unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #58

Agenda

SUPPORT TO HELP BUSINESSES WEATHER FINANCIAL STORM

The rising cost of living is putting pressure on businesses across the city and the council is urging businesses to make use of free expert support to help them weather the challenge.

Costs are increasing across the supply chain, from raw materials and ingredients to transport and energy costs. At the same time, people have less to spend and are thinking differently about what to do with their money, making it harder for businesses to attract customers and cover costs.

This means many businesses are looking for new ways to market themselves and adjust their business model, as well as seeking to reduce their costs.

Business Sheffield, the council’s business support department, has teams of business experts who can support businesses with these changes. The business information officer team supports high street businesses across the city, while the business advisors work with business of all kinds, from tech start-ups to big manufacturing companies and more.

In these challenging times, they can help businesses review their cashflow and find efficiencies, as well as to refresh their marketing strategies. They can also help business owners to understand energy costs, bills and contracts.

Find out more at www. sheffield.gov.uk/ costofliving

GRIPPLE CELEBRATES FIVE WINS AT MANUFACTURING AWARDS

Gripple, the Sheffieldbased manufacturer of wire joiners and tensioners for agriculture and suspension solutions for construction, is celebrating five wins at the prestigious TMMX Awards (The Manufacturer MX Awards) in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The company beat off strong competition from manufacturers across the UK to win the following awards: Manufacturer of the Year, Young Manufacturer of the Year, International Trade, Operational Excellence, and Leadership and Strategy, after being shortlisted in 10 out of 11 categories.

Judges crowned Gripple Manufacturer of the Year 2022 due to its 'growing, innovative, people-led, customer aware and focused business'.

The Young Manufacturer

of the Year 2022 category was won by Natasha Lyth, sustainability manager at Gripple. Natasha joined Gripple in 2018 and now spearheads the company’s net zero strategy.

Gripple won the award for International Trade for the company’s commitment to expanding its international business. Judges commented on its entry as: “great, conveying a sense of strategy, illustrating innovation and strong market adaptation”.

The Operational Excellence award recognised

Gripple’s effective use of lean methodologies and techniques to drive improvements across its operations.

Gordon Macrae, special projects manager at Gripple, said: “This was a fantastic night for Gripple and for manufacturing in South Yorkshire.

"The TMMX Awards are the most prestigious manufacturing awards in the country, so it is a real honour for us to win five categories. Well done team Gripple!”

Sheffield Hallam graduation fortnight generates £3.4 million benefit to city

Sheffield Hallam’s graduation ceremonies throughout November generated an incredible £3.4 million for city centre businesses, with students and their families and friends flocking to the city to celebrate.

More than 31,000 guests accompanied 8,400 students to the 34 ceremonies held at Ponds Forge between Monday, November 14 and Friday, November 25.

Academics in the University’s Sheffield Business School calculated the significant benefit to the

city’s economy – estimating that over 75 per cent of graduates and their guests had a celebratory meal out in Sheffield, with approximately 50 per cent staying the night in a local hotel.

Alongside the Class of

2022 graduating students, Sheffield Hallam also awarded honorary doctorates to a number of leading industry figures who embody the University’s values of inclusivity, social mobility and transforming lives.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CLEAN AIR ZONE

People can now apply to upgrade their vehicle and receive financial support ahead of the introduction of the Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ).

If you own a vehicle that would be charged, you might be eligible for support. Private vehicles will not be charged.

People will need to check online to see if their vehicle will be charged when the zone goes live on February 27, 2023. The financial support will be available in the form of a grant, an interest subsidised loan or a mix of the two and details of the financial support packages

are available on the Sheffield City Council Clean Air Zone website.

If you or your business are based in Sheffield or Rotherham and run LGVs, then you could be eligible to apply for a temporary exemption until midnight on June 4, 2023.

If you own a Hackney Carriage taxi licensed with Sheffield City Council, exemption will be in place until midnight on June 4 and you will not be charged until June 5 – this will be set up automatically and you won’t need to apply. For full information, visit: www.sheffield.gov. uk/campaigns/clean-air-zone-sheffield

Doncaster Business Awards 2022 winners announced at prestigious event

Lifetime award in honour of Doncaster being granted City Status.

Award categories also included inspiring apprentices, fledgling start-ups, innovative

green businesses, caring charities, thriving SMEs and major companies, all announced with respective runners-up during the blacktie event on December 1.

CODA STUDIOS DIRECTOR YORKSHIRE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AWARDS FINALIST

Director of the awardwinning and nationally acclaimed Sheffield architectural design company CODA Studios, Abel Hinchliffe, has been announced as a Young Property Professional finalist in the Yorkshire Young Professionals Awards.

The awards celebrate Yorkshire talent aged 35 and under and will be held at New Dock Hall in Leeds on February 2.

Abel has 15 years of practical experience in the sector and impressively rose to his director role in 2019 after joining as a school leaver.

Abel said: “I am truly delighted to have reached the final shortlist of the Yorkshire Young Professionals Awards.

“These awards really do reflect the very best of northern talent and it is an incredible honour to be recognised in this way.

Honouring the achievements of enterprising individuals and firms from across the city in its 24th year, last year’s event showcased a collection of outstanding nominees making up the shortlists for 13 diverse categories.

Over 900 attendees joined the celebrations at Doncaster Racecourses. New to this year was the Achievement of a

“At the same time, I see this not just as a nomination for myself but for the whole CODA team, who have worked tirelessly together to create an extremely successful practice that is now established as a national leader in creating projects that are distinctive and individual.”

Doncaster’s best and brightest were celebrated last month at a prestigious awards ceremony organised by the local Chamber of Commerce.

LEADING CHARITY SET TO PURCHASE HISTORIC SHEFFIELD LANDMARK

Exactly one year ago we discovered the roof was in a dangerous state. This led to the immediate halt of all events in the main auditorium as we awaited urgent repairs to the roof exterior so the listed ‘barrel vaulted’ ceiling could be repaired.

“The impact of this was huge, we simply couldn’t use enough of the building to meet ongoing maintenance and running costs, never mind paying for the restoration. It’s poignant and heartening that exactly one year later we have a purchase price agreed with the landlord. This is a vital step in our long-term mission.

2022 was a dramatic year for the Abbeydale Picture House. Local charity CADS (Creative Arts Development Space) are nearly six years into a 25-year lease of the building. A dispute with the landlord last year over roof repairs for the main auditorium roof led to an unexpected eviction.

The CADS team were able to reach a temporary agreement with the landlord to regain entry to the building and have now decided the best route forward is to take the significant step of making an offer to purchase it.

A price has been agreed and while fine details are still under negotiation the CADS team, with the help of the local community and civic organisations, are determined to acquire the building. Public support for this purchase will be vital –possibilities being explored include some form of community investment.

CADS recently opened several new areas of the building to help bring vital funds in. This included a

beautiful new bar to the side of the auditorium, a total renovation of the entrance foyer allowing it to be used for markets and craft fairs, and expanded use of the breath-taking Fly Tower. This area behind the main screen originally contained the theatre stage and various mechanisms for lowering and raising screens and stage curtains, and an incredible historic fire curtain which is still in place, complete with 1950s hand-drawn adverts for local businesses.

The Picture House Social bar which is located underneath the main theatre remains untouched and in business. The bar’s owners have also signed a long-term lease and will remain open and operational regardless of any change in ownership of the building.

Steve Rimmer from CADS said: “Following a turbulent year at the Abbeydale Picture House, we were faced with a decision on how to proceed with our long-term goal of ensuring the building remains open for the community.

“We have funding agreed for a commercial mortgage and deposit and are awaiting a final decision from the UK Government on our Community Ownership Fund (COF) application. If this is not successful, we will look to the many fans and supporters of the building to create a Community Share issue. There is at least £250k needed to fix the roof and repair the ceiling, and millions more required for the full restoration of this beloved building that means so much to so many people. Ownership of the building will ensure we can access the levels of funding needed for this project.

“We are calling on the people and businesses of Sheffield to get involved in any way they can. We need supporters to make this happen, we need people with events to host them here in the short term and we need anyone with bright ideas on how to use this space. We are open to all suggestions. Please come and pay us a visit, events are happening, the bar is open on weekends and daytime visits can always be arranged.”

Find out more at www. abbeydalepicturehouse.com or www.cads-online.co.uk

As the CADS team ramp up their efforts to ensure the future of Abbeydale Picture House and secure it as an asset of community value, they have announced an agreement is in place for the purchase of the building.

NEW BAR AT ABBEYDALE PICTURE HOUSE

The CADS team faced a challenging year in their project to restore the Abbeydale Picture House and ensure it becomes a valued community asset.

A dispute with their landlord over roofing repairs led to an unexpected eviction last May – they regained access to the building in June and while they still only have limited use of the Picture House, they have launched a new bar which now opens every weekend in a bid to bring life – and much-needed funds – into the venue.

The bar will feature drinks from

5-10pm on Thursdays, up to 10pm on Fridays and 12am on Saturdays. Food will also be available on Fridays and Saturdays.

The beautifully designed and lowlit space is perfect for hosting parties or networking events and got plenty of use over the festive season.

Drinks include popular choices from local Abbeydale Brewery, as well as a range of spirits, wines and soft drinks.

The bar is available for hire and CADS is asking anyone interested to get in touch by emailing: info@ cads-online.org

There is at least £250k needed to fix the roof and repair the ceiling, and millions more required for the full restoration of this beloved building that means so much to so many people

Agenda

There is plenty to be excited about this year, with new openings sure to bring lots of opportunities for South Yorkshire. unLTD’s Matt Holmes looks at just some of the highlights we can look forward to.

It’s a bit of a cliché, but we do love to take the start of any new year to see what we can expect to see over the next 12 months. 2023 will be the first year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic without any restrictions –mostly – getting in the way of everyday life, which is great news for businesses.

It’s no secret that we have a shortage of Grade A office space in our region, but 2023 will see some remedy for that with exciting developments already underway and due for completion this year.

So luckily, the next and final phase of Sheffield’s hugely successful Digital Campus, developed by Scarborough Group International, will be the opening of Endeavour and its 62,862 sq. ft of Grade A office space. With on-site parking and situated between the mainline railway station and interchange, it is without a doubt one of the most well-connected office spaces in the city.

Announced last year was the news of BT Group taking up residence within all floors within Endeavour, opening a flagship office with space for 1,000 colleagues. Fantastic news for not only Sheffield but for the South Yorkshire region and a great example of “build it and they will come”.

Following several obstacles including planning objections from local residents regarding its height, 190 Norfolk Street is due to start construction in 2023. The net zero carbonready building, which is being delivered by developers Grantside and designed by CODA Studios, will provide 2,200 sq. ft of retail space and 19,500 sq. ft of Grade A office space in Sheffield’s main commercial district.

2023 will see even more progress on the incredible Heart of City scheme in Sheffield city centre. One part of the development is Elshaw House, a seven-story office block which is going to be zero-carbon ready and

according to Kate Martin, executive director, city futures at Sheffield City Council will be the most sustainable office in Sheffield.

Another piece of the puzzle in the Heart of the City project is Leah’s Yard, which will feature office space, studios and workshops surrounding a historic courtyard lovingly restored after 20 years of not being used and neglected. Already it has had more interest than is available, providing clear evidence of the demand for quality commercial space in Sheffield.

Building on the success of Barnsley College’s SciTech building and the two Digital Media Centres is The Seam, an extension to Barnsley town centre that will form Barnsley’s Digital Campus. Pending planning approval, phase one of The Seam will see Lower County Way car park be transformed with a new Active Travel Hub, multi-storey car park and

public realm as well as 136 homes and 20,300 sq. ft of commercial space.

Due to begin construction this year, The Seam will allow for innovation to flourish right in the heart of Barnsley and build towards the council’s 2030 ambitions for sustainability and growth.

Due to open in the spring of this year is another portion of the Heart of the City scheme, Cambridge Street Collective. Comprising of heritage buildings on Sheffield’s Cambridge Street fused with new contemporary additions, we can look forward to a bustling food hall, fine dining restaurant and roof terrace.

One of the biggest developments seen in Rotherham for a lifetime is the Forge Island scheme, part of the wider town centre masterplan. The development will see the construction of a new cinema, a hotel, riverside gardens and a range of hospitality and leisure options. Already the town’s

flood defences have been strengthened to reduce the risk of the river Don overtopping into the canal.

One of the landmark parts of the development is the arrival of the new eightscreen cinema, which is due to be operated by The Arc. Amazingly, for a town of its size, Rotherham currently doesn’t have a multiplex cinema with residents having to choose venues in neighbouring boroughs and cities. We’re particularly excited about the completion of the cinema, it’s going to act as a real anchor and draw to the centre of Rotherham, where families will be able to stay local to enjoy a bite and a drink.

Speaking of places to enjoy your favourite dishes and tipples, next to join the region is South Yorkshire’s second Botanist venue, set to open in the first quarter of 2023 within the new-and-shiny Glass Works development in Barnsley town centre. The Botanist is one of the brands operating under hospitality giants New World Trading Company, who up to now have two South Yorkshire venues both located in Sheffield, so it’s fantastic to see confidence in Barnsley from such a leading name in the industry.

