unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #9

JANUARY 2019 | ISSUE 9 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

MUSIC MATTERS Chair of the City Region’s music board Laura Bennett sings the praises of our growing cultural scene

Focus on

HEART OF THE CITY II

W IN A BED & BREAK

STAY FOR TWOFAST AWARD-WINN AT BOUTIQUE HOT ING EL

‘MAGIC’ LIFE COACH | HEALTHY NEW YEAR EATS | COMPANY PERKS | ALTERNATIVE MEETING VENUES unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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CONTENTS

30 MUSICMATTERS

56 WINABEDANDBREAKFASTHOTELSTAY

40 FOCUSONHEARTOFTHECITYII 4

58 ‘MAGIC’LIFECOACH unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE...

6: News Award wins, all change in Chamber boardroom and topping out at Steel City development.

14: If You Ask Me...

Predictions for the year ahead from four key business figures in the region.

22: Calendar A list of the best events going on in January.

29, 37 & 57: Five minutes with...

Quick chats with Julia Jessop, programme director of the SYBND Cancer Alliance, Run For It...

Today’s Mel Wilkinson and Jon Curtis MD of MyHRtoolkit.

51: Your Pitch We meet Space to Breathe, a company committed to supporting people’s wellbeing in their workplace, community or everyday life.

54: Company Culture Forget traditional office perks – knitting and book groups are top of the agenda for today’s workforce, according to research by employee benefits platform Perkbox.

62: Awards extravaganza Find out the winners from awards nights in Sheffield and Doncaster.

68: Meeting rooms with a twist Bored of the boardroom? Check out these alternative venues.

78: Weekend Escapes We pack our suitcase and head for some winter sun in the Spanish city of Seville.

82: Number Crunch All the facts and figures from the creative and digital industry.

EVERYTHING ELSE...

11: Appointments 13: Diary 19: In a nutshell 21: Evolving technology 27: Securing your assets 39: Property investment 47: Property talks 48: Charity 53: Launchpad business showcase 72: After hours: Healthy eats

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UNLTD PHOTOGRAPHER MARC BARKER SNAPS OUR COVER STAR LAURA BENNETT

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS

SNAPPY NEW YEAR A new year always brings with it a great deal of optimism and we wish all businesses across Sheffield City Region a successful and prosperous 2019.

It’s likely to be an interesting year for many reasons, parts of the building work around the Heart of the City II project in Sheffield will be close to completion as well as many other developments across the region.

We take an in-depth look at how Sheffield city centre will look as the year progresses and what it will mean in terms of commercial and residential space.

Music has always been synonymous with our region and there are now real efforts to bring together people within the industry in a concerted attempt to help it boost the economy as a whole.

Our cover star, Laura Bennett, is the Chair of the newly formed Sheffield City Region Music Board whose remit will be to make the most of the many talented people in our area.

Our look at company culture this month takes us to employee and engagement specialists Perkbox to look at how they keep their own staff – and others – happy.

We all wish that sometimes we can wave a magic wand and make everything right again.

Life coach Steve Faulkner is also a magician by trade and he tells us the tricks he uses to get people back on the right path in their careers.

By now you may have already broken at least a couple of your New Year’s Resolutions so we’re not going to make any promises ourselves.

However, what we have done is spoken to some leading business figures about their hopes for 2019.

If one of your desires is to break out of the mundane then our guide to alternative venues for that most boring of office activities (meetings, in case you were wondering) is a must read.

And finally, Weekend Escapes takes us to Seville, which is not only a juicy location for its famous oranges but also has a nice line in mushroom shaped buildings…

EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General editorial@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7760 ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 Alexandra Scrivener alexandra@unltdbusiness.com 07944 325 861 Nick Hallam nick@unltdbusiness.com 07843 483 536 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Faye Bailey accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Marc Barker Peter Kay Sarah-Louise Kelsey Tim Bottrill Jim Brailsford Sam Leeder Isobel Buffin Holly Pringle Desmond Conway Jake Rodgers Mike Durham Ash Young unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media LTD Unit 1B Rialto 2 Kelham Island Square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HR Media LTD Unit 1a Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

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AGENDA NEWS Military’s ‘highest honour’ for city firm

NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR SHEFFIELD OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park beat off competition from projects by Sky TV and Kings Cross to win a national architecture award.

The unique project took the honours in the Landscape Architecture of the Year category at the 2018 AJ Architecture Awards, held at The Roundhouse Camden London, which recognise excellence in UK architecture.

Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park beat Sky TV’s Campus, the City of Glasgow College’s Landscape and Public Realm and the Canal Corridor at Kings Cross after judges described the project as an ‘imaginative piece of landscape-first regeneration’.

They said: “The scheme features clever connectivity throughout the site which has already bought people into the area and delivered

a highly sustainable slotin infrastructure ready for the next wave of new development.”

The landscape and infrastructure works at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park were undertaken by Henry Boot Construction, with a project team including Turner and Townsend, Arup, Ares Landscape Architects and Amey. The works were funded through Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund and procured by Sheffield City Council.

Ben Handley, from Ares Landscape Architects, said: “To win is a fantastic boost to all concerned, putting the project well and truly on the map. Access to high quality green space for the local community is a fundamental part of what has been achieved,

along with ensuring the continuation of elite sport such as Sheffield Eagles RLFC and all the activities at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.”

Former Minister for Sport and Project Lead for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Richard Caborn, said: “We’ve brought a number of organisations together to create a world-class space for people to work, learn and improve their health and wellbeing.

“The Lower Don Valley area was ripe for regeneration and Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is driving economic and social renaissance, offering improved education, development of new skills, additional job opportunities from the research centres, sports facilities and space for companies to grow.”

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

Get in touch with your press releases, ideas and suggestions: editorial@unltdbusiness.com Twitter @unLTDbusiness LinkedIn: Unltd Business Instagram: unltdbusiness

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A Sheffield business which employs exservices personnel and current reservists has been presented with the Military’s ‘highest honour’.

ITI Network Services Ltd and only two other Yorkshire organisations were awarded the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award for their longstanding commitment to supporting Reservists and Veterans.

HRH Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex and Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson presented ITI’s Jason Denmark, David Newton and Ben Dunker at what the MOD as described a ‘truly golden evening’ at the ERS Gold Awards Ceremony at Lancaster House in London.

Jason Denmark, MD of ITI Network Services and CEO of parent company, The Templand Group, said: “When people leave the Armed Forces, they do so with unique skills and experiences that can benefit businesses and organisations across the country – their potential contribution should never be underestimated.”

Dave Newton, ITI’s commercial director, previously served with the Royal Engineers. He said: “My 22 years’ experience in the telecommunications and IT industry started thank to my five years in the British Army.

That was where my love for communications technology began.

“I could see the enormous contribution that reservists make to the Forces, and ITI has long recognised that current and former Armed Forces staff offer significant expertise, commitment and transferable skills to our business.”

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AGENDA

DONCASTER APPRENTICE PROVES WHY HE’S ‘HIRED’!

JACK MORRIS, JOINT WINNER OF THE YEAR 4 AWARD AT THE 2018 DRAX POWER APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS

An ‘outstanding’ apprentice from Doncaster triumphed as one of the big winners at the 2018 Drax Power Apprenticeship Awards.

Mechanical craftsperson Jack Morris, aged 20, shared the Year 4 award with Jack Bailey, aged 20, from Pontefract.

Jack Morris said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to be selected.

I’ve still got lots to learn but it’s great experience.

“There’s so much technical ability at Drax to learn from, it’s a fantastic start for us all.”

Drax increased its intake of apprentices this year by almost

50%

Andy Koss, Drax Power chief executive officer, said: “Jack really deserves this award for the commitment he has shown and the value he’s already bringing to the business.

“An apprenticeship is a brilliant way to start a career in engineering. We’ve got lots of successful former apprentices working with us.

“Investing in skills and the future of our people is vital not just for our business but for the Northern Powerhouse region and the UK as a whole.”

All Change in the Chamber Boardroom Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce is celebrating after all three areas of the member-led organisation recorded significant growth during the past twelve months.

The performance was shared with members at its AGM which saw the organisation post its best financial results since the Barnsley and Rotherham Chambers merged in 2007, membership numbers rise to 1,152, and a 90 per cent membership retention rate.

This year sees Lisa Pogson enter into the final year of her presidency, with her successor confirmed as business consultant Mark Broxholme of Swallow Consultancy.

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90%

Membership retention rate

Tricia Smith of the Source Skills Academy, Glen Banks of Kinspeed, and Frank Kler of Learning Curve Group were also appointed as nonexecutive directors.

Tributes were paid to longstanding director Gareth Owen, who stepped down from his role. Gareth spent more than 34 years working at Sheffield-based Keebles, and has acted as a member of the Chamber’s Member Representation Council

since 2009 and been a nonexecutive director since 2010.

Chief executive Andrew Denniff: “For the first time in our history, when the board meets again, there will be more women sitting around the table than men. I think this speaks volumes about how far we have come as an organisation.

“As Britain heads towards uncertain economic times, the need for support and representation for local businesses has never been greater. Despite the uncertainty posed over the implications of Brexit, it is clear that growing numbers of business owners across the region are turning to the Chamber for advice and support.”

Container café set for business park Developers at a Sheffield business park have had plans agreed for a trendy cafe, enabling a popular lunch spot to relocate and become a more permanent fixture.

ARBA Group submitted plans to Sheffield City Council to install a funky, single-storey, shipping container-based unit and external eating area on site at Meadowhall Business Park.

The new unit, signed off by city planners, will enable expansion of an existing mobile catering unit, which has been trading since 2003 on Carbrook Hall Road, opposite the business park.

ARBA director Andrew Allen said: “The site of the new permanent unit

ONLY 7,500 SQ FT remains available at the park

is currently an unused border within the grounds of Meadowhall Business Park. Having a new cafe at MBP not only adds to the current facilities on-site but will allow for the expansion of the existing catering business offer.”

Mobile catering unit coowner Mandy Clarke added: “With the container cafe we will be able to offer a larger choice of food and provide seating so that people can really get away from their desks for a bite to eat.”

ARBA Group has transformed five former Sheffield City Council office blocks into more than 70,000 sq ft of commercial business space at Meadowhall Business Park.

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AGENDA HOT US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has officially opened its first European manufacturing site in South Yorkshire – the £40m Boeing Sheffield plant is in Catcliffe, near Rotherham.

Keebles has acted for Vacation Rentals UK in the Mulberry Cottages acquisition.

Canterbury-based Mulberry will join Vacation Rentals UK’s existing cottage holiday brands including English Country Cottages, Blue Chip Holidays and cottages.com.

Digital and media staff and students from Chesterfield College were guests at an event at The House of Lords in recognition of their involvement in the innovative Momentum World project, supporting youth work and cultural exchange around the world.

Sheffield architects HLM have landed a £160m RAF base contract to build an F-35 flight simulator, maintenance unit and storage facilities at RAF Lakenheath at the Suffolk airbase.

Doncaster College is supporting athletes in education in England, having been accredited by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) initiative.

A new plan has been devised to improve Barnsley’s serving rail network. If successful, the improvements would mean new and improved rail connections and easier access to mainline services.

COOL Meadowhall’s proposed £300m extension has been delayed, with plans setback and reviewed amid problems in the retail sector.

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£35M STEEL CITY’S ‘MODERN TWIST IN TRADITIONAL AREA The completion of the construction of the highest structural element of the £35m ‘Steel City’ development has been celebrated with a topping out ceremony.

Steel City will create 350 high quality student accommodation units across a cluster of sites at Hollis Croft (West Bar), featuring modern townhouses, apartments and studios, and networking facilities, including a roof top Sky Lounge.

Adjacent to the University of Sheffield’s Engineering Faculty, the development is from Future Generation, part of the Southern Grove group – a Soho-based real estate developer led by Sheffield-born Chairman Andrew George Southern.

Sheffield-based property consultant Tan Khan advised on the acquisition. Leading city architects Axis Architecture were the masterminds behind the striking building, with construction delivered by Clegg Construction.

LEFT TO RIGHT TAN KHAN; ED FISHER, SOUTHERN GROVE; ANDREW SOUTHERN; STEVE BURLAGA, AXIS ARCHITECTURE; TIM WALKER, CLEGG CONSTRUCTION AND PHIL ROBERTS, RUNNER-UP IN BRITAIN’S STRONGEST MAN AND SPONSORED BY SOUTHERN GROVE

Andrew Southern said: “With Steel City, we’ve put together a high-quality redevelopment that stitches a modern twist back into the traditional 19th century fabric of the area.

“Steel City is the first in Southern Grove’s ‘Future

Generation’ portfolio and will set the aspirational tone that we will be going on to roll out nationwide.”

Steel City is due to be completed in time for the start of the 2019/2020 academic year.

SHU city centre masterplan Sheffield Hallam University has announced plans to create a revolutionary collaboration to deliver its £220m campus masterplan in the heart of the city centre.

The campus masterplan will play a key role in Sheffield Hallam fulfilling its ambition to become the world’s leading applied university.

The University has gone out to tender with the aim of creating a ‘Hallam Alliance’ to work on the project. It will bring together construction, design consultancy and facilities management services as partners, who will be involved throughout the entire project

£220M The first phase will see approximately £220million invested over the next 5 years

and influence each phase.

The alliance approach will create apprenticeships and work placements, while providing opportunities for students and utilising research

and best practice to design world class facilities.

It will also prioritise the use of a local supply chain, providing a boost for businesses within the Sheffield City Region and driving local economic growth.

Daniel Ladbury, director of estates, said: “We take our civic role at the heart of the region extremely seriously.

Therefore ensuring we deliver maximum benefit from this flagship development is a priority. When complete it will be a major asset for Sheffield and the wider region, helping to attract new talent and investment to our area.”

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AGENDA

RELAXATION KEY TO THE BOX AT FLAGSHIP DAY CENTRE A trail-blazing sensory box at a Rotherham day centre is proving to be a flagship facility for young adults with autism.

The box, the first of its kind in the country, features air-conditioning, colour-changing lights and an LED interactive screen all aimed at giving users a place to relax and focus on wellbeing.

It is housed at the Base Community Hub that provides learning, social interaction, sports facilities and work experience to young adults with autism.

Michelle Harris, co-owner of the centre said: “Users can benefit from tailor-made packages that encompass learning and social activities as well as general wellbeing.

£500

The Base Community Hub has been supported by a grant from UK Steel Enterprise Kickstart Fund

“We wanted to incorporate fitness into the schedule as part of a wider push for wellbeing and social interaction.”

The sensory box was developed in China and supplied by Paul Robinson of Ego-Podzone.

City hosts first ever National Apprenticeships Awards Sheffield welcomed apprentices and employers from across the country as the city played host to Learning Unlimited’s first ever National Apprenticeships Awards.

Held at Ponds Forge, the glittering ceremony recognised businesses and individuals who have shown dedication and commitment to developing a skilled workforce though apprenticeships.

TV personality and journalist Helen Fospero presented awards to those selected from the hundreds of nominations put forward by peers, managers and as staff at Learning Unlimited.

Among the winners, was Sheffield-based chartered accountants and business advisors, Wilson Howe.

The firm won Small Employer of the Year for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to developing apprentices and providing them with a clear route into long-term employment.

14 WINNERS took away trophies on the night

The planned redevelopment of a derelict listed building into a ‘vibrant hub’ has received initial National Lottery support with £49,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Age UK Sheffield plans to renovate the 18th Century Old Coach House building in Hillsborough into a dementia-friendly older people’s centre, and café open to the entire community.

The project aims to create a vibrant hub, providing local employment and volunteering opportunities and introduce people to the Walled Garden and other heritage within the park.

CEO Steve Chu said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Thanks to National Lottery players we have a real opportunity to develop a thriving community venue for older people in Sheffield and local people in Hillsborough. Importantly, through this project, we can bring back into use a derelict listed building that would otherwise soon be lost.”

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Mark Bennington, viceprinc ipal of commercial services and enterprise at the Chesterfield College Group, said: “The awards provided us with the opportunity to recognise the value of apprenticeships and the employers who are invested in the apprenticeship model.

“Each award presented during the evening represented the positive impact on each and every one of those individuals and businesses.

“We look forward to working with our apprentices and businesses over the coming year and look forward to next year’s awards.”

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AGENDA Coffee firm invests £250,000 in rise of Yorkshire roast An award-winning coffee specialist is brewing up extra business with a new distribution centre in Rotherham.

Cafeology, which launched in Sheffield in 2003, is now one of the UK’s largest independently-owned coffee companies.

Cafeology has been in business for

CITY TAXIS IS ONE OF THE UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TAXI FIRMS WITH A FLEET OF 1,750 VEHICLES

CITY TAXIS DRIVING AHEAD City Taxis has completed a management buyout – another significant milestone in the company’s remarkable growth story.

Over the last four years City Taxis has carried out multiple strategic acquisitions across and beyond the Sheffield City Region, extending its presence now into Barnsley, Chesterfield, Derby and Rotherham, and is now one of the largest independent taxi firms in the UK, operating a fleet of 1,750 vehicles.

