AMAZELAB’S LEONIE BRIGGS ON PUTTING THE FUN BACK INTO LEARNING
CREATIVE CARE HOW FLOURISH IS MAKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MORE INCLUSIVE AND ENGAGING
CULTURAL CAPITAL WHY SHEFFIELD’S CREATIVE ENERGY IS A FORCE FOR GROWTH
THE REAL DEAL GEORGE ELEFTHERIOU ON RESHAPING SME FINANCE WITH A HUMAN TOUCH
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32: FULL STEAM AHEAD
This month’s entrepreneur story follows Barnsley teacher-turnedfounder Leonie Briggs, whose lockdown idea grew into Amazelab – a creative, inclusive approach to STEAM learning now making waves across South Yorkshire and the entire country.
24: CULTURE CARRIERS
Sheffield’s creative spirit runs deeper than its industrial roots. In conversation with Chamber leaders Louisa Harrison-Walker and Tracy Viner, we explore how collaboration, community and culture are shaping a city where innovation and identity is proudly homegrown.
28: LIGHTBULB MOMENT
After nearly three decades in commercial banking, George Eleftheriou launched Real Finance to bring clarity to SME funding. He shares how one idea, a well-timed connection and plenty of graft turned a career shift into a purpose-driven business.
48: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE
From Doncaster to Dubai, telecoms firm Jibba Jabba has built a reputation on trust, clarity and straight-talking tech. Founder Ashley Harris spoke to unLTD about bringing that ethos to Sheffield, with plans just around the corner to move in and grow the company’s local presence.
64: CREATIVE CARE
From football nights to digital directories, Sheffield charity Flourish is redefining mental health support through creativity, connection and community. Ash Birch meets MD Josie Soutar to explore how co-production and visibility are key to helping people thrive – not just survive.
Hello everyone!
It’s been a busy one at HQ – and not just because the air-con’s been on the blink. While the office has felt more sauna than studio at times, we’ve still managed to mop our brows and piece together another issue celebrating South Yorkshire’s thriving business scene.
One of this month’s big themes is culture –something that’s stitched into the fabric of cities like Sheffield. June saw the return of DocFest, which brought thousands of creatives, filmmakers and industry folk from around the world into the city. That’s not just great news for our global reputation –it also translates into real impact for local businesses. You’ll find our review of this year’s programme inside, plus a fascinating conversation with Louisa Harrison-Walker and Tracy Viner on how culture and creativity continue to shape Sheffield’s economy in meaningful ways.
On the cover this month is Barnsley’s own Leonie Briggs – founder of Amazelab and a brilliant advocate for making STEAM education more engaging, inclusive and, well, fun. Hers is a story of DIY passion and purpose – a homegrown success making waves nationally. Flip to page 32 to read more.
Elsewhere in the issue, we shine a light on everything from specialist SME finance brokers and innovative IT providers to award-winning interior designers and life-changing community organisations – all playing their part in keeping the region moving forward nicely.
That’s me signing off for now – I’ve got a stag do in Lisbon to survive. Wish me luck… and please go easy on me when I’m back.
Until next time!
Joseph Food, Editor
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
Joe Food
Joe@unltdbusiness.com
ONLINE EDITOR
Ash Birch
Ash@unltdbusiness.com
COLUMN EDITOR
Holly Dibden holly@unltdbusiness.com
VIDEO CONTENT CREATOR
Lizzy Capps
lizzy@unltdbusiness.com
DESIGN
Marc Barker
ADVERTISING
Phil Turner
phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498 034
Nick Hallam
nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk 07843 483536
FINANCE
Lis Ellis accounts@ exposedmagazine.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Dan Bumby
Steve Brown
Wendy Ward
Jill White
unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Sq., Kelham Riverside, Sheffield S3 8SD
The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.
The unLTD Business Club has launched –with a whole raft of new offers from our partners now included!
At unLTD Business Magazine, our mission has always been clear – to connect, support and celebrate the South Yorkshire business community. Now, we’ve taken that commitment even further with the launch of the unLTD Business Club – an exciting new membership initiative designed to give local businesses of all sizes more opportunities to grow, collaborate and thrive.
And this month we have unveiled four new benefits for all our members:
⚫ 20% off your bill at all True North venues (Monday to Friday) with a True North Business Card
⚫ 1 hour free photoshoot with Marc Barker Photography
⚫ 1 branded polo shirt from We Do Workwear (any size/ colour)
⚫ 25% discount on the day delegate package and room hire from PJ Taste
… with much more to come!
So whether you’re a growing SME looking for meaningful networking opportunities, an entrepreneur wanting to stay ahead of the curve, or a larger organisation seeking strategic brand exposure, unLTD Business Club offers a range of benefits tailored to meet your goals.
We’re open for sign-ups now – with immediate access to a host of benefits depending on your subscription tier.
It's about more than just perks – it’s about being part of a community. Members will benefit from the power of local connections, increased visibility through South Yorkshire’s leading business publication and insider access to some of the region’s most anticipated networking events.
Whether you’re looking to raise your profile, grow your network, or simply stay up to speed with the region’s dynamic business landscape, this is a platform to support your ambitions.
Visit unltdbusiness.com/businessclub to sign up or email phil@unltdbusiness.com for more information on Business Partner opportunities.
Let’s grow together – join the unLTD Business Club today.
£10/month or £99/year (plus VAT)
Designed for professionals who want to network and engage more actively:
⚫ Priority access to all unLTD Business Breakfasts, Socials and other events – free of charge
⚫ Monthly e-newsletter
⚫ A guaranteed print copy of unLTD Business magazine
⚫ 10% discount on exhibition stands at the unLTD Business Expo
⚫ 20% off your bill at all True North venues (Monday to Friday) with a True North Business Card
⚫ 20% off your bill at all True North venues (Monday to Friday) with a True North Business Card
⚫ 1 hour free photoshoot with Marc Marker photography
⚫ 1 branded polo from We Do Workwear (any size/ colour)
⚫ 25% discount on the day delegate package and room hire from PJ Taste
BUSINESS PARTNER
Tailored packages available
Benefit from all the benefits of a Business Club Member as well as promoting your brand through our digital platforms and print magazines… our premium tier for businesses looking for strategic exposure and deeper engagement:
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⚫ Ideal for readers who want to stay informed, this entry-level tier ensures you receive:
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Looking after artworks is really varied – you might be planning the layout for an exhibition, transporting artworks to another museum or working on a database, inputting (and struggling to read) handwritten 19th-century information on a painting.
There are multiple lifetimes’ work in understanding a collection like this. There are over 16,000 objects in the part of the collection I look after, made by over 1,800 artists and printers. Every day I learn something new, ranging from how the ink made from oak galls in manuscripts is acidic and eating itself, to discovering that one of the artists in the collection was ‘born at sea’.
2 3 4 5 THINGS YOU ONLY KNOW IF YOUR A...
It’s a bit of a myth that curators wear white gloves. We actually wear surgical gloves because the acid in your skin can damage the materials you touch. Popular culture has built an image of the curator in white gloves, so most of us have a pair lying around for when we’re photographed. For the 10th-century books made of vellum (calfskin), we don’t wear gloves at all because it’s vital we can feel the delicate surface and know we’re not causing damage (but we do wash our hands first!).
There’s an idea that museums are hiding things in storage but our jobs are about care. The museum’s role is to keep objects forever so future generations can learn about the past. This involves looking after the objects so they don’t deteriorate. Light can fade objects so we rotate things between storage and display so they are protected, last longer and there is always something new to see. I think of it like a library – you can’t read all the books at once, but it’s important they are there and in good condition for when you want them next.
Objects are brought to life by people’s stories, so working with people is at the heart of being a curator. This is very varied – recently, I’ve worked with Sheffieldbased charity Baton of Hope on a display about suicide prevention, helped students make films based on artworks and collaborated with paint researchers from Oxford University to try to work out who owned a paint palette in the collection (which is currently on display). John Ruskin built the collection to inspire the people of Sheffield and today we use it to work with the people of the city to tell their stories.
Ashley Gallant is Sheffield Museums’ Curator of the Ruskin Collection, housed at Millennium Gallery. Their latest exhibition Capturing Colour runs until 30 November. sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
A large solar energy scheme capable of powering over 20,000 South Yorkshire homes has been proposed on green belt land near Rotherham. Exagen Development Ltd has submitted plans to Rotherham Council for the Thurcroft Interchange Energy Park, a 103-hectare solar and battery installation between Wickersley, Whiston and the M1/ M18 interchange. The development would feature thousands of groundmounted solar panels, a large battery storage system, a 66kV transformer, cabling, a substation, fencing and new access roads. It is designed to
operate for 40 years and is expected to offset around 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Although on green belt land, developers describe the area as “grey belt” due to existing roads and infrastructure. The site would remain in agricultural use through low-intensity sheep grazing and be fully restored after decommissioning. Following community consultation, solar panels have been removed from more prominent fields, and new landscaping, planting, and buffer zones are planned around public footpaths, ancient woodland and listed buildings such as Morthen
Hall.
A biodiversity plan promises a 31% increase in habitat units and a 90% rise in hedgerow value, with wildflower margins, woodland creation, nesting and roosting sites for wildlife, and badger-
friendly access points. Construction is expected to last six months, with a traffic management plan in place. Access points will be improved with visibility splays and passing places. A 3.5-metre wooden fence will reduce glare for motorway drivers, while security will include infrared CCTV and muted-colour fencing.
The site previously received permission for an unused wind energy scheme in 2014. Parts fall within an HS2 safeguarding corridor, but developers say this does not limit renewable projects. Planning officers are now assessing the application, balancing green belt impact with climate targets.
Sheffield-based digital agency
Evoluted is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its almost two-decade history: a successful management buyout (MBO) by two long-standing employees, Giorgio Cassella and Sam Biggins.
This strategic move, completed without external investment, ensures Evoluted’s continued independence and empowers its new leaders to unleash their ambitious vision for the agency’s next stage of exponential growth.
Founded in 2006 by Ash Young and Gareth Davies as a pioneering web development service for local businesses, Evoluted has blossomed into a full-spectrum digital powerhouse. Today, a team of 25 talented professionals delivers bespoke development, cutting-edge design and UX, and impactful digital marketing solutions to a diverse international client base. From sporting goods and health supplements to utility pipelines and apparel manufacturing, Evoluted’s transformative work has earned numerous international accolades.
Operating from its home in a historic Grade II listed building in Sheffield, with remote employees spanning the UK, the B Corp Certified company is on track to surpass £2.2 million in revenue this year.
Sam, who joined Evoluted in 2012 as Graduate Software Developer, before taking a brief sojourn into the world of tech
before returning as Head of Development in 2016, expressed his enthusiasm:
“I’m incredibly excited about Evoluted’s future as we enter our milestone 20th year in business. We’ve got a worldclass team packed with talent who genuinely operate as partners, not contractors, and a strong culture of people over profits backed up by our B Corp certification and the ongoing work we do to create positive impact for our people, our clients, our communities and the environment.
“We’ve created a melting pot of expertise which forges new connections to drive real business transformation and fits in perfectly with our Steel City heritage.”
Giorgio joined Evoluted in mid-2018 from a successful Sheffield edtech startup, initially working in Technical SEO before becoming Head of Marketing in 2020. Together, the duo stepped into joint Managing Director roles in 2022, leading the agency to celebrated achievements including significant revenue growth, B Corp Certification, and the prestigious European Integrated Agency of the Year award in 2024
The buyout was facilitated with support from Martin Dean of Gravitate Corporate Finance and James Burdekin of MD Law. Evoluted is laying plans to scale operations, broadening its reach across the UK and Europe, and targeting further growth in the year ahead.
South Yorkshire cleaning company Clean N Bright will appear on Channel 4’s Crime Scene Cleaners (episode 3, 10 pm, Monday 14 July 2025). The family-run Doncaster-based business, with over 30 years’ experience, will highlight its specialist trauma and biohazard cleaning services and their vital role in the community.
European-style beer hall and restaurant Kapital has opened on Wellington Street in Sheffield’s £470 million Heart of the City development. Spanning 4,500 sq ft over two floors, it offers an outdoor beer garden, 34-tap bar with continental beers, and a pan-European menu featuring bratwurst, schnitzel, and fondue.
Doncaster Chamber has welcomed South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard’s latest update on Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Significant work on traffic forecasts, financial modelling, and a masterplan for Gateway East has progressed, with a final investment decision expected in early September. Chamber Chief Executive Dan Fell urged partners to act quickly to unlock economic opportunities, stressing that delays pose greater risks than moving at pace.
