unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #67

OCT 2023 | ISSUE 67 | FREE UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

HOMES ARE WHERE THE HEART IS

INTERIOR DESIGNER KATRINA LEWIS DISCUSSES HER JOURNEY FROM LOCKDOWN STRUGGLE TO CREATIVE FULFILMENT

UNLTD BUSINESS AWARDS IT’S THE FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THIS YEAR’S EVENT – DON’T MISS OUT!

A CLASS APART THE SHEFFIELD SCHOOL TACKLING EDUCATION INEQUALITY HEAD ON

PEDALO PHOTOGRAPHY HOW A CREATIVE BUSINESS BORN OUT OF LOCKDOWN IS FLOURISHING

PLUS… NEWS, INTERVIEWS, APPOINTMENTS, OPINION, EXPERT ADVICE AND MORE…

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FROM

Contents

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS

ON THE COVER...

24: A DESIGN FOR LIFE For this month’s cover feature, discover how a challenging lockdown experience inspired Katrina Lewis’ life-changing shift from the corporate world to starting up her dream interior design business.

14: LIGHTBULB MOMENT Chris Burns discusses the motivations which led him to found Ardeta Search, a Sheffieldbased leadership recruitment specialist. He shares the challenges faced during the business’s growth, emphasizing adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity.

22: BACK TO BUSINESS The very first unLTD Business Awards, dedicated to honouring the finest entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs in the region, will be taking place next month – and you’ve still got time to submit your entry!

34: THA’S RAMBLAS Matt Bowker from Sheffield-based architects Coda presents an exciting vision to transform Fargate into the Steel City’s version of Barcelona’s renowned Las Ramblas, albeit with a touch less sunshine!

41: PICTURE PERFECT From humble beginnings to photographing political heavyweights, Rob Nicholson discusses the rise of Pedalo, an independent creative venture and studio hub situated in Sheffield’s vibrant Kelham Island district.

52: HAVE LUNCH WITH unLTD’s Ash Birch grabs lunch at Wokie Box with Simon Gillott, an industrial recruitment specialist and the owner of Sheffield-based firm Steel Cactus.

EDITORIAL EDITOR Joe Food

Joe@unltdbusiness.com

ONLINE EDITOR Ash Birch

Ash@unltdbusiness.com

COLUMN EDITOR Olivia Warburton

olivia@unltdbusiness.com

VIDEO CONTENT CREATOR Lizzy Capps lizzy@unltdbusiness.com

DESIGN Marc Barker

WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS!

ADVERTISING Phil Turner

phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498 034

Nick Hallam

Depending on when you’re reading this, you’ve might have just a few days left to enter the inaugural unLTD Business Awards, or you could be too late! If it’s before midnight on Friday October 13th, then jump to awards.unltdbusiness.com and fill in the (very quick) application form and record us your (under five minute) video explaining why you should win. Full details are on page 22 and 23 and on the website – as long as you’re an SME, there will be at least one award you can enter.

As we’re heading towards the end of the year, with our awards as well as those of Sheffield Chamber, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber and Doncaster Chamber all on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to celebrate and be grateful for the hard-working, innovative businesses that keep the local economy afloat. Things haven’t been easy for many industries these last 12 months but if you are thick-skinned, determined and make shrewd decisions, there is plenty of opportunity to not only survive, but thrive.

So congratulations to all businesses nominated in all these awards, and also to those who didn’t have the time to enter but are still doing great things. Keep it coming.

nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk 07843 483536

FINANCE Lis Ellis accounts@ exposedmagazine.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Chloe Angus Kate Ash Adam Bradley Ray Byrne Jackie Cook Jo Davison Wayne Fletcher Ellie Grace Lisa Pogson Matthew Risdale Wendy Ward Josh Weston Jill White Rhys Wyborn Dave Woodfine

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

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

5

Your ambition. Our investment.

Simple really.

We can help your business grow with finance and straightforward, straight-talking support.

Ready to talk?

Chat with our team on 0800 915 1188 or email yh@ukse.co.uk

10985 UKSE – YHM Finance press advert 250x150 2.8.indd 1

www.ukse.co.uk 18/12/2019 11:37

AGENDA

CORPORATE LAWYER 1

IT’S NOTHING LIKE SUITS

Contrary to popular media portrayals in shows like Suits, the life of a corporate lawyer is less about courtroom drama and more about highly complex document management. We spend hours meticulously combing through contracts, sale agreements and financial documents, ensuring every detail is in order and drafted accurately. The real excitement lies in the precision and thoroughness required to protect our clients’ interests and to navigate the intricacies of closing a deal within the agreed timescales.

2

THE NEED FOR COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

One of the most crucial attributes for a corporate lawyer is an acute sense of commercial awareness. This means being intimately attuned to the ever-shifting currents of the business world. To develop this essential skill, we must constantly engage with business and finance-related news. Reading local publications, such as unLTD Business, is just as important as keeping up with national and international headlines because everything that is happening locally together with regional nuances can have a profound impact on our clients’ matters and prospects. This commercial awareness isn’t just about staying informed; it’s about interpreting how deals evolve, identifying trends in the marketplace and understanding industry dynamics. For example, employee ownership trusts (EOTs) have become increasingly prevalent recently. To spot such opportunities, we need to stay updated and connected with fellow professionals in our sector.

3

TEAMWORK IS A CORNERSTONE In the world of corporate law, teamwork is not just

a buzzword; it’s a way of life. Most corporate transactions require seamless collaboration between various professionals, all working toward a common goal – getting the deal done.

This necessitates building and nurturing strong networks with accountants, tax advisers, lenders, surveyors and brokers to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients.

4

THE RISE OF AI

5

THE SHEFFIELD CONNECTION

The legal landscape is undergoing a technological transformation and corporate lawyers are no exception.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in our field, particularly in mergers and acquisitions. For instance, many law firms are investing in AI to streamline the document review and due diligence process, with certain software designed to assist with organising and deciphering key information that is pertinent to the transaction, making our work more efficient.

Sheffield is an effervescent city and is renowned for its innovative technology companies and robust commercial environment, with some of the UK’s leading SMEs being based in the city, which makes it an inspiring place to work as a corporate lawyer. Having advised businesses in and around Sheffield for more than 10 years, this experience and knowledge of the local market is greatly valued by clients and is vital to reinforcing relationships in the area.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a corporate partner at Shakespeare Martineau. Find out more about the services they offer at www.shma.co.uk.

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Agenda

SHEFFIELD DM GEARS UP FOR FIFTH BIRTHDAY Following August’s largest-ever edition of Sheffield Digital Marketing (DM) which saw over 200 marketers from across the UK descend on the city, the popular meetup is returning to its regular free-to-attend events for its fifth birthday.

Sheffield DM provides a forum for people working in marketing or just starting out in their careers to learn and meet likeminded professionals. The meetups usually feature 2-3 expert speakers on topics including SEO, PPC, Social, Content Marketing, Digital PR, marketing strategy and more.

Organised by Sheffield digital agency Evoluted and running since 2018, the event has built up a strong community of local

marketers and has provided speaking opportunities to numerous first-time speakers.

August’s all-day

event, which was held at The Octagon Centre, attracted more than double Sheffield DM’s previous highest turnout and won sponsorship from Trustpilot, LensGo Visual Media, Sitebulb, Diginius, clockworkTalent, Whyy?

Change, Purely.Website, Peek & Poke and Steel City Marketing. Organisers’ aim is to put the city firmly on the map as a leading national hub for digital talent.

The fifth birthday event will be held in late November. For all the info, head to sheffield-dm. eventbrite.co.uk or follow @SheffieldDM on Twitter.

Expanding opportunities: D’Arcy Howard announces merger with SMH BCL Accountants Leeds based accountancy firm D’Arcy Howard & Co has announced its merger with SMH BCL Accountants.

This strategic partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance client services, expand business development opportunities, and ensure sustained growth for the future, from a newly consolidated office.

The merger took place in July and saw the formation of a new entity called SMH D’Arcy Howard & Co Limited.

Riz Hussain, Partner at D’Arcy Howard, said: “We have diligently sought a business partner that aligns with our culture and values. We believe that joining forces with SMH BCL Accountants positions us strategically to elevate our service offering and meet the evolving needs of our clients.”

SMH BCL Accountants, which 8

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

forms part of the SMH Group, has a longstanding presence in Leeds and as part of the group boasts a team of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers, Independent Financial Advisers, and Legal Executives, as well as specialists in Residential Mortgages and Commercial Finance.

Stacey Pocklington, Partner and Director of SMH BCL Accountants said: “We are thrilled to welcome D’Arcy Howard into the SMH family.

By combining our strengths and expertise, we are better positioned to deliver a seamless service to our valued clients.”

SMH D’Arcy Howard & Co can be contacted on 0113 242 4677 or info@smh.group. To learn more about the range of services offered by the SMH Group visit www.smh.group

NIBS HENTONS PAYROLL TEAM IN CIPP AWARDS FINALS Yorkshire-based accountants Hentons has been recognised as a finalist in the ‘Payroll Service Provider of the Year’ category at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) Annual Excellence Awards 2023. The awards ceremony, which will be held at Celtic Manor Resort on 5 October, promises to be a momentous occasion.

SHEFFIELD COUNCIL VOTE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE GREENER

What to expect from Barnsley Fashion Week Barnsley Fashion Week is approaching and promises to be an exciting week of digital and in-person events.

Commencing with a program of industry round tables, Q&As with featured designers and workshops with industry professionals, all culminating in a fashion show, which will be held at The Metrodome on 27 October.

Brands, businesses, and designers will showcase their lines at the Headline Catwalk Show, with all designs being modelled by local people.

The event is sponsored by local businesses including Barnsley College, Burrows Toyota Barnsley, Burrows Kia Barnsley, Spirit Sisters, Mr & Mrs Yorkshire, and headline sponsors Clobber Swap Started in 2020 by Camile Johnson, Clobber Swap began as an online community of what is now over 8,000 women, all looking to refresh their wardrobes whilst being eco-conscious, swapping and selling their unwanted, quality clothes.

For a small monthly fee, members can revamp their looks without contributing to the devasting effects that fast fashion has on the planet, making Clobber Swap the perfect headline sponsor of Barnsley Fashion Week.

Tickets to the Headline Catwalk Show include Prosecco upon arrival, a seat to the Main Catwalk Event and a buffet-style meal. All profit raised will be donated BIADS and Marie Curie Hospice.

Sheffield’s Councillors have voted in favour of supporting Sheffield’s SMEs to address climate impacts. The motion, proposed by Labour Councillor Minesh Parekh, set out some measures that Sheffield City Council have undertaken to support businesses be greener, including a recently-approved £3.4m grant to help businesses invest in energy efficiency measures.

TOURISM INDUSTRY BOOSTED SHEFFIELD’S ECONOMY BY £1.35 BILLION IN 2022 A recent report has stated that more than 15 million people visited Sheffield last year, bringing an estimated £1.35 billion boost to the city’s economy. Tourists spent money on accommodation, food and drink, culture and shopping, as well as on sporting fixtures, such as the Women’s Euros which alone increased city centre footfall by 22% throughout its duration.

Barnsley Fashion Week will run from 23-27 October 2023, with the Headline Catwalk Show taking place on the final evening. To buy tickets, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

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9

Agenda NIBS ‘DIGITAL SHOP WINDOW’ FOR CITY CENTRE BUSINESSES REFRESHED IN RUN-UP TO CRUCIAL TRADING PERIOD A website that acts as a ‘digital shop window’ for businesses in Sheffield city centre has been reimagined in time for Christmas. Sheffieldcitycentre. com, a site curated and managed by Sheffield City Centre Business Improvement District (Sheffield BID), has been updated, now having a refreshed business directory alongside visitor-friendly blogs and other feature articles.

SL2 DIRECTOR JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT RETFORD FOOTBALL CLUB Scott Lee, director at leading construction company SL2 Ltd, has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Retford Football Club, marking a significant step forward for both parties. The announcement has been met with excitement as the club hopes to benefit from Scott’s business acumen and his passion for football. In addition, SL2 are also excited to announce they have secured the naming rights at the Rail Ground, with the ground becoming the SL2 Rail Stadium.

