West & North Yorkshire Business Q1 2022 by West & North Yorkshire Business

West & North

Yorkshire

usiness PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Endof a 25 year era West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce British Chambers of Commerce Accredited

CONNECTING, SUPPORTING & REPRESENTING BUSINESS IN THE REGION

Q1 2021

Up to 67% off † Business Breakdown Cover for Chamber members Service level

Roadside

Relay

Relay Plus

Home Start

Accident Management

Offer Price

Standard Price

Difference

Fleetwide 1

£87.49

£236.50

£149.01

Fleetwide 2

£78.69

£202.50

£123.81

Fleetwide 3

£64.74

£189.50

£124.76

Fleetwide 4

£55.94

£155.50

£99.56

Fleetwide 5

£47.27

£114.50

£67.23

Fleet Europe

£16.44

£44.50

£28.06

Minibus Rescue

£193.16

£316.50

£123.34

£174.32

£387.00

£212.68

Specialist 2

Specialist 4

£149.66

£306.50

£156.84

Specialist 5

£96.99

£202.50

£105.51

The table below gives you more details about the specific services which can be included within our Business Breakdown cover Roadside

Repair or recovery to the AA’s choice of appropriate local repairer.

Relay*

Transportation of vehicle, driver and up to 7 passengers to a UK mainland address if prompt local repair not possible.

Relay Plus*

Extended Relay service to include one of three alternative arrangements for driver and passengers; car hire, accommodation or public transport services.

Home Start

For breakdowns at or within ¼ mile of your home address.

Accident Management

Takes the hassle out of arranging repair, recovery and insurance claims after an accident or vandalism.

For more information, please contact your local Chamber of Commerce Direct Debit. To make life easier, you can now pay for your breakdown cover by Direct Debit. Based on Fleetwide 3 Standard rates for 3-6 vehicles. All the above prices are per vehicle per year, inclusive of IPT (Insurance Premium Tax). All prices are subject to change. Fleetwide cover does not apply to: specialist vehicles, ie: taxis, mini cabs, hire vehicles, ambulances, police vehicles, vehicles on tradeplates, minibuses, privately owned vehicles (unless used for business purposes), motorcycles and courier vehicles (all of which can be covered on Specialist rates as above), or any vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gvw. Terms and conditions apply. *Relay and Relay Plus services are not provided at or within ¼ mile of driver’s home address. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer prices are only available while your Chamber membership is current. We reserve the right to review pricing at any time. Full terms and conditions available on request by calling 0800 55 11 88. Business Breakdown cover is provided by Automobile Association Developments Limited (trading as AA Breakdown Services). Relay Plus is underwritten by Acromas Insurance Company Limited. Acromas Insurance Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Commissioner of Insurance, Financial Services Commission, Gibraltar, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, United Kingdom. Acromas Insurance Company Limited is a member of the Association of British Insurers. Head Office: 57-63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. Registered Number 88716 (Gibraltar). UK brand address: Acromas Insurance Company Limited, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA. Registered in England and Wales number 2414212. †

BSF_BCC_0360 (0217)

West & North Yorkshire Business

WELCOME 3

Reflecting on 25 years of service

As I’m leaving the Chamber at the end of April, I was asked to reflect on my career with the organisation. How things have changed! When I joined there was no PC for me, just cards with contacts’ details and no easy way to identify our hundreds of Chamber members. Fortunately, we’ve changed systems and databases a few times since then because we know how important data and customer care is. As members, you can now book events, pay, and update your details online, when it suits you. We’ve adapted to change, adopted new technology and improved how we engage with members, partners and colleagues. Sandy Needham DL Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber

I’m proud that we’ve gone beyond the standard Chamber offer and introduced services to fill gaps in the market for members e.g. a new business park of serviced industrial units and offices for start-up and growing businesses; a subsidiary company to offer business loans when banks couldn’t and linked manufacturers with schools, including promoting apprenticeships. Finally, we designed, with input from businesses of all sizes, an initiative that encourages businesses to have a social impact in the areas of community, education, employment and environment – Raising the Bar – which is a great scheme. All of these things were achieved by talking to members and having a talented team of colleagues, good non-executive directors, actionorientated committees and partnerships with the public and voluntary sectors, universities and colleges. We’ve survived the last two extremely difficult years; we’ve planned for the coming year, introducing some new activities and a healthier financial forecast.

08455 240 240 editor@yorkshire-business.com www.yorkshire-business.com @WNYChamber

With restructuring and the merging of three Chambers, it feels as though I’ve had three roles and all have been varied, challenging and enjoyable. It’s time to hand over to James Mason, who is equally enthusiastic about the opportunities of being Chief Executive. I’m sure James will do a great job for members and I hope he will have as good an experience as I have.

West & North Yorkshire Business

4 CONTACTS EDITORIAL marketing@wnychamber.co.uk

MEMBERS’ NEWS News from Bradford, Leeds, York & North Yorkshire

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WEBSITE yorkshire-business.com

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magazine produced by the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. The audience for this publication is comprised of a targeted audience of the major decision makers and senior executives across both the Yorkshire region and the wider UK business community. © 2022 West & North Yorkshire Business - No Part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form of advertising or promotion without the express permission of the editorial team. West & North Yorkshire Business has taken all reasonable

care to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate on the date of publication.

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AD:VENTURE case study

Green Business Hub

ENVIRONMENT Defining green standards

PROFILE

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ENVIRONMENT

Business Enterprise Fund and West & North Yorkshire

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce British Chambers of Commerce

INTERNATIONAL Brexit: it’s not over yet

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INTERNATIONAL Case study

ENVIRONMENT

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The Chamber group includes Chamber International,

INTERNATIONAL Inspiring students

This magazine is published by the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

REGIONAL NEWS News from across the region

Case study

Environmental and social governance

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TECHNOLOGY

REPRESENTATION

CULTURE

EVENT

REPRESENTATION

33 34 37

PROFILE MANUFACTURING Leeds Manufacturing Festival

Tech sector group

West Yorkshire Mayor Charter

Leeds 2023

Meet the Chamber

National policy

CULTURE Bradford City of Culture bid

TRANSPORT Reflection on rail campaigns

MEMBERSHIP Four essential benefits

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

RAISING THE BAR

SOCIAL

EVENT

Nimbuscare

DWF

MANUFACTURING Bradford Manufacturing Weeks

Breaking the bias

A year in review

What you missed online

Bradford Chamber Annual Dinner

EVENTS Upcoming events

West & North Yorkshire Business

CONTENTS 5

International inspiration

Green Business Hub

30 Leeds 2023

Manufacturing

33 Bradford 2025

Meet the Chamber in Bradford

West & North Yorkshire Business

BRADFORD NEWS

Warm words Many businesses that I speak to are performing well and are hoping that the corner has been turned on the pandemic. The cost of living worries are already causing economic troubles, but there is also good news to spread, and you’ll see that throughout this magazine. The challenges relating to Brexit have not gone away, despite news headlines and business conversations being dominated by other topics; and we are working closely with the British Chambers of Commerce to remind and warn Government of the damage being done to the regional and national economy; but as the weather warms and people return to the workplace with increasing confidence, I believe that there are reasons to be cheerful. Business conditions are challenging for many but we have become used to that over the years and learnt to ‘roll with the punches’, you might say. On another note, a successful outcome in May of the Bradford application for UK City of Culture 2025 would help provide further positivity for our city, so fingers crossed! I must mention that this is the last magazine column that I write before outgoing Chief Executive Sandy Needham retires. A huge thank you to Sandy for all that she has done for our Chamber and for business. It goes with saying that she will be sadly missed by all of us, but also that we wish her a very long and happy retirement. Victoria Wainwright President Bradford Chamber

BAME communities must be at the heart of levelling up The needs of neighbourhoods with high proportions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents must be central to the Government’s levelling-up agenda, the Chair and Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) have said. Barrington Billings and Lee Bloomfield warned that the Covid-19 pandemic continued to highlight the inequalities BAME communities have endured for decades. They said: “2020 has been a desperately difficult year for everyone, but particularly for those who have the least. “If Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are serious in their quest to level up society, they should look no further than the most deprived neighbourhoods across the country which often have large numbers of BAME people living there. “MHA is enormously proud of the work we do in these communities in Bradford and Keighley but, whilst we have high aspirations, our resources are limited. Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley. It is the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2020, MHA won the Northern Housing Outstanding Approaches to Communications Award for its work in supporting tenants during the pandemic and was shortlisted for two UK Housing Awards including Landlord of the Year. “We go beyond the delivery of good quality, affordable housing. We are advocates for our communities, delivering culturally sensitive services and giving individuals and families from BAME backgrounds real opportunities to improve their lives. “But we now need the Government to step up and deliver on its promise to truly level up our country, with the needs of BAME people high on that agenda.”

Repeat record year of donations Local community groups and charities are looking forward to receiving a share of donations from a Yorkshire chemical company, following a record year of £40,000 in donations in 2021. Airedale Chemical, based in Cross Hills gave £40,000 away last year through its charitable arm, the Airedale Foundation and plans to do the same in 2022. Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice, Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School, children’s football facility Soccerhub, Ilkley Rugby

Club, Steeton Football Club and Keighley Cougars Rugby Club are among some of the organisations that received donations last year from Airedale Chemical, along with several defibrillators donated and installed around the local area. Group Chief Commercial Officer of Airedale Chemical, Daniel Marr, explains: “Our local community groups are extremely important to us and we feel lucky to be in a position to help the schemes and clubs that mean so much to our neighbours.

Businesses could save lots of money with electric company cars

Generous Bradford a true ‘community strong’ city

Bradford-based accountancy firm Watson Buckle is encouraging businesses to go green by looking at the cost and environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

As a charity who support adults and children who have been abused, Staying Put are always looking for support so that they can provide better services to those in need.

Each year the number of electric cars on the road increases, with 345,000 pure-electric cars on UK roads at the end of October 2021, according to the latest Department for Transport figures.

Following a 30 year career fundraising for a number of different charities up and down the country, Business Development Manager Andy Ellis said: “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people and organisations in Bradford. It is, in my experience, the most community spirited city I have ever encountered.”

The events of COP26 have put the need to reduce emissions in sharp focus, and Watson Buckle says that more businesses will need to look at the benefits of going green soon. As well as reducing emissions, electric vehicles attract a lower rate of company car tax, which is charged to employees via the Benefits in Kind system.

He added: “At Staying Put, we have been blown away by the volume of gifts we have received and thank you doesn’t have enough letters to express how grateful we, and our service users, are.”

“Last year, we donated more than ever before with £40,000 going to good causes in our area and we plan to equal that amount in 2022. We’re already talking with our community partners about how we can make a real difference to their activities this year.” Airedale Chemical introduced the Airedale Foundation in 2017 to support community groups and projects. In the last four years it has installed defibrillators, sponsored local sports teams and even cleaned up public toilets.

Hope for Tomorrow launches ‘world first’ next generation mobile cancer care unit Hope for Tomorrow is launching their next generation state-of-the-art fully mobile medical cancer care unit, a ‘world first’ in healthcare innovation, designed to change the way cancer care is delivered. In a unique partnership with the NHS, the mobile cancer care unit, will visit communities to offer a wide range of services including accessible daily clinics, cancer screening and education programmes, and a variety of treatments. Staffed by NHS oncology experts, the unit will address health inequalities, with a holistic treatment option for hard-to-reach communities. NHS Trusts will be able to offer patients more choice of where their cancer care is delivered.

