-on effect on our productivity and the economy. As our population is rapidly ageing, ageism has the potential to cause significant harm to our society in the future.

The three-year campaign will use advertising, PR and social media to spark debate and conversation about what ageism is and to challenge the way we all think about ageing. A new website will provide information, tools and resources, including a quiz for the nation to answer the question “Are You Ageist?”. Every year, there will be an opportunity for individuals, organisations and communities across England to join Age Without Limits in a day of action.

Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Ageism is the prejudice that’s hidden in plain sight. We see and hear casual ageism every day, it’s embedded in our society and even accepted as normal by many of us who are older.

“Ageism scars lives. It is often dismissed as being harmless, but if you look at the research, or speak to people whose lives have been affected by ageism, you will soon realise ageist ideas or beliefs can be incredibly damaging for us as individuals and for wider society.

Manufacturing recruitment expert Simon Gillott has told unLTD Business that candidates will need to get used to returning to the workplace more in the future.

He also warned employers that the scarcity of candidates is still a pressing issue and he expects companies to have to continue to move quickly if they want to snap up the best people for the job.

Simon explained that while many sectors are still happy for staff to split their time between in house and remote working, manufacturing companies were less inclined to do so, even for administrative jobs, as they wouldn’t want to create divisions between those could perform their roles effectively from home, and those who’s roles wouldn’t allow them to do so.

“There is still definitely a scarcity of candidates,” he told us. “Roles are filling quicker, often on more attractive terms as put simply, people know their value more now.

“But all that said, for those candidates hoping to work from home more, I’m finding my clients, partly due to the nature of the work and partly because they have historically worked in a certain way, are much less likely to encourage it. It’s totally understandable; covid created a period of reflection for people which enabled them to consider their work life balance, and then there’s the fact that costs such as petrol have increased so people would much rather avoid driving to work if they can. But nonetheless, it’s been nearly four years since the first lockdown and for most businesses, that initial covid upheaval is a thing of the past.”

Simon also had advice for candidates looking to land the better roles, which means brushing up their interview techniques.

“We meet all our candidates so we can coach them through the interview and recruitment process. There are less temp roles now, so employers really want to be blown away by the interview to make sure they hire the right candidate.”

For more info about the kind of roles Steel Cactus recruit for head to steel-cactus. co.uk.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 49

ELEVATE YOUR JOURNEY Looking for a lift that combines luxury and convenience? You can arrive at all of your events in style with Sheffield’s premier chauffeur service, 1511 Concierge.

Their spacious Mercedes Benz Jet Class is more than a way of getting from A to B; it’s a haven of luxury on wheels, designed to create the perfect travel experience.

KICK BACK AND RELAX From free Wi-Fi that keeps to a PlayStation 5 kitted with the latest games, plus dual TV screens featuring Apple TV and Netflix - your journey is not just a commute; it’s an entertainment extravaganza.

GET COMFORTABLE Sink into heated massage seats, ensuring every mile is a comfy one. Stay charged with wireless chargers for your devices, making sure that you’re ready for the day or evening ahead.

ENJOY THE AMBIENCE Bask in the glow of the starlight roof and customisable ambient lighting, meaning you can create

50 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

an atmosphere that complements the mood perfectly.

WORK ON THE GO Heading to a big meeting and need to ensure you’re prepped?

Folding tables are available so you can set up a remote office while you travel.

TURN UP THE TUNES Whether you’re immersing yourself in a film or getting the party vibes going with some music, the Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System is on hand to get the acoustics just right.

Offering a wide range of customisable packages and services, 1511 is the perfect option for a wide range of services including airport transfers, nights out, city breaks, VIP day chauffeur, proms, weddings or any type of special event where you’re looking for a journey of opulence and ease.

Ready to book your ride? Call 07803332800 or DM on Instagram (@1511 Concierge) for a quote.

BUSINESS VILLAGE CASE STUDY

Everything's sweet at The Business Village in Barnsley…

They now have their own on-site chocolate factory!

