West & North Yorkshire Business Q2 2018

West & North

Business Yorkshire

Q2 2018

FEATURES Fabrics of the future Blooming ambition Creative Yorkshire

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

CONNECTING, SUPPORTING & REPRESENTING BUSINESS

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FINANCE AND SUPPORT FOR SM ALL BUSINESSES IN YORKSHIRE AND THE NORTH EAST Business Enterprise Fund is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 726237) Representative example (Start Up Loans Company): £10,000 loan repayable over 5 years. 60 monthly payments of £193.33. Rate of interest 6% per annum fixed. Representative APR 6.18%. Total amount of credit £10,000. Total interest payable £1,599.80. Total cost of credit £1,599.80. Total amount payable is £11,599.80. This is an illustrative example based on loans of up to £25,000 from the Start Up Loans Company (SULC), rates and terms will vary for similar products from other sources should you not be eligible for a SULC loan. Further information is available on enquiry.

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West & North Yorkshire Business

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WELCOME 3

Share and share alike After a good deal of debate and challenge, the Chamber business plan and budget are in place for 2018/19. Some activities were tweaked, and new ones introduced.

Sandy Needham Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber

In 2018 you will see an emphasis on manufacturing and linking that sector with education, with considerable input from Chamber directors and members. Have a look at the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, led by Graham Cooper and Bradford Manufacturing Week, led by Nick Garthwaite.

I’d encourage those in the sector to get involved in some way – it’s about your future as well as that of young people.

There will be more sharing of ideas for companies interested in business social impact through the Raising the Bar initiative, designed for businesses of all sizes and sectors in West and North Yorkshire. There will be blogs, videos and ‘how to’ guides on social media.

Key issues for business remain skills, transport, GDPR and preparing for Brexit. With the British Chambers of Commerce, we have produced a Business Brexit Checklist.

Even if you’re not an importer or exporter, you may deal with those who are, so it’s worth having a look.

Lobbying on transport continues, and you’ll find details of meeting with Mark Carne of Network Rail, a consultation by Transport for the North and a response to the Leeds Clean Air Zone proposals.

08455 240 240 editor@yorkshire-business.co.uk www.yorkshire-business.co.uk @WNYorkshire_Biz

As always, this issue features lots of business news, plenty of events and information.

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4 CONTACTS EDITORIAL editor@yorkshire-business.co.uk DESIGN design@yorkshire-business.co.uk ADVERTISING advertising@yorkshire-business.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@yorkshire-business.co.uk GENERAL hello@yorkshire-business.co.uk WEBSITE yorkshire-business.co.uk TWITTER @WNYorkshire_Biz

6

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

12 14 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 32 34

REGIONAL NEWS News from across the region

FEATURE Craven Digital

PROFILE CU Scarborough

TRANSPORT Northern trailblazers

ENVIRONMENT Clean air zone

REPRESENTATION

West & North Yorkshire Business is a quarterly business 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. © 2017 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.

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

Printed by Hart & Clough www.hartandclough.co.uk The Chamber group includes Chamber International, Business Enterprise Fund and West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

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

Bradford

BREXIT Business health check

INVESTMENT Property developer showcase

FEATURE Wyedean Weaving

CASE STUDY GEM Compliance

TRADING IN CHINA What if it was made easier?

39 40 44 45 46 51 52 56 59 60 62 66

INTERNATIONAL Shine a light on counterfeiting

FEATURE Perfect digital vision

CHARITY Leeds Mind

PROFILE UBER

MANUFACTURING Inspiring the next generation

PROFILE Pocklington School

CASE STUDY Business is blooming

CASE STUDY One vision photography

PROFILE SEAT

FINANCE Defib Machines

ANNUAL DINNER Leeds Chamber

EVENTS Networking, training and business lunches

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CONTENTS 5

Weaving a way into the future 27 46 14 Manufacturing success

56

Digital Dales

Zooming ahead

32

Safe and sound

Business is blooming

52

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BRADFORD NEWS

Weathering the storms The UK was recently in the grip of the so-called ‘Beast from the East’ weather front. Getting to and from work was a challenge but what I saw and what I have experienced over the years is the stoic spirit we exhibit in the UK to meet these difficulties.

This same positive spirit is something that is there in abundance within our businesses. In my role as Bradford President over the last few months it’s been a pleasure to talk to many business people who are full of enthusiasm and passion for their company, of course, but also for the broader community and, for example, schools and colleges. None more so than our planned ‘Bradford Manufacturing Week’ in October 2018. I am very confident that our intended targets for this event, centring around giving work experience to as many students as possible, will be met.

Continuing on the positive spirit, we are now heading rapidly to the official date of Brexit. Again, I see the ‘can do’ approach evident in many companies.

As well as the several policy development meetings, the Chamber has organised for members to meet government officials; we have also produced an advisory check-list, available on the website.

Nick Garthwaite President Bradford Chamber

Doing your bidding Business leaders steering the campaign to set up a Business Improvement District for Bradford city centre have just nine months to persuade more than 600 retailers, professional services companies and other firms to vote in favour of paying for a five-year project to breathe new life into the city centre.

If they are successful, about £2.5 million will be raised to improve the safety, cleanliness, vitality and marketing of Bradford’s retail heart.

Ian Ward, Chair of the group developing the BID project, said: “The feasibility study gave an overwhelming endorsement to the BID proposal. It’s our job now to show all those in the BID area that we can use their money

to make a real difference to their prospects as city centre businesses.”

The group include independent retailers, bars and restaurants as well as local representatives of major national retail chains, such as Boots, M&S, Primark and Debenhams, and the managers of the Broadway and Kirkgate shopping centres and Forster Square retail park.

There are also representatives of professional services firms such as Santander and Gordons solicitors, as well as Bradford Council and the Police. Other key stakeholders include National Science and Media Museum, Bradford City FC, Bradford Civic Society and Little Germany Action Group.

Procurement promotion Chris Chadwick, Managing Director, Airedale Chemical, said: “I am thrilled to announce Tony Howell has joined the board as procurement director.

Tony created and developed our procurement department with exceptional success, adding significant value to all aspects of our company.

“Procurement’s biggest challenges include global manufacturing site closures which can narrow our supplier pool, and the increased complexity of importing products and the management of raw material prices.”

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Sweets for my sweet Kirkgate Shopping celebrated Valentine’s Day by handing out bags of sweets to brighten customers’ days or to share with their loved ones in the spirit of romance and love.

Catherine Riley, Kirkgate Shopping Centre Manager, said: “We love to treat our customers and as Valentine’s Day is full of romantic gestures and sweet treats, we wanted to join in the fun. The team and I loved playing Cupid and customers of all ages enjoyed receiving the unexpected treats.

Rolls Royce standard

Charity begins at Tong

Law firm expands team

Keighley Labs gained Nadcap recognition for commitment to continual improvement in aerospace quality.

A charity that helps people recovering from mental health problems to get back into work has gained from the generosity of Tong Garden Centre’s customers and staff.

Jo Dales, Marketing Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the Trust’s great work and help them to raise funds to offer this valuable service.”

hlw Keeble Hawson’s ongoing commitment to train and develop a pipeline of talent in 2018 is reflected in newly qualified solicitors being appointed across its commercial and private client teams.

Tim Clegg, Quality Manager, said: “The Nadcap accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to quality by satisfying customer requirements and industry specifications. It enables us to support our prime approvals and aerospace customers including Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Bombardier, British Aerospace and Safran.”

Kim Shutler-Jones, CEO of The Cellar Trust, said: “Tong is a brilliant example of a business making a big difference to people in the community.”

Paul Trudgill, Managing Partner, said: “Developing and supporting the next generation of lawyers in 2018 remains among our top priorities.

Sherelle and Emily will further enhance our wide-ranging expertise and reputation as a leading, awardwinning firm.”

Emerging as a leader

Apprenticeships at the forefront

Forward thinking appointment

Naylor Wintersgill chartered accountants have merged with Menston-based practice K P Bonney & Co LLP.

Bradford College Apprenticeship and Traineeships hosted an employers forum for the construction, electrical, engineering and motor industries.

Martin Booth, Managing Director of Witt UK Group, spoke on employing apprentices and integrating them into an organisation. Apprentice plumber, Lisa Thomas, who won the Bradford College Group Apprenticeship of the Year award talked about her experiences.

Forward-thinking Bradford accountancy practice Watson Buckle has appointed Director Mark Wilcock as Joint-Managing Director of the firm.

The merger further strengthens Naylor Wintersgill’s position as one of the leading independent firms of chartered accountants and business advisors in West Yorkshire and is an exciting advancement in Naylor Wintersgill’s growth strategy.

Susan Sedgwick, Joint-Managing Director at Watson Buckle, added: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to his new position as Joint-MD of Watson Buckle and I am fully confident that he will prove to be a terrific leader.

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LEEDS NEWS

International gathering MIPIM is a four-day real estate conference gathering 24,000 international property professionals together in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

Is that your idea of fun? No, nor mine – it is hard work, but immensely productive and our region put on an excellent show.

Several leaders or chief executives from Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York and Kirklees Councils gave positive accounts of the strength of our region and the opportunities for occupiers and investors.

The Leeds City Region stand was prominent and was busy all day, every day. Presentations and informal meetings were hosted by the LEP team, Council representatives and private sector sponsors. Potential investors were keen to talk to our delegation with presentations on White Rose Office Park, Majestic, HS2 Growth Strategy, York Central, Bradford Interchange and Thorpe Park.

I was especially pleased that our stand was considerably more gender-diverse than most others.

The ratio of men to women at MIPIM is at least 50 to 1. If we counted only delegates, rather than exhibition staff, then it would be closer to 100 to 1. It was great to have so many female Council leaders, chief executives, cultural leaders and sponsors there and I think it made a positive difference in how the region was perceived.

Paula Dillon President Leeds Chamber

The right balance Joanna Robinson, Managing Director, Mansfield Pollard – suppliers of energy efficient ventilation and acoustic control equipment – has been named on Northern Power Women’s Future List, which recognises the influencers and change makers of the future who are already making a difference to their environments and communities.

Joanna Robinson said: “I am extremely proud to promote manufacturing and engineering to girls and women with the hope that we will inspire them to pursue careers within the industry.”

Northern Power Women founder, Simone Roche, said: “Northern Power Women aims to harness all talent, accelerate gender pay equality and provide people with the knowledge and skills they need to drive their careers forward. We engage with women and men from all industries and business areas as ‘agents of change’ and connect, collaborate and celebrate their achievements as campaign champions and advocates to drive gender balance from the North of England.”

