unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #22

FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 22 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

MOVING FORWARD Office Friendly business development manager Lyndsay Pitchley talks personal and professional growth – and a new direction for Sheffield City Region after Brexit

SUCCESS STORY:

FIRM FOUNDATIONS We get the lowdown on high growth from print house Northend

FOCUS ON:

N O I T A V O INN

COMPANY CULTURE: UBER ● EVENTS CALENDAR ● AFTER HOURS: VALENTINE’SunLTDBUSINESS.COM SPECIAL

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CONTENTS

32 COVER STORY: LYNDSAY PITCHLEY

44 FOCUS ON: INNOVATION

60 COMPANYCULTURE:UBER 4

52 DAWSONRADFORD unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE...

FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 22 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

6: News New bars, new hotels and new stadiums, plus award nominations and wins.

22: Calendar All the very best events happening around the city region in February plus a look-ahead to March.

MOVING FORWARD Office Friendly business development manager Lyndsay Pitchley talks personal and professional growth – and a new direction for Sheffield City Region after Brexit

SUCCESS STORY:

FIRM FOUNDATIONS

A SCREEN GRAB FROM OUR NEW UNLTD PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

FOCUS ON:

INNOVATION

We get the lowdown on high growth from print house Northend

COMPANY CULTURE: UBER ● EVENTS CALENDAR ● AFTER HOURS: VALENTINE’SunLTDBUSINESS.COM SPECIAL

51: Retirement Sheffield Chamber of Commerce executive director Richard Wright reflects on his near decade in post and shares his future vision for the city region.

55: Your Pitch Publisher Lorraine Dixon shares how Open Narrative products help ‘inspire people to record their life as they live, feel and see it’.

56: Success story Following a successful 2019 merger, Sheffield-based printing firm Northend tell us how they’ve gone from strength to strength.

59: Five Minutes With Videographer Joseph Palmer tell us how he and Daniel Bale founded their ‘diverse and dynamic’ business.

63: Active Travel Travel South Yorkshire’s Active and Sustainable Travel team reveal the results of the ‘Leave the key’ campaign.

70: After Hours February is the month of romance, so we don our glad rags for a tour of some of the most luxurious and quirky wedding venues, and eateries for a Valentine’s feast.

78: Weekend Escapes Jet off to the powdery slopes of Northern Italy to enjoy a weekend of snow, history and après ski in Bormio.

EVERYTHING ELSE: 12: Appointments 15: The Diary 17: Evolving technology 19: Financial health 21: Legal matters 27: Sales strategy 29: Entrepreneur support 31: Securing your assets 41: Commercial finance 43: Smarter working 65: Charities 82: Number crunch

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REFLECTIONS ON SUCCESS AND VISIONS OF THE FUTURE So, January is finally over and we're well and truly into the new year.

And a new era too – with the UK having exited the EU on January 31. In our cover story we caught up with Lyndsay Pitchley, former Mayor / borough councillor / Barnsley and Rotherham Women in Business Chair / trade mission delegate and business development manager with Office Friendly to talk personal and professional growth – and a new direction for Sheffield City Region (SCR).

A fresh start of a different sort is over on page 51 where we grab a chat with Richard Wright who retired after nearly a decade with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. As well as reflecting on developments at the chamber and the SCR over the years, Richard shares his vision for the future.

And if Richard's feature tempt any business owners to look ahead to their own vision of stepping back from the boardroom then Jo Dawson of Dawson Radford solicitors is at hand to share a few top tips to help prepare.

Of course, there's plenty of new and thriving businesses to read about, too.

After a successful merger last year, we get the lowdown from Northend on how the printing firm, founded in 1889, is building on firmly wellestablished foundations for the future – check out our Success Story feature on page 56.

There's plenty to be inspired by in our Focus On feature, too, from page 44, which rounds up the innovation on display in SCR from tech savvy accountants Hentons to the leading training and learning being delivered by SOT Consulting to businesses local, national and international.

And for those wanting to be inspired as they turn the page on each working week, month and year find out all about the inspiring diary product offering from Open Narrative in Your Pitch on page 55.

And as it's February, we've gone all lovey dovey in our After Hours this month with a round-up of eateries to not only treat your Valentine but also luxurious as well as quirky wedding venues for bride and grooms looking for the perfect setting to host their big day.

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General hello@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7781 ADVERTISING Dan Laver dan@unltdbusiness.com 07867 313995 Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Michael Johnson accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Joe Bamford Marc Barker Jo Dawson Marta Flakiewicz Dax Keeling Steve Knapp Sam Leeder Anna McGuire

Eleanor Morrell Sasha Mossman Bronte Saulle Raj Shah Ian Snow Helen Williams Gabby Willis Ash Young

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Square, Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HRM Unit 1a Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

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AGENDA NEWS Award win for ‘go to’ Gripple manager Gripple site manager David Wroe, regarded as a ‘go to’ person and a ‘true champion of employee-ownership’, was crowned Employee Owner of the Year in the UK Employee Ownership Association’s (EOA) awards scheme.

David joined Gripple as engineering team leader 19 years ago and became one of the first employee representatives when the company became fully employee-owned four years later.

Gripple has a

1000-STRONG global workforce who have produced 80 million Gripple wire joiners

He has taken the knowledge gained in various roles and is now site manager at one of the company’s four Sheffield sites, Riverside.

EOA chief executive Deb Oxley OBE said: “David inspires, supports and empowers his fellow Gripple owners to drive performance.

He is an exemplar who lives the key values of Gripple’s employee-ownership model.

“Fairness, honesty, integrity, and commitment are words that employees have used to describe David and that he puts everything into giving staff, both on the factory floor and in the offices, a sense of purpose and a voice. Most importantly they understand how and what they do can affect the bottom line of the business to great effect.

“We congratulate David warmly on his award, which he richly deserves, and thank him for his efforts to spread the good news about employee ownership.”

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LEGACY HOTELS & RESORTS ARE SET TO RE-OPEN THE FORMER HILTON

NEW FUTURE FOR ICONIC HOTEL The landmark former Sheffield Hilton hotel is set for a new future.

One of the UK’s leading independent hotel management companies, Legacy Hotels & Resorts, has been appointed to re-open the four-star hotel and leisure club following its closure late last year.

The property, which originally opened under the ownership and branding of Stakis Hotels, features 128 bedrooms, a spa with an extensive gym and swimming pool, meeting spaces and the Quays Restaurant.

Situated on Furnival

Road, at Victoria Quays, the building is a well-known and prominent feature on the city skyline and stands in a gateway location.

Legacy Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned, hotel management company with a substantial portfolio of trading hotels and an active development pipeline of branded and independent guestrooms throughout the UK, Spain and Scandinavia.

Chief executive Andy Townsend said: “This is set to be an exciting time for one of the city’s best-known hotel locations.

“Over the years the hotel

has been popular with guests, diners and leisure facility users alike.

“It has tremendous potential where we will also seek to build on its popularity as an event location.”

It is anticipated the hotel, to be re-named The Quays Hotel – Sheffield, will open in early February.

Hilton Sheffield ceased to operate on the 15 December 2019. Hilton managed the property on behalf of the owning company which surrendered its lease resulting in the closure. The closure was not linked to Hilton’s operation of the hotel.

Contractor appointed for 409,000 sq ft speculative Gateway 4 Doncaster Trebor Developments and partner Hillwood have appointed Readie Construction as main contractor for their speculative state of the art distribution centre Gateway 4 at Doncaster.

Work on the Armthorpe site commences in February for completion in September 2020.

The high-quality 409,000 sq ft building is available on competitive leasehold terms.

Managing partner for Trebor Bob Tattrie, on behalf of the partners, said: “It is great to see work about to start on site with this very large, speculative industrial development following the completion of the

GATEWAY 4 AT DONCASTER

site purchase this month.

“This is the largest, single, speculative building we are delivering from our current 3 million sq ft programme across the UK. “We expect strong interest given the quality of location and

building, with availability in Quarter 3, 2020."

Trebor/Hillwood are represented by Knight Frank (Sheffield/Leeds/London), Commercial Property Partners and CBRE, supported by Business Doncaster.

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AGENDA Sheffield City Region devolution deal agreed The Sheffield City Region (SCR) devolution deal has been agreed by the Mayor and all four Leaders and will proceed to public consultation.

Leader of Sheffield City Council Councillor Julie Dore said: “We have always been clear that this is the best deal for the people of Sheffield and the wider city region, and will also be the key to opening further doors to access more funding from different sources.”

A statement released on behalf of Mayor Dan Jarvis, Cllr Julie Dore, Cllr Steve Houghton, Mayor Ros Jones and Cllr Chris Read said: "We’re pleased to announce the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed he will be working with us to progress devolution.

DEVOLUTION DEAL “Subject to the SCR devolution deal being advanced to a positive conclusion, he has also agreed to progress discussions on the role and functions of a Committee of Leaders from across Yorkshire, based on the existing Yorkshire Leaders Board. All South Yorkshire councils will have the opportunity to join any full Yorkshire devolution arrangement if they choose to do so.

“This represents a significant step forward in securing additional powers and resources for our region.”

A paper was due to be considered at the Mayoral Combined Authority meeting in late January, and, subject to final agreement at that meeting, a public consultation on the proposals will be launched.

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BHP MANAGING PARTNERS LISA LEIGHTON AND HAMISH MORRISON

BHP ANNOUNCES RECORD MONTH FOR CLIENT WINS Yorkshire and North Derbyshire’s leading accountancy firm BHP has announced a record month after winning ten new clients worth nearly £500,000 in total.

The client wins, which include prestigious companies from the timber and flooring markets as well as the professional services and charitable sectors, are a reflection of the firm’s recent national recognition for the quality of its audit work.

Joint managing partner Lisa Leighton said: “While we’ve been up against national

With more than 300 staff, over the last 10 years BHP has increased turnover from £8m to over

£22M

firms, new clients have fed back that BHP’s approach and ethos have shone through and we’re particularly pleased to note a couple of private

equity backed companies highlighting our rigorous audit approach as a decisive factor.

“We continue to push forward with initiatives to further add value in our audits and lead with technology.

“It’s important to us that we don’t grow for growth’s sake and we continue to devote time to building those relationships we’ve already got – this has always been fundamental at BHP. “If you focus on what clients need and continue to provide a great service then this will show through.”

Six-figure leisure centre refurbishment praised by health chiefs Sheffield health chiefs have lauded the £500,000 refurbishment of a major city gym as the ‘start of something special’ following its official reopening.

The large-scale revamp at SIV’s Hillsborough Leisure Centre, on Beulah Road, has brought a range of state-ofthe-art health and fitness trends to the centre, which first opened in 1990.

New features include the

installation of a £50,000 Queenax functional training space, a Wattbike training zone, plate-loaded resistance machines, and a performance area including prowler track, box master and boxing bag.

The gym at Hillsborough Leisure Centre was officially re-opened by Nicola Peck, 60. Nicola was rehabilitated to a stable condition through SIV’s GP Referral Scheme at Hillsborough Leisure Centre

with the venue’s Exercise Referral Specialist, Lynn Hird, after suffering from heart failure and atrial fibrillation in 2018.

The investment comes as part of a long-term plan by Sheffield City Trust (SCT), the not-for-profit organisation which operates SIV, and Sheffield City Council to invest in and improve community health and leisure facilities across the city.

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AGENDA HOT Ahead of its official opening, Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) welcomed GO Fit as a major new international collaborator.

Royal Armouries is set to launch Yorkshire’s first ever escape room to feature a bossstyle battle after announcing a partnership with The Great Escape Game.

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is submitting fresh plans to build a state-of-theart terminal, which aims to dramatically improve passenger experience, deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings, and support greater economic prosperity for the region.

Cubana’s owners Adrian Bagnoli and Brad Charlesworth did a 9,000 mile round trip to Havana to become the first bar outside Cuba to offer an ultra-rare rum – at £250 a shot!

Glu Recruit has been nominated for three awards at the Yorkshire Choice Awards … … and Amy Milchard, Pink Spaghetti founder, Desk.Space co-founder and Kelham Networking co-organiser has been named as one of f:Entrepreneur’s second annual #ialso Top 100.

COOL In response to reports that HS2 is ‘over budget and behind schedule’, chief executive Dan Fell at Doncaster Chamber, said: “It is not enough to offer the North only some of the pieces of the jigsaw. The North of England needs HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and transformative regional projects.”

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STORE MANAGER CLARE ECKERSALL (SECOND LEFT) WITH THE BARRHEAD TRAVEL TEAM

FIRST TRAVEL AGENCY OPENS AT DONCASTER'S FRENCHGATE Scottish-based travel agency, Barrhead Travel has opened one of its 20 new stores at Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster, becoming the first travel agency to launch at the centre.

The new 930 sq. ft unit will offer a wide choice of holiday types from all-inclusive and luxury to sunshine and city breaks.

Located on the upper mall of the centre, the team of six travel experts will provide impartial advice, competitive prices, outstanding customer service and holidays of all

types to destinations across the world.

Assistant general manager of Frenchgate Karen Staniforth said: “With 45 years’ experience of planning holidays, we are excited to welcome Barrhead Travel to Frenchgate. We know that the team of travel experts will create long standing customer relationships here in the centre and we can’t wait for the people of Doncaster to start experiencing everything they have to offer.

“We are always wanting to diversify our offering and there is no better way to start

off a new year then having the opportunity to plan and book a dream holiday.”

Barrhead Travel store manager Clare Eckersall said: “Barrhead Travel has given us an amazing opportunity to be back in the heart of Doncaster serving our lovely community again.

I am lucky to have a great team behind me who have a wealth of experience and knowledge.”

Founded in 1975, the travel company has more than 80 locations across the UK and is a wholly owned subsidiary of North American firm, Travel Leaders Group.

New business club offers city centre setting for meetings and more The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Tony Downing, lined up with representatives from the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce to unveil a new initiative for local businesses.

Arundel Street’s Silversmiths – which was re-launched under new ownership in October – has launched its very own business club to help create a brand new city centre hub

for networking and business meetings. Local businessmen Rick Bailey and Matt Ray have invested heavily in the creation of a restaurant, bar and corporate space that offers the perfect setting for business meetings and events.

They were joined at the launch by guests including Sheffield University, Marketing Sheffield, 4N Networking, the Results Hub, Atkinsons of

Sheffield, UTC College, and unLTD. Rick said: “Our proximity to the railway station, city centre and Hallam University makes us an ideal place for business meetings. We also offer a private and corporate dining room that will seat up to 15 guests.

“We also want to help create a destination to develop the after work trade of the city.”

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AGENDA

ADVANCED WELLBEING RESEARCH CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS

15th anniversary of ‘life changing’ trans-Atlantic partnership

Sheffield Hallam University has opened the most advanced research centre in the world for developing innovations that will increase physical activity and improve population health.

The new multi-million pound Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), which has been supported by £14million funding from the Department of Health and Social Care and £905,000 investment from the European Regional Development Fund, was officially opened by the Active Travel Commissioner for Sheffield City Region and Britain's most successful female Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey.

The AWRC, which forms the centrepiece of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the population through innovations that help people move. Its mission is to prevent and treat chronic disease through co-designed research into physical activity – whilst

A ‘unique’ relationship between a Sheffield-based postural support equipment manufacturer and its US-based partner has been praised after the two firms marked 15 years of working together, ‘changing the lives’ of children around the world.

The partnership between Jenx Ltd, a Sheffield-based market leader in the production of postural support equipment for children, and New York-based supplier, Rifton, was marked with a celebration event at Hillsborough Football Stadium, attended by more than 100 delegates from the businesses, other local organisations, charities and schools.

DAN JARVIS MP, SIR CHRIS HUSBANDS, DAME SARAH STOREY

also attracting new jobs and investment to the region.

Mayor Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “South Yorkshire is now home to the world’s most advanced

research centre in the world for wellbeing research, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, and National Centre for Excellence in Food Engineering.”

Construction starts on £5m Stadium at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Sheffield City Region dignitaries attended the official launch of construction for the £5m Community Stadium at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

The event marked the start of building work on the 3,900-capacity stadium, which, when complete, will offer a permanent home to Sheffield United Women Football Club and Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Football Club.

The facility, being developed

by Scarborough International Properties Ltd, will be built on the west side of the 3G pitch, which was completed in April 2017 and is also used by UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park,

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Building plans include more than

1,200 seats in the west stand with a further standing capacity of over 2,600 along a north and east terrace

Oasis Academy Don Valley and the local community.

Former Sports Minister

and Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park project lead, Richard Caborn, welcomed Cllr Mary Lea and Cllr Mazher Iqbal to mark the occasion, along with Scarborough International Properties Ltd representatives.

He said: “This latest development is another major step forward for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and a further boost for sport in our city.”