The new hands-on STEM educational venture was launched by Jamie Ashpole, who is director of established engineering company, JJA Pack, based in Rotherham. Jamie and his team design, build, install and maintain machinery for chocolate factories all over the world and count the best-known brands amongst their clients.

Their new JJA Snack chocolate production line aims to give young people a taste of manufacturing too. Educational packages will lead them through the entire production process for chocolate, from raw cocoa bean to finished bar.

“I want to give youngsters an insight into what manufacturing involves, through a fun, hands-on opportunity to design and make their own chocolate bar. I love what I do, and I really would like more young people to think about a career in engineering.

When I travel to chocolate factories all over the world, I’m struck by how it is mostly older people working in them. I’d really like to see that change.”

Jamie has partnered with Siemens to use their Insights Cloud Software on the project, so children will be able use the latest smart technology to track the production process, using data capture, AI machine controls and digital dashboards.

“Engineering has been transformed by smart control systems in recent years allowing us to remotely monitor activity, detect problems and fix them before costly breakdowns. It’s not just nuts and bolts anymore.

Everything has got more high-tech and opened up more scope for creativity too. To my mind, I work in the coolest industry on the planet. It’s all about chocolate and robots – what’s not to like!”

Jamie has invested more than £70,000 in kitting out and customising his

chocolate factory for young people and is creating two new jobs in 2024. Although Jamie was not directly inspired by the Willy Wonka movie, he shares the famous factory owner’s passion for chocolate production.

“It’s funny launching our chocolate factory just when a new Wonka film is in cinemas but this wasn’t planned, we’re not that organised! However, if we can attract more kids to take a closer look at engineering through chocolate, that’s my dream come true.”

Jamie, who lives in

Barnsley, set up his new enterprise at The Business Village after entering the ‘Barnsley Means Business’ competition earlier this year. The prize was one year’s subsidised rent for a new tenant and his unique proposal and robust business plan secured him this deal on a 950 sq ft workspace.

“We were delighted to receive Jamie’s application to build his chocolate factory in one of our units at The Business Village; and only too happy to support him as he establishes this new community venture,” said Adrian Waite, Barnsley Business Village Chief Executive. “The Business Village exists to support innovation, job creation and economic growth; and we’re very keen on new technology and investment in learning too so it’s a great fit. We welcome Jamie to our business community and look forward to seeing budding engineers get hands-on in his chocolate factory.”

JJA Snack will use the line to produce its own milk, dark and white chocolate bars – Insight, Inspire and Innovation. The Business Village has ordered 700 bespoke bars as gifts for tenants and partners, while contracts have been secured to supply branded bars for sports teams including Sheffield Steelers, Leeds Knights and Swindon Wildcats.

THE HOME OF BUSINESS IN BARNSLEY We provide small businesses with a supportive environment that nurtures business growth with our wide range of meeting and office space in Barnsley.

Visit: www.business-village.co.uk 52 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 52

SHOWROOM

SHOWING THE WAY FORWARD Recent data shows how Sheffield’s Showroom Workstation has supported SMEs to generate in excess of £340m in combined turnover during its 30-year history, analysis of tenant surveys has revealed.

The venue, which is home to hundreds of creative, digital and cultural organisations, opened in 1993 as the city’s first collaborative hub supporting independent businesses.

Data from tenant surveys has also revealed details about its impact. For each decade that Showroom Workstation has been open, combined tenant turnover has doubled. In excess of 600 people are based onsite in an average year and more than 250 businesses have been housed there during its history to date. Added to this, businesses based in Showroom Workstation have created an average of 20 jobs annually - indicating the true scale of opportunity possible when SMEs are housed under one roof.

Alongside providing office space, Showroom Workstation hosts more than 1,100 conferences and events in a typical year, the majority of which are designed to bring the creative, digital and cultural sectors together.

The hub is marking its 54 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

30th anniversary with an event on Friday 15 March, which will include a keynote speech from South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and a panel discussion featuring notable business and cultural leaders.

