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D NEWS I S UPDATE T R I B U T E D
No39
BI-MONTHLY
BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Ryan Sidebottom Bags of Style
A CAREER SPANNING THREE DECADES
SARAH HARAN TALKS ABOUT ‘THE DAHLIA’
NEW: TopicUK Business Woman
NEW SECTION FOR TODAYS BUSINESS WOMAN
This issue
Group Editor Gill Laidler
Design
Rob Blackwell
TopicUK editor Gill Laidler recently caught up with Ryan Sidebottom, who features on this editions cover. A world class cricketer, who trains young players, Ryan is also known for his time in the last series of Dancing on Ice. Read the full story on page 26
Business Executive Mandy Taylor
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ed Asquith
Distribution Manager James Longbottom
Illustration
Buttercrumble
Official Photographers
Duncan Lomax/Roth Read Photography
The Arts
Murray Edwards The Grand Theatre
Cover : Ryan Sidebottom Image : Many thanks to Roth-Read Photography
Legal Matters
Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence
Food & Drink
Princess Royal visits Bradford
Lawyer, Religious Leader, Government Advisor A career spanning three decades Tattu tantalises the taste buds New: TopicUK Business Woman
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page page
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06 16 26 52 79
Kevin Trickett MBE Create Restaurant
Recruitment
First Choice Recruitment Stafflex
It
Paul Heigham, Bellingham IT
Education
Ackworth School
Banking
Barclays Bank
To Partner TopicUK
Tel: 07711 539047
The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers and therefore, no responsibility can be held by the publisher for misinterpretation. Reproduction of this magazine without the express permission of the publisher is prohibited. Whilst every care is taken in the production of this magazine, the publisher/ editor and staff cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles, advertisements or programme schedules. To subscribe to this magazine contact 07711 539047 or email editor@topicuk.co.uk. Published by Ghost Publishing Limited, Paragon Point, Paragon Business Village, Red Hall Crescent, Wakefield WF1 2DF. Law pages are written by Chadwick Lawrence & Ramsdens Solicitors LLP and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.
by Group Editor Gill Laidler
OUR PARTNERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Dakota Hotel Leeds RJ Burgess Rogerthorpe Manor Community Foundation Calderdale The Piece Hall Applied Digital LS Live Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence Bellingham IT KC Communications Ackworth School Wakefield College / Wakefield Council Leeds Council (Ad:Venture) CityFibre Jordans Solicitors Eaton Smith Solicitors Hansons Bramleys Stafflex Fostering to Aspire Wakefield Theatre Pontefract Hospice Eitex Scriba PR Kirklees College Buttercrumble University of Law Avenuehq/Barclays Eagle Lab Yorkshire Payments Easy Fireplaces Welcome to Yorkshire Social Progress
We have also partnered with John Lewis and Partners Leeds, within our new Businesswoman section and each edition they will be offering styling tips, fashion, beauty and so much more with our female readers. Also, in this new section we will be bringing you stories of inspirational business ladies from across Yorkshire and believe me, there are many of them and much much more. If you would like to feature, do let us know, email us: PR@topicuk.co,uk. Turn to page 79.
Pleasure Yorkshire Day was the highlight of the August calendar as TopicUK were guests of The Yorkshire Society who held their annual celebrations in Whitby. The day began with a networking breakfast, followed by a church service and procession through the town, before guests enjoyed a superb lunch in a specially erected marquee in the harbour. Read the full story on page 78. I had the pleasure of catching up with the lovely Ryan Sidebottom, ex-professional cricketer and of course star of Dancing on Ice. Ryan shares with us stories of his time playing world class cricket, and what it was like to perform in front of millions dancing on ice, even though he had never set foot on ice before.
We are looking forward to The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards on 11th October. This sell out event is one of the highlights of our year, along with Forward Ladies lunch at the end of November, where we get to meet the region’s top business ladies.
Promote As our next edition publishes, we will attend the Prince of Wales Hospice 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Oulton Hall. The hospice has had a fabulous year of fundraising, supported and promoted by TopicUK, for what is an amazing cause. They had their 30 for 30 campaign where people had the chance to win a car and Allied Glass produced 30 limited edition special bottles on their behalf filled with delicious Gin for them to raffle. The Princess Royal visited our region to unveil a major investment project at a Bradford Textile firm and we help promote Huddersfield Business Week, launched by KC Communications, taking place at the end of September. Page 22. Our next edition will publish on Halloween, 31st October. If you want to be included as extra copies will be printed to be placed in the Forward Ladies lunch goody bags. See you in August
Gill
Contents & Comments
Editors notes
Welcome to TopicUK where we continue to promote wonderful Yorkshire businesses from across our region. This edition we welcome new partners Easy Fireplaces, Social Progress and Yorkshire Payments and are looking forward to sharing all their news with our readers.
To Partner TopicUK
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NEWS UPDATE
A family-run manufacturer of textile News materials has invested £9million in a new 60,000sq. ft state-of-theart manufacturing facility in Bradford, which was officially opened by the Princess Royal. To future-proof its operation and enable the production of Springbond, a new eco-engineered carpet underlay made from upcycled plastic bottles, the investment has so far safeguarded and created 13 jobs in the area. Previously based in an old textile mill in Elland, Texfelt’s investment is in direct response to a decline in its traditional markets due to the dramatic changes in the flooring industry over the last 15-20 years. Six years in the making, the new plant is home to new machinery and modern technology. A collaboration between Texfelt and four other machinery manufacturers, the new site has enabled Texfelt to introduce a unique technology which has allowed a new virtual spring structure in its products, enhancing their resilience and acoustic performance.
Princess Royal unveils major Bradford textiles investment part of the region’s future.” Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and NP11, said: “I’m delighted that through the Growth Service, the LEP has supported businesses to become more productive and environmentally sustainable. The Leeds City Region is a leading centre for textile manufacturing, and businesses like Texfelt are boosting growth and global competitiveness in this sector. It’s vital that as a region we continue to invest in innovation and give businesses the tools they need to help grow the economy. I would encourage all businesses to pick up the phone and find out about the support available for growing businesses at every stage of their development.”
James Taylor, Managing Director and fourth generation in the family run business, commented: “This royal opening is a real milestone for Texfelt. Building a development of this size doesn’t come without its Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, challenges but we are incredibly Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, proud of what’s been achieved, and Planning and Transport, said: of the direct impact we’ve had on “This is great news for the Bradford job creation in Bradford. Our family district. Significant investment in roots are from Huddersfield, so we manufacturing technology is a have a huge emotional attachment key part of our economic strategy. to Yorkshire and are proud to be Businesses like Texfelt are not only
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good for jobs and the economy, they are also good for the environment.” To coincide with the opening of the Bradford site and confirm its commitment to the environment, Texfelt has brought a new ecoengineered carpet underlay to market, 85% of which is made from recycled PET (polyethylene
terephthalate) plastics bottles and other single use plastics. Each role of Springbond uses up to 180 recycled bottles, meaning the average homeowner could see 900 recycled bottles sitting under their carpets. In keeping with its environmental ethos, Texfelt partnered with F
Regions Directors celebrated
The prestigious Institute of Directors (IoD), Director of the Year awards took place recently, celebrating the men and women from across the region, who have made a difference in their working life. Held at The Principal Hotel York, the black-tie event began with a Pimms drinks reception in the garden room or outside in the beautiful garden, where the sunshine decided to join us. This was followed by a delicious three course meal. IoD Director for Yorkshire and the
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North East, Natalie Sykes welcomed guests before the awards got underway, with host for the evening Danni Hewson. Several awards were up for grabs including Third Sector Director which was won by Adeem Younis, chairman of Penny Appeal and a TopicUK partner.
NEWS UPDATE Associated Weavers by using its Sedna carpet for its launch event. The Sedna carpet is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon, a yarn made from recycled waste material such as old carpets and abandoned fishing nets collected from the bottom of the sea.
am delighted to attend the opening of the new Texfelt factory. Springbond is a perfect example of upcycling for plastic that might otherwise have ended up in the environment. I hope this will encourage other entrepreneurs to find ways to value plastic to ensure it never reaches our oceans.”
Texfelt received investment for its new facility from the Textiles Growth Programme via the Business Growth Hub, and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The LEP funding was delivered by the West Yo r k s h i r e C o m b i n e d Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Springbond is highly suited to industries looking to replace PU foam with a greener, cleaner and safer alternative - there are no harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) meaning better air quality throughout the home. Springbond’s transferrable nature means that it can be used in upholstered furniture, mat tresses, insulation, and within the automotive sector too.
Jo Ruxton, prominent plastic pollution campaigner and CEO and Founder of Plastic Oceans UK, continued: “I
Texfelt is a partner of non-profit organisation Plastic Oceans UK, which addresses plastic pollution.
We were also delighted to suddenly. Our thoughts and see TopicUK contributor, condolences go to Terry’s Charlotte Armitage win the family. Inclusivity award and as media partners, TopicUK “I had known Terry for about Editor Gill Laidler presented 10 years,” said TopicUK the award for Family editor Gill Laidler, he was one of the good guys and company Director. a thoroughly talented and Ellie Coast provided the exceptional businessman. entertainment for the He will be sadly missed. evening. O n a sad note, Te rry Hodgkinson OBE, businessman and ex chair of Yorkshire Forward attended the event, but we were all saddened to learn that just a week later, he passed away
Terry-Hodgkinson
A Grand plan to be greener
Yorkshire’s only five-star hotel has pledged to eliminate single use plastic by December 31, and The Grand, York, has informed all its suppliers that, if they can not find an alternative form of packaging in time, then it will have no choice but to shop elsewhere.
The plan is the brainchild of the luxury hotel’s Junior Board, which is made up of junior members of staff and has the backing of senior management. They identified where and when single use plastic is used in each department, from the kitchens, to the 207 bedrooms, the Spa and even the marketing departments and offices. Then they invited suppliers of everything from fresh fish to toiletries, to a sustainability summit at the hotel to look at what can be done to eliminate single use plastic. Among those who attended were luxury skincare brand Espa, whose products are used for treatments in the hotel Spa, Molton Brown, whose toiletries are provided in every one of the hotel’s rooms and suites and Yorkshire-based suppliers of produce to both the hotel’s restaurants; The Rise and Hudsons. “And that is just the tip of the iceberg,” said chair of The Grand’s Junior Board, marketing executive Olivia Odudu. “When we started to really look into it, single use plastic was everywhere – from our branded marketing materials, to food packaging. What we wanted to discover was what could be used in its place – and so far the response from the suppliers has been really positive and enthusiastic.” Proposed plans for change include
delivering fruit and vegetables in cardboard punnets, rather than plastic packaging and refilling bedroom toiletries, while the company which launders towels and bedlinen has agreed to remove the single use plastic used to protect it. They were happy to agree to that once they had visited our linen rooms,” said Olivia. “They needed to know linen wasn’t stored on surfaces which could damage or mark it, or that might leave fibres, such as chipboard.” Some uses of single use plastic are not so easy to overcome, such as the sheet which protects fresh fish from being damaged by the ice required to keep it in perfect condition, but the hotel is committed to working with its suppliers to find a solution. “However, make no mistake,” said general manager, Philip Bolson, “if an alternative to single use plastic can’t be found then we will simply not stock that product or use that service.” The ban on single use plastic is one element of a wider The Grand Goes Green initative which the junior board is rolling out across the hotel in stages. “It’s just the start,” said Olivia, “but it’s a good start. Someone has to lead the way – and where we lead others will follow.” TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE
Supermarket hands over £11,998 Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk has raised more than £10,000 for Wakefield Trinity Community Trust, as part of their Local Charity of the Year scheme. T h e to t a l o f £ 1 1 , 9 9 8 . 1 2 w a s announced as the two year association as local charity partner drew to a close at the end of May.
fundraising efforts were boosted by a payment of £1300 from the sale of carrier bags. Craig Shepherd, General Manager for Wakefield Trinity Community Trust said: “The continued support over the last two years from Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk has been phenomenal. We cannot thank the staff and shoppers enough for raising such an amazing amount of money. It has made such a difference to the charity.
The money raised will be used to fund their work in the local community, utilising the power of sport to engage with people who Store Manager Phil Butterfield said: are disadvantaged or deprived and “I’m very proud of the money we divert them towards more healthy, have raised. I would like to say a fulfilling and positive lifestyles big thank you to all the colleagues Fundraising activities during the and customers who have given so last two years have included bag generously throughout the last two packs and bucket collections. The
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Picture: Andrew Sykes. Sainsbury’s PR Ambassador, Steve Scriven (far right) and Trinity’s, Danny kirmond and Darren Dean are pictured with The trust’s general Manager, Craig Shepherd, and store colleagues.
Buttercrumble recently represented SMEs at the House of Lords, for an event by the British Library. The creative communications studio, founded by Yorkshire-born twin sisters, Chloe and Abigail, was selected as a prime example of a homegrown business making a national impact.
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NEWS UPDATE
The University of Law is bringing its Business School to its Leeds Campus in September which marks a landmark development in the Campus’ rapidly expanding course offering. The University of Law has a long standing pedigree in professional legal training and prides itself on its engagement with the local legal and business community and its high employability statistics. Built around an applied learning model, students enjoy a practical hands-on delivery from the start of their degree which focusses on developing the skills that they will need to excel in the world of work. Matthew Tomlinson, Dean of the University’s Leeds Campus, said “the opening of the Business school in Leeds builds on the strong foundations that we have
ULaw Leeds launches Business School established with our undergraduate law programmes and the excellent networks that we have built within the Leeds business community.” With its Business school already established in London and Berlin, Leeds will join the Manchester and Birmingham campuses in the latest phase of its expansion. The course offered by the Business School certainly looks to be an exciting
proposition with the offer of a free Masters programme to any student joining the Business School this September and the opportunity to attend a Leadership School at the Berlin campus in the 2nd year of the programme. S t e p h a n i e A m o r, N a t i o n a l Business School Lead and Student Recruitment Manager has been busy promoting the school and getting
Yorkshire design studio represents SMEs at the House of Lords The event launched the 2019 report, “Democratising Entrepreneurship” a celebration of libraries’ impact on economic growth. It also featured a motivational speech by entrepreneur, Lord Bilimoria CBE DL who backed the support provided by the British Library. Buttercrumble has enjoyed utilising the space at the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) at Leeds Central Library to access free information and support. They have also been able to pass this support on, through the studio’s own 1:1
support sessions and presentations. O ne of the most important actions Buttercrumble took was safeguarding their intellectual property by registering a trademark. This was made possible with the help of the BIPC. Buttercrumble, as a case study, represents an emerging group of young businesses. According to the British Library’s report, 47% of businesses supported were those created in the Northern Powerhouse. 55% of users who started a new business with the support of the
students excited about its new offering. In July, ULaw held a flagship Business Day at the campus in Leeds for schools across Yorkshire. The day was a Master Class in business, with a focus on communication and presentation skills. The experience was designed to reflect the interactive and practical learning environment that the University champions and importantly gave students a tangible learning outcome to leave with. Students worked in small groups to create business solutions that they presented to a panel of business professionals from the Yorkshire business community with the offer of work experience for winning teams.
Stephanie Amor said “the calibre and number of students that attended this event was superb BIPC were women. The event at and it was clear that the panel the House of Lords celebrated were really impressed by the level of engagement and thought that these promising statistics. had gone into the presentations. Abigail and Chloe believe if they The Business Master Classes are can set up a sustainable business, annual flagship events, and every then anyone can. A visit to the year we look to partner with a variety House of Lords in London solidified of business professionals. This their views, as libraries continue year we were fortunate to partner to democratise entrepreneurship with Mogarth, JCT600, Plexus and Santander.” across the UK. When small businesses set up, they have strict budgets, so advice from the BIPC is a vital lifeline.They are institutes for everyone!
For any businesses that are keen on finding out how to get involved with future events please contact Stephanie.Amor@law.ac.uk TopicUK September2019
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Advertorial
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Many people wish to provide for their funeral expenses and a pre-payment plan is a caring and sensible cost-effective way to do so. £3k and £5k. Cremation costs which counts for 77% of funerals has risen by 84% with inflation at only 25%
However, choosing the right plan is essential as the industry has been under investigation by the industry watchdog as some companies are charging unnecessary high prices. The market is worth £2b a year with an average funeral costing between
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At R J Burgess you can be assured that the plan you choose will meet all expenses when the plan is needed, guaranteed with no hidden costs. Evidence has shown some larger companies who charge for fixed plans are making bold claims and using misleading tactics, but don’t cover the full cost at the end of the plan. R J Burgess plans are inflation proof and guaranteed. As long as we carry out the funeral and your requirements don’t change, your family will not be asked to pay more for our funeral Directors’ costs. Depending on which plan suits
you every penny will be ring fenced either in an independent secure trust fund, or secured with a whole of life assurance policy. Either way you can be assured that your payment is financially secure giving you and your family peace of mind . There are lots of options available, so why not get in touch today and get peace of mind to you and your family in knowing that everything
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is taken care of, so you can get on and live your life to the full! For a no obligation quotation or informal chat, call us today on 01924 894017 or pop into our Normanton or Crofton offices. F u r t h e r information is on our website at: www.rjburgess.co.uk
News Update
Utilise your Apprenticeship Levy at every level
©Chris Foster Photography
Offering access to a higher level qualification could lead the way in developing your workforce to be the leaders of tomorrow. The D egree Appre nticeship programmes available at Huddersfield Business School offer a flexible and employee friendly way to keep you at the cutting edge of leadership and management practice. “The Degree Apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for working people to complete a degree. I’m lucky to have been given the time and financial support from my employer to do this qualification and enhance my skills” Zoe Taylor, CMDA Learner. Levy funds are lost if unused and
or to improve their career. Degree Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to invest in your staff offering significant added value and return on investment for employers.
Pete Greenan.
many organisations are not taking full advantage. This may be due to organisations not being aware of the variety of options available to them. Apprenticeships are available to people of all ages across many specialities. They offer a great opportunity for people to get back to learning
Resource Development CMI Programme Director.
“The Degree Apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for working people to complete a degree...”
They combine academic theory with practical on the job experience advancing your workforce from the start.
Huddersfield Business School currently offer Degree Apprenticeships in the following subjects:
“ In a competitive environment, where every decision makes a difference, supporting your future managers with our Degree Apprenticeship programmes could be the best decision you make” Pete Greenan:MA, FHEA, Chartered MCIPD, MCMI Senior Lecturer in Management and Human
•
Business Management Professional BA (Hons) • Business with Supply Chain Management Professional BA (Hons) D egree level Apprenticeships Senior Leaders Master’s Degree Apprenticeship (MBA) Get in touch for more information.
TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE Development Goals (UNSDGs), we continuously aim to empower people from all backgrounds in starting their own businesses with our tailored support and flexible finance solutions. “This year 40% of our lending has been within lower-layer super output areas which is a 6% increase from last year. These individual businesses are in areas which can be excluded from mainstream funding but are often having the highest impact within their communities.”
£31m added to regional economy thanks to social enterprise A Yorkshire-based social enterprise has announced it has boosted the region’s economy by £31m in the last 12 months as well increased lending to female entrepreneurs by 9%. The Business Enterprise Fund (BEF), has made the announcement as part of its annual social impact report which also reveals the not-for-profit organisation has loaned a total of £7.08m in the last year, helped to create 175 new UK businesses and generated or safeguarded 820 jobs.
tenacious SMEs across the North, who don’t necessarily have the same level of investment available to their counterparts in the South. “We are proud that 36% of our loans in the year have been to female entrepreneurs which is higher than the industry average and we’re continuing to promote the support available to help tackle the evident funding gap, which has also recently been highlighted in the Alison Rose Review . The economic impact our lending continues to generate is something we are hugely proud of at BEF.”
Specialising in responsible and flexible finance to businesses making an impact in their communities, 36% of BEF’s loans in the last 12 months were to female-led businesses across West and North Yorkshire and the North East.
BEF has made 331 client deals in the last 12 months with the highest number of loans being made to businesses in the manufacturing (25%), business services (18%) and retail (17%) sectors.
Steve Waud, chief executive at BEF which is celebrating its 15th anniversary later this year, said: “At BEF we remain dedicated in our role to supporting under-represented yet
Sally Hotchin co-founded Leedsbased Relentless Interiors, a concrete interiors specialist, with Richard Butt and received a £20k loan to support investment in machinery, stock and
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the set-up of a niche training arm for installers who fit the company’s microcement products into homes. She said: “Relentless Interiors has enjoyed huge growth in the last 18 months and we really couldn’t have done it without BEF; it was an extremely supportive process and I was never questioned for being a female in the construction industry – which, on occasion, can happen when dealing with day-to-day business! “Further to our base in Rawdon, we also have showroom space at the House of Harrogate and in Arlington Interiors in Farsley and we’ve recently secured an exclusive UK distribution deal with an overseas supplier, so we’re going from strength to strength. Our training arm for installers is about to launch and we’ve plans to grow the team too. We have a lot to thank BEF for and I’d encourage anyone in the position of starting or growing their business to approach them for support.” Steve said: “As part of our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable
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BEF has hired five new employees this year in a bid to provide further support and finance to business owners across the North of England, including the North West. Further to its lending, the social enterprise has supported a range of good causes including its continued work with Bradford charity, One In A Million for which it raised more than £7k in the last year. The Business Enterprise Fund has offices in Leeds, Bradford, Goole and Teesside.
TopicUK Careers Journalist Competition Students from year 8 and 9 living and studying in West Yorkshire are being challenged to write a 400 word (approx.) article about a particular industry, career or job role that they’d like to work in and why. The winning article will be published in TopicUK magazine, and shared with up to 50,000 readers across Yorkshire.
NEWS UPDATE
Mid Yorkshire Chamber join forces with Yorkshire Asian Business Association The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) to further expand the reach and support available to businesses across West Yorkshire.
“We couldn’t be happier to announce our collaboration with The Chamber. Together, we share numerous values. We have a lot of fantastic businesses within West Yorkshire that contribute significantly to the overall UK economy. With 165 years’ experience, The Chamber has a longstanding heritage with many of those businesses, their knowledge and experience will help us to address the challenges within business and represent them in the most cohesive way possible.”
Promoting business growth, this collaboration will work with businesses across the Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield regions, providing an unprecedented support system and cohesive voice for businesses of all sizes. The Chamber has a vast knowledge and understanding of the challenges and by offering value-adding services and benefits, members remain connected, supported and represented locally, nationally and internationally. Founded in 2014, the Yorkshire Asian Business
Association provides support and a cohesive voice for the Asian business community across West Yorkshire. Working under the framework of the National Asian Business Association, YABA strives to develop a comprehensive strategy to be
the voice of Asian businesses. In 2016, ABC found that the Asian community, whilst only making up 2.3% of the UK population, contributes over £120bn to the overall UK economy. Sharon Jandu, Director, comments:
If you’re a parent or carer, your child’s West Yorkshire school will be provided with full details of the competition in September.
Last month, in celebration of the partnership, the Chamber joined YABA for their Eid festivities, held at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which saw business owners from across West Yorkshire, former BBC Asian Network presenter Tommy Sandhu, and Keith Madeley MBE in attendance.
Like every good journalist, they’ll need to do their research first. Here’s some tips to help them make a start: • research different industries, local companies and job roles • t h i n k a b o u t w h a t skills, qualifications or experience you’ll need, to start work in your chosen industry or job role • organise interviews with employers and source a quote • work on that winning headline • think creatively
Martin Hathaway, Managing Director at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce adds: “We are delighted to be working with YABA. The partnership will allow us to reach more diverse range of businesses. The support YABA offers to the Asian business community is unprecedented and together we can reach more and more business within the region and help them grow.”
All entries must be submitted by 20 December 2019. Look out for more details on how to get involved from your child’s school.