What really makes our towns and cities what they are? The people, of course, and let us tell you about some of the new residential developments completing this year where they can thrive.

Kangaroo Works, the Heart of the City joint venture between US investor Angelo Gordon and Ridgeback Group will be ready to welcome tenants in 2023, bringing 365 quality homes to the centre of Sheffield.

Standing at 46 metres from the ground at its highest point, it will tower over neighbouring Pounds Park, another exciting prospect that we can look forward to later this year.

FRENCHGATE UNVEILS MEMORIAL PLAQUE FOR DONCASTER’S JEANETTE FISH MBE

Frenchgate Shopping Centre unveiled a memorial plaque on Saturday, December 10 to pay tribute to Jeanette Fish MBE, a well-loved member of the Doncaster community who raised millions of pounds for local charities and set up the city’s longest-serving charity, The Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust (DCDT).

The plaque unveiling ceremony was attended by leading Doncaster figures and people Jeanette worked alongside including Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones, Ed Miliband MP and Dame Rosie Winterton.

Jeannette Fish was a former nurse who co-founded DCDT with Sir Harold Walker MP in 1972. For over four decades, the DCDT raised more than £10 million to help fund state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Among her many

achievements was the opening of the £2 million St John’s Hospice in 1992 and the £1.5 million second phase, which opened in 2004.

Bobbie Roberts MBE said: “Jeanette had an invincible spirit and was a true ambassador for Doncaster. She was as passionate about the town as she was about her charity work.

“Thanks to Jeanette cofounding the DCDT in 1972, the organisation has supported thousands of people to find cancer early and ultimately

save lives.

“Although she held her honours with great pride, she remained modest and humble, insisting the trust’s incredible achievements were down to a team of volunteers.

“Jeanette was a remarkable woman, a force of nature and an inspiration to the community. Doncaster is a better place because of her dedication and passion.”

Jeanette Fish MBE’s memorial plaque will be found under the main stairway opposite Boots.

Jenx and Jiraffe show support for Mission Christmas appeal

Sheffield-based postural support specialist Jenx, and its UK distribution division Jiraffe, spent December supporting the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal as part of their pledge to support local charities.

Jenx kindly allowed Cash for Kids to use the electric charging point at its premises on Herries Road free of charge, powering the electric van supplied by Burrows Motor Company which is used to transport donated gifts and toys for the appeal.

Mission Christmas is an annual appeal organised by Cash for Kids, a charity

which helps to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or who have additional needs. The aim is for every child to have at least one gift to open on Christmas Day.

Lee Fletcher, Cash for Kids charity fundraising executive said: “Thank you so much to the team at Jenx. Using the electric chargers meant we could charge our van overnight and our driver could travel around South Yorkshire and Derbyshire collecting gifts with a full charge every morning.

“We want to help as many disadvantaged children as possible wake up to a gift on Christmas Day. We could not do the work we do without the kindness and generosity of local businesses and the public.”

SHEFFIELD MUTUAL ANNOUNCES 2022 CHARITY AWARD WINNERS

Sheffield Mutual, the member-owned savings and investment society, has announced the winners of its 2022 Charity Awards.

Every year, Sheffield Mutual reaches out to its members and the public to nominate their most deserving charities to receive a cash award for their hard work. After shortlisting this year’s nominated charities down to 10, the public voted for their three winners.

The society is pleased to announce the winners of the cash awards are: The Clothing Bank in first place, winning £5,000; Thornberry Animal Sanctuary in second place, winning £1,500 and LimbBo Foundation, winning £1,000.

Last year’s awards were the society’s most successful to date, with more votes received than any year beforehand.

Jamie Bellamy, chief executive officer at Sheffield Mutual, said: “We have had an incredible response from the 2022 Charity Award. I would like to congratulate the three winning charities and thank the top 10 for getting involved.

“Part of our culture at Sheffield Mutual is supporting charities and community groups, and we hope the Charity Award will continue to make a positive impact within the community.”

Sally Parkinson, cofounder of The Clothing Bank, added: “We were shocked and amazed when we saw we came in first place. We are thankful for all the support from The Clothing Bank community for voting for us. With your fantastic donation we can do so much to help those in need.”

AWARD WINNING YORKSHIRE

LAW FIRM SETS THE STAGE FOR FURTHER GROWTH

Yorkshire based Best Solicitors, which has four offices including in Sheffield and Barnsley, has changed its business structure from partnership to a limited company from January 1, 2023 as it continues its strategic growth.

The well-established 21-year-old business has doubled its turnover in the past four years. Best Solicitors has strengthened its management and processes, and invested in IT and marketing, in the past 12 months.

Donna Tilbrook, chief executive officer (CEO) at Best Solicitors, said: “The new business structure will provide the foundation for the firm to continue to innovate, diversify and

expand. As a business we pride ourselves on the transparency of our pricing, the efficiency of our case management, and consistent communication with clients.

“We have a strong culture with a number of long serving staff. We are committed to nurturing and developing our current team while also attracting new talent as the business continues to expand.”

Best Solicitors offers a range of services including employment, commercial property, trusts and estates, residential conveyancing, family and personal injury and has been recognised in a number of awards.

bestsolicitorsonline.co.uk

Exciting new home for Bond Bryan in Sheffield

The Church Studio in Crookes has been the proud home of Bond Bryan's Sheffield office since 1989 and has become synonymous with its brand identity in the north.

However, the team recognises it is now time to look ahead with excitement and move into a new home within Sheffield city centre.

A spokesperson said: "The world has changed somewhat since 1989 – our values have evolved, our commitments reimagined, yet our purpose remains at the forefront of our decision-making process, to create positive change.

"As architects, we are committed to becoming a truly net zero practice – in the way we design and deliver our buildings but also through how we run our practice. Therefore, as part of our continued

commitment to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, we made the decision to wave a fond farewell to the Church Studio and relocate to a more sustainable, carbon-conscious space."

This new home on Rockingham Street is part of the new Heart of the City II development and will provide the following environmental, social and economic benefits:

• the creative re-use of an existing building, recently refurbished to high energy-efficiency standards to provide lower carbon and operational energy needs

• good access to public transport, cycle networks and staff cycle storage to promote green commuting and active lifestyle choices linked to new flexible working policy

• repurposing of existing furniture, fittings and finishes and donation of unrequired items to local schools and charities

• specification of low VOC and low formaldehyde products, avoiding glue fixings to ensure a high level of indoor air quality

• prioritisation of materials selected for their low embodied carbon content

• maximisation of an open plan layout within its design

• a more spatially

efficient and less energyintensive office footprint

• closer integration with other like-minded businesses and contacts to drive employment and post-COVID economic investment

This move has been several years in the making and represents a huge step forward for the team, who can’t wait to welcome friends, clients and collaborators into the new home.

It started, as these things always do, with a group chat throwing around ideas for a name. In January 2018 – full of New Year optimism – the marketing team at Sheffield digital agency Evoluted wanted to launch a regular marketing meetup for the local community.

After fruitless forays through a thesaurus for something suitably collaborative, 'Sheffield Digital Marketing' was put forward. “Let’s start off with something simple that identifies us as a marketing meetup - once we’ve built a name for ourselves, we can look at rebranding,” Giorgio Cassella, one of the founding team, said.

While the name was only meant to be a placeholder, the mission was nonnegotiable and both remain unchanged now, as Sheffield DM gears up for its 26th event.

The aim was to build a marketing community, educating everyone from students to grizzled marketing veterans, agency-side, in-house and freelance. Sheffield DM would be a free-to-attend forum for professional growth, knowledge-sharing, networking and promoting local talent.

The meetup launched in November 2018, with the first event held at the Sheffield Tap, Evoluted’s Tom Fletcher hosting, a talk from Plusnet’s Molly Evans and roughly 35 attendees –future attendances would be recorded through check-ins rather than counting on fingers.

The bi-monthly events gathered a loyal following and expanded to a two-talk format in late 2019. During lockdown, Sheffield DM switched to virtual events, attracting an international audience as well as local, and was rewarded by winning Digital Event of the Year at the 2020 Digital City Awards. Post-lockdown, the events found a more suitable home at The Workstation and the format expanded again to three speakers. Giorgio took over as host, and in a reflection of its burgeoning reputation, Sheffield DM attracted sponsorship from LensGo, Sitebulb and unLTD to complement Evoluted’s longstanding support.

Of the 63 speakers featured to date, 60 per cent have been female - a by-product of the organisers’ focus on line-up diversity. “We wanted to change the perception of marketing conferences having lineups consisting entirely of white men,” Giorgio said. “Having speakers from all backgrounds brings diversity in expertise and insights, and I’m proud that we’ve given speaking debuts to numerous marketers.”

There’s been one deviation from the freeto-attend mandate – July 2022’s all-day “Sheffield DM Goes Large” event, where

tickets covered the cost of providing food and larger event space at Kommune. Attracting rave reviews and over 100 attendees from across the UK, plans are afoot to hold an annual XL event.

Local marketer Sophie Gibson has missed just two meetups in four years. “I love how varied the talks are, there’s always something for everyone in digital - even if they’re not super-relevant to my field, there’s always interesting insights and ideas,” she said.

Giorgio added: “We’ve built a strong core of regulars - we wanted to create a Sheffield marketing community and we’ve done exactly that.”

Not that the organisers are resting on their laurels. 2023 plans include confirming further high-profile sponsors and more format improvements to build a bigevent feel. Here’s to the next four years!

To mark the birthday of Sheffield’s premier marketing meetup, we’ve traced its origins and story so far...

Having speakers from all backgrounds brings diversity in expertise and insights, and I’m proud that we’ve given speaking debuts to numerous marketers

ANEEKA SOARS FROM JOBLESS TEEN TO ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP APPRENTICES

Aneeka Zarah was an angry teen with no hope, until she signed up to a life-changing course for jobless 16-18-yearolds at The Source Skills Academy.

The 18-week Steps to Work traineeship programme helped her turn things around.

Now aged 19, the future couldn’t be brighter. She has been named as one of the country’s top apprentices and has a blossoming career in the property sector.

Aneeka was a finalist in the recent National Apprenticeship Awards, England’s biggest celebration of apprenticeship success stories.

She reached the finals by winning Best Intermediate Apprentice in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Aneeka had already gained a clutch of award successes in 2022. She was highly commended at Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber’s Apprenticeship Awards and was a finalist in the South Yorkshire Apprentice

Awards and the Rotherham Advertiser awards.

Anneka, of Broom, Rotherham, had left school at 16 with barely any GCSEs and rock-bottom confidence.

The Source’s traineeships tutors helped her gain new qualifications and boost her self-belief – and found her a 10-week placement with Rotherham property lettings and management specialists Yorkshire Accommodation Bureau (YAB) Ltd.

She impressed YAB bosses so much they set her on as a customer service apprentice. She passed her qualification, is now their star employee and is tipped for

management.

“I feel very proud of my achievements,” said Aneeka. “I hated school – I was angry, got into fights and thought I had no future. My Traineeship and my apprenticeship changed me. People showed belief in me, which made me want to try harder.

“I found a love of learning and developed skills I never believed I’d have. I want to tell kids like me it is possible to change.”

Kash Walayat at YAB said: “We could see Aneeka had the commitment and drive to work - if young people have that, everything else will follow. The key is giving them that chance

and asking them to take on responsibility.”

Natalie Doherty, deputy CEO at The Source, said: “We are so happy to play a part in helping Aneeka find her self-belief and determination to succeed.

“We want to reach more teens not in work or training, who feel they have lost their way. Our traineeships give them the confidence, skills and qualifications to move into jobs and apprenticeships they can thrive in.”

Trainees receive free travel passes and breakfast and spend 10 weeks at The Source brushing up on maths, English and employability skills.

Once a week, there are activities ranging from escape rooms to abseiling and crazy golf, which encourage team building and resilience.

Eight weeks of work experience with a supportive employer is vital for trainees. Gulliver’s, Leviat Ltd, RCC Joinery and the Montgomery Theatre are signed up and more businesses are urged to come forward to provide placements.

The next course starts on February 20. Applicants should email Gareth.davies@ thesourceacademy.co.uk before February 3.

SPONSORED

The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.

Aneeka wins at the regionals

The Source’s traineeships are transforming young lives - can your business help?

Aneeka Zarar and YAB manager Laura Else

What is your current role?

My current role is as an intern within the remanufacturing department of Alliance Transport Technologies Ltd based in Chesterfield.

What does that involve, look like on a day-to-day basis?

Over the eight weeks on placement, I have worked within three different departments. This includes working within the machine workshop dismantling AdBlue pumps, completing an R&D project, looking into the removal of an unknown conformal coating and repairing damaged PCBs from vehicles. After dismantling the AdBlue pumps I would clean and repurpose the cases, which involved shotblasting, jet washing and spray painting. Working in the remanufacturing workshop involved working on customer units including dashboards, gear selectors and ECUs.

How did you get started working in STEM?

I always loved physics and maths at school and A-level, so when it came to deciding

what to do at university, I chose general engineering as it allowed me to develop both. While at university I wanted to gain experience within industry to help me decide what I want to do once I graduate next year, so I completed a year in industry at Sellafield Ltd as part of my degree and a placement at Alliance Transport Technologies Ltd for personal development. Once I finish my degree in July 2023, I will be looking to start my career in STEM as a graduate engineer.