The MBO now enables certain founding shareholders to realise the value of their investment and step away from the business allowing Arnie Singh, continuing in his role as managing director, together with his team to take the company through the next stage of its development.

Arnie said: “I am very grateful to the outgoing shareholders.

Without their hard work and foresight, particularly in the early days, we certainly wouldn’t be

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City Taxis average over

130,000 journeys a week

where we are today. We have invested heavily, particularly in technology through our App which is widely used by our customers. The industry is constantly evolving, and we have the foundation of a solid infrastructure with which to continue developing our product and service offering.”

Corporate finance advice for the buyout was provided by a BHP Corporate Finance team of Tim Brind and John Warner with funding for the transaction coming from Andrew Marsh, Neil Bradburne and Ben Carver at Barclays Bank. Legal advice was provided by a team led by Ben Hendry and Luke Chapman of CMS. Tim Brind of BHP Corporate Finance said: “City Taxis is a genuine success story for the Sheffield City Region. It has been a pleasure to help and support them in making this next step and I look forward to seeing the business continue to progress.”

15 YEARS The company marked its 15th year with a £250,000 investment in its businessto-business roasting and blending service with a new state-of-the art roastery.

Managing director Bryan Unkles, who launched Cafeology with Andy McClatchey, said: “We have stayed true to our values of quality, ethical sourcing, full traceability and Yorkshire roots and poured our years of experience into our artisan service, Roastology.

“It has taken off at an unprecedented rate and this investment is proof of our commitment to further expansion.”

The hi-tech roastery, at Vantage Riverside Business Park near Meadowhall, will feature a £110,000 giant roaster, a ‘coffee laboratory’ and a fully-equipped training academy with three new jobs created.

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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

Elevation appoints first female board directors Elevation Recruitment Group has appointed two new experienced business leaders, with 40 per cent of the Group Board of Directors now made up by female appointments.

As commercial director at Elevation, Joanna Dobson will work closely with founder and CEO Greg Parkinson to maximise business growth across the group, as well as taking full responsibility for the marketing, HR, compliance, administration, IT and finance departments.

Operations director Emma Noble joins the board with more than 20 years specialist recruitment experience, including previous appointments as MD, nonexecutive director level and partner, all within specialist SME Yorkshire-based recruitment businesses.

New chairman at Sheffield Forgemasters Ex Rolls-Royce plc group president Colin Smith CBE has joined directors at Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd (SFIL) as non-executive chairman, completing a new executive team.

The first chairman appointed to the board of directors at SFIL since the retirement of Tony Pedder in 2017, Colin joins new CEO David Bond who took over from Dr Graham Honeyman, who stepped down last July, Steve Hammell as the group’s new CFO, and Paul Cahill as new COO. Colin will work to regulate the board of directors, chairing all meetings of the board and ensuring that the company’s direction is set out and the business strategy is effectively delivered.

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DIRECTORS JOANNA DOBSON AND EMMA NOBLE WITH CEO GREG PARKINSON

Greg said: “Our core passion is about enabling our employees to reach their full potential and as more than 65 per cent of our workforce is now female, I believe that Joanna and Emma

will become role models for the rest of the organisation, inspiring all our female employees to actively chase their career goals and perhaps to become future members of the board.”

NEW VICE PRINCIPAL JOINS COLLEGE Anna Jackson has joined the Chesterfield College management team as Vice Principal for Learning, Skills and Innovation, working alongside directors to develop academic and technical provision and to drive forward the college’s quality and improvement plan.

She brings a wealth of experience from education roles in Birmingham and Leicester and a track record of curriculum improvement, as well as working in partnership with local industry to develop the skills needed.

Anna said: “I am keen to work with schools, employers and the Local Enterprise Partnerships to ensure we are developing study programmes with progression and the local economy in mind.”

Anne joins the Sereniti team

Chartered psychologist Anne Hinchliffe has joined Sereniti as a regular associate team member, as the professional human resource firm expands its Business Psychology offering including a tailored mental health training and support programme.

Trio of appointments at Harper James National law firm Harper James Solicitors has announced a trio of new appointments. Dispute resolution partner Ashley Mott, finance manager Jackie Howard, and business development executive William Parsonage have all been appointed to work from the firm’s Sheffield headquarters, Velocity Tower.

B. Braun Chair elected Assay ‘Guardian’ B. Braun Medical Ltd group chairman and CEO Hans Hux has been elected a ‘Guardian’

by Sheffield Assay Office thanks to his ‘unrivalled expertise’ in his industry.

First graduates for Wilson Field

Corporate recovery and business advisory specialists Wilson Field have taken on Joseph Potts, Eric Mensah and Sam Bentley as trainee case administrators, as part of the firm’s new graduate training programme.

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

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

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

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0345 850 1055

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AGENDA

THE DIARY

BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says we should be self-confident about what we have to offer in the city region

Challenge of what comes next is vital

AIM TO BE PROUD NOT LOUD Not a year goes by without some strategic report saying that Sheffield or the city region doesn’t ‘shout about’ itself enough.

How are we supposed to be taken serious on the national or international stage if we don’t make a lot of noise? is the go-to position when Sheffield ranks below a city of what we perceive to be a lesser status in an article or poll.

I’ve always found this a bit of a cop out and slightly disrespectful to the people who are doing their utmost to promote the city – as well as, increasingly, the whole city region including Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and North East Derbyshire.

Being a hidden gem doesn’t necessarily mean that people

are ignoring you. It could be that you’re difficult to get to, or that part of your charm is that you are relatively undiscovered, so those who do know about you feel special rather than just part of the crowd.

Having ‘big, bold and brash’ on your CV doesn’t automatically mean you are better. Cities like Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham are ones that Sheffield often gets lumped in with usually to make the point that we’re doing badly.

Instead of trying to compete against perceived rivals why don’t we just try and be the best we can?

Sheffield city region is going through some fantastic regeneration from the very visible signs in the city

centre through to proposals to transform Rotherham town centre and beyond to Doncaster/Sheffield Airport’s grand plans.

Don’t get me wrong, we should set our sights high.

There’s nothing wrong with looking at what others do, or plan to do, and try to emulate them. But it must be from a position of being self-confident.

As we move through 2019 there will be much to get excited about. Challenges will arrive, yes, but that’s true of every city.

Outstanding businesses and individuals will always command attention. Selfconfidence in who we are and what we do is far more impressive than simply shouting ‘look at me!’

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

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I’ve said a few times in conversation – only half in jest – that the one advantage of Sheffield taking so long to get on with its Heart of the City development means that other city centres will look a bit dated by comparison.

Of course, towns and cities are constantly reinventing themselves so once this particular project is finished the challenge will be to look at what comes next.

And I think that’s quite an interesting question.

What will town and city centres look like in ten or 20 years time?

People still eat, still buy stuff and still want entertainment but the way they do it is constantly changing. Clever businesses will adapt and smart local authorities will be quick to put in place the infrastructure to get ahead of competing markets.

Onwards and upwards in 2019

It should be an exciting year for unLTD magazine as we continue to grow across the Sheffield city region.

We couldn’t have been more pleased with how 2018 went, particularly the reaction to our unLTD social events as well as the decision to go monthly.

Next month will see the third installment – if you want to get involved just send me a message.

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AGENDA

IF YOU ASK ME ...

THE YEAR AHEAD

It’s the start of a brand new year so we asked four business people their views and predictions for 2019 – as well as the challenges

The political landscape, locally, nationally and internationally has never seemed to hold as many uncertainties. It seems that politics has never felt as unstable with Brexit having dominated the landscape for over two years and domestic issues appearing to take a backseat.

Locally, the Sheffield City Region is also undergoing a period of uncertainty. There is a change in the leadership of the LEP, we have an appointed mayor for the Sheffield City Region and lots of uncertainty and questions around the future of transport and infrastructure in our region, with HS2, road, rail and air all going through periods of change.

As a newly appointed director of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, being ‘Barnsley born and bred’, and being MD of Kinspeed Ltd, a software development company that was ‘born and bred’ in Rotherham, and now being based in North Derbyshire, I felt it was important to join the

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GLEN BANKS, MD KINSPEED LTD AND A DIRECTOR OF BARNSLEY & ROTHERHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

board to represent the views of business in the region and try to influence decisions locally, as I feel all of the above is key to ensuring that the future for our region is bright.

Our region has a fantastic reputation and everywhere I travel the region is held is high regard, with our manufacturing and industrial heritage being

famous and something for which we should be proud.

The current challenge is trying to ensure that the transport infrastructure, IT and internet capacity is capable of providing easy access in and out of our region for goods and services and also ensuring our workforce is trained and equipped with the skills and tools necessary to provide world class goods and services to customers all over the globe.

It is key our local leaders are able to work together with the LEP and the Mayor to ensure we obtain access to funding via a devolution that is accepted by all local leaders, ensuring funds are distributed fairly across the region, to enable us to provide a timely world class good and/ or service, when and where the customer requires it.

Our Yorkshire grit, combined with our honesty and down to earth approach, can all add up to a positive future if resources available are obtained and channelled correctly, enabling our region to move forward with positivity and confidence into 2019 and beyond.

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AGENDA

It’s fair to say that 2018 was far from boring but what I would most like to see this year is a lot more stability.

I work in the entertainment industry, so I’m used to excitement whether it is the biggest act of the day playing at the FlyDSA Arena Sheffield, or a dramatic come-from-behind victory by the Steelers in front of a packed house.

However, for far too long the region has been affected by local, regional, national and international issues that have had a range of significant impacts.

Some of these we have control over but for the most part we are at the mercy of decisions made a long way from the Sheffield city region.

A little bit of calm wouldn’t go amiss, please.

Closer to home one thing that we can work together on is a coordinated marketing approach for our area. This region has so much on offer and some quality marketing professionals but sometimes we don’t quite connect the dots with lots of groups working

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DOM STOKES, HEAD OF SIV LIVE

on lots of initiatives. We need that one influential voice or figurehead that shouts loud and brings us all together.

Our region’s leaders (whether they be political, cultural, business or social) need to take more risks. Look to the long-term benefits rather than short term gains.

Now, you may say I’m biased, but I’d love to see more

young people recognising the opportunities available to them by entering the cultural creative and events businesses. It’s a fantastic sector to work in and if you like a challenge then this industry is definitely for you.

Speaking of challenges…

I tend to be an optimist with a positive mindset and any challenge should be seen as an opportunity but there are

obviously several on the horizon as we begin the new year.

Brexit! I desperately wanted to avoid saying it but whatever people’s views for and against the vote, uncertainty of this process can cause significant challenges and a lack of focus on other areas.

I think it will be the of issue of our times, so it will always be a background noise to whatever is going on. As I said earlier, stability is what is needed and Brexit is the perfect example of this.

Competition from other regions, cities or towns will continue to increase. Others (particularly those nearby) are realising they cannot be shy about shouting about their assets. We must do more to tell people about what we have here. It’s genuinely top-class.

And finally, more people from all backgrounds who suffer from issues with their mental health wellbeing need to keep receiving support. We’re getting better, but we can’t rest on our laurels in such a vital area.

Here’s to a happy and successful 2019!

15

AGENDA The Sheffield City Region will face many challenges in 2019, least of all the closure of more local businesses due to a lack of skills, inadequate business support and an out of date business rates system. For the Sheffield City Region to thrive and be one of the country’s leading regions, each of the combined authorities need to address these issues.

SKILLS Employers are increasingly failing to recruit the people they need and are reporting skills shortage vacancies. There are numerous challenges facing employers, including difficulty finding workers with in-demand technical skills and an ageing workforce.

We need to: ∙∙ Increase the business representation on local skills board. ∙∙ Ensure there is a single strong voice, accountable within each authority who can represent the region at a national Government level to highlight the region’s skills and educational need. ∙∙ Support schemes that encourage greater engagement between education and business, including B&E Together, Inspiring the Future, Young Enterprise and the CEC. ∙∙ Support local programmes which encourage apprenticeships and work with schools and colleges to encourage young people

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∙∙ Consider offering council funded grants for start-up and developing businesses. ∙∙ Take steps to actively engage with hard to reach businesses and diverse groups including women and ethnic minorities. ∙∙ Ensure that support is tailored to local businesses and is relevant and accessible.

KEVIN DONNELLY CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER B&E FOUNDATION FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES NATIONAL COUNCILLOR FOR YORKSHIRE, THE HUMBER AND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

into vocational education and training, as well as pathways into traditionally academic routes. Encourage and support small firms to invest in leadership and management training.

BUSINESS SUPPORT The current landscape for business support is overcrowded and confusing. Councils need to work with Growth Hubs and LEPs to develop a cohesive system of business support that is effective, sustainable and adds value.

We need to: ∙∙ Recognise that retailers are a major contributor to the local economy.

Provide business support programmes or schemes specifically for retailers. ∙∙ Ensure the business support offer is tailored to the needs of all businesses.

There are numerous challenges facing employers, including difficulty finding workers with indemand technical skills and an ageing workforce

BUSINESS RATES The out-dated and unhelpful business rates system in England was introduced in 1990. They’re consistently the third highest cost after staff and rent. This problem has been exacerbated recently as a result of the 2017 revaluation, with 500,000 businesses receiving an increase in their rates liability.

Until there is fundamental reform of the business rates system, councils need to support businesses the best way they can.

We need to: ∙∙ Encourage eligible businesses to apply for Small Business Rate Relief. ∙∙ Provide appropriate signposting support for any business looking to appeal against their valuation. ∙∙ Support businesses to access the discretionary reliefs they may be entitled too, including the discretionary relief fund. ∙∙ Make transitional relief easy for businesses to apply and administer swiftly.

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AGENDA As a general manager at a shopping centre, it is very tempting to begin a column on my predictions for 2019 by asking what might be ‘in store’ for the retail sector for the coming year.

But in all seriousness and puns aside, my main prediction is that Frenchgate and many of our contemporaries will be continuing to think beyond the traditional shopping centre concept of ‘floors of stores’.

We need to ensure we are offering a positive experience to offer the main point of difference on the high street versus online.

We know customers still want that connection, the tangible experience – shopping ‘IRL’, if you will, as opposed to the online experience of a tablet or smartphone screen – but how is retail addressing this?

I’m very proud to say we made a pioneering move last year – as the first shopping centre in the north to welcome the UK’s biggest trampoline park operator when Flip Out opened its doors in July, bringing 50 jobs to the city business region.

Flip Out redeveloped the 28,000 sq ft former BHS site which saw us pioneering the first change of use of this kind for a former BHS unit in the UK and Ireland. This demonstrates an innovative and creative approach to leasing and using space in a new way to transform Doncaster’s town centre in an ambitious and pioneering change for the high street.

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PADDY MELLON, GENERAL MANAGER AT FRENCHGATE SHOPPING CENTRE, DONCASTER

This follows on from other developments that go beyond the ‘floors of stores’ concept – although we’re pleased to have welcomed our fair share of those in 2018 including accessories brand Morgan Taylor high street toy retailer The Entertainer and gadget and gift shop Menkind.

But when Taco Bell opened in November (after identifying Doncaster as ‘an area we’ve had our eye on for a while’), the international chain chose us because they said we were

“the perfect location for those looking for entertainment and of course a bite to eat.”

Taco Bell helped us expand on our Eat Street offering. But enhancing our leisure and entertainment offering has been a real achievement for us not just this year alone.

Hungry Horse pub the Mallard opened its doors in 2015, fitness fans can pop in to do more than shop after The Gym Group opened in 2016 and we’ve been hosting art, photography and poetry

exhibitions for several years which led to us unveiling cultural hotspot ‘The Art Space’ in 2017.

In 2019 the main challenge for the sector will be providing these different experiences to complement the retail offering. More than simply ‘floors of stores’ has to be the way to go in 2019 and beyond – that really is the innovation the high street needs in Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region and across the whole of the UK.

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22/06/2018 11:57

AGENDA

IN A NUTSHELL

BY JILL THEOBALD

Our features writer Jill Theobald looks out across the horizon on the dawn of a new year

DAWN OF A

NEW YEAR It’s a new year, it’s a new dawn – but will it be a new life for Sheffield City Region?

As we kick off 2019, we asked our If You Ask Me contributors their predictions for the region in the new year, as well as what challenges they expected.

So, what’s the lay of the land looking like for the region as we look over the horizon in the new dawn of a new year?

As Dom Stokes points out 2018 was ‘far from boring’.

Working for SIV in the entertainment industry, he says he’s ‘used to excitement whether it is the biggest act of the day playing at the FlyDSA Arena Sheffield, or a dramatic come-from-behind victory by the Steelers in front of a packed house’. (I’m definitely with him

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on the first one – as our unLTD graphic designer Simon Waller and I caught Def Leppard at the Arena in December and it was an amazing early Christmas present!)

But as well as a ‘coordinated marketing approach for our area’, Dom also wants ‘a lot more stability’, saying: ‘Brexit will be the of issue of our times, so it will always be a background noise to whatever is going on ... stability is what is needed and Brexit is the perfect example of this.’

Dom also adds: ‘A little bit of calm wouldn’t go amiss, please’ to his wish list.

And as Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce’s Glen Banks points out: ‘It seems that politics has never felt as unstable with

Brexit having dominated the landscape for over two years.’