Recently refurbished and rebranded food hall Department, (formerly Kommune) has closed permanently less than two months after relaunch. The venue based in Sheffield’s Castle House was intended as a 1960s-style ‘social space’ honouring the building’s heritage; however, the venue faced trading challenges, reduced footfall and funding issues.
To mark 150 years of care, Sheffield Children’s Hospital has launched Pride of Yorkshire – a region-wide sculpture trail featuring 150 lions and 150 cubs, each designed by artists, schools and community groups. Running until 7 September 2026, the free trail spans the whole of South Yorkshire. Businesses can sponsor a sculpture and support this landmark community celebration. www.prideofyorkshire. org.
Sheffield City Council’s landmark Heart of the City development has collected another award; this time being named Commercial Public –Private Partnership of the Year.
The project has seen a large part of Sheffield city centre transformed into a mixture of high-quality office space, retail units, residential apartments and leisure venues. As part of the partnership, Sheffield City Council and Queensberry have worked together to regenerate the area, which contained several landmark buildings including the Grade II* listed former ‘Little Mesters’ workshops at Leah’s Yard. Creating units that offer top of the range facilities within venues once utilised as part of the city’s industrial past.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:
“Our fantastic Heart of the City development has improved that area of the city centre beyond all recognition. The way iconic buildings have been incorporated,
giving a nod to the city’s vitally important history, was always part of the plan while, at the same time, offering the very best facilities the market demands.
“This prestigious award is the perfect recognition for the job both teams have done in working together and I congratulate all involved on a job incredibly well done.”
The Heart of the City project includes award-winning venues such as Pounds Park, Cambridge Street Collective Food Hall, along with several retail units, bars, cafes and restaurants with many, many more still to be announced.
Staff
digital growth agency
The SEO Works has announced that it is now an employee-owned business.
Through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure, the Sheffield-based business has transitioned ownership from its two founders to the staff, a step aimed at enhancing the brand and the organisation’s future.
Founded in 2009 by Neil Palmer and Simon Margetts, the digital growth agency has since expanded to a team of more than 80 employees offering SEO, PPC, Digital PR, Social Media and Web services.
Alongside impressive growth and a variety of prestigious award wins, the agency has always prioritised its people and its roots - remaining firmly headquartered in Sheffield, focusing on ‘responsible growth’, and investing in its culture.
Moving to being ‘owned by its people’ is the latest evolution of this missionallowing the business to retain complete independence, reward employees for the business’s success, and create an ownership culture that properly reflects the ethos of the agency.
CEO, Ben Foster, said, “I’m incredibly excited by this development. Our transition to being employee-owned is the perfect evolution, reflecting who we’ve always been - a business driven by its people.
Across the last 16 years, we’ve grown from an exciting local start-up to one of the leading digital growth agencies in the North - all thanks to our team of experts. Our future as an agency has always been in their hands, but now it’s official.”
“For us, an Employee Ownership Trust was the obvious choice”, says Managing Director James Corry. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here as a team, and of the brilliant service we deliver to our clients. This transition allows us to retain that, whilst bolstering the very thing that makes us so great - our culture.”
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unLTD's trip to...
Every now and again, our gaffer Phil asks – nay, demands – that instead of ignoring each other all day and muttering muted goodbyes at 5pm before heading home, we shall go out together, as a team, for some forced staff bonding – and what’s more, we’d better ruddy well enjoy it.
From a pool of around ten, we managed to convince a plucky five to join us on our latest excursion – a game of decidedly crazy (*tongue-out, one eye closed emoji*) crazy golf at Golf Fang. More fool the ones who made their feeble excuses, though, as they missed out on a fun-filled evening and even a few rounds on the company card.
I get it – when you hear ‘crazy golf’, you’re possibly thinking of putting around puddles and discarded tinnies on Skeggy Esplanade. Or perhaps you’re imagining one of those indoor family activity centres filled with screaming children pepped to the eyes on e-numbers and parents teetering on the brink of tears, or possibly divorce.
But Golf Fang is different. For a start, it’s adults-only with a fully licensed bar, street food and DJs to keep the vibe going and make it feel like a proper night out. Secondly, it’s genuinely a space to ogle – a 38,000 sq ft warehouse decked out with graffiti, an in-house arcade and holes themed from Jeremy Kyle sets to sex shops (oo-er).
There are draught beers and non-alcos available but seeing as we don’t get out much, we went for the cocktails and were swiftly furnished with Lethal Drizzles, Nuthin’ But a G Things and Golfers Paradises to settle the pre-match nerves.
Whether they settled us a little too much is perhaps worth questioning, as some of the golf on show was, frankly, quite embarrassing. Over a course of 18 holes, the ball left the assigned perimeters on multiple occasions (actually quite difficult to do) and Holly had a minor breakdown on the plane fuselage hole.
The place has been meticulously designed with sneaky obstacles and surprise ramps, meaning even those of us who play golf like it’s a contact sport can stay vaguely competitive. We finished up in under two hours before tallying scores and demolishing pizza from onsite kitchen Nothing Cheezy. Happy days.
In short: a cracking venue for groups, dates or your next ‘mandatory fun’ staff do. To anyone stuck playing behind the unLTD lot – we salute your patience. We’ll work on our short game before next time… honest.
With Jill White of Andy Hanselman Consulting
Phew, it’s been a hot one! We needed drinks! Northern Wine guy helped with his Wine and Cheese event at Leah’s Yard –highly recommended. He’s on a summer break now, but I have heard talk of a ‘Wine and Waddle’! Intriguing.
Leah’s Yard was also the venue for Sheffield Hospital’s Charity #NoWomanLeftBehind event. What a night. Food from Ian and Marco from Mesters Yard, wine by Bark Wine, glorious flowers from Gina at Roots and Bloom and Naga Munchetty’s new book ‘It’s Probably Nothing’ provided by Juno Books and gifted to all.
Naga herself attended, endorsing the campaign live on BBC Radio 5 and of course signing books. Hats off to Beth Cackles, Sam Earnshaw and the whole team.
Next up, the Big House Heroes celebration at Wentworth Woodhouse, Burton Street Has Got Talent was just beautiful and the Opening Doors to Talent event at Sheffield Hallam with the Pride of Place team, which wowed an audience of nearly 400.
Yorkshire Artspace was the setting for our June 3D Connect session, just ahead of the launch of their Dee Dar exhibition –showcasing James O’Hara’s private collection, a first for the gallery and a real coup for Sheffield.
Finally, another toast to Niki and Wendy, the fantastic duo behind Blend Culinary Foundation at Cambridge Street Collective, celebrating their first birthday. Great work there –well worth checking out. Cocktails, canapés and all for a good cause.
Cheers, everyone!
Follow Jill at uk.linkedin.com/in/jilltywhite or find Andy Hanselman Consulting at andyhanselman.com.
Business in the Community (BITC) has brought together 310 Sheffield-based businesses at the launch of its ‘Opening Doors’ programme in Sheffield. Opening Doors is BITC’s flagship inclusive recruitment campaign, aiming to make two million jobs more accessible to diverse talent by supporting employers to make changes to their recruitment practices. The launch of the campaign in Sheffield aims to encourage 100s of Sheffield-based employers to sign up.
In Sheffield, one in four 16-64-year-olds are economically inactive – significantly higher than the economic inactivity rates in England (21.1%) and the UK (21.5%). In addition, 15.6% of economically inactive people in Sheffield want a job.
Employers signed up to the campaign are asked to commit to at least three actions to implement into their recruitment strategies, from the following keys:
• Create partnerships that connect untapped talent to your jobs: Partner with organisations that support underrepresented groups into work.
• Show candidates that you are committed to inclusion: advertise vacancies through a range of channels, provide inclusive recruitment training and engage suppliers, publish diversity pledges, and use diverse images and role models in public-facing communications.
• Use comprehensive job descriptions with inclusive language: remove jargon and use neutral language, include all essential information in job descriptions, provide information about HR policies such as flexible working, set out the day-to-day activities of the job, and set out the different stages of the application process.
• Focus on the essential skills needed for the job: ask for skills rather than formal experience and qualifications, only ask for the skills that are really needed at the level required by the role, recognise nontraditional or informal work experience, consider whether you can accept non-UK equivalents, and ensure that each stage of the application process is appropriate for assessing a candidate’s skills and capabilities.
• Prioritise accessibility and eliminate bias: remove the criminal conviction tick box
from application forms, include diverse colleagues in interview panels, ask all candidates if they need any adjustments at every stage of the process, advertise and accept applications across different media, specify any flexibility offered, provide information in an accessible format, make the application process mobile-friendly, and collect diversity data at the application stage to ensure you can identify any potential barriers for diverse candidates.
Ola Kolade, Employment and Skills Director at Business in the Community, said: “We are delighted to be launching our Opening Doors programme in Sheffield, encouraging Sheffield-based businesses to open their doors to underrepresented talent. Inclusion should be a priority in all businesses, and it’s essential that it is embedded into all parts of the organisational strategy from recruitment to progression in work. Inclusive workplaces are proven to be more productive and have more engaged workforce, so embedding inclusive recruitment strategies into the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do; it makes business sense.”
For more information head to www.bitc. org.uk.
THE CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS THOSE WHO MIGHT FACE BARRIERS IN GETTING INTO AND STAYING IN WORK, SUCH AS:
• Carers
• Those who have experienced homelessness
• 18-24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training
• Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse individuals
• Those with mental and physical health conditions, neurodiversity or disabilities
• Refugees
• LGBTQ+ individuals
• Older workers
• Ex-offenders
• Veterans
Sheffield’s beer scene has an exciting new addition with the opening of a sprawling, European-inspired beer hall on Wellington Street. The latest project from the team behind Abbeydale Road favourite Two Thirds Beer Co opened last month and promises to bring something fresh to the city centre.
The space – created by Ben Stubbs, Danny Clare and Adam Inns – is a step up from their original neighbourhood bar. Spread over two floors, it features a mezzanine, dedicated restaurant space, extensive seating and a wraparound outdoor beer garden.
One of the venue’s big talking points is its exclusive Czech tank beer. Only a handful of places in the UK serve unpasteurised Pilsner direct from Budvar, and with four 500-litre tanks installed, thousands of fresh pints will be pouring every week.
The food menu leans into European comfort classics, steering clear of tired beer hall clichés. Expect Austrianstyle grilled chicken, Bulgarian paprika stews and a rich, dark beer-fuelled goulash. A proper Sunday roast will also feature heavily – something the owners reckon the city centre could do with more of.
Bringing the project to life has been a journey of patience and persistence, with delays along the way. But now, the taps are flowing and Sheffield has a new spot to explore.
@kapitalsheffield
The new Astaroth phishing kit bypasses two-factor authentication (2FA) by capturing your login details and 2FA codes via realistic fake login pages.
Astaroth is just one example – cyber threats are constantly evolving.
We can keep you ahead of emerging security threats by:
• Multi-Factor Authetication (MFA)
• Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• Secure Networking
• User Awareness Training
BY STEVE BROWN, MD, FLUIDONE BUSINESS IT - SHEFFIELD
IT security has long been a game of cat and mouse, with cyber criminals and security professionals constantly evolving their tactics. A new threat, the Astaroth phishing kit, highlights this ongoing battle by targeting twofactor authentication (2FA)—a security measure once seen as a reliable defence.
Passwords have traditionally been the primary line of defence in digital security. However, vulnerabilities meant multi-factor authentication (MFA) was introduced to enhance protection. MFA requires users to provide two or more forms of identification—commonly passwords alongside biometric data or one-time codes—before granting access. 2FA, a subset of MFA, involves two methods.
While MFA and 2FA have significantly improved security, they’re not immune to attack. Phishing remains a popular tactic, with scammers posing as trusted entities to steal credentials. Astaroth takes this a step further.
First appearing in January, Astaroth is a phishing kit designed to intercept 2FA codes in realtime. It works by creating
replicas of legitimate login pages, tricking users into submitting credentials. Once entered, the kit captures both the password and 2FA code, allowing attackers to access the real site immediately—bypassing what would normally be a strong security barrier.
1. A user receives an email that appears to be from a trusted source.
2. Clicking the link directs them to a fake but authentic-looking login page.
3. As the user enters their credentials and 2FA code, the kit relays the information to the real
site, granting the attacker access.
What sets Astaroth apart is its ability to function as a live “man-in-the-middle,” capturing credentials and 2FA tokens in real time. Traditional phishing kits often stop at collecting static login details.
To protect against Astaroth and similar threats:
• Be sceptical of unexpected login requests or urgent emails.
• Always double-check URLs.
