University of Derby offers fully funded support for Derbyshire businesses
Sanctions on Russia increases threat of cyber attack on firms
Increasing levels of sanctions on Russia are leading to an increased threat of cyber attack, warns online payment specialist Takepayments Ltd.
Amongst firms surveyed by the company fears are greatest amongst businesses in engineering, manufacturing, and the law, which has prompted the company to ask James Bore, Director of Bores Security Group, to provide tips in staying safe online.
1. Backup. Back up everything in at least some form separately from your business devices, and test the backups. Nowadays, if you’re using good cloud storage services, they can provide a high level of availability, screening for any known malware, and online storage that business owners can access from anywhere they need for a low cost rather than having to invest in expensive backup hardware. Given the cost of good cloud storage these days, business owners can either identify the most important things to backup or in most cases just ensure absolutely everything data-related is replicated online.
2. Be aware of malware. Malware is any malicious software. There are various different kinds, including viruses, and just like human viruses, no protection will be perfect. Protecting your business from malware is about hygiene – business owners should make sure that their antivirus or antimalware software is installed and turned on (there are good, free options as well as commercial ones, but do your research), make sure staff are not downloading and installing anything dodgy, do regular patching or turn on automatic updates, set up firewalls on machines, and try to avoid using USB sticks or memory cards – with cloud storage these should be largely unnecessary anyway.
3. The hygiene extends to phones and tablets as well. Turning on password protection, using some of the tools business owners are most likely already paying for to make sure devices that go missing can be found, or wiped, keeping everything up to date, and if they use public wifi assume everything they’re doing is visible to someone so don’t do anything sensitive.
4. A few words about passwords. If business owners have the option, secure passphrases (a collection of random words strung together or written in a sentence) are much more secure and easier to remember than a scrabble of letters and symbols. Business owners should also, for anything sensitive, use two-factor authentication – Google and Microsoft provide their own free Authenticator apps, and another good one is Authy – with an app installed on their phone or tablet.
5. Don’t get hooked. The vast majority of attacks happen because of malicious emails, commonly known as phishing emails. There are lots of lists of tips about how to avoid them, many of which are highly technical, but as a very basic piece of advice I usually say that if any message (email or voice) is asking a business owner to do anything out of the ordinary, or causing any sort of emotional response (excitement, fear, etc) then take a few seconds to verify it. To do this do not use any of the contact details provided in the e-mail, instead use a phone number they know to be right, a live chat page on a website, or any other method they know to be safe to confirm that the e-mail is genuine.
Sandra Rowley at Takepayments Ltd said: “Cyber security should ultimately be taken as seriously to a business owner as taking out business and liability insurance. More than one in five small business owners created a website for their business during the pandemic according to our recent report, and cyber security should come as a top priority for any business looking to move online. Unfortunately, as further sanctions are implemented towards Russia, the threat of cyber security attack’s could increase so now is more important than ever for businesses to implement as many cyber security measures as they can to ensure their business is protected as much as possible.”
Firms hit by 63% surge in customs duties reveals new report
Firms have been hit by a 63% surge in customs duties – a record high of £4.7bn in the year to the end of January, according to a new report.
The figures – up from £2.9bn in the previous 12 months – show that the last six months to 28 February 2022 are the six highest months on record for customs duties paid, with £2.6bn paid in that period alone. Over the past five years, the total amount of customs duties paid has averaged just £3.3bn per year.
UHY Hacker Young, who compiled the report, says the rise comes as post-Brexit increases in customs duties begin to bite for UK businesses and consumers.
Post-Brexit ‘Rule of Origin’ requirements have dragged far more imports into the customs duty net. These rules mean anything sold in the UK by EU businesses must wholly or largely originate in the EU to be exempt from customs duties when it enters the UK.
The company adds that the tightening of the ‘Rules of Origin’ requirements looks to be already having an impact on UK businesses and consumers. From January 1, the Government introduced a requirement that importers must show a declaration about the origin of the goods at the point of entry. If a business cannot prove the origin, they face paying the full rate of customs duty and additional penalties.