As Glen says closer to home the Sheffield City Region is also undergoing a period of uncertainty, with a change in the leadership of the LEP, and lots of question marks over issues like transport and infrastructure.

But helping to counter that confusion is our secret weapon – what Glen sums up as: ‘Yorkshire grit, combined with our honesty and down to earth approach’.

Kevin Donnelly from the Federation of Small Businesses handily gave us his top three areas which the Sheffield City Region needs to tackle ‘to thrive and be one of the country’s leading regions’ – skills, business support, and

business rates. Among Kevin’s list of areas for improvement in 2019 is the need to ‘recognise that retailers are a major contributor to the local economy’.

Not something you’d have to convince Paddy Mellon at Frenchgate of. After reflecting on the ways the Doncaster shopping centre has boosted its offering this year beyond the concept of simply ‘floors of stores’, the general manager is a man on a mission in 2019 to continue ‘innovating’ the high street in Doncaster and beyond.

So, a new year, a new dawn, a new life, then. And, if we experience and embrace all of the above, perhaps the city region really will be ‘feeling good’.

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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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0114 272 9753

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AGENDA

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

BY ASH YOUNG

Our digital expert looks at the next steps for Google and SEO

GOOGLE AND SEO – WHAT’S NEXT?

The world of digital never stays the same. To be successful, you always need to be evaluating and adjusting your strategy. This should be viewed as a positive though, since it means that there are always new opportunities for you to take advantage of.

A great example of this is Google’s Jobs Panel, which we looked at in last month’s column. This feature is helping companies to bypass traditional jobs’ boards and outrank their competitors.

It is just one of the ways in which Google are looking to provide users with the information they’re searching for directly within the search results.

Another recent example is

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Featured Snippets. These are the boxes displayed for selected results at the top of Google’s search results pages, that highlight information in bullet points, tables or answer boxes.

Featured Snippets and Further Monetisation Moving forward, it’s likely we’ll see Google continue their push towards displaying more information to searchers in this way. So, if you’re prepared to spend some time creating new content and optimising existing pages on your website, you could take advantage of new on-SERP trends in 2019.

For example, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see property search listings brought into the search results. In a similar

way to how the Jobs Panel has helped Google to break the monopoly of big recruitment sites such as Indeed, a similar move in property could help them control searches for properties over websites such as Rightmove.

In addition, existing and potential new features in the search results such as these are likely to be monetised by Google at some stage.

You only need to look at their move to charge companies reliant on their Maps integration to see that often, free features you come to rely on will eventually cost.

What’s to Come In SEO? In terms of wider SEO success, many of the

fundamentals will remain similar. Companies will need to continue to find the harmonious balance between technical SEO, usability, content creation and the building of quality backlinks.

Wherever possible, synonymous working between the roles occupied within a marketing team will be vital to securing the best results possible in each of these areas.

Finding someone that is able to nurture the relationships required to secure you coverage with external publishers could also be priceless for you.

For help with any of your digital marketing needs, get in touch with Evoluted today.

Ash Young, Evoluted www.evoluted.net

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AGENDA CALENDAR

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

17TH JANUARY QUARTERLY ECONOMIC REVIEW BREAKFAST: 2018 Q4

This first event of the new year will also focus on Brexit, and its impact on business.

Brexit will mark the most profound political changes seen Venue: The AESSEAL New York Stadium, New York Way, in generations and on the 29 March 2019, the UK will leave Rotherham, S60 1FJ the European Union. But are the businesses in the Sheffield Time: 8am-10am City Region prepared?

Cost: Free Hear from Jenny Lawson of the European Enterprise About: Quarterly Economic Review Breakfast: 2018 Q4 Network’s views on how things will develop after the end Date: 17 Jan 2019 of March, followed by a Q&A panel session with Jenny and Each quarter, the Sheffield City Region Chambers host other key business leaders, all of who have a direct interest flagship events in partnership with the Sheffield University in international trade and the impact of Brexit across the Management School to share the Quarterly Economic Review region’s businesses. results and what they mean for business.

Contact: bit.ly/2DFL5Y4

3RD BUSINESS NETWORKING –

8TH DONCASTER PROPERTY AND

Venue: Holiday Inn Barnsley M1, Junction37, Dodworth S75 3JT Time: 7am-8.30am Cost: £10 About: An event for local businesses looking to grow.

The new business networking group is building a strong business community, where members will work together to provide support.

Contact: bit.ly/2zWwvI7

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

SYNERGY BNI

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CONSTRUCTION LUNCH

development managers and many more cooperate officials.

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

10TH SEO WORKSHOP IN SHEFFIELD: ONLINE MARKETING AS A BUSINESS MODEL

Venue: Jurys Inn, 119 Eyre Street, Sheffield S1 4QW Time: 4pm-6:30pm Cost: Free About: Award-winning software for small businesses

rankingCoach introduces its unique Online Marketing solution and talks online marketing and especially SEO (search engine optimisation) in a personal and interactive workshop.

Contact: bit.ly/2QCCOLj

11TH PLATFORMING NETWORKINGWOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORKING

Venue: The Prince of Wales, 95 Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PH

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AGENDA Time: 9.30am-11.30am Cost: £3 for members, £5 for non-members About: The group will be made up of a majority of experienced networkers who want to do business together but who are also keen to welcome, support and advise those new to networking in a friendly atmosphere.

Contact: bit.ly/2zeCdF4

23RD DONCASTER BUSINESS INSIGHT

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

ROUNDTABLE; CONNECTIONS TO MANCHESTER Venue: Holiday Inn A1(M) Junction 36, High Road, Warmsworth, Doncaster DN4 9UX Time: 8am-9.30am Cost: Free About: A roundtable discussion on Transport for the North’s plans to better connect Manchester and the Sheffield City Region and influence plans to ensure your business benefits. Key stakeholders are keen to hear your views during this planning stage.

Contact: bit.ly/2zvcUxI

11TH WHY AND HOW TO MAP

CUSTOMER JOURNEYS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Venue: The Business Village, Innovation Way, Wilthorpe, Barnsley S75 1JL Time: 8.15am-10.15am Cost: Free About: In this session Nigel Greenwood from Simply Customer allows you to look at your business through your customers’ eyes. The presentation and session will help businesses understand why the experience you deliver to your customers matter and how small improvements can have a huge impact.

Contact: bit.ly/2ErEaSC

14TH PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERING IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

Venue: The Business Village, Innovation Way, Wilthorpe, Barnsley S75 1JL Time: 8.30am-12.30pm Cost: Free About: This one-day Masterclass provides an essential introduction to public sector tendering for small businesses for small businesses in the construction sector and for new businesses starting out. It will ultimately help your business to tender and how to find tender opportunities.

Contact: bit.ly/2pMub0s

15TH INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, off Saint James Street, Doncaster DN1 3SL Time: 10am- 12pm Cost: Free About: To encourage and

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23RD LINKEDIN, YOUR PROFILE AND YOU: INTERACTING TRAINING WORKSHOP & NETWORKING

13TH JANUARY WINTER RETREAT: RESET WITH LIBBY LIMON

Venue: The Mowbray, 118 Mowbray Street, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8EN Time: 10am Cost: £35 About: A ‘Detox and Restore’ Yoga Lunch with Libby Limon, Nutritional Therapist and Yoga Teacher.

Contact: bit.ly/2Ld3See support members with advice, tips, articles, information in order to make their business as successful as possible, networking between businesses women supporting women.

Contact: bit.ly/2RWA6gt

16TH MAKING DONCASTER OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Venue: Mount Pleasant Hotel, Great N Road, Rossington, Doncaster DN11 0HW Time: 7.45am-10am Cost: Free About: As Brexit negotiations continue, how are firms innovating to ensure they remain open for business?

Hear the latest results of the Doncaster Business Insight Survey, a keynote speaker

and panel discussion on the current hot issues impacting business.

Contact: bit.ly/2SJxfri

16TH & 30TH WORK:SPACE

Venue: The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FS Time: 9am-4pm Cost: Free About: Work:Space is a pop-up cafe and co-working space aimed at social entrepreneurs, sole traders, new businesses, community groups and creatives who often work in isolation on kitchen tables or bedroom offices to bring people together and to see what happens.

Contact: www.spacetobreathe.eu/ events

Venue: The Business Village @BarnsleyBIC, Innovation Way, Wilthorpe, Barnsley S75 1JL Time: 8.30am-12.30pm Cost: £52.94 About: Are you wondering how to use Linkedin effectively for your business?

Attend the interactive workshop that is packed with tips to increase the relevant audience and create content that is tailored to your business connections.

Contact: www.smsukltd.co.uk

23RD TOP TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR

BUSINESS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN5 5JW Time: 9:30am-12:30pm Cost: Free About: This interactive workshop will help you consider the social media platforms your ideal customer is using, how they are using them and what you can do to better engage with them to raise your profile, increase your brand awareness and grow your business.

Contact: bit.ly/2A5OagK

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AGENDA

24TH FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

WORKSHOP AND NETWORKING

Venue: Store First Barnsley, Training Room, Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley S74 9SB Time: 8.30am-12.30pm Cost: £52.94 About: An interactive workshop on how you can use Facebook to boost your business profile online. Packed full of useful tips and up to date strategies, to help you increase your relevant audience and create and share interesting content tailored to your business and industry sector.

Contact: bit.ly/2qRqhEC

24TH SHEFFIELD 2025: BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BOLDER

Venue: Sheffield United FC, Platinum Suite, Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SW Time: 5pm-7:30pm Cost: Free About: The property forum of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce (SPARC) hosts a significant commercial property event with a panel discussion around the aspirations of the property community in Sheffield and how to achieve them.

Contact: bit.ly/2nynrSH

24TH JANUARY ENTREPENURS BUSINESS CLUB SHEFFIELD NETWORKING

Venue: Glacier Suite, iceSheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield S9 5DA Time: 9.30am-11.30am Cost: £10 About: An effective environment for building close working links and establishing that invaluable ‘support network’ of business contacts.

Contact: bit.ly/2zXg4KN Cost: £90 About: An afternoon of bespoke jewellery making with CAST followed by a decadent Yorkshire roast and hearty pud – straight from The Mowbray Kitchen.

Contact: bit.ly/2Qpu5fw

Cost: Free About: An event jointly organised by Public Health England, Sheffield Mind and the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities for you to have your say and help shape a way forward to improve mental health in the workplace.

Contact: bit.ly/2S9E7ht

Venue: Castle Park Rugby Club, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, DN2 5QB Time: 5.30pm-8pm Cost: Members – Free, Non-Members £18 inc. VAT About: Meet and network with like-minded business people, all while enjoying a light buffet. Benefit from both open networking and a structured table shuffle for the opportunity to pitch your business to everyone in the room.

Contact: bit.ly/2rzGRJp

Cost: Free About: Change is happening in the world of taxation as HMRC goes digital. Making Tax Digital (MTD) is part of the government’s plan to make it easier for businesses to stay on top of their day-to-day accounts. This workshop will look at areas including what MTD is, when it starts and how to check if you are compliant.

Contact: bit.ly/2Eu6kfe

Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN5 5JW Time: 9:30am-12:30pm Cost: Free About: Networking can feel scary, but this workshop will cover great hints and tips to help you get the most out of events that you may dread – think about networking in a different way that focuses on making quality connections.

Contact: bit.ly/2EAxCRO

30TH RETAINING TALENT TO GROW

29TH MENTAL HEALTH IN THE

29TH MAKING TAX DIGITAL – WHAT YOU

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW Time: 9:30am-1pm

Venue: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Albion House, Savile Street Sheffield S4 7UD Time: 8am-10am

29TH 25TH BUY DONCASTER BUSINESS CLUB TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAMME 29TH HOW TO NETWORK EFFECTIVELY: Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN5 5JW Time: 9:30am-12:30pm Cost: Free About: As part of the Doncaster Skills Academy, the Train the Trainer Programme is recommended for the business representative who delivers employability and enterprise materials to young people in schools to help bridge the gap between education and employment.

Contact: bit.ly/2Uhzcgf

27TH CAST X THE MOWBRAY

Venue: The Mowbray, 118 Mowbray Street, Neepsend, Sheffield, S3 8EN Time: 1pm

24

WORKPLACE – HAVE YOUR SAY?

NEED TO KNOW AND DO

YOUR BUSINESS

Venue: Fusion@Magna, Magna Way, Rotherham, S60 1FE Time: 9.30am-12.30pm Cost: Free About: Retaining talent in your business is an essential for succeeding. This half day masterclass with Michael Page Recruitment will help your business retain talent and discuss essential subjects such as business culture, dynamic working, mentoring and development of progression pathways within your team.

Contact: bit.ly/2SIkrkP

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ADVERTORIAL

SCX SET FOR A SPORTING YEAR It is going to be a year in the sporting spotlight for Sheffield specialist engineering group SCX. The family-run company is looking forward to seeing the results of its expertise rolled out at two major sports stadia in 2019 – the worldfirst retractable grass pitch at the new Tottenham Hotspur football stadium and the retractable roof for No 1 Court at the All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon.

Both high profile projects harness innovative techniques in design, manufacture and installation that have been developed by the group’s bespoke precision engineering arm, SCX Special Projects.

Its work on the dividing retractable grass pitch for Spurs makes the stadium truly multi-use, allowing a switch to an artificial surface, which opens the door to games

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SCX REPRESENTED SHEFFIELD AT THE MADE IN THE UK AWARDS

for the American National Football League and a range of commercial opportunities.

Meanwhile, trials continue on the new sliding roof for Wimbledon No 1 Court in time for next summer’s tournament. 2019 will also

mark the tenth anniversary of SCX Special Projects’ installation of the retractable roof for Centre Court.

The 46-year-old Wincobankbased company employs around 160 staff across its three divisions – SCX Special

Projects, Street CraneXpress and electrical wholesaler Burnand XH – and prides itself on its apprenticeship programme.

The group’s expertise is harnessed in sectors as diverse as advanced manufacturing, nuclear, military, the creative and digital industries, food and biomedical / healthcare technology.

And it can reflect on a highly successful 12 months.

As well as growing order books, it has won five business awards – one national, one regional and three local.

Meanwhile, Street Crane Xpress made an international shortlist of three at an awards ceremony backed by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA).

And the group ended the year on a high – shortlisted in three categories of the 2018 Business Brilliance Awards.

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

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Health & Safety

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AGENDA

SECURING YOUR ASSETS

o.uk o.uk

d

BY SAM LEEDER

Our unLTD columnist is on his travels – casting his insurance eye on export

EXPORTING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY! As we begin a new year, where we may or may not be leaving the EU, we are constantly being encouraged to be more outward looking as a country, which as an island nation we have always been.

There is now more support than ever for companies who would like to start their export journey, whether that is with market research, finance, business planning or understanding how to get paid.

If this is something you are considering you may also want to look into the impact on your insurance arrangements, which may seem complicated, but it doesn’t need to be.

The main considerations are split into three broad areas: Goods Insurance for goods being sent around the world is catered for by the marine cargo insurance market and is based upon the

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total value of goods being sent during a 12 month period and the maximum value of all goods on any one vessel.

The way the insurance is arranged will depend on the selling terms you negotiate.

However, the cover can be included from the moment it leaves your factory right up until it hits your customer’s premises. This would include transport by rail, road, air or sea and will include temporary storage throughout the journey. It would also provide cover for packing and unpacking at various premises along the way if appropriate.

Liabilities As in the UK you have a liability for any injury or damage caused by your products or services and to your employees.

You will therefore need to ensure that your liability insurances you buy in the

UK are with insurers who are comfortable with those same risks in other countries. This will vary greatly depending on where you are planning to export to.

Some countries, such as the USA and Canada, are deemed to be a much higher risk than most others due to the likelihood of claims occurring and also the size of the damages awarded by the courts in those countries.

For this reason you will pay a much higher premium to export to the USA and Canada than you would for sending products to any other country.

This also restricts the number of insurers who will be able to provide the cover.

People Travelling overseas on business can pose much greater risks to you and your people than doing so in the UK.

Once again the risks posed vary greatly depending on the countries you are considering for export and include: ∙∙ Theft or robbery ∙∙ Accidental damage or loss of business property ∙∙ Personal injury ∙∙ Kidnap and ransom Thankfully all of these risks can be insured against with the appropriate insurers – however the cover can be difficult to obtain if you are travelling to high risk countries. In addition to this, most insurers will not provide cover if you are travelling against foreign office advice.

If you are thinking of exporting and would like to have a chat about the potential costs from an insurance perspective please get in touch and we would be happy to have a chat.

Sam Leeder ACII Director Actus Insurance

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

SYBND CANCER ALLIANCE Julia Jessop, programme director of the SYBND Cancer Alliance, tells us about the ‘ambitious’ partnership’s plans to continue to put patients at the heart of decision-making I was inspired to take this role because…

Here’s a big stat for you…

One in two of us will get cancer in our lives: That’s quite a stark figure. I care about improving the care and services those affected by cancer have. I want Sheffield and our region to be the best in delivering that care. I can only do that working with some incredible colleagues, who really are a true inspiration.