• When in doubt, contact your IT team before clicking.
Cyber threats evolve constantly, making awareness your best defence. At FluidOne, we offer training to help users stay informed, along with solutions like MFA, mobile device management, and secure networking.
For more information, you can reach us through our website at info. fluidone.com, call us at 0114 292 3800 or email sheffieldenquiries@ fluidone.com to get in touch with our experts today to find out how we can help protect your business.
The 32nd edition of Sheffield DocFest has wrapped up, once again drawing filmmakers, industry leaders and audiences from across the globe to the city. Mark Perkins has attended more than a few of these festivals over the years, so he knows what to look out for. Here, he shares his perspective on this year’s highlights and how Sheffield continues to strengthen its reputation as a global hub for documentary storytelling.
Documentary film has a habit of getting under your skin –well, it does with me anyway. After almost a week of DocFest, it’s hard not to feel more connected to the world beyond Sheffield. Travelling may broaden your mind, but documentary films inhabit your soul.
I always try to find light and shade when choosing what to watch at DocFest, and this year’s line-up had it all. I’ve been immersed in stories that made me think, laugh out loud and feel deeply moved. There have been times I’ve sat quietly weeping, despairing at where the world is heading. But mostly, it’s made me reflect.
The global reputation of the festival is now firmly established. I’ve spent the week chatting with film and TV professionals from all over the world, and one thing stands out – while locally we talk about films ‘showing at DocFest’, filmmakers from other countries talk about films ‘showing at Sheffield’. Like Cannes, the name of the city has become the brand.
Some documentaries simply inform, providing facts, viewpoints and sparking debate. Our Land did just that, giving equal screen time to both sides of a contentious issue. On one side, the principle that we should all have access to the countryside, and that ‘private land, keep out’ signs should disappear. On the
other, landowners argue that owning land means controlling access, which often means restricting or denying it. Only 8% of England’s countryside is publicly accessible. In Scotland, the Land Reform Act passed over 20 years ago allows responsible access to land and inland water, including walking, cycling and wild camping. Campaigns like Right To Roam are pushing for similar change here.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy hangs over Britain as an unresolved scar. Grenfell: Uncovered was a stark reminder that little has changed since June 2017. The public inquiry has concluded, yet accountability feels as distant as ever. Profit was prioritised over lives, with the companies involved still trading and making money. The film was harrowing, with phone footage and fire brigade video showing the horror unfold. Survivors, firefighters and campaigners were in the Crucible for the screening, many taking to the stage to a standing ovation. It was little surprise when the film won the 2025 DocFest Audience Award.
The opening night film was Still Pushing Pineapples by Kim Hopkins, who made A Bunch of Amateurs in 2022, which found success after its DocFest premiere. This new film is in the same vein – a story of working-
class, northern Britain, this time following Dene Michael of Black Lace fame. He’s spent most of his life singing ‘Agadoo’, recently voted ‘the worst pop song ever’ by readers of Q magazine. Despite the song’s notoriety, he’s determined to revive his career. The film becomes a road movie as he heads to Benidorm with his mother and girlfriend, chasing one more shot at stardom. And stardom of a sort came later that evening, when Dene showed up at the after party in Sheffield Cathedral. A few glasses of wine in, DocFest delegates from across the world were dancing to ‘Agadoo’ and conga lines formed. Any photos you might see of me pushing pineapples up a tree – or dancing to a hula melody – are obviously AI fakes.
A documentary film festival reflects the world – and the world is at war. Within hours, I watched 2000m to Andriika and Cuba and Alaska, two powerful accounts of the conflict in Ukraine. Andriika follows the brutal fight for every one of the 2,000 metres leading to a small town near the Russian border, now reduced to rubble. Most of the film uses body cam footage, providing an unfiltered look at the war’s grim reality. Cuba and Alaska shifts focus to two female frontline medics whose deep friendship offers fleeting
moments of joy amid chaos. The film is unpredictable, mixing warmth with devastation, and asks whether such bonds can survive the trauma of war.
Mr Nobody Against Putin gave an equally chilling insight into the propaganda shaping Russian classrooms, where children are being raised on militarism and nationalism. Meanwhile, The Librarians highlighted the shocking rise of book bans, right-wing censorship and threats facing
school librarians across America. The filmmakers hope it sparks a protest movement to defend free expression.
Music, as ever, played its part at DocFest. Dreaming of You told the story of 90s jangly pop band The Coral, focusing on their little-known early years. The BBC previewed Live Aid at 40, which looks at how the Band Aid single led to the global concerts. The Ethiopian perspective and the project’s modern-day controversy are explored too. I was amused
The stories that had a deep impact, which continued long after I emerged from the Showroom’s darkened screens, were the deeply human ones. Power Station followed artists Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn’s extraordinary mission to take their Walthamstow street off the grid, pushing for a solarpowered revolution.
to hear younger festivalgoers dismiss ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ as nothing more than ‘that terrible Christmas song’.
Tomorrow’s Too Late follows singer Dylan Holloway, formerly known as Lots Holloway, navigating the impact of transitioning on his music career. The film is a powerful, intimate portrait of the trans experience – and one I’d urge people to see.
DocFest’s poster boy this year was Professor Brian Cox. Who wouldn’t want to spend an hour listening to his story? His talk traced the extraordinary mix of chance, determination and good timing that made him one of Britain’s most recognisable science presenters.
Laughter was scarce this year, perhaps reflecting the times, so A Night with Adam and Joe was a much-needed tonic. Their anarchic sketch show ran from 1996 to 2001 and seeing them reunited was a real festival highlight. Guests of honour Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato introduced them, saying their talent and originality meant they were simply left to get on with it.
But my most powerful festival experience was Welded Together. It follows Katya, a 22-year-old welder in Belarus, caring for her infant half-sister as her mother’s alcoholism tears their family apart. Determined to break the cycle, Katya faces heartbreaking choices for the child’s future. For me, this compelling, moving film was the standout of DocFest 2025 – a worthy winner of Best International Documentary and a viewing experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
See you in 2026!
Sheffield DocFest 2025 welcomed 2,601 industry delegates from 81 countries, alongside a year-on-year rise in public attendance. During the festival’s market days, 192 industry representatives from 146 companies and 26 countries held more than 1,079 in-person meetings, showcasing 50 projects and 18 emerging talents.
A 2024 report found that £1.32 million was generated for the city’s economy through the event.
The same report also found that public attendance increased by more than 25 %, highlighting the growing appetite for documentary film in Sheffield.
BY RUSSELL THOMPSON, DIRECTOR ON DEMAND
The difference between businesses that thrive and those that merely survive isn’t better planning; it’s better execution. Here’s how to bridge the gap between strategy and success.
Walk into any business and you’ll find strategic plans gathering dust. Beautiful documents full of market analysis, revenue projections, and milestone charts. Yet many of these businesses struggle to hit their targets. Why?
Because they’ve confused planning with doing.
The uncomfortable truth is that your business’s future depends less on having the perfect plan and more on your ability to act decisively when conditions change. Markets shift. Competitors emerge. Technology disrupts. The businesses that succeed aren’t those with crystal balls, they’re the ones that respond fastest to what actually happens.
Research from Harvard Business School reveals that 70% of strategic initiatives fail not due to poor strategy, but due to poor execution.
At Director-on-Demand, we work with businesses navigating this exact challenge. We’ve seen companies with modest strategies outperform those with comprehensive plans, simply because they executed better. They made decisions quickly, tested assumptions early, and adjusted course without ego getting in the way.
Consider this: Netflix didn’t succeed because they predicted streaming
would dominate. They succeeded because they recognised the shift early and pivoted from their DVD model. Meanwhile, Blockbuster had access to the same market data but couldn’t adapt their execution fast enough. The difference? Netflix had built what we call “execution capability.”
This doesn’t mean planning is worthless, rather that effective planning looks different than most businesses realise. Instead of trying to predict the future, focus on building systems and mindsets that let you respond to whatever comes next.
Start with these three
fundamentals.
First, establish decisionmaking frameworks that work under pressure. When a competitor launches or a key client leaves, you need clear criteria for rapid response, not lengthy committee discussions. Amazon’s two-way door decisions exemplify this, reversible decisions get made fast by small teams, while irreversible ones get appropriate scrutiny. Second, build feedback loops into everything. Test small, learn fast, and scale what works rather than betting everything on untested assumptions. Third, accept that your initial plan will be wrong in
places and that’s exactly why nimble execution beats perfect strategy.
The businesses thriving today aren’t necessarily the smartest or best funded. They’re the ones that move from insight to action quickly. They treat their strategy as a starting point, not a destination, and they’ve built the operational muscle to capitalise on opportunities others miss while they’re still planning.
Your business’s future isn’t predetermined by market forces or competitor actions. It’s shaped by how quickly you can turn decisions into results, setbacks into learning, and plans into reality.
Sheffield has a growing reputation as a collaborative, creative and culturally vibrant city – one where artists, makers, institutions and communities come together to shape a distinctive cultural identity.
Rooted in its industrial heritage yet forward-looking in its approach, the city continues to foster spaces where culture isn’t just consumed, but actively made and shared by its people – as unLTD discussed in conversation with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive, Louisa Harrison-Walker, and Executive Manager in Policy and Public Impact, Tracy Viner.
For you, what makes Sheffield’s sense of place?
Louisa: Sheffield is a city built by its makers and innovators, one that is shaped by strong neighbourhoods, vibrant district centres and by doing things its own way – it’s where the individual joins the collaborative. And I’d argue we have the perfect mix.
On top of that, with a third of our footprint in the stunning Peak District, we’re uniquely connected to nature –rivers, hills and green space are part of daily life here.
Tracy: Sheffield has long been a city of innovation and integrity – it has a history as a crucial centre for industrialisation, which continues even now, but set against a backdrop of philanthropy. That’s how we’ve built our libraries, our universities
and our hospitals.
The spirit of collaboration here in Sheffield is why so many incredible initiatives are born and become huge successes – initiatives like Sheffield Business Together and the Pride of Place board which the Chamber are proud to be a part of. We’re always driving inclusive, sustainable growth for our region.
Tell us more about the collaborative nature of the city.
Louisa: Collaboration is something Sheffield does really well. Having the public, private and third sectors all working together may be rare, but it’s something that happens naturally here. That’s especially true with our Levelling Up Futures in Sheffield scheme that saw Sheffield Hallam University, the council, ourselves and Business in the Community work together to grow opportunities for See It Be It. As part of this, there was an opportunity to expand the development of The BiG Challenge – a competition for young people in the city to learn about running a business.
As a Chamber, we also champion the City Goals and have helped to build the Sheffield Stronger Together Board. On top of this, following the visit and report of the Race Equality Commission, we have worked with Sheffield City Council to set up the Diverse Business Advisory Board too, which we continue to support.
Tracy: The list goes on. As an organisation,
WITH A THIRD OF OUR FOOTPRINT IN THE STUNNING PEAK DISTRICT, WE’RE UNIQUELY CONNECTED TO NATURE – RIVERS, HILLS AND GREEN SPACE ARE PART OF DAILY LIFE HERE.
LOUISA HARRISON-WALKER
we are founder members of the Olympic Legacy Park and the Sheffield UTC. We are also founder members and Directors of Made in Sheffield together with Sheffield City Council and the Company of Cutlers, which is all born out of the collaboration of different organisations to better the wider city. All of this is to say that we prioritise collaboration, at home and across South Yorkshire, recognising that we thrive when working with our neighbours.
Recently, together with the other South Yorkshire Chambers, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors and The Company of Cutlers, we wrote to the Home Secretary to support the universities call for changes on the Immigration White Paper about foreign students. This was not just about income for the universities, research projects and future employees for businesses but also reflecting on the impact on our rich culture, and the nighttime and visitor economies.
What other great examples are there?
Louisa: The Chamber was recently instrumental in convening twelve organisations to commit to the new Rivers and Hills Street art on Wellington Street. It is helping to emphasise the value city centre spaces hold for all, fostering spaces where culture is actively made and shared.
In addition, our Chamber Vice President, Jerry Cheung, together with the Culture Collective CIC, has grown and delivered the Lunar New Year celebrations working in collaboration with Sheffield City Council, the Chamber and several community groups. This event culminates in a two-day festival that also supports the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
We’re fortunate enough to say the list goes on. Through our partnership with The Sheffield College and our Business Academy, we have enabled the development of 20 more business academies and a new Creative Academy (launching this month) which supports skill-building in the next generation – as does the Made in Sheffield Academy, which will launch in the Autumn.