Essential elements of education Wellspring Academy Trust will open brand new Elements Primary Academy, Middleton, in September 2018 its third new-build SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) schools.

Working with Leeds City Council, Wellspring Trust obtained funding to develop a derelict site at Acre Mount, and secured funding from the Department of Education to build the school.

Sarah Horsbrough was appointed head teacher, a leader with passion, commitment and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

“My priority as an educator is to instil pride, passion and confidence. I want our children to be passionate about their school, about Yorkshire and life in South Leeds. It is a big world, and there can be bright futures ahead of every one of them, regardless of where they come from.”

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Gordons ring in the changes Andrew Logan has been appointed

by Gordons following four years at BT where he most recently held the position of head of legal, environment. At Gordons he will lead a team advising clients on a wide range of regulatory issues including environmental, health and safety, data protection, product compliance, criminal investigations,

business investigations and court proceedings.

“I have joined a firm with a great reputation for its dynamism and the way its people deliver straightforward practical advice. I’m looking forward to getting to know our existing clients and assessing how I can best help them face any regulatory challenges.”

Welcoming Andrew to the firm, Victoria Davey, Partner, said: “Andrew brings an unsurpassed level of regulatory knowledge and experience to the firm. As importantly, he is someone who quickly identifies and understands the issues and opportunities, and how to best protect a client’s interests.”

Flying the flag

The right fit for Levi

Recruit for growth

Fabric print specialist Northern Flags has invested over £1 million into new digital printers, relocated to a brandnew manufacturing facility in Milshaw, Leeds, and expanded its services into wide format printing.

The re-shoring of print production from Eastern Europe in 2016, with the support of Leeds City Council’s Enterprise Department, created six new jobs.

Steven Newdall, Managing Partner, Levi Solicitors, said: “We are thrilled to have Paul Sykes as the new head of our litigation team. His vast experience in dealing with dispute resolution cases will positively enhance our team’s expertise in the area. His position will no doubt lead to further opportunities for both the department and clients as our firm continues to grow.”

Horsforth based financial planning firm, Manse Capital, has recently recruited two new advisers to work alongside an existing team of five advisers. This expansion is in response to steady growth over the past year and continues the company’s ambitious plans in looking to expand all operational departments and service capability over the coming years.

Inspiration and aspiration The Social Mobility Foundation launched its annual Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP) at Leeds law firm, Shulmans LLP, welcoming the largest cohort of students from West Yorkshire to date.

Students learnt about the opportunities available to them such as business leader mentoring schemes and work placement programmes in the region, and received information on university application support, skills sessions and careers workshops.

Tim Halstead, Managing Partner, Shulmans, said: “Social mobility is vitally important in ensuring talent from all backgrounds is nurtured and realised, which in turn drives the economy for future generations.”

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YORK & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

Success breeds success Recently York won the Sunday Times ‘Best Place to Live in the UK’ 2018; but those of us that live and work here know that already!

The newspaper said: “This minimetropolis has a rich history and grand ambitions to be one of the best-connected hubs in Europe, with cool cafés, destination restaurants and innovative companies plus the fastest internet in Britain.” This confirms that we have a great deal to be optimistic about in York & North Yorkshire and it’s made me think of some more real positives in our region, which I will mention a few of here.

TransPennine Express is investing £7 million to increase rail capacity to Scarborough; the Sirius Potash mine is six months ahead of schedule; York is to become the UK’s first Ultra Fibre Optic city with Talk Talk; McCain is investing £100 million in its production site in Scarborough; York racecourse has again won Racecourse of the Year; Nestlé is switching all of its confectionery research to York; parts of York & North Yorkshire have no unemployment; work is well underway on the city’s Community Stadium; and an outline planning application for York Central may be submitted

by August.

So, if you don’t already do business in York and North Yorkshire – now is the time to do so! I look forward to seeing you at future events and hearing about your successes.

Bridget Davies President York & North Yorkshire Chamber

Think the army is regimented?

Speaking to almost 100 military personnel from the Headquarters of 1 (UK) Division; Samantha Ware, CEO Tailor Made Media, led discussions on both inspirational and entrepreneurial approaches to leadership.

Captain Tony Viney, an officer within the headquarters, said: “Samantha opened the minds of military commanders to other approaches to leadership through different ways of managing, problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

We want to inspire our people to lead in ways that empower while sending a message that they care about developing positive working relationships with both our military and civilian staff. We hope to inspire the next generation to improve their approach to modern military leadership, and this often means learning from leaders outside our field.”

Sewell Group is the only company in Hull to be named in the internationally recognised 100 Best Companies list and is ranked number 1 in Yorkshire.

The firm, which currently employs 460 staff, has also secured the Best Companies 3 Star ‘extraordinary’ accreditation, which recognises the highest standard of workplace engagement and represents

organisations which genuinely excel.

“It is vitally important to me, as I believe you need to be a decent place to work so you can be a great company to deal with, and people do business with people.

All organisations are in a ‘war for talent’ so they can attract and retain the best to care for their customers.”

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Another brick in an historic Yorkshire wall The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is restoring the iconic Allerton Park estate wall - 50 years after chairman David Armitage helped to repair the very same wall.

The Allerton Park wall is one of the best-known estate walls in Yorkshire as it runs along the side of the old A1 motorway between Boroughbridge and the A59 York-Harrogate road. It

was badly in need of restoration, as it is exposed to the elements and takes a constant battering from the heavy traffic beside it.

“We are delighted with the way more than 85,000 of our bespoke Old Clamp bricks have blended in with the existing Victorian bricks in the wall. We believe the intricate brickwork, including plinths, does justice to the iconic wall and provides an elegant

boundary to the Allerton Park estate.

Meanwhile Jane Winter, Director at Ilkey-based Collington Winter Landscape Architects, who has project managed the restoration work, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with York Handmade Brick and RN Wooler on this exciting restoration of the boundary wall at Allerton Park, which was first built by Richard Arundell (1696-1758) in 1745.

Right side of the law Students’ stock soars Golden investment Law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has appointed a new financial director and three newly-qualified solicitors.

Managing Partner, Mark PearsonKendall, said: “Having undertaken their training contracts with the firm, Grace, Rachel and Harry have already developed strong relationships with our clients and have shown their commitment to providing them with trusted, commercial legal advice.”

Sixth Form economics and business students invested virtual money in the London stock exchange and other investment instruments to create two portfolios, each worth £100,000, which they managed by following the ups and downs of the market in real time, judging when to buy and sell to make a virtual profit.

Two teams from Pocklington School finished in the top 10% of around 5,000 teams who entered the competition, staged by the London Institute of Banking & Finance. They will now compete against 500 other semi-finalists for four weeks.

French restaurant and bistro, Le Cochon Aveugle, has received £50,000 in funding from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) to help expand its premises.

Run by Joshua and Victoria Overington, the bistro offers customers an authentic French experience in the heart of York. Joshua Overington, chef and restaurant co-owner, said: “Thanks to the loan from BEF we can take on an additional seven staff which will take us up to a team of 20. The restaurant will increase in size to meet demand by allowing us to combine with our wine bar and install a larger kitchen.”

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WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE

Infrastructure and influence The need for transport investment in Yorkshire and across the North remains a hot topic.

We are already seeing investment and, at recent meetings with the Secretary of State for Transport and the head of Network Rail, the Chamber has welcomed the commitments already made and being delivered. However, we must continue to press for delivery of the transformational HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail investments – these will dramatically improve connectivity north-to-south and east-to-west.

The case to be made is strong but it gets lost in rhetoric which can be perceived to be negative. Rather than complaining, why don’t we develop a more positive and progressive narrative?

We’re working with local authorities and stakeholders in our region to promote each area’s transport investment needs and, importantly, their collective approach to connectivity - and this extends to a pan-northern approach.

The opportunities for businesses, growth, jobs, skills, productivity and prosperity are huge and we won’t achieve the best outcomes if we don’t adopt a pro-active message and engagement agenda.

As the largest and most influential business organisation, the Chamber can help make the case for business based on evidence and a compelling argument.

Gerald Jennings Chair of the Board West & North Yorkshire Chamber

Yorkshire’s airport With an ambition to create an airport that matches the needs and requirements of the region, the new brand name Leeds Bradford: Yorkshire’s Airport is now displayed throughout the terminal.

Yorkshire following his battle with neuroblastoma, did the honours to officially switch on the new signage emblazoned on the front of the terminal roof.

Chief Executive, David Laws, said: “Our brand refresh embodies our vision to become Yorkshire’s airport of choice and to provide an airport our passengers can be proud of. As the development continues we hope to keep improving the customer experience.

“Our brand refresh embodies our vision to become Yorkshire’s airport of choice.”

We are investing in staff training to ensure we offer a warm ‘Yorkshire welcome’ to all of our passengers, as well as continually improving our Special Assistance offering to help passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities.”

Five-year-old Toby Nye, the little boy who has captured the hearts of

As part of the celebrations, the region’s largest airport also showcased the first part of its terminal redevelopments, including brand new purpose-built lounges. Featuring stunning floor to ceiling runway views, The Yorkshire Lounge, The White Rose Suite and 1432 Club will replace the current Yorkshire Premier Lounge.

Committed to customers After the latest National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS) customer satisfaction scores, TransPennine Express (TPE) remains focused on improving its scores and is investing £18 million in stations across the North.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director, said: “Over the next two years, we will be investing £500 million in additional services, new routes and brand new longer trains with more seats, which begin entering into service from autumn this year.

We have a fantastic team and have made lots of positive enhancements to our stations, I’m happy customers have acknowledged these. We continue to invest in our people ensuring they have the skills needed to deliver excellent customer service.”

Hull Paragon has already benefited from a £1.4million redevelopment including a new booking office, customer information point, waiting room and toilets.

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Whitakers Chocolates hit the small screen

Whitakers Chocolates, based in Skipton, is featured in ‘Made in Yorkshire’ a programme by Channel 5 and presented by former deputy prime minister and honorary Yorkshireman, John Prescott.

experience life on the factory floor of the historic chocolate maker to understand how they grew from a village grocer’s shop to a multi-million-pound company with customers in 25 countries around the world.