My favourite thing about this role is…

Listening to patients and those affected by cancer: I believe that by really hearing people’s stories and experiences – those good ones and those that teach us where things need to improve – we will deliver better care and services. There are some great examples out there and people often want to share their views – I’d really urge that to continue as we develop ways of tuning in more to what people think and feel.

The three words that best describe my organisation are…

Partnership. Ambitious.

Listening.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to work in because…

Sheffield is part of our patch – South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire (SYBND) – and has some truly incredible, world-class, cancer care facilities, services and colleagues. Working with them is challenging and inspiring.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to develop as an

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The organisations that have supported me and the organisation include…

The list is long! SYBND Cancer Alliance is a partnership of all the NHS organisations including all the Clinical Commissioning Groups and Hospital Trusts, Local Authorities, voluntary and charitable sector representation. A special mention must be given to the Integrated Care System (ICS) – our umbrella organisation, which the Cancer Alliance is part of. We’re lucky as our ICS – working together as health and social care – is so advanced in developing several programmes of work and leading the way across the UK.

JULIA JESSOP, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR OF THE SYBND CANCER ALLIANCE

organisation because…

We all believe in getting the best results for those affected by cancer – who can argue with that? We know that there is more we can do and, more importantly, there is an appetite to improve from where we currently are. We recognise how far we’ve come but we are ambitious and listening to patients’ views, so this is about continually moving forward, responding, working together and delivering results.

The best advice I ever got was…

Those who are experiencing the service, patients, carers

and frontline staff, are the ones best placed to advise on what does and doesn’t work for the: Our services and the care provided is best shaped by those who have first-hand experience.

The worst advice I ever got was…

‘This is the way we do things round here’ – Sometimes you have to challenge the norm, be radical and rock the boat a little to inspire change for the better. At the SYBND Cancer Alliance, that’s our aim and we’re consistently trying to channel efficacy and test doing things differently, in a safe environment.

The main challenges facing my sector are…

We are on the right track and 2019 is the year we’ll continue to make bigger in roads, but our main challenges include reducing health inequalities – ensuring prevention, screening, treatment and the impact of cancer aren’t affected by race, age, or any of the discriminatory factors.

We also need to improve our reach and listen to those traditionally not involved in cancer care.

In 5 years’ time I expect my organisation to…

We’re still developing the plans, working with partners, patients and those working with and affected by cancer to answer this. The NHS long term plan, and a world of other factors mean this is the hardest question but my short answer… To continue to put the patients at the heart of our decision making and care, striving for excellence and focusing on doing the right thing to give the best results.

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES

A new and potentially powerful voice is emerging to represent the music industry across the region. unLTD’s Peter Kay spoke with Laura Bennett, the chair of the newly formed Sheffield City Region Music Board The Board seeks to highlight a wide and creative spectrum of music and to harness the talent and ambition of all those who are passionate about it, from primary school children to established musicians.

While there is an undoubted wealth of musical talent to be appreciated and enjoyed, the Sheffield City Region Music Board also seeks to underline the economic benefits.

“We want people to say ‘This is a place where we can make a living by being involved in music’,” says Laura Bennett, who chairs the board, which held its inaugural meeting last November.

Musicians and others who work in the industry stand

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MEMBERS OF THE SHEFFIELD CITY REGION MUSIC BOARD WITH CITY REGION MAYOR, DAN JARVIS

to benefit, and so does the economy across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and the Derbyshire Dales if the message is delivered successfully to other parts of the country.

The driving force behind the initiative is Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis, the Barnsley Central Labour MP

who is working in partnership with London-based UK Music, an industry-funded body that promotes the interests of record labels, music publishers, songwriters, composers, lyricists, musicians, managers, producers, promoters and venues.

Music dovetails into a more expansive strategy of

championing arts and culture to inspire the next generation of artists, attract visitors and grow the SCR’s cultural economy – a strategy that Mayor Jarvis has indicated could form the basis for a regional bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025, a statement that was included in his mayoral manifesto.

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COVER STORY The board sees artists, venues, music businesses and festival organisers working alongside the Mayor, Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh and councillors and council officers.

Vice-chair is Frank Wilkes, director of Alya Records, who has over 30 years’ experience working in the music industry, running a number of Yorkshire-based music initiatives.

A latest addition is hip-hop artist – and Sheffield’s first poet laureate – Otis Mensah.

Collaborative action comes against a backdrop of an impressive and varied list of artists from across the region – Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Def Leppard, Heaven 17, Human League, Toddla T, Bring Me The Horizon, Kate Rusby, Nancy Kerr, Martin Simpson, Lesley Garrett, Barnsley Youth Choir, Tony Christie…

Mayor Jarvis said: “Our region is blessed with musical talent, with great venues large and small, and with a host of leading production and technology-based businesses.

“But I know that there is more we could do to ensure we promote these strengths nationally and internationally,

creating a stronger culture of creativity and talent development and growing the creative industries’ contribution to our economy.”

The board is taking its inspiration from similar initiatives in London, Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region.

“We will aim high – projecting our region’s huge musical potential onto the national stage, helping to grow our economy and creating new opportunities for our talent to shine,” adds the Mayor.

There were plenty of ideas at the first meeting of the SCR Music Board, at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield. The next will be at Doncaster Dome on February 7 with a view to a firm set of proposals being presented by the spring.

Dan Jarvis has emphasised that the board will not be a talking shop and will develop a concrete plan of action.

It has the support of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, the collaboration of the public and private sectors formed to drive the regional economy.

Laura – a board member of the local LEP – is optimistic after chairing the first board meeting.

Our region is blessed with musical talent, with great venues large and small, and with a host of leading production and technology-based businesses

“I was really encouraged by the support around the table.

People were saying this sounds great and how can we get involved. Hopefully we’ll find ways of getting them involved whether they are on the board or not.”

The inaugural meeting was addressed by UK Music CEO Michael Dugher, who outlined the potential benefits of the approach.

In London, for example, it presented an opportunity to tackle the immediate crisis of venue closures, pressing for changes to planning regulations.

Initial discussions confirmed the vibrancy of the music scene at grass roots level, says Laura.

“There is a recognition that there are a lot of artists, whether they be in jazz, folk, classical, rap or other styles, who are making really exciting music.

“There is a lot going on and we don’t always talk about it. Everybody talked about their hopes and aspirations for music in the Sheffield City Region.

“Now we are going to consolidate the ideas as a group. One of the main themes to emerge was helping people to make a living out of music.

DJ, PRODUCER AND SONGWRITER, TODDLA T

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COVER STORY

ARCTIC MONKEYS

City Region Music Board member who’s music to our ears Laura Bennett is heading the Sheffield City Region Music Board on home territory.

The former student of Sheffield’s Silverdale School is back in the city where she lived from an early age.

Specialising in the digital economy and entrepreneurship, she looks to help businesses to access the support, advice and finance they need in order to grow.

Laura is a private sector member of the board of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, helping to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

The intertwining of her entrepreneurial knowledge and her longstanding interest in the arts (she remembers going to the Crucible Theatre as a young child) see her chairing the SCR Music Board.

Laura left Sheffield to study French and Hispanic Studies at the University of Birmingham, and an MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development at the University of London.

A job in London with the Fairtrade Foundation was followed by four years with a social enterprise in a small town in rural Peru.

It involved training and encouraging female weavers and knitters in the Andes to run their own artisan co-operatives as profitable enterprises.

Her experience broadened, Laura has delivered workshops about the digital economy and entrepreneurship to policymakers across Europe and councils in the UK.

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She designed and delivered bespoke business support and peer-to-peer learning programmes for digital tech entrepreneurs, including Founders’ Network for Tech North.

“I have spent several years working with entrepreneurs so I am aware of their needs and how they operate,” says Laura, who came back to Sheffield in 2014.

She began a PhD at Sheffield University Management School in 2017, researching entrepreneurial ecosystems.

As a member of the LEP’s two subexecutive boards on business growth and skills, she offers an insight into the digital economy of the Sheffield City Region, contributing to the drive to boost economic growth and to create jobs.

At Sheffield Technology Parks, she is developing a programme of incubation and acceleration activities that will encourage and support more startups in Sheffield.

“Sheffield has some extremely successful people,” she says. “Let’s tell their stories to people starting out so they can be inspired.

“There’s a lot going on in the region, but people who are growing a business often do so with minimal support. In other cities there may be accelerator programmes.

“We need to bring people together so if they are coming out of university or coming from London there’s a network for them to plug into. It’s not a dry business network where the emphasis is on making purely commercial deals, it’s a mutual support network of likeminded entrepreneurs.”

“Education is another big part. We want music to be accessible for people of all ages.”

Laura takes heart from the “sheer variety” of top quality performers across the musical boundaries within the region.

Similarly, there are a range of events to raise the area’s profile.

Tramlines has grown into “Sheffield’s biggest party”, now relocated from the city centre to Hillsborough Park and with more than 70 artists across four stages lined up for this year’s event, over the weekend of July 19 to 21.

“Tramlines is a huge success and is bringing people to Sheffield in a similar way to the Leeds and Reading festivals,” says Laura. “Let’s capitalise further on that. Let’s get more people travelling here to enjoy the music.”

Other music events are also big attractions.

The third Classical Weekend will see more than 50 of the city’s music groups joined by performers from across the world in a wide range of performances and workshops in Sheffield venues from March 8-10.

Meanwhile, from its home at the Crucible Studio, Music in the Round has an international reputation as the largest promoter of chamber music outside London. Its spring programme also extends to family and jazz concerts.

There is plenty for the Sheffield City Region Music

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COVER STORY

OLI SYKES OF BRING ME THE HORIZON

Board to work with and to shout about.

A snapshot of the local music sector in the summer 2015 – compiled and written

by Sheffield’s Sensoria Festival of Music, Film & Digital – illustrated the scale of the industry. It found 465 active bands/artists and 323 organisations in South Yorkshire.

There were 65 recording studios, 69 venues, 21 rehearsal facilities, 24 record labels, 20 sound engineers, 11 producers, 32 promoters, 12 managers, 17 music festivals, ten music educational organisations…

It’s a long and comprehensive list, with Sheffield having the potential to be the UK’s leading Music City, according to the report commissioned by the University of Sheffield, which is represented on the music board.

Frustratingly, many musicians were found not to have the skills, contacts or capacity to ensure their work is released.

It’s early days for the Sheffield City Region Music Board, which continues to shape enthusiasm and ideas into proposals for the short and longer term.

So far it has support from the Sheffield City Region executive team to help get things moving.

One of the key hopes is that a well co-ordinated and well supported strategy will unlock funds from potential sources

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SHEFFIELD IS HOME TO

69 Venues

65

Recording studios

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Record labels

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Music festivals

such as the National Lottery.

“There is money available for music – and coming together gives you a better chance of accessing it,” says Laura.

A formal launch of an action plan is being prepared while Dan Jarvis widens the picture to champion the region’s excellence in arts, culture and heritage.

Again, a meeting of local experts was convened to help get the ball rolling.

Representatives of art galleries, museums, theatre, cinema, literature, sculpture and other areas met at Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre last November to share their knowledge, explore opportunities to work together and, ultimately, to raise the cultural profile of the region on a national scale.

Mayor Jarvis, a former Shadow Minister for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, says: “Our region is home to nationally significant assets including galleries, museums, the largest theatre complex outside of London, and the soon-to-be-reopened Wentworth Castle Gardens.

“We also have a thriving music scene, a talented community of artists, sculptors and makers, and hugely successful tourist attractions that bring in visitors from across the whole of the UK. “If we work together and combine this expertise, I believe we can be more than the sum of our parts.”

Laura reflects on the Barnsley meeting as “a fantastic gathering of cultural institutions from across the Sheffield City Region.

“There was fervent agreement that not only does culture enrich our quality of life, but that it also is a driver for growth in and of itself – not as an afterthought, but front and central to any economic development agenda.”

Music has its role to play, creatively and economically, in the life of the whole Sheffield City Region.

UK’s Music’s Michael Dugher, who is now an advisor to the SCR Music Board, believes the approach can bear fruit.

He says: “The Sheffield City Region has produced some exceptional talent which has brought enjoyment to millions of music fans across the world.

“As patron of what was the ‘Live in Barnsley’ festival, I know just how much talent is out there. I remember going to gigs in Doncaster and even sneaking into the Leadmill as a teenager.

“We need to nurture our talent pipeline for the future and safeguard our fantastic venues to keep producing world-beaters in every part of our vibrant and diverse music industry “We want to provide more and better opportunities across the region so that every young person from every background has access to music and can try a career in music.”

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ADVERTORIAL

WINNER JO REID (CENTRE) WITH HER NOMINATOR SONIA BIELASZWESKA, PHILANTHROPY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH OFFICER AT SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, (LEFT) AND GLU RECRUIT’S MD ROB SHAW

SMASHING CELEBRATION FOR REGION’S ‘GOOD EGGS’ More than job titles and turnover figures – an award scheme has celebrated the ‘morale boosters and all-round good eggs’ in the region’s workforce.

The Office Hero Awards are the brainchild of Sheffieldbased recruitment firm Glu Recruit and aim to recognise those who go above and beyond.

While most ceremonies focus on job titles or turnover figures, Office Heroes sought to recognise those who do so much for their team whether they are morale boosters, time savers, cost cutters or all-round good eggs.

The awards, held at the Leopold Hotel in Sheffield, received an overwhelming number of nominations.

Of these, ten finalists were selected as the crème de la crème in the Sheffield City Region.

Rob Shaw, Managing Director at Glu Recruit, said: “We know that the successful

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It was heartwarming to be recognised not only by my own colleagues, but a judging panel too, for what I do

running of a business is so much more than job titles and turnover figures. With our Office Heroes Awards, we wanted to pay homage to the individuals who do so much for their workplace, but might not necessarily be recognised by other business awards in the region.

“Whether it’s through hard work, morale boosting, or generally being an all-round superstar, we wanted to give back to those who go above and beyond for others, day-in and day-out.

“We received so many amazing entries for the first year of the Office Heroes Awards – it’s heart-warming to see so many South Yorkshire employees praised for their hard work, and we’re especially delighted to have presented our winner, highly commended finalists and special mention with an award as a small token of gratitude for everything they do for their organisations.”

At the exclusive ceremony

business manager and ‘director of happiness’ at the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Jo Reid scooped the top prize.

Jo said: “It was heartwarming to be recognised not only by my own colleagues, but a judging panel too, for what I do. Thank you to Rob and the team for such a special day!”

Pricecheck buying operations manager Alessio Migali and Spencers’ Estate Agents receptionist Maggie Desay were highly commended finalists at the awards, while Hart Shaw support staff member Joan Osbourne received a special mention for her commitment and length of service.

If you are a local business and need assistance with your next recruitment drive, or a candidate considering your next career move in 2019 then drop us a line hello@glurecruit.co.uk, call 0114 321 1873 or visit www.glurecruit.co.uk.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

RUN FOR IT…TODAY! Run For It... Today! started when Darren and Mel Wilkinson and their daughter decided not to get Christmas presents, but instead donate the money to the homeless – before ‘going one better’ and starting a fun run event I was inspired to start my business by...

It all started in Christmas 2017.

Rather than spending money on each other, we wanted to do something meaningful by putting all the money we would spend together and donate it to the homeless. We thought why not go one better and have a go at organising a 5K Santa run.

We thought we might get 20 or 30 people coming along and the idea was we would charge people for entry and give them a medal and a mince pie at the end, giving the proceeds to charity. We got close to 80 people with ITV Calendar turning up to film. Last year on our anniversary race on exactly the same date we had 410 people.

My favourite thing about running my business is...

Spending time with the runners at the end of the race.

We normally put on fairly small events and they all come in running at different times, so it’s nice and friendly and we get to chat to all of them. We give them a glass of prosecco or beer and I do lots of baking.

Everyone sticks around afterwards, chatting – it’s a proper little community feel.

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

We’ve had a lot of help from Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS), they’ve helped us with volunteers. We’ve had so much support from the local community in terms of people who are grateful for what we have done.

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

Again, because the resources are

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RUN FOR IT... TODAY! FOUNDERS, MEL AND DARREN WILKINSON

there for finding support and local people want to help local people. It’s also not difficult to find the support in Sheffield.

The best advice I ever got was...

We were never actually given any advice, we just got on with it. The only advice we were given was from VAS and we couldn’t manage without them.

The organisations that have supported me and my business include...

VAS have been immensely

helpful, as well as The Star.

We have other good friends who are always there every time we have done a run.

My mum and dad have been absolutely wonderful – they’ve been to every event in all weathers and helped us marshal the races.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are...

The biggest challenge we have found is marketing which we knew nothing about, so it has been a massive year-long learning curve. I’m not an

expert but bit by bit we have found our way learning what works and what doesn’t.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to...

I would love to have a race that involved a road closure. I don’t ever want us to get too big as I always want us to retain that nice, friendly, community feel and not lose who we are. But I would like to get a little bit bigger from where we are now – it is just finding the time to do that as I work part-time and run another little business.