Tracy: Through Made in Sheffield (an organisation that is led by The Company of Cutlers, Sheffield City Council and us at the Chamber), a quality mark can be awarded to organisations that manufacture in the Sheffield postcode area.
Recently, we have awarded Made in Sheffield status to the award-winning Sheffield Theatres production of Standing at the Sky’s Edge and made the up-andcoming racing driver, Rowan CampbellPilling, a Made in Sheffield ambassador
as he progresses through the ranks from Formula 4. Applicants, to use the mark, must prove they are making a finished product or service in Sheffield, representing Sheffield.
What’s happening behind the scenes?
Louisa: At a strategic level, the Chamber plays an active and deliberate role in shaping Sheffield’s future by sitting on a wide range of boards and partnerships across the region. From education to enterprise, skills to sustainability, our team contributes time and expertise to ensure the voice of business is embedded in key decisions.
These include bodies such as Made in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Charity Mentors, the Race Equality Partnerships Board, and the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network Steering Group. We co-chair the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Business Advisory Board and support initiatives like Pride of Place with Business in the Community too.
The reasons behind our involvement vary – in some cases we were founding members, in others we were invited to represent the voice of business in the city. Ultimately, though, these roles also give us valuable insight into what’s happening across Sheffield, allowing us to both stay informed and share that knowledge widely.
Tracy: By participating in advisory boards for both universities, local skills networks, and economic partnerships, we help drive collaboration between sectors. It’s this ongoing, often unseen work that ensures the Chamber can influence policy, strengthen connections, and champion inclusive, place-based growth for the whole
of Sheffield.
Whilst it may not always be obvious, supporting the rich culture of the city runs deeply through the veins of the Chamber, just as it does the throughout the city region.
To find out more about the Policy and Public Impact work of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, please email tracy.viner@ scci.org.uk or visit: www.scci.org.uk/ partnerships
Sheffield is home to over 2,000 cultural and creative businesses, generating nearly £1 billion in annual economic impact and sustaining about 9,000 direct jobs citywide. A further 16,000 freelancers in culture and creative sectors also contribute significantly (sheffield.gov.uk)
Visitor numbers reached 15 million in 2022, generating about £1.35 billion for the city, much of which stems from cultural tourism and events. (sheffnews.com)
Research shows that for every £1 spent on museums, galleries or libraries, a further £4.40 circulates through the wider economy (sheffield.gov.uk)
WHILST IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE OBVIOUS, SUPPORTING THE RICH CULTURE OF THE CITY RUNS DEEPLY THROUGH THE VEINS OF THE CHAMBER, JUST AS IT DOES THE THROUGHOUT THE CITY REGION. TRACY VINER
From senior banker to business owner, George Eleftheriou founded Real Finance in 2017 with a mission to help SMEs navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape. We spoke to the Managing Director about swapping corporate stability for self-employment, building a values-led business, and the lightbulb moment that sparked it all.
What does Real Finance do, and what inspired you to start the business?
We’re a specialist finance brokerage helping property investors, developers, and business owners with their funding needs. Back in 2017, I’d spent 27 years in commercial banking and was turning 50. My family’s always been entrepreneurial, and I’d long had the itch to do something for myself. I could see that the finance world was shifting – more lenders, more complexity, and less of that relationship-based service that bank managers used to provide.
When I started in banking in the 1990s, business funding typically involved a face-toface meeting with a bank manager. You pitched your plan, and they said yes or no – end of story. These days, there are more than 100–200 funding sources available to SMEs. In 2023, just 39% of SME lending came from traditional high street banks – a figure that shows how much the landscape has evolved. That increased choice is great for business owners, but it also creates
complexity. That’s where we come in – to help clients navigate their options with confidence. I thought: I can be the bank manager people no longer have. That’s what sparked Real Finance.
Did you always plan to go self-employed, or was it more about the right idea coming along?
It was always in the back of my mind, but I didn’t know what the idea would be. I’d never imagined running a finance brokerage – my family are all in the food trade – but it had to be something I was passionate about. My background is finance and helping businesses. That’s where I knew I could make a real impact.
How did you take the leap from idea to execution?
A solicitor introduced me to someone who’d set up a similar venture in London. We got chatting and eventually decided to do it together. He had a couple of years’ head start and shared valuable insights. My network was based in the North, so it made sense to build something up here. We started from scratch, but we had a great dynamic and a shared vision.
What was that early period like?
OUR JOB IS NOT JUST ABOUT SECURING FUNDING, IT’S ALSO ABOUT HELPING CLIENTS STAY CALM, FOCUSED, AND INFORMED DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES. WE’RE OFTEN THE STEADY HAND GUIDING THEM THROUGH IT.
It was intense! I was trying to do everything as cheaply as possible to make the savings last. I had a few months of “life money” to live on before the business became income-generating, but there’s a long lead time with business. From the day you make an application to actually drawing down the money can take months. And of course, the day I started wasn’t the day I had a loan application ready to go.
I spent the first few weeks meeting people, spreading the word, and trying to get momentum. Our first deal came after about six weeks – a bit of luck, a lot of hustle – and that
first payday felt huge. We only did eight deals that first year. Now, we do that every month.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
Every year brings something different. COVID was a major test – we were only three years in when lockdown hit. But we were in a decent financial position, and my priority was to reassure the team and our clients that we’d be there for them.
Since then, we’ve navigated rising interest rates, regulatory changes, shifts in lender appetite – the list goes on. Our job is not just about securing funding, it’s also about helping clients stay calm, focused, and informed during uncertain times. We’re often the steady hand guiding them through it.
What’s been most rewarding about building Real Finance?
Seeing the difference we make – that’s what drives me. We now support 13 families through our team and appointed representatives, and we’ve helped countless businesses access the funding they need to grow. That sense of fulfilment, and the knowledge that we’ve built something with a genuine positive impact, beats anything I ever did in the corporate world.
Tell us a bit more about the appointed representatives model – how has that grown over time?
It’s a key part of our growth. We work with a number of appointed representatives – essentially experienced bankers who want to work for themselves but don’t want the headache of running an entire business. We provide the infrastructure, compliance support, lender access, and documentation, so they can focus 100% on their clients.
It’s a model that works brilliantly because we get to expand our reach while maintaining the high standards and personalised service we’re known for. We’re always open to bringing more people on board through this route.
What are your ambitions for the future?
We’re not chasing world domination. Our focus is on sustainable, values-led growth. I’d like to bring more former bankers into the business as appointed representatives and continue expanding the core team as the demand grows.
Our goal is simple: grow steadily, stay true to our ethos, and continue delivering a high-quality service that really makes a difference. That’s what matters most.
Monthly cost effective design and marketing support for your business.
• Fixed monthly fee so you can plan your marketing budget.
• Full reporting of hours and tasks used each month.
• Utilise industry experts with years of knowledge.
To find out more call: 0114 261 8661 or email: info@fosterandscott.com http://bit.ly/42AY3Az
Marketing | Websites | Branding
In the latest instalment of unLTD’s Inside Track series – where Russell Thompson AKA the ‘Director on Demand’ gets the real-life stories behind South Yorkshire’s most inspiring entrepreneurs – we meet Barnsley-based Leonie Briggs, founder of Amazelab, to hear how she’s using creativity, curiosity and a splash of rainbow colour to make science accessible for all.
For many people, the phrase ‘STEAM education’ – science, technology, engineering, arts and maths – might conjure up images of complicated equations or intimidating laboratories. But for Barnsley-based entrepreneur Leonie Briggs, founder of Amazelab, it represents opportunity, creativity and, above all, accessibility.
“We try to break down barriers to learning these subjects,” Leonie explains. “I’m such a strong believer that they are for everybody.”
It’s a mission that has taken Leonie from veterinary nursing to the classroom and eventually to running her own business, inspiring young people across South Yorkshire and beyond.
Meeting at Hyde Café in Barnsley for the latest in unLTD’s Inside Track series, a monthly in-person interview to get the real-life stories behind some of our region’s most inspiring business leaders – and quickly becomes evident that Leonie’s route into business hasn’t been a straightforward one.
Starting her career in the veterinary profession, she worked in general practice and orthopaedics before moving into hydrotherapy and rehabilitation. “I honestly used to swim dogs for a living,” she laughs. “How things have changed!”
After training veterinary nurses to degree level, she decided to pursue a long-held ambition – teaching. With a two-year-old in tow, she completed her PGCE, specialising in science and chemistry, and went on to teach in primary, secondary and post-16 settings.
“My classroom was that slightly crazy one that could’ve been in Hogwarts,” she says. “The thing is, you never know who’s in that classroom. You could have someone who goes on to completely change the world. I saw it as a privilege it is to work with these fantastic young people.”
Like many businesses born during the
pandemic, Amazelab started at home. Concerned that young people were missing out on practical science skills during lockdown, Leonie took matters into her own hands.
Using everyday household items, she began creating simple, safe science experiments (“I completely destroyed my dining room table!”), broadcasting to families across the UK. What began as an improvised teaching project soon attracted attention, and demand for resources grew.
Enter David, her husband and Amazelab’s co-founder. “He’s a graphic designer,” Leonie explains. “I don’t know whether he was embarrassed or felt a bit sorry for me at the quality of the resources I was sending out, but he got on board.”
Together, they realised they had something unique – Leonie could write and deliver the workshops, David could handle branding, design and activity packs. Five years later, Amazelab is thriving.
Central to Amazelab’s ethos is accessibility. “Some people just don’t think these subjects are for them,” Leonie says. “As soon as they hear science, technology, engineering or maths, they get turned off. But pretty much everything can be linked to a STEM subject.”
She personally credits her local roots – “we’re made of steel and look at all the amazing inventions that have come out of Sheffield” – and her hero, British astronaut Helen Sharman, for inspiring her passion for science.
Amazelab delivers workshops in schools, libraries and with community groups, ensuring no one is excluded. They partner with local charities and alternative provision settings to make sure resources meet diverse needs.
“There’s an Amazelab workshop for everybody,” Leonie says. “We want to
I’M PROUD TO REPRESENT SOUTH YORKSHIRE. WE’VE GOT SO MUCH TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY HERE.”
“During lockdown, we had SciComm socials online – people doing cross-stitch, chatting, supporting each other,” she says. “Even now, I run projects with people I’ve never met in person.”
Amazelab’s projects include everything from Mars Day lessons with over 250,000 participants to activity packs developed with young people. “Seven-year-olds come up with the best ideas,” she laughs. “Why didn’t we do it like that? They keep us on our toes.”
For Leonie, Amazelab is also a family affair. Her children, Alex and Lucas, are proud members of the ‘Mini Amazelab Crew’ and even helped with unboxing copies of her first book, Make Your Own Rainbow: A Colourful Approach to All Things STEAM.
“The book came from lockdown,” Leonie says. “The rainbow was such a symbol of hope, and we created experiments inspired by that. It’s all about using creativity to break down barriers.”
Seeing her daughter take over Amazelab’s slot on the Global Science Show was another proud moment. “Like mother, like daughter,” I joke, and she beams back with clear pride.
“I want my kids to live in a great place
In an age of curated success and quiet comparison, Inside Track is about flipping the script. These conversations focus on honesty over hype, and people who turn setbacks into stepping stones. The aim is simple – to source inspiration, not envy.
To find out more about Russ’s work and how you can join the conversation, visit director-on-demand.co.uk
with great possibilities,” she says. “If we can ignite that little spark and belief in people, we’ve done our job.”
Looking ahead, Leonie wants to continue growing Amazelab while keeping their South Yorkshire roots strong. Support from Enterprise Barnsley and Business Sheffield has been vital, alongside national recognition – including winning Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday and being named one of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs.
“It’s about embedding what we do – high-quality resources, meaningful impact, and deepening those roots,” she says. “We can blossom from there.”
Her ultimate philosophy? “Be respectful, look after each other, and don’t walk around thinking you’re more important than anyone else.”
It’s a grounded, distinctly South Yorkshire mindset – and one that’s driving real change, from the heart of Barnsley to classrooms across the world.
Find out more about Amazelab: www.amazelab.co.uk
Instagram: @amazelabuk
Facebook: facebook.com/amazelabuk
SYIP is a £3 million programme supporting organisations across the region to innovate and grow; develop new ideas, improve processes, access new markets, and launch new products.
You can access funding and support tailored to your organisation’s needs, and the stage you are at in your innovation journey:
“I want to innovate, but I don’t know what’s out there”
“I know what I want and it’s available ‘off-the-shelf’”
“I know what I want, but there’s no solution on the market”
Experiment in the Digital Media Centre MakerLab and CreatorLab. Learn how to innovate at funded workshops. Access funding to implement an innovative business solution.
