unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #7

NOVEMBER 2018 | ISSUE 7 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

Y R E V A

NEW ERA

From a Hong Kong village to spearheading Sheffield’s ‘Chinatown’ – we meet Jerry Cheung

FOCUS ON:

ROTHERHAM RESURGENCE’S

Getting to know

THE ‘YOUNGER, FRIENDLY FACE OF INSURANCE’

EVENTS CALENDAR | BUSINESS AWARDS PREVIEW | ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS DOs | OFFICE INTERIORS unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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CONTENTS

41 OFFICEINTERIORS

30 JERRYCHEUNG

60 ACTUSINSURANCE

65 SHEFFIELDCHAMBERAWARDSPREVIEW 4

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CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE...

6: News Business growth, award wins, milestones and survey results.

14: If You Ask Me...

We speak to three industry experts to find out how important digital transformation is for firms to meet their current challenges.

22: Calendar There’s events galore throughout November but we’ve got you covered with our definitive events guide.

37 & 59: Five minutes with...

We take time out to have a chat with retired Major Edward Colver MBE, MD of Milifix Ltd, and Jim O’Connor owner of 50/50 Comics.

44: Focus On Rotherham We look at how Rotherham’s economic regeneration strategy is heading in the right direction.

53: Your Pitch DeeperThanBlue Analytics help organisations make the most of their data. Operations director Simon Harrison tells us more.

56: Company Culture Tufcot MD Greg Majchrzak reveals how ensuring all employees work together means everyone shares in the company’s success.

72: Alternative Christmas Dos Looking for a Christmas do with a difference? Checkout our list of venues with a twist.

78: Weekend Escapes We visit Scotland’s hidden treasure the Cowal peninsula.

82: Number Crunch We grab a few stats and figures on skills shortages and recruitment.

EVERYTHING ELSE...

11: Appointments 13: Diary 19: In a nutshell 21: Evolving technology 27: Getting down to business 29: Securing your assets 38: Charity 51: Property talks 55: Launchpad business showcase

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SOME OF THE UNLTD TEAM AT A NETWORKING EVENT AT STREET FOOD CHEF

PHOTO: DEAN ATKINS

MORE EVERY MONTH! unLTD will be coming at you more regularly as this issue marks the first monthly publication.

Frankly, we have been blown away by the way we have been received by the Sheffield City Region business community since our first issue exactly a year ago.

Our aim from day one was to talk about business and our working lives in a way that reflects the changing nature of our area. There’s so much going on – mostly good – that it is only right we have increased our frequency to reflect this.

Tech and the way we use it affects every business. We have asked experts from three separate sectors about how ‘digital transformation’ is something that every organisation should be considering.

Craig Such, the founder of tech company Azzure IT, has overseen rapid growth at his Sheffield Business Park-based firm. What he has to say is worth listening to as he pretty much wrote the book on digital transformation.

Jo Gilpin from Yorkshire’s biggest firm of independent Chartered Accountants explains about the impending Making Tax Digital while Doncaster Chamber of Commerce’s Rebecca Leam talks about the need for companies to adapt to the changing world.

Our cover star this month is a man familiar to many in the Sheffield business community.

Jerry Cheung is the driving force behind the development, dubbed the city’s ‘Chinatown’, that is springing up on the western edge of the city centre.

We’re sure you’ll find Peter Kay’s wide-ranging interview with Jerry an excellent read. The plans Jerry has in strengthening business links between the city and China should provide numerous opportunities for local firms.

Jerry’s first home when he moved to England was in Rotherham and this month we take a look at the resurgent economy of the town.

Rotherham has received its share of bad publicity, and there is still much to do, but the numbers don’t lie. The town is doing very well for itself and with the Tram Train route now up and running things are definitely on the up.

As usual our events calendar is packed – but bias klaxon! – we hope you’ll join us our second business social on Tuesday November 13.

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General editorial@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7760 ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 Alexandra Scrivener alexandra@unLTDbusiness.com 07944 325 861 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Faye Bailey accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Marc Barker Natalie Harrison Tim Bottrill Peter Kay Isobel Buffin Sarah-Louise Kelsey Mike Durham Sam Leeder Hannah Ellis Andy Palmer Andy Hanselman

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media LTD Unit 1B Rialto 2 Kelham Island Square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HR Media LTD Speedwell Works, 75 Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media LTD and HR 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 and HR Media LTD cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

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AGENDA NEWS First tenants relocate to new business park Neways Chartered Building Company is the first to relocate to a £2.5m Sheffield business park.

The speculative investment at Winston Business Park by owners L&T Grayson Investments Ltd, prompted the move

by Neways – a chartered building company serving the north of England and the Midlands.

£500 GRANT FROM UKSE HAS HELPED GROBOTICS TO GROW

PLANT SCIENCE FIRM £2.5M GROWTH AFTER BOOST The cost of the new Winston Business Park in Chapeltown

A Rotherham start-up has turned an ‘idea on the back of an envelope into an actual business’ after accessing regional support.

Entrepreneurs Alexis Moschopoulos and Richard Banks have designed new smart plant growth chambers for plant science research, enabling scientists to more reliably and precisely control experiments.

Richard: “We signed up the Y-Accelerator programme and it helped turn an idea on the back of an envelope into an actual business.”

Y-Accelerator enables the city region’s next business leaders to benefit from a three-month intensive development programme featuring expert advice, mentor support and specialist

The business appears to have good growth opportunities ahead. workshops, plus the chance to pitch to high-profile investors including Mercia Technologies, Angels Group, Jenton Group and UK Steel Enterprise.The programme is delivered by Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, Rotherham Investment

and Development Office (RiDO) and Sheffield Hallam University.

Alexis said: “It really helped us focus on our ideas and confirm our beliefs about our product and our target customers. Also, the training was very helpful for us to concisely pitch for investment on such a niche and complicated subject.”

The duo expect to launch the product to market by the end of 2018 after undergoing rigorous testing in UK universities, and thanks to a grant from UK Steel Enterprise’s (UKSE) Kickstart scheme.

Allan Wood of UKSE said: “The business appears to have good growth opportunities ahead and we hope it can quickly establish its place in the market.”

Got news and views of your own? Let us know!

Get in touch with your press releases, ideas and suggestions: editorial@unltdbusiness.com Or find and chat to us online: Twitter @unLTDbusiness LinkedIn: Unltd Business Instagram: unltdbusiness

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The letting is the first at the new Chapeltown industrial estate on Churchill Way at J35a of the M1.

Leon Grayson of Neways said: “It’s an exciting time to be working in the building industry.

It’s changing rapidly and we’re changing with it.

“The new site is ideally located close to J35a and offers direct access to the M1. The unit was tailored to suit our requirements and offers storage with head office style accommodation.”

Winston Business Park sits in an established commercial location in north Sheffield which already boasts occupiers including South Yorkshire Police and Britglass. It also adjoins Thorncliffe Business Park – one of the region’s largest out of town business parks and home to a mixture of office and industrial occupiers including BBraun Medical Ltd.

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AGENDA Europa expands into Steel City The UK’s largest independent freight forwarder, Europa Worldwide Group, is expanding into Sheffield.

The company’s new Europa Road Sales Branch office is opening at Broadfield Close Business Park, in Heeley.

Europa Road is a dedicated division for import and export logistics and the site will create opportunities for the team to provide collection and distribution services across South Yorkshire, allowing shipments to be exported across Europe on a daily basis departing on the same night.

‘LITTLE RED’ IS THE LATEST EDU-TECH GAME FROM TWINKL

FIRST MULTI-PLAYER AR GAME CREATED BY SHEFFIELD’S TWINKL The first ever augmented reality (AR) product for multi-players and devices has been launched by Twinkl Educational Publishing.

‘Little Red’ is the latest edu-tech game from Twinkl and teaches children to code and collaborate as they work together to help Little Red Riding Hood through the forest.

The game, suitable for children aged over five, was created by Twinkl’s team of teachers, graphic designers,

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One of the mode features of Twinkl’s new AR game

illustrators, app developers and content writers. Pete Casson, chief technology officer at Twinkl, based on Ecclesall Road,

said: “It’s quick and easy to use and the beauty of the game is that, although it follows the English National Curriculum for coding, it can be used anytime and anywhere and not just as part of IT lessons.

“We have over 500 resources about Little Red Riding Hood on the Twinkl website, so the game can be included as part of a wider scheme or during a lesson in a different subject area.”

The game supports up to four devices with two players and two viewers.

Northern businesses confident of the future Northern businesses are highly confident about the future, despite the uncertainty of Brexit.

According to a report by international law firm CMS on the sentiment of leading businesses across the North of England, more than 89 per cent say they are positive about the growth prospects of the Northern Powerhouse.

Corporate North surveyed

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more than 150 business leaders from across all regions of the north about their view of the state of the north of England’s economy and their future growth prospects as businesses operating in the north.

From the survey, 78.6 per cent of businesses are fairly or strongly positive about their growth prospects for the next year, with two thirds planning to recruit new staff in the next six

89%

The number of northern businesses positive about the growth prospects of the Northern Powerhouse

months. Just 6.1 per cent were negative about their company’s prospects.

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The number of Europa branches.

Dionne Redpath, branch network and sales director at Europa, said: “To provide the best service, we’re always looking for new ways in which we can grow and develop the business, and we believe there is a huge opportunity in Sheffield. It’s actually my home town and it’s where I started my career as a transport buyer, so I’m thrilled to announce that we have extended our network there.”

This is the latest expansion into Europa’s network of 13 branches, situated across the UK and beyond, all linked to 1hub in Dartford.

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AGENDA HOT • Boeing Sheffield has announced three South Yorkshire firms have won deals to supply all the raw materials to its new £20m Sheffield factory – Maher Ltd, Liberty Speciality Steels and MetLase Ltd. • CPP has scooped a hat trick of awards – ‘the most active agents’ in the Estates Gazette Sheffield League, Best Agents in Yorkshire, and Best Agents in the East Midlands 2018, all at recent industry ceremonies.

• Free cake! Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster marked its 50th anniversary with a cupcake giveaway.

• Sheffield’s first bar devoted to ice hockey FirePit Rocks on West Street has signed sponsorship arrangements with Sheffield Steelers, Sutton Sting and the Sheffield Bears.

• Crystal Peaks Shopping Mall has won the prestigious Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Award for the seventh year running and also picked up a special award for best conservation project in the annual contest that forms part of Britain in Bloom.

• City Region mayor Dan Jarvis praised the ‘vital contribution’ made by members of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber at the Chamber Means Business event.

COOL • Designer Orla Kiely pulled out of the Off The Shelf festival where she was scheduled to talk about her book ‘A Life In Pattern’ after her fashion business was put into liquidation.

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TASTY TRIUMPH FOR FOOD CIRCLE A start-up business helping people eat more healthily for less enjoyed a taste of success after scooping the Hallam University Enterprise award.

Hallam history graduate James Barthorpe and his business partner Paul Simpson launched Food Circle in January.

Appalled at the quantity of good quality food and drink products routinely going to waste, the duo decided to create the first online UK-based retailer offering surplus ‘in-date’ healthy products to customers at half the recommended retail price.

Caroline Nouvellon, SHU Enterprise Team Manager, said: “These awards provide our talented students and graduates with an opportunity to showcase their businesses, entrepreneurial flair and professionalism. Their passion, drive and belief in their businesses combined with their resilience when meeting the challenges and set-backs they have all encountered, has made them worthy and deserving finalists.

“I am confident that all of their ventures have the potential for success and sustainability in the years ahead.”

SHU RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FROM SANTANDER BELLA GAMSU (CENTRE) WITH FOOD CIRCLE’S PAUL SIMPSON AND JAMES BARTHORPE

£10,000 prize money up for grabs on the night

In addition to winners Food Circle, the two runners-up were – The Happiness Bootcamp, a social enterprise created by psychology student Amiee Browse, which helps people combat their mental health issues through physical exercise, and Fula Flavour, a range of chilli sauces inspired by business and human resource management graduate Hawa Soh’s culinary childhood experiences in Guinea, West Africa.

New technologies ‘could boost UK GDP by £200bn’ New technology like AI, automation and robotics could pave the way for better working conditions – including higher pay and reduced workloads – a new TUC report says.

Government and business estimate that new technologies could boost UK GDP by at least £200bn in the next decade. But most UK workers (51 per cent) expect that the benefits of new technology will be hoarded by managers and shareholders,

rather than shared fairly between managers, shareholders and ordinary workers (34 per cent).

The TUC says that the government must act now to make sure workers share in these gains, by raising workers’ living standards and giving them more control at work.

Full time workers in the UK put in some of the longest hours in the EU and rack up £32 billion worth of unpaid overtime. New analysis in the

£200bn The amount estimated that new technologies could boost UK GDP by in the next decade

report shows that the number of people working all seven days of the week has now reached more than 1.4 million.

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AGENDA

SHEFFIELD’S OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK RACES TO TOP OF THE CLASS Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park has received a glowing report for its work to engage hundreds of children and young people in education from Darnall and Attercliffe and the wider Sheffield City Region.

Latest figures show almost 900 students are learning, developing skills and accessing new opportunities at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Oasis Academy Don Valley is now home to 420 children following the opening of the Academy’s Secondary Phase this September. At UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, a total of 425 13 to 19-year olds study high quality technical and academic qualifications.

Jayne Dunn, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “It’s great to see so many young

ALMOST 900 STUDENTS ARE LEARNING, DEVELOPING AND ACCESSING SKILLS AT SHEFFIELD OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK

people developing new skills at the Oasis Academy Don Valley and the UTC. “Sharing a space with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre as well as daily use of a

world-class sport pitch, and the English Institute of Sport, means that the school and college are able to offer the young people so much more than just academic qualifications.”

SCX Special Projects has designed and manufactured ten on-board cranes for BAE Systems which will be put into service on HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales.

Each ship carries five cranes - three overhead cranes for the ship’s hangar, an overhead crane for the workshop and a 360-degree knuckle boom crane for loading duties.

Director Andy Whitworth said: “Our solution includes a vast number of carefully engineered enhancements to proven crane designs, each tailored to meet the demanding ocean-going conditions that HMS Queen Elizabeth will encounter.”

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Sheffield City Region Mayor makes education pledge Education in South Yorkshire has received a triple boost.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has pledged a package of funding to South Yorkshire Futures to support projects aimed at improving life opportunities for disadvantaged children.

The Mayor has also written to the top 100 businesses from the region asking them to support the programme’s Talent Bank, through skills-based offers to schools such as volunteering, mentoring and school governorships.

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The number of local authorities committed to improving education for children aged 0 – 5 years

Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “Helping improve life opportunities for young people in our region who need it most, is a mission that South Yorkshire Futures and I share. It should not be a matter of political debate that our school children need to be healthy, independent, emotionally secure, socially competent, able to learn and able to separate from their parents or carers, but many of our children are not.”

The four South Yorkshire local authorities have also committed to improving education for children aged 0 – 5 years by jointly signing a Regional Vision for Early Years.

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AGENDA Milestone for Assay Master Ashley

SYCF’S SONIA BIELASZEWSKA SHARES THE REPORT’S FINDINGS

REPORT REVEALS SCR’S KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS Deprivation and homelessness have been identified as the top areas in need in South Yorkshire, according to a report published this week.

According to South Yorkshire Community Foundation’s (SYCF) second annual Vital Signs report high levels of deprivation, and housing and homelessness are the top two concerns.

The report also identified strong communities (including life satisfaction and loneliness levels) and healthy living as the other top priorities.

One survey participant said: “Too many communities suffer high levels of economic and social deprivation. Sometimes in Sheffield, it feels like two cities.

One part prosperous and then you step over an invisible line and there’s bleak poverty.”

Vital Signs 2018 in based on surveyed responses from local people in South Yorkshire, combined with the latest statistics nationally and from local authorities.

The results were revealed by SYCF Philanthropy Development and Research Officer Sonia Bielaszewska at an event held at the University of Sheffield.

Sonia said: “This year’s

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11% of respondents said employment was their key priority

report reveals a definite shift in priorities since last year, with deprivation and healthy living overtaking education and employment as top need areas.

“Now that the report has launched, we can put our energies into raising awareness of the findings and looking at The Vital Signs reports are commissioned by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, a local, long standing charity which improves the lives of local people, through grant giving into communities.

“With these reports, we can be smart about how we work and where we can have the most impact. Not only does this mean we ensure that we are doing the best we can for local people, we can create more awareness of these high need areas also.

“We are encouraging local businesses, community organisations, charities and public bodies to get in touch with us, as by working together we can have so much more impact.”

The top 4 South Yorkshire priorities 1. Deprivation 2. Housing and homelessness 3. Strong communities 4. Healthy living

Sheffield Assay Master Ashley Carson (pictured below) has marked a silver anniversary milestone of his own.

