APRIL 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 Tough times for road haulage The future is now Keeping it in the family 01.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:17 Page 1www.oms.uk.com 01530 833 533 info@oms.uk.com Helping you to perform at the highest level OMS have delivered consultancy and training services throughout the Midlands and UK for over 22 years. We are a leading authority in health and safety, employment, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems and training. Our tailored solutions support organisations throughout the UK. Could we help you too? Some of the benefits of using OMS 3 5 star Trustpilot rating. 3 Trusted by many major and local organisations to deliver consultancy and training. 3 Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 for “The provision of Consultancy and Training Services” giving you the assurance that we have management controls in place to provide a quality offering safely, with minimal impact on the environment. 3 Easy access to our training centre, with free car parking, centrally located just a few minutes from Junction 22 of the M1. 3 Covid Secure training centre and head office. 3 Approved CITB touch screen (ITC) test centre, which allows you to attend a Site Safety Plus Health & Safety Awareness course and your touch screen test on the same day. 3 Wide range of health and safety e-learning courses. 3 Accredited to run a wide variety of courses at our training centre at Bardon Hill. 3 NEBOSH Gold training provider. Visit www.oms.uk.com , call us on 01530 833 533 or email info@oms.uk.com to learn more about us and how we can enhance your organisation. Our customers say Excellent 4.8 our of 5 based on 336 reviews VISIT US AT NEC Birmingham STAND 4/N41 02.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:18 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES It’s been a rough time for business, what with the rising fuel costs and a rather lacklustre spring statement from Rishi Sunak. To be fair, it might be hard for one man alone to fix the economy given Russia’s actions, but laughable press releases of him filling someone else’s car up at a Sainsburys supermarket will hardly help. A word of advice, Chancellor, people filling a car tend to look at the pump, especially with how high prices are. It’s quite a time to be alive and quite a time to be in business as I’m sure any reader will know. As industries struggle to come to grasp with the changes, and as Rishi Sunak fails to magically fix everything with a 5p fuel cut, it’s up to us to look to the future and keep the economy ticking. In this issue we take a look at how the war in Ukraine and the fuel crisis is impacting the road haulage industry, then switch over to factory automation – where we discuss the merit of collaborative robots or “cobots” and how they can streamline production without impacting human jobs. We also take a good look at the Net Zero Carbon pledge by the Government and how the law will affect owners of commercial property in our commercial property section. Here, I dive deep into the law and what it means, and how landlords will be held to new standards as early as 2025, and what must be done by then, by 2027 and even by 2030 to avoid fines. All this with up-to-date news, analysis and industry comment. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:19 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region. Commercial property 16 It can be hard with everything going on in the business world today to fully appreciate the challenges inherent in a piece of legislation three years old, but which will be making huge demands of commercial property owners and landlords in just three more. G F Tomlinson20 Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year as it looks back on a long and fruitful history within the property and construction industry. Factory automation 23 From introducing collaborative robots to the factory floor to address labour shortages, to reducing emissions during production with ever more innovative solutions, factory automation is on the up and up. Public relations 26 Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, discusses what PR lessons can be learned from the P&O fiasco. Family business 28 Family businesses are the backbone of UK’s economy and represent an incredibly valuable resource for the country’s GDP. However, due to the delicate and intimate nature of the relationships behind them, family businesses are not an easy endeavour to embark on. Healthcare 32 There are several reasons why a business healthcare plan is extremely beneficial for both employers and employees, despite the initial investment. If you have never considered investing in a business healthcare plan, it might be time to start thinking about it. Tax36 Michael Ball, tax director at Streets Chartered Accountants, dives into Making Tax Digital. Office solutions 38 In the wake of the pandemic, the question has arisen over the purpose of offices. Networking 42 Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, reconsiders leadership in the wake of the pandemic. Logistics44 The logistics industry is facing a severe worker shortage, rising fuel costs and very little help from the Government – making for one of the most difficult periods in the sector’s history. AutoLink47 With the Government clamouring for Net Zero targets, we thought it might be a time to look at some future contenders coming into the electric vehicle market, to see what vehicles we might look forward to driving later this year or in early 2023. APRIL 2022 EAST MIDLANDS £3.50 LEADING BUSINESS MA AGAZINE ping it in the family www.blmgroup.co.uk haulage ough times T e isThe futur oadfor r Keeps now Cover photographs courtesy: Honda • stock.adobe.com/ZETHA_WORK • sepy • ipopba • alphaspirit Contents April 2022 Corporate hospitality 50 If you are not organising corporate hospitality events for employees, you are missing out on numerous benefits - from improving communication to building loyalty. Out of office 54 Good news from across the region. Events56 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands. And finally...58 Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:20 Page 150 Group Editor Steve Fisher s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Editor Michael Fisher m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Journalist Tess Egginton