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY INVESTMENT

BY DESMOND CONWAY

Keystone Property Group CEO is on a mission to innovate the way people invest

MANY FANTASTIC RETURNS AND A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR! At Keystone Property Group we introduce investors to unique, high-quality opportunities robust enough to meet the demands of the modern market. By partnering with world-leading companies, we provide access to exclusive, high-yielding property investments.

Last year was an enormously successful year for Keystone, that surpassed a great 2017, and as such, we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lay ahead in 2019.

Heading into last year, as always, we hoped to provide our investors with access to premium developments by world-leading companies and maximum returns.

Work began on Hadrian’s Tower, a history-making development that will forever

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change Newcastle’s skyline.

Projects in Birmingham, Salford, and Warrington saw completion in 2018, and our investors welcomed returns of 20 per cent, 20 per cent, and 23 per cent, totalling 63 per cent over the year. In comparison to other popular investment pathways, such as the FTSE 100 and Cash ISAs, Keystone investments by far achieved greater financial returns.

Those developments are at the heart of flourishing cities in the North and the Midlands, that are ambitious, forward-thinking, and committed to innovation.

Purpose-built luxury apartments play a significant role in cities’ aspirations, as they not only become homes for residents, but enhance communities. They attract

both investors and young professionals to the area, with a vision that drives the local economy and boosts the city’s global reputation.

Keystone took its own steps into a new area last year, as we expanded into Chelmsford, Essex, which joins our London and Sheffield offices, as we aim to provide as much national coverage as possible for our investors, source fantastic localised opportunities, and facilitate meet and greets.

In late 2018, we debuted at two of the UK’s premier property expos, the Property Investor Show, and the Luxury Property Show. Across both shows we were extremely proud to win the awards for ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Best Newcomer.’ Taking home

these awards highlights the real interest in our mission to innovate the way people invest in property, invest in change, and deliver exclusive and unique opportunities.

This year promises to be just as exciting and fruitful as this past year, if not more so. There are spectacular opportunities available in the North of England, specifically, as the Northern Powerhouse gains momentum, and the launch of HS2 looms closer.

At Keystone Property Group we’ll remain dedicated to working hard to source exceptional opportunities that not only reward our investors with fantastic returns but further the prospects of and add economic and social value to the cities in which they are located.

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FOCUS ON

HEART OF THE CITY II For a generation of Sheffielders, it will long be remembered as the location of the Grosvenor House Hotel. Demolition has swept away the tower block and adjoining shops – and what had become a dreary remnant of Sixties Sheffield

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FOCUS ON In its place now stands a cornerstone of the longdelayed redevelopment of a large chunk of the city centre.

The £85m offices for HSBC Bank are nearing completion alongside eight or so shops between Pinstone Street, Cambridge Street and Wellington Street and a radically remodelled Charter Square and surroundings It comprises the first phase of the £500m Heart of City II programme, which is designed to carve a vibrant commercial, business and residential district and to help Sheffield city centre punch its weight again in relation to the likes of Manchester and Leeds.

An “engine of growth” is being revved up – one that stands to benefit the whole Sheffield City Region, it is argued.

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Previously known as the New Retail Quarter, which stalled nine years ago, Heart of the City II is anchored by a partnership of Sheffield City Council and Queensberry Real Estate.

Getting any sort of project off the ground has been a long time coming and, as the first office staff and retail tenants prepare to move in, the key issue will be to maintain the momentum across neighbouring parts of the city centre.

Two recent planning applications aim to keep the regeneration ball rolling.

Retail remains at the heart of the overall approach, but ambitions have been revised in line with the changing retail climate, especially the onward march of online shopping, and to acknowledge that, increasingly, the city centre is a place where people live, work and spend their leisure time.

The spectrum of Heart of the City II extends to more Grade A office space, two four or five-star hotels, residential developments, restaurants and cafés, leisure destinations, more parking and public spaces that match the standards of the Peace Gardens, which was a focal point of the initial Heart of the City programme.

One of the most eye-catching changes to Sheffield city centre is the emergence of the new Charter Square.

Gone is the traffic roundabout and its drab pedestrian subways.

A new road layout is taking shape alongside extensive landscaping that stretches to the public space in front of HSBC’s new Grosvenor House headquarters.

Almost 30 12 tonne, 3.5 metre Pennine sandstone boulders are heavyweight signs that Heart of the City II has arrived with an artistic flourish and with a commitment to Sheffield, its people, industry and proximity to the Peak District.

The new ‘public realm’ is due to be completed in early 2019, around the same time as the opening of the HSBC building.

A number of artists and stone carvers are creating an environment designed to match the quality of the Peace Gardens, which has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

There will be metalwork, small sculptures, lettering, patterns and naturalistic carving - full of references to Sheffield and its surroundings.

The public space will reflect the geology of the city, its relationship to the Peak District and the rivers that powered Sheffield’s industrial and social history.

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FOCUS ON

OLD MEETS NEW – THE REDEVELOPED PLANS FOR LAYCOCK HOUSE

In general, the aim is to create the sort of mixed-use central quarter that will help attract jobs and investment.

Council chief executive John Mothersole says: “Heart of the City II is about repositioning our city to be a new commercial, business and residential district.

“Sheffield and the wider city region have many strengths but without a strong, core commercial district we won’t be able to either maximise the opportunities to attract new employers in the business, professional and service sectors or attract and retain skilled people to serve our world class advanced manufacturing sector.

“City centre vibrancy is also important in attracting people here to study at our two great universities.”

Mr Mothersole says the most important ingredient in delivering “this engine of growth” is a vibrant city centre “that attracts more people week-on-week for work or pleasure.

“Increased footfall and increased spending will

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Heart of the City II is scheduled to run until

2024

160,000 SQ FT of office space at Grosvenor House

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apartments at the Laycock House development

sustain new shops, bars and restaurants and also stimulate demand for hotels and visitor attractions.

“Heart of the City II is therefore strategically designed with new office development to bring the jobs and increase the spending power by thousands of city workers.

“New city centre homes are to increase footfall throughout the day and evening while new leisure attractions are to draw visitors from around the city.

“This project is therefore designed to supercharge the pace of what’s already happening in the city.”

The latest planning applications submitted as part of Heart of the City II cover two blocks fronting Pinstone Street.

Laycock House, a late Victorian building between Pinstone Street, Cross Burgess Street and Charles Street, behind the John Lewis store, is due to be redeveloped as four shops at ground level, with 52 apartments across the seven floors above alongside Grade A offices aimed at smaller

businesses.

An existing courtyard behind the building is due to be opened up as a ‘city garden’ with a café.

Plans for the second block, known as the ‘Pepperpot’ building for its distinctive roofline, would add five new shops to Pinstone Street below Grade A offices over seven floors. The application envisages retaining the Victorian façade while redeveloping and expanding the building behind it.

Subject to planning approval, construction of both blocks could start in the Spring with a view to completion by the end of 2020.

Yet there may still be some nervousness, given recent history in bringing the city centre regeneration scheme to fruition.

It was as long ago as 1994 when the council commissioned a retail study which highlighted “the inadequacy of Sheffield’s retail offer” and underlined the need for “significant new investment in a major new retail scheme”.

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FOCUS ON

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FOCUS ON

52 APARTMENTS ARE PLANNED AT THE REDVELOPED LAYCOCK HOUSE

As Meadowhall continued to take its toll, a city centre masterplan in 2000 highlighted “a lack of quality shopping, particularly of highprice fashion and flagship stores” in the city centre and the need for a type of bigger and better configurated units demanded by retailers.

Hammerson UK Properties were appointed as the council’s development partner the following year, but it was 2006 by the time a £600m regeneration scheme – Sevenstone – was approved.

The global financial crisis halted progress in 2009 and, in July 2013, it was announced that Hammerson was withdrawing.

Plenty of preliminary work such as the purchase of land and a reordering of the gas, water, electrical and telephone infrastructure in anticipation of construction had taken place, but the overwhelming reaction was one of frustration.

There was little to see for almost 20 years of endeavour.

Meanwhile, Sheffield was slipping further down the city centre league table.

The future now rests to a large extent on the council driving development by initially funding each phase. As the scheme is built, costs will be recovered through the sale of the completed buildings or through rental income.

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Development management expertise is provided by London-based Queensberry, which has worked on mixed-use regeneration schemes across the UK, and Nottingham-based Leonard Design Architects, which has contracts across the globe, are key to shaping the overall picture.

A revised council masterplan reflected the new directions, and council leader Julie Dore is among those who believes, despite all the delays and frustrations it caused, the financial crash may have, to a degree, done Sheffield a favour.

“I believe we are now going to have a better scheme,” council leader Julie Dore told council cabinet members last March. “The original scheme was standard out-of-town type retail but I like sauntering around a city where you can see what other things it has to offer.

“We are in a position to get something better for our city centre and to incorporate its industry and heritage.”

Relocating from Griffin House, near West Bar, HSBC has signed as the anchor tenant on a 15-year lease in the six-storey building that includes about 160,000 sq ft of office space and 60,000 sq ft of retail space in the first phase of Heart of the City II.

Meanwhile, the new-look Charter Square, with its Pennine sandstone boulders, is starting to catch the eye.

It all contributes to a feeling that things are really starting to happen in that part of the city centre.

Redevelopment continues around Moorhead and on The Moor as Aberdeen Asset Management gets on with the job of reviving another of Sheffield’s traditional shopping areas.

Heart of the City II is scheduled to run until 2024, absorbing more of the city centre.

Detailed plans are being drawn up to restore the elegant Pinstone Street frontage opposite the Peace Gardens.

A ‘bold’ new office development above shops and a multi-storey car park is planned off Carver Street and the Trafalgar Works site is earmarked for transformation into a new residential community for Division Street and Rockingham Street.

A retail and leisure square is envisaged around Cambridge Street and Wellington Street that could include a bowling centre, a boutique cinema and realise the long-held ambition of restoring the Little Mesters’ workshops at Leah’s Yard as a base for ‘makers and sellers’.

For its part, John Lewis, always seen as a crucial part of the equation, is staying put after years of ‘will they, won’t they’ relocate to a new store on the site of the old Wellington Street fire station.

In general, the council, which carried out a programme of public consultation over the latest proposals, says the strategy is to retain existing street patterns and more historic buildings. In contrast, part of the former Retail Quarter plans involved carving out a new shopping street.

Queensberry chief executive Paul Sargent says the new masterplan “will create a renewed focus for the centre that combines the best of the old with new buildings and enhanced public realm.

This will place the city at the forefront of urban place making.”

After all the delays, Heart of the City II promises an injection of lifeblood into Sheffield city centre.

And while the Grosvenor House Hotel may have checked out, the name will live on through the naming of the new HSBC headquarters as Grosvenor House.

A little piece of Sheffield history will not be forgotten amid the comprehensive reshaping of a large part of the city centre.

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Bringing #amazingspaces to the market in Sheffield.

www.colloco.co Commercial property experts - disposals, aquisitions & consultancy.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

PROPERTY

PROPERTY TALKS

BY TIM BOTTRILL

colloco founder Tim asks if the arrival of No 1 Charter Square could be a ‘game changer’

GAME CHANGER Anyone who has driven through Sheffield city centre over the last six months will have noticed the eye-catching development going up on the site around what used to be the Grosvenor Hotel.

No.1 Grosvenor House is not only one of the largest office developments in Sheffield but we also expect it to be the best, kickstarting Sheffield’s drive to attract big business to the city.

HSBC are already on board and start their fit out this month, but there is still 26,000 sq ft of prime Grade A office space to let, which colloco, alongside Cushman & Wakefield, start marketing this month.

It marks the start of Heart of the City II, a £500 million, council-led scheme that will

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provide new shops, hotels and public spaces, alongside the office space. Two further developments on Pinstone Street, currently known as Laycock House and the Pepper Pot, are currently in for planning and construction on those will start later this year.

This Grade A work space offers some the highest quality architectural design in England, with spectacular panoramic views across the city and best-in-class specifications, so employees are in for an absolute treat.

Plus they’ll be just a heartbeat away from all the new developments on The Moor, including the excellent Light Cinema complex.

Not only that, but No. 1

Charter Square will go some way to elevating the shortage of supply at the top end of the commercial property market.

2018 was a good year for office deals with over 360,000 sq ft of take-up, which is space for over 3,000 staff, so the indicators are positive for the building. And the truth is, any occupier looking to home over 150 staff in a Grade A environment has only one choice in Sheffield… No 1 Charter Sq. The challenge we face now is balancing the supply with demand over the next five years. Equilibrium in the market is always difficult to achieve, particularly in a fragile market like Sheffield.

So we see that as part of our

job – by working with our partners and clients to deliver a steady flow of space to the market over the medium term.

There is of course still the elephant in the room – Brexit – and as things stand, we all still expect to be leaving the EU in March. The challenge is of course, how we react to it. The world will keep turning, so as a commercial property agent, we will continue to do our best and help our clients deliver world class property projects in Sheffield. It’ll be a challenge, but I think challenges bring opportunities, so we aim to see substantial growth, cementing Sheffield’s spot at the top of Yorkshire’s business sector.

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

GET FIT, GET FUNDRAISING IN FEBRUARY Sheffield boutique gym TRIB3 is aiming to raise at least £20,000 for St Luke’s Hospice with the launch of a new fitness challenge for 2019.

TRIB3 was launched in Sheffield in 2016 and now has branches everywhere from Moscow to Barcelona.

Throughout February, the Ecclesall Road branch is offering clients the TRIB3 28 Day Challenge to raise money for the city’s only hospice.

The gym will offer 28 sessions – all of which must be completed in February

– for £40, with participants promising to raise a minimum £100 in sponsorship.

“This is a great way to get fit for the New Year and do something good for St Luke’s,” said St Luke’s senior corporate fundraising manager Joasia Lesniak. “It really is a great motivation to get fit, knowing that every pound you lose is a pound St Luke’s gains!”

TRIB3 has been hailed one of Britain’s best workouts by Women’s Health magazine and named one of the top five hardest workouts in the world by the Sunday Times.

Young professionals raise £2k at charity ball Sheffield’s first Interprofessional Ball attended by 180 young city professionals has raised £2,222 for three charities.

The event, organised jointly

by Wilson Field’s Young Networking Group, Sheffield & District Chartered Accountants’ Student Society, Sheffield Junior Lawyers’ Division and Sheffield RICS Matrics, took

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE AT TRIB3

place at Novotel, Sheffield.

Blair Lomax, corporate case administrator at Wilson Field said: “Our Young Networking Group sponsored the event, which was very well attended by young surveyors, accountants and solicitors.

“The proceeds will be split equally between all three charities chosen by the committees that organised

the event – St Luke’s, Sheffield Hospitals Charity and LandAid – and without a doubt the money raised will make a huge difference.

“This was Sheffield’s first Interprofessional Ball and it was a real success. It has certainly set the precedent for future years and we promise next year’s will be even bigger and better.”

Fundraising focus is on future A Sheffield charity that provides valuable support and mentoring to young people is appealing for people to jump on board its 2019 fundraising drive.

Sheffield Futures offers a range of services including drop-in sessions, counselling and health clinics, all focused around health and well-being.

The charity is currently drumming up cash for its Door43 project – an emotional well-being service for 13-25-year-olds with mental health issues.

Natasha Bright, marketing and communications coordinator, said: “We are hoping to grow our Health Zone where young people

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THE HEALTH ZONE AT SHEFFIELD FUTURES

can gain access to physical and emotional well-being support, ensuring that crisis points are not reached.

“Fundraising will help us to sustain the weekly Wellbeing Café, a drop-in session for young people where they

can talk about their feelings, take part in activities, listen to inspirational speakers and receive peer to peer support.

There are a number of ways businesses can get involved from organised events to hosting fund-raisers.

“We recently received a couple of very generous donations, including £1,000 from Loadhog, which will go toward the Health Zone,” said Natasha. “However, to ensure the service is sustainable we need to raise more.”

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Saving you money on office and education supplies • Local Family-Run Business • Established 1971 • Next Day Delivery Working with 300+ Businesses and 250+ Schools in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire

0114 275 5755

sales@worrallbusinesssupplies.co.uk www.wbs-office.co.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

KEEPING YOUR RESOLVE! As we start a new year we often, as is tradition, make New Year Resolutions. But Holly Crosby of Simplyou Coaching doesn’t think anyone ever should!

Here she shares her top tips on what to do instead…

The chances are that when we think of a New Year Resolution or indeed hear someone’s, we wonder how long in to that year it will last. They are often reactions to your own individual December and do not take enough in to account.

For example, the most common one is we over indulge in all sorts of food and drink at Christmas, feel guilty that our clothes a little tighter so react by announcing we’ll start the diet Jan 1st (maybe 2nd – hangover dependent!)

We’re likely to set ourselves up for a fall going from our eating and drinking routine

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of December straight to cold turkey and nothing nice at all in January!

So how can we view it differently for it to work…

1 – Call them “My 2019 plans...”

you may take a different route to it. Just as hearing there are roadworks on your journey, you make a diversion, and still reach your destination. Think about the practical steps you’ll need to take to get going.

2 – Look back at the whole of 2018, maybe talk it over with someone close to you – what would you like to achieve or do differently this year?

What are you connected to?

This should be a source of inspiration to work from.