More used to marking historical dates and notable national events, he is celebrating 25-year in post at the Sheffield Assay Office, holding the distinction of being both the youngest Assay Master ever appointed and the second longest serving to date.

Ashley, the 13th Master, joined the Sheffield Assay Office in 1977 straight from school. He progressed his a career from a sampler in the 1970s to working as a marker, onto a position as salesman

before being appointed Assay Master in 1993, aged 32.

Ashley, who has overseen the hallmarking of about 100 million items, said: “I am thrilled to be marking this milestone. I’m still as enthusiastic about my job now as I was 25 years ago.

“I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing three Jubilee celebrations and commemorative Millennium hallmarks and steering the Assay Office through its relocation.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing to uphold the great reputation of hallmarking in Sheffield.”

A Gala Dinner was held at the Assay Office to mark the anniversary. Ashley is a former director of Sheffield Wednesday and currently a director with Chesterfield FC.

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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

‘Exceptional growth’ at BHP Yorkshire’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants, BHP, has welcomed 21 trainees.

BHP, which has offices in Sheffield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, Chesterfield, and York, has appointed 12 graduates, four year-long placements and five trainees.

Lisa Leighton, who joined BHP as a graduate in the Audit team and is now a partner, said: “I know first-hand what it’s like joining as a graduate and the opportunities it offers to grow and develop your career.

We very much look forward to supporting these new starters to flourish in their roles.”

Window firm welcomes trainee Yorkshire Windows has welcomed a new trainee window installer after David Darmola was selected from more than 200 applicants.

BHP HAS APPOINTED 21 TRAINEES

Head of HR at BHP, Louise Allen, said: “We firmly believe in training and retaining future talent as much as possible and these appointments are a testament to the exceptional growth of the business.

“We’re very proud of our apprenticeship and placement programmes which strike a good balance between work, study and training, while equipping young people for the future of work.”

‘FUNDAMENTAL FUTUREPROOFING’

AT FORGEMASTERS

Tasty trio at food project Brez Barwise has joined Real Junk Food Sheffield as executive head chef to ‘create amazing menus and dishes making the most from surplus ingredients’. He joins Katherine Keeler as catering manager, and Ashley Cooke who has become operations manager.

Philip joins Graywoods team Philip Nunney has joined the team at Sheffield insolvency insolvency and business turnaround specialists Graywoods.

SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS HAS WELCOMED 33 APPRENTICES

Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd has welcomed its largest ever intake of 33 apprentices, destined to become future drivers of the business.

The recruitment of trainees provides positions across the company ranging from machinists to degree students as it future-proofs the business against an ageing workforce and sources new skills-sets.

The intake provides fully paid, four-year apprenticeships to the applicants, recruited from across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, and

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the process adopts all new Government approved training standards, funding and assessment plans.

Rick Frankeiss, group training manager, said: “This year’s apprentice intake is fundamental to the future of this company as we plan ahead and manage succession and retirements within our operations. The company is making a huge commitment in terms of wages, training fees and mentoring time, but it is an investment for the long-term.”

The renowned engineering

specialist has also appointed a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a newly created role.

Following the appointment of David Bond as CEO and Stephen Hammell as CFO, Paul Cahill joins from Rolls Royce PLC (Civil Aerospace Division) where he worked as transformation executive.

Paul said: “I’m attracted to Forgemasters because it is a truly iconic brand with some very talented and dedicated people, coupled with some globally unique manufacturing capabilities.”

Happy Hannah is top temp Benchmark’s Temp of the Month is Hannah Stewart – pictured with Electric Works HR Manager Wendy Squires after completing a temporary contract with the organisation.

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AGENDA

THE DIARY

BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says that we must think big to make the most of our transport network

Remembering family man John Gilburn I was very sad to hear of the passing of Owlerton Greyhound Stadium managing director John Gilburn (pictured below) last month.

In my other role as account director at Sheffield PR firm HR Media I worked closely with John and his team at Owlerton for many years.

s

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THE NEW TRAM TRAIN

TRAM TRAIN MUST BE FIRST STEP TO A CONNECTED SCR By now the long-awaited Tram Train service which connects the Supertram route with the rail network will be up and running.

Over budget and over deadline, the project has received a lot of criticism from many parties but now it is here what a fantastic opportunity we have to truly connect our entire city region.

The Tram Trains allow passengers to make a single continuous journey connecting tram stops and conventional rail stations running from the Cathedral stop at the heart of Sheffield city centre out to Rotherham Central railway station and then onto Parkgate Shopping Centre in Rotherham where the service terminates.

The Government funded two-year pilot programme is a partnership between South

Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Network Rail, Stagecoach Supertram and Northern Rail.

So there are lots of big players involved in the scheme with lots at stake to make sure it is a success. Hopefully the people of South Yorkshire will be the beneficiaries.

But let’s think bigger – why stop with this relatively short link from Sheffield to Parkgate?

Can we make this the first in a series of bigger projects that could eventually connect all the major transport hubs in Sheffield city region (SCR)?

Think of the reach of Supertram in Sheffield and then using its rail capability to service the town centres of not only Rotherham but Barnsley and Doncaster too.

Why not extend it to a newly created railway station

at Doncaster-Sheffield Airport?

And then can we finally agree that if HS2 does actually happen it has a Parkway Station slap bang in the middle of South Yorkshire just to the east of the M18 with a branch line into Sheffield city centre instead rather than having the worst of all worlds with the current proposals?

I know a lot of this seems like wishful thinking but in reality, it’s nothing like the investment that is given to London and the south-east.

Much of the infrastructure and technology exists. HS2, we’re told, will happen and plans for a railway station at the airport were announced earlier this year.

Tram Train may have had its problems getting to this stage, but it could put us on track for a well-connected future.

Got views of your own? Let me know: richard@unltdbusiness.com LinkedIn: Richard Fidler

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He was always someone who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, but he dealt with people fairly and, as thousands of people will no doubt agree with, was the perfect host at the track, which has plans for a huge expansion of its banqueting facilities that John was driving through.

John was a major figure in the greyhound industry and his knowledge and ability won’t be easily replaced.

However, it is the man himself who will be most sadly missed as a colleague, family man and friend.

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AGENDA

IF YOU ASK ME ...

TECHNOLOGY A survey by Azzure IT found almost three-quarters of Sheffield City Region businesses are planning to prioritise improving existing ways of working when investing in IT. We spoke to three industry experts to find out how important digital transformation is for firms to meet their current challenges

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AGENDA The way we work, future job roles and required skills are changing exponentially due to digital transformation.

It’s disrupting almost every industry and impacting on systems of production, management and governance, with the end promise of improved productivity, increased efficiency and, ultimately, higher profits.

New technologies are changing consumer behaviours and forcing b2b and b2c companies to adapt the way they design, market and deliver products and services in order to continue to grow, meet demand and beat competition.

Needing to adapt is nothing new for businesses. But this peak in new technology – from artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics, to the Internet of Things, mobile device connectivity and quantum computing could certainly instil fear into many. The sobering reality is that while technological development is moving faster than ever before, this is simultaneously the slowest it is ever going to be.

For this reason, the Sheffield City Region Chambers work to ensure businesses talk to each other – to know what each other is doing, what’s out there and to share best practice – one company’s problem, is another’s opportunity.

I recently visited a member business providing drone training to the rail sector which is increasingly using the flying cameras to investigate the inside of tunnels when it’s too

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REBECCA LEAM, POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE, DONCASTER CHAMBER

unsafe for their workforce to enter. Another is working with local authorities to link up the city’s buildings to gain big data, enabling them to monitor energy and service efficiency and adapt accordingly to make cost savings.

There is, of course, the worry that as automation substitutes for labour across all professions, unemployment could rise, with low and medium skilled jobs most at risk. This should concern all of us who care about our places and are committed to delivering genuinely inclusive growth for their communities. I’d strongly argue that we must be seeking not to reduce jobs,

New technologies are changing consumer behaviours and forcing b2b and b2c companies to adapt .

but to change job types. There will be a need for upskilling to programme the technology, number crunch the big data, and strategise for continuing growth. This in turn will raise income levels, improve the quality of life and boost the local economy.

Businesses already tell us they can’t fill jobs because of a skills shortage and an aging workforce means there is already a huge need to reskill to meet not only new job opportunities but new ways of doing business.

The Department for Education recently approved the opening of a new UTC in Doncaster in 2020 to deliver STEM skills and meet the needs of the local economy. Doncaster Chamber campaigned, and the private sector lobbied for its approval due to the need for a careerready workforce.

The region’s Chambers all provide courses and workshops for members to share best practice and skills. In addition, we also run the Doncaster Skills Academy to help bridge the gap between business and education. The Chamber’s education team organise work placements, industry visits, and mentoring support to raise the aspirations of young people to be career-ready for working in the region’s diverse and exciting industries.

All firms, no matter their age, size or sector, need to be a part of this digital transformation in order to meet challenges – now and in the future.

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AGENDA If you are one of the small to mid-sized businesses in the UK still using pens and paper to track orders and deliveries, then soon you’re going to be left behind…

Manually processing things can slow down a business’s progression, as more time is spent completing tasks that become time consuming. Not only this, employees updating systems often lead to poor productivity and inefficiency.

Our survey of Yorkshire businesses not only revealed that three quarters of firms felt that digital transformation was either ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to meeting current challenges, but we found that in certain areas – for example manufacturing – businesses are often being held back by the tools that were used to get them started.

Using outdated tools to manage aspects within a business in this digital era can often lead to problems.

However, it’s not all bad news.

The next wave of digital transformation is here and is available right now. Your business challenges can be overcome by replacing your old, outdated systems with new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an affordable solution, ready to be used immediately. Not only

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output levels to improve methods of production and ultimately meet customer demands.

• Reporting on finances is an important factor to any business, regardless of size or sector. Business Central can manage customer projects and track budgets to ensure success with profits. More rapid financial control allows your business to report on any financial issues more accurately. This will translate to smarter financial decisions plus more opportunities for growth.

CRAIG SUCH, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AZZURE IT

can your business increase its productivity output, but there is no need to pause to upgrade.

The next wave of digital transformation is here and is available right now

Not convinced?

Well, we’ve identified what we believe are the key areas where Microsoft Dynamics can offer improvement and how it can do so: • To achieve better productivity, Business Central allows your business to connect all forms of data and make every aspect of your business work seamlessly together, such as purchasing, sales and customer service. This can assist in meeting standards and progress by reaching

• Having a strong business insight enables a business to enhance inventory levels to the highest standard. By using built-in intelligence, Business Central will ensure that you only purchase what is needed and never lose track of stock. Not only this, when items requested to purchase are out of stock, substitutes will be suggested to avoid customer disappointment.

• Being able to connect on a mobile device anytime and anywhere, for both your business and your customers, is crucial in today’s digital world. Digital transformation will allow you to achieve efficient order fulfilment and the ability to track every order transaction.

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AGENDA It seems that every aspect of business these days incorporates tech so it’s no surprise that digital transformation is about to change the way businesses manage their books.

Already many businesses – particularly small and medium sized enterprises – use cloud accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero to keep on top of their finances. These software providers have broken the monopoly of Sage, which lots of people will be familiar with.

My job title pretty much sums up the direction of travel for where accountancy and bookkeeping is heading – the cloud.

Cloud software is a fully integrated solution that brings together everything from bills and receipts to bank statements and invoices into one place, in real time.

Much like you allow apps such as Facebook or Twitter to have ‘permission’ to access certain details about you, this cloud-based software allows your bank to feed transactional information into your accounts to make the book-keeping more efficient. Most clever is that the software uses artificial intelligence so that they are continually learning and remembering previously entered information to speed up the process.

A simple example is the ability to take a photo of a

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JOANNE GILPIN, CLOUD CONVERSION MANAGER FOR BHP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

receipt through an app on your phone, which can then be uploaded into the accounting software. The OCR technology will read the details from the receipt and store a digital record of the receipt image.

One of the other reasons to move onto cloud software is the new rules on Making Tax Digital (MTD), which you may have heard about recently. HMRC are in the process of digitising the tax system, beginning firstly with VAT from 1st April 2019.

MTD requires most UK businesses above the £85,000 VAT turnover threshold to keep records digitally and submit VAT returns to HMRC using MTDcompatible software.

HMRC are now due to begin contacting affected businesses, as many are still unaware of the changes and implications on VAT filing. April may seem a long way away, but it’s important for businesses to plan for conversion to a compliant software now, or to discuss other options such as bridging software, which ‘bridges the gap’ between spreadsheets and HMRC. Making Tax Digital puts the onus on businesses and accountants to move forward into the digital world, which HMRC believe will reduce the number of ‘careless errors’ made when preparing VAT returns.

From an accountancy profession standpoint, we can

use this new technology to save time inputting and processing, which allows us to add more value to our client work. As less time is spent doing the book-keeping, we can help with important things like cashflow forecasting, management accounts and projections. As the software is accessible and updated in real time, business owners no longer have to look back at historical information to make decisions.

The digital transformation allows accountants to dedicate more resources to analysis and providing advice to clients, which can help grow their business and manage risks on a timely basis.

17

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AGENDA

IN A NUTSHELL

BY JILL THEOBALD

Our features writer explains why digital transformation should always be in Vogue

LIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD To paraphrase the Queen of Pop, ‘we are living in a digital world’.

But while her Madgesty proudly proclaimed to be a Material Girl, reading the results of the Azzure IT survey and our If You Ask Me contributors in this edition, one has to wonder if our Sheffield City Region (SCR) businesses are quite as at home in a digital world. Or if they’ve all even moved there.

What is welcoming news from Azzure IT’s research was almost 75 per cent of the Yorkshire firms they consulted felt digital transformation was either ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to meeting current boardroom challenges. A similar figure are planning to prioritise improving existing ways of working when investing in IT, too.

But that does, of course, mean that a quarter do not feel digital transformation

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is important, and similarly the same amount will not be prioritising enhancing existing ways of working.

So it’s perhaps no surprise that Azzure IT MD Craig Such opens with a warning (‘If you are one of the small to midsized businesses in the UK still using pens and paper to track orders and deliveries, then soon you’re going to be left behind…’)

The list of drawbacks to manual processing that Craig goes on to list backs up his argument. If being time-consuming, or having a negative impact on productivity and efficiency aren’t alarming enough, think about the bigger picture – the combination of all of the above is ultimately ‘slow(ing) down a business’s progression’.

More heartening is Craig’s reminder that: ‘The next wave of digital transformation

is here and is available right now’ and his resulting recommendations.

Just as Rebecca Leam from Doncaster Chamber points out: ‘One company’s problem, is another’s opportunity’ and her – equally heartening reminder of the help available from the chamber network across the city business region.

That includes courses and workshops for members to share best practice and skills, the Doncaster Skills Academy and the Chamber’s education team who organise work placements, industry visits, and mentoring support to raise the aspirations of young people to be career-ready.

And career-ready today means tech savvy. Rebecca’s acknowledgement that ‘there is already a huge need to reskill to meet not only new job opportunities but new ways of doing business’ complements Craig’s comments.

We simply cannot allow the region’s firms to fall behind – or we’ll be left behind, as Craig warns. Our city region businesses need to be early adopters out at the forefront, so it’s no wonder the Chamber lobbied for so long and hard for the new Doncaster University Technical College, due to open in 2020 to deliver STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills.

And as our third If You Ask Me contributor BHP’s Joanne Gilpin points out: ‘My job title pretty much sums up the direction of travel’ and she is cloud conversion manager.

So the message is clear – we all need to start converting to the cloud.

Or to paraphrase Madonna once again, all our city region businesses need to avoid getting Hung Up … and instead Get Into the (digital) Groove!

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AGENDA

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

BY ASH YOUNG

Our digital expert looks at what it takes to recruit successfully in the online world

GET THE MOST OUT OF DIGITAL RECRUITMENT Recruiting great people is at the heart of every business, with digital visibility key to new hires.

Google Search remains as vital as ever to how effectively you target people online and thanks to a new feature rolled out by the tech giant, it’s now easier to make your jobs visible to searchers.

The change comes in the form of a ‘jobs panel’, which displays towards the top of the first search results page.

What is the Jobs Panel?

The panel is essentially a list of vacancies pulled in from different websites, with selected information such as salary included alongside each listing.

To take advantage of the jobs panel, you’ll need to add some code-based markup

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to the vacancies pages listed on your website. This will be invisible to the user and also machine readable by Google’s algorithm.

When Google trawls the pages on your site with the structured mark-up on, it could then be used to ensure your job listings achieve visibility in the jobs panel.

How Could This Benefit My Business?

In recent years, Google has placed increasing focus on providing searchers with information directly within the search results. The jobs panel is the latest example of this and if you advertise vacancies on your website, it’s a great feature to take advantage of.

