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N E W S U P D AT E
This issue
Group Editor Gill Laidler
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This edition for our cover story, we caught up with former business editor from the Yorkshire Post and founder of thebusinessdesk.com David Parkin. Today, David is founder and director of events company COPA. Many of our readers will know David who comperes many events around Leeds and will be recipients of his Friday blog. If you haven’t subscribed yet,
Rob Blackwell
Business Executive Mandy Taylor
Associate editor Ed Asquith
Distribution Manager James Longbottom
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Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence
do so!
Recruitment Stafflex
Information technology
Paul Heigham, Bellingham IT
Cover : David Parkin Image : Roth Read Photography
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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.
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CONTENTS
by group editor Gill Laidler
I can’t believe it has been a year since the start of the pandemic.
OUR PARTNERS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
yaba global diversity Tilyard North Paladin MARKETING Yorkshire sculpture park CONNECT YORKSHIRE Community Foundation Calderdale The Piece Hall BACKSTAGE ACADEMY Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence Bellingham IT KC Communications Wakefield Council Ad:Venture CityFibre Eaton Smith Solicitors Stafflex Wakefield Theatre Scriba PR Kirklees College University of Law Avenue hq/Barclays Eagle Lab Yorkshire Payments Welcome to Yorkshire Contedia BeVic Town Hall Dental Fantastic Media WAKEFIELD HOSPICE Halifax Bid Beanie Media LEULY PPR HALSTON MARKETING LIFE wealth management DAKOTA HOTEL LEEDS
I spent my Birthday at the end of March last year in lockdown, never dreaming that this year would be the same. That said, there seems to be lots of optimism from businesses, with the success of the vaccine programme that things just might return to normal this summer. It is unlikely though that holidays abroad will happen, but we can still hopefully enjoy a break in our own country. There are so many beautiful places to visit in the UK, I have a short break booked in North Yorkshire, although lots of places were already booked, so you will need to hurry. Holidaying in this country will also help with our economic recovery too.
Promotion I would like to extend my thanks to all our partners who have continued to support us over the last year, enabling us to continue printing and promoting all the businesses we work with. We will continue to do all we can for those partners in terms of promotion, long after the pandemic is over. I would like to welcome a few new partners too. Tileyard North join us as work has begun to create this fabulous space in Wakefield adjacent to The Hepworth Gallery. We will be bringing your regular updates on progress through to the eventual opening of this creative space, mirroring that of Tileyard London. Also joining us is Paladin Marketing, Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) and Global Diversity Positive Action.
editor of Yorkshire Post and founder of The Business Desk. He is now founder and director of the event company COPA. You can read the full story with David on page 10. This edition we are carrying an advert from the RSPCA which was gifted to them by TopicUK partners Yorkshire Payments. We thought this was a lovely gesture by them to pay for a charity to gain some exposure after what has been a difficult year for many charities. If anyone reading this would purchase some space for a charity of their choice, please do get in touch. On page 46 we continue our updates from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the two hospital builds, plus an update on the vaccination programme. I had my first jab a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed at how easy and efficient the whole process was. I am pleased to say I was one of the lucky ones too that suffered no side effects.
Exciting Our other publication, Yorkshire Businesswoman will have published online by the time you read this. Do head over to https:// yorkshirebusinesswoman.co.uk and take a look. We have lots of exciting plans that hopefully we can now put into place as we head out of lockdown. Until next time, stay safe
Contents & Comments
Editors notes
Gill
Our cover story this time features David Parkin. David is former business TopicUK April 2021
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N E W S U P D AT E whom have job security following this acquisition. The company ethos is clearly aligned with our own which means that Wolf Laundry is now perfectly positioned to enter our next major growth phase.” Brewer & Bunney was founded more than 40 years ago, and now operates across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The company, which is headquartered in Redruth, has a team of highly skilled field engineers based across the South West.
Yorkshire’s Wolf Laundry goes for growth COMMERCIAL laundry equipment specialist Wolf Laundry has completed the acquisition of one of its main rivals as it embarks on its next ambitious growth phase. The Barnsley-headquartered business has bought Brewer & Bunney, based in Cornwall, for an undisclosed seven-figure sum. The deal will ensure that Wolf Laundry can surpass the constantly increasing demand for its equipment and services across England’s South West while simultaneously building on Brewer & Bunney’s success.
position as one of the UK’s leading laundry equipment businesses. “We’ve achieved outstanding organic growth ever since we were founded in 2007 by consistently providing
our customers with the fastest, most reliable service. This acquisition will reinforce our presence across England’s South West and allow us to win an even greater share of the market. “Brewer & Bunney has an outstanding team in place - all of
Leeds-based Every sees record growth
Wolf Laundry has self-funded the acquisition along with its Swiss investment partner, Schulthess Machines AG. It specialises in the supply and maintenance of commercial laundry equipment and the acquisition of Brewer & Bunney has increased the size of its workforce by more than 50% from 45 to 70.
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“Our acquisition will ensure that our longstanding relationships with clients across many diverse sectors will continue seamlessly.” In addition to its headquarters in Barnsley, Wolf Laundry also operates its national sales office from Wakefield.
Yorkshire-headquartered tech firm Every has recorded its highest performing year to date – investing a seven-figure sum across the business, doubling its workforce to 65 and seeing 10% of its existing 3,800-client base invest in its educationfocused HR solution. Specialising in providing compliance and HR management software solutions to the education sector, Every is aiming to further increase its employee headcount by 77% over the next two years – boosting its staff numbers to 115. The organisation also invested £1m
Joshua Brown, co-founder and Joint Managing Director, said: “This deal consolidates Wolf Laundry’s
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David Hayes, Managing Director at Brewer & Bunney, said: “Wolf Laundry consistently prioritises its customers’ needs which is a reason for its ongoing success – and the main reason why we decided it was the right company to sell to.
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N E W S U P D AT E across a range of offline and digital marketing channels.
Brand strategy agency Paladin Marketing sets-up in Leeds
Alisdair said: “We believe in clear brand strategy and great creativity as the foundation for growth. These are the primary tools to engage people. They spark change, challenge the status-quo and help businesses go beyond awareness of who they are and what they do. It drives them forward with purpose and belief. “Our approach is an analytical one combined with experience and good, old common-sense. Having understood the challenges and business objectives and by researching the market, the audience, and the competition, we are able to pin-point and make the most of opportunities.
Former marketing agency managing partner, Alisdair Straughan, has set-up a brand strategy agency in Leeds. Alisdair – formerly of Fantastic Media – has established Paladin Marketing with a focus on working with SMEs in the North. He has worked in the UK and the Middle East with brands such as Emirates Airline, McLaren Automotive and Manchester-based Maximuscle and is experienced in developing brand strategies across a range of sectors from across the business – enhancing and growing its IT development and sales teams, providing more staff training, recruiting additional personnel, and creating specialist customer engagement teams to support product roll-out. Every’s year-on-year turnover also rose by 41% in 2020, largely driven by the firm’s most recent product development, the HR module – which launched in 2019 to help HR leaders within education to streamline and centralise their operations. Commenting on the high-growth period, Every’s CEO and co-
manufacturing and professional services to sport and retail. Paladin works across a range o f s e c to r s , p a r t n e r i n g w i t h business owners and in-house founder, Ian Bond, said: “Myself and co-founder Adam Watson established Every from a standing start in 2010, and we’re really proud of the success we’ve had so far. “Of course, 2020 was a year full of challenges for businesses – many of which still remain – but we haven’t wavered in our support for our staff and clients, and that’s resulted in our best performing year since the company’s inception.” Every is the tech solution of choice for circa 3,800 institutions across the UK – ranging from single schools to multi-academy trusts. Adam Watson, founding director
marketing teams. Drawing on inhouse and external expertise they develop strategies that help grow businesses by combining lead generation and brand building campaigns that are delivered and co-o wne r, added: “O ur mission is to provide the country’s schools, colleges, and universities with technology solutions that help to simplify and optimise daily operations – alleviating the administrative burden, to free up time for more strategic decisionmaking. “But we can only accomplish this this with a dedicated and knowledgeable team of dedicated people working together behind the scenes. “And our ethos at Every is to promote from within and to nurture employee talent. This
“We’re already working with a number of SMEs - both B2B and D2C – opening their eyes to what’s possible and we’re very much looking forward to what the future holds.”
E: hello@paladinmarketing.co.uk T: 0113 534 31 34
not only has a positive impact on staff satisfaction and retention rates but is also important for delivering high-quality customer service, too.” Ian concluded: “The launch of the HR module has been a pivotal milestone in Every’s history, and we’re really looking forward to growing the company even more in the coming months.” As well as further boosting its staffing numbers, the firm is looking to invest in larger office space – still within Leeds – to align with the company’s growth strategy for 2021 and beyond.
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A Leeds-based travel management company has announced an acquisition and internal investments as part of its 2021 growth strategy.
Traveleads, part of the Global Travel Solutions Group (GTSG) which is the portfolio owner of travel companies across business, sport, group and leisure travel, has acquired Omega Business Travel in a move to strengthen its position in the industry. The acquisition sees Traveleads incorporating Omega Business Travel’s corporate services and almost 40 years of business, along with two senior team members, into its plans to bolster the return of business travel this year.
Travel company bolsters business
Paul Millington, group managing director said: “We’re thrilled about our acquisition of Omega Business Travel and incorporating it into our business as we begin to return to normality. Omega aligns with our own priorities of providing bespoke travel solutions and essentially making lives easier for our customers. “The pandemic has tested the travel industry but with positive updates on the vaccine rollout and the Prime Minister’s roadmap announcement last month, we’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.” The acquisition forms part of Traveleads’ growth strategy for the year, which has also seen the company invest internally to allow colleagues to work more seamlessly and consolidate its offering for the future.
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Above: Paul Millington, group managing director, Global Travel Solutions Group
Paul added: “Prior to the virus taking hold in March 2020, we had been preparing for the most exciting phase Traveleads had seen in its 40-year history. Having gone through a 12-month transformation project, we were poised to unveil a new era for the business before lockdown suddenly halted our plans. With real signs of recovery growing, we’re delighted that we have now been able to refocus on implementing this transformation.”
The travel company’s technical team has developed and implemented new back Right: office systems to streamline Maggie Monteprocesses and help improve ith - UK Client Services Director the efficiency of its travel Traveleads booking systems.
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The acquisition of Omega Business Travel follows GTSG’s acquisition of Sterling Travel Management which merged with Traveleads in June 2020.
Maggie Monteith, UK client services director at Traveleads, said: “We’re focused on creating an exceptional customer experience so we’re prioritising the development o f s u p e r i o r te c h n o l o g y and impeccable customer insight to add value for our travel partners. There’s lots to come this year and we’re incredibly excited.”
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Paul said: “It’s bee n an exceptional year of change, but I’m delighted by the response and attitude of our team and their resilience despite the extraordinary challe nges. A s a result, we’ve retained all of our customers and continue to receive wonderful feedback about the team’s response times, dedication and ability to adapt to the continually changing travel rules. “We’re looking forward to easing out of lockdown as we have a big year ahead!”
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The Sheffield-headquartered agency has won contracts with Sheffield FC, Jessica Flinn Jewellery and Sheffield Steel Rings in the first two months of 2021; taking its total client roster to 11. Little Mesters is delivering social, e m a i l m a r ke t i n g a n d d i g i t a l advertising strategies and projects for Sheffield FC - the world’s oldest football club - as the heritage brand launches its new website. Briefs for Jessica Flinn Jewellery and Sheffield Steel Rings span PPC, social media advertising, copywriting and creative. The agency’s recent flurry of wins adds to its portfolio of nationwide clients including Birds Eye Food Services and drinks brand Baijiu Society. Little Mesters has also hired Becky MacTaggart as Social Mester and Charlotte Scott as Operations Mester. Both will project manage the agency’s expanding portfolio, alongside dedicated freelance support. Founded by Head Mester Tom Scott in August 2020 and proud of its
Trio of client wins for Little Mesters Digital marketing agency Little Mesters has secured three new clients, strengthened its in-house team and expanded its network of expert freelancers as it continues to grow during its first year.
I had a vision to execute and deliver honest, creative and resultdriven services...’
Sheffield heritage, Little Mesters is based on the idea of assembling the perfect team of freelance experts to craft bespoke digital projects and strategies. In recent months, Little Mesters has also started
working with several more freelancers across PPC, copywriting, SEO, PR and photography disciplines to build further on its bank of experts. Tom said: “Establishing an agency has been a huge learning curve but I am pleased to see how our model of providing flexible, expert and bespoke digital marketing services has supported our clients to achieve their objectives. I’m delighted to be working w i t h s u c h a ra n g e o f credible businesses and
am thrilled to win three new contracts in the first couple of months of 2021. “When I launched Little Mesters, I had a vision to execute and deliver honest, creative and result-driven services for all budgets while embracing collaboration and striving for excellence. We have scaled-up quickly in the first seven months and I’m delighted to welcome Becky and Charlotte to the team to add expert skills in-house alongside our expanding freelance network to prepare for further growth this year.” TopicUK April 2021
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CNOE VWESR UFPEDA A T TUER E
Many of our readers, particularly those who frequent venues and events in Leeds and Harrogate will know or know of David Parkin. David is the smart, well-dressed, charismatic former business editor of Yorkshire Post and founder of TheBusinessdesk.com...
DAVID PARKIN A NATIONAL JOURNALIST WITH ROOTS FIRMLY IN YORKSHIRE
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C ONVEEW R SF E U AP TDUART EE
TopicUK editor Gill Laidler caught up with David at his office in Platform, the contemporary spacious office building attached to Leeds train station, to chat about his career to date and his plans for the future. David admits he didn’t do very well in his A levels and scraped into Huddersfield Polytechnic to do a History & Politics degree and loved it. “The second year included nine weeks on work experience, and I worked a month at the Yorkshire Evening Post in Leeds and five weeks working with the Conservative MP for Colne Valley, Graham Riddick, who was later involved in a cash for questions scandal!” he said. “After graduating I did a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism. I made some great friends there and it definitely reinforced my desire to pursue a career in journalism.”
a boxing champion, a cup-winning footballer or a film star given David’s Mum was a journalist on the local paper and his Dad was a photographer with a news agency, there weren’t really many other career options open to him. “To be honest, they did everything they could to persuade me to pursue another career, but I just found what they did really exciting and loved the stories I heard from their friends who were journalists. Every day seemed to be different and they had a real zest for their careers.