Whittam Cox Architects, supported by Arup Sheffield, designed the stadium, which will include conferencing facilities, office space and covers approximately one hectare. GMI Construction has been appointed as the building contractor.

Family-run Jenx Ltd. was founded in

1982 General manager at Rifton Joe Keiderling said: “Our relationship with Jenx is unique. We work with distributors all over the world, but we always look for our partners to share our concern that children with disabilities deserve the very best equipment we can possibly provide.”

Family-run Jenx Ltd. was founded by husband and wife Clive and Catherine Jenkins – a paediatric physiotherapist and product designer respectively – in 1982.

Holly Jenkins – Clive and Catherine’s daughter and director at Jenx Ltd’s UK distribution division, Jiraffe, said: “To work with Rifton, who share our key values, is a phenomenal opportunity and to have that partnership which is so strong and changes the lives of so many people – is hugely rewarding.”

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AGENDA

COOL RUNNINGS FOR AIRMASTER’S SCOTT Airmaster’s Scott Wolstenholme had an outdoor weekend with a difference – after swapping the company’s air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems for minus 6 degree temperatures in the Brecon Beacons.

After auditioning to be a contestant on TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Airmaster project engineer Scott had signed up for a second year to take part in the Fan Dance race series, a 24km race up and down the Pen y Fan mountain twice carrying 45lbs, billed as ‘a pilgrimage scored in the heart of every SAS soldier’ and ‘a race like no other’.

Scott said: “I had applied for the show and completed the Fan Dance last year and knew it was part of the SAS's selection process.

AIRMASTER’S SCOTT WOLSTENHOLME DURING HIS SAS: WHO DARES WINS AUDITION

“I had completed it in 2018 in the four hours expected by the SAS and signed up again this year after applying for the show – along with 20,000 others!

“But I got down to the final

200 of the show, which I was really pleased with. And I managed to complete the Fan Dance this year in 4 hours 20 minutes which I was also pleased with, having done less training.”

New faces, new food – The Milestone returns The Milestone has relaunched this year with an array of dishes hitting the tables, a new head chef Patrick Bond and a new assistant manager Isabella Phillips.

The re-launch sees the venue returning to its roots – embracing founder Matt Bigland and wife Nina’s passion for exciting, ‘from-scratch’ food.

Dishes include pig cheeks on toast with Henderson’s Relish, pig’s head terrine with black pudding, devilled sauce and confit egg yolk and a melt-in-the-mouth Dexter steak with a jus split with duck fat.

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Inspirational brothers call time on an unhealthy life with V.Or.V. Two Sheffield brothers that rose through the ranks to manage some of the city’s largest and liveliest chain pubs have switched the world of mainstream lager and junk food menus for a healthy alternative.

Matt and Nick Burgess – who became the face of bars like West Street’s Varsity and Champs on Ecclesall Road – had become disillusioned with their careers and lifestyles, however they were inspired after spending time traveling and working in Melbourne – long known as one of the foodie capitals of the globe and recognised as a pioneer in plant-based restaurants.

After months of work, V.Or.V. is open to the public in the historic Wharncliffe Works, on Cornish Place in Kelham Island.

Matt said: “It has been our dream for the last couple of years to launch a venue that is a breed apart from the many vegan and vegetarian cafes around Sheffield.

“We wanted to create something with an intimate, restaurant feel at night and, by day, more of a coffee bar and meeting place.”

Melbourne is renowned for its plant-based restaurants, popular amongst meat eaters who fancy a healthy alternative.

Nick said: “We’re a quality restaurant, with quality locally-sourced food and quality service, that just happens to be veggie and vegan.

“You won’t even notice the fact meat is not on the menu when you taste the outstanding flavours in our food.”

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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

DONCASTER CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS IAN TAYLOR

Stately home appoints first ops manager A Derbyshire man is helping to steer one of England’s greatest stately homes towards its goal of becoming a leading UK visitor attraction and community regenerator.

The Preservation Trust restoring Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham has appointed Ian Taylor as its first operations manager.

Chesterfield-born Ian joined the Trust as a management assistant in May 2019 and so impressed the team, within six months he was promoted to the crucial role, which sees him hands-on in the day-to-day running of the stately home and its growing events programme.

Ian comes with a wealth of experience, having begun his career with the UK’s largest conservation charity the National Trust, organising events at Clumber Park, where he helped to run largescale music and outdoor events and designed and delivered the annual events programme.

Ian, 28, who was schooled at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “I am living and breathing heritage in my role.

“I feel privileged to be part of the team increasing the visitor experience and ensuring we deliver excellence in everything we do.”

Doncaster Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a new President and made important changes to its board.

Jill Wood of Signum Facilities Management has been promoted to President, Andy Morley (ProAktive), Steve Bradley (NatWest) and Jim Carley (Carley Consult) are elected members to the board, and Karen Beardsby (Unipart Rail) and Heather Boyce (Age UK Doncaster) co-opted members.

Jill Wood said: “I joined the board four years ago to actively support the economic growth of Doncaster. In that time, I have seen the Chamber grow to its current position of Chamber of the Year, an accolade which shows just how much their team does for the local business community. As President I am keen to contribute to the vitally

DAN FELL WELCOMES JILL WOOD TO THE DONCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

important schemes such as Opportunities Doncaster which the Chamber drives on behalf of business and the borough.”

CEO Dan Fell said: “The Board has fantastic representation from across a

Financial paraplanner for Future Life Sheffield-based Future Life Wealth Management has appointed a new financial paraplanner as part of the company’s growth plans.

Christine Miller joins having gained several years’ experience working within the financial services industry at AFH Wealth Management.

She achieved a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2018 and has a Certificate in Mortgage Planning.

Future Life managing director Jillian Thomas said: “Christine is a fantastic addition to the team and will help us continue to give a great service to our clients.

“Christine’s appointment is all part of our growth plan,

CHRISTINE MILLER

which has seen us promote a member of the team to become a financial adviser, and this role is to fill her previous position.”

Christine said: “The future here looks really exciting and I’m looking forward to working with the team and developing my skills in this new role.”

range of sectors. This ensures the Chamber is run for and by the local business community and, at a critical time for the local and national economy, fully representative of the private sector.”

Caged Steel welcomes Asha Doncaster-based Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event promotors Caged Steel have welcomed Asha Elizabeth as commercial sales executive and the new presenter for the Caged Steel TV channel.

She will work towards creating new partnerships as well as nurturing solid relationships with existing partners.

CEO Dom Gibbs said: “We have the greatest confidence that Asha will excel in this role, as we feel Asha possesses the same work ethic as all of our team.

We are positive Asha will be an asset to us and aid in the growth of Caged Steel, and, in turn, MMA domination.”

CHANGE YOUR JOB, CHANGE YOUR COMMUTE. 12

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AGENDA SPONSORED BY Dave dashes in at health trust Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) has appointed a new nonexecutive director (NED) to its Board.

Dave Vallance, of Nottingham, was appointed by its Council of Governors and brings with him a vast range of HR experience to help benefit patients and staff after working for over 20 years with Walgreen Boots Alliance and also in the NHS for The Audit Commission.

Dave said: “I recently retired early from a corporate career and wanted the opportunity to put something back into an area that matters to a lot of people.”

TRAVELSOUTHYORKSHIRE.COM/BUSINESS ‘Invaluable team member’ for Dawson Radford After successfully completing a six- month internship, facilitated by the Sheffield RISE programme, Amad Akhtar has accepted the position of trainee solicitor with Dawson Radford.

He said: “Securing this position is my proudest accomplishment to date and I look forward to challenges ahead. I am very happy to progress my career with Dawson Radford and excited play a role in the firm’s growth and expansion.”

Director Jo Dawson said: “As a small firm it is sometimes difficult to find the right people to join our team. From early on, Amad

AMAD AKHTAR AND JO DAWSON

quickly integrated himself as an invaluable team member, taking on increasingly complex work and I am excited to see how he develops with us as a trainee. This is an important decision for the futureproofing of the firm, and I am pleased we are doing this by ‘growing our own’ solicitors of the future.”

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR JOINS SHEFFIELD TECHNOLOGY PARKS Rose Tran has joined Sheffield Technology Parks, supporting chief executive Tom Wolfenden on different projects.

Graduating with a Master’s in Business Administration from Sheffield Hallam University, and gaining a Distinction on every module on the course, her previous role was in enterprise coaching and business consultancy.

She said: “I enjoy supporting the daily coordination and operation of tasks for The Cooper Project, the Work Placement Project and the Scale Project. I am responsible for working on projects, which involves co-ordinating tasks, ensuring operations are running smoothing and adding value to start-up companies.

NEWLY APPOINTED STP PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR, ROSE TRAN

“I can see the positive impact that all the STP Projects bring to start-up and business communities within the digital and tech sector.

“I have my own start-up within the technology and digital sector, which inspired me

to be involved with this project.

“I am passionate about contributing my expertise and adding value to the projects that I’m involved in. I want to see growth and assist start-ups and businesses in reaching their full potential.”

Lucinda at heart of 2020 plans for Whirlow Hall Farm Whirlow Hall Farm Trust has announced that after a ninemonth temporary contract at the Farm managing a variety of fundraising activities, Lucinda White has now officially stepped into the permanent role of corporate fundraiser.

Lucinda will continue to work three days a week but be more focused on looking after partnerships and relationships with businesses and organisations across the city on behalf of the Trust.

This will include managing existing and recruiting new Charity of the Year Partnerships, overseeing the 480 membership, organising corporate away days, Will Month, corporate partner events, liaising on sponsorship and delivering the successful calendar of networking breakfasts.

Sarah Kerrigan, head of fundraising said: “Lucinda has been a great member of the team in 2019, helping us share our message and purpose whilst establishing bigger and better links with the local business community.

“We are looking forward to what will be achieved in 2020 as we have some big plans to announce, so watch this space!”

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

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0345 850 1055

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AGENDA

THE DIARY

BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says businesses must come together to move the tech sector to the next level

SUPPORT IS KEY FOR TECH Sheffield is beginning to make a name for itself in the digital sector but what is really heartening to see, hear and be part of is that the firms at the core of this success want to push the city even further.

The consensus is that there is a digital skills shortage across the city region which hampers rapid growth and leads to the perception that other northern cities are better places for businesses to set up.

I was lucky enough to attend a round-table alongside some of the most forward-thinking business people in Sheffield where we looked to address the issue. The event, hosted by The Developer Academy and Sheffield Digital, at Kollider, pictured above, was chaired by Simon Cookson from Northern Value Creators.

What I found most impressive was an aim not just to get better but to become number one.

Jamie Hinton, co-founder and chief executive of Razor, said:

“Wouldn’t it be great if we had talent spilling out of Sheffield?

If there were enough talented people working here that it didn’t matter if they spilled out to Leeds or Manchester to work?

“I want to see kids learning how to problem solve, how to be flexible and responsive. I want us to be at a place where we aren’t scared of losing people, because there are lots more people with problem solving skills – skillful technologists.”

Russ Stearman, technical director at Joi Polloi, said the natural movement of people from agency to agency shouldn’t be a problem as there’d always be new talent coming through the ranks.

He explained: “I’d like to have people naturally progressing through our agency and moving on without us having to worry about it because someone new will come to us to learn and develop in the same way.

“It would be great to have this kind of shuffle round in a ‘tech hub’ that we are all comfortable

with because there are enough people.”

Inevitably the spotlight often falls on the excellent work that Sheffield Digital are doing but as co-founder Mel Kanarek explains the onus is on the firms to help.

“One of the things I want to do is a tech leaders’ dinner.

Maybe this is a jumping off point for what we are discussing?” she said.

“The other critical point for Sheffield Digital’s role in the community is a problem of resource. People are looking at us to make things happen but we do not have people whose job it is to speak to schools, for example. So, how do we go from great ideas to action? Do I go to members and ask for more money to fund it? I need your help to make this happen.”

Comparisons were drawn at several points in the conversation between The Cutlers Company and the idea of a digital ecosystem in Sheffield.

Simon Ince, director of core

tech at SkyBet echoed Mel’s views that business has to invest. He said: “The Cutlers Company wasn’t built from public money, it has always been privately funded from people who believe in the ideas and want to invest in them.”

It was a fascinating afternoon spent in the company of people who care passionately about the sector. For a full report of the session visit Sheffield.Digital Full list of attendees: Richard Fidler – unLTD magazine, Mel Kanarek – Sheffield Digital, Claire Fletcher – Sheffield Digital, Liz Wallis – Sheffield Digital Skills Action Group, Simon Ince – Sky Betting & Gaming, Emily Dreiman – David & Jane Richards Family Foundation, Nina Swanwick – Aviva, Russ Stearman – Joi Polloi, Greg Brotherton – Servelec Technologies, Jamie Hinton – Razor, David Walsh – The Star, Ben Atha – The Developer Academy. Chair: Simon Cookson – Northern Value Creators.

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

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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Award-Winning Digital Marketing, Web Development & Digital Design Contact Our Team For Help Growing Your Business Online www. evoluted.net

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info@evoluted.net

0114 272 9753

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AGENDA

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

BY ASH YOUNG

Our tech expert shares his top SEO trends to keep your business visible

2020 SEO TRENDS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Search algorithms are constantly changing, so it’s vital to know what’s new and what you need to continue to ensure you’re visible for potential customers.

So which trends are important in 2020? I’ve compiled my list for small businesses to focus on and stay ahead of the competition.

Video content Video is already key for content marketing success, but 2020 could see its importance rise even further.

So much so, that according to Cisco, “by 2021, 82 percent of all consumer IP traffic will be video”.

Embed videos into your content, but make sure you help Google’s algorithm to understand it by adding copy explaining what the video is.

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More voice search 2019 data showed that 20 per cent of mobile searches are voice. More people than ever will talk over text, as voice queries become an increasingly popular way to search.

Most voice queries are actually local, so this is most important for small businesses. In fact, according to Search Engine Watch, “mobile voice-related searches are 3X more likely to be local-based than text”.

With this in mind, optimising for local SEO is vital. Bulleted lists will also increase your chances of ranking for voice queries!

User intent In 2019, Google launched the BERT algorithm, focusing on user intent. Currently, SEO needs to be geared towards the user, rather than the

search engine. This allows for completely natural content, written entirely for the searcher’s intent, rather than optimising for strings of keywords.

You’ll be optimising for BERT if you produce content that’s high quality, relevant, informative and for human consumption, rather than to satisfy bots.

Alternative search engines Giorgio Cassella, Evoluted’s head of marketing, predicts “a higher percentage of searchers will move away from Google to challenger search engines”.

If the population starts moving towards other search engines, it’s important for you to be visible there, too. Many industries already see ten per cent plus traffic coming from ‘alternative’ search engines, so it’s worth considering

setting up paid ads elsewhere, starting with Bing Ads. Mobile Yes, mobile still remains an important trend in 2020. SEOs have banged on for years that it’s beneficial to have a mobile optimised site, but it’s an absolute necessity this year. Kris Jones – Founder / CEO, LSEO. com says: “If you don’t have a mobile-friendly and mobileoptimized website, you need to take action immediately. You can’t wait any longer. “ Build your site for mobiles, and then make them work for desktop afterwards.

Here at Evoluted, we can help with mobile-friendly sites, SEO, content, running paid ads and all your marketing needs. Get in touch today.

Ash Young, Evoluted www.evoluted.net

17

IF YOU ASK ME

Highly professional, unbiased, independent financial planning and wealth management

delivering planning lead (not product driven) financial advice Shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year

Shortlisted for Investment Adviser of the Year

Finalist for the Excellence in Professional Services Award

Listed as one of 42 under 42 “Brightest and Best� businesses in Yorkshire

Call us now on 0114 294 5353 for an unbiased second opinion on your financial needs or visit us online at

bluewealthcapital.com

BUSINESS ENERGY EXPERTS Unit 2, Waterside Court, Bold Street, Sheffield, S9 2LR

+44 (0) 114 478 0956 www.utility-alliance.com

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FINANCE

FINANCIAL HEALTH

BY RAJ SHAH, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL OF BLUE WEALTH CAPITAL The financial planner says to unleash creativity – go guilt-free in 2020

GUILTY OF FEELING GUILTY? Many working people often feel guilty for taking time off.

They think they don’t deserve to take free time.

You might be surprised when I say that, no, you don’t deserve to take free time.

In my opinion, taking free time away from your business isn’t a reward for good behaviour. I see it as a necessary precondition for optimum creativity and productivity.

So stop thinking that you’ll let yourself take a few days off when you get such-and-such done, get so-and-so hired, get this-and-that delegated, and so on. The end of your “to-do” list will never happen.

A tired business owner brain is a nightmare.