The competition is delivered by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership
YABA is set to introduce a ‘New to India’ business initiative in the coming months; a three-month programme that will provide ongoing support, training and materials, from the initial exploration to potential expansion, for businesses looking to trade into the Indian market, whose economy is predicted to overtake the UK in the next few years. TopicUK September2019
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ADVERTORIAL
Social inclusion: a must for Yorkshire’s digital future Building up digital skills
“Critically, it’s up to the e m pl o y e rs to hav e a Fortunately for the region, Yorkshire is home to a thriving tech scene, and our progress is already being change of mindset and recent roundtable discussion at THINK Summit in made with several local recruit people that have Leeds cast an enlightening spotlight on how much initiatives actively working the aptitude to work in their industry, if not necessarily we have to celebrate in this space – from talent, to combat digital exclusion. the skills, and help to train ideas and collaborative success to investment, One such project is 100% them up. I expect the typical infrastructure and academic prestige. Digital Leeds, a collaborative three-year university degree mo ve me nt set up b y structure to morph into Hosted this June, the summit’s Leeds City Council. The more of a supported, “dip in attendees came together to explore how movement brings a wide dip out” route that provides we can work together to bolster this range of organisations better job prospects and environment and ensure further digital together to reach the most opens up the job market to tech success. digitally excluded people in a lot more entrants.” the city and help them to The group shared many valuable insights understand and benefit from The cost of failing to and constructive ideas, but one theme digital via free workshops, tackle the digital skills gap stood out in particular: digital inclusivity. groups and courses. Other is colossal. According to The group agreed that if Yorkshire fantastic examples of Accenture, it could cost wishes to remain an agile and forward groups working to close the the UK as much as £141 thinking digital region, it must confront digital divide include Tech billion in GDP growth and bridge the region’s digital skills gap. Mums, Silversurfers Club highlighting the need to and Works Better, which address the situation headprovides free digital literacy on now, before it’s too late. courses, enabling people to The lack of appropriate access new employment skills is an ever-increasing problem for workforces opportunities. and communities alike; if Of course, it’s not just we cannot implement or about courses or groups. operate digital technologies Providing new routes into successfully then we cannot employment and nurturing reap the benefits they talent is also key to both provide. the people in need of a job and the local companies Improving connectivity struggling to fill their digital with full fibre broadband roles. Gareth Yates, Partner, As a company, we’re keen Ward Hadaway, shared advocates to close this his thoughts during the digital divide by expanding As Amy Hearn, Digital Inclusion roundtable discussion on our full fibre network across Coordinator, Leeds City Council, put it the number of digital jobs Leeds and Huddersfield to during the discussion: “There’s certain that cannot be filled due residents, with more towns assumptions that people who have grown to a lack of local skillsets. and cities in Yorkshire set up in the ‘digital age’ inherently have He said: “Because of the to join the digital revolution digital skills. Around one in five adults shortage of people that we soon. Full fibre is the fastest don’t have these skills which would be a have, we need to look at less and most reliable broadband huge amount of people to leave behind traditional routes into a job available, but only 7% of the if we’re not careful.” than we have in the past. UK can access it right now. By Stephen Moore, Huddersfield City Manager, CityFibre
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Residents in our network build areas will be well ahead of the game in terms of connectivity, which will give both communities and businesses the ability to embrace digital in a way they never have before. In addition to building state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, we want to help upskill people in the areas where we operate. Working in partnership with organisations including Ocean Spark Studios, Works Better, Kirklees Library and Leeds Library, we’ve held game design workshops and family digital days. These events have given young people across West Yorkshire the chance to learn about the world of coding and game design, and we’re committed to continuing this type of activity. We’re strong believers that CityFibre and its partners have a big role to play when it comes to digital inclusion. This is not a subject that anyone can ignore – it is key if we are to remain an agile and forward-thinking digital region. And the good news is, we’re well on the way… but the best is yet to come. To find out more about the Gigabit City infrastructure in Yorkshire visit: https:// www.cityfibre.com/gigabitcities/yorkshire/ or follow @CityFibre
Special feature
Lawyer, religious leader and Government Advisor TopicUK editor Gill Laidler meets with Leeds Iman Qari Asim MBE
Being a Lawyer and a religious leader seem worlds apart for many of us, but for Legal Director Qari Asim MBE, who works at Leeds law firm DLA Piper LLP, it’s all part of a typical day. As the only Imam in the country who leads daily prayers and holds a full time corporate role at the same time, Qari’s day begins at 3.30am when he rises to lead daily prayers at Leeds Makkah Mosque where he is head imam, before returning home to sleep for a couple more hours before heading off to his office for 9am. “In Summer, it is a long day with evening prayers again at 11.30pm, but
it is something that I wanted to do since I was a teenager,” Qari told us. Qari arrived in the UK from his home in Pakistan when he was just thirteen. On leaving school, he trained to be an Imam whilst at the same time, undertaking his law degree. After spending some time in the South, he returned to his home in Leeds, joining DLA Piper in 2005, the same time as becoming Imam at Leeds Makkah Mosque. “There are similarities in the work of both my roles. In law, I am involved in property matters and helping my clients realise their dreams in the commercial world. In my role
as Imam I am a counseller figure, listening to people’s problems and helping them to overcome and realise their personal dreams. I even offer careers advice to young people and although challenging at times, this is a hugely rewarding role. My faith wants me to become an integral part of the commercial world. What’s interesting is law is about interpreting statutes and Islam or any religion is about interpretation.”
Experience In his day job, Qari, who was awarded an MBE in 2012 for helping to build bridges between communities in Leeds following the 7/7 attacks, deals with acquisitions and disposals, lettings, development work, real estate and corporate occupiers. He works for multi-national clients and has experience of working on large scale transactions, delivering legal services to clients efficiently. A father of four, Qari has faced some challenges as an Imam, mostly about the misconceptions about Muslims and has been able to use his corporate skills and experience to get his message about these misconceptions across. He has led a campaign against domestic violence and honour killings, holding workshops nationally to raise awareness and has written a booklet on the subject. “We have some successful Muslim entrepreneurs and also in professional services, but in terms of overall numbers, it’s not great. “My goal is to inspire young Muslims to have a clear vision and work hard to achieve their goals. I also want mosques to be inclusive , vibrant and dynamic places not just for the Muslim community, but for all communities.” Because of Qari’s experience and beliefs, he has now been appointed as a Government advisor, starting in the
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Special feature Autumn, to help tackle Islamophobia, hailed by former Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire as “marking a further step providing an effective definition of Islamophobia commanding widespread support.” “I am honoured to have been appointed, anti-Muslim hatred cultivates divisions an a culture of exclusivity and can create a downward spiral of abuse and violence, which permeates across all levels of society. It is therefore vitally important that an effective definition of Islamophobia is proposed to tackle the shocking rise in this category of religious hate crime in recently years.
Potential “During my role as an independent advisor, I will be liaising with Muslim communities, building on a wide range of options and important existing work, in close collaboration with the cross Government anti-Muslim hatred working group, to ensure that consensus is built around a comprehensive and workable definition of Islamophobia.”Policy-makers at Westminster say a formal definition of Islamophobia is essential to strengthen efforts against Muslim hatred. In addition to this and his full time roles, Qari, who is proud of his Yorkshire identity, finds time to serve as a board member of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, is a Governor at Leeds Becket University, sits on the Diversity Board at ITV, he is on the advisory panel of Oxfam and the regional leadership board of Mosaic, founded by HRH Prince of Wales to aspire young people to realise their talents and potential. These are just a few of the important roles Qari undertakes, there are many more, too many to list. Q ari expects to take up th is Government role in ther Autumn and has promised to keep TopicUK readers up-to-date with progress. TopicUK September2019
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Latest promotions at Ramsdens
NEWS UPDATE
Yorkshire law firm, Ramsdens Solicitors have made a number of senior promotions. The promotions illustrate the firm’s focus on increasing specialism and expertise as they include lawyers from different practice areas.
All of the Associate promotions trained with Ramsdens, demonstrating their commitment to investing in its people.
Promotions include Gareth Dando promoted to Senior Associate in Employment and Associate promotions include Jane Holroyd and Beth Whiteoak in Commercial Property, Michael Robinson in Private Client and Rebecca Sargent in Ramsdens Family team.
Paul Joyce, Managing Partner said: “These promotions underline Ramsdens’ commitment to acknowledging the contribution of our colleagues, and supporting their ambitions and development, helping us to retain talent in our firm and in the region. We look forward to seeing them all flourish Picture L-R Gareth Dando, Rebecca Sargent, Michael Robinson, Beth Whiteoak and Jane Holroyd. in their new positions.”
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NEWS UPDATE ADVERTORIAL
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providing information on everything from stock levels to the time your staff clock in and out – giving you the tools you need to make the most informed decisions. We champion the thousands of
small businesses across Yorkshire that use our solutions, and we’re also extremely proud that big names including Cannon Hall Farm, The Piece Hall and Huddersfield Town Football Club rely on us to process their card payments.
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We help businesses just like yours make the most of our increasingly cashless society, by providing cost effective card and contactless payment solutions that allow your customers and clients to pay in the way that’s most convenient to them. Our EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) solutions also help you with the efficient running of your business, by
TopicUK September2019
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On The Move New appointments throughout our region and inheritance planning. She started her advising career at First Direct, progressing to a senior premier client manager with HSBC, most recently working as an IFA for a small, independent firm for six years.
to be joining Ramsdens. I am looking forward to continuing to act for my long standing and existing clients as well as bringing new business to the firm from within the local Holme Valley Community.”
Partner joins Ramsdens Leading Yorkshire law firm, Ramsdens Solicitors has appointed a highly experienced Residential Conveyancing Partner to its expanding team. D i a n a Wa l k e r j o i n s t h e Residential Conveyancing department, having previously led a large Conveyancing team for a prominent West Yorkshire law firm for over 29 years. Diana said: “I am delighted
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Karen James, Head of Residential Conveyancing comments: “We are very excited to be welcoming Diana onboard. She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge and an in-depth familiarity with the local property market. She is going to be a great asset to the department and we are very fortunate she’s joining Ramsdens.” This latest appointment follows Ramsdens’ Residential Conveyancing team being shortlisted in two categories at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2019, ‘Conveyancing Firm of the Year – North of England’ and ‘Best use of Technology’. Awards take place next month.
Investment firm appoints Director A Yorkshire-based wealth management firm has appointed an associate Director to support the launch of its new financial planning operation. Charlotte Kelso joins Leodis Wealth as associate Director of the 31-year old Leeds-based asset management firm. With more than 23 years’ experience, Charlotte is a financial services professional, specialising in investment management, pensions
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Charlotte comments: “I am delighted to have joined the firm. The opportunity will allow me to continue to offer expert independent financial advice and take a lead in growing the new arm of this wellestablished business.” Commenting on the new appointment, CEO Simon Cocking, added: “This is an exciting time for us as we continue to grow and develop the services, we offer our clients and business partners. The new arm will give clients access to first class holistic financial planning as well as access to the experience and expertise of our asset management team. Charlotte is a first-class adviser and I am delighted that she has joined the team, she will undoubtedly be a real asset to our business.”
m2r new starters m2r Education a multi award winning recruitment company operating across the education vertical with two distinct divisions, has appointed two new members of staff.
be responsible for managing the team as well as helping to develop new processes and procedures. James Glover joins the team with 6 years recruitment experience. Prior to joining, he worked in the engineering and commercial sectors before deciding to venture into international recruitment. His remit is to develop the international school division and manage key client accounts too. Munir Mamujee, MD, said, ‘I am delighted that we have managed to secure 2 key personnel, both come with excellent skills, great passion and enthusiasm to work in a challenging environment.
Louise Lowe has over 10 years of recruitment experience having worked for major firms in West Yorkshire, covering local, national and international roles. In her role at m2r Education Louise will
David’s experience in managing multisite businesses and strong track record of delivering exceptional results will be invaluable in helping to meet our own ambitions.
Garden centre appoints Chairman To n g G a r d e n c e n t r e h a s restructured its board as it gears up for future growth and multisite operations. Non-Executive Director, David Stanhope is stepping up to the position of non-executive chairman with immediate effect. Managing Director, Mark Farnsworth said: “We have been working with David since 2016 in his capacity as our non-executive director and this step has been planned for some time.
leading software consultancies, Suraj will be transferring his skills to the property sector in an effort to push forward the digital revolution in the housing market.
iMovehome appoint CTO iMovehome, the UK’s fastest growing digital estate agency has appointed Suraj Bist to the role of CTO. The former Technical Lead Consultant with Morgan Stanley will be the new driving force behind the business’s technologybased solutions. With over 20 years experience in Tier 1 investment banks and
Speaking on his new role, Suraj said: “iMovehome is leading the way in ‘property tech’, developing an online solution for today’s tech-savvy buyers and sellers that puts them in control of their house move. The company is going from strength to strength, but my job is to make sure they are constantly innovating and that the systems behind it are robust and responsive. “The decline in traditional estate agents has provided online agencies with the opportunity to expand by demonstrating strong engagement with and better value for customers, and it’s the cutting-edge technology behind this that makes it possible.”
“David has also become a trusted advisor and I am personally really looking forward to working more closely with him to drive the business forward.” David, is also divisional CEO of an IT software business, as well as a former retail finance director, and is looking forward to lending his strategic expertise to Tong’s board: “I see my two main roles as firstly providing leadership to the board, both in meetings and the setting and implementation of strategy, and also to support Mark in carrying out his role.“I look forward to helping in any area of the business where I am able to add value.” When he’s not working, David is a golf club captain and is also a school governor. Based in Wakefield, Avant Homes Yorkshire employs 170 people delivering approximately 500 new homes a year. There are currently 14 developments under construction in its portfolio stretching from Knaresborough in North Yorkshire down to Rotherham in the south of the region.
New MD for Avant Homes Housebuilder Avant Homes has promoted group developments Director, Chris Coley, to the role of Managing Director for its Yorkshire operation. Chris has been with Avant Homes for 14 years, originally joining as a graduate surveyor in the business before progressing to commercial Director in 2012, operations Director in 2018 and group developments Director later that year.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris said: “I feel very proud to have worked at Avant for the last 14 years and to play a part in its success and transformation in recent years. Avant Homes is highly regarded in Yorkshire and it will be my aim to further build on the excellent standards we are renowned for and continue to deliver an outstanding design-led product to our customers. Avant Homes is privately-owned and, in addition to Yorkshire, also operates in Scotland, north east England and the Midlands. Avant Homes’ head office is at Junction 30 of the M1, near Sheffield. TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE
TopicUK join AvenueHQ TopicUK are delighted to have joined the AvenueHQ business community at their prestigious offices on East Parade in central Leeds, forging a mutual business partnership. “We have worked with Barclays for some time now,” said TopicUK group editor Gill Laidler, “so we were delighted to accept their invitation to the launch of AvenueHQ / Barclays Eagle Labs. We were so impressed with the the plans that they have and the businesses who have already moved in, we decided it was a great place for TopicUK’s base in central Leeds.
KC Communications launches Huddersfield Business Week Lindley-based marketing and PR agency KC Communications has announced it is to launch Huddersfield Business Week in a bid to showcase the business offer within the Huddersfield area to both the local community and the wider region. Encouraging businesses from all sectors to showcase their
products, services, knowledge and most importantly talent, KC Communications is encouraging start-ups, scale ups and established businesses to support the week by hosting a range of events and workshops. Katrina Cliffe, Founde r and M anaging D irector of KC Communications, explained: “There is so much hidden talent across Huddersfield, and often there is the assumption that companies located in the big cities are the ones who are more up to the task – we’re ready to show once and for all that that is not the case.” The event, which has the backing of Kirklees Council and the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, has already received attention from
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“Readers can find us in there when we are working from Leeds, either in our own dedicated space or in the well stocked ground floor cafe bar. It’s also a great place for us to hold staff meetings in one of the many private meeting rooms available. We have a display unit in the cafe just beside the main reception where TopicUK can be picked up free of charge.”
local businesses, with the likes of Sheards Accountants, Manor House Lindley and Ridley & Hall Solicitors having already registered events they will be hosting during Huddersfield Business Week. “It’s a real buzz of a place,” added Business support programme, TopicUK business excutive Mandy Ad:Venture has also confirmed their Taylor. “The facilities they have involvement and will be hosting a for the businesses based there number of workshops during the and their members are incredible week. The media partner will be and all residents and members are TopicUK. encouraged to join the many social Huddersfield Business Week 2019 events they hold. It’s a wonderful will take place between Monday place to work and very central.” 30th September until Friday 4th October. A launch event is to be announced at a later date. For more information or to add or view the full schedule of events will be listed on the Huddersfield Business Week website www. huddersfieldbusinessweek.co.uk
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ADVERTORIAL
The Piece Hall is a foodie destination like no other cupcakes and unique made-toorder creations. You can also enjoy traditional sweet shop Spogs and Spice and luxury hand-made chocolates at The Chocolate Box.
From stylish and quirky British dining to family friendly eating places, retro sweet shops, chocolate shops, vegetarian deli and artisan gins, a visit to The Piece Hall is a foodie experience for everyone that enjoys supporting independent local culinary talent. A s we ll a s th e sp e ct a cu l a r architecture and surrounding scenery, the Grade I listed Piece Hall is fast becoming a ‘must visit’ destination for food and drink. The Trading Rooms, run by The Piece Hall Trust, is a restaurant that looks out onto the spectacular Piece Hall Courtyard and Calderdale countryside and, during the summer months, offers al fresco dining. Delicious seasonal dishes devised by General Manager Simon Dyson, use locally sourced ingredients and take diners from breakfast through to dinner. The open kitchen, with a charcoal grill at its heart, adds to the atmosphere of this family-friendly restaurant, as well as serving up some fabulous flavours. Don’t forget to stop by the adjoining bakery which offers everything from freshly made sourdough loaves to French patisseries and delicious made-to-order sandwiches. Also run by The Piece Hall Trust is Blondin’s Ice Cream Parlour, named after the famous dare-devil tightrope walker who walked across the 66,000sq ft Piece Hall piazza, 10 ft in the air, in 1861. As well as indulging in your favourite Yorkshire ice-cream and sorbets, the sweet toothed can also choose from tasty pancakes or waffles,
©SARAH MASON
accompanied by locally roasted Dark Woods Coffee. For a lighter bite visit The Deli, which offers wonderful products and producers across the region. Jams, chutneys, cakes, craft beer, great coffee and lots more is on offer. It is the place to pick up some delicious nibbles and craft beers to take home. Elder brings its own concept of ‘quirky British’ dining to The Piece Hall. The husband and wife team of Lisa and Justin Thomas (who
cut his culinary teeth at Leeds restaurants, Kendells Bistro and Friends of Ham), serve up honest, friendly food. Using interesting and unusual flavour combinations, the menu offers a selection of dishes for meat & veggie/ vegan lovers alike alongside wine, craft ales & coffee. In fact, Vegan’s are well catered for at The Piece Hall with further Vegan dining at Leaf, an eco-conscious shop which serves delicious hot food and light bites to take-away.
And it’s not just foodies who will find something to tempt their palate at The Piece Hall. Gin fans can choose from more than 60 brands at Gin Lane; a boutique bar which also offers Prosecco on tap. The Wine Barrel bucks the trend for typical wine pairing options, matching wines from all over the world with fine artisan chocolates and delicious desserts. And speaking of perfect pairings, Loafers, run by music enthusiasts Mark and Sarah, offers a haven of music and coffee. Browse the eclectic selection of vinyl records whilst enjoying a freshly ground beans, superb hot chocolate and delicious cakes. The Piece Hall also hosts Chow Down; a market of independent food pop-ups, ale, cocktails, live music and DJs curated by Leeds Indie Food. The foodie festival returns to the magnificent concourse for its third and final weekend of the summer on 23 - 26 August. For further information visit www.thepiecehall.co.uk
Sweet treats are also available in abundance with home-made treats and cakes at G’s Cakes; a family-run coffee and cake shop which specialises in extravagant TopicUK September2019
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Advertorial
Company of the Month
Sponsored by Th e a wa rd - wi n n i n g p u b l i c re l a ti ons bu si ne ss s p e c i a l i s i n g i n B 2B c o m mu ni cat i ons
New financial advisory acquisition firm vows to challenge industry norms A new firm set to disrupt the traditional stereotypes surrounding how Financial Advisory (FA) acquisition brokers work, has been established in West Yorkshire. Already shaking up the headhunting scene, Leedsheadquartered City & Capital Group aims to revolutionise the business model of the modern finance marketplace even further. The launch of City & Capital Acquisitions will offer a consultative approach for buyers and sellers of FAs across the UK and is headed up by Victoria Hicks, chartered financial planner,
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acquisition process. It’s vital that our industry has a real sense of conscience and puts what’s best for those involved above all else.
and former owner of a directly authorised IFA firm. Combining 12 years of industry practise, significant experience of running an IFA firm, and a genuine passion for the industry, City & Capital Acquisitions has been borne from Victoria’s desire to offer a more holistic approach
to those looking to grow their businesses, build an exit strategy or succession plan. Victoria Hicks, Director of City & Capital Acquisitions – part of The City & Capital Group – explained: “As a chartered financial planner I’ve experienced first-hand what it’s like to be on both sides of the
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“It’s all too easy to say a ‘one-sizefits-all approach’ doesn’t work – but it’s another thing challenging that norm and establishing a new ethos. This is where our consultative approach – combined with my recent experiences – will set us apart.” Benchmarking achievements on the satisfaction of both the buyer and seller six months down the line – rather than the number of deals brokered – the company will take the time to understand the nuances of each client, acting as an extension of the team.
ADVERTORIAL business connectors, and make sure they know about our services. Our aim is to build projects and programmes together, which will benefit the city and its entrepreneurs as a whole. What does a typical day look like at Avenue HQ? Now, that is the golden question! Two days are never the same at an Avenue HQ.
Introducing Avenue HQ & Abi Inglis The way we work is changing. Flexible workspaces are at the forefront of this movement - giving businesses the opportunity to work with more freedom, in environments centred around wellbeing and collaboration. There are over 35,000 of these flexible workspaces in the entire world, and Avenue HQ East Parade, in Leeds city centre, is one of them. Having opened its doors in October 2018, it has firmly put itself on the map - not least because of its partnership with Barclays Eagle Lab, in which the global bank supports the growth of regional businesses.
What does your role involve?
Meet, Abi Inglis, Avenue HQ’s Community Lead, who told us a little more about Avenue HQ as a business, what a Community Lead actually does, and their big plans for the future!
The other side is external facing, looking at connections outside our space. I build relationships with public bodies, local businesses, and institutions, as well as speaking to the LEPs, the universities, the
A large part of my role is looking after the teams that look after our Avenue HQ sites. I’ve got quite a big team, across our three sites, with hopefully more in the future! The Community Team are at the heart of everything we do; they run the space day to day, so I ensure they are looked after and are keeping our sites running smoothly.
You could turn up one day and find a pack of Guide Dogs relaxing in our bar East Parade Social, or spend a bit of time doing some work and then join in with Yoga on our rooftop! The world isn’t nine to five anymore, and more employees and individuals are demanding and expecting a better environment to work in. We spend a third of our lives at work, so why shouldn’t we enjoy it? That’s a huge part of our focus at Avenue HQ. We’ll give you the best internet speed, printer and desk chair, but how about some kickboxing at lunchtime and pub quiz with your colleagues after work too? What are the benefits you have seen from businesses being housed in a collaborative workspace? There are so many. From improved productivity, better mental health, less isolation and involvement in an active community, honestly - The list goes on! We spend a lot of time thinking about how our activities, our design and our service can best facilitate our members. So when we see an impromptu
bit of networking happening in the kitchen, and they happen dozens of times a day, we know we are doing something right! How can a business in the region interact with Avenue HQ? That is up to you! We want our reach to extend beyond our walls, and out into the regions around us. Inside of Avenue HQ, our members are collaboratively working together and we love that! But we want to creatively engage with so many more organisations, entrepreneurs and businesses of all shapes and sizes. So by dropping in or giving us a call, we will always find a way to collaborate and support businesses around us. For more information on anything Avenue HQ, check out our website: www.avenue-hq.com Or email Abi on a.inglis@avenue-hq.com
Eagle Labs
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A career spanning three decades including a whole lot of fun!
Images: With many thanks ©Roth Read Photography
Unless you’re a cricket fan, many TopicUK readers might not have heard of Ryan Sidebottom, until this flamboyant Yorkshireman with his natural curls, burst onto our screens in the last series of Dancing on Ice, establishing himself as a firm favourite!
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IN CONVERSATION WITH NEWS UPDATE
NEWS UPDATE WITH IN CONVERSATION Ice. “That was a total surprise,” Ryan explained, “I’d never skated in my life before, never allowed to because of the sport. So there was only one thing for it, I turned up to meet the producers in leggings and a tutu! Imagine my amazement a few weeks later when they called to tell me I’d made the programme!”
TopicUK editor Gill Laidler caught up with the fun loving Ryan whilst he was hosting events around the victorious England Cricket World Cup to find out what’s next. After two decades at the top of the game that saw Ryan play a major role in England winning the T20 World Cup, take a memorable test match hat-trick and be the only player in the last 15 years to win five county championships, this charismatic international cricketer hung up his boots at the end of 2017 and is now concentrating on his TV and media career, along with junior cricket coaching. During his long career, Ryan was a formidable 0pponent, amassing a colossal 1000 career wickets. He was the 37th international bowler ever to take a test match hat-trick, which was against New Zealand in 2008 and went on to play 22 tests. His England test match debut was in 2001 against Pakistan and he went on to become a prolific bowler for England and in March 2008, he took his third five-wicket haul in the same series, breaking the previous record for an Englishman in New Zealand.
Legendary “I’ve always tried to play with a smile on my face and give 110%, not just in sport, but in everything I do,” said Ryan. “It’s been an honour to not just represent my home county but to play for my country and help make history on the field. Hopefully I can take my passion onto my next career.” But it was behind the scenes that Ryan’s fun loving side will be remembered by his team mates, as his dressing room antics are legendary and include ‘snipping’ holes in team mates socks and even leaving the physio’s car on bricks
minus a wheel. However, the joke was on Ryan when he retired from the sport, his team mates farewell to him was taken in good spirits despite being the only one in ‘super hero’ fancy dress amongst a squad of ‘Siddys’. With cricket behind him, it was time for a new career. “During my playing career I hosted many tables at various events, as well as golf ‘four balls’ so it was natural that this part of my life would continue, and I am continually asked to host tables at functions or intimate dinners for up to 10 people, and I do lots of after dinner speaking.”
“I also wanted to give something back to the sport, so as well as presenting on both TV and radio, I launched the Ryan Sidebottom Cricket Academy that delivers professional inclusive junior cricket coaching to children around Yorkshire. Youngsters come from all over the region and have a huge passion for the sport, so it’s incredibly rewarding for me to be able to coach them. We think like professionals, train like professionals and behave like professionals, all whilst having a massive amount of fun.”