A far cry from his successful career today, David’s first ever job was as the litter picker in the village I interviewed lots where he grew up of fascinating in Derbyshire. “The entrepreneurs legendary football and business manager Brian leaders, there Clough lived near were free trips me and I think I abroad and lots of helped mow his business lunches! lawn during Bob a Job week for the Scouts,” he laughed, and I delive red newspapers and picked strawberries but my first full-time job was as a junior reporter on the Derby Evening Telegraph. The money was so bad I had to live back at home with my parents for a year, but I loved it and learned so much.”
I remember thinking that if you could wake up and jump out of bed and look forward to work then that would be the perfect way to earn a living.
Originally dreaming of becoming
Opportunities
“My career has been a series of fortunate opportunities rather than a well-planned journey,” he explained. “When I qualified as a senior reporter in Derby, I only moved jobs when they didn’t give me the pay increase, I expected. “I moved to a job on the evening paper in Cardiff, where my Dad was born, and within six months had been offered a job as a business reporter on the Western Mail, the Welsh national newspaper. I told the editor that I didn’t know anything about business and was rubbish at maths, so I didn’t think I’d be very good at it. He said that
didn’t matter, business journalism was all about people and, besides, I dressed smartly and wore suits and that would help. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me because business journalism opened so many doors for me: I interviewed lots of fascinating entrepreneurs and business leaders, there were free trips abroad and lots of business lunches! “They were the positives, but other experiences in journalism include being chased by the British National Party, getting death threats from football hooligans and being told by Ken Bates when he was chairman of Leeds United that he was thinking about taking legal action against me - and he’d already won £400,000 in damages from journalists. I told him what I’d written was fair comment, he dropped the idea and I enjoyed a very entertaining lunch with him and his wife at the Flying Pizza in Leeds! I was very light-headed when I left the restaurant, I’m not sure if it was the wine or the relief!” he laughed. From Wales David moved to become deputy business editor of the Yorkshire Post but only stayed six months because he was offered his perfect job - London Editor of the Western Mail. “Based in the capital, I was responsible for covering any stories of Welsh interest - business, news, social, sport. I’d be interviewing Tom Jones one day, covering a City TopicUK April 2021
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CNOE VWESR UFPEDA A T TUER E
takeover deal another, attending dinners at the Reform Club with former Prime Minister James Callaghan and having a boozy night at the Groucho Club with Welsh actors including Ioan Gruffudd. The job came with a press pass to the House of Commons, but the paper had a political editor so I just used it to eat and drink in the subsidised press restaurant where a bottle of claret cost 12 quid and you could see Big Ben out of the dining room window! I remember dinner in there with a couple of other journalists and one of them spent all his time texting a woman on his phone. I thought he was totally ignorant. But he’s now editor of the Daily Telegraph…” After two years in London David was really settled, he’d bought a flat, had lots of friends and loved the job. But his old editor at the Yorkshire Post, a man called Tony Watson, got in touch to ask if he wanted to return as business editor.
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“It was a serious job on a serious paper and so I just couldn’t turn it down,” David told us.
I was fascinated by entrepreneurs and loved meeting them and finding out about their stories.
risks and back themselves. Perhaps it was inevitable then that I ended up launching my own business.
“I worked with amazing people and learned a great deal. I was single and so never turned down an invitation which enabled me to build a brilliant contacts base, many of whom I’m still in touch with today. I had so many amazing experiences - I travelled to Palm Springs in California to interview Yorkshire-born business magnate Lord Hanson. He liked what I wrote and suggested I should be the first British journalist to interview Arnold Schwarzenegger after he became Governor of California. I said I’d like that, never thinking it would happen.”
“ Fr o m S i r Ke n Mo r r i s o n a t Morrisons Supermarkets to young people just launching a new venture, I really respected the fact that they were prepared to take
“I’d been aware for some time that news was moving online but newspapers weren’t embracing that very smartly,” he explained. “So, together with my business
Wife / partner name: Harriet. We met four years ago and got engaged in Florence last summer when travel restrictions were lifted.
Where is your favouri te restaurant? I don’t know the name, but it was in the back streets of Chania in Crete. A chap had put some tables and chairs in the street outside his kitchen. The menu was whatever his wife was cooking that day and red wine was served in a metal jug straight from the fridge and poured into chipped tumblers - it was amazing!
But Lord Hanson had incredible contacts and a few weeks later David found himself flying to LA to meet Arnie! “He was very intelligent, charismatic and even bigger in real life than he looks on screen.
Fact File
Children (if any) names and ages: None, but three dogs! What car do you drive? Mercedes What do you do in your leisure time? I do Military 1st Fitness in Harrogate
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What is your favourite food and drink? Medium rare steak and chips with my favourite Italian red wine, Brunello di Montalcino.
partner Paul Snape we developed and launched the first regional business website in the UK, TheBusinessDesk.com in 2007. “I had left my job at the Yorkshire Post and put my own money into it and I remember people saying to me that it was a big risk but I didn’t think like that, I actually thought that doing it and failing would not be the worst thing that could happen. Not doing it at all and looking back and wondering if it would have worked, or worse, seeing someone else doing it, would have been much worse in my mind. “We built up the business in Yorkshire, then Manchester and Birmingham. I’m proud of what we achieved and even prouder of the great people who were part of the team, all of whom are still friends. We sold the business in 2013 and I stayed on as a consultant. There was none of the stress of owning a business, but it isn’t the same being an employee in a business you used to run.” After selling TheBusinessDesk. com, which David is delighted is still thriving, he launched COPA, an events and communications business. It involves all sorts of work,
Where is your favourite holiday destination? The pandemic has meant a longawaited trip to California has been delayed three times - oh well, maybe next year! Our favourite holidays have been to the Greek islands, hopping from one to another on ferries, swimming in clear blue sea, watching the sunsets with a drink and eating in rustic tavernas. Where is your favourite place in Yorkshire? Probably Filey. Whether the sun is shining, or it is blowing a gale, it has
from one-to-one media training to conferences, compering business events including dinners and panel discussions and writing content to advising on communications and media strategies.
Hosted “Just like journalism, every day is different. We’ve helped organise the largest event Sky has held for its employees - a conference at Leeds Arena for 3,000 people featuring the throne from Game of Thrones, a military marching band and an on-stage discussion involving Jamie Redknapp and former boxing champ Johnny Nelson. “I’ve hosted a discussion for Jaguar with the former boss of Sainsbury’s, Justin King, who was then in charge of a Formula 1 team and organised and hosted the annual Lord’s Taverners Balloon Debate in Yorkshire which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity,” he continued. “Probably the most bizarre thing I’ve been asked to do is write a speech for the actor John Savident, who played Fred Elliott, the butcher
a great beach to walk the dogs and blow away the cobwebs. What is your favourite gadget? My mobile phone. These days, and particularly with the pandemic, it has become the office. What couldn’t you live without? If there is one thing, I’ve learned over the last 12 months, it is the importance of face-to-face contact. Seeing family, friends, colleagues and making ne w contacts is something I’ve always valued, and it is something I’ve missed so much.
in Coronation Street, to give at the annual conference for a convenience store chain. I was really proud of it and weaved all his familiar verbal ticks into it, such as the way he repeated things (“Ashley, I say, Ashley”). Unfortunately, on the day he was ill, and they had to replace him with Christopher Biggins!” The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March 2 0 2 0 s a w a l l C O PA’ s w o r k disappear overnight. “It was a real blow, but I knew there were many other people in much tougher situations. Over the last year I’ve done writing work, some public relations work and voluntary work in the local community. The elation I felt for a 93-yearold lady when I took her for her second Covid vaccination recently was as good as any high I’ve ever had in business!”
C ONVEEW R SF E U AP TDUART EE Looking back, would he do anything different? “I’m a great believer that mistakes are OK as long as you learn from them. I’ve made loads of mistakes in business but hopefully not the same one twice! If I were to give advice to my younger self, I’d probably say don’t be afraid to take calculated risks because you may regret not doing them. I try not to have regrets. Reflecting on things is fine, but there is no point in trying to change the past.”
So, what are David’s plans for the future when the pandemic is over? “I think live business events will start to return, but it will take some time. This year I’ve compered and organised some business events online including a Q&A with Steve Parkin (no relation!) of Clipper Group who started out as a miner, delivered clothing in a transit van and now has a logistics business which will soon be a £1bn business. His story about Robbie Williams performing at his housewarming party was amazing. “Robbie was his third choice because Bruce Springsteen and Prince had to cancel! “I plan to further develop my weekly blog. It has several thousand readers and I write about all sorts of things and aim for it to be a cheerful read at the end of each week. TopicUK April 2021
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The Bigger Boat boosts brands’ online presence Creative digital agency The Bigger Boat has strengthened its management team following the recruitment of SEO manager, Ewan Burkinshaw.
Responsible for improving the overall rankings and conversion rates for the agency’s B2B and B2C brands – including toy manufacturer Little Tikes and Zapf Creation UK – Ewan will lead on technical audits, keyword research, and SEO strategy implementation. Having recruited five top talents in November 2020, the 20-strong Yorkshire-headquartered team plans to consistently develop its in-house capabilities to further support UK and international growth – which has seen the business launch client websites in Poland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Germany. “Three things stood out to me with this agency – its attitude, ethos, and the quality of work produced. I couldn’t wait to apply,” said Ewan, a former SEO manager for Northern Media. “I want to keep progressing my own knowledge and position the business as a leader in SEO.” As a result of a 75% uplift in revenue growth, The Bigger Boat
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has exceeded its £1 million turnover target. The agency continues to add to its service offering, with Ewan becoming its first ever SEO manager. Commenting on what the marketing landscape should be prioritising in 2021, the new addition added: “Search engines are leaning towards increasingly natural language and prioritising high-quality, digital communications. “As websites get simpler, easier to navigate, more accessible and quicker to load, the depth of content will be of paramount importance for brands this year.” On the new appointment, Andy McCaul, managing director at The Bigger Boat, added: “It’ll be another huge year for brands and their marketing departments as they continue to deliver strategic comms that are able to cut through the vast amount of noise online. “Having identified a need to bolster our service offering even further – and provide more critical support for clients when enhancing their digital presence – Ewan is the perfect
“I want to keep progressing my own knowledge and position the business as a leader in SEO.”
candidate to help us drive forward these plans. He brings with him a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and expertise – and has already made his mark on a number of key client accounts.”
PFF Packaging strengthens sales team Yorkshire-based PFF Packaging has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Steve Cranswick as a key account manager based at its Keighley site.
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Part of PFF Group, PFF Packaging is one of the UK’s largest independent food packaging manufacturers, providing innovative recyclable editor@topicuk.co.uk
N E W S U P D AT E
Thirty new jobs and £4m Leeds HQ as auto-engineer expands SM UK, an auto-engineering firm that specialises in the installation of safety systems for commercial vehicles, is investing £4m in a new 35,000 sq ft Leeds headquarters and workshop which is set to open in June and has announced plans to create a further 30 new jobs in the coming months.
are equipped with features such as blind-spot camera systems and high-tech internal racking systems to make them safer and more efficient. SM UK managing director Steve MacDonald, who founded the business in 2000, said: “We have continued to grow and to diversify the services we can offer our customers, and our HGV safety systems teams in particular have seen a rapid increase in demand. “During the first lockdown it quickly became e vide nt the transport industry would play a massive role in the pandemic and as a team we have been really proud to be on hand to support the fleets operating up and down the country.
Exciting The business, which earlier this year launched a range of covid-safe welfare vehicles designed to ensure teams working on remote sites
plastic packaging solutions to supermarkets, multi-national food manufacturers, food service and fresh produce companies. Steve Cranswick brings a wealth of experience to the company gained over 30 years in the plastic manufacturing packaging industry. Re porting to PFF’s sales director Ian Smith, Steve’s role includes new business an d the d e v e lopme n t o f strategic accounts.
have access to a secure, virus-free environment, specialises in vehicle conversion and installation for firms with their own fleets. Vans and HGVs
Ian said: “Steve has extensive knowledge of the packaging sector and his appointment will enhance the service we offer to our customers. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team.” During the Coronavirus pandemic, PFF is using its expertise in the food sector to meet the increased global demand for PPE, as well as continuing to support the UK’s food retail sector through the production and supply of food packaging.
“Many of our customers also ope rate in the construction industry, so as restrictions were eased, and more vans and HGVs returned to the roads, an increase
in demand for our conversions and safety systems came with it.” He added: “We’re now on the point of outgrowing our 10,000 sq ft Leeds facility, which we opened in 2018, and it’s exciting to be progressing the development of our new northern workshop and headquarters in the city, which will give us plenty of room to expand further.” The business has acquired the 1.4 acre former Winerite warehouse site on Gelderd Road in Leeds and work to redevelop the property as a state-of-the-art auto-engineering workshop is currently underway, with completion scheduled for June. SM UK, whose clients range from blue-chip companies with large fleets of HGVs, to individuals with a single van, currently employs 70 staff across its sites in Leeds and Tamworth. The 30 new hires which will be for both engineering and office-based roles, will take the workforce to around 100. Sales of the firm’s covid-safe welfare vehicles have grown rapidly and are expected to double the number initially forecast by the end of 2021. “Eve rything we do is about making vehicles safer, both for drivers and for other road users and people working on sites,” said Mr MacDonald. “Legislation such as Transport for London’s Direct Vision Standard has brought safety to the fore and prompted owners of commercial vehicles to ensure they have the relevant safety, lighting or racking systems installed on their fleet, and that is good news for everyone.” TopicUK April 2021
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After a tough 2020, could you help a local Animal Centre build a brighter future for the animals in their care? The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield & Bradford Branch is an independent, self funded local animal charity. Our Animal Centre is based in Halifax, but we cover the whole of the Calderdale, Huddersfield and Bradford area.