West & North Yorkshire Business

LEEDS NEWS

Sustainable recovery Recovery from the Covid pandemic continued in the last quarter of 2021, however inflationary pressures and access to talent remain challenging. Undoubtedly the inflationary pressures will continue, exacerbated by war in Ukraine following the shocking invasion by Russian forces and we will continue to advise policy makers on the impact of rising costs to business. Whilst last years Integrated Rail Plan was received with disappointment, there are new opportunities for us to continue making the case for Leeds infrastructure. Among these are the Government’s HS2 review which will investigate how high speed trains can reach Leeds following the cancelling of the eastern leg. Having recently met with Transport Minister, Andrew Stephenson, we continue to make the case that expansion of Leeds Station is the only way to create the additional capacity needed to ensure we have a network capable of supporting sustainable movement of people across the region and to access employment, training, skills and leisure opportunities . We also brought up West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit Scheme, a plan for which the Chamber maintains its full backing. We need Government to be clearer about timescales, funding and delivery. In the nearer term, we welcome the completion of the £161m Leeds Station’s rejuvenation, enabling the city to welcome commuters, investors and tourists with a fitting gateway. These sorts of investments are crucial in allowing Leeds to continue to develop as an attractive, in-demand and leading economic hub. As we look towards the spring, I’d like to remark on the confidence and encouragement the community has fostered in the wake of Covid restrictions. The tenacity our city has shown in the face of the crisis cannot be understated, and whilst there may still be challenges ahead, I have little doubt that we will come through. Mike Briffett President Leeds Chamber

Keep your electrics compliant Electrical safety is vital for businesses and employees. The question is how exactly you stay on top of regulations to protect your visitors and staff. Volta Compliance have compiled a list of simple steps to help you stay compliant: 1. Get your installation checked An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a quick and easy way to make sure your building’s electrical installation is running effectively and without faults. A qualified and competent contractor will check for things like defective work, overloaded circuits and unsafe wiring. You’ll get a report outlining any recommended or required remedial work to bring it in line with the BS 7671 standard. They will also tell you how often EICRs should be carried out to keep your site safe. 2. Then check your appliances Next on the list are your electrical appliances, everything from phone chargers up to larger printers and photocopiers – anything that’s plugged into a socket or generator. In this case, the best way to stay compliant is with Portable Appliance Testing – or PAT testing for short. It’s a routine inspection and test, again by someone who is qualified and competent, to make sure appliances are safe and well maintained. 3. Report your energy use While it’s not necessarily related to safety, another area of electrical compliance comes from the way you use energy. Over the past decade, the Government has launched two schemes that require large undertakings to monitor and report the energy they use and the resulting emissions. They are the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) and the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting framework (SECR), both include electricity usage. Stay compliant, stay safe Electrical compliance is all about protecting your company along with staff and visitors. By following the three steps above, you can make sure people are safe on site as well as safeguarding your company from potential penalties for non-compliance.

West & North Yorkshire Business

Minister of State visits Leeds College of Building Leeds College of Building students showcased their skills when Andrew Stephenson MP paid a special visit to the South Bank Campus. The Department for Transport Minister of State and Pendle MP is visited Leeds as part of a week-long itinerary, meeting local stakeholders and employers to discuss transport infrastructure and the supply-chain benefits associated with HS2.

Discovering the Value of the Armed Forces Covenant Volta Compliance is a local business based in Leeds, specialising in electrical compliance for companies across Yorkshire. At a Pure Networking event in York, they met with Pauline King, Regional Employer Engagement Director from The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Yorkshire and The Humber. After discussing the challenges they were facing, Volta’s team signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing to supporting existing and ex forces families by assisting with the transition back into civilian employment. Becoming a forces-friendly employer allows businesses access to a workforce with transferable skills – planning, process, strategy and objectives, as well as the ability to challenge all of those constructively. They’re also creative problem solvers who have passed the ultimate test when it comes to teamwork.

The College was the first UK provider to work with employers – through the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium – to develop a needed Apprenticeship Standard. This has been delivered by the College over the last 4 years. The MP toured the state-of-the-art facilities, spoke to staff and students about the opportunities available to support transport-related construction careers.

Consilia Legal wins National Wellbeing Award The Family Law team at Yorkshirebased law firm, Consilia Legal are celebrating after winning the ‘National Family Law Wellbeing Award’ at the annual Family Law Awards. The award recognises law firms, chambers and other legal organisations which have demonstrated the strongest commitment to providing and promoting a working environment that supports the mental and physical health of its staff members or colleagues, and enables them to maintain a healthy balance between their work pressures and home life. Sandeep Sandu, Associate Solicitor at Consilia Legal said: “I can truly say that the National Family Law Wellbeing Award is home where it belongs. Having worked at a number of firms, Consilia Legal has shown that it isn’t just paying lip service to the well-being of their team.

Mr Stephenson heard about the challenges the College and FE Sector deal with and the tremendous growth in apprenticeships. Andrew Stephenson MP said: “We are committed to Levelling Up all parts of the UK and these apprenticeships will help fill the essential skills gap and transform the country by providing invaluable, practical on-the-job training for the people of Leeds.”

Booming digital sector fuels growth at Leeds’ home of tech Bruntwood SciTech welcomed 18 new fast growth tech and digital businesses to Platform, while a further seven Platform-based companies expanded as a result of recent growth. The demand for all-inclusive serviced office and co-working space specifically designed for businesses in the science and tech sector comes as Yorkshire continues in its postpandemic economic trajectory towards the creation of a further 42,000 digital tech jobs. The best connected transport and local amenity location in all of Leeds, connected to Leeds train station in the heart of the city centre, Platform is home to the city’s only dedicated Tech Hub, ideal for new and early stage digital tech start-ups who colocate alongside large tech companies. Platform has the capability to support companies at every stage of their growth.

West & North Yorkshire Business

YORK & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

Good to be positive With the first quarter of 2022 wrapped, now is a time to reflect on the positive start our region has seen to the year. With COVID restrictions melting away, we look forward to the exciting developments the coming months have in store for York and North Yorkshire. York’s bid to become the new home of Great British Railways, the successor organisation to Network Rail, is to take full swing, with the city’s strong rail heritage being brought into the spotlight. In continuing to support members, the Chamber is meeting Government inspectors to review the York Local Plan. We believe strongly that without a Local Plan in place we may struggle to meet collective ambitions for new homes, office and industrial space. On devolution, we welcome Government’s reference to York and North Yorkshire in the Levelling-Up White Paper. The move towards a Mayoral Combined Authority model is greatly supported by the Chamber, with the ability to deliver real leadership for the region now in sight. Access to skills remains challenging and the Chamber has been invited to meet regularly with York and North Yorkshire’s college network to facilitate greater intelligence sharing. Likewise the Chamber is a member of the YNY LEP Employment & Skills Board, again to ensure members have a channel to share their skills issues with policy makers and educationalists. I’d like to close my column by remarking how impressed I’ve been with business from all corners of our county in the reopening following COVID, with real resilience and persistence being demonstrated across the board. The Chamber has been actively engaged with its partner organisations across both the public and private sector in recent months to help ensure businesses are fully supported in the ‘return-to-normal’, and will continue its efforts as we move into the spring. Laurence Beardmore President York & North Yorkshire Chamber

Award-winning accountants open regional office in York Award-winning accountancy firm 360 Chartered Accountants have developed their portfolio of clients in and around York, and see now as the perfect time to open a base in the city. Andy Steele, Director of 360 Chartered Accountants, said: “We are really excited about opening our office right in the centre of York. It’s always been in our business plan to expand outside of Hull and East Yorkshire and as our client portfolio here in York has grown, we have seized the opportunity – and can’t wait to welcome both our current clients and future clients to Blake House on Blake Street. “We chose this location because it is right in the heart of the city. There is a fantastic and continually growing business economy here and we know that our services are a perfect fit for so many business owners who have been hit hard over the last couple of years. We worked throughout the pandemic, offering advice and support to anyone who needed it, clients and non-clients. We guided them through the various government grant systems and helped our clients claim nearly £10 million in furlough payments across all sectors. There’s also been some great innovation and we have helped businesses adapt to the changing climate. We understand what people have been through and are still going through and we can’t wait to start sharing our knowledge and expertise with even more businesses across York.” 360 Chartered Accountants couldn’t be more different to the image of a typical, ‘boring’ accountancy firm. Their success lies in a willingness to remain agile as a practice in an ever-changing financial and business climate. They are 21 st century accountants embracing modern technology to give their clients every advantage. Innovative and forward thinking, they have invested in IT and modern technology to simplify and speed up accountancy processes, so that clients can view real-time accounts in a secure cloud environment at any time of the day or night, which in turn allows them to make better, more informed decisions based on up-to-the minute figures. It also means the team is able to work from home if necessary, with no disruption to clients, which has been invaluable over the last two years.

Rollits bolsters property team Ruth Maltby-Sinkler graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Hull and, after gaining a Distinction at the University of Law in York, completed her training locally. Qualifying in 2015, Ruth has specialised in commercial property since then, gaining experience with major firms in Leeds and Manchester including an in-house secondment with Network Rail. Ruth brings experience in all aspects of commercial property law, including leasehold and freehold, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending, acquisitions, disposals and corporate support work. She said “I’m very pleased to join such a well-known and

60 not out! David Armitage celebrates a lifetime in brick David Armitage, the founder and chairman of the award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, is celebrating 60 unbroken years in the brick industry. He explained: “Moving to York Handmade was a dramatic change for me, as I went from a mass market brick producer supplying large scale schemes to a small niche supplier with a selective market. We haven’t stood still at York Handmade and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved here with a loyal and dedicated staff. “It is fair to say that York Handmade’s market is extremely varied. Conservation is an important area for York Handmade along with highquality one off self-build homes which have been the mainstay of our operation when we first started.”

highly respected firm and I am looking forward to helping the team build on the strong reputation it already has for property work.” Chris Crystal, who leads the commercial property team said “Ruth is a welcome addition to our team which earned a Tier 1 ranking for commercial property in Yorkshire and Humber in the latest edition of the UK Legal 500 publication. He added: “The quality of support that we offer clients is reflected by the fact that we have maintained our position as one of the top ranked firms in our region for commercial property expertise, helping them deal with both the unprecedented challenges and the new opportunities in a changing market.

Funding to support an ageing workforce, graduate recruitment and changing markets The University of York is offering its knowledge and expertise to help local small and medium-sized businesses to thrive. The Specialist Skills Support Programme (SSSP) will deliver a programme of fully funded business training, coaching, consultancy and advice to support micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and their employees. Local business owner, John Taylor of Country Products, said: “Taking part in this Programme has given our company a real focus for planning our succession. It is no doubt the catalyst that we need. I really like the perceptions of our values and putting it down in an email really clarifies it for me.”

Ware & Kay welcomes three new members to the Board of Directors Expanding law firm Ware & Kay Solicitors (with offices in York, Wetherby & Malton) is delighted to announce the promotion of Sian Foster, Holly Stevens and Philip Taylor to the firm’s Board of Directors. This appointment is part of the firm’s ambitious strategy for the future. Sian Foster, Head of Wills & Probate and Holly Stevens, Head of Residential Property have been promoted to Directors at the York office. Meanwhile, Philip Taylor, Head of Residential Property in Malton, has been promoted to Director at the Malton office (Pearsons & Ward). Ware & Kay’s Managing Director, David Hyams, said: “I am delighted to welcome them to the Board and see them all actively participating in business planning, being strong leaders and role models, and helping with the development of the staff.”