LANDMARK MUSIC COLLEGE GROUP WATERBEAR OPENS NEW, STATE-OF-THE-ART SHEFFIELD CAMPUS WaterBear Sheffield, located on Eyre Lane, has opened its doors to its first cohort this September, offering a variety of BA (Hons) and master’s courses. The reputable group has colleges based in Brighton and now Sheffield, and also offer online courses to help independent artists launch their careers. The Sheffield campus is taking last-minute applications for some of their courses for this academic year. To find out more, visit www.waterbear.org. uk/sheffield/ 10 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Hartington Business Park off to a strong start Hartington Business Park at Staveley, which completed a refurbishment in July, has already secured significant lettings since its launch to market in January this year.

Marketed by letting specialists Commercial Property Partners (CPP), alongside Knight Frank, on behalf of the Devonshire Property Group, interest to date in the new industrial ware-house accommodation has been exceptionally strong, resulting in three of the units already snapped up with a fourth under offer – leaving just two available.

Ranging in size from 2,479 sq. ft up to 4,899 sq. ft, the units have been built to a shell specification allowing occupiers the flexibility to utilise the space for maximum business benefits.

Office fit-out packages are also available from the landlord, if required.

The Hartington units, built with a steel portal frame and steel profile cladding, offer 6m clear height, secure concrete yards, EV charging points, full fibre broadband and ample parking spaces.

The Park is conveniently located on the northern edge of Staveley, five miles to the North East of Chesterfield and 12 miles south of Sheffield. The site further benefits from easy ac-cess to the M1 via J30 and J29A, located just 3.5 miles and 2.5 miles away respectively.

CPP Senior Surveyor Max Pickering said: “Hartington Business Park has been built to a high specification and is in a great location for a range of commercial or industrial businesses looking to have a base in central Derbyshire.

“Its easy access to the M1 has garnered interest from a variety of would-be tenants and we are confident the remaining units will be occupied in the very near future.

“Its accessibility to a large skilled workforce within commuting distance of Chesterfield, Sheffield, Doncaster and Nottingham, has also been a strong pull for businesses looking to relocate.”

Enquiries can be made at www. knightfrank.co.uk

Accountancy firm accelerates regional growth with the launch of two new offices Yorkshire-based accountants Brearley & Co has widened its presence across the county by opening two new offices, previously owned by F L Accounting.

Founder of F L Accounting, Mark Jenkinson, operated as Sochall Smith Accountants in Sheffield for over 25 years, before demerging from this entity three years ago.

Mark said: “We searched for over three years to find an accountancy practice that could take on our clients and team and Brearley & Co were my ideal choice. They have the structure, skill set and culture. We look forward to working with them and assisting their expansion.”

Brearley & Co accountants will retain all existing staff at F L, whilst growing the current services offered to their client base.

The expansion will take their office count to five, with the firm having

spaces in Mexborough, Dinnington, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chapeltown.

The move is set to bring a wealth of opportunities for clients and employees, including the potential for recruitment as the firm grows.

Mark Smallman, Managing Director said: “We are excited to announce the move into two new catchment areas of Doncaster and Chapeltown. We welcome FL Accounting’s team into our growing organisation, and look forward to working with their clients.”

REVIVAL OF SHEFFIELD’S HISTORIC LEAH’S YARD REACHES NEW HEIGHTS The ongoing revival of Sheffield’s historic Leah’s Yard has celebrated an important milestone, with the building’s new extension reaching its highest point.

Located on Cambridge Street, Leah’s Yard is considered a jewel in the crown of Heart of the City, the transformative city centre development programme led

by Sheffield City Council and their Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry.

This Grade II listed building was recently removed from

Historic England’s ‘Building at Risk’ register following preliminary structural work, bringing the building back into usable condition.

Work on adding a complementary extension to the building, designed to vastly improve public accessibility and create extra commercial space, began earlier this year and has now hit its peak.

To celebrate this latest milestone, Sheffield City Council welcomed key representatives from Queensberry, RF Joinery,

Turner & Townsend and Lathams, alongside Tom Wolfenden and James O’Hara, the future venue operators, for a tour of the site, along with an official topping-out ceremony.

Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are delighted to see Leah’s Yard reach this milestone.

The redevelopment of this cherished heritage ensures that the building will remain a key focal point in our city

centre for decades to come.”

Once completed in Spring 2024, the venue will be run by Tom Wolfenden, who manages the Cooper Buildings on Arundel Street, and James O’Hara, who runs acclaimed bars such as Public and Picture House Social.

The duo plan to breathe new life into the site, which will house a bustling central public courtyard surrounded by small boutique shops, with the first and second floors hosting around 20 independent working studios.

Whyy? Change finalists for two regional apprenticeship awards Whyy? Change has been shortlisted for two apprenticeship awards at the OAL Awards, including SME Provider of the Year.

As well as receiving nominations as a company, the Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider’s Managing Director, Emma Harrison PCQI, has been nominated for Level 4+ Apprentice of the Year.

The OAL Awards celebrates the world of apprenticeships and recognises the outstanding achievements of the individuals and organisations that work alongside and in partnership with Occupational Awards Limited.

Emma’s journey to becoming

an apprentice for the first time at 46 is different to the traditional apprenticeship route. Previously to Whyy? Change, Emma held senior customer services, sales and leadership roles at RBS, moving into a controls assurance within the motor

industry.

Emma said: “To be a finalist at the inaugural OAL Apprenticeship Awards is a great honour. I always focus so much on sharing the success of the apprentices who we are fortunate to support and develop, I rarely think about my own success as an apprentice, so to have this recognised by the judging panel is very humbling.

“I am immensely proud of what I have achieved and feel it shows age doesn’t have to be a blocker to learning new knowledge and skills.”

The winners will be announced at OAL’s inaugural awards evening on Thursday 19th October at York Racecourse.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 11

AGENDA: OPINION

EDUCATION

As the first person in her family to go to university and currently the deputy headteacher at Mercia School in Sheffield, Ruth Hollingsworth has firsthand insight into the issue of education inequality and tells us how closing the north/south gap will give more Sheffield students the chance to get into top jobs in the future.

RUTH HOLLINGSWORTH HEADTEACHER MERCIA SCHOOL Every child deserves a great education, no matter where they are born.

But those from the south have more chance of getting one - and a top job - than a Sheffield child.

As deputy headteacher at Sheffield’s Mercia School, and the first person in my family to go to university, I know that’s just not right. It’s social injustice that needs tackling.

We have largely accepted this inequality for years, but it is time for change.

In 2022, the proportion of GCSE results at grade 7 or above in Yorkshire was 22.4 per cent. In London, it was 32.6 per cent.

That is not about intelligence; it’s inequality.

How can we in Sheffield start to close this north/ south divide and secure our children places in the best universities? What levels the playing field?

I believe one of the first things it comes down to is having high expectations.

High expectations of children at school ensures behaviour is better, and that helps everyone work hard. In this culture, aspirations are the norm.

IN 2022, THE PROPORTION OF GCSE RESULTS AT GRADE 7 OR ABOVE IN YORKSHIRE WAS 22.4 PER CENT. IN LONDON, IT WAS 32.6 PER CENT. THAT IS NOT ABOUT INTELLIGENCE; IT’S INEQUALITY. 12 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Good behaviour also attracts high-quality teachers, who want to teach. Mercia teachers have studied at Oxbridge or Russell Group universities, they are masters of their subjects.

Good behaviour also means children are less likely to be bullied or use mobile phones. It means they learn more.

The GCSE figures speak for themselves. In August, we celebrated 90 per cent of our students getting between grades 9-5 in English and maths. A fifth of all grades were at the top possible grade 9.

And six pupils got all 9s, something only around 1,000 students in the country achieved. We established a culture of success and pupils achieved it. We are rivals for the south.

Post GCSE is when students start to focus on what they want to do for a career.

Last month we opened our new sixth form, Mercia Collegiate, to 120 students from all backgrounds.

They all have big dreams - wanting jobs in medicine, or architecture. We have ambitious young people just like in the south.

To help them succeed, and close the gap, we do things differently.

Our two-day inauguration covers how to revise efficiently, goal setting and university applications.

As well as taking A-levels, students are in professional schools focused on being immersed in their future career.

They might want to be a doctor, but what kind of doctor?

If they want to take a psychology degree, which is

With Jill White of Andy Hanselman Consulting

the best course? This is the level of expectation we set and support.

They all undertake work experience. They will study alone, collaboratively and until 5pm due to our longer school day.

The aim is to match them with the best degree for their ambitions and prepare them for the reality of life at top universities.

Sadly, students from a working class background are more likely to drop out of higher education. We know what makes it hard, and I have experienced that.

Our goal is to ensure when our students arrive at university, they know what to expect.

Here, we have many families who for the first time can believe their child will experience higher education.

It’s a big step for everyone. We work to take parents with us because it helps children in the long run. Mobility is for the whole family.

Getting a degree from a leading university helps students get the top jobs they deserve while improving diversity. More representation is needed, the north is part of that.

All we’ve done is help put students in the best position - through hard work, high expectations and prioritising kindness - to fulfil their ambitions.

That’s the best thing any teacher can achieve. I am so proud to have a part in it.

Mercia Collegiate’s next open days are on October 14 and November 23. Book via Eventbrite.co.uk.

September starts with my birthday.. and what better way to celebrate it here in Sheffield than a trip to The Leadmill!

But on this occasion, it didn’t involve boogeying... or boozing! No, this time it was the Paces Charity Expo event.

And they did it in style!

Hats off to David Hall and the Paces team - it truly was a demonstrably and dramatically different kind of expo! We had bottomless coffees from Nespresso, tasty food bites and even beer samples from Triple Point.

Plus a comedian! Yes, seriously, and he was funny. Check him out, Aurie Styla. And of course, we had cakes from A Bit of A Do! After all, it was my birthday!

I needed sustenance because then it was onto the first ever ‘Bring Out Your Treasure Car Boot Sale’ at Wentworth Woodhouse. And what a business turnout! Big thanks to HLM Architects, CBE+, G.Morley, Airmaster, Bhayani HR, Cobra Sports, Sheffield Chamber and The Great Escape, to name just a few of the businesses who gave up their Sunday to support us. Not forgetting the countless team members and volunteers from Wentworth Woodhouse who also joined us and helped us to make it a truly memorable day.

Speaking of memorable, oh my, the ‘Wish You Were Here’ exhibition launch night hosted by The Archer Project at Sheffield Cathedral really did hit home! Big thanks to Tim Renshaw and Lynn Urpeth for all you do there. Some truly inspirational and emotive speeches from service users.

From there we headed on to Kelham to help founders Jules Shiel-Boulger and Toria Chan from Steps Rehabilitation launch their Charity Foundation. This is a natural addition to the amazing work they do there. More emotional speeches and deserved acknowledgements. What a night!

St Ledger Festival is also a September calendar event and I was fortunate to join newly appointed Managing Director Karen Staniforth and the Solutions 4 Cleaning team who were the sponsors of Support Dogs Charity Annual Races event at the St Ledger Cup day.

The sun shone and we had a few winners, to boot! Lovely to catch up with Allie Dransfield from Chapter II and to meet the HE Barnes team too.

The final event for this month was our 3D Connect has Got Talent event at Hideaway! Another great night! Fantastic talent lineup including Ovo Spaces, Airmaster, Smile Business Support, Freeths, Iceotope and the incredible Duo Phil Turner and Lizzy Capps from Meze Publishing!

Certainly a night not to be missed.

Phew! Time now for a little rest before October!

Follow Jill at uk.linkedin.com/in/jilltywhite or find Andy Hanselman Consulting at andyhanselman.com. unLTDBUSINESS.COM 13

LIGHTBULB MOMENT:

CHRIS BURNS Hi Chris. Can you tell us about the ‘lightbulb moment’ which led to you setting up your business?

The birth of Ardeta Search was a mix of both personal and professional signs telling me it was time for a change. Over time, I couldn’t ignore the feeling that the universe was nudging me onto a different path. The moment it all clicked happened whilst I was driving with my family. I just turned to my wife and said, “You know what?

I think I’m going to start up on my own.”

What really drove me was the desire to have full control over what the business represented: its mission, its values and especially the manner in which we could provide our services. These values are now the backbone of our business.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building and growing your business, and how have you overcome them?

Starting from scratch, spinning every plate, while also doing the day job, was a real juggling act.

I’ve always considered myself entrepreneurial, and it felt like I’d been laying the groundwork for this leap throughout my life. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I think the key is to see challenges as opportunities to learn and develop and keep focussing on the horizon.

On a personal level, one of the most unexpected hurdles wasn’t business-related at all.

Just before officially starting the business, I tore my meniscus, which was basically the end of my running and football. These sports had been my go-to stress relief outside of work.