Tutu Alongside the academy, Ryan also set up his cricket foundation that offers inclusive long term junior cricket coaching scholarships to disadvantaged children in Yorkshire. There are regular weekly sessions for boys and girls with a passion for cricket looking to improve their skills. It was after coaching Surrey in 2018 that Ryan, an official patron of Yorkshire alongside Sir Patrick Stuart, was approached by ITV to meet the producers of Dancing on
Ryan was partnered with Brandee Malto, an American Ice Dancer with 10 years experience. On the surface the partnership shouldn’t have worked as 6ft 4” Ryan, who measures 6ft 8” in skates, was terrified of dropping the very slight 5ft 2” Brandee. “I think she turned white when she first saw me, but she was amazing throughout the show, helping and guiding me. I had never been on skates before but as I learned to keep my balance I began to enjoy the experience and even though I knew I was never destined to win, that didn’t matter, even though I am hugely competitive, because it was such good fun. It is incredibly hard work, much more than I’d imagined and Brandee spent much of the time sitting on the floor laughing at me, but it was a memorable time and I still skate now, taking my children to Bradford where I trained. They loved Brandee too and still Facetime her now!” So what’s next for Ryan, who is a supporter of children’s charity NSPCC and Martin House C h i l d r e n ’ s Ho s p i c e a n d a n ambassador and blogger for Star Sports Bookmakers? I like to do as much charity work as I can and enjoy working with the kids at the academy and now that the Ashes and Cricket World Cup are over, where I have spent time commentating, there are lots of other things in the pipeline that I can’t share at the moment, but ‘watch this space’ as they say.” TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE
Facilities management firm sets out 20 year vision
A Huddersfield facilities management firm has rebranded and set out an ambitious vision for nationwide expansion ahead of its 15th year in business. Core Facility Services, formerly Orchard Facilities Management, has launched a fresh brand, created five new sales roles and rolled out extra management and compliance services for its clients as part of a bold 20 year plan. The business was founded by entrepreneur Gareth Henderson, who set up Orchard Energy in 2004 before going on to establish Orchard Environmental and Orchard Networks, which later merged to become Orchard FM. Gareth sold Orchard Energy to the Lakehouse Group in 2015 and has remained at the helm of Orchard FM.
Encouraged “Our client centric approach to facilities management has helped us increase profitability year on year and the new name recognises this ethos and the fact that the services we offer to businesses are central to their success. “Our challenge now is to push that model out nationally whilst maintaining the levels of client care that we are so well known for,” he added. Gareth said the 20 year plan included a structured approach to recruitment with built in training and staff engagement. “In a recent
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staff survey 100 per cent of our staff said they felt valued, encouraged and supported at work and this in itself gives us a firm foundation for growth,” he explained. He added: “We expect to make a number of strategic hires over the next 12 months to strengthen all four sides of the business – estates, IT, waste and energy – and begin to expand our footprint across the UK.” One of their first projects was to take state of the art IT to Grantley Hall. The firm have taken IT infrastructure design and installation to a new level for this luxury Yorkshire hotel and wedding venue. Justin Holley of Core said: “Grantley Hall had been a hugely exciting project to work on and we have really enjoyed being part of such a forward-thinking project team to create an IT infrastructure that is best in class.
“The network includes cutting edge audio visual equipment, wi-fi, telecoms and security systems and as well as being able to handle the latest technology, it will support f ut ure sy ste m a n d so f t w a re
advances to keep the venue at the forefront of the leisure and hospitality industry.”
Image: ©contact john@thelightmonkey.com
Gareth said: “We have an excellent reputation within Yorkshire for building strong and enduring business relationships based on trust and transparency and we will be looking to build on that under our new brand.
Gareth Henderson, Chairman, and Colette Watts, Managing Director of Core Facility Services
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Advertorial planning an exit would all benefit from advice to assess whether an EMI scheme would work for them. To qualify your business must: • Have up to 249 employees and assets of less than £30m • Not be majority owned or controlled by another company • Not be in one of the excluded industries such as banking, farming, ship-building or legal services Employees who will benefit from the scheme must also:
A TAX-EFFICIENT WAY TO INCENTIVISE AND REWARD YOUR EMPLOYEES If you’re looking for a way to incentivise your team to work even harder for the business and to create a long-term commitment to its success, an Enterprise Management Initiative (EMI) scheme is worth considering. An EMI allo ws you to grant employees the option to purchase shares in the future at a fixed preagreed price. What are the benefits of EMI schemes? There are benefits to both the company and the employees when an EMI scheme is set up properly. Research shows that people who have a tangible stake in the company they work for are more inclined to stay with the company and to work harder to make it a
executives or for companies in industries with skills shortages. The cost of setting up an EMI, which must be done with specialist advice, can be offset against corporation tax and there are no on-going costs once the scheme has been created. success. Businesses with share schemes tend to out-perform those which don’t. Schemes must be registered with HMRC, with the value of shares agreed by them too, but employees will then pay only capital gains tax at 10% when they exercise their option to sell their shares. Without an EMI scheme an employee selling shares would need to pay income tax on the profit – which could be up to 45% for higher-rate tax-payers. Share schemes can be an attractive way to enhance a pay package for
Share options don’t have to be offered to all employees. Some companies use EMIs as a step towards the owner exiting the business, for example, because the company can specify when the share options can be exercised and in what circumstances shares can be sold or must be given up. What are the rules around setting up an EMI? Growing companies keen to at tract ne w tale nt, those in industries with skills shortages, or companies where the owner is
• Work for the company for more than 25 hours a week, or 75% of their total working time • Not hold more than 30% of the company’s shares • Not already hold options worth more than £250,000 To decide whether an EMI scheme is right for your business, get expert advice from the Parsons team by calling 01924 669500. Ian Parsons is managing partner of Parsons Accountants in Wakefield.
ADVERTORIAL
30th Birthday celebrations 2019 will see The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract celebrate its 30th Birthday since opening its doors to patients on the 24th November 1989. Here are just some of the ways they have been celebrating with local companies and the community to acknowledge this and raise funds throughout the year to ensure they can make a difference to their patients and families for another 30 years! For further information on the vital support services The Prince of Wales Hospice provides visit www.pwh.org.uk
Cheers to 30 Years! No birthday celebration is complete without raising a glass. One of the Hospice’s longest standing corporate supporters, Allied Glass, have designed and manufactured 30 Limited Edition bespoke bottles of gin in celebration of their 30th year. These beautiful bottles, filled with the finest craft gin, are an amazing tribute to their history. Individually boxed and complete with a certificate of authenticity, they make the most exclusive tipple or a keepsake to treasure for years to come. To register your interest in purchasing one of these bottles www.pwh.org.uk/support-us/otherways-to-help/limited-edition-ginbottles
Birthday Celebration Partners As part of their 20th anniversary celebrations, Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village in Castleford has chosen The Prince of Wales Hospice as their 2019 charity beneficiary.
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brand in September, which will be complemented with plans for centre development works.”
is great to be supporting such a worthy cause, The Prince of Wales Hospice, along the way!”
“We’re really looking forward to marking our 20th birthday and it
Tr a c e y Me a r n s Pa r t n e r s h i p Development Officer from the F
Law firm highly commended Kerry Ford, Marketing Manager at Junction 32, said: “It was the perfect match to select The Prince of Wales Hospice as our nominated beneficiary as we’re both celebrating special decade milestones. “The outlet shopping centre is turning 20 with lots of exciting plans in the pipeline. We’re kicking off the celebrations with a weekendlong event filled with exciting activities for all our visitors. “We’ll also be rolling out a fabulous new
Ramsdens Solicitors were delighted to be Highly Commended at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2019 in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ category. The adoption of new technology s o l u t i o n s h a s i n c re a s e d a t Ramsdens over the past two years, that supports and drives their culture of continuous improvement at Ramsdens. Karen James, (pictured) Head of Residential Conveyancing at Ramsden comments: “We recently
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launched our online conveyancing client portal which is an example of our modern, forward-thinking approach to business. Conve yancing involves the processing and transfer of high volumes of sensitive documents and our significant investment in technology makes the whole
NEWS UPDATE
Tears for Fears welcome TopicUK winners Hospice said“Our partnership has already raised over £4,000 since April, enough to run one of our bedrooms for 7.5 days! We’re delighted to work with Junction 32 Outlet shopping village and their brand partners and excited about our joint birthday celebrations”
It’s party time! Love a good party? Why not hold one in aid of The Prince of Wales Hospice, whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea, cocktail party or coffee morning, their fundraising party packs are full of hints and tips to help you plan the perfect party for all your friends and family to enjoy whilst raising vital funds. Contact the Hospice’s fundraising team: fundraising@pwh.org.uk to request yours
You can never rely on the weather in our great county, however one thing is guaranteed : York Racecourse knows how to party, come rain or shine!
process more secure, simpler, and smoother for our clients. We are looking forward to pushing the boundaries of the portal and it will help us to deliver the future innovations our clients need.” This comes on the back of more award news with the team being named finalists at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2019 in the ‘Residential Property’ category.
On Friday 26th July post an early evening of racing, the iconic Tears For Fears headlined the music showcase, as part of their “Rule The World 2019” tour. With an impressive stage and lighting set up, brilliant sound system and talented musicians they “wowed” the race goers with a nostalgic trip down memory lane, plus treated them to a taste of their new work. From “Mad World” to “Woman in Chains” the atmosphere was electric, plus the haunting rendition
of “Suffer the children” by backing singer Carina Round was simply incredible. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith formed the band back almost forty years ago and in our opinion, there is absolutely no doubt that there is still a huge appreciation for their music and their tour will be an incredible success. TopicUK had a pair of tickets to give away, courtesy of Chuff Media and the lucky winner was John Fellows (pictured right) and his partner Kevin Hathaway who told us: “We had an amazing time, it was a great night, great venue and a brilliant band. I’d like to thank TopicUK for the tickets, the concert brought back so many happy memories for us.”
Competition winner John Fellows
TopicUK September2019
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review
A ‘Grand’ five star stay in York Images: ©Copyright James Brown
When Gill, the TopicUK editor and I planned a trip to York, following the feature on this beautiful city in our last edition, there was one particular hotel that we wanted to stay in – the AA five-star rated The Grand.
By Mandy Taylor, Business Development Executive TopicUK
The Grand, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD www.thegrandyork.co.uk
Image Author: Lincoln J Roth
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Having enjoyed a trip to the on-site cookery school when it opened earlier this year and holding meetings over coffee in the bar, Gill was particularly keen to learn more about this magnificent venue, originally constructed in 1906 and a place for business, as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway Company, an icon of the golden age of rail. Personally, I was intrigued to see how this colossal building, which is steeped in so much history could be sympathetically transformed into not only a luxury hotel, but also an elegant spa, events space, and food and drink destination point, just a stone’s throw from York Railway Station. Location wise, it’s an absolute gem – a few minutes walk from the station,
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a leisurely short stroll from most of the major sights and meandering streets offering a fascinating variety of shops and a hop, skip and a jump from the river. Upon arrival, we were greeted outside the door by the most charming of doormen Wayne, dressed impeccably and with a smile as broad as a Cheshire Cat. “Good Afternoon Ladies” he beamed “I think I recognise you, have you been before?” Gill was most certainly impressed by his memory and in no time at all, our pre-booked valet parking service was put into action and our luggage taken from the car. Wayne epitomised exceptional customer service and guided us through the impressive entrance doors to the splendid reception desk beside a sweeping stone staircase. Again, our greeting was warm and professional, and the various on-site facilities explained. The Espa Spa in the original vaults sounded like a perfect hideaway, with thick stone walls and castiron doors to shut out the hustle and bustle of the city. Offering an abundance of treatments and for the fitness and wellbeing fans, a
review pool, dry sauna, steam room and fitness room. Sadly, time was limited on this occasion and we both regretted the fact that we were unable to indulge. Efficiently, we were checked into our room, an Executive Twin on the fifth floor and our luggage loaded onto a trolley. All around us, there was a bustle of activity with guests of all nationalities passing by, porters and concierges going about their business, clearly this is a hotel that is very popular. Room 505 was most generous in floor space – with a bathroom big enough to throw a “small soirée”, a huge bath, two shower heads, double sinks and luxury Molten Brown toiletries. Two soft white robes and slippers were also provided for the comfort of guests. Ample hanging space, great lighting, a sizeable wardrobe and a table with mirror above (why is it that so many hotels fail with the latter?) and that all important floor length mirror, ensured that we were both soon settled into our new surroundings and ready to explore the hotel, in particular the 1906 Bar! Despite the fact that it was only 5pm, the glamorous bar (for a moment it felt like we had travelled back in time and entered a first class train carriage) was busy with a variety of people, a table of ladies surrounded by shopping bags resting their aching feet and tantalising their taste buds with cocktails, whilst on another
ready for a good night’s sleep and headed to our room, foregoing a ‘night cap.’ Once inside we were greeted by tiny chocolates on the pillows and slippers by the beds. It’s always the ‘little touches’ that make you feel spoilt!
table a business meeting was taking place over laptops and coffee. The service was attentive yet discreet and the Prosecco chilled to perfection and poured into beautiful glasses. The drinks menu was extensive with creative cocktails, an extensive Gin menu and Whiskey library. This was a venue where you could easily while away many an hour, however we were mindful of the fact that we had plans for the evening. After a few hours out of the hotel, we returned weary and
We slept soundly and woke refreshed, agreeing that the beds were comfortable and the hotel very quiet. After a quick shower (hot water aplenty and great to indulge in the luxury products) we packed our bags and headed for breakfast in the “The Rise” – a breezy space with an open plan kitchen and an outdoor terrace. Our greeting on the door was excellent and swiftly we were seated and talked through the menu. Breakfast most certainly is comprehensive with an excellent cold buffet
which offers a vast array of fruits, cereals, pastries and European choices coupled with help-yourself cooked i te m s , ra n g i n g f ro m porridge (with a choice of accompaniments) and traditional ‘English’ staples such as bacon, eggs and sausages etc. Hot drinks were served at the table and generous in supply and it was interesting to see guests spilling though the doors of all generations. Reluctantly ‘business called’ and we had to bid a speedy farewell to The Grand, pledging to return to Hudsons restaurant, a showcase for the Executive Chef Craig Hudson award- winning gastronomic delights and ‘just like magic’ our car was on the doorstep, bags loaded and we were thanked for our visit, a farewell that was just as impressive as the first welcome we received.
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ADVERTORIAL
Youth Social Action in Calderdale The Community Foundation for Calderdale has been working for over a year with partner organisations in Calderdale to provide opportunities for young people to get involved with the national #iwill campaign, which has the goal of enabling 10-to-20 year-olds from all backgrounds access to volunteering, campaigning and fundraising opportunities. Currently, four in 10 young pe op le a g e d b e t w e e n 1 0 and 20 get involved in activities that make a positive difference. However, research indicates that almost double this number would take part in things like campaigning, fundraising and volunteering if they had the chance. Further studies confirm that social action develops modern employability skills, boosts access to further and higher education and supports enhanced well-being among young people.
Volunteers Emma Woods-Bolger of the Community Fo u n d a t i o n s a i d : “Thanks to donations from local businesses like the Halifax Courier we have already been able to offer over 900 young people the opportunity to take part in social action projects”.
Emma Woods Bolger ©Chris lord Photography
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By then end of August 2019 we will have engaged a further 800 young people
in projects. We simply can’t thank local businesses and individuals enough for the financial support they offer us, especially for this project, because it enabled us to bring in match funding from the Go ve rnme nt and the Big Lottery Fund”.
Calder Youth Social Action River project
Trust have partnered with the Community Foundation. Bolton Brow Primary Academy will, throughout the year, deliver a project lead by volunteer food ambassadors from year five who will work together to engage both pupils and their parents and carers by producing food and meals to share on a regular basis.
One of the projects offered is a river level monitoring scheme in Hebde n Bridge which involves young volunteers, many of whom are concerned about the effects of flooding o n t h e i r c o m m u n i t y, i n building small devices which Headteacher Dan Burns said: incorporated credit card sized “Thanks to the funding from single board computers that the Community Foundation we use the ‘Internet of Things’ to can now offer pupils and their collect data for use in flood families the chance to take part warning and in intervention in healthy eating activities, to evaluation. make regular meals in school and offer intergenerational It’s not just charities getting cooking sessions, as well as involved in the campaign to our project to grow our own increase Youth Social Action crops together in the spring and - nationally the departments summer terms.” for education have bee n d e m o n s t r a t i n g g r o w i n g Emma Woods-Bolger added: support for the importance “We now have 27 local projects all of youth social action in working towards engaging young education. people in their communities, which is a great start, but it takes financial resource to Healthy make it happen. I would urge Locally, Bolton Brow Primary any local business that would Academy and Calder Learning like to make their charitable
giving count locally to get in touch and donate so that next year we can offer further opportunities to more young people in Calderdale.”
Contacts
We would be delighted to discuss any aspect of the above with you:
•
•
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Emma Woods-Bolger, Assistant Director, Emma@ cffc.co.uk, 01422 438734 Ian Leedham, Development Manager, IanL@cffc.co.uk, 01422 438732 If you live or work elsewhere in Yorkshire, please contact your local Community Fo u n d a t i o n : w w w. ukcommunityfoundations. org/our-network > this lists all 46 UK Community Foundations > select ‘Yorkshire and Humberside’ to list the six Yorkshire Community Foundations.
NEWS UPDATE
Celebrating 100 most Influental British Muslims and the deadline to reserve tickets /tables is 30th August.
The Influential 100 aims to celebrate the work of the most successful British Muslims who are contributing to the prosperity of Britain and have been an integral part of British life, leading from the front. This special event to be held on 20th Se pte mbe r will see over 1000 professionals, Queen’s representatives, Lords, Ladies, entrepreneurs, sports personalities, diplomats and internationals attend this starstudded black-tie inaugural gala dinner.
with a spending power of £20.5 billion. There are over 10,000 British Muslim millionaires with liquid assets of £3.6 billion and at least 15 have been listed in the Sunday Times Rich List.
British Muslims contribute over £31 billion to the UK economy
There are still a few sponsorship packages available starting at £5k
Gohar Almas - Councillor for Beeston and Holbeck, Leeds
City’s new football team launched in Wakefield Wakefield completed its launch of a new club for the city at Trinity Walk shopping centre, with a pop-up shop on 8 August, where the club’s new shirts were available for sale, alongside season tickets. Home shirts were on sale in a range of sizes costing £25 for adults and £20 for children. Away shirts cost the same and are red and royal striped. Front of shirt sponsor is multi-awardwinning Wakefield charity Penny Appeal with back of shirt sponsored by Shape Engineering Limited. Season tickets were also on sale. Players were on hand to sign autographs and to meet with fans who took selfies.
home shirt
“The club will initially play their first games at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium just over the Wakefield border at Cudworth, but the aim is for
Be sure not to miss this most prestigious event. Awards will be presented on the night in the following categories: • Business Leader • Art, Design and Culture • Science & Technology • Sports Excellence • Professional Excellence • Inspiring Women • Social Entrepreneur • Entrepreneur • Friend of the Community Special Categories: Trailblazers & fellowship. To book email:gohar@ influential100.co.uk or visit: www.influential100.co.uk the club to move into the redeveloped Belle Vue site and share the pitch with Super League’s Wakefield Trinity,” said Director of football Chris Turner, an ex-professional goalkeeper who played for Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday (where he was in the league cup winning side in 1991). Mike Hegarty, one of the businessmen behind this project said: “Wakefield is the only city in the UK without its own professional football club, we are putting that right as residents deserve to have a team of whom they can be proud, so we are encouraging everyone to get behind the players who are as keen as mustard.” Adeem Younis, Penny Appeal – Chairman, said: “Penny Appeal has just celebrated 10 years as a Wakefield-based International NGO that has transformed over 20 million lives around the world. Wakefield has provided the fertile soil from which the Penny Appeal vision grew.
The city is bursting with talent and potential and so it is our honour to become the official sponsors of Wakefield Football Club, the team to watch!” Lucy Grice, Marketing Manager of Trinity Walk, said: “The ambition that the club has to become the city of Wakefield’s first professional football team is extremely exciting and as a key part of Wakefield, Trinity Walk wants to play its part in helping them realise this dream. The city and its residents deserve a great football team and we’d encourage people to come down, meet the players and grab a shirt before they sell out.” TopicUK September2019
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Lessons Business NEWSinUPDATE
Neil Wilson Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors TopicUK caught up with Neil Wilson, Managing Partner of Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors to find out what lessons Neil has learned in his very successful career to date. Here’s what he had to say: What have you done that has worked well during your business career? Being disciplined and having well considered plans. Being disciplined again to stick to the plans. Has anything you have done, not been so successful and what would you do different now? In my earlier years I did not spend as much time on being organised and planning as I do now. The consequence of this was always being extremely busy but not necessarily enjoying the work. Now the difference is having the confidence to slow things down, plan them properly and then make sure I deliver against those plans. This way more is achieved, to a high standard and with enjoyment along the way too. How would you do things differently if your career was to start again, would you choose the same career? I would start my career on leaving University rather than later. I am in my second career meaning I studied my law degree and post grad courses part time whilst working full time. Consequently I became a Trainee Solicitor aged 33 and a half! With hindsight I would have gone to University after A levels and started
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my legal career earlier. Yes I would choose the same career. What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt on your journey to date? I have learned a few which all merge into one lesson around setting standards and behaviours. They include setting high standards for myself and exceeding those. These apply not only to my work but my non work time too. Trusting people around me to do their job and recognising that they are better at it than I am. So empowering and thereafter supporting, guiding and occasionally encouraging them to hold their nerve. I try and take myself out of my comfort zone and encourage others to do the same, this brings great reward. What advice would you give to someone just starting out? Understand and display empathy. Put yourself in the other persons position and see things from their perspective. Then listen, and listen so much more than you speak. Always show an interest in people and never forget to praise and say thank you. Set high standards for you, over achieve and be proud of your achievements. Take time to relax and enjoy your free time.
Advertorial within just ten weeks, he was able to purchase the long-established 16-year-old company which designs and installs signage for a range of businesses and organisations.
Supporting Joint Managing Director of ABL Business Andy Redman s a i d : “ In v o i c e f i n a n c e was most suitable in this particular case because the client was buying an ongoing concern, with outstanding debts owed to the company on the day of completion.
Helping global entrepreneurs to invest in UK business ABL Business has recently been having a global reach - helping foreign nationals to invest in UK business.
Andy Redman is joint Managing Director of ABL Business, commercial finance brokers based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.
They’ve supported entrepreneurs from India, Hong Kong and Greece to realise their dreams, often working with High Net Worth Individuals on entrepreneurial visas which require them to inject over £2m into a UK business. The Cleckheaton-based commercial finance brokers are experienced in supporting international entrepreneurs with their UK ventures. The team has established relationships with lenders who are used to working with foreign nationals, so are able to find them competitive rates. There have been a number of interesting scenarios, including management buyins or buy-outs, and clients purchasing property, or
refinancing property that they have bought and refurbished.
Challenge Some have been keen to invest in providing rental accommodation such as buyto-lets and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) when “term mortgages” or bridging finance have enabled them to buy and refurbish properties, providing cash up front until the project is off the ground and bringing in rental income. The latest challenge was to help an entrepreneur from India to buy a signs and graphics company, based in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire.
£250,000 buy-out. But as a foreign national, his situation was slightly more complicated than usual. Visa conditions allowing him to enter the country as an entrepreneur stipulated that he must inject his own capital into growing a UK business. This meant he still needed extra funds for the initial purchase itself. The agent selling the graphics firm recommended ABL Business Ltd due to their good track record in this field. The entrepreneur was soon fixed up with invoice finance and cashflow lending and,
“That meant he could raise funds against those invoices, knowing the money would be available to him as soon as the payments came in. Cashflow lending could then be used to supplement his own funds in order to speed up the business growth. “From our point of view, supporting foreign nationals to invest in UK businesses is very rewarding, as we feel we’re doing our bit to encourage inward investment from abroad, to the benefit of the national economy as a whole.” To find out more about finance for foreign national entrepreneurs p l e a s e v i s i t w w w. a b l business.co.uk/raisingfinance/ or just give us a call on 01274 965356 to discuss your investment ideas.
The client did have more than enough funds for the TopicUK September2019
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ADVERTORIAL to progress and put the theory they learn into practice. Whether it is business planning, processes, legislation or something very specific to a given business, AD:VENTURE advisors have become an invaluable asset to a growing number of young companies throughout the Leeds City Region and have worked with over 1600 individuals in the last 18 months. Fe e d b a c k f r o m o u r c l i e n t s speaks for itself:
AD:VENTURE – More than meets the eye! can access to help with a variety of growth challenges. For example, our AD:VENTURE programme, funded by regional partners and ERDF, is a business support programme that delivers practical guidance, workshops and growth grants to companies that have been established for three years or less.