If Google selects your listings, you could achieve almost instant visibility

right at the top of the search results. Handily, this also means you could leapfrog your competitors and grab more website traffic.

If you run a recruitment company, jobs board or even just advertise jobs on your website, we’d highly recommend implementing the changes required to feature in Google’s jobs panel.

What Does the Future Hold?

There’s a good chance the new jobs panel feature could be a step by Google towards monetising their own jobs platform.

Through the new markup, they’ve already placed themselves right at the front of the queue for job seekers using Google Search.

If they decide to turn the jobs listings into ad space,

recruitment companies, jobs listings websites and individual organisations may have to pay to remain visible.

It’s worth capitalising now whilst there’s the opportunity to do so.

Help With Structured Data Mark-up If you’re interested in taking advantage of the jobs panel, Evoluted can help. We can implement the structured data mark-up required for you to get your vacancies featured.

For help with this – as well as any other digital marketing or web development requirements – please get in touch with us today.

Ash Young Evoluted www.evoluted.net

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AGENDA CALENDAR

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

29TH NOVEMBER SHEFFIELD SOUP Venue: The Crucible, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA Time: 7pm – 10:30pm Cost: Entrance fee (minimum donation of £5) goes into the pot for the winning pitch which you get to vote for.

Contact: http://bit.ly/SS14Attend About: We caught up with Sheffield Soup founder Pennie Raven and her co-director Jonny Douglas to find out about the Sheffield Soup Movement which last month moved into its new home – the Sheffield Crucible.

WHAT IS SHEFFIELD SOUP?

In five words – eating, drinking, sharing, connecting, funding!

We’ve been sociably crowdfunding local people’s ideas since 2015 and it’s all about doing something really good for Sheffield while having a great time. Come along and hear

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PHOTO: DUNCAN STAFFORD PHOTOGRAPHY

four pitches by Sheffield people who need your help to get an idea, project or business off the ground, or support an existing project or business to fund something they need.

WHAT CAN NEW PEOPLE EXPECT?

We work hard to make a really supportive atmosphere for making new friends and connections, formulating ideas, sharing, connecting, giving advice and guidance and positive encouragement. We’ve a strict ‘no dragons’ policy – we are kind, helpful and willing to give people and ideas a chance.

WHO SHOULD GET INVOLVED?

Everyone! Every aspect of Sheffield Soup is delivered by individuals, independent business and service providers giving time, knowledge, goods and services as sponsorship, so that we can ensure all of the door donations go directly to the winning project. You’ll enjoy some lovingly made soup have a drink or two, and make new friends and contacts!

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AGENDA

13TH NOVEMBER UNLTD BUSINESS SOCIAL

Venue: Virgin Money Lounge, 66 Fargate, Sheffield, S1 2HE Time: 4pm - 6pm Cost: Free About: Join us for our second social showcase event. With the theme of transformation, you’ll get to meet and hear from Azurre IT’s James Bennett and Alex Hill from SEO Works.

Plus free food and drinks.

To book: advertising@unltdbusiness.com

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

NOVEMBER 7TH & 8TH LAUNCHPAD: BUSINESS SUPPORT WORKSHOP 5TH 4NETWORKING SHEFFIELD LUNCH 7TH FIRE & SAFETY FOR GROWING suppliers and creditors.

Contact: 0113 337 2001 or www.connectyorkshire.org

Venue: Cluck Sheffield Parkway, 340 Prince of Wales Road, Sheffield, S2 1FF Time: 12pm – 2pm Cost: £15 About: Relaxed, fun and friendly business networking event. Three 10-min business appointments are at every meeting.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2OTGiUL

6TH FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS

Venue: Store First Barnsley, Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley, S74 9SB Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm Cost: £49.95 About: All set up and ready to go on Facebook, but now wondering how to use it effectively for your business?

Attend this interactive workshop and discover how you can use Facebook to boost your business profile online.

Contact: Social Media Solutions UK - 01226 103 011 or view event at https://bit. ly/2xSM8hZ

CASH IS KING

Venue: Mercure Sheffield Parkway Hotel, Britannia Way, Catcliffe, Sheffield, S60 5BD Time: 12pm – 2pm Cost: TBA About: Steve Knowles, founder and MD of Knowles Warwick will share his ten top tips for managing your cash flow effectively and making sure you never struggle to pay your

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BUSINESSES IN SHEFFIELD

Venue: South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Training and Development Centre, Beaverhill Road, Sheffield, S13 9QA Time: 9am – 12pm Cost: Free About: This Masterclass is designed to provide an overview of legislative fire safety requirements within a non-domestic premise.

Provided by members of the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Business Fire Safety team.

Contact: Sheffield City Region Growth Hub - 03330 00 00 39 or register for event at https:// bit.ly/2OS3H9j

SPEED NETWORKING

Venue: Magna Science Adventure Centre, Sheffield Road, Templeborough, Rotherham, S60 1DX Time: 12pm – 2.30pm Cost: £16.95- £21.95 +VAT About: Meeting new people and building relationships is a sure-fire way of ensuring that your business will continue to grow. You will have the opportunity to introduce yourself to every other guest and explain how you can help your potential customer and what makes you stand out from the crowd.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2zwissW or call 01709 386200

Venue: Doncaster Chamber Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster, DN5 5JW Time: 9.15am – 4.15pm Cost: Free About: This workshop is for businesses who have been trading for under two years, or people who are looking to become self-employed in the Doncaster area.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2OffeCp

8TH DONCASTER PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION LUNCH

Venue: The Met Club, Knaresborough Technology Park, Manse Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 8LF Time: 12pm – 2.20pm Cost: £45 - £75 (Members/NonMembers) About: An informative business lunch for members and non-members of The Met Club. An opportunity to network with architects, housing developers, solicitors, contractors, business development managers and many more cooperate officials.

Contact: julie@themetclub. co.uk or 01423 525 622

GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK: ONE-TO-ONE MEETING WITH MEXICO

Venue: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Savile Street, Sheffield, S4 7UD Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm Cost: Free for Sheffield Chamber Members, £20 +VAT for Non-Members About: Discussing the vast

range of export opportunities in Mexico. Teresa De Lay, General Director of the British Chamber of Commerce and Laura Atkinson, Head of the Chamber Commercial Section of BritCham Business will be available for oneto-one meetings with local businesses.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2Q6wjvF

SOCIAL NETWORKING CURRY EVENING

Venue: Aagrah, Great North Road, Doncaster, DN6 7RA Time: 5.30pm – 8.30pm Cost: Members: £20 excl. VAT Non-Members: £30 excl VAT About: The event will begin with a welcome drink and the opportunity to network with fellow attendees in an informal setting before enjoying a delicious two course Indian buffet.

Contact: Paige Simpson – 01302 640 106 or psimpson@ doncaster-chamber.co.uk

14TH MENTOR TRAINING FOR

APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYERS

Venue: The Sheffield College Peaks Campus, Waterthorpe Greenway, Sheffield, S20 8LY Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm Cost: Free About: The workshops will introduce employers to the world of mentoring an apprentice to ensure you both get the most out of the training by way of development and experience.

Contact: Sheffield Training College – 0114 260 2600 or view event at https://bit.ly/2OR1ScB

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AGENDA

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0114 221 0550 The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX

26

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AGENDA

29TH NOVEMBER SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS 2018

Venue: Ponds Forge, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP Time: 6.30pm – 11.30pm Cost: Table of 12: £940 Table of 10: £810 Individual Ticket: £84 Contact: https://bit.ly/2ObpfRa About: The Sheffield Business Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the region. It provides an opportunity for businesses to promote their achievements during the year, raise their profile and ultimately gain the recognition they deserve. Every year businesses of all sizes and sectors compete for an award and now in its 17th year this event is firmly established as the leading awards ceremony for Sheffield businesses.

Read more about the shortlisted companies in our awards special on pages 65-67.

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

15TH SHEFFIELD BUSINESS SHOW

Venue: Sheffield United FC, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU Time: 10am – 5pm Cost: Seminar & Delegate Ticket - Free Breakfast Networking- £8 (+£1.01 booking fee) About: Around 50 companies exhibiting with a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, networking opportunities and speakers.

Contact: Fresh Start Events - 0191 511 1467 or email connect@freshstartevents.uk

INSPIRING ENTREPRENUERS: WORK LIKE A WOMAN

Venue: Sheffield Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield, S1 1XZ Time: 6pm – 9pm Cost: Free About: At this exclusive event to mark the launch of her new book – Work Like a Woman: a Manifesto for Change – Mary Portas discusses her incredible career and the realisation that true success comes not through playing the business game – where the rules are set by men, for men – but through embracing the values that really matter.

Contact: https://bit. ly/2N3NSuc

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20TH LINKEDIN YOUR PROFILE AND YOU Venue: Ashroyd Business Park, Junction 36, M1, Barnsley, S74 9SB Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm Cost: £49.95 About: Attend an interactive workshop and discover how using LinkedIn for just 15 minutes a day can dramatically boost your online profile and get you noticed by key networks and influencers.

Contact: 01226 103 011 or view event https://bit.ly/2xDIcSW

MANAGING YOUR MONEY FOR BUSINESS OWNERS: INVESTMENT & LIFE ASSURANCE Venue: Double Tree Hilton, Chesterfield Road South, Sheffield, S8 8BW Time: 9am – 10.30am Cost: Free About: Aimed at business owners who need to improve their financial knowledge, are nearing retirement or starting to look at selling their business. Presented by Jillian Thomas of Future Life Wealth Management.

Contact: info@ wealthmanagement.uk.com or call 01246 435 996

NEW MEMBER NETWORKING

Venue: Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, Unit 6, Genesis Business Park, Rotherham, S60 1DX Time: 12pm – 2.30pm

Cost: Free About: This informal meeting will give you the opportunity to network with other new members, selected service providers and Chamber staff.

There is also the chance to enter the business card draw for a golden opportunity to address the whole room.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2IjJdnx or call 01709 386200

21ST LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION

Venue: Mercure Sheffield Parkway Hotel, Britannia Way, Catcliffe, Sheffield, S60 5BD Time: 8am – 10am Cost: TBA About: Leeds Rhinos’ Kevin Sinfield delivers a talk on leadership and motivation.

Contact: 0113 337 2001 or www. connectyorkshire.org

23RD & 25TH JCI UK NATIONAL CONVENTION

Doncaster, DN4 9UX Time: 23 Nov at 1pm – 25 Nov at 12pm Cost: Free About: The 3-day conference will feature keynote speakers, training sessions, public speaking competitions and networking. The conference’s theme, ‘Future You,’ is based on the idea that attendees will gain an experience or skill their future self will thank them for.

Contact: https://bit.ly/2IinbBm

28TH SUCCEED AS A FIRT-TIME

MANAGER: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Venue: The Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW Time: 9am – 1pm Cost: Free About: This masterclass will help managers and staff to understand the business planning cycle, processes used to develop plans and the manager’s role in it.

Current business examples will be used to explain the importance of planning and what happens when it goes wrong.

Contact: 03330 00 00 39 or view event https://bit. ly/2zvJhxs

Venue: Holiday Inn, High Road, Warmsworth,

25

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If you’d like to find out how we can help you..

Call Jill White on 0114 243 4666 Email her at jill@andyhanselman.com For more info visit: www.andyhanselman.com

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AGENDA

?

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

BY ANDY HANSELMAN

Business expert, author and speaker talks team building

‘STRATEGIC AWAY DAYS’ DON’T HAVE TO BE SAD! If I say ‘Strategic Away Days’, would your response be: ‘Oh no, please Andy, not that!’

Lots of us have horror stories about ‘blue sky thinking sessions’, role playing or building rafts out of squeezy lemon bottles.

As a graduate trainee at a large business (many years ago!), I thought ‘Strategic Away Days’ were a very difficult thing to endure. Every six months, the senior directors would go away on ‘Strategy Weekends’ and to ease the burden of this incredibly tough task, they were put up in the best possible hotels. They also regularly came back on Monday morning with headaches and bleary eyes…it was only years later I realised it also involved drinking lots of beer and playing pool till 6 in the morning!

It also involved lots of flipcharts and returning laden with data and detail.

They would then spend the next week typing up and putting all the information into wonderfully detailed document with forecasts and graphs. At the end of the

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week, they would brainstorm a sexy title for it to get us all motivated. Unfortunately they never shared it with anyone – they’d go to their desks, put the document in the drawer and let staff guess what was in it!

(Those that guessed right were the ones who got promoted!)

A Strategic Away Day CAN be a useful mechanism for taking quality time out to work together on identifying and working on key strategic issues, though - provided you do it right! But what’s ‘right’?

Here’s my Top Ten: 1. Know Why! Unless you can answer this question ‘What do we want to have achieved by the end of it?’’ don’t do it! Have a clearly agreed vision for the business for a specified time and milestones for achieving these things.

2. Know Who! Get the right people there.

Avoid hangers on, and don’t think it’s just about seniority – sometimes a

fresh pair of eyes can be useful.

3. Be Prepared Ensure people know what’s expected of them before, during and after the session. Schedule it well in advance and if there is homework to be done, ensure plenty of time to do this.

4. ‘Get Away From It All’ Our experience suggests that holding it off site can be very beneficial – it helps avoid the day to day interruptions and distractions.

5. Facilitate It A facilitator can be very useful (I would say that wouldn’t I?!) but a good one will encourage discussion and engagement, help you stay focused, and ensure everyone contributes – not just the loud ones!

6. Avoid ‘Collective Irresponsibility’!

Agree what’s going to

happen next, by when, and by who. Make sure you set specific and tangible outcomes.

7. Let’s Get Together Again!

Allow the dust to settle and after a week or so revisit the outputs and confirm and agree actions.

8. Have Some Fun! No, it’s not a jolly, or a skive, but it’s not a funeral either!

9. Get Sharing!

Share the outcomes with your people – you don’t have to give away company secrets, but give people direction.

10. Use It! Ensure your vision drives performance – don’t keep it in a drawer… revisit, review and use it!

So, Strategic Away Days can be great! If you need any help in running one, please get in touch! andy@andyhanselman.com

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Supporting businesses across the Sheffield City Region with high quality insurance and risk management solutions including: Increased buying power

Qualified broking team of 30 staff

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Dedicated claims support

Secure client money arrangements

Director’s Liability Credit Insurance Private Client

w: actusinsurance.co.uk

e: info@actusinsurance.co.uk

Health & Safety

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AGENDA

SECURING YOUR ASSETS

o.uk o.uk

d

BY SAM LEEDER

unLTD columnist Sam Leeder looks at directors and officers insurance

10 REASONS

WHY SMEs SHOULD BUY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE I first remember directors and officers liability insurance (D&O) becoming more high profile around 15 years ago. At that time, it was being pushed by insurers and it was really expensive, so only large companies bought it.

OVer the years, however, more and more people have become aware of the need for the cover and insurance premiums have reduced significantly as its popularity has increased.

That said, I am always amazed at how many business owners I meet who have never heard of the cover or advised of the need for it.

So why should you consider protecting yourself and your business with D&O cover?

1. Employment practice claims continue to be a large threat to individual directors Particularly given the recent change in the court fees, the number of tribunals has increased massively. D&O protects the individual director from claims such as

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sexual harassment or wrongful dismissal.

2. SMEs are more vulnerable than large companies SMEs face exactly the same risks and regulations as large companies, but don’t have the in-house resources to deal with them. The decisions made within the business are far more obviously attributable to the business owner than they are within a large business.

3. Directors’ personal assets are at risk If a director has been accused of breaching their duties, they are personally liable to defend the claim. Their personal assets are potentially at risk if they do not have adequate D&O cover.

4. Investigations by regulators are becoming more and more common Investigations and fines imposed by a

regulator or body such as the Health & Safety Executive are particularly difficult to defend and the consequences of prosecution can be extremely severe.

5. Defending a legal action can be costly Legal costs for defending allegations against the company or one of its directors can easily cost tens of thousands of pounds.

6. Your investors can sue you If investors lose value in their shares as a result of a director or company’s alleged misconduct they could seek compensation via the courts.

7. Protection in case of bankruptcy or insolvency Creditors may pursue individual directors with legal action, if faced with bankruptcy or insolvency, if they feel that you have not acted in their best interests.

8. D&O claims are not covered under any other policy A common misconception is that alleged misconduct by directors is covered under other policies such as Professional Indemnity, but this is not the case.

9. D&O insurance is more affordable than ever The cost of a typical D&O policy for an SME is now under £500 a year, however the costs of a claim can run into the hundreds of thousands.

10. D&O helps attract talent If you are looking to bring in senior members of staff or non exec directors they may not be willing to join your business without adequate D&O protection.

If you would like to discuss D&O liability cover in more detail or obtain a quotation please get in touch.

Sam Leeder ACII Actus Insurance samleeder@ actusinsurance.co.uk 0114 2903624 07718 189476

29

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

GUIDING

LIGHT One of the more notable changes in and around Sheffield city centre in recent years has been the springing up of high-rise blocks of student accommodation.