Ian Wild, CEO of Showroom Workstation, said: “Showroom Workstation has always and will always champion the importance of collaboration to bolster success of independent businesses. The fact that SMEs housed here over the years have been able to generate such a huge economic boost, creating thousands of jobs along the way, is a true testament to their individual and combined brilliance.

The space first reached full occupancy in 2000.

Currently, 37% of tenants have been located in Showroom Workstation for ten years or more.

It has been home to many notable creators and entrepreneurs who have founded businesses including multi BAFTA-winning Warp

Films and technology firm Razor.

Mark Herbert, Founder and Joint CEO of Warp Films, said: “We were proud to call the Showroom Workstation our home for many years.

It was a place our business could grow and connect with like-minded professionals and creatives, helping each other to thrive in our respective fields. We’ve since scaled up and moved to bigger premises in the city and it’s thanks to the opportunities that we were able to access in the early stages of our journey that we’re in the position we are now.”

Looking at the history of the Showroom Workstation, the art deco building opened as Kennings car showroom in 1936, before closing its doors in the 1970s. Sheffield Council acquired the site in 1983, with work to convert it to a workspace completing in 1990.

Charitable organisation Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre (SMEC) was formed in 1991, in

preparation for the building reopening to businesses and members of the public. The Workstation was opened to tenants in 1993, with around ten SMEs calling it home in year one.

The Showroom Cinema soon followed, opening its doors in 1995. Showroom Workstation (SRWS) was then created. SRWS still operates under the SMEC charity to this day, with its objectives to galvanise the cultural and creative industries of Sheffield.

In terms of the future of Showroom Workstation, the organisation has just undergone a brand refresh to mark its anniversary and plans to continually restore the 1930s building and ensure it maintains a strong visual presence for people arriving in Sheffield.

The anniversary event, titled ‘How culture, creative and digital thrives under one roof’, will take place 12noon1.30pm on Friday 15 March.

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TIME FOR TAX YEAR-END PLANNING With Christmas and the New Year over, it is time to turn your thoughts to planning for the tax year end.

While many parts of the tax landscape have been frozen, such as the personal allowance and most income tax thresholds, that does not mean you should ignore tax year-end planning as we approach 5 April.

Among the areas to consider are: • Pension contributions: The tax limits for pension contributions were eased at the start of the current tax year.

You may now be able to make contributions for the first time in some years. But take care – just to complicate matters further, the rules will be changing yet again from 6 April 2024.

• Capital gains tax (CGT): Now is the time to review your investments and consider whether to realise gains up to your annual exemption. This is particularly important in 2023/24 as the exemption of £6,000 will fall to £3,000 in the next tax year.

• Individual savings account (ISA) contributions: Your annual ISA allowance is £20,000 (£9,000 for Junior ISAs), which cannot be carried forward. With the personal savings 56 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

allowance frozen and the dividend allowance and CGT exemption both halving in 2024/25, the case for maximising ISAs has arguably never been stronger.

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until 5 April 2024 to claim the marriage allowance for that year (£1,190). A claim can only be made if the other partner was a basic rate taxpayer in that tax year. The same principle applies for 2019/20 onwards.

• Income planning: Frozen allowances and tax thresholds mean you could move from being a basic rate taxpayer now to a higher rate taxpayer in 2024/25. Similarly, from April you might be caught for the first time by the High Income Child Benefit Charge or personal allowance taper. Actions to limit the larger tax bill

include bringing forward income into 2023/24 or transferring incomegenerating investments to your spouse/civil partner by 5 April.

When it comes to tax, it is best to seek advice before taking any action. The team at SMH Financial Services can help on 0114 266 4432 or info@smh.group.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

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AUSTIN FLETCHER

BUILDING BUSINESS

Wayne Fletcher, Founder and Director of Austin Fletcher, reflects on the first few years of business and previews a packed schedule for 2024.

You’re now entering your fifth year of business.

How’s the journey been so far and what are the aims for 2024?