Look at it this way: You’re the brains behind your business, and in order to continue to be successful, you’ve got to keep your brain sharp. The trouble is, if you use it continuously without rest, it will get dull.

How creative can you be with your brain dulled by overuse?

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

This is why I firmly believe in the idea of Free Days™.

Free Days™ are 24-hour days with absolutely no workrelated thinking, reading, or activities. Free Days™ come before periods of high productivity, not after. They make your brain sharper, which means you’ll come back from your time off with a new perspective, more energy, and very probably a breakthrough.

Take one holiday a year, get one breakthrough. Take two holidays a year, get two breakthroughs. Take three, get three…

This can be a difficult concept for entrepreneurs to buy into, even the ones who don’t admit to being workaholics. My view is that you need to work less to make more. You need Free Days™!

Take this short quiz to determine if you’re due for some Free Days™: • Do you always need to be “connected” with your mobile device?

• Do you take your laptop with you on a weekend break or on holiday?

• Do you believe your business can’t run without you?

• Do you believe that taking more Free Days™ means less income?

• Is your idea of relaxation catching up on work on the weekend?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, drop everything and plan a holiday (minimum one week) immediately.

Tips to get you started!

• Decide on a relaxing spot you already know and love, or that you’ve always wanted to visit. You need to feel rejuvenated.

• Book your holiday now (yes, now.)

• Put your holiday in your diary and protect those days. Think of this time as untouchable.

• Make a list and start taking

the necessary steps to have business handled while you’re away. Delegate, outsource, find a new capability – whatever it takes.

If you answered “no” to every question…

• Hooray! You’re on the right track! Get another holiday into your schedule now and protect that time. Don’t let yourself get off course!

Greater productivity = greater success.

Working with a high quality financial planner who understands the importance of Free Days™ and can help you build these in to your planning could be the key to your greater success.

Raj Shah is founder of Blue Wealth capital and has been shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year and Investment Adviser of the Year. www.bluewealthcapital.com

19

IF YOU ASK ME

Legal Insight.

Business Instinct.

With a client base and heritage of commercial lawyers combine local business and sector knowledge with legal expertise to deliver a quality client service.

Business Law Partners: Charles B Neal, Alex Ross and Matthew Rodgers

Trusted by generations.

20 18

0114 249 5969 legals@bellbuxton.co.uk www.bellbuxton.co.uk

where all Partners are recommended by the Legal 500.

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LEGAL

LEGAL MATTERS

BY DAX KEELING, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION SOLICITOR AT BELL & BUXTON Buying and selling a residential park home? Read on for our columnist’s advice

Rodgers

THE RISE OF RESIDENTIAL PARK HOMES As an experienced civil and commercial litigation solicitor, I have dealt with many types of dispute.

Recently, I acted in a dispute in an area that was totally new to me – the buying and selling of a residential park home. I was surprised at what I found and concerned at what I read online whilst researching the matter.

Residential park homes (as opposed to holiday park homes) have traditionally appealed to the retired population. As the proportion of retired people in the UK grows, and, if housing market pressures generally continue, we may find that residential park homes become a more popular option for home purchasers generally.

Residential park homes tend

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

to be cheaper than standard ‘bricks and mortar’ houses.

There may be even a suspicion that, because you are buying a ‘caravan’ rather than a house, the purchasing process is simpler as a result (in fact, there is plenty of conveyancing paperwork that needs to be completed when buying and selling a park home).

I noticed some apparently specialist park home websites suggesting purchasers do not necessarily need legal assistance when purchasing a residential park home. In fact, the purchasers in the case I worked on had not thought legal help was necessary when buying their property.

Bearing that in mind, it may be worth considering the following points, which are not exhaustive, but apply to

anyone thinking of purchasing a residential park home: • When buying a park home, you purchase the home only and not the pitch that it stands on (the pitch remains in the ownership of the site owner); • You will have to pay a pitch fee to the site owner on a regular basis, which could constitute a significant financial outlay over a lengthy period; • Not all sites have licences allowing residents to live on site all year round – some sites only being licenced to allow park homeowners to live on site, for example, for ten months in a year; • Sites will have different rules which set out the obligations of park homeowners, and what they are and are not

permitted to do on site, which could have a big impact on individuals and their lifestyles; • When a park home comes to be sold, under current legislation, ten per cent of the sale price of the home must be paid to the site owner, that commission effectively and significantly reducing the sale value of the home to the seller.

In my view anyone considering purchasing a residential park home should instruct a conveyancer to help and advise them through the buying process!

Dax Keeling is the commercial litigation solicitor at Bell & Buxton d.keeling@bellbuxton.co.uk www.bellbuxton.co.uk 0114 2495969

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AGENDA CALENDAR

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

5TH REDBRIK REGIONAL PROPERTY INVESTOR EVENT

Venue: Sheffield United Football Ground, Bramall Lane, Cherry Street, Sheffield S2 4SU Time: 6pm – 8pm Cost: Free but tickets must be booked – see below About: Redbrik will welcome property investors and those interested in investing to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium for a series of talks on how and where to invest in property in 2020. In addition to great networking opportunities and hospitality, four expert talks will take place, starting with Redbrik’s lettings director, Peter Lee, opening the event by discussing the effect which the tenant fee ban has had on the industry, as well as the continued importance of a good-quality property. He will be followed by Abigail Wilks, Redbrik’s lettings area manager for Chesterfield, who will speak all about the forthcoming legal changes to tenancy and eviction legislation; a presentation from Connect Financial Solutions, which will discuss the various options for financing a Buy-to-Let mortgage, and Redbrik’s lettings area manager for Sheffield, Jennifer Hitchman, will consider the pros and cons of renovation against new builds and give an overview of Redbrik’s Lettings Service.

Contact: Book your place and download your free ticket by scanning the QR code above or visiting bit.ly/34Qs3rh.

Alternatively contact the Redbrik Lettings Team for more details – Sheffield: 0114 361 0140 / Chesterfield: 01246 380 414

5TH FEBRUARY RESONATE PROPERTY NETWORK | SHEFFIELD

Venue: Church, 4a Rutland Way, Sheffield S3 8DG Time: 7pm – 10pm Cost: £5.99 About: The Resonate Property Network is here to help grow your network and business in a supportive, informative environment. bringing people to property. Everyone working in, interested in or providing services to the property industry are welcomed!

Contact: bit.ly/2QieA6n

5TH CREATING A BUSINESS – THE YORKSHIRE WAY

Venue: Mercure Sheffield Parkway Hotel, Britannia Way, Sheffield S60 5BD Time: 12pm – 2:30pm

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Cost: Free About: At this event, Webmart UK CEO Simon Biltcliffe will tell his story on building a £30m marketing services business from nothing but loose change and a cunning idea – he will also explain why he believes coming from Yorkshire gives real competitive and moral advantage over the competition.

Contact: bit.ly/3aFsN6B

11TH LOVE SHEFFIELD SHOWCASE

Venue: The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm Cost: TBC About: The Love Sheffield Showcase is an exciting opportunity for local employers (based within the Sheffield City Region) to network with a large

number of students across all years and subject areas.

Contact: https://bit.ly/36n1HOb

11TH SHEFFIELD CITY REGION BREAKFAST CLUB

Venue: Advanced Manufacturing Park, Technology Centre, Brunel Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5WG Time: 8am – 9:30am Cost: Free About: Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants and Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers are joined by Carly Stratford from Sheffield City Council – who will be talking about RISE, an innovative and unique project that connects talented, hard-working graduates with SMEs across the Sheffield City Region.This event will also include breakfast sandwiches followed by a brief

presentation, with Q&A and networking.

Contact: Call Emma Legdon at Hart Shaw on 0114 251 8850 or email emma.legdon@ hartshaw.co.uk

11TH ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

THROUGH DIGITAL MARKETING – MASTERCLASS

Venue: The Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley S20 2JW Time: 9am – 12pm Cost: Free About: This masterclass will not only show you basic marketing techniques that will help you get in front of your target market and achieve your business goals, but everything talked about in the masterclass is free or very low cost.

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

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

12TH INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERING

Venue: Kollider, Castle House, Castle Street, Sheffield S3 8LS Time: 8:30am – 12pm Cost: Free About: This half day masterclass provides an essential introduction to public sector tendering for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

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

13TH MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Venue: Carrwood Park, Selby Road, Leeds LS15 4LG Time: 7:30am – 10am Cost: Free About: This panel event will feature Richard Allman of Champion Health, Victoria Jackson of Clarion, Claire Paxman of Paxman Cooling and Craig Burton of The Works Rec who will answer any and all your questions on mental health and wellbeing.

Contact: connectyorkshire. merlintickets.co.uk/product/ EVENT00039

Indoor Athletics Championships is a three-day competition seeing the best in the country come together to compete.

Contact: alison.root@bucs.org.uk

19TH SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Contact: For full venue information or to book a place, email Julia Millea at julia.millea@rido.org.uk or call 01709 331 111

in actually using it with our columnist Helen Williams of Helping Entrepreneurs Win. Contact: https://bit.ly/2RpcTpg

19TH-20TH 19TH DARE TO BE A DETECTIVE CONFIDENCE USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Venue: Sheffield City Hall, CREATION Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA Venue: Rotherham (TBC) Time: 10am – 4pm Time: 6pm – 9pm Cost: £75 inc vat Cost: Free About: Like it or loathe it, About: Using tools that will social media presence can save you time and money, this be a positive catalyst for your workshop will get you started personal and business brand. on the process of creating your Become more confident in it own social media content plan. as a tool and more confident

Time: 10am – 3pm Venue: Winter Gardens, Sheffield Cost: Free About: If cracking codes, archaeological digs or forensic investigations are your thing, join SHU's Schools and community outreach for two fun, FREE days of mystery.

Contact: bit.ly/2RHK0DK

14TH MAGNA BUSINESS BOUNCE NETWORKING

Venue: Magna Science Adventure Centre, Magna Way, Templeborough S60 1FD Time: 2:30pm – 4:30pm Cost: £10 About: The Magna Business Bounce Networking event is for businesses in Sheffield City Region and beyond to do some networking and bounce out their stress on the Magna Mayhem inflatables.

Contact: events@magnatrust.co.uk

14TH-16TH BRITISH UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES SPORT (BUCS) NATIONALS 2020

Venue: English Institute of Sport, 200 Coleridge Road, Sheffield S9 5DA Time: 12pm – 6pm Cost: TBC About: As the biggest gathering of student athletes in the United Kingdom, the BUCS

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

27TH DISCIPLINARY MATTERS – EFFECTIVE HANDLING FROM INVESTIGATION TO APPEAL

Venue: Keebles LLP, 14 Commercial Street, Sheffield, S1 2AT Time: 9am – 5pm Cost: £280 +VAT About: Through the use of topical and interactive case studies based on the latest case law, delegates will gain an understanding of all elements of a fair process and will have the opportunity to practice their skills in relation to conducting the investigation, report writing and disciplinary procedures.

Contact: https://bit.ly/36oVWQ6

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AGENDA

21ST THE LATE LATE BREAKFAST

Venue: Tapton Hall, Shore Lane, Sheffield S10 3BU Time: 9am for a 9:30am start Cost: £26 booked in advance, to include breakfast About: Join this month’s speakers, Mike Coote of MindLife Dynamics and Michael Bell of The Results Hub for engaging and motivating presentations and networking.

Contact: helensweet @theresultshub.co.uk

21ST SHEFFIELD JOBS FAIR

Venue: Sheffield United FC, 105 Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SW Time: 10am – 1pm Cost: Free About: Held at the home of The Blades, this jobs fair will be a fantastic opportunity to speak directly with potential employers face-to-face. You will be able to register with employers and recruitment agencies, discuss roles with

employees and even apply for jobs right there and then – so remember to bring copies of your CV with you!

Contact: bit.ly/3905kw8

24TH TOP TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR

BUSINESS USING SOCIAL MEDIA Venue: Doncaster TBC Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm Cost: Free About: This workshop will show you how to use social media platforms effectively

to raise the profile of your business, engage with new and existing clients and increase sales.

Contact: For full venue information or to book a place, email Doncaster Chamber at businesssupport@ doncaster-chamber.co.uk or call 01302 640 135

24TH THE POWER HOUR NETWORK WITH STEVE JUDGE

Venue: Cubana Tapas Bar, Unit 4 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2JG Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm Cost: £10 (plus booking fee via Eventbrite) About: The Power Hour is a monthly marketing session helping the Sheffield City Region business community understand, and implement marketing in to their own business.

Contact: rob@robtaylorofficial.com

25TH FUNDING BUSINESS GROWTH – MASTERCLASS

27TH DONCASTER BUSINESS SHOWCASE 2020

Venue: Doncaster Racecourse, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB Time: 10am – 4pm Cost: Free About: The Doncaster Business Showcase 2020 takes place on Thursday 27 February bringing together over 280 exhibitors showcasing the very best of local and regional businesses as well as attracting thousands of professionals every year. It is the largest business-to-business networking exhibition in Yorkshire and is seen as a very powerful marketing medium and a great place to network and forge good business relationships in the region. It really is the ultimate networking event for all ambitious businesses looking to develop key relationships in order to grow and prosper.

This is a must attend event if you want to explore the possibilities of starting your own business or if you are an existing business looking to grow. Alternatively, if you are looking to improve your skills, need some inspiration or just want to see what’s happening in and around the area – you are sure to find something of interest.

For many businesses, it is the ultimate event to be seen networking at in the region – come along and meet new suppliers, clients and customers for FREE. Contact: bit.ly/35GacUV

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Venue: AMP Technology Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Brunel Way, Rotherham S60 5WG Time: 8:30am – 12pm Cost: Free About: A masterclass to support your business’ growth ambitions, aimed at established businesses looking for the next step.

Contact: bit.ly/2TRmfvw

27TH SHEFFIELD SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK LAUNCH EVENT

Venue: Arup, 9th Floor, 3 St Paul's Place, Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JE Time: 8.30am – 10.30am Cost: Free About: Sheffield Sustainability Network is a group of likeminded people who are working together to drive a positive change in how our businesses operate, helping members reduce their organisations carbon footprints and remain prosperous in a rapidly changing world.

Contact: bit.ly/38DoRRO

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA LOOKING FORWARD TO MARCH

10TH INNOVATION FOR SMEs - HARNESSING NEW TECH TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW

4TH MARCH BARNSLEY COLLEGE APPRENTICESHIP OPEN DAY

Venue: Barnsley College, Church Street, Barnsley S70 2AX Time: 4pm – 7pm Cost: Free About: Would you like to start a career or are you looking to boost your career prospects? Have you considered an apprenticeship? Potential new apprentices will have the opportunity to find out about a wide range of apprenticeship programmes on offer at Barnsley College. Apprenticeships are a career path that allow you to enter the world of work, gain skills and work experience whilst getting paid. Anyone aged 16 or above can apply to be an apprentice, even if you are already employed. They are available on three levels, Intermediate, Advanced and Higher, so you can gain qualifications up to degree level whilst avoiding student debt. With over 100 apprenticeship programmes available in industry sectors including Construction, Creative and Digital Media and Management, Barnsley College will have the right apprenticeship for you.

Contact: 01226 216 123 or visit bit.ly/2O2HtTu

6TH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY &

ATHENA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 2020

Venue: Tankersley Manor Hotel, Church Lane, Tankersley, Barnsley S75 3DQ Time: 12pm – 4pm Cost: Members £34.95 + VAT / Non-members £39.95 + VAT About: This event will be celebrating the massive contribution that women make to our lives, in business, in the community and in family. A day to reflect, share and be inspired by peoples’ personal journeys – the achievements, the challenges and the funny both professionally and personally.

Contact: 01709 386200 or email events@brchamber.co.uk

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Venue: HSBC, Sheffield Business Centre, Europa Link, Tinsley, Sheffield S9 1XZ Time: 8am start Cost: Free About: Aimed at SME manufacturers, this event is based around how new tech can be utilised by businesses of all sizes to enable them to innovate and grow. The event will have speakers from Hentons, HSBC and ARMC, who will be showcasing insight and case studies of this in practice. Hentons will also have R&D Tax Credit Experts on hand to speak to delegates and discuss potential claims.

Contact: 0114 246 1722 or email tim@hentons.com

13TH – 20TH THE OBSERVATORY

Venue: The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, Sheffield S1 1HA Time: 6:40pm – 9pm Cost: £6 for adults, £4 for children (aged 4 to 12), £17.50 for family tickets. Children aged 3 and under FREE About: Sheffield Cathedral’s latest light installation is set to leave you seeing stars. The Cathedral is partnering with multi-award winning Luxmuralis Artistic Collaboration once again to bring another eight days of incredible illuminations to Sheffield. Fresh from the success of ‘The Angels are Coming’ at Christmas, this time, visitors will be wowed as they wander through the Cathedral on a walking journey which will reveal the universe, galaxies and meteor showers.