Sean Glancy, Partner at UHY Hacker Young, said: “These figures show that post-Brexit increases in customs costs are hitting businesses and consumers hard. With UK consumers already being hit by a cost-of-living crisis driven by increased energy costs and rising taxes, the jump in customs tariffs is the last thing they need.”
“Businesses are struggling under the weight of tariff costs and additional paperwork. These additional costs are biting just as they try to recover from pandemic-related costs and interruptions.”
“Since Brexit, customs duties have substantially increased costs for many businesses, in some cases making a dramatic impact on the bottom line. Businesses which are heavily dependent on trade with the EU may well be looking to reassess their models.”
“UK consumers are likely to face price increases at a time when the cost of living is already rising. They may also find familiar products no longer in stock should UK businesses cut imports of EU products.”
New £1.75m research and innovation centre that will revolutionise precision medicine and nutrition opens at University of Derby
A new £1.75 million research and innovation centre designed to revolutionise diet and medication by combining biomedical and data science expertise has opened at the University of Derby.
The Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM), based at the University’s Kedleston Road site, will focus on personalised foods, vitamins, supplements and medicine, while supporting the education of 800 highly skilled learners and providing more than 20 jobs.
FORM, which is backed by £850,000 from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership via its Local Growth Fund allocation, and matched by the University, was officially opened this week (22 March) to guests from industry, academia and local government.
Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University opened the event with a presentation on the University’s research strategy. Professor Chris Bussell, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering and Professor Gyan Tripathi, Director of FORM at the University, then provided guests insights to the research potential of the Facility, a tour of the world-class laboratory, and introduced them to academics and researchers who will be working in FORM.
The Facility is equipped with Metabolomics and Genomics capabilities and is supported by the University’s Human Sciences Research Centre (HSRC). The aim is to improve the health outcomes of people through a stratified medicine approach for a better understanding of the disease pathologies and agents that can improve metabolic conditions and treat diseases.
The University of Derby is already working on metabolomic research for conditions such as COVID-19, diabetes and obesity. The FORM provides the University with the capability of universal detection of genes (genomics), mRNA (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics) and metabolites (metabolomics) in biological samples which will help advance understanding of diseases and help identify new and innovative solutions to improve health and prevent and treat diseases.
The technologies within the Facility will also be applied to develop forensic investigation work, boost the performance of elite athletes and support new forms of sustainable agriculture, such as vertical farming.
Professor Chris Bussell said: “This new facility will further the capabilities of D2N2 and will establish cutting edge technologies, innovation and world-class research in the Life Sciences sector within Derby and Derbyshire, further advancing the reputation of the region as a hub for innovation in the understanding and treatment of human diseases.
“FORM will not only provide better scientific understanding and knowledge for meditech and personalised treatments, but it will also create more opportunities for the University to work with companies as part of their own R&D and innovation.”
Professor Warren Manning, Provost for Innovation and Research at the University of Derby, added: “We are delighted to be making another significant development in the University’s research capability with the opening of this centre, which will provide vital data and information for industry and consumers alike, with the long-term aim of improving people’s health outcomes.
“Working in partnership with D2N2, the facility will also deliver new jobs and skills and support the recovery and future prosperity of our city and region.”
Commenting on the new facility, D2N2 chair Elizabeth Fagan, said: “The D2N2 LEP is delighted to have supported the University of Derby’s Facility for OMICSs Research in Metabolism (FORM) with £850,000 from our Local Growth Fund.
“Our region has an excellent reputation for biomedical science and the opening of the new facility will continue to advance our reputation in outstanding research.
“This project is just one of many investments D2N2 LEP has made in partnership with the University of Derby, to boost our economy, improve the lives of local people and shape the future of our region.”
David Campbell, director of Surescreen Diagnostics Ltd, added: “The establishment of the FORM centre is a great achievement for the University of Derby and will be a very valuable asset for businesses, education and the economy across the Midlands. Better research and understanding of the body’s metabolism is crucial to improving patient care and developing the right solutions to improve what is currently available going forward.”
Hot Topic – Greater Lincolnshire LEP responds to Chancellors spring statement
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, talks to Business Link on the Spring Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak:
“The Chancellor quite rightly focussed on the war in Ukraine, and the impact that may continue to have on global economies. He took some welcome steps to sustain confidence in the economy, but he did not go far enough to impact the current challenges facing businesses, especially SMEs in places such as Lincolnshire.