Whitakers Chocolates, a fifth-generation family run business, is the UK’s largest distributor of personalised chocolates, producing 10 million chocolates each week and supplies personalised chocolates and truffles to the hotel, restaurant, catering and retail sectors.

Managing Director, William Whitaker, said: “We have a lot to be proud of here and we hope viewers will be interested in seeing how Whitakers Chocolates works and the contribution we make to the region.”

‘Made in Yorkshire’ explores behind the scenes of some of Yorkshire’s best-known food brands and sees John Prescott

John Prescott said of the series: “What an eye-opener for me to explore Yorkshire food products that went from the village shop to supermarket shelves across the UK..”

Future foundations

Grind out a victory

Inspire creativity

Paul Newman, Managing Director of Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, comments; “Federation of Master Builders research highlights a skills shortage in the construction and house building industry.

Apprenticeships play a key role in ensuring that young people pursue a career in this industry and are informed of the potential career and salary advancements through these disciplines. Becoming a bricklayer or a carpenter is a career for life. We pride ourselves in offering apprenticeships across the business and urge others within the industry to do the same.”

British Gypsum has received planning permission from Selby District Council for a £10 million investment to extend a mill building at Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Selby, to upgrade its operations.

The plant processes and manufactures gypsum plaster products, such as plasterboards.

British Gypsum is now building the plant’s capability to enable natural rock processing which will increase operational flexibility. The development allows the plant to carry out this conversion and safeguard its future.

PRCIM appointed Jessica Dodds ACIM, Marketing Manager at Manse Capital, as their new Financial Services Ambassador on the Yorkshire Regional Board.

Jessica commented: “I am passionate about creativity and originality and believe there is a lot of opportunity for financial services marketers to drive more targeted and imaginative campaigns. I am incredibly proud to be working with CIM to encourage, engage and inspire the marketing talent in the region.”

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14 FEATURE

We live in an unprecedented era of technological advances and it is easy to take for granted the speed at which change is happening.

What seemed impossible just ten, five or even one year ago is now viewed with mild indifference.

Think about it, how we interact, travel, consume and survive is being continuously moulded and at such a rate that it is almost impossible to keep your finger on the pulse of the modern world.

That being said most of us could think of places that fall behind. Ask anyone (in the North), and they would tell you, London and the South are beneficiaries of anything that could be classed as technological upgrades long before it makes its way up the M1.

On an even greater scale is the gulf between rural communities and the towns and cities they surround.

But that’s not the point of the countryside is it? It’s supposed to be representative of a different time, a bygone era. You can’t have your cake and eat it. Unspoilt views and a modern technological infrastructure don’t go hand in hand, do they?

With all that at the back of anyone’s mind, would you want to run a digital agency in the Dales? Is the off-grid web designer a preferable choice for a business operating in the hyper-fast consumer and corporate markets of today?

Beth and Sean of Craven Digital seem to think so. In fact, they are so convinced, they have moved not only their homes but their business to the outskirts of the idyllic village of Gargrave, known primarily for its tearooms and antique shops.

Quite literally off the beaten track, Craven Digital’s new headquarters are situated in a converted barn surrounded by nothing more than rolling hills, babbling brooks and roaming sheep, synonymous with the Dales.

Something that strikes you on the drive to Craven Digital as the buildings roll past the windows slowly being replaced by vast open green spaces is that you are truly cut off from the constant hum of the cities. Immediately you have room to breathe and take a step back. If ever you needed an excuse to turn your phone off and concentrate on the task at hand this was surely it. A fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Craven Digital’s client base.

“Although we’ve only recently moved, our clients are already giving us positive feedback about the new office. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere but with that comes a chance for them to take a proper step back from their business.”

That’s not to say that they are literally cut-off, quite the opposite. Boasting download speeds and phone signal that most rarely achieve indoors and in many city centre offices.

It’s not the technology that is the cut off; it’s more a state of mind you get when you are away from the incessant noise in any modern office block or city centre.

Having space to take a step back and asses your business is key when working on major projects like a web build, but many of us never take the time do we? How often have you seen colleagues or even caught yourself answering emails or phone calls when you are supposed to be scoping your new site or brand relaunch.

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West & North Yorkshire Business

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“They make time to come and see us and have a think about their objectives, their strategy and how that fits in with their marketing.

And I think they really value that time and actually set it aside to come and see us whether it’s for training or discussions or planning or just going through reviewing projects as they go along. It’s kind of the perfect place for that which works well.”

Great views and a large tick in the employee wellbeing box aside, what else did Craven Digital offer its client base. For that matter, what was the client base? A place often overlooked for its commercial opportunities, does the region known for agriculture have a captive audience?

Beth outlines why Craven Digital is succeeding in their new setting: “Most of our clients are small businesses, sole traders or people with just a few employees and they tend to come to us because we’re approachable, friendly people that spend the time to get to know them. We get to know what they’re trying to do in business and take the time to help steer where they are going, unlike maybe a large agency that might churn out sites one after another. We take the time to sit down with them, have a brew and a bit of a chat and stick with them on their journey. Pretty much everybody we’ve worked with is still with us, and we take the time to develop with them, and see where they’re going.”

It’s inspiring to see a business like Craven Digital not only progress the way it has, but grow when moving to a place many wouldn’t venture to other than for a Sunday stroll.

They are proof that our county’s rural business communities are thriving and, if anything, are a hotbed for the region’s entrepreneurs.

So the next time you are sat planning your next web project, maybe a day trip to the Dales could be just what you need.

Flexible and cost effective online learning Exclusive member discounts from the Chamber’s e-learning partner Learn any time, any place choosing from a wide variety of areas, including: • General business • Managers and aspiring managers • Food, drink and hospitality • Manufacturing, engineering and trades • Housing providers • Working with children and adults

Virtual College has over 2.7 million online learners and won gold awards for both ‘Learning Technologies Supplier of the Year’ and ‘E-learning Development Company of the Year’

To find out more and claim your member discounts: Visit: www.wnychamber.co.uk/online-learning/ Contact the membership team: 08455 240240

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PROFILE 19

CU Scarborough is Coventry University’s new £14 million campus on the Yorkshire coast.

Why was it needed? A HEFCE report in 2014 named some areas of England, including the Yorkshire coast and wider North Yorkshire region, as ‘HE Cold Spots’ – where there is a demand from industry for highly-skilled graduates in certain areas, and that demand is not being met. It is that skills gap that CU Scarborough is here to address.

We only offer degrees in subject areas in which there is tangible evidence (CBI reports and predictions, UKCES papers, Office for National Statistics, interaction with industry bodies) that there is an actual demand for the graduates they will produce. We work with employers to try and ensure that the potential employees graduating from our University campus have all the skills and qualities necessary to make a difference to the region’s economy.

Finally, we offer an innovative and flexible learning model - ways for people to get their degree alongside whatever other commitments they may already have. We call this ‘life shaped learning’, and it one of the reasons that Coventry University has been described as “perhaps the most innovative University in the UK” alongside many other accolades.

Our offer in Scarborough includes full time degrees in areas such as Nursing, Engineering, Law, Cyber Security, Primary Teaching and Policing,

alongside new Degree Apprenticeship programmes in Chartered Management (CMI status alongside Business Management degree) and Digital Technology Solutions.

The basics • CU Scarborough is Coventry University group’s new campus on the Yorkshire coast • We are providing relevant and muchneeded graduates to the region – we only offer degrees in subjects where there is industry demand in Yorkshire, Humber and north east regions • We are fast, dynamic and reactive – we listen and can deliver employer needs • We are part of Coventry University – an organisation with a £400million annual turnover, and No12 ranked University in the UK (Guardian league table, 2018) • Our delivery models fit well around the working week (usually one-day release for people in employment) • Coventry University was named ‘Modern University of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Times Higher Education University of the Year in 2015, one of the ‘Top 200 Young Universities in the world’ (Times Higher Education, 2017) • Our teaching quality is very high CU Scarborough for Employers (TEF Gold award, Teaching Excellence Framework, summer 2017) www.coventry.ac.uk/cus www.twitter.com/CUSforBusiness

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West & North Yorkshire Business

20 TRANSPORT

Northern trailblazers Transport for the North (TfN) were in the region recently as part of a series of roadshows.

they were supporting TfN as, ultimately, businesses need TfN to support them in return.

The Chamber of Commerce presented at meetings in Bradford and Leeds, to underscore the need for more assertive action on transportrelated matters affecting business.

TfN had been seeking views on its 30year vision, and meeting with businesses, rail user groups and others prior to adopting its forwardlooking strategy.

Bradford Council’s Assistant Director for Transport & Planning, Julian Jackson, set out why Bradford needs to be on the new trans-Pennine rail line, while Chamber staff Mike Cartwright and Ian Williams, attending the Bradford and Leeds events respectively, highlighted the strength, plus the potential of the subregional economy with examples in which the cities are so successful. The Bradford meeting was reminded that five of the UK’s top 10 largest cities

Members of the Chamber’s policy team made a case for greater investment on transport, saying that

are in the North; we have 32 universities in the North; the number of businesses (167,000) is now 20% higher than in 2010; and we have £50 billion worth of exports each year.

While the Bradford event audience was made up largely of rail user group members concerned with short-term and local problems largely un-related to TfN’s strategy, local businesses were present to receive the latter’s presentation, as were managers for the ‘Next Stop Bradford’ campaign (to bring Northern Powerhouse Rail through the city).

Making connections A well-attended meeting of businesses heard about Network Rail’s plans from its Chief Executive, Mark Carne, in Leeds recently.

Business representatives from Chambers of Commerce across the North of England attended the event, where the outgoing head of the transport body fielded some tough questions. Demonstrating that, despite technological advances changing the way we work in the last couple of decades, transport connectivity is still vital for future success, the showing of almost 80 attendees indicates the relevance of the topic to businesses.

If their plans come off, said Carne, Network Rail’s plans could add more than £90 billion to the UK economy by 2050.

The ‘Great North Rail Project’ would create an additional 2,000 services a week; the number of seats available between Leeds and Manchester per hour would more than double (from 845 to 2,064); while the impetus that this investment could give to housing development was untold.

Questions from the floor included the ‘here and now’, as well as looking ahead to future developments.

Capacity, connectivity, reliability…all the usual watch-words came up in the Q&A session, while Carne’s presentation also referenced how technology and innovation have allowed for driverless vehicles

and new modes of transportation to be developed.

Business representatives were present from Doncaster, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Manchester. The meeting was facilitated by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce to provide a platform for dialogue between business and the rail body and was kindly hosted by Addleshaw Goddard.