West & North Yorkshire Business

WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

Adapt and thrive 2022 got off to a busy start as restrictions were pared back and with the economy recovering, although there are many headwinds to face as inflationary pressures come to the fore and recruitment proves extremely challenging. The UK-EU Trade & Co-operation Agreement continues to hinder imports and exports with the continent. Research conducted across the Chamber network and published in February said 71% of exporters felt the EU trade deal is not enabling them to grow or increase sales and the majority said the deal had put UK firms at a competitive disadvantage with additional costs, delays and increased paperwork all contributing to this. Despite these challenges many firms are beginning to adapt to customs documentation and trade procedures, many for the first time, and having developed the skills and capabilities to move goods across borders the Chamber is keen to help these firms seek out new markets around the world. The first quarter of 2022 was also taken up by the search to find a successor for our CEO Sandy Needham, who announced before Christmas she would be retiring in the Spring. I am delighted to say following an extensive search that we have appointed James Mason as your new CEO. James will be well known to many from his time at Bradford City, the BBC and most recently at destination marketing organisation, Welcome 2 Yorkshire. James will take up his role from May 2nd. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Sandy for her tireless support and advocacy for the region’s business community and for everything she has done to ensure the Chamber continues to be a force for good business across West & North Yorkshire. Amanda Beresford Chair of the Board West & North Yorkshire Chamber

Mayor of West Yorkshire supports Diversity-inConstruction initiative A group of Year 10 girls from Beeston in Leeds sampled hands-on construction taster sessions to mark International Women’s Day 2022. Hosted at Leeds College of Building’s Southbank Campus, the pilot event gave female pupils aged 14 and 15 the opportunity to sample construction-related training. These sessions are ideal for those considering a career in the industry. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, joined the cohort from Cockburn School as they learned more about Transport Planning, Architecture, and Painting & Decorating professions. The students listened to talks by female lecturers and then experienced trade skills first-hand. More than 70,000 people in West Yorkshire alone work in construction. However, many employers struggle to recruit people with the right skills. Currently, women only make up around 14% of construction industry professionals in the UK. Nikki Davis, Vice Principal – Teaching, Learning & Quality at Leeds College of Building, said: “The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. At the College, we are passionate about being inclusive, challenging stereotypes, and responding to the inadequate number of women employed in construction in the UK. “Our past female students have an excellent track record of high achievement. Many have gained managerial posts, worked on big construction projects with global firms in areas such as civil engineering or architecture, or won industry accolades. Perhaps some of the girls here today may join their ranks.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “For us to deliver the fair and ambitious recovery our region needs, it’s vital that we narrow the skills gap many employers are facing today, and showcase the well-paid, skilled jobs on offer in the construction industry. On International Women’s Day, this event is a fantastic opportunity for young West Yorkshire women to try something new, build their confidence and learn about an exciting new career.”

West & North Yorkshire Business

Meet Kraish – Transdev’s youngest ever bus driver! someone’s day with a smile or a quick chat when they get on my bus.

getting to know my regular customers every day.

“I’d worked in a discount store for almost two years when I decided to make this change into bus driving, and I’ve never looked back since.

“The people I meet are all happy and friendly and I’m just glad to be here for them. This is the job I always wanted to do.”

“I’m enjoying every single minute” Kraish said. “Every day is different, and the best part of it is making

“I enjoy driving, plus the customer service skills I learned behind the till are helping me now to look after people on my bus. I’m usually on the Otley Dash route – we’re the local bus in and around Otley and already I’m

Kraish qualified as a bus driver at The Academy, Transdev’s dedicated training facility, under the watchful eye of instructor Barry Dean – who shares his many years of on-the-road experience with trainee drivers.

De-carbonising hat-trick for William Birch

Haines Watts bolsters corporate finance with new appointment

New Chair for Yorkshire & North East Advisory Board

York based main contractor, William Birch, has secured three new projects and a place on the national Fusion21 De-carbonisation framework to de-carbonise public buildings in the region.

Leading accountancy and business advisory firm Haines Watts has continued to strengthen its corporate finance offering in the North, having appointed Lee Jefferson to support their growing client base.

The Canal & River Trust, the waterways and wellbeing charity that cares for 316 miles of waterways in Yorkshire and the North East, has appointed Helen Grantham as the new chair of its Regional Advisory Board.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has awarded William Birch a £1.5m project to de-carbonise three public buildings; Bridlington Spa and Beverley based Annie Reed Road Depot and County Hall.

The new appointment comes as the team continues to expand its pipeline of corporate finance work across Leeds, Humber, the North East and Manchester.

The voluntary role, for an initial threeyear term, will help the Trust connect people and communities with the region’s waterways – covering North, South and West Yorkshire, East Riding, and parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Meet Kraish Symes – at just 18 years of age, he’s become the youngest ever qualified bus driver to take the wheel with Yorkshire-based bus firm Transdev. Kraish has left behind his day job behind the till for a new career on the road with Transdev – and for him, it’s the job he always wanted to do.

Simon Potter, Construction Director said: “We’re all at different stages of the journey towards net zero, and we are helping our customers develop their own roadmap for reducing emissions, maximising savings and efficiencies, while creating cleaner futures for all.”

Lee joins the team as Corporate Finance Assistant Manager and brings a wealth of experience having worked in the industry for over 16 years. Lee is the second senior corporate finance appointment over the last 12 months, with Maria Mckenna having joined as Manager earlier in the financial year.

Helen, from Harrogate, will lead the Advisory Board to give people a voice in developing and improving their local waterways and an opportunity to help guide the Trust’s decisions and strategies.

West & North Yorkshire Business

14 INTERNATIONAL

Inspiring the next generation of trade experts

Year 13 A-level students from Sir Titus Salt School in Yorkshire, heard how international trade can open up a world of career opportunities. The school, named after mill owner Sir Titus Salt who built the nearby model village to house his workers in 1853, is located in Saltaire; a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. As part of their A-level Business Studies preparation, the students heard from Peter Bainbridge, Export Advisor at Chamber International, on how exports represent 30% of the UK’s GDP; international trade supports 6.5 million UK jobs, and jobs linked to exporting pay above the national average.

Peter said: “From Brexit to Russian sanctions and from new trade deals to the disruption to global supply chains, there has never been a more exciting and important time to pursue a career in international trade. Supporting over 3,500 UK exporters, from FTSE 100 companies to first-time SMEs, no two days are the same as an Export Advisor at Chamber International. Chamber International looks forward to continuing working with the next generation of international trade experts.”

Chamber International helps hundreds of new and experienced exporters throughout the UK with a wide range of specialist services to make exporting easier and more cost effective. Chamber International is the international division of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and has offices in Bradford and London. Follow Chamber International on Twitter @ChamberInt.

West & North Yorkshire Business

INTERNATIONAL 15

Big catch for Chamber International as it helps export innovative £1m fisheries harvest plant to Chile A £1m innovative salmon harvesting plant that operates on board a vessel has been exported from the Shetland Islands to Chile with support from overseas trade specialist, Chamber International.

Chile, has 33 operating vessels, 375 staff and Euro 60m turnover. Aquaship UK, created in 2018 in a merger between GripShip AS, and Johnson Marine Ltd, Shetland Islands, has 110 staff and a £17.5m annual turnover.

The self-contained deck-mounted harvest plant, designed and manufactured by aqua-service company, Aquaship Ltd, Lerwick, has been exported to Puerto Montt, capital of Chile’s Los Lagos region, through Antwerp in Chamber International’s most northerly UK contract.

Chamber International applied the origin rules set out in the UK–Chile Free Trade Agreement before the Aquaship salmon harvesting plant sailed to determine the duty status of the vessel and the documentation needed for customs clearance.

The harvest plant was exported to Gripship SPA Chile, Puerto Varas, an Aquaship business, for use on 1800m3 wellboat, Grip Pacific, which is on long-term charter to fish farming company, Blumar Seafood, that supplies Atlantic and Coho salmon to the US, Brazil, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Aquaship general manager, Alan Bourhill, says: “We are a growing business working in a dynamic sector of the UK economy. Gripship and Blumar chose us for this project because of our knowledge and experience of producing vessel-based harvest systems.

A major innovation of the Aquaship equipment is that it enables a conventional wellboat to be turned into a ‘utility wellboat’ so fish can be harvested at the quayside as opposed to the cage side. All existing fisheries technology relies on a slower, less efficient, system of transporting live fish onto an on-shore harvesting plant adjoining a primary processing factory or a harvesting at the cage-side using a separate vessel. Aquaship serves the world’s largest salmon farmers on long-term contracts and operates vessels within all four major maritime aqua-service sectors of live-fish-carriers, harvest vessels, service vessels and fish feed carriers. The company, which has bases in Norway, UK, Canada and

“We approached Chamber International for support as we are principally a service company with limited experience in exporting manufactured goods and wanted to get the process right because avoiding delays, or bureaucratic errors, was crucial as we are chartering vessels to move the equipment with high costs. “Chamber International provided an excellent, efficient service providing the peace of mind we wanted.” Chamber International Director, Tim Bailey, said: “This enquiry is a good example of how UK businesses can overcome tariff barriers and be more competitive by utilising trade agreements. Aquaship saved its customer more than £60,000 in import duties through Chamber International checking the rules.”

West & North Yorkshire Business

16 INTERNATIONAL

Brexit: It’s not over yet

Get up to speed with Chamber International’s workshops Three virtual workshops to help businesses trade successfully with the EU, based on latest grassroots experience, are being held in May by overseas trade specialist, Chamber International. The workshops, held via Zoom, are themed “Brexit: It’s Not Over Yet” and have been devised from practical experience gathered by Chamber International trade and customs experts operating the latest new EU-UK trade regulations. An EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA), with new import and export regulations, has governed UK and the EU trade since January 1 2021, imposing more complex administration and requiring UK businesses to develop new skills, all of which are covered in a practical, easy-to-understand way during the workshops. The first May 10 event, between 9.30am and 12.30pm, focuses on rules of origin, trade agreements and commodity codes. Understanding rules of origin is becoming essential for international trade as various UK regional trade agreements are negotiated worldwide because they also regulate duty rates, preferential trade agreements, trade sanctions and import quotas. Topics to be covered by the workshop, which will help businesses boost exports and save import duties, include how to benefit from post-Brexit trade agreements with

100 + countries; checking goods meet origin rules and what proof of origin is needed; why commodity codes are important and which have changed and a practical guide to proofs of origin, including EUR1s and exporter statements.