“Our businesses tell us that they are facing several compounded financial pressures with growing inflation, energy costs, supply chain challenges and an increasing cost of living.
“There was also little direct reference to investment in a low-carbon economy, and how we get nuclear, hydrogen and onshore wind investment working for us.
“However, his proposed tax plan to incentivise business investment from next year is good news, and we look forward to seeing the detail on transforming productivity with measures such as capital allowances, R&D reforms and a revised apprenticeship levy on the agenda.”
Chesterfield businesses asked to help find potential new development sites
Residents, businesses, landowners, and developers are being asked to suggest sites for development or land use changes in Chesterfield.
Chesterfield Borough Council is issuing its Call for Sites as part of the Local Plan review process. The aim is to identify sites that have the potential to be developed for housing or employment but also to help find sites that could be used to enhance local biodiversity or other uses.
The Call for Sites is being run through an innovative online consultation platform that will be open for the public for six weeks to submit their suggestions from Monday 21 March until midnight on Monday 2 May 2022.
Councillor Dean Collins, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The Local Plan is important because it is the starting point for assessing the merits of individual planning applications. The Call for Sites helps ensure that we identify sites for development that meet local need and this must be done as part of the five-year review of our Local Plan.
“We are trialling a new digital platform that we hope will make it easier for everyone to help identify sites with potential across the borough. The online tool uses a map of Chesterfield and when you highlight a site it shows the current Local Plan map and you can then make a simple suggestion for how that land should be used in future.
“I would encourage everyone to give us their views and make sure they do it within the six weeks as we cannot accept any late submissions.”
As well as suggesting sites for housing or business developments, there is also the opportunity to highlight sites for other uses. This can include areas the council can invest in to enhance biodiversity through tree planting and habitat management but also sites that would be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, community facilities and public open spaces.
The Local Plan must be reviewed at least once every five years and the Call for Sites is a key element of this review.
There are two methods available for submitting a site for consideration, the first is a site suggestion form where the availability or ownership of a site is not known, and the second option is via a detailed site submission form aimed at landowners or their agents.
Sites that are suggested will be assessed later in the year as part of a Land Availability Assessment which in turn will be used to help review the current Local Plan.
Where a site has been suggested by a member of the public, but the availability of a site is not known the council may contact the landowner to find out if it is available or not. Sites which ultimately are not available will not be able to progress as part of the Local Plan review.
A site being put forward to the council and then later considered in the Land Availability Assessment does not mean it will necessarily be considered suitable for development or a particular land use, nor included in a local plan or granted planning permission.
The council are working with the consultants Urban Intelligence who have developed the platform and are experts in using technology and data science to assess property and support the planning process.
Funding for the platform was provided by the Government through the PropTech Engagement Fund with the aim of increasing local engagement with the planning process and giving people a greater say over their local area.
Find out more about the Call for Sites and submit suggestions by visiting www.chesterfield.gov.uk/call-for-sites-2022
Lincoln City council organises floating ecosystems project
As custodian of the Lincoln Brayford, City of Lincoln Council is supporting the area’s latest floating ecosystems project.
Studies have shown over the years the three islands at Lincoln Brayford have provided a valuable refuge habitat for a wide diversity of species from otters and swans to ducks, fish and pollinators.
The project has been jointly funded by the Environment Agency, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and City of Lincoln Council and project teams from the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, along with local volunteers, have already begun planting up and extending existing biohavens and launching new ones on the Brayford.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place and Addressing the Challenge of Climate Change at City of Lincoln Council said: “We recognise the importance of the Brayford for wildlife within the urban context of the city.
“We are committed as a partner of the Brayford Trust and custodian of the area to enhance our natural environment and do all we can to improve and develop this wonderful space in the city.
“I look forward to seeing this area continue to thrive for the wide variety of species which call the Brayford home.”
Gail Talton, Senior Project Officer at the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust added: “We are delighted to be delivering the second phase of our Brayford Pool Project and increasing the existing habitat for wildlife and for the people of Lincoln to enjoy.