Contact: 0114 275 3434 or email arts@sheffield-cathedral.org.uk

25

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SALES

SALES STRATEGY

BY STEVE KNAPP, THE SALES MINDSET COACH

Our columnist Steve takes a green-fingered approach to getting your sales to blossom

GREEN FINGERED GUIDE TO GROWTH The amount of businesses that lack even the most basic sales plan will never cease to amaze me. But lets say you do have one – how relevant is it?

Is it up to date? Are you continually revisiting it? Are you constantly re-evaluating as you follow innovations in your sector?

Well, if you’ve said ‘yes’ to all the above you are allowed to crack open the champagne and if you’ve not (and it’s fair to say I’ve not heard many corks popping so far!) you definitely need to make a robust sales plan a priority.

Your sales plan should be integral to your business. It’s your direction of travel, it’s the ‘big picture’ of what you want your business to look like and it’s there to ensure you don’t leave everything to pure luck.

I find an easy analogy with

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

gardening puts things in perspective.

Imagine you have a garden that is just soil and you want to transform it with beautiful flowers and trees.

You want it to be something you’re proud of and can admire.

So what would you do to achieve this? Well, you wouldn’t just start planting – would you?

Of course you wouldn’t.

You would first of all think about what kinds of flowers and trees you wanted, and where you wanted them.

You’d plant at the optimum time for each seed, you’d map everything out, you’d be meticulous.

And even when everything had grown you would tend it regularly, weeding, trimming and watering. It’s a year-round process that continually evolves.

It’s a similar process with your sales plan.

Does the thought of making a plan fill you with dread? It shouldn’t.

Having a plan gives you a road map. It should always make the process easier – especially if you follow a tried and tested system.

I recommend the P.E.A.R. system which is a process that will avoid your plan going pear-shaped! It breaks down as follows: Your ‘P’ is your planning – it covers your route to market.

It defines your objectives. It covers everything from how big you want to grow to what you actually want out of your business.

‘E’ is the execution of your business. This plans everything into your diary. It ensures your business runs like an efficient machine.

Now the ‘A’ is for adapt. You need to keep at the cutting edge of your industry. You need to see the changes as they appear and be ready to adapt. You need to spot those trends and change as require.

And the final step is ‘R’ for review. Remember I said nothing stands still? You need to continually review your plan to ensure it’s working to optimum effect.

If you want to read more about how to write a robust sales plan then try my best-selling book ‘FunnelVision – Sales Made Easy’. It’s on Amazon for £4.79 Kindle / £9.95 physical edition.

Steve Knapp steve@thesales mindsetcoach.com thesalesmindsetcoach.com

27

AGENDA #YOUFIRST

CHANGING HOW YOU APPROACH LIFE AND BUSINESS HAS THE HYPE OF JANUARY WORE OFF? FIND YOURSELF LACKING A PLAN? FEELING LIKE YOU LACK CONFIDENCE? NEED TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

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ENTREPRENEURS

ENTREPRENEURSUPPORT

BY HELEN WILLIAMS

Our columnist says add social media to enhance your brand message

BE SOCIAL– PARTICIPATE, DON’T JUST SPECTATE! Like it or loathe it, social media is a positively instrumental business tool to many businesses and brands. It is a phenomenon that is hard to not be involved in, often so that you are kept up-to-date real time on news, announcements and offers from your local business community and favourite brands.

However, if you are utilising social media to consume content from areas of necessity and interest to you, how are you making your message readily available to others?

I hear it time and time again how individuals are afraid to use their social media platforms to promote themselves and communicate their message and value to their marketplace.

The common reservations holding people back include: • fear of judgement and criticism • uncertainty around expectations and what is deemed acceptable

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• lack of personal confidence to share and deliver content It is much easier therefore to spectate than it is to participate.

It saves face and, indeed, pressure.

However, whilst this removes you personally from the ‘firing line’ of public exposure, it limits the reach of your brand message and business value.

You are therefore potentially leaving deals on the table by creating restrictions around three key areas: • audience reach • regularity of communication • transactional windows I am not for one moment suggesting traditional styles of business exposure and marketing such as advertising, word of mouth and networking aren’t worthwhile because they all are fruitful if you make it that way.

Imagine, though, how powerful and impactful you can be with a varied marketing

mix utilising all channels, but by using social media as your consistent platform for accessibility of information and reference for your marketplace.

Instant communication.

Continual rapport. Endless opportunities.

• Overcoming your personal barriers towards social media is the first hurdle to clear.

• Then you can understand more about the different platforms and how they are best suited to you, your brand and your audience.

• Learn how you can communicate and what content is of value.

• Commit to the process, leave your comfort zone and adopt practise in what can be an extremely beneficial tool for you.

It is through an accumulation of these tactics that you become more confident in your approach. You don’t just decide to be confident – it is a learned behaviour and growth of

confidence using social media is no different.

People still buy from people – social media allows another layer of this interpersonal opportunity. Why would you not want to elevate yourself in business this way? Eliminating the fears and reservations first, of course!

When people say to me the famous saying of ‘oh it’s alright for you’, I do take pleasure in reminding people I am still learning and growing with new content strategies. I too was once afraid to jump in and be visible. But I adopted a growth mindset and quickly appreciated that other people’s opinions didn’t pay my bills!

To learn more join me on the ‘Confidence Using Social Media’ workshop at the Sheffield City Hall, Wednesday 19 February.

Visit www.helping entrepreneurswin.com for more info and bookings.

Helen Williams helpingentrepreneurswin.com 07881 917665

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COVER STORY

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AGENDA

SECURING YOUR ASSETS

BY SAM LEEDER

Our columnist asks: When did you last fully review your insurance arrangements?

NEW YEAR REVIEW! As the new year is now well under way and those resolutions feel like a dim and distant memory, our focus moves onto the year ahead!

While you may be reviewing things within your business, it can be worth considering when was the last time you fully reviewed your insurance arrangements?

SME businesses are generally pretty dynamic places with lots going on – however from experience we often find that insurance policies are left to roll over, year-in and year-out. This can result in the insurance not keeping pace with changes within the business and, in the worst case scenario, result in claims not being paid and policies becoming pretty worthless.

Following the implementation of The

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Insurance Act in 2016 you now have an ongoing duty to disclose anything about your business that the underwriters could deem to be material to the risks they are insuring.

They have also amended their policy wordings, giving them the ability to amend or void your policies if they later find out something which you should have disclosed.

It is therefore incredibly important that your insurance provider fully understands your day-to-day business activities and any plans you have for the next 12 months.

This can have a particular impact on your liability insurances and will influence which insurance company is most appropriate to cover your requirements.

In addition to reviewing your business activities, it is also important to undertake

a thorough review of your business assets whether in respect of building, contents, machinery or stock.

As a business owner it is your responsibility to insure your assets for the correct replacement value, so as to avoid any underinsurance.

Most insurance policies contain what is known as an ‘average condition’ which means that any claim will be reduced in proportion with the scale of any underinsurance.

As an example if contents should be insured for £100,000 but you have chosen to insure them for £50,000 the insurance company will only pay 50 per cent of any contents claim.

We would therefore recommend meeting with your insurance broker at least once a year so that they can fully understand your business

activities, asset values and plans for the future.

In addition, it will be worthwhile for you to show your broker around your premises so that they can see what you have and ask the appropriate questions.

If you have a longer-term relationship with your broker they will also be able to spot if there have been any significant changes since previous years.

If you would like any additional information or if you would like an independent review of your insurance provision please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

A NEW DIRECTION With Britain starting negotiations to leave the EU at the end of last month, Jill Theobald caught up with former Rotherham Mayor, Borough councillor and trade mission delegate Lyndsay Pitchley to talk personal and professional growth – and a new direction for Sheffield City Region Talking with Office Friendly’s business development manager Lyndsay Pitchley certain words crop up time and again over our chat and coffee.

Resilient. Growth. Positivity.

Secure. Caring. Stability.

What’s interesting to note is that these words pepper our conversation regardless of whether we are talking personal growth, her career – and the numerous hats she continues to wear today – or Sheffield City Region and its direction and future postBrexit.

Rotherham born and bred, Lyndsay was a poorly child but one with clear ambition.

“I was a very sick child. I was severely epileptic and suffered up to ten fits a day. I had a lot of hospital education but not much formal or secondary

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education. It meant I was selftaught – I had a good business head, I knew from a young age I would make it myself.

“Aged 11, I met (then-Mayor) Jack Skelton and was so excited. I got his autograph, which I kept for years and years. He told me ‘Anyone can become Mayor’ and that really stuck with me.”

After that early introduction to public office, Lyndsay became involved after her children were born.

“I gave up work for ten years but worked for my husband and we set up a small construction company, I started doing VAT returns, bid writing, the legal and back office work, so I kept my hand in the business world and didn’t get baby brain! When my daughter started school, I became a school governor and

I was self-taught – I had a good business head, I knew from a young age I would make it myself

heard someone was needed to sit on The Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council which was something I was very interested in.

“When my son started school, he needed more help as he’s autistic but I couldn’t find out who was responsible for funding – the council, the school, other organisations – so it became a bit of a personal mission to fight for education for people with additional needs and in 2011 I became a Borough and Parish councillor.

I started on the Improving Lives board and used to be vice chair but stopped when I became Mayor in 2016-17.”

Rotherham’s youngest mayor (‘I turned 40 on 18th May and became Mayor on the 20th’) loved her role.

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COVER STORY “It was a great time for me,” she says. “I really threw myself in and loved meeting so many people and raising money and awareness for charities.”

Ill health, however, continued to plague her. “I’ve had countless operations during my life and got glaucoma when I was Mayor but was treated in one day, and back to duties the next.”

And her resilience was undiminished – even after she suffered a stroke at the age of just 42.

“It was November 2018 and I couldn’t walk or talk to begin with. By May the following year, my speech was still slurred but I was walking – not as good as it was, even today.

I still get very tired and my spatial awareness and memory have been affected.

“But I am a resilient person.

My attitude is ‘This is what’s happening – you either make it or you fail’. It’s all about the process. I began with a walker, then a stick – that was my process. When I couldn’t walk, I knew I wasn’t going to run a marathon the next day, but I did climb Snowdon the following May. I struggled but I got to the top.”

Lyndsay also had the support of a lot of friends in the Barnsley and Rotherham business community along with many from across the Sheffield city Region.

“People like (Airmaster joint MD and former Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber President) Lisa Pogson and (Rotherham Pioneers) Jackie Freeborn were amazing. They really supported me and said ‘yes, you can do this’.”

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Another friend who saw the strength in Lyndsay was Office Friendly sales director Keeley Shepherd.

After winning the 2019 ATHENA International Award, Lyndsay became Barnsley and Rotherham Women in Business Chair and took up her current role at Office Friendly.

“After being Mayor, I worked for Crossroads then onto MIND – it’s always been caring roles. Keeley knew about my health battles and got in touch because she thought I would be able to help get the word out there about Office Friendly.

“Office Friendly attracted me because the name is true – the ethos of the business is all about getting the best out of people working here and working together to support other businesses. It’s all about compassion and care – if we don’t think it’s right, we don’t do it. It’s not about making money, there’s a moral compass here.”

The company is a Business Development Specialist across three key areas – KascAid the creative and marketing agency, Pioneer the learning and development arm and Weaver, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social sustainability programme.

“With the business development side, I meet businesses who say, ‘we want to do this’ or ‘we want to be there’, and it’s all about the processes,” says Lyndsay.

“Look at the turnover you want, and then work out and put a process in place to get there.

“Channel your personal growth into a business

I always had a really positive attitude and I put that into my work, too

perspective. I always had a really positive attitude and I put that into my work, too. Because I nearly lost everything I can say to a business ‘take this chance, what have you got to lose?’.

If you’re a sinking ship you will sink.

"But the plugs are out there, we can find them!

“I know from going from getting sales to being top of the tree, it’s hard to manage that switchover. You’ve been getting the buzz of the deal but it’s trusting your staff, nurturing them to develop.

Make sure all the grassroots of best practice are there in your team and let them develop – as a boss you can’t be the big tree

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COVER STORY stood in the way! It can be hard for people and that’s why I like going into businesses to find out what the issues are and helping them adapt.”

Office Friendly’s HQ is at Sheffield Business Park at Europa Link – the site of the old Sheffield Airport. Together with the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), it’s part of the UK's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District with occupiers including the University of Sheffield’s Factory 2050. But it also retains the former airport tower, combining the region’s past, present and future, and talk soon turns to Brexit and trade.

Lyndsay describes representing Sheffield City Region on behalf of a British Embassy China Trade delegation in 2017 as ‘mindblowing’.

“To be Mayor of Rotherham, representing our region and meeting all the diplomats in intense meetings, it was a real eye-opener and was exciting to go into that arena.

It was mentioned in Whitehall afterwards as a really successful trade delegation and at that time Brexit had nothing to do with it. It was separate trade negotiations with the British Embassy delivering the message that we wanted the golden era to apply to the UK and China and sharing great ideas about how we could work together.

“It was a digital healthcare trade mission and included Irwin Mitchell and University of Sheffield Professors and while we were there looking for investment, we were able to showcase clinical computer

36

systems and accredited systems in the government's programme of modernising IT in the NHS. “We also travelled all over from Xi'an to the border of Outer Mongolia and visited three hospitals – you would see vast fields and then there was a hospital right in the middle, but the Chinese are forwardthinking. The mindset is ‘if we build it, they will come’.

“It can be a lengthy process for China to invest but just because it’s a different way of working, that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

And the trade mission opened Lyndsay’s eyes to other markets, too.

“Whether we want it or not Brexit is happening, and the business world has got to go with it. After January 31st we will have until December for the negotiations – things aren’t going to happen, or fall apart, overnight. What WILL happen is the uncertainly will be over and that uncertainty has been a real issue for businesses – how can you get a trade deal if you don’t know what your terms are or will be?

“We will have to make deals and agree terms with several different countries and that will open us up to new markets to invest with us – as the US has already indicated it wants to. It is going to be different, but it’s about attitude – if you think negative, it will be.

“The government have just got in with a large majority – they are not going to want to risk a recession or an NHS on its knees. In my opinion, they will be forced to strengthen the areas where they have

The unique thing to South Yorkshire is we’re quite knitted together

gained seats. They will want a secure five years and for that they have to keep businesses secure. Without businesses we won’t have that stability, so the government will have to react and be proactive with decisions on the way forward.”

And closer to home?

“Come April when the SCR is entirely South Yorkshire, this will bring improvements, too – we’re all Yorkshire, we’re all working jointly with people in same situation and location and may well see more investments up north to make our network even stronger.

“The unique thing to South Yorkshire is we’re quite knitted together – outside our area it can be brutal, I know from friends who work in London!

“South Yorkshire feels more protected, possibly because of the success of the Cutlers. It was a bolthole of

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COVER STORY

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37

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COVER STORY

LYNDSAY WITH THE 2019 ATHENA INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

businesses – yes, gentleman businesses at the start – but it gave the city stability and those original grassroots have branched out into today’s Sheffield City Region. They embraced the future, now they have more female balance, too, welcoming change with past and future female Master Cutlers, the first being Pamela Liversidge in 2011-2012.

“We can survive outside the EU because we will survive.

We’ve been great once on our own and we will have to be again. It will take time but it’s all about working together – businesses can’t be too precious about the deals they’re getting and comparing

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with others, if we’re all getting good trade deals we will all benefit.

“The area has gone through a massive change already after the mines closed – nobody wanted that to happen, I remember the fear, devastation and uncertainty then.

Rotherham also used to be the poor relation to Sheffield, but now half of Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) belongs to Rotherham, plus we’ve got McLaren and Boeing. Where the mines used to be is where the AMP is now.

“We’ve come such a long way from a former mining area into manufacturing and construction – we’ve had to

We’ve come such a long way from a former mining area into manufacturing and construction – we’ve had to adapt a lot

adapt a lot more than most other areas have done. But look at Orgreave beautiful now, with prospects and job creation, new housing and shops.

“It will be very interesting to see where are in 2025 because you’ve got to give it that course of time to build those markets.

We didn’t go from mining villages to the AMP in a few years, it has taken time, but we need to be positive and look towards our future vision. My son’s job probably hasn’t even been invented yet!

“Look at the past and history, things change constantly and evolve – let’s embrace it and work together!”