It’s been very positive and the business has grown year on year. The last two years in particular has seen strong growth and we’ll be celebrating five years as a business in May, which has absolutely flown by! We’ve had the pleasure of working with some great clients and consultants over the last few years, and have plenty of work secured going forward into 2024. The aim is to continue that growth and we are looking to recruit people in the process. Bringing in the right people will be key to continue building the business in a sustainable, stable, and organic manner.

Now you’re approaching a big milestone, are there any important lessons learned or key experiences for you to reflect on?

We’ve had plenty of challenges to face over the last few years. The business only started trading a few months before the Covid pandemic hit which I have spoken about before, and then further global factors such as the war in Ukraine saw material costs fluctuate significantly again which impacted some of our projects. Throw in inflation and the general economic situation in the UK, or the world in general, and you can see there has been some interesting hurdles to navigate, not only as a business but some of which determine or affect how we deliver our services for our clients. That said, we’ve adapted well and worked 58 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

hard to build the business up to what it is today. I tend to be fairly risk averse and I think being cautious with some of the decisions made early on, particularly in terms of investment, the projects we have taken on, and recruitment, has held us in good stead to a point where we can now make those moves and push forward with more confidence.

Are there any exciting projects currently in the works?

Plenty! Our project on Fargate is about to go out to tender, we are also involved in a number of community projects, some of which I can’t say too much about just

yet, but one is the Highfield Adventures community centre which was featured on Calendar news a couple of months ago. They’ve been great to work with and we’re really looking forward to seeing that development making a positive impact in the area. There are a few large residential/domestic developments in the pipeline as well, so we’ve got a good variety of projects in a number of sectors which is leading to an exciting and busy year ahead.

Austin Fletcher is a property and construction consultancy supporting individuals, businesses and organisations across the UK. Get in touch at austinfletcher.co.uk

OPPORTUNITIES On the back of some exciting appointments going into 2024 and beyond, Austin Fletcher has a number of positions opening up for Quantity Surveyors and Principal Designers.

Interested parties should email their CV to info@ austinfletcher.co.uk FAO Wayne Fletcher.

CALL 07803332800 OR DM ON INSTAGRAM (@1511 CONCIERGE) FOR A QUOTE.

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APPOINTMENTS

The new face of PJ taste We caught up with Shaun Davies who has taken over the reins at Sheffield’s esteemed sustainable catering company, PJ taste, to find out about his new role.

Congratulations on the new role Shaun, when did you officially make the move to PJ taste?

I started with PJ taste at the beginning of the month after a little bit of a break over Christmas. After a long time in the hospitality industry, it was lovely to have a break and celebrate Christmas with Family and friends.

How does is compare to your past hospitality work?

My background has revolved around events and hospitality for a mix of large multinational companies and SMEs. What I love about PJ taste is that we’re employee-owned, which empowers the team to be the driving force behind the business.

What drove you to make this move for your career?

To be honest, it was the right opportunity at the right time! I’d been working away from home, and whilst I enjoyed the position, the travel wasn’t sustainable, so I started looking for the right role! The timing was perfect and company values exceeded my criteria.

What does your typical day-to-day look like in your new role, and how has it been adjusting to the move?

One thing I’ve learnt about catering is that there’s no such thing as typical! Now, I’m taking the time to get 62 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

to know the business and the team, so I could be doing anything from delivering catering, spending time in the kitchen, discussing menus, networking or meeting suppliers and clients.

It’s been great! It’s always daunting starting a new job, but everyone has been so kind (and patient) while I’m learning the ropes! I’ve been spending a great deal of time getting to understand the nature of the company and quite how important its history is as we move forward together.

Most importantly, the team all enjoy being here, which means that although it’s busy, there’s always a great atmosphere!

What is your vision for PJ taste?

That’s a big question! In the short term, we’re transitioning to an online ordering system which will make life easier for our office, production, and delivery teams and be more convenient for our clients. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the everpopular PJ taste Sheffield Egg! Whilst we haven’t officially launched the celebration plan, I can say that it’s going to be an exciting few months working with local businesses and producers!