“The sessions address the challenges, provide practical solutions and are packed with expert tips, time-saving tools and real-life case studies to help businesses keep abreast of the plethora of new regulations.” The second workshop, the same afternoon between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, will discuss VAT, which is now more complex if a business carried out EU cross-border trade before Brexit. It will cover topics including what Brexit means for business VAT; VAT and exports; triangular trade; evidence requirements for zero-rating exports; import VAT: payment and recovery;

deferring VAT payments, distance sales and online market places. The third workshop, on May 11, between 9.30am and 12.30pm, will prepare businesses for HMRC audits as import and export customs checks are carried out remotely and companies that fail to comply may face increased inspections, the loss of customs approvals and/or back duty demands. The event will help businesses create a strong commercial structure to remain legal and will include how to start an internal review; top 10 compliance failings; using checklists, process flows and guidelines; the importance of record keeping; VAT hurdles, commodity codes and duty free claims; customs authorisations, origin and evidencing export; suppliers declarations and stress testing your processes. Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, said: “These workshops have been devised from valuable lessons our transition team and customs specialists have learnt after 12 months helping hundreds of businesses across the industrial and commercial spectrum in dealing with the new era of EU trade. The cost of each workshop per delegate is £312 (excluding VAT) for regular customers and Chamber members and £342 (excluding VAT) for other customers and businesses that are not Chamber of Commerce members.

West & North Yorkshire Business

INTERNATIONAL 17

Widen your horizons through the John Speak Language Trust The John Speak Language Trust was founded in 1924, when a Bradford visionary left significant funds to help students improve their language skills and support the export trade of UK goods and services. This visionary was John Speak, a leading figure in the Yorkshire textile industry. John Speak anonymously donated these funds to the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, as he recognised that long-lasting and strong commercial relationships are more often born by understanding other languages and cultures.

Mastering multiple languages not only provides enjoyment and a wider understanding of the world in which we live, but also opens the door to a range of employment opportunities. In its 98-year history, the Trust has helped numerous people travel across the globe, to countries as far reaching as Argentina, Italy, Japan and China. A John Speak Language Trust Scholarship can provide you with complementary funding to assist your overseas travel when studying a language. Successful applicants benefit from an average award of

£1,870 each. Scholarships last between three and twelve months and can be tailored to individual circumstances.

Applications for the 2022 scholarships are now open! You can find the application criteria and details on how to apply on the John Speak website: www.johnspeaktrust.co.uk Applications close on Friday 22 April.

West & North Yorkshire Business

18 PROFILE

Autohorn helps to raise over £4,700 in cooking challenge! Picture this, it’s January, it’s cold and we’re busy doing what we do best – delivering lots of shiny new cars right across the UK and the phone rings. However, this phone call was different, it was a challenge to put to us directly by non other than The York Grand Hotel. The challenge in mind was a fine dining experience, to fundraise for the Lord Mayor of York’s three charities – York Mind, Safe and Sound Homes (SASH) UK and The Wilberforce Trust. Now, we’re no strangers to the kitchen and we thought, how hard could it really be? So we sent 10 of our very best, each from different teams, to act as front-of-house chefs to serve guests in a fine dining experience. To ensure nothing awry, the teams were all under the watchful eye of cookery school head tutor Andrew Dixon. In true ‘Ready Steady Cook’ style, both teams were tasked with creating dishes around venison which was kindly donated by Holme Farmed Venison, Starting with our appetiser, we went with grilled goat’s cheese on a sourdough crouton with heritage beetroot and balsamic reduction. Our star dish was venison wellington with individual venison cottage pie, parsnip mash, broccoli and red wine gravy.

To finish with something sweet, our dessert was Jamaican ginger cake with rhubarb compote and homemade vanilla ice cream. And with it being us, we opted for a full-on ‘Yorkshire’ theme! While Team Grand offered sous vide venison loin in herb crust with cherry and port sauce, accompanied by glazed carrots and mousseline potatoes and Goats cheese and honey tartlets were offered as starters and rhubarb and custard Grand-style for dessert. Both teams began prep at lunchtime, 10th March ready for the evening guests who had the arduous task of enjoying a gin cocktail and fine wine and had to sample meals from each team before voting for who would be placed at the end of the night. And the result? “A draw!” exclaimed the Lord Mayor, Chris Cullwick. “But everyone had a great evening raising funds for the work of these charities and I thank the Grand Hotel, Autohorn and all the sponsors whose generosity made this possible.” “Despite the draw, the real winners are York Mind, Safe and Sound Homes (SASH) UK and The Wilberforce Trust. These are three fantastic organisations which provide so much for our local community and to be able to raise more than £4,700 for them in one night is incredible and something we are very proud of” Scott Jenkins, Operations and Sales Director at Autohorn

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SUPPORT 19

Amity Brew Co was set up by friends in the middle of the pandemic. The team started producing beer in June 2020 and in December 2020 they opened a brewhouse in Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley. Russ Clarke, one of the founders, had worked for Brewdog and then a smaller brewer, before leaving in 2019 to set up a business with friend Richard Degnan. The initial plan was to set up in retail, selling beer via a shop. But the plans morphed as more people came on board and as Russ found the perfect venue for a taproom and as he took advice from an AD:VENTURE business adviser. The brewhouse is open from Thursday to Sunday, selling beer produced on site, which is also sold via wholesalers and online. The business now employs eight, with plans to take on more. When Russ approached AD:VENTURE he wasn’t too sure which direction he was going in. He and Richard were considering the retail option, selling other people’s beers. “In the early days I just had a concept, there was nothing tangible. I knew I wanted to do something with beer and that’s where the idea of a shop selling classic beers came in. But once I found the premises, that started to make me think it was possible to actually produce our own beer, rather than just selling other people’s,” says Russ, who then started looking for

support for the fledgling business. “Even at the start I was given help by AD:VENTURE. There were various workshops I could go on and I was given a business adviser, who helped with all sorts of issues.” Amity initially applied successfully for a £75,000 start-up loan from AD:VENTURE partners, The Business Enterprise Fund. After seeing growth early on despite the pandemic, they applied for a £40,000 grant for investment into the business. Working with an AD:VENTURE business advisor, Amity Brew Co used some of the £40,000 to match-fund their AD:VENTURE grant application, securing an additional £15,000. The AD:VENTURE grant allowed Amity to invest in new canning equipment and helped bring packaging in-house. The aim is to offer a canning service to other small breweries and take on more staff. “The loan was helpful of course but the grants really helped and it has propelled us forward about three years. That enabled us to create jobs. That means everything. The brewer was literally working on his own and now we have got him an assistant. We have also created a new role as a Social Media and Marketing Assistant.” Amity also launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise £15,000 to increase production at the Sunny Bank Mills site

and to improve the outside terrace. The campaign smashed the target, reaching over £40,000. The successful growth means Amity Brew can now look positively to the future with plans to possibly open other taprooms or take on a bigger production facility. “It’s just a no-brainer to use AD:VENTURE. To speak to a real person about your real issues and to be pointed in the right direction was exactly what we needed,” says Russ. “To try and do it all yourself means you are probably setting yourself up for a fall and I think the reason we have been so successful is we have leant on the expertise of others to help steer where we are going. “Having a sounding board is really important and someone who is on your side is vital. We are not just a faceless business to AD:VENTURE, we have got their backing and we know if we face hard times in the future we have got their help.” Verity Clarke, Communications Director at Amity, said: "Our start-up journey has not been an easy one, so we have relished receiving external support from AD:VENTURE. We're still a very small team and we value the courses, training, networking and general cheerleading from the AD:VENTURE team. It means so much to us that we're being recognised and supported."

West & North Yorkshire Business

Green Business Hub Businesses of all sizes play pivotal roles at all levels of our economy. Their vital and far-reaching impacts can be felt across all areas of our lives; driving growth, providing innovation and improving development. The same positive contributions by businesses are also sorely needed in the fight against climate change – with many businesses becoming more sustainable by reducing waste, moving towards renewable energy, and where possible, utilising greener supply chains. The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce launched its Green Business Hub back in January, with the aim of encouraging business of all sizes, and across all sectors, to consider which operational changes they could make to become more environmentally friendly. The Green Business Hub brings everything you need to know into one, easy access web page. The Hub features an array of information and resources to help you understand where your business is at currently, and what improvements you could be making. You will find links to funding and finance opportunities, avenues of support, and useful definitions to ensure you fully understand the options available. To help businesses source environmentally friendly suppliers; and to help promote Chamber

member companies who already offer such services, the Green Business Hub also includes a handy member directory so that you can find local providers able to cater to your businesses environmental and social governance (ESG) needs. Through the Green Business Hub, the WNY Chamber can also promote your green business success stories and case studies. Please email your content to marketing@wnychamber.co.uk Don’t forget to benchmark your business using the WNY Chamber’s free Raising the Bar Benchmarking Tool. Here you can record the social impact of your business in four key areas; community, environment, economy and education. Throughout 2022, you can log the changes your business has made, and visualise your progression on a convenient spider chart. The Benchmark Tool also allows you to compare your work to other businesses with a similar demographic. You can access the Benchmark Tool online here: raising-the-bar.org.uk/benchmark/

For more information on the Green Business Hub, and to find out how your business could get involved, please email info@wnychamber.co.uk

WEBINAR How to make your business carbon neutral 15 June 2022 : 11am – 12noon : Online This webinar delivered by Auditel, a leader in cost, procurement and carbon solutions, will un-clutter some of the confusion surrounding emissions management and carbon reporting. Industry experts, Robert Allison, Carbon Solutions Director and Paul White, Cost Procurement & Carbon Specialist, will explore the reasons why carbon management has become so important. They will also examine the challenges and misconceptions faced by many businesses when it comes to tackling their own carbon footprint. Finally, they will explain the process of achieving a BSI recognised specification for carbon neutrality and how gaining this internationally recognised specification can help companies win more business, as well as ensuring the long-term future for us all. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session. www.wnychamber.co.uk/events

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ENVIRONMENT 21

Defining standards for Net Zero and Carbon Neutral claims – Introducing PAS2060 Over the past year, we have seen a significant shift in the interest in matters relating to measuring and managing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions. Organisations are coming under pressure from many directions to measure their carbon emissions and to demonstrate that they are taking action to reduce them. This has increased the concern about the validity of claims by organisations about their carbon management activities. The term ‘greenwash’ is becoming commonly used to describe credible sounding claims with little real substance behind them. In turn, this has led to many organisations setting themselves up as self-proclaimed assessors, validators, verifiers, and accreditors of such claims. Without a standard against which to be measured, the credibility of an organisation’s claims cannot be verified and likewise, the credibility of the organisations verifying claims also cannot be guaranteed. At the moment, there are no accredited schemes for an organisation to demonstrate their carbon reduction credentials, outside of regulatory demand. There should be a high-quality way for an organisation to show how they are reducing their emissions. Having a universal and accepted standard is essential to develop trust and integrity in the market about an organisation’s activities, which in turn should help them market more effectively to consumers as well as

encourage investors and other stakeholders. Therefore, the British Standards Institution (BSI) have published a common definition and recognised standard for validation called PAS 2060 (updated in 2014). Over time it is likely that authenticating these will become an essential part of the process of moving to Net Zero or Carbon Neutrality. This part will require customers to produce Qualifying Explanatory Statements (QES). These in turn will need to be validated and whilst all of the steps required to achieve PAS2060 can be undertaken by a customer including self-validation, it is arguable that there is a credibility issue if any validation is done by the organisation undertaking these actions. Therefore, being validated by an independent organisation will add greater credibility. The highest level of assessment would be by a certification agency (i.e. accredited with UKAS). However, at the moment there is no certifiable standard (PAS 2060 has not been accredited yet), and though certification bodies can offer the validation services there are many other organisations who are also

offering this. When considering these organisations, care should be taken to ensure the following: What is their motivation for undertaking the validation? For example, are they using this as a vehicle to market their carbon offsetting services? There is a concern that many organisations are getting involved in validation and verification only as a means to develop other commercial opportunities. What level of validation is suitable for the customer’s needs? For example, do they need to be formally certified or will a reputable third party working to the recommended standards provide the service they need? If you are interested in having your emissions reported, measured and your carbon management activity validated against PAS 2060 then please let us know. We are strongly positioned to achieve this with you and to provide all the services to ensure you reach Net Zero Carbon whilst managing resources commercially. For more information contact Paul White T: 01423 209060 E: paul.white@auditel.co.uk

West & North Yorkshire Business

22 ENVIRONMENT

Solving a host of issues Starting a business requires a lot of consideration; financial, location, employees, products, to name but a few. But it isn’t just the importance of how to make a business successful and meet its client’s needs. It also requires careful consideration of the bigger picture: its environmental impact. Back in 2008, Nick Bascombe-Fox and Esmond Hastings started the web hosting company, HA, with a clear direction they wanted to take the business in; to provide fast, powerful, reliable and scalable web hosting services, with extremely responsive and personal support. As part of that business journey, Nick and Esmond knew the company would need to continually evolve and develop ways to make positive climate changes and provide the best hosting services for both its clients, and the environment. “Our sustainability strategy focuses on three core missions which we strive to improve; the planet, people and the community. This strategy has become part of the DNA within HA, our sense of purpose beyond profit.” Esmond Hastings, Director, HA. Fast forward to January 2022 and the team at HA are now extremely proud to be making a positive step forward and taking responsibility for how their power is generated. They will be offering web hosting services powered by 100% renewable energy supplies.