Among those making a temporary home here have been thousands of Chinese students, reflected in the cafes and shops, complete with signs with Chinese characters, that cater for them.

Some are living in apartments in the first phase of the £66m New Era Square development at the corner of St Mary’s Gate and Bramall Lane financed by Chinese investors.

You can’t miss it – its 21-storey Jade Tower has quickly become a landmark.

To be a Chinese student in the city,

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whether at the University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University, is no longer out-ofthe-ordinary.

It was very different in 1975 when 13-year-old Jerry Cheung arrived from a village in Hong Kong.

With his father working as a chef at a takeaway restaurant in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, Jerry went to the local comprehensive school before studying to be an engineer and taking a job with British Steel.

A Chinese pupil in school?

A Chinese engineer in the steelworks? These were very different times and, for Jerry, far from easy.

Yet he was not going to be held back. Eventually steel gave way to the more traditional – and more lucrative – pursuit of running Chinese restaurants, starting to build a property portfolio at the same time.

It was this “entrepreneurial gene” that led him to become the guiding light behind the

Businessman Jerry Cheung tells unLTD’s Peter Kay how an ‘entrepreneurial gene’ took him from being a migrant’s son at a Rotherham comprehensive school to leading Sheffield’s £66m ‘Chinatown’ development

New Era complex, committed to delivering the concept of student accommodation, offices and a public plaza fringed by international restaurants, cafes and shops that continues to take shape on the edge of Sheffield city centre.

Phase one is already home to the New Era Development offices, 450 students and the KH Oriental Supermarket.

The second phase is now well underway, to include New Era Square with its 30 restaurants, cafes, food kiosks and shops, and, significantly, the China-UK Business Incubator, designed to offer practical support to both local businesses and those coming from China to the UK. It has been described as Sheffield’s version of New York’s Times Square. Inevitably, it is also being seen as the city’s Chinatown.

Yet the aim is to fashion something much more cosmopolitan than the traditional Chinese model,

much more in keeping with modern China, says Jerry.

As managing director of New Era Development Ltd, he was at the forefront of securing the Chinese investment that got the ball rolling.

Pulling together the details and, crucially, securing a collaborative agreement involving the city’s two universities, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce may be a world away from the experiences of the teenager who arrived at the Midland Railway Station 43 years ago.

But Jerry is in no doubt about how those early days helped to forge the determination and vision of today’s businessman.

In addition, they fired his ambition to promote the type of integration between communities that did not exist when he was finding his feet.

All those years later, he wants to give something back to the city that he came to love.

31

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COVER STORY

Over the years I have got to love this area. First and foremost it’s the people, easy to get on with. Even when I go back to Hong Kong after two weeks I want to come back.

The sixth of seven children, he was following a familiar route out of Hong Kong.

“In the late ‘50s and early ‘60s the UK was a superpower and it needed a lot of migrant workers,” he says. “Hong Kong was under British administration, and it was customary to go to work in England and send some money back to villages in Hong Kong.

Only women with babies and the elderly stayed behind.

“My dad came to work as a chef. Eventually my sister bought a takeaway in Rotherham after my father came up with the money.”

Jerry remembers his first day at Rawmarsh Comprehensive.

“I was scared. The whole school had heard the rumour about a Chinese student. Kids were looking out of the window. They were so curious.”

It wasn’t that different at British Steel where he ended up after studying at

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THE RIBBON CUTTING AT THE OPENING OF PHASE ONE

Rotherham Technical College and Huddersfield Polytechnic.

(He gained a masters degree in mechanical engineering in 1984 by working three nights a week for three years at Sheffield City Polytechnic while spending the day at the steelworks).

“That really shaped me for years to come. I was in the real world. You learn how to work with people. In the steel plant they were rough and ready. You had to swear with

them otherwise you couldn’t communicate with them!

“But it enabled me to gain an understanding of the English mentality, English community. It removed the barriers.

“They looked on a Chinese as though they were an alien.

Most of them had never seen a Chinese before. Suddenly this guy comes along and is telling them what to do. Some took notice, but some were not so nice. It wasn’t easy. But I found

my way around and came out in one piece and, I think, well regarded.”

The young boy’s dream of being an engineer began to fade, though, as the reality failed to match up. It could be a chaotic place to work, and now jobs were being shed.

“I was feeling empty. It wasn’t going to be doing what I wanted to do. I started thinking: ‘I’m not earning a lot. Maybe it’s time to move on’.

“I wanted to go back to the Far East. I had the experience and the knowledge of the steel market. I thought I could get a good job in the Far East.

“It was just before the handover (of Hong Kong to China), and people were leaving Hong Kong. My father persuaded me to stay in the UK. I didn’t want to upset my dad.

“My entrepreneurial gene kicked in. Obviously I wanted to make money. A lot of my fellow Chinese from Hong Kong were

33

COVER STORY

RONGMIN QIN

The perfect partner Working at Jerry’s side is 32-year-old Rongmin Qin. As executive director, one of his main responsibilities is to oversee New Era Living, which currently provides a home for 450 students, about 75 per cent of which are Chinese.

When the second phase of New Era Square is completed, a further 240 beds will have been added.

But Rongmin’s role runs deeper, supporting Jerry in all aspects of the business, not least bringing to bear ten years experience in the financial sectors of Asia and London.

His commitment to the New Era vision is cemented by the fact his father, Ruiya Qin, was one of the first investors in the project.

Rongmin, who graduated in economics at York University and has a

34

masters degree in political science and government from the London School of Economics, has been with New Era Development for a year.

Already he says: “I found I have learned a lot from Jerry. His business acumen has really benefited me. We are from different generations and have different perspectives, but I think we complement each other.

“Jerry is very determined – I view him as a mentor.”

Rongmin adds: “Everything I do is finance-driven. For me and other shareholders, the aim of New Era is to build a platform from which we can launch an expansion into other parts of the UK. “First and foremost, though, we have to make sure this project in Sheffield delivers everything to the maximum.”

doing well, driving really nice cars. I was the only Chinese working as an engineer.

“Others were making fried rice and earning up to ten times as much as me. I thought: ‘Let’s think about this. If you can’t beat them, join them!’

Jerry ended up with around a dozen busy restaurants, crucially securing their freeholds, a move that was to allow him to build up a rental portfolio over 20 years.

The idea of a Sheffield Chinatown – complementing the nearby London Road mix of international restaurants, cafes and shops - was born as long ago as 2005.

With encouragement from the likes of then Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn and former council chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake, plans began to emerge for offices, shops, restaurants, a hotel, a casino and a China Trade Centre.

However, the vision was to change. In particular, the demand for student accommodation was factored in, and the China Trade Centre developed into the China-UK Business Incubator.

“It evolved because of market conditions. It stopped for a few years because of the recession, but we have now finished phase one. It hasn’t been easy, but life isn’t easy. We are well on the way with phase two. In a year and a bit it will be all done.”

The second phase is being built with the support of £27m from Barclays, adding to £7m of private investment.

The non-profit making business incubator is a significant element, offering a one-stop service to help local and Chinese businesses link up and generate business opportunities – from manufacturing to medicine.

Already up and running from a base in phase one, it provides advice and practical support on translation, business practice, cultural understanding and intelligence, able to call upon an extensive network.

Says Jerry: “The biggest selling point is the collaboration, bringing together the public and the private sectors, education, business associations, the

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COVER STORY

ARTISTS IMPRESSION OF HOW THE NEW ERA SQUARE WILL LOOK ONCE PHASE TWO IS COMPLETE

local council … There are the resources, knowledge and synergy to be tapped into.”

He wants to give New Era Square “soul. We are 60 per cent to 70 per cent there. The last part is probably the hardest.”

The mix of food and drink operators around the plaza is being handled with care. “I want it to be true to our word – for it to be cosmopolitan and sophisticated. We want to welcome Italian, Japanese, Thai, French, whatever.

“Chinatown reflected my father’s generation. Forty to 50 years later we want it to be more inclusive, to reflect society, to celebrate the cultural diversity of Sheffield.

“Spiritually it is Chinatown, but it’s not the same as the ones in London or Manchester.”

Over the years, Jerry has become a leading member of the local Chinese community, and he has developed a passion for the Sheffield area, not least because it’s the place where his children were born.

Daughter, Jo Yee, 25, is studying for a PhD in music psychology at the Royal Northern College of Music and

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New Era Square is

21 storeys high

New Era Square is made up of luxury apartments accommodating

686 students

300,000 The amount of man hours of work the initial stages of the project has generated

has set up a foundation to help under-privileged children to learn music, and son, Ray, 18, is studying classical civilisation at Oxford University on a path to become a lawyer.

Arrival in Sheffield in the mid-70s was a jolting experience, though.

“As a young child I had a picture of England as being very rosy, wonderful, with beautiful countryside and gardens and beautiful people with blue eyes. It was the wealthiest place on the planet.

“When I got to Sheffield I got the shock of my life. From the train station I took a taxi to Rotherham. Travelling along Sheffield Road there was a steel plant to the left, a strip mill to the right, massive sheds on either side.

“It was dark and raining. You think you haven’t got on the right plane! This isn’t England.

It wasn’t as nice as the place you have come from.

“Over the years I have got to love this area. First and foremost it’s the people, easy to get on with. Even when I go back to Hong Kong after two weeks I want to come

back. The love and passion has grown.

“I wanted to put something back into the community, to help the Chinese to integrate.

“The people at Rawmarsh Comp wanted to find out what the Chinese looked like.

It doesn’t have to be like that.

We are British Chinese and we are part of society. We should all join the party. I wanted to help the Chinese community to connect, to help people understand and celebrate Chinese culture.

“My father never had that chance. He worked unsocial hours in a takeaway. He had no chance to integrate. He was disconnected from society.”

From his office in the Jade Tower, Jerry’s motivation remains as strong as ever.

“A lot of people are coming to understand what I am trying to do. A lot of things are being developed including the ChinaUK Business Incubator.

“It is getting more interesting. I get up every morning at five o’clock and I am looking forward to going to work. It’s not bad for a village boy from Hong Kong!”

35

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

MILIFIX I was inspired to start my business by...

I’m Sheffield born and bred and educated at Westbourne before I went to study at Rugby.

From there I joined the Army where I held various positions including platoon commander, and anti-tank commander in what became the Yorkshire Regiment. I served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kosovo and was awarded the MBE in 2013.

I wanted to spend more time with my young family and be back up north and left the Forces in February last year.

We were renovating an old farmhouse which in some ways led to my business plan.

It quickly became apparent that the people working on the house that I trusted, who were polite and who left the house clean were generally ex-military. All that training, discipline, values and standards taught by the Army were transferable skills in many sectors like construction and maintenance in residential and commercial properties and that’s how the idea was born.

EDWARD COLVER, MD OF MILIFIX LTD

Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because…

I grew up here and it’s my home so I wanted to start the business here. There are significant levels of business support for start-ups and there’s a large ex-Forces community to tap in to for potential employees.

My favourite thing about And because it’s in running my business is... Being Yorkshire! my own boss and having the ability to help others without Sheffield City Region is a having to justify to anyone great place to grow a business else why I’m doing it. Getting because… up in the morning knowing The networking opportunities you’re doing something are great – having networked good, creating something across the south and London that’s helping other people. you don’t get the same feeling My desire is to help those of certainty and trust that transitioning out of the Forces you do with the Sheffield who, while they get a lot of community. Good honest fantastic support from the Yorkshire folk have a desire to Army, still find it difficult to actually help. There are very articulate those transferable few hollow promises, as when skills and sell themselves. people say they are going to do something they do.

The three words that best describe my business are …

The best advice I ever got Ex-services, trustworthy and was… professional.

Just do it!

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Retired Major Edward Colver MBE and MD of Milifix Ltd, a new business helping people leaving the Forces re-use their transferable skills in repair and maintenance work, talks trust, discipline – and wanting people to think ‘Milifix it’

Too many people talk about doing things for too long.

A good friend of mine who’s very successful in London said stop talking and start doing!

Until you do it you’ll not know how difficult or successful it’s going to be.

The worst advice I ever got was…

Be happy with your lot. They were trying to be friendly, basically pointing out that I had been in some interesting situations, had a good job and that would satisfy most people.

The organisations that have supported me and my business include…

• Friends and family.

• Ex-colleagues.

• Yorkshire Regiment Career Transition Partnership.

• Numerous ex-military services and recruitment companies.

• Sheffield City Region Launchpad.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are…

Reputation – the residential and commercial property services has been scarred by ‘cowboy’ unreliable builders and little has been done to counter that. We rarely see good news stories about building firms. If we’re able to do that the next challenge will be maintaining those standards and keeping up with demand at the same time.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to…

Grow in reputation and be a trusted partner to both the residential and commercial sector.

I’d hope to have expanded outside South Yorkshire but won’t do that unless I can be sure that the company values and standards will be adhered to and reputation and quality won’t be impacted.

I want people to think of us first when they have a building problem – just like ‘Google it’, I want them to think ‘Milifix it!’

37

CHARITIES Our round-up of some of the great work charities are doing in the city business region – and the companies that are doing their bit to support them

SHEFFIELD TO MONTE CARLO IN AID OF HOMELESS More than £60,000 was raised for youth homeless charity Roundabout after 21 teams of local businesses participated in the Bangers and Cash rally.

Cars, with bonnets decorated by local artists including Lisa Maltby, Trik 09 and Rob Lee, travelled from Meadowhall on to Europe before driving over the finish line in Monte Carlo.

Participating businesses – including Banks Pottery, Horbury Group, Henry Boot, Plusnet, DLA Piper, Goo Design and Evolution Power Tools – were tasked with challenges to earn points throughout the journey, such as taking photos at famous landmarks in

stop-off cities such as Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg, and making a splash in an icecold mountain lake.

Roundabout fundraising and communications manager Clare Collingworth said: “To see all our teams having so much fun while raising more than £60,000 is incredible.

“We’ve had huge support from local businesses and Sheffield City Council and want to thank everyone who has helped raise this money, which will help many young homeless people.”

The decorated car bonnets were returned to Sheffield and auctioned during a dinner event at the Mercure Hotel.

21 TEAMS WITH BONNETS DECORATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS PARTICIPATED IN THE BANGERS AND CASH RALLY IN AID OF YOUTH HOMELESS CHARITY ROUNDABOUT

Cyclists raise £17,000 for Bluebell Wood A 250-mile bike ride raised nearly £17,000 for South Yorkshire’s only children’s hospice.

An 11-strong team from the Sheffield telecoms and data installation service, ITI Network Services cycled to Paris from London raising £16,959.12 for Bluebell Wood

who will use the money to support children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.

Cyclists Ian Bell, Wayne Brown, Jason Denmark, Ross Denmark, Andrew Eyre, Craig Gray, Alex Goodlad, Keith Richardson, Hugh Spear, Chris Weston and Dave Wing,

managed to beat the clock and arrived in Paris just before the Tour de France.

Jason Denmark, managing director of ITI Network Services, said: “We’re enormously grateful to everyone who supported and sponsored the team in aid of such a worthwhile cause. “Bluebell

Wood does incredible work for families and the ride was a great challenge.”

Helen Mower, head of fundraising at Bluebell Wood said: “We’re so grateful to the team who cycled this distance during some of the hottest days of the year. Without the support of people like the amazing team we wouldn’t be able to create these memories.”

‘Most moving experience’ for dementia residents A leading Sheffield care provider has been using Shetland ponies to bring comfort and joy to its dementia sufferers.

The specially trained animals visited all three homes operated by Fulwoodbased Silver Healthcare were staff and relatives were encouraged by the therapeutic and calming effect on residents brought about by the animals.

The three ponies, supplied

by Sheffield-based Smile at Lightwood, spent time with scores of dementia sufferers and even travelled in the lift to visit residents in their

38

bedrooms and lounges.

Roy Young, managing director of Sheffield-based Silver Healthcare, said: “The visit counts as one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had in all my decades of operating care homes.

“Several residents even burst into tears – they were visibly moved by the experience and the calmness of the animals and there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate the forthcoming birthday of 92-year-old resident Maria Deakin.

“The visit truly brought a smile to everyone’s face.”

THREE SPECIALLY TRAINED PONIES VISITED RESIDENTS AT SILVER HEALTHCARE HOMES

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CHARITIES

Dear Reader, As a mum of two I am constantly prepared with a snack or a spare piece of clothing! We all plan for the day, week, special occasions but how many of us are prepared for the future?

That’s why I’m writing to you today.

My daughter Matilda is three years old and my son Ailbe has just turned 18 months old.

They keep me on my toes but I know I’m very lucky. I think about their next birthday and look back at pictures of when they were born.

The future seems very far away and isn’t something I am prepared for, it’s not on my list of priorities but I know it is inevitable.