Our priority is animal welfare and rehoming. We take in hundreds of unwanted and/or mistreated animals every year and give them a better life through rehabilitation, treatment, training and care before finding them loving new homes.
For years we've dreamed of acquiring land to build a new, centralised Animal Centre that would cover the animal welfare and community needs in our branch area. We anticipate exciting times ahead and are looking to work with local companies who share our passion and want to help make a difference to local animals in need.
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A V ES RUTPODRAI T A EL ND EW
Working closely with key partners brings success
compromise distancing rules, even moving certain events entirely online. We also drew extra attention to our LoyalFree app and Gift Card scheme: two already popular initiatives that help customers to stay safe while they support local businesses.
Ambitions We’ve worked even more closely and successfully with key partners during the pandemic, pooling resources and ideas to help create a stronger and more cohesive response to COVID. As well as Calderdale Council, Visit Calderdale and Tourism Recovery, we also worked extremely effectively with the Police, Fire Service, Youth Services and Community Safety teams, strengthening our relationships with them all. Today, it’s clear that BID’s contribution to the town’s well-being and prosperity is recognised and valued more than ever, and this will really help us going forwards too.
It goes without saying that this has been a very tough year for BID, full of new risks, difficulties and real uncertainty. Just as COVID-19 poses huge economic and operating challenges for almost every organisation and business in Halifax, so it does for us too. Our main focus over the last year has been simple though: to reconcile the complex threat to public health with our determination to help businesses survive the pandemic. It’s certainly been a learning process, but there have been various successes that give us cause for cautious optimism, both for our levy payers and BID itself.
Strategic Communicating clearly, quickly and regularly with levy payers has been critical to our COVID recovery programme, because we knew that
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they would be relying heavily on having up-to-date information at their fingertips. We made it an early priority to share information and ideas whenever we could, using appropriate and safe ‘contact-free’ formats and platforms, from e-newsletters to new and existing social media. With necessary restrictions and lockdowns dramatically reducing footfall, promoting levy payers’ businesses has been even more central to our work than normal, and we used a wide range of media, formats and collaborations to maximise our reach and impact. As well as local
and regional press, we worked closer than ever with our partners like Leeds TV and Pulse Radio. We advertised in prominent sites too, for example on bus sides and on a large digital display in Halifax town centre. Crucially, for extra safety and to cater for Halifax’s different demographics, we’ve been producing a mixture of printed and digital promotional materials. In terms of projects and events, we looked carefully at what was actually possible within the new context of COVID, and at what was likely to represent the best use of our newly limited resources, then we made a strategic decision to play to certain strengths. We switched the focus of our usually busy Christmas programme to small, informal outdoor arts and performances that wouldn’t
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Of course, 2021 is a ballot year for us and, quite rightly, BID’s future will depend on our track record and votes cast. We’ve been striving to keep levy payers well informed about our work and its impact, particularly since some of what we do goes largely unseen and doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. Ultimately, I hope that the combination of our efforts over the last year and our newly developed strategies for the future will prove enough to win the continuing confidence and support of levy payers. We’ve got big ambitions for Halifax, and our goal is that it can come back from COVID an even better, more resilient and more prosperous destination: a thriving town that’s a real pleasure to visit as well as to live or do business in.
discoverhalifax.co.uk
ADVERTORIAL
Global Diversity Positive Action is a charity established to support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of society, with the aim to help socially excluded people improve their lives through financial and digital inclusion and employability skills.
Kickstart project offers free social media marketing
Based in Huddersfield Global Diversity has a number of training rooms available for hire with a 75inch interactive smart screen in the main training room that holds up to 60 people, with the fastest broadband in the Kirklees area courtesy of CityFibre and Vodafone. Refreshments are available onsite which is minutes from the main bus and railway s t a t i o n s. Mo r e i n f o r m a t i o n
This scheme provides funding to create job placements for 16-24-year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Any business can get involved, regardless of size and can receive funding that covers:
available on the website www. globaldiversitypa.com
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The charity is excited to announce that it is supporting the Government Kickstart Scheme.
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100% of the national minimum wage Associated employer NI contributions
Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up to the end of December 2021.
The scheme is focusing on social media marketing training roles and once trained, at no cost to you, Global Diversity will place a student with you to work on your social media marketing.
If you are interested in creating a role, then do get in touch: info@ globaldiversitypa.com or call 07807 474885.
Bespoke web development commercial team
In a society that strives to be increasingly environmentally aware, it is no surprise that the electric vehicle has grown in popularity. There are now almost 400,000 plug in cars and vans in the UK with no signs of the increase slowing down. Plugging in vehicles at home is often the most cost effective and convenient way of charging them so it is likely we will continue to see an increase in demand, which require installation by a professional. But with over 40 different types of home charger
on the market, deciding which charger to choose can sometimes feel more difficult than choosing the actual car. Recognising this trend Wakefield based facilities management company Kiwi FM decided to
expand and offer electric vehicle charging to the domestic market, they wanted to offer customers a seamless experience and take the hassle away as much as possible. In order to do this, they identified the need for a new custom-built website that could give their customer a simple and effective quote, booking and payment system. In short, they wanted consume r focussed website functionality that wasn’t available off the shelf and so needed to work with an experienced developer to achieve this. Huddersfield based web development agency, Beanie Media, have recently developed a streamlined website to make it easy for customers to book and pay for their EV charging point. The
website allows users to pick the make and model of their car, and then gives a bespoke installation quote, before allowing the user to pick their installation date and pay their 30% deposit. The quote generator then sends the quote directly to WooCommerce where the booking is completed, using a secure payment system. The system also offers customisable time slots for bookings, allowing the client to manage their schedule efficiently. Melissa Roberts, MD said “We are always thrilled to be given a brief by a client who has recognised a gap in the market and decides to jump on it. We’ve seen an increase in demand for bespoke solutions that help increase a business’s productivity.” TopicUK April 2021
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INNEFW OSR M UA P TDI AOTNE T E C H N O L O G Y U P D A T E
During a time when interruption is unacceptable, business continuity is critical to maintain across all areas, but especially when it comes to your IT infrastructure. Within this current climate, now more than ever, organisations need to have a plan in place that considers any potential disruptions to operations and ultimately business success. Business continuity is a proactive way to ensure mission-critical operations proceed during a disruption. You can’t predict the next crisis, but you can be prepared for it. Within IT, as an example, unplanned downtime can originate from a variety of sources, including data loss, hardware reaching end of life, equipment malfunction and insufficient storage space. What’s more, with more people increasingly working remotely, due to the global pandemic, cyber-attacks appear to be on a significant upward curve, which increase risk. Recognising causes helps individuals to plan and be prepared; importantly it also enables organisations to avoid issues arising in the first place! The most basic business continuity requirement is to keep essential functions up and running during a disaster and to recover with as little downtime as possible. Organisations need to be reviewing on a periodic table when important event happens within the business i.e when people are leaving. An unplanned hitting a business’s bottom line means that the organisations key focus is to
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OVH Data Centre France ablaze - Mar 10, 2021
Business continuity, planning and resilience By Paul Heigham - Director of Bellingham IT get the business back up and running as quickly as possible as customers and suppliers will look for business elsewhere.
redundancy and maintaining a surplus of capacity. •
An extended outage risks financial, personal, and reputational loss. Whereas a strong business endurance saves money, time, and company reputation. So, where do you start when it comes to a comprehensive plan? Here at Bellingham IT, we suggest focusing on three steps: resilience, recovery, and contingency. •
An organisation can increase resilience by designing critical functions and infrastructures with various disaster possibilities in mind; this can include staffing rotations, data
•
organisation and analyses what impact they may have on day-today operations.
Rapid recovery to restore business functions after a disaster is crucial. Start by setting recovery time objectives for different systems, networks or applications and prioritise which elements must be recovered first.
“We have a continuity plan for our own business. Importantly, in recognising the vital role that IT plays in this critical area, we also believe in working with our partners to enhance their understanding too.
A continge nc y plan has procedures in place for a variety of external scenarios and can include a chain of command that distributes responsibilities within the organisation.
“Disasters have no boundaries, whether you are small or a large business, you may be affected. How quickly you manage to get back to ‘business as usual’ in the events of disruption depends on how effectively you can devise a plan and when it matters most.”
Paul Heigham, managing director comments: “In its simplest form, a good business continuity plan recognises potential threats to an
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All of your IT needs in ONE simple package ONE set-up fee ONE monthly payment ONE contact number ONE year contract ONE less thing to worry about
New Creative Destination in the North of England The restoration of the historic Rutland Mills in Wakefield, is set to be a vibrant destination for creative and collaborative partnerships in music, film, TV, design, new media and indeed all facets of the commercial creative sectors.
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O f course, the success of innovations like these depend wholly on the infrastructure that supports them. Digital connectivity is a crucial enabler of these technological leaps in remote education and training. Immersive Learning
The future of digital education… While home-working has been quietly on the rise for several years, the pandemic-driven shift to home-learning for students of all ages has been sudden and dramatic. Overnight, desks and classrooms became tablets and kitchen tables, creating new barriers and challenges nobody could have ever imagined or planned for. If we’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s that broadband is as important as water and electricity to our everyday lives, and that we need to level up access if all our learners are to benefit from the next-generation of educational tools. This is why CityFibre is building a citywide full fibre network that will bring almost every property in Aberdeen within reach of the fastest, most reliable and highest capacity connectivity available. Future of education Besides connectivity, a second reason why many students have had a mixed experience of home-based learning is that they haven’t yet had the opportunity to try out more of the digital tools that are now emerging, and find one that suits them. We
all learn differently, and in the classroom it is much easier for the teacher to adapt to different students’ needs. But, from home, a one-size-fits-all approach can exclude a lot of people. The good news is that digital technology has become a platform for the development of new approaches to learning that make it possible to personalise it to the students’ needs, capabilities and learning styles.
Going back to personalised learning, the best and easiest way to achieve this is by creating immersive learning experiences. Can you imagine being able to put on a headset and experiencing the sights and sounds of the Colosseum at the touch of a button, rather than just reading about Rome in a textbook? With technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), this is all a real possibility – at all levels of education. VR simulators, for example, are already being used to train the armed forces and even surgeons. Studies show that VR and AR technology can boost overall performance by as much as 40% by enabling learning through doing, which is known to double children’s ability to retain information.
A ND EW V ES RUTPODRAI T AE L learning requires digital infrastructure that can support today’s always-on digital lives. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case with much of our existing communications infrastructure, which was built to carry telephone signals, not data. Currently, less than 20% of premises have access to Full Fibre, with the majority still restricted by ageing infrastructure. This is why CityFibre is giving Aberdeen a boost by building a new full fibre network that’s futureproofed. Designed specifically for the digital age, full fibre networks use 100% full fibre technology to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection – think of a pristine open highway with no bumps in sight. This gives users consistently faster speeds - for upload and download and near limitless bandwidth (i.e. everyone in your house can work, study, stream or game simultaneously). With full fibre, you’ll never need to worry about you or your child missing a lesson at home ever again!
A strong connection This is why the ‘EdTech’ has really taken off in the UK, with innovators seeing the pandemic as an opportunity to accelerate this unprecedented shift in the way we learn for good. Recent reports measure its growth at 72% during 2020 in the UK alone, citing augmented reality and digital classrooms as being the key areas of development.
U l t i m a t e l y, i f r e m o t e learning methods and new technologies are to become accessible to all, it’s essential that all homes are supported by digital infrastructure that won’t let learners down. Just as Aberdeen needs roads that can handle every day commuter traffic, home-
To check availability, and keep an eye on which broadband services are live in your street, visit: https:// www.cityfibre.com/ residential/
TopicUK April 2021
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SNPEEWCSI AUL PFDEAATTEU R E
Art knows no boundaries
How one professional firm has been supporting cultural institutions with virtual arts events for its employees and clients throughout lockdown The future of art institutions across the country has been particularly uncertain in the last year, with longstanding corporate and philanthropic supporters becoming critical to the fill the gap that loss of ticket sales has left. Theatres, museums, galleries and other businesses linked to the arts have been forced to close their doors during the pandemic and consequently, companies that sponsor arts programmes have had to decide whether they are able to continue funding. Fay Taylor The Lowry pot portraits
Credits: Suzanne Robinson Pot Portraits by Fay Taylor (The Lowry) as part of a family virtual workshop
Junk modelling dragon
Whe n many of us made the move to work from home last March, professional services firm EY saw its arts programme as an opportunity to connect with people at home. By pivoting its arts programme to be delivered entirely online, it has been able to support its people, clients and the communities across the UK.
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Junk Modelled Dragon by Paul Pickford (The EY Arts has organised several Lowry) as part of c r e a t i v e w o r k s h o p s t o s u i t a family virtual employees with varying personal workshop
circumstances - from those living Auguste Rodin, alone to those juggling work and The Inner Voice (1896) plaster home schooling,
with graphite 151 x 75 x 53
The Tracey Emin ‘Loneliness of The Soul’ talk, hosted in Suzanne partne rship with The Ro yal Robinson
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Academy, focussed on a discussion around loneliness and its impact on our wellbeing and for those with children there has been a range of interactive art classes on clay modelling, hat making and even dragon origami sculptures. Earlier this month, to celebrate International Women’s Day, EY Arts hosted a discussion on ‘Inspiring Women’ in partnership with the V&A. The virtual event explored a number of inspiring designers, photographers and historical figures, who chose to challenge the prevailing norms of
their time and now inspire others. It was a whirlwind tour of the V&A and brought to light just a few of the individuals who paved the way of gender equality. Wellbeing EY Arts has also offered its employees mental wellbeing workshops with trained art therapists, encouraging people to take time away from their work and reflect on their emotional wellbeing. There is a clear and increasing appetite for the events - the firm’s EY Arts Club has seen membership grow by 26% over the last year. Suzanne Robinson, EY Office Managing Partner for Yorkshire, said: “If there’s one thing that lockdown has taught us, it’s the importance of balancing our personal and professional lives. Our EY Arts programme has proven to be a vital tool in helping to support our people during this time and fits with our purpose of building a better working world. “It’s also hugely important that these arts venues across the country receive support – something that they need now more than ever and I’m so proud that EY has continued its investment in the arts over this period.” EY began its arts programme in 1997, and since then it has proudly backed the arts through its flagship partnership with the Tate since 2013, as well as with leading institutions around the country.