West & North Yorkshire Business

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ENVIRONMENT 21

zone with clean air policy In the

Response to Leeds Clean Air Zone (CAZ) consultation While generally welcoming the initiative, the submission also stresses that it should not affect the competitive advantages that the city currently has.

However, the response notes that “if introduced properly, the CAZ could be significant positive…rather than… persecuting some who use the city’s road network.”

The Chamber has asked for a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to introduction and enforcement, whereby incentives like free parking for environmentally-friendly vehicles is extended beyond publiclyowned car parks. It also questions whether additional research into office heating and construction materials can help meet targets.

As well as submitting comments, the response also asked several questions, particularly in regards to technology.

For example: • Who would pay for the installation and maintenance of equipment?

• What is the likely initial cost of installation?

• Would funds raised from offenders be ‘ring-fenced’ for future re-investment?

The document also states that Leeds Council cannot ‘go it alone’ on this scheme, and that it needs the backing of central government, particularly in encouraging engine manufacturers to develop and introduce less-polluting vehicles, the installation of more electric vehicle charging points, and an (incentivised?) scrappage scheme for high-polluting vehicles.

Finally, in terms of ‘quick wins’ for fewer non-compliant vehicles, all public sector vehicles need to be as environmentallyfriendly as possible, as soon possible.

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West & North Yorkshire Business

22 BRADFORD

Economic strategy for Bradford Representatives of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has helped celebrate the launch of Bradford’s new economic strategy.

A formal event saw business representatives from many sectors, as well as other partners such as key education institutions, hear from senior Council personnel, plus a panel of business people on the merits of living and working in the District.

Strategy targets Raise GVA by £4 billion Get 20,000 more people into work Raise the skills level of 48,000 more people to NVQ3

The new document was put together following a series of consultations and workshops in recent weeks and months. The strategy identifies the city’s opportunities and challenges but is also an aidememoire to help attract new investment into the area.

Chamber representatives included Chief Executive Sandy Needham, Bradford President Nick Garthwaite,

and Policy & Representation team members Mark Goldstone and Mike Cartwright. Also present was Bradford Property Forum chair, Allan Booth of Rance Booth Smith Architects.

Nick Garthwaite, Bradford Chamber President, said: “I think it’s essential for a city like Bradford to have a vision, to have aspirations on how it wants to change over the next generation, but that vision needs to match the city’s characteristics. A lot of work went into creating the strategy, involving lots of different partners and stakeholders from within the District, and the document is probably more than the sum of its parts.

It features many of the city’s qualities while highlighting the challenges we face as we strive to become more successful; so it’s a tool that can be used to help market Bradford, while also a guide to help deliver more growth and prosperity in the future. We’re pleased to have contributed to the discussions that have helped put the strategy together.”

View the strategy at https://tinyurl.com/y98gqxxs

Council quizzed on hot topics Two senior Bradford Council officers were quizzed by businesses at the Chamber’s Local Affairs Committee.

Transport & Planning Manager, Andrew Marshall, fielded questions about the process on the District’s Local Plan, and the details of allocating sites for employment use and housing. Andrew admitted that process was slow, and not helped by recent staff cutbacks that were further hindering progress, but was able to say that the next steps would include expanding and prioritising the

list of sites to be included, before a final version is produced in the summer. An updated housing land register is also being produced. Of the current database, 670 identified sites are greenfield, while 570 involve previously developed land.

In a separate agenda item, Project Manager, Nigel Rice, presented on a recent survey on local people’s use of the city centre for retail and leisure activities. It has been acknowledged that more needs to be done to tackle the plethora of empty units in the city,

and the findings are sure to be rigorously scrutinised by the Business Improvement District Development Group.

The LAC is a subsidiary of the Chamber’s main policy-making body, the Leadership Group. It is chaired by Mike Martin of TL Dallas.

Readers may be interested to know that April’s Property Forum meeting focused on how the centre could look in 2030, based on technological and cultural shifts, plus co-working trends in the office sector.

West & North Yorkshire Business

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BRADFORD 23

Let’s work

together Bradford’s MPs were recently urged to work closer together for the betterment of the District. A Chamber of Commerce lunch in the city recently heard from three of the city’s five MPs and faced some tough questions on what they are doing to represent the city.

John Grogan (Keighley), Philip Davies (Shipley) and Naz Shah (Bradford West) heard from a business audience about the things concerning them, and what they feel are the priorities that the Parliamentarians should be focusing on.

While the MPs highlighted devolution and Northern Powerhouse as key areas to drive forward further economic success for Bradford, they were pressed on the need to work collaboratively, and to not let party politics disrupt local aspirations.

While John Grogan and Philip Davies have both spoke at previous events run by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, it was the first time for Naz Shah. All three were keen to take as many questions as possible, and only constituency surgeries later in the afternoon prevented John and Philip from meeting more business informally after the proceedings had closed. Naz stayed on to speak to guests.

Topics raised from the floor included: maintaining Bradford’s good business startup rate; securing better transport connectivity and high-speed rail; securing jobs and investment to Keighley if the Marley waste-to-energy incinerator scheme fails; obtaining more tangible gains from the Producer City concept; and the inevitable questions surrounding Brexit and international trade.

Bradford Chamber President Nick Garthwaite, who chaired the event, said afterwards: “It was a lively, interesting and successful lunch event. They always are, and so well-worth coming along to. The MPs showed that they are keen to listen to the concerns of local businesses, while our members have always got plenty of questions for them, too. We appreciate that the House of Commons can be an unnaturally divisive place, especially in the Chamber, where opposing views come to the fore. So it’s good to know that MPs from different parties can, when required, work together for the local area.”

A recent example of the MPs working together is the campaign to bring a medical school to the city. This initiative would help train local GPs and address the current shortage. West Yorkshire currently has only one place where students can train to become doctors, and that’s Leeds.

Pictured L-R: John Grogan, Naz Shah, Philip Davies, Suzanne Watson and Nick Garthwaite

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West & North Yorkshire Business

24 BREXIT

A ‘Brexit Checklist’ has been produced by the Chamber to assist with the changes ahead of leaving the European Union.

The document is not just for businesses themselves, or those that trade with the EU, but also for those advising and supporting, such as Chamber of Commerce staff. Several meetings between businesses and government representatives have also been facilitated by the Chamber, while it also has a standing advisory group focused on Brexit related issues.

Head of Policy & Representation, Mark Goldstone, explained the background to the piece of work: “The document came about off the back of research we conducted last year into how companies were preparing for Brexit. The majority view from companies was that it wasn’t even on their radar at that time. While it’s still unclear what kind of deal the country will get and therefore what trading and customs arrangements might be in place, there are steps that companies can put in place now. These are summarised in the checklist. As Brexit has implications for all businesses, not just importers and exporters, it’s worthwhile checking it out.”

Included in the checklist are questions such as: • Have you mapped your supplier and customer base to consider how changes in the UK-EU relationship may affect them?

• What additional steps may be needed in the future to hire someone from outside the UK? • Do you own any intellectual property rights? How to protect IP after March 2019?

More events for members will be set up in coming months to help businesses during the ongoing changes. In the meantime, call either the policy or international trade teams with any questions or comments relating to Brexit.

The Brexit Checklist can be downloaded from the Chamber website, www.wnychamber.co.uk/europe

West & North Yorkshire Business

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BREXIT 25

Chamber of Commerce members have received an update from officials from the Department for International Trade on the work going on behind the scenes to process Brexit.

Officials met with two dozen businesses from West & North Yorkshire recently and heard about their hopes and fears, as well as opportunities and challenges. The civil servants were keen to reassure worried businesses that they are doing all they can to avoid a ‘cliff edge’ Brexit, and that trade talks with literally dozens of countries have already taken place and will continue to do so.

“Civil servants get to hear direct from businesses about their hopes and concerns, while members find out just what is happening behind the scenes to advance their interests.”

The UK is aiming, via a ‘cross-border trade’ Bill, to replicate much of the current EU legislation that is benefiting the country. It intends to do this by March 2019. This will be the implementation of so-called ‘grandfather rights’, where old rules continue to apply despite new arrangements coming into force.

Members of the DIT team attending the Chamber’s meeting are part of the Government’s Trade Policy Group, which is assessing closely how the post-Brexit ‘new world’ will look.

While the International Trade Secretary’s many miles travelled and countries visited have been widely reported in the media, the officials confirmed that countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China and India were all priority targets for free trade agreements. Businesses present also pressed for other Commonwealth countries to be included. Trade missions – sometimes seen as typical of a bygone age now – could also make a comeback, while economic partnership agreements – sometimes described as an initial step towards free trade agreements – already exist between the UK and 29 other countries.

The meeting was held under the auspices of the Chamber’s Brexit Advisory Group, chaired

by Shulman’s Andrew Latchmore. The Leeds legal firm also hosted the lunchtime event, part of a roadshow series to tap into the views of business and others with an interest in Brexit.

An earlier meeting last year included representatives from the Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs.

Mike Cartwright, Policy Executive for West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This series of meetings between the Chamber and government officials about Brexit and international trade are proving useful for both sets of attendees. The civil servants get to hear direct from businesses about their hopes and concerns, while our members find out just what is happening behind the scenes to advance their interests. While it is a very difficult time for the Brexit negotiators, it is also unsettling for business. However, businesses should be assured that the Chamber will keep that dialogue going between our members and government representatives to ensure that the business voice continues to be heard and listened to.”

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West & North Yorkshire Business

26 INVESTMENT

Property people bang the drum for the region “ The Leeds City Region presented itself very well with an impressive array of development and investment opportunities across the region.”

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is a long-standing supporter of Leeds City Region’s presence at MIPIM, the annual property and investor conference in Cannes, France, in March.

This year, Chamber directors played a more prominent role as they were asked to facilitate and chair a number of panel sessions that took place. Chamber chairman Gerald Jennings hosted three sessions: • Transformational Tech and 5G: Creating Cities of the Future, Transforming Places: Unlocking opportunities through transport investment • Diversity, Youth, Productivity and Development: The Bradford Story.

Leeds Chamber president Paula Dillon chaired sessions on: • The future of cities: What the rise of the sustainably-minded individual means for our cities • Culture and Sport and their role in regeneration.

Speaking of the week’s activities, Gerald said: “The Leeds City Region presented itself very well with an impressive array of development and investment opportunities across the region.