What qualifications did you take or gain along the way?

I completed A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry, with an AS-level in further maths. I am currently completing my integrated master’s in general engineering with industry at The University of Leicester. After my year in industry, I was able to gain EngTech status with the IMechE.

Why do you love working in STEM?

I love the problem-solving aspect of STEM and knowing every day will never be the

EQUALITY IN STEM OLIVIA BROWN DOS REIS

FEMALE ROLE MODELS

INTERN AT ALLIANCE TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

same as the day before. As well as seeing the reallife benefits of the work I am doing, such as the remanufactured electrical components I am currently fixing, which prevents them from going to landfill.

What challenges have you faced in your career? And how have you overcome them?

Being so early on in my career I have been fortunate enough not to experience any real challenges over being a woman in engineering. Hopefully, this is a sign the industry is evolving to be more inclusive and diverse, instead of being a maledominated industry. However, people are often surprised when I say that I am studying engineering at university.

What advice would you offer for someone joining the STEM sectors?

Remember you are as capable as everyone else in the room and deserve to be there. Never stop questioning the ‘norm’ – if you see an alternate method which could

improve the workplace, just ensure you approach this in the correct manner. If you are ever unsure on anything, simply ask, it is better to admit being unsure then risking it. Especially in engineering, where your decisions can endanger others safety as well as your own.

What do we need to do as an industry to attract and keep more women in STEM?

I believe more high-profile female role models within STEM would encourage young women to take a greater interest. I never had a female role model in STEM, I just followed what I enjoyed at school. This could be introduced with more STEM ambassador events at schools, to spark the initial interest and show pupils there are multiple different career paths they can choose from, no matter their background.

To read about more about our work and female role models please visit our website at www. equalityinstem.org.uk/blog

OUR MISSION: TO ATTRACT, DEVELOP AND RETAIN A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE MIX OF PEOPLE IN STEM CAREERS

Legal Matters

BY ALEX ROSS, BELL & BUXTON INCORPORATING IRONMONGER CURTIS

Alex looks at how late payers and long payment terms can negatively impact your buisness

As a small or medium business, the issue of being paid late is a major concern. Often when dealing with larger companies, you may be forced to take longer payment terms than you really feel you can cope with. And then there are late payers, customers who don’t meet your payment terms and you need to continually chase.

Long payment terms or late payments can have a significant effect on cash flow, making it difficult to buy stock, pay staff and keep the business moving forward. Plus, there is significant time and resources needed in routinely chasing late payments.

There is some good news on the horizon. On Small Business Saturday, which took place on December 3, business secretary Grant Shapps announced a comprehensive review into tackling late payment for small businesses and urged large companies to pay smaller suppliers promptly.

The Payment and Cash Flow review will scrutinise current payment practices and the measure in place to make sure small firms are not ripped off, as well as the progress made in certain sectors of the economy in combatting late payment.

In the meantime, what can you do to protect yourself against late payments?

It’s always good practice to do due diligence on any

new customer, particularly if it is a high spend. Carry out a credit check, ask around in the marketplace, look at historical payment performance.

Negotiate payment terms to suit your business from the outset, which is not always easy with a larger company as a customer but try to be firm and request 50 per cent upfront with the balance on delivery. Whatever is decided, make sure the terms are clear and well-documented from the outset.

Also, don’t hesitate to change your payment terms where you feel it is necessary – every business is different so set unique terms for customers you feel may not be efficient payers. Keep up good communication

throughout the process so everyone knows where they stand.

Make the payment process as straightforward and simple as possible. Different accounting departments will have different preferences so try to offer several payment options, and make sure your own accounting department has set procedures.

Late payment is a problem for businesses everywhere and it isn’t getting any easier with the current financial climate and high inflation.

Most companies are hesitant to enforce their legal rights with debtors for fear of losing their business or damaging the relationship. You don’t need to sue to enforce your rights, interest on late payments is a

statutory right.

Current government legislation states the interest you can charge if another business is late paying for goods or a service is ‘statutory interest’ - this is eight per cent, plus the Bank of England base rate for business-to-business transactions. You cannot claim statutory interest if there’s a different rate of interest in a contract.

Make this clear from the outset and, when required, re-invoice the late payer with the additional amount.

You can, when all else fails, take legal action, this can be costly and risky, but in some circumstances may be your only remaining course of action. Your business solicitor will however help you through the process.

Tax

BEATING BLUE MONDAY

Andy offers advice on planning ahead for your tax payments and finding easier ways to pay

Monday, January 16, 2023 marks Blue Monday – the third Monday in January is regarded as the most depressing day of the year.

Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall says so.

Accountants have been theorising for many years as to which day in January is the worst. January 31 is the deadline for submission of personal tax returns and payment of tax due for tax year 2021/22 and payment on account for 2022/23.

Before then, accountants have been sorting out and submitting returns for all our last-minute clients that let us have the information late. Our lives have been made easier by using online portals/signatures, rather than the old days of having lines of clients waiting to sign their returns or us having to drive around to get a signature. We don’t talk anymore of the clients that pre-signed their tax returns for figures to be entered later. I am sure no accountants ever took advantage of that!

BELOW ARE SOME NOTES FROM HMRC:

The deadline for customers to submit their tax returns for the 2021/2022 tax year and pay any tax owed is January 31, 2023 and HMRC is encouraging anyone yet to complete their return to do it early.

Those who have already completed their selfassessment know what they owe and can budget to make payments on time.

Filing early also means

customers who are unable to pay their tax bill in full by the deadline will have plenty of time to access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan.

In the 12 months to April 5, 2022, almost 142,000 customers were choosing to use self-serve Time to Pay to pay any tax owed for the 2020/2021 tax year, spreading the cost of around £475 million into monthly instalments.

Using HMRC’s self-serve Time to Pay facility means customers benefit from a tailored payment plan via monthly direct debits. This means they can spread the cost of their tax bill based on how much is owed and the length of time they need to pay. Self-assessment

customers can apply on GOV.UK if they:

• have filed their tax return for the 2021/2022 tax year

• owe less than £30,000

• can pay in full within 12 months

If customers owe more than £30,000, or need longer to pay, they should call the Self-Assessment Payment Helpline on 0300 200 3822.

I shall not comment on how irritating I find it that HMRC refer to us as ‘customers’ rather than ‘taxpayers’. I believe the word ‘customer’ suggests some element of choice! Regardless of what HMRC choose to call us, when it comes to our tax affairs, we sadly cannot choose not to engage with HMRC.

I would also point out the January payment does include a payment on account for tax year 2022/23, if your taxable income/profits in 2022/23 are going to be less than in 2021/22 then we can apply to reduce the payment on account to match the reduced income.

For any of you that haven’t completed your tax return for 2022 and need a hand, please do call or email me. I will be happy to assist in completion of your tax return, provide advice and guidance on the compliance for 2022 tax return submissions, and discuss the 2022/23 income and ways to manage the tax due on the year we are in now. More tips will be in our March article, but the main one will still be talk to me!

ANDY FROGGATT OF ROYSTON PARKIN

Technology

BY HIGHLANDER'S CHRIS MUSCROFT

HOW TO BE MORE CYBER-SECURE IN 2023

Cybersecurity is a crucial concern for all businesses, but it can be especially challenging for small businesses with limited resources and staff. With the increasing reliance on technology and the internet in the modern business world, it is essential for small businesses to prioritise cybersecurity to protect their data, assets and reputation.

Here are six key points and trends that small businesses should consider for 2023:

1. Ransomware attacks will continue to be a significant threat. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. These attacks can be devastating for small businesses, as they may not have the necessary backups or resources to recover from the attack. To protect against ransomware, it is essential to keep all software and systems up to date with the latest patches and to use robust antivirus software.

2. Phishing attacks will remain a common method of cybercrime. Phishing attacks are emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually designed to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. Small businesses should educate their employees on how to spot phishing attempts and provide them with the necessary tools to report suspicious emails.

3. The use of cloud services will continue to grow, but with it comes new risks. Cloud services can provide many benefits for small businesses, such as increased collaboration and flexibility, but they also present new security challenges. It is essential to carefully evaluate the security measures of any cloud service provider and to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect access to cloud accounts.

4. Cybersecurity insurance will become increasingly important. While no insurance policy can prevent a cyber-attack, cybersecurity insurance can help small businesses recover from an attack by covering the costs of recovering data, rebuilding systems, and other related

expenses. Small businesses should consider purchasing cybersecurity insurance to protect against the financial impact of a cyber-attack.

5. The Internet of Things (IoT) will present new security challenges. The IoT refers to the growing network of connected devices, such as smart thermostats, security cameras, and even refrigerators, that can be accessed and controlled remotely. While these devices can bring convenience and efficiency to small businesses, they also present new security risks. It is essential to secure IoT devices with strong passwords and to keep them up to date with the latest patches to prevent them from being hacked.

6. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

will be used to improve cybersecurity. AI and machine learning can help businesses detect and respond to cyber threats more quickly and effectively. For example, AI-powered systems can analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a cyberattack. Small businesses should consider investing in AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to stay ahead of emerging threats.

In conclusion, small businesses face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. By staying informed about the latest threats and trends, and by taking proactive steps to protect their data and systems, small businesses can greatly reduce their risk of a cyber-attack.

This month, Chris gives his tips for protecting your assets from a cyber-attack

GLU RECRUIT HOLD FIFTH OFFICE HEROES AWARDS EVENT

Leading Rotherham-based recruitment agency Glu Recruit held its fifth Office Heroes event on Friday, December 2. The event welcomed around 40 guests including finalists and their nominators, the Office Heroes judging panel, Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL, Master Cutler, The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Sioned Mair Richards and last year’s winner.

Office Heroes was created to celebrate employees who are the shining stars of the business they work for. Each year, Glu Recruit encourages people to nominate those who have gone the extra mile. What’s great about this event is that it’s not all about who’s done the most sales, smashed the most targets or what job title they have, it’s about the human side to the workplace.

THE LEADUP

Glu opened nominations back in October and was swarmed with a record number of entries, from a number of different businesses in both Sheffield and Rotherham. It was then time to assemble a judging panel to whittle these down to 10 finalists.

Jill Kay, human resources business partner at ASD lighting; Jill White, partner at Andy Hanselman Consulting; Toby Pochron. director of employment law at Freeths LLP; Hayley Koseoglu, managing director of Crystal Clean Service Ltd and Amy Tingle, HR and business director of City Taxis all got together to come to a decision.

Not only were they tasked with choosing 10 finalists, but they also had to choose one winner and two

highly commended nominees. The competition was so fierce that a fourth award was thrown into the mix – a special mention award, designed for someone who was so close to the top three that they couldn’t not give them a shoutout!

After months filled with suspense, the shortlist was announced, and the 10 finalists and their nominators were invited to the ceremony.

THE FINALISTS

• Marie Barrett – SCX Special Projects

• Alexander Wilson – Jenx Ltd

• Milda Hameed – Darnall Well Being

• Ellie Lavery – Unique School Solutions

• Dale Lancaster – Simoda Limited

• Lindsay Hudson – MED-EL

• Shane Armstrong – Tuffnells Parcels Express

• Charlotte Palmer – Clear Quality Limited

• Scott Cotterill – The Sheffield College

• Sophie McJimpsey – Aircon Group

The invite was extended to the judging panel and two VIP guests –Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL Master Cutler and The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Sioned-Mair Richards.

Glu Recruit, partnered with an incredible videographer, went out and visited each nominee over the course of two days. The team spoke with the nominators and captured all the reasons why they nominated their finalist. They also caught up with the nominees to discover how they felt having not only been nominated but shortlisted to the final 10.

THE BIG DAY

The day of the event arrived and the Glu Recruit team, dressed to impress, welcomed guests to The Leopold Hotel, Sheffield, where they shared complimentary prosecco, posed for photographs and were blown away by an incredible magician.

Guests were then taken through to a room filled with fairy lights and a real sense of magic, ahead of the main event. Managing director Rob Shaw welcomed them all and afternoon tea was served. This was a real opportunity for the nominees to get to know each other and discover why each of them had been nominated.

Charlotte Palmer (centre)

Lindsay Hudson (second from left)

Marie Barrett (centre)

Dame Julie Kenny, DBE DL, Master Cutler gave a very important speech around her experiences in business and the importance of hard-working employees like those who made it to the final 10. Last year’s Office Hero, George Hill, and his nominator, Charlotte Killi from Killis, also gave an insight into their Office Heroes experience and congratulated those who had made the final.

The finished video of all the finalists and their nominators was played for the first time, and each nomination was really brought to life! Then it was the moment everyone was waiting for

THE RESULTS

The golden envelopes were opened, and the results were finally revealed…

• Charlotte Palmer, Clear Quality Ltd – Winner

• Marie Barrett, SCX Special Projects Ltd – Highly Commended

• Lindsay Hudson, MED-EL – Highly Commended

• Shane Armstrong, Tuffnells –Special Mention

Rob Shaw said: “The number and quality of nominations we received for this year’s Office Heroes was overwhelming and I do not envy the judging panel having to make such a tough decision.