“It was important to us that we found a data centre which held the same ethos as we do. There are millions of active websites online across the world, and as web hosting providers, we need to take responsibility for the negative impact it is having on our environment. This development will allow us to implement positive changes within our industry and offer our clients a way to move towards a more sustainable way of working.” The data centre, located near London, is committed to environmental sustainability. It has been recognised as being one of the UK’s most energyefficient data centres, winning two awards in 2020 for its sustainability and efficiency. The climate change issue is here, and it is real. It is vital that businesses across the world realise the serious impact their corporate decisions have and understand the negative environmental impact they are causing. So how can your company make a positive difference? By simply switching to a greener web hosting

company, you will automatically help make a difference and reduce your impact on the environment. “Committing to and achieving our goal of offering a 100% renewable energy supplies has been challenging and a lot of hard work. By taking this step our clients can make the choice to lessen their impact on the environment whilst keeping the same level of expert service we have always provided,” said Esmond. The team at HA are excited about their future plans continuing to play their part improving the environmental impact of the web hosting industry. Every small step in the right direction helps, and Nick and Esmond are delighted to have also partnered with a company which helps offset the emissions from the team’s personal and professional lives. Esmond Hastings said: “As we move forward with our sustainability strategy, we are asking everyone in the HA ecosystem, from our suppliers to our customers, to come with us on this journey and become an active force for change.” If you are keen to get the ball rolling or have any questions about green energy web hosting, the team at HA are more than happy to talk you through them, call 0800 8620844 or email info@weareha.co.uk.

West & North Yorkshire Business

CASE STUDY 23

Environmental and social governance DWF, the global legal business with an office in Leeds, has published its Environmental & Social Governance (ESG) Strategy. The launch of the strategy follows a comprehensive review of business processes and behaviours alongside the completion of an independent Materiality Assessment. It therefore reflects the ESG issues most important to all stakeholders of the Group. It includes ambitious science-based targets through which the Group commits to reducing carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, along with stretched targets to further improve the Group’s diversity and inclusion.

Kirsty Rogers, Head of ESG at DWF, said: “Our strategy and targets provide a framework that will ensure there is a sustained commitment and focus on how we do business, and for driving change for a better future for all our stakeholders.

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“We have set and are committed to targets that we know will be challenging but believe that our colleagues will want to be part of a sustainable solution. A 50% reduction in emissions, especially in Scope 3, relies on changes in behaviour from everybody, but this is necessary given the scale and urgency of action required. We are focussed on working with our colleagues to educate, engage and support everyone with our shared aim.

“The increased emphasis on ESG and the expectations of businesses to respond appropriately are both welcome and necessary. The challenges facing the world are substantial, in some cases daunting, but all businesses have a responsibility to do more to tackle them, by ensuring that we operate responsibly and contribute positively to a sustainable future for generations to come. “ESG is fundamental to our success as a firm, in terms of delivering our strategy, realising commercial advantage, and in retaining and attracting key talent.”

“In addition to our stretched diversity and inclusion targets, alongside our work on equality, we are also committed to improving our pay gap reporting. This will mean extending our existing UK gender pay gap reporting so that it is a global report and ensuring that we have pay gap reporting across all other aspects of inclusion, not just gender.”

The group ESG Strategy has six priority areas:

DWF’s KPIs

Climate action: Becoming a net zero business within a low carbon economy.

Climate

Diversity and inclusion: Accelerating progress to improve representation and diverse talent pipelines. Empowering colleagues and our communities: Sustaining a skilled workforce today and for the future, continuing to prioritise colleague health and wellbeing, and taking action to help and collaborate with communities in need. Supporting and connecting with our clients: Being clear and transparent about how we can help clients to improve their sustainability performance through an ESG-centric approach. Acting with integrity in everything that we do: Taking ownership and holding ourselves accountable for the way we do business. Building trust and increasing transparency: Enhancing the credibility of our own ESG disclosure, consistent with our purpose of delivering positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities.

Reduce Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030.

Gender Increase the proportion of women on the PLC and Executive Boards to at least 40% by 2025, with the same target applying to the proportion of women in all senior management roles.

Ethnicity In the UK, increase the representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues across senior management to at least 10% by 2025. In the UK, increase the representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues across all career bands to at least 13% by 2025. In the UK, increase Black representation overall and in senior roles to at least 3% by 2025.

West & North Yorkshire Business

24 PROFILE

Caring for our community As one of the largest 'at scale' providers of primary care in the North of England, Nimbuscare offers services to around 250,000 people across the York area. A relatively young but rapidly growing not-for-profit organisation, it is formed from 11 GP practices with a passion for delivering high quality local care for local people. Its member practices work collaboratively to deliver new, innovative and sustainable health care services at scale. This approach allows them to share resources, expertise and services, and work as one single entity to deliver services when it makes sense to do so at a city-wide scale. As providers of community based care, Nimbuscare’s member practices’ shared goal is to work together across the health and care system to improve the health, wellbeing and experience of the population.

Nimbuscare Local care for local people. www.nimbuscare.co.uk @Nimbuscare1 nimbuscare-limited Nimbuscare

In October 2020, Nimbuscare turned a disused car park at Askham Bar in York into the York Vaccination Centre and launched a mass flu vaccination programme for local patients. Just weeks later, when the Covid-19 vaccination programme began, the Askham Bar site became one of the first NHS National Covid-19 Vaccination Centres in England and has since administered almost 600,000 Covid jabs.

However, vaccinations are just one of the many healthcare services that Nimbuscare provides. A further example of innovative practice is its collaboration, in October 2021, with York and Scarborough Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and local NHS commissioners to develop a clinic for children under 11 years with respiratory conditions with the aim of preventing them from having to go to hospital unnecessarily. Known as the Children’s Ambulatory Treatment Hub (CAT Hub), the service is delivered from Nimbuscare’s Askham Bar site. Nimbuscare has also been working to meet the health and care needs of our asylum seeker population, as well as setting up an Improving Access Service to offer patients who work during the week the ability to access GP appointments at weekends and in the evenings. Through its Covid Recovery Hub, Nimbuscare is working with partner organisations to offer a wide range of services aimed at helping both individual patients and the NHS to recover from the impact of Covid-19. Keen to invest back into the communities that it serves, Nimbuscare recently established a Community Fund to award grants to projects. The theme will change annually, but this year the focus is on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of local people.

West & North Yorkshire Business

PROFILE 25

DWF announces Riyadh as its regional headquarters DWF Group plc, together with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, announced its planned launch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the establishment of Riyadh as its regional headquarters for business services. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony during the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, which was attended by His Excellency Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Fahd AlRasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Sir Nigel Knowles, CEO of DWF Group, and Mohab Khattab, who will become the CEO of DWF Arabia, a DWF Group entity. DWF has also established a new association with local law firm Al-Ohaly & Partners. DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services through its three divisions of Legal Advisory, Mindcrest (an alternative legal service provider) and Connected Services. The Company became the first Main Market Premium Listed legal business on the London Stock Exchange in March 2019. The strategic developments announced will enable DWF to provide clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf region with business services supplied by Mindcrest and Connected Services under DWF Arabia, alongside access to Legal Advisory services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its association with Al-Ohaly & Partners. Mohab Khattab is an experienced senior Saudi lawyer and executive with a substantial background in M&A and business development in the legal, energy, financial services, and TMT sectors. Prior to DWF, he was the General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company (Dussur). Al-Ohaly & Partners is a

Legal Advisory firm, which will provide counsel on matters relating to dispute resolution, corporate and banking & finance. Abdulrahman Al-Ohaly is a licensed and qualified lawyer with significant experience representing clients in litigation, corporate transactions, M&A, and corporate restructuring within the Gulf region. Sir Nigel Knowles, Group CEO at DWF Group plc, said: "This is an important step forward for us in developing our ability to support our clients wherever they need us to be. At the Future Investment Initiative, we have committed to develop our regional hub in the KSA where we can offer our differentiated business services to clients through Mindcrest and Connected Services. "We will build our presence in KSA in the months and years ahead, to support both the Government of Saudi Arabia and the business community as a trusted advisor. The ambitions set out by Vision 2030, will transform both the Kingdom and the wider region and are consistent with our goal of creating job opportunities and contributing to the diversification of the Saudi Arabian economy. DWF Arabia and Al-Ohaly & Partners will work closely with our existing teams in Doha, Dubai and globally."

DWF Group plc dwfgroup.com @DWF_Law @DWF

West & North Yorkshire Business

26 MANUFACTURING

Addressing the manufacturing skills gap Increase in apprenticeships and new talent recruitment is critical to addressing Yorkshire’s manufacturing skills gap. Staff shortages and supply chain disruption were singled out as the two biggest challenges faced by Leeds’ 1,800 manufacturing businesses at an in-person event to launch the 2022 Leeds Manufacturing Festival, attended by over 70 employers, training providers and young people. Speaking at the event, held at Leeds City College’s flagship Printworks Campus, Andrew Wright, nonexecutive chairman of Leeds textiles firm AW Hainsworth, LEP board member and deputy chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Economy & Innovation Committee, said: “West Yorkshire is among the best places to work in the world, and as a region we have a reputation for manufacturing highvalue products that require highly skilled people to make them. The shortage of skilled staff and the problems in the supply chain, however, are major obstacles to be overcome, which is why attracting new talent into the industry is so crucial.” Mr Wright said that a significant increase in the number of young people taking up manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships was needed in order to address these

challenges as well as to boost productivity, especially by connecting systems and further digitalisation, and to meet Leeds City Region’s 2038 carbon neutral target. Now in its fifth year, the Leeds Manufacturing Festival showcases apprenticeships and other career opportunities on offer for young people within the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Over the coming months the 2022 festival will feature a series events, including a manufacturing careers showcase hosted by Leeds City College, careers fairs in schools, online careers panels, virtual work experience sessions and visits to some of Leeds’ leading manufacturing firms. Manufacturing employers were also represented at the Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair at the First Direct Arena in Leeds in February as part of National Apprenticeship Week. Jack Harris, a 23-year old apprentice at Leeds Welding Company, attended the launch event, said: “I went into my apprenticeship inspired by my grandad who had worked at the Vickers factory, making tanks. The apprenticeship has been diverse and I have learned so many skills since joining Leeds Welding after A-levels. “Opting for an apprenticeship rather than university has given me hands-on

learning that’s provided paid employment and enabled me to discover the areas of the business such as logistics that I’m most interested in. If you’re practically, rather than academically minded, an apprenticeship is a great option and manufacturing has so many different specialisms within it.” Tracey Dawson, managing director of Daletech Electronics and chair of this year’s festival, said: “The festival is a fantastic window on to the manufacturing sector in Leeds and we’re urging students to come and find out from people who are already working in it about the careers that are available and the skills and qualifications that will best equip them for the great jobs that are out there.” Schools, manufacturing businesses and students can find out more about Leeds Manufacturing Festival and get involved on the website, www.leedsmanufacturingfestival.co.uk The festival is supported by sponsors Leeds City College, specialist recruiter for the manufacturing and engineering sectors E3 Recruitment and accountancy firm Saffery Champness. It is organised by the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance and supported by Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region LEP, Leeds Chamber and the Ahead Partnership.