Work with sector specialist academics to develop a bespoke innovative solution tailored to your unique needs.
You’ve just brought Charlotte into the team. What gap is she here to fill?
Rebecca: Capacity has been our biggest challenge – the capacity to do, and the capacity to grow. We’ve got a brilliant team and a strong client base, but we’re still relatively small. We needed someone to help us build structure and free us up to focus on strategic development.
David: Charlotte brings operational and systems thinking, which is something we’ve not previously had to do – but it’s absolutely what we need now. We’re not into the ‘corporate middle management’ thing, but we definitely needed to bolster the leadership team.
Charlotte, you’ve come from a more corporate IT environment. What’s the shift been like?
Charlotte: I was in operations at FluidOne (formerly Highlander) for seven years, so it’s definitely a change! The culture here is very different – more creative, more personal – but it’s been a breath of fresh air. That said, many of the operational challenges are the same. Understanding time tracking, project profitability, resource investment – these are crossindustry issues, and I’ve already seen areas where we can improve things here using processes I’ve worked with before.
How much of your first few weeks has been about fact-finding vs getting stuck in?
Charlotte: I’m very aware not to come in and start ‘moving furniture’ – I saw that analogy on LinkedIn and it stuck with me! It’s about integrity with the team and building trust first. I’m spending time with individuals, understanding what support they need, and where we can align that with the business goals. Yes, there are changes I want to make, but they have to come from a shared need and clear benefit – not just change for change’s sake.
So what will that structure bring to OVO in real terms?
Rebecca: A big one is aligning individual
After more than three decades in business, design-andbuild specialists OVO Spaces show no signs of standing still – their latest move sees the addition of Operations Manager Charlotte Wilshire, who, as it happens, is Managing Director Rebecca Knight’s daughter. Charlotte joined Rebecca and CEO David Baldwin to chat with unLTD about capacity, culture and why not everything in a creative business has to live in a spreadsheet.
goals with business goals. We want to create clear progression and development plans, so our people understand where they’re going and how that supports our wider success.
Charlotte: We’ve started work on documenting processes, mapping gaps, and bringing in things like CRM improvements and better time tracking. It’s about making life easier for the team and giving us visibility around time investment and profitability. That frees the leadership team to focus on growth – and gives everyone clarity on what we’re doing and why.
And that feeds into your plans for growth?
David: Absolutely. We’re already one of the best in the region at what we do, and we want to build on that. We’ve done a lot in office and industrial sectors – particularly on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, where we’ve delivered everything from offices to technical labs. We’re not looking to go national, but we do want to grow across South Yorkshire and the surrounding area. Rebecca: Having Charlotte here means we can raise our service levels further. That structure allows us to be even more client-focused and delivery-led.
Has the industry changed much in the 33 years since OVO began?
David: The fundamentals haven’t changed – on time, on budget, quality delivery. But expectations have definitely evolved. Offices are more people-centric now. PostCovid, there’s a big emphasis on wellbeing, comfort, and design that draws inspiration from hospitality – making people want to come in. More space, better airflow, more ‘life support’ systems.
Rebecca: There’s definitely more demand for things like sit-stand desks, acoustic pods, private booths – spaces for focused work or private conversations within openplan environments.
David: And the tech side is huge. Our design capability has rocketed, especially with VR. Clients can now walk through a space before it’s built – which saves a lot of time, money and problems later on.
And what’s next?
Rebecca: Streamlining and clarity. At the moment there’s some overlap – designers helping with marketing, contracts supporting sales. That’s not a bad thing, but Charlotte’s helping us focus those roles so everyone knows what their priorities are. It’s about tightening the process, so we can be even more creative.
Charlotte: Everything is a process in the end – even creativity. What I’m here to do is make those processes clearer, more supportive and more efficient. That way, the team can do more of what they love –and do it even better.
Web: www.ovospaces.co.uk
LinkedIn: OVO Spaces
Instagram: @ovospaces
We’ve got a great team, a great culture – Charlotte’s here to help us grow”
BY HARRY THOMAS AT SIMODA
Microsoft 365 has become the backbone of modern business operations, from email and collaboration to cloud storage and productivity tools. But for many local businesses, the question remains: are you truly getting value for money?
At Simoda, we’ve worked with hundreds of organisations across the region, from SMEs to large enterprises, to help them optimise their Microsoft licensing, reduce unnecessary spend, and unlock the full potential of the Microsoft ecosystem.
Common licensing mistakes
Many businesses unknowingly overspend on Microsoft 365 due to:
• Over-licensing: paying for features or users that aren’t needed
• Under-utilisation: not using the full capabilities of the licences they already have
• Lack of visibility: no clear understanding of what’s included or how it’s being used
These mistakes can lead to thousands of pounds wasted annually, especially when licences are renewed without a strategic review.
Cost-saving tips
Here are three quick ways your business can start saving:
1. Audit your current usage: identify inactive users, unused features, and duplicate services.
2. Right-size your licences: match licence types to actual user needs; don’t
pay for premium features where standard will do.
3. Consolidate tools: Microsoft 365 includes apps like Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint and Planner, eliminating the need for third-party tools.
Simoda’s licensing experts help businesses do exactly this, ensuring every pound spent delivers measurable value.
Simoda’s optimisation services
Our team doesn’t just sell licences; we help you strategically manage them. As a Microsoft partner, Simoda offers:
• Licence audits and cost analysis
• Migration and deployment support
• Billing simplification and renewal management
• Access to exclusive Microsoft partner benefits
We’re proud to be working with many Yorkshire businesses to streamline
their Microsoft environments, reduce costs, and improve security and productivity.
Unlocking the full Microsoft ecosystem
Microsoft 365 is just the beginning. With tools like:
• Copilot for Microsoft 365: AI-powered assistance across Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams
• Dynamics 365: integrated solutions for finance, CRM and customer service
• Power Platform: lowcode tools to automate workflows and build custom apps
Simoda helps businesses bring all their data and operations into one connected ecosystem, driving efficiency, improving decisionmaking, and enhancing customer experience.
Imagine having your emails, documents, customer records, financial data and team collaboration all in one place – secure, integrated and accessible from anywhere.
Let’s talk – Advice when you need it
If you’re wondering whether you’re getting the most from Microsoft 365, Simoda is here to help. Our local Sheffieldbased team offers free consultations to review your current setup and identify opportunities to save and grow.
Visit www.simoda.co.uk/ microsoft or call us today to book your Microsoft licensing review: 0114 553 3600.
With Simoda, there’s more…
We’ve also got a number of experience events running for customers and businesses in our network throughout the year, from simple meet-andnetwork sessions to F4 racing events with Rowan CampbellPilling, and roundtables to Land Rover off-roading, with lunch-and-learns on topics like AI use cases in industry. For any information about these, please email: marketing@simoda.co.uk
Periodically, we hear stories from the people behind the law degrees at 145-yearold, South Yorkshire-based law firm, Banner Jones. Most recently, Ash Birch spoke to Head of Dispute Resolution Rob Stubbs to hear about his route from joinery to the High Court, and why hitting the Muay Thai bags is the perfect counter to hitting legal deadlines.
Tell us about your role at Banner Jones. What does dispute resolution cover?
We deal with a broad range of litigation in our team. We try to ensure that each team member specialises in particular areas, although you’ve got to be able to turn your hand to lots of different types of case, really. We’ve got two team members who specialise in contentious trusts and probate matters, which has been quite a growth area. I remember dealing with my first contentious probate case shortly after I qualified as a solicitor, when no one else in our firm was specialising in that area, and it’s gone from strength to strength. We have a couple of other team members who focus on property disputes. I tend to deal with commercial property disputes, company commercial disputes – shareholder disputes, things like that – as well as construction disputes.
Is the aim always to settle things before court?
That’s always the aim, as court proceedings can be expensive and there are always risks involved. We try to resolve any disputes as quickly and cost effectively as we possibly can, within the parameters of what the client is seeking to achieve. It’s about meeting the client’s particular goal – sometimes you can’t achieve that by settlement, and you need to plan your tactics to try to get to the right outcome. I’d say that in most of the cases I deal with, we’re successful in achieving settlement without reaching trial. Those that go to trial are in the minority. But next week, for example, I have a three-day trial in the High Court in Leeds. That particular case has been ongoing for over three years and settlement wasn’t possible.
Do you enjoy that side of the job –going to trial?
It’s certainly interesting to see a case run to trial to see if the judge agrees with your reading of it, but there are risks in all cases and it can go the wrong way on the day due to a variety of factors. You can manage those risks by exploring settlement through correspondence or mediation – where the parties get together at a venue on a particular day and try to agree terms with the help of an independent mediator.
So… do you actually enjoy an argument?
Not in my personal life, no! The complete opposite. I think the key is keeping your cool and thinking before you act. That definitely helps both in and outside of work.
Are there any standout cases you’re particularly proud of?
Sometimes it’s the interesting nature of a case that stands out, but more often it’s achieving a result that means a lot to a client that is memorable. One case that stands out was a Will dispute over a fairly high-value estate. It involved property that was partly in the UK and partly in France. We successfully negotiated a settlement of over £1 million for the clients, which allowed them to retire and made a huge difference to their lives. It was great to see what a positive impact that result had. I’ve acted for a number of construction companies in disputes over substantial projects and have enjoyed the fast pace and technical nature of the construction adjudication process. I’ve achieved some good results for clients, which is very satisfying.
WE ALWAYS TRY TO RESOLVE DISPUTES AS QUICKLY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT ACHIEVING THE CLIENT'S GOAL"
How did you first get into law?
I’m from Dronfield, just up the road, so I’ve not travelled far to be here. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after school. I trained as a joiner for a couple of years before I decided to go back to college to do my A-levels. Then I worked for a debt recovery firm in their legal department while I figured out what to do next. I thought, well, I’ll carry on studying until I decide. I did A-level Law in the evening and did well in it, so I thought maybe that was a sign. I went on to study at Sheffield Hallam and got my training contract at Banner Jones. I’ve been here since day one of my career.
That’s quite a career switch – do you miss the joinery work?
I think I probably just realised it wasn’t for me. But yeah, there have been lots of times since when I’ve thought about how that would have played out. I like being active, so sitting at a desk isn’t always a natural fit – maybe a job that’s less deskbased would be attractive – but overall, I think law has been the right choice for me.
Was it hard juggling work and study?
I was a little bit older when I went to university, which was a bit of a blessing because it allowed me to focus a bit more. Having done full-time work, you apply that same work ethic to studying. I think it helped.
Were you always academic?
Not at all. I really struggled to focus at school and was distracted by everything except studying at the time. But at university, I found that focus and put in the hard work. It’s nothing more than that. I managed to achieve a result that made my parents proud, which meant a lot.
What’s life like outside of work?
I have two young children, so I enjoy spending time with them and getting outdoors as much as possible. We’re not far from the Peak District, so we get out whenever we can. I train at a Thai boxing gym –that’s been a bit of a constant from my teens through to now. It’s a really positive place and a good release from the stress of work. I try to get there a few times a week, work permitting.
How did you get into Thai boxing? It started just after I’d left school – a friend asked if I fancied coming along to a session in Attercliffe. He gave it up after a year, but I really enjoyed it, so I carried on and I’ve stuck with it ever since. When you’ve got a desk-based job that can be pretty pressured, having that regular outlet really helps keep things in balance.
What’s kept you at Banner Jones all these years?
TRAIN AT A THAI BOXING GYM –THAT’S BEEN A BIT OF A CONSTANT FROM MY TEENS THROUGH TO NOW. IT’S A REALLY POSITIVE PLACE AND A GOOD RELEASE FROM THE STRESS OF WORK
I’d say the people and the ability to progress. We’ve got a lot of long-standing staff. The two trainees taken on after me are still here and we all moved on to being directors and have input into running the business, so there’s always been a path to progression. I think we’re pretty good at retaining staff. I’ve got a good team working with me, and a good wider team throughout the business – it’s a nice place to work.
Meet Aimee – a mother of three, qualified beautician, ex-NHS worker and, by her own admission, someone with little sales experience. But from her living room in Sheffield, she took a risk – and turned that leap of faith into Pipetta, a multi award-winning business. Words: Blessing Adefemi
The Sheffield-based entrepreneur was frustrated by the lack of stylish, practical tableware and feeding products available for babies.
“As a mum of three, I found a lot of weaning products on the market weren’t aesthetically pleasing,” says Aimee. “They’re either covered in Disney characters or similar types of designs, so I wanted to create a range that parents actually wanted on the table.”