“Charlotte was a very worthy winner and I’d like to personally congratulate her on being crowned Office Hero 2022.

“Charlotte is a compliance administration manager at Clear Quality Ltd and has worked there for 18 months. During her time there she has gone above and beyond establishing an e-learning platform, achieving 94 per cent on an audit and doing whatever it takes to help the business.

“Her managing director, Debbie Whitehead, described her as an absolute delight to work with. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and she always has time for everyone. Congratulations goes to Charlotte and all this year’s award winners!”

Charlotte said: “I would like to thank Glu Recruit for the lovely afternoon to celebrate everyone who had been nominated for the Office Hero 2022 award. After watching the nominee videos on the day, I really

didn’t expect to win as there was so many amazing people who had also been nominated.

“As I didn’t know I had been nominated until two weeks before the event, it came as a huge surprise and I never thought I would win. I would also like to thank my CEO Debbie Whitehead for nominating me and for everything she does for everyone in our company.

“When I saw my name on the screen I was in shock as I didn’t quite believe it. I’ve never won anything before, so it was such a great feeling. A huge thank you to everyone involved, it was a very special day!”

Debbie added: “I have attended numerous award ceremonies over the past five years, some as a guest and a few of which Clear Quality were shortlisted however, I can honestly say the one with Glu Recruit was far-out the best.

“The event was the perfect size, everyone managed to speak with each other, the venue was beautiful, and the hosts were amazing, really looking after their guests. It was a great event to connect with other local professionals and businesses.

“Charlotte and I were certainly not expecting the level of service provided, from the initial greet with bubbly, then the amount of food provided once seated – the afternoon tea selection was beautiful, especially the cakes.

“As we sat and watched all the videos of each shortlist, we certainly weren’t expecting Charlotte to be the winner – not that I didn’t have faith in Charlotte, it was just that everyone was so good, it was evident as to why they had been nominated, let alone shortlisted! I was really proud to be part of it all, then when Charlotte’s name was read out as the winner… well, both of us just gasped.

“I was quite emotional and certainly couldn’t speak properly at the end, I was just so happy for her, as I personally know how good Charlotte is and the value she adds within Clear Quality, but for her to hear it and gain that recognition from others who do not know her was just amazing. I cannot thank Rob and his team enough for such an amazing day.”

YOU CAN SEE THE FULL VIDEO FROM THE EVENT HERE

GLU RECRUIT’S CHARLOTTE PIKE STARTS HER CIPD LEVEL 3 HR SUPPORT APPRENTICESHIP

Glu Recruit began its partnership with Whyy? Change back in May 2022 and has further strengthened it as Charlotte Pike, recruitment consultant at Glu, has begun her CIPD Level 3 HR support apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship is new for Whyy? Change and is designed for people professionals or HR administrators who are looking to develop their HR skills or refresh their knowledge. Day to day they will handle queries and provide HR advice to managers.

The apprenticeship costs £4.500 and is funded through the government levy, with a minimum of 95 per cent funding available – this is a great way for businesses to retain employees and upskill their teams.

Matthew Trueman, head of communications at Whyy? Change said: “There are many benefits to starting an apprenticeship, not only for apprentices but employers too. HR support apprentices will work towards a globally recognised CIPD Qualification, the gold standard for HR professionals.

“Apprentices will be able to apply their new skills straight away to their business and share the latest HR best practices with their team. Putting people development at the heart of your business will lead to greater staff retention and a highly skilled workforce.”

Charlotte added: “I am excited to learn something new and really challenge myself as well as meet new people who have similar interests to me.

“I think it will be interesting to see how different people see different situations and learn from those too.”

You can find out more about Whyy? Change at www.whyychange.com

agency, we focus on the long-term stick of the placement. Whether you’re a candidate looking to make a career move, or an employer looking to add to your team, our thorough and proactive recruitment and retention service ensures you are well Email:

CLEAN POWER HYDROGEN STRENGTHENS ITS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

CPH2, the UK-based green hydrogen technology and manufacturing company that has developed the IPprotected MembraneFree Electrolyser (MFE), is pleased to confirm Arash Selahi has been promoted to chief operating officer. Mr Selahi has been the company’s head of operations since May 2022 and has an extensive background in Leading Yorkshire accountancy announced 75 promotions to end the year.

managing industrial manufacturing facilities in a range of sectors.

In this role, Mr Selahi will be focused on leading the safe and sustainable operations of the business through the development

and implementation of the most efficient processes. Mr Selahi will continue to promote a culture of continuous improvement coupled with placing safety and inclusivity at the centre of operations.

James Hobson has taken up his role of chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director. As such, Clive Brook has now retired from his role as CFO and as a director.

BHP announces 75 promotions

The promotions span all levels of the business with new appointments including one partner, two directors, three senior managers and five managers.

The promotions will boost BHP’s audit and accounts, corporate finance, healthcare and tax teams.

The news comes after BHP reported 43 promotions earlier in 2022 The firm has increased its headcount by 85 in the last 12 months and, after taking on a record 46 new trainees in September, the total number of employees now stands at 449.

Entrepreneur and family man Dom Brook doesn’t like to sit still. His latest venture, Mynexo, is a revolutionary app that acts as a handheld CRM for freelancers and consultants. unLTD’s Brogan Maguire caught up with him to find out more about the new business and how it can help millions of self-employed people take control of their lives, as well as thousands of businesses find the support they need.

I’ve known Dom Brook for quite a while through his business Brook Corporate Developments, who we’ve done quite a lot of work with here at unLTD.

I’ve learnt a lot about him in that time – namely that he is at his happiest when working on a new project or business idea.

That’s why he is so excited to have launched Mynexo, the new app that connects companies with specialist and external support.

Mynexo is a mobile and desktop application that supports local businesses and consultants with the full business lifecycle, including finding new clients and leads; video messaging; time management;

invoicing and payments; purchase orders, and tracking target goals and projects.

The aim is to make life as easy as possible for businesses, consultants and freelancers – a struggle Dom know all about.

“Our app is a centralised communication platform that you can manage from your phone, tablet or computer,” he told me as we huddled around our coffees on a cold afternoon at his brandnew Penistone office. “In my opinion that’s a no brainer. There are so many time consuming and complicated processes in business and Mynexo cuts all of that out.

“We see these issues all the time at Brook, so I wanted to create a solution that would help as many people as possible to increase productivity and take those day-today business stresses away. There’s nothing else like it.”

With more than two million freelancers in the UK, this is not a niche product with a small target audience.

Some of the biggest challenges cited by freelancers include finding clients and establishing a consistent client base, getting paid on time, and managing time and workload.

Well, not only can you easily manage your diary on-the-go with Mynexo, but the app also has a marketplace tool, with a directory of freelancers and consultants to help you with every business need.

And getting paid couldn’t be easier, as the app allows you to send instant invoices.

Businesses can also leave reviews for any specialists they use on the app, meaning you can find out what you’re in for before making your selection.

Dom added: “One of the biggest things I realised when finalising this idea was that there’s very little regulation in the consultancy industry and Mynexo is here to change that.

“With our review tool you can read real-life testimonies about the experiences of other businesses, and you can be reassured that every consultant or freelancer who signs up is credible, as they have to provide ID verification and are vetted for VAT and insurance.

“While the directory makes it easier for businesses to find the right person for the job they need, it’s really useful for freelancers and consultants too, as it helps them to establish a strong client base without having to spend time endlessly searching for work.”

While the directory makes it easier for businesses to find the right person for the job they need, it’s really useful for freelancers and consultants too, as it helps them to establish a strong client base without having to spend time endlessly searching for work

So, how does the app itself work?

“Simplicity really is key here,” Dom told me as he opened his phone to give me a demonstration. “All you have to do is download the app from your chosen app store – it really is that easy!

“Once it’s downloaded there are really easy instructions for signing up and all Mynexo’s features will be at your fingertips.”

After chatting about the app for a little while longer, what I really wanted to know was what the process of creating it had been like.

Dom might be good at lots of things but he’s not a tech developer, so how did he go about setting up Mynexo?

He said: “Well it wasn’t overnight, that’s for sure! The idea for Mynexo was one of those lightbulb moments you have every so often – I have most of mine when I’m not actually working, like when I’m walking the dog or in the shower.

“While some are just passing thoughts, this one stuck and I knew from the get-go I was onto a winner. From my own experience as an entrepreneur, and from the people we support at Brook, I knew these were common problems faced by lots of people and there was a real gap in the market for a product like this.

“I completely backed myself with it, so I took a leap of faith and put my all into the project. One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that you can do anything if you have the right people around you, so I got Ginger Fox Studios to work on my branding and employed some amazing developers to bring the app to life, who went above and beyond to put the image I wanted together.

“It was so much fun to see it all come together and bounce ideas around to see what worked best. Nexo is Spanish for ‘nexus’, which is a connection or series of connections linking two or more things, and that felt so fitting for what we’re doing with the app.

“Seeing your ideas out in the wild is so surreal and launching this product has been so exciting. I just want as many people as possible to make the most of it, because it really will change the way they work.”

Talking about how people work got me thinking about Dom himself, and how he always seems to be spinning lots of plates at once.

As well as running two businesses, Dom is always getting involved in

different projects and events and is a prevalent name on the South Yorkshire business scene.

Fitting all of that around family life – two young children and a dog, no less – must be one hell of a challenge, so how does he do it?

When I asked him that he let out a little laugh and said: “Time management is key – I have to practice what I preach. I’ve set up a business based all around that premise and the reason for that is I know it works.

“I can only do the things I do because I’m strict with my time and plan it as effectively as possible. Of course, I love spending time with my family and friends and that’s very important to me, but I make sure I factor that in and that any of my working time is properly scheduled.

“I’m a very committed person and when I have something scheduled, then that’s what I’m doing – and I’m all in. Just because I’m now running two businesses that won’t change, I’ll just split my time accordingly and do a little bit more planning to cover all bases.

“It’s also critical to have the right processes in place and make use of the tools you have available to you.

“The challenge of balancing everything is made slightly easier by the rewards I get and the motivations I have. I love being an entrepreneur and having the freedom to create and build the things I want, without the restrictions and hesitation that can sometimes come from being employed. Having an idea and then being able to see it through to the end is an amazing feeling.

“It’s also made easier by having a brilliant team around me and trusting the right people. That can

make all the difference.”

Having the right team links perfectly to Dom’s next steps with Mynexo, as his plans include employing more people as the business continues to grow.

Dom is also passionate about continuous improvement and development, with ideas already on the horizon for integrating new systems into the Mynexo app.

He said: “I feel very proud to have launched Mynexo at the end of last year and to be able to see people enjoying something I created. I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2023 has in store!”

Download the app.

Seeing your ideas out in the wild is so surreal and launching this product has been so exciting. I just want as many people as possible to make the most of it, because it really will change the way they work

LOOKS AT 2023 IN DIGITAL

As the world’s population crossed the eight billion mark, the digital world grew even more rapidly. As of the end of 2022, more than five billion people are on the internet and over four and a half billion use some form of social media.

The global pandemic temporarily put more distance between us and the digital world helped us bridge this gap –further accelerating its growth.

As the new year begins, the senior leadership team of The SEO Works are here to help prepare you for the coming year in digital - taking a look at the big moments of 2022 and what’s coming up in 2023…

DIGITAL TRENDS

Ben Foster, managing director

2022 has been another record year for us, as we have continued to win new high-profile clients as well as supporting our existing client base. We’ve won several awards and built on our friendly and supportive culture, cementing our reputation as an industry leader.

With lots of macroeconomic factors driving some pretty bleak forecasts, 2023 seems like it could be a challenging year for many marketers. When a recession is looming and times are tough, marketing budgets are often first on the list for the chop. However, this relatively short-term approach could harm things in the longer term.

To read the full piece, and get properly prepared for the year ahead, visit www.seoworks. co.uk/2023-in-digital or scan the QR code.

Though performance expectations should be adjusted, the return your marketing provides could be a make-or-break difference to your business. If cuts do need to be made, make sure they are in the channels with no measurable return on investment. Messaging and approaches should be adjusted to adapt to changing behaviours and sentiment but hiding your brand away to save money could limit your own recovery.

Read the full piece where Ben talks about third-party cookies, the metaverse and AI.

SEO TRENDS

Paul Friend, head of SEO 2022 has been a big year for SEO, with several key trends moving from ‘being something to think about’ to ‘being a core part of your strategy’.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence in SEO seems set to continue apace. It felt like barely a week went by in 2022 before another AI-focused tool was released or a potential use-case scenario was presented to the industry. Heated debate regarding the ethical use of such tools and strategies continues to rage, but AI’s role in SEO, from content creation to data analysis, will surely continue to expand next year.

To ensure we’re continually putting our best content foot forward, Google’s ‘Useful Content’ update sought to increase the gap between insightful, focused and valuable content, and low-quality ‘SEO-first' content. Expect more of these updates, either overtly announced as this one, or covertly added to other algorithm tweaks, to come in the near-to-mid future. Read the full piece where Paul talks about GA4, search intent and more.