Adjusting to this whilst diving headfirst into the business was quite a challenge, especially for someone as active as me, but it was just another hurdle to overcome.

Can you describe your typical client and the types of businesses that benefit most from your services?

Our clients at Ardeta Search come from all walks of the business world, from small ownermanaged SMEs to large corporate PLCs. What defines our approach is connecting leadership with opportunities, and this varies for each client.

It’s not just about filling top positions; it’s about finding those individuals with the specific skills and qualities that can turbocharge performance.

Our background is pretty solid in working with businesses in transition, growth or change. These are the organisations who need a recruitment partner that understands their unique needs 14 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

inside and out, and that’s where we shine.

How do you feel you differ from other recruitment agencies?

Our recruitment philosophy revolves around people. We’re on a mission to make the recruitment process a positive, successful experience for everyone involved. This drive is deeply rooted in our culture and values, which we live and breathe every day.

In this ever-evolving business world, the old standards no longer cut it. We’re in an era where conventional recruitment practices are being shaken up by innovation and agility. We don’t just stop at recruitment; we’re mentors, advisors and ambassadors for our clients in the marketplace.

We’re pros at helping businesses grow strategically, from identifying the best talent to integrating them seamlessly into the organisation. We’re part of the businesses we work with, not just an external service.

You recently brought your sister in to run the London office. Was this always part of the plan, and how have you found working with family?

Expanding Ardeta Search was always on the horizon, and to be honest, it was never a question of if, but when my sister, Carmela, would join the team. Over the years, I’ve built connections with professionals I’ve worked with and thought, “Someday, we’ll collaborate again.” Carmela and I had worked together before, so I knew she had desire and skill sets I’m looking for.

The challenge was convincing her to come on board. Start-ups aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but our nimbleness and potential for growth make it an exciting proposition.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future?

We’ve just celebrated our first year since Ardeta Search’s launch, a moment I’m extremely proud of. The community that’s sprung up around the business is probably the most fulfilling part of this journey. Our immediate focus is to keep supporting existing and new clients regionally and nationally. To make that happen, we’re actively seeking top-tier talent to join our team.

We’re not resting on our laurels; we’re exploring new ways to support businesses. My main goal is to build on what we’ve achieved in our first year and propel the business forward. www.ardetasearch.com

SEE IT BE IT:

AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT

Lightbulb Moment

NAME: STEVE GIBSON EMPLOYER: SHEFFIELD CITY TRUST ROLE: PEOPLE BUSINESS PARTNER What motivated you to get involved in the SIBI Ambassador group?

I had just moved roles after completing my HR Management degree and wanted to look at ways of improving employment pathways for young people.

I was introduced through a work colleague, the idea being that we could assist in some small way. Once I heard the team speak so passionately about what they were doing, I knew that I needed to be involved more than first anticipated.

In my school years, I would have been classed as NEET or as close as you can get. This made it even more important: the chance to get involved and show students that regardless of your starting point, there were pathways aside from than the 'traditional' ones.

What have you enjoyed most about being involved in the campaign?

Working with educators directly has been a highlight, although seeing the reaction of students to the information and advice is the biggest thing. The realisation that there are people in business who grew up in the same area of the city as them and that those people have found a pathway to success within employment.

What are the benefits to your business/employer?

Contact with like-minded individuals from a wide variety of sectors from across the region has been fantastic. Being involved with inspirational individuals and organisations has been huge. There is so much selfless creativity within the group you are always learning from others.

We have been able to get staff members from across the whole organisation involved in projects.

Sheffield City Trust holds a responsibility as a large employer to make sure that young people understand there are opportunities for employment there. SIBI has meant that our organisation is front and centre in the minds of young people as a viable option for them.

Sheffield City Council’s See it Be it in Sheffield campaign aims to inspire the next generation by linking up schools and colleges with local employers to provide meaningful encounters and experiences of the workplace. You can find more information at sheffield.startprofile.com/page/seeitbeit-employers or by following @SeeItBeIt_Sheff on Twitter.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 15

• Do you have the knowledge to gain ISO certification, but not the time?

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ISO certification can be a big lever to winning new business, and you often need it if you are tendering for contracts, especially for government organisations, utilities companies and major industrial supply chains. The journey to certification might seem daunting but Glade Consulting can help you complete it smoothly.

Rather than simply achieving ISO, we aim to help you implement a system that benefits your whole business; this might include ISO9001 (quality), ISO14001 (environment), ISO27001 (Information Security) or ISO45001 (health and safety). And if you require additional standards just ask.

With experience in operations and sales across a range of sectors, such as construction, fire and security, service industries and renewables, Glade Consulting Services take a pragmatic approach to ISO certification – one that fits in with your business.

Call Now Tel: 0114 398 4123 www.gladecs.co.uk enquiries@gladecs.co.uk

Legal Matters KATIE ASH - BANNER JONES SOLICITORS

MENOPAUSE FOR THOUGHT – WHAT DO EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW? Here Katie Ash, Head of Employment Law at Banner Jones Solicitors, which has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, explains what employers should know if they have a member of staff who is experiencing menopause symptoms that are affecting their work.

According to the charity Wellbeing of Women, “around 25% of women will have no menopause symptoms, 25% will have a horrific experience and 50% will have some symptoms at some time, so this has a huge impact on the workplace”.

They also say “around 900,000 have quit their job because of the menopause”. That’s a truly eye-opening statistic, so it is unsurprising that we are seeing an increase in enquiries on this matter.

While the symptoms of menopause vary, for many it is a difficult and stressful time. Some people experience both physical and emotional changes which significantly impact their ability to work.

What should you do as an employer?

Be aware It is important employers are aware of the issues that affect people experiencing the menopause and that they deal with them sensitively – not only because that is the right thing to do, but also in line with the Equality Act 2010 which protects against discrimination.

While menopause is not a protected characteristic, sex is. Therefore, anyone who is treated less favourably due to any associated symptoms could bring a claim against their

employer if they feel they have been treated less favourably as a result.

That means menopause symptoms should not factor into any decisions relating to, for example, promotions or redundancies.

Make reasonable adjustments As with any ongoing mental or physical illness, employers should consider any reasonable adjustments that can be made – either to the working pattern, location or role-related tasks – to remove any disadvantage that the employee might experience.

For example, something as simple as a more relaxed dress code, more flexible work times or more regular breaks. Even improving the

ventilation of a workspace might make a real difference.

Communicate One of the most effective ways to prepare for any such situation is to keep lines of communication open. Providing training to managers to ensure they are equipped to offer support will also provide reassurance and ensure that conversations are dealt with appropriately.

If an employee feels supported, they are more likely to open up about the challenges they are experiencing and, as a result, discuss ways to manage issues – including mental health conditions linked to increased stress, such as anxiety or depression.

Don’t compromise health and safety The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 plays an important role here, as it states that an employer must do what it can to ensure the health, safety and welfare of everyone at work. A failure to comply can have serious consequences for businesses.

If someone is struggling because of menopause symptoms, and it is compromising their safety or wellbeing, or the safety of others, an employer needs to address it.

Again, an open dialogue with employees will help, especially if you can demonstrate that procedures are in place to help them.

PLEASE CONTACT KATE AT OUR SHEFFIELD OFFICE, 3RD FLOOR, LEOPOLD STREET, SHEFFIELD, S1 2GY PHONE 0114 275 5266 unLTDBUSINESS.COM 17

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BY CHARLOTTE WILSHIRE, OPERATIONS MANAGER

HOW SAFE ARE YOUR EMAILS?

In the first of a brand new regular column from IT experts Highlander, they explore why you should make sure you are looking after your emails properly…

In today’s digital age, email communications are the lifeblood of businesses and individuals alike. Your emails contain a wealth of valuable information in the form of important work documents. However, this convenience comes with a caveat – the risk of losing crucial data due to accidental deletion, cyber threats, or hardware failures. To safeguard your digital correspondence, it’s imperative to implement a robust email backup system. At Highlander we understand the significance of email backups and as such we partner with AvePoint, a leading solution in the realm of email data protection.

The Importance of Email Backups: Imagine losing all your essential emails in the blink of an eye. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, email loss can be catastrophic. Email backups act as a safety net, ensuring that your data remains intact even in the face of unforeseen disasters.

Introducing AvePoint: AvePoint is a trusted name in the world of data management and protection. Their comprehensive suite of solutions includes AvePoint Cloud Backup, a cuttingedge tool designed specifically for Office 365, SharePoint, and Exchange.

With AvePoint, you can automate the backup

process, ensuring that your emails are securely stored in the cloud. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features make it a preferred choice for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features of AvePoint Cloud Backup: 1. Automated Backups: AvePoint Cloud Backup automates the backup process, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Your emails, attachments, and other data are backed up seamlessly, ensuring realtime protection.

2. Granular Recovery: In the event of data loss, AvePoint allows granular recovery, enabling you to restore specific emails

or entire mailboxes. This precision ensures that you can retrieve exactly what you need, minimizing downtime and productivity loss.

3. Security and Compliance: AvePoint prioritises the security of your data. It encrypts your backups, both in transit and at rest, ensuring that your sensitive information remains confidential. Moreover, it complies with industry regulations, providing peace of mind regarding legal requirements.

4. Scalability: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, AvePoint Cloud Backup scales according to your needs. You can adjust

storage capacities and backup frequencies as your organization grows, ensuring a seamless experience.

In conclusion, email backups are not just a best practice; they are a necessity in today’s digital landscape.

They offer a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solution to safeguard your emails from potential loss.

By investing in such a robust backup system, you not only protect your valuable data but also ensure the continuity of your business operations. Don’t wait for a data disaster to strike – take proactive steps today to secure your digital communication. www.highlanderuk.com unLTDBUSINESS.COM 19

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Agenda

City Taxis put’s itself back on the map with rebrand to Veezu Sheffield’s leading private hire service City Taxis is changing its name to Veezu, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards revolutionising transportation services in Sheffield and neighbouring areas.

Established in the 80s, City Taxis has grown exponentially over the years, largely thanks to strategic acquisitions, including Mercury Taxis in 2015, and most recently Excel Taxis.

In February 2023, City Taxis joined forces with Veezu, an alliance promising not only a name change but a complete transformation of the way driverpartners connect with passengers and their communities.

Veezu’s Regional Managing Director, Arnie Singh said: “The rebrand is more than a name change. We are firmly putting the Veezu name on the map in Sheffield and are committed to serving the local community.

“We’re introducing new technology to make it easier for people to access transportation and are building on our hyperlocal activities to ensure we remain at the heart of our communities.”

Whilst passengers can call the usual Sheffield number 0114 239 39 39, Veezu is introducing a new mobile app so that passengers can skip call queues and book their rides in a matter of seconds.

Veezu is the UK’s fastest-growing private hire technology platform, and as part of its rebranding efforts, they are excited to unveil a campaign entitled ‘Smarter Local Rides’ across South Yorkshire. The campaign also introduces its ‘funded by Veezu’ local community initiatives to residents across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

The new Veezu app is available for download at www.appsend.me/veezu

WHO ARE VEEZU? • Veezu is the UK’s fastest growing taxi and private hire technology platform operating across hundreds of UK towns and cities.

• Founded in 2013, it has grown rapidly throughout the UK and in 2022 they helped passengers in local communities complete an average of one ride every two seconds.

• To ensure their growth is sustainable in the towns and cities they serve, they have invested more than £3.25 million in low emission cars within the last three years.

• Veezu boasts 400+ employees, has over 1m app users, has undertaken over 20m rides and has 12500+ driverpartners.

• They also fund hundreds of local projects across the country and aim to make a positive difference in the communities they serve.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 21

Last chance to enter unLTD awards!

The unLTD Business Awards are still open for entries – but as long as you complete your entry by October 13!

The awards, which celebrate the best entrepreneurs, start ups and SMEs in the region feature 19 categories in all and are designed to be super easy to enter. We just need some very simple info and ask you to upload a maximum 5 minute video explaining why you should win.

The shortlisted companies will be announced on October 31, with tickets going on sale on the same date.

The awards will be held at Peddler Warehouse on November 30, in Sheffield’s Kelham Island district, housing 500 people in an event that is apt for the region’s modern, forwardthinking businesses.

Hosted by The Chase’s Paul Sinha, it will be an evening of celebration and encouragement for those SMEs who have had a fantastic 12 months and are helping drive the region’s economy

22 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

forward. With our awards categories, you’ll only be up against businesses in your sector, while our awards entry and judging process is designed to be simple and transparent, in order to encourage participation.