Rodin
Mo re re c e n t l y, E Y A r t s h a s developed a new partnership with The Lowry in Salford, recognising the importance of investing in arts institutions based in towns and cities outside of London and the communities they operate within.
C IIEAAW EA ATD TU U R EE SS PP EE CN LL SFF E U P AR T EY Arts has been able to support l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s t h ro u g h workshops, including The Lowry’s Bouncing Back initiative. The programme was launched to support some of those worst hit by the pandemic, focusing on vulnerable young adults in and around Manchester and enabling them to create networks with others also facing big life challenges. Pip Vaughan, EY Arts Lead, said: “As an organisation, EY believes the arts plays integral role in the recovery of the UK from both a societal and an economic perspective and it offers an important personal creative and emotional outlet. “This year has seen EY Arts focus our programme of activity on supporting the mental wellbeing of our people, as well as offering new experiences to our clients, and supporting the communities we operate within. Collectively, we looked at how we could support our colleagues whilst at home and arranged virtual arts sessions.” As the UK looks to the future, and the roadmap out of lockdown gives us some light at the end of the tunnel, EY Arts has begun to plan its first non-virtual art event, post-lockdown. The opening of ‘The EY Exhibition: The Making of Rodin’ which it hopes will open at the Tate Mode rn on 17 M ay (subject to the government road map), will be a celebration of Rodin’s innovative practices and how he broke with traditional methods to re-invent modern sculpture. However, the popularity of the online arts programme means it will also continue after lockdown as the firm recognises its value in connecting with and supporting its 17,500 employees across the country, wherever they are based. TopicUK April 2021
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LNEEGWASL UMPADTATTEER S
Eaton Smith appoints private client partner
appointment of James Clarkson who joined the team as a Solicitor in January. Ben Cooper, Eaton Smith’s Senior Partner commented on Jo’s appointment; “Jo is an outstanding Private Client solicitor, and her experience will further strengthen our team to continue to provide an exceptional service to our clients. This is an important time for the firm and Jo’s appointment plays a key part in building on our strong reputation.”
Eaton Smith are delighted to welcome Jo Jones to the firm as a Partner in the Private Client Team. Having qualified in 2009, Jo brings to Eaton Smith a wealth of experience in all areas of Private Client law. Prior to joining the firm, Jo held a senior position in the Private Client team of a highly reputable North West firm.
Jo Jones said; “I’m really pleased to join the team at this time which already has a strong presence in the region. I look forward to being part of and contributing to the continued success of Eaton Smith.” Jo is based at the office in Huddersfield so if you need advice on any matters concerning Wills, Trusts or Probate she can be contacted on 01484 821 300 or at jojones@eatonsmith.co.uk
Jo is the latest solicitor to join the Private Client team following the
MCI Developments expands with new appointment Nigel Robson, 47, is taking over 25 years’ experience in housing and development to MCI Developments, part of Keepmoat Homes. Having previously worked at Strata as pre-development director, he has gained extensive experience in the speculative housing market, delivering land and predevelopment processes as well as partnership working with Registered Providers and private developments.
time for the business. Alongside growing the portfolio in Yorkshire, my focus will be to expand our team with those who have a passion to build in order to increase our presence and services across the region.
His primary focus will be to lead the new regional team and create strategic objectives to establish its position of building high quality new homes throughout Yorkshire.
“Having spent the majority of my career within the housebuilder industry, I’m passionate about delivering quality new homes and I’m looking forward to taking the reins and delivering much needed sustainable new homes across Yorkshire, building on repeat business which MCI Developments are renowned for.”
Ian Hoad, divisional chairman at Keepmoat Homes, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Nigel onboard a t M C I D e v e l o p m e n t s. H i s
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appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the company and we’re confident that with Nigel’s proven track record of success, he will play a significant role in our continued growth plans and create new beginnings and flourishing communities in Yorkshire.” Nigel said: ‘’I am absolutely
delighted to be joining MCI Developments during an integral
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S T A R T U P S T O R I E S – F R O M NAEDW: SV EUNPTDUARTEE confidence to buy equipment and put a deposit down on the office. By the time I got into the office just before Christmas I knew I would need staff, so I budgeted for more equipment than I needed. “I also wanted a nice break-out space as I really want people to feel as though they can break away from their desk and take some time to themselves. Also the office is close to a park and local amenities, so that people can exercise after work or go for a drink.”
About Youbee Media Rebecca had always wanted to set up her own business and soon realised she didn’t miss the long commute from her home in Birstall to the digital marketing company, where she had worked since 2014. So, in September 2020 she set up Youbee Media - and says the growth since has been phenomenal. “I started Youbee Media because I saw an opportunity to help businesses who may be affected by the pandemic to not only ‘ride it out’ but to actually do better than the previous year,” says Rebecca, who has a degree in media and marketing from Leeds Trinity University. Youbee Media offers marketing services including marketing strategy, social media, websites, email marketing, social advertising and blogs. The company already represents 12 different brands and has clients including Saltaire Brewery, DTX Network Services and Yonda Sports.
Rebecca Hopwood set up marketing consultancy Youbee Media in the middle of the pandemic, after working from home made her reassess her priorities. How did AD:VENTURE help? Rebecca came to AD:VENTURE as soon as she set up the company, as she had already heard such good things about it.
The results! Rebecca was assigned an AD:VENTURE business adviser,
Feedback “I always wanted to have my own business, but was never confident enough to do it. But knowing that support was there really gave me that confidence and I knew I was not alone. Even knowing that I could have a mentor and share my concerns, plans and aspirations took some pressure off. I am so grateful for AD:VENTURE,” says Rebecca. “AD:VENTURE has given me the encouragement to keep going, when I could have quite easily given up. It has supported me financially, but also emotionally. I recommend the programme to any young businesses that I come across.”
“The first thing I did was register with AD:VENTURE because I wanted someone I could talk to about my business in a way that I can’t talk to family or friends or potential clients,” says Rebecca. “I can ask questions, even silly ones, and get advice. I really wanted someone to come on the journey with me, so I didn’t feel so alone, especially as lockdown meant there were no face-to-face events to go to.”
Rebecca is taking on a digital marketing apprentice and is planning to recruit another person within six months.
Paul Tansey, and attended a series of workshops on topics including PR and legal matters. She was awarded a Grant in December for £2,315. Rebecca used this to buy office equipment including two laptops and monitors, mobile phones, a printer, a marketing banner and furniture for a break-out space.
To find out if AD:VENTURE can help your business with fully funded expert support visit www.ad-venture.org.uk
Rebecca says: “The grant gave me the TopicUK April 2021
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L E G A L M AT T E R S
Debt collection in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic - what are the options? By Jane Gregory, Litigation Manager, Eaton Smith LLP
In these uncertain times, no matter how big or small your business is, managing cash flow can be challenging. One particular difficulty for many firms is dealing with debt collection.
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Details of the debt The consequences of not responding to the letter before action Relevant deadlines for making payment or responding to the letter before action
Debt recovery court proceedings If the debtor fails to make payment or respond to the LBA, you can then take steps to begin court proceedings. Debt recovery proceedings are typically issued through the County Court Bulk Centre (CCBC) or the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC), both of these are currently open and in operation, despite lockdown. Enforcement fully understand the financial situation of those you are working with and to avoid costly disputes further down the line. In the first instance, try to come to an informal agreement with debtors who may have fallen behind. Act quickly debts if remain unpaid
Communication is key It is more important than ever to keep in regular contact with debtors. In challenging times, it can be easy for people’s minds to be focussed on other matters. You should ensure that you keep lines of communication open to
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Maximising debt collection should be a priority for your business to secure your financial future, but it may be tough to navigate at the moment. At present, many of your debtors may be struggling financially, or claim they are unable to pay invoices. One of the challenges we face as debt recovery lawyers is ascertaining the true financial circumstances of our clients’ debtors and obtaining maximum recovery of debt. Many debtors may try to get out of their obligations, claiming that coronavirus has severely impacted their business - even when this is not true. In this article, we look at debt collection during the coronavirus pandemic, to help you understand what options are available to you.
(LBA) to your debtor or debtors. Often a formal letter before action is enough to encourage a debtor to discuss their financial situation with you and to come to a suitable arrangement. A letter before action sets out:
Most debtors are willing to work to resolve debts and invoice disputes to avoid further action. However, if a debtor refuses to pay, you will need to escalate the issue. Obtaining professional advice from a debt collection law firm to review your options at an early
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stage can help. There is no need to attend a lawyer’s office, as consultations can be carried out by telephone or video call. When you have concerns about the debtors ability to pay what is owed to you, commencing legal proceedings at an early stage may allow you to obtain some form of security, meaning that if your debtor becomes insolvent, you have a better chance of recovering your debt. Letters before action (LBA) A debt recovery solicitor can send a letter before action editor@topicuk.co.uk
In light of COVID-19, the Government made an amendment to the Taking Control of Goods Regulations (2013). At present, enforcement office rs may not at te nd residential properties under writs of control. However, e nforce me nt age nts are working to contact debtors over the phone, by email and by text message. For more information on any of the above please contact Jane Gregory on 01484 821 300 or janegregory@eatonsmith. co.uk
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Mediation Mediation of of Business Business Disputes Disputes
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Mergers, Mergers, Acquisitions Acquisitions and and Disposals Disposals
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Separating couples and disputes over children to, which religion they should follow. Emergency orders can also be made preventing a parent from doing something, such as removing a child from the other parent’s care. How does the court decide the child arrangements? The key principle is that the child’s welfare is paramount and the court will always strive to make orders that are in the child or children’s best interests.
For separating couples their first priority is often to ensure that they can establish a settled routine to care for their children. We’ve set out below the most common questions we get asked at the start of a case.
The court has to take into account a list of factors known as the welfare checklist – this includes the risk of harm, the capability of the parents and the wishes and feelings of the child, so far as these can be ascertained. strained and direct communication is initially a challenge, then we would recommend a referral to mediation or some negotiations t h r o u g h s o l i c i t o r s. C o u r t i s always the last resort but sadly is sometimes necessary. What orders can the courtmake?
Do I have to go to court to agree the arrangements for my children? We would always e ncourage parents to agree arrangement between themselves, they are the people best placed to understand and prioritise the interests of their family. If however relations are
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Under the Children Act the court can make a variety of different orders such as determining who a child should live with and how much time they should spend with the other parent. The court can also make orders relating to a specific issues about a child’s upbringing, such as which school they should go
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In deciding the arrangements the court will receive guidance from an external service – Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service - ‘CAFCASS’. They act as the eyes and ears of the court. In every case CAFCASS undertakes background safeguarding checks and in some cases their involvement might be longer term, the court may ask for a more detailed welfare report which will on occasions include meeting with the children, depending on how old they are, to find out what their wishes and feelings are. Our team of expert family lawyers are on hand to provide advice about any aspect of a separation, including the arrangements for your children.
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Brexit and GDPR Data Processors The UK left the EU on 31 Januar y 2020 and entered into a transition period which ended on 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021, transfers of data from the UK into the EU are now subject to transfer rules under the UK regime. T h e E U - U K Tra d e a n d C o operation Agreement contains a ‘bridging mechanism’ which allows the free flow of personal data from EU member states to the UK for 6 months effective from 1 January 2021. During this 6-month grace period, the UK is awaiting on an ‘adequacy decision’ to be given by the EU, which, if granted, would allow for the current regime of transferring data from the EU into the UK to remain at large; how it currently exists. There are currently only 13 states, outside the EEA, who have been
afforded ‘adequacy decisions’ by the EU. During this 6 month period, it is recommended that UK businesses, who transfer any personal data with an organisation based in an EU member state, should have in place a written agreement to govern the security and transfer of data; agreements of which are compliant with UK data protection law. If the adequacy decision of the UK is not granted by the EU within this 6 month period, UK based organisations which transfer data to EU member states should take into consideration the following to ensure their flow of data with the EU is compliant. They should have agreements which contain provisions regarding:
1.
Enforceable data subject rights and legal remedies
which are available for data subjects; and 2. Appropriate safeguards which may consist of:
a) Binding Corporate Rules; and b) Standard data protection clauses adopted by the European Commission.
If the above appropriate safeguards cannot be met, the transfer of data could only then be made on one of the following conditions: 1.
with the data subject’s explicit consent to the proposed transfer;
2.
the transfer is necessary for the performance or entry into a contract;
3.
for important reasons of public interest;
4.
to protect the vital interests of the data subject;
5.
the transfer is in the data controller’s legitimate interests which are not overridden by the rights and freedoms of the data subject.
If you want your business to get on top of data protection matters in this period of change and uncertainty or would like a data processor agreement drafting between your business and an organisation located outside theUK, contact Chadwick Lawrence’s Regulatory team today .
TopicUK April 2021
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MAINTENANCE PROPERTY
PENSIONS
SEPARATION
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
STEP PARENTS
SETTLEMENTS
CHILD MAINTENANCE
PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT
POST-NUPTIAL
AGREEMENT
GRAND PARENTS
CHILDREN
DIVORCE ASSETS DOMESTIC ABUSE
FINANCIAL SETTLEMENTS
CIVIL PARTNERSHIP DISSOLUTION
FINANCES COHABITATION
FAMILY HOME
BUSINESSES
CAFCASS
CHILD ARRANGEMENTS
FAMILY LAW
Should you experience difficulties in your family life, you may need to seek legal support and advice. Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team will go the extra mile to achieve the best possible result for you and give you the peace of mind that you are in expert hands.