I don’t know what my children will become but I hope they will feel loved. When the time comes, I want to help other families from all walks of life, as they’ll need the help of Sheffield Children’s Hospital too. Some of these children are probably not even born yet but they could be our future doctors, teachers, leaders and of course a twinkle in their parents eye.

Working at The Children’s Hospital Charity I’ve met families who have had their worlds turned upside down. It’s a testament to our hospital that these families always remember the incredible care they’ve received. You really don’t appreciate until you really need it.

We’ve just launched our biggest-ever fundraising appeal to build a better future for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. This includes renovating our Cancer Ward, expanding the Emergency Department and building a brand-new Helipad.

We’ll never stop striving to make the hospital better, so we’ll never stop needing your help.

I’ll be honest - I keep putting off writing a Will but now seems as good time to finally get it done. I’ll definitely be writing one this year and I hope you’ll join me in leaving a legacy that will help generations to come.

Thank you for your time,

P.S. Irwin Mitchell offer a discount Will writing service if you are thinking of writing a Will and they’ll make an immediate donation too.

Visit www.tchc.org.uk/howyoucanhelp to find out more.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

39

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

OFFICE INTERIORS

ON TREND, ON TIME! Eight months, three floors, 200 workstations…

When DL Company took on the task of fitting out the new HQ of Stagecoach UK Group, the team lived up to director Dan Lowe’s pledge that the firm brings ‘knowledge, talent and skills to any project, small or large’.

The latter, in this case – as the Sheffield firm was in charge of designing the layout, selecting the products and delivering the complete project at Stockport Exchange Office

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Building, a state-of-theart award-winning office building.

Thanks to a number of showroom visits, the team were able to illustrate and discuss innovative furniture proposals and flooring solutions that would create a new culture within the business, ‘preparing it for the evolving way people do business within large organisations’.

Within that ever-changing world of business, working with the times – and on time

– is crucial to any large-scale high-profile renovation project.

So working alongside Stagecoach, designs and products were chosen that were befitting of the space and offered a modern and stylish feel, while maintaining the brand identity of Stagecoach and reflecting the traditional company ethics.

The project To Do list was extensive as a result, with DL supplying and installing areas including

audio visual systems, raised access floor, folding wall system, air conditioning, office furniture, and glass partitioning.

And just as you’d hope for a project managed on behalf of a public transport operator like Stagecoach, Dan and the team were on budget – and ran it on time!

Here we take a closer look and find out more, from the designers and from Stagecoach Group themselves – who gave DL a five-star post-refurb review.

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OFFICE INTERIORS THE DESIGNER’S VIEW MD of DL Company Daniel Lowe said: “As Stagecoach’s business requirements had expanded over the years, they’d outgrown their old offices. The new offices at Stockport Exchange Office Building needed to provide improved facilities and a working environment better suited to the needs of staff and the business which gave us great scope for innovative furniture proposals and flooring solutions that would create a new culture within the business.

“This installation is a great example of the knowledge, talent and skills that DL can bring to any project, large or small and we’re immensely proud to have delivered such a high-profile project for Stagecoach.

“Having started from the very beginning of the process it’s been a very enjoyable job making the decisions alongside the customer to bring from the planning stage to reality.”

THE COMPANY’S VIEW MD of Stagecoach Services Mark Haberfield said: “From Stagecoach’s first meeting with DL, we found Dan and the team epitomised the seamless combination of customer service and modern-day delivery we had expected.

“We immediately trusted DL’s input on their suggestions of layout, design, and the ranges of furniture and fittings offered by their key suppliers.

We found all the trades people attending our site to be professional and friendly.

“Over an eight-month programme covering three floors, 200 workstations, and associated amenities including a kitchen and meeting room suite, Dan’s team came in on budget and on time. Other Group companies have seen the results and asked us about DL as a result.”

42

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

OFFICE INTERIORS

Kitchens and canteen including white goods Daniel Lowe said: “A large and light kitchen and canteen was required, providing a great change of scenery.

“As well as the all-important white goods, we used a variety of furniture products to reflect a relaxed space, maintain the colour scheme and include suitable facilities for staff to fully enjoy their breaks.”

Door Entry System Daniel said: “These screens allowed each meeting room to display the company brand and welcome messages, while running a room booking system for practical, everyday use.”

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D E R I INSP

nd ed a resh f e r e spac d: work vampe pany ide re Com your t ers e G s Riv 9 2RX DL The 0 Jessop ffield, S .com e 2 ny : e, Sh mpa ress Add side Lan thedlco 248 @ ht 86 Brig il: sales : 0114 35 Ema Call

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43

FOCUS ON

ROTHERHAM RESURGENCE The announcement of the arrival of McLaren and its luxury sports cars was greeted as one of the clearest signals yet that Rotherham’s economic regeneration strategy is heading in the right direction.

Peter Kay reports

44

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FOCUS ON McLaren Automotive is opening a £50m Composites Technology Centre, joining the likes of Boeing and Rolls Royce on the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley, and underlining the park’s reputation as a world class centre for advanced manufacturing, research and development.

Yet optimism for the economic future of the Rotherham area runs deeper.

Mixed use developments are springing up near the AMP; Rotherham is now a university town; a pioneering tram-train will create a fast link with Sheffield; the town centre is being reinvigorated; construction has begun on

a large theme park resort; hundreds of new homes are being built…

The destructive waves from the industrial downturn of the late 1980s and early 1990s are now replaced by ripples of hope and confidence among business and council leaders.

So much so that Rotherham can claim to be Yorkshire’s fastest growing city economy and the UK’s tenth fastest growing economy.

“There is huge optimism around a number of projects,” says Andrew Denniff, chief executive of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce. “The AMP is the jewel in the crown, but other innovative plans are coming to fruition.”

It helps that Rotherham is at the geographical heart of the Sheffield City Region.

“I think we have to look to the bigger picture,” says Andrew. “It’s about the Sheffield City Region based around a major city and everything that goes on within the region, whether it’s the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the Doncaster-Sheffield Airport or developments in Barnsley town centre. There is significant investment around the region.”

And Rotherham has its fair share.

Muse Developments was chosen by Rotherham Council last August as its preferred partner for the £60m Forge Island project which includes a multi-screen cinema, food and drink outlets and a hotel. The town centre will have a cinema again.

The town centre masterplan also embraces a refurbished bus interchange and better use of the river and canal including new waterside homes.

After being squeezed for so long between Meadowhall on one side and Parkgate on

the other, the town centre is looking beyond new retail and leisure.

Students and adult learners have started their first term at the £10.5m University Centre Rotherham on Doncaster Gate.

With access to degrees and higher-level qualifications, and accredited by Hull University and Sheffield Hallam University, UCR is operated by education and training provider RNN Group.

It is all part of a strategy set out by the Rotherham Together Partnership to improve the economic and social well-being of the borough.

Getting around will be quicker with the arrival of the tram-train, the first of its kind in the UK, between Rotherham and Sheffield. The journey between Parkgate and Sheffield Cathedral via Rotherham town centre will take only 27 minutes.

The much-delayed and vastly over budget pilot project – now costing more than £100m – sees vehicles using the freight route from Rotherham and then joining the Supertram network at Meadowhall South.

PHOTO: HARWORTH GROUP

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Bringing #amazingspaces to the market in Sheffield.

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FOCUS ON

THERE ARE AMBITIOUS PLANS TO RESTORE WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE AS A VISITOR ATTRACTION, BUSINESS CENTRE AND EVENTS SPACE The under-estimation of the scale and complexity of the works – the trial scheme was announced in 2009 – is well documented.

But with Government funding, the tram-trains are set to run for two years with a view to permanent operation.

Meanwhile, a major new road between Sheffield and Rotherham – travelling under the Tinsley Viaduct to avoid congestion around the M1 – has already improved journeys for drivers. The Tinsley Link Road connects the ring road around Meadowhall with Sheffield Road in Templeborough.

Leisure and tourism are key strands of Rotherham’s regeneration strategy.

Work has begun on the Gulliver’s Valley family theme park resort on the 250 acre former Pithouse West colliery between Wales Bar and Aston – a site long earmarked for leisure development.

The resort will include an indoor water play zone, a climbing centre, nature trails, outdoor gyms and accommodation ranging from glamping and self-catering woodland lodges to the Lilliput Castle Hotel. It is due to open in spring 2020.

Joining existing Gulliver’s attractions in Matlock Bath, Warrington and Milton Keynes, the group says its new resort, near Rother Valley

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Country Park, will be its “most ambitious theme park to date”.

In the longer term, the future of Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham’s Grade I listed 365-room Georgian mansion and gardens, is looking brighter in the hands of a trust that has ambitious plans to restore the property as a visitor attraction, business centre and events space.

If one eye is on harnessing the glories of the past, the AMP, minutes from M1 junction 33 and the Sheffield Parkway, on the site of the former Orgreave coking works and opencast mine, encapsulates the future.

Rotherham may have a proud industrial heritage, but it is 21st century technology that is being developed on the AMP by world class businesses such as Boeing, Rolls Royce, McLaren Automotive, BAE Systems and Airbus.

The key anchor tenant since 2003 has been the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

Now the AMP has more than 100 industrial partners – from the global to small companies – and employs around 500 highly qualified researchers and engineers from around the world.

McLaren Automotive’s Composites Technology Centre will focus on the development and manufacture of advanced

27

minutes journey Tram Train from Parkgate to Sheffield Cathedral via Rotherham

£20m manufacturing plant to open in Dinnington

by Luxembourg-based United Caps

Rotherham is the UK’s

TENTH fastest growing economy

carbon fibre chassis high performance sports cars and supercars.

Around 45 McLaren employees are already working at the AMRC, and the company is expected to employ around 200 by the time of full production in 2020.

The AMP Technology Centre is another part of the campus equation - designed to nurture small, medium and fast growing companies in the advanced engineering, manufacturing and environmental energy sectors.

And there is the promise of more to come at the AMP. Rotherham Council has granted permission to the landowner and developer, the Harworth Group, for another 35 acres for business and manufacturing.

The AMP is within the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone, which brings financial incentives for company relocations, including Business Rate Relief.

Powered by public and private sector partnerships, the whole area continues to be transformed.

Work is scheduled to start this year on a £50m retail, leisure and office project linking with the AMP and a growing residential community. Some 700 jobs are envisaged.

The development is by Waverley Square Ltd, a joint

47

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Friday, 7th December Shaw Lane Cricket Club, Barnsley 6:30pm - Late

Take the strain out of organising your office Christmas celebration and join the Chamber in spreading the festive cheer.

Members £34.95 + vat Non-members £39.95 + vat

This is the place to go for a great party night!

Enjoy a five course meal before dancing the night away to all your favourite party tunes with live entertainment from Zenon Band.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FOCUS ON

UNIVERSITY CENTRE ROTHERHAM

venture by Harworth and Dransfield Properties that covers more than 190,000 sq ft and covers offices, a foodstore and other shops, healthcare facilities, car park, restaurants, coffee shops, a gym and a landscaped piazza.

More than 700 homes have been built in the past four years and hundreds more are being developed.

A community is taking root.

After recording more than 2 per cent economic growth in the first quarter of this year, Rotherham’s Gross Value Added will continue to grow, according to the UK Powerhouse study produced by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Employment may dip but is forecast to increase again, Luxembourg-based United Caps, an international manufacturer of plastic caps and closures, were sufficiently convinced to commit €20m to its first UK manufacturing plant, in Dinnington.

“We chose Rotherham because of its central location along the M1, available technical skilled people and

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

the reasonable cost of land in that area,” says CEO Benoit Henckes.

Initially, the company is taking 5,000 sq m, with an option to expand to 20,000.

Twenty jobs will be created almost immediately.

Rotherham council leader Chris Read says: “The past year has been great for high value job creation in Rotherham with new companies such as McLaren Automotive and United Caps choosing to locate in the borough, joining the likes of Rolls-Royce, Boeing and others, whilst alreadyestablished firms have expanded.

“The coming 12 months will continue to bring infrastructure investments – with the University Centre already opening its doors, work starting on the Gulliver’s theme park in the south of the borough, investment in the new bus interchange, key housing developments and the UK’s first tram-train project.

“Our objective is to continue to create the right conditions for growth, generating the jobs that residents want.

The coming 12 months will continue to bring infrastructure investments.

“Rotherham is Yorkshire’s fastest growing city economy and the UK’s tenth fastest growing economy, and this gives confidence to businesses looking to invest in jobs, homes and developments here.”

It takes time to generate a fresh, more positive image, and there were other issues in Rotherham that needed addressing, of course.

Commissioners appointed by the Government in 2015 after the highlighting of

serious failings across the authority in the aftermath of the child sexual exploitation scandal left Rotherham Council in September. All decision making is back with councillors.

Andrew Denniff says: “The biggest challenge is around people’s expectations and perceptions. Rotherham has not had the best press over the last ten years, but we are moving on without ignoring what has happened.

“It’s about perception. How do we profile Rotherham? We have to sell Rotherham to the wider world. That’s a job for all of us. We all have to play our part.

“We now have a City Region Mayor in Dan Jarvis and he has a huge challenge to get the four local authorities around the table to agree a devolution deal that will release a significant amount of money to invest in the region. Let’s show we can make it work.

“But notwithstanding how the devolution plans work out, and what may or may not happen with Brexit, there is a lot of optimism and enthusiasm in Rotherham.”

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ADVERTORIAL

COULD YOU ROUGH IT FOR ROUNDABOUT? This winter people across Sheffield will be swapping their beds for a sleeping bag and braving the cold floor in a warehouse to raise money which will help support young homeless people in Sheffield.

We caught up with Tracey Jackson, deputy CEO of Roundabout, to find out more about their Sleep Out fundraiser: “On Friday 9 November, participants will take on the challenge of sleeping overnight in a warehouse.

Even though an event like this cannot truly replicate what it’s like to be lonely, frightened and homeless, it gives a small insight into struggles faced by many young people.

“Participants of the Sleep Out, sponsored by One Health and Irwin Mitchell, are encouraged to raise

£150 each to help end youth homelessness and could even buy a home starter pack for a young person when they

move into their own tenancy.”

A previous sleeper from 2017 said: “It was a humbling experience - we often take for

granted how safe and secure our lives are and assume everyone has the same opportunities.”

Tracey continues: “So we are asking the people of Sheffield to rough it and raise funds for us at Roundabout, so we can do what we do best and help give homeless young people a brighter future.”

This event will be the 7th Sleep Out organised by the charity, and for the 2nd year will be held at 92 Burton Road, Kelham Island, S3 8BX. Registration is £15 per person and more information can be found at www. roundaboutsleepout.co.uk.

If you have any questions, please email Roundabout’s Fundraising Team: fundraising@roundaboutltd. org or call them on 0114 253 6753.

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY TALKS

BY TIM BOTTRILL

colloco founder Tim stays optimistic despite city centre office space shortage

OUT OF OFFICE (SPACE) As you may have spotted in my Twitter bio, I like to see myself as the ‘most optimistic agent in Sheffield’!

So you may be a little surprised to find me opening this magazine’s column on a bit of a downer – because we’re facing a looming shortage of office space in Sheffield City Centre.

Three years of strong commercial activity and development has been an exciting time for the city and has led to increased take-up.

Good news, right? Well, yes – but it also means we’re now facing an under supply.

Over the last 12 months three prime office locations – Acero, 3 St Paul’s and Steel City House - have all nearly let. Over 105,000 sq ft of deals were completed in the second quarter of 2018, and with Sheffield’s potential now being widely recognised, this

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high level of market activity doesn’t look like slowing anytime soon.

While this is greatly positive news, we now face the issue of generating new spaces to accommodate the demand.

And the problem is not just space, but time. New product coming to market takes time ... a long time. Design, planning, construction can take up to three years – and that doesn’t even take account of funding. Economic factors need to align perfectly to fund a speculative office development in a city like Sheffield.

Currently, if a business, whether local or an inward investor, requires more than 15,000 sq ft of space in Sheffield, then the choices are limited. 1 Charter Sq. is the only grade A office that suits and springs to mind. And if a business doesn’t require a

building of this quality, but still needs to house 150+ staff, then 32 Eyre Street is the only real option.

We must create a balance within the market. Sheffield cannot support huge amounts of more commercial development. The challenge is creating a sustainable pipeline of schemes and opportunities in the right location.

In my opinion, office development needs to be focused in and around the office ‘core’ – the area stretching from the train station up to Heart of the City 2, a development scheme aiming to provide a mixture of retail and leisure space, as well as the development of Grade A offices.

This would leave other areas free for the non-corporate creative and digital sectors – those smaller companies that create texture in the local economy and crave interesting space who would be suited to

the developing areas such as Kelham Island and Park Hill.