In the distant future, we want to continue doing what we do best, supplying the best catering in Sheffield whilst being an advocate for local produce and sustainably growing our business.

STEEL CACTUS BRANCH OUT Manufacturing recruitment specialists Steel Cactus have recently marked their one year anniversary by expanding their team.

Joining Managing Director Simon Gillott is recruitment resourcer Jessica Fairbrother, who has ten years of experience in the industry, having worked for the likes of Bromak, Adept Resourcing and Capita.

Simon said: “We’ve grown really well over the first year of being in business. So I began to find it a real challenge resourcing the jobs alongside the business development side of things.

“But now with Jessica on board, our skills combine perfectly so we are able to give our clients the best possible service.”

1

number of years Steel Cactus have been in business

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce appoint new president Sheffield businessman and communications specialist Alexis Krachai has been appointed Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s new President.

Alexis is a NonExecutive Director on the Chamber’s board and led the organisation during the pandemic as Co-Interim Chief Executive, alongside the now permanent Chief Executive Louisa Harrison-Walker.

He brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, as both Managing Director of specialist communications agency Counter Context

and a leading figure in the region’s business community.

Alexis took over from the outgoing President Karen Mosley, Managing Director of HLM Architects and outlined plans for his upcoming two-year term, with a focus on supporting businesses and spearheading cultural investment in Sheffield.

Alexis said: “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of being President of the Chamber and representing our members.

“Together there is nothing we cannot achieve in Sheffield, but we must

not dodge the difficult conversations about how to build greater strength and resilience in our economy.

Without a stronger economy,

we cannot address the inequality in the city or face the mounting challenges like energy and food price rises and the impacts of extreme weather.

“Sheffield does not get enough funding for culture from the Government. The solution to that starts with us locally. I will be working hard to make the case that local businesses have such an important role to play by investing in culture and making Sheffield one of the most exciting and interesting places to be 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

GRAVITATE ACCOUNTING WELCOME TEN NEW TEAM MEMBERS Sheffield-based Gravitate Accounting has made ten hires in the last six months to support its continued expansion as the firm nears its 200 limited company client milestone.

The business, which offers outsourced Financial Director (FD) and Financial Controller (FC) services, Xero cloud software and digital accounting services, works closely with a range of startups, scale-ups, SMEs and large businesses nationwide.

In the last six months, Gravitate Accounting has made ten hires to bolster its in-house team. These are Client FD Daniel Morris, Client FC Adam Betts, Client FC Aaron Clarke, Digital Accountant Stacy Shaw, Assistant Digital Accountant Kallum Dickinson, Executive Assistant Becci Woolhouse, Marketing Executive Emily Jane Redfern, Office Support James Wigfield and Digital Apprentices Chloe Parker and Niamh Mcauley-Eyre.

Client Financial Controller Adam Betts is the newest member to join the team, bringing more than seven years of accounting experience, having joined the Gravitate Accounting team from Brown McLeod Chartered Accountants in Sheffield.

Adam said: “I’m excited to be joining the Gravitate Accounting team, it’s a firm which is known for looking after its people and clients

really well.

“The idea of continually disrupting the accountancy sector and staying ahead of the curve with digital accountancy practices really appeals to me. This role will mean I get to work closely with clients to add tangible strategic financial value alongside delivering day-today accountancy advice.”

Sam Newton, co-owner of Gravitate Accounting, added: “It’s fantastic to

welcome so many brilliant people to the team. They are all great characters who demonstrate our core values and are building relationships with our growing client base.

“It’s important to have a trusted network of people in your working life, both inside and outside of the company you work for, so bringing likeminded individuals together to keep fit provides a buzz for everyone involved.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 63

CHARITY

PAINTING DONCASTER YELLOW Yorkshire Air Ambulance have announced their inaugural ‘Yellow Yorkshire’ race day festival at Doncaster Racecourse.