An interesting thing we’ve discovered since we started delivering AD:VENTURE business support is just how surprised new and young businesses are when they realise this type of high value professional help is available across the region
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With little in the way of funded support for early stage businesses available a few years ago, start-up businesses were expected to learn from the mistakes that they made, which at the very early stages can be more costly and catastrophic than you might realise. While there is still an element of trial and error with any enterprise, there is now a constantly evolving network of support across the Leeds City Region that new and growing companies
Events cover a range of topics including fundamentals of finance, marketing for growth, the art of selling, resilience, legal essentials and social media masterclasses. There are also networking events bringing the business community together to share experiences, advice and contacts. AD:VENTURE has a team of Business Advisors who work one-to-one with companies needing bespoke support. Providing a dedicated mentor, startups are able to ask the questions that matter most to them, so that they get advice that is going to allow them
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North Brewing Co. Founder Christian Townsley said: “It’s been a real rollercoaster of a journey for us and it’s fair to say that without AD:VENTURE we would have struggled to meet with demand in the early stages. It’s great to have a product that is popular but it’s just as important to remain true to your values and maintain the quality that people have come to expect of us” Mark Langdale of Candle Digital said “Starting and growing a business is bloody hard work and any help you can get is great, but when you are able to access professionals from the highest levels – for free – you would be silly not to!” So…..if you’ve thought about reaching out for help to grow your business, take the leap and do it today. To register on AD:VENTURE visit www.ad-venture.org.uk
LEGAL MATTERS
Legal Matters
The Inheritance: (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
WHAT IS THE CURRENT LEGAL POSITION? The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 enables certain categories of applicant to claim financial provision out of an estate for maintenance, or if the applicant is a spouse of civil partner, for maintenance or otherwise. The decision to award is discretionary determined by the Court in accordance with statutory factors which must be applied to each case to ascertain whether it is fair to make an award and deprive a beneficiary of their entitlement under the Last Will and Testament. The decision to award is therefore fact-dependent in each case and as such, the outcome of a case is difficult to foresee due to the wide discretionary system. WHY DOES THIS LAW EXIST? The current legalities are considered as a vehicle which restricts individual freedom to dispose of assets in whatever way one chooses. Regardless of this, the ability to apply for financial provision is beneficial and justified in situations where one dies unexpectedly having failed to revisit their Will following a change in family
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circumstances. In such situations, the Court is entitled to accept that the Last Will may not represent the deceased’s intent at death due to such circumstantial changes where the deceased has not amended his Will. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE CURRENT REGIME?
circumstances and so the deceased’s wishes may not be consulted at all if the dependant has a real need for financial provision. Making a Will if you wish to exclude a family member is of upmost importance to set out in depth reasons for excluding a person, so that the Court are inclined to take your wishes into account. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The discretionary checklist that must be applied to a claim in Court as mentioned above is advantageous as it is flexible in adapting to differing family situations. In accordance with this checklist, an award will only be made if a dependant is in need of maintenance, balancing such need against the interests of the beneficiaries named in the Will. This flexible checklist imposes a heavy burden for an applicant to prove his case as they are not automatically entitled to an award. Beneficiaries do not have to similarly justify their entitlement. One disadvantage is that the Court is not obliged to consider the deceased’s reasons in excluding an individual and providing for their chosen beneficiary. The act generally responds to need rather than fairness in the
Following the recent decision of Ilott v Mitson in 2017, the Court reasserted freedom of testation. By this we mean that the central consideration when determining an application under the act is the deceased’s right in leaving his property to whoever he wishes. Following this decision, recent cases have given weight to a deceased’s wishes. This emphasis allows an individual to be confident that their wishes will be respected. OVERALL It is important to understand that there is no automatic right to claim and the discretionary system does not guarantee claimants an award. Following the case of Ilott it seems that the interests of the chosen beneficiaries under the act
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LEGAL MATTERS are given greater consideration in determining a third party’s claim however one must always look to protect the mselves against such claims.
Is it discrimination to pay dads on shared parental leave less than mothers on maternity leave?
WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A SUCCESSFUL CLAIM AGAINST MY ESTATE? D espite the difficulties that applicants, the cost and unpredictability of outcome at trial often means that claims settle before reaching Court at Mediation and thus, applicants receive an award, albeit sometimes small. Therefore, to reduce the risk of a successful claim under the act, we advise that one revisits their Will every five years or where there has been a significant change to family or financial circumstances to ensure that the same still accords with their wishes. Further, marriage and divorce impact a Will and the position on Intestacy (where one dies without a Will) for a cohabitant is inherently weak, thus in a change of circumstances, revisiting a Will is vital. Also, where one has children from a previous marriage, making a Will is essential to ensure such children inherit without having to claim under the act. Placing a clause in the Will preventing another from claiming under the act is void. However, including a statement in your Will explaining why provision has not been made for a certain person is advisable as the Court may take this into account when determining whether to make an award. To prevent such claims arising after death or to safeguard the estate so far as possible against successful claims, it is important that you seek legal advice.
The Court of Appeal judgment in the combined cases of Ali v Capita Customer Management and Hextall v Leicestershire Police may well have laid to rest any further contentions that employers should be required to pay dads on shared paternity leave as generously as mothers on maternity leave. Both cases considered whether there were grounds for unlawful sex discrimination when paying less to men than women following childbirth. It was held that providing enhanced pay for birth mothers on maternity leave and only paying statutory parental pay for dads on shared leave was not in breach of the Equality Act. Employers have been seeking clarification on this point, and it was only a matter of time before action was brought by male employees to test the intentions of the Act and the correct application of the law as it was intended. The employers in this case were able to rely on the Equality Act direct discrimination exception that “no account is to be taken of special treatment afforded to a woman in connection with pregnancy or childbirth�. It was also noted by the court that the exception does not
appear in the definition of indirect discrimination, but should still be scrutinised on this particular issue. Ali claimed unlawful direct sex discrimination in his failure to be paid equally to a woman on maternity leave by his employers. The Hextall case was framed differently, submitting that being compensated at the statutory level placed him (as a man) at a significant disadvantage and therefore amounted to unlawful indirect discrimination. Maternity leave is a vehicle for the protection of the health and wellbeing of the birth mother both during pregnancy and following childbirth and is essential to establishing then maintaining the special relationship between mother and baby. The appellants were on shaky ground in seeking to establish that after the initial protection afforded for
health and safety, the maternity leave changed to being only for the purposes of caring for the baby. The courts dismissed this argument and indeed were very critical of it; the submission was seeking to deny the special relationship in an attempt to equalise the roles of mother and father in the first 52 weeks for the purposes of the case. Allowing the appeal risked undermining the essential protection afforded to mothers on maternity leave and rejecting the distinct disadvantage that women face in employment following pregnancy and childbirth. There was a further potential consequence in that if statutory pay for men was to be increased, employers could make a business decision to scale back on enhanced maternity pay packages to the statutory minimum. Subject to review in the Supreme Court, the question of employers treating maternity leave and shared parental leave pay differently seems to be solved; employers may proceed confidently without the possible risk of allegations of discrimination from male workers. TopicUK September2019
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legal matters
Legal Matters
Duties of a deputy The Court of Protection appoints a deputy to make decisions on behalf of a person who lacks capacity. A deputy can be appointed in relation to either, or both, a person’s property and affairs and personal welfare. A deputy is likely to be a family or close friend or a professional such as Veronica Mullins, a partner at the firm, who is specially appointed by the Court of Protection to act when no one else is able or willing to act.
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A deputy has duties that they must adhere to. Amongst others, the deputy must keep deputyship funds separate from their personal monies, they must also keep proper records and report to the Office of Public Guardian yearly. The deputy must be aware of the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which are:•
A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity.
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A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable (doable) steps to help them to do so have been taken without success.
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A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because they make an unwise decision.
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An act done, or a decision, made under this Act for or on behalf of a person who lacks mental capacity must be done, or made, in their best interests
•
Before the act is done, or the decision is made, regard must be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be effectively achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person’s rights and freedom of action.
If you are considering applying to the Court of Protection to become a deputy on behalf of a person who lacks capacity, or need a Deputy to act on behalf of someone, our experienced Court of Protection team can assist you with application process.
legal matters
Voluntary overtime by employees to be included in holiday pay In the recent case of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Flowers & Ors [2019] the Court of Appeal held that employers should take into account voluntary overtime when calculating holiday pay. In this case, the Employees working as ambulance crew, were required to work ‘nonguaranteed’ overtime under their employment contracts. The Employees could also work
voluntary overtime and different crew members worked different levels of each type. The Employees claimed that such overtime should be taken into account when calculating their holiday pay as it was part of their ‘normal remuneration’ and over a ‘sufficient period of time’. The Employer disagreed. The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that where patterns of work, including voluntary,
prevail over a sufficient period of time and on a regular or recurring basis, they can be seen as ‘normal’. The Court of Appeal upheld the Employment Tribunal’s decision and confirmed that voluntary overtime should be taken into account when calculating holiday pay if the overtime is sufficiently regular. This case highlights the importance for employers to
monitor the overtime worked by employees and to assess any regular patterns in overtime when calculating holiday pay. Taking a pro-active approach in this regard is likely to avoid any potential claims brought by employees.
Legal Aid Cuts In a recent report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights said cuts to Legal Aid have left them with “grave concerns for access to justice”. Their report arose following the Go ve rnme nt re vie w of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act. The Committee now demands a review of eligibility criteria, which has not been updated to coincide with the poverty line. There has been a reduction in Legal Aid funding by £950 million per year since the L e g a l A i d , S e n te n c i n g a n d
Punishment of Offenders Act was passed in 2012, resulting in fewer members of society having access to justice. The Committee stated that the Equality and Human Rights Commission should be extended so that it can pursue human rights cases on the same basis as it supports equality cases. David Isaac, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission states that “legal aid was specifically set up to ensure that those who have been wronged, but cannot afford
their own legal representation, can access justice.” He also e x p re s s e d s u p p o r t f o r t h e Committee’s recommendation that the EHRC powers in tackling human rights breaches should be further strengthened to ensure that members of society have their human rights “respected and protected”. The Committee described Britain as having “legal aid deserts”, as a decreasing amount of firms are able to pursue legal aid work. Here at Ramsdens Solicitors, our Abuse team will explore each case in depth and on an individual basis in order to thoroughly
investigate the merits of the claim. Our team strive to eradicate the disparity of legal aid eligibility by offering our clients alternative methods of funding if they do not satisfy the criteria for legal aid ensuring access justice. Our team are experienced in advising clients of their legal options and to seek justice for their maltreatment. At Ramsdens we also offer Legal Aid in our Care, Family, Court of Protection and Mental Health departments. TopicUK September2019
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legal matters
and will require all future police recruits to hold a degree at the point that they are confirmed in post.
The role of police officers has significantly shifted from what it was 30 years ago and this is due to a dramatic change in criminal behaviour. The modern day police officer is now challenged by complex and diverse communities where terrorism, cyber-crime and human trafficking present on a daily basis. The police service now require officers who can take a sophisticated and informed approach to problems of the 21st century and this requires a fundamental shift in the way that they are trained.
Expertise
The University of Law launches Policing Degree as our new Prime Minister pledges to bolster police numbers In the backdrop of an increase in violent crimes on British streets and where criminal activity continues to become ever more complex, new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to recruit an additional 20,000 officers to help meet the increasing demands on our police service.
long-term strategy, known as Policing Vision 2025, that will see the police service professionalised
With a long standing reputation of excellence in professional legal training The University of Law has responded to this by the launch of its new degree in Professional Policing, which has been licensed by the College of Policing. The degree programme will be delivered by former officers who have held senior rank within the police service and who represent a range of experience and expertise. The course will be delivered in a very practical way and is designed to build decision making and
critical thinking skills from day one. The syllabus offers extensive coverage of different crime types and different areas of policing and also allows students the ability to choose from a range of optional modules including forensic psychology and criminology.
Exciting The campus, located in the heart of Leeds city centre, boasts a state of the art court room that is used to train police officers in giving evidence and being crossexamined. Matthew Tomlinson, Dean of the University’s Leeds Campus, said “This promises to be a very exciting programme, and is an excellent fit with our existing legal courses and excellence in providing professional legal training. Most importantly it offers great job prospects and can lead to a rewarding career for our students.” The University of Law’s Leeds Campus was recently ranked 1st for 9 of the 10 categories, including Overall Satisfaction, competing against 30 other institutions in the region in the National Student Survey. Places are available for September 2019 – to find out more contact Stephanie Amor – Stephanie.amor@law.ac.uk / 01483 216077
This commitment sits alongside the National Police Chief ’s Council’s TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE
LEGAL MATTERS
Chadwick Lawrence welcomes clients and guests to annual Summer BBQ TopicUK group editor Gill Laidler and partner Rob Backwell who is TopicUK’s design Director, were delighted to be invited to Chadwick Lawrence’s Summer BBQ at their Dock Street offices in Leeds.
TopicUK group editor Gill Laidler and partner Rob Backwell who is TopicUK’s design Director, were delighted to be invited to Chadwick Lawrence’s Summer BBQ at their Dock Street offices in Leeds. H e l d a n n u a l l y, t h e e v e n t gives the leading law firm the opportunity not only to catch up with clients, partners and guests, but thank them for their calibration over the year. “This is an event we always look forward to,” said Gill, “Chadwick Lawrence are such a great firm, who are very active within the business community across Yorkshire and of course
we know lots of guests, so it’s great to catch up.” Managing Partner Neil Wilson and his team were on hand to welcome guests and offer a complimentary Gin and tonic in a variety of flavours or beer for the none cocktail lovers. Guests had the chance to network in the ground floor reception area and outside in the specially erected marquee, before tucking into a delicious BBQ buffet that offered a huge choice. Guests were also invited to view the new offices of Fantastic Media who have new offices at Dock Street, alongside Chadwick Lawrence.
How to write a perfect CV Stafflex Managing Director Brian Stahelin, gives his top tips on how to write the best possible CV. The average amount of time reading CV’s is usually less than a minute and it is worth noting that the majority of employers are small organisations and may not have a formally trained HR person or interviewer. This means they are not trained on how to evaluate a job and will
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have no experience writing job descriptions and advert copy as well as shortlisting, interviewing
and selecting candidates so they will need some help from you! If the employer does not unde rstand what the y are reading or cannot see what they are looking for quickly, then the CV will go on the “no” or, at best, the “possible” pile but certainly not on the “interview pile”. There are two main types of CV’s (as well as plain poor ones) and they are “standard” o r “ t a i l o r e d ” . E i t h e r w ay, they should be factual, in chronological order and explain any gaps in work history. Standard CV’s are fine but
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should be concise and easy to follow. A CV is more effective when it is clear and has been written to match a specific job/ person specification. If a standard CV is sent, it needs to have a strong covering (selling) letter addressing the vacancy applied for and stating how your experience and skills match the job. It is also worth talking about the qualities you can offer which will benefit the employer. A tailored CV is effective when written and addressing a job because you have found out what the job involves. This is
NEWS UPDATE
Two Wakefield businessmen become export champions Two Wakefield SMEs, m2r Education and Coeur de Xocolat have been awarded the prestigious title of Department for International Trade (DIT) & Northern Powerhouse (NPH) ‘Export Champion’ for their international trade success. often best done, if possible, by speaking to the employing line manager before submitting. I advise people to contact employers when they have seen an advert to get them to talk them through what is involved. The reason for this is that most adverts (whether in print or on the internet) are too vague or too specific.
Business owners, Munir Mamujee and David Greenwood Haigh were surprised and certainly delighted by such high profile recognition. m2r Education, are a multi award winning international education recruitment firm and Coeur de Xocolat, provide consultancy services and teaching along with chocolate themed teambuilding exercises across the globe. They are the only SMEs in Wakefield to have achieved this accolade. Since they became Export Champions the two business owners have embarked on a collaborative journey,
celebrating their newly found ‘fame’ and in turn, showcasing Wakefield too. To date they have worked on projects in Wakefield and the Middle East, and are now looking at creating chocolate themed events for Munir’s international clientele. Having the ability to attend as well as speak at high profile events gives the business owners the platform to showcase their passion to an exulted audience, one that was seemingly out of reach before, as well as going to great lengths to extol the virtues of Wakefield and the entire Northern Powerhouse region.
With more information, you can decide whether the job is worth applying for and you can write a stronger application. The employer just may remember that you took the trouble to find out (and this can impress them) and improve, but not always, the chance they will put you on to the “to interview” pile! TopicUK September2019
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ADVERTORIAL NEWS UPDATE
25 Years of Redefining Energy Harrogate-based CNG is the UK’s leading independent shipper and supplier of commercial natural gas and as it celebrates its 25th year in 2019, it’s also welcoming recognition for its continued passion for customer service excellence.
Since its inception in 1994, CNG has focused on driving change in the energy industry, through a formula of delivering on its promise to put the customer at the heart of its operations. Working against a tide of negative perception of energy suppliers, CNG has successfully devised an approach to supply that quite simply, gives power back to energy users. With clear communication, refreshing commitme nt to customer care and a hands on team, for whom doing the right thing is engrained in their DNA, CNG has been able to secure the coveted ‘Putting the Customer First’ accreditation for the seventh consecutive year in 2019. Since becoming the first commercial supplier to secure the ‘badge’ in 2011, CNG has worked tirelessly on continuous improvement; facilitated by the robust, third-party process which allows Customer First to gather insights from all stakeholders; from brokers and customers, through to the internal team. This
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broad and in-depth view of the CNG operation provides crucial insight into what is working and what can be improved to better CNG’s approach for everyone, at all touch points. To maintain the accreditation over time, CNG has had to demonstrate ongoing review and improvement of processes and procedures. It’s a great way to ensure the business never stands still and encourages a team-wide sense of accountability and pride. This year’s Customer First Assessor, James Hart said: “Throughout the assessment it was clear that the employees at CNG, at all levels, act in the best interests of their customers at all times.”
“The culture of openness, continuous improvement and achievement all contribute to a workplace which promotes excellent customer service and innovation.” Jacqui Hall, CNG MD added: “CNG was born from a desire to stand out for all the right reasons, so to secure this accreditation once again, with such excellent feedback is a wonderful way to mark our 25th year. A quarter of a century of “ the employees at CNG, at all customerlevels, act in the best interests of their customers at all times...” centric energy is something we’re very proud of and it’s still only the beginning.”
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CNG is a member of Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y30 Club of Yorkshire-based business partners. For further information, visit Yorkshire.com/Y30
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Food & Drink
Tattu tantalises the tastebuds Images: ©Copyright James Brown
Neighbouring some of the finest bars, restaurants and hotels (including our partner, Dakota) in the city centre and well placed on East Parade, Tattu Leeds opened in 2017. Since then, it has secured a reputation as one of Leeds’ outstanding and trendy restaurants and when we visited one early mid week evening, we soon realised why. With so much competition in the city, it was reassuring to see upon arrival, that the venue already had a “mid-week buzz” and there was a number of tables occupied.
By Mandy Taylor, Business Development Executive TopicUK
Tattu Restaurant & Bar 29, East Parade, Minerva House, Leeds LS1 5PS
Restaurant Opening Times: Monday - Thursday, 12.00pm - 3pm, 5.00pm - 10.30pm Friday - Sunday, 12.00pm - 10.45pm Bar Opening Times: Monday - Sunday, 12.00pm - Late Image Author: Lincoln J Roth www.tattu.co.uk/leeds
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Our welcome was a warm, professional one and although the invitation to enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the bar was a tempting one, we opted to be taken to our table (whilst muttering “wow, how incredibly stunning is the décor” to each other) in the main ground floor dining space. To anyone who has not seen Ta t t u ’ s i n t e r i o r, i t t r u l y i s resplendent with the most beautiful blossom trees, which on this occasion were lit with pink lights, (orange in Autumn). Did you know that Cherry Blossom in the art form, is a symbol of
good luck and life? In addition to the main dining space, there is the ‘White Rose Garden’ covered terrace (complete with a retractable roof ) and a stunning first floor mezzanine, featuring a private dining room for up to 16 people, the restaurant can cater for every occasion.
Refreshing To complement the breathtaking décor, the background music was pitched perfectly and in no time at all, any tensions from the busy day had drifted away. Sarah introduced herself to us, with a warm smile and an air of confidence and ensured that our request for a refreshing glass of fizz, was satisfied swiftly. She then expertly guided us
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Rather than go for the option of dining from the “Wave” fixed price menu (starting at £35 per person, for parties of two or more) as Sarah ‘walked us through the menu’ we deemed it wise to sample a selection of dishes which would give a diverse reflection of the offering. The advice to order up to five small dishes and then a main to share was followed and after much debate (thankfully Sarah was very patient) our order was placed.
© Joe Giacomet
t h ro u g h t h e e x te n s i v e ‘Summer menu’ explaining t h a t a t Ta t t u L e e d s , attention to detail is always a priority and that the Chinese-inspired cuisine was one which we would thoroughly enjoy.
professional at all times) with our final dish of the night, Thai Style Crispy Monkfish. Again, this dish was piping hot, visually amazing and the fish delicate and tasty. We opted for Chicken Singapore Noodles which had chunky pieces of chicken, and the freshest of vegetables and a s e r v i n g o f Te n d e r s te m Broccoli served with black sesame and truffle, both were a winning combination of colours and flavour.
Professional In n o t i m e a t a l l , o u r dishes started to arrive and thankfully our beautifully set table was big enough to accommodate the plates which were sizeable to say the least. Six Crispy Duck Rolls from the Dim Sum selection (chosen as they are relatively light and considered a healthy option) were served up with a glossy and delicious Cherry hoisin sauce and cooked to perfection whilst the more calorific Crispy Po r k B e l l y w i t h B l a c k vinega r a n d c or i a n d e r was fantastic, if not very filling. As lovers of fish, the Salmon Sashizza with Yuzu Kosho aioli and a truffle tapenade was a winner, the fish melted in
the mouth and the dish had a ‘real kick’ and the four Steamed Black Cod Parcels were light and beautifully presented. Finally, the Coconut Chicken Salad which was sizeable in quantity with warm chicken and fresh lime on the side, sadly proved to be more than could be eaten and we regretted having to leave a small amount.
On this occasion, due to an early start the next morning we sadly could not stay to sample the amazing Cocktails however from our table it was fabulous to see that many were enjoying ‘the theatre’ of the mixology from behind the bar and we both agreed that we would definitely return, especially as it is open from noon till late, seven days a week.
Thankfully, just the right amount of ‘resting time’ was allowed before Sarah returned to our table (the service was discreet and
To conclude, if you want to tantalise your tastebuds with exceptional, contemporary modern Chinese cuisine, Tattu Leeds is the place to be! TopicUK September2019
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food NEWS&UPDATE Drink
Dirty Martini Food & Drink
Going Greek Summer is here! As such we thought that we would give you some recipes that are worthy of the sunshine.
have ever done so we thought that we would share the secret with you. It is a Greek classic – Chicken Gyros.
The food recipe was the July special at Create Café, and it has by far been the most popular special we
The cocktail this month is a classic through and through – dirty Martini.
Ingredients Chicken Gyros: • • • • • •
Two chicken breasts cut into strips. 500ml yogurt 1 tbsp dried thyme 1tbsp oregano 1 tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper
Ingredients
Slaw:
•
• • •
•
2 carrots grated Half of a small white cabbage sliced thin 1 red onion sliced thin
Tzatziki: • • •
100ml yogurt Half a cucumber - fine diced 10 mint leaves - chopped
50ml Premium vodka or gin. I recommend Ciroc vodka and Tanqueray 10 gin Dash of dry vermouth. The most well-known is Martini but Noilly Pratt is better
Method: Fill a coupette or martini glass with ice to chill and set aside.
Method
Take one half of a cocktail shaker, add a big scoop of ice and the vermouth and give it a good stir to chill the glass and coat it with vermouth.
It couldn’t be easier! For the chicken, mix everything but the chicken together well with a spoon. Then add the chicken, wrap it up and leave it overnight or for a few hours at least. For the slaw, mix the ingredients together and set aside. For the tzatziki you guessed it – mix the ingredients and set aside.
Next, pour the vermouth and ice away, and add the gin or vodka and another scoop of ice.
To serve spread the tzatziki on a wrap, add some slaw mix and put to one side. Sear the chicken on both sides and cook in a hot oven for 10 minutes. Be sure to check the chicken is cooked all the way through then add to the wrap and wrap it up. Serve with chips or salad.
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Stir until frosty on the outside of the shaker and strain into the chilled glass. This is a classic martini. To make it a dirty martini, add a teaspoon of olive brine and an olive.
Image:L to R Philip Mercer and Steve Beaumont
NEWS UPDATE
Powering on with impressive growth IT automation specialist PowerON, is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, after creating 14 new jobs in the last six months and turnover is set to soar by £800,000 to approximately £3million in its current financial year, which ends in September. The York based company, which was founded in 2013 by Philip Mercer and Steve Beaumont, specialises in simplifying IT operations and ensuring its potential can be fully maximised in all types of public and private sector organisations, as well as delivering a positive experience for end users.
PowerON is one of only eight the opportunity to shape and train Microsoft Elite partners in the the IT industry’s future talent. UK and a number of its team are classed as Microsoft Most “Our strategy has always been Valuable Professionals, due to about reinvesting our profits into them continually sharing their the business and the experience, specialist knowledge with the ability and overall calibre of g l o b a l I T c o m m u n i t y. T h e people that we have in our team company now employs a 41-strong has significantly expanded our team across offices in York and capabilities and could see us push North Lincolnshire, as well as turnover towards the £4million working with a team of associates mark next year.” throughout the UK. Organisations using PowerON’s Philip said: “In the last six months Pulse product to migrate to alone, we’ve appointed sales heads Windows 10 include the likes of in York and London, five delivery retail giant The Bodyshop, and heads working nationally, a head East Midlands Ambulance Service, of support and a new financial whose paramedics use more than controller. We’ve also recruited 800 GETAC rugged laptops that can nine apprentices, which gives us be mobile and in use 24 hours a day.
