< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT versatile, and effective their own rail system is, but Japanese rail is taken very seriously by the people there. It is well- funded, well-kept, and very modern, whereas our own is well behind the times. The UK would need – and likely does need if it wants to hit Net-Zero targets by 2050 – a great investment in the rail system. Some have estimated that figure to be close to £96 billion. Problems come in the form of apathy among much of the public however, who only see the price tag and don’t understand the benefits. This can be seen in the development of the HS2 which continues to see complaints across the country, but especially in London where voters cannot grasp how the midlands and the north might need or deserve such investment. What a newly updated and advanced rail system would also do is enable the development of new commercial land around the rail sites for warehouses and storage. Mark Harper highlighted that he wanted to expand commercial opportunities around land and property near stations. This would be a much needed boon to our region, as warehouse space here is already both limited and highly profitable, so offering up more space for usage as such would do a lot to lessen supply chain woes in the region. Of course, all these new opportunities might not be all too useful if more work isn’t done to draw more talent into the workforce in these industries. High employment rates across the country have led Jeremy Hunt to try and draw people out of retirement (which is unlikely to see much success) and Brexit has prevented many companies taking on workers from the continent. As a result, all these new measures and jobs created, while great to hear, might only make recruitment woes worse for companies in the local area. More needs to be done to appeal to younger people in schools and get them interested in jobs in rail and freight ahead of when they are looking for jobs. The industry at the moment simply isn’t an attractive one to younger generations, and for good reason. It’s often seen as a low-skilled, low-pay job without much in the way of excitement. With so many jobs available, and so few workers looking, the simple fact is that younger people can afford to shop around for the right job for them, so the freight industries need to do more to lure in talent. One area this can work in, and one are not being utilised, is through sustainability and environmental drives. Rail freight will be great for the environment, and younger generations care greatly about environmental matters, so boasting of the work being done, and showing real commitment to such causes, can make a business more attractive to younger people. © stock.adobe.com/Sashkin 28-30.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:24 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link R ising interest rates, staggeringly high inflation and governmental chaos – it’s pretty much the recipe for what you want your economy “not” to look like, and that’s having a knock-on effect on the region’s finance and its ability to do business. Investment in the UK is directly tied to how attractive its markets are, and how much investors think they stand to gain. While the East Midlands is no doubt a great place to do business, it’s still marred by the overall state of the country’s economy and finances, meaning that investors – including banks – are likely feeling a little shy at the moment. That is predictably making it difficult to source finance, or at least to source it on good terms. There are always those prepared to take advantage of the harsher conditions to demand greater shares or higher rates than businesses would normally get. One area in which investments are coming in is in relation to Net-Zero initiatives, where the East Midlands reported over £22 million in Net-Zero related deals in the last quarter of 2022, marking a shift toward businesses seeking to meet, and profit, from the government-mandated Net-Zero 2050 deadline. More recently the levelling-up funds were released, which caused no small amount of controversy because of a generalised spread of the funding all across the country, including in London. Where the stated goal was to level up less advantaged areas, it seems instead that the money has been distributed evenly across the country. This is problematic in the East Midlands where a lot of it will have to be put into our ailing road infrastructure, which in some regions (such as Lincolnshire) has been labelled as some of the worst roads in the country. Simply put, it never feels as though The year to come FINANCE It’s not been an easy time to be in business and we look at what may come in the future – up to and including the spring budget. 32 Á © stock.adobe.com/Ascannio 31-33.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:25 Page 1 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FINANCE there’s enough money to go around, and these cashflow problems are being reflected in local businesses. A culture of late payments has worsened over the last few years, leaving many to struggle to recoup invoices, and that’s to say nothing of business closures leaving many debts unpaid. Financial concerns are always part and parcel of a bigger picture, usually the state of the economy, which is in itself influenced by any one of a hundred factors. That is what makes it especially vulnerable to shakes in the market. High levels of employment and a difficulty finding staff as a result of that, and the loss of international hires from Brexit, has led many companies to struggle. The work is there, as is the profit, but without staff to hold positions they’re unable to make the most of it, or have to pay far more than they did before to attract people. This has a knock-on effect on a company’s finances, impacting their suppliers, and sending the tremor down the chain until many more companies are impacted. The spring budget will be something that many businesses will be looking to specifically, as the Conservatives will be desperate to try and regain some of their lost reputation, and give a convincing reason (one would hope) as to why they should not be voted into oblivion in the next general election. The budget may not be as bleak as feared either, as falling energy prices – even if those haven’t passed onto consumers – and better- than-expected tax revenue may give Jeremy Hunt something to work with, but the treasury has already established that major tax-cuts are off the table despite the windfall. 