HOW TO ENTER? Just head to awards.unltdbusiness. com, register and complete the (very brief) application form. The idea of these awards is that it’s easy to enter so we’ll just ask for some very simple info about the business and then ask you to upload a maximum 5 minute video explaining why you should win.

You can enter as many awards as you like and the closing date is October 13th. Information about all the judges is housed on our website, as well as all the key dates and other info.

List of Awards There are 19 categories in total, plus an overall winner will be announced on the night and chosen by our overall sponsor, Veezu.

•Best Nightlife or Hospitality Business •Best Independent Retailer •Property and Construction Company of the Year •Best Business Support or Consultancy •Creative Business of the Year •Manufacturing Company of the Year sponsored by MEPS •Best Recruitment or HR Business •Best Technology Business •Finance and

Accountancy Company of the Year •Legal Company of the Year •Best Not For Profit, Charity or Social Enterprise sponsored

by Bag It Don’t Bin It •Best Business Start Up sponsored by Business Sheffield •Best Micro Business sponsored by Sevenhills Creative (less than 10 employees and under £2 million) •Best Small Business sponsored by Chapter II (less than 50

UNLTD BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

employees and an annual turnover under £10 million) •Best Medium-sized Business sponsored

by Simoda (less than 250 employees and an annual turnover under £50 million).

•See It Be It Award for Inspiring The Future Workforce •Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Andy Hanselman Consulting •Best Company Culture •Sustainable Business of the Year

Thanks to all our sponsors

ABOUT THE NIGHT The awards take place at Peddler Warehouse in Sheffield on November 30, and will be hosted by Paul Sinha. Tickets will go on sale once judging is complete!

IN A NUTSHELL Head to awards.unltdbusiness.com, complete your entry (it’s nice and easy) by October 13. Judging will take place after that with nominations announced on October 27th!

The awards then take place on November 30, hosted by Paul Sinha.

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Tickets will go on sale once the shortlist is announced on October 31!

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 23

COVER

In this month’s cover feature, unLTD explores how a difficult lockdown experience inspired Kat Lewis to make the life-changing decision of moving from the corporate world to establishing a thriving interior design business.

“I love what I do!” is the first thing Kat Lewis proclaims when asked about her job over a brew in the unLTD office. You’re well inclined to believe her too, as the Huddersfield-based entrepreneur positively beams whenever speaking about the intricacies of running her interior design business.

Since setting up Katrina Lewis Interiors in 2021, Kat has carved a niche for herself in the world of high-end residential design. From concept to completion, she offers a comprehensive range of interior design services, sparing no detail to create stylish and innovative living spaces across Yorkshire and beyond.

“Essentially, my job is to take away all of the heavy lifting and stress away from a client and help to bring their vision to life,” she says.

“It starts with getting that all-important brief, working through it and finding out exactly what the client wants; and then from the first layer of plaster to the final candle going into that property I’ll co-ordinate the rest.”

Kat’s journey into selfemployment heralded a significant career transition.

Before diving into the 24 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

world of design, she spent years in corporate roles at companies like Bauer Media and AutoTrader, particularly relishing her role as a woman thriving in a traditionally maledominated industry at the latter. However, difficult times were around the corner and she describes how a drastic change in working culture brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic began to take its toll.

“The job had gone from working in these fantastic offices in Manchester and supporting the team at customers meetings up and down the country, to sitting at home in what felt like an endless stream of video calls.

At the beginning it felt okay to deal with, but as time went on, the isolation began to have a greater impact on me; roles were changed to fit within the new Covid rules, and it began to affect my confidence. I started having a full-blown identity crisis and questioning if I was good enough. I’ve always been my own harshest critic, which I think stems from an upbringing where I had to learn to stand on my own two feet at a young age.”

In past corporate leadership positions, she describes how vibrant office

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THREE CURRENT INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS VIBRANT COLOURS

environments and in-person interactions served as daily catalysts for personal creativity and resilience.

However, all of that began to erode, along with her sense of self, during the long periods of uncertainty enforced by lockdowns. This perfect storm whipped up by the pandemic started to have a significant strain on her mental health, and the tipping point came when realising how her mood was beginning to impact on her family.

“That’s where I drew the line,” she reflects. “I felt like I wasn’t being a role model for my children. I knew then that I had to pick myself up and try something different; it was the turning point for me.”

Through getting involved with some of her husband’s projects as a self-employed upholsterer, Kat began to recognise the absence of a creative spark in her work life. Prior to lockdown, she had indulged a long-standing passion by starting a diploma in interior design. While it was initially treated as more of a

hobby, or a potential career path to fall back on in the future, the realisation that this could provide the life change needed ultimately drove her to take the leap.

“I just thought, 'I’m going to do it. I’m going to set up a totally new business in a totally new industry.' That’s very much my approach to most things – all or nothing.

I knew I had the skills that I could apply to this sector and just went for it.”

Kat admits embarking on her entrepreneurial journey with a mixture of fear and excitement. She started by reaching out to friends and acquaintances, gradually building a steady client base.

Her first projects were living room transformations in Leeds and Rotherham. While challenging, Katrina drew from her innate problemsolving abilities to navigate the complexities of interior design.

“Everything that I’d learned, I’d picked up from a textbook or on the course,” she says when reflecting on the early

days of the business. “There was a lot to get my head around but having that enjoyment back in what I was doing gave me the motivation.

“I just broke it down and said to myself, ‘Right, what are three things that I want to be doing in my work?’ I love working with people, so I knew I wanted to work on the co-ordination side of projects. I’m a great problemsolver, so I knew there would be plenty of opportunities to apply those skills. Finally, I want to be doing something that’s totally creative, which is precisely what interior design allows me to do.”

Despite the initial difficulties and the irksome spectre of imposter syndrome making its presence felt at times, Kat quickly found herself feeling rewarded by her new line of work. “I love the reactions when clients see the finished results because that gives me that sense of knowing I’ve done a good job. I’ve fulfilled the brief. I’ve brought what

“It’s aubergines, it’s pinks, it’s greens (certainly for kitchens).

Think really strong, vibrant and warm tones with perhaps some earthy colours blended in – that’s very much on-trend at the moment.

But we’re not going as far back as magnolia, don’t worry!”

SUSTAINABILITY “With the energy and climate crisis at the top of people’s agenda, we’re seeing a rise in the prioritisation of sustainable options when building or renovating homes.

That could be installing air-source heat pumps right through to picking more sustainable fabric and materials to be used inside the home.”

SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY “Linked to sustainability, more people are installing smart home technology allowing them to manage everything from your lights to your blinds from your phone while not at home. No more worries about leaving the big light on when you go to work!”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 27

COVER they wanted to life. It’s great when you feel like you’ve worked hard and made a difference in people’s lives.”

Naturally, lessons have been learned in the process.

When asked about some important realisations after two years in the sector, she replies, “I think a big one is having the understanding that you can plan things as thoroughly as possible and things could still catch you off guard on a project. So it’s all about having contingencies and backups in place, and also being able to think on your feet in certain situations.

That’s been a learning curve.”

In the world of interior design, managing conflicting design styles can be another common challenge.

Katrina explains amusedly, “Quite often when you’ve got couples, you can find conflicting styles. One partner might want something modern and contemporary, while the other is looking for a more maximalist or Art Deco aesthetic.”

To bridge these awkward gaps, she employs a method of collecting input from both parties that represent their preferences. “It’s sometimes a case of asking them about their one must-have in the space. Then, I blend these preferences together,” she says. However, when conflicts are irreconcilable, Katrina provides alternative suggestions to meet the project’s brief, a task that can be quite challenging.

Which links to another key skill in the interior design world: the ability to adapt designs and preferences to clients’ budgets. “Depending on the budget and the brief, I can work backwards to determine labour costs and material choices. It’s about knowing the options out there, focusing on the details and finding solutions,” she explains.

For Kat, the journey from corporate positions to interior design entrepreneur has been a rollercoaster ride. She acknowledges that her high expectations and the drive to push herself have been both a driving force and a source 28 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

of self-doubt. Yet, she firmly believes that stepping out of her comfort zone is essential for growth in most walks of life.

Reflecting on the decision to throw caution to the wind and pursue her dreams, she says, “My view is if I’m not out of my comfort zone, then I’m not learning. You need to be like a sponge in this industry, constantly absorbing new bits of information and experiences. I’m constantly thinking about how my business allows me to develop as a person. That’s a key aspect of why I do what I do.”

To book a free design consultation with Katrina Lewis Interiors, head to katrinalewisinteriors.co,uk/ contact or email katrina@ katrinalewisinteriors.co.uk

KATRINA LEWIS INTERIORS: WHAT THEY DO

Socials: @ katrinalewisinteriordesign // facebook.com/ katrinalewisinteriors

Katrina Lewis Interiors design bespoke, luxury interiors for homes across the Yorkshire region, bringing a commercial mind, a creative flair and a straight-talking approach to deliver breath-taking results for each project.

Your IT is our priority We’re a bunch of Yorkshire lads and lasses that love IT. Our expert team takes away the headaches and eases the burden of technology on your business, leaving you free to focus on what really matters.

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Office Heroes

CELEBRATING OFFICE HEROES! Glu Recruit’s Office Heroes has been recognising exceptional individuals for six years now and as it enters its seventh year, it promises to be more inspiring than ever.

A Glimpse into 2023 Glu Recruit, a renowned player in the recruitment industry, has been championing excellence in businesses across the Sheffield City Region with its very own Office Heroes initiative since 2016.

This annual event celebrates the hardworking and dedicated individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, contributing significantly to their organisations.

In the world of business, the heroes are not always the ones in the spotlight.

Sometimes, they are the ones working tirelessly behind the scenes, and Glu Recruit’s Office Heroes ensures that these remarkable individuals receive the recognition they truly deserve.

Nominations are now open, and they’re not limited by job title. Glu is actively encouraging businesses across all industries to nominate their Office Heroes, regardless of what department they work in.

Businesses can nominate by scanning the QR code below, answering the questions, and hitting submit.

Nominations for Office Heroes 2023 close at 3 p.m. on Friday 27th of October. After this, a panel of judges from the business community will shortlist 30 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

nominations down to the top 10.

Both shortlisted nominees and their nominators will be invited to an awards ceremony, on Friday 8th of December, at The Cutler’s Hall, Sheffield.

Here, they will enjoy afternoon tea, celebratory drinks, magical entertainment, and the awards ceremony – where the winner will be announced.

As anticipation for this year’s ceremony builds, there is an evident buzz in the business community with a number of nominations already rolling in.

While we eagerly await the announcement of the 2023 shortlisted nominees, here’s a recap of last year’s winner, Charlotte Palmer from Clear Quality Ltd. The Office Hero of 2022 At last year’s Office

Heroes event, one name stood out among the rest. Charlotte Palmer, Compliance Administration Manager at Clear Quality Ltd, was recognised for her ability to always boost staff morale, remain enthusiastic, and for her commitment to customer care.

Here’s what her team had to say about her, “Charlotte is an absolute delight to work with.

Nothing is ever too much trouble and she always has time for everyone.

“Whatever task she is given, she applies herself to, giving 100% at all times, and can be relied upon to complete it to the highest possible standard.

“She’s never one to complain, irrespective of task or workload, Charlotte always has a smile on her face, which never fails to brighten the office and

keep morale high.

She’s priceless and totally invaluable, she is a huge asset to the company and the perfect colleague!”.

Reflecting on her win in 2022, Charlotte shared, “Being crowned Office Hero 2022 was a truly remarkable experience!

“The event was a shining testament to the incredible team at Glu Recruit, who put in a fantastic effort to make it an unforgettable day.

“It celebrated not only my efforts but the collaborative spirit of our team, and I couldn’t have been prouder to be a part of it.

“The event showcased the company’s commitment to recognising and appreciating employees, and it has inspired me to continue being a hero in my role every day.”

Want to make your colleagues feel as valued as Charlotte does? Nominate your Office Hero today.

Please direct any questions to officeheroes@glurecruit. co.uk.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 31

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CODA: FARGATE Fargate has long been recognised as Sheffield’s central shopping thoroughfare, but in recent years the retail focus for the city centre has shifted to the Heart of the City developments on The Moor and shops have closed in increasing numbers on the famous old street.