PowerON is also currently working on large scale transformational projects with Chiltern District Council and The Co-operative as they modernise their IT systems to a cloud based solution.
TopicUK September2019
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special feature
Sir Rodney and Lady Walker enjoy this Yorkshire gem When TopicUK were asked to visit and review Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate, we were delighted when Sir Rodney and Lady Walker accepted our invitation to go on our behalf. Here’s what they had to say: “Over the years I have visited Rudding Park as guest speaker at a number of business lunches and dinners, this recent visit by myself and Lady Walker was the first time I have actually stayed at the hotel and we were most certainly not disappointed. Despite the appalling early June weather the welcome was warm (especially the log fire) and registration was concluded quickly and efficiently. Our case was taken to our room and we were given an orientation of the
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facilities. We were fortunate to be upgraded from an executive double room to a junior suite comprising bedroom with en-suite bathroom that included a shower/sauna (a first for me) in addition, there was a separate sitting room, again with its own second bathroom. The four poster bed was complimented by the wonderful choice of pillows and linen. The location of our two rooms were adjacent to the beautiful gardens and we unfortunately were left wondering
special feature how special it would have been had the sun been shining. The gardens are extensive and they even have their own vegetable garden outside the kitchen, growing much of the hotel’s fruit and vegetables.
Finest The only surprise was to discover there were no shaver sockets in the bathrooms, but a quick phone call to reception and a delivery of a suitable adapter appeared swiftly within two minutes. After settling in, we made our way to the rooftop spa which is surely one of the finest appointed facilities of its type in Yorkshire if not the country. There is a swimming pool, thalassotherapy pool, a variety of saunas and steam rooms together with various treatment rooms and relaxation areas. Despite the unseasonal weather the outdoor pool was being well used by residents and paying visitors. All in all, a delightful experience. Then it was back to the room to change for dinner. This had been pre-booked in the Clocktower restaurant. After pre-dinner drinks we were shown to our table in the delightful conservatory. Lady Walker is both vegetarian and gluten intolerant, so she was offered the vegan menu and our waiter talked us through the main menu advising on which dishes could be prepared gluten free. In the end her choice was Salt Baked Beetroot with Yellison Goats Cheese and candid pecans from the main menu and a main course of King Oyster Mushroom with coconut curry and basmati rice chosen from the vegan menu. My choice was Cured and smoked salmon with cod roe, buttermilk
the beautiful gardens other than from a distance. Breakfast was again served in the conservatory adjace nt to the Clockto we r restaurant. Lady Walker was offered gluten free toast but she declined. Fruit was available at the continental breakfast table, but a somewhat limited selection. She ordered gluten free cornflakes, Eggs Florentine (without the muffin) accompanied by tea. Predictably, I had the full English breakfast with brown bread toast and coffee.
and salsify as my starter, followed by Fish and chips with pea puree and tartare sauce. We chose a bottle of our favorite Marlborough Pinot Noir to accompany our meal. Whilst there was an excellent choice of desserts and cheeses, we declined as we were replete from our starters and main courses.
The service throughout was attentive and polite, but the occasional smile would have been welcome.
Enjoyed After an excellent night’s sleep we awoke to find the rain was still falling so we never did get to see
We departed the hotel after breakfast as business meetings had to be attended. We thoroughly enjoyed our 18 hours at Rudding Park. Bet te r weathe r would have undoubtedly enhanced the experience still further. The facilities within the rooftop spa will live long in the memory and is likely to encourage an early return.” TopicUK September2019
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A day at ‘The Races’ How often have you booked to go to the races and constantly checked the weather forecast in the days leading up to it, willing the sun to shine and for the transport network to be sympathetic? I know I have, said TopicUK Editor Gill Laidler. who had reserved a highly sought after ticket at the Bibis Italianissimo Royal Ascot Ladies Day celebration. “Come rain or shine, the aforementioned would not be a concern at all this year. Amongst a sea of extravagant hats and fascinators, the pop of Champagne corks and patriotic waving of Union Jack flags, as Her Majesty arrived in her open carriage on the big screen, live from Royal Ascot, Bibis pulled out all the stops to ensure that this charity fundraiser on behalf of Maggie’s Yorkshire was a day to remember. With live music, wine tasting and delicious canapés in the lawned Cocktail Lounge, exhibitors including high end fashion and jewellery, and the opportunity to be photographed beside the beautiful flower wall, it was almost incredible to imagine that we were indeed in Leeds and not in the hospitality lounge at Royal Ascot. Attention to detail must be Bibs motto for the restaurant was dressed perfectly for such an auspicious occasion, there was a ‘real’ bookie to
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take bets, two huge screens showing the live racing and complimentary copies of The Racing Post for the more serious ‘punter’. Head Chef clearly wanted to impress the 175 guests as each of the three courses were timed expertly between races and extravagant in portion size. The army of impeccable staff were organised with military precision, efficient and friendly and clearly very proud to be part of this first time event. The sound of the horses hooves pounding on the course, coupled with the guests jumping out of their seats cheering loudly, truly was a sight to behold and no matter whether there were winners or losers, the atmosphere was electric.
raffle (the prizes were outstanding) raised a total of £2419.55 for the soon to open, specialist cancer support facility Maggie’s, in the grounds of St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds.
Children of Courage Awards
YCCA has been reaching out to communities across Yorkshire for outstanding children and young people to be nominated for the 2019 awards. Roadshows have been held over the past few weeks The Master of Ceremonies for the to encourage nominations day, working alongside See It Now a n d r a i s e a w a r e n e s s Sports” was hugely entertaining of the awards. and he did a great job with the live auction, which coupled with proceeds from the silent auction and
YCCA has been reaching out to communities across Yorkshire
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All guests enjoyed a fantastic afternoon from noon till 6pm, which went in a flash and I think I may have the racing bug…and no heels sinking in the grass. Here’s to the next one!” for outstanding children and young people to be nominated for the 2019 awards.Roadshows have been held over the past few weeks to encourage nominations and raise awareness of the awards. Starting at the Merrion Centre in Leeds, hosted by Town Centre Securities and CitiPark – both main sponsors of the event. Event Ambassador and ITV Calendar p r e s e n t e r, C h r i s t i n e Ta l b o t joined in the fun, accompanied by the Leeds St. James’s Place Foundation Chairman, Ewan Dowes. The next venue was Estate Agents Manning Stainton, Wetherby. The Branch Manager has a special reason for holding the Roadshow as his daughter is to be nominated.
Out of Office Jonathan Oldfield, MD of Riverside Waste Machinery You arrive home on Friday night after a busy week. What’s the first thing you do? I go straight to my two kids and give them a kiss, before enjoying some quality playtime and then getting them to bed – it’s the little things! It’s time for the weekend. What are we most likely to find you doing, and where? On a Friday evening, I like to catch up with an old friend. We’ll have a few beers together at one of our houses – and put the world to rights! On Saturday, my wife and I enjoy some time together with the children. You’ll generally find us at the swimming pool, in the park, or on a nice
walk – anything that helps to burn off some energy! Saturday night arrives. What’s your idea of the perfect way to spend it? Well, I have to admit that Saturday nights are behind me now – too much alcohol means I’m out of action for the entire following day! I tend to sit in front of the television with my wife – chatting about anything and everything – while enjoying a takeaway and a nice drink or two. That’s more my style now. It’s Sunday already. What tasks are usually on your ‘to-do’ list? It depends on what’s required – I’m always keen to do some DIY, or help
with the cleaning and washing in the house. Sunday is a ‘chores day’ – but we also spend the mornings out and about with the kids. We’re National Trust members, so we will often set off to a venue such as Fountains Abbey for a stroll and some lunch, weather dependant of course. We go through stages when it comes a long-time supporter of YCCA. The final show to date was at Award Sponsor, Irwin Mitchell’s in Leeds and was attended by 2018 Group Award winners SNAPS.
The Roadshow thendropped into another main sponsor, Twinkles Nurseries Group in Wetherby. Next stop was Bradford City FC, hosted by Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy (RIASA) a YCCA Sponsor. Along with Friend of the Awards, Eorl Crabtree, ex professional Rugby League player, and a host of ex professional socce r playe rs
including Mark Ellis who heads up RIASA. Also present were two of our award sponsors, Andy Firth from Ascensor and Jonathan France from France and Associates. Onwards to Lineham Farm in Eccup, where it was the turn of Leeds Children’s Charity (LCC) one of the Group Award nominees, to host. The session was presented by Mandy Taylor of Charity Angels
Preparations for the Awards dinner are well underway and YCCA are proud to announce that the event is now fully sponsored and all 80 tables have been sold. Currently a search is on for auction and raffle prizes to help with fundraising. All the monies raised are matched pound for pound by the FTSE 100-listed St. James’s Place Wealth Management and there is a focus placed on donating to charities that support children and young adults.
Left to right: Jennifer Welsh, LCC, Mandy Taylor, Children for Castleton Primary School Leeds, Ewan Dowes, Partner St. James’s Place Wealth Management and Head of Foundation, Leeds, Charlotte Newman, Stowe Family Law, Scott Campbell , St. James’s Place Wealth Management Jessica Frost, Young Singer, Dave Norman, LCC
to food. We might cook a Sunday dinner, have the family round, or visit a local restaurant for a meal out. Also, I’m a huge fan of the BBQ, come rain or shine – or snow! – so any excuse for me to cook outside is brilliant. Work again tomorrow. Do you get the Sunday blues or look forward to getting back – and why? No, I don’t get the blues over going back to work – if I’ve had a disagreeable weekend, it can be quite the opposite! Seriously though, I believe the balance of work and home life brings with it a nice mixture – although an extra day at the weekend wouldn’t go amiss! The weekend’s almost over. What’s the last thing you do before you hit the hay ahead of another week? My strategy planning for the week ahead, as I like the process of getting ready for business as usual and a fresh Monday morning. TopicUK September2019
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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Chosen to bring the world’s finest brands to life… Philip Morris is the International Sales and Marketing Director at Allied Glass Containers, he talks to TopicUK editor Gill Laidler about the importance of giving back to the Yorkshire community in which the business has been active since 1874. Allied Glass has always actively encouraged its employees to be involved in fundraising for community projects, Philip says: “At Allied Glass we are committed to helping make our local community a better place to live in. That is why we encourage staff to play active roles in local charities, groups and organisations to improve the lives of people in the West Yorkshire
area, whethe r helping local sports clubs, helping to deliver community projects or fundraising to support good causes.” Both Allied and its employees have been enthusiastic supporters of the Prince of Wales Hospice for 26 years, the company’s fundraising efforts having reached o ve r £55,000 undoubtedly making a
meaningful impact to the work of the organisation. Philip continues:“Over the years we have built a very close working relationship with the team at The Prince of Wales Hospice, our staff having organised and taken part in some remarkable events including running in Santa outfits, “At Allied Glass we walking are committed to helping make our local the Yorkshire community a better Three place to live in...” Peaks and undertaking epic bike rides, all to raise vital funds. We have most recently worked with the Hospice to create a unique bottle to celebrate 30 years since it opened its doors to the first patients.” Designed, manufactured and then decorated by Allied Glass the beautiful bespoke bottles of gin, which are a limited edition of only 30, were launched by Allied in June and are an amazing
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tribute to the Hospice’s history individually boxed and complete with a certificate of authenticity. Tracey Mearns, Partnership Development Coordinator for the Hospice, said; “Working with the team at Allied Glass is very rewarding, as we have so much support each year from their staff. The amount raised is incredible and shows how committed they are to supporting their local charity. We are extremely grateful and very excited about launching the anniversary gin bottles as we celebrate our 30th birthday in 2019.” As a market leader in the creation of premium glass packaging, Allied makes beautiful glass containers for some of the world’s most iconic brands with an award- winning design and manufacturing capability. P h i l i p s ay s : “ We w e re
delighted to work closely with the Prince of Wales Hospice team on the 30 Year celebratory bottle project. It gave us an opportunity to learn even more about their incredible work, what the Prince of Wales Hospice does is inspirational, providing vital care and support through incredibly difficult times.”
Midge Ure to play York
...and two free tickets could be yours
He continues: “We hope that the beautiful pack will raise a significant amount of money, but our fundraising efforts have not ended here. We will keep adding to the amount and so by the end of the year we can hand over a significant cheque to support their incredible work.” Along with providing financial support to various projects within the local community, Allied is also proud to have many employees who are active volunteering whilst the business also engages with local schools and colleges offering work experience placements each year, giving students the opportunity to gain an insight into almost every area of the business. In addition to working with schools via career support, Allied also organises an annual design competition in collaboration with Leeds Metropolitan University and The Retail Institute.
Midge Ure & Band Electronica are taking York back to the ‘80s - followed by another twist back in time as the Hawkwind celebrate their 50th anniversary at the same venue in the city. chance to win two tickets to see Midge Ure in York when he visits York Grand Opera House.
The synthesizers of futuristic Visage’s single ‘Fade To Grey’ and Ultravox’s single ‘Vienna’ took over from the guitar-driven dominance that had propelled rock and punk throughout the ‘70s. Both records were co-written, recorded and produced by one of the leading characters in British music, Midge Ure, who is performing at York Grand Opera House on October 21. But music fans can rock on because space rock pioneers Hawkwindhave lined up a huge tour for autumn. Dave Brock and crew will play at the Grand Opera House on November 11.
Chuff Media said: “The legendary pioneers of space rock will be performing across the UK in celebration of half a century of their musical journe y so far. This tour follows on from an incredible 2018 which saw them tour their groundbreaking production, In Search of Utopia - Infinity and Beyond, to sell-out audiences in the UK.” One of our lucky readers has the
We have teamed up with Chuff Media who have kindly donated 2 tickets to one lucky TopicUK reader. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is log onto Twitter and tweet: I’m going to see Midge Ure with @Topic_UK D on’t forget to follow us so we can notify you if you are our lucky winner. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn after the closing date of 30 September. Good luck. TopicUK TopicUK September2019 September2019
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THE ARTS
The Arts
By Murray Edwards - Art and business consultant
We must change education policy to save arts in schools!
“where children achieve beyond their wildest dreams”, and which is attracting visitors from as far afield as Scandinavia and Thailand. This transformation has been helped by the introduction of a curriculum with a heavy focus on music and drama, which helps pupils with low levels of language and social skills. The schools also provides continuing professional development, training and audits for other local schools. When Mr Idrees started work at the school, he asked the staff a simple question: “What do the pupils need?” He soon realised that formal learning was not the answer and this is what prompted him to move away from the more traditional curriculum. “When I started here, the kids and teachers were miserable and I thought we should look at what we were doing in a different way and make music and drama core subjects rather than additional subjects”.
choose to take that opportunity. Feversham has shown that a curriculum can be designed around Arts subjects and still achieve great results, and with such a clear lead it is hoped that more schools will take this lead. “I firmly believe that children should be ready for life and they can’t be if we are treating them like robots, where all they are doing is exams and we are just filling their minds with information”. For almost 25 years, Feversham was almost written off as it languished at the bottom of the league tables and remained in Ofsted’s ‘Special Measures’. During the past six years, the school has been transformed and is now one of the best performing schools in the country.
“I thought we should look at what we were doing in a different way and make music and drama core subjects...”
The judges praised Mr Idrees’ lifechanging work at Feversham Primary; they said: “This is a headteacher who is making a huge difference to the life chances of young people in his care. He is a well-deserved winner.” Naveed Idrees has been headteacher of Feversham Primary Academy in Bradford for the past eight years, during which time he has taken the school into the top two per cent nationally. This inner-city school lies in one of the most deprived areas of the UK, with high levels of unemployment and crime, and low levels of literacy. It was once a “run down, unloved building with unhappy staff and a dry curriculum” yet now is a place
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Naveed Idrees receives his award at the TES School Awards in London, presented by Mark Smith, chairman of the Schools’ Advisory Service who sponsored the award, and celebrity host Harry Hill. Photo courtesy of the Times Educational Supplement.
This approach has led to other schools visiting Feversham and turning to the school for advice on moving towards a more artsbased curriculum. Mr Idrees is also part of an independent panel of experts helping to develop the Department for Education’s new ‘model’ music curriculum which is due to be published this summer. He said: “this is something I’m really passionate about – that children should get an arts-based curriculum”. The national curriculum gives schools flexibility to design their own curriculum but very few
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To q u o t e M r Idrees again: “It’s the same children, the same teachers and the same community but because of the arts-based curriculum, it’s now in the top two per cent of the country! It has brought pride back into the community and children enjoy their learning. Attendance is really high and that shows the kids love coming to school – because the curriculum is fun”. I can’t think of a better example of how arts-based teaching can help to bring out the best in our young people. I believe it is important to bring this nationally recognised success story to a wider public and look forward to sharing similar successes in the months and years ahead as the enormous value of this work is at last beginning to be fully appreciated.
THE ARTS
Yorkshire - a county that celebrates the arts
visitors to explore and rediscover the newly transformed theatre at the heart of Quarry Hill through a series of free events. The first produced show will be staged in the brand new studio space, the Bramall Rock Void. ‘There are No Beginnings’ by Yorkshire writer Charley Miles and starring ex-Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, signals a significant commitment to showcasing new local work – intimate in scale and epic in ambition. This new space is named in recognition of The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation’s continued support. TopicUK will be attending this first new show, so check out our website during mid-October for our review. The new theatre will also have a production of The Wizard of Oz from 20th November to 25th January and auditions for the role of Toto the dog took place in early August.
Yorkshire really is a county that embraces the arts and here at TopicUK we are lucky to get involved reviewing lots of shows and visiting lots of brilliant galleries and venues.
with an open weekend 11th-13th, following a £15.8 million capital redevelopment that will enable the city’s pioneering theatre to be fully accessible to everyone for the first time.
Wakefield is home to the awardw i n n i n g He p w o r t h G a l l e r y, celebrating artworks from Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, both of whom were born in the region. The gallery have just opened their new sculpture garden which is well worth a visit. Another favourite is the renowned Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Commitment
There are many beautiful theatres across the region and one that will soon celebrate, is Leeds Playhouse, as it re-opens its doors in October
A full season of productions will take place across two rejuvenated and one new performance space, just 15 months since redevelopment work started. Entirely transformed, Leeds Playhouse will be a cultural landmark, providing the city with a new home for audiences, participants and artists to experience and create world class theatre. The Open Weekend will invite
Across the city sits the elegant Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House built in 1878. The theatre cost a total of £62,000 and took 13 months to build. The architect, George Corson, was heavily influenced by his assistant James Robertson Watson who had undertaken a tour of Europe’s churches and theatres.
Kevin Kennedy played until early August and the classic Dirty Dancing ran until 17th August, with some spellbinding dance performances. We are particularly looking forward to We will Rock You 11th to 23rd November and of course the widely promoted Band of Gold, written by Leeds Playwrite Kay Mellor, who wrote the original television script that first broadcast on ITV in March 1995. The series revolved around the lives of a group of sex workers in Bradford’s red light district and starred Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dickson and Samantha Morton. The TopicUK November edition will feature an interview with Kay, one we are particularly looking forward to. Kay’s daughter, Emmerdale star Gaynor Faye will star in the production. There is also a wealth of creative talent from our region including Umar Hussain from Bradford who has worked on the production teams of The Lion King, Star Wars, Avatar, Jurrasic Park, to name just a few.
The Grand Theatre celebrated the 125th anniversary of its opening in 2003 and TopicUK were lucky enough to attend the 140th Birthday celebrations, with a performance of The Jersey Boys, followed by a party in the Emerald Room.
Creative Recent performances have included Grease The Musical starring Peter Andre who we interviewed and featured in our last edition. Rock of Ages starring ex-Coronation Street
Do keep your eye on our website (www.topicuk.co.uk) as we often have competitions and tickets to give away for many performances, recent ones being Tears for Fears at York Racecourse and an Evening with Sir Bradley Wiggins CBE. TopicUK September2019
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NEWS UPDATE look up!’ – and I hope that the book will persuade people to go and have a look around for themselves.” The new walking trail starts and ends in the Cathedral precinct in upper Kirkgate but can be followed from any of the points identified in the book which includes a map and directions on how to find the items referred to in the text.
Wakefield Civic Society has produced a book, Wa k e f i e l d : C i t y o f Sculpture and Public Art, laying out an arts trail that will encourage people to explore the sculptures, monuments and decorative embellishments to be found around the city centre. Published to coincide with the launch of the Yorkshire Sculpture International, this book is an expanded and updated version of a smaller booklet originally produced in 2011. Wa ke f i e l d C i v i c S o c i e t y President Kevin Trickett who is the author said “Compared to our original publication, this book is in a larger format with additional entries, expanded text and new photos.
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New book encourages people to explore the city’s ‘street art’ “Our earlier booklet, had all but sold out and it was time to consider a re-print but I quickly realised that there had been a number of changes around the city centre that made the old text out of date, so I decided to give the original booklet a complete overhaul. This new book contains 46 entries with 38 of them located within the city centre and the other entries just a little further out. New art installations outside Westgate and Kirkgate stations are included, as is the new The Hepworth Wakefield Garden. “In producing the new book,
our aim is to encourage people, whether they live locally or are visitors to Wakefield, to explore the city centre through the numerous specially commissioned works of art to be found, or by paying attention to the decorative “This new book contains detailing that 46 entries with 38 of can be seen on them located within the many of our city centre...” buildings. It’s all too easy for people to walk around the city centre without giving much thought, or even really noticing, the interesting details that are dotted around the streets and buildings. The message has to be ‘Go out and
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Here at the TopicUK office, we were lucky enough to get our hands on this new book. It is written in an easy to follow format and includes details of some fascinating artwork and buildings across the city, many we haven’t noticed before, or we have seen but wondered what they were. Each detailed entry has an accompanying photograph and there is a handy map that can be followed, starting at any point on the map and following the trail. “Kevin has written articles and restaurant reviews for TopicUK for almost six years and his excellent writing is now reflected in this book. We would highly recommend. The book, which costs just £3.50 thanks to financial support from Wakefield Council, is on sale now and can be purchased from the Cathedral bookshop, The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It can also be ordered directly from the Society for £5 to include post and packing/delivery. For more details www.wakefieldcivicsociety. org.uk/publications
the yORKSHIRE COAST 1 2
PAG E
S H OW C ASE
SPONSORED BY St Cecilia’s Care Group
THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE
Ed’s notes
By Ed Asquith associate and award-winning editor.
Cosa Nostra, Whitby
Yorkshire Cottages
Thank you for all feedback and on the July edition – we hope that our selection of topics in this issue is as well received. The work of the Construction Skills Village in Scarborough and Barnsley led by Graham Ratcliffe, the social value connectivity of Mel BonneyKane and her team at The Street, and the care sector campaigning by Mike Padgham of St Cecilia’s are all significant issues to share with a regional audience.
These are a few of the comments from the new advertisers, readers and people profiled:
Alex Grant of Crofts Chocolates: Huge thanks for the article, really impressed with it.
Lauren Jackson (Wrea Head Cottages): It looks fab - really impressed.
Let us know your views, and to become part of the Scarborough and coast section of TopicUK, or to become a magazine partner or a distribution point, contact asquith.ed@gmail.com
Duncan Lewis Communications Trainer: Delighted to get a mention in the latest edition Nick Granville-Fall of Ideosound: Great job, and nice to share the spread with Adrian Riley
Wold Top Smugglers, Robin Hood’s Bay
Splash Pools, Scarborough
Tipple Underwood Estate Agents
Beerhouse, Scarborough
Pictured: A selection of businesses which have already welcomed the magazine in Scarborough and Whitby, and calling Bridlington and Filey businesses … you are invited to be part of TopicUK’s coastal edition too.
Whitby Bookshop
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Splash Pools, Scarborough
The Farrier, Cayton
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NEWSyorkshire UPDATE coast the
sport, gave its support to the duo to restart the races.
Image by: Gary Howlett
The unique, twisting road race track that runs on one side of the high ground that overlooks Scarborough from the south was first used for bike events in 1946.
Gold Cup returns to legendary race circuit to GrantRoberts Ltd (now Oliver’s Mount Racing Ltd) to operate the track and take on the huge challenge of renovating the circuit and its infrastructure.