t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk Sales Director Angela Cooper a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman accounts@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson studio@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310304 E-Mail: eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.uk Publisher Haychart Ltd, t/a Business Link Magazine Group, Huntingdon House, 278-290 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham NG1 3LY All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:20 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS Masterplan lays out the future of transport network in the Midlands to boost economic growth Regional Transport body Midlands Connect has launched its Strategic Transport Plan for the Midlands entitled ‘Greener, Fairer, Stronger’. The plan lays out the key challenges facing transport in the Midlands, including how a lack of mobility is holding back economic growth and productivity, how levelling up and social exclusion can be addressed with better accessibility, and the need to slash carbon emissions. The plan sets out where the region can come together and work as one to tackle some of these challenges. The plan identifies requirements for major investment needed, from both the public and private sectors, in several programmes. The document outlines the importance of new technologies in transport, with Midlands Connect committing to publish a ‘Transport Technology Route Map’ later this year which will provide guidance to Local Authorities and businesses on which technologies to invest in to provide the greatest benefits, while minimising risks. Businesses must take a holistic view of diversity to truly embed real change, the McKenzie-Delis Review warns While some of the UK’s biggest companies are increasing their focus on workforce diversity and inclusion, many have barely begun to embed real change on areas such as sexual orientation, race and disability, the McKenzie- Delis Review finds. The annual review – conducted in partnership with IPSOS and supported through strategic partner KPMG – is the largest of its kind in the UK with 89 companies participating this year. It measures 10 facets of workplace diversity and inclusion (D&I) beyond gender and ethnicity, helping companies assess sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, nationality, socioeconomic status, mental health and wellbeing, and parenthood. First launched in 2020, this year’s review sheds light on the complex challenges facing employers post-pandemic. Encouragingly, the business case for D&I is recognised as being stronger than ever, with companies starting to actively track their progress to demonstrate if, and how, they are embedding change. Leicestershire law firms merge Leicestershire-based law firm Websters Solicitors has merged with Lawson West Solicitors Limited. The former Managing Director of Websters, Barry Webster, is known by many people in Leicestershire and over the past 22 years he has grown and developed his practice to be a highly regarded law firm operating from Quorn. Barry Webster and his wife Tracey will now work alongside Lawson West’s established six-strong commercial property team, headed by experienced solicitor Rebecca Beswick, providing specific expertise to property clients across the region, widening the firm’s commercial property offering and further strengthening its commercial client base. David Heys, Managing Director of Lawson West, said of the merger: “I have known Websters for several years and I’m thrilled to welcome Barry and Tracey to work with Lawson West. They are both great assets in our combined business and they bring with them fantastic experience and proven commercial and private client skills.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:23 Page 1Waste food oil-powered bin lorries take to the roads Waste food oil now powers bin collections and street cleaning in North West Leicestershire. Diesel is no longer the fuel of choice for North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) vehicles after the authority swapped it for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a by-product from the food industry. The move to the lower-emission fuel is part of NWLDC’s Zero Carbon plan to be carbon neutral by 2030. The council’s entire fleet of 109 vehicles will now either run on waste food oil or battery electricity by 2024. The council uses a mix of refuse collection vehicles, housing maintenance vehicles, medium sized panel vans and smaller vehicles alongside more specialist equipment, such as sweepers and mowers. Residents and people driving the vehicles won’t notice a difference, but the move will reduce the authority’s emissions and achieve an estimated carbon saving of 1,221 tonnes of CO2 over the vehicles’ lifetime. HVO reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel. £50m of additional investment into Derby’s highways approved Following a two-year investment of an additional £9m into the city’s highways, over £50m of additional investment has been approved. The report presented to Cabinet detailed three different work programmes including: * Highways and Transport * Vehicles, Plant and Equipment * Flood Defence (this is different to the Our City, Our River project) The Highways and Transport programme alone will see an investment of £51,481,000 over the next three years with some of the budget coming from external funding sources such as the Transforming Cities Fund and Active Travel Fund. Key work in the programme will see maintenance and improvements to roads in the city as well as changes to transport infrastructure to encourage the take-up of active and sustainable transport options such as cycling and walking. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link GENERAL NEWS • Commercial • Events • Headshots • Automotive • Fashion CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE 07506 998855 STEVE@STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM STEVEEDWARDSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Creating eye-catching images to help businesses build their brands and engage with clients. © stock.adobe.com/ Jevanto Production 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:23 Page 2APPOINTMENTS Experienced charity leader and FMCG specialist strengthens FRAME Board of Trustees FRAME, the Nottingham-based medical research charity committed to reducing the number of animals used in scientific testing, has appointed former charity leader, fast- moving consumer goods (FMCG) specialist and veganism advocate George Gill to its Board of Trustees. As founder of VeganFMCG, a company that supports FMCG SMEs in scaling up their business and brand, George also held an 11-year tenure at The Vegan Society, initially as head of business development and then as its CEO. Prior to this, George was CEO of Beyond Animal, a digital platform accelerating the growth of the vegan economy, and previously spent 20 years in sales and business development in FMCG, with a strong background in brand licensing and new product development. At The Vegan Society, George was responsible for raising income revenue from £300k to £5m, leading the organisation’s promotion of the Vegan Trademark, and executing major campaigns such as the Grow Green Conference and Plate up for the Planet. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Partner at Derbyshire firm of accountants puts away his calculator at 84 A partner at a Derbyshire firm of accountants is putting away his calculator and retiring – at the tender age of 84. Brian Sutton of Moorgreen, near Eastwood, retired on Thursday (March 31) from Mabe Allen, who have offices in Derby, Ilkeston and Ripley. Brian began cutting his hours down at the age of 70, latterly doing two days a week, but now he is definitely finishing work. His career started when he was articled to the Nottingham firm of Taft, Baldock and Winstanley. He qualified in 1959, staying for a couple more years. He was then employed by Fuller, Worboys and Co in Ripley as a chartered accountant, rising to become senior partner before the company merged with Mabe Allen in the 1990s when Brian moved to the Ilkeston office. IoD appoints Craig Bentley as Leicestershire vice-chair The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Craig Bentley as vice-chair for Leicestershire and South East Midlands. Craig is director of specialist management consulting firm Bentley Management and Consulting. He is also co-founder of Swotly, an ed-tech business which uses voice technology to improve parental engagement with children’s learning. Prior to setting up his consulting business Craig led commercial and operations teams for global companies in manufacturing, logistics and supply chain management. He succeeds Dr Shamir Ghumra as vice-chair and will remain as the branch ambassador for policy and governance. As vice-chair, Craig will work closely alongside branch chair Sarah Canning and a team of specialist ambassadors to provide connections, professional development opportunities and an influential lobbying voice for all directors. Craig said: “I am delighted to take on this role. We want to support local directors to deal with the challenges facing their organisations but also to provide them with the tools they need to prosper. I will be using my experience in helping clients to manage change and think through better ways of working.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:23 Page 3New associate director for Mather Jamie Specialist land development and property consultancy company Mather Jamie has appointed Karla Williams as a new associate director specialising in land acquisitions and disposals. Having started her career in land buying during a sandwich placement, Karla has spent the last decade working for volume house builders including Countryside Properties and Avant Homes where she was responsible for acquiring sites of various sizes for a mixture of tenures. Commenting on her appointment, Karla said: “Mather Jamie is a very reputable property consultancy and after many years working for volume housebuilders I thought the opportunity to work on the other side of land transactions would be an exciting challenge.” Karla graduated with First Class Honours in Planning and Development from Nottingham Trent University in 2014 and enjoys returning as a guest lecturer to support the next generation of graduates. In her spare time Karla enjoys visiting new places and has previously explored Vietnam by motorbike. Originally from Nottingham, Karla now lives in Derby with her husband, two children and an affectionate rescue cat. BHP expands its Audit team with new director appointment Audit Director Abdullah Daji joins BHP’s Cleckheaton office after ten years with one of the Big 4 accounting firms. With extensive experience in providing audit and assurance services to a range of large and small, public and privately-owned businesses across the UK, Abdullah will take on responsibility for audit engagement. Abdullah said: “I’m excited to get stuck in and looking forward to meeting everyone and building on the growth that BHP has experienced over the last few years. They’re positioned well in the marketplace and I’m excited to be a part of it. “I’m most impressed by the firm’s values. Having met my colleagues and various partners throughout the firm already, I’ve found that the values are closely aligned with my own. “BHP delivers the best results by building personal relationships and, by offering high levels of service, the firm ensures that we can work alongside our clients and support them on their business journey.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link APPOINTMENTS Cellomatics strengthens senior management team Nottingham-based contract research organisation (CRO) Cellomatics Biosciences has appointed Anand Krishna as senior director to oversee customer engagement and strategy and support its continued growth plans. Anand brings over 25 years of executive leadership and field sales management experience in companies ranging from VC-funded dotcom start-ups, to managing sales across portfolios in tier 1 technology systems and operations integrators. His career has seen him lead and work with teams across the US, UK, Europe, India, and the Far East. He now focuses on working with entrepreneurs across a diverse set of aspirational businesses to provide strategic support. At Cellomatics, Anand will be a key member of the senior management team, overseeing customer care and management, sales, operations, and marketing. Commenting on his appointment at Cellomatics, Anand said: “I have admired and followed Cellomatics from its foundation and I am delighted to be joining such a fast-growing and dynamic CRO.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:23 Page 4Next >