Defamation & Reputation
Dispute Resolution Employee Services
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For more information or advice contact our team on: E: family@chadwicklawrence.co.uk | T: 0800 015 0340 | W: chadwicklawrence.co.uk
Criminal Law
Access to the legal profession is changing The past few years has seen great debate around the required training to become a solicitor. The profession has long been criticised for its lack of diversity, especially where it comes to attracting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. R e s u l t a n t l y, t h e S o l i c i t o r ’ s Regulation Authority have introduced a ne w Solicitors Qualifying Examination process that has created much greater flexibility in the journey a student takes to qualification. A key outcome of this has been the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship that enables firms to take on trainee solicitors as apprentices and draw on their levy to fund their training costs. The result is that the apprentice solicitors do not have to fund their own studies and earn a salary from day one. In February, Yorkshire law firm Holden Smith announced its partnership with ULaw to launch a Graduate Apprenticeship training programme for its future trainee solicitors. Meet Brittany Clark – Holden Smith’s latest recruit and University of Law (ULaw) graduate who is one of the first trainee solicitors in the country to be trailblazing this route to solicitor qualification.
many lawyers from Failsworth”. I think that drove my determination all the more. My mum was the first to go to university in our family. She studied nursing as a mature student whilst managing 5 children and graduated with first-class honours. She was a huge advocate for me going to university and pursuing my dream. She also wanted me to get a first which I did! Why did you choose ULaw?
been studying for my law degree with ULaw, which I completed last summer, right in the midst of the pandemic.
W h e n I s t a r te d to l o o k f o r universities, it was important to me to find somewhere that I could travel to from home. I played a big part in helping my mum with my younger siblings as she is a nurse and would work shifts. When I visited ULaw I immediately knew that it was where I wanted to be. Their focus on law combined with their high level of contact hours and focus on employability was really appealing to me. The tutor support was also second to none; I knew all my tutors really well and could easily contact them if I had any questions.
What inspired you to study law
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have always been interested in law. I think my interest started by watching legal programmes on tv, which then led me to pick law as a subject at a-level. I enjoyed a-level law so much, I knew I wanted to study it at university.
I’m Brittany. I come from Failsworth, Oldham, which is where I grew up. I am one of 5 children and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. For the past 3 years I have
The school I attended was not in a privileged area and I recall that when I initially said to the school careers advisor that I wanted to study law, their response was “you don’t see
Why did you not continue your studies when you graduated? Unfortunately, I graduated last year in the middle of the pandemic. Despite applying for tens of legal roles, I was unsuccessful and ended up taking a job in a local sandwich shop. The next stage of my legal training required me taking a significant loan and I did not feel in a position to incur that debt. I was therefore so excited when I saw the opportunity with Holden Smith advertised.
LEG L SM U AT NA EW PT D EART SE What appealed to you about Holden Smith? When I started to look into Holden Smith I immediately saw myself working there. The fact that it was a new firm that had been so successful in its first few years and that it had such aspirational founders really resonated with me. The graduate apprenticeship programme with ULaw was too good to be true as it enabled me to continue my studies with ULaw alongside starting work in a law firm and earning a salary. How does the graduate apprenticeship work? I am now enrolled on a 25 month training programme. I work 4 days a week in the office and have 1 day a week to complete my course. What is fantastic is that I am putting what I am learning into practice, in addition to gaining many other skills that come from working in an office. I have a ULaw skills coach who is there to support me through the programme in addition to lots of vey helpful colleagues at Holden Smith. It has really been a remarkable opportunity for someone like me. I have secured an opportunity to train as a solicitor without having had to finance the course myself. I think that Holden Smith’s vision to open access to the profession by being one of the first adopters of this programme with ULaw is really inspirational and I hope other firms will follow in its footsteps.
TopicUK April 2021
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Firms told to look out for signs of domestic abuse Ramsdens Solicitors
For many victims of domestic abuse, work is a place of respite. However the covid-19 lockdowns have meant victims have had to work from home, or those on furlough have had to stay at home with the abuser. Those working from home see reduced communication with their colleagues and less opportunity to ask for help...
T h e G o v e r n m e n t h av e to l d employers they have a duty to support staff who suffer domestic abuse on the basis that victims colleagues and their managers are often the only people outside of their household that they speak to. In December, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) issued guidance to help employers manage and support employees experiencing domestic abuse. Some of the actions that firms can be doing to help include: •
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Ensuring staff can spot signs of a colleague facing domestic abuse
•
Ensuring that staff are aware that they are there to help
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Making sure any staff that are facing abuse are signposted to the appropriate body to assist them and they are spoken to sympathetically and appropriately
•
Offering practical support, such as the space/time to make private phone calls
Signs that employers and colleagues should look out for include becoming more withdrawn than usual, being quiet, sudden drops in their pe rformance, mentions of controlling or
coercive behaviour and sudden financial struggles. Those that are not working from home can also look for physical signs of abuse, such as bruising. Firms already taking action include Vodafone, which offers specialist training to HR and line managers and support for victims including counselling and additional paid leave. In November 2019, 43% of those surveyed by ‘Surviving Economic Abuse’ showed an abuser had interfered with their ability to work or study from home throughout the covid 19 pandemic. Examples of such behaviour includes hiding phones or computers, removing Wi-Fi connection and contacting their employer to say they are in breach of lockdown rules in an attempt for the victim to lose their job. If you or someone you know are experiencing abuse, please contact Ramsdens Solicitors. We work closely with domestic abuse services and can provide help and assistance for your safety and security. In an emergency, please always call 999.
Digital assets in wills A survey commissioned by the Law Society has found that 93% of people who have made a Will have not included any digital assets in it whilst only 25% of respondents knew what happened to their digital assets after they die and only 7% saying they fully understood what happens to such assets after their death. Whilst it is commonplace for Wills to refer to assets such as personal chattels, jewellery, cars and homes, it is rare for Wills to include reference to the
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distribution of digital assets. Such assets have become an important part of modern life over the past 20 years and therefore it is becoming increasingly important
NA EW U TP T DEART SE LEG L SM A
Highlighting the#freebritney movement deputyship fees the court have now appointed Bessemer Trust to act as CoConservator alongside Jamie Spears. Despite the objections of Jamie Spears, the judge found it to be in Britney’s best interests for Bessemer Trust to hold equal power over the estate and to work together on an investment plan and budget proposal for the future. The next hearing date is due to take place in March 2021.
A documentary recently aired which focused on the ‘Free Britney’ movement. Britney Spears is subject to a Conservatorship in the US which is the UK equivalent of a Deputyship. Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, applied to the court to become the Conservator for his daughter in 2008 following a decline in her mental health leading to ‘psychiatric hold’ in hospital. Britney lacked capacity to manage her own financial affairs and it was found that there was a risk that she could be easily subjected
to include such provisions covering the distribution of digital assets. It may be that photos stored on
to undue influence or fraud. Additionally, Jamie Spears was authorised to take control of Britney’s health and welfare and
social media accounts or emails saved onto personal email accounts may carry as much importance to some family members as hard copy photo albums and hand written letters from loved ones. Indeed writing a digital will and keeping a clear record of online passwords can ensure that your executors and beneficiaries are able to access and distribute all your intangible assets without being placed under additional stresses which come as a result of the probate application process undertaken during a time of grief.
part of this role allowed him to manage her career and dictate her daily contact with family, friends and the public. Jamie Spears was not the sole Conservator and it was decided that attorney Andrew Wallet would be appointed alongside him. Jamie Spears has been receiving an income of $130,000 per annum for running of the Conservatorship. During this time, he has also been entitled to 1.5% of the revenues of performances and merchandise linked to Britney’s residency in Las Vegas. In recent years, Mr Wallet made an application to the court as he believed that his salary should be raised to reflect the increase in work and that the estate should be viewed as a ‘hybrid business model’. Britney Spears has recently made her wishes and feelings clear as she has instructed her legal representative that she wants her father to be removed from the Conservatorship entirely. Andrew Wallet resigned from his role and
It is clear to see that the US take a similar approach to the UK in that decisions made by a Conservator m ust a l w ay s be i n th e best interests of the person subject to Conservatorship/Deputyship and that their wishes and feelings should take into account where possible (in this case, leading to joint conservatorship with Bessemer). However, the vital difference between a US Conservatorship and a UK Deputyship is that a lay Deputy, such as a family member, is not entitled to be paid for the role. They may only be reimbursed for reasonable expenses. Where a professional Deputy is appointed and their costs exceed fixed costs (as set out in Practice Direction 19b) on an annual basis, they must submit a bill of costs to the Senior Courts Costs Office which will account for all work completed. This system ensures that professional Deputyship fees are not excessive and arguably, this type of accountability should be implemented in the US to avoid uncontrolled Conservatorship fees as in the matter of Britney Spears. TopicUK April 2021
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for all your legal needs, call your local solicitors
Ramsdens
with 14 offices across Yorkshire, we’re never too far away
01484 821 500 www.ramsdens.co.uk
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PIECE HALL The Piece Hall is the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world and an internationally-significant heritage destination. Today, it is also a great place to drink, dine and dive into the very best of independent retail and culture. The Piece Hall is free to enter for everybody and a third of its events are free of charge. You can help keep it this way by becoming a member today!
W H AT ’ S I N I T F O R YO U ? Not only is becoming a member a great way to show your support for regional culture and heritage – membership means that you get the full VIP treatment. • Priority booking for top events • Exclusive offers to use at our independent shops • Exclusive invitations to member-only events and previews • 10% off The Piece Hall souvenirs
W H AT ’ S C O M I N G U P ? There’s lots to look forward to this year, and The Piece Hall is playing its part to make sure that you can enjoy our space safely. With an enormous 66,000 sq ft courtyard, 40 exciting independent businesses and an impressive line-up of events, The Piece Hall is the perfect place to shop, relax and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
• A chance to ring the historic bell
S I G N U P T O D AY
• £5 off your first order over £15 at The Trading Rooms restaurant
thepiecehall.co.uk/membership 01422 525 200
The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax, HX1 1RE The Piece Hall is a registered charity number 1156948
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The Community Foundation for Calderdale are celebrating the innovative initiatives set up during lockdown that will have a long term impact. Last March, cycling enthusiasts in Todmorden initially set up Cargodale which is a CIC to connect food businesses with customers and ensure everyone was able to receive food deliveries and emergency supplies. Initially, it was run by volunteers but has now received funding through the Community Resilience Programme for a coordinator and has expanded to Hebden Bridge. CEO of the Foundation, Steve Duncan explained, “We’re really pleased about the positive effect that this project is having helping businesses, connecting people
and reducing isolation as well as very importantly, reducing carbon footprint.” To read about the positive impact this zero-emission service has had in less than a year saving carbon dioxide and making over 1,000 deliveries, visit https://cffc. co.uk/our-impact/
SPECIALIST DEGREES & SHORT COURSES FOR THE LIVE EVENTS INDUSTRY. Based on Production Park near Wakefield, Backstage Academy is a specialist higher education and professional training provider focused on the live events industry.
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N E W S U P D AT E
Production Park welcomes back elite sport
and will be played in Production Park’s Studio 001 - Europe’s first arena-sized production rehearsal studio. The 80ft high facility, which towers over the Production Park campus, is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and is typically used by arena-filling bands to practice performances ahead of worldwide tours. Every match of the season will be available on Sky Sports (Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix), the Sky Sports YouTube channel and the England Netball YouTube channel, with the first half of the season’s games held at the Park’s Studio 001 in Wakefield. Each game will be played under carefully controlled and consistent COVID-19 protocols, bolstered with a season-long testing programme. The supersized Studio 001 space provides everything under its 128 tonnecapacity roof, including an onsite hotel, cinema, green room, en-suite dressing rooms, and even catering and production offices. The organisers predict the partnership will constitute the greatest visibility to date for the competition, with the deal ensuring the sport can continue to bring in new audiences and build on the recent growth in interest its enjoyed in recent years.
Production Park, the UK’s leading centre for the live events and creative industries, has revealed it is set to welcome back elite sport, as it prepares to host the majority of this year’s Netball Superleague games from its Wakefield campus.
For Lee Brooks, CEO of Production Park, the past 12 months have been a year of two-halves. He said: “We’ve had to be really dynamic in adapting to the circumstances Covid has thrown at us.
The first half of the 2021’s Vitality Netball Superleague season which involves a partnership between Sky Sports and England Netball - kicks off on February 12
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“The pandemic caused a sudden cancellation of editor@topicuk.co.uk
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“Since the pandemic’s start, we’ve hosted several streamed music gigs and elite sporting events, which has included professional boxing matches. They’ve all been extremely well received by artists, athletes, professional bodies and fans alike - which is why we’re delighted to welcome this year’s Vitality Netball Superleague to Production Park.”
audiences attending live events, which meant a subsequent pausing of rehearsals we had booked into our studio calendar. However, our
team’s adaptable skillset, twinned with our versatile studios spaces, has meant that we’ve been able to diversify our offering.
all possible - it’s the ideal venue for the start of our behind-closed-doors season. It’s going to look amazing and we can’t wait for everyone at home to be able to watch every single game on Sky Sports / Sky Sports YouTube.”
Jess Rogers, Head of Superleague & Major Events, Vitality Netball Superleague, said: “We’re really excited to be at Production Park’s Studio 001 for the start of the Vitality Netball Superleague season.
The opening weekend featured 10 matches in total, and launched with Celtic Dragons’ clash with Leeds Rhinos Netball on Friday February 12, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The bumper weekend combined rounds one and two together, before the start of ‘regular’ rounds, each consisting of six matches.
“To be able to launch our elite domestic competition is down to the work and dedication of all involved. The facilities here at Production Park are exceptional and the team has gone above and beyond to make it
Any businesses interested in hearing more about Production Park’s studio facilities should call - 01977 659 880 or visit www.productionpark.co.uk TopicUK April 2021
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What’s next for teams and collaboration? when staff are given a scale and type of personal responsibility the workplace has never allowed before.