31-33.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:25 Page 2www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link FINANCE Major focuses within the budget are expected to focus on attempting to address the stated problems about a lack of good recruits – with efforts in store to draw more retirees back into work, and also getting the long-term sick into work as well. Both of these have gained somewhat negative reviews among experts, and among the retired who feel that even a year or two without income tax would not be enough to get them interested in the 9-5 grind once more. There is an anticipated fuel duty cut, though how much of a cut this will be is up for debate. Fuel costs are expected to rise by RPI inflation (7p) in April, and a temporary 5p fuel tax cut put in place by Rishi Sunak is also set to expire. Therefore Hunt may decide to continue or extend the cut, which won’t actually mean anything has changed – and in fact fuel will be more expensive per litre. On the other hand, there is the possibility of a greater than 5p cut, which could have some benefit. Unfortunately, and by far the most problematic, has been that Corporation Tax is expected to rise. This is despite a chorus of protests and evidence put forward by businesses that this is the last thing the economy needs at this time. The CBI have already hinted that the Conservative party has stopped being seen as the party for business, and decisions like this are likely to inflame that line of thinking. Worse still, some investment incentives may also be axed to save money, making the UK even less of an attractive investment target. All of this is subject to change and we will be covering the budget when it is released. © stock.adobe.com/SakhanPhotography 31-33.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:25 Page 3 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS W hat do you get when you cross Prince Harry with ‘mascara’? Well, national coverage in the tabloids and the BBC and a carefully considered conversation about Piers Morgan for a start. All of this happened for a client of mine very recently. You may have noticed that some chap called Harry had a book out? It is fair to say that it caused a bit of a stir! In it, he gets a heck of a lot off his chest. In fact, royalist or not, some might say…too much? That was a concern for one of my clients, the trauma expert, Danny Greeves. You see, there is a danger that when something so personal such as a family member’s death (Diana) gets major and Megan. You might also recall that I spoke on stage to a national business audience, just before the man himself a year or so back - my word time flies! So when his team reached out to Danny and I to discuss whether he would appear on the show to cover the topic, we had some thinking to do. 1. Massive national exposure. 2. Right audience? 3. Risks and rewards. After careful reflection, we decided against the opportunity. This was not from any fear, Danny is a bona-fide expert, published author and multi-award winning therapist on both sides of the Atlantic. No, the concern was that the topic of trauma would be at risk of being skewed to an anti- Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, discusses the importance of choosing your media opportunities wisely. airtime, it can totally UNINTENTIONALLY trigger old traumas for a lot of people who do not have the support networks in place that others might. Danny and I discussed this on a recent catch-up call and together we pulled together a thought leadership piece on the topic, designed to position him squarely as an expert on trauma. It was my job to then find a home for it. It was found pretty swiftly in the Daily Mirror and across a fair few other websites too, including the New York Post. Now, the attentive among you will know that the Mirror was long the stalking ground of one Piers Morgan and that he is not the greatest fan of Harry 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:26 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link PUBLIC RELATIONS Harry/Megan message or ‘woke’ bashing session rather than a discussion about trauma. That might then have reflected poorly on Danny as that is not what he was saying at all. Trauma is what Danny is an expert on. Not the politics and optics of Harry and Megan. You see, there is always a balance to weigh when these mega moments come up. We decided to stick to our knitting. Did it pay off? Well, who knows what may have come from that opportunity but mere days later, after some judicial Twitter research by yours truly, Danny was featured on the BBC. This time he was discussing the hidden dangers of codeword trends on social media, such as ‘mascara’, as they can trivialise very difficult topics. These words can be used to wangle around censorship filters on the likes of TikTok and according to the article Danny was featured in, the #mascara trend, which originated less than two weeks before the BBC chat, had racked up more than 100 million views. Was Danny right to turn down the Piers opportunity? I would argue that he wouldn’t get the BBC opportunity if he hadn’t and given his target market, that was the right call. Remember, the old adage that “there is no such thing as bad publicity” is utter BS! You want to be known for what you want to be known for by the folk you want to know you. Focus your attention on that at all times. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:26 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS W hilst the demand for commercial construction in 2023 is forecasted to be less than infrastructure and housing, it is nevertheless expected to grow by approximately 2.5%. Within this growth is companies seeking to construct buildings or alter existing ones to incorporate more sustainable materials. Many industries are looking to increase their sustainability credentials in line with consumer concerns, and to secure their future in the face of the depletion of certain natural resources. As a growing trend, the market for and availability of sustainable construction materials is growing rapidly. Interesting new resources have recently hit the market, with positives and drawbacks for each. Firstly, a sustainable material can be defined as one that does not deplete non-renewable resources and has no adverse environmental impact when used. When reviewing that definition, the first thing that likely comes to mind is recycling, and yes, recycled, or reclaimed building waste is a sustainable material. Arguably, this is the most sustainable way of constructing new buildings if ‘closed loop thinking’ is employed. The easiest way to operate closed loop construction is to re-use materials or components in situ, so using an existing building or parts of buildings (this extends to foundations, frames, and façade masonry) and upgrading specific areas as necessary. If the structure no Sustainability at the heart of all things With not only the government’s Net-Zero 2050 plans, but pressure from commercial office holders and homes for more energy efficient buildings, the construction and property industries have been grappling with sustainable materials for years now. 38 Á 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:45 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS © stock.adobe.com/EdNurg 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:45 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS longer remains, the existing ground floor slab could be built upon. This would mean fewer hazardous materials such as concrete would have to be used, lessening the environmental impact of each project. A little more project planning could also help to identify materials or components that could be reclaimed with little processing. These could include steel beams or columns from previous buildings, crushed glass as bedding material for paved or block surfaces and building detritus (such as crushed aggregate) for landscaping or backfilling. Further sourcing efforts could also find discarded railway sleepers or telegraph poles, which could be dismantled and used in multiple ways. Employing unique items like these adds intrigue to the site, giving the potential for companies to create a landmark with their buildings. For example, using reclaimed wood from old buildings or barns gives an olde-worlde, calming charm to new properties which new wood cannot replicate. Whilst reusing existing materials should be the first port of call, some fascinating developments are being made in brand new sustainable construction materials. As an insulating compound, there is little better than aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) This is made by mixing lime, cement, water, and a foaming agent. This mixture is then cured in an autoclave, causing it to expand and harden. The result is a lightweight and porous material which provides better insulation than concrete. It is also more resistant to fire, water, and mould, making it perfect for a wide variety of commercial applications. It can be used as a concrete replacement within structural components too and can withstand high wind and seismic activity. Furthermore, it is easier to work with than traditional concrete as standard tools can be used, making it a fast favourite for construction companies. It is more expensive than traditional concrete due to the extra effort in creation, however the energy saving benefits and low maintenance means it is likely to be more cost effective long-term. Plenty of sustainable strides are being © stock.adobe.com/Bastiaanimage Stock 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:45 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS made when it comes to flooring, roofs, and insulation. Bamboo is one of the most popular sustainable building materials. Firstly, it is fast growing and can be harvested in as little as three to five years. It is lightweight, making it perfect for interiors, such as flooring and wall panels, but it also has a tensile strength which rivals steel. This means that bamboo can also be used structurally for beams and columns. Similarly, cork is another commonly used environmentally friendly resource. As a bark from the cork oak tree, it can be harvested without needing to cut the tree down, making it an easily accessible material. It is best utilised as insulation, as it is lightweight but durable. Furthermore, it is naturally resistant to mould, mildew, and insects, making it ideal for food manufacturing or warehousing properties. Even more intriguing as an insulant is hempcrete. Made from the woody core of the hemp plant (making waves across multiple industries for its healing properties), it is mixed with lime and water to create the perfect insulant for walls, floors, and roofs. Hempcrete gains further sustainability points as is absorbs carbon dioxide as it expands, and is non- toxic to humans or the environment, making it a carbon-negative material. Alongside many other industries, the demand for more sustainable methods is driving product innovation. As can be seen from above, one of the key ways this is being done is through plant extraction. Bamboo, cork, and hemp are likely to become some of the foremost construction materials in the future, due to their unique properties of strength and resilience. Furthermore, unlike slow- growing trees, these materials can be harvested quickly, sometimes without having to cut down the plant, making them a truly sustainable resource that can accommodate continued industry growth. The primary sticking point for companies seeking to invest, is likely to be the materials cost. Newly innovated material generally costs more than traditional building materials. However, the resistance of these materials to weathering, and their energy saving properties makes them a positive long- term investment. © stock.adobe.com/mimadeo 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2023 09:45 Page 4Next >