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COMMERCIAL FINANCE

With the changes in the finance industry since the 2008 credit crunch, SMEs have been finding it harder to access lending. Over to J&J Commercial Finance director Jamie Baggaley to talk you through what they do – and how they can help your business navigate the world of commercial finance Who we are I set up J&J Commercial Finance in 2018 with the aim of making finance accessible to SMEs across the region. Prior to this I was working in the banking industry for a high street lender overseeing the performance of its specialist lending teams within their Private Banking division.

After working in the banking industry since graduating from University I wanted to continue to work in the sector. But with several changes in family life, including the arrival of our first child, it became important for me to work closer to home, and so I left the bank and started my own business.

I support local businesses in obtaining the finance they need and educate them about all the options available – it’s so rewarding to see businesses grow and develop and have that light bulb moment!

What we do There are many options

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available to businesses, and with access to more than 200 lenders J&J Commercial Finance can assist in finding the right finance solution for each business’s needs whilst also maintaining a personal relationship.

Many businesses still have great relationships with their high street bank and we work closely with a number of high street lenders when it’s right for our clients, but there are also so many different new entrants into the market which is increasing access to lending for SMEs. Giving our clients a range of options ensures they are making informed decisions, and understand the combination of rates, fees and terms out in the market.

We provide a personal service and guide our clients through the whole process from the initial enquiry all the way through to funds in their account, and beyond.

While we cover all of the UK, our focus is on local

businesses, building longterm relationships with our clients and supporting them through the business life cycle, from start-ups to selling off a business.

By taking the hassle out of finding finance, the owner can focus clearly on the business and not have to spend excessive hours speaking to different lenders to find the right deal for them.

We cover all business industries and sectors and also support property developers and investors.

Why we do it Having a 14-year career in the banking industry that spanned roles including customerfacing and head office roles, the one thing I missed the most about banking was the personal service, and that’s something we want to make sure we continue to deliver to our clients.

Applying for finance can be a daunting experience and is something that you need

to make the right decisions about. By dealing with just one person throughout the whole journey we make the process as simple as it can be.

When we first started there was a statistic that 50 per cent of SMEs get turned down by the first lender they approach and a further 50 per cent give up and don’t look anywhere else. It’s these businesses where we can really make the difference and help them to realise the options they have available.

What next?

We’ve always said part of our goal is education and making businesses aware of the finance options available to them.

With that in mind, in our next article in April we will be discussing Asset Finance.

For any questions regarding business finance contact me on 01709 805 624 or Jamie.Baggaley@ JJCommercialFinance.co.uk

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Microsoft controls the infrastructure, but with Office 365 it’s your data!

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Use our online pricing calculator to see just how affordable securing your organisation’s Office 365 data can be.

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42 Feb 2020 Unltd.indd 1

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 21/01/2020 08:46

SMARTER WORKING

GET SMART

With more and more employees opting to work from home, Ian Snow, CT’s MD, takes a look at how technology can help your business work smarter The number of people working remotely or from home has rocketed in the last 10 years to more than 4.2million, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This number is expected to continue to rise, with half the UK workforce expected to be working remotely by next year. This provides enormous opportunities for business but also challenges them to find smart ways to help those in the office work effectively with colleagues working remotely.

Here are some ways technology can help your business work smarter and more efficiently.

Increase flexibility Working in the cloud offers flexibility when on the go or working from home. It’s simple for businesses to store information in one location that is updated in real-time, so everyone is up-to-date no matter where they are in the world. Data storage is almost unlimited – allowing businesses to instantly scale up depending on need.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 08:46

Collaborate with Teams Businesses are increasingly moving away from email as the default method of communication and adopting cloud-based communication and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Built for today’s way of working, Teams allows workers in and out of the office to edit, share and have discussions around the same piece of work – saving the back and forth of emailing documents.

It’s also fully integrated with Office 365 meaning files, emails, calendars and more can be shared. Teams offers hundreds of add-in applications from both Microsoft and third parties allowing businesses to tailor it to suit their needs – Google analytics, To-Do, Smartsheet, Planner and Trello are a few of my favourites.

Improve data security A challenge employers face is maintaining security whilst working remotely. People logging in from unsecure networks such as a café or

coffee shop or accessing work files from a mobile device can present risks that threaten your business. A move to the cloud shouldn’t mean a move away from your basic IT principles, in particular access control and data backup.

Cloud solutions such as Microsoft Teams are built to reduce the chance of sensitive data leaks occurring, but I highly recommend the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), and Microsoft’s singlesign on (SSO) and automatic encryption of data to ensure access is controlled.

Most cloud providers work on a shared responsibility model meaning they take responsibility for the infrastructure but responsibility for the data remains with YOU. Most have a data retention policy but will not backup your data and therefore failure to consider a data backup solution as part of your move to the cloud can be a backward step in your IT process. There are some great solutions coming to the market – at CT we have

CT secure cloud back-up, powered by Veeam, a fullymanaged service providing comprehensive back-up for your entire Office 365 suite.

Scale to fit Working in the cloud can accommodate a large increase in a remote workforce quickly without adding additional costs. It’s also ideal when office space becomes restricted due to rapid growth and some employees start working remotely.

A cloud-based solution can offer a great way of collaborative working whilst providing high flexibility, security and scalability. We are helping more and more customers take advantage of these opportunities by migrating part or all of their systems to a cloud-based workspace.

To find out how we can help you move your business, get in touch with one of our team today. www.ct.co.uk Tel: 01246 266 130

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FOCUS ON

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FOCUS ON

INNOVATION The Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore MP, visited the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in January to see how its ‘model for innovation is powering a manufacturing renaissance in the North of England’. Jill Theobald takes a look at how innovation is powering Sheffield City Region’s companies, products, services – and mindset “Driving innovation in all parts of the UK is vital.”

So said Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore MP, after a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) last month.

Mr Skidmore was taken on a tour of the AMRC – part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult – to see how it allows academia, industry and government to work together to address challenges around productivity, processes and skills in a range of sectors, including aerospace, energy and construction.

Meanwhile Sheffield Hallam University has also been announced as one of three delivery partners for part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) ‘EdTech’ strategy to encourage digital innovation in schools and colleges.

And what’s clear from talking to people and

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businesses in the Sheffield City Region (SCR) is that innovation is firmly becoming a part of our mindset – and fast.

Take SOT Consulting. Set up by director, consultant and trainer Phil Hornby, the name stands for Strategic / Operational / Tactical ‘because we help at all levels’, with a strapline of ‘Helping entrepreneurial product teams to be successful’.

While the Chesterfieldbased firm operates across areas including learning and development, consultancy and intervention, and coaching and mentoring, one of the three core areas SOT Consulting focuses on is innovation and technology management, as well as team and personal effectiveness, and product and services.

But it is the innovative area of product management that Phil is keen to bring to SCR and get businesses exploring and engaging with.

He said: “It can be a little

confusing because product managers don’t just deal with products, they look after a holistic proposition. It’s an area that the US has been leading on for some time, an interdisciplinary role that sees teams working to understand customers better so they can bring better products to market.

“I don’t just work with product managers, I work with the whole team at a company across all the departments and disciplines, to bring that understanding and knowledge. The product manager might set the direction, but it’s for the whole team to work together to deliver it. Cross-functional working is the name of the game.”

Phil, who describes himself as a former ‘wantreprenuer’, set up SOT two years ago and today is working with a wide range of businesses from fledgling start-ups through high-growth scale-ups to

multi-billion, multinational companies – indeed, he’d just returned from a three-day training session in London when we talk and has travelled as far as Singapore to help clients.

“Big global organisations like Netflix and Spotify have been doing this from day one.

But the role is much older, going back to the 1930s and Proctor and Gamble. The challenge here in the UK is most people have either never heard of product management or don’t realise how it can help their business by enabling them to understand their market and customers better – but with SOT I bring ways of helping solve customers’ problems in a way that delivers next level value.

“You don’t have to be a start-up or scale-up, in fact many of the companies and teams I work with are larger, more established businesses.

I’ve worked with businesses in fintech, engine technology,

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FOCUS ON

SHU’S DESIGN FUTURES TEAM RECEIVE THEIR DESIGN TEAM OF THE YEAR AT THE UK PACKAGING AWARDS FROM HOST COLIN MURRAY, RIGHT

cyber security, visualisation and many more. They, too, can also benefit from applying an innovative product and entrepreneurial mindset.

Effective teams transcend the business size and really focus on helping deliver customer and business value.

“Instead of each function living and operating in a silo, it’s about building an innovative and collaborative mindset, because serving customers well is a team sport.”

And Phil is already making real in-roads in the SCR, with a number of projects under his belt, including training with the team at SCR Growth Hub and RiDO’s Y Accelerator and also at Sheffield Hallam University’s business incubation hub, the Hallam i-Lab, with a start-up methodology programme for SHU’s ScaleUp 360.

Looking ahead, the SOT schedule is filling up, too, with plenty of collaboration with other current ‘wantreprenuers’ as he works to support the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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“There is a new two-year initiative at Kollider, in collaboration with Roaring Mouse PR, called Startup Scale and, having been involved since the initial idea, I will be one of the organisations supporting the start-ups going through the programme. We are also planning the next Startup Weekend Sheffield event, scheduled for April 3-5.”

When it comes to the theme of our feature, Sheffield Innovation Programme (SIP) pretty much explains itself.

Led by Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield and Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, the regional initiative is part-financed by the England European Regional Development Fund, SIP is now into its second stage after a further £1.8m in funding, following SIP stage 1 finishing in September last year.

SIP covers Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield as well as Bassetlaw, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and the Derbyshire Dales and key areas of support include

It’s about building an innovative and collaborative mindset, because serving customers well is a team sport

computing and software design, food engineering and sustainability, materials science and engineering, and packaging and product design.

Client relationship manager Antony Davies said: “SIP aims to stimulate business growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs, by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and university facilities and support in the form of bespoke research and innovation based consultancy, workshops and other events. It can be businesses that have a technical challenge and require some level of innovation to help them progress.

“We match them with the skills and knowledge the academics in our Universities have and who are working to a high level of expertise to develop bespoke consultancy packages for SMEs and it doesn’t cost the SMEs to use those services.

“At SHU we have Design Futures which recently won Design Team of the Year for the third time at the UK Packaging Awards 2019.”

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FOCUS ON

B. BRAUN’S CUTTING EDGE PHYSIO APP IS HELPING TO SPEED UP PATIENT RECOVERY TIME

Baileys of Sheffield, a firm which engineers stainless steel jewellery at their Portland Works base, enlisted Design Futures to design The CABLE bracelet clasp, a unique quick release feature not readily available in the market.

Founder Scott Bailey described the output as “second to none”, saying Design Futures ”took great time to deeply understand not only what we needed in terms of a short-term project, but what we were trying to achieve as a company. When we are at shows and exhibitions, the development work and design assistance is a large part of our story that we proudly tell everyone.”

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Healthcare is another area in which the Sheffield City Region is taking the lead when it comes to innovation, including B. Braun Medical Ltd’s pioneering new physio app which is speeding up patient recovery.

Designed to transform the treatment of patients recovering from hip and knee replacement surgery, personalised BPMpathway app has launched in the NHS and already been shortlisted for a Health Service Journal (HSJ) Innovation Award.

It means patients are now discharged home on the same day with easy-to-use wearable motion sensors and access to the app where they follow a series of personalised

physiotherapy routines, displayed in graphics and videos, and can communicate with a doctor through an instant messaging system.

They can also report how much discomfort they are in with a ‘pain scale’ and discuss progress at six-week virtual clinic appointment with their consultant.

David Oates, group managing director of the B. Braun companies in the UK, said: “We believe in improving people’s health through everything we do, and we are passionate about developing world-leading medical devices, products and services.

“We are improving the patient experience, reducing the potential for hospitalacquired infections and freeing up beds. Following the pilot, this concept could become more widespread and applied across other specialities within the NHS.” Accounting might not be the first industry that springs to mind when talking innovation – but the numbers are clearly up in this sector, too.

Hentons is a national chartered accountancy, tax specialist and advisory firm with offices across Yorkshire, including Sheffield, Leeds, York and Thirsk, as well as in Central London.

But the firm has been quick to acknowledge – and respond to – the digital revolution sweeping the business, tax and accounting landscape.

While using new digital tools to simplify their clients accounting behaviours, Hentons is also supporting innovation in their relationships with start-up digital and tech companies – not least with their Sheffield office move to Kollider this month.

Sheffield-based national head of business development and digital Tim Baum-Dixon explains: “Our market is being disrupted with big changes in the way accounts are being done.

“Digital innovations are allowing businesses of all sizes to take advantage of new opportunities and get better and more insightful information to allow better

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FOCUS ON

CHRIS SKIDMORE MP, MINISTER OF STATE FOR UNIVERSITIES, SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE AMRC

decision making and automation – ultimately creating opportunities for growth and increased profits.

“We work with the best cloud accounting software, including Xero and QuickBooks, to offer a number of cloud-based accounting solutions and packages which are all Making Tax digital (MTD) compliant.”

And the digital innovation is opening up the market to businesses large and small.

“Due to the low costs of software and a move towards a rental model, there really is no reason for businesses of any size not to take advantage of these innovations by moving to digital accounting and selecting the right software for their business.”

By switching from spreadsheets to software, a paper-less office and costsavings aren’t the only benefits.

“The move to digital accounting gives businesses of all sizes better control of their finances by offering the ability to create and send invoices on the go, connect to online banking, create estimates,

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purchase orders and manage stock.

“Rather than data inputting, it’s a great way to review and improve so it’s a good way to get a snapshot of your business performance.”

As well as changing the way their clients handle their accounting, the digital innovations are shaping the way Hentons operates as a business, too – and the move online doesn’t mean less of a traditional client-facing service, either.

“It’s meaning we are moving into more of an advisory role. Where before you may have seen your accountant at the end of the year, with these digital innovations it makes sense for us to meet on a quarterly basis so we can review and advise.

“Rather than looking back over the year and the client trying to comprehend all that data to ask ‘how has the business got here?’, meeting quarterly means we can sit down and analyse the most up-to-date information.

“We’ve got the tech

We’ve got the tech expertise and the automation doing the behind the scenes work but that frees our team up so that instead of data inputting and processing we can review and advise clients

expertise and the automation doing the behind the scenes work but that frees our team up so that instead of data inputting and processing we can review and advise clients on the current information – do you need to stock more of this? Less of this? Does this profit margin need to increase?

“Our team are local people who know the area and know the market.”

And the move to Kollider is a sign of Hentons commitment to the innovative tech and digital sector in Sheffield.

“There are so many fantastic ideas and little clusters – like the Geek brekkie sessions at Tamper – springing up all over the city, and we’re looking to capitalise on that with our move to Kollider.

“We’re also hosting our own event on innovation and harnessing new tech (see our calendar pages for full details) in association with HSBC as this is the growth area for the Sheffield City Region. Tech and digital businesses are the future big businesses – the Forgemasters of 10-15 years’ time.”

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FOCUS ON

THE OBSERVATORY 13 – 20 MARCH 2020 Join us for a walking journey through space and see the Cathedral transformed by light and sound to reveal the universe, galaxies and meteor showers Tickets available from the Cathedral Gift Shop or www.sheffieldcathedral.org

#TheObservatorySheffield In partnership with award-winning Luxmuralis Artistic Collaboration 50

Image credit: Luxmuralis Artistic Collaboration

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RETIREMENT

FROM A FORTNIGHT TO A FUTURE VISION When Richard Wright joined Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in late 2010, it was meant to be for a fortnight. But it was a role that was indeed ‘meant to be’ – as Jill Theobald finds out Having been brought in on a ‘short-term’ basis in late 2010 to help Sheffield Chamber through challenges it faced at the time, Richard Wright retired as executive director of policy and representation… in early 2020.

The Chamber’s role has become substantially more secure during his tenure, and the business support organisation has been transformed. But then, as Richard points out, so has the city.

“We’re establishing ourselves as a destination city. We’re no longer acting like victims of the past. We’re looking ahead 20 years instead of two decades in the past.

“Sheffield Airport is dead – long live the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District. Don Valley Stadium is dead – long live Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Hammersons is dead – long live Heart of the City II. A lot of the former were not popular decisions to support at the time, but where we are now has justified them in the longer term.

“We are a city focusing on the future. Advanced manufacturing with The AMRC Training Centre, health and wellbeing with National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) and Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and creative and digital where the recent Sheffield Digital report

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RICHARD WITH SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL LEADER JULIE DORE (ABOVE) AND READY TO HIT THE ROAD IN HIS CAMPERVAN

really captured our skills and strengths.

“Now we have the South Yorkshire devolution deal agreed, too – and if we get HS2 as well, I will be very happy!”

It’s clear that Richard is leaving the Chamber happy enough though.