“It is even better that we can engage the local community this time and we are looking forward to the possibility of phase 3 in the future, so watch this space!”
David Rossington, Secretary of the Brayford Trust said: “The Brayford Trust is pleased to be working with the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, the University of Lincoln and other partners to provide floating biohavens along parts of the north wall and the east wall of the Pool.
“The work is part of a pilot programme to maintain high environmental standards across the Brayford and if successful will be extended further.
“The Brayford Trust is always pleased to receive ideas from the public on further ways in which the Pool can be maintained and improved for the benefit of all.”
Cllr Ric Metcalfe, Chair of the Brayford Trust added: “This is a great initiative, as custodian of the Brayford Pool, the Trust is delighted with this work to protect and enhance the pool’s ecosystem.”
Manufacturer launches new recycled material for the automotive market
A Nottinghamshire-based manufacturer best known for producing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) parts and sealing solutions for the automotive industry has launched a new range of recycled materials suitable for use in a variety of sectors.
Interflex is using the Ocean brand of materials to manufacture acoustic automotive products designed to reduce noise and vibration in vehicles.
Already approved for use at a major original equipment manufacturer, Ocean is lightweight, mouldable and made from a minimum of 75% recycled polyester. It can also be recycled at the end of its life, making it a sustainable solution for NVH issues.
Ocean can be used for a variety of vehicle interior and exterior applications from headliners to parcel shelves. Although currently being used in vehicle manufacture, it has potential for use in a range of industries including rail, roadways and construction.
“We are excited to be launching this innovative new product which has already attracted significant interest from large manufacturers in the automotive industry,” comments Jim Griffin, MD of Interflex. “Not only is it a high performance acoustic absorbent material, but its lightweight properties also make it an ideal product for manufacturers looking to reduce weight in vehicle production.”
The launch of Ocean is part of the company’s drive to introduce more sustainable materials into the automotive supply chain. It is also part of a plan to expand into new markets.
Jim explains: “With its high-performance properties, Ocean can be used for a wide range of purposes and industries where weight and noise is an issue. As experts in converting materials, the team at Interflex is ideally placed to take Ocean into completely new markets.”
Interflex currently manufacture a range of NVH and sealing solutions for vehicles including door seals, interior trim, under carpet and boot seals. They also coat and cut materials such as the fabric used for armrests. Set up in 2003, the company employs over 40 staff at its 38,000 sq ft site in Langar.
For more information visit www.interflex2000.com.
Spring Statement misses significant opportunities says Manufacturing Association
Commenting on the Spring Statement, Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, said: “It is right that the Chancellor should prioritise help for the lower paid and those most in need at such a difficult time and business will understand this.
“However, Government cannot escape the fact that manufacturers are facing eye watering cost increases that are pushing many towards a tipping point and companies would have been looking for substantial business support measures to help alleviate these. In particular, the lack of action on energy costs for business is especially hard to fathom.
“It has been two years to the day since lockdown began and there is very little in today’s statement to support a sector that kept working throughout the pandemic, ensuring that there was food on the shelves, PPE for our NHS and medicines for the people who needed them. The promise of jam tomorrow with consultations through the summer and action in the Autumn will also be of little comfort for many who would have liked to have seen action and support immediately”.
“We have also yet to see a long-term economic vision that has enterprise, growth and innovation at its heart. Without adding a turbocharger for growth the Government risks leaving the economy spluttering along as a two stroke.”
On the incoming NICS rise Verity Davidge, Director of Policy at Make UK, said: “Today was a missed opportunity for the Chancellor to act on concerns raised by employer and employee groups alike to delay the NICs hike until the economy is in a more robust position. The NICs increase is a tax on jobs with six in ten manufacturers saying it will impact recruitment and the majority planning to pass onto the customer leading to further inflationary pressures. The NICs increase is just one of many significant costs facing UK manufacturers and there will be a big question as to whether the UK is a competitive place to do business right now.
On the lack of support for business on energy, Verity Davidge, Director of Policy at Make UK said: “The lack of support for businesses to tackle spiralling energy costs is beyond disappointing, and deeply frustrating. With manufacturers seeing historically high energy bills, today was the Government’s chance to give businesses much needed support. Reducing the policy costs that make up a large part of overall electricity costs together with a boost to extending energy funds and grants, would have given manufacturers the best chance of cutting their energy bills and keeping their businesses afloat.