PPC TRENDS

Kathryn Pearson, head of PPC

This year Google continued to delay its plans for thirdparty cookie removal in Chrome, instead returning to the Google privacy sand-box. However, it has reported cookies will be removed during quarter four of 2024, meaning they will be going away and advertisers will need to adapt.

This will require advertisers in 2023 to focus and invest more in their first-party data. First-party data will be at the forefront of advertisers’ minds during 2023, ensuring data is collected accurately and thoroughly, ready for the ever-looming deadline.

Amazon Advertising and newer platforms such as TikTok will start to take up more space in the paid media world during 2023, with Amazon emerging as the go-to platform for eCommerce companies.

Amazon has been growing in popularity for both retailers and consumers in the last few years, thanks to the ease and choice the platform provides.

Read the full piece where Kathryn talks about CPC increases, video ads and more.

WEB TRENDS

Graham Jones, head of web

It goes without saying that Mobile First development will continue to increase in popularity in 2023, but we’re also really excited about the potential advance in the use of AI on the web, for things like chatbots where natural language processing means chatbots can engage in more complex conversations.

Users are now spoiled, as they expect consistency in UX between applications as they interact with web applications and native apps. This can, and will be, easier as more developers lean towards developing PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) to free themselves from the shackles of device-specific development and gain more control and flexibility for both them and end users.

We’re also predicting a wider use of voice search – a tech-trend that isn’t prevalent for businesses as of yet, but where utilisation of voice search functionality can add to UX, or better still make their sites more accessible for hearing and sight-impaired people.

Read the full piece where Graham talks about APIs, WordPress and more.

NEW BUSINESS TRENDS

Alex Hill, sales director

From a new business perspective, we’ve secured a number of incredibly prestigious and interesting large campaigns and our business development team has worked tirelessly to continually improve our solution and pitch process, all supported by our amazing inhouse marketing team who continue to fly the flag for the agency.

So, what will 2023 have in store for us regarding new business? We’re certainly anticipating prospective new clients to be wanting to maximise the value and ROI they receive for their media spend.

Whether that’s from what they already spend with their incumbent agency to shifting to a new provider, we’re looking to treat every new opportunity with the utmost respect and offer the prospect as much value as possible. This will really drive a commercial return to their hard-earned and valuable digital spend. We’re all hugely looking forward to seeing what 2023 will bring and we’re incredibly excited at the prospect and challenge.

Read the full piece where Alex talks about how our solution will continue to develop.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

Each year, students in Year 7 to Year 9 in Sheffield schools are invited to take part in The BiG Challenge, Sheffield City Council’s entrepreneurial business competition.

Co-ordinated by the city’s See It Be It team, groups receive a £25 start-up investment (and it is an investment – they have to pay it back!) to grow into a profit-making business idea.

2022 marks unLTD’s second year as sponsors of Best Ad in the BiG Challenge Interim Marketing Awards. This year, we picked two winners, which you can see below!

The Big Challenge continues into 2023 and teams will be in the Moor Market in Sheffield on January 28, where you can take a look at some of their products in real life – and hopefully spend a quid or two with them…

If you or your business would like to get involved with The BiG Challenge or find other ways to support the next generation of entrepreneurs with See It Be It in Sheffield, visit www.business.bigchallenge.biz to learn more.

THE WINNERS!

Both making use of QR codes to avoid cluttering their ads with unnecessary detail, the winners used creative design to communicate their products without excessive words and let the imagery do the talking for them.

A massive well done to CocoaSlabs from Firth Park and Socks with Soul from High Storrs!

LITTLE LABORATORY

journey

Tell us about your company?

Little Laboratory offers science related services for children between the ages of 1-10 years and can be split into three segments:

1. Little Laboratory Classic (1-7 years): The pop-up lab that transforms venues or school halls into an age-appropriate laboratory, including many different STEAMrelated activities.

2. Little Laboratory Workshops (4-10 years): I offer bath bomb, potion and slime workshops where I guide parents and children through the ‘how to’, before they get creative and make their own creations to take home. This way, easy scientific concepts relate to a fun and engaging activity.

3. Workshops and after-school clubs: I develop workshops for primary schools that are highly engaging and motivating, so children can have their very first successful attempts at being real scientists.

Little Laboratory was developed for children as young as one-year-old to actively encourage our future generation to take a STEM related path.

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

I’m a 32-year-old mum of two and a fully qualified chemistry and politics teacher, previously working in Germany.

I loved my job, but when I migrated to England to live with my other half about three years ago, I couldn’t

help but feel a full time teacher job in England and a balanced family life wouldn’t work for me. Craving my dedication to science lessons, one night I had the idea for Little Laboratory.

While my then four-month-old daughter had a phase of cluster feeding, I used the long nights to start my research. Et voila, here we are! Who would’ve thought a baby could give you the time to set up

ADVISOR STATEMENT FROM DARREN MCDOOL

Janine has wisely taken advantage of the free support available through the Launchpad programme to look at ways to grow the business while still delivering the quality, originality and inspiration her sessions are known for. Over the coming months we’ll be working with Janine on building a strong platform to grow the business further after proving there is a demand for her offer and we wish her all the best for what looks like a promising 2023.

your own company?

The 2019 school workforce census shows primary schools are confronted with a huge workforce challenge such as recruiting and retaining specialist scientist teachers.

I find these statistics very concerning as teaching high-quality, engaging science lessons is so important to keep up an interest in science and not lose your pupils’ attention – which is where Little Laboratory comes in!

How has Launchpad helped you?

Launchpad has helped me in so many ways. The lovely ladies from Bright Stars Play Space recommended this project and it was really easy to get my first appointment. Since then, I’ve been able to upscale my business dramatically. I’ve used the services provided by Launchpad since September and found myself in so many workshops and meetings – I was even pushed into applying for my first grant which I successfully received. I couldn’t recommend this project more to anyone who is thinking about going self-employed.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

I hope to be able to franchise my business by the end of 2023, as I have had a few potential franchisees requesting this already. Currently it’s just a vision but considering how fast this company has grown in the first year of existing, I’d love to be able to offer high quality science for children all over the UK.

Find out more at: www. littlelaboratory.co.uk

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@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk.

Janine Koenig from Little Laboratory talks us through her Launchpad

TRAINING

AAT Level 2 accounts assistant apprenticeships with First Intuition

First Intuition Yorkshire is launching its newest apprenticeship programme across the region in April 2023, with courses taking place at the Leeds and Sheffield centres.

After talking to local employers, we believe AAT Level 2 apprenticeships are becoming increasingly relevant to business needs and trainees.

So, why is the Level 2 apprenticeship relevant?

The lasting effects of the pandemic have greatly affected students’ studies. Both their inter-personal and academic skills development have been compromised, with some students not having the experience of sitting a formal exam. Furthermore, many have not had the opportunity to gain work experience and achieve the skills associated with first jobs, such as communication and timekeeping. The effect on young adults means a lot of new trainees are finding it harder to adjust to the workplace and the demands of studying for a professional accountancy qualification.

Employers are now having to focus more efforts on building soft skills as well as the professional knowledge for the new trainees.

The Level 2 apprenticeship offers a great entry-point to these trainees. The programme has been tailored to suit those with no previous experience in the workplace. The essential skills development has been built into the programme, including communication skills, effectiveness, teamwork and double-entry bookkeeping knowledge.

The new AAT syllabus, ‘Qualifications 2022’, was launched in September and is much more robust and challenging than the previous syllabus. It contains less duplication, meaning it is more important that trainees have the baseline knowledge to build upon as some topics will no longer be covered at levels 3 or 4.

Level 2 will set trainees up with a good basic understanding to effectively progress through the rest of their qualifications.

What does the Level 2 apprenticeship include?

The AAT Level 2 modules, exams and membership are mandated by the standard and include: introduction to bookkeeping; principles of bookkeeping controls; the business environment and principles of costing.

The skills and development sessions are

covered by the First Intuition Impact skills programme, designed to build confidence and develop crucial workplace skills that lay the foundations for a successful career in finance. The skills modules are personal effectiveness; producing and communicating quality information; working effectively in a team and working in a business environment.

A designated skills and development coach will support and mentor the

KEY INFORMATION

trainee throughout their journey.

What job roles are suitable for a Level 2 apprentice? There are a range of job roles suitable for someone on a Level 2 apprenticeship, including:

• Accounts payable clerk

• Finance administrator

• Accounts assistant

• Business accounts administrator

• Finance assistant junior

• Accounts administrator

• Assistant bookkeeper

The deadline to register your interest to start a new Level 2 apprentice with First Intuition is Friday, February 17. You can do this by emailing leeds@fi.co.uk or sheffield@fi.co.uk

The Level 2 apprenticeship programme commences in the week of April 3.

The funding band for Level 2 apprenticeships is currently £6,000. The Level 2 apprenticeship is also mandated, meaning the apprenticeship needs to be completed before Gateway. The duration of a Level 2 apprenticeship is around 13 months, spending 12 months of this on programme.

FLASHCHARGER

FlashCharger is an innovative solution to charging your device in any venue, with portable powerbanks that customers can rent to charge their device without being fixed to a plug socket or needing to remember a charging lead.

We are based in Kollider Workspace in Sheffield and have been supplying businesses with our solution since 2019, after being founded by owners Steven Cheng and Dean Deng.

Our charging stations include UV sanitisation and full compatibility with three charging cables (USB-C, Lightning, and Micro USB) so you can charge any mobile, tablet, headphones and even vapes.

With access to a network across the UK, FlashCharger is free for venue owners, and we share our profit with you.

Our team provides full 24-hour tech support, free machine maintenance and full health and safety guarantee due to insurance and machine testing.

With over 30,000 users of FlashCharger, we provide free marketing opportunities within our app as well as free advertisement for your offers or events on the screen of our charging stations.

Our advertisement space can also be purchased for a monthly fee so you can get your product seen in prime advertising space with high consumer traffic.

With over 300 charging stations in over 18 cities across the UK, why not join the FlashCharger network so you can ensure your venue visitors can charge their mobile wherever they are?

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

There is no limit to the venues which FlashCharger can support. Just some of the venues we are currently featured in are:

• Cafes, bars and restaurants

• Hotels and leisure centres

• Hospitals and GPs

• Transport interchanges, train stations and airports

• Hairdressers and beauty salons

• Shopping centres

• Casinos

• Football stadiums

• University campuses and student accommodation

We contact many venue owners through social media, email and are also fortunate enough to have built incredible relationships with many businesses both in Sheffield and across the UK.

How can people get in touch with you?

You can get in touch with us via email info@flashcharger.uk , on social media or by calling us 07365 877659

Tell us about your business – sell yourselves!

Glenn had an ambition to run his own business and identified a gap in the market between consultancies who talked about neuroscience and the wonders of the brain, but in a way that was not readily applicable to business. And so, Face Value was created, sitting in that gap – practical and pragmatic solutions, immediately useable and based on scientific evidence.

Glenn visited the BIPC and attended seminars on market research, web design, marketing and digital productivity. He accessed the MINTEL database in the Sheffield Central Library to understand his market more and had one-to-one with an IP advisor. In under 30 minutes, an IP attorney explained how Glenn could conduct a trademark search and apply for a trademark at no cost. Glenn has since successfully followed that process and now has four registered trademarks in the UK!

Glenn’s best piece of advice is: “Build up at least three months of cash in the bank to see you through difficult times. The adage remains as true as ever – cash is king. Knowing that you have at least three months to sort out and work through problems provides a little peace of mind and removes the urgency for a while.”

Find out more about Face Value online at www.facevaluepp.com.

South Yorkshire and the British Library’s National Network of Business & IP Centres are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. We’re supporting a thriving community of bright and inspiring people in South Yorkshire by partnering with local libraries all over the UK.

You may not have thought you have Intellectual Property (IP) you need to protect, or that it’s something you can think about later. All businesses or creatives will have some IP, whether it’s an invention, brand, product or design. To be successful and grow your business, understanding what it is that’s unique about you is crucial and that’s where we come in. We can help you to gain an understanding of the vital role of trademarks, copyright, registered designs and patents in protecting your business.

We can also help you understand your market trends and maintain a competitive edge by sizing up your business opportunity. Having a greater understanding of your marketplace from the very start will enable you to create a sound business strategy to establish and grow your brand into one that’s better than the competition. Those who undertake research when setting up a business are twice as likely to succeed beyond three years. If you’re looking to grow your business and plan for the future, we can help you, with resources worth more than £5million, freely available to you in libraries across South Yorkshire.

Offering insights and access to free resources, clinics and events, we’ll help you imagine, start or develop your business. Whether you’re just setting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or simply have a brilliant idea you want to discuss, we’re here to guide you.

What challenges can we expect in 2023, and what are the main factors for architects to consider?

Now is the time to make a difference in the fight against global warming. By incorporating innovative technologies, utilising green materials, and recycling waste, we can reduce our carbon footprint making a real impact for future generations.

We expect high construction costs and a shortage of skilled labour to remain key challenges. Planning delays remain an issue due to overworked departments, and I find it deeply frustrating we don’t as a country fund them better.

Can we expect to see the return of any design elements to architecture in 2023?