Speaking of Kelham Island, Eagle Works (pictured) – a stunningly redeveloped former Cotton Mill – has recently been officially launched. Offering five unique office spaces over five floors and ‘all inclusive’ terms, businesses will have both flexibility and cost certainty.

And ending on another positive – and personal – note, we’re truly thrilled at colloco to have been placed third in the Estates Gazette’s league table of Top 10 Most Active Agents in Sheffield. Having only just celebrated our first year in business, this really is a significant achievement.

So colloco are among the city’s most active agents – and I’m STILL the most optimistic!

If you are looking for increasingly hard to find office space within the city, we’d be more than happy to help – just get in touch.

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ADVERTORIAL

JOLLY GOOD SHOW “Growing up, my house was full of computers and spare parts,” says Tom Jolly.

“Learning how to build computers was part of my childhood.”

His dad worked in IT – so perhaps it is little surprise that Tom ended up running a successful IT consultancy, with offices in Sheffield, London and Woking.

Started 12 years ago, Jolly IT is firmly established as a family-run business offering a single point of contact for companies that don’t have the time, resources or desire to handle their computer issues in-house.

They provide a full range of IT services: remote and on-site support, advice on the purchase of hardware, helping businesses to store data…

“Mostly it’s IT admin and installing client software – creating user accounts and changing passwords, helping to solve issues with access to the internet or with printing,” Tom explains. “All the boring stuff that, if you don’t know what you’re doing, can take forever to sort. And on rare occasions, we

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do sometimes just ‘turn it off, then turn it back on again!’ We don’t waste anyone’s time.

“There can be more complex stuff, such as when a client is looking to move office and needs to recalibrate everything.

Sometimes clients want to move from one software to another.

“We look at the market and say, ‘these are the options, and this is the one we think you should go for. Then we do all the technical stuff.’”

Jolly IT, based in Sheffield at The Workstation in Paternoster Row, works mostly with small businesses – “anything from one person up to 60.”

But Tom adds; “One of our biggest clients is a PR company that has grown from 10 people to 100.”

Clients come from a wide range of sectors, including tax advisors, hotel groups, architects, PR and recruitment.

Most use Windows and Microsoft Office.

The focus is on friendly service and advice.

“We want to be a member of the team. Sometimes we go in as a boardroom member and make decisions on their IT requirements. It’s very personalised.”

Costs are, of course, an important factor.

“A typical business of around 10 people may choose to take control of its IT issues, then find it is too busy, relying on its own management and employing a junior IT administrator on a low wage,” says Tom. “This can still end up costing

£1,000 a month. A fully qualified IT technician might cost £25,000 a year.

“Jolly IT prices its contracts based on the size of the business. For that same tenperson company, it would cost £250 a month, and for that price, you have access to six fully certified technicians.

“You save a lot of money.”

With his business partner, Tony Durell, in charge of the London office, Tom moved to Sheffield, the home city of his wife, eight years ago and set up an office in Sheffield.

He found much cheaper rents – and an increasingly business-friendly environment.

“Sheffield has completely changed in the time I’ve been here. It’s more organised.

There’s a lot of networking that gives us a lot of access to businesses.

“Eight years ago, Sheffield was quiet, especially compared to London, but from a business point of view, it has really turned itself around. For modern day businesses, now it’s a great place to have an office.”

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YOUR PITCH Your pitch is an opportunity for start-ups to tell everyone about their business. This issue we meet Simon Harrison of DeeperThanBlue Analytics, who’s helping organisations make the most of their data

SIMON HARRISON Tell us about your business – sell yourself!

We are a business analytics consultancy that use our deep, practical business experience to help our customers better understand their data and how they can use it to get better returns.

Our portfolio is varied, but our capabilities are particularly strong when it comes to management accounting.

We really get to understand what drives your business.

The scale of your company isn’t an issue, we have worked in senior positions at large organisations where we have helped to drive transformation and change. Our qualifications are second to none – we have fully certified competencies in analytics, we are an IBM business partner and we are fully registered with CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants as members in practice).

There are countless areas of your business we can help to excel, from maximising your business performance to simply minimising your costs.

What gave you the idea for your business?

The idea came from our own personal experience in solving business problems. We’ve always found that the best way for a business to make smart decisions that will definitely lead to a real improvement is by using the enormous amount of insight that data can provide. In this modern age, most businesses are

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SIMON HARRISON OF DEEPERTHANBLUE

struggling to come to terms with the enormous growth in data they’ve got coming in from Big Data and connected devices.

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

All businesses use data to a certain extent, but what our dedicated team can offer is specialised analysis of specific sectors including retail, FMCG, logistics, manufacturing, legal and banking. We’re also about to launch a business analytics forum right here in Sheffield, where we’ll demonstrate what can be achieved through real life examples. We also want

to encourage our guests to share their own experiences to improve the performance of businesses in South Yorkshire, which should provide great networking opportunities in the process.

Our portfolio is varied, but our capabilities are particularly strong when it comes to management accounting.

How can people get in touch with you?

Please contact me via: Email: simon.harrison @deeperthanblue.co.uk.

Phone: 0114 399 2820 or 07949763848.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/ in/simon-harrison-dtb/ For any more details, visit our website on www.deeperthanblue.co.uk

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LAUNCHPAD

A POWERFUL BUSINESS PLAN Dean Pattison set up Rotherham-based Utility Source Limited earlier this year with a little help from Launchpad. Here he talks about tackling the stigma associated with utilities and how the Sheffield City region became a ‘fantastic circle to work within’.

Tell us all about your company: Utility Source Limited is a consultancy service which educates developers around the process of installing gas, water and electric infrastructure into new buildings, whether that’s a housing site, a single house, or an industrial or commercial building. We walk the customer through the process from beginning to end so they can budget and plan correctly and we see ourselves as trusted partners who go the extra mile. There is a bit of a stigma with utilities that it’s a difficult experience. I’m trying to help people to see that it doesn’t have to be that way – communication with the client is key to making it a smooth journey for everybody.

When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?

I’ve worked for various companies over the last 15 years, but over time I found myself moving in a very different direction to what is deemed and accepted as the norm. Growth was generally their focus – a critical part of any business – but I felt that it was coming at the expense of quality, effective delivery and client relationships. I got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying it, decided it wasn’t for me anymore, and looked at my options. I’d contemplated starting my own business for a few years previously, but took the leap in January 2018.

How has Launchpad helped you?

My main experience has been with Julia Millea from Rido, who has been an excellent mentor. I was taken aback with how much support is there.

I went to mentoring support sessions which helped me think

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DEAN PATTISON OWNER OF UTILITY SOURCE LIMITED

deeper into my business plan and gave me the opportunity to bounce off someone impartial.

I also attended well-structured workshops and training events which really got me refocused on how to make my business the best it can be.

What do you think of the Sheffield City Region as a place to start a business?

There are so many new businesses being created in this region, many of which are becoming very successful.

I have encountered a whole

range of opportunities to introduce myself to people who are in a similar industry and are interested in my services. It’s been such a positive experience. Wherever I go, people are building and expanding, and I have started to recognise places and people from all the networking sessions, creating a fantastic circle to work within. Prior to taking the leap, I didn’t think that there was so much support and opportunity out in this region, but I’m so glad I chose to start here.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

My aim is to create an established footprint in Yorkshire which I believe is now becoming a thriving business region. I’m confident that there isn’t a company like mine which I hope to use to my advantage to flourish. Ultimately, I would love to get to the point where I have a well-established brand, significant local customer base and a turnover of around £3million. I love the idea of bringing apprentices in and working with them to add a fresh and dynamic approach to what we do – learning and development is my passion and giving people opportunities will be a big part of my business in the near future.

Launchpad Business Advisor Julia Millea said: “Dean has worked hard over the last year to set up the business.

The company has the potential to be a high growth business in the Sheffield City Region. Dean is very forward thinking in his approach and it’s refreshing to find people with such determination and drive to succeed. With his experience and expertise, there are no limits to what he could achieve.

“Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created.

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.

“Stop dreaming and do it.”

Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email: growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org.uk

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COMPANY CULTURE

A COMMON GOAL

Tufcot MD Greg Majchrzak tells unLTD’s Andy Palmer how ensuring all employees work together means everyone shares in the company’s success Within minutes of meeting Tufcot MD Greg Majchrzak, his passion and enthusiasm for his family firm – and especially the people working at Tufcot – comes through.

“For me, employees are number one and key to the company’s success,” said Greg. “They’re an asset to the company. If they’re happy working here, then

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productivity goes up.”

Tufcot is a strong, lightweight, self-lubricating and low friction alternative to metal. The composite materials manufacturing firm was started by Greg’s father, Elvin, along with two other people and originally started from Elvin’s garage 37 years ago.

“There were just the three

directors to start with and one machine,” said Greg. “Today we have 85 machines and 36 employees. We’ve grown year on year and always reinvested profits back into the company.”

Along with newer and more advanced pieces of technology and machinery, Tufcot has heavily invested in the people working for the company.

“We wanted to make it a

friendly place to work,” said the 30-year-old. “People have left us but returned once they realised the grass wasn’t greener elsewhere and I think that’s the key to our success – we invest well into our employees. We listen to them and what they want and since then production has been up and targets have improved exponentially.”

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COMPANY CULTURE

People stay here and work here for a long time. If they leave they often come back. That says it all, really!

TUFCOT MANAGING DIRECTOR GREG MAJCHRZAK

Greg studied for his business and management degree at Leeds University and started working at the family firm during his studies. He joined Tufcot ten years ago and became managing director after two years with the company.

“When I started there was some division between staff working in the office, the workshop engineering and manufacturing departments.

There was a hierarchy and an imbalance between the three departments.

“We wanted to change the culture so that there was just one team, and everyone received the same bonuses, benefits and were listened to equally.

“Another aspect of that was our open-door policy – mine and Elvin’s doors are always open, and we’ll listen to anyone here and work to resolve any issues as soon as they arise.

“We carry out appraisals and have annual action lists for everyone with the aim of

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completing each action in the appraisal. That way employees can see what they asked for and how we fulfilled their requests.”

Striving for a culture where everyone feels valued, the company introduced a profitbased bonus scheme where everyone receives the same amount from the yearly profits shortly before Christmas.

“This has been a big thing, as it’s helped all employees work together with a common goal of achieving the best for the company, so that we can all share in that success,” said Greg. “It’s also meant that fewer mistakes are made, and our targets have been exceeded.

In 2013 we had 53 per cent ontime deliveries, now we have 99.5 per cent.”

As well as Greg and Elvin, Greg’s two sisters work at the company and they are all proud that it’s a family business and aim to keep it that way.

With that in mind, the company feel all the employees are like family and have created several other ways to reward

them including a health cash plan from Westfield Health, a secondary bonus scheme for attendance and long service, and the one Greg feels is the most important – social activities.

“We’ve had days out to The Great Escape, the Virgin Lounge in Sheffield, and an annual Christmas party. It really brings people together – we have labourers chatting to the chairman informally and laughing together.”

Creating the right culture involves trial and error – and not everything has worked. A salary sacrifice scheme where employees were able to buy items from an iPad to a car and save the tax had little take-up.

“People prefer having money in their account than tax breaks on physical items,” said Greg.

“So we learned from that and that’s when we introduced the bonus scheme.”

Greg’s confident that Team Tufcot are working to build a cohesive team with one goal – to see the company continue to

be profitable and productive.

“People stay here and work here for a long time. And, as I said earlier, if they leave they often come back. That says it all, really!

“We also get great feedback in managerial meetings where they’ve heard directly from the staff that they’re happy and motivated. And productivity is up – happy staff are productive workers.”

Five years ago, the company moved from a building that was a third the size of the current Coleford Road headquarters in Sheffield.

New customers are at record numbers and a section of the car park has been left unfinished with the view to expanding.

Most of the business – up to 82 per cent – is conducted in Europe, but there no plans to open another site abroad.

“We’re a family company based in Sheffield and we want to keep it that way,” said Greg. “Our customers like that and we are really proud of it, too.”

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

50/50 COMICS

Jim O’Connor owner of 50/50 Comics tells us having the freedom to learn and grow without restrictions helped him to ‘stay classy’ when setting up his digital comic business.

I was inspired to start my business by...

The way in which I found myself accessing digital content. I would often find myself traveling or waiting with nothing but my phone for entertainment, and since I love comic-books, I would use online resources to buy and read online.

However, with most suppliers only providing a few sample pages it was hard for me to see whether or not the comic-books available were something I would be interested in. On top of that, I found that the price was usually around the same as a print copy, even though it wasn’t a tangible item that I can collect or resell.

When I began to write my digital comic I decided to create my own website, where I could price my comic-books at an amount that is both fair to the reader and myself. Also I chose to offer 50 per cent of each digital comic-book for free, so the readers can get an idea of whether it’s something they actually enjoy, before they commit to purchasing it.

My favourite thing about running my business is…

Getting to do what I love every day, having the freedom to learn and grow without restrictions and, of course, the great feeling I get when someone tells me how much they enjoyed reading my comic.

The three words that best describe my business are…

Considerate, webcomic, resource.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because…

The potential to network within Sheffield is excellent – the ease of which you can find likeminded and supportive

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JIM OFFERS READERS 50 PER CENT OF EACH OF THE DIGITAL COMIC-BOOKS HE WRITES FOR FREE TO GIVE THEM AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT

individuals makes for a strong foundation on which to build.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because …

The people. I’ve been to a lot of other cities and there’s none other like it.

The people of Sheffield have a great sense of community.

The best advice I ever got was…

“Always be yourself. if you try to imitate others, at best, you will be a good copy.” I find myself thinking of this advice often.

The worst advice I ever got was…

“Any publicity is good publicity.” It isn’t – stay classy!

The organisations that have supported me and my business include…

This magazine for one! Also other online creators such as the YouTube channel Geekery with Dante D, who has helped to promote my work through both actual support on the channel and the use of my artwork for the channel’s online presence.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are…

Creating comic books is a highly competitive market, with most readers only showing interest in the works done by the big three publishing companies (Marvel, DC and Image).

With these companies having

increasingly large amounts of film-based adaptations, the works of independent artist can often be overlooked.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to…

Honestly, I have no expectations. I do however, have hopes.

I hope that my comic and website will have gained enough of a following that it can financially support other artists as well as myself, allowing for a broad selection of titles to be added to our library, so that my customers will have a variety of highquality affordable comic-books available to download at home or on the go.

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SUCCESS STORY

GET UP

!

O G D AN unLTD’s Jill Theobald meets the duo behind Actus, the ‘younger, friendly face of insurance’ who got up and went from employees to becoming their own bosses

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!

SUCCESS STORY

We wanted to be our own bosses to change our lives and those of our families so we decided to go it alone.

Not long into our conversation, Actus Insurance owners Sam Leeder and Paul Taylor say they see their business brand as ‘the younger face of insurance with a bit more get up and go’.

Which is funnily enough exactly what they did after deciding to set up in business on their own – leaving behind comfortable, well-established careers with a high-profile local company to, well … get up and go.

The friends and founders of Actus share similar backgrounds.

“Nobody goes into insurance on purpose!” jokes Sam, who “took a year out from uni, met a girl, didn’t go back to uni and had to get a job. I had two interviews in a week, one with an architect and one with an

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insurer and I didn’t get the architects one!”

After working at a national insurer in Leeds for five years as an underwriter, he joined a high-profile local broker in Doncaster where he moved into external accounts, sales and marketing, and management – and met Paul.

“I started at the bottom, as an office junior for a Rotherham insurance brokers making tea and filing,” says Paul, “and then they educated me in areas like house cover, travel and commercial insurance.

“I wanted to get out and about, meet clients and not just be an administrator and my next employers gave me the opportunity to do that, so I moved to their Sheffield office and then Doncaster where I worked under Sam.”

“I was always the person who said what they thought and had a vision for trying different things,” says Sam. “In a big corporate organisation that doesn’t always sit well because they don’t always have that flexibility to just let you try something new, so I felt slightly held back.

“I was also increasingly looking to become part of the directorship at the firm but that wasn’t on the horizon. I wanted more and was developing a real passion to be my own boss.”

Adds Paul: “Snap! I wanted the same thing.”

“We got chatting about an insurance broker which had been sold,” explains Sam. “It had been set up ten years ago by a group of lads who had gone out on their own and we were saying imagine what that

would be like? We realised it was something that interested us both and we decided to just do it.”

But just doing it is not quite as simple as the sneaker slogan may suggest.

“We were introduced to a London company who wanted to do a joint venture with us,” continues Sam. “It sounded great as they would provide accommodation and back office support but would be majority shareholders. Fundamentally we wanted to be our own bosses to change our lives and those of our families so we decided to go it alone and raise the finance ourselves.”

“That in itself had huge challenges though,” admits Paul. “We had a tight restrictive covenant from our former employers about where and

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SUCCESS STORY

APPRENTICESHIPS MADE EASY

YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Take a pinch of advice from our business development experts and identify the key roles you need in your business.