That desire sparked the creation of Pipetta – a business focused on simple, affordable, quality products for every stage of a baby’s feeding journey.
“When you look at a lot of breastfeeding brands, their photography often feels isolating and unrealistic,” Aimee explains.
“At the start of this year, we relaunched with imagery that featured mums, dads, grandparents – because let’s face it, nowadays, the main caregivers aren’t just mums. Mums are out working.
“We stand out because we’re different, and that excites me.”
Pipetta first launched with silicone weaning sets, which quickly became a hit among parents. But Aimee soon noticed another gap in the market.
In research conducted by Pipetta, they found at least one in five women still felt uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.
“That very quickly led us into the feeding industry,” says Aimee, who openly
shares her own experience.
“I remember sitting in a restaurant with my first little girl. I didn’t know how to latch her on properly, and with all the faffing about I probably ended up more exposed than I felt comfortable with.”
With support from a lactation specialist, Aimee says she gained confidence breastfeeding in public with her third child. But that support, she notes, came at a high price.
“To get that help was very expensive at the time, so we evolved into breastfeeding products.”
In 2022, Pipetta began researching the science behind pumping, working
closely with experts and women who had faced similar struggles. The result was their hands-free breast pump – an expert-approved, multi award-winning product designed for use anytime, anywhere.
“The reason a lot of mums don’t breastfeed isn’t because they’re nervous, it’s because they’re not getting the support they need,” says Aimee.
In 2023, Pipetta launched its ‘Breastfeeding Beauties’ campaign, supported by TV personality Ferne McCann, aimed at normalising public breastfeeding and tackling stigma.
“I wanted to create a community of mums and
WE STAND OUT BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT, AND THAT EXCITES ME.”
health professionals to support parents. That’s why, with every breast pump purchase, we include free lactation consultant support. Mums need that help, and not everyone can afford it.”
Looking ahead, Aimee says the business has exciting plans for the future, including a new product range and another addition to their breast pump line.
“For us, it’s about growth and brand awareness across more countries – seeing how much of the world we can smash.”
Find out more:
Website: www.pipetta.co.uk
Instagram: @pipetta.uk
Facebook: Pipetta UK
Think globally, brand locally!
Their down-to-earth approach delivered results for Mission Economics that blew me away. Great design doesn’t need a fancy London agency – sometimes the best talent is right around the corner. Highly recommend Sheaf Design Works for anyone seeking to transform their brand.
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Boring admin tasks not what you signed up for?! It IS what we signed up for! Jokes aside, Slice Virtual Assistance lends itself to any business who needs additional support.
We get to know your business’ needs as if we worked there ourselves. In doing so, we can fulfil Recruitment support based on areas of growth and development.
HR services is as much about celebrating, motivating, and protecting employees as it is about disciplinaries and handling grievances
Ashley Harris, Managing Director of Jibba Jabba, talks to unLTD about building a business rooted in integrity, the company’s international growth and why 2025 marks the start of a renewed focus on building connections here in South Yorkshire.
WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
When Ashley Harris founded Jibba Jabba back in 2010, he wasn’t driven by money or titles. Yes, it’s a cliché – but after ten minutes in his company, I’m inclined to believe him. From the outset, he warns me he’s not used to promoting himself and admits he still gets embarrassed describing himself as the owner.
Once over the initial interview shyness, however, he soon finds his stride. He explains that his motivation has always been about doing the right thing – for clients, his team and the industry he’s spent years trying to improve.
“I always wanted to start my own company,” Ashley says. “The way I decide whether to do something is simple – will I regret it if I don’t? I was nervous, but I knew if I didn’t do it, I’d regret it.”
Before Jibba Jabba was born, Ashley’s career took him to London, including an early role in Westminster. Though his career took him to the capital, his roots have always been firmly back up north. Even back then, he was commuting to London up to five times a week from South Yorkshire. “It sounds crazy, but the train from Doncaster’s only an hour and 40 minutes. Some people outside London
spend longer than that getting into the city.”
It’s this connection to the region that’s fuelling Jibba Jabba’s next chapter, with plans underway to relocate from Doncaster to Sheffield and grow the company’s local presence. “Our biggest challenge is that many people around here don’t even know we exist,” Ashley admits. “We’ve been based in Doncaster, but most of our clients are national or international. It’s time to change that.”
Founded with a clear ethos to do things differently and with integrity, Jibba Jabba quickly established itself in the telecoms and IT sector by offering an alternative to what Ashley describes as an industry riddled with “cowboys”.
“There are so many companies out there selling on fear, taking advantage because people don’t understand certain types of technology,” he says. “I’ve walked into businesses and seen how they’re being ripped off – it’s immoral, it’s not ethical, and it really riles me.”
Rather than reselling off-the-shelf systems, Jibba Jabba took a bold approach, acquiring the source code to a fleet telecoms platform, allowing them to deliver bespoke solutions tailored to each client.
“We’re techies, not salespeople,” Ashley explains. “When our competitors were selling standard packages, we’d sit down with a blank piece of paper and say, ‘What do you want to achieve?’ and then we’d build it.”
That ethos has carried the business far beyond Doncaster. Today, Jibba Jabba’s footprint stretches internationally, with major clients in Dubai, Spain and across the UK. “Our biggest client’s in the Middle East, they’ve got offices in around ten countries,” Ashley says. “But I know the Chief Exec absolutely trusts me and the team – and that trust, to me, is the most important and rewarding aspect of that relationship.”
THERE ARE SO MANY COMPANIES OUT THERE SELLING ON FEAR, TAKING ADVANTAGE BECAUSE PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND CERTAIN TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY… IT’S IMMORAL, IT’S NOT ETHICAL AND IT REALLY RILES ME.”
Trust, respect and doing the right thing run through every aspect of the business. It’s reflected in Jibba Jabba’s impressive client retention, its staff culture and its commitment to quality – highlighted by achieving ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, international standards for quality management and information security.
“Getting those certifications was a proud moment,” Ashley says. “A lot of our competitors don’t have them, but for clients in regulated sectors – accountants, solicitors – they’re vital. It shows we practice what we preach. You can’t bluff your way through ISO, they audit everything.”
Ashley is also proud of the company culture he’s built. “I always say, it’s not what I’ve achieved, it’s what we’ve achieved as a team,” he explains. “Family comes first, health comes first. I don’t have my own office, I sit with everyone. We’re all adults; it’s about trust and respect, both ways.”
This philosophy has shaped Jibba Jabba’s approach to growth. Rather than chasing every opportunity, the company focuses on partnerships where there’s alignment on values. “Our sweet spot is around 50 to 150 users,” Ashley says. “A key industry we face is the ongoing underestimation of cybersecurity. It’s still seen as a buzzword or a sales tool, but many people don’t take it seriously enough. Most breaches come from simple mistakes – things that can often be fixed without spending much at all, just by making small changes.”
Cutting through the jargon and demystifying technology is another big part of the company’s DNA. “I’m a geek with a personality – I hope!” Ashley laughs. “We talk to clients in plain English. It’s not about blowing people away with the science, it’s about making sure they actually understand what we’re doing.”
Looking ahead, the team are determined to bring that approach to more South Yorkshire businesses. “We’re moving to Sheffield this year, that’s the plan,” he says. “Most of our staff already commute from there. There’s such a big market here, a great buzz around the place, and we need to shout louder about what we do.”
As the company prepares to grow its presence in the city, that philosophy will remain at the heart of everything Jibba Jabba does. “It’s about trust, respect and keeping things honest,” Ashley says. “As the name suggests, it’s about cutting through the chatter or the noise and making things work for people. That’s what we’re about.”
Find out more:
Web: www.jibbajabba.co.uk
LinkedIn: jibba-jabba
Twitter/X: @jibbajabbauk
Tell us about your business –sell yourself!
Our business is IntelliAM –short for intelligent asset management. We’re an innovative, Aquis-listed technology company based in Dinnington, specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for the manufacturing industry.
We use AI and ML to help manufacturers get more from the machinery they already have – turning operational data into insights that improve performance, reduce downtime, and increase productivity.
The idea came from years of seeing the same issues on factory floors – underused machinery, unplanned downtime, and reactive maintenance – that cost businesses time and money. Traditional predictive maintenance methods haven’t kept pace, leaving manufacturers over reliant on individual engineers and operators.
In 2023, I co-founded IntelliAM with Keith Smith to change that and revolutionise the asset management industry.
Our technology is now used by many leading manufacturers, including half of the world’s top 12 food and drink producers.
By analysing equipment data, we help clients to optimise machine performance, reduce energy use and waste, fine-tune production, and prevent breakdowns, delivering real, measurable productivity gains.
What distinguishes your approach from the competition?
Our company is underpinned by the strong technical foundations and
manufacturing expertise of 53 Degrees North (53N) – an asset care company I founded over a decade ago, which today functions as IntelliAM’s engineering consultancy division.
That deep domain expertise is our key differentiator, which our team has amassed through decades of service on production lines around the world.
Our ‘boots on the ground’ experience means we have a practical understanding of the challenges factory-floor operatives and engineers face every day.
While traditional predictive maintenance tools have been around for decades, many tech providers often lack this real-world insight – installing the wrong sensors in the wrong places, collecting irrelevant data, and generating false alarms that engineers can’t trust.
That’s where IntelliAM bridges the gap.
By combining advanced AI and ML technology with our domain expertise, we can turn billions of asset data points into meaningful, actionable insights that manufacturers can trust. This makes the unknowable, knowable – and that’s a game-changer for productivity.
What is the key ethos underpinning what you do?
We’re strong advocates for the power of AI and ML. We believe the answer to increased productivity can be found by tapping into the data hidden inside the plant and machinery of every factory in the world.
Our goal is to empower maintenance teams –giving them practical tools they need to make their machinery more reliable, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve efficiency.
With IntelliAM, we offer food and drink manufacturers a ‘predictive maintenance
evolved’ solution that helps them stay competitive, improve performance, and meet the growing demands of global food production.
What are some common challenges you face in your line of work, and how do you address them?
One of the biggest challenges we face is encouraging manufacturers to adopt new digital tools. Many are understandably cautious, especially when it comes to introducing AI into traditional maintenance processes, but it just takes time, trust, and education to shift that mindset.
There’s also a common concern that AI could replace jobs. In reality, our technology is most effective when it works with skilled engineers. Human expertise is essential – engineers teach the system, guide it, and help make the results even smarter over time.
Another misconception is that digitalisation means ripping out legacy machinery and investing in expensive new kit. But that’s not the case. IntelliAM works with the equipment already in place, unlocking the hidden data to help manufacturers improve performance without costly replacements.
How can people get involved with what you do?
Ultimately, large-scale manufacturers not yet using AI and ML are likely missing out on valuable insights. So, for them, they can get involved by recognising that adopting AI isn’t a big-bang change, it’s a scalable journey that starts by liberating the untapped data they already have.
intelliam.ai
SAM BIGGINS MANAGING DIRECTOR AT EVOLUTED
DOESN’T NEED TO BE A BUZZWORD – HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT
Ever found yourself trapped in a spreadsheet older than some of your team, or manually entering the same data in three separate places?
Many businesses are stuck in outdated routines because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”. Phrases like “It worked fine three years ago, but now it’s slowing us down” or “We’re ready to scale, but our systems are holding us back” will sound familiar.
But when they approach a technology partner, they’re often met with buzzwords and recommendations for expensive new software. Yet digital transformation isn’t about chasing flashy trends – it’s about solving real-world business problems. Everyday headaches that quietly drain efficiency and profits, and I can guarantee everyone reading this will relate in some way.
LET’S UNPACK THAT PAIN AND START TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS.
Tangled Processes Cost Money (and Sanity)
Hours lost each week to manual data entry, chasing lost files, or juggling Excel spreadsheets like a circus performer may seem minor individually, but collectively these inefficiencies severely impact your bottom line. Small frustrations become significant barriers, preventing teams from driving your business forward.
Consider a recent scenario we explored:
“Our old CRM didn’t talk to our ordering system, which didn’t talk to our inventory tool. It felt like running three separate businesses!”
Tailored solutions to integrate these systems and automate repetitive tasks, built to the rhythm of their operations, could dramatically streamline processes, saving valuable time and reducing costly mistakes.
Off-the-shelf software might have served you well once, but there comes a point when it doesn’t scale. Your team starts creating workarounds, using only half the features you’re paying for. This not only reduces productivity but creates frustration for employees who simply want tools that help them, not hinder them.
In these cases, it isn’t just about adopting new technology – it’s about finding intuitive, purpose-built solutions that genuinely align with your business’s unique workflows. Tailored software, designed around your operational requirements, ensures tools speak to each other fluently, enhancing your productivity rather than
complicating it.