Called Oliver’s Mount since the early 1800s, there is no connection with Oliver Cromwell whose troops took over Scarborough castle on the opposite side of the valley but the 2.43 mile circuit has become a legendary part of the town’s attractions. The last public road racing circuit in England is preparing for the Gold Cup taking place at Oliver’s Mount - on the weekend of September 28-29. The roar of the bikes will take on the tight Mere Hairpin, the steep Sheene Rise, Lougher’s V-shape twist and Drury’s 180-degree turn – plus Mountside, where the riders brake from 130mph at the footbridge and dive on the inside line to compete for valuable advantage before the meandering, undulating dash to the finish. It is the second race of the new season after the cancellations last year due to accidents. The revival is all thanks to the famous race duo of Mick Grant and Eddie Roberts. T h e y r e p l a c e d t h e Au to 6 6 Club as Two-Four-Three Road Racing Association. Scarborough Borough Council granted a lease
Oliver’s Mount race revivers Mick Grant and Eddie Roberts wish to thank many supporters, including: The 243 Road Racing Association, James Corrigan, Ashcourt Racing, Adam Childs, West Building Supplies, James Goodall, Nick Jefferies, Don French, Simon Garson, Hayley Dalton, Shaun Dalton and the One Nine Four Six Marshals Association, Squires Cafe, the AutoCycle Union (ACU), Scarborough Hospitality Association, Ed Asquith & Four Tigers Media, Jackie Smith, Hayley Colebrook, Mike Ambler, Liam Fishburn, Paul Fishburn, Victoria Corrigan, Rio Corrigan, Tara Whittaker, Tara Snowdon, Ste Mainprize, Rowena Marsden, Andy Hlyton, Chris Sigsworth, Steve Siddons, Liz Collins, Janet Jefferson, Tony Randerson, Lisa Dixon and Stuart Clark of SBC, Brad Vickers.
Mick Grant, the professional motorcycle racer and TT rider from Wakefield, was seven-times winner of the TT. He watched his first road race at the Mount the early 1950s and it ignited his passion for racing. Eddie, the former Grand Prix and TT racer, and supplier of Pirelli and Metzeler tyres to the bike race world, said: “The reason we became involved was to keep the race events going. Oliver’s Mount is unique, the last road race left in the country. Without it, there is no step up for younger riders.” “Thousands of people came to watch the races but we now have to be business-like about it, and from the beginning of our involvement, we have been given amazing support from everyone, from the council, from race fans volunteering to paint fences, cut grass, supply materials, do the promoting, create signage, road sweeping, supplies of office furniture … everything,” he said. The Auto-Cycle Union, the governing body of motorcycle
Countless messages on social media have expressed support for the return of the bike competitions and thousands of bikers gave their support in a gathering at the famed Squires Café in Sherburn-in-Elmet. A film to promote the races and made by Greenlight with seven cameras will be shown on Channel 4 in midSeptember. Journalist and rider Adam Child has ensured national coverage of the return of the races. The absence of racing in 2018 hit Scarborough’s tourism with hotels and dining venues feeling the effects. South Bay traders and town centre retailers were among those keen to see a return of the Oliver’s Mount events. A meeting of the Scarborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce was told: “It brings a lot to our economy … it’s a unique selling point for the town.” Cars raced at the Mount in 1955 and 1956 and it has been the summit for the Tour de Yorkshire peloton. But the route which is also used by public vehicles is forever linked with biking. Its celebrated history has hosted Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, John McGuinness, Guy Martin, Cecil Sandford, Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Bob McIntyre, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Klaus Enders, Jarno Saarinen, Kent Andersson, Takazumi Katayama, Mick Grant, George O’Dell, Jock Taylor, Wayne Gardner, Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Robert Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, James Whitham, Ian Lougher, David Jefferies, Dave Molyneux, Nick Crowe, Ryan Farquhar, Ian Hutchinson and Dean Harrison.
TopicUK September2019
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The Street that gives communities new horizons
THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE
“We build connections and collaborations” - Mel Bonney-Kane The stunning white and black-framed glass curve of the building known simply as The Street, with its wavelike rooftop, is the flagship of a dynamic organisation at the heart of the community.
identify and solve their own issues, create their own opportunities, and create purposeful relationships of mutual aid and self-support.”
Coast and Vale Community Action is a social enterprise established to challenge poverty and disadvantage The Scarborough centre houses a in various guises stretching back variety of public, private and voluntary more than 100 years, providing sector organisations delivering services the means to make small changes to a range of people in the community, with big impacts in the lives of as well as offering space for hire to the poorest members of our “We know from experience that make a positive difference to lives collaborative approaches have higher and communities.” communities. clubs and activities. impact and create greater sense of Mel added: “Through a mix of “Everything happens here, from Zumba “We aim to bring people together, ownership. funding, including a significant to rock climbing, and youth support recognise their common challenges to counselling,” said Mel Bonney- and strengths, and learn from and “We believe that it doesn’t matter investment of the organisation’s own Kane, chief executive of the body work together for shared benefit,” who takes the credit for a successful resources, the building always had outcome, as long as the outcome to be financially sustainable. When that runs The Street - Coast and Vale Mel said. Community Action (CaVCA), in Lower Clark Street, tucked away near the CaVCA is a catalyst for communityCEO Mel Bonney-Kane speaks of her ethos that inspires led action. “We are the people town centre. community collaboration across Scarborough, Ryedale whom others approach when they and Whitby, with help from trustees, the staff team and “But the building is primarily here for have an idea for something that will supporting organisations. the people of Scarborough and we change their lives and that of their welcome around 150 people in through community for the better. “We the doors every day, six days a week. connect people with place. She is based at The Street and Manager for Hastings Borough has considerable experience of Council for three years; and Senior “We work to connect local people to “Our work is entirely premised on the ‘third sector’ ... the collective Community Development Worker businesses, health, local authorities helping people identify their own work and efforts of voluntary and in Hull DOC (Development Co. and education, promoting and skills and connections, to bring community organisations, social Ltd) for eight years. about the change they see is needed, facilitating asset-based approaches. enterprise and self-help groups. not the changes that others say Her experience includes financial She said: “I came to Coast and Vale “We believe that with the right are needed. and budgetary management, Community Action (CaVCA) six-andresources, local communities can staff manage me nt, physical a-half years ago - having moved from asset management, community the south coast where I ran a similar initiative design, planning and organisation. implementation, research and evaluation and business planning. “I worked fairly briefly in welfare law Mel was chief executive of Hastings in Birmingham after graduating from Trust for five years; Regeneration law school, and I have developed a
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the yorkshire coast delivery as we have to let space to make the building work – and it does. Its running costs are covered by earned income, and we receive no grant-aid towards its ongoing delivery costs.” Mel, who works closely with Phil S i m p s o n , t h e C a VC A s t ra te g i c development officer, became the chief executive after working on the south coast. She added: “Communities are not structured around institutions - we seek to dismantle the traditional structures and barriers that prevent collaborative action ... not caring whether public, private or not for profit sector, or individuals, take the lead.” Mel is firm believer that ideas create other ideas, and this is the basis of the Totally Socially and Social Enterprise activities also directly run by CaVCA.
the government made MyPlace funds available for the capital development of youth and community facilities, it “Our approach intended to be, and has was made clear that there would be become, a focal point for communityno further recourse to public funds for led action – we are the people who these facilities, which exist in different others approach when they have forms in other parts of the country. an idea. We build connections and “This has determined our model of collaborations.” organisation has continued its learning and evolution, as it will into the future.
strong belief in social justice and giving people the means and opportunity to take control over their own lives. “I feel massively privileged to be at the helm, helping to deliver activities and opportunities, and during my tenure the
“I came to Scarborough to work in part due to a study visit I’d made 10 years ago when we were seeking to develop a cultural and social enterprise hub in Hastings – I fell in love with the place. So when the position at Seachange Community Trust, as CaVCA was then called, was advertised - which coincided with my family’s decision to move back north whilst our son was still small - it felt like the perfect opportunity for us.” She added: “And I’ve never looked back. My priorities and motivations are all about helping people to thrive, to get the best from their lives and to take responsibility for their own outcomes.”
Helping people ‘Totally’ shape their lives ...
A key part of the Coast and Vale Community Action is the Totally Socially project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, and co-ordinated by David Stone.
An example of initiatives that the project has got off the ground include the Community Free Fridge in Malton to tackle the issue of food waste by residents and businesses by sharing surplus food - the example of which is inspiring similar initiatives in Filey, Hunmanby and Scarborough.
create their own solutions to the challenges they face, this will achieve long-lasting benefits that are simply not achievable through top-down, data-based, money-led solutions,” he added. D avid and colleagues Jo Laking and Dan Green created a well-attended gathering at The Street called A Whole New World in July, with an engaging range of activities and speakers – including Gary Wallace, of pioneering Plymouth City Council. He said that organisations had to completely re-examine why they exist and whether self-serving processes, internal culture and ways of working were no longer fit or capable of serving what people want or need.
There is also the development of the Whitby Beach Sweep group, and the Exploraboratory social enterprise in Scarborough which explores learning through play for all ages - plus many other community-led social activities, “Our activities mirror the work of groups and enterprises which Collaborate Community Interest create a sense that ordinary Company (CIC), Northumbria people can influence what goes University and others which is on in the places they live. David shaping a new way for funders said: “It’s about working in the and commissioners to look at heart of communities, listening, how they support community observing and finding out what ideas and efforts,” David said. makes those communities tick. Everything starts with a Coast and Vale conversation and we will help Community Action people to develop whatever is bases: most important to them.” •Scarborough: The Street, Lower Clark Street, An external review of the 01723 362205 (CaVCA) Totally Socially project by the 01723 480033 (The Street Institute for Voluntary Action reception) Research (IVAR) reflected its •Whitby: Green Lane effectiveness. “It shows a whole Centre 01947 821761 range of impacts, particularly on •Whitby: Church House, people’s health and well-being Flowergate 01947 605599 and that if you allow people to TopicUK September2019
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THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE
Young students will be the centre of attention at 10th anniversary Thousands of young people are getting ready for a special anniversary in October … the 10th Scarborough Science and Engineering Week. In marking the occasion, the organisers are expanding the themes of the big event which has introduced 35,000 students aged from five years to 19 over the past decade.
•
The re will again be an open session for families and for adults who are considering career changes
•
The event has grown from a small event held at Plaxton for 400 pupils. It is now held at the Spa and national and local organisations and companies give their time to show what real-world engineering, science, technology and mathematics mean
Among the new aspects for this year’s event at the Spa from October 8-10, is a focus on the innovative steps to create a circular, recycle-based economy and a spotlight on the pioneering seaweed farms off Scarborough to create bioplastics, biotextiles and pharmaceutical products. • The keynote speakers are McLaren, which held a major business event with the Scarborough Business Ambassadors and Made in Yorkshire at the UTC when they brought two supercars last year. Andrew Denford, founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, is being invited to engineering week as VIP guest speaker, and there are plans to link up with Scarborough’s Sci-Fi Festival organisers to bring their attractions. Students are being invited to design a new logo to celebrate the 10th year of the important event which provides a showcase for the latest technology, including robots, virtual reality kits, 3D and audio technology – with “hands on” experience:
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It was originally devised by Peter Wilkinson and Alan Pickering, of award-winning tube-be nding machine manufacturer Unison, to help fill the growing skills gap, particularly in engineering and technology.
Fanuc, Moog, Festo, Plaxton, McCain, the Construction and Skills Village, Siemens, Schneider Electrical, Castle Group and GCHQ. Sirius, HSBC, NYCC, the LEP and SIV Venues are the financial sponsors. Students will be invited to an awards dinner which is again being sponsored by HSBC.
A past event included a fullscale replica of the Bloodhound supe rcar and speake rs have included Richard Noble, Colin Sirett and Adrian Allen of the Sheffield-based Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, and Europe’s Boeing chief Donald Hendrickson.
The young journalist making national headlines A Scarborough journalist is enjoying a soaring career at the age of just 24 – and this year scooped a national award as the best young talent.
The event is now organised by the Scarborough Business Ambassadors chaired by Mr Wilkinson and in conjunction with NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership), with the support of the York North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, Scarborough Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council. T h e ro l l - c a l l o f s u p p o r t i n g companies over the years has included leading sponsor Sirius Minerals, Bosch, Boeing and Bentley,
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Eleanor Sharples has also scored as a sports reporter and is herself a keen sportswoman, running the London Marathon in 4 hrs 24 mins. She attended Bramcote School in Scarborough until the age of 13 when she went to Repton in Derbyshire, before studying Politics with Media and Communication Studies at Loughborough University. Before moving to London to obtain her journalism qualification, Eleanor returned to Repton as a Sports AssistantF
the NEWSyorkshire UPDATE coast
New festival... a brilliant idea A new event is being planned for the Yorkshire coast to complement the existing annual festivals of jazz, books on the beach, sci-fi event, engineering, cricket and seafest.
The retired lecturer of Scarborough School of Arts and resident p h o to g ra p h e r o f t h e S i r i u s Minerals project, is devising the festival in partnership with York archaeologist John Oxley, artists and founder of Hull City of Culture Rob Moore, and graphic designer and lecturer Patrick Argent.
Image: Louise Downall
Image: Louise Downall
The Festival of Ideas aims to raise the profile of Scarborough as a creative location for thought, discussion and community engagement.
The concept is being led by artist Kane Cunningham, who is based at the town’s former Parcels Office studio.
and the n as M arketing and Communications assistant.
where I found, pitched and wrote stories for the national papers.
I n 2 0 1 7 s h e s t a r t e d a f a s t- “I was fortunate to get a place on the track National Council for the competitive Daily Mail Graduate Training of Journalist course Scheme which started with two weeks at News Associates in London. of training in their London office. We A f t e r 2 0 - w e e k s o f i n t e n s e learned the Mail style and what type training she secured a Gold of stories work for the paper.” Standard NCTJ diploma. She spent six weeks at press agency “From here it was job hunting time,” North News and Pictures in Newcastle Eleanor told TopicUK. “I landed a before heading up to Glasgow to job at press agency Triangle News work at the Scottish Daily Mail for in south London in March 2018 three months – gaining her first where I honed my writing skills and front page story.
Discussions are underway with several potential partners and sponsors, including Scarborough Museums Trust and the central library.
and including cafes, pubs, hotels and maybe the Regal Lady boat. “As a port and safe harbour, ideas have travelled to Scarborough via ships from across the globe through trade routes, goods, artefacts, language, culture and people.
“We have had considerable interest in the idea and expect it to be a success with some great speakers planned from the local community “The festival aims to explore the and from across the UK,” said Kane. notion of ideas that travel and can change people’s lives.” There has been interest so far from speakers including the BBC, the Kane hit national headlines when arts and environment, theatre, TV he used his credit card to buy documentary producers, lecturers, a £150,000 collapsing home at authors, film companies and Knipe Point overlooking Cayton Bay for £3,000 as a living, moving education providers. real work of art in 2013. Kane said the festival themes will also embrace business, health, If you would like to become a partner, donor or supporter of science and digital technology. the festival which will take place “There will be free talks for children May 15-17 2020, email kane@ and teenagers and big ideas in kanecunningham.co.uk and small places – to be arranged in s e e t h e w e b s i t e h t t p s : / / small venues across the town, festivalofideas.co.uk/ In May Eleanor was awarded the Denis Cassidy Award for best young talent at the National Association of Press Agencies awards for best feature, including spotlights on a family which adopted nine children with Down’s Syndrome and on a four-year-old boy with dementia. Eleanor has returned to London as a general reporter, and moved to the showbusiness desk and is now a TV and Radio Reporter. “I have been fortunate to go to numerous press events, including the screening of
the final series of Poldark, meet Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff as the new hosts of Top Gear and bake for Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the Bake Off tent,” she said. She has also worked for the official rugby World Cup magazine in 2015, writing about the history of the tournament, and did two weeks’ work experience at Everton FC where she wrote for the match programmes and the club’s monthly magazine. TopicUK September2019
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THE YORKSHIRE COAST
Call for Yorkshire to be a centre of excellence in social care
Leader of independent care group calls for region to lead the way for the country
Yorkshire has an opportunity to become a centre of excellence for the care of older and vulnerable adults, according to an influential group at the heart of the regional social care sector.
Mike-Padgham
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lead the way for the care sector. The group’s chairman Mike Padgham, a care provider from Scarborough, is a passionate advocate for social care and the contribution it makes.“Social care employs about 18,000 people and contributes £220m to the economy in this region and with the right investment it could contribute more and be a centre of excellence for the sector,” he said.
The Independent Care Group (ICG), which represents the vast majority of social care providers across York and North Yorkshire, believes that with the right investment the region could “People often forget what a huge
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the yorkshire coast developments in the pipeline creating more than 110 jobs at various locations. He has become well-known regionally and nationally as one of the most consistent and high-profile campaigners for the care sector.
contribution social care makes – nationally it employs 1.6m people - a bigger employer by 300,000 than the NHS. And it contributes a huge £46.2bn to the economy. “We have some excellent providers across Yorkshire and a lot of sectorleading care and expertise in the local sector. With the right support and investment, the area could lead the way in social care.” The ICG provides support for more than 200 care providers in York and North Yorkshire, including care homes, domiciliary care agencies, supported living, care housing, and day care centres. It works with local councils, health trusts, clinical commissioning groups and other stakeholder bodies with the common purpose of providing the best care for older and vulnerable adults, something Mike has been passionate about throughout his 30 years in social care.
Flourish But the biggest threat to the growth of the sector is a lack of national investment in social care, which has seen the sector contracting, rather than expanding, with 1.4m people across the country now not getting the care they need. Some £6bn has been cut across the country from local authority budgets over the past decade. A report by the charity Age UK revealed that North Yorkshire has lost 214 care home beds since 2014. “Social care has been starved of funding and it doesn’t have to be that way,” Mr Padgham added. “We want and we all need the care sector to flourish as well as to survive. We need to grow and to recruit and retain more care workers and skilled staff and move forward.”
Infrastructure “We are very proud of our homes, we have lovely residents and excellent staff, but we never rest on our Mike Padgham and Archbishop John Sentamu laurels. We have more work to do The government has promised a helps the NHS - caring for people and you can never stop trying to Green Paper on social care but it in their own homes or in care or improve and learn. We maintain has been repeatedly delayed. The nursing homes is much better and positivity, despite the serious ICG is urging the Government to cheaper than having people in challenges the sector is facing. We act swiftly and reminding them hospital beds,” Mr Padgham added. live in hope that the government that investment in social care will tackle social care, urgently. Mr Padgham’s own business, helps the NHS. Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, is “We need a higher regard and “Properly-funded, social care really itself expanding, with more support regionally and nationally for social care - and we should also bear in mind that when people come to an area, they look at child branding, nutritious food, • The Saint Cecilia’s Care care provision, and they also want companionship, fun and Group in Scarborough was to know about social care provision friendship, and introduced started by Mike Padgham for their parents and relatives too. a wide range of activities and wife Melanie, a nurse, The social infrastructure is a factor with premises on Stepney • The care group has earned - we shouldn’t underestimate the Road importance of social care provision. good inspection ratings and hosts and promotes a • It is now a dementia “We are committed to what we do range of topical community care home and part of a because we live and work in the engagement events. Saint portfolio that now includes area, and we have an affinity with it.” Cecilia’s supports the new Normanby House, a care CARE badge - a symbol of home, a nursing home on He added, in a call for more ICG pride in care … Filey Road, and a day care members: “With social care in centre in Eastfield • The Padgham family also crisis, strength in numbers has recently created The • A careful strategy of growth never been so important.” Hideout cafe and bar, based on quality, tone and positive culture, has led to expansion - with employment for 110 people so far
giving it a vintage feel. The Hideout offers discounted drinks to anyone wearing the CARE badge
• T h e P a d g h a m s , a l s o supported by their grown-up children, have star ted a programme of refurbishment of the homes, raised overall qualit y, created fresh
• As it celebrates 30 years in care, Saint Cecilia’s is part of Celebrate Social Care at events at Scarborough Spa on October 31 to recognise everyone working in social care.
See www.independentcaregroup. co.uk TopicUK September2019
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the yorkshire coast Working in partnership with several key supporters, he also set up Barnsley Construction Skills Village and is considering opportunities to expand his hugely-important model to other parts of the north where fully-trained apprentices – both teenagers and adults - develop quality skills to build much-needed homes and infrastructure.
Achievements While also juggling with an unexpected funding shortfall to support another 25 learners into apprenticeships in Scarborough from September to next March, he praised the supporters, sponsors and his great team for their dedication.
The partnerships that are helping to reduce the skills gap for Yorkshire and the nation Tribute to supporters from the Construction Skills Village founder Graham Ratcliffe says that in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a ra n g e o f partners across many sectors, they are trying to fill a gap of 3,000 skilled construction jobs that will be needed across Yorkshire and the Humber every year for the next five years.
The creator of the Construction Skills Village in Scarborough has paid tribute to its supporters and spoken of how a partnership between the private and public sector and grassroots companies has created a dynamic and successful model.
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Graham and his team were celebrating the creation of 34 construction-related jobs or apprenticeships in Scarborough since last September as he spoke of his to passion to increase the number of people trained in construction and to tackle a shortage that is affecting the entire country.
Skills Village achievements in 2019 have seen: •4,483 hours of work experience (compared with 140 in 2017) •Construction Skills Village experience hours on-site 49,248 (compared with 6,900 in 2017) •2,500 people engaged at job fairs/ events •52 people in employment or apprenticeships since last September •More than 370 construction industry qualifications from entry level up to level 1 in trade specific areas including plant training Graham was a panellist at the York North Yorkshire & East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership annual conference in June.
“Credit is due to all our partners, and supporting agencies and businesses and to our education links and for what they have done to help us close the skills gap and to give so many people such great career options,” said Graham. “The Construction Skills Village model has brought companies together to create the achievements.” For a man so heavily-focussed on the challenging physical world of hands-on construction, he began his working life in Barnsley as a ... hairdresser. “People are surprised when they hear that. I’m Barnsley born and bred. I got my NVQ in hairdressing because it was a different type of career and I wanted to be different. I later managed salons in Manchester and Leeds.” Graham, 52, later moved to Scotland, where he taught hairdressing at a college, and has also worked in Falkirk for the Department for Work and Pensions. “It’s a long way from what we are doing now but I had moved on to work for Jobcentre Plus in 2002 and moved back to England in 2005, working for Groundwork in Wakefield for 10 years, which is where my interest in construction began.” Graham was Operations Director at Groundwork and earned business
the yorkshire coast company, delivering training on dumpers and excavators as well as health and safety courses. CSV Training Ltd has secured accreditation under the National Plant Operators’ (NPORS) Registration Scheme, one of the UK’s leading registration bodies. His 28-year-old daughter and son aged 17 also work for the company. His eldest son, 26, is in the army although might come onboard.
at Middle Deepdale, south of Scarborough, and his South Yorkshire site is in the centre of Barnsley. His successes to date and his major investments in the Construction Skills Village developments, the huge range of equipment, materials, staffing, plant and partnerships with industry, education and business, have led to interest in the model being expanded to other areas such as Stockport, Chesterfield and Hambleton. management qualifications at Wakefield College and at the University of Huddersfield. He devised the Construction Skills Village model, set up under the overall Community Interest Company (CIC) called Northern Regeneration, of which he is MD. His North Yorkshire site lies next to a major housing development
Qualifications Growing concern at the skills shortages and education provision that had not been addressing these issues have fuelled the importance of Graham’s projects. Supporting his endeavours are his family – wife Fiona runs CSV Training Ltd, a plant and machinery training
Scarborough Construction Skills Village partners and supporters include: • • • • • • • •
Kebbell Homes, Keepmoat, Scarborough Borough Council, York North Yorkshire & East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, GB Construction Supplies, Ibstock Brick, Willmott Dixon, Henry Boot Construction,
• • • • • • • • • • •
Referring to where the Construction Skills Village has come from to where it is going, Graham said: “We started off in Scarborough with three staff and now have 18. We have a great mix of people and we’re dedicated to creating a ‘live’ site where our learners gain real-life experience of working on a construction build from start to finish.” His team is now preparing for a new stage in Scarborough - to expand to purpose-built premises at the former High Eastfield Farm House, a few miles from the current site at Middle Deepdale. Pupils of all ages can see what is on offer, and there are a range of qualifications and career opportunities for teenage learners. The Construction Skills Village is also for adults, with 15 currently at the site, where the range of construction trades includes bricklaying, groundworks, property maintenance and joinery.
GMI Construction, Guy Bentley Groundworks, Sirius Minerals, West Building Supplies, Flixton Sawmill, Linden Homes, Engie homes and business energy, Beyond Housing (formerly Yorkshire Coast Homes), Robert Goodwill MP, Sanctuary Group, PJS Joinery, Steve Lockwood Joinery.
They can: • Work towards an industry recognised qualification in construction • Develop skills in demand led areas of the industry • Gain real life experience by learning on a site environment • Train and work alongside qualified trades people • Receive up-to-date information on techniques, developments and opportunities • H a v e w o r k e x p e r i e n c e opportunities on large construction developments • B e s h o w c a s e d t o potential employers “What we are doing is life-changing for our learners, giving them skills and training to develop their own futures,” said Graham. It is not only so fundamentally worthwhile but it’s an opportunity to gain industryrecognised skills, a great and dynamic career in construction of all kinds – and the local area needs it, Yorkshire needs it and so does the entire country. “We’re proud to be creating such significant and real opportunities. Our supporters, such as Kebbell Homes, Henry Boot Construction, Scarborough Borough Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the LEP Enterprise Partnership, have been a great help and we invite any organisation or business to come in and see what we do.”
Plus … the Construction Skills Fund funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) which aims to increase the number of skilled people in construction sectors, European Union Regional Development Fund, the Advantage Coast Community-Led Local Development. The Barnsley Skills Village is supported by Henry Boot Construction, Barnsley College and Barnsley Council. TopicUK September2019
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THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE
This great image of Scarborough’s famous chequered Suncourt at South Bay was taken by Cliff Miller of cliffmillerphotography.net He is a Scarborough-based freelance photographer.