By: Tim Guest - Managing Director, Contedia
However, the change that was forced upon us has resulted in our attempts to culture our businesses to perform with physical distance between us, and to work as remote teams. Most businesses will, of course, attempt to return to a facsimile of what we knew, albeit with a management mindset that accepts, and possibly even encourages, some working from home to benefit both employer and employee in some way. O f course, some businesses have been unavoidably tied to physical premises for production, manufacturing and so forth, so the percentage and practicality of the proportion of staff that have been able to work from home, whilst supporting the ongoing operations, will have been limited.
The response to unprecedented demand, and indeed need
There may be an end of sorts in sight to our current circumstances, but one thing that many observers are suggesting is that the office is no longer going to be the default place of doing business in the future. Through our worldwide adoption of new places of work and ways of
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working, it seems we’re becoming adjusted to the idea of changes
that will affect the look of normal work life hereafter. There’s no doubt that working from home doesn’t suit everyone, nor is the data there yet to confirm whether productivity is sustained
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What we’ve seen though, in the last 12-months, is not only the adoption of various existing and new collaboration tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, but the tech industry has switched on and changed gear in response to the demand and the experience gained by the rapid and mass adoption they could never have foreseen. The (software) development plans of Microsoft and others were no doubt screwed up, thrown in the bin and rewritten as a result. Continued page 44
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W ET - IEN N O V A T I O N N EOWR SK PULPADC A That’s clear by the frequency and of the last year in business done to volume of product updates that are how our new day-to-day business being delivered, with each bringing applications are set to evolve? new features to the user experience. The frequent updates, made possible Last Autumn, Microsoft saw its by the very nature of cloud services, number of daily Teams users grow are largely to 115 million. However, success a i m e d a t notwithstanding, they recognise that improving people need to feel more connected Most businesses the overall and supported to be able to do their will, of course, effectiveness very best work, especially when attempt to return o f t h e s e working remotely. to a facsimile of collaboration what we knew... platforms As a result, Microsoft see it as b a s e d o n absolutely necessary to continue to the benefit develop their Teams and SharePoint of a vast user testing experiment, environments to offer an appropriate, the likes of which nobody has ever combined experience that also had the advantage of before. leverages artificial intelligence and provides businesses with a So, what has our shared experience true window into the business,
personalised for each employee.
Feel more connected to the business with Viva With that in mind, a new 365 product has recently been announced, called “Viva, which promises a powerful and rich ‘intranet’ experience. It will draw information and knowledge from within a business’s Teams and SharePoint data and also enhance the benefits to employees directly by providing tools designed to give people the information they need, specifically. Comprising of four modules, Viva includes ‘Connections’, which acts as a single entry point for engagement and internal communications,
The customer-focused business was subject to a management buy-out in 2019 and its expansion has grown apace since then. The company, founded in Sheffield in 2009, now employs 225 people.
“We have always wanted a presence in the North East but knew it was vital to have a local team with the right experience and understanding of what customers in the area expect,” he said. “We are certain we now have the right team, led by Stephen, to deliver the competitiveness, expertise and service that the businesses in the area deserve.
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If you’re not already using Teams and SharePoint Online, perhaps now is a great time to begin, so you too can benefit from everything Viva aims to provide businesses with. It has the potential to become as beneficial as the ubiquitous web browser! The staff have extensive knowledge of all the products and the needs of the local marketplace. Stephen Mann, Newcastle branch director said he was excited to spearhead Galaxy’s expansion into the North East and added: “Newcastle is a place close to my heart and I’m passionate about doing my bit for the local economy.
Newcastle’s new-look team is made up of a group of hand-picked local and knowledgeable industry specialists led by Stephen Mann, who has more than 20 years’ experience in insulation and dry lining distribution. Galaxy managing director Tracy Shepherd said the launch of the Newcastle depot marked a major step forward for the company’s growth plans.
‘Insights’ which aims to provide e mplo yee-pe rsonalised and actionable insights, ‘Learning’ to help make learning a natural and readily accessible part of everyone’s daily work and part of the company’s culture, and finally, ‘Topics’, which is designed to act like a kind of Wikipedia with artificial intelligence (AI) built-in to organise content and expertise in to logical categories (e.g. ‘projects’, ‘products’, ‘processes’ etc.).
Galaxy Insulation & Dry Lining increases UK footprint A rapidly expanding insulation and dry lining distributor has increased its footprint across the UK with the opening of its ninth depot. Galaxy Insulation & Dry Lining has opened a 37,000 sq ft depot in Newcastle to better serve customers across the North East. “Our model is to keep things as simple as possible so the team on the ground have everything, they need to provide the best customer service possible.
“Newcastle has always had iconic, famous No9s and we are delighted that this new depot in the city is our own number nine!”
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“To have a company with Galaxy’s commitment to quality customer service behind us means we can deliver exactly what a customer needs at just the time they need it. “I’m looking forward to serving more custome rs across the North East as the economy opens up again.” Galaxy’s expansion continues and it is looking at new locations. The company recently appointed leading Yorkshire businessman Sir Rodney Walker as non-executive group chairman. He will provide direction for Galaxy’s strategic growth plan and work towards a potential stock market listing.
I N V E S T I N WA K E F I E L D V I A W W W. WA K E F I E L D F I R S T. C O M Wakefield is fast becoming the destination of choice for businesses to grow in the UK. Ranging from start-ups in the creative & digital sector, to large manufacturing & logistics companies, developers & businesses are choosing Wakefield to put down their roots. With unparalleled benefits to businesses, such as first-class connectivity to the UK and beyond and access to a diverse employment market, businesses are moving to the Wakefield district like never before to take advantage of everything the area has to offer. Developers are so confident in Wakefield they are choosing the district in which to build advanced and ambitious buildings geared towards fast growing companies. As one of the UK’s largest single unit opportunities at over 500,00sqft, Wakefield 515 is one of those - a state of the art development that offers a unique opportunity to an occupier.
HOW WAKEFIELD FIRST CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS Andrew Preston, Development Manager at Panattoni, is one of many developers confident in the district, he said: “Building 515 in the Wakefield district was a very attractive prospect, the well-established location of the site offers unrivalled connectivit y to both national and international markets. Coupled with a local economy driven towards the advanced logistics sector, the area sold itself.” Wakefield is not only home for large businesses. With a higher than average business survival rate, developers are so confident in the support for small and start-up businesses in the district, that they are pushing the boundaries of commercial property. Edward Marshall is director of Frank Marshall Estates, who are spearheading a new direction by creating the district’s
first Nano-Park, a collection of 1,800sqft units comprising of warehouse and office space, ideal for new businesses. He commented: “We at Frank Marshall Estates selected Wakefield as a destination to build due to its first class connections both by road and rail and its central location on the M62 corridor. The area also offers the skilled work force needed by today’s operators. We have every confidence in Wakefield as a location for future development and with Wakefield Council being very development and employment focused, it allows them to capitalise on their position and keep Wakefield up there as a key destination for us.” As well as an exciting place for developers, Wakefield also offers a range
of pre-existing units across the district. With a fast moving property market, businesses from across the UK are taking advantage of the benefits the Wakefield district has to offer. Property agents are seeing rising numbers of Wakefield-based businesses looking to stay in the district that helped them grow, as well as businesses from outside the area who see all the opportunities Wakefield presents. With state of the ar t buildings for businesses of all sizes and connected development land to a wide range of already established commercial proper t y, there is a wide array of investment opportunities. With support from the local council, the Leeds City Region and beyond, there has never been a better time to invest in the Wakefield district.
WAKEFIELD FIRST, THE FIRST POINT OF CALL FOR YOUR BUSINESS FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OR CONTACT www.wakefieldfirst.com - info@wakefieldfirst.com
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Hospitals of the Future at the heart of Leeds’ regeneration In the last edition of Topic UK, we introduced readers to Hospitals of the Future, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s prestigious five-year project to build two new hospitals at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI): the first a new hospital for adult healthcare, and the second a brand-new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital.
‘The visuals accompanying this feature are early concepts. The Trust is tendering wfor architects and design teams to work on the project and the final design solution.
As demolition gets underway to prepare for building the new hospitals, the Leeds General Infirmary site is already revealing how its transformation will not only benefit patients from Leeds and Yorkshire but could also create around 3,000 jobs and deliver up to £11.2 billion net present value as part of a new Innovation District for Leeds.
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S P E CN IEAW L SF E UA P TDUAR TE in total – to support the growth of the Leeds Innovation District. It offers a number of exceptional opportunities for mixed-use development, creating spaces for education, innovation, commercial uses including retail and office space and accommodation. It is also a chance to sympathetically redevelop some of the wonderful heritage buildings on the site and bring them back to life. “This is one of the most unique and exciting aspects of our hospital development plans,” explains Dame Linda Pollard, DBE DL Hon.LLD. “It will deliver multiple development opportunities for our partners and the private sector to completely transform this part of the city and make it a go-to area for investment.”
The Leeds Innovation District The Innovation District will incorporate the new hospitals and the surrounding area and will create a world-class hub for healthcare talent, industry partnerships, research and training. It will focus on three key areas:
This is an exciting, strategic partnership between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, Leeds City Council and the private sector to drive regeneration, innovation and economic growth for Leeds and the wider region.
Unlocking the LGI’s potential Anyone who works at Leeds General
Infirmary, or who has been a patient or visitor will know it is a large hospital. It occupies an extensive site and incorporates the current Leeds Children’s Hospital. A mix of old and new, the site brings together some of the most historic buildings in Leeds - like the original Victorian Infirmary designed by celebrated architect Sir George Gilbert Scott - with contemporary, bold designs like the new cardiac Hybrid Theatre at
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health and life-related sciences and innovations, including medical technologies, digital health and precision medicine
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creative and digital industries
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infrastructure and Advanced Urban Sciences, including e n g i n e e r i n g, t ra n s p o r t , low carbon initiatives and smart cities.
Leeds Children’s Hospital. Yet, a sizeable amount of the old estate at Leeds General Infirmary cannot be used for modern patient care because it isn’t up to today’s exacting healthcare standards. Other parts of the site will become redundant when the new hospitals are built. The LGI Development Project aims to release the potential of this surplus estate – around five hectares
It has already seen investment from the University of Leeds in its £40million Nexus innovation hub, and in the £80 million investment in the Leeds Beckett University of Film, Music and Performing Arts, among others. Over time, the TopicUK April 2021
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“There have been incredible achievements in science over the past year and we have been witness to some landmark moments in medicine.” Dr Phil Wood, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme, is proud of the UK’s vaccine development and delighted with the work being done to ensure people in Leeds and the region have access to it.
Innovation District is set to become a world-leading centre for industry and innovation, and a vibrant place to live and work.
and wider economic benefits of between £5.5 billion and £11.2 billion in net present value terms, and around 3,000 direct jobs FTE.
Jobs and growth for Leeds
Dame Linda Pollard comments: “It’s clear that this development project will have a lasting impact on jobs and growth for Leeds and the wider region. A focus for industry, research and new business, it will attract skills and talent to Leeds that will benefit the local economy for many years.”
The LGI Development project is underway and the Trust will complete an Outline Business Case for the development plans by the end of 2021. It has commissioned an independent Economic Impact Assessment report by auditors PriceWaterHouseCoopers that details a number of potential benefit scenarios. The report predicts direct
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Leading on innovation The Trust is keen to work with partners and industry to accelerate ideas and solutions in healthtech
innovation and with staff who are excited by bringing innovation alive. It is launching a brandnew Innovation Pop-Up at Leeds General Infirmary. This will be a fantastic space where start-ups and established enterprises can work with the Trust, its staff and research partners to share ideas, nurture creativity and turn their aspirations for new and innovative healthtech into reality. If you are interested in being part of the Innovation Pop-Up, the Trust would like to talk to you. Please contact us at leedsth-tr. btlw@nhs.net.
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At the end of 2020 and earlier this year, across a matter of weeks, extraordinary measures were undertaken to create two high performing vaccination centres in Leeds, one at the existing site of Thackray Medical Museum, St James’s University Hospital and the other, a purpose-built, stateof-the-art facility at Elland Road Football Stadium. Both are valuable assets as part of 23 vaccination sites in Leeds, where community pharmacists, NHS trusts and GP practice networks (PCNs), have already contributed to over half a million vaccines given to those living in West Yorkshire.
Leading the way #TeamLeeds Opening one of the very first
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Innovation through collaboration: The story of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout COVID-19 vaccination hubs in the world, the Thackray Medical Museum was up and vaccinating within just two weeks. The centre opened to the first cohort of health and social care workers, which prioritised those over the age of 80 and care home workers.The workforce was pulled from across the city, partner organisations and Trust departments, which meant that a community mental health worker could be working a shift with a neonatal nurse and a Renal Consultant. Within
the space of three weeks, over 3,000 people were given their first vaccination, from six pods operated by a team that incorporated pharmacists, nurses, doctors, health professionals, and administration staff.