“It’s a marvellous group of people and it has an interesting period ahead including new premises. But the time is right for me to step down – it’s a changing of the old guard! Keith Ridgway from the AMRC and John Mothersole from the council

left last year, Julie Dore is leaving this year and it really feels like the city is heading into a new era. The new guard! And that is true of the Chamber too, welcoming Stella Steele as its new director of operations.”

So what’s his future vision for the city and the Chamber in the new era?

“Both need to focus on three key areas. Continuing to support the aforementioned sectors we are leading in, and becoming a ‘destination city’ with investments like the extreme sports park, but

businesses need to also play a wider part in two other areas – tackling social divisions and the environment.

“Businesses can no longer exit in isolation, it’s not just about running your own company. It’s about how you treat your staff and the partnerships you establish with others. They must play an active part in the community to ensure no areas are left behind because that is how we will drive up standards of living and wealth creation – by boosting productivity and the economy. Education can play a part in that and the vocational route we have via Sheffield College and the UTCs is engaging children from challenged areas.

“The same goes for the environment – what are companies doing about becoming more sustainable and, ultimately, carbon neutral?”

And as for his own personal future vision? Having bought a campervan, Richard and wife Linda will be off on frequent visits to their holiday home in France and elsewhere.

And back home he’ll still be a familiar face around the city, kept busy in roles including non-executive director of Derbyshire Mental Health Trust, board member of NCSEM Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University Business School’s Advisory Group, and Chair of the UTC Multi Advisory Trust.

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RETIREMENT

RETIREMENT? DON’T JUST DREAM IT –

PLAN IT! Early into a new year can often be the time when retirement planning starts moving up the agenda for business owners. Over to Joanna Dawson, MD of Dawson Radford Solicitors, who shares her top tips on how to properly prepare and turn the retirement dream into a well-planned reality

We are only a few weeks into 2020 and already I seem to be having more conversations about retirement (not mine, you’ll be relieved to hear!).

As all good business owners know, a goal without a plan is only a dream – so if retirement is on the agenda, the earlier plans can be put in place, the better.

I regularly act for clients who are selling their business

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after many stressful, but generally successful years.

However, all too often I can’t help thinking that just a bit of forward planning might have maximised their return and provided them with more cash to take into retirement.

With this in mind, here are some of my top tips to help get the most out of your retirement sale:

Start with the end in mind It might sound obvious, but have you thought how much money you actually need to be able to retire? Chat to your accountant or financial planner about the provisions you have for retirement, and also think about what your business is worth now and what it needs to be worth in the future to achieve that for you.

Some of my clients are actively working to create a business worth a certain amount of money because they know that will then give them the return they need.

Get your house in order So many times, we embark on a business sale only to find there are problems which haven’t been addressed

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RETIREMENT

JOANNA WITH THE TEAM AT DAWSON RADFORD

by the seller. This could be something like an unresolved insurance claim, a dispute with a supplier or even problems with property, such as land not within the right ownership.

I often wonder why a seller wouldn’t deal with these matters prior to bringing their business to the market? Doing a bit of preparation work beforehand and putting these issues to bed generally means a smoother sale process and less opportunity for the buyer to chip away at the price.

It also increases buyer confidence when their due diligence exercise is relatively clean or you can at least provide comprehensive documentation evidencing that the matter is closed.

Is the buyer sat under your nose?

Your potential buyer might already work for you in the business. We are seeing a rise in management buyout transactions where a senior employee or small group of employees purchase the business they work for.

In the past this has been quite difficult as employees struggled to raise the necessary finance. However, with banks being more open to different funding facilities, and sellers being willing to

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take the purchase price over a number of years, this type of arrangement is possible.

Your company’s current bank may offer guidance as to whether they would have an appetite to lend to your employees, secured against the existing business.

Will you need/want to work again?

A well-organised handover period is worth its weight in gold to a buyer, and generally sellers are happy to provide this, to ensure that the business has the best possibility of being successful under its new ownership.

However, once this time has passed many sellers feel like they still have something to give to their industry.

Recently a client of mine was approached to provide training and trouble-shooting services after the sale of his business. He really wanted to do it, but the buyer said no – end of. To me it seemed a shame that these skills couldn’t be used, when maybe a chat between buyer and seller at the outset about future plans would have allowed a way forward.

Get proper advice!

Obviously, I would say that, but I can’t emphasise this

We are seeing a rise in management buyout transactions where a senior employee or small group of employees purchase the business they work for

enough. Your business could well be the most valuable asset you ever own, yet some clients just don’t see the value in taking proper advice from professionals, whether it be solicitors, accountants or financial advisors.

Sales of companies, in particular, can contain complex arrangements concerning price adjustments of post-completion accounts and it is so important that the parties instruct professionals with experience of working on such transactions.

I have seen occasions where parties didn’t get the outcome they expected, because they hadn’t been properly advised on the agreement or they realise they have ongoing liabilities they were not aware of.

You don’t need to choose the most expensive advisor, but I would recommend doing your research, seeking recommendations from friends and colleagues, and having an initial chat with the advisor to see whether you’re a good fit for each other.

If you’re thinking of selling your business – or indeed buying – chat to the team at Dawson Radford for straightforward, practical advice based on experience of corporate transactions.

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FOCUS ON

Company, Commercial and Employment Law Specialists We specialise in working with owners or senior directors of businesses that are looking to expand. Offering legal advice on your business transactions when buying and selling a business, company law, shareholder/partnership agreements, commercial agreements and commercial property. We can also help with all of your employment law and HR requirements.

What sets Dawson Radford Solicitors apart from the competition is our exceptional service. Imagine having your calls returned, being able to speak to the solicitor you instructed and the confidence that your legal matters are being dealt with to the highest standards.

Fancy a chat?

Call 01246 932 10 0 or email hello@dawsonradford.co.uk

dawsonradford.co.uk

Being Me five-year diary Being Me is filled with 365 different questions to answer as you record thoughts, feelings and emotions. You can begin your diary at any point during the year so there’s no reason to put off telling your story, today. Everyone has a story, what’s yours?

£22.50 Reflections card game Reflections is an easy to learn card game filled with fun and meaningful conversations.

What will you learn about your fellow players and what will they learn about you?

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FREE UK Postage & Packing throughout February 2020

@opennarrative unLTDBUSINESS.COM

YOUR PITCH Publisher Lorraine Dixon tells unLTD how Open Narrative products help ‘inspire people to record their life as they live, feel and see it’

OPEN NARRATIVE Tell us about your business – sell yourself!

Open Narrative creates and publishes beautiful products to inspire people to record their life as they live it, feel it and see it through the medium of journals, diaries and games.

Our products have been created to help people be joyful beings who walk lightly on the planet. All our products are produced and printed in the UK using the most sustainable and environmentally friendly resources available so we can keep our carbon footprint to a minimum.

Currently we have Being Me – a five-year diary filled with 365 different questions which give each day a different focus – and Reflections, a communication tool with a wide range of applications.

Both aim to help people take a few minutes to reflect and to encourage self-care and good habits.

There is also an exciting new project for 2020 – details to follow on that one!

What gave you the idea for your business?

I am Sheffield born and bred but I’ve lived in Italy and travelled to Africa, Asia and Australia. I have worked in a number of roles from recruitment and mental health nursing to education and catering – I used to work alongside my husband when we owned Dino’s on London Road in Sheffield.

I spent six years as a lecturer and manager of Adult Education at Chesterfield College. In 2011 I set up my coaching and education consultancy, Chiave Training, and in 2017

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PHOTO: HANNAH SOAR PHOTOGRAPHY

LORRAINE DIXON OF OPEN NARRATIVE

the company changed name to Open Narrative, and I published Being Me Diary. I had considered going down the traditional publishing route, but I couldn’t find an organisation that did what I wanted to do so that’s when I began the next stage of my career as a publisher (although I can still be spotted helping my husband out at his

latest venture La Baracca on Abbeydale Road!)

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

Currently, I reach my customers either at pop-up events or online. I do like to speak with people on a face-to-face basis and explain what we do at Open Narrative.

This year I am also beginning

my journey into the retail market and will be exhibiting at the 2020 London Stationery Show to see what the level of interest is.

How can people get in touch with you?

Contact me via the website, www.opennarrative.co.uk, and on Instagram and Facebook @opennarrative

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SUCCESS STORY

FRESH

Following a successful 2019 merger, Sheffieldbased printing firm Northend has gone from strength to strength as a company – and has got the stats to prove it! unLTD’s Sasha Mossman spoke to managing director Nigel Stubley to find out more

PRINTS 56

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SUCCESS STORY

Tell me a bit about the business.

Northend was established in 1889 – the same year as Sheffield United! – and gradually began to make waves in Sheffield as a commercial printing business for customers in and around the city. I joined the business back in 1996 with an extensive background in sales and marketing and fresh food production.

Back then I didn’t know much at all about printing – but most of what I’d done before involved prioritising the customer and putting them at the forefront of everything we do. So that’s what we set about doing here – and we’ve managed to do this successfully for the past two decades.

How has it developed over the years?

Essentially, Northend has moved on from its beginnings as a lithographic printing company, to a full-service print house with a wide offering including design, production management, fulfilment. We do this across all formats – from digital to litho and wide format.

Being a long-standing firm, we’ve seen plenty of growth over the years, but the most significant development in recent years has certainly been

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the merger. It was initially apparent that – being the size we were – we’d need to make significant organic growth.

We then did some succession planning and started looking out for partners in 2018.

I was delighted to eventually find My Print Partners (great name!) and we merged the businesses together to work from the historic Northend site in April 2019.

What particular projects, products, or services have been particularly successful?

We embraced digital print technology in 2004, and there’s been a continual move over these 15 years to using more and more digital personalised prints, as that’s what customers want.

Digital printing has been an enabler in that, without it, you couldn’t make the move to produced personalised one-to-one marketing communications.

Digital printing has been the facilitator to allow marketeers to get a much more personalised message to their audience. Traditionally, it was the done thing to print and door-drop 50,000 leaflets – whereas now, we can produce an email that could go to 50,000 people, and then 250 personalised print pieces which would go to key targets.

In 2009, on the back of

that move to digital work, we added picking and packing and fulfilment. This allows us to produce digital one-offs, but at the same time we can accept that there are some things you can produce three or four times a year and then put them to one side for customers to call off as and when they want them, rather than having to hold a year’s worth of stock just to get the unit price down.

Also, around six years ago we added wide formats which meant we could produce products including signage, pop-up banners, outdoor signs and banners, exhibition panels.

So much has changed over the last 15 years!

What are the key milestone achievements in recent years?

The merger has allowed us much critical mass. Before we merged, we had a £3.5million turnover. Since we’ve merged, we’re now in excess of £5million. This has allowed us to upgrade our equipment – particularly in finishing. For instance, we couldn’t have justified the new stitching line we installed in December on the smaller turnover.

What sort of feedback do you get from staff about the company culture and environment of the workplace?

Following the merger – very positive. The integration of our two teams has been seamless and I think the fact we’ve had zero staff turnover since the merger says it all. Historically, our turnover has been low anyway, but we haven’t lost any staff since April 2019.

We also have annual job reviews to ensure our staff are satisfied in their job roles and with the workplace culture – this also produces great results.

What are your plans for the future to drive further success?

In terms of going forward, we’re looking at more projects to increase efficiency – this is a priority for us as a business.

Strategically, we’re looking at further add-on services – we’d like to start something from scratch, buy the equipment and start the training. We’re also looking at acquisitions so that, as Northend, we can extend our offerings. We’d sell those services to both our existing and growing new customer base.

We’ve had consistently positive feedback from customers and we’re constantly gaining more market share from that. We have customers all over the country - but we could never ignore that we’re a part of the vibrant, creative services industry in Sheffield.

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

OPEN HOUSE PICTURES Videographer Joseph Palmer tells unLTD how he and Daniel Bale founded their ‘diverse and dynamic’ business thanks to Sheffield’s ‘engaging and supportive’ environment We were inspired to start Open House Pictures by...

Producing a short film in our second year of university. Being movie-lovers from a young age we both decided to try our hand at making our first short film. Over the course of three months we crowdfunded, produced and shot the film and we haven’t looked back since.

We both agreed that the next step was setting up a business in the industry.

Our favourite thing about running Open House Pictures is…

Being given the opportunity to be creative and expressive in the work we do. Running a business that requires us to be imaginative and find new exciting ways to engage people is what drives us as a team. Everyone is looking at video content at the minute so finding a way to stand out from the crowd is integral and that’s where we come in.

The three words that best describe Open House Pictures are…

Individualistic, diverse and dynamic.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to start Open House Pictures because…

Sheffield is such an engaging and supportive city, having both grown up and lived here our entire lives it really was a no-brainer to start here. There’s an excellent network of support here from the universities to other free services across the city.

Sheffield is becoming more and more known for its independent and collaborative scene and we both wanted to be a part of that in our own way.

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JOSEPH PALMER, LEFT WITH DANIEL BALE OF OPEN HOUSE PICTURES

Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow Open House Pictures because…

The video production industry is growing. When we first started here, there were some great platforms full of filmmakers across Sheffield. But with the introduction of places like Kollider that are funding their own digital hub, it’s obvious Sheffield is becoming more and more connected with technology like the rest of the UK. Being here at an early stage allows us to best judge the market and so grow along with the video production industry as it progresses.

The best advice we ever got was…

People are always looking for a reason not to use your business. Don’t give them one.

The worst advice we ever got was…

Just wing it. We still don’t understand why anyone in business would have that mindset.

The organisations that have supported Open House Pictures include…

Sheffield Hallam Enterprise Team, Business Sheffield and CADS to name a few.

The main challenges facing our industry/sector are…

Sheffield as a city is still playing catch up with video content as most other large scale cities such as Manchester, Leeds and London have already adapted to using videos as a means of promotion.

In 5 years’ time we expect Open House Pictures to…

Have progressed into a fully self-sufficient business. We’ve just marked off our first year of Open House and for the coming years we are keen to expand our team and develop our business further afield.

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FOCUSCULTURE ON COMPANY

For over 16 years, Über has established itself as an innovative and vibrant business working with companies across the UK. unLTD’s Sasha Mossman caught up with director Greg Clark to find out what makes them tick…

There’s a chance you’re already familiar with Über’s work – maybe without even realising!

The creative agency’s work has been heavily featured in the entertainment and retail industries – the firm boast an impressive range of past and present clientele, including Netflix, Tombola, BAFTA, Wavin, and a nine-year stint with DFS. On the back of a recent

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relocation to the trendy Eagle Works offices on Kelham Island, the firm – who deliver a range of offerings from TV advertising to brand design – are soon to be entering their 17th year of business.

Director Greg Clark said: “We have very strong brand credentials, especially in terms of looking after our brands and building anything else.”

Despite having carved

out a great heritage for the business for years, Über has been hit by a lot of confusion regarding a certain ridesharing firm…

“We precede the app by six years – although we do sometimes get calls for taxis!

We’ve been a top 30 creative agency in this country all this time, so we didn’t want to throw that recognition away with a name change – we stuck to our guns.”

Über has seen some significant changes in their culture since their early beginnings – although there have been plenty of opportunities for learning across the way.

Greg explained: “One of the biggest things for us in the beginning was that we wanted to create a company that we’d really want to work at. We’d all worked at some rubbish places with

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COMPANY CULTURE

DIRECTORS PAMELA JAYNE-BROADBERRY AND GREG CLARK (LEFT) AND UBER’S NEW OFFICE SPACE AT EAGLE WORKS

rubbish bosses under rubbish circumstances doing all sorts of things and we didn’t want to repeat that.

“We were very proud of what we’d achieved – but, when you start your own business you make it up as you go along as you’ve never done it before.”

The directorial team discovered that, despite bringing their vision to fruition, creating a so-called Utopia brought structurerelated issues to the foreground, and with that, plenty of stress.

“One thing we did do, naively, was decide to not have a traditional pecking order – we all wanted to treat each other as equals. We didn’t want to be known as a corporate company at all, we wanted to have our own relaxed culture – a friendly, open, honest one.

“Although we had the best intentions, we eventually came to understand why some of the best companies in the world embrace hierarchy – it gets stuff done!”

Following this experience, Über eventually began to

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use a hierarchy system – although, as Greg continued: “We tried something different and that’s my only warning to others starting out in the industry – you have to understand why you want to be different and what you want to get out of it. There are certain things we’ve learnt – the hard way – that don’t work.

“It may be cheesy but at Über, no one works for anyone else – we all work together.

We’ve managed to carry our original ethos through to this day. Tradition isn’t always bad, but we certainly don’t have a traditional attitude.” Über believes that the quality of the office space itself is crucial to providing a positive company culture. The agency had stints working in offices in Attercliffe and Parkhill before their most recent relocation to Kelham Island, which has proven extremely beneficial to staff morale.