St Catherine’s ‘friends in business’ appeal Saint Catherines’s Hospice is inviting businesses to join its new Friends in Business scheme
Cafe Culture is booming Themed cafes are booming in Scarborough – with the Steampuss Cat Café in Bar Street the latest addition. Diners pay £5 per person for an hour of stroking any of the 10 felines while enjoying a cake a t the V ic tor i a n steampunk-themed venue. Also new is the Koda cafe in Northway which has launched an independent film night starting with sea-
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based tales, called sea/film. It joins the Garden Shed, adorned by flowers and gardening implements, and the long-standing music cafe Mojo’s, both Victoria Road, and Yay, the independent speciality coffee cafe at Woodend, the Italianate Villa in the Crescent.
It gives businesses of all sizes the chance to support the charity and enjoy a number of benefits in return. One of the first to join was Castle Employment Group. Limited companies, partnerships and sole trade rs can pay less tax when they give to charity. Donations from sole trader or business partnerships are paid net of tax and the charity claims a tax credit on top, direct from HM Revenue & Customs.
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All qualifying charitable donations are eligible for Gift Aid or Corporate Gift Aid.For example, a £100 donation by a limited company costs the company £81 after a 19% tax saving.
Fo r s o l e t r a d e r a n d partnership companies, charitable donations are uplifted by HMRC through Gift Aid – so a donation of £100 would be increased to £125, with the extra £25 being paid by HMRC.
THE YORKSHIRE COAST
Boost for Yorkshire cricket stars of the future
Stephen Joseph Theatre’s birthday treats
The new headmaster of Scarborough College is bowled over at being invited to join the board of Scarborough Cricket Club.
It’s a particularly special year for the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
Guy Emmett has been co-opted onto the board - he is a former Cheshire opening bowler and professional for Roe Green CC in Greater Manchester. Guy said: ‘’I’m delighted to be able to contribute to such a great and well-known club.’’
Sir Alan Ayckbourn looks back at 20 of his family and children’s plays to mark his 80th birthday, in an event on September 29.
Scarborough Cricket chairman Paul Harrand said he was very pleased that Guy would use his vast experience for the club. Starting in September, the college has a major new scheme - a new cricket centre of excellence, in conjunction with the Joe Root Academy and Pro Coach Yorkshire Cricket Academy. It will offer two cricket sessions a week during term time, one at Headingley and one at the college. Guy said: “Our partnership with Pro Coach means pupils will benefit from first-class facilities, highlevel coaching and an outstanding academic education. “Players will also be given the opportunity to attend a pre-season
Season’s Greetings is running until September 28, and Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present is on until October 5, followed by The Monstrous Heart from until October 19. camp at the Desert Springs Academy in Spain. The programme is tailored to the needs of the player and is developed to include all aspects of what makes a successful cricketer.” Yorkshire coach and former captain Andrew Gale is co-owner of Pro Coach. He said: “By combining with the prestigious Scarborough College we can provide an outstanding allrounded education that will give
pupils the chance to excel both in the classroom and on a cricket field.” For more information about the Cricket Centre or Scarborough College please contact cricketcentre@ s c a r b o r o u g h c o l l e g e . c o. u k A l l applications for the Scarborough College Cricket Centre of Excellence will be made through the college and its normal admissions procedures will apply.
Apprentices and businesses help to make wishes come true It was unveiled at the Brunswick Apprentices from Scarborough Construction Shopping Centre by manager Sue Anderson-Brown. Skills Village in Middle Deepdale, Eastfield, Kacie Peirson, operations co-ordinator have helped ensure that at the Construction Skills Village, said: wishes can come true “Everyone has been so passionate about for Saint Catherine’s by building a wishing well for getting involved in this project. All partners, learners and staff pulled hospice donations.
together and used their skills and creative ideas.”
West Building Supplies, which has opened a new Scarborough store, said: “We are proud to support this project, especially for Saint Catherine’s and its invaluable support and care. Congratulations to the Scarborough
Construction Skills Village on the build of the wishing well.” Most of the materials were supplied by West Building Supplies and Flixton Sawmill, with Signs Express, Dunelm and Calverts Carpets also kindly making donations. More than 20 Skills Village apprentices were involved in the build, which was overseen by joinery trainer and assessor John Revill. TopicUK September2019
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Whitby’s day as the centre of Yorkshire Images © by Scott Wicking Photography
THE YORKSHIRE COAST NEWS UPDATE up in Whitby, presented his team’s Star Inn the Harbour civic luncheon. Speakers included Professor Graham Henderson, deputy lord lieutenant, Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the Yorkshire Society, and author GP Taylor. In the Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration at St Hilda’s, Whitby mayor Cllr Rebecca Pearson spoke bravely of her battle with cancer and how religious belief helped to overcome her alarming health scares while balancing her community commitment.
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In his sermon, the Rt Rev Paul Ferguson, Bishop of Whitby, said civic leaders were “uniquely placed” to help relieve what he called the current “tensions in British society” and “vindictive tendencies” which had had seen “many institutions of state lose their authority”.
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The streets of Whitby were lined with crowds for the procession of Lord Mayors and Mayors in their full ceremonial robes on Yorkshire Day.
The town hosted the prestigious spectacle for the first time in 30 years, chosen by the Yorkshire Society to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s vo yage of disco ve ry on the Whitby-built ship the Endeavour.
Mace bearers and members of the Yorkshire Society took part in a civic procession that has taken place annually since 1985, “Think of your public role,” he attracting civic dignitaries from said, “because the country needs to recover a sense of national throughout the county. coherence.” The day was planned by Whitby Town Council, with thanks paid Events on the day included music to town clerk Pam Dobson and with many performers including her small team who liaised with Richard Grainger, the Jelly Roll Jazz Band and Whitby Seaside the 160 guests. Community M arching Band, Activities included a Skype link plus a laser light show and other with Whitby in New Zealand community events. in the captain’s cabin on the Endeavour replica at Dock End Among the many sponsors and and a Yorkshire Day service at St supporters were: Hilda’s, West Cliff. A parade was held for cheering crowds from Church Street via Baxtergate to a marquee at Dock End where Michelin-star chef Andrew Pern, who was brought
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W. Hamond and Museum of Whitby Jet, Botham’s, John Freeman, Whitby &DistrictTourismAssociation,Whitby Brewery, the Endeavour Experience, The Baytown Coffee Company,
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B u s i n e s s W o m a n Welcome to TopicUK Businesswoman, a new regular section. We will be bringing to you stories of inspirational women business leaders, tips on how to stay ahead of the game, how to look good with little effort and how to juggle everything in today’s busy world. If you would like to feature or have an idea for an article, do get in touch PR@topicuk.co.uk
Topic Businesswoman NEWS UPDATE
Bags of style Despite owning high-end designer handbags from Mulberry to Prada, like most women, Sarah Haran struggled to find a stylish, high quality and functional handbag that would take her from day to evening. Unlike most of us however, unable to find a dream bag and already designing as a hobby, Sarah decided to undertake formal training in handbag design, culminating in a mini apprenticeship with former Creative Director of Mulberry and created what would become her signature bag, The Dahlia.
bags were born out of necessity.” Sarah was already making clothes and handbags as a hobby, but these early bags were made from fabric and made on a domestic sewing machine. “What I really wanted was to make leather bags so I switched to a semiindustrial sewing machine and began sourcing leather. There are many different grades of leather, so it had to be right, hard wearing but soft with a luxurious feel.
“My former career took off at the start of the tech boom. The company I was working for was doing very well and in 2000 they went public and that is when things really took off. This resulted in me doing lots of travelling across the UK and having the right bag was essential.
“It became a really nice hobby and fun trying to find that perfect design, so I decided to invest in the right equipment and that’s when I decided to take a course.”
“Despite owning lots of ‘designer’ bags. I could never seem to find the perfect one that would be functional, stylish and practical by day, but one I could take out with me for drinks after work and not be too cumbersome. I suppose my
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Stylish With the qualification under her belt, Sarah created a website and it wasn't long before people started to enquire about having a bag made to suit them. In March 2017 Sarah made the decision to quit her well paid job and embark on her new career designing and manufacturing handbags.
In January 2018 the new business was born. Sarah’s first design The Dahlia (pictured) is a beautiful crafted bag that is roomy for all those daytime essentials, and includes a number of small side pockets for keys, mobile phone etc. The clever bit is the detachable smaller bag that serves as an extra pocket whilst attached to the larger bag but becomes a stylish evening bag, complete with chain shoulder strap if required. The lovely tassle accessory not only completes the look of the
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bag, it acts as a safety strap so the small bag cannot be pulled away from it’s parent. The bag is available in a range of different colours and what makes it unique is the smaller bag can be purchased separately in a different colour, giving the bag a whole new look. TopicUK group editor was lucky enough to get her hands on The Dahlia and this is what she had to say: “For those readers who know me, know that I am a complete handbag snob and same as Sarah, I own a range of designer bags, Channel, Mulberry, Jimmy
Topic UPDATE Businesswoman NEWS
“It became a really nice hobby and fun trying to find that perfect design, so I decided to invest in the right equipment and that’s when I decided to take a course...” Choo etc so I am not easily impressed. Shoes? You can keep them, but bags are my thing. “First impressions count and when my bag arrived I was delighted to see it came in a branded box and inside wrapped in beautiful tissue.
Essentials “After carefully removing the tissue I was delighted to find my new bag that was way better than my expectations. Beautifully handcrafted and because I had requested a lepoard print smaller bag, found I had two small bags (a black one that came with the bag) with two matching tassles. Inside, there is a chain that is also dual purpose. Keep it attached to the large bag and it acts as a key chain (stops having to fish around for them) but when unhooked, it seemlessly transfers to the small bag as a shoulder strap. “Since it arrived, it has been everywhere with me because it really does do the job it was designed for.
It’s roomy enough during the day for everyday essentials including my ipad, and easily separates to give me the evening bag. Just yesterday two female clients I had visited headed straight to Sarah’s website to browse the range.” Sarah wanted to design something for women on the go and she has certainly achieved that. “The possibilities are endless when you feel confident,” said Sarah. “I wanted to create a collection of bags that enable women to set their own agenda and feel good about themselves in every situation. What started as my hobby has blossomed into a passion to empower women.” Sarah is the sole designer for all the collection, making up the samples before sending them to the manufacturer. Today, Sarah’s handbags are carried by some of the world’s leadimg women f r o m F T S E , C E O ’ s to fashion editors and she has been featured in a numbe r of national newspapers and magazines.
SarahH ByRachelV © 2018 John Davies TopicUK September2019
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Ruth Jones supports Yorkshire Festival Underneath the Stars the annual music and arts festival established in 2014 by the production company behind Kate Rusby and Pure Records, took place in early August, welcoming record crowds to their showground at Cawthorne near Barnsley. As a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company, all of the profit goes back into their music & arts programmes. The festival was developed to support and provide a platform for both emerging and established artists, create pioneering schemes for our volunteers, and to deliver new experiences and adventures for all ages.
UTSf works in partnership with local and broader communities, businesses and social enterprises such as Aspire To work Yorkshire, Grimm & Co, Barnsley Civic, Wild Rumpus, Barnsley Council, The Woodland Trust, Barnsley Youth Choir, Welcome to Yorkshire, Barnsley Museums, Lush, The Woodla n d Tr u st, Pe ni s to ne Fo l k E n s e m b l e , D a n c i n g Town and many more. This support means festival organisers can invest in volunteers, invite families to events who could not otherwise afford to go, host
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Sheen and also a very young James Corden)I thought Kate’s voice and music was extraordinary and I’ve stayed in touch since. I was meant to do the Underneath the Stars festival two years ago, but that week my lovely dad sadly passed away. I was really touched to be asked again and I am delighted to be taking part. I will be taking some friends along with me too. I’m not normally a festival goer (I tried Glastonbury in 2005 and only stayed a few hours!) – but Underneath the Stars looks amazing. What will you be doing? I’m doing two events – one with Kate on the Friday night and then another on the Sunday afternoon… they’re both ‘audience with’ type events, though I suspect the one with Kate may be a little more irreverent..hee hee. I’ll be talking about Never Greener my debut novel and doing a book signing too.
“We endeavour to bring something truly special to our corner of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Building a festival means bringing people together to build a small community for a few special days of the Summer,” explained Kate Rusby “Quality underlines everything we do. Everyone who joined us to party in the sun were able to discover their inner self, energise their minds and body, try new things, meet new people, make new friends and most of all HAVE FUN.”
Topic Businesswoman
training workshops, and invest in making their site more accessible for those who identify as Deaf or disabled, to name just a few. You can therefore be assured that when you support the festival, your money or time will be fed straight back into the brilliant volunteer waiting to greet you, the outstanding performers who perform, the family next to you in the audience, and the community they work within. One of the headliners visiting this year was Ruth Jones, better known as Nessa in Gavin and Stacy and of course Myfanwy in Little Britain. TopicUK caught up with Ruth ahead of this year’s festival:
directed by Damian O’Donnell who directed East is East. It’s a beautiful film set partly on Strines Moor and South Yorkshire. (It stars Michael
You have played several TV characters. Nessa in Gavin & Stacey, Myfanwy in Little Britain, Peggy in
Recognising women’s talent and enterprise The Forward Ladies National Awards & Summit, now in its 10th year, has announced its anticipated regional shortlists for all regions.
Why did you decide to get involved with this festival?
Designed to demonstrate enterprise, talent and innovation from across the region’s thriving business community, the annual National Awards & Summit has become one of the most recognised and well-attended business awards in the UK.
I’ve been a big fan of Kate Rusby since we did a film together back in 2002. It was called Heartlands
Don’t miss out on this amazing networking opportunity and hear from some of the most successful
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women in your region, including Anna Keeling – Boeing Defence UK; Lara O yesanya – Klarna Bank; Jenny Holloway – Fashion Capital and more. Come and make connections that will shape your life in 2019. Book your tickets before it’s sold out! Do you want to attend but worried about being on your own? Don’t
Topic Businesswoman East is East and Kelly in Fat Friends, to name a few, do you have a favourite? I don’t really have a favourite. It’s great to be bringing Nessa back to the screen again but I’ve loved all the characters I’ve played, pretty much. Playing Hattie Jacques in Hattie was a particular joy as she had such a fascinating life, and I always feel very fond of Linda in Nighty Night. But if I had to choose no that would be tricky! Are you musical at all? I’m okay… ish… I did grade 5 piano and am okay on the guitar, when I was younger, I used to write songs and play a lot more but that seems to have faded with age. The one musical thing I do still do though is that when me and my friends get together, we have a good old sing with all the harmonies an’ that. My sister has a lovely voice and we do enjoy bashing out a good Welsh hymn or a Kate Rusby song! What are plans for the future, are there any more sitcoms in the pipeline? No not at the moment I’m working on my second novel Us Three which is coming along well I think (I hope!) and is due for publication in the Spring of next year. be! FL National Awards & Summit is known to be one of the most diverse and welcoming. Here is what one guest had to say. “I really enjoyed the event. It was the best networking/business lunch/awards event I have attended in the last 10 years. What made it different, was the spirit of the other women I met; all were looking at ways we could help each other, not trying to show off. A truly inspiring afternoon. It will be a pleasure to join the organisation and I look forward to other events.” Michelle Cuffe, Managing Director, Excel Fostering. To r e s e r v e y o u r p l a c e : www.forwardladies.com
Georgina’s business is ‘fascinating’ There’s always that special occasion that requires ladies to dress up. Perhaps it’s a wedding or a day at the races and that perfect finishing touch to any outfit is a hat or fascinator. But rather than heading off to your local department store, have you considered having one made to match your outfit perfectly? Georgina Brooker started her business after training as a milliner 15 years ago at “These days I make more Huddersfield College. “I’ve fascinators than hats from always loved hats for as long my workshop at home and as I can remember,” Georgina sell them all over the world told us. “When I was a child, using my website and social my mother owned a children’s media. My busy periods are designer clothes shop and there during the race and of course was always a pile of tissue at wedding seasons and some of the end of the counter to wrap my lucrative markets are the the clothes. I would steal some Dubai Gold Cup in February and Melbourne in November. and sit quietly making hats.
My favourite however has to be the Ebor Festival in York, I attend ladies day every year and of course make myself a statement hat!” Each bespoke fascinator takes around 12 hours to make and Georgina is particularly good with colour and can match hats and fascinators to any outfit. “I would generally ask people to come to the workshop with their outfit, but of course this is not always possible, so I usually have to match from a swatch of fabric or a photograph.” Now that Georgina’s six-yearold twins are at school, she has plans to scale-up the business and will be creating a range of ‘off the peg’ fascinators that can be rented and is planning to create a hat workshops next year, teaching people how to make their own headwear. Georgina is pictured centre with ladies wearing two of her creations at the recent Royal Ascot Day at Bibis Italianissimo in Leeds. Image: With thanks to Roth Read Photography.
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topic businesswomen NEWS UPDATE
Styling experience at John Lewis & Partners Leeds As John Lewis and Partners Leeds prepared to open its new style studio on the first floor at the beginning of August, TopicUK’s business executive Mandy Taylor was invited along to try out the service. Here’s what she had to say.
“As a busy professional woman, I often find myself at a breakfast meeting and an evening drinks event in the same day and want to be stylish and comfortable, wear clothing that suits my figure and can easily mix and match...”
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I was literally at the point of hair salon, &Beauty, for a blow dry wardrobe filled with more quality, standing in front of my full to plus an appointment with Olivia, than quantity pieces. bursting wardrobe and still one of the talented advisors from declaring “but I have absolutely the ground floor Beauty Studio. Conversation flowed freely and I felt really comfortable as we nothing to wear for work” when the “Beauty Guide Service”. discussed each garment, in no time call came in to say that I had the chance to visit the John Lewis & At the latter, I was very impressed at all I felt at ease to chat about Partners department store in Leeds by the “Beauty Confidential Service” my body confidence (or should I for a personal styling experience at – a makeover curated just for me, say lack of it) and one particular their newly opened “Style Studio”. using a range of make up brands skirt disappeared from the rail as available in store. if by magic! To be frank, visions of “Trinny and Suzannah” on the television flashed This service has no alignment to We discussed colour choices and through my mind, from back in the any product nor beauty house and agreed that red was most certainly day when ladies stripped off to their is a fantastic way to learn more a colour I suited and should wear more (the stylists are trained by underwear and bared all in front about colours, makeup tips etc. the London College of Style in of a mirror, before embarking on proportional dressing and colour a personal styling journey which Stylish analysis and it clearly shows) often included “industrial strength undies” and I was somewhat In no time at all I was “photo and “how to dress in thirds” – yes, hesitant. shoot” ready and back in the Style there is a mathematic formula to Studio browsing through the rail dressing, and it works! Let me tell you though – it is most of ten garments that had been certainly not like that now! pre-selected (based on some basic Whilst trying on the fantastic pre-appointment questions) for outfits, the stylists were attentive Upon arrival at the first floor, I the service I had requested “A and offered great advice and tips was greeted warmly by Personal versatile workwear into evening – including how to get different looks from a pussy bow tie Stylists Linda Blann and Chris capsule wardrobe”. blouse! Expertly and efficiently Hartley in the impressive studio, a beautiful space which has a As a busy professional woman, I they ensured that my dignity was comfy seating area, complimentary often find myself at a breakfast maintained, they listened to my drinks (including Fizz) and a huge meeting and an evening drinks opinions and were patient and kind. changing room which offers the event in the same day and want greatest of privacy and space. to be stylish and comfortable, “Be brave, be bold” Chris suggested wear clothing that suits my figure as he passed me some gorgeous On this occasion, they had kindly and can easily mix and match orange shoes, and he was right, pre-booked a visit to the top floor – essentially I want to have a they worked a treat with both the
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topic businesswomen black wide legged trousers and pleated skirt and blouse.
Winning A bag large enough to carry an iPad, magazines and all the other items I need (perhaps it is more “want” than “need” as my bag has been known to weigh up to 7lbs!) plus bags for the evening were hand picked, and all without exception were simply perfect. Bright pink high heeled shoes, a funky Leather Jacket, gold vest top and skinny black jeans (I would never have dreamt I would be able to wear skinny jeans and still feel smart!) proved to be a winning combination and I was fascinated to learn more about the “Perfect Pair of Jeans” service and learnt that there really is a pair of jeans for every shape and this is something that the stylists pride themselves on.
There is also a free Special Occasion, Wardrobe Refresh and Holiday signature experience plus V.I.P experiences (minimal charge) which can be prebooked or alternatively for those who want “on the spot advice” they are most welcome to call into the studio at any time and chat with a stylist.
Inspired I also learnt that there are “secrets from the stylists” talks and feel certain I will be back on the comfy sofa sometime very soon, it’s such a relaxing space and the “red carpet treatment” is a little bit of indulgence that we all deserve occasionally in our busy lives. To conclude, John Lewis & Partners have certainly “gone the extra mile” and I left the studio feeling inspired, educated and “ready to shake up my wardrobe”.
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Topic Businesswoman
Under Review Power Health is a family-run business, manufacturing health and wellbeing producrs from its headquarters in York. Established in 1972, the firm which has recently expanded, adding an additional 14,800 sqft, is run by Managing Director Vicky McIver and her d a u g h te r S te p h a n i e w h o i s Purchasing Manager. “We manufacture, package and label all of our own products as well as stock and distribute Power Health
Trio of candles by Carol Robertson Carol Robertson began making fragrances and scented candles from her Yorkshire kitchen to use in her holiday let business. The candles quickly became popular with her guests so she decided to expand the business and offer the candles and room fragrances to everyone via her website. Despite the expansion, each candle is still made by hand, using the finest fragrance oils, soy wax and eco cotton wick and all items are personally inspected by Carol before
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they are beautifully packaged and sent out to customers. “Most of the big players in the market still use cheaper paraffin wax,” explained Carol. “Our complete range of candles smell amazing and create a perfect ambience and mood maker. TopicUK’s Business Executive
©Simon Dewhurst Photography Ltd
At TopicUK, as well as reviewing hotels and restaurants, we are often sent products with requests to share our thoughts about them with our readers. This edition we talk about Carol Robertson handmade scents and candles and mother and daughter run business Power Health.
Here in the TopicUK office, we tried their Facial Serum. This generously sized 60ml bottle is packed full of natural oils including Rose Hip, Frankincense,
Neroli and Orange Blossom. It is free from Parabens and has not been tested on animals and is rich and luxurious in feel. A joy to apply, both morning and night, leaving your face feeling silky smooth and with a fragrance which is soothing to the senses, we was impressed by the quality of this product and intend to incorporate
Mandy Taylor was lucky enough to get her hands on a set of candles and this is what she said: “As a lover of candles, I was naturally delighted to sample these from Carol. Three soy votives, perfectly packaged in a
stylish box each of the three candles were delicately fragranced with fruity grapefruit, Ginger and Lemon Peel. Each left a lovely aroma in the room for long spells and each candles lasts quite a long time.”
and other brands. Health and wellbeing is a growing industry and there is huge demand for natural and plant based products.”
Don’t be afraid of a little self care Victoria J Walker, VJW Holistic Therapies Ltd.
In today’s world, creating a balance between overall health and wellness and achieving professional success is key. Arguably, one can’t exist without the other, so when your desk begins to move around with you and you are facing a burnout, it’s time to make some little but impactful changes. Ta k e t i m e t o w a l k a r o u n d throughout your day, even for five minutes. Stretch your legs to keep
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the blood flowing, and to realign your focus; taking walks to your favourite spot can improve your mood and curb lethargy. While doing so, make a habit out of wearing a smile, sharing it freely with each passer by. A simple action like this releases oodles of endorphins (the body’s natural feel good factor).
Topic Businesswoman it into a daily beauty routine. We a l s o t r i e d C h e r r y Shampoo and Conditioner. Both 250ml bottles promoted that they were suitable for ‘hair loss and dandruff ’ and with this in mind, Mandy asked her husband Andrew to test them out. Boasting that the shampoo is paraben free and uses cherry extract and essential oils to enhance circulation to the scalp and promote optimum nutrition of the hair follicles, he accepted willingly. He w a s i m p re s s e d w i t h the consistency of both, commenting that they smelt ‘good enough to eat’ and although it is early days yet, he is impressed with the outcome to date.” “TopicUK editor Gill Laidler, mirrored Mandy’s comments. I lit Carol’s Rose & Oud candle which after several weeks is still burning and smells divine.”
Calling on the best in Northern England The National Business Women’s Awards are returning for a second year, ready to acknowledge and celebrate women in business by expanding their search by introducing five new categories. This exciting expansion looks to find the most successful women from across the UK, including those in our region. The entrants into the Northern England Business Woman of the Year category will possess qualities such as entrepreneurial drive, leadership and passion, whilst demonstrating significant achievements and contribution within their industry.
Pictured: Rory Campbell (MC), Caroline Strawson of Caroline Strawson: The Divorce and Breakup Coach (winner in the Best New Business category) Sam Steele (Delaware North) at 2018 awards.
Suzy Wood, Charity Ambassador for Railway Children says, “These awards give an opportunity to recognise women in business, as there are some really powerful women out there, doing amazing things and cider vinegar with honey to help to prolong your rest. It’s also worth the extra investment to pick a good quality mattress with a memory foam topper to support your body while you sleep.