While this may seem like a negative for Fargate, Coda’s Matt Bowker tells unLTD why he thinks this isn’t necessarily the case, and outlines a vision to reinvent Fargate as Sheffield’s answer to Bareclona’s world-famous Las Ramblas (if a slightly less sunny version!)…

There’s a big discussion about Fargate at the moment. It was traditionally the shopping street in Sheffield. That’s not the case anymore. The focus for the retail environment in Sheffield is shifting over to the Heart of the City and The Moor, and that’s been happening for some years now.

Recently, we’ve had HSBC saying they’re coming out of Fargate and a lot of people see that as a negative for the city. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case. I see it as an opportunity, because we’re retaining those shops and those amenities within the centre anyway, they’re just moving to another part of city.

Regardless, Fargate is changing and units are becoming available, so I think there’s a real opportunity to create a mixed-use environment, which, much like Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas, also needs to incorporate some elements of residential.

It needs to have people coming and going; it needs to have activities and people spilling out into the streets. Very much an idyllic central European street, where you’ve got apartments above you and people chatting outside of little cafes and restaurants, giving it a much different feel.

The idea struck me that Fargate could be similar to Las Ramblas when I was walking past, after the controversial shipping containers had been removed.

Looking down the street, the proportions 34 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

are quite similar to Las Ramblas, in terms of the height of the buildings and the width of the public realm between them.

I started seeing the similarity.

It got me thinking about how, if we did include those residential functions, if we had little boutique hotels, if you put some canopies over some of the units, created restaurants and cafes, and people were living above, with kids coming down and playing in the streets, we could create a really nice environment for everyone, not just the people that live and work in Sheffield, but also visitors to the city.

Whilst all this might sound fanciful, initiatives to reposition Fargate away from predominantly retail to a more vibrant, mixed-use, pedestrian street have already begun.

Works are already underway to deliver new landscaping, green planting, seating areas and lighting which will see Fargate’s

LOOKING DOWN THE STREET, THE PROPORTIONS ARE QUITE SIMILAR TO LAS RAMBLAS, IN TERMS OF THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS AND THE WIDTH OF THE PUBLIC REALM BETWEEN THEM. I STARTED SEEING THE SIMILARITY.

outdoor areas transformed into vibrant, welcoming spaces for all to enjoy.

Event Central will be a new 6-storey community hub, bringing together entertainment, culture, art, performance, co-working, exhibitions, workshops, talks and events, and a licensed, 200-capacity live music venue.

Sheffield City Council is also doing great work with commercial partners on the Front Door Scheme, which aims to unlock upper floors and increase access for new homes and offices in key buildings.

There are obviously still things that need to happen to achieve Sheffield’s mini version of Las Ramblas, but quite often people are very quick to be negative about Sheffield and they read a lot of negativity into how the city is changing. A lot of that comes from the city itself and its media.

There will always be people to tell you why there isn’t a good reason to do something. That’s why we need visionary people to have the confidence to encourage people to invest and buy into a new concept.

I know the council are talking to landlords and trying to get them on board to create something better, because if we do nothing, then Fargatre deteriorates and everyone loses. It’s in everyone’s interest to make Fargate better and more successful. You have to create value, and it has to start somewhere.

We should always look to other places that have done successful regeneration, successful urban design, and successful placemaking and take the lessons learned from those cities and apply it to Sheffield, but do it in our own way.

I wouldn’t want us to do a copy of Las Ramblas, but I think we can take elements from that successful street and incorporate it into Fargate, creating our own very successful street. We’re talking about the most prominent street in the fifth biggest city in the UK, so surely we can make something successful work here.

What I try to do is see where the opportunity is. If you mention Las Ramblas, straightaway everyone’s heard of it, it’s one of most famous streets in the world, people can make the connection with what you’re trying to say about how Fargate could be similar.

I believe that if you fast forward the next five or ten years, Fargate could be a very different place and it could be a great place for the city, and who knows? it could be our version of Las Ramblas. www.codaarchitecture.co.uk unLTDBUSINESS.COM 35

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

FROM LIFE-CHANGING PERSONAL SAFETY CLASSES TO EDUCATIONAL COURSES DEALING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOURS, ROTHERHAM-BASED COMPANY INSTINCTS TRAINING BLEND THE PRACTICAL WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TO HELP EQUIP INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE LIFE’S CHALLENGES SUCCESSFULLY.

Founded by Paul Bell, Director of Training, and supported by Dawn O’Hara, Director of Marketing and Business, the duo bring a wealth of experience to the table and provide a wide range of bespoke training courses which can cater for an equally diverse range of needs.

Paul has over four decades-worth of training in martial arts, with the last 17 years specifically dedicated to street self-defence/personal safety under the guidance of Europe’s leading experts.

A respected authority in the field, this impressive background is complemented by his degree in Psychology (BSc Hons), giving him a deep understanding of human behaviour and decision-making.

It’s by combining these areas of expertise that Instincts are able to offer something quite unique when it comes to self-defence training: a combination of physical techniques and psychological insight, the ability to understand yourself and those around you, while also fostering awareness of the space you’re in and how you can remain safe in it.

“A lot of people think self-defence is purely physical,” Paul tells unLTD. “In fact, 90% of it isn’t. It’s more about reading the warning signs, knowing how to successfully get away or prevent a situation before it gets physical. We don’t want people to fight; we want to teach them how to stay safe.”

With over 30 years of experience in retail management, and having experienced the verbal and physical abuse that frequently comes with such roles, Dawn, who is additionally accredited as a mental health first aider and has a number of education and training qualifications under her belt, is able to draw on firsthand experience when attesting to the 36 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

importance of the training they offer.

“When funding was pulled in the retail sector for self-defence and personal safety training, it spurred us on to get our heads together and create a business which offered bespoke training sessions for companies with front-facing employees,” says Dawn. “Over time, what we do has developed and evolved. We now work with a wide range of sectors and individuals to help with everything from self-confidence and personal wellbeing to understanding the law around self-defence, risk assessments, empowering lone workers and deescalating situations.”

By pooling their ideas, skills, education and combined life and work experiences, Instinct was officially set up two years ago with one shared goal between the founders: to make a positive difference to people’s lives. They pride themselves in offering bespoke courses tailored to the specific needs and preferences of their clients, ensuring that each individual or organisation receives training that is not only relevant but also maximally effective.

“If a client registers an interest, we’ll follow it up with a free consultation so we can sit down and work out exactly what we can provide. If things need tailoring to suit specific needs, we’re more than happy to do it,” says Paul.

Both are keen to point out the crucial link between what they do and improving people’s general wellbeing and personal development. “There have been studies showing that people who go through proper self-protection training receive a boost in their confidence, helping them to be more socially aware, outgoing and improving their general sense of wellbeing,” Paul explains. “The reason

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 37

RECRUITMENT SERVICES Steel Cactus Recruitment is a Sheffield-based recruitment agency providing services to jobseekers and employers across South Yorkshire, both temporary and permanent.

We offer a full range of job opportunities in the manufacturing and logistics sectors across South Yorkshire. We have over 20 years experience in matching job seekers to the right jobs with a reputation for providing the best level of customer service with every interaction.

The Sheffield Heritage

Steel has always, and will always, be part of Sheffield’s heritage’… And steel says something about resolve and determination too.

Cactus – that’s the plant famously able to adapt, thrive and grow in even the hardest and most demanding conditions. Need we say more?

Steel Cactus Ltd, Unit 8, President Buildings, Savile Street East, Sheffield, S4 7UQ Tel: 0114 287 0652 info@steel-cactus.co.uk / www.steel-cactus.co.uk

we’re called ‘Instincts’ is because we believe everyone has got this in them. We’ve all got it in us. Our job is to find it and bring it back out.”

Recognising that self-defence isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept, they offer a ‘Real Self Defence’ course personalised to various groups, including men, women, children, and individuals with physical restrictions.

Another of their key offerings, the ‘Empowering the Lone Worker’ course, addresses the unique challenges faced by those who work alone or in isolated environments. This training provides individuals with the skills and strategies needed to stay safe, confident and in control, even when facing potentially hostile situations or unexpected emergencies.

The ‘De-escalation’ course is another valuable resource offered. In a world where conflicts can escalate quickly, it teaches individuals how to communicate effectively and calmly in high-pressure scenarios, reducing the risk of violence and promoting peaceful resolutions.

‘Personal Safety’ is at the core of Instincts Training’s curriculum.

This comprehensive course covers situational awareness, practical self-defence skills, and the ability to recognise and respond to potential threats. It empowers individuals to take control of their safety and make informed decisions in challenging situations.

However, that’s just a small taster of what’s on offer, and the holistic nature of their training has seen them work with a range of clients across the country: retail companies, corporate businesses, housing associations, schools, football academies, and many other places of work and education have all benefited from Instinct’s programme.

“We’re two years in and loving every session,” Dawn tells us. “You can see the difference being made and when you hear feedback about people feeling more confident in themselves, or being able to rely on themselves more, it’s a great feeling for us.”

With their tailored courses, expert trainers and – crucially – the added depth of psychological understanding that underpins it all, Instincts Training are providing individuals and organisations with the tools they need to thrive in life with increased awareness, resilience and confidence.

Trust your instincts and explore more at www.instinctstraining.com.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 39

Spotlight: Pedalo

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

From purchasing a second-hand camera during the Covid pandemic to capturing portraits of former chancellors, Rob Nicholson speaks to unLTD about the impressive rise of Pedalo, an independent photography business based in the heart of Sheffield’s Kelham Island district.

When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?

Cameras and photography have been in the background of my life for a long time. My uncle was a photographer for The Star, and I remember admiring his cameras as a youngster. My brother, too, picked up photography later and I remember feeling inspired by what he was creating. But it wasn’t until the start of the first lockdown that I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to get a camera.’ I was furloughed from work and looking for something to try out. I bought a second-hand camera from Harrisons, some cheap lenses, and went out to take photos.

How did you initially build up your skill set?

I started off with landscape photography, heading out to the Peaks and looking for shots which caught my eye. I’d then go home and edit the photos, slowly teaching myself the process via YouTube videos and anything else I could find. I graduated to taking pictures of still-life objects such as flowers, experimenting with using a flash, soft boxes and pop-up backgrounds. It was a case of gradually picking things up and getting used to the process.

How was Pedalo set up as a company?

My friend, James, owns a number of bars in Sheffield. He’d seen some of the pictures I’d been sharing on social media, and he asked me if I’d be interested in doing some promotional stuff for his bars at some point down the line. We’d started spending a lot of time cycling in the Peaks, where we discussed this idea further and he came up with the idea of starting a photography business together. Since we’d spent a lot of time discussing this when out on the bikes, the name Pedalo was suggested.

40 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

What was the next step?

Pedalo started off doing photography for bars and restaurants in Sheffield: Public, Gatsby, Picture House Social and Ashoka. Initially, it was for free, as these places were feeling the pinch of the pandemic, and it also allowed us the chance to experiment and hone our photography skills.

You’ve branched out massively since those early days. In terms of attracting new clients, has it largely been word of mouth and social media?

Yeah, hospitality shoots were the beginning of it all, but it’s never really had a particular angle or niche. In terms of clients, to this day I’ve never had to approach one, which I think shows the importance of a strong social media presence and website. Of course, it helps in a city like Sheffield where everyone seems to know everyone and friends of friends can get in touch!

At which point did Pedalo become something you wanted to do as a fulltime occupation?

I had a full-time job at Apple and initially was juggling both. It all started to get a bit much and I began to feel burned out, so I dropped my hours and began working on a retainer for some of the bars. Things progressed from there, really.

You’ve since worked with some iconic Sheffield brands and creatives – from Sheffield FC to Pete McKee. Did that feel like a significant step?

It did, and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t sometimes a nagging voice in my head saying, “This is too big, you can’t do this.” But, to be honest, I think I thrive off things being a bit difficult, and I can now reply to that voice, saying, “Well, I better get stuck in and make it work,

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 41

Spotlight: Pedalo then.”

The Pete McKee exhibition came from an episode shoot of ‘Bracknall’, which I’m sporadically in the cast for.

They were filming at Crookes Social Club, so I took the camera and got a few production shots of the main cast sitting around a table, not realising at the time that there was a Pete McKee in the background mirroring the scene: five Sheffield blokes sat in the pub. Pete saw it on social media, really liked it, and got in touch for a meeting about an exhibition he was doing where he’d be introducing photography work for the first time. He had these concepts and sketches on what he wanted to capture, so we went out scouting for places, bringing in people to be in the shots and trying to bring Pete’s ideas to life.

That opportunity came from one photo?