Greg added: “We always wanted a great place for our staff to work. You have to spend eight hours in an office each day so it needs to inspire people in their work –

One of the biggest things for us in the beginning was that we wanted to create a company that we’d really want to work at

where you work and how you operate the space is massively crucial to what you do.”

Flexible working hours have also become a staple in Über’s ethos. Maintaining a solid work/life balance is key to the team, especially as – at least for most of the longstanding staff – many have started their families whilst working at Über.

“We’ve had plenty of discussions, and the consensus is that staff want a better work/life balance – to be able to deal with out-ofwork commitments, including family duties.

“When we first started the company, none of us had kids, but now most of us do, so we appreciate and understand the need to have family time.

It’s important to everybody so we’ve built that into our structure – helping people live both their work and personal lives. We try to help in every way we can.

“Our culture is everevolving, ever-changing and constantly being discussed – to stay ahead, you have to move with the times and also with the people.”

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The key to less stress, is to ditch it 6 7 % of people taking part in our 28 day public transport trials say they are less stressed compared to when they commute by car.

Find out how we can help your workforce transform the commute. travelsouthyorkshire.com/business

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TRAVEL SOUTH YORKSHIRE

...AND THE RESULTS ARE IN People from across the region have been leaving their car at home and travelling to work for free using public transport, thanks to Travel South Yorkshire’s recent ‘Leave the key’ campaign. unLTD’s Bronte Saulle caught up with the team to find out how it went The aim of the ’Leave the key’ campaign is to encourage as many people as possible to make small changes to their lifestyle and encourage transport choices that are more active and sustainable, better for the individual and the local environment.

Travel South Yorkshire marketing manager, Richard Pilgrim, explained: “For those who normally commute by car to work, we have given people the opportunity to try public transport for free over the course of 28 days.

“Our message has been clear – ditch the car and see if travelling to your workplace by bus, train, tram or tram train can work for you.

“Whichever service or services participants decided to use, the campaign showed that you can save money on

fuel and parking costs, take time to relax and reduce stress, cut out the congestion by letting someone else drive and, of course, be greener by reducing emissions.”

Travel South Yorkshire’s Active and Sustainable Travel team surveyed the trialists throughout their experience and afterwards to measure the impact of the campaign. Key findings revealed that more than half (56 per cent) have been converted to using public transport for some of their commuter trips and 64 per cent will continue to choose public transport for leisure purposes.

During the trial period, 46 per cent used public transport for over 15 days, 19 per cent between 11 and 15 days and 15 per cent for seven to ten days.

In last month’s issue of

unLTD magazine, the impact that ditching the car could have on health and wellbeing was featured. Public transport use is an effective way to incorporate physical activity into daily life, with one in three public transport users meeting physical activity guidelines. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that 42 per cent reported being more active and 67 per cent less stressed over the course of the 28 days.

Richard said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from our ‘Leave the key’ trialists, which is great news. Despite the recent public transport challenges, we are seeing quite a positive response from this cohort of travellers.”

Survey results indicated that the majority of people who took part live in close proximity to public transport

(90 per cent), with 87 per cent opting to commute by bus, 59 per cent by tram and 49 per cent by train during the 28 day period.

Other findings showed good satisfaction levels of safety (88 per cent), driver and conductor friendliness (87 per cent) and comfort (72 per cent).

Richard tells us “this is just the start”.

“Ultimately, we want to encourage people after the trial period to continue using public transport as much as possible.

We have lots of exciting plans for 2020 and are looking forward to sharing them so watch this space.”

If your workplace would like to know more about how Travel South Yorkshire can help with a more sustainable commute, email the team at: sustainabletravel@sypte.co.uk

INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL FOR YOUR COMPANY? WEBSITE: WWW.TRAVELSOUTHYORKSHIRE.COM/BUSINESS EMAIL: SUSTAINABLETRAVEL@SYPTE.CO.UK

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We on s Bus

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CHARITIES

YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK ROARS INTO ACTION FOR FLOOD APPEAL Yorkshire Wildlife Park donated more than 500 tickets free tickets for South Yorkshire flood victims and people who helped them – worth more than £8,000 – in a partnership with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).

The charity launched the South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Appeal in response to the widespread flooding across the county last November.

So far more than £535,000 has been raised, and the Government has said it will match funds raised by the

appeal on a pound for pound basis up to £1m.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park CEO John Minion said: “We were pleased to work with SYCF, and we were delighted so many people took up the offer of free tickets at such a difficult time for them.”

SYCF corporate relationships manager Michelle Dickinson said: “The tickets donated to those affected by the flooding were so well received and gave families a welcome break from dealing with the aftermath of the flooding of their homes.”

LAW FIRM’S YEAR OF SUPPORT FOR ST LUKE’S HOSPICE Law firm Keebles has raised £5,487.57 for Sheffield’s only hospice after a year of activities including a wine-tasting evening, a football tournament, a Tough Mudder challenge, Will Month support and a

Christmas jumper day.

St Luke’s corporate fundraising manager Jack Kidder said: “The Keebles team have shown incredible enthusiasm in their response to fundraising throughout the year. The range of

fundraising ideas they came up with proves that there really is something to suit everybody and all those events really will make a massive difference to the lives of St Luke’s patients and their families.”

Partner at Keebles Michele Wightman said: “At Keebles, we’re dedicated to helping charities close to our team’s hearts. It’s been a privilege to support St. Luke’s to continue to do the incredible work they do for people across the city.”

BLUEBELL WOOD SAVES THOUSANDS THANKS TO BURROWS Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice has saved thousands of pounds and covered almost 10,000 miles supporting local families thanks to a generous local motor company.

From fundraising events to visiting families in their homes, Bluebell Wood staff have been proudly driving around the region in a new Toyota C-HR courtesy of Burrows Fleet and Business Centre in Barugh Green, Barnsley.

Corporate fundraising manager Rachael Dawes said: “This is the second year running Burrows have kindly supported us in this way and it has saved us a significant

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(L-R) BLUEBELL WOOD’S RACHAEL DAWES AND MATT SHERIDAN WITH ADAM HUGHES AND SAM FERGUSON FROM BURROWS MOTOR COMPANY

sum on transport expenses.

“To lease a similar car would have cost us around

£4,000 so because of Burrow’s generosity we’re able to direct more vital

funds towards helping local families when they need it the most.”

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We’ve got it covered!

Capacity from 10 to 500

Sheffield’s exciting new event and conferencing venue The OEC is perfectly located for conferences in Yorkshire, boasting excellent road, rail and air links plus ample parking with over 400 free spaces.

Ideal for Meetings or Training

We have a range of very impressive, multi-purpose suites, catering for up to 500 delegates.

VIP BOXES All our VIP Boxes are f lexible spaces, either to complement your main meeting room as a breakout facility or, alternatively, they are perfect for smaller meetings and training requirements.

All our VIP Boxes have private balconies and overlook Owlerton Stadium. They each seat up to 20 delegates or can be combined to allow up to 80.

RIVELIN SUITE Our Rivelin Suite is fully adaptable and can hold up to 500 guests, or can be split into three separate suites for between 100 to 250 guests.

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T: 0114 232 0266 E: events@oecsheffield.co.uk

www.oecsheffield.co.uk The OEC . Penistone Road . Sheffield . S6 2DE

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CHARITIES

MASTER CUTLER’S CHALLENGE BOOST FOR WESTON PARK CANCER CHARITY ‘Do it for me, do it for you. Do it for the one in two’ – businesses urged to join The Master Cutler’s Challenge for Weston Park Cancer Charity Weston Park Cancer Charity is to be the main beneficiary of funds raised through the 2020 Master Cutler’s Challenge in what is a milestone year for Weston Park Hospital, as it marks its 50th year of treating patients.

Weston Park Cancer Charity CEO, Samantha Dixon, tells unLTD why it means so much to the charity to be nominated, and how businesses can contribute.

What is the Master Cutler’s Challenge?

Every year, the Master Cutler presents a crisp £50 note to businesses, organisations and groups of individuals who sign up to see how much they can turn that into for chosen charities.

We’re delighted, that in the hospital’s 50th anniversary

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year, we have been chosen as the sole beneficiary of the 2020 Master Cutler’s Challenge! Early interest has been very encouraging – and we were over the moon that first to sign up were our very own porters at the hospital!

We’re really looking forward to seeing what they do!

centres in the UK and around 600 patients participate in a clinical trial each year – developing expertise which is improving our understanding of cancer and treatments and which has changed the outcome for many Weston Park patients.

How can businesses join in the fun?

Why Weston Park Cancer We’re encouraging businesses Charity? across South Yorkshire, One in two of us will be affected North Derbyshire and North by cancer at some point in our Nottinghamshire to sign up for lifetime, and your money will and attend the Master Cutler’s help us be there for anyone who Challenge Launch Event on needs us. Every year we need Thursday27th February. to raise at least £2.7million to At this inspiring event at keep funding vital life-saving Sheffield Cutler’s Hall you research and support services will receive your £50 and which help patients and their then have six months to turn families through diagnosis, that into as much money as treatment and beyond. possible using nothing but Weston Park is one of just 18 your entrepreneurial skills, experimental cancer medical know-how, inventiveness, fun,

team spirit and sheer grit and determination. There’s lots of fundraising ideas on our website, and don’t forget to keep us up to date with your journey – we’d love to share your story and find out what your motivations are for taking part before we close the Challenge and celebrate all your amazing achievements in the Autumn!

Which dates should we put in our diaries?

Thursday 27th February – Master Cutler’s Challenge Launch Event Sunday 3rd May – Walk as One, Endcliffe Park, Sheffield Friday 5th June – Weston Park Cancer Charity Race Evening at Doncaster Racecourse Sunday 28th June – Sky Dive with Master Cutler Friday 10th July – Weston Park Cancer Charity Golf Day

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TELL

ME MORE

The buzzing Abbeydale Road area has welcomed a host of new bars and restaurants recently – so unLTD popped along to The Teller to sample its ‘classy but distinctly modern vibe’ and ‘down-to-Earth Yorkshire hospitality’ Parked directly in-between the recently opened Two Thirds Beer Co., The Gin Bar at Vintedge, and The Broadfield, innovative new bar/restaurant The Teller is a highly anticipated addition to the area’s thriving food and drink scene.

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The result of a joint-vision shared between Andy Mastin, Alec Stephens and chef patron Sam Armitage, the spacious venue – formerly an antiques store – exudes a classy but distinctly modern vibe, something which nicely reflects their goal of bringing

quality fine-dining into a more laidback, pub-style atmosphere.

Down to Earth Yorkshire hospitality is very much on the menu and whether you’ve arrived for a craft brew in the bar area or a sit-down meal, you can expect the same

convivial welcome from the staff.

Speaking of the menu, the driving force behind it, Sam, made his name on the Steel City culinary scene as The Milestone’s youngest chef and also gained invaluable experience at Michelin-

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AFTER HOURS PHOTOS: MARC BARKER

ONE OF THE DELICIOUS DISHES AVAILALBE AT THE TELLER

Starred establishments such as Fischer’s Baslow Hall. Working with him on an exciting selection of small plates is his handpicked kitchen team – young, talented and insatiably passionate about their work.

A minimal waste policy is strictly abided to, so not a single morsel is spared. You can see and taste this in action from leftover sourdough bread being turned into vegan-friendly crackling, to their trademark vegan masala cauliflower curry made using the florets, leaves (crushed and used with curry salt) and cores (pulsed into cauliflower rice).

Vegans are well-catered for across 16 small plate dishes on the main menu, but meat-eaters certainly won’t be disappointed either.

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We sampled the best of both worlds with a sweet, palettecleansing celeriac waldorf, beautifully presented with fondants, candied walnut, pickled grape and pear, followed by the pheasant kiev – a chunky cylinder of rich breast, served with charred corn and a peppery, bittersweet tarragon sauce.

Both dishes were fairly faultless, but the bragging rights had to go to the sumptuous scallop cannelloni and the previously mentioned curry roasted cauliflower. The fresh, meaty scallops with a subtle hint of smokiness were superb, while the much-lauded vegan masala sauce that came with the cauliflower dish – a recipe with special family connections for Sam – impressed with its

Down to Earth Yorkshire hospitality is very much on the menu and whether you’ve arrived for a craft brew in the bar area or a sit-down meal

depth of flavour and tantalising tangy notes.

There are a range of selfindulgent desserts on offer, from classics such as sticky toffee pudding to the intriguingly titled ‘Lemon Meringue-ipane Baked Alaska Tart, but we went out on a high, sugary note with the honeycomb parfait – another beautifully presented dish with a thin layer of dark chocolate balanced atop a decadent yoghurt sorbet.

The foodie scene around this end of town has been flourishing for quite some time, but with the arrival of this progressive fine-dining, casual vibing hybrid it’s fair to say things have been taken up a notch. Do believe the hype. theteller.co.uk

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WEDDING

VENUES February is the month of romance, and for those who are brave enough to pop the question … wedding planning!

So unLTD’s Marta Flakiewicz dons her glad rags and fascinator for a tour of some of the most luxurious and quirky wedding venues in the Sheffield City Region

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AFTER HOURS

CROWNE PLAZA

Crowne Plaza Address: Victoria Station Road, Sheffield S4 7YE Contact Number: 0114 252 6512 Website: www.cpsheffield.co.uk Social Media: Facebook: @CrownePlazaSheffield Twitter: @CP_RoyalVic Instagram: @cproyalvictoria About: The most special day deserves very special surroundings, and the period Victorian elegance of The Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria provides a stunning backdrop for unforgettable wedding celebrations. It’s the most magical day of your life and for your wedding and reception; you need a beautiful venue, with excellent food, discreet and caring service.

This venue only holds one wedding celebration per day at the hotel, ensuring that your special day is unique. At The Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria, each wedding is as individual as the couple themselves; offering

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a totally unique experience for all their clients. The Crowne Plaza will be hosting a wedding fayre and open evenings on the following dates: • 16 February, 11am – 2pm • 5 March, 4pm – 8pm • 16 July, 4pm – 8pm • 27 September, 11am – 2pm • 18 October, 11am – 2pm Tapton Hall Address: Tapton Hall, Shore Lane, Sheffield S10 3BU Contact Number: 0114 266051 Website: www.taptonhall.com Social Media: Facebook: @taptonhallsheff Twitter: @taptonhallsheff Linkedin: @tapton-hall-sheffield Instagram: @taptonhallsheff About: An architectural gem tucked away on Shore Lane, Crosspool, Tapton Hall Sheffield is a Grade II-listed building and a wonderful place to dine, hold corporate events – and marry.

Its distinctive architecture provides various enchanting settings for wedding

ceremonies, with the rooms adding a character and charm that will provide warmth and elegance to your special occasion. From an intimate gathering to grand celebrations, Tapton Hall Sheffield offer beautiful surroundings, delicious food and superb service. There are a variety of suites providing stylish locations for wedding receptions/ breakfasts and five areas for civil wedding ceremonies, where drinks/canapés can be served.

Tapton Hall’s grand entrance hall is a stunning reception area for guests, who then ascend to the Portrait Gallery via a grand staircase. The hall and its grounds are splendid backdrops for photographs, while the wedding coordinator takes care of you from start to finish making sure that your special day is perfect.

Tapton Hall will be hosting wedding fayres on the following dates: • 29 March, 12pm – 3pm • 12 August, 5pm – 9pm • 15 November, 12pm – 3pm

Hellaby Hall Hotel Address: Old Hellaby Lane, Hellaby S66 8EX Contact Number: 01709 702701 Website: www.hellabyhallhotel.co.uk Social Media: Facebook: @hellaby.hall Twitter: @Hellaby_Hall About: This historic 17th century manor house was carefully converted into a 4-star hotel and wedding venue surrounded by landscaped gardens. One of South Yorkshire’s premier wedding venues, offering additional special touches that make your big day unique. In their colonial suite, the hotel can accommodate 275 guests for a large wedding breakfast and up to 350 evening guests.

It is also equipped with its own bar, air conditioning and dance floor. The garden suite is perfect for a more intimate wedding hosting 80 guests, and up to 100 for the evening reception.

Guests can enjoy full use of the spa and leisure facilities, as well as overnight accommodation.

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Wedding

FEBRUARY 16TH – WEDDING FAYRE MARCH 5TH – OPEN EVENING JULY 16TH – OPEN EVENING SEPTEMBER 27TH – WEDDING FAYRE OCTOBER 18TH – OPEN DAY BOOK NOW

Email weddings@cpsheffield.co.uk or call 0114 252 6522 for more details

Victoria Station Road, Sheffield S4 7YE 0114 252 6516 | www.cpsheffield.co.uk

Tapton Hall's unique blend of elegant history and modern efficiency can make your event truly unforgettable.