4 – What could stop you? This is not ‘doom and gloom’, ‘you’ll not do it’ kind of thinking. This is being realistic that things will not always run smoothly.

And if it doesn’t, you’ve already thought of it as a possibility, so you’ll know what to do to correct it.

3 – Step by step – how can you set about achieving it? Please remember that plans can, and should, change as you do. The goal can still be the same, but

5 – What are the changes you’ll see/feel on the way?

You won’t hit the outcome on day two or even ten so don’t expect to! Instead consider

how you expect to see/feel along the way.

6 – Keep reviewing how it’s going. Is there anything you need to change?

These tips are just a guide – they’re not fool proof. But if you want something enough, you’ll make a start and keep running with it.

All the very best for your 2019!

If this has made you think a little deeper and you’d like help with your 2019 plans, please get in touch with me to arrange your initial session at no cost with Simplyou Coaching. Call 07896 876150, email holly@ simplyoucoaching.co.uk or visit www.simplyoucoaching.co.uk.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

YOUR PITCH Your Pitch is an opportunity for start-ups and new businesses to tell the city about their organisation. This issue we meet Andy Freeman, who was ‘too rebellious’ for the priesthood and instead founded Space to Breathe to support wellbeing in the workplace and everyday life

SPACE TO BREATHE Tell us about your business – sell yourself!

Space to Breathe is committed to supporting people’s wellbeing in their workplace, community or everyday life. We use simple non-religious spirituality as our tool to do this, enabling people to live well, live fully and live deeply.

Wellbeing is in the public profile at the moment. At its heart though wellbeing is an idea that sits behind a product you buy or care that’s provided for you.

Behind each service there is a team of human beings who themselves suffer from all the stresses we do. If we take time to sustain people in all they do, they in turn are able to sustain and help us.

Space to Breathe provides practical tools, personal solutions and creative ideas to change working environments so that we are sustained in what we do, so that we can thrive and enable us to more and more ourselves each day.

What gave you the idea for your business?

I have a background working in faith communities and at one time I even considered the priesthood. I guess I was a bit too rebellious for that but instead gained a passion for caring for people and their wellbeing.

In 2008 I began to experiment with wellbeing ideas at work just as UK was at the beginning of recession.

Ideas and projects developed and what started as a side-line

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SPACE TO BREATHE CO-DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER, ANDY FREEMAN

became my main focus. In 2017, Space to Breathe started trading as a Community Interest Company.

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

We work across many different fields. We support businesses who know wellbeing for staff is vital but don’t know where to begin. We support social entrepreneurs and new businesses by providing supportive environments to work and combating isolation. We find many caring professions carry a huge burden of stress and workplace pressure and so we work with hospitals, schools and community projects to support their staff.

If anyone approaches us with a wellbeing challenge, we

are willing to try and help if we can. Why not drop us an email?

How can people get in touch with you?

Space to Breathe is based in the emerging co-working space at the Abbeydale Picture House on the Abbeydale Road.

You can get in touch with us on our website, or on social media or drop me a line at andy@spacetobreathe.eu

Space to Breathe provides practical tools, personal solutions and creative ideas to change working environments

www.spacetobreathe.eu Twitter: @space2breathe Instagram: @ spacetobreathecic Facebook: bit.ly/2EsTjmD Space to Breathe The Abbeydale Picture House, 387 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FS

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LAUNCHPAD

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT Former student Tom Benford wanted to make a real difference to improving the well-being of our planet. With a helping hand from Launchpad, he set up Plastic Phobia in Sheffield and was so successful he quit his studies to grow the business Tell us all about your company: I got started with Plastic Phobia last year, while studying Economics at The University of Sheffield. At first it was just an online shop selling steel straws, but it proved so successful I had to drop-out of my degree! I quickly expanded and began supplying businesses across the country. We particularly specialise in wholesaling bamboo products, and sell everything from toothbrushes and soap dishes to mobile phone holders. We’re perfect for businesses looking to reduce their waste output, which is usually difficult as most suppliers wrap their products in a lot of plastic.

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

The initial idea came about after we’d had a student party in our flat. I went into the kitchen and there were just plastic straws everywhere. I realised how wasteful we are, so I looked into alternatives and found steel drinking straws. Originally, I wanted to make them in Sheffield and asked everyone I could, but nobody was able to. I found a factory in China who we work directly with to ensure minimal plastic is used from manufacturer to customer, and have carbon neutral shipping throughout the supply chain.

How has Launchpad helped you?

Launchpad has been brilliant.

I met start-up business advisor Andrew Bunn when I first had the idea and he gave me the guidance I needed, helping me to put together a plan using

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in the fight against plastic.

I’m currently still running the business from a student house on my own but plan to move to a warehouse and start hiring. After that, we might be able to laser the steel straws ourselves, or even make them – that could be more economical with everything happening with regards to Brexit, and the weak pound.

Then we can begin exporting and look at alternatives for any sector using disposable plastic.

There are around three times as many zero waste shops in Germany as here in the UK, so there’s a real opportunity for growth in other countries.

TOM BENFORD, FOUNDER OF PLASTIC PHOBIA

his expertise. Just the belief he showed in me helped to push me forward and I still meet with Andrew regularly.

On top of that, you have the workshops which are great. I always come away with plenty of new ideas. They also set me up with a growth advisor who looks at my statistics in more detail and points me in the right direction.

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

It’s fantastic, mainly because of the people. Sheffield is such a connected, supportive city

with all these great people who really want you to thrive.

Of course, it’s also the green city, which is a big thing when it comes to tackling the plastic problem. A lot of zero waste shops have popped up, which has been great for us – we’re working with The University of Sheffield’s zero-waste shop and The Bare Alternative.

They get a lot of paper-based packaging from suppliers, but send it all to us to reuse.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

I like to think big. I want to make a global difference

Launchpad Business Advisor Andy Bunn said: “Tom has been fantastic to work with.

From the start he had a clear vision of what he was looking to achieve with his business. Through our business start-up sessions he was able to test the viability of his idea, giving him a solid foundation to start and grow.

“Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.

“Stop dreaming and do it.”

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

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COMPANY CULTURE

– S K R E P E C A L P K * R O W

!

K R O THAT W

) R E Y O L P M E *( FOR EMPLOYEE AND

Forget traditional office perks – knitting and book groups are top of the agenda for today’s workforce, according to research by employee benefits platform Perkbox. SME customer success manager Wayne Adams tells unLTD’s Jill Theobald why enhancing company culture is ‘crucial’ 54

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COMPANY CULTURE

WAYNE ADAMS, PERKBOX SME CUSTOMER SUCCESS MANAGER

Tell me a bit about Perkbox – what do you guys do to help firms improve company culture?

Perkbox is a platform that provides a unique employee experience, enriching the personal and working life of staff. Our aim is to help businesses improve the relationship between management and staff through innovative solutions such as a reward and recognition tool, a medical product and a perks and benefits platform, which caters for the full spectrum of employee wellbeing – financial, physical and emotional. Ultimately, we want to help employees live better.

More businesses are taking note and beginning to understand the benefits of having a positive company culture. Having a 'culture that sticks', that everyone believes in and is motivated by, is crucial to any successful business. Employers are realising you shouldn’t wait for culture to emerge, you should define it and cultivate it from within, starting with your most senior members of staff. Perks and benefits like discounted gym membership, phone insurance and savings

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

on childcare are only one of many ways to complement this. It really all comes down to treating employees like customers – internal customers.

What methods of enhancing company culture have been particularly popular?

An important aspect to enhancing company culture is living and breathing your values. For example, here at Perkbox – ‘it’s not a job, it’s a family.’ It’s not uncommon for Perkboxers to be working alongside their best friend. We encourage that. We also run quarterly value-based awards to reward the hard work of team members that go above and beyond in demonstrating Perkbox’s mission and values.

A key method of achieving this for us has been trying to always involve the team in wider projects and decisionmaking processes. We do this by having regular Q&A sessions with the senior leadership team and having a squad model where members of different departments work together collaboratively on large company wide projects.

We also have some simple perks that, alongside the ones available on our platform, which are available to all our

members of staff, are very popular. Breakfast goes a long way, in setting everyone up for the day and giving everyone a chance to catch-up before starting their day’s work. The Friday Beer-Trolley, where free drinks are wheeled out at 5pm, is also a favourite! The trolley is often pushed by the latest recruit in order to help them meet other team members more easily, or by someone who might have blundered in some way that week, as we want to learn how to laugh at our mistakes as much as possible as well as learn from them!

Which industries or sectors are exploring and investing most in company culture?

We see companies of all sizes from SMEs to large businesses using our services to reward their employees and keep them motivated at work.

These include businesses in a variety of different sectors such as care, hospitality, IT and tech, construction, financial services, retail and education and big names such as Nando’s, Rentalcars and Levi Strauss & Co. Traditional industries are definitely investing in company culture as they realise it can be a huge retention driver for their staff. Another interesting observation is that companies

in more traditional industries, such as utilities, seem to be ranking higher than larger tech companies. For example, Anglian Water recently dethroned Google in in the Glassdoor: Best places to work rankings, an industry which we perhaps wouldn’t have thought of as so ‘workplace-centric’ a couple of years back.

What sort of feedback do you get from staff atthe companies you work with?

Our brand is very customer centric, and we believe this is what our customers, and their employees in turn, deserve and want. We often get feedback from employees at companies we work with saying that the addition of the Perkbox platform to their workplace has made them feel more looked-after and rewarded. Employees love what we stand for as a brand.

We operate in a sector which has traditionally lacked this human touch and that’s what helps us be perceived as so new and refreshing.

For a lot of companies offering our services, such as the employee support hub for mental wellbeing, translates to reducing attrition, attracting the best talent and measurably improving staff happiness and wellbeing.

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COMPETITION

WIN A BED AND BREAKFAST STAY FOR TWO AT AWARDWINNING BOUTIQUE HOTEL Tucked away in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, Yorebridge House is a superb boutique hotel recognised for its outstanding accommodation, food and wines.

And the great thing is that it is just over a couple of hours drive from South Yorkshire making it the ideal choice for a getaway to savour a taste of the great Yorkshire outdoors and enjoy owners Dave and Charlotte Reilly's passion for luxury and fine dining.

The 5 Star, Yorebridge House is literally on the banks of the River Ure – in fact it's was just a few short steps away from some of the rooms.

You can even make use of a personal nearby outdoor hot tub watching and listening to the gurgling waters flowing down from the moors.

The ingredients to what make this hotel a compelling choice should come as no surprise.

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Siecle tasting room, lined with hundreds of bottles of wines and champagnes for that special occasion.

Yorebridge House is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the outskirts of the unspoilt village of Alternatively send your full name, address, email and Bainbridge in Wensleydale. contact number/s on a stamp addressed envelope to: Everywhere you turn there Yorebridge House competition are breathtaking views of the Unit 1a, Speedwell Works, 73 Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 countryside 4RG. It is a Victorian Grade II, listed, former Headmaster’s Deadline for entries is 12 noon, Wednesday, January 16, House and School, restored 2019. and transformed by the Winners will be picked at random and will be contacted owners. by email no later than Thursday, January 24, 2019.

It has paid off. Awards galore have come their way and it is fittingly recognised by Welcome to Yorkshire.

For more information • Personal and professional • The main areas offer about Yorebridge House go service from the moment you sumptuous interiors, oak to www.yorebridgehouse. arrive. flooring, relaxed comfy co.uk • Contemporary bedrooms, seating and an open fire.

To contact Yorebridge each inspired by the owners’ • A three AA Rosette menu House at Bainbridge, North world travels, feature and a great Yorkshire breakfast Yorkshire DL8 3EE email everything you would want for full of choice. enquiries@yorebridgehouse. a special time away.

• A Laurent Perrier Grand co.uk or call 01969 652060.

For your chance to win a midweek bed and breakfast stay for two in one of their beautiful bedrooms including full Yorkshire breakfast simply email your full name, address and contact number/s to: editorial@unltbusiness.com writing 'Yorebridge House competition' in the subject area.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

MYHRTOOLKIT Ex-solicitor Jon Curtis is MD of HR Software company MyHRtoolkit where he recently completed an MBO. He tells us how he left his well-established legal career to run the business full-time after finding the ‘entrepreneurial itch’ too strong to resist I was inspired to start my business by...

I have been a lawyer for 20 years, and even though I loved my legal career, I had a strong entrepreneurial itch. I founded MyHRtoolkit while still a solicitor and founding partner at Ironmonger Curtis but the business grew and continued to get bigger, which resulted in me taking the plunge into the business on a full-time basis.

My favourite thing about running my business is...

Most of all I love helping small businesses thrive. Our toolkit helps people with their human resources admin, meaning they can get on with their day job so it’s a great solution that is genuinely needed.

I really enjoy the organisational creativity, but I also love working with the team, and its great to be at the helm of a growing business and being able to quickly solve people’s needs. Many small businesses have a real need for HR Software as a Service (SAAS). We are a meeting a genuine business need.

The three words that best describe my business are...

Exciting, necessary and growing.

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

I love Sheffield people, and especially their attitude to life which is strong without being cocky. Sheffield is home to a great pool of talent when it comes to online design.

There’s also an exciting entrepreneurial culture, and

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

EX-SOLICITOR AND MD OF MYHRTOOLKIT, JON CURTIS

online businesses have good support from Sheffield City Region Growth Hub. The city centre is also transforming rapidly, encouraging more talent to come into the area.

The best advice I ever got was...

Don’t limit your possibilities, think big – don’t settle for “good enough”. I want toolkit to be the UK leader in small business HR software.

The worst advice I ever got was...

The worst advice has to be to play it safe, sit on what you’ve got, and protect what you have.

The organisations that have supported me and my business include...

James Wilson from Sheffield City Region Growth Hub has been really helpful. Barclays and Hart Shaw were great during the MBO. Also, Ironmonger Curtis, where I used to be a solicitor – they were very supportive and understood that I needed to spread my wings a little.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are...

Our industry is fiercely competitive. We also rely on online marketing to get our message out which can be

challenging and there’s a lot of time, money and thought invested as our strategies are constantly being updated.

With designing software, you must remember to keep the product simple and not add too many bells and whistles that it simply doesn’t need.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to...

I expect us to be the market leader software and to be used by a significant proportion of the country’s small and medium sized businesses.

For more details visit: www.myhrtoolkit.com

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SUCCESS STORY

– S U C O P S U C O H

S S E N I BUS FOCUS Magician and executive life coach Steve Faulkner tells unLTD’s Jill Theobald how he went from circus school to helping people juggle work and life skills

From a street performer in Covent Garden to a Sheffieldbased accredited life coach might not seem like the most natural of career paths.

But grabbing a coffee and a chat with Steve Faulkner to talk about his journey, it quickly becomes clear that it’s not such an acrobatic leap after all.

The former British Street Performing Champion is now championing people’s performance as an accredited trainer – and it’s his skills that separate him from his

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coaching competitors, or, if you will, give him the magic touch.

“My unique performance background has taught me the power of authentic and natural communication,” says Steve.

“Although I am an experienced corporate entertainer, I want to connect with my audience in a meaningful way.

“It’s got to be that way if you’re going to engage people – you’re holding a room, you can’t lose them. A modern approach to training means making it fundamentally

meaningful as well as genuinely fun instead of,” – Steve cringes – ‘fun’.”

His street performing in Covent Garden led to Steve meeting jugglers who he trained with for up to five hours a day before going to London’s National Centre for Circus Arts to study a BTEC. It was love that brought him to the Steel City, though – Steve moved to Sheffield after meeting his ex-wife while in Australia.

“I was growing tired of doing lots of corporate events

in London,” he says. “I wanted to learn how to run a business and met a local guy Rick Field who runs Field Enterprise which facilitates and develops top management teams. I did some business coaching, skills workshops and a leadership course with Rick which totally turned things around for me.

“I started thinking in a different way, reading personal development books and doing key note talks with another chap I’d met on one of Rick’s courses. I was still working in London

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SUCCESS STORY

My unique performance background has taught me the power of authentic and natural communication

– I went down and met up with (content and platform company) Immediate Media, got a contract with them and have been running courses with them ever since.

“But having kids, I didn’t want to be away all the time and wanted flexibility with overnight gigs for the magic side of things, so I can be there a lot during the day with them.

Family time is so important.

I can travel and will travel for work – recently I’ve worked in Birmingham, at Alton Towers and on the Isle of Man – but

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don’t want to be going all over the country at Christmas time, for example.

“I really enjoy working in Sheffield, so I can see my kids but I’m also deeply passionate about the place, I’d never move.”

And he’s encouraged by the increased interest by businesses across the city region in developing staff with leadership and management training.

“I’m working with a lot of contemporary businesses – these are young, vibrant, creative organisations that

have a strong business sense – as well as a lot of forwardthinking companies in the human resources sector, and quite a few charities as well.

“When it comes to staff development, it’s time for a new movement. The old school approach is out.

These companies have a contemporary approach and put stuff into practise, they live and breathe it. It’s all about goal setting, and things like keeping a daily journal to review the day, which I still do myself.

“The alternative is an unmotivated, disenchanted workforce. If you want an empowered, productive workforce, I don’t see how you can do that without training.”