If decision-making often feels more like gut instinct than informed judgement, the problem could be fragmented data. When critical information lives scattered across spreadsheets, outdated software, and different departments, you’re effectively driving blindfolded.
Integrating systems into a unified platform significantly improves visibility. Clear, realtime dashboards can replace guesswork with informed, strategic decisions, enabling businesses to respond swiftly and effectively to both opportunities and challenges.
Many companies find themselves hindered by systems that can’t keep pace with growth. If expanding your business means hiring more admin staff, or if technology limitations hold back promising new revenue streams, you need a more flexible approach.
Robust digital transformation provides solutions designed to evolve alongside you, enabling smarter growth without the constant need to increase overheads. By adopting more
efficient systems, businesses can redeploy their staff away from “busy work”, allowing them to enhance customer experience, innovate, and focus on higher-value activities.
Not every business has access to an experienced technical leader internally. Without clear technical guidance, projects can stall – or worse, head in the wrong direction, wasting valuable resources and energy.
Choosing the right technical partner, one who undertakes deep discovery and understands your specific needs without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity, can bridge this gap effectively. A trusted partner simplifies the journey towards greater efficiency, clarity, and operational excellence.
Digital transformation shouldn’t be viewed as a single, daunting overhaul but as a manageable, iterative and ongoing process. It starts with understanding your people, not just your technology, and clearly identifying specific business challenges to find targeted, practical solutions.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself muttering, “There has to be a better way” – there absolutely is.
Understanding and embracing digital transformation can make all the difference between struggling with inefficiencies and confidently paving the way for your business’s future growth and success.
With 20 years’ experience tackling real-world technology challenges, Evoluted prides itself on straightforward communication and measured results. No jargon, no empty promises – just a clear path from your current headaches to streamlined, profitable operations.
Ready to chat? The kettle’s on.
E: sam@evoluted.email T: 0114 272 9753 W: www.evoluted.net
South Yorkshire scissor manufacturer Whiteley have launched a charity raffle for a bespoke scissor, handcrafted and manufactured in their Sheffield factory to celebrate the strength and resilience of women.
In support of the women and children of YWCA Yorkshire, Whiteley has created a special edition bespoke 12” Tailors Shear.
Raffle tickets are available for just £10 from 16 June to 16 July. A prize draw for one exclusive winner of this high value shear will be made on Friday 18 July.
The one-of-a-kind collector’s item features handles colour-matched to YWCA Yorkshire’s iconic house-purple, a gold-plated bolt, and is finished with the Whiteley crest, stamped using
a newly commissioned tool made by fellow Sheffield company, Pryor Marking Technology. The shears are individually stamped “1 of 1” using an original Pryor handstamp set from the Whiteley archives.
YWCA Yorkshire is part of a global network of charities supporting women worldwide. The South Yorkshire charity works with more than 250 families locally in Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Money raised from the online charity raffle will benefit women, children and families who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, relationship breakdowns and financial hardship in South Yorkshire, England.
Whiteley, the oldest scissor
maker in the western world, has a global reputation for the craftsmanship and innovation of precision blades. As proud recipients of the much coveted Made in Sheffield mark and Master Cutlers since 1875, their story is steeped in Sheffield’s renowned steel and manufacturing heritage.
YWCA Yorkshire Chief Executive Diane Offers, said: “The strength and resilience of women is something we celebrate every day through our work supporting young
The longest-running construction industry event in the North, The Sheffield Charity Construction Ball, raised £30,000 for St Luke’s Hospice earlier this month.
Held at the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel, the black-tie evening brought together over 230 construction and property professionals to raise vital funds for Sheffield’s leading palliative care provider.
Organised by Arup, HLM Architects and Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), guests enjoyed a three-course meal, live entertainment by acclaimed magician Ben Hanlin and inspiring speeches from St Luke’s Chief Executive, Jo Lenton, and RLB Managing Partner, Matt Summerhill.
A highlight of the night was the charity auction, which featured limitededition artwork titled ‘Here for Sheffield’ by Sheffield-based artist, Luke Horton, alongside VIP Tramlines tickets. The piece was bought for an impressive £2,000 by winning bidder, Wayne Balance, from Apex Consulting.
This year’s chosen charity, St Luke’s Hospice, is the primary provider of specialist palliative care for adults with
terminal illnesses in Sheffield and its surrounding areas.
One of the charity’s main goals for the evening included raising funds to support the purchase of additional cuddle beds.
Cuddle beds are a wider hospitalstyle bed designed to allow patients and their loved ones to lie side-by-side, offering physical closeness during endof-life care.
Thanks to the generosity of guests, donations on the night covered the cost of two cuddle beds, each valued at £15,000.
Matt Sheridan, Senior Fundraising Manager at St Luke’s Hospice, said: “We are truly humbled by the generosity of everyone who attended this year’s
women and their children up and out of unsafe situations. It is absolutely marvellous that this message will be immortalised through this unique set of shears.
“Funds raised through the raffle will help us provide specialist trauma-informed support to local families who will go on to create better futures right here in South Yorkshire.”
This bespoke shear is not only a collector’s item, but a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and hope. Whether you’re a lifelong Whiteley supporter or simply wish to stand behind the mission of YWCA Yorkshire, this is a unique opportunity to own something meaningful in recognition of the strength and resilience of South Yorkshire women.
Sheffield Charity Construction Ball.
“In a time when hospice fundraising and resources are under increasing pressure, support like this is not only appreciated, but absolutely vital.
“The incredible efforts of the organising teams at Arup, HLM Architects and Rider Levett Bucknall, along with the wider Sheffield business community, are a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared commitment to making a difference.!
Over the past 23 years, the Ball has been attended by prominent figures across the property and construction industry in Sheffield and surrounding areas and has raised a total of £401,300 for a variety of local causes.
Past beneficiaries have included Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Weston Park Cancer Charity, Hallam Cash for Kids, The Prince’s Trust and Bluebell Wood.
For information about St Luke’s Hospice and ways to donate visit here: www.stlukeshospice.org.uk/support/ donate
A powerful day of action and advocacy unfolded this week as Naga Munchetty’s BBC Radio 5 Live show was broadcast live from the number 83 bus in Sheffield.
During 2013, an independent report about fairness and inequality in Sheffield found that average life expectancy falls by 7.5 years for men and almost 10 years for women across the length of the 83 bus route. The live broadcast from the bus, which made its way from the South West of the city to the North East, highlighted the stark health inequalities in the city.
Sheffield Hospitals Charity CEO Beth Crackles and Professor Bola Owolabi, charity ambassador and Director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme at NHS England took to the road with Naga Munchetty and guests to talk about health inequalities and their work to reduce these.
The day’s momentum continued into the evening with Sheffield Hospitals Charity holding a dynamic and inspiring evening dedicated to tackling women’s health inequalities in Sheffield. The event #NoWomanLeftBehind was at their home in Leah’s Yard with local businesses and neighbours, La Biblioteka, Little Mesters, Barks Wine Shop, and Roots and Bloom helping to create a vibrant atmosphere.
Naga Munchetty was then welcomed as a guest of the charity, speaking about her own health experiences and signing her new book ‘It’s Probably Nothing.’
The event started with a powerful campaign video, featuring Laura McClure of Reverend and the Makers, players from Sheffield United Women FC, and prominent female leaders from across the city.
CEO Beth Crackles said: “We are incredibly grateful to Naga and the BBC Radio 5 Live team for having us on air to discuss our vital work. Thank you to everyone who tuned in, came to the event, and listened to our ambition.
“This is more than a conversation. We wanted to put a spotlight on critical issues affecting women’s health across Sheffield and the work we are funding in this space, because no woman should be left behind.”
To find out more about the #NoWomanLeftBehind campaign and how to get involved, please visit the website: www. sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/no-woman-left-behind
Time for your halfyearly review
It’s already halfway through 2025 and time to review that funding strategy! Is your budget on track? Are you where you planned to be? Do you need to catch up, or are you ahead of schedule? It isn’t a crime to be behind on your budget, but it’s good to know so you can get ahead again.
Funding seems to come along like buses, both in its availability and in being awarded, so don’t get too upset if you’re behind; there will be more coming along soon!
Ensure that you are on top of your community and commercial funding offerings too. Are the sponsorship and donation packages up to date? Have you updated these benefactors on how much they have contributed so far, with a nice email newsletter? They will be genuinely interested to hear how your organisation is going – don’t think that you’re bothering them! They need to know you appreciate them regularly.
Double-check bookings for the community events arranged, and review how the fundraising is going for those too.
For more consultation relating to the set-up of a CIC or CIO, contact: - Wendy Ward, Let’s Save Consultancy Services, 0772 9481010. wendy@letssave.biz
A Braithwell man has put pedal power to the test cycling 1,000 miles to raise funds for a hospice charity.
Doncaster business owner Jeff Lockhart took on the month-long challenge in May to raise funds for St John’s Hospice in Balby.
Jeff said: “When I told the team what I was planning, they worked out the distance was roughly the same distance as cycling from Braithwell to Benidorm, so they created posters and Facebook posts to help me with sponsorship.
“Then at the end of the challenge, they organised a Benidorm-themed party, along with a raffle, and a special cake to welcome home on my final ride! So, a huge thank you to Kath Horsfield, Megan Downey, Matt and Evie Fox and everyone at the Ruddle Centre for their amazing support!”
Jeff chose St John’s Hospice, as he helped transform its charity-funded
garden in a major revamp, complete with water feature in 2018.
Jeff added: “While we were working at St John’s, we saw what a fantastic place it is for patients and families, so we’re so pleased to be able to donate so much money to such an important local cause.”
St John’s Hospice Fundraising Manager Jenny
Baynham said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to Jeff for setting out on his bike, rain or shine to raise such an impressive amount of money for our charity –and to his son for turning out to rescue him when he punctured his tyres!
“Thanks also to everyone in Braithwell, it was lovely to see so many people turning out to support Jeff at his
welcome home party, and to feel the true community spirit of everyone cheering him on.”
St John’s Hospice is run by Rotherham Doncaster & South Humber NHS Trust (RDaSH) and is part of its Your Hearts and Minds charity. For more information on how to support St John’s Hospice, please visit: www. yourheartsandminds.org.uk
A Sheffield Hallam health researcher is set to take on a ‘stair marathon’ to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association after a colleague was diagnosed with MND.
Alex Bugg will complete the challenge at the University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), where he’s based, by walking up and down the five flights of stairs in the building 227 times. He’ll cover the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles) and climb over 4,600 metres in the process.
Alex, a sport and exercise science researcher, decided to take on the challenge after learning his colleague, Andrew Tipple, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
He is currently in training for the marathon which will take place on Thursday 24 July and hopes to
complete the challenge in 11 hours.
Alex said: “Having seen the resilience and determination of our friend and colleague Andrew Tipple following a challenging period, resulting in a diagnosis of MND, it seemed only right to try and do my part to add to his fantastic fundraising efforts.
“Anyone that has visited the AWRC and climbed the staircase will be aware
of that feeling of breathlessness after a few flights. I hope this challenge inspires people to donate to a great charity, who provide life changing support and research into better treatment.”
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects around one in 300 people in the UK throughout their lifetime. It’s estimated that 6 people are diagnosed with MND in the UK each day. The condition affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.
The MND Association focus on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
To sponsor Alex head to www. justgiving.com/page/alex-bugg-1
Why was the Snowdrop Project set up?
The Snowdrop Project was formed in 2012, founded by volunteers to provide long-term support for individuals who had experienced modern slavery. The name was chosen by the first group of clients as ‘Snowdrop’ symbolises resilience and new beginnings. Since then, the charity has supported over 800 survivors across South Yorkshire.
What services do you provide to survivors?
Snowdrop supports and empowers survivors of modern slavery and exploitation in South Yorkshire to recover from their experiences and rebuild their lives. We do this by providing a holistic package of support, which includes casework, counselling, complementary
therapies, community activities, and house renovations. Our services are free to access, and clients can receive support for as long as they wish.
Caseworkers help clients navigate their next steps, including housing, education, benefits, legal issues, or police investigations. Snowdrop’s counselling service supports survivors in processing the psychological impacts of their exploitation. Our complementary therapies – including traumainformed yoga, shiatsu, and acupuncture – work alongside counselling to help clients feel calmer. Community activities such as our weekly toddlers group, sewing classes, English lessons, and digital skills classes help survivors build confidence, meet new people, and reintegrate into the community. Finally, we support
the transition to independent living by cleaning, decorating, and furnishing survivors’ accommodation.