A trend toward incorporating traditional features into new buildings is one we’re observing and promoting. This can invite criticism of “pastiche architecture” (frequently from architects!) However, study after study tells how people prefer traditionally styled buildings to contemporary ones. Architects should consider this if they want their buildings to be loved and maintained for generations to come. Buildings that last for decades or centuries are more sustainable than those demolished after 20 years.

How are architects/planners working to make cities better places in 2023?

If cities are to become more sustainable, liveable and

successful then they must be all about people. Many are choosing to live in large urban centres, with all the convenience it brings creating population explosions in city centres. Something that can make a big impact here, and which we can expect to see more of, are various measures to reduce the prevalence of cars in city centres. Vehicles take up space that can be better utilised to create environments that are more attractive with less air and noise pollution.

Schemes that reduce or remove traffic are usually opposed for being ‘bad for business’, but countless studies suggest the opposite. A good local example is Division Street where the car reduction scheme implemented in 2020 has proved very popular with one cafe even doubling its takings!

CODA is working on schemes that will provide hundreds of new homes and workspaces in Sheffield city centre, many of them car-free. We also champion schemes for better public realm, like our idea for a park on Ball Street Bridge connecting Kelham Island and Neepsend. We expect to see city centres become cleaner, better connected, and more community focused.

What is CODA doing differently in 2023 to meet the ever-changing landscape of architecture? When COVID-19 hit, home workspaces became a musthave. In just about everything we’re doing, we’re identifying spaces where homeowners can tuck themselves away and work. In the latest generation of Sky Houses, some of the landings are generous enough to accommodate workspace, giving the homeowner the option to turn part of their home that was just a circulation area into one which can be adapted for them.

Open kitchen and family room plans remain high priorities and gone are the days of formal dining and living areas. Buyers are requesting a specific type of home focused on having the square footage in the spaces they use most - they want their homes designed around how they live.

Managing director of CODA Studios Matt Bowker tells unLTD about trends he expects to see in the construction sector, and how CODA is overcoming the challenges expected in 2023.

REPRESENTING THE BEST OF SHEFFIELD…

The best of Sheffield business was celebrated last month at the Sheffield Business Awards 2022.

The event, held at Peddler Warehouse in Neepsend, saw hundreds of people gather together to honour the companies and individuals making waves in the Sheffield business scene.

BEN HENDRY CORPORATE PARTNER

contribution to Sheffield’s business world and why CMS loves getting involved in the awards.

The winners of all 15 award categories were announced at the glittering ceremony, hosted by Sheffieldborn comedian Tom Wrigglesworth, and catered by Michelin Guide restaurant Jöro.

The 2022 event focused on inclusivity and diversity, offering three new categories in a bid to reach as many businesses as possible and be more representative of the landscape. These included the Cultural Vibrancy award, the High Street Hero award and the Best Entrepreneur award.

The event wouldn’t have been possible without all our amazing sponsors, so both the unLTD and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce teams would like to say a huge thank you to them – and of course a massive congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

Following the success of the evening, we spoke to headline sponsor CMS to find out more about its

Here is what corporate partner Ben Hendry had to say…

Can you tell us more about your presence in Sheffield?

CMS has had a presence in Sheffield since 1990 and we have grown substantially since then. We currently have 20 partners, around 150 other lawyers and around 150 support staff. Sheffield is the second largest office in the CMS network in the UK, and CMS itself is one of the five largest law firms in the world.

Our lawyers cover disciplines including corporate and M&A, disputes resolution, real estate, construction, planning, employment, pensions and IP, and we advise many of the world’s largest companies on local, national and international projects from here in Sheffield.

What is your local mission and how do you support other businesses in Sheffield?

CMS is totally committed to the city. At a time when some professional firms are leaving, we have recently recommitted to the area by signing a 20year lease on our new Heart of the City offices. We see ourselves as an important part of the business landscape in Sheffield and the wider SCR region. Our lawyers regularly help local clients on significant matters, but more importantly, we try to take a leading role in major CSR, cultural and local charity projects. Sheffield has been good to CMS and we feel a responsibility to return the favour.

And of course, we are a major employer in the city, delivering more than 300 well-paid jobs. That number is growing all the time.

Why do you like to support the Sheffield Business Awards?

We signed up as principal sponsor of the Sheffield Business Awards last year, so this was our second year of involvement. We wanted to be involved for a couple of reasons – firstly, it’s important to celebrate business excellence in the region.

There are so many excellent businesses in Sheffield of all sizes, and it sometimes feels they go under the radar.

The SBA is an opportunity to showcase what a truly outstanding business culture exists in the region, and we’re proud to play a small part in helping Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and unLTD do that. On a more selfish note, it gives us a chance to promote the CMS brand to the wider business community. We want to be associated with the very best Sheffield has to offer.

What do the SBAs do differently to other awards ceremonies?

There are a lot of awards ceremonies, but the SBAs are by far the most important ones dedicated to business excellence in the region.

It’s the only awards that celebrates the wider business community and showcases the entrepreneurial spirit at all levels. The judging process is rigorous, transparent and – let’s be honest – the nights themselves have been excellent in the last couple of years. Moving

to an innovative new venue in Kelham Island and making the evening more fun and less stuffy has been a great move – business should not be about black-tie formality, it should be innovative, energetic and fun. It was noticeable how so many people went on to the after party this year – usually people leave other awards ceremonies as soon as it feels polite to do so!

How does Sheffield differ from other economies and what makes it a unique place to do business?

There is no doubt Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire

of a likely recession have all taken their toll. But the great thing about the businesspeople of Sheffield is they never let setbacks knock them down for long. They always come bouncing back. Sheffield has always been home to a unique entrepreneurial spirit, and that remains the case today. There is a real can-do spirit in Sheffield.

Old industries have been replaced by new ones.

Heavy industry may have declined –today advanced manufacturing, technology and digital is centre stage. The city is developing a growing reputation for med-tech, and a quick walk around the city centre shows just how much development is going on, particularly the transformational Heart of the City

There is much to be positive and excited about. We all know Sheffield is a wonderful place to live, but it’s also a great place to work in and do business

Developing

South Yorkshire's cultural vibrancy

Over the last 10 years we've welcomed more than half a million people to our festivals and events.

with a whole host of partners across the region to co-create artistic and cultural projects, so that together we can make Sheffield and South Yorkshire a more culturally vibrant place to live, work and invest.

We

work

Here is a list of all the amazing winners of the Sheffield Business Awards who were celebrated last month.

There were more than 150 applications this year, with each category whittled down to a shortlist of the three best entries and the overall winners announced on the night.

The awards were judged by a number of high-profile businesspeople and experts from across the region, who said the quality of applications was extremely high.

Louisa Harrison-Walker, chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “We were delighted to be there celebrating with you on such a fantastic occasion. You are part of what helps us towards making our city the best place in the UK to start, grow and run a successful and sustainable business.”

Phil Turner, publisher of unLTD, added: “A huge well done to everyone shortlisted and of course, our fantastic winners. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the very best of Sheffield business. We would just like to extend our thanks to all the judges who took so much time out of their busy schedules to read through the applications, and our amazing sponsors. Without you the night wouldn’t have been possible!”

THE

BEST

CULTURAL

EMPLOYER

HIGH

LARGE

SCALE-UP

SHEFFIELD

SMALL

SOCIAL

START-UP

THE

THE

THE

THE

THE

THE

Stauff

‘STAUFF UK are proud to have a relatively low turnover of personnel. However, when the need arises to fill a vacancy, clear communication with a recruitment agency is paramount, if the agents also understand the needs of a company this can also be of great benefit. The close business relationship that has developed between Andy File Associates and STAUFF UK Ltd has ensured the continuity of service that we provide via our staff. The suitability of candidates submitted for specific roles can offer savings in time, specifically that needed to assess each prospective new member of the team. This requirement is evident in the calibre of prospective staff put forward by Andy File Associates for the roles we need to fill, their firstclass service brings the results you need’.

Timberplay/Create Partnerships

“We have used Andy File Associates exclusively since Andy opened his recruitment business back in 2009, for all business within the Createpartnerships Group www. createpartnerships.co.uk. My team and I have always had an excellent service and they have always been able to identify a select number of handpicked suitable candidates to save on our time. They understand the culture of our business well and intuitively know the type of candidates that would fit in. We would highly recommend them to other businesses to help with their recruitment needs”.

Paul Collings – Managing Director

AAG IT Services Ltd

“Andy File Associates Limited have been our preferred recruitment partner for over 7 years now.

Andy and his team have really got to know us and understand our culture, values and always provide us with the right candidates with the best experience and the right personality fit. This has assisted us as a business to get where we are today. Over the years they have filled a wide variety of roles throughout our business and are our first point of call for all our recruitment needs”.

Alexa Greaves - CEO

‘We thought we would let our clients say what they think of their recruitment experiences with Andy File Associates’

Hydrogen storage and transportable solutions

As a UK-based manufacturer of pressurised gascontainment storage solutions, Chesterfield Special Cylinders has over 125 years of industry knowledge and expertise, playing a key role in meeting the expanding requirements of the supply chain for hydrogen transportation and support the rapid growth of hydrogen fuels.

The UK government’s hydrogen strategy has updated its target and is now looking to achieve 10GW of hydrogen production by 2030, with a legally binding net zero target by 2050.

In conjunction, the European Union announced funding of €5.12 billion to co-fund 135 transport infrastructure projects that will form part of the TEN-T. The European association, Hydrogen Europe, estimates the number of HRS by 2030 will now be 1,500, which is far greater than the European Commission’s original proposal, where HRS would be installed every 150km in the TEN-T Core Network.

While the infrastructure is being built, hydrogen distribution mostly relies on compressed gas trailer vehicles to transport the molecule from the point of

production to the end-user and to various locations with off-site H2 generation. However, this is just a steppingstone, because the market for transportable hydrogen will expand even further once the infrastructure is in place. This is due to the emergence of

large, centralised hydrogen production which will need transporting across the UK and continental Europe.

Chesterfield Special Cylinders is a leading designer and manufacturer of safety-critical hydrogen storage and transportation solutions, with a track record

in supplying pressurised gas containment systems and cylinders for a diverse range of applications and end markets. This makes us ideally placed to support the growth and development of future hydrogen infrastructure. Through the supply and through-life

Sonia Naoui, director of hydrogen business development at Chesterfield Special Cylinders gives her thoughts on the future of the hydrogen market.

HYDROGEN STORAGE SOLUTIONS

support of hydrogen static and transportable storage solutions, we are helping customers accelerate the decarbonisation of their transport systems and industrial processes.

We have now updated our range of hydrogen transportation solutions, with

Chesterfield Special Cylinders is a leading designer and manufacturer of safety-critical hydrogen storage and transportation solutions

low and medium-pressure tube trailer solutions. These include:

• 200 Bar 44 tonne – Type I steel tube trailer, ADR and TPED approved storing approximately 400 kg of hydrogen @ 15°C

• 500 Bar 40 tonne - Type III composite trailer, ADR and TPED approved storing approximately 1000 kg of hydrogen @ 15°C

Type I steel and Type III composite tube trailers have a strong industry track record in safe and reliable storage and transportation of pressurised hydrogen. They also give high levels of

operational flexibility.

From a safety standpoint, Chesterfield Special Cylinders understands the level of complexity that governs UK and European pressure vessel manufacture, inspection and testing, and we take pride in the fact our transportable products meet the highest levels of safety requirements and comply with government and local rules, regulations and standards.

Over the next decade, safe and reliable hydrogen transport by road trailer will be an essential component in the development of the hydrogen economy and the achievement of a net zero carbon vision. Chesterfield Special Cylinders shares this vision in trying to contribute to a more sustainable world, which includes the use of transporting the hydrogen molecule.

To find out more, contact: www.chesterfieldcylinders.co.uk

Email: info@chesterfieldcylinders.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 114 242 7500

WHAT IS IT AND WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

The Doncaster Business Showcase is the biggest networking event in Yorkshire and provides local and regional businesses a place to do business. The Business Showcase is an annual event attracting hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors each year. For many businesses, it is the ultimate event to be seen networking at in this region!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT?

The Business Showcase is free to attend as a visitor, made possible through the commitment of the exhibitors who have paid to have an exhibition stand to promote their business.

WHAT IS THE AGENDA?

There is no strict agenda for this event – simply turn up when you like and leave the event when you’re ready. Depending on what you want to achieve from your visit, we suggest you plan your own agenda before arrival. We recommend you plan in advance the exhibitor stands you want to visit before attending to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities: the exhibitor list can be viewed on our website: www.businessdoncaster.co.uk/businessshowcase/exhibitor-list/

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO NETWORK AT THE BUSINESS SHOWCASE 2023?

Make your visit to the event a success by walking around the exhibition hall, talking with exhibitors and perhaps take a break in the networking area. It is always good to network with other visitors simply by buying a coffee or by starting conversations with others in the networking areas.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

Firstly, we recommend that you bring plenty of business cards with you. Never underestimate how many people attend this event and how many business cards you may want to hand out to new connections. We also recommend that you bring a pen and note pad to write down ideas that you have when at the event.

CAN I PROMOTE MY OWN BUSINESS AT THE EVENT?

As a visitor you are not permitted to sell directly to the exhibitors who have paid to have a stand at the event. However, there is plenty of opportunity to network and chat with the exhibitors and if you feel like there is connection between yourself as a visitor and an exhibitor, ask for their contact details and follow up with them after the exhibition.