Yeah, pretty much. It just shows you that if you keep plugging away, opportunities are likely to pop up. What we were paid for the McKee exhibition essentially went towards paying the first six months of the Pedalo studio And you’ve recently gone from working with local icons to former chancellors!

How did the shoot with Ed Balls and George Osborne come about?

A friend of ours who’s from Sheffield, Dino, runs a podcast company called Persephonica. They produce the Political Currency podcast featuring Ed and George, so we went down to London to do the promo shots for that. It’s a crazy feeling seeing your pictures in the Guardian and Observer, but I’m fairly pleased with the final results.

What motivates you as a photographer?

It’s a hard one to answer. I’m not one of these photographers who say things like “I’m putting my take on the world into my photography,” but there is something hugely satisfying about seeing a frame flash in the viewfinder and knowing you’ve captured a great image. When I share a picture I took from the Arctic Monkeys gig at Hillsborough or an image of Park Hill, and you have people getting in touch to ask about buying it as a print, so they can keep your image as a personal memory, that’s another feeling you want to recreate. I call it ‘moment photography’: capturing a moment people can relate to.

I spent a big part of my life playing in bands. I’d spend a lot of time worrying 42 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

about how to get signed, what type of song we’d need to write, how to present ourselves, etc. With photography, however, I’ve found a creative pursuit where I feel comfortable. I share the work that I’m happy with and I’m not constantly worrying about how other people view it. I think that’s a good place to be, as a creative anyway.

What’s the ideal plan for Pedalo as a business?

Honestly, I’m not too sure! I still don’t quite know what sort of photographer I’d like to be, which is probably why I do such a wide range of things at the moment. I’ve always got ideas rattling around; it’s just a case of putting them into action. Around 18 months ago, I made a video in my spare room about the stuff I wanted to do: get a studio, keep pushing, do more moment photography, branch out. I’ve managed to tick off a lot of that, so maybe it’s time for a bit of reflection on what’s next now.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about setting up their own creative business?

Do it for you. And if you love it and put the effort in, it’ll eventually work out.

Try to enjoy the challenges, and throw yourself into the hard work because that’s where you’ll find the most rewarding results.

To view Pedalo’s portfolio and contact them for a shoot, head to pedalophotography.com. @p_e_d_a_l_o

Austin Fletcher is a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, supporting businesses and organisations across the UK

Project Delivery

Health, Safety & Compliance

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Visit our website or call us to find out more

www.austinfletcher.co.uk 0114 213 8305 info@austinfletcher.co.uk

Upcoming events equality in STEM

Allyship in the Workplace Date: Thursday 23 November 2023 Timings: 8.45am Arrival 9.00am 4-hour Workshop 1.00pm Finish Venue: AMP Technology Centre Advanced Manufacturing Park Brunel Way, Rotherham, S60 5WG Price: Member rate £100 per person + VAT Non-Member rate £150 per person + VAT

Learn how to take meaningful action as an ally. Allyship at Work helps you understand privilege, recognise your positional power at work, and learn specific actions you can take to show up as an ally.

Let’s create an inclusive workplace together!

equalityinstem.org.uk Equality in STEM is a brand of CQ Strategic Marketing Ltd run in collaboration with Spotlight Studios Ltd.

in partnership with unLTD Business Magazine

2024 Events Programme February Imposter syndrome & building confidence Chloe Angus Confidence and Leadership Coach Via Courses and Coaching April Neurodiversity and invisible illnesses Panel Discussion chaired by Phil Turner unLTD Business Magazine June LGBTQ+ September Menopause in the Workplace November Cultural intelligence and managing multicultural teams Find out more about how we can help individuals and businesses benefit from better equality in STEM - visit our website now or scan here

AOB: Whyy? Change

WHYY? CHANGE FINALISTS FOR TWO REGIONAL APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS The South Yorkshire company has been shortlisted for two apprenticeship awards at the OAL Awards, including the prestigious title of SME Provider of the Year.

As well as receiving nominations as a company, the Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider has also seen their Managing Director, Emma Harrison PCQI, nominated for Level 4+ Apprentice of the Year, which celebrates the success of apprentices on a Level 4 apprenticeship or above.

The OAL Awards celebrates the wonderful world of apprenticeships and seeks to recognise the outstanding achievements of the individuals and organisations that work alongside and in partnership with Occupational Awards Limited.

Emma’s journey to becoming an apprentice for the first time at 46 is different to the traditional apprenticeship route. Previously to Whyy? Change, Emma held senior customer services, sales and leadership roles at RBS, moving into a controls assurance within the motor industry.

Talking about her nomination, Emma said: “To be a finalist at the inaugural OAL Apprenticeship awards is a great honour. I always focus so much on sharing the success of the apprentices who we are fortunate to support and develop, I rarely think about my own success as an apprentice, so to have this recognised by the judging panel is very humbling.

“When I started the Quality Practitioner apprenticeship, I had no idea I would be the first apprentice to complete the EPA process, but with the continued support of OAL and my excellent tutor at Whyy? Change, I was able to bring the knowledge 46 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

and skills I had developed to life in the assessments to achieve a distinction.

“I am immensely proud of what I have achieved and feel it shows age doesn’t have to be a blocker to learning new knowledge and skills.”

Since joining Whyy? Change in June 2019, Emma’s development has been exponential, with an overwhelming number of achievements to her name and promotions following suit.

Her recent success of becoming the World’s First Ever Quality Practitioner Apprentice to achieve a Distinction whilst achieving Practitioner status with the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) has been recognised by her colleagues, and now by the judges at the OAL Awards as well.

Emma’s nomination comes after also being shortlisted for Higher Apprentice of the Year at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year.

Her dedication to professional development and achieving the highest standard possible has been exemplified by her many achievements during the course of her apprenticeship.

Talking about Emma’s success, Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change said: “Emma demonstrates all the professional skills and behaviours required to be the ideal leader. I have seen a real growth in how Emma engages with strategic challenges. It is great to see how she engages, leads and demonstrates good standards in her practice. I value Emma’s dedication, questioning and curiosity to delivering on the behaviours of the business.”

The winners will be announced

at OAL’s inaugural awards evening on Thursday 19th October at York Racecourse.

Whyy? Change are a leading training provider based in South Yorkshire that offer a range of apprenticeship solutions to help businesses upskill and develop their employees.

Head over to their website to find out more. whyychange.com/ apprenticeships unLTDBUSINESS.COM 47

Simoda CONTACT SIMODA VISIT WWW.SIMODA.CO.UK.

DOING I.T. “REYT” - SUPPORT FOR SOUTH YORKSHIRE BUSINESSES It’s not the most exciting subject, but for many businesses, IT managed services including the purchase of software like Microsoft and Google licenses can be a huge headache.

The modern world of work does not allow for any business to be without some kind of IT support, whether that’s on-going support with hardware i.e. laptops, on-premise data storage centres, video conferencing equipment, internet and cabling or software applications like Teams, Sharepoint or Google Workspace for a collaborative working environment.

Challenges for Business There are many challenges businesses face day to day but at Simoda, we work with customers large and small, some with large I.T. teams and some with none. In our experience, the common challenges businesses and management teams have around their I.T. provision and support include: • Rising, untransparent costs of licenses, data security and support services • Lack of business knowledge around IT and security of data • Current IT suppliers letting the business down with slow call outs and poor customer service • Current suppliers not knowing how to solve issues • IT downtime which means business operations are limited • IT issues that the business 48 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

simply don’t know how to resolve i.e. access to information, virus software, laptops not working etc.

Solving Common I.T. Issues Our aim is always to support businesses with the right I.T. support and technology solutions to suit them. Unlike other I.T. companies, we don’t have the hardnosed salespeople who try to push a particular product or solution. This is because our team don’t work on commission, they work on a “technology first strategy,” with a focus on what’s right for your business.

The I.T. industry changes month on month. Each week, there is a highprofile cyber-attack on a large organisation, or a manufacturing plant experiencing mass downtime because of an I.T. problem. In the true Simoda spirit of always sharing knowledge and supporting local businesses, some of the common I.T. issues our team solve, which leads customers to ask us for help, include: • On prem data servers becoming costly to run (usually increasing carbon emissions) and you’re needing an upgrade to a more cost-effective solution or there is a need for the business to move to the cloud. We can support you in moving your data to more cost-effective cloud

solutions.

• IT Service contracts which are coming to an end or haven’t been well understood or utilised and there’s a need for better helpdesk support and the ability to reach an expert quickly. As local experts, we can help you quickly with your needs; even sending a team to get you back up and running, avoiding downtime for your business.

• Little or no cyber security support for the business.

Employees also have little knowledge of the new, AI-driven phishing attacks that can lead to employees unknowingly sharing information with hackers or giving them access to your data and systems, often without realising till it’s too late. Not only are our team able to fix security breaches and get your data protected we provide the best, cost-effective cyber security solutions and training to your employees. One of the best ways to establish the lack

of knowledge amongst your employees is to run a simulated yet realistic, test phishing attack email to your employees to see where the businesses’ vulnerabilities lie.

• Costly monthly license fees for unused functionality of software like Microsoft office. We support with right-sizing.

This means we help you only spend money on what you use. Often businesses are paying far too much on licenses and subscriptions when reducing cost is a simple money-saver e.g. you pay for enterprise licenses with Microsoft but only use Teams, Sharepoint, Powerpoint and Excel. Your users don’t need access to all of the other apps Microsoft has to offer, so there’s an opportunity to reduce your costs significantly, some of our customers have saved more than 50% on licenses.

Why is Simoda different?

Simoda, based in Kelham Island, Sheffield is on a mission to support local businesses. With a mixed team of experts across the technology and IT space nearby, customers don’t just get competitive price but a personal, collaborative support service. At Simoda, we don’t just do I.T. and sit behind our computers all day, our team are out speaking to customers, solving some of their most complex or simple problems when it comes to I.T. and technology. There are larger companies across South Yorkshire who offer similar services, granted, but many of our team came from those larger businesses with a new perspective on customer excellence and doing things “reyt.”

OUR REFERRAL SCHEME As most of our business comes from referrals, we also offer a referral scheme meaning money off your support services if you refer us to other businesses in the region (and beyond).

Our customers are so happy with the services that we provide and our friendly, accessible and dependable approach, that we’ve been fortunate enough to receive excellent feedback since we were founded in 2019: “Our partnership with Simoda has meant CA Group has been able to establish a robust, standalone IT infrastructure, with the ability to allow our company to adapt and change with the demands of our marketplace.”

“Simoda has become a trusted partner, placing the needs of our endusers first. Staff can now work remotely just as easily as they have done in the office, accessing video calls, teams meetings and group chats with ease, and having the ability to take their landline numbers with them wherever they go.”

“Thanks to Simoda’s help, we have been able to rapidly digitally transform, maximising not just the value of our technology today, but also in preparation of the future.”

Andrew Hall - IT Infrastructure Manager CA Group

If you have a question that is I.T. or technology related, ask us: info@simoda.co.uk Tel: 0114 5533600 unLTDBUSINESS.COM 49

I would 100% recommend studying with the team at Whyy? Change ~ Isobel, who smashed a Distinction in her Marketing Executive Apprenticeship

Multi-channel Marketer | Marketing Executive | Marketing Manager

Funded Apprenticeships available November 2024 start Includes two Chartered Institute of Marketing Awards Face-to-face delivery in Rotherham

GET IN TOUCH

info@whyychange.com / www.whyychange.com / 0114 400 0077

MINDSET AND CONFIDENCE COACHING

“Steve has been the catalyst to so many positive changes in my life. He has helped put my inner most thoughts and dreams into reality. He’s made me realise it’s the small habits I make daily that make the biggest difference.”

Joanne C In a world full of comparison, judgement, perfectionism, fear of failure and self-doubt, is it any wonder that so many lack confidence and self-worth?

Research shows that your mindset plays a significant role in determining life’s outcomes. By understanding, adapting and shifting your mindset, you can improve your health, decrease stress, become more resilient to life’s challenges, and think more positively about yourself.

To book a free 15-minute consultation visit www. thecuriousnortherner.co.uk, call 07885 902913 or email steven. lenagh@thecuriousnortherner.co.uk

DISC personality profiling expert (licenced trainer) | 1:1 coaching (certified/accredited) | Group training | Workshops | Presentations | Engaging and motivational speaking

EXEMPLAR DESIGN AND FLEXIBILITY 190 Norfolk Street is a next generation Grade A office building being built to BCO 2023 specification and Nabers 5* rating with Net Zero Carbon as standard, BREEAM excellent and WiredScore Platinum certification. It will offer occupier flexibility across six storeys in a future proof building built on our core pillars of development of Wellbeing, Sustainability, Environment, Design and Technology.