Taking place on Saturday 27th April 2024, the racecourse will turn yellow to celebrate all things Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire, operating two state-of-the-art helicopters to ensure rapid responses to emergencies seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You can secure your spot at the first ‘Yellow Yorkshire’ race day by purchasing tickets through Yorkshire Air Ambulance, choosing your donation amount. Not only can you contribute to a vital cause, but also benefit from savings on standard gate entry prices.

Alternatively, you can elevate your experience with the hospitality package,

encompassing a variety of amenities including a threecourse meal, a race card, a thoughtful gift for each guest, a private bar facility, a secluded balcony for optimal race viewing and more.

Yorkshire businesses also have the opportunity to get involved with race sponsorship, promising an

unforgettable day at the races, coupled with various advertising benefits.

Katie Collinson, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Partnerships Manager, said: “The Yellow Yorkshire race day is the perfect event for businesses seeking to give back to their local community while enjoying a fantastic day out

with colleagues and clients.

“We are grateful to all businesses that have already purchased tickets and hope that many more will join us in supporting this vital cause. It is set to be a brilliant day with an incredible atmosphere, and it brings great joy to witness everyone uniting in support on the day!”.

GRIPPLE ARE CREATING DREAMS, RAISING OVER £28K FOR LOCAL CHARITY Gripple are creating dreams, raising over £28k for local charity Gripple, the Sheffield-based, employee-owned manufacturer of wire joiners, tensioners and suspension solutions, is celebrating a bumper year for its fundraising efforts, raising over £28,000 for the Create a Dream Foundation.

Employees also raised a further £25,000 in their own individual and team fundraising efforts for several other local charities, plus the fundraising arm of Gripple, the Gripple Foundation, donated 1% of its budgeted profit.

In January 2023, the Gripple Foundation announced Create a Dream Foundation, a Sheffieldbased charity that helps fund gifts for seriously ill young people across 64 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

South Yorkshire, as its nominated charity for the year.

The money raised by Gripple will be put towards trips to destinations such as Centre Parcs, for safari experiences, Disneyland Paris, to a ride on the Polar Express and more,

making children’s dreams come true.

Ed Stubbs, Gripple’s Global Managing Director, said: “We are extremely proud of our people for all the effort they have made to raise funds for Create a Dream Foundation – what they’ve achieved is truly inspirational!

“It is fantastic that our donation will mean the children who are facing such difficulties can enjoy extra special trips out with their family and friends.”

Ailsa Watson from Create a Dream Foundation added: “A huge thank you to everyone at Gripple for all being such amazing people!

“We are so grateful for your outstanding efforts in the past year – it is more than we could ever have hoped for!”

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PUTTING RIVALRIES ASIDE FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CHARITY The Children’s Hospital Charity have joined forces with two Sheffield footballing icons, announcing ex-Sheffield United player Harry Maguire as their latest patron and Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan as a new ambassador for the charity.

Owls captain Bannan has supported the charity throughout his time with the club, last year auctioning one of his shirts, raising £2,655.

To kick off his new role, Barry is hosting a sold-out event ‘An Evening with Barry Bannan and Friends’ at Sheffield’s Mercure St Paul’s on 3rd March, raising vital funds for the charity.

Once a patient himself, Manchester United’s Maguire has also joined the charity in its mission to help change the lives of patients who rely on Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s services.

The England footballer visited the hospital in December, handing out signed memorabilia and talking to the children on the wards.

Speaking about his new role, Barry said: “I have visited Sheffield Children’s many times with the team, and it is incredible to see the work they do for children and their families.

“To hold this event and to be able to give something back to the hospital is amazing. We’re so grateful to everyone who is attending and it’s amazing to see how quickly the event has sold out.”

Following the announcement, Harry also said: “I’m honoured to be invited to be a patron of this amazing cause. Growing up, Sheffield Children’s was always there for me and my siblings.

“The staff are brilliant, and the patients I met were so positive despite being in a hospital. It was truly inspiring.

As soon as you step foot in the hospital, you can see it’s full of joy and care.

“The Charity does amazing things and I’m looking forward to getting involved and making a difference.”