Mason Thomas Law helps International Stones UK get ready for growth following acquisition of new site

Sheffield-based property law specialist Mason Thomas Law has helped a privatelyowned importer and wholesale supplier of granite, quartz, marble, limestone, travertine and slate get on track for transformative

growth in 2023.

Mason Thomas Law has assisted International Stones UK with the purchase of four industrial units at The Ickles in Rotherham.

The acquisition of the new units follows a four-

year search by International Stones UK for larger premises from which it will grow the business. The units will now be developed into a brandnew warehouse, head office and customer showroom for the company.

The company, which was established in 2009, currently employs 11 people. Following the move to the new site International Stones has plans to create further jobs and introduce new lifting technology to the warehouse to aid efficiency.

Mat Bacon, managing director of International Stones UK said: “The super site at The Ickles will give us an additional 50,000 sq. ft of space, enabling us to move all areas of the business to one location which is more accessible for both staff and customers.

“Additionally, the site is just 70 metres from a freight terminal which is ideal for the products we import. The new site at The Ickles gives us an ideal platform to grow the business significantly as well as enable us to operate more efficiently.”

Currently the business operates from two sitesBeeley Wood in Sheffield and a single unit at The Ickles. The acquisition of the additional units will now

enable International Stones to consolidate the business and relocate it from multiple locations to a single purposebuilt site which benefits from close proximity to junctions 33 and 34 of the M1, giving easy access to customers.

Mason Thomas Law also assisted with the purchase of the first unit at The Ickles in 2020.

Cathy Thomas (above), director and solicitor of Mason Thomas Law said: “I am delighted we have been able to assist Mat with the purchase of the new units. These are exciting times for International Stones and it is great that Mason Thomas Law has played a small role in helping establish a new home for the business from which it can grow.”

It was a fresh approach to property law that saw Mason Thomas Law Highly Commended in the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Business Awards 2022. Judges were impressed with Mason Thomas Law’s commitment to doing transactional property law differently, with open lines of communication, teamwork and a shared ethos of getting the job done and responsively. www.masonthomaslaw.co.uk

Both directors of the firm, Jay Bhayani and Lindsey Gaimster, have previously worked in Doncaster and have clients and business friends across the city. After a recent merger with the much-loved Lyn Easton of Lync HR, who had her feet firmly in the area as a freelance HR professional, it seemed the perfect time to formalise and strengthen our links by setting up a new office in Doncaster. Some of our staff live in Doncaster and want to be able to offer more to clients in their city and get involved in networking and community initiatives, so it is great to enable them to do this by working in our Doncaster office.

Tell us more about your business story.

The business has been operating for eight years now and was established by Jay Bhayani who set out to create a people management solution which grows with your business.

By offering a combination of recruitment, HR, health and safety, and employment law, businesses can access the right advice at the right time, from the right people. The team at Bhayani HR & Employment Law spend time getting to know our client’s business, including their current and future priorities.

We are also approved by Skills bank and work with businesses to upskill the workforce. This is much needed currently with the skills and candidate shortages Doncaster is facing, so the more

Doncaster welcomes Bhayani Law as they open office in the city

businesses can do to retain staff the better the success of the business.

Where do you see the business this time next year?

Our immediate plan is to grow our employee numbers in 2023, to cater for the demand of our fast-growing outsourced HR package and increased need for our business legal services and recruitment.

One of our specialist areas is the charity sector. The firm works with many charities across the region and Doncaster really needs more support in this area. We have a new charity engagement partner joining us this month to forge stronger connections with the sector and we are in talks with some of the charity sector

intermediaries.

We have launched a new client portal for training and compliance documents aimed at the micro or start up business, and want to start launching this as well as a new Employee Assistance Programme to help businesses look after the wellbeing of their employees.

How has Bhayani Law been assisted by Business Doncaster?

Sharon Finch has helped us understand the sorts of businesses that might be open to working with us and gave us some useful information and introductions for our premises search.

What’s next for Bhayani Law in Doncaster?

People are key to the success of any business, whatever its size. We want to educate business owners on the importance of this by setting up a HR and charity forum.

Our team is all women! We love to socialise, and we are looking forward to networking opportunities and collaborations.

We feel Doncaster has always been a good place to do business, but with its city status there is so much more to attract investment into the area, offering much needed jobs and raising the game of some already very successful businesses. Things such as business culture, sustainability, future proofing and succession planning are all exciting aspects of our contribution to the clients we work with.

Why did you decide to open an office in Doncaster?

Popular Corner of She eld goes Tech to Support Businesses across Yorkshire

For the second year running, Wayv Talk and Broadband for Business have seen the number of new customers join their unique service grow in excess of 75% on its previous year. As a result, they have made the exciting decision to relocate their growing WayvCare department, responsible for its award-winning customer support, to the recognisable old ‘Yorkshire Bank’ building on Hunters Bar roundabout.

Managing Director, Liam Parnell said ‘The building has been vacant for quite a few years now, which has ba ed me. When I speak to people around She eld about the building, there are few people that don’t know it, and many comment on its unique style. Admittedly they then tell me how they were hoping for a new restaurant or bar, for which I have to apologise for.

accommodate an open-plan workplace. The old bank vault below has been modified in order to house the advanced servers that will host Wayv’s secure communications service to its customers for years to come.

be recognised as the most trusted business telecoms and broadband

‘The area around Hunters Bar roundabout is a fantastic example of what She eld is all about - the greenery of Endcli e Park and Botanical Gardens, an abundance of independent bars, cafes and restaurants, and vibrant social scene. It’s even mentioned in an Arctic Monkeys classic! It’s going to be a hit with our employees and help us continue to attract great people into our business’.

The growth at Wayv is mainly reflective of the success of its unique, all-inclusive telecoms and broadband service that is dedicated solely to SMEs. Their reputable WayvCare support has recently seen them rise to a staggering 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot, and in 2022, they became the first in their market to achieve Carbon Neutral status from Carbon Neutral Britain, as well as dedicating to o set their entire customer usage with their ‘Carbon Neutral Service’.

Liam continues, ‘We’re expanding our teams to make sure that we have the resources to keep exceeding expectations, and ultimately achieve our mission to

‘We have changed the way it’s done. We’re o ering terms and conditions of service that protect the customer and ensure that we have to deliver, it’s as simple as that. We operate in an industry that is bogged down with tech talk, rising prices, and poor response times…. We want to show that things can be done di erently.’

‘We know as a business where we add the most value, and that’s supporting SMEs. In today’s world, we understand that every one of them would stop in their tracks if their internet and telecommunications were taken away from them… A prospect that has severe consequences on businesses. Therefore they want a low-risk, added-value service - and we provide them with that.

Contact Wayv on 0144 553 4888 or email at info@wayvtalk.com

www.wayvtalk.com

We want to show that things can be done dif ferently

“ ”

The entrance of Endcli e Park on Hunter’s Bar roundabout

Helping businesses weather the storm

At Grow Funding UK, we have a national presence and specialise in the coordination of a swift injection of funds, through complex business restructuring, working closely with accountants and other financial intermediaries while increasing and replicating the well-established southern presence throughout the UK.

My personal experience is within financial services and sales – I’m privileged to have worked closely with reputable individuals within the invoice finance, ABL and debt recovery industry, aided by outstanding mentors both past and present, qualified as a member of the chartered institute of credit management.

Managing the development of the business, I utilise my established network across the UK alongside prospecting new business through networking, marketing, introducers and simply picking up the phone and having a conversation with company directors to understand what their requirements are. We have had an influx of companies actively seeking urgent funding in the past three weeks of writing, primarily in South Yorkshire and Lancashire that we are aiding to find alternative funding following the demise of the second iteration of the Recovery Loan Scheme. After a recent recruitment, we are already expanding and increasing the established presence in Worthing.

When you choose Grow

Funding as your financial consultants, you can be assured your business and investments are in safe hands. Even if you are a small or medium-sized business, our market-leading team will always find the best fit for your company at the best possible rates, made possible by a combined 70-plus years of industry knowledge across a small team which continues to grow.

If you have ever struggled to obtain funding from your high street bank, then you may not be aware of the alternative lenders and the different types of products on offer, and who exactly you turn to when the bank says no. If you consult one of the big four, you get their own institution’s underwriter’s opinion. Consult Grow Funding and you’ll receive a bespoke, informed, neutral opinion after we explore over 200 different lenders

on our panel, from SME independent lenders through to international institutions backed by Credit Suisse.

I use my knowledge and experience to help companies in their infancy, start-ups, SME’s and large corporate entities on the financing and restructuring options available to them. As a result, my day-today consists of helping businesses thriving in their first year through to businesses finding themselves in dire straits after trading for more than 30 years, using a variety of financial instruments varying from standard unsecured/secured business loans, invoice finance, trade finance, commercial mortgages, bridging, development, revolving credit facilities, merchant cash advances and private equity, alongside aiding niche companies backed

by UHNW investors and investment banking institutions.

2023 is looking like it can be a tough year for many businesses, and subsequently impacting consumers. I will do my very best to help my existing and future clients source solutions that alleviate stress in their professional and personal lives, make their businesses more profitable, productive, and help them find ways to get through the challenging times ahead, thus thrive in the coming year, even if it’s simply bending an ear for an opinion, which carries no charge.

Mike Sampson of Grow Funding on how your business can thrive in a challenging economy

FREETHINKING LAWYERS

“ “ “ “

The Legal 500, 2023

Freeths is a top 50 full service commercial law firm with over 1000 members of staff across our 12 locations in the UK.

In a complex commercial world, we understand that you want practical solutions, which deliver real results.

Freeths don’t just provide legal advice. We proactively get to know your business as a whole. Our clients tell us they regard us as business people primarily, rather than just lawyers.

Working with us can add true value, whether you’re a local SME or a global corporation, through cost effective advice tailored to your business to help you to achieve your goals.

The team at Freeths are incredibly personable, knowledgeable, patient and offer an exceptional service.

Sheffield

In 2021, Kate Hill, MOORE Insight’s head of business development, designed the Social Ambition programme for the entire MOORE network, and is currently global chair.

The Social Ambition programme is based on a set of overarching themes that allow businesses to work with the community to make the world a better place. The themes include community care, employment, equality & inclusion, our natural world, and education & people development.

The partnership projects and activities are designed to identify, target and support young people who are facing a range of challenging circumstances.

Endeavour’s work falls under the categories of personal development, education and outdoor education. They provide a diverse range of activities that empower young people to conquer their fears, to express themselves and to trust and respect others. They also support young people in attaining the best from their education and provide outdoor learning opportunities supporting young people to develop a range of essential life skills and access new experiences.

Both Endeavour and MOORE Insight believe every young person deserves to have the skills, knowledge and resilience to create a positive future.

Kate said: “When we were introduced to the team at Endeavour, we saw an extremely hard-working charity doing some great

Perfect partnership for MOORE Insight

things within the local community. We immediately felt their mission aligned very strongly with our own ambition as a growing company, to support young people.

“As a learning and development focused organisation, we know how important it is for young people to get the support they need to reach their potential. We’ve worked with so many young people over our 30-year history and felt this year we really wanted to give back to and support young people even more within our local communities.

In September, the Moore Insight team volunteered at Endeavour’s head office. They rebuilt the compost area, along with weeding out plants and trees. The aim was to create a safe space for young people.

Patrick Callingham, head of education at Endeavour, said: “I am really pleased with how much MOORE Insight did to improve the look and feel of the place in such a

short space of time. We want the young people to come to a pleasant environment as part of their endeavour experience.”

In April, MOORE Insight’s team embarked on the Three Peaks Challenge as part of their fundraising activities and raised over £4,000. Paul Woodhead, a consultant at Moore Insight who participated said: “It was a tremendous experience to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge alongside Endeavour. I’m proud to have been able to take part and raise money to support the children.”

Sheffield based business consultancy, MOORE Insight, is continuing its commitment to community care by partnering with Endeavour Youth Community.

“We want to encourage more businesses across the region to get involved in supporting the charity and others working closely with Endeavour.”

As a learning and development focused organisation, we know how important it is for young people to get the support they need to reach their potential.

To celebrate the beginning of 2023, we asked key professionals from across South Yorkshire to share their personal New Year’s resolutions and the goals for their businesses. If you haven’t set your resolutions for this year yet, keep reading for some inspiration!

JILL WHITE

Partner at Andy Hanselman

Consulting “2023 will be the year I slow down! I’ve threatened that every year, but this is the year for me. Slowing down, saying no and eventually going to that blooming spa. I’m also going to say goodbye to grey roots and from now on I will now be turning up to events looking chilled, glowing and on time! Wish me luck!”

ANDY FILE

Managing director of Andy File Associates

“I’d like to get out and network more throughout 2023. Most of our clients are referrals from candidates, clients, contacts from networking and friends, but now we’ve got a bigger team and with the addition of Martin Gowland as our recruitment manager, we’re keen to expand our client and contact base. If I can get to an event or two every month, I think it would really help the business.