Add a dash of our recruitment experience and knowledge and let us find talented candidates for you.

Select a handful of applicants, interview them (lightly grill only) and see if they’re the right fit.

Let them mature as they develop skills and knowledge tailored to your business and culture.

AVOID RECRUITMENT COSTS AND LET LEARNING UNLIMITED DO THE HARD WORK FOR YOU. OUR ACHIEVEMENT RATES ARE 16.4% ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND WE WORK WITH 100s OF SATISFIED EMPLOYERS.

If Michelin did apprenticeship providers, we’d already have three stars. www.learningunlimiteduk.com

0345 850 1055

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SUCCESS STORY

who we could work with for the first year and it was a stressful time, a lot of emotional ups and downs and sleepless nights – not least because my son was only a baby at the time!”

The lifestyles Sam and Paul were used to like dining out in restaurants at the weekends went on hold while they set up the business in June last year.

Paul says: “It was a tough time to go it alone, but we had the confidence that we could make it work.”

“Our ambition was always to set up a Sheffield business with our own identity and we didn’t want an old-fashioned name,” says Sam. “We looked at every Greek and Roman gods’ name under the sun! But we wanted something dynamic that sums up what we’re about. Actus is Latin for action, performance and delivery and we are proactive, perform and deliver for our clients.”

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With most professional services opting for a blue brand, Sam and Paul went for a ‘vibrant green’ to differentiate themselves.

And at age 37 (Paul) and 40 (Sam) that isn’t the only difference.

“We’re also a lot younger than most of our competitors!” acknowledges Sam. “We see ourselves as a younger face of the industry with a bit more get up and go.”

Actus became Appointed Representatives with Gauntlet Group who provide support, training and backoffice services, enabling the pair to run the own company but place business through Gauntlet’s network, giving them more buying power.

“It means we can spend our time looking after our clients rather than the day-to-day stuff,” says Paul.

“But we won’t be Appointed Representatives forever,” adds Sam. “Eventually we want to take on our own staff.”

That might be sooner rather than later.

“We’re so busy,” says Paul.

“The last few months the referrals have been rolling in week after week and it is just snowballing.”

In fact, the only oldfashioned thing about Actus crops up when we talk customer service.

“We’re using lots of social media including making and editing our own videos plus cloud IT so clients can reach us anytime anywhere and can’t stress enough how important social media was getting us shortlisted in the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber Awards,” says Sam. “But our vision is a bit old-fashioned in terms of our service. We go out to

clients, help them fill in forms and meet up frequently to maintain those relationships.

It’s the kind of face-to-face level of service people used to expect and experience from their high street bank manager 20 years ago.

“We established early on the way to get business was collaboration and brandbuilding through social media and word of mouth – the latter is gold dust – and we’ve been networking from day one.

“The cold-calling model has had its day and is not for us. We want to be out and about and part of the business community. You never know who knows who – and in Sheffield everyone knows everyone!

“We were created in South Yorkshire and want to do business with local people and become the friendly face of insurance here.”

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CHAMBER AWARDS

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SHORTLIST Now in its 17th year, the Sheffield Business Awards returns on November 29. With an evening of glitz and glamour guaranteed we take a look at the categories and contenders It’s that time of year again when businesses in Sheffield get to reflect upon and relish their achievements during the year … and potentially pick up a lovely award for their efforts!

Now firmly established

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as the leading awards ceremony for city businesses, the Sheffield Business Awards Ceremony, organised

by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, returns for the 17th year running on November 29.

Expect a celeb compere,

top-notch entertainment, music, food, fizz and dancing til dawn (well, 1am).

As well as the glitz and glamour, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to network with other businesses – or simply celebrate business success with colleagues.

So, who are the contenders this year?

Well, there are a fair few familiar faces to unLTD including not one but two of our cover stars!

Check out the full shortlist – as well as a bit more detail about our featured friends:

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CHAMBER AWARDS

Sheffield Business Awards Shortlist: Best Contribution to Sheffield Visitor Experience, sponsored

by Meadowhall: • Sheffield Theatres • The Milestone Group • Museums Sheffield • Heeley City Farm

High Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by SIV: • IVS Materials Handling • ICD EUROPE LIMITED • MGB Plastics • LabLogic Group Holdings Ltd • Ecus Ltd Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants: • David Capper – Westfield Health • Allan Ogle – Cash for Kids (Bauer Radio’s Cash for Kids Charities) • Jonathan Seaton – Twinkl Educational Publishing • Chloe Watmore – Thermotex Engineering Ltd

Team unLTD were lucky enough to be invited along to a cookery class at The Milestone earlier this year where our graphic designer Simon Waller and features writer Jill Theobald tried their hand at making pork crackling and sausage rolls.

Check out our alternative Christmas bashes feature in this very issue for more info!

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS BY NUMBERS 66

Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Simm Engineering Group: • Utilita Telesales • Bluetree Group • Doncaster Sheffield Airport • VOW Europe Ltd • Pricecheck Toiletries Ltd Employer of the Year, sponsored by Sheffield College: • Wake Smith Solicitors • ITI Network Services Ltd • Office Friendly Dealer Association • Twinkl Educational Publishing • Thermotex Engineering Ltd • HLM Architects

As well as being a guest speaker at our first unLTD social event, Chloe Watmore was our cover star for our July/ August edition, with the young MD telling us all about how she beat the stigma of being ‘daddy’s girl punching above her weight’ to transform her family company and double its revenue.

In our July/August issue we caught up with Twinkl CEO Jon Seaton - also up for the Business Person of the Year award. In our company culture feature, he shared how the firm is making working life ‘engaging and enjoyable’ for all the team.

SME of the Year, sponsored by Sheffield Business School: • BetterYou • Azzure IT Ltd • S4S (UK) Limited • The SEO Works Limited • LabLogic Group Holdings • Fernite of Sheffield Ltd

17TH 15 year running

Award categories

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CHAMBER AWARDS We showcased SEO Works’ double awards success in our September/October edition and sales director Alex Hill will also be joining us as guest speaker at our second social event this month --- turn to our events calendar on pages 22-25 for more!

While Azzure’s Craig Such (pictured) features in this issue on our If You Ask Me from page 14.

Excellence in Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility, sponsored by Evoluted: • BIDBI • National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine • Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens • EN:Procure Limited

The Innovation Award, sponsored by Lupton Fawcett: • ZOO Digital • STEPS Rehabilitation • SleepCogni • City Taxis (Northern Taxis Ltd) • LabLogic Group Holdings Ltd • Jonas Hotel (University of Sheffield)

Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Vine Hotels: • Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) • Move More Sheffield • Gordon Bridge – AES Engineering Ltd • RISE Sheffield City Region • Grant Thornton UK LLP Excellence in International Trade, sponsored by Pricecheck: • Diamond Dispersion Limited • And Other Stories Publishing • ICD EUROPE LIMITED • LabLogic Group Holdings • Twinkl Educational Publsihing

125+ applications this year

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City Taxis MD Arnie Singh was our cover star for the May/June edition where he talked all things tech, takeovers and the Uber effect.

Excellence in Manufacturing, sponsored by Wake Smith: • Mayflower Engineering Ltd • P&B Metal Components Ltd • BG Engineering Ltd • Fernite of Sheffield Ltd • MGB Plastics • Thermotex Engineering Ltd The Marketing and Communications Award, sponsored by Insight: • Lambert Smith Hampton • Redbrik Estate Agents • VOW Europe Ltd

We talked to Redbrik MD Mark Ross about the ‘utterly inspired’ housing development Sky-House, part of our Focus On Waverley feature in our edition July/August edition.

Nearing 950 attendees in 2017

Excellence in Professional Services, sponsored by: Together: • Professional Energy Services Ltd • Evoluted New Media Ltd • 3Squared Ltd • Wilson Field Group • FCS Associates Ltd • Shorts Chartered Accountants The Sheffield Universities Enterprise Award: • Bullion • You & Us • Good Circle Supermarket • Exyo • Panjango • Tutorful

We to spoke Max Scotford MD of Bullion in our January/ February edition where he told us all about his ‘bean-tobar’ chocolate brand.

21 sponsors

67

ADVERTORIAL

THE GREAT ENTERTAINERS MLS is a leading sport and leisure consultancy and project and event management company. unLTD's Andy Palmer chats to directors Yuri Matischen and John Timms Yuri Matischen and John Timms – directors at MLS – discuss the huge sporting events they have organised and how their love of sport has driven them from the start and still motivates them today.

Yuri and John explain how running sports events is more than event planning and how the need to see regeneration, social impact and economic impact are as important as the sport itself.

What are the origins of MLS? Yuri: “Gerry Montgomery founded the business in 1991 and I started the same

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year after running the World University Games, John came in 1993 straight from Sheffield Hallam, and Sarah Backovic in 1993.

"Originally, we expected to be hosting events in Sheffield, but over the years we’ve moved well beyond that and now the majority of what we do is outside of the city, nationally and internationally. We go where the major events need to be hosted.”

John: “I chose Sheffield for university because of the sporting connections – Sheffield was the place to be in 1991 if you were into sport,

as they’d just hosted the World University Games.”

Have you met your goals?

John: “We’re still on a path to where we want to get to, but we’re not where we want to be yet. On a personal level, I’m doing what I love and what I want to do. But I want MLS to get to where we own our own buildings, where we’re sharing our knowledge more.

“We want more international bodies of sport thinking of MLS first, as a provider of advice, guidance and support.”

Yuri: “The journey we’re on is the success, as what we do

each day is something we love.

We never come in and say, ‘I hate this job’. Each day we’re in another part of the country meeting like-minded people.

“I’ve reached my goal, personally. Who wouldn’t want to work in this environment every day?”

What’s next?

Yuri: “A transformation for us is to own our own community arena – the MLS offices will go in there, the Sharks will have a home there, as will all the community teams. We’ll have an events space that we have control over.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

John: “Our aspirations are to continue working in the UK across major events. We want to run more events that we own and have the intellectual property to. We want to develop our role in mass participation games; we want to get to where we’re an integral part of things rather than tendering to stage events. But we also want to continue doing the world championship events.”

Could you briefly describe what MLS does?

Yuri: “We’re consultants and delivery people in major sporting events, but equally we have a strong knowledge about community sport – we run this enterprise from the grassroots to the top, from community, junior, semi-pro and pro. We can run a world championship and also know what a community event needs.”

John: “Every year we’re doing either a world championship event or a European event in addition to the domestic events we run.

“We’re also starting to provide IT management systems to govern and manage major events.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Is events management the focus of MLS? Yuri: “MLS is more than just events. We build buildings, we sit on boards, we give advice, and we offer disability consultancy. We look at the economic impact and the social and regenerative impact we can have on an area. We’re building Park Community Arena to regenerate a part of Attercliffe.

We don’t just go in, stage an event and get out again.

There’s a huge knock-on effect that we want to harness, and we like to get the community involved. For example, running the Chesterfield Half Marathon has a huge financial impact on Ashgate Hospice and nearly every family in Chesterfield will have an interaction in some way with Ashgate Hospice.”

John: “An event is like a microcosm of a business.

We have to raise money for an event, market it, plan it, and stage it. An event sounds simple, but it’s not – it’s a great undertaking with a huge host of skills involved.”

What kind of scale are the events you manage?

John: “In the last decade

we’ve delivered some 30 international events that have generated conservatively £50m in economic impact across the UK. They range from European Fencing Championships, World Rowing Championships, World Lacrosse Championships, World and European Canoeing Events, to working with charity partners in multi-sport Games.

“We’re especially proud to be the organisers of the annual Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which we’ve delivered for the past decade throughout the UK. They’re multi-sport, 26 sports, so like a mini Commonwealth Games on a half a million-pound budget.

This year it was in Birmingham and again sponsored by Westfield Health. The reach was 630 million people, which is the amount who had the opportunity to hear more about the benefits of organ donation.”

Yuri: “The participants are people who’ve been in receipt of a transplant and the games are inclusive in that they involve live donors, donor families and siblings of recipients.

“It has a social impact as well as an economic one.

"It’s a festival of sport and a celebration of life.”

John: “The games were developed with the charity Transplant Sport. It’s their flagship event to promote organ donation and to demonstrate how important it is for people with transplants to live active lives.

“This year 2900 people participated over four days and the economic impact was £34M for the visitor economy. We increased organ donations in the year in the West Midlands by 72,000.

“We’re also organising the World Transplant Games in 2019 in conjunction with Newcastle and Gateshead and are expecting 3000 participants from 75 countries. We also administrate the Australian Transplant Games.”

You’re known for being the owners of the successful DBL Sharks, but what else do you want people to know you for?

Yuri: "Sarah Backovic, a fellow MLS director, has been leading the Sharks for many years as one of a few females heading up a male professional sports club in the country.

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ADVERTORIAL John: “We’re organising all sorts from mass participation sports to world championship events managing complex relationships with many different organisations such as universities, charities, businesses, and international sports governing bodies.

“For instance, we’ve just run the World Boccia Championships, which the IPC president said was brilliant, a great spectacle for Paralympic sport and that it’s raised the bar.”

Yuri: “Many people who’ve been through our doors at MLS have been involved in a major way with Olympics, Commonwealths and other world class events. We have talented people, particularly in Alison Bridge, our senior events manager, who has spent a decade with us.

“We’ve run the World Goalball Championships, which is a Paralympic sport for the visually impaired. We’ve also been involved in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, lacrosse, boxing, hockey, sailing, and canoeing. In The 2012 Olympics John was the

Yuri: “We stage all the Decathlon 5k Fun Run series across the UK from Edinburgh to Southampton and everywhere in between.

“We organised the Chesterfield Half Marathon, which has gone from 800 to 1500 runners over the last couple of years and we’re aiming for 2000 next year. Last year £50,000 was raised for Ashgate Hospicecare.”

assistant technical delegate for the Paralympic wheelchair rugby; Sue Catton, one of our directors, was in charge of the Olympic hockey programme; Alison was venue logistics manager for the sailing at Weymouth; and I was a commentator for the volleyball and sitting volleyball.”

John: “We do a lot of work behind the scenes for UK Sport, such as the feasibility for staging a world event,

the breakdown in costs, the ability to win that bid, which can be a four-year process to win the chance to host a world championship of a sport.

“Other big partners are GB Boxing and England Boxing, both based in Sheffield, and we stage their events. The Olympic boxers, for instance, compete every year in different events to gain Olympic qualification points. We stage the UK fights for them.”

What drives the team at MLS? Yuri: “Sarah, John and I have been doing this together for 25 years and we love what we do. We love that we add value to the community as well as to the job we deliver. And we’ve all contributed back to our environment in addition to our job – John is vice chairman of the Sheffield College, I’ve been chair of Autism Plus, Sarah has orchestrated some big community projects with the Sharks – so we’re very rounded people who love what we do.”

John: “Sports and leisure have been a way of life for us.

We love sport, it’s in our DNA, it’s in Sheffield’s DNA.”

Expert Sports, Business, Events and Feasibility Consultants

Working throughout the UK and internationally, MLS are experts in event and project management from elite multi-sport to community participation and are leaders in sports business and disability consultancy.

To find out more about our projects and services please contact us on: + 44 (0)114 2573170 support@mlsgb.co www.mlsgb.co @mls_contracts

70 LEADING THE WAY IN SPORTS AND LEISURE CONSULTANCY unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

NETWORKING RIPPING UP THE RULE BOOK! Ten years ago, two Sheffield lads from opposite ends of the spectrum came to know each other through early morning business networking meetings.

They quickly found common ground with each other, they both loved football (although supported different teams), liked the same type of music, loved lager, a bit of Sheffield banter, ran junior football teams and their wives went to the same comprehensive school when they were younger.

Above all that, the two chaps had an overwhelming quality of wanting to help people, before they help themselves and The Firm Networking Ltd was established on the basis of a ‘diverse and radical approach to small business networking’.

Mick Fox (ex-construction firm owner, now runs a premier knife sharpening service) and Simon Holmshaw (ex-wire mill manager, now a Health and Safety Consultant) formalised the not-for-profit company in 2014.

The duo organise and host breakfast meetings for the small business owner, new or established, on a Friday

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morning from around 7am.

These are held in different venues in and around Sheffield, quite often supporting independent local restaurants who source local produce.

When breakfast is paid for, any left-over monies are donated to charity and in the last five years the group has supported The Sheffield Children’s Hospital, The Sheffield Sea Cadets, The Cathedral Archer Project, The British Legion, Work LTD and the Sheffield branch of the RSPCA. Mick said: “The concept of business networking was not new, as many other similar types existed. Where we differ is by having a pay-as-you-go membership system and generally ripping the rule book up when it comes to running the meetings.