The exhibition stand was wellattended by public and private sector representatives with a great common approach and a dynamic message. Overall, we had an effective week selling our region abroad.”

MIPIM Cannes is one of the world’s biggest property exhibitions. More than 20,000 attend the four-day event, including 1,500 architects and 4,800 investors, with 70 real estate projects from more than 20 countries being unveiled.

MIPIM brings together influential players from property sectors including office, residential, retail, healthcare, sport, logistics and industrial. The event aims to facilitate business between investors, corporate end-users, local authorities, hospitality professionals, industrial and logistics players and others.

West & North Yorkshire Business

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MANUFACTURING FEATURE 27

New threads A historic textile company is manufacturing high-tech materials with old machines

Wyedean is weaving its way into the future with specialist fabrics for medical, scientific and technology sectors

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West & North Yorkshire Business

28 MANUFACTURING FEATURE We spoke to Rosie Wright, Business Development Manager, about her role and experience of working in a mechanical industry in the digital age.

Heading in the right direction

Creating new customers

“I’m a fourth generation working in this 170-year-old family company, and my job has been to bring this traditional weaving business into the 21st century.”

“A new market that we discovered online was historical and military re-enactment societies, which often require lace and braids to adorn their replica uniforms; previously the small quantities were not cost-effective to manufacture. Now we have a range of laces, braids accoutrements which are just a click away.

Tradition “Wyedean originally specialised in narrow fabrics, manufactured in our UK factory and still continue to do so, but also supply ceremonial uniforms and accoutrement.

Through developing a global supply chain we now manufacture a wide variety of items for the UK Ministry of Defence, along with armed forces and uniform services all over the world. The Trooping of the Colour is effectively our shop window.”

Innovation “Surviving in the textile industry has been largely due to our specialism and quality and diversifying our products to meet changing demand.

We manufacture over 10,000 products which comprise various materials including textiles, leather, plastic, metal, feather and hair.”

Mass produced, individually consumed “To compliment our bespoke ceremonial uniform contracts, we have found new markets, developed a mass-production model and added an online sales channel that has opened up a world of opportunity.

Previously making small runs was not cost effective, now we can make in bulk, put it in the shop and sell it individually to customers.”

Make local, sell global “We started our web shop with ten products for the Ministry of Defence, mainly badges and crests and this gradually evolved with more products added to meet demand. The web shop has helped us reach new customers all over the world that we couldn’t necessarily meet the demands of before.”

Another new market was the Cadet Association; there are more cadets in the UK than there are serving personnel in the British Army; so now we sell badges and helmet covers to these individuals.

Growing painless The growth has been staggering, we now have a super shop selling over 3,000 items and are continually adding to our product list, and developing new products to meet demand. Once the initial set up of the shop and delivery processes have been done, adding new products is easy.”

Media is our market and marketing “To drive traffic to our website, we have utilised social media to great effect. Our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram profiles have reached people and places we could hardly imagine and probably could not reach any other way. When our products are used in films, TV or advertising, we write, tweet and post photos, join in the conversation, which helps us trickle down and reach interested people.”

“We have produced many items for films and television and Netflix’s The Crown. We’ve made epaulettes and laces on the uniforms for the film Master and Commander; we made the uniform for Sir Nearly Head-less Nick on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and we also did the tape binding for The Mummy, which was dyed in tea to get the old looking effects.”

Brewed in Yorkshire “Talking about tea, we produce items for the Yorkshire Tea Band Uniform, which are used in adverts and are also worn when the band play at cricket matches. The hats were very interesting to create for that project, it’s one we’re very proud of.”

Strings to your bow

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West & North Yorkshire Business

30 MANUFACTURING FEATURE

Spin off

Making new materials with old machines

We spoke to Robin Wright, Managing Director of Wyedean Weaving on how this historical textile company survived and thrived into the 21st century.

Why Wyedean?

Old technology is creating new technology

“Wyedean’s origins go back to about 1850. In fact in those days it was called Daltan and Barton and Mr. Dalton and Mr. Barton were pioneers in the narrow fabric industry. Roll forwards about 100 years.

“Wyedean began to concentrate its efforts on developing new markets for its in-house capabilities within the UK. Wyedean has over 100 machines which are unique.

They’ve been especially made for making ribbons and braid, special areas of military trims but they’re very adaptable. We realised that we could re-apply those capabilities and resources into the area of modern technical textiles.”

The company changed its name to Wyedean Weaving because we moved out of Coventry into Colford near the river Wye in the forest of Dean.”

Building an empire “In 1964 my father acquired part of the business that made the military trims, and that was the core of what Wyedean did for the next 30 years. It grew into selling to all parts of the world, particularly places that used to belong to colonies of the British Empire because they tended to follow traditions in British military dress.

They continue to be our export market. Around about a third of what we do goes to these markets but it’s all based on our core business which is to the Ministry of Defence, the British Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.”

Global competition Over the years Wyedean has changed. Up to 1995, everything that Wyedean manufactured was made under this roof in Howarth. But by that time we could already see that we were beginning to lose business to overseas competitors, and that was because the product we make is labour intensive. So we set about taking a part of our production offshore to parts of the world where we could manufacture at a lower cost.

Local skills are competitive “But we still maintain in Howarth the ability to make all the braids and trims, cords, laces and ribbons that are used in military uniform accoutrement. And that was a success of why we continue to survive ultimately. But it also allowed us to diversify and to broaden the range out of textiles into a full range of military uniform and accoutrement. We can now offer a head to toe solution right from the cap to the end of your spurs”.

Making the fabric of the future “In recent years we’ve been using a variety of modern composition materials such as carbon fibre, glass fibre, silk sutures aramids, metal aramids and processing them on our machines to make totally unique narrow fabrics which are finding applications in the technical textile fields such as automotive, aeronautical, nuclear and medical industries.”

Technical textiles “One example of the technical textiles we’ve been working on have been carbon fibres, for example, modern automobiles are now being made using carbon fibre body shells. But when you join two body shells together, you need a carbon fibre narrow fabric. Combine that with the structures that we can do here which are unique, we can make that narrow fabric much stronger.”

Medical materials “For example in the medical industry. We have been weaving with silk suture yarns using some fairly complex structures. These have been found useful for implants; in that the body won’t reject them and the surgeon can stitch them inside without them falling apart.

I don’t understand the medical reasons why our fabrics work inside the body, but am proud and amazed they are finding applications for things like new cartilage and various other implants.”

Back to the future “High-tech fibres are the new frontier. We’re developing our expertise and expanding our horizons, using old machinery which was used to make braids and ribbons for uniforms of the British Empire.”

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West & North Yorkshire Business

32 CASE STUDY

Accidents will happen

GEM Compliance Training helps people stay safe and alive at work and at home by delivering first aid and safety training to businesses and individuals.

Come to my aid

Graduation day

Gavin Milligan, Company Director, explains: “We deliver a wide range of training courses, including food safety, manual handling, paediatric first aid, basic life support management and anaphylaxis and the safe use of a defibrillator.

“We work closely with awarding bodies, so we’re able to offer regulated qualifications.

When someone comes on our course, not only do they get the life-saving skills or the safety skills that they need, they’ll also get awarded with an Ofqual regulated certificate which is nationally recognised.”

We run on-site courses for businesses, at a time that suits them; running a course within the workplace causes less disruption for the business.

We work with a lot of high-risk organisations such as construction, engineering and chemicals. Obviously, with it being high risk, they have to do health and safety training and specialist training to remain compliant. It’s a serious subject, they will be coming in to up-skill themselves, but we always make sure that our courses are fun and interactive.”

Everybody hurts “Uniquely, we also accommodate individuals and small groups in the local area, so if you’re an individual such as a child-minder or a mechanic, you can drop into one of our public courses which may not have been accessible before.”

Headmaster’s ritual “A lot of the clients that we work with are schools, nurseries and out of school groups. They have to have qualified staff in paediatric first aid to remain compliant in the workplace. It’s an Ofsted requirement.”

Meeting people is easy “I like to attend a lot of networking events, and it was at a networking event that I was introduced to Rebekah, a business advisor at the Ad:Venture programme.

I was recognised as an up-and-coming business, but Rebekah has been able to advise us on how we can further grow our business.”

Free money As a growing business, our client list is increasing rapidly, and we need a robust system in place to be able to manage that volume of clients.

With grant support from the Ad:Venture programme we’re investing in a new Customer Relationship Management system, to enable us to manage our clients even better and service them with top class quality.

First aid qualifications have to be renewed every three years, which is a long time and people forget things. Refresher video training will enable our clients to be able to access updates on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. It just helps them to refresh their skills and keep up-to-date.”

What a gem!

Keeping you safe and sound

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West & North Yorkshire Business

34 INTERNATIONAL TRADE

What If I want to trade in China?

Experts help open up a new chapter of international trade

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West & North Yorkshire Business

36 INTERNATIONAL TRADE

No ‘buts’ as North Yorkshire exporter If plc targets China An innovative North Yorkshire book and reading-related business, which already exports more than half its turnover to 70 different countries, is making headway with sales to China.

Pickering-based IF Plc, which designs and manufactures a wide range of aids for book lovers, received its first enquiries from China in 2017, the year after seeking advice from Chamber International.

“Businesses must take care to register their IP in China. If someone else, such as a distributor or competitor, beats them to it by applying for that trademark first, a business will find it almost impossible to get back the rights to their trademark and branding there.”

As a result, the company, whose products include book holders, bookmarks, reading glasses, magnifiers, sticky notes and reading lights, asked Chamber International for a 1-1 China clinic to help it develop a comprehensive strategy for selling to this crucial market.

In China 1-1 Clinics, Chamber International visits companies’ premises and uses their computers to help them mine the complex Chinese Internet and gain a greater understanding of their sector, including sales potential, competitors and distributors. In IF Plc’s case, international intellectual property (IP) law firm James Love Legal, Harrogate, was also brought in to help with discussions.

IF Plc international sales manager, Isabelle Nourry, said: “We gained a lot of advice on best practice when dealing with Chinese companies, including the importance of job titles and friendship building, which was very useful in ensuring that we started correctly.

What about intellectual property?

“We were also informed about operational issues, including how businesses must take care to register their IP in China. If someone else, such as a distributor or competitor, beats them to it by applying for that trademark first, a business will find it almost impossible to get back the rights to their trademark and branding there, as the first to apply will typically win.