“I’m also determined to continue to look after my health more. My target for 2023 is to be under 16 stone each month, in comparison to when I was 17 stone 8lbs the Christmas before the pandemic hit, struggling with poor sleep as a result. I appreciate the big impact that can have on my day-to-day life and I’m determined to keep up with exercising more and eating healthier throughout this year.”

HARVEY MORTON

Founder and managing director of Harvey Morton Digital

“My New Year’s resolution is to take more holidays. It’s easy to let the year run away with you and I’ve been burnt out on a number of occasions. I’d like to invest more time in myself and ensure I’m getting the time off I need.

“Also, another big goal is to complete my debut book, which focuses on helping young people start their own businesses. It’s due to be published in summer 2023 and I’m looking forward to seeing this come to fruition and to all of the opportunities that will bring with it.”

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

JAMES BIGGIN Managing director of Steel City Marketing

“I try to reflect often and look at what has gone well so I can continue to work on these things, rather than set a resolution I feel pressure from. I like to set aims and goals that I know are within reach, even if they are challenging. In business, I’d like to feel more confident and worry less. In 2023, I also aim to check in on myself and my team more to see if there are ways we can do things better.

“On a personal level, running is a level of discipline where I enjoy setting goals. In 2021 I did too much, whereas in 2022 I set three goals and am pleased to say I achieved them all. So, with that in mind I will do the same for 2023 and train accordingly!”

ANDY HANSELMAN

Partner at Andy Hanselman Consulting

“I’ll be continuing to push on, deliver more speaking engagements across the world, and even more online learning. I’d also like to write more books, keep delivering training programmes, continue my research and keep on thinking in 3D!”

MARK FARNSWORTH

Head of commercial services at The Sheffield College

“After running marathons this year to raise money for local charities, a big resolution for me in 2023 is to take on an ultramarathon. It’s a big step up, but an ultramarathon is a great challenge I’m ready to take on, especially if I can help some amazing organisations in the process!”

HOLLY JENKINS

Director of Jenx

“My New Year’s resolution is to do more hiking. Over this year I’ve begun to explore more of the Peak District – it’s only on my doorstep but until now I’ve never made the most of it so 2023 will be the year for that to change. I’ve got some new boots (made in Yorkshire!) waiting for me under the tree and I’m booked on a navigation course in February so hopefully, I won’t get (too) lost. I’m hoping there will be some opportunities to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks or even bigger challenges later in the year to raise money for our Charity of the Year 2023.”

HEIST REACHES OUT TO CORPORATE CLIENTS

Heist Brew Co is one of the amazing hospitality businesses in Sheffield’s Neepsend committed to making the area a real destination.

Offering craft beer, street food from Slap and Pickle, and lots of fun games like slot machines, a PlayStation and shuffleboard, it’s a venue you don’t want to ignore if you’re out and about in Sheffield.

But alongside its usual taproom-and-burger offering for customers, owners Adam France and Dan Hunt are branching out into the corporate world with a number of new offerings.

The space can be hired out for networking events, parties, or team-building days, with the Heist guys on hand to offer exercises like brewing, beer tasting and recipe creation.

Not only that, but the taproom can be hired completely free of charge for presentations and meetings, and you can work from the venue for just £5 a day with free tea and coffee, or £9 a day if you’d like to include a pint at the end of your shift – with 10 per cent off food between 12pm and 5pm.

“There are so many people who are still working remotely and don’t always get chance to get together and see their team, which is a real shame,” Adam said. “We wanted our space to be somewhere businesses could bring everyone together, do something a bit different and lift everyone’s spirits. We also know that

people who work from home often need a change of scenery and with rising energy costs, being able to work elsewhere could be a real saving grace.”

When it comes to holding corporate events, a range of food and drink packages are available, and events already held at Heist include:

•

Roundabout Bangers and Cash event launch

• Sheffield Region business networking event

• Sidetracked Magazine Annual Creators Tour

• Exposed Magazine Beer and Food Bible launch

And even better, there’s free use of the PlayStation and arcade games when you hire the space, meaning you get the perfect balance of work and play.

Adam added: “We have a really cool space that’s so multifunctional and we want to make sure people are using it to its utmost potential. We’d love to chat to more businesses, show them around so they can see what we have to offer, and we’d love to welcome more people to work from here whenever they can.”

To find out more about the coworking space or events offering, contact bookings@heistcraft. com

PUTTING NEEPSEND ON THE MAP

Kelham Island has been an up-and-coming destination for quite a while now, with Time Out naming it one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world and The Telegraph listing it as one of the coolest places in the UK.

But while people are recognising the Island for its impressive food and drink scene, Neepsend, just over the bridge from Kelham, can sometimes be a little neglected.

Navigating your way around these areas can be difficult if you’re not familiar with them, meaning people often miss out on some amazing hidden gems because they are unsure where to go.

That’s why Heist Brew Co, along with a group of other venues, has teamed up with This is Kelham to launch a number of initiatives to boost the area’s profile.

While the area guide has been relatively dormant over the last year, it is now set to be revived, featuring the new businesses that have sprung up in that time.

As part of the initiative, Reyt Good Illustration’s Andy Slater – another legend of Neepsend – will be creating a map to show people exactly where they can go during their time in the area.

The maps will be scattered inside and outside premises, with a QR code which will take users to the This Is Kelham landing page. This will give users information such as opening times, accessibility, offerings, menus, and discounts and offers

Adam said: “The initiative is to help build an area that meets the expectation of the ‘coolest neighbourhood’ title it recently received. It’s aimed at removing confusion and helping Kelham become a destination for people to visit when they come to the city, making it as easy as possible to find their way around and discover what businesses are in the area. This should not only help bring customers but ensure they stay for longer than a few drinks before heading off elsewhere.

“We are also looking at offering different days for different audiences, to help combat issues like the cost-of-living crisis, with affordable offers, residents’ evenings and discounts, along with special days dedicated to corporate and business offerings.”

I will be the first to admit that I’m not the most financially savvy person in the world and my saving strategy is much more ad-hoc than it should be.

However, reaching out for financial advice as a 25-year-old woman who has only been in fulltime employment for the last few years has never really crossed my mind.

I’ve always assumed that investing in stocks and shares is something only people who earn a certain amount can do, and retirement is such a long way off for me – sigh – that I had never really given it a second thought.

Until I met 27-year-old financial adviser Sophie Scott, that is.

Sophie, who regards herself as a ‘lifestyle planner’, is passionate about making the world of financial advice as accessible as possible.

She believes the earlier you start working towards your financial goals, the more successful you will be.

“It’s so important to me to break the stigma around financial

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

Receiving financial advice and putting investment strategies in place can often be daunting, with many people having the preconceived notion that it’s a service only for those who are wealthy or approaching retirement. That’s why adviser Sophie Scott is working hard to break the stigma and make financial planning accessible to all – unLTD’s Brogan Maguire sat down for lunch with her to find out more.

I get so much joy out of getting to know new people and my first meeting is always really informal because I just want to chat with my client and find out who they are and what matters to them

planning and investment, and to reach out to people of all ages and economic backgrounds,” Sophie told me as we tucked into an impressive array of small plates at University of Sheffield’s fine dining restaurant, Inox. “There are so many people out there who are really lost when it comes to their finances and don’t realise how much they could be helping themselves. Our current educational system doesn’t go far enough when it comes to financial wellbeing and I want to change that.”

Whether it’s investing, saving for your first property or protecting the money you already have, Sophie works to understand everything about you, your goals and your lifestyle, to come up with a plan that works for you.

She added: “I get so much joy out of getting to know new people and my first meeting is always really informal because I just want to chat with my client and find out who they are and what matters to them.

“Everyone has different goals, different priorities and different milestones they need to hit, so every plan I make is completely personal and tailored to the client.

“Regardless of your goals, understanding the ‘why’ will help to focus on the end result and help support a robust long-term strategy.

“However, if there is one piece of advice I could give that applies to everyone, it’s that no matter how much you earn or how much you’ve already got in the bank, there is no better time to start than the present. Making small changes can have a huge impact and you’ll be shocked by how much money you can actually invest into your future just by readjusting your spending.”

Well, now I have no excuse!

LITTLE PLATES OF HEAVEN AT INOX

Despite attending University of Sheffield for three years, last month was the first time I’d ever visited Inox, the restaurant, lounge and event space located on the fifth floor of the Students’ Union.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but as soon as I saw the menu, I knew we were in for a treat.

The main menu on offer at lunchtime in the lounge is the small plates menu, which is filled with culinary delights.

The beauty of small plates is that they’re perfect for sharing, so we decided to order plenty and put them in the middle of the table.

We were recommended around two plates per person, which was the perfect amount for us.

As there were three of us dining –can’t forget the photographer! – we ordered six plates, as well as the sourdough bread because it came with Henderson’s onion butter. Need I say more?

didn’t take long – and as soon as the aromas hit my nose, I was salivating.

After the amazing smell, the next thing I noticed was how bright and vibrant the colours on the beautifully presented plates were.

Everything looked fresh, clean and enticing.

The taste was no different.

The pork was so soft and tender it melted in your mouth, with the crunchy crackling on top striking the perfect balance.

Sophie said the chips were ‘the best she’d ever tasted’ and I have to agree with her. They were hot, crispy and slathered in truffle oil and cheese. Decadence at its finest!

Sophie works for a company called Regency Wealth Management, which is part of St. James’s Place. If you would like to get in touch with her, email: sophie.scott@sjpp. co.uk or call 07962185545.

The dishes we went for were tandoori spiced chicken leg with tomato and coriander chutney; wild mushroom arancini with truffle mayonnaise and parmesan cheese; BBQ cauliflower wings with cumin yoghurt and mint, served with a pomegranate and pickled cucumber salad; sweet potato gnocchi and roasted chickpeas in ras el hanout with aubergine, pomegranate, courgette and coriander; crispy pork belly pieces with pomme puree and a sage and apple slaw, and triple cooked chips with parmesan and truffle.

The food arrived quickly after we finished our bread and olives – which

The other dishes were all excellent too, with the arancini being a real standout for me. I was also pleasantly surprised by the cauliflower wings, which can often be hard to get right, as they were juicy and just the right texture. The BBQ sauce was tangy and strong too, just how I like it.

Determined to make the most of our lunch date, we ordered two desserts to share between the three of us.

We went for the warm treacle tart with sea salt and clotted cream, and the pear and cinnamon crumble with lemon and ginger ice cream.

They were the perfect choices, giving us all the cosy winter flavours and nailing the sweet craving you get after a big meal.

As well as serving delicious meals, Inox is a conference and meeting venue and is available for private hire and events.

Find out more at: www.inoxdine.co.uk

All side hustles have got one thing in common – passion. The modern side hustles that stand the test of time are where personal resonance and a feeling of self-fulfilment are consistent, the feeling you’re doing something beneficial to others or for your own wellbeing and sense of purpose.

This month’s side hustle is no different, as we chat with Jen Hannon about her passion project – Assured Networking.

If you’re on the Sheffield business scene, we’re sure you’ll have heard of Assured. Held on the last Thursday of every month, the networking event prides itself on being a relaxed, fun and open atmosphere to meet with like-minded people, out of office hours with a drink or two thrown in.

The woman behind the business, Jen, founded the project as one of her favourite parts of business is meeting new people and making connections. Being a true believer in throwing yourself in at the deep end, Jen created Assured without looking back. For her day job, Jen is responsible for sales and events at Crystal Bar in Sheffield, but her drive and motivation keeps Assured burning bright on the networking scene.

Today, Assured is a highly popular event on the calendar of many Sheffield businesspeople.

Organisation and structure are key facets to how Jen tackles juggling both her full-time job and Assured. As a high-functioning person, Jen’s motivation for maintaining such a successful business is the desire to create opportunities for people to build up a consistent networking habit, with ease of access encouraging repeat attendance at events.

Consistency and discipline are also big factors in successful side hustles, with Jen carrying these values across all aspects of life. In her spare time, Jen enjoys bodybuilding at a competitive level, enjoying the commitment and dedication that comes with this sport.

If you’re interested in attending more networking events this year, Assured is a great place to start.

INTRODUCING… REYA

At only 4 months old, Reya is the latest addition to the Chapter II team, an adorably cheeky Maltipoo. At first glance of the Chapter II office, you might not spot her she’s so small.

When Reya doesn’t have the zoomies, you’ll find her nestled by the feet or in the arms of her mum, CEO of Chapter II, Jen Beal. Or equally rummaging through Brogan’s bag for any treats she can find.

Reya is an adventurous puppy, finding fun in whatever she can get her paws on, with her latest new favourite toy being a Zara shopping bag left under the desk.

Reya has her naughty moments, but she’s always immediately forgiven. To be fair, she hasn’t even learned her own name yet so who can blame her?

The RSPCA Sheffield Animal Rescue Centre is a local self-funded animal welfare charity and rescue centre open every day of the year. They don’t receive any government funding or financial aid from the national RSPCA so every penny they raise goes to supporting animal rescue and rehabilitation in Shefield. If you can help to support them, please visit www. justgiving.com/rspcasheffield/ donate or get in touch with the team at customerservices@rspcasheffield.org

JENNIFER HANNON –ASSURED NETWORKING

NEW YEAR, NEW OFFICE, NEW DOG.