Steve became accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) in 2017 and decided to rebrand his executive coaching business.

“The previous name Get Good at Stuff didn’t really reflect enough of what I was doing so I have rebranded as LeadwithSteve.com.”

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SUCCESS STORY

N E P O G N I N EVE

y 2019 r a u n 30 Ja y a d s pm e Wedn 0pm to 8.00 al 4.0

DEC1718BOU

tion > Voca ls ve > A Le ticeships en > Appr me -ti > Part

01226 216 123 info@barnsley.ac.uk www.barnsley.ac.uk www.barnsleysixthformcollege.co.uk 60

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SUCCESS STORY

DEC1718BOU

THE FORMER BRITISH STREET PERFORMING CHAMPION, STEVE FAULKNER STILL HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH

But that doesn’t mean the magic has disappeared.

“I’m a legitimate trainer and have been for years but I still do a bit of magic – it’s in me!

They work together really well.

Even now I practice magic all the time. There’s 25 years of knowledge in my online card magic course – lots of video content, YouTube channel, social media.

“I used to have the selflimiting belief that I couldn’t be a business leader because I’m a performer but we’re all business people. Even as a street performer I was effectively pitching a show, delivering the entertainment, and getting paid.

“The success of any training is dependent on the person leading it. A lot of people are qualified and self-mastering is great, but you have got to have that background knowledge to really walk and talk it.

“Leadership and management training is a mix of personal

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and professional development but there has to be theory in there. By reading books, linking theories together, and completing a lot of courses and training I can talk with real confidence because I’ve got both the theory and experience.

“If you haven’t got that background of tools and knowledge, then training can just end up being motivational fluff.

“When you get to a certain level in business it’s your relationships and your communications that are important. Despite that ‘soft skills’ still get looked down on – we’re told not to talk about feelings but what is motivation if it’s not a feeling? And if you can’t self-motivate your business is dead.

“Training must start at the top and that will trickle down, managers need to bounce off everyone in the team. For some reason people still get stuck

When you get to a certain level in business it’s your relationships and your communications that are important

which is where I come in. You need someone to challenge the status quo, to challenge the MD – not in a bad way!

“Many firms still do training in-house, but I think it can be tricky to be mentored by your own line manager or a colleague who you work alongside every day.”

Clearly Steve feels boosting people’s skills and ability to juggle work/life should be on the agenda for every boss in the Sheffield City Region.

“Health and wellbeing of staff is the most important thing in the workplace,” he says. “Today we’re all contactable outside work but we’ve not evolved enough to keep up with the technology that has enabled that. People end up burning out and going off sick.

“There’s a lot of stereotypes about training and the perception that it is often a box-ticking exercise. But when it’s done properly, it’s incredibly powerful.”

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AWARDS

SUCCESS IN SPOTLIGHT What do the performing arts have in common with printing?

How about environmental responsibility and educational resources?

Or health insurance and accountancy?

They’re all sectors where city region businesses are excelling, after judges at the Sheffield Business Awards put their success in the spotlight at the glittering annual ceremony. unLTD joined businesses of all sizes and sectors to celebrate the city’s hard work, dedication and ambition at the 17th year of the awards held at Ponds Forge and hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker.

Check out the full list of winners below:

Employer of the Year, sponsored by The Sheffield College This was awarded to Twinkl Educational Publishing. In just 12 months the educational publishing house has produced 213 new roles and ‘offers a work culture and environment unlike anyone else in the city’ – as anyone who read our feature with them in our July/August edition will know all about!

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The gifts just kept on coming for Twinkl as they were later awarded ‘Outstanding Business of the Year’ sponsored by City Taxis after accumulating more 400 staff in 8 years and operating in over 160 countries around the world.

They say things come in threes – sure enough, Twinkl then went on to receive ‘Excellence in International Trade’ sponsored

by Pricecheck after achieving £7.4 million pounds in revenue from international markets over the last three years. Twinkl’s total worldwide user base stands at more than 2.7 million, with users from every continent.

Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants Presented to David Capper of Westfield Health. David became the CEO in 2018 following a successful spell as interim CEO and in a year which saw Westfield deliver a bottom-line performance

more than three times better than planned.

Best Contribution to Sheffield Visitor Experience, sponsored

by Meadowhall This award was looking for an organisation, charity, scheme, project or event that has achieved excellence in their individual sector and who drive footfall to the city helping to generate jobs and further economic growth.

Sheffield Theatres is the largest theatre complex outside London, consisting of the Crucible, the Lyceum and the Crucible Studio. Offering worldclass home-grown as well as touring live theatre productions, Sheffield Theatres attracts more than 400,000 people each year.

Excellence in Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility, sponsored by Evoluted This award was created to recognise a business that shows

innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.

With an eco-conscious organisation and an unrivalled commitment to reducing waste, using cleaner forms of transport, recycling and supporting local charities – Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens took the title.

Excellence in Manufacturing, sponsored by Wake Smith The UK’s leading manufacturer of wheeled bins, MGB Plastics employs 75 staff and embraces a philosophy of continuous improvement and innovative designs while remaining committed to sustainability by recycling their own scrap on-site and running a plant that is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.

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AWARDS

SHEFFIELD CHAMBER PRESIDENT STEVE MANLEY (ABOVE) ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE AT THE 17TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY WHICH WAS HOSTED BY BBC BREAKFAST'S DAN WALKER (LEFT)

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AWARDS

Excellence in Professional Services, sponsored by Together Shorts Chartered Accountants are a leading, regionally recognised awardwinning accountancy firm, employing 127 staff. Shorts have experienced sustained growth of more than 20 per cent each year since 2014, underpinned by excellence in business management and future business planning.

High Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by SIV LabLogic is a global supplier of scientific equipment and software for radioactivity detection. LabLogic has shown significant growth over a sustained period of time, growing turnover from £3m to £14.5M over the last decade.

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Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Simm Engineering Group Bluetree Group are a printing company employing more than 320 staff. Achieving significant growth backed by strong financial performance, Bluetree Group achieved 38.4 per cent like-for-like growth over the last year.

SME of the Year, sponsored by Sheffield Business School Fernite of Sheffield are an innovative UK machine knife manufacturing business operating in their ISO9001 certified factory.

Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Vine Hotels Gordon Bridge was appointed Master Cutler in 2007 and launched The Master Cutler’s Challenge. Raising vital funds for local charities, the Master

Cutler’s Challenge has to date raised in excess of £1.8 Million

The Innovation Award, sponsored by Lupton Fawcett An award designed to recognise a product or service establishing importance in the marketplace, capturing the city and putting Sheffield ‘on the map’ - SleepCogni took the title. SleepCogni offers remote patient monitoring and behavioural therapy to support sleep clinicians. Using biofeedback, through visual, auditory and tactile cues, SleepCogni helps patients to relearn how to sleep.

The Marketing and Communications Award, sponsored by Insight VOW Wholesale are the UK’s largest business supplies

wholesaler, employing 1,100 full time staff across the UK. VOW experienced 40 per cent growth of their VOW exclusive brands in 2018 which was partly achieved through ‘exceptional’ marketing and communication campaigns.

The Sheffield Universities Entrepreneurship Award Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University support fledgling student and graduate founders to fulfil their aspirations and become the business leaders and employers of tomorrow.

Fittingly an educational business won – Tutorful is the UK’s leading tuition provider for in-person or online lessons.

Employing 29 staff, Tutorful has delivered half a million lessons to students across the UK.

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AWARDS

DONNY’S NIGHT TO

E N I H S

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The very best businesses in Doncaster came together for a night of glitz and glamour to celebrate the amazing achievements of 2018

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AWARDS

Now in its 20th year, the black-tie event, sponsored

by Doncaster College & University Centre, has become the UK’s largest Chamber awards night with the awards ceremony, three-course dinner, and live entertainment at Doncaster Racecourse.

And the winners and runners-up are: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Tony DeMulder Rising Star - Sponsored by Doncaster College & University Centre Winner: Ewan Neal - Keyhole Creative Runner Up: Kallum Speight URIS Group Limited

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Excellence in People Development - Sponsored by Keane Creative Winner: Atherton Godfrey LLP Runner Up: ProAktive Group Ltd Excellence in Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility - Sponsored by Yorkshire Bank Winner: Keepmoat Homes Runner Up: Ellgia Recycling Ltd Success through Partnerships - Sponsored by Finance for Enterprise Winner: Boxes and Packaging (Doncaster) Ltd Runner Up: Crown Hotel Bawtry Success in International Markets - In Partnership with

Children’s Air Ambulance Winner: Saria Limited Runner Up: Keyhole Creative Success through Innovation Sponsored by HSR Law Winner: Carlton Forest Group Runner Up: Boxes and Packaging (Doncaster) Ltd. Excellence in Customer Service - Sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn Winner: Handelsbanken Doncaster Runner Up: The Apothecary Urban Spa Third Sector Organisation of the Year - Sponsored by Taylor Bracewell Winner: The Children’s Sleep Charity Runner Up: Active Fusion

Business Start Up of the Year - Sponsored by Business Doncaster Winner: ParcelPass Transport Ltd Runner Up: Believe Money Group Limited SME Business of the Year Sponsored by King Asia Foods Winner: DigitalXRAID Ltd Runner Up: Empire Property Concepts Large Business of the Year - Sponsored by Atherton Godfrey Winner: Clarks Vehicle Conversions Ltd Runner Up: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

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SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT

– S E U N E V G N I T E ME

T S I W T A H T I W

Fancy breaking the tension around appraisals and meetings by venturing off-site and away from the office? Take some inspiration from Rebecca Morris who shares Benchmark Recruit’s top alternative locations in South Yorkshire to help you focus ‘on’ the business rather than ‘in’ the business…

Chimney House – The Living Room Located in the award-winning Chimney House on Kelham Island’s historic waterways, The Living Room is a bright space with inspiring views to get creativity flowing. Plus it’s perfect for winter gatherings with a log-burning stove and fireside armchairs. It holds up to ten people and there’s even an interconnecting larger meeting room should you

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want to have a team meeting afterwards.

VICTORIA BARGE AT TERMINAL WAREHOUSE

Victoria Barge, Terminal Warehouse A bespoke 60 x 12ft wide beam canal barge. Yes, you heard it right – a barge which has been fully kitted out as a luxurious living and meeting area. This is indeed one special venue, and is a unique space in Sheffield for intimate meetings such as appraisals.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT Virgin Money Lounge The Virgin Money Lounge has been a real hit with the business community of Sheffield – it’s also the venue unLTD hosted both its social events so far. The Lounge is a great place for a less formal appraisal location, free to Virgin Money customers and well-used by businesses for one-to-one sessions and meetings.

The Workstation – The Creative Snug An intimate and private space located in the creative hub of The Workstation, it’s ideal

for one-to-ones and can be hired out by the hour at a very affordable rate. If the appraisals are a real success, and cause for celebration, there’s the added bonus of the Showroom Bar and Café literally being next door for lunch or drinks.

Ecclesall Woods Woodland Discovery Centre – Hectors House Nestled in in one of Sheffield’s finest woodlands, Ecclesall Woods and built from local oak, which was destined for the sawmill, its twisting wooden shingle

roof gives it an almost fairy tale feel. Plus the woods themselves are accessible should you want to walk and talk.

Grimm & Co Apothecary Grimm & Co is a spellbinding centre in Rotherham offering creative support to encourage literacy development of children and young people.

Depending on the format of your appraisals, you can choose from three amazing spaces: • The Writer’s Centre: a private meeting room with seating

for eight and featuring toilet door graffiti of a literary bent!

• The Writers Pad: A light open space with tables, chairs, cushions and a unique exit – a beanstalk! A Jumanji style area with walls of greenery, a lawn floor, a book shop and ancient library.

• The Imagination Gym: a quirky, open space with comfy sofa seating – plus a ‘brain duster’ and ‘mind oiler’ always available for any sluggish meetings.

THE VIRGIN MONEY LOUNGE

THE WRITERS PAD AT GRIMM & CO

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THE CREATIVE SNUG AT THE WORKSTATION

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AWARD SUCCESS

Start your business journey with us Free space & support for tech-based pre-starts & start-ups

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unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

NUTURING IDEAS, GROWING BUSINESSES

Sheffield Technology Parks manager Tom Wolfenden introduces The Cooper Project – a supportive environment to test and develop your digital business idea Sheffield Technology Parks is home to some of the city’s most interesting and successful tech businesses – from 3D printers to eye tracking devices, radon detection equipment to railway smart sensors – all nestled within the Cooper Buildings in the city centre close to Sheffield’s main transport links.

Our resident businesses enjoy successful trading and inspirational growth, and it’s this we look to share with start-up businesses who come to us with an idea and who want to join our Cooper Project business incubator.

Starting a business isn’t easy, and there are a lot of uncertainties when you begin to consider it: company formation, product development, market research, developing a sales and marketing plan, not to mention employing staff. We recently launched a new series of businessfocused talks and workshops specifically aimed at supporting start-ups – the Cooper Sessions.

At our first ‘fireside chat’ to launch the Cooper Sessions, we heard from Jamie Hinton of Sheffield-based Razor, one of Sheffield’s fast-growing tech businesses. Jamie’s story is one of hard work and complete dedication, working evenings and weekends for four years as a side project before finally taking the leap and opening his first office here at the Technology Parks.

This level of commitment will be needed if you’re really

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SHEFFIELD TECHNOLOGY PARKS MANAGER TOM WOLFENDEN

going to drive a business forward. As long as you have the drive and dedication, we can add value along the way.

Our Cooper Project offer is a free six-month programme of advice and support designed to make your startup journey less daunting and more successful. To share the experience with others in the same position as you, we offer access to our co-working area while on the programme.

This means you have a professional business address in a prime city centre location to meet prospective clients.

We recognise that people can’t always leave employment to concentrate full time on an idea, so we also support people through the Cooper Project working part-time on their business in the early stages of development, just like Jamie did.

We’ll agree milestones to map your development, then you’ll speak to start-up coaches to work up your first business plan and decide which type of business formation is best. Once you’re finding your feet, we’ll put

you in touch with specialist tech advisors – people who’ve set up and scaled their own businesses.

We will help you to test your idea, looking at who else is doing something similar, how your idea stands out from the crowd, and who you’ll be able to sell it to once you get going.

But the hard work comes from you.

If you’re interested and feel like you’re ready for a new challenge, get in touch with us by emailing: CooperProject@ shefftechparks.com

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AFTER HOURS

A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR 72

After a month of Christmas parties and stuffing yourself with turkey sandwiches and mince pies, you’re probably realising that your work shirt seems much tighter than you remember…

Don’t panic – we’ve put together a list of some of the healthiest and wholesome places to eat so you can have a proper January cleanse unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AFTER HOURS

BLUE MOON CAFE, ON ST JAMES STREET NEXT TO THE CATHEDRAL

Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen Address: Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG Website: bit.ly/2Qtj0u3 Contact Number: 0114 327 3695 Opening times: Mon-Sat 8am- 10pm Sun 10am-6pm Social media: Twitter: @birdhouseteaco Facebook: @BirdHouseTeaCompany Instagram: @birdhouseteacompany About: Make sure you stick to your New Year’s healthy-eating resolution by heading down to Birdhouse! This exciting little company is the perfect place to ditch the junk food, and instead treat yourself to a powerhouse “Buddha Bowl” full of tasty, nutritious delights like curried cauliflower and blood oranges. Or, if you’re just looking for a quick energy

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boost, the “Matchaeologist” meiko matcha, fresh-lemonade shake is the ultimate toxic cleanser – and will keep you going for hours!

Fusion Organic café Address: Butcher Works, 72 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 2NS Website: bit.ly/2Cc7fiI Contact Number: 0114 252 5974 Opening Times: Mon-Sat 9.30am-3:30pm Social Media: Twitter: @fusioncafesheff About: The Fusion Cafe is a social enterprise, which is fully-intergrated within the Freeman College in partnership with the Ruskin Mill Trust, and run by students with learning difficulties.

The cafe has a commitment to biodynamic, organic and sustainable food and serves

vitamin-filled delights made with ingredients grown at the cafe’s very own horticultural sites, including create-yourown Fusion salad bowls and fresh fruit smoothies.

Blue Moon Cafe Address: 2 St James Street Sheffield S1 2EW Website: bit.ly/2UInZp9 Contact Number: 0114 276 3443 Opening Times: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm Social Media: Facebook: @bluemooncafesheffield Twitter: @BlueMoonSheff Instagram: @bluemoonsheffield About: You’ll be in safe hands at Sheffield’s longest running vegetarian and vegan restaurant, Blue Moon Café, which is conveniently found just at the edge of Cathedral

Square. The menu changes each day to three different healthy meat-free options, so there is always an element of mystery to every visit.

Pom Address: 388 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield S11 8ZP Opening times: Mon-Sat 9am–5pm Sun 10am–3pm Social media: Twitter: @PomKitchen Facebook: @PomKitchen Instagram: @pomkitchen_ About: Add a little colour to your 2019 with one of Pom’s blooming beautiful salads or have a sip of the rainbow by taking your pick from their huge array of cleansing smoothies.