“This information has been crucial for us, as the distributor we have started dealing with in China wanted to register our trademarks there on our behalf. If we had allowed them to do so, we would have been at risk of losing rights to our trade name and logo there but we have retained control of the full process and, should we one day decide to separate from our local partner, we will be able to take our IP with us.”

IF Plc, which was founded in 1996, manufactures its products in China and sells through book, gift and department stores, airlines, opticians and visitor attractions worldwide including Europe, US, Singapore, and Turkey with its most successful product being its Really Tiny Book Light which has just been re-launched.

The company, which has 28 staff, has produced more than 100 original items and sold more than 20 million products worldwide with 90 percent of sales being repeat orders. The business, which started exporting in 1998, has a £4.5 million turnover about 54 percent of which comes from overseas sales.

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Find out more at www.chamber-international.com

West & North Yorkshire Business

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INTERNATIONAL 39

Fake news

Italian business throws light on benefit of export website after Malaysian fake tenders scam alert Latest figures show that three-quarters of a million businesses worldwide visit the website of Chamber International each year to keep up-to-date with its news articles and export information.

Praise for the website, which holds 500 pages of content and aims to balance ‘must-know’ information for companies involved with overseas trade alongside practical templates and downloads to simplify export procedures, has come from an Italian company which first visited during summer 2017.

The company, Dixpari-brand by SPA, based in Genova, Northern Italy, contacted Chamber International to thank it for carrying an article warning of Malaysian fraudsters issuing bogus tenders to swindle money out of overseas businesses.

Dixpari-brand by SPA, which sells a wide range of lamps, is managed by sisters Isabella and Carolina Candelo, although the original business, SPA, was founded by their grandfather, Bruno, in 1967 and grown by their father Roberto.

Isabella says: “I must thank Chamber International for carrying the article on the Malaysian fake tenders. It made me far more alert to the dangers.

While I cannot be certain that I was approached by one of the fraudsters, I may have been, and it certainly made me far more careful.

Shine a light The Dixpari range of lamps was designed by an Italian architect.

Each lamp is numbered and carries the architect’s signature as authentication. Isabella and Carolina, who are supported by other professionals within the SPA business, sell direct to homeowners seeking something more distinctive and also to architects and interior designers who specify them for businesses including hotels, restaurants or high-class fitting out projects.

“I find the Chamber International website very good for our company, even though we are based in Italy.

It has an interesting range of articles and information, particularly as access is for free!”

Dixpari by SPA, which had an 11-kEUR turnover 2016, sees exporting, including to the UK, as a major source of growth.

Isabella adds: “As we launched the product in an international trade fair, we are very open to opportunities from all over the world. We see exporting as a major source of growth. The lamps are very distinctive, and we believe that they can be popular in international markets.”

You can find out more about Isabella and Carolina’s company, Dixpari by SPA, by visiting http://www.dixpari.it

West & North Yorkshire Business

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FEATURE 41

Space, time and motion A new home for a digital creative has made more real world connections

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West & North Yorkshire Business

42 FEATURE

Cutting rooms

The office is a studio

Vision on Twenty Twenty Films are corporate promotional video specialists in Yorkshire.

Sean has a film school degree, years of experience and a reputation to maintain, therefore attention to detail and quality of production is vital.

Equally at home producing innovative advertising films to the standard talking heads and training videos, Sean ensures the highest production values are achieved to suit the budget.

Making a splash Pushing the boundary of video marketing, a project for Harrogate Springwater involved a sequence of Yorkshire cricket legend, Darren Gough, batting a ball of water.

Specialist cameras and lighting were used to capture incredible detail at super-slow motion for a stylish and dramatic effect. The promotional videos are making a splash from Royal Ascot to Yorkshire Cricket Club.

Lights, camera, everything As a one-stop shop for video production, Twenty Twenty has expertise in scriptwriting, storyboarding, filming to editing and final output.

From talking head interviews, corporate training videos to narrative style adverts, Twenty Twenty create a vision for their clients at every stage of the production process.

Videos are an excellent way for an organisation to train and inform staff; working with Incommunities to get across a lot of information succinctly, they take advantage of producing once and viewing when required.

Sean said: “A training video can be a far more efficient way of delivering information to staff; there is no ambiguity.”

Move with the times Businesses are becoming more aware of the need to tell their story in exciting ways, and a natural choice for narrative is video.

With YouTube and websites making it simple to watch online, marketers are exploring ways to make the most of this medium, from explainer videos, interviews to reviews.

“There is now a more visual culture; people are more willing to watch a video than read. If you have compelling content, a video is one medium you should consider,” added Sean.

People and pixels Ironically, for a digital production business with most of its output online, Twenty Twenty hardly use any digital or traditional marketing to gain new clients. An informative website and social media profile are standard for almost every business. However, Dawn Pearson, Project Director, has found that personal referrals and word of mouth have been effective in gaining and maintaining clients.

When you spend time with people making a video, trying to get them to come across as well as possible, the rapport developed makes a lasting impression. For a digital agency, people skills are paramount.

Dawn said: “When we produce work for clients, we are also advertising ourselves during the production process as much as with the finished article.”

In an online world, with thousands of potential connections just a click away, it seems you still can’t beat face to face communication for real business connections.

Location, location, relocation After five years establishing the business, Twenty Twenty has recently moved from Bingley into Bradford city centre, to be more accessible to clients; taking up office space in Little Germany, a historic part of Bradford with grand Victorian architecture, within easy walking distance of two train stations.

Twenty Twenty chose a recently refurbished mill building with a modern interior which specialises in small and start-up businesses, City Hub, which is managed by the Chamber’s Business Enterprise Fund.

With most of their work on hard drives, Twenty Twenty can operate from a modest office, relying on superfast broadband to access their work in the cloud. A huge advantage of managed office space is the access to meeting rooms for client meetings. In fact, the whole building is a stage; videos have been filmed in several areas including the penthouse balcony, overlooking Bradford Cathedral, the city centre and distant views of the moors.

It’s a wrap If you have a vision for your brand and want to explore how video can help communicate with your audience, talk to Twenty Twenty to make your business the star of the show.

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44 CHARITY

Its all in the Mind

Leeds Chamber President, Paula Dillon, was delighted to present a cheque for £2.666 to her chosen charity, Leeds Mind. The money has been raised by Chamber staff and attendees at the Annual Dinner.

Leeds Mind is an independent charity supporting people with mental health difficulties.

Leeds Mind are an independent funded charity, affiliated to the national charity.

Gemma from Leeds Mind said: “We are thankful for the support of the Chamber, the money raised will help fund our services in Leeds, providing support for people with mental health issues.”

Paula Dillon said: “We are proud to support Leeds Mind and the great work they do with people in the city. Mental health has become an important business issue as part of the welfare and support of employees.”

Driving change What started as an app for requesting premium cars is now changing how the world gets from A to B. Whether it’s a ride or something to eat from your favourite restaurant, Uber and Uber Eats use technology to help people get what they want, when they want it. We now operate in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK, where thousands of drivers and couriers enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes from partnering with Uber.

This past year has been all about change at Uber. Over the last few years we’ve led the way with pioneering technology which enhances safety like GPS tracking of every trip and our two-way rating system. But we recognised we can use our technology to go even further in setting a higher standard for private hire and other transport options. In February, we announced a series of updates that further ensure that safety is at the heart of

everything we do. These include 24/7 telephone support for riders and drivers (coming later this year) and the option for drivers to share their destinations with family and friends.

We also recently introduced UberENGAGE. This is a new way for drivers to share their feedback with us. Cities taking part will have an advisory group of 5 experienced local drivers. They will listen to drivers’ needs and ensure their voice is heard across the wider business. Another exciting project is Uber Movement.

Launched last year, Uber Movement is a website that offers anonymised and aggregated Uber data to show travel conditions across different times, days or months, and how travel times are impacted by things like big events and road closures in a city. Movement can help urban planners, local leaders, and civic communities make informed decisions for our cities. At Uber, we’re excited to move forward with the cities we partner with.

UBER www.uber.com

Two cities stand up for manufacturing During the Government’s Year of Engineering, two of Yorkshire’s industrial powerhouses are making a case for manufacturing as a great career move for the next generation.

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MANUFACTURING FEATURE 47

“This is a celebration of our district’s manufacturing might and we should be shouting from the rooftops about Yorkshire’s magnificent manufacturing heritage and advancements into the future.”

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48 BRADFORD MANUFACTURING WEEK

Encouraging young people into manufacturing Bradford Manufacturing Week (8-12 October), led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber and backed by the newlyformed Bradford Economic Partnership, aims to introduce the district’s manufacturers to young people and boost apprenticeship numbers by creating more inspired, informed and ‘work ready’ applicants into the sector.

growing population of school leavers, our apprenticeships are low. From August 2016 to January 2018 just 1,510 were undertaken across the manufacturing and engineering sector in Bradford and there are just 80 manufacturing apprenticeships we know of that are currently being officially advertised.

The brainchild of Nick Garthwaite, president of Bradford Chamber and MD of international chemicals and detergents manufacturer Christeyns, the week aims to engage with around 75 local schools, reach more than 20,000 14-18-yearold students and create 1,000 pupil work placements across the district.

“We want to encourage manufacturers to consider apprenticeships to future-proof their workforce and for young people to consider apprenticeships as an alternative route to a skilled and rewarding career. By improving communication between schools and manufacturers and showing just what an innovative industry this is, we believe we can attract talent to our growing manufacturing sector.”

Nick said: “To make Bradford Manufacturing Week a success we need all manufacturers to open their doors and help us inspire and excite young people by showcasing their products, innovation, technology and to demonstrate just how much they contribute to the local and national economy. We want smaller and larger manufacturers to back this initiative and we’ll make sure anyone who gets involved is given full support in hosting work placements, tours and events.”

With support from some of Bradford’s major manufacturers including BASF, Keighley Laboratories and Thorite and backed with headline sponsorship from Barclays, the launch marks the start of six months of school and manufacturer engagement before the week of events, tours, work placements, company visits and seminars begin in October.

“Despite Bradford being the youngest city in the UK with a

Debbie Mullen, head of manufacturing in Yorkshire for Barclays, said: “Manufacturing is the backbone of the British economy and it is vital we help attract the next generation of talent to lead the industry forward. We are looking forward to helping this ambitious initiative bring the best of the region’s manufacturers together with schools and colleges to inspire young people to consider a future in manufacturing.”