On potential reforms to the R&D tax credit scheme Fhaheen Khan, Senior Economist at Make UK, said: “The R&D tax credit scheme is the most commonly used form of innovation support among manufacturers. Any changes to the scheme must be done in close consultation with the manufacturing sector, which is response for 64% of private R&D investment.
“Government must be careful not to throw the baby out of the bath water. While the scheme may not be perfect it should be reshaped and not radically reformed and any suggestions it should be scrapped entirely must be ignored. We look forward to continuing to work with Government to make the scheme work better for businesses of all sizes and ensure the UK can continue to compete on the global innovation stage.”
On commitment to look at investment tax cuts James Brougham, Senior Economist at Make UK, said: “For what was a well-received policy at the time of its inception, the Chancellor has missed the significant opportunity of plucking some low-hanging fruit by way of adjusting some simple, yet fundamental, flaws in the Super Deduction scheme. Alluding to forthcoming investment tax announcements in the next Budget does little to support the industry now, when investment confidence is in dire need of bolstering.
“If the Government wants the economy to invest, innovate and grow now, the Chancellor must also now stand ready to afford confidence to the sector through longer-term policies that show individual businesses are supported in the investments they undertake that ultimately benefit people, places and communities.
“The lack of investment-spurring policy announcements today will send a worrying signal throughout industry that businesses are to bear the risk alone through this fragile recovery, certainly hampering investment in the rest of the year as the tidal wave of rising costs washes away hopes of a prosperous recovery.”
On the review of the Apprenticeship Levy Bhavina Bharkhada, Head of Policy & Campaigns at Make UK, said: “The decision to review the apprenticeship levy is well overdue and will be widely welcomed by manufacturers – the true champions of gold standard Apprenticeships. It will be essential that the Government works with business to make the right calls on future reform so that we get this right. Over the last decade, the Government has committed to an apprenticeship system that is led by employers and it is important that it continues to uphold this principle. Any changes must ensure that funding for apprenticeships is sustainable over the long term, and that businesses are able use it to recruit and retain the apprentices they need.
“In the short term, allowing employers to use some of their levy funds to contribute to apprentice wages would immediately unlock greater investment in apprenticeships. Should the scope of the levy be broadened to include non-apprenticeship training, the Government must demonstrate how funding for apprenticeships would be protected and how manufacturers would be able to use this additional flexibility to access the right skills training for their businesses.”
Streets Chartered Accountants appoint Martyn Shakespear as head of banking & finance
Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy and advisory practice, have appointed experienced banking and advisory specialist, Martyn Shakespear, as its new head of banking & finance.
Martyn joins Streets with over 40 years’ experience of providing funding advice to SMEs and corporates.
During his career, Martyn has held senior roles in NatWest, Bank of Ireland and the Co-operative Bank followed by 7 years as national head of banking & finance within a top 10 UK accountancy firm and more recently as a director with BTG Advisory.
When asked about Martyn’s appointment and what it will mean to Streets and their clients, the firm’s chairman, Paul Tutin, said: “We are especially pleased to welcome Martyn to the firm.
“For a number of years we have provided clients with funding advice and we are keen to ensure we respond to the growing need for this by recruiting a dedicated specialist. We are therefore delighted to have been able to recruit Martyn, with his well-established track record and understanding of SME funding.
“In particular Martyn is experienced in raising finance, including working capital solutions, invoice finance and asset-based lending, commercial loans and mortgages, together with foreign exchange strategies
“This is a significant appointment for us as we pride ourselves on being more than just accountants. The specialist expertise that he brings will prove invaluable for our clients and colleagues, as clients are increasingly looking at their funding arrangements as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Commenting on his new role, Martyn said: “Streets are a well-respected, dynamic and forward-thinking firm. In recent times I have got to know a number of the partners, staff and clients and cannot wait to build the banking and finance service offering across the whole of practice as I am passionate about the value this will bring.”
In his new role Martyn will provide banking and funding advisory services on a firm wide basis, covering its 17 offices throughout the Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire, London and the South East.