You can find us at:

Sellers Wheel, 151 Arundel St Sheffield City Centre S1 2NU3 Sheffield station – 5 minutes’ walk

HAVE LUNCH WITH...

SIMON GILLOTT

From fast food to the fast-paced world of Industrial recruitment; this month, unLTD’s Ash Birch heads to Wokie Box to grab lunch with Simon Gillott, an industrial recruitment specialist and owner of Sheffield-based recruitment firm Steel Cactus, to find out about his journey from McDonald’s restaurant manager to recruiter.

Hi Simon. Can you start by telling us a little bit about your business Steel Cactus?

We’re industrial recruiters specialising in manufacturing, production and warehousing, so anything within that sector or things that are associated with it.

We can cover anything from an unskilled factory worker with no experience, up to management and supervision roles.

When you set up Steel Cactus, why did you decide to focus on the industrial sector?

It’s more or less what I’ve always done. I’ve worked as an industrial recruiter, mainly within Sheffield, for the last 20-years, so when I came to set up my own business, that’s what I wanted to stick with.

What were you doing prior to moving into recruitment?

I worked for 10 years at McDonald’s, starting in 1995 at the Meadowhall drive-thru, working my way up from crew member to restaurant manager by the time I left. At that time, it was a good culture, with good people and they looked after you.

Once you got to management level, they’d do a lot of business management training and got you to a point where you could pretty much run a business from top to bottom, which has come in handy. The salary was okay back then and I’ve got no complaints, just good memories.

What made you decide to move away from a career in hospitality to recruitment?

I got to a point where I no longer wanted to work weekends and evenings. I loved the job and the people, but I wanted to do something different. We also had a young family and I became a 52 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

little bit envious seeing people going out on weekends and bank holidays. I wanted to offer a bit more of a stable home life and routine.

I moved into catering recruitment at first, and I did that for two-years. Unfortunately, it was everything I wanted to get away from, because it was all evenings and weekends! Out of the McDonald’s fryer and into the fire! While it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, it was new, it was interesting and it was fast paced, so I stuck with it and got an opportunity to move into industrial recruitment. That was everything I really wanted. The hours were more stable, you get to see behind the scenes at a lot of places and the workers stuck around more, because you were filling placements for jobs that were ongoing. It was exciting.

Was it a culture shock to move into that world?

I suppose it was, but it was interesting as well. I got a buzz from it and when you get it right, and things go well, there’s nothing like it. I think that’s why I stuck with this job because when it goes well and you actually fill bookings well, people stay and it goes to plan, it feels great.

Conversely, when it goes wrong, there’s nothing worse.

Do you think over the years you’ve managed to work out how best to match the right people to the right positions, so you have less of the throughs and more of the peaks?

To an extent, yes. A lot of it is instincts. Ultimately, you’re working with people, so there’s no guarantees. It’s a business where the product has a mind of its own, so you’re sometimes

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 53

HAVE LUNCH WITH... at their mercy. That can be frustrating because you can let a client down through no fault of your own. What you do have control over is how you manage it and not being complacent.

What we do well, is find the right people and we have a high percentage of people who become permanent because of that.

Are there indicators you’ve learned to look out for when searching for candidates?

You get a feeling for people.

We make sure that anybody we put up for interview, we see them first. That way you can pick up little cues that you don’t necessarily get from a CV or a phone call. Then we’ll look at little things, like their attendance at our interviews, promptness in filling forms in, and paying attention to what they need to bring to the interview, etc,. and hopefully that leads to higher success rate.

How do you feel the recruitment sector has changed over the last few years?

People have got more choice now. There are more vacancies than there are candidates in our industry, some of that it to do with Brexit. We’ve lost that influx of Eastern European labour that we’ve had for the last 20nyears.

The pandemic has also changed things. It gave people a long time to think and potentially choose to move sectors, or set up their own business, taking themselves out of the candidate pool. It just means we have to work harder and spend more time searching and more time interviewing to get the right people.

How difficult has that been?

I think it’s the toughest I’ve ever found it. Combined with the decision to set up on my own business in 2022, it’s been really tough at times. But we’re finding new business opportunities all the time and we’re doing well. I’m proud of how we’ve started.

If you’re looking for a position in the industrial sector, or are an employer looking to fill a vacancy, get in touch with Simon at steel-cactus.co.uk 54 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

OUTSIDE THE BOX Wokie Box is the latest venture from the lovely folk behind city-centre, Szechuan-inspired Chinese restaurant China Red, and If you’ve already checked out their Rockingham Gate restaurant, you’ll be well familiar with the exquisite, Asian cuisine they have on offer at the new site.

The furnival Gate venue offers the familiar concept of Chinese food in a takeout box (something I longed for after watching episodes of Friends in the 90s!), cooked quickly in a wok over a high heat and married with their familiar, refined touch.

Think of it as China Red’s little sister venue, perfect for lunches, takeaways, or a quick bite to eat at teatime.

The menu, which is displayed above the counter, is fully customisable; you simply pick your favourite type of noodles, protein or veg, and enjoy with your pick of delicious Asian sauce and toppings. If you find the choice overwhelming you can let them do the thinking and select one of their Special Boxes. There’s also a range of popular Asian sides, ranging from satay skewers and crispy wonton, to salt and pepper

chips and tempura prawns.

As me and Simon have chosen to eat in, while we chat about his recruitment history and his slightly different fast food background, we are presented our food on plates in the comfortable restaurant setting, not far from the whir of the kitchen and the firing woks.

We’re presented with Singapore vermicelli noodles, Sweet and sour vegan chicken and rice, spring rolls, vegetable gyoza and prawn toast on the side.

We’ve opted to share the dishes and we get stuck in while the conversation flows. The vermicelli noodles have a warming Singapore spicing and the sweet and sour vegan chicken is sticky, sweet and packed with flavour. The sauce that comes with the vegetable spring rolls adds a firey touch and is my favourite of what’s on offer.

At around £9 a box, it’s perfect for an indulgent lunch that will leave you well set up for the afternoon ahead.

Wokie Box, 26 Furnival Gate, Sheffield, S1 4QP wokiebox.com

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625417

WESTON PARK CANCER CHARITY’S NEW ‘BIG PURPLE BUS’ Leading South Yorkshire cancer charity Weston Park Cancer Charity has launched its ‘Big Purple Bus’ campaign, which is set to provide support and advice for more than 3,000 people and their families.

The Bus was unveiled in September and will bring Weston Park’s services directly into the community for the first time, helping to ensure that people across the region have equal access to cancer support services.

Thanks to partners The National Lottery Community Fund, Westfield Health, and South Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, the campaign aims to bring more access to emotional, financial, and relationship support for people who have been

affected by cancer, whether that be a diagnosis or as a family member.

Cat Rhone, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “Our Big Purple Bus will take our support and

advice into the heart of communities to ensure we keep our promise to be together at every step with local people affected by cancer.

“Our new bus means we will have a physical

presence within the community which will mean an increase in awareness for minority communities who have significantly higher rates of cancer and are less likely to seek our support.”

BENTLY BUSINESSMAN RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY THROUGH NORTHERN SOUL FUNDRAISERS A Doncaster businessman has raised over £9,000 thanks to Northern Soul events he organised to support St John’s Hospice in Balby, Doncaster Hospice.

For seven years Roger Smith, 57, who owns local company Fencing 4 U, has been hosting annual garden parties at his home in Bentley to raise funds for the charity to say thank you for caring for his much-loved partner, Cheryl, who spent her final few days there.

This year’s garden party raised a total of £500, bringing his overall fundraising total to over £9,700 since 2016. It saw DJs Russ Adams, Glyn Holland, Jerry Mitchell, Gary Wilton and Martin Brennan entertain family and friends with Northern Soul classics.

Roger said: “I will never forget the wonderful care that Cheryl received from the St John’s team or the way they supported me, so this is my way of saying thank you to all of them.

“I’d like to pay tribute to all of the DJs for the great music – particularly to Glyn and Jerry who’ve been with me from day one, to Julie Murray, Belinda Barsby, and Kelly for their continued support with catering and fundraising on the day, to Paul for the free bouncy castle hire and the 56 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Windmill Guest House in Bridlington for sponsoring the event every year.”

St John’s fundraiser Lindsey Richards, from Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so grateful to Roger for his support over the years, he’s become a true friend to all of us at St John’s Hospice.

For more information on how to support St John’s Hospice visit: www.stjohnshospicedoncaster.co.uk

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SMH GROUP RAISES OVER £7,000 FOR MNDA IN THIRD ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY SMH Group, the Yorkshire and Derbyshire based business advisory and accountancy firm, have raised over £7,000 for the South Yorkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), at their annual charity golf day.

The tournament, which took place at Chesterfield Gold Club in September, expanded to 29 teams for its third year, all competing for a range of prizes, with the team from Freeman Bennett Jewellers clinching first place.

Ross Jordan, Partner of SMH BullockWoodburn and organiser of the event, said: “We wanted to make this year’s charity golf day bigger and better than ever. After the success of our first two events, we had a big target to aim at and we’re absolutely thrilled to have smashed it, raising more than three times the amount we did last year.

“A big well done to the team from Freeman Bennett Jewellers who finished in first place, along with Ben Conlan of Graywoods and Cath Lake of Services Design Associates who won the longest drive competitions, Andrew Sharman of Services Design Associates and Paul Trudgill of Virgin Money who won the closest to the pin competitions, and Shaun Smith of Sheffield Steelers who won the simulator closest to the pin competition on hole 7 at the iconic Pebble Beach course.”

“We’d like to thank the MNDA charity team who helped out on the day with the raffle, our marketing team who helped make sure the day ran smoothly, as well as some fantastic local organisations who donated raffle and auction prizes, who we have publicly thanked via our social media channels.

“We’re looking forward to making next year’s event bigger and better already!”

The MNDA is close to many at the SMH Group, as it supports those battling the devastating impact of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). With no known cure, the MNDA plays a pivotal role in providing essential care, support, and research funding to improve the lives of those affected by MND. Paul Hebblethwaite of MNDA South Yorkshire Branch said: “The raffle, together with the other fundraising taking place across the day raised over £7,000 thanks to the generosity of SMH Group and the golfers.

“Thank you for choosing to support the MNDA charity and in doing so, enabling us to continue to help people living with MND in the South Yorkshire area.”

The South Yorkshire branch of the MNDA can be contacted on 0114 265 3774 or by visiting: www. mndassociation.org

AUTUMN ADMIN photographs and ID badges, After a non-descript ensure that all volunteers summer, we now find have signed declarations ourselves less than 100 days away from Christmas and that they have sufficient Day and the lovely season expense claim forms to see them through to the end of of Autumn ahead of us. the year.

It is the last quarter Update your website of 2023! How did that happen? This year has gone with current seasonal merchandise, create in a blur, hasn’t it? These themed background last three months of the images and ensure that year are traditionally very busy within the non-profit all the relevant events, sector. Working to support activities and updates are created and designed vulnerable service users, for easy swap over when fundraising activities for the autumn season as well necessary.

Create a social as dealing with meeting media strategy for the strategic and operational next three months to annual targets set. include all the events we If you haven’t started celebrate between now to think about Christmas and the end of the year – – get with it! The nights Halloween, Bon Fire Night, are drawing in now and Thanksgiving, Christmas you need to start your and New Year. marketing campaigns Feeling organised is such to promote appropriate a powerful place to be! Get activities, fundraisers, ahead of this busy time and seasonal stock on offer as you will feel like a superwell as ensuring you have hero to your staff, Trustees, all your voluntary staff in Directors and beneficiaries. place to assist you.

If you need more help A three-point plan will with this or any aspect help at this point. of Business Planning/ Update your volunteer Funding Strategy, call me pack of information – - Wendy Ward, Let’s Save ensure all the content is fresh, relevant and current. Consultancy Services, 0772 9481010. wendy@letssave.

Make sure DBS checks are biz valid and in date, update

Give Wendy at Let's Save Consultancy Services a call on 0772 9481010 or email wendy@letssave.biz unLTDBUSINESS.COM 57

NHS CHARITY APPEAL FOR £150,000 TO FOR ROTHERHAM’S TINIEST PATIENTS Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity have launched their new appeal ‘Tiny Toes’ appeal, to fund a £150,000 redevelopment of their neonatal unit.