When sat for long periods of time in the car, at a desk or over an iPhone, we tend to slouch. Bad posture and tension hanging over us causes pain and soreness, so to keep up a healthy blood flow and release that tension whilst working, try simple movements like rotating the neck, shrugging the shoulders
and circling ankles and wrists to awaken sleepy joints. In business we strive to perform at our peak, and the role of sleep in maintaining this is immeasurable. If you struggle to switch off at night, try going tech-free at least an hour before bed and sip a a mug of apple
Remember that resetting for the day ahead doesn’t have to stop when you wake up either. Try to allocate some time to clear the mind before work, apps like ‘Waking Up with Sam Harris’ are great for guided meditation or simply sit peacefully with your eyes gently closed and your hands resting on your lap and take 10 minutes to clear the mind of all thoughts and just breath. Remember you only have one body, so take care of it.
these awards are really lending themselves to recognising that.” The following counties are eligible to enter: Cumberland, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham (County Durham), Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and East Riding. These awards are designed to celebrate women from a variety of sectors and from businesses of any size. From business owners and mentors to service excellence and newer businesses, there is an award for every successful woman. There are 21 categories to choose from and candidates can enter up to 3. Businesses of all sizes can enter at www.nbawards.co.uk. Entries close Thursday 5th September at 3pm. TopicUK September2019
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INFORMATIONNEWS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
A high number of businesses throughout the UK are undergoing a digital transformation in many of their critical business applications, and as this transition is ongoing at a rapid rate the risk from cyber attacks has never been higher. B u t d e s p i te t h e n u m b e r o f organisations upgrading their infrastructure to be more digitally focused, there still seems to be a severe lack of understanding and attention given towards protecting themselves against these security threats. Cybercrime cannot simply be prevented alone through the use of technology, companies can be targeted by cybercriminals through a variety of methods, whether its sending phishing emails, stealing sensitive data or even hacking social media platforms, to name a few.
Protect Despite a large number of businesses seemingly not taking cyber security seriously, the damages can be extremely debilitating and longlasting, especially from a financial point of view. According to a report by the independent internet service provider Beaming Ltd, UK businesses were hit with £17bn worth of cyber-attacks in 2018, with SMEs bearing the brunt of the attacks at an estimated £13.6bn. As a huge advocate of cyber security prevention, Bellingham IT believes that businesses must prepare to
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Photo by Jorge Jesus from Pexels
IT
Businesses urged to bulk up defence against cyber threats By Paul Heigham - Director of Bellingham IT make significant investments to protect their operation, but also ensure that policies and procedures are in place, so every staff member is able to detect and report any potential cyber threat. Paul Heigham, from Bellingham IT, explains: “Businesses and their teams need to be fully aware of cyber security and staff training in this area is a ‘must have’ not a ‘nice to have’. To achieve this, clear policies and procedures must be enforced so every team member is accountable and aware when a cyber-attack takes place. “Although companies must invest in cyber prevention solutions and put as much safeguarding as possible in place, human involvement is ultimately the weakest link in any chain. This is why companies of
all sizes must make cyber security everybody’s responsibility, no matter what position they may hold.”
and it is not reported to the ICO then the fines incurred would be far more severe.”
Paul also highlights other critical elements a business must consider when protecting itself from cyberattacks, namely registering with the ICO to make sure the effectiveness of any measures put in place are tested, assessed and evaluated on a regular basis.
Digital and technological innovations are changing the way businesses operate, therefore the potential for a company to leave themselves exposed to cybercriminals remains high and is constantly changing.
Potential Paul comments: “The collateral damage following a cyber attack can also be just as cataclysmic, therefore it is equally important that businesses have the correct measures in place to deal with the fallout. For instance, if a company is attacked but there were no appropriate policies and procedures,
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Paul comments: “As a company evolves and explores new opportunities, new threats will also be emerging. It is imperative that cyber security solutions become a critical part of any business’ infrastructure, and this can be achieved by investing in new technology but even more importantly investing in people.”
NEWS UPDATE ADVERTORIAL
Wakefield Council successful in first round of High Streets Fund bid Wakefield First is the business facing side of Wakefield Council, It’s been a busy summer for business so far in Wakefield with lots of events news that we are extremely proud of. Here are a few highlights that we are celebrating… Wakefield Council has made it through to the next round of bids to secure a proportion of the Future High Streets Fund - a £675million government fund which is aimed at transforming high streets and town centres. Out of 300 bids nationally, Wakefield Council is one of 50 bids that has made it through to the next round.
The revenue funding received from successfully getting through the first stage will also contribute
towards the forthcoming city centre Masterplan - intended to guide all future developments and
the vision for Wakefield’s high streets – a key piece of work for the Task Force.
Wakefield Business Week 2019 Wakefield Business Week saw 8 separate events take place across the district The Wakefield Districts reputation as a rising star of the northern region, thriving businesses and commercial hub took a further boost with its 6th annual business week organised by Wakefield First. The week highlighted sectors such as, Creative and Digital, Exporting, Innovation and more! Entrepreneurs and businesses from the city came together to showcase exactly what the district has to offer whilst sharing
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the successes of world leading organisations who have chosen the city as their preferred place to do business. For more info on all things business in Wakefield visit: www. wakefieldfirst.com
NEWS UPDATEProperty update Commercial
Energy performance in commercial buildings A subject to thrill (or if not to thrill, have careful regard to). By Mark Hanson BSc FRICS Hanson Chartered Surveyors. (A Walker SingletonGroup Company)
In the world of valuing, buying, selling and letting non-domestic property it is increasingly important to understand the energy performance of commercial buildings and to understand the trend of where regulations are going. (Stay awake at the back there). The commercial property world has been relatively sleepy both before and since the Energy Act of 2011 but as of 1st April 2018 the game has changed. The new legislation is known as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). It applies to all investment buildings (domestic and non-domestic). It is now illegal to let buildings on new leases (and that includes lease renewals) that
score “F” or “G” when assessed for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on the scale of A - G. The problem lurking in the background is that early EPC’s were not undertaken to a consistent standard and as properties EPC’s come to be updated now (they only have a life of 10 years), previously judged “C” or “D” properties could now be “E” or “F”. The point is that the standards are getting tougher and this trend is only increasing. It is also quite clear that whilst a pass is currently “E” or better, this will, over time, be likely to be “D” or even “C”. This grade degradation comes about as the calibration of EPCs becomes more rigorous.
Some property owners have the mistaken belief that once let, they can forget about the issue. If an EPC is valid but of an age it may be worthwhile commissioning a new one because of grade degradation and come 1st April 2023 it will be unlawful to let a building which is “F” or “G” even if it was “E” or better when let. Enforcement will apply to all existing leases. So all non-domestic property which is let and occupied must have a valid EPC certificate by 1st April 2023. Whilst there are exemptions it may be better (and sometimes easier) to obtain a valid EPC. A common misconception is that Listed buildings don’t need EPCs. To qualify under the exemption rule (which is a temporary measure anyway) any Listed building has to show that by satisfying the requirements of a valid EPC the reasons for the listing would be compromised. However, in order to prove that the reasons for the
listing would be compromised, an EPC (albeit a failure) together with recommendations would need to be undertaken. It is just as important for tenants to be aware of the rating at the beginning and during their occupation. An EPC rating will become (if it isn’t already) one of the dynamics in the negotiation of Heads of Terms for a lease. Who, for example, landlord or tenant, is responsible for keeping the building within the legal threshold? Can a landlord rely upon the standard statutory provisions clause of most commercial leases? In short, the MEES regulations are a game changer and anyone playing a part in the commercial property world, be they investors, tenants or advisors would do well to brush up on them but certainly not ignore them. What was a box ticking exercise in the noughties and up until fairly recently is now an issue just around the corner waiting to bite.”
Upper Calder Valley Renaissance - Networking in the NEWS Calder Valley UPDATE
Todmorden’s business network leads on DestinationTOD Campaign September will see the official launch of the branding for Todmorden’s DestinationTOD campaign. Initiated at a town workshop by Upper Calder Valley Renaissance (UCVR) the branding has been developed in collaboration with the, now well established, business networking group ‘Todconnect’. Since Todconnect network was established in 2018 with flood recovery funding from Calderdale council, the group has gone from strength to strength now being one of the most proactive groups in the town and Calder Valley. Having led on the Great British High Street (GBHS) award for the town in 2018 they are now leading a collaborative campaign with the town’s Information Ce ntre to make To d m o r d e n a destination of choice. “There’s MORe in Todmorden” will be the lead brand aimed at promoting the town as a place to work, visit, live and do business. The branding will be available to be used by any business or organisation promoting the town externally. The campaign has been supported by Todmorden Town Council, UCVR and Calderdale Council joint funding. This will enable the brand to be promoted by
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film, social media, hard copy and merchandising. Director of UCVR Stephen Curry said “Todconnect is one of the groups in the valley that is already building on the early successes they achieved since the 2015 flooding”. With a database of over 200 local businesses they are able to connect with fellow traders and co-ordinate initiatives which benefit the businesses and the whole community”. In 2018 Todconnect presented a pilot programme of green activities to be adopted within the town and they created an ‘Our Planet Tod’ agenda for businesses to engage in. Businesses were asked to pledge to undertake various levels of green activities by auditing what they currently do to reduce their carbon footprints. This programme of green improvements will be expanded in 2019/20 with funding received as a result of the GBHS win. Chair of Todconnect, Clare Townley, who initiated the ‘Our Planet Tod’ programme, explained that in 2019/20 “We aim to make Todmorden even cleaner greener and kinder. We already have very active community groups: Incredible Edible, Tod in Bloom,
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Keep Tod Tidy and others. So fortunately we’re starting from a great place and we already have several multi award winning green businesses. We’re still formulating the best way to invest the award funding from the GBHS win, as the more work we can do in conjunction with both statutory organisations and voluntary groups the more we will achieve. We’re currently expanding on our ‘green business scheme’, and working with Todmorden Development Board to improve the town centre environment for businesses, residents and visitors – it’s ‘#OurPlanetTod’ so me must take care of it. Clare also said that “their success has attracted new committee members who have come with a wider range of skill sets which will enable even more initiatives to be undertaken by the group. Network meetings bringing businesses together are however, still the main role and activity of the group”.
For information on Todconnect meetings: hello@todconnect.co.uk www.todconnect.co.uk For information on UCVR: info@ucvr.org.uk www.ucvr.org.uk @UCVR_
NEWS UPDATE
Wakefield Theatre’s most popular event of the year is the Gala Dinner and Performance, which will return to the stunning setting of Wakefield Cathedral in 2020 for the 6th year.
Theatre Royal Wakefield Gala Dinner and Performance 2020
The Gala Dinner and Performance is a highlight in the Wakefield Business Community calendar. Over the last five years, the Theatre have connected with over 60 local businesses at the event, many of which return year on year – excited to network with other companies and help a fantastic cause. The evening commences with a glass of fizz at Wakefield Cathedral. Once the delicious starter and main courses have been consumed, guests look forward to taking part in our raffle and auction. It is then time for everyone to make their way to the Theatre for the Gala Performance. Theatre Royal Wakefield does not
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receive any regular public funding. In 2019, the Gala Dinner and Performance raised a huge £30,000. The primary recipient of this sum is the Learning and Participation department, from there the funds are
then split further between a range of fantastic programmes. Every year, Theatre Royal Wakefield offers over 60 free or reduce cost places on our weekly Performance Academy training, enabling young
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people from low-income families to enjoy high quality performing arts training in a supportive environment. The Performance Academy works across three academies in Pontefract and Wakefield, engaging with 200 young people on a weekly basis.
NEWS UPDATE One of the often-missed marketing opportunities on a social media page is the cover image. Many businesses leave this area blank or contain an image which is ill-fitting, of low quality or generic from a stock photography site This important leading space is the perfect place to reflect you and your brand (something unobtainable with a stock image). A virtual shop window where you can throw open the shutters, be creative and entice people to look inside! This image can be frequently switched up so those prominent posts which slip down your newsfeed can now occupy this space. Therefore, you can visibly entice those clients speedily surfing across the web, stop them in their tracks and divert them down your page. Let’s look at the ways you can maximise the marketing potential of
Power of a Cover Image
to publicise will interest your visitors.
this space: Showcase Products: Perfect to display consistent, seasonal and new items tempting people to head to your website to see further product details and prices. In the creative world you can showcase your works of art, books, photography etc. A picture paints a thousand words which saves an awful lot of description in the ‘About’ section.
way). Banners are displayed to celebrate special events – now do it on-line. As an example, one LinkedIn member displays an image of her addressing a large audience. It demonstrates her status and importance within her field, and instantly creates kudos for the business.
Call to Action: Again, use this sparingly and be creative to arouse interest and encourage action. It doesn’t need to be an obvious pitch such as ‘buy now!’ To welcome a person to a group or ask for their opinion demonstrates you value them. For inspiration Google ‘best call to action’ and see how the large corporates do it.
Celebrate: Have you or your business won an award recently? Has your business been established for a significant number of years? Maybe you’ve hit the headlines (in a good
Promote: Take the opportunity to tell people about offers and up-coming events. While you may not wish this to be a permanent feature, utilising it when you have something special
Maybe you can think of some marketing ideas yourself – if you do, please let us know, we’d love to hear them. Roth Read Photography www.rothreadphotography.com
To Partner TopicUK
Tel: 07711 539047 or email pr@topicuk.co.uk
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Advertorial Kirklees College pride themselves on delivering high calibre courses led by market leading tutors in a bid to develop confidence and work skills, and, delivering the right qualifications to help those succeed in their dream career.
Award winning engineer joins Kirklees College to deliver new construction course tutor, equipped with the expertise and skills to lead employees to a successful career.
With this in mind, they are excited to announce the delivery of a new HNC BTEC Construction course aimed at progressing employees within the work force. The course is designed to meet the needs of employers and enable all who enrol, the opportunity to receive a work-related qualification. The course is led by Howard Jones who has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. Howard has held a number of senior positions including the post of Chief Structural Engineer for a large Design and
Building Services Department. He has managed a team of 36 civil engineers and delivered multiple projects in both the fields of bridge and building construction.
With awards from both the institutions of Structural Engineers and Civil Engineers, employers can be confident their employees are receiving tuition from a highly skilled and passionate
This two year, part time course will allow learners to study several modules including construction technology, site supervision and operations and building information modelling. With latest estimates saying that the sector needs to recruit and train 158,000 people between 2018 and 2022, now has never been a better time to equip you or your staff with the skills to develop. To find out more about the course and the tutor visit: https://www. kirkleescolege.ac.uk/courses/ construction-btec-hnc-level-4-2/ and #makeithappen with Kirklees College.
Don’t let “fear of finance” impede business growth By Alex Beardsley
Bank. We get to know your business and individual circumstances in great depth before submitting anything to a lender, enabling us to confidently assess a client’s eligibility for any particular package. Risk averse Many SMEs are afraid of taking out finance then being unable to meet the repayments.
A recent report from the British Business Bank has raised cause for concern in the commercial finance sector. The bank’s fifth Small Business Finance Markets report has been produced to provide a comprehensive and impartial assessment of finance markets for SMEs at a time of great significance for the UK economy. Its conclusion starkly warns: “Of most concern for the economic outlook, over 7 in 10 firms say they would rather forgo growth than take on external finance”. “Ensuring that those businesses that have growth potential and aspiration can access the finance they need is important for long-term UK productivity and competitiveness. The evidence suggests that smaller businesses with growth aspirations are more likely to achieve those growth plans if they make use of external finance”. As commercial finance brokers, the figures came as a bit of a shock, because we see those SMEs who DO take that leap of faith. So far this year we’ve worked with 450 businesses
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from the consultation stage through to helping them complete a finance application. But, of course, we don’t usually get to hear about the ones who baulk at the idea. The reluctance of SMEs to use finance is attributed to “attitudes rather than circumstances” and these attitudes are “becoming entrenched”. To combat this, says the British Business Bank: “Greater understanding of the potential benefits of using finance is required, combined with more awareness of the increasingly diverse range of products and providers that exist in the small business finance market.” Our aim, then, must be to address the specific issues identified as underpinning those fears. These are: Fear of rejection The Business Bank advises SMEs to “seek high quality trusted advice” – and, indeed, if you work with a finance broker your application is extremely unlikely to be turned down.
Your broker will help you to plan your funding strategically and align this with your business growth aspirations, assessing your incomings and outgoings to find a package that is most suitable for you. We are on your side and would make sure that no lender offers you a package that is beyond your means. You might use asset finance to purchase new equipment needed for growth. Payments are made over a fixed period, making budget planning more manageable, and, if there was any danger of defaulting, you would only lose the business asset and wouldn’t be personally liable with your home or property at risk.
FINANCE UPDATE NEWS UPDATE proceed with an application and you can pull out at any stage, right up to signing on the dotted line. The fact is, if you find the right package, accessing external finance will give you MORE control over your business funds. For instance, you can use invoice finance to access money due to you before it comes in and a VAT loan enables you to pay tax due at a time to suit you, rather than in one big lump sum. Some lenders will allow seasonal payments for asset finance, at a time to suit your particular business. For example, an ice cream company has a bigger income in summer and a lender will recognise this, allowing higher repayments during peak times and lower rates during the troughs. We hope that this information goes some way to allaying any “fear of finance” that business owners may have and that more SMEs will take up the growth opportunities that the British Business Bank has identified as being so important to the UK economy.
Options like invoice finance and VAT loans will improve cashflow, easing any likelihood of hitting a sticky patch. Loss of control Working closely with a broker keeps you in control throughout the process. Your relationship manager will talk everything through with you and explain the details step by step. There’s no obligation to
A broker has access to a much broader range of options than just a traditional loan from a High Street
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Alex Beardsley is joint Managing Director of ABL Business, commercial finance brokers based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.
5in5
Five in Five
What does it take to digitise a brand? By Guy Utley, founder and co-Director at Tall:
Brand Digitisation. It’s on the tip of a lot of people’s tongue in today’s business world. As we move swiftly towards a digital future, what changes should you be making to your brand, to ensure consistency across all marketing channels? In today’s multi-screen and multichannelled world, it’s so important to harness digital changes in order to remain competitive, build strong customer relationships and increase cross-selling opportunities. Those that don’t, really do risk being left behind… inform the movement of animated content on the website. You don’t need to be a global brand as big as Audi to understand where they’re going with this; it’s all about enhancing user experience and showcasing what defines your brand through effective use of digital communication.
We’re sharing five top tips with you on how to ensure your brand remains consistent as you take a leap into the digital world. •
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Take a leaf out of Audi’s book. One of the first brands to take on a digital-first approach is car brand, Audi. The company launched its new brand guidelines on their website, which covers everything from basic appearance, through to user interface, and communication media. The guide states that they want the brand to breathe more freely and adopt a new perspective. Every detail down to button behaviour, as well as banner animations have been thoroughly detailed. The physical movement of Audi cars has also been used to
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Understand touch-points and content. It’s important to consider the platforms, technologies and touchpoints where customers may be exposed to your brand. All too often content is created and pushed through offline sources first and then later adapted for the digital world, if it is adapted at all. Content that is not optimised for digital platforms fails to reach wider target audiences.
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Change the branding style from print to digital. Despite digital being the primary communication channel for most organisations, many still adopt a print style approach to physical branding. This is often a tell-tale sign that they have not fully assumed a digitalfirst approach. Often colour choices, typography and layout guidelines are unmistakably created, primarily with print in mind. By designing for digital by default and then retrofitting for print we much better represent the reality of the modern world. Consider having a brand site. This is the home of your brand. It gives direct access to brand, guidelines, assets, UI patterns, typography, icons, the size ratio of type and the
html codes needed to create different digital components. It supports any kind of rich content, such as images, and videos. A brand site helps both internal and external stakeholders to use the brand in a more consistent manner. Ensure employees are on board. Staff members are your biggest brand ambassadors so it’s important to keep them in the loop on any digital transformation programmes. Digital can make some people fearful but education and involvement is the key to getting them on board.
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Tel: 07711 539047 or email pr@topicuk.co.uk TopicUK September2019
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special feature
Travelling back in time
KEVIN TRICKETT MBE, TAKES A TRAIN RIDE BACK TO THE ‘GOLDEN AGE’ OF LUXURY TRAVEL AND EXPERIENCES FINE DINING ABOARD THE NORTHERN BELLE Travelling back in time – Kevin Trickett MBE, takes a train ride back to the ‘golden age’ of luxury travel and experiences fine dining aboard the Northern Belle. The Northern Belle is a luxury train, originally launched in 2000 by Belmond, the company that runs the Venice Simplon OrientExpress ( VSOE) and offers a similar standard of service and comfort to its European cousin. With its Pullman carriages and offer of fine dining experiences, the train epitomises the golden age of rail travel.
NEED TO KNOW
The Northern Belle will be making several other trips to various destinations from Yorkshire stations this year. 01904 654155 northernbelle.co.uk Cost of the Wakefield to Warwick Castle excursion was £390 per person including a £30 supplement pp for a guaranteed table for two. The ticket price included coach transfers and admission to the castle.
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The train runs day excursions from various departure points around Britain and special events such as trips to the races. Since 2017, it has been owned by Yorkshire businessman David Pitts who lives in Thurstonland and whose advertising business, DP Publicity (DPP), is based in Wakefield. Although redole nt of 1930s glamour, the Northern Belle isn’t quite what it seems! It actually consists of former British Railways carriages from the 1950s and 60s but they have been extensively and sympathetically re-engineered, refurbished and ‘retro-fitted’ to resemble the Pullman cars of the
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’30s. They come complete with beautiful marquetry work, specially commissioned from the family firm of A Dunn and Son of Chelmsford in Essex. This company created panelling on some of the original Orient Express coaches as well as on the Pullman cars used in a number of the famous ‘Belle’ trains of the ’20s and ’30s including the much-loved Brighton Belle. But enough background – let’s get back to my trip! When we arrived at Kirkgate Station in Wakefield, somewhat blearyeyed as it was only 6.15am, we were greeted by a representative of the company who checked our names on her list and directed us over to Platform 2 where, in due course, we were joined by over 30 other guests. The train arrived on time and we found our carriage. In true Pullman tradition, each of the dining cars is given a name. In this case, the carriages are named after castles and stately homes, and our seats were to be found in ‘Alnwick’. We were shown to our seats by Thomas, one of the train managers, who then introduced us to Adam, our senior steward for the day (each carriage has dedicated stewards) and assistant steward, Paddy. No sooner were we seated than we were offered a ‘refreshing’ and
special feature sparking Bellini. It was only 6.55am but, yes please, I didn’t mind if I did! As the train made its way to our next pick-up point in Huddersfield, we sat back and relaxed while the bubbles did their work.
Destination After gathering more passengers at Huddersfield, the train moved on towards Manchester Victoria for our third and final pick up. While we crossed through, and sometimes under, the Pennine terrain (including travelling through the three-mile long Standedge Tunnel), brunch was served. To start, there was natural yoghurt with ginger-seeped apricots, homemade granola and honey. Next, there was a cooked dish consisting of Bubble and Squeak, spinach and a vegetable ragù. (The non-vegetarians had Scottish Haddock with all the trimmings.) To finish, there was a selection of breads and cakes from the bakery basket and copious quantities of tea and coffee were served throughout. Somewhere in the middle of working our way through all that, we picked up the final passengers at Manchester and then made our way, via Crewe, to Stratford upon Avon, the train’s final destination, pulling in at around 12.15pm. Here, the passengers divided. Most had opted to spend the afternoon in the town whereas a group of around 30 of us were taken by coach to Warwick Castle for an afternoon visit. Two and a half hours later, we were on our way back to the train. T h e No r t h e r n B e l l e l o o ke d absolutely splendid as we arrived back in Stratford. All along the length of the train, doors were open, welcome mats were laid out along the platform and our uniformed staff stood to attention to receive
us back on board. The train had been transformed once again and we regained our seats to discover that the tables had been laid ready for the five-course dinner with wine that was to come: beautiful fine china, some still bearing the VSOE legend, elegant glassware, and polished cutlery all glinting in the late afternoon light.
Wonderful As the train pulled out of the station, we were offered a glass of champagne and canapés and before long, dinner was served. This comprised of a salad of goat’s cheese, pickled beets, and bread to start followed by a vegetable Wellington for main course. (The standard menu was Hot smoked salmon to start and a chicken and ham dish for mains.) Then came the cheese board, followed by dessert – a ‘summer berry Pimm’s jelly, elderflower and lemon verbena cream, and candied orange’. To conclude, there was coffee with petits fours. All the food was prepared on board by head chef, Matthew Green (who comes from Barnsley, continuing the ‘northern theme’) and his team.
Dinner is served at a leisurely pace with ample opportunity to talk to the stewards and train managers – even fellow passengers if you’re feeling sociable – and it was noticeably much more sociable on board after the champagne and the wine! The train returned along a different route from that taken on the outward journey so there was plenty to see in the evening sunshine as we made an unhurried return to Wakefield – the first dropping off point – and we arrived back all too soon at around 8.20 pm.
“No sooner were we seated than we were offered a ‘refreshing’ and sparking Bellini...” We deboarded and watched as the train rolled out of the station on its way back to Huddersfield, and then Manchester, slightly envious of those passengers who had remained on board. But for us, the day was over – a short walk home and it was time to put the feet up, bask in the memories of a wonderful day and wonder what to have for supper……. sadly, there were no stewards on hand to serve it! TopicUK TopicUK September2019 July2019
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