“The beauty of our meetings is that no one knows what is going to happen in the next hour. There is a massive slice of banter – it is very much like the vibe on a construction site snap cabin or works canteen.

“That said, the meetings have a healthy female presence, including return-towork mums attending.”

MICK FOX AND SIMON HOLMSHAW OF THE FIRM NETWORKING LTD

Where we differ is by having a pay-as-you-go membership system and generally ripping the rule book up when it comes to running the meetings.

Simon said: “Laughter, joking and ribbing is a must and runs through the veins of the meetings, with attendees giving as good as they dish out. The meetings just make for a pleasanter atmosphere with new attendees feeling comfortable straight away. The best thing, business still gets done through the jocularity with leads and referrals passed and business problems shared.”

For the future, Mick and Simon have several plans in the pipeline, including a Trades Only networking event, with a launch at the International Lounge at Sheffield United Ground.

Added Simon: “These meetings are for trades people, with a similar platform to share work and problems between folk of a similar background.

There will be several construction related experts on site to offer a free advice service should anyone need it.”

Contact: The Firm Networking LTD Website www.

Thefirmnetworking.co.uk email info@ thefirmnetworking.co.uk Or call them direct: Mick 07500 015257 Simon 07480 645657

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S A M T S I R H C SHES BA

of ass not! l g nd a ought h a a e i t ce p es? Th yle, wi native n i u m r st cy a colleag ear in ur alte n a f e … rs with rking y ether o s do m i t as racke the wo ed tog istma m t ris pull c nd of e pull g Chr h C rly le you the e , we’v rackin a e N whi rate wist g a c fizz o celeb ional t rowin So t -tradit de to th non nts gui eve

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Copthorne Hotel Festive Afternoon Tea Address: Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SU Website: https://bit.ly/2QMcE5u Contact Number: 0114 252 5480 Opening hours: Afternoon tea served between 12pm and 5pm Social Media: Facebook: @copthornehotelsheffield Twitter: @CopthorneSHEF About: The Copthorne Hotel Sheffield is offering a Festive Afternoon Tea throughout December 1-24 including smoked turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mini mince pies, iced fruit cake with a glass of fizz – or of course, mulled wine.

We loved it when we went out to do a review - see the website for all the info and mouth-watering pics) and reckon it would be an elegant afternoon event for your team. Oh, and we recommend the cranberry scones…

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Christmas Party Cuban Style Address: Unit 4 Leopold Square, Sheffield S1 2JG Website: https://bit.ly/2OzMYr4 Contact Number: 0114 2760 475 Opening Hours: Mon-Tues 4pm-12am Wed-Thurs & Sun 12pm-12am Friday-Saturday 12pm-2am Social Media: Facebook: @cubanatapasbar Twitter: @CubanaTapasBar About: From 30 November to 30 December, Cubana Tapas Bar are offering Christmas – Cuban style. With amazing cocktails, award-winning tapas and the best in Latin music late into the night. Book a Christmas buffet for you and your colleagues or indulge in a festive drinks reception of sangria and Spanish mulled wine.

Jump Inc Address: 1-2 Meadowhall, Vulcan Road, Sheffield S9 1EW Website: https://bit.ly/2xAoSFm Contact Number: 0330 088 2267 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm Sat-Sun 9am-10pm Social Media: Facebook: @JumpIncSheffield Twitter: @JumpIncUK About: Described as a 24,000sq ft, spring-loaded urban playground, Jump Inc could be the ideal place for your festive blow out this year.

With corporate group events, Jump Inc tailors the experience to your organisation. What more could you want than to let off some steam in a room of trampolines with your work colleagues?

Pottering Around Address: Pottering Around Ceramics Studio, 50 Middlewood Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 4HA Website: https://bit.ly/2O2k46X Contact number: 0771 9764640 Social Media: Facebook: @Pottering-Around Twitter: @PAHillsborough Opening hours: Monday 10am-3pm Tuesday 10am-5pm Wednesday 10am-4pm Thursday 10am-3pm Friday 10am-2pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 11am-3pm About: Why should the kids have all the festive fun? Get festive with your colleagues but try not to get too messy as Pottering About offers the chance to book parties for groups to try their hand at painting some pottery in their

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“Never felt like this about a curry before.”

Rob Hepworth, Civil Business Development Manager/Engineer .

Gripple factory in Sheffield.

hepworth felt curry.indd 1

Ashoka Indian restaurant.

Book online. www.ashoka1967.com unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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ESCAPE THE CHRISTMAS RUSH WITH THE TEAM FROM THE GREAT ESCAPE XXXX ceramics workshop. Adult group bookings are more than welcome to book on and bring their own (mulled) wine and nibbles and make an evening of it. There’s even the option for slime making parties…

The Great Escape Sheffield Address: Avec Building 3-7 Sidney St, Sheffield S1 4RG Website: https://bit.ly/2MtJPv4 Contact Number: 0333 363 8401 Opening Hours: 9am-9pm Social Media: Facebook: @escapesheffield Twitter: @_tgeg About: With games varying from homicide mysteries to prison escapes, you and your team will be put to the test to see if you can escape the chimney/sleigh/Lapland in time for Christmas! With some Christmas party packages, you can also relax with a well-earned/escaped meal and dine on choices like turkey baguettes of ‘berry brie’ pizza... if you manage to make it out.

Van Dyke Hotel Christmas Events Address: Worksop Road,

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Clowne, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 4TD Website: https://bit.ly/2P92lqO Contact Number: 01246 387 386 Opening Hours: Events from 23rd Nov – 31st Dec Social Media: Facebook: @hotelvandyke Twitter: @HotelVanDyke About: Forget the standard Christmas crooning - the Van Dyke Hotel has a number of tribute acts from Take That to Meatloaf. There are tellyinspired showtime treats, too, including Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses, not to mention ‘disco carveries’ and even festive flower arranging!

Murder Mystery Christmas Party Night Address: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 1SW Website: https://bit.ly/2yaHgovi Contact Number: 03700 20 1867 Opening Hours: 7.30pm-1am Social Media: Facebook: @sheffieldwednesday Twitter: @sheffieldwed About: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club cordially invite you to interrogate colleagues over a

three-course meal, examine the evidence and find the killer at their Murder Mystery Christmas Party with the winner receiving a ‘Super Sleuth’ certificate.

Which of your colleagues is on Santa’s ‘Naughty’ list and trying to sabotage Christmas? Once all is revealed you’ll be able to kick back and boogie until 1am.

Christmas Cookery School Gift Package Address: The Milestone Cookery School, The Milestone, 84 Green Lane, Sheffield S3 8SE Website: https://bit.ly/2O712fL Contact Number: 0114 272 8327 Opening Hours: Classes are 7pm-9pm Social Media: Facebook: @TheMilestoneSheffield Twitter: @TheMilestone About: Treat your team to a cookery class, teaching skills that are perfect whether you’re a seasoned chef or a self-confessed amateur. (Team unLTD had a sneak preview of this class and can thoroughly recommend it – check out our review on our website for more!) You’ll be trained in some of the basics of cooking just

in time for Christmas and will receive a copy of First Catch Your Pig, The Milestone’s very own cookbook.

Flip Out at Frenchgate Shopping Centre Address: Frenchgate Shopping Centre, St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster DN1 1SW Website: https://bit.ly/2OAtFBh Contact Number: Flip Out - 0845 450 2245 Frenchgate - 01302 368335 Opening Hours: 9am-9pm Social Media: Facebook: @flipoutdonny Twitter: @flipoutdonny About: Head down to Frenchgate for a festive Flip Out! This trampoline park at the Doncaster shopping centre will be decked out in a festive theme for ‘Grown-up Parties’ with pizza and lots of bouncing. Forget about your responsibilities for a few festive hours and embrace being a child again. Trampoline socks included in party deals.

Quasar and Lazerzone Address: 4 Bank Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 2DS, England

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SPRUCE UP ON YOUR SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN AHEAD OF THE BIG DAY WITH A CLASS AT THE MILESTONE COOKERY SCHOOL

Website: https://bit.ly/2MIluOl Contact Number: 0114 272 1400 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm Sat 9am-9pm Sun 10am-8pm Social Media: Facebook: @QuasarSheffield Twitter: @QuasarSheffield About: Could a Quasar LockIn light up this year’s work Christmas party? Use the teamwork you’ve built over the past year in a game of laser tag between you and your colleagues. You can follow up your game with drinks and nibbles and reflect on your laser tag tactics and abilities. Will ‘Brian from accounts turn out to be a right Rambo’ as the website suggests?

Jump Incflated Address: Unit C1, Rail Mill Way, Parkgate Retail Park, S62 6JQ Website: https://bit.ly/2OG9Mcd Contact Number: 0330 088 2267 Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm

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Fri 10am-8pm Sat 9am-7pm Sun 9am-6pm Social Media: Facebook: @JumpINCflated Twitter: @JumpINCflated About: Yorkshire’s first indoor inflatable theme park, with wall to wall inflatables it’s the perfect place to let off some steam at the end of the working year.

Christmas party packages start at £10pp and include an hour of bouncing, following by festive drinks and snacks.

Blend Alternative Christmas Party Nights Venue: Blend Kitchen @ The Printhouse, North Church Street, Sheffield Date: December 2nd, 8th, 15th, 16th, 22nd Time: 7.30pm - 10.00pm Website: https://bit.ly/2PacXpm Email: blendcookeatshare @gmail.com Contact Number: 07468417353 Social Media: Facebook:

@blendcookeatshare Twitter: @BlendSheffield About: Billing their festive bashes as ‘an end to dry, overcooked Turkey, stodgy puddings and naff discos’, Blend Kitchen aims to get you and your team in the festive spirit with a seasonal menu including ingredients such as roast duck, pigeon, sea bass and chocolate.

The party nights are ideal for large or small staff groups and include the option to match each course with an appropriate drink.

Parkwood Karting Address: Parkwood Karting Parkwood Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 8AG Website: https://bit.ly/2xZvhuS Contact Number: 0114 2799 666 Opening Hours: 9.30am9.30pm Social Media: Facebook: @ParkwoodKarting Twitter: @ParkwoodKarting About: Parkwood Karting offer

Team Endurance kart races which are ideal for corporate events. Gather your karting team, brief on pitstop tactics and head down to Parkwood to try your hand at karting.

You might even win a bottle of bubbly if you’re skilled enough behind the wheel.

Magna Eat Bump Groove Address: Magna, Sheffield Road, Templeborough, Rotherham S60 1DX Website: https://bit. ly/2Dh4CyN Contact Number: 01709 723118 Opening Hours: Social Media: Facebook: @TheMagnaEvent Twitter: @TheMagnaEvent About: Not only does this event offer drinks, a meal and a lot of opportunity to shake your stuff on the dancefloor, but also the unique opportunity to bring out your inner fun-fair loving child and make the most of the indoor dodgems.

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AFTER HOURS

WEEKEND ESCAPES There are bits of Scotland that are more famous.

There are bits that are more beautiful. But the Cowal peninsula, less than two hours from Glasgow, is not only effortlessly cool but the good news is almost no-one has heard of it. Phil Turner takes a trip to find out what this hidden treasure has in store 78

I’m driving back home down the M6, somewhere between Glasgow and Penrith, and my wife is googling camper vans. After a long chat about the speed of life we’ve just experienced in the wilds of the west Scottish coast, we’ve mentally sold up in Sheffield and are hitting the open road, with a new way of life on the horizon.

And that’s what a week in Argyll can do to you. It’s less than six hours from Sheffield door to door, but surrounded by lochs, remote little villages and seemingly untampered by modern life, it may as well be another world.

Glasgow Our ten day break had actually begun in Glasgow – we’d stayed in the up and coming Queen’s Park district in a fabulous four bed flat that had the look and feel of a classic Brooklyn Brownstone and gave us the perfect vantage point to explore this grand Scottish city. Highlights included the hip West End

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ARGYLL side of town, which is home to the Kelvingrove Museum and some of the city’s best bars, clubs and restaurants. We enjoyed tapas at Elenas, which was a super cool hangout with generous portions and fantastic Coronaritas, while

the pick of the bars was the super hipster Kelvingrove Café, which I’d move into tomorrow if they’d have me.

Kilfinan An hour drive and then a 30 minute boat ride across Loch

Long brings you to beautiful Dunoon, the gateway to the stunning Cowal peninsula in Argyll. In 2017, Rough Guide named Scotland the most beautiful country in the world, and in parts of this remote, windswept, loch filled

LOCH FYNE RESTAURANT PHOTO: CLAIR IRWIN

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peninsula, it’s not hard to see why. It’s a further 45 minute drive to Kilfinan, our base for the week.

There’s plenty to do in the area but it’s also the kind of place where you could completely switch off to the world. Wifi is intermittent at best, phone signals come and go, and the pace of life comes in three speeds – sleepy, slow and stop. It’s a 20 minute drive to the nearest shop, and while there are plenty of decent pubs about, it’s the food offering that really catches our eye.

Just up the coast, Otter Ferry is home to the Oyster Catcher, a fab gastro pub which does great food, an impressive range of local ales and has stunning views over Loch Fyne.

Head north up the loch and you’ll come to Inver Cottage, a true gastronomic delight for foodie fans who like a hipster Nordic touch to their dining.

We went one lunchtime with the kids, and I can honestly say this is probably the most effortlessly cool eating

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PICTURE POSTCARD SCENERY AROUND EVERY CORNER

experience I’ve ever had. The food was sensational – I can still taste my rye donut and wild pepper ice cream three months later and the place was so simply stylish that I spent most of the meal jealous I didn’t own it. It also has lovely views of Lachlan Bay which is well worth a stroll around after dinner.

A day trip to Inveraray at the top of Loch Fyne is also a real treat. It’s picture postcard perfect and home to a couple of brilliant whisky shops, Inveraray Jail and the stunning Inverary Castle. About a ten minute drive away lies the original Loch Fyne restaurant (I can recommend the whole crab) which itself sits right next to Fyne Ales brewery shop and tap bar – also a decent stop off point.

But despite all this

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In 2017, Rough Guide named Scotland the most beautiful country in the world and it’s not hard to see why

sensational food, endless alcohol and magical downtime, the highlight of the trip came with a boat trip from the tiny pier at Tighnabruaich, another effortlessly cool Cowal hideaway. We spent an hour cruising the Kyles of Bute and hearing about the history of the area, before dropping anchor and fishing for cod and mackerel for another hour or so. Either we were all naturals or got incredibly lucky, but catching mackerel was like taking candy from a baby. We threw most back in but kept about ten or so, and after Duncan, our host, had shown us how to gut and fillet them, we took them home and made our own mackerel tartare with a few before cooking the rest on a BBQ on the beach. It was probably

one of the most joyful days of my life.

The week ended with another trip to Otter Ferry and a drink overlooking the loch. As a couple of fellas sped over from their holiday lodge about a mile up the coast on their jet skis, supped a couple of pints and chatted up our wives, I realised that things had to change, hence the conversation me and the missus had on the way home.

I may not have bought my campervan yet but if I don’t own a speedboat or a jet ski by next summer, I’ll be very surprised.

Stay? www.kilfinanhouse.co.uk Eat? www.inverrestaurant.co.uk Drink? www.theoystercatcher.co.uk Worth a day trip? www.inveraray-argyll.com

81

NUMBER CRUNCH

EMPLOYMENT 95% Around

Let’s light up this November by putting a bit of a shine and sparkle on skills, recruitment and employees.

We had a good read of the Sheffield City Region Skills Shortages and Hard to Fill Vacancies report which Benchmark Recruitment conducted on behalf of Sheffield City Region Combined Authority.

Here we pick out a few choice facts and stats from the report.

53%

of companies provide training to help upskill successful candidates

of job-seekers said they were treated with professionalism and respect when they attended interviews

30% The percentage of employees who said location was the most important factor when choosing who they want to work for

100%

Employees who are paid between

5 YEARS

£25-30K

34%

39% 37%

of people who did work experience with a company went on to be offered a job after an interview

Most people expect to stay with a new company for at least

of people applied for a job because they wanted to progress in their career

82

per year typically stay at a company for 3 years longer than those paid between 20-25k

The percentage of people who said company size isn’t a factor in employment

of people want to work full-time

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

We can support your business to grow

We offer: • Bespoke recruitment and training packages.

• Over 80 apprenticeship programmes in all industry sectors.

• Advice to help you understand the Apprenticeship Levy and maximise your return on investment.

• Flexible delivery.

Find out more at: www.barnsley.ac.uk/services-for-business 01226 216 166 employer@barnsley.ac.uk

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Is your business prepared for the new financial reforms in 2019?

Come along to our employer breakfast event on Wednesday 12 December 8.00am – 10.00am to find out about the new legislation and get practical tips to help you prepare.

Book your place now: www.barnsley.ac.uk/events

OCT1918BUM

Barnsley College provides recruitment and training support to businesses so they become more competitive and profitable.

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