The existing unit, which was built some 40 years ago, is highly praised by families but requires upgrading to ensure the excellent standard of care can continue.

Alison Cowie, Head of Nursing for Children’s Services at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In 2022 we looked after more than 400 newborns on our neonatal unit, and although we are incredibly proud of the care we provide, the old unit is dated and the layout needs redeveloping to make the best use of the space we have.

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“Our families are often faced with weeks of additional care on the neonatal unit, which is a tiring, stressful, and emotional time for them as we nurse their fragile babies in preparation for them going home.

“A new neonatal unit will help us provide specialist care for the tiniest and most vulnerable members of our community. We also want our staff to feel proud of the environment they work in, especially when they spend more than 12 hours a day caring for babies on the unit.”

The appeal will fund a complete overhaul of the existing family rooms, including repainting, new furniture and kitchen facilities, as well as recliner chairs so parents can sleep beside their baby’s cot and

a ‘wobble room’ for parents and staff who need time away from the ward.

Jessica Kendall spent five weeks on the unit with her twins Frankie and Lottie when they were born prematurely.

She said: “We knew Frankie and Lottie would be born early, but we weren’t prepared for how early they did arrive. Rotherham was the closest unit with two cots available and they needed help with their feeding and breathing.

Lottie weighed just 2lb 10 and Frankie was 3lb 6.

“The care we received was exemplary and I felt the staff really knew the babies’ individual personalities.

It was heart-wrenching leaving them to go home and look after their big brother Freddie, so I think parents will value a space

that feels homely and comforting for their little ones.”

The charity is encouraging the public to support the campaign by hosting fundraising events or taking part in sponsored challenges.

Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “Raising £150,000 is ambitious but with the public’s support, we know we can do it.

Together, we hope to create a brighter future for premature and poorly babies.”

Donations to the Tiny Toes appeal can be made in person at the Charity Hub in the main entrance at Rotherham Hospital, opposite Boots, via cheque or bank transfer or via Just Giving – www. justgiving.com/campaign/ tinytoesappeal

HIRING AN ACCOUNTANCY OR FINANCE APPRENTICE? GET APPLYING FOR INCENTIVE FUNDING! Applications for the increased incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice are now open.

The team at First Intuition tell unLTD readers more.

Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement in April, employers will receive £3,000 for eligible apprentices of any age who start employment from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021.

You can apply for incentive payments for these apprentices from 1 June 2021 to 30 November 2021.

The incentive payment is in addition to the £1,000 employers already receive for hiring an apprentice:

• Aged 16 to 18 or • Under 25 with an education, health, and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority.

Apprentices will have an additional two months after the deadline of 30 September 2021 (until 30 November 2021) to start their training programme – this is to allow for probationary periods and sign-up processes to occur.

Furthermore, employers will also receive a National Insurance exemption if the apprentice is aged under 25 and a 95 per cent subsidy of the training costs (if not paying via the apprenticeship levy). Levy

paying employers can utilise their levy pots.

Applications for the increased incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice are now open.

Level 2, 3, 4 and 7 Apprenticeship schemes for the AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW,

CTA and ATT Qualifications are covered for the incentive payment.

If you are looking to recruit an apprentice into your Finance Team, then we can help.

Contact Sheffield@fi.co.uk for more info.

The Accountancy Employers Guide Trainees and new staff need as much support as possible to ease them into work over the next year.

The Accountancy Employers Guide provides links to relevant resources on trainee recruitment, onboarding, pre-start resources, employability skills, apprenticeship incentives, employer events, and hot topics.

The Accountancy Employers Guide is now available to access for free at www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/ accountancy-employers-guide/

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PEAK DISTRICT FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THREE NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS The Peak District National Park Foundation has welcomed three new members of staff to help develop its work in raising vital funds for biodiversity, landscape restoration, and engagement.

Roisin Joyce joins in a new director role, with Hayley Grainger as fundraising manager and Faye Smith as communications and admin.

The foundation is the official charity of the Peak District National Park Authority and helps care for the landscape and wildlife, fight climate change, and connect people from all backgrounds to nature and the outdoors.

Before joining the Foundation as director, Roisin was development director for HOME in Manchester, the largest arts centre outside London.

Roisin said: “The Peak District National Park is the oldest and most visited park in the country – a place that means so much to so many

people, including myself.

“The Foundation is at a unique point of growth, and I am hugely excited at the opportunities to build philanthropy and partnerships within and for the Peak District National Park.”

Fundraising manager Hayley has lived all over the world, working in events, travel, and tourism for the last ten years.

Faye previously ran an award-winning communications consultancy supporting the region’s nonprofit and start-up sector and is now looking forward to supporting the work of the foundation and growing its media presence.

Chair of Trustees Jen Lowthrop added: “We are delighted at these key appointments which couldn’t

New Appointment at Glade Consulting Sheffield-based consultancy service Glade are pleased to announce the arrival of Julia Watts, who has joined the organisation as ISO Consultant.

Julia joins the consulting company at a time of significant growth and, having managed teams and worked in quality assurance in a fire and security business, will help to provide more support for companies looking to become certified to one of the ISO standards, or to realise the benefits of effective ISO implementation.

64 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Glade Consulting Services Managing Director, Richard Dolman said: “It’s great to have Julia on board. As our name and reputation has grown, not just locally but across the UK, we needed to have someone with a background in assurance as well as being able to take a pragmatic approach to implementation. Julia stood out with her attention to detail and her ability to understand a process approach. She has already met a wide range of businesses and is proving to be a real asset.”

come at a more opportune time in the Foundation’s development.

“Under Roisin’s leadership, we are confident the Foundation will have a growing impact in increasing biodiversity, habitat restoration, and widening inclusivity in the park, especially among underrepresented and marginalised groups.”

Sheffield law firm welcomes renowned corporate partner Sheffield law firm welcomes renowned corporate partner South Yorkshire law firm Shakespeare Martineau welcomes corporate partner Ryan Fitzpatrick to its Sheffield hub.

Formerly with local firms Taylor Emmet, Ironmonger Curtis, and Bell & Buxton Solicitors, Ryan has garnered more than 10 years of corporate legal experience, advising businesses across the region.

As well as dealing with buying and selling companies on behalf of entrepreneurial clients, Ryan has accumulated a wealth of experience dealing with transactions in the healthcare sector, including working with dental practices, care homes, GP surgeries, pharmacies, and opticians.

Ryan said: “I am proud to have joined Shakespeare

Martineau. The firm has an outstanding reputation for investing in its people and clients, resulting in a high level of service, which is clearly evidenced by its numerous awards and accolades, including its prestigious B

Corporation status.

“Sheffield is a vibrant city and is celebrated for its innovative technology companies and strong commercial market, which makes it an inspiring place to work as a corporate lawyer.

“I am looking forward to being part of a team responsible for expanding the Shakespeare Martineau brand and footprint in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and beyond by offering first-class corporate and healthcare legal services.”

Michael Stace, partner and head of corporate at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are continuing our investment in the Yorkshire market, a region in which we see a lot of potential, and we are thrilled to welcome Ryan to the Sheffield team, a move that will help to boost this commitment.

“Ryan has a strong reputation in Sheffield, and his technical knowledge and broad experience will be a real asset to our team as we look to enhance our transactional offering and cement our reputation in South Yorkshire.”

VIGO GROUP EXPANDS TEAM WITH KEY ADDITION Doncaster-based property company, Vigo Group, has made an important appointment to bolster its financial team.

Christopher Hardy, who comes with a wealth of experience in finance from across the region, joins the company as financial controller.

Chris has previously worked at a variety of organisations including his last position as financial controller at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and before that Recyoal, Ltd, RJB Mining Plc and AF Budge (Contractors).

Vigo Group is a third-generation family business grown over 50 years specialising in transformational property projects, taking under used or decaying assets and breathing life into them.

Chris said: “I am really pleased to

be joining Vigo Group as financial controller at this exciting time as the business enters a period of growth.

“My experience has been gained over the years in a variety of sectors including aviation, coal mining and recovery, and from construction.”

Tariq Shah, director of the Vigo Group, said: “Chris will be working across the Vigo Group and is a vital appointment for us adding to our stability and longevity by further developing our financial reporting and monitoring processes.

“It’s an exciting time for our company as we look to diversify and expand what we do, and Chris’ expertise will play an important part in this work as we look to the future and build on our growth plans.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 65

SHEFFIELD: TIME TO PUFF OUT OUR CHESTS? It’s no secret that Sheffield is currently undergoing a period of transition and the city centre – currently the subject of significant renovation work – has taken its fair share of hits from the pandemic, the persistent growth of online retail and some divisive local schemes, be it bus gates or ill-fated container parks.

The Heart of the City work still continues apace, and the city is beginning to reap some of the benefits in projects such as Pound’s Park and the revitalised Charter Row area. However, with swathes of the centre still penned behind fences and under construction, it can be easy to get swept along in negative narratives on our external offer to potential visitors.

So, it’s in the hope of bringing some renewed optimism to the table that we share the results from a recent study which showed that 15 million people visited Sheffield last year, bringing an estimated billion-pound boost to the city’s economy.

Tourists spent money on accommodation, food and 66 unLTDBUSINESS.COM

drink, culture, shopping, and travel, which helps bring money into the city and create jobs.

Cultural events, sporting fixtures and Sheffield’s growing reputation as a city break destination has helped attract tourists.

The Women’s Euros brought football and footfall to Sheffield, with the number of people visiting the city centre increasing by more than 10,000. The Rugby League World Cup also brought thousands more sports fans to Sheffield.

Events run by local businesses helped make Sheffield more attractive to tourists. Markets like Peddler street food market and Pollen flower markets continued to thrive and

annual events like World Snooker, Tramlines and Art in the Gardens brought sports, music and arts fans to the city.

Sheffield was named the ‘second best city to visit’ by TimeOut and its reputation as The Outdoor City attracts city break visitors who enjoy adventures from climbing to stand up paddleboarding to exploring our open spaces on foot.

This is the first year since 2019 that the visitor economy has not been affected by covid restrictions, with the value of Sheffield’s visitor economy now being only 1.2% below its pre-pandemic level.

Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic

Development and Skills Committee, said: “It is fantastic to see that tourists are keen to visit and experience all the Sheffield has to offer.

“The pandemic was an incredibly challenging time for our visitor economy and it is good to see that recovery is on track and that visitors are returning to Sheffield.”

At unLTD, we wholeheartedly share this optimism and look forward to the coming years, not only in Sheffield’s soon-tobe rejuvenated city centre but also across all of South Yorkshire’s cities. Things are looking up, let’s celebrate the positives and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead!

PARTY NIGHT

AT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL CLUB

FRIDAY 15 & SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2023 WE’RE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR THE BIG PRE-CHRISTMAS WEEKEND AT HILLSBOROUGH STADIUM! A DRINKS RECEPTION AWAITS BEFORE DINNER IS SERVED FROM OUR FESTIVE THREE-COURSE MENU OUR EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED LIVE BAND WILL SEE THAT THE DANCEFLOOR COMES ALIVE AND OUR RESIDENT DJ WILL KEEP THE PARTY GOING UNTIL 1AM

£45.95 per person CONTACT EVENTS@SWFC.CO.UK TO BOOK OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

s

TOTALLY

THREEECOURSE CHOICE MENU 80 S THEMED DISCO UNTIL 1 AM

AT HILLSBOROUGH STADIUM

£38.95 per person

DECEMBER DATES

FRIDAY 1 ST | SATURDAY 2 ND FRIDAY 8 TH | SATURDAY 9 TH | FRIDAY 15 TH SATURDAY 16 TH | FRIDAY 22 ND

OUR IN-HOUSE CATERING TEAM WILL SERVE A FESTIVE THREE-COURSE DINNER FOLLOWED BY MUSIC TO WHICH YOU CAN DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY COURTESY OF OUR EXPERT 80S DJ

JOIN US ONCE AGAIN FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME TO THE DECADE OF EXCESS! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT EVENTS@SWFC.CO.UK

OCTOBER FIXTURES AT HILLSBOROUGH

Huddersfield Town Saturday 7 October Championship 3:00pm

Rotherham United Sunday 29 October Championship 1:00pm

Details for these fixtures will be announced in on our website swfc.co.uk Tickets can be purchased in person at the Ticket Office, by telephone on 03700 201867 (option 1) or online at tickets.swfc.co.uk £1 fee per ticket for online and telephone bookings

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