Bradford is an economy built on manufacturing with 1,200 businesses employing 23,000 people – the fourth highest of any city district in the UK. Bradford’s manufacturing GVA output was worth £1.5billion in 2016 accounting for 15% of the district’s total output.

Bradford & Airedale Manufacturing Alliance https://www.the-ma.co.uk/bama/

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LEEDS MANUFACTURING FESTIVAL 49

A festival of manufacturing How often have you heard the following?

• This country doesn’t manufacture anything anymore • There is no future in manufacturing for young people • What manufacturing there is creates no jobs

Well here are some facts: • There are 1,800 manufacturing firms in Leeds • 26,000 people are directly employed in the sector in Leeds • Leeds has the third largest manufacturing centre in the country • 8% of Leeds jobs are in manufacturing • Manufacturing produces 11% of the city’s economic output

“Making the most of our industrial heritage, manufacturing in the city is creating skilled jobs, and career opportunities in the high-tech sector.”

Leeds has already launched its plan to run a manufacturing festival to dispel these myths and demonstrate that the sector does have a strong future locally.

A series of events aimed at promoting the sector to young people (and importantly, their parents) will take place, while other partners such as schools and the local authorities will also feature prominently.

The initiative is being led by leading industrialist, Agfa’s Graham Cooper. West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, under its Manufacturing Alliance wing, is strongly supporting the idea.

One of the main aims is to celebrate modern industry by getting manufacturers to either open their doors to school visits or to speak in school about their company and career opportunities.

The Leeds launch included presentations from sponsors RSM, EEF, Allied Irish Bank and Leeds Enterprise Partnership.

Graham illustrated how industry has moved on from dirty working conditions and tired buildings to high-tech machinery, highly-qualified staff and specialist, precision processes. He also stressed how important it was, through engaging with parents and schools, to change those old perceptions of industry to help with recruitment and young people’s understanding.

Leeds Manufacturing Alliance https://www.the-ma.co.uk/lma/

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50 MANUFACTURING INNOVATION

From

innovation to legislation

“Excellent event with excellent speakers. Good to see topics of strategic importance, and particularly good to hear of actual experiences, particularly from members. Very good turnout in terms of both numbers and seniority” Andrew Nicholson Lean Consortium

January saw the annual joint event between the Bradford & Airedale Manufacturing Alliance and the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance, entitled “From Innovation to Legislation, it’s not just for big companies”.

Starting with informal networking, guests were welcomed by Stephen Wright, Chair of Bradford and Airedale Manufacturing Alliance and Managing Director of Thorite Group Ltd. Bradford.

1 2 3

This was followed by Jeff Monks, Chair of Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance and Managing Director of Fisher Plastics Ltd. Huddersfield taking the floor to introduce a ‘speed networking event’.

The first speaker was Steve Sands of Festo who gave the group an in-depth overview of Industry 4.0 and its operation using common standards throughout Germany, a country 5 – 10 years ahead of the UK in the implementation of Industry 4.0. He also explained the Internet of Things, digitisation and common machine language to allow all shop floor processes to ‘speak to’ each other ensuring smooth operation, less downtime and cost savings.

He finished the talk showing the new robots operating this language which, rather than being fixed to one station on the shop floor, could be moved throughout the operation to any place where they were needed. Due to the common machine language, any equipment at that station would immediately recognise the new robot and include it in the process. An example of Industry 4.0 for the larger production line type of business.

Secondly, Tim Parkinson, Chairman of Airedale Springs in Haworth explained how the recovery from a disastrous fire led to new technology being installed in a new building

Finally, Nick Garthwaite of Christeyns in Bradford treated the group to a passionate insight into Lean Manufacturing and employee engagement.

All the machines were CNC controlled and incorporated laser and camera measurement, specialised material handling and computer modelling.

The process included; training for Green Belt Facilitators, Process Improvement for Managers, staff introduction to Process Improvement, 2,234 recorded training hours, an improved induction process for new employees, the implementation of Business Improvement meetings and visual management boards.

Tim realised that CCTV could allow real-time, 24 hour monitoring of machine settings and performance.

The system was linked to the setters’ and operators’ mobile ‘phones allowing parts of the factory to run 24 hours a day without 24 hours manning.

It also allowed the operators and setters a better work-life balance as they weren’t always at the beck and call of the machines. A real application of Industry 4.0 for a small batch process business.

One of the most inspiring sections of the talk explained that the input of the staff was vital to Christeyn’s success.

An example given was the re-design of an entire packing station for one of the company’s products by the packing team which, after investment in a new station, shows continued savings in cost and staff time.

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From residential courses to intimate family gatherings, conferences, musical performances, workshops, receptions and celebrations, we have a selection of venues to help you create a successful event.

Facilities hire at Pocklington School Set on a 65 acre campus on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, Pocklington School provides a perfect backdrop for a range of events. From residential courses to intimate family gatherings, conferences, musical performances, workshops, receptions and celebrations, we have a selection of venues to help you create a successful event.

Pocklington School If you would like more information, to check availability or to arrange a visit, we would be delighted to help. For enquiries about conferences, events, performance and residential facilities please email facilities@pocklingtonschool.com For sports facilities please email sportsfacilities@pocklingtonschool.com.

NB: Most of our facilities are available for hire during the school holidays and occasionally we can offer them during term-time, dependent on your requirements.

01759 321200 facilities@pocklingtonschool.com www.pocklingtonschool.com/Facilities-Hire

With comfortable accommodation, a theatre, a music school, a heated indoor swimming pool, a cricket pavilion, extensive sports facilities, a large meeting room plus smaller satellite rooms all on one campus, our facilities are flexible and unique.

Add into the mix our award-winning catering provision, friendly and professional customer service and competitive prices, you will see why clients return to us time and again.

Within walking distance of the attractive market town of Pocklington and just 12 miles from the City of York, we are easily accessible from all major road, rail and bus networks and have large, free car parks onsite and adjacent to our campus.

Sports facilities include:

• Tom Stoppard Theatre - capacity 300 • Music School - capacity 200 • Dining Hall – capacity 150 • Gruggen Room – capacity 75 • Cricket Pavilion - capacity 40 • Selection of small meeting rooms • Sports facilities: • 21 acres of grass rugby, hockey, cricket and football pitches • Two full size, sand dressed synthetic pitches providing two full size hockey pitches or 18 x tennis courts • Heated indoor swimming pool • Sports hall • Squash courts Plus accommodation in four boarding houses comprising single, double and triple rooms. Each house includes a communal kitchen and a TV lounge.

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52 CASE STUDY

Flowering ambition Many of us dream of giving up the 9 to 5 and set out on our own, but few of us take the plunge.

It’s rarer that we consider turning our back on the safety our jobs provide in pursuit of turning a hobby into a career.

That’s exactly what Susan Dobson of the Yorkshire Dales Flower Company did when she walked away from her career as a medical secretary in pursuit of setting out on her own, turning her green-fingered pursuits into a full time vocation.

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54 CASE STUDY

I am so grateful for the help I have received from the team at Ad:Venture and now feel that I have the tools I need to grow the business into something extraordinary.

The gardens surrounding Susan’s cottage where her business is based, tell a story of a lifetime spent outdoors. Intricate floral combinations indicate meticulous attention to detail and years of careful planning.

Wine growers often pontificate on the importance of terroir and the impact that has on the final product and with that in mind it is no wonder that the flowers grown in the acre that lies adjacent to Susan’s studio are so revered.

Susan’s journey from gardener to grower led her to decide to re-train as a florist at Shipley College. On completion of her training, she converted a building on her property into a fully functioning studio where she now creates floral arrangements for a wide range of occasions as well as providing decorative solutions for businesses across the county and beyond.

Since inception, the Yorkshire Dales Flower Company has garnered a solid customer base and grown steadily. However, Susan wanted to push further, and that’s when she discovered the Ad:Venture program.

“I was so pleased to hear about Ad:Venture and meet Rebekah. Rebekah has been incredibly helpful in trying to focus my mind on how to formulate a business plan for the next five years and to look at the future. I’m pleased with how far I have come in such a short time, but that success means that I don’t have time to take a step back and plan for growth. Also, it’s been invaluable to have another person to sound things off, which when you work on your own, and you’re selfemployed you don’t always have.”

With the company’s inbox filling up and demand for larger projects on the rise, it was clear for Susan that some outside help and advice on how she could create a manageable and scaleable marketing strategy was going to be vital to nurturing her growing business.

“I’ve also met Scott from Ad:Venture, who is helping with the website, as well as providing me with incredible insight into SEO, which I

hope, along with my work, will make me stand out from the crowd. In my previous career I had some admin experience, but I’m still very much a technophobe with regards to social media. I had never used it before starting my business. On top of that, managing and running my website seemed like an almost impossible task.”

Despite her limited knowledge base when it came to the technical aspects of running her business, Susan realised that, going forward, she would have to grasp the essential elements of digital marketing if her dreams of growing the company were to come to fruition.

“So it was all brand new to me, and it’s still a huge learning curve now as well, which of course Scott has been tremendous helping me come to grips with it. We’re at the SEO stage where we’re looking at different keywords and things like that. Scott explained to me that the website’s Content Management System would allow me to create and manage the content myself. This is something I can do to an extent, but I do need a little bit more training with this. Scott is going to do that with me to enable me to do more day to day management of the site. Given the price often incurred from freelance web designers, this is such an incredible asset to have.”

The hard work is paying off too. Susan’s social strategy is beginning to pay dividends.

A clear understanding of the visual nature of her business, as well as advice from the Ad:Venture team has led to a rapidly growing follower base on the image-led social platforms of Instagram and Pinterest as well as earning her praise from newcomers and clients alike.

With the new site live and her new found confidence in the online arena, Susan is excited for the future of her company.

Focus on the future An innovative photographer is hoping to develop her business which caters to both businesses and consumers with exposure through a new online presence.

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58 CASE STUDY

Bold vision One Vision Photography is a commercial photography business based in Oakworth, West Yorkshire.

Suzanne Clayton, owner and lead photographer, works with both companies and consumers, providing a wide range of photographic solutions, from imagery for the latest product launch to capturing special occasions.

“Day to day I work with businesses. Often at times, I am involved with marketing teams ensuring that I capture exactly what they need for their upcoming campaigns. I try to offer something creative in regards to the composition while staying true to their vision for the project.”