Collaboration at the core
vaccine programme in Leeds. “This is perhaps one of the most impressive, cooperative and forward-thinking collaborations we have seen in a long time, bringing together medical and non-medical organisations and individuals in the fight against the global pandemic.”
hospitals in mobilising and creating frameworks for workforce, patient flow and communications, broadening support across the city as Elland Road was prepared for opening, with additional input and a boost from Leeds City Council, IT specialists, security teams and the Leeds United Football Club
“Collaboration is the word repeated most frequently when talking about the vaccination programme.” says Tim Hiles, Director of Operations for the
Right from the start, Leeds Community Healthcare (LCH) and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) p a r t n e r e d L e e d s Te a c h i n g
D r Wo o d c o m m e n t s : “ I ’ m very proud to be a part of this impressive operation, which for the foreseeable future is set to stay with us.” TopicUK April 2021
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Ne w l e a s e of life for Rutland Mills TopicUK is delighted to announce that we have partnered with City & Provisional the company behind the renovation of Wakefield’s Rutland Mills and over the coming months, we will be bringing you updates of this new project. Designed by John Shaw, the Grade 11 listed Rutland Mills was built between 1872 and 1875, by Isaac Briggs, a retired railway contractor who invested for himself and his sons. The Mill is a waterfront development adjacent to the internationally acclaimed Hepworth Gallery and gardens. Derelict for 20 years, the collection of nine mills are to receive a new lease of life, creating mixed use creative space to include artists,
designers, educational facilities and musicians. There will be retail, restaurants and a hotel, located around a spacious courtyard. Paul Kempe, director of City & Provincial who is behind the project said: “Tileyard has become one
of the biggest creative hubs in Europe and Rutland Mills will be Tileyard’s flagship in the North. It will be an extension to Tileyard in London, located near to Kings Cross.”Tileyard North will help raise the profile of Wakefield and will encourage more visitors to the
city, creating jobs whilst helping the local economy. Construction which began last summer is expected to be complete by December 2022. For more information about the development visit https://topicuk. co.uk
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Verbena Appeal
This spring Wakefield Hospice will be launching a brand new Verbena Appeal to help fund patient care. The hospice will invite supporters to make a donation to commemorate a loved one and grow some flowers to honour their memory. Everyone supporting the appeal will receive a small packet of Verbena flower seeds and a keepsake card showing the name of the person they are remembering. If you have a garden you can plant the seeds at home, or you may wish to ask a friend or family member to plant the seeds in their garden. Verbena flower seeds will also be planted in the hospice gardens on behalf of people who don’t have access to a garden. The Verbena Bonariensis has been chosen for the fundraising appeal. There are several varieties of Verbena that are related to the lavender family or that
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which will be added to the hospice website. Everyone will be able to view the online gallery and see all the dedications to those special people being celebrated with a beautiful floral display.
carry the lavender colour, and it was traditionally considered to have medicinal and healing properties. In fact, the ‘quiet room’ on the inpatient ward at the hospice was named the ‘Verbena Room’ by the family of a patient as it is thought to have calming properties, ideal for a space to relax. The variety Verbena Bonariensis is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the UK. It produces long-lasting purple blooms on upright, branching
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stems. This variety is easy to grow from seed in the British climate and its flowers are very attractive to butterflies. The seeds can be sown directly in the ground in the spring after the last frost and will flower from July to October. Its long flowering season makes it ideal for low-maintenance gardens. If left, it will self-seed freely and naturalise in borders. Once the flowers come into bloom later this summer, the hospice would like supporters to send a photo of their flowers
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You can take part in the appeal whether or not you have a link to the hospice, and you can dedicate your flowers in memory of a loved one whether you’ve been bereaved recently or some time ago. For further information about the Verbena Appeal call the hospice on 01924 331400 or visit www.wakefieldhospice. org/Verbena-Appeal.
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Stafflex renew their support for The Welcome Centre for the 4th year running. Recruitment agency Stafflex have shown their commitment to those most in need within the Huddersfield community, by making their fourth annual donation of £1,000 t o T h e We l c o m e Centre foodbank. Stafflex is a family run recruitment agency, and has remained open throughout the pandemic providing staff for key sector businesses and education. They have always had a strong community focus and support many local charities and community groups. Based in Huddersfield, Stafflex has supported over 30 charities, initiatives and good causes over the last 12 months alone. As the business has grown, so have the contributions to community causes – success goes hand in hand with support. The Welcome Centre foodbank, which has been supporting the Huddersfield community for more than 20 years, has helped more people than ever in the last year. Between March and April 2020, when the first lockdown was imposed, they experienced a huge spike in demand, providing more than 60,000 meals in just two months. The Welcome Centre supports local people in crisis with basic essentials such as food, toiletries and bedding,
but also offers advice, guidance and support to those clients who need it. In the past 12 months, The Welcome Centre has adapted its service and delivers essential packs to client’s homes as well as supporting clients through telephone advice. Nemi Alexis, Marketing Manager at Stafflex said: “We’re committed to supporting our local community and we’ll continue to do so throughout this pandemic. The Welcome Centre has seen a huge increase in activity due to Covid19 and it’s great that our funding can help provide support for those individuals and families that need it the most.
We look forward to being able to volunteer at the foodbank and warehouse once restrictions have been lifted and of course, it is safe to do so. Although this has been an extremely challenging time for everyone including ourselves, we’re optimistic about the future as the COVID-19 outlook looks promising with the successful roll-out of the vaccination programme.” Emma Greenough, Fundraising Manager at The Welcome Centre said: “Over the last 12 months, we have supported hundreds of new clients affected by the pandemic.
They have come to us due to job loss, reduced income, furlough, mental health issues and relationship breakdown. For those clients who have never accessed the benefits system before, many are unaware of the 5-week wait for Universal credit before they receive any financial support. This renewed support from Stafflex shows their dedication to their local community and provides us with the finances needed to ensure those most in need don’t go hungry. A donation of £1,000 means a lot to us, and we welcome more charity minded businesses like Stafflex to show their support.” TopicUK April 2021
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ADVERTORIAL
For me, I still see a silver lining amongst this current pandemic...
Is there a silver lining with lockdown three? “For some 2021 may have started with plans already having to be re-arranged due to further lockdown restrictions. I can certainly talk from a personal point of view,” explained Jonathan Kattenberg from Life Wealth Coaching.
“It has been a year of preparing and training and many hours spent pulling a tyre across the Derbyshire Peak District, studying my route on maps. All of which has now been put on hold given the window of opportunity to fly to the Yukon and Alaska clearly cannot happen this winter season. “In reality, my 1,000-mile Arctic unsupported trek, pulling my sled with all my food and equipment across frozen rivers, lakes and mountainess wilderness will just have to happen next year. I was even hoping to have escaped to Norway by now to complete a 1,000 mile route as plan b, but that hasn’t been able to go ahead. Can We Really Control the Controllables? “For me, I still see a silver lining amongst this current pandemic. I’m a big believer in focusing on the things
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you can influence and leave the things you can’t to fate. Some things just happen for a reason, we just don’t see what’s in front of our eyes! “In a recent article I wrote “Can We Really Control the Controllables” I provide insight to an effective technique that can empower your mind to focus your attention on key areas for desired achieveable outcomes. https:// walkingwithmybear.com/can-wereally-control-the-controllables/ “Things sometimes happen outside of your control, and no matter
ADVERTORIAL Constantly attending meditation groups online to overcome their own demons etc, network groups to feel part of a community, constantly engaging on social media, watching others to see how they cope and handle the current crisis we find ourselves within, yet with very little emphasis on the focus of the stage of their journey in life, and how they go forward. Some are even going to the extent of searching for a change in the spiritual world - all the while ignoring the underlying causes that create their state of mind. Is this a Key time to engage with a qualified and experienced Mind and Wealth specialist? Yes, but ask yourself these questions - what foundations are you building your life on? Does your unconscious mind really understand your vision, and does it feel the emotional drive? Do you really understand your financial journey?
what you do, you can’t influence the outcomes. A perfect example is, I cannot influence Government decisions around travel access into Canada and Alaska. But I can influence my behaviour, actions and feelings towards contributing towards my part to the bigger picture, so the Governments and health organisations across the world can get to a point where they feel it is safe for non-essential international travel. 20+ Years Providing Holistic Advice to Private Clients “With 20 years providing holistic financial advice to private clients, one thing is for sure, we can influence our planning for not just the present, but for the future. Many people are trying to maintain a positive mind.
Unfortunately for many, it’s a little superficial and they find themselves on the treadmill of coping strategies. Many people think they know their vision, but in reality, their mind can have a different agenda. I’m not being judgemental, it’s just what can be found. My role, to ensure we understand your mind then we can create a strategy to go forward and bring into play the appropriate techniques and approaches to empower you. So, what if you could understand your foundations of your mind and vision for the future? Would this help you engage with your thought’s actions and feelings towards each and every day? Yes, you need to understand your mind on both a conscious and unconscious level, but you also need to understand your financial journey. What amount of money do you
require to fulfil your vision? What amount of earnings do you need? How effective is your time spent in business and personal life? We then need to look how you structure your planning, how efficient are your finances? One of the key advantage’s clients have with me is that everything is under one roof when analysing the above. It is effective life and wealth coaching. Do we need to empower our mind to bring acceptance of the here and now? I work tirelessly with clients to empower them with the tools and techniques to reduce the possibilities of this happening. It isn’t an overnight process and takes a little while, although everyone is different. But it works and gives me such a sense of inner fulfilment knowing I have supported a client onto the next stage of their journey. So where is my Silver lining? So, I come back to my silver lining. I’m 50 years young, fit and healthy. I have food in my cupboards, my boys are fit and healthy plus I have a growing business and currently embarking on a huge multi-faceted documentary. I am able to retain motivated and passionate about my goals and journey regardless of being alone on the days I don’t see my boys (who I see 3-4 days a week) yet I don’t feel isolated or anxious about not being in any social media or network groups. I can still be at peace just pottering around, doing my hobbies, sitting silent and enjoying meditation. Not because I must do it for my sanity, but merely because I enjoy it, a state of mind I work tirelessly to achieve with my clients. If you understand your mind body and spirit and financial journey, you can work with whatever cards
you are dealt with. Then work on the change required once permittable. So, is my silver lining the fact that lockdown three allowed me to engage with filming medical specialists and progress my documentary? I believe it may well be the case. I must be needed for something that I’m clearly not aware of yet, my planning and instincts tell me something is meant to be and to focus on my journey being in the present moment of time. Understand your plan and train your mind to look for the positives. Once you are shown how, it’s quite effective. Throughout my past, when things have been put on hold by circumstances out of my control, within a short while it has become apparent as to why my journey was held back against my initial desires. I take the same approach to this current moment and retain calmness and inner peace within. Conclusion Understanding your mind and its perception of your journey both in the present and future can more often than not bring inner peace so you can then approach your day, week, month etc in your stride. No matter what pace you continue with. Take time to stand back, look at your position, use your journaling and notes you make to understand how your mind is intertwined with your past and present. This exercise can be fun and very rewarding over time.
Jonathan Kattenberg Founder of Life Wealth Coaching & Walking With My Bear Author of How To Build On Tectonic Plates TopicUK April 2021
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An Englishman In New York Hand-crafted, beautifully designed apparel has long since been associated with England and long-since loved by our friends over the pond.
When Gary Newbold took his quintessentially English coat and jacket brand, English Utopia over to the United States just eight years ago, he received a true to form, enticingly warm welcome by the New Yorkers in particular. Gary remarks “They just got it!”
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Each design can take up to three or four to create, but at full steam ahead, Gary can create up to ten jackets a week for the UK market, with help from his loyal team and when he has a shipment due for stateside, he sends them in batches of forty and follows his deliveries up with his inaugural trip. “This is what I love doing. I love coming to work. Making locally, using only expensive raw materials has a market. We do well in the USA and have for some time now been supplying quite a few high-end stores, they get what we’re about!” Pe r h a p s h i s e y e f o r d e s i g n stems from his time working for his former cycling coach’s high end knitwear brand in the early nineties, or from when he created his first brand in the midto-late nineties where he learnt to cut, pattern make, make his own designs on a machine, and use CAD software to create the designs themselves. Or was it his 6 years thereafter spent as head designer for well-known clothing brand Barbour? One thing is for sure, Gary’s current vocation is a world away from his previous career which saw him compete professionally as an international racing cyclist for Team GB.
They took to both his eccentric personality and his marvellously imaginative brand which champions a unique made to order collection in truly English style of coats, jackets and accessories for both men and women.
No detail spared, once Gary has designed (with pencil and paper) an item, he seeks out his black book of fabric suppliers for their both quality and durable fabrics such as Tweed, Cotton, Leather and these hail from Australia, France,
UK and Italy and then takes to his trusty workbench which sees his entire collection come to life. Gary resides in the medieval city of York where his lofty workshop is nestled amongst the history and his entire collection comes to life.
What’s next for this free-spirited Brit who is flying the flag for England out in the Western Hemisphere? “In two years from now my ambitions are modest. I would like a greater reliance upon web sales and to have built upon our reputation of a manufacturer of authenticated luxury goods. Money? It would of course be nice to do well. Satisfaction? It isn’t the money. TopicUK April 2021
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How to attract the best candidates R E C R U I T E M E N T U P D AT E
traditional hiring as it prioritises specific beliefs and values rather than focusing on their ability to carry out the job.
Good reputation Improving your company’s reputation is an on-going task that must be continually addressed. Websites like www.glassdoor. co.uk allow current and former employees to anonymously review companies which can result in quality candidates easily being put off by reading negative reviews attributed to your business.
Making hiring decisions in the current climate can be extremely stressful and time consuming so how can you be confident that you’re attracting the best candidates for the position? We’re currently seeing record number of applications for positions as many overqualified candidates are applying for jobs they wouldn’t necessarily look at due to losing their jobs from the pandemic. Here are our top tips on how to attract the right people to your company:
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Shared values One of the most important aspects of talent acquisition is for the employer and candidate to hold similar values – you’ll need to be looking for candidates that reflect your values and resonate with the company culture. When values align it increases
loyalty, happiness and productivity in the workplace. Ensure that your brand message and values are communicated to potential candidates whether that’s in the job description, interview, website just to name a few. It always worth taking up a reference from their previous employer to see what they think about the applicant, think of it as an opportunity to dig a little deeper into their values! Some organisations consider shared values so important that they’ve adopted a “value-based hiring strategy” which differs from
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Employees will essentially act as brand ambassadors so it’s important to keep them happy. Negative press and poor reviews on social media are also extremely damaging threats to your brand. Ensuring that you’re honest and transparent with both your staff and customers will go a long way to enhancing reputation. Also consider introducing employee benefit schemes or giving something back to the local community by supporting local charities, projects or initiatives to build and improve company reputation. For further information, contact Nemi Alexis, Marketing Manager at Stafflex on 01484 351010 or at nemi@stafflex.co.uk.