You can even stop by early for possibly Sheffield’s most vibrant toast – but whenever you visit you can be sure you’ll leave full of nothing but good stuff.

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LEE, YARLETT, ENGLAND, ORTON, BURNS, SWINDELLS, KNIGHT, THELWELL, CRAWSHAW, SAXON, CLINES, CLAIRE, 11 DESIGN, OUR FAVOURITE PLACES, JOHN THE BUTCHER, SUNRISE, ANDERSON, HOWE, BAILEY, JACOKSON, HAWKINS, HARRISON, HIGGINS, ADAMO, STUBBS, ADDY, MARRISON, BAXTER, MADDOCK, RYLETT, BOON, NIVEN, ASHKAM, PEARCE, DUFF, THORNBRIDGE, ABBEYDALE, LE BON VIN, SIMPSON, MAGILL, WHITE, GREEN, PETER & PAUL, ANDERSON, HILL, TRUDGILL, PICKFORD, PUBLIC, WICK AT BOTH ENDS, BRADFIELD BREWERY, ADOBE, RESDIARY, BAGSHAW, PEEL, BIGGINS, ASHYBY, GREAVES, PATEL, SHAH, ALSOP, SOFOS, ALLEN, ARIANNA, TRANTER, METCALFE, CANETTI, HINCHCLIFFE, TERECOASA, SKINNER, DICKINS, COWELL, MARSDEN, OTTER, GOY, COPLIN, SIMON, WORTHINGTON, MILBURN, DRENGE, ARCTIC MONKEYS, MORGAN, WOOD, JENKINSON, BROOMHEAD, CLARK, O’HARA, WAKELIN, STEVENSON, HURD, TILLBROOK, SLATER, O’ MALLEY, HELDERS, TURNER, COOK, LOWE, JAMESON, HILL, CAREY, SINGH, KING, NAYLOR, SHEPHERD, DHAMIJA, ELLIS, EYRE, GREENWOOD, HADFIELD, FALKINER, COLTON, PALMER, GREENING, LYONS, MILLER, POOLE, JESSOP, HOLDER, SHARP, FRENCH, JORO, CURRAN, SSK KITCHENS, COLE, GRIPPLE, HOYLE, WARD, ANZU DESIGN, HORNER, MITICA, LE PAZ, ELWOOD, COLE, STEAMYARD COFFEE, COTTRILL, PEARS, BINSTEAD, ELM, UPSHOT COFFEE, HEMINGWAY, FOSTER, JOWETT, KEWELL, TREVETT, FOWLER, WHITE, FARMER, COOLING, SHARMA, LANCASTER, CITY TAXIS, GOSNEY, CONGREAVE, MAXWELL-SHORE, MERCHANT, EDWARDS, KAY, WALTERS, HONEYCOMB, HONEYMAN, BUCKLEY, SIMPSON, CARR, FORD, BUTLER, WOOD, DRAPER, PRITCHARD, RICHARDSON, NEWALL, CONLAN, CORK, SWIFT, THE MOWBRAY, POTTER, SWALLOW & DAMSONS, CLEAVER, WHITWORTH, DOANE, HUGHES, GLOVER, BARR, DICKINSON, DRURY, EXPOSED MAGAZINE, HALLAM, WESTSIDE MAGAZINE, EDWARDS, HATTON, WEBSTER, CARLEY, BROADHEAD, SKELLY, MORRIS, RIGBY, RIDLEY, RAFTERS, BROCCO ON THE PARK, ROSE, CORLESS, HARTLEY, PULLIG, CROSBY, SPENCER, ALLEN, McCANN, BEESTON, RYAN-HICKS, BALDWIN, LEIGHTON, BOSS, D’ARCY, SIMPSON, BESWICK, MITCHELL, KIDNEY, PATRICK, BOREMAN, RELOCATE2SHEFFIELD, URSU, KIRSTEN, BENTLEY-HALL, BAGNIOLI, BUTTERWORTH, NEWSOME, DENT, BOOTH, HEPWORTH, BALKOW, WALKER DRAZEK, THE VACCINES, GREEN, BERNIE, MC CLURE, SMYTHE, MARMADUKES CAFE, LOMAS, PARRAMORE, HEATH, EARL, BUDDERY, WARD, McGrath, WHITEHOUSE, SALOVA, LANCASHIRE, CARNALL, BOLLAND, TORNLEY, SAUNDERS, BOUCHIER, MOSS, GASKELL, TILLYER, CROSS, MOORE, BELTON, MEE, SPIERS, SAWBY, LAWTON, WALTERS, DELANEY, HAXTON, EVANS, ATACK, MORELY, THEAKER, ALI, HOULT, FORREST, OAKES, PAULICH, THOMAS, GASS, DOWNES, BALDWIN, NICE, GRETOREX, NAGARAJU, HARPER, SHINER, KNOTT, DOYLE, WELLAND, CUNNINGHAM, GOOD FOOD GUIDE, VAN DER HOOFT, MALTBY, GREAVES, GRAY, PRESCOTT, O’CONNER, MANTON, MORTON, FLINTON, SLATER, LUCAS, NEWBOT, ATHERTON, JAISWALL, FLINT, HINDLEY, NEIL PRINTER, MOUNTAIN, WARING and many many more we’ve missed off this list....

THANK YOU to our regulars, new customers, suppliers, partners and friends for supporting us in 2018!

From all of us at Ashoka - Have a great 2019.

Ashoka Restaurant.

We sell curry.

Book online - www.ashoka1967.com

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AFTER HOURS

MARMADUKES, ON NORFOLK ROW

World Peace Café Address: 685-691 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8TG Contact Number: 0114 266 1142 Opening Times: Wed-Sun 11am-4pm Social Media: Facebook: @worldpeacecafesheffield About: Being healthy isn’t just about the size of your waist, it’s just as important to think about your mental wellbeing and relax every now and again.

Well, there’s no better way to let your stress fizzle away than by taking a seat in the World Peace Café and tucking into their gorgeous raw-rainbow Pad Thai.

The café is conveniently located inside the Kadampa Meditation Centre, so there’s no end to the tranquillity possibilities.

Humpit Address: 45 Leopold Street, Sheffield S1 2GY Website: bit.ly/2UIxODq Contact Number: 0114 276 2799 Opening Times: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm Sat-Sun Closed

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Social Media: Facebook: @humpithummus Twitter: @humpithummus Instagram: @humpithummus About: If the words hummus and falafel fill you full of excitement, then you’ll struggle to go wrong with a trip to Humpit. There’s three scrumptious choices to dither over – the classic-hummus bowl, the filled pita or the vitamin-packed salad bowl – all of which are made with fresh ingredients to order. For that extra nutrition punch, we’d recommend washing it all down with one of Humpit’s freshly squeezed juices.

Grind Café Address: Cornwall Works, 3 Green Lane, Sheffield S3 8SJ Website: bit.ly/2UFerLq Contact Number: 0114 272 3929 Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 9am-5pm Social Media: Facebook: @TheGrindCafeKelhamIsland About: After opening in 2010,

the Grind Café has become a well-known rest stop in the heart of Sheffield’s popular hotspot, Kelham Island. The Grind only use the freshest ingredients from local sources, so their menu is always changing, but some of their wholesome dishes have included the vivid beetroot, quinoa, spinach and carrot salad and the hearty cauliflower curry.

Marmadukes Address: 22 Norfolk Row, Sheffield S1 2PA Website: bit.ly/2C9cn76 Contact Number: 0114 276 7462 Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm Social Media: Facebook: @marmadukescafe Twitter: @MarmadukesCafe Instagram: @marmadukescafe About: Marmadukes aim to offer their customers only the best in traditional British grub by combining quality seasonal ingredients with interesting flavours from all over the world. Head here if you want a

classic sandwich or salad with a bit of a twist from passionate people!

The Cabin Address: 20-24 Fitzwilliam Gate, Sheffield S1 4JH Website: bit.ly/2Bg1cIn Contact Number: 0114 275 3822 Opening Times: Mon 10am-5pm Tue-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm Social Media: Facebook: @thecabinsheffield Twitter: @cabinsheffield Instagram: @thecabinsheffield About: The Cabin’s usual speciality is indulgent pancakes and sticky waffles, so they’re hardly the first place that pops to mind when it comes to healthy eating. However, unLTD’s very own graphic designer, Simon Waller, fully endorses the Cabin’s fabulously fruity smoothies, so make sure you don’t skip out on a strawberry delight or a raspberry heaven.

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TA PAS

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T A P A SunLTDBUSINESS.COM R E STAU 25/06/2018 00:46

AFTER HOURS

KOKO OFFER A TASTE OF THE ORIENT ON ECCLESALL ROAD

Cutlery Works Address: 73-101 Neepsend LaneB6074, Sheffield S3 8AT Website: bit.ly/2zWEhBU Contact: hello@cutlery-works.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Tue Closed Wed-Thu 8am-12am Fri-Sat 8am-1am Sun 8am-11pm Social Media: Facebook: @cutleryworkssheffield Instagram: @cutleryworks About: Kelham Island was buzzing with excitement last year when The Cutlery Works opened. This was a unique development for the Steel City – a former cutlery factory completely transformed into a thriving food hall full of multiple restaurants and communal dining spaces. There’s endless flavour-filled experiences to choose from, but for a healthy option, we’d recommend hitting up the Shed for a mouthwatering 100per cent plantbased sensation.

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Five Rivers Address: 15-219 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BA Website: bit.ly/2PA4OtH Contact Number:

T A U unLTDBUSINESS.COM RANT 00:46

0114 266 1857 Opening Times: Mon-Fri 7.30am-6pm Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-4pm Social Media: Facebook: @5riverscoffee Twitter: @5riverssheff Instagram: @fiveriverscoffee About: Sheffield’s most orange destination is none other than Broomhill’s Five River’s Coffee Co, which specialises in all things Vietnamese. We recommend creating your own Banh Mi Baguette (you can save yourself from the carbs and have it as salad), especially with the fragrant coconut curry tofu. Of course, their delicious noodle soup is also perfect for keeping slim and warming up from the January blues.

You’ll also find them at Cutlery Works so no excuses!

CUBAN

Just Falafs Address: 87 Chesterfield Road, Sheffield S8 0RN Website: bit.ly/2ULjAlp Contact Number: 0114 255 0697 Opening Times: Mon Closed Tue-Thu 12-8.45pm Fri-Sat 12-9.15pm Sun 12-5.45pm Social Media:

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Facebook: @JustFalafsSheffield Instagram: @just_falafs About: There are countless vegan restaurants scattered across Chesterfield Road, perfect for those looking for something light and healthy without losing any flavour.

Just Falafs is one such place, and certainly isn’t a laughing matter, as they’ve got everything from shakshuka (fragrant, marinated tofu) to baba ganoush (delicious smoky aubergine with a tahini dip).

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Koko Address: 503 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8PR Website: bit.ly/2QUjg4o Contact Number: 0114 266 2843 Opening Times: Mon Closed Tue-Thu 6.30-11pm Fri 6.30-11pm Saturday 12.30-2.30pm, 5-11.30pm Sun 5-10pm Social Media: Facebook: @kokosheffield Twitter: @koko_restaurant Instagram: @koko_sheffield About: Just because you’re being healthy doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fine dining.

Koko is Ecclesall Road’s

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premiere destination for oriental tastes that’s just perfect for a fancy evening out.

They’re especially renowned for their sensational sushi, which is full of omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for keeping your heart ticking away like it should.

Steam Yard Address: Unit 1-2 97, Aberdeen Court, 95-101 Division Street, Sheffield S1 4GE Website: bit.ly/2Ca4BtF Contact Number: 0114 327 1270 Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm Social Media: Facebook: @SteamYard Twitter: @SteamYard Instagram: @steamyard About: Why is this one healthy you ask? Well, it isn’t.

For those of you that decide to throw in the towel and give into your rumbling tummy, Steam Yard is definitely the place to go for that junk-food fix. There are door-wedge sized cheese-toasties and zingy lemon-meringue cronuts, but best of all, there’s “The Astronaut” – which is a coffee served inside a chocolate-lined waffle cone… say goodbye to your waist line.

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AFTER HOURS

WEEKEND ESCAPES 78

Home to the mushrooms (the sculpture not the food), Seville is the perfect destination if you’re looking for class, culture and constant sun, says unLTD’s SarahLouise Kelsey unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AFTER HOURS

SEVILLE With 3,000 hours of sizzling sunshine a year, it’s no surprise that Seville is known as the frying pan of Europe.

Not only that but Seville is the fourth biggest city in Spain meaning you will never be stuck for things to do and sites to see.

It’s one of the hottest cities in Spain – and we’re talking about more than just the weather.

Speaking of sites to see, it’s hard to miss one of Seville’s biggest attractions, the Metropol Parasol, known locally as ‘the mushrooms’.

It’s the world’s largest wooden structure standing at approximately 26 metres high

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with five levels to explore.

From a market to a museum, the mushrooms are filled to the brim with things to do.

Created in 2004 by German architect Jürgen Mayer, the sculpture is based upon the arches of Seville’s cathedral and the “ficus” of Plaza Del Cristo de Burgos.

The sculpture itself was the winning project in a competition made by Seville’s City Council to carry out a renovation of the square where it’s situated. The bold design is meant to create shade, which in 40-degree heat, can’t go amiss for the locals – or pale Brits! So, if sizzling sunshine might not be

your thing, don’t let it put you of as shelter is always readily available.

It’s safe to say Seville is far from stereotypical, although it does have some sights you might recognise. Seville’s Plaza de España is featured in the films Lawrence de Arabia and Attack of the Clones for all the movie buffs.

For those who are a bit more traditional, the city’s cathedral is one not to miss.

Santa Maria de la Sede is the world’s largest gothic cathedral which you can visit for as as nine euros. Without providing too many spoilers you can visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus and

climb to the top of the Giralda – it’s safe to say that the views will speak for themselves.

There’s even something for the kids. El Lagarto, also known as ‘the stuffed crocodile’ always provides a bit of family fun. The crocodile was a gift from Sultan of Egypt to Kin Alfonso X for asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Unfortunately, the love story doesn’t have a happily ever after for the couple – or the crocodile. The pair never got married and the crocodile was stuffed.

If heights and history just isn’t your cup of tea, then not to worry. For all the foodies out there, Spain is home

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AFTER HOURS

to the much-loved dish of tapas. While they may seem like comically small dishes, remember that’s why you can get away with having loads.

You don’t even have to find it for yourself, Seville offers personal guided tapas tours.

Just make sure you go on an empty stomach and don’t expect to be tucked up in bed before 10pm.

Moving swiftly on from food to dance, Andalucia is the birth place of the flirty Flamenco and lessons are readily available. Flamenco is known simply as a “baile” which translates into ‘dance’

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Seville is the fourth biggest city in Spain, meaning you will never be stuck for things to do and sites to see

but with ‘palmas’ thrown into the mix which is flamenco’s distinctive hand claps, clicks and stamps. As well as learning the dance itself, there’s also opportunity to learn about its history and see it in action with one of Seville’s many Flamenco tours.

If Flamenco isn’t to your taste, maybe football is. Just a 20-minute walk from the centre you’ll find Seville FC’s football stadium, also known as Estadio Ramón SánchezPizjuán. The stadium opened all the way back in 1958 in replacement of Seville’s old

Estadio de Nervión, as it wasn’t big enough to fulfil the club’s ambitions. The stadium now holds a total capacity of 42,714 people.

It’s safe to say that the city of Seville isn’t short of things to do and sites to see, all for relatively cheap and some even free.

So, if you’re looking for a weekend escape filled with everything from football to Flamenco (and everything in between) grab your bags, book a flight and get away.

After all it’s not every day you can climb up a giant tower of mushrooms.

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NUMBER CRUNCH

CREATIVE AND DIGITAL Game on! The National Videogame Museum has opened at Castle House in Sheffield. The interactive, family-friendly museum helps visitors discover the past, present and future of play, and learn about the art, science and technology of videogame.

Meanwhile award-winning city firm Twinkl have in the last 12 months created several educational apps including a world first multi-player augmented reality game, plus an app to support a series of augmented reality storybooks.

And Creative and Digital Media students at UTC Sheffield have consistently gained the best grades in the country at Post-16 for their Level 3 Digital Media diploma.

So, we thought we’d crunch the numbers this month on all things creative and digital.

Twinkl has more than

HALF A MILLION RESOURCES available on its website

21,000

Sheffield City Council has recently backed a

£3 MILLION DEAL

people employed in creative and digital jobs in the city

Pimoroni is the second

£2BN FASTEST

The top 25 tech companies in Sheffield City Region bring in more than £2 billion a year.

Kollider recently won

£3.45M of capital funding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport to provide a digital business incubator for Sheffield

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GROWING manufacturing company in the UK, 50th fastest in Europe

to create a new tech hub

Joi Polloi has

WON TWO

BAFTAS

on the TV programmes ‘Humans’ and ‘Live From Space’

Sumo Digital, which has its HQ in Sheffield, has grown

FROM 15 TO MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE across its four studios

47%

The city boasts one of the highest growth rates of any cluster in the UK, with turnover increasing by 47%

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