Love is in the air As it is Valentine’s Day this month, and I am encouraging you to love everyone around you! The most loving thing we can do sometimes is just listen to what really matters to our beneficiaries, our volunteers, staff and trustees.

How about drawing up some questionnaires to capture what your community thinks about you? It is always good to get feedback from the people who know you best.

Gathering evidence of the need for what you do is central to many funding applications, like the National Lottery Awards for All and Reaching Communities – they want to know that your community want and that they need what you are offering, not that you have had a great idea that no one is interested in.

Asking a group of your beneficiaries to complete a

questionnaire or take part in a focus group is fantastic for your organisation. Writing case studies relating to how you have made a difference to people you have helped, taking them from one situation to another one which improves their circumstances.

It should be an ongoing request, but asking for testimonials about how great your services are takes you halfway to getting them done. Remember to put them on your website too, as well as on social media channels. People like to hear what other people think about you, so let them know.

Blowing one’s own trumpet may not come easily, but ensure that you are letting people know how good you are at what you do, take pride in how well you deliver and make a difference, and then let everyone else know!

Funders won’t award grants to people who can’t deliver!

If you need more help with this or any aspect of Business Planning/Funding Strategy, call me Wendy Ward, Let’s Save Consultancy Services, 0772 9481010. wendy@letssave.biz unLTDBUSINESS.COM 65

UK Cities See £3 Billion Loss Due to Shift in Remote Working On a mission to enhance the Sheffield region’s society and economy, the Sheffield Property Association has engaged Kada Research to assess the effect of work-fromhome practices. The report, which outlines key impacts and recommendations for successful mitigation, sheds light on the changing dynamics of the workplace in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expressing his excitement about the campaign, Director of S-PA, Tim Bottrill, explained the transformative impact this research will have on the region’s planning framework: “On behalf of the Sheffield Property Association, I extend my sincere appreciation to Kada Research for their outstanding work and commitment to our shared vision of a prosperous and thriving city.

“It is through this collaborative effort that we have been able to uncover key trends, assess Sheffield-specific impacts, and predict future trends related to the evolving workplace landscape. This research enables us to better understand the changing dynamics of the workplace and make informed decisions to support the future economic prosperity of our city.”

Changes in work patterns, coupled with an increase in remote work, have led to a £3 billion reduction in spending in the UK’s largest city centres. Sheffield, where many city centre employers operate at less than 25% 66 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

occupancy, has experienced the fourth-highest surge in remote work.

Sheffield, with many employers operating at less than 25% occupancy, has seen the fourth-highest increase in remote work.

The report aimed to analyse global remote work trends, assess effects on Sheffield, gather stakeholder insights, and forecast future trends to ensure a thriving city centre.

The number of UK remote workers escalated from 4.7 million to 9.9 million between 2019 and 2022, and the subsequent drop in spending resulted in a significant £3 billion loss in the largest city centres. The report showcases the vulnerability of city centres, particularly those with a high density of professionals, and suggests these changes may persist.

Hybrid work trends show UK daily office occupancy averaged around 30% at the end of 2022, with lower rates on Mondays and Fridays.

Recent data indicates an increase to 35.9% in April 2023, suggesting an increased trend of people returning to the office.

Employers’ concerns about the potential negative impact of remote work on productivity and the benefits of in-person collaboration are also addressed in the report.

While some businesses mandate two to three days of office work, employees appreciate the enhanced well-being that hybrid work offers. The report reveals that Sheffield benefits from remote work by retaining the spending of the 37,500 Sheffield residents who work outside the city. However,

it highlights the instability of businesses reliant on city centre workers and highlights the need for a diverse city population.

Director of S-PA, Rob Darrington, said: “It’s fantastic to get this level of insight into a topic that affects so many of us in our daily working lives. This is the first time anyone has looked at working-from-home patterns following the pandemic on a local and national level in this level of detail.

“The report shows value in not only acting as a snapshot analysis of the impact of working from home but also with its recommendations for going forward based on the findings of the research. We hope the recommendations are taken on board to ensure that the impact it has on local economies can be mitigated.”

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