West & North Yorkshire Business

MANUFACTURING 27

No effort wasted During Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2021 (BMW21), schools were invited to participate in a competition to develop a waste recycling unit. Students were given the challenge of designing and manufacturing their own waste recycling units which would be used at their school or college. The brief detailed how the designs should be practical yet fun; encouraging their peers to recycle instead of throwing away. The competition judges were captivated by the entries and impressed by how students had immersed themselves into the world of manufacturing to create such innovative solutions. The entry from Oastler school students focused on recycling crisp packets, developing a prototype based on an old fashioned mangle, which was upgraded to use an old laminator to feed the packet through the rollers, simultaneously collecting and processing them. The next innovation involved the Crisp Packet Project, a group of volunteers using this waste as a resource. The packets were converted and made into survival blankets and bivvy bags for people living on the streets, with the advantage of them being waterproof and thermally insulating. The winners were presented with their certificates at a small presentation event at each school.

Category: Yr 7-9 Joint 1st: Beckfoot Thornton Joint 2nd: Beckfoot Thornton

Category: Yr 10-13 1st: Oastler School 2nd: Bradford Alternative Provision 3rd: Bradford Alternative Provision BMW21 would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: Barclays, E3 Recruitment, Naylor Wintersgill, Bradford Council and LCF Law.

West & North Yorkshire Business

28 TECHNOLOGY

New Chamber policy group to address tech sector concerns across regional economy The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is looking to see what more can be done to support businesses working in-and-with the tech sector.

Dan Murray of Leeds List, currently Vice-President of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, will be taking a leading role in the group as it moves forward. He said:

A Chamber-led business support group, covering Bradford, Leeds and York & North Yorkshire, is pulling together a team of expert knowledge in order to keep firms abreast of changes, and to take advantage of commercial opportunities that are arising. The fast-moving pace of the tech sector in recent years has left some firms, especially smaller ones, struggling to keep up with industry-wide challenges, despite of the help that is currently available. The new group, managed by the Chamber’s Policy & Representation team, will look to help not only businesses currently working across all sub-sectors of tech, but also ambitious start-ups and firms that rely on the sector as a part of their operations.

“Developing technologies continue to have a profound impact on all our lives, not only in business, on a daily basis. It’s so important that as a regional business community we keep a handle on things, to ensure our region keeps in line and up-to-date with these fast-moving developments. I’ll be liaising closely with our members and the Chamber’s Policy & Representation team to look at a range of potential projects and initiatives, with the aim of supporting economic development and business growth.”

An initial ‘sounding out’ meeting has considered the challenges currently affecting the sector, and the Chamber will now formally create a Technology Group as part of its policy-making structure to complement some of its other sector-specific bodies, such as manufacturing, property and transport. More information and data about the sector and supply chains is now being collected before the Chamber then goes on to determine the short-term aims and longterm objectives of the group, which will also look to form alliances with other related bodies and organisations in pursuit of similar goals. The group currently consists of a range of businesses operating within the sector, but is expected to consider a wide-ranging number of issues that can affect the broader economy of West & North Yorkshire. In the initial instance, the Group will look into recruitment and skills challenges being experienced across the industry, with a focus on updating members on key regional developments and consultations with decision-makers on a local and national level.

York & North Yorkshire Chamber President, Laurence Beardmore, said: “I’m fully behind this new group looking at the ever-changing landscape of the technology sector. It’s crucial for us to keep up with those changes in order to support our members. Technological advances are helping our members to expand and grow and so it’s important for the wider development of our economy, for jobs and our futures that this sector continues to have the right support and scrutiny.” The Vice-President of Bradford Chamber, Mark Cowgill, added: “We have many businesses at the cutting edge of the tech sector and we’ll be tapping into their expertise on how to help the regional sector make the most out of a range of upcoming opportunities. Despite ongoing challenges of being in business, it is still an exciting time and this new group will have plenty to get its teeth into.”

Any businesses wanting to get involved with the Chamber’s new group should get in touch with the policy and representation team, marketing@wnychamber.co.uk.

West & North Yorkshire Business

REPRESENTATION 29

Mayor charts the way

A consultation is currently being promoted to businesses and other stakeholders, to both make them aware of the plans, and to seek feedback on the various measures due to be introduced. The intention is for the Charter to be about ‘good employment’, and not to scrutinise the practices of employers, although there have been some difficult and ‘honest conversations’ along the way before getting to this point. The Charter has five themes – opportunity, security, wellbeing, employee voice and fulfilment – and it is hoped that businesses will sign up to it to support its recognition and development. Those involved in creating the Charter represent a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, educationalists, NHS, ACAS and business representative organisations. Mike Cartwright, from the Chamber’s Policy & Representation team said: “We’ve been engaged from the start and understand the Mayor’s desire to build on the great employment opportunities West Yorkshire has. Stakeholders often had their own approach to what a Charter should include, and we frequently pointed out that the involvement and support of SMEs in initiatives such as these can be a test on their resources. The objectives are worthy but the measures used to achieve them need to be balanced and fair, otherwise businesses simply won’t sign up. We’ve informed the Mayor’s office of this, and will engage again once the consultation is complete.” More information on the consultation is available at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a-mayoral-combined-authority/mayoralpledges/fair-work-charter/ Themes and what they mean: 1

Opportunity: Pathways to employment; Flexible work; Recruitment; Progression

Security: Real Living Wage, guaranteed hours, minimise nonstandard contracts, sick pay from day 1

Wellbeing: Safe workplace, prevent discrimination/harassment, monitoring wellbeing)

Employee Voice: Consultation, representation, empowerment, participate in decision-making

Fulfilment: Learning/training provision, civic society engagement, performance development

Plans for a Fair Work Charter for West Yorkshire are well under way, with Mayor Tracy Brabin leading the charge.

West & North Yorkshire Business

30 CULTURE

Letting culture loose in Leeds It’s just over 40 weeks to go until LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture, and the team at LEEDS 2023 are busy building the programme of events and shaping the activities which will put Leeds onto the global stage as a city known for its creativity and culture. Our vision is a thriving city and region where creativity fuels opportunity, and we’ve set ourselves the target of creating extraordinary experiences for everyone. We’ve included sport and food in the cultural mix as we know these are ways that people connect and make memories. The programme will be a bold mix of large-scale events, city-wide community celebrations and public art. For example, there are plans for City Square to host an exciting new large-scale work which we can all be proud of. There’ll also be pop up surprises, a schools and education programme and skills development opportunities for those who want to build a career in the creative industries. We're still building it now and the more support we receive the bigger and more impactful it will be.

A successful LEEDS 2023 is one which is delivered in partnership. We’re already working with partners across the city and beyond, from funders to cultural organisations, from the universities to Leeds Rhinos and Leeds United, to businesses who have already joined us in this exciting journey. We know that it is by tapping into the expertise and experience of people and organisations in our region that we will deliver something not only extraordinary for the year, but which also leaves an impact for the future of the city and future generations.

There are many reasons to get involved with LEEDS 2023. We've already got a range of major partners on board, all of which bring something different to the table. They are drawn by the chance to be part of something special: a once in a generation opportunity to help drive cultural, economic and social benefits for this city on the rise. This is a team effort, and we need your help, to join the network of people and organisations behind us, supporting us. If you’d like to be part of that network, just speak to us.

There are many ways to get involved, from a £5k entry level sponsorship to Principal Partner; to offering us skills and services, venues or other opportunities.

As we look to our Opening Event in January 2023, excited about what we hope will be a defining moment for many and the kick off of our Year of Culture, we hope you’ll join us and be part of creating the memories and impact which will last a lifetime. If you’d like to have a conversation about becoming a partner, just email support@leeds2023.co.uk and one of the team will be in touch.

West & North Yorkshire Business

EVENT 31

Meet the Chamber

After a challenging couple of years, never before has your Chamber membership been so important. To highlight the benefits of Chamber membership, we held a ‘Meet the Chamber’ event at the Midland Hotel in Bradford. We were joined on the evening by members and non-members, looking to learn more about the Chamber benefits and services offered to them through membership. Membership Manager Liz Wood delivered an informal presentation highlighting and explaining how included benefits such as Legal help, HR advice, debt recovery and media circulation worked. The Chamber team and members of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Business Committee also attended to answer any questions. Meet the Chamber events are held throughout the year in West and North Yorkshire, please visit the Chamber Events page to find all of our upcoming events.

West & North Yorkshire Business

32 REPRESENTATION Shaping and influencing national policy – our work with the British Chambers Influencing policy at both national and international level, as well as regionally and locally, are important to ensure that businesses in our local areas in West & North Yorkshire continue to thrive. Strong relationships with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and international Chambers help to keep the business voice heard on decisions taken outside local areas that affect business prospects. West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is involved in several policy groups operated by the BCC, further details below. • Climate Challenge, this group is developing policy responses to the net-zero, sustainability and low carbon agenda. • Trade Policy Committee, looking at import/export affairs; results of recent research can be found at www.britishchambers.org.uk/news • Skills, examining labour market issues, including recruitment problems; see a recent statement on this at www.britishchambers.org.uk/news. WNY Chamber sits on two sub-groups working on adult skills and youth skills • Levelling Up, to help steer policy development following the White Paper publication • Northern Chambers Assembly, this group brings all of the accredited Chambers across the north together to collaborate on shared policy interests • Transport, focuses on national priorities which impact businesses across our region • Employment Land, identifies policy challenges around site allocations. This group seeks to ensure that employment land is given equal consideration within Local Plans • Clean Air Zones, this group is developing a policy tool kit to assist Chambers in discussions with local authorities to ensure consistency of approach with regards communication with businesses. • Economic & Tax Policy, working on national responses to matters including business rates, investment allowances and related policies. The Chamber would welcome input on any of these areas; if members would like to contribute please get in touch via marketing@wnychamber.co.uk

Chamber responds to Levelling Up White Paper The long-awaited Levelling Up white paper has set out the Government’s plan to fix the decades-long imbalance in life chances, opportunities, productivity, housing, education and infrastructure across the UK. There will also be a devolvement of more powers to the West Yorkshire Mayor, as well as a mayoral combined authority to cover York & North Yorkshire. The ambitions in the paper have been welcomed by the Chamber; we have long advocated for investment equality so that our region can play its full role in contributing to the national economy. Amanda Beresford, Chair of West & North Yorkshire Chamber and Planning Partner at Schofield Sweeney said: “The paper aligns well with the Chamber’s asks of policymakers in that Levelling Up must be about all parts of Government working together across departments to achieve outcomes which improve the livelihoods and prosperity for our region. “Levelling Up will not be achieved in a single parliamentary cycle and so it is right that the policy seeks to set targets beyond the next election. We have likened Levelling Up to the post-war Marshall Plan or East German reunification: it needs long-term commitment if we are to come anywhere near fixing the challenges left through de-industrialisation and from rural and coastal economic exclusion. “Whilst the paper sets out bold ambitions, it is light on how these interventions will be funded. The paper also references the need for infrastructure improvements which seems contradictory given the announcements late last year to scrap Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 East, both of which would have provided significant improvements to capacity and connectivity across the North. “The paper is right to propose increased devolution and we welcome the proposals for York and North Yorkshire; but this must come with significant funding and autonomy if it is to make real impact. Devolution must be a bottomup conversation not something prescribed by Whitehall. “The white paper also proposes to continue the Local Skills Improvement Plan initiative, which aims to put businesses at the heart of the skills agenda and ensure training providers can respond to current and future needs. Eight Chambers across the country led the pilot programmes and we hope the roll-out will enable our Chamber to develop regional programmes on behalf of firms across West and North Yorkshire. “The Chamber will continue to work with Government departments to help them understand the barriers to levelling up and ensure businesses are able to play a full roll through providing new employment, investment and growth opportunities.”

