SEPTEMBER 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UK £3.50 The cost of key skills A seamless fit-outReuse, recycle, recover 01.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:13 Page 1EAST MIDLANDS PROPERTY & BUSINESS EXPO Well targeted, professional events aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets. The events have everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation. Face2face route2market – the opportunity to meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road. For further Information contact tina@businessshowsgroup.co.uk Register now businessshowsgroup.co.uk 14th November 2022 De Vere, East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ Exhibition & Network - Property & Construction related industries - FREE TO ATTEND 02.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:14 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 3 EDITORS NOTES So, here we are with a new Prime Minister in Liz Truss and a vast lack of detail on how she is going to help with the cost of living, the pressure on businesses or just about anything. It seems the Conservative party hasn’t learned much from Boris Johnson’s ignominious exit, and there have been rumours that the party intends to throw the next general election – and even some that Liz Truss will be ousted by Christmas to try and bring Boris back. It’s a sad day not only for democracy but for our businesses and the people of the country who need quick and effective leadership, and who will instead receive backstabbing, politicking and cronyism. For those of us doing business in the region there is little more to look forward to than the possibility of control soon being under our own banner thanks to the devolution deal. This won’t be an immediate change but might be a necessary one all the same as many politicians have all but stopped pretending they care about the country outside of London. While I was initially cautious about devolution and the idea of regions being able to make their own decisions, it’s hard not to see the benefits of it now when the Conservative party has been all but useless while power transitions. We’ll be looking forward to the day that an elected mayor can enact real change in our region that bolsters business and transforms the environment. There will be a lot of work to be done, but it’s achievable work. Good reading as always. Michael Fisher Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:14 Page 1@BLMEastMidlands BLMEastMidlands Latest news 6 A round-up of the latest news from our region. Commercial property 16 The need for more sustainable buildings is clear as the world continues to be ravaged by climate change. Here in the East Midlands, a number of developments are ready to lead the way to a greener future. G F Tomlinson20 G F Tomlinson continues 15-year relationship with SCAPE after being appointed to £750m regional framework Food and drink industry22 The food and drink industry faces fresh pressure from the cost of living, driving consumer buying behaviour toward cheaper, long-lasting foods. With the UK economy struggling, it might be time to look toward exports. Tax 26 James Pinchbeck, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, presents useful advice as businesses battle the cost of living crisis. Finance 28 The state of the economy, rising inflation and the cost of living have all made payment of bills tricky, which is expected to cause a culture of late or unpaid invoices. We look at the options available to businesses in this situation. Education and training 31 With soaring inflation and the cost of living, training staff may feel like a painful expense – but training staff internally is likely to be cheaper than trying to recruit someone perfect for the role, especially in the current climate. Networking34 Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, offers useful tips on avoiding burnout. Office solutions 36 As many businesses look to rejuvenate their offices to create a workplace more suited to current working habits, establishing the right team to ensure a seamless project is key. • Systematic Q&A Public relations 42 Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on a recent experience to offer wise words on establishing and maintaining dream clients. Family business 44 While family businesses face a raft of challenges – like many other businesses in this economy – the solutions are often not so simple; they never are where family is involved. • OMS Q&A Recycling and waste management 48 With more government targets than ever before, and one of the harshest summers on record driving environmental concern, it seems inevitable that businesses will need to do their best – if not because it’s the right thing to do then because they’ll soon be forced to. Corporate hospitality 51 The cost of recruitment is through the roof, and companies are finding it hard to find good staff, which means it’s all the more important to keep hold of the ones you have. We look at ways to accomplish this, and why the idea of “entitled employees” might be less of a curse and more of a blessing. If you play your cards right. SEPTEMBER 2022 EAST MIDLANDS LE £3.50 EADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE The cost of key skA seamless fit-okillsecycleReuse, routecover, r wwww.blmgroup.co.uk Cover photographs courtesy: stock.adobe.com/BillionPhotos.com • HASPhotos • Photographee.eu • Pixel-Shot • warloka79 Contents September 2022 AutoLink54 As the number of hybrids and electric cars increases on our roads, more of us that need a tow-friendly vehicle will be planning to make the switch. So here are a few top electrified cars to whet your appetite. Out of office 58 Good news from across the region. Events60 A timely look at forthcoming business events around the East Midlands. And finally...62 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 06/09/2022 10:15 Page 128 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 06/09/2022 10:15 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk GENERAL NEWS New management team and ownership model for PLM Global PLM Global, a Nottingham-based solutions provider specialising in the supply, repair and maintenance of hand-held data capture devices, mobile print and EPoS hardware, has begun life under a new management team and ownership model, with Shane Watson becoming CEO and majority shareholder. This received the backing of SME Capital for funding, supported by local Nottingham companies, HSKSG Corporate Finance Specialists and Acton’s Solicitors. As one of the founding shareholders, Shane