What are some of the charity's proudest achievements?
We’ve achieved many milestones over the last 13 years. We’ve seen individuals arrive at Snowdrop with no money, serious mental health issues, no permanent accommodation, ongoing legal battles, and no hope for the future. Yet these same clients have left our support systems with newfound confidence, future plans, and the ability to manage everyday life. It’s an honour to walk alongside such resilient, tenacious, and inspirational individuals. In 2024, 123 survivors accessed support through our casework service, 36 accessed specialist counselling, and 110 adults took part in community activities.
How can businesses get involved and help the Snowdrop Project?
We have lots of ways for businesses and individuals to get involved and support Snowdrop!
In September, we’re organising a tandem skydive from 15,000 ft to raise vital funds for survivors – you can take part individually or as a group with your colleagues.
On Saturday 18 October, we’re marking Anti-Slavery Day with an abseil challenge at Sheffield Hallam University’s iconic Owen Building. There are only 45 places available, and spots are starting to fill up, so book soon if you’d like to join individually or with colleagues.
Finally, in May 2026, we’re offering the chance to take part in a four-day cycling challenge across the UK – a fantastic opportunity for colleagues to give back and take on something new together. Find out more at www.snowdropproject. co.uk/events.
We also have wonderful partnerships with businesses of all sizes across the region. By partnering with Snowdrop, you’ll be letting survivors know there
are organisations that care about them. We offer three different packages, depending on the level of commitment your business can make. You can find out more at www.snowdropproject.co.uk/ corporate-partnerships. Each package includes opportunities to volunteer through our monthly renovation project, giving you and your colleagues the chance to make a tangible difference by transforming a house into a home for a survivor.
Why is it so important to support Snowdrop?
Modern slavery is happening all
around us – including in Sheffield. It could be taking place in a home on your street, or at a car wash, nail salon, or restaurant. It could be affecting the cleaner in your office or the person working in your local shop. It’s impossible to know the full extent of this hidden crime, but an estimated 122,000 people are currently living in modern slavery in the UK – that’s more than half the number of people who attend Glastonbury Festival.
Snowdrop is committed to ensuring every survivor has access to the support they need to process their experiences and build brighter futures. However, Snowdrop simply wouldn’t exist without our supporters – we depend on fundraising and donations to fund our services. We’re extremely grateful for all forms of support.
If you or your business would like to find out more about working with Snowdrop, please email us at fundraising@snowdropproject. co.uk. We’re always happy to chat!
Three of the area’s manufacturers - AESSEAL, MTL Advanced and Pryor Marking Technology - have come together in support of Rotherham Hospice’s new Feather Appeal, creating a striking display of remembrance in the historic gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse.
The Feather Appeal invites members of the public to dedicate a beautifully crafted steel feather in memory of their loved ones, with each feather forming part of a moving 'Meadow of Memories' installation at Wentworth Woodhouse this August. Funds raised will help Rotherham Hospice continue its work of adding more life to every day for patients and families facing terminal illness.
At the heart of this community-driven project is MTL Advanced, whose apprentices are manufacturing the hundreds of steel feathers for the installation. For MTL Advanced, supporting Rotherham Hospice is deeply personal. The company has been a long-time advocate for the hospice, selecting them as Charity of the Year, donating to fundraising events, and even producing the stunning Tree of Life sculpture that now stands proudly in the hospice gardens.
Jamie Sharp, Business Manager at MTL Advanced, explained, “This partnership means a great deal to us. It gives our apprentices a meaningful opportunity to contribute their newly learned skills to an inspiring local project, while helping to make a difference to a cause that touches so many lives in our community.”
The initiative is proudly sponsored by AESSEAL, global leaders in environmental sealing solutions, who continue to champion causes that make a lasting difference.
“AESSEAL is proud to support Rotherham Hospice and its vital work in the community,” said a company spokesperson. “We are delighted to stand alongside this incredible organisation for its new Feather Appeal at Wentworth Woodhouse, a meaningful initiative that will bring people together to honour loved ones while raising essential funds.”
Pryor Marking Technology, renowned for their precision marking systems, also joins the collaboration. The Sheffield-based company will be engraving all of the dedications onto the steel tags accompanying the feather, showcasing the strength of the area’s industrial community and its commitment to making a real-
world difference.
Wentworth Woodhouse, one of the UK’s grandest stately homes, provides the perfect setting for reflection. Its gardens have been woven into countless local family memories, making it a fitting location to honour loved ones lost.
For people like Vicki Beckitt, the Feather Appeal offers more than symbolism - it provides a space to remember her soulmate, Steve, who passed away at 43.
“When Steve got ill, I didn’t think a hospice could help, but Rotherham Hospice proved me wrong,” Vicki shared. “They cared for Steve, they cared for me, and they cared for our boys. The Feather Appeal gives us somewhere meaningful to remember him.”
Vicki now works with Rotherham Hospice, supporting other families like hers, and believes the Feather Appeal is a vital way to keep memories alive while funding
essential care.
“Grief doesn’t end, but having somewhere like this to honour your loved one, knowing others are remembering too, means everything,” she added.
The Feather Appeal runs from Saturday 9th to Saturday 23rd August 2025 (closed Mondays). For a suggested donation of £40, supporters can dedicate a feather and visit the installation, with proceeds helping Rotherham Hospice provide vital end-of-life care.
As Rotherham Hospice CEO, Mat Cottle-Shaw reflects: “This project reflects the very best of our area—the compassion, the craftsmanship, and the community spirit. We’re incredibly grateful to MTL Advanced, AESSEAL, Pryor Marking Technology, and Wentworth Woodhouse for making this tribute possible.” More information is available at: rotherhamhospice.org.uk/ feather-appeal
It was a stroke of serendipity that brought me face-toface with the work of Flourish. In the same week I was due to speak to the charity, I found myself interviewing 23-year-old Lucas Ashman, one half of Sheffield hip hop duo Ree-no. Lucas, or Lukey D, shared how he was first introduced to music through a group run by Lucy Revis – a former Flourish worker who now runs Tracks music school. Words: Ash Birch
That introduction sparked a new creative path for Lucas – but as Josie Soutar, Managing Director of Flourish, rightly points out, success stories at Flourish aren’t always about record deals or careers launched. They’re about connection, community and simply showing up.
Since 2012, Sheffield-based mental health charity Flourish has supported people affected by mental health challenges to live the lives they want, using creative, mental health-friendly activities, co-production and digital tools. As Josie explains: “We grew out of Sheffield Health and Social Care, but there was a recognition that NHS services, while essential, are limited. They’re brilliant at the medical model – diagnosis, medication – but the social side of mental health is better met
in the voluntary sector.”
Today, Flourish works across three key areas. The first is providing mental health-friendly groups and spaces. These are free, communityled activities like art, football and music sessions. “You’re not your mental health condition when you’re here,” Josie says. “If your behaviour is slightly different to what society expects, that’s fine – this is a safe space.” The groups are often codesigned and run by people with lived experience of mental health difficulties. It’s about creating nonjudgemental environments where everyone feels welcome.
The value of these spaces can’t be overstated. As one participant put it: “The art group pretty much saved my life. I’ve been a lot less paranoid and depressed and had less delusions. I always look forward to coming.” Another added, “Flourish have created such an important, safe and friendly environment for so many different women to play the game.” That game is Wednesday night football –where, as Josie shares, one woman who rarely leaves the house comes out each week just to play. “That might not be playing for the Lionesses, but to us and her, it’s massive.”
The second strand is digital resources – most notably, the Sheffield Mental Health Guide, an online directory of over 300
local services. It’s searchable by condition, identity or need. “You can put in ‘men’ and get men’s groups, or ‘African’ and find relevant support,” Josie explains. There’s also the Sheffield Suicide Support and Prevention site, where people can build safety plans, find urgent help or access free training. “We’re trying to lift the lid on silence – the worst thing we can do is not talk about suicide.”
Both sites are supported by a helpline and live chat, and for those who prefer offline access, paper guides are available in local libraries or by request. The charity has also produced a new leaflet that breaks down how mental health support in Sheffield works – what the NHS offers, what the council provides and what charities do – in accessible, jargon-free language. “The Mental Health Guide works well,” says one user. “It’s not patronising but still suitable for lots of different people of all ages and literacy, and it doesn’t look cold and clinical.”
The third area is co-production – working with people with lived experience to shape the design of mental health services. Recently, this involved speaking to over 400 Sheffielders about a new 24/7 mental health hub being built in Newfield Green. “If you ask doctors to design a space, it can end up looking like a GP clinic. We wanted to ask people what would actually help them.”
Josie’s own role as MD, she jokes, is a “grandiose title for jack of all trades, master of none.” But in truth, she’s responsible for everything from fundraising to partnerships and policy – including, most recently,
writing an AI policy by testing how tools respond to mental health queries. She’s also deeply involved in race equity work: “Around 75% of patients in mental health wards are non-white, but most groups in the community are white. So we’re looking at how we amplify the voices of smaller organisations rooted in those communities.”
The charity’s current focus is visibility – making sure people know what’s available before they reach crisis point. “One of our biggest aims is to dispel the myth that getting better starts with a diagnosis,” says Josie. “You don’t have to wait for a GP referral – you can help yourself now.” The tools and guides are there, whether digital or in print, and the groups are open and free. “You don’t need to prove you’re ‘mental enough’. If you think a group would help your wellbeing, you’re welcome.”
The benefits go beyond therapy – they’re social, emotional, even playful. “Even if I’m in a really shit mood,” says Josie, “just being around people, having a bit of nonsense and silliness, is really important.”
And while the Flourish community doesn’t expect every participant to walk away with a creative career, stories like Lucas’s are still reminders of what’s possible when people are given space to explore their passions. “Sometimes just showing up is everything.” Josie smiles.
To find out more or to explore the resources and groups on offer, visit:sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk
£1.5 billion has been awarded to South Yorkshire by the government for upcoming transport projects. But what could this mean in practice? Words: Rosie Brennan
The chief executive of Sheffield City Council, Kate Josephs, recently welcomed the funding, which comes as part of the government’s £15 billion investment in transport projects announced in June, describing it as “gamechanging”.
A press release stated that £1.5 billion will be spent on upgrades to the bus and tram network in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region. More specifically, that will include £530 million to update the tram network with new vehicles, modernised platforms and essential maintenance to improve reliability, as well as £350 million for the electrification and general improvement of buses.
Dr Sam Chapman, cofounder and director of The Floow, is co-chair of the Transport Forum, facilitated by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. When asked for his reaction to the news, he told unLTD: “We’ve been calling out for increased funding … it has been lacking for a long time and is desperately needed. People are reliant on their cars because they don’t feel the service is good enough.”
Dr Chapman explained that as well as the improvements to bus and tram stops, there are plans under way to upgrade the tracks, which were originally installed in 1994. “Exact details are still being refined, but we’re aiming to deliver it all as quickly as possible – the realistic timeline is from now until 2027,” he said.
Kate Josephs also commented: “The money
will support significant improvements to our buses, including brand new electric vehicles under public control, helping to clean up the air we breathe at the same time.”
Highlighting the impact switching to electric vehicles could have on public health as well as the environment, Dr Chapman said: “It’s fundamentally harming people’s health – 500 people in Sheffield die per year directly due to air quality. Things like this and the Clean Air Zone aim to make a difference.”
In addition to improved air quality, the funding is expected to bring positive outcomes for the economy and productivity across South Yorkshire. “We’re transforming it from an aged fleet into a system with less risk, which allows
for more productivity,” said Dr Chapman. “We’ve been fundamentally operating at risk; passenger numbers have been declining. We can address the important parts, building and improving the economy.
“It’s a cycle – expenditure unlocks productivity. A lack of expenditure means more people driving cars, more air pollution, more congestion, and less productivity.
“I think it’s fantastic, but it also should be normal. We’re addressing a gap.
“You look at government spending – the average spent on transport in South Yorkshire and the Humber in 2023/24 was £495 per person. The average across the UK is £687 per person. In London, it’s £1,313. That gives you the historic picture –there’s a lot more to do.
“The intention is to correct how funding has been distributed, which hasn’t always been in the best interests of fair investment for transport.”
Reflecting on comparisons to southern regions such as London, he added: “Areas that have invested in light rail have made huge changes to their economy.”
Looking at what South Yorkshire needs as a region, he said: “It won’t be made into a perfect system. There is more to be done. We’re building foundational plans for what may come next, with future funding for expansion.”
Nonetheless, it’s a positive first stop on the journey towards a transport system that’s “cleaner, greener, inclusive, fair and ready for growth.”
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