West & North Yorkshire Business

CULTURE 33 As this magazine went to print, Bradford had made it to the final four of the UK City of Culture competition. The city is now competing with County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough for the coveted title for 2025. The four finalists have been whittled down from a record 20 bids, where all were asked how they would use culture to grow and strengthen their area and recover from the pandemic. Winning the title brings benefits including higher employment, new investment, a boost to skills levels, and greater confidence. The last two cities to host the designation – Hull and Coventry – both saw significant boosts to investment in various areas, including regeneration, transport, culture and the arts, and hospitality and leisure. Bradford has already been cited in a government report as the place to benefit most from the ‘Levelling Up’ agenda. West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, like most other organisations in the city, is now

willing Bradford on to take that final step. Mike Cartwright, from the Chamber Policy & Representation team, said: "Well done to the bid team on ensuring that we made it onto the short list. They’ve done a great job so far. We’re now holding our breath again until we get across the finish line in this game-changer of a competition.” Build-up to Bradford’s bid for the prize has included an increased confidence in the creative sector: £2 million for ‘The Leap’, the city’s Creative People and Places programme; £1.5 million for ‘Bradford Producing Hub’ (a four-year project to support the production of live arts); recently launched ‘The Unit’ (a filmmakers’ resource backed by Channel 4 to generate a greater film production sector. David Wilson, Director of Bradford City of Film, said: “It’s a genuine team effort from many partners, businesses and individuals across Bradford district. It’s news we will be sharing with our UNESCO partners right across the world who know Bradford well as a UNESCO City of Film.”

Bradford culture bid gets closer

West & North Yorkshire Business

34 TRANSPORT

Rail – reflections on a decade long campaign January saw completion of £161m of investment into Leeds station. Upgrades include the new platform 0 along with lengthening of other platforms to accommodate more trains per hour. This follows more than a decade of campaigning by the Chamber for Network Rail and Government to recognise the role of Leeds station as the gateway into Yorkshire’s largest economic centre. It was June 2011 when Network Rail’s then Director of Property addressed Chamber members, informing them “Not to expect a St Pancras in Leeds” and proceeded to make them aware of a series of what later were described as ‘maintenance projects’. The backlash from this session was strong and the Chamber was provided in no uncertain terms with a mandate to represent businesses across the Leeds City Region. Working with Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Leeds Rail Programme Board was established. This group brought together key rail stakeholders and continues to meet regularly to ensure the business and civic leadership of the city are able to contribute to conversations and decision making. The Chamber welcomed the completion of the station upgrades with Chair of West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Beresford, saying, “The investments made to Leeds Station are hugely important in demonstrating a commitment to realising the potential contained within the city. The £161m upgrades have already begun to improve regional connectivity, service reliability and passenger experience.” Despite these improvements, Leeds Station remains the third largest cause of delays to the national rail network, with impacts felt as far away as Plymouth and Aberdeen. The recently published, and hugely disappointing, Integrated Rail Plan was an opportunity to fix the problems but fell far short of what was promised and expected from Government. The Chamber is still of the view that additional improvements are needed and the building of new high speed infrastructure will free up capacity and create more connectivity to ensure inter-city, commuter services and freight movements can operate efficiently and effectively. Rail investment will continue to be a priority for the Chamber as we believe it will be a key component to levelling up the north.

Great British Railways Bid – York In support of City of York Council’s bid to make York the home of the soonto-be established Great British Railways (GBR), the Chamber invited Claire Foale, Assistant Director for Policy and Strategy at the Council, to update members on how they could get involved. The national competition will see cities around the country bid to be the new home for the successor organisation to Network Rail, with York in prime position to stake a claim. Expressions of interest will need to be submitted in March, with a shortlist announced in May. The competition involves a public vote in May and the Chamber will be of course be encouraging members to vote for York. The winner will then be announced in the summer. Fresh off the heels of Active Travel England (ATE) announcing their new HQ will be located in York, it was well recognised by Chamber members that should ATE be joined by a GBR HQ, York would have the potential of creating a national centre of gravity for a sustainable transport infrastructure. Foale reminded members that one of York’s key strengths centres on the fact that the city maintains a diverse rail campus with several national operators and suppliers based in city-centre locations, all within one mile of the station. In addition, it was acknowledged that York is home to one of the 12 digital signalling centres in the UK, with the city also having strengths in digital, data and automation. Following the meeting, York and North Yorkshire Chamber President, Laurence Beardmore, said: “Alongside our joint-work to help secure vital infrastructural upgrades in road and rail for our region, we’re proud to be supporting City of York Council in their recent campaign to situate the new Great British Railways national HQ in York. This bid wields great potential for the city, hosting the successor organisation to a pivotal national body such as Network Rail. With the city’s strong and established connections to the rail sector, dating back nearly two centuries, coupled with the highly skilled and specialised workforce in the area; we think York would be the perfect place for GBR to call home.” Chamber Transport Group Chair, Alastair Gordon, said: “This bid is a fantastic opportunity for York to be recognised for its rich and impactful rail heritage. Alongside a strong cultural argument, the city offers a robust proposal, with the infrastructure already in place to support the move. The Chamber firmly supports this proposal by the Council, and encourages the Department for Transport to consider the potential for York to be held as a shining example of the Levelling-Up agenda in action.”

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MEMBERSHIP 37

Make the most of your Chamber HR and H&S Services Members now have access to three complimentary One2One services. You can book a meeting with a Quest Business Support Manager to find out how you can make the most of these key member services. They are both included in your membership fee, and you have unlimited access to the advice and documents they provide…but do you really understand exactly how they can help you?

How you can find out! There are three different One2One meetings and you can choose one or take all three. It’s up to you Discover – helps you understand the full scope of the service, how it can help you, the advice line service, the document library, how to access it etc. Review – if your business is changing this is an opportunity to discuss areas or risk, get to understand your responsibilities and ensure you are compliant and protected Compare – find out how the Chamber services compare in terms of service and cover to any current outsourced provision.

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West & North Yorkshire Business

38 WOMEN IN BUSINESS “Make the most of opportunities open to you, even if you don’t feel 100% confident about them. Growth comes from doing new things.” Sandy Needham Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Women help Break the Bias Ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) which took place on Tuesday 8 March, the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce developed a campaign featuring inspiring female leaders from across its network. The 2022 IWD theme was Break the Bias; something the Chamber knew it could get involved with by showcasing the motivational stories and offering words of advice from successful women in a range of different sectors. The aim of the campaign was to inspire the next generation of budding female leaders, offering guidance on how to kickstart their career with confidence, or take that next step and move up the ladder. To begin the IWD campaign, Chamber colleagues spoke with Amanda Beresford, Chair of the WNY Chamber and Partner & Head of Planning at Schofield Sweeney LLP. When asked what advice she would give to a woman beginning her career, Amanda urged: “Cultivate an appearance of confidence, even if you don’t feel it, take a few smart risks and be prepared to step outside your comfort zone.” You can access information and resources on the Chamber’s Women in Business website: www.wnychamber.co.uk/women-in-business/

“When opportunities come knocking – grab them with both hands. Even if at times you feel uncomfortable – step outside that box and let yourself grow. You are amazing...” Joanne Love Site Communicator Solenis

“Listen to your conscience, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. Accept that imposter syndrome happens to us all so embrace it and allow it to make you feel proud and excited for the work you do! ” Alex Miles Managing Director Yorkshire Learning Providers

“Find your values and personal brand, be true to who you are. Be accepting of your imperfections (we all have them) and be brave at times to go out of your comfort zone.” Rebecca Fitzgerald Director of Data Yorkshire Building Society

“Be curious and ask questions. Show enthusiasm for the work that needs to be done. Treat your career as an exciting journey and keep an open mind.” Kathryn McKenning Learning & Development Manager Solenis

West & North Yorkshire Business

39 “Invest in yourself, learn, seek advice & support, ask questions, you don't have to be perfect and if you want to be promoted you have to let everyone know.”

“A piece of advice I would give to someone kick-starting their career is know yourself and your value, be assertive, humble and willing to learn.”

Natasha Hudson HR Manager West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Kersten England Chief Executive City of Bradford Metropolitan Council

“My mantra has always been just be who you are, be authentic and don’t pretend to be someone else. We need to be adaptable to change and be able to manage change.”

“Be confident to embrace traits such as, kindness and empathy. The most successful women stay true to themselves, showing the unique leadership qualities that they can bring. Success is about how you communicate with people, regardless of gender.”

Suzanne Watson Managing Director Approach PR

Victoria Wainwright Managing Director Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants

“Give credit where credit is due – a thank you goes a long way and nearly always comes back around. Always ask for help where it is needed: you don’t need to know everything!”

“We all waste energy doing all that is expected of us. Do something different that excites and challenges you. Make developing yourself a priority…everything starts with you!”

Justine Andrew Partner KPMG Leeds

Kate Fisher Production Manager Solenis

“Bring your personality to work and be yourself. D on’t let others change what is unique to you! Have courage and confidence to follow your dream and keep positive at all times.”

“My advice would be don’t wait for things to happen, make your own opportunities and surround yourself with great mentors, coaches and colleagues whenever you can.”

Caroline Pullich Managing Partner NFU Mutual & Senior Group Secretary NFU

Amanda Selvaratnam Associate Director of Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at the University of York

“Don't be intimidated, never be afraid, stay resilient and always follow your gut instinct. Smart hard work pays off so stay on task and don't allow distraction.”

“If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, make a change take a look at all the brilliant businesses in Leeds you could be working for or seek out the support to start your own.”