has taken this business from strength to strength over the years, with the team at PLM Global enjoying eight years of rolling success. The company, which started with just four employees now boasts 21 with a 200+ client list spanning six continents and various industries. They have also rocketed to a £4.5 million annual turnover. Supporting Shane is Wayne Swallow, who will be taking on the role of chairman after being a non-exec in the company for the past 2 years. The new executive team will be made up of Rob Alcock, who has been promoted to sales director, Leroy Stratford, whose role is head of finance, and Matt Leary, the operations manager. East Midlands business confidence holds steady despite challenges Business confidence in the East Midlands fell one point during August to 11%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 11 points at 4%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 6 points to 2%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 11%. East Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offering (34%), investing in their teams (22%) and diversifying into new markets (21%). A net balance of a third (33%) of East Midlands businesses expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 20 points on last month. Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s encouraging to see confidence among East Midlands firms remain steady, despite the multitude of economic headwinds they continue to face.” East Midlands local economy to be levelled up with historic billion pound devolution deal Local leaders in large parts of the East Midlands will be given new powers to improve transport, boost skills training and build more attractive and affordable homes through an historic, first of a kind county devolution deal signed with the government. Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark will sign the deal with Derbyshire and Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, which will see the area appoint a directly elected mayor, responsible for delivering local priorities, backed by a new £38m per year investment fund, totalling £1.14bn over 30 years. The deal delivers on a commitment made in the government’s Levelling Up white paper to shift powers and resources away from Whitehall. In addition to the agreed funding being under local control, a new Mayoral Combined County Authority will be created, with control over the core adult education budget, as well as the ability to increase control over transport infrastructure. The new mayor will also be granted powers to drive regeneration, with compulsory purchase powers and the ability to designate Mayoral development areas and establish Mayoral Development Corporations to promote growth and build new homes. Greg Clark Dave Atkinson 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:19 Page 1New project to focus on skills needs in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is to lead a new project which will look at the future skills needs of businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and technical education provision in the area. By working with local employers and key education providers, this project will seek to set out the key priorities and changes needed to make post-16 technical education or training in the area more closely aligned with the skills needs of local employers and the local economy. The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an initiative funded by the Department for Education, which has selected FSB as the lead Employer Representative Body (ERB) to head up the LSIP in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. FSB development manager for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, Natalie Gasson- McKinley said: “We’re keen to hear from and engage with a range of businesses to shine a spotlight on the skills employers most need in the workplace but struggle to find locally.” Purchase of shopping centre “safeguards important role in the continued regeneration and growth of Mansfield” Mansfield District Council’s CEO is hoping an exciting transaction will be the stepping stone to generating more growth in Mansfield and a positive future for a shopping centre. The Four Seasons, which opened up to residents back in March 1976, has new owners following the purchase by Martin Property Group of six shopping centres UK-wide. Adam Hill, Chief Executive at the council, said: “We have been notified that the Four Seasons shopping centre has been purchased by new owners…and we would like to wish them great successes for the future. “The Four Seasons is a key site in the heart of the town and we look forward to hearing about their plans and what they will be doing to ensure this purchase plays an important role in the continued regeneration and growth of Mansfield. The council hopes this will be the catalyst to seeing new investment coming into the district.” The shopping centre – which spans across over 50 retail units – is the home of major retailers including Boots, Primark, Clintons and JD Sports. 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/ opolja Natalie Gasson-McKinley 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:19 Page 2APPOINTMENTS IoD appoints Paul Hooper- Keeley to lead Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire branch The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Paul Hooper-Keeley to lead its Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire branch. Paul is Managing Director of Intervallum, a provider of finance director, chief financial officer and non-executive director services. Intervallum supports businesses through turnaround situations, growth and exit transaction projects. He has been a board-level director since 1996 and was the IoD’s 25th Chartered Director, qualifying in 2000. Paul has served as an ambassador for the IoD’s Greater Birmingham branch and holds non-executive director positions with B: Music and Lichfield Garrick Theatre. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. Paul said: “I want to help to build better directors in this branch. This starts from the aspirations at student level in our universities to right across the spectrum of age and experience. We will build a community of directors and put on events that add value to their careers and businesses.” East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Derby marketing agency ushers in major restructure to catapult growth Derby-based marketing agency, Balls2 Marketing is ushering in an agency wide shake-up including promotions, new divisional appointments and the restructure of its senior leadership team to drive transformational change and meet a business target to double turnover and team size in three years. The changes see founders Andy Ball and Sarah Ball moving into the roles of joint Managing Director, focused on the top-level business strategy and commercial growth. Lauren Doyle, who has risen through the ranks at the agency over the past eight years, is promoted to client strategy director, delivering client service excellence and team delivery agency wide. Day to day, Lauren Doyle will work in partnership with the newest appointment to the senior leadership team, Chartered PR practitioner Katie Bregazzi who joins as operations director focusing on leadership, company culture, training and building an infrastructure to shape and drive forward the agency into its next ambitious phase of growth. Joules names new CEO Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, has revealed that Jonathon Brown will become its new Chief Executive Officer. This follows the announcement that Nick Jones would be stepping down from the role during 2022. Jonathon is a proven leader with a strong track record of improving performance and implementing strategic transformation programmes across several digital and retail businesses. He started his career in various marketing and digital roles, including at Schroders, British Airways and Coca-Cola. He has held senior positions at Aviva, where he was head of e-Channels, Kingfisher, where he was director of Multichannel, and John Lewis, where he was Omnichannel director. He was previously CEO of MandM Direct, where he executed a successful turnaround plan, and COO of Photobox Group, where he led the strategic, commercial, and organisational transformation of the group, working across the brand portfolio including PhotoBox and Moonpig. Most recently, Jonathon was CEO of Compare the Market, part of BGL Group, where he led the business through a successful period of strategic transformation and growth. From left to right: Katie Bregazzi, Sarah Ball, Andy Ball, Lauren Doyle Paul Hooper-Keeley © stock.adobe.com/ Shawn 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:19 Page 3BDO expands Midlands team with head of supply chain & logistics hire Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has expanded its Midlands team with the appointment of Fraser Paget as head of supply chain & logistics. Fraser joins as director in the national Digital & Risk Advisory Services (DRAS) team and brings over 25 years’ sector experience. In his previous role, Fraser worked at UKHSA on the COVID-19 testing programme, helping to deliver 10 million lateral flow tests and 750,000 PCR tests per day around the UK and back to laboratories for testing. At BDO, he will be responsible for developing the firm’s service proposition, building a high performing team across the country, and delivering innovation to clients in the fast- paced world of supply chain operations, particularly across retail/FMCG, pharma and manufacturing sectors. Tim Foster, partner & national practice leader, BDO Risk Advisory Services, said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Fraser’s calibre to the team. “Fraser possesses considerable hands-on experience, not just across supply chain and logistics, but also as a senior executive who has worked in leadership roles within public and private sector companies across a broad range of markets. “Fraser will work closely with clients to help shape their strategic vision, both in the short and long-term, while focusing on key pain-points within key sectors, such as availability issues and procuring, selecting and implementing warehouse management and transport IT solutions.” New Managing Director for Nottingham Trams Nottingham Trams Limited, which oversees the operation and maintenance of the city’s tram network for the Nottingham Express Transit (NET), has appointed Chris Wright as its new Managing Director. In his new role at Nottingham Trams Chris will take responsibility for the strategic leadership of the city’s tram system to ensure its safe operation, oversee the company’s budget and be the primary contact for key stakeholders of the business. Chris was previously commercial director for East Midlands Railway, which saw him lead teams responsible for marketing, retail and external relations and act as the primary interface with the Department for Transport to manage contracts and new business opportunities. Prior to this Chris held senior roles as fleet director at East Midlands Trains, engineering and commercial director at Vossloh Kiepe UK and depot manager for London Midland’s Soho and Tyseley maintenance depots. Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive of Keolis UK and Dubai, said: “The experience and expertise that Chris brings to our business is significant and will be valuable in meeting the current challenges. “He will be leading an excellent and well-regarded team and I am looking forward to working with Chris to ensure that he has the resources and talent to continue to deliver the best service possible for communities across Nottingham.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link APPOINTMENTS CMP Legal strengthens offering with two new key appointments Two new appointments have further strengthened the legal offering of Chesterfield’s newest firm of commercial solicitors. CMP Legal, which was established in 2021, has appointed Chris Hutchinson and Ryan Fitzpatrick to its team of solicitors. Chris and Ryan’s appointments now add expert construction dispute advice and healthcare transactions to CMP Legal’s specialisms. Ryan, who is CMP’s first new director appointment just 18 months after launching, joins with a particular specialism of corporate transactions within the healthcare sector. Formerly with Bell and Buxton and Ironmonger Curtis, Ryan brings more than 10 years’ corporate commercial legal experience to his new position at CMP Legal, including corporate restructuring and management buy-ins/outs with businesses based throughout South Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Alongside Ryan’s healthcare sector specialism, Chris brings industry-leading experience in construction disputes to his new role as a consultant solicitor with CMP Legal. Originally trained as a site engineer, Chris has worked in senior quantity surveyor roles for major construction companies, including Morrison Construction and Mowlem, during a 40-year career in the sector. Chris Wright Ryan Fitzpatrick Fraser Paget 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:19 Page 4Next >