Sheffield

W E D D I N G S

You can be assured of facilities to rival the most modern - but with a welcome and a standard of service that reflects the finest Sheffield tradition.

C O R P O R A T E

t: 0114 266 0051 enquiries@taptonhall.com www.taptonhall.com Tapton Hall, Shore Lane, Sheffield S10 3BU

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E V E N T S

For centuries, this house has been an integral part of the Sheffield landscape. Tapton Hall’s distinguished history has seen it serve as a home to great names and a witness to great events.

The Hall currently hosts 9 rooms which can be used for weddings, meetings, conferencing and parties. With a team that provide first class service and delicious food, Tapton Hall is a delightful place to come, relax and enjoy your time here.

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AFTER HOURS

CHARACTER AND CHARM CAN BE FOUND IN ABUNDANCE AT TAPTON HALL

Sheffield United FC Address: Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SU Contact Number: 0114 350 3744 Website: www.sufcconferenceand events.co.uk/our-event-types/ weddings/ Social Media: Facebook: @SUFCEvents Twitter: @SUFC_Events About: Bramall Lane, the home to Sheffield United FC, is certainly a unique wedding venue. This space is perfect for football fans and sports enthusiasts. Bramall Lane first opened its doors in 1855 hosting a cricket game and held its first football match on December 29th 1862.

Since then it has become home to Sheffield United, becoming an iconic part of Sheffield culture. Capacities range from 50 people up to 300 people for bigger celebrations, with the stadium offering a variety of spaces.

Sheffield United FC offer multiple wedding packages, experienced wedding coordinators, onsite chefs, and an open bar.

Tankersley Manor Address: Church Lane, Tankersley, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 3DQ Contact Number: 01226 744700 Website: www.tankersley manorhotel.com Social Media: Facebook: @TankersleyManor Twitter: @TankersleyQ About: This Grade II 17th century manor house is surrounded by picturesque scenery and also in reach of the Peak District. It can accommodate up to 280 guests for a large ceremony, but also offers an intimate celebration suite with room for 60 guests, complete with indoor and outdoor spaces.

The function suites are completely versatile, so you can host a rustic fairy-tale wedding or a traditional glamourous celebration. This venue has plenty of facilities such as inhouse catering, a dance floor with room for a live band, as well as a gym and spa. When the celebrations are over Tankersley Manor offers you and your guests 98 bedrooms to retire to.

The Chimney House Address: 4 Kelham Island Sheffield S3 8RY Contact Number: 0114 276 7885 Website: www.thechimneyhouse.com/ wedding-reception-venuesheffield Social Media: Facebook: @the.chimney.house Twitter: @TheChimneyHouse Instagram: @thechimney_house About: Your wedding day can be both stylish and edgy at The Chimney House – an awardwinning Sheffield venue which combines history and heritage within its modern rustic indoor spaces. Decorated with beautiful murals, the venue can host hen parties, pre-wedding rehearsals, marriages, civil ceremonies, wedding receptions and private celebrations. With a capacity for up to 50 guests, this space is perfect for hosting a personal and intimate wedding. The Chimney House offers wedding planning consultations at which their dedicated events team can help you with anything from

custom food and drinks menus to venue styling.

Sheffield Town Hall Address: Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH Contact Number: 0114 273 4567 Website: www.sheffield. gov.uk/home/births-deathsmarriages/town-hallweddings Social Media: Facebook: @SheffieldTownHallEvents Twitter: @townhallevents About: The Town Hall is a grand historic building surrounded by the enchanting Peace Gardens, full of function spaces, such as the Mirror Room or the Mandela Room. Each of the rooms can accommodate 120 guests on the special day and can make for fantastic photo opportunities. If you’re looking for a larger space, the Town Hall also offers a full reception suite which can welcome 220 guests. The venue also offers a wedding coordinator to help oversee the event, and a master of ceremonies/toast maker.

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THE CHIMNEY HOUSE AT KELHAM ISLAND

Hagglers Corner Address: 586 Queens Road, Sheffield S2 4DU Contact Number: 07968 822654 Website: www.hagglerscorner.co.uk Social Media: Facebook: @hagglers.corner Twitter: @HagglersCorner About: A quirky varied mix of spaces, perfect for those with a wild imagination. You’re spoilt for choice with a beautifully finished Light Room, used for yoga and other activities, to the event space with a slatetopped bar and serving area, or even the courtyard.

The spaces can be adapted to suit any decoration style, and the courtyard can be decked out with fire pits, outdoor lighting, a marquee and a stage. The space can host up to 200 guests but offers limited parking. This fun DIY wedding venue offers a variety of wedding packages to suit all budgets and needs. Perfect for out of the box wedding theme ideas.

The Earl of Doncaster Hotel Address: Bennetthorpe, Doncaster DN2 6AD Contact Number: 01302 361371 Website: www.theearl.co.uk Social Media: Facebook: @theearlofdoncasterhotel Instagram: @theearlofdoncaster LinkedIn: @The Earl of Doncaster Hotel

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About: Do you love the 1920s? The Earl of Doncaster may be perfect for you. The 4-star hotel with a unique art deco finish has been holding wedding receptions for over 50 years. It retains many classical characteristics, giving it a sleek, timeless, geometrical look. You can take the décor to your advantage and go for a themed wedding or host a glamorous traditional celebration.

The glamorous venue has a civil wedding license and has been offering civil wedding since 1995, so if you’re planning a church ceremony you can hire The Earl of Doncaster for your reception. The space can host 120 wedding guests and offers three varied wedding packages, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Sheffield Theatres Address: 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield. South Yorkshire S1 1DA Contact Number: 0114 249 6000 Website: www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/ venue-hire/weddings-andcelebrations Social Media: Facebook: @shefftheatres Twitter: @crucibletheatre Instagram: @sheffieldtheatres About: Sheffield Theatres holds a civil ceremony and civil partnership license, meaning that: yes, you can get married

in your favourite theatres! The Crucible stage and Adelphi room can both be used for the ceremony.

The Crucible Stage features a twinkle night ‘sky’ and the capacity to host 980 guests all within at most 22 metres from the stage, creating a perfect space for you and your significant other to take centre stage. The venue also hosts multiple rooms for wedding breakfasts, evening receptions or engagement parties, and offers the opportunity to have photos taken in the Lyceum Theatre.

The Woods – Storrs Address: Storrs Lane, Sheffield S6 6GY Contact Number: 07910 294238 Website: www.stonefacecreative.com/ weddings-parties Social Media: Instagram: @stonefacecreative About: A picturesque mossy woodland with a tranquil river running all the way through it and a magical natural spring pond. The woods are embezzled with works of art and paved with tracks, paths and adventure trails. In the middle of all of this, is your dreamy natural wedding venue.

Storrs is set in ten acres of land, and this property can host small intimate weddings of 40 guests or bigger celebrations hosting up

to 100 guests. The woodland wedding packages include tipis, a fully stocked bar, power source, a pizza oven, and disabled facilities. Only 20 minutes from Sheffield city centre, Storrs is a breathtaking green wedding venue.

Burntwood Court Hotel Address: Burntwood Court Common Road, Brierley, Barnsley S72 9ET Contact Number: 01226 711123 Website: www.burntwoodcourt.co.uk Social Media: Facebook: @burntwoodcourt Instagram @burntwoodcourt About: This modern luxury hotel sits in the middle of 35 acres of manicured Yorkshire gardens. With capacity for up to 280 guests and 43 en-suite bedrooms available, this venue is perfect for a glamorous wedding. Burntwood Court offers a range of suites perfect for any size of function.

With a range of wedding packages this venue can accommodate all budgets and preferences, as well as serve a wedding breakfast menu and provide an evening buffet option. The menu includes a three-course banquet of seasonal food, and the buffet is ideal for the evening guests to graze on. Additionally, the couple and their guests can enjoy the hotel’s facilities such as the swimming pool and fitness centre.

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AFTER HOURS TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

&

CUBAN

BAR

HEARD about our ‘HAPPY’ offers?

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CUBAN

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ROMANTIC RESERVATIONS Tempt the tastebuds, seduce your senses, and flirt with flavours this Valentine’s Day when you book a secluded table for two at one of Sheffield’s most romantic restaurants. Gabby Willis has found the best of the bunch, so you can spend less time searching for somewhere to eat, and more time with the one you love Jöro Address: Krynkl, 294 Shalesmoor, Sheffield S3 8US Contact Number: 0114 299 1539 Opening Hours: Lunch served 12pm-3pm, dinner is already fully booked.

Social Media: Facebook: @JOROrestaurant, Twitter: @JoroRestaurant, Instagram: @restaurant_joro About: Dimmed lights and edible works of art made from the finest available hyper seasonal ingredients – Jöro has the romantic wow-factor you’ve been looking for.

Choose from a selection of small plates and a la carte, or treat your beau to a five, ten, or 12 course tasting menu with optional drinks pairings.

Cubana Address: Unit 4, Leopold Square, Sheffield S1 1RG Contact Number: 0114 276 0475

Opening Hours: Romantic Valentine’s Tapas set menu served 5pm – 9:30pm, February 14 priced from £19.95 to £24.95pp Social Media: Facebook and Instagram: @cubanatapasbar About: Make a night of it at Cubana, where you can share not only each other’s company, but also a selection of sensational tapas. Once you’ve fuelled up to the sound of soulful live music, move downstairs to salsa into the early hours and your lover’s arms.

Birdhouse Tea Bar and Kitchen Address: Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG Contact Number: 0114 327 3695 Opening Hours: Beauty and The Beast Valentine’s afternoon tea served 6pm – 9pm February 14, starting at £22pp Social Media: Facebook: @birdhouseteabarandkitchen,

Twitter: @birdhouseteaco, Instagram: @birdhouseteacompany About: Beauties and Beasts alike are invited to be Birdhouse’s guests and sample their elegant, candlelit afternoon tea themed upon the Disney classic. Whether your tale is as old as time or is only just beginning, or you’ve been writing it for years, step right into your very own happily ever after.

V or V Address: Wharncliffe Works, Cornish Street, Kelham Island, Sheffield S6 3FB Contact Number: 0114 272 4370 Opening Hours: Open 10am – 11pm serving a special V or Valentine’s menu, two courses for £29pp, three for £34pp Social Media: Facebook: @VorVrestaurant About: V or V is all about stripping vegan and vegetarian

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food back to be just as nature intended. They’ll be offering a tailored menu for the most romantic day of the year, so you and your veggie Valentine can relax, return to bare basics, and rekindle the spark.

The Botanist Address: Unit 5A & 5B, Leopold Square, Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2JG Contact Number: 0114 273 7855 Opening Hours: Open Valentine’s Day 12pm – 2am, serving a special three course set menu for £26.50pp Website: www.thebotanist.uk.com/ locations/sheffield About: Don’t just give your Valentine flowers; surround them with blooms. The Botanist is a fairytale setting fit for (making them feel like) royalty and their botanical inspired menu is bound to impress.

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WEEKEND ESCAPES BORMIO Jet off to the powdery slopes of Northern Italy to enjoy a weekend of snow, history and après ski. Anna McGuire recommends travelling to Bormio for a scenic European getaway 78

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a three-hour drive away, Bormio is further afield than other winter resorts but the attractive drive to the historic town is well worth the trip.

Located in the Lombardy A world capital for alpine region of Italy, the picturesque skiing, Bormio is famous for town of Bormio is known for its Stelvio slope which has its mountainous views, natural annually hosted the Men’s thermal baths and beautiful Downhill World Cup since ski slopes.

1993 and will also be hosting With 18 runs and 15 ski lifts the men’s alpine events at the spread across the Alps, the 2026 Winter Olympics. The ski area can easily be reached slope is great for experienced via Milan with regular flights skiers who fancy a technical from regional and London challenge. airports including Manchester, Whether you want to put East Midlands, Birmingham, your feet up and relax those Bristol and Edinburgh. With sore muscles or head out to the airports of Milan Malpensa indulge in a three-course and Milan Bergamo situated dinner, you are bound to find

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something that suits your needs on an evening with a wide range of things to do from restaurants, bars and spas. If you fancy something different head back up the slopes to take part in night skiing.

If you are looking for the perfect accommodation then you will be spoilt for choice with an array of chalets, hotels and apartments. The 5-star Terme Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi is ideal for those looking to splurge on a luxury ski break. All rooms come with free access to the wellness centre, a panoramic view and free Wi-Fi as standard. Prices start at £815* for a three-night weekend stay in March 2020.

Closer to the action is the three-star, Hotel Funivia positioned just a few hundred

metres from the cable lift, the hotel boasts of a 5-star Trip Advisor rating, wellness centre and restaurant. Prices start at £302* for a three-night weekend stay in March 2020.

Follow these top tips to get the most out of your skiing trip:

1

Buy your ski pass in advance If you purchase your ski pass before your holiday starts you can get the most out of your time by hitting the slopes as soon as you arrive. An adult’s three-day lift pass for Bormio in high season is €126*.

2

Rent your ski gear If you are a regular on the slopes you may take your own boots or board but renting your ski or boarding gear is quick and easy when you are only away for a short period. You can get fitted for your equipment, helmet and boots in the ski shop from 8am in the morning.

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BORMIO IS LOCATED IN THE LOMBARDY REGION OF THE ITALIAN ALPS

3

Book lessons at the ski school Whether you are a beginner or just need some refresher lessons, the Bormio ski school caters for a variety of ages and abilities. The lessons will equip you with the skills and confidence to take on that first blue run and hopefully many more.

4

Enjoy lunch at Ristorante Heaven 3000 After working up an appetite from skiing or boarding, pop into the 4.5 Trip Advisor rated Ristorante Heaven 3000 to enjoy a spot of lunch.

Accessed by cable car you can appreciate their delicious local food whilst overlooking the mountains.

5

Relax in a famous thermal bath Famous for its thermal baths, the natural water springs of Bormio are the perfect place to take in the scenic surroundings of the Lombardy valley, relax and combat stress. Visit Bagni Vecchi Spa, Bagni Nuovi Spa or Bormio Terma Spa to experience a slice of Italian history.

6

Head to Be White for après ski Head to the base of Bormio 2000 for the traditional après ski experience at Be White Après Ski & Restaurant. Although not as wild as Meribel’s La Folie Douce, the bar provides a fun place to let your hair down after a long day on the slopes – open every day from 3.30pm.

7

Famous for its thermal baths, the natural water springs of Bormio are the perfect place to take in the scenic surroundings of the Lombardy valley

Dig into a delicious dinner at Vecchia Combo From pizza and pasta to deli boards and wine, the highlight of Bormio is their tasty offering of traditional food. The popular Vecchia Combo restaurant provides a warm and cosy environment whilst serving up authentic food from the local region – don’t forget to make a reservation for a truly rustic meal.

If you fancy a charming ski break then the Italian town of Bormio is a great option with plenty of places to eat, stay and relax – just don’t forget to wrap up!

The 2019/2020 season will end on 13th April 2020**.

For further updates on the 2020/2021 season please visit www.bormioski.eu/en.

*All information and prices correct at time of printing. **Subject to change due to weather conditions.

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NUMBER CRUNCH

PROPERTY On Wednesday February 5, Redbrik Estate Agents will welcome property investors and those interested in investing to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium for a series of talks on how and where to invest in property in 2020.

You can find out all the details about the Redbrik event in our calendar page 22 – and below we crunch the stats and number on the property sector across the Sheffield City Region.

DeeperThanBlue have relocated to Circa 1816 Terminal 2HQ at the Terminal Warehouse in Victoria Quays, a

GRADE II LISTED building restored into a contemporary and vibrant workspace

Sheffield-based auctioneers Mark Jenkinson & Son finished 2019 reporting their busiest period since the property crash of 2007 – where 502 lots sold for

£61.65M a success rate of 86 per cent

Woodall Homes offers

LUXURY 20 YEAR HOMES International law firm CMS has signed a

With new data predicting a two per cent price rise in UK property coming to market in 2020, the region’s leading estate agency, Redbrik, is predicting this will be closer to

5% AND 8% in Sheffield and Chesterfield

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lease for new premises at 1 Charter Square in Phase 1 of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City II regeneration project

across North Derbyshire, with new housing developments in Bolsover, Brimington, Calow, Chesterfield, Newbold and Long Duckmanton

Knight Frank is managing a £3.5m refurbishment programme for one of Sheffield’s most iconic central office buildings, the

8-STOREY Fountain Precinct for owners, the Kames Property Income Fund

Carnell Management Services (CMS) has completed work on a

The Aero Centre DSA includes two speculative industrial units called Avion, the largest of which is

59,159 SQFT £6.6M on a prominent plot adjacent to DSA (Doncaster Sheffield Airport)

speculative business park in Barnsley

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