Kerry Hope Managing Director Castle Employment Group

Eve Roodhouse Chief Officer for Culture & Economy Leeds City Council

West & North Yorkshire Business

40 RAISING THE BAR

Yorkshire businesses raise the bar, a year in review Over the past two years, businesses across the West & North Yorkshire region have continued to improve their social impact; reducing the effect they have on the environment and supporting good causes local to them, despite the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has caused. To give these organisations the recognition they deserve, the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce launched its ‘Make a Pledge’ campaign through its Raising the Bar initiative at the start of 2021. The campaign encouraged businesses of all sizes and across all sectors to vocalise the work they had been doing, or planned to do, to improve their social impact. The campaign resulted in numerous pledges, with businesses reducing the amount of waste they produced, supporting local school children with their literacy, and working towards achieving Net Zero by 2040. Four businesses received outstanding recognition for their pledges at an event held by the Chamber in November. Throughout 2021, the Raising the Bar initiative has also connected businesses in the Chamber network with

charities and not for profits looking for help. Intellistart, a Leeds-based marketing agency connected with local charity Learning Partnerships, who support people in the most deprived areas of Leeds, after seeing an opportunity posted on the Raising the Bar website. The two organisations have since been working together, with Intellistart helping to create a promotional video for the charity, as well as updating and maintaining Learning Partnership’s new website Debbie Hardy, Corporate Engagement Officer at Learning Partnerships said: “The advice, guidance and time given by Intellistart has been invaluable to us, particularly at a time where the charity is stretched with funding due to the pandemic.” Joel Cortez, Director of Intellistart added: “Having a charity partner or working with a charity is a great way to provide exposure for your business and demonstrate your business’ purpose – both regionally and nationally.” Other partnerships formed through Raising the Bar include the incredible donation from Curtins, who saw an appeal from the Give a Duck Foundation. Dedicated staff from the

West & North Yorkshire Business

OPPORTUNITIES 41 national consultancy firm donated £330 to the Wakefield based charity, who provide ‘Chemo Ducks’ fitted with medical lines to children with cancer, helping them to feel less alone and prepare for treatment. The generous donation will pay for thirteen new ducks.

Help Motive8 young learners by becoming a guest speaker

Richard Osbond, Director at Curtins, said: “It’s important to us that we make a measurable impact on our community and so we’re delighted to have been able to support this extremely worthy charity, which is local to our office in Leeds. We hope that the money raised will help provide some comfort to children suffering from this horrible disease.”

The charity are looking for individuals to come and share their experience of work with young learners, in the hope that this will inspire them to want to pursue different work opportunities.

Motive8 is a small charity that works with young people aged 16-19 years, to provide training and wider learning opportunities.

We would also welcome any opportunities where our learners can visit workplaces where they can gain experience and ask their questions, enabling them to gain a greater insight into the different jobs available.

Countless good news stories and case studies were also published by Raising the Bar in 2021. After attending a Chamber networking event in York, Volta Compliance met representatives of The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Yorkshire and The Humber, who explained the challenges they were currently facing. As a result, Volta’s team attended another event hosted by York St John University, where they signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing to supporting existing and ex forces families by assisting with the transition back into civilian employment. Furthermore, Airedale Chemicals of Cross Hills, a regular supporter of another of the Chamber’s initiatives - Bradford Manufacturing Weeks, continued its support for Sutton in Craven Community Primary School with a donation to help boost the school’s STEM activities. The primary school received a boost to its science department with the gift of £500 worth of science resources, including skeletons, petri dishes, solar systems and microscopes. Daniel Marr, Group Chief Commercial Officer of Airedale Chemical, said: “We’ve enjoyed a partnership with the school for several years and while we haven’t been able to enjoy their visits to our laboratories for a while, we wanted to ensure we continued our support. We hope that the science equipment is enjoyed by many classes to come and that one day we might see some of the budding scientists working at Airedale Chemical.” In 2022, Raising the Bar is aiming to be bigger and better than ever. You can find out how your and your business can get involved on the Raising the Bar website: www.raising-the-bar.org.uk You can email your social impact stories and case studies to: marketing@wnychamber.co.uk

Children’s Air Ambulance – Charity Race Day If you are looking for a great day out at the races, whilst supporting our lifesaving service, then the Children’s Air Ambulance Race Day is not one to be missed! Set to take place at Doncaster Race Course on Saturday, 16th July 2022, the event packages include free parking, admission badges and tickets, drinks reception, three course dinner, live racing, bacon butties and Nile Rodgers and Chic live in concert in the evening. Tables of 10 available at £1,300 plus VAT and Race sponsorship packages from £2995.00 plus VAT. For further information please contact Sharon Evans by email sharon.evans@theairambulanceservice.org.uk

Lock Keepers sought for Yorkshire Waterways Volunteer Lock Keepers are the face of tour canals, and play a vital role within the Canal & River Trust - the charity who help to maintain our waterways. This is a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the great outdoors. Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s Canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. Volunteer lock keepers provide a friendly welcome to our waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the surrounding area of our canals. The Canal & River Trust are looking for volunteers to work one day a week along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The opportunity is open to anyone over the age of 18, and is a great way to make a difference to your local canal and environment, learn news skills and improve your health and wellbeing. All our volunteering Lock Keeper opportunities can be found online here or contact Joy at: joy.vanrensburg@canalrivertrust.org.uk

West & North Yorkshire Business

42 SOCIAL

What you missed online The Chamber has seen great activity across all social media platforms in the past several months. The selected posts below are examples of some of the valuable information and discussions shared by the Chamber and our members on a daily basis. We would love to know your thoughts on this quarter’s magazine and your local Chamber. What would you like to know more about or see more of in the future? Did any articles stand out to you? Get involved with the regional business discussion on Twitter by tagging us @WNYChamber and mentioning #YorkshireBusiness.

Our profiles Twitter @WNYChamber

LinkedIn West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Facebook West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Instagram @WNYChamber

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce British Chambers of Commerce Accredited

West & North Yorkshire Business

44 BRADFORD CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER

Bradford Chamber Annual Dinner The President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Victoria Wainwright, spoke to a key business and political audience at the Bradford Annual Dinner about the opportunities and challenges facing the city as it begins to emerge from the disruption caused by the global pandemic. Paying tribute to the way that businesses continued to operate since March 2020 under the toughest of circumstances, Victoria, the Managing Partner of Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants, also gave thanks to the way that other stakeholders, such as Bradford Council, rallied around to the keep the local and regional economy afloat. Victoria cited several examples of how the Chamber has continued to deliver business support, represent its members and lobby for policy measures and programmes that will support economic growth and development. Slating the government decision to scrap Northern Powerhouse Rail and the eastern leg of HS2, the President received loud applause, and called on this

region’s politicians and metro mayor to now pull out all the stops to make sure ‘levelling up’ reaches Bradford and West Yorkshire. The President also praised the work of the Bradford 2025 team in getting the city short-listed for the UK City of Culture competition, and thanked her predecessor Suzanne Watson for handling the Chamber leadership role through Covid-19 before Victoria took over in September 2021. Keynote speaker was TV presenter Steph McGovern, who gave insights into her career and life, including her humble origins in Middlesbrough, and being awarded ‘Young Engineer for Britain’ at the age of 19. Attendees also included Bradford Council Chief Executive Kersten England and the MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah. Support for manufacturing, the property sector and BAME businesses were all noted in Victoria’s speech, which also included other programmes the Chamber is leading or involved in, like ‘Raising the Bar’, which rewards business acting responsibly and engaging in community projects.

West & North Yorkshire Business

46 EVENTS The Best of the Rest Pure Networking York 5 April 2022 : 7.30am

Pure Networking Bradford 20 April 2022 : 12noon

?Property Forums ? The Chamber have Property Forums in Bradford, Leeds and York and North Yorkshire A property forum is a quarterly meeting where members hear about topical subjects in the property, regeneration, development, infrastructure and built environment sector. The overall objective of a property forum is to: • Educate and inform members • Provide lobbying and representation opportunities • Provide networking opportunities for the sector

Pure Networking Leeds

• Direct the Chamber’s response to relevant policy areas

25 April 2022 : 7.30am

Attending a property forum will enhance your knowledge on development activities taking place across the region.

Protecting Your Business From Cyber Fraud

Dates for the upcoming meetings are:

In Partnership with HSBC

24 May 2022

Bradford Property Forum

28 April 2022

25 May 2022

York Property Forum, The Guildhall, York

21 June 2022

Leeds Property Forum

Leeds

Learning Lunch: The Art of Honest Conversations 11 May 2022 : 12noon – 2pm Leeds

Applying For The Queens Award For Enterprise 17 May 2022 : 11.30am – 1pm Online

Bradford Business Lunch 10 June 2022 : 12noon – 2pm Bradford

Women’s Business Lunch 19 May 2022 : 12noon – 2pm : Malmaison, Leeds Join us for our Women’s Networking Lunch at Malmaison, Leeds. Build your business relationships with other business professionals during this networking lunch. You will have the opportunity to hear from our guest speaker Claire Webb, Managing Director of Advanced Supply Chain Group who will share her successes and the challenges she has faced during her career. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A session with the speaker.

How To Make Your Business Carbon Neutral 15 June 2022 : 11am – 12noon : Online This webinar delivered by Auditel, a leader in cost, procurement and carbon solutions, will un-clutter some of the confusion surrounding emissions management and carbon reporting. Industry experts, Robert Allison, Carbon Solutions Director and Paul White, Cost Procurement & Carbon Specialist, will explore the reasons why carbon management has become so important. They will also examine the challenges and misconceptions faced by many businesses when it comes to tackling their own carbon footprint. Finally, they will explain the process of achieving a BSI recognised specification for carbon neutrality and how gaining this internationally recognised specification can help companies win more business, as well as ensuring the long-term future for us all. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

HIGH SPECIFICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS INCLUDING BREEAM ACCREDITATION Set your business up to thrive with our newly refurbished, contemporary serviced office space situated in the centrally located and historic area of Little Germany. • ‘Easy in, easy out’ monthly terms with no requirement for a long lease • Competitive rents from as little as £275 per month • Secure environment and reception services • Landlord’s services and membership of the Chamber included • Fibre broadband provided • Access to meeting rooms • Member services and support staff on site • DDA compliant, accessible building

“A huge advantage of

serviced office space is the access to meeting rooms for client meetings.” Sean Pearson Twenty Twenty Films

For enquiries and information on how we can help you get the right business premises contact Andrew Robertson, Property Director.

T 01274 667266 M 07827 318671 E andrew.robertson@wnychamber.co.uk

Chamber Hub, Devere House, Vicar Lane, Little Germany, Bradford BD1 5AH West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce British Chambers of Commerce Accredited

Afordable health cover that puts my staf frst and works harder to keep them healthy... Works for me. westfeldhealth.com

Your membership of The British Chambers of Commerce gives you access to innovative, afordable health cover with an exclusive range of benefts. Together, we’ve developed the Chamber Primary Health Plan that will work harder to make your staf feel more valued and motivated, and encourage them to be more proactive about their health.

The plan helps policyholders to access essential healthcare, diagnosis and treatment, provides money back towards selected medical expenses, and can be combined with our hospital treatment insurance to provide truly continuous cover. As a leading provider of corporate health insurance, nobody works harder to keep your employees at their ft and healthy best than Westfeld Health.

To discover the full benefts of harder working health cover, contact us now.

08455 240 240 wnychamber.co.uk/healthcare-chamber-primaryhealth-plan

West & North Yorkshire Business Q1 2022

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