“I found that despite working in partnership with businesses, contributing to their projects, focusing on One Vision was becoming more difficult as I got busier. That’s when I was introduced to the Ad:Venture program by a business advisor that I met at a networking event.

He recommended speaking to Rebekah about the kind of services that Ad:Venture could offer me and how they could help. We had some really great chats, and she gave me loads of advice about how I could put together a business plan what would help my business grow.”

With Ad:Venture Suzanne was able to put a strategy in place that identified where best to focus her energies. From these discussions, it was clear that OneVision’s website would be the critical area of attention. Ad:Venture provides a range of support options for businesses, one such being web design and web management.

That’s where Scott, the team’s digital specialist, got involved.

“I've worked with Scott for a few weeks now. We looked at how we could move on from the current system onto and new content management system that was suited for my needs. He showed me how the system worked and more importantly how I could get the most out of it.”

Offering a tailored mix of practical advice, coaching, outcome focused events, academic support, incubation work space, finance brokerage, low rate loans and help to apply for start-up and growth grants, Ad:Venture supports ambitious new and young businesses to reach the peak of their growth potential. The programme supports businesses with high growth ambitions and is aimed at businesses who supply to other businesses.

“I was blown away when I saw the photos. They were so natural and portrayed exactly the image I was hoping to achieve – and more.”

Karen Cruise Cruise Coaching

“Suzanne took the time to sit with our sales and marketing team before the shoot to discuss the ideas we had and how she could translate this into her work.”

Leanne Couch C&C Hydraulics

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SEAT paving the way for Yorkshire businesses With 11 SEAT dealerships in Yorkshire, an award-winning new vehicle line-up, and an outstanding fleet programme, there are few manufacturers better placed to support local businesses in getting their fleets up and running.

For some, a broader range might mean a drop in quality, but a trove of motoring and fleet awards have shown that couldn’t be further from the truth. The What Car? Car of the Year 2018 Awards, the UK’s most renowned industry honours, named each of SEAT’s four recently launched or updated models as category winners (new Arona and Ibiza) or price point leaders (Leon and Ateca).

In recent years, SEAT has become renowned as a manufacturer of the highest quality while retaining its core, distinctive styling and affordability to become a favourite of small and large businesses across Yorkshire.

SEAT’s trove of industry honours has come as not only a result of its all-new catalogue, but thanks to a dedicated approach to local businesses, with new and improved specialised Business Fleet Centres, and a number of new initiatives that make it easier than ever to get fleets on the move.

As fleet experts with a growing reputation, having picked up the Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer of the Year accolades at both the Fleet News Awards and Fleet World Honours 2018, SEAT knows that no two businesses are exactly alike and a fleet needs tailoring to exacting needs. This mindset has filtered straight to the factory floor and into SEAT’s comprehensive catalogue of all-new and award-winning cars.

The last eighteen months have seen SEAT’s biggest ever product offensive, introducing the Ibiza, new Arona and Ateca to outstanding critical acclaim, whilst the Leon has continued to take the motoring world by storm. For fleets, this has meant SEAT can cater to an unrivalled breadth of needs, from practical supermini or luxurious hatchback, to a small crossover or larger SUV with four-wheel drive if desired.

No other initiative has had more of an impact than SEAT’s four-day test drive programme.

The initiative allows a business to book a fourday test drive removing the usual hassle and struggle to make time to visit a dealership, with the car delivered in just a few days and picked back up at the end of the test drive. Terms and conditions apply. Visit http://goo.gl/a9N5DJ for details.

Steven Close, SEAT UK Fleet Manager for Northern England, spoke of the impressive strides that the company has made in recent years: “Throughout the company, our fleet service both on the road and off it has become recognised as one of the best in the UK, bringing our renowned Spanish flair to local businesses across Yorkshire via our dealerships and specialist Business Fleet Centres.”

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60 FINANCE

Leeds-based Defib Machines has received £140,000 in funding to expand its UK wide defibrillator supply and service business.

The £50k loan from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) combined with the £50k funding from NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance and the £40k loan from the Start Up Loans Company (SULCO) was used to purchase additional machines to fulfil national contracts and to create ten jobs in sales, admin and technical departments.

The company, which is in its second year, supplies businesses with defibrillators and provides installation, signage and training to ensure there are employees in each organisation that understand how to use the units.

BEF, a social enterprise offering funding and support to businesses across Yorkshire and the North East, was awarded joint fund manager status for NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, in April last year.

Jonathan Gilbert, Managing Director, said: “I got the idea for Defib Machines after travelling abroad and noticing that there were

defibrillators everywhere I went, on every street corner - it got me thinking, why don’t I see this at home? I was determined to create an affordable package that offered defibrillator machines which can be specifically tailored to each industry.”

According to a recent study, only 8% of people survive cardiac arrests in the UK, and less than half of bystanders intervene when they witness someone collapse. Defib Machines is aiming to improve these statistics by providing an efficient service to businesses, so they are ready to act if ever needed.

“We are extremely passionate about the service we provide and grateful for the backing from BEF, NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance and SULCO which has allowed the business to expand. In the past few months, Bradford College and Manchester Central Convention Complex are amongst those who have already found that adding a defibrillator machine can be the difference between life and death for employees and visitors.”

Jonathan added.

Defib Machines works with various industries including construction and retail offering modified packages in accordance to what these sectors require.

Investment Manager at BEF, Hilary Watson, said: “There are many stories about defibrillators in the news and the need for the units is continuing to grow. The passion that the Defib Machines team has is fantastic to work with, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that we have a part in helping Britain become heart safe – I’m looking forward to continuing to support this great business!”

Mark Wilcockson, Senior Manager at British Business Bank, said: “It is great to see the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund helping businesses grow in the Yorkshire & Humber region which have a real impact on surrounding communities. Innovative and ambitious companies like Defib Machines are at the forefront of the progression and development of the region, and by working with our fund managers, we aim to support more businesses seeking growth finance.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

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Breathing life into defibrillator start-up L-R: Mark Wilcockson (BBB), Jonathan Gilbert (Defib Machines) and Hilary Watson (BEF)

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62 LEEDS CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER

Chamber President sets out her hopes and fears Paula Dillon, a partner with law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, covered a range of policy areas in which she will be hoping to have some influence over the next couple of years, while also remarking that, tongue-in-cheek, if nothing else, she would be judged ‘the best female president for Leeds so far!’

While Paula noted that there are now many more women in leadership roles than there were even ten years ago, she has always stressed that any change should be based on merit; she also highlighted that the STEM professions (science, technology, engineering and maths) suffer from a lack of visible female role models, and that this needs addressing.

The president acknowledged that the lobbying and representation role will be dictated by what members want, while saying that she wanted to continue fostering closer links with education. Paula also acknowledged concerns about the drop in apprenticeship take-up since the introduction of the levy, while explaining that parents are being won over when receiving relevant information.

In a spirit of inclusiveness and collaboration, Paula also covered a number of other areas: on transport, she stressed Leeds’ support for Bradford’s campaign to bring the Northern Powerhouse Rail line through the city, and also the need to work with the airport and improve local infrastructure that would help economic growth. Back on home soil, Paula wants to see the city deliver its own festival of culture, in light of the EU banning a British city holding the position post-Brexit.

Guest speaker, Alex Salmond, was able to shine light on how Scotland handles its devolved powers – something our region is still struggling to secure, but not through lack of effort on the Chamber’s part. The business organisation wrote to Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, and Northern Powerhouse minister, Jake Berry, last year on the risks to the region caused by no devolution deal.

Other areas covered by Mr Salmond included the differences between Westminster and the Scottish Parliament, and the conundrum of his party wanting independence while staying within the EU.

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LEEDS CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER 65

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66 EVENTS MAY TUE 22nd 12noon – 2pm

Brexit Event

FRI 25th 7.30am – 9am

Pure Networking

Squire Patton Boggs, Leeds £25.00 £50.00

WED 23rd Speed Networking 7.30am – 9.30am The Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford £20.00 £30.00

JUNE MON 4th 5pm – 7pm

National Railway Museum, York £20.00 £30.00

York Property Forum

The Grand Hotel & Spa, York £15.00 £30.00

WED 6th 12noon – 2pm

Business Lunch

TUE 12th 12noon – 2pm

Learning Lunch: Sales for the Non Sales

Fairfield Manor, York £30.00 £42.00

THU 7th Pure Networking 7.30am – 9.30am Leeds Marriott Hotel, Boar Lane, Leeds £20.00 £30.00

WED 13th 12noon – 2pm TUE 19th 5pm – 7pm WED 20th 7.30am – 9am TUE 26th 12noon – 2pm

Devere House, Bradford £20.00 £30.00

Business Lunch

Hotel Du Vin, Harrogate £30.00 £42.00

Leeds Property Forum

RSM UK Management, Leeds £15.00 £30.00

Pure Networking

Fulford Golf Club, York £20.00 £30.00

Learning Lunch: Social Media Clarion, Leeds £20.00 £30.00

FRI 29th Post MIPIM Property Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm The Queens Hotel, Leeds £42.00 £65.00

JULY

WED 4th York & North Yorkshire Chamber President’s Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm York Racecourse £42.00 £65.00

THU 5th Pure Networking 7.30am – 9.30am Leeds Marriott Hotel, Boar Lane, Leeds £20.00 £30.00 TUE 10th 8am – 11am TUE 17th 8am – 10am TUE 17th 12noon – 2pm

UK Export Control Breakfast Seminar Devere House, Bradford £20.00 £30.00

Bradford Property Forum

Venue TBC, Bradford £15.00 £30.00

Learning Lunch: The Art of Honest Conversations Clarion, Leeds £20.00 £30.00

WED 18th 12noon – 2pm

Business Lunch

WED 25th 7.30am – 9am

Pure Networking

Coventry University, Scarborough £25.00 £42.00

TUE 24th Bradford Chamber President’s Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm Midland Hotel, Bradford £42.00 £65.00 Middletons Hotel, York £20.00 £30.00

Don’t miss out!

Book now at http://chmbr.co/2p

Members’ price / Full price Prices include VAT

Chamber

Awards

– Open for Entry

Recognising and rewarding excellence in British business, the Chamber Awards is one of the UK’s most contested and prestigious business award programmes. Each year, from , organisations of all sizes and from all sectors compete for the coveted Aberdeen to titles members of Accredited Chambers of Commerce.

Visit www.chamberawards.co.uk now to view the 201 Awards and to

To view the categories and to enter, visit www.chamberawards.co.uk #chamberawards