Unlock your potential with careerboosting courses at Kirklees College
Kirklees College is helping to facilitate improving work skills and professional development opportunities for local people through its Adult courses. Whilst a significant amount of the population has been furloughed or made redundant as a result of the pandemic, research has shown a strong correlation between adults undertaking education and
training courses and successfully re-entering work. With employers assessing their businesses’ current needs, this year provides the ideal opportunity for people to improve their skillset and enhance their career prospects. The Adult courses at Kirklees College aim to support jobseekers or those looking for a new challenge with flexible study options to accommodate their needs. The
course offering encompasses a range of sectors, including Animal Care and Land-based, Business, Creative Industries, Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Sport and Teaching.
ADVERTORIAL Philippa Firth, Assistant Principal for Adults and Higher Education, said: “As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, there is set to be an increase in demand for skilled workers in certain sectors. Our Adult courses aim to support learners to gain valuable employability skills that will prove beneficial in the current job market and help them adapt to the ever-changing challenges in the workplace.” For more information and to download the new 2021 Adult guide, visit ht tps:// www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/ adult-learners/.
The college is also committed to helping people to achieve their career goals through continued professional development (CPD) courses. These short, certified courses offer flexible, online learning suitable for all professions.
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NU EW O T OS FUOPFDF A I CTEE
This month, Topic UK caught up with Mark Farmer, CEO of Huddersfieldbased charity, Yorkshire Children’s Centre (YCC), to find out how he likes to spend his time outside the office environment. You arrive home on Friday night after a busy week. What’s the first thing you do? Say hello to my wife Sarah, put my work away for the weekend, and unwind. Friday is always a relaxing evening – we don’t plan much, as both have very full working lives and need to switch off. It’s time for the weekend. What are we most likely to find you doing, and where? We live in the Peak District, so you are most likely to find me walking or trail running somewhere away from it all. I tend to seek out the places away from the tourist honeypots – saving them for less busy times – and the Peak District is full of hide-away places where you can be out all day and see almost no one! You’ll often find me out walking or running on my own, as I find it the perfect way to process and balance out the working week. Saturday night arrives. What’s your idea of the perfect way to spend it? In pre-Covid times, a fine meal in a good restaurant – sometimes the two of us, sometimes with friends. In current times, we try and replicate that at home – we both enjoy cooking and eating! It’s Sunday already. What tasks are usually on your ‘to-do’ list? We moved into a new house a couple of years ago, and we are still working
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Out of Office with… Mark Farmer on getting it how we want it to be, so some time would be spent on the house. Also, as we both work away from home a fair bit, there are always some routine, life-admin tasks to complete, but we try to keep weekend errands to a minimum, in order to maximise our downtime. Work again tomorrow. Do you get the Sunday blues or look forward to getting back – and why? Definitely no blues. Having a role that
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is enjoyable, interesting and most of all, allows you to genuinely make a difference, means that I am one of those people who look forward to the working week – especially as having only recently joined YCC, I am still in that exciting discovery phase! The weekend’s almost over. What’s the last thing you do before you hit the hay ahead of another week? Get ready for the early drive back up to Huddersfield!
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At Life Wealth Coaching, we can help your unconscious mind gain clarity on your personal development and desired financial wealth. These are common issues we find people are asking of themselves on a daily basis and we are able to help them with our proven methods and techniques. •
Eradicate stress and anxiety
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Achieve and sustain financial success
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Remove any phobias and limiting beliefs
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Transform your life, recognise and remove any unwanted behaviour patterns
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Allow your mind to control your body, and not body over mind
“Having worked with Jonathan on a personal and professional level I have no hesitation in recommending his expertise and knowledge
“Just had an amazing day with Jonathan ... Helped me address the issues blocking my progress in taking my business to the next level
To find out more how we can help you and your business achieve higher growth and wealth, get in touch today: w w w. l i f e we a l t h o a c h i n g . co m - co n t a c t @ l i f e we a l t h co a c h i n g . co m
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Company of the Month
Elland-headquartered cloud technology specialist Vapour has announced a trio of powerful new industry collaborations as the company moves into its next era of growth. The news marks a £350k investment in its toolkit, and the creation of at least seven additional jobs, as Vapour eyes £7m turnover by the end of 2021. The Yorkshire-headquartered firm has been appointed as a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (Microsoft CSP), having signed a new deal with global distributor Tech Data. The partnership means customers can source any Microsoft product or service, through Vapour – including Teams licences, Azure, hybrid cloud, backups and support – with one wrap-around support solution and business analytics across their collaboration stack.
move comes in response to market demand for cost-effective hybrid cloud solutions that deliver greater agility, network performance and real-time control.
Elsewhere, Vapour has enhanced its relationship with existing firewall partner Fortinet, to launch a securityfirst SD-WAN network proposition with zero touch provisioning. This
The partnerships – which have been almost 12 months in the making – coincide with a complete rebrand for the company, as it nears its eighth anniversary.
The third collaboration sees Vapour further cement its long-standing relationship with Veeam, with the launch of a new suite of hybrid backup, data management, servers, storage and disaster recovery solutions, for customers large and small.
“When we came to market in 2013, we were very vocal about what cloud could do,” explained CEO Tim Mercer. “In truth, people weren’t really ready, yet with the support of our investors, a considered recruitment strategy, and a lot of hard graft, we built an ultraresilient network – not to mention a straight-talking reputation – which transformed the space. “Fast forward to 2020 and I knew we
could do more. I knew our network could be a real enabler of digital transformation. “It would have been easy to rein things in when Covid-19 hit. But we had three big projects on our ‘hit list’, so we actually accelerated our growth plans. “We’ve more significant announcements to come, but the rebrand represents the start of something really exciting.” TopicUK April 2021
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Businesses owner gifting others a‘leg up’ A 29 year old from South Yorkshire who started his business in his garage five years ago, and now is the owner of two multi-million-pound businesses has proven that in times of struggle, entrepreneurs stick together as he has turned Covid on its head for several thousand small business owners with his generosity, adding a further £10K contribution to his gifting.
Nicky Story, from Mexborough is the CEO of Supplies For Candles and The Soap Kitchen - b2b businesses that sit behind the success of thousands of others an online supplier of candle and soap making ingredients to a growing craft industry and last week he awarded Rotherham-based, Kirsty Glover the proud owner of The Pouring
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House, £10K worth of business start up support - the value of what it had cost him to set up his business, whilst juggling his previous job. Luxury Nicky said; “2020 has been a really hard year for a lot of people and I wanted to do my bit to help. So, I decided to do a £10K giveaway to help others build their business. We received hundreds of applications and it was so difficult to choose one winner, but Kirsty’s story in particular stood out from the crowd.” A relatively new family-run, small business based in Aston, creating luxury soy wax melts since earlier this year Kirsty’s business was born in lockdown whilst she was furloughed. Initially started as a hobby selling to family and friends, the business has now broken into the wider market, something she didn’t anticipate having originally established it simply as a distraction from Covid and a release from dealing with her health challenges, as she is currently in remission from Cancer. Run from her kitchen at home Kirsty told us that she would love to work with Nicky on this amazing venture
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as she has seen how he has built his own business and would love to follow in his footsteps. As the CEO of Supplies For Candles and The Soap Kitchen - online suppliers of candle and soap making ingredients to a growing craft industry, Nicky is at the helm of the largest online company in Europe within the industry, and as such has helped thousands of others become successful entrepreneurs too including; Ava May Aromas loved by many celebs including cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch. Nicky was joined by Hannah Chapman the owner Ava May
N E W S U P D AT E to local residents to help combat local shortages and also gave away £100,000-worth of candle making kits and business start-up support to people who have been financially affected by the pandemic, and over 2,000 people have gone on to set up new businesses who Nicky’s team continue to support on a regular basis. As well as gifting Kirsty the start up kit and now the £10K investment, Nicky and the team also handed out another prize, as they were touched by so many of the stories they received and couldn’t just choose one. Successful
Aromas as they both made a surprise visit to Kirsty’s doorstep to let her know she was the winner.
2020 was a really hard year for a lot of people and I wanted to do my bit to help. So, I decided to do a £10K giveaway...
Kirsty’s £10K prize includes; website update and bespoke branding package, £5000 worth of start-up stock, a brand new laptop, label printer and camera, dedicated one-to-one business mentoring session with Nicky and business start-up plan. Amazing Kirsty said: “I’m still in shock – stuff like this doesn’t happen to people like me and it’s just going to be life
changing. This started as a way to keep busy and it got a bit bigger than we expected. I can’t explain to you what it means.” Hannah Chapman from Ava May Aromas will be supporting Kirsty with her brand and marketing strategies, she said; “When I found out that Supplies for Candles were doing this amazing giveaway, I wanted to get involved and to give back to the winner, share my advice, tips and hopefully help them grow their brand as well.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, Supplies for Candles gave free soap
Nicky explained why this activity was so important to him. “I know how hard it is to get a business off the ground and have failed before I succeeded - but I also know how empowering it is to be the master of your own ship. These individuals who are not letting the current situation affect their goals and who have gone on to become their own bosses taking charge of their own destiny, are the ones who are driving the economy forward and I have huge respect for them all. Anything I can do to support them, as someone who if a few steps further in my journey feels good to me.” “I worked another job saving up all of my money ready to launch my business, but now that’s successful I wanted to give back and give someone the opportunity to start their own business without the need for having to work long hours all whilst trying to get off the ground.” Supplies for Candles has doubled in size over the last 2 months and invested over £150,000 into its premises, and further acquisition plans in place promise continued growth into 2021. TopicUK April 2021
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Skills & Employment Free support for your business. Speak to us about:
Recruitment support – we’ll help you find the most suitable candidates for your roles Upskilling and developing your team – we’ll help encourage loyalty and reduce turnover through development and progression planning Growing your business – we’ll support you to access grants and funding and work with our team to grow Redundancy Support – 1:1 support for employees facing redundancy to help them with their next steps
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The Label Makers, sold to Spanish printing group D av i d co m m e n ted: “It w a s essential to find a partner who shared the same philosophy and who could take the business forward, and Printeos was the perfect choice.”
Founded by John Webster in 1963, the label makers that specialises in premium quality and highly technical labels for the wine and spirit market, particularly gin and whisky, has been sold to spain’s Printeos who operate factories in
France, Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic John Webster’s son David will continue as strategic consultant for the UK printer and Printeos Group. Zenna Parfaniuk, current commercial director, has been appointed as managing director.
N E W S U P D AT E unique brand identity, as well as its investment capability for best adapting to servicing its customers’ needs, in line with the operational autonomy common in the Printeos group.” Matt Scott, who led the BHP team, commented: “It has been a pleasure to advise David and The Label Makers team to deliver this significant transaction, and Translink Corporate Finance played a pivotal role in identifying and engaging with Printeos.
Printeos CEO Ignacio Reirís added: “We are delighted to have been chosen by David as the preferred partner to continue “As one of the UK’s most reputable developing the company he manufacture rs of pre mium has built. We could not have labels, the sale of this business chosen a better way to enter attracted significant domestic and the UK label market because international interest, despite the of the high quality of The Label challenges imposed by Covid-19. Makers’ team, its equipment and This strategic acquisition provides its client portfolio. a platform for Printeos to the enter the UK label market and is “The Label Makers will retain another example of the high level its management team and its of consolidation within the sector.”
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Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG 1 mile from M1 J38
Niki de Saint Phalle, Buddha, 2000. Photo © Jonty Wilde, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Registered charity 1067908.
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The happy entrepreneur... Business people with work/life balances
This follows a relentless push for the millions of small businesses whose cash-flow is wrecked by waiting for 60 days or even more months for payment to be made by bigger companies and suppliers. His #Payin30D ays campaign was a key theme of his annual #MicroBizMatters Day which has taken place in Hull, London and Manchester. The eighth #MicroBizMatters Day - One Million Helping Hands, will take place in Scarborough (January 14 2022) and will feature the inaugural Ireland and UK Micro Business Awards. Hull-born Tony, who now lives in Scarborough, is also campaigning under the banner of #ExcludedUK Hardship, saying the government’s support for micro-businesses is strategically flawed and misdirected. One of his other claims to fame is a little less serious ... a red fedora which he wore throughout his campaign. It was among his collection of 150 hats and became his hallmark, also worn on his MacMillan Cancer marathons. His new book, The Happipreneur: Why #MicroBizmatters, a Memoir & Guide for Enterprising People, was written in partnership with Taryn Lee Johnston. It is dedicated “to every small business owner, those who try, day after day, and win some and fail often” and to small businesses excluded by government policies that have made life harder for millions of business people on tight margins. That includes belated covid-support.
Tony Robinson with co-author of The Happipreneur, Taryn Lee Johnston
Micro-businesses amount to 96% of all UK businesses, employing fewer than 10 people in 5.6m enterprises ...and one of the country’s best-known microbiz champions lives on the Yorkshire coast. Tony Robinson OBE has a number of claims to fame.
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He has coined the term “happipreneur” for enterprising people who make ends meet while leading a good, happy life not shackled by excess wealth, and contributing to society or community - like the
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Tony and Tina Boden
Tony, marathon fund-raiser
micro-business self-employed which form 95% of the cogs in the economy. Tim Campbell MBE, the first ‘The Apprentice’ winner, says in a foreword: “This book will give you a true sense of the man, his business advice will not steer you wrong and if you’re lucky enough to have Tony in your corner, then you know, you’re going to succeed.” Digital entrepreneur Penny Power OBE, said in an Amazon review: “Tony is the most important voice in the MicroBiz world. A clever, loving man who has dedicated his life for the past 30 years to this sector of our economy.” He also works with Scarborough businesswoman Tina Boden in hosting and creating
#MicroBizMatters Day and in many other activities, creating networks and partnerships, and they co-founded the #MicroBizMatters movement in 2012.
He has coined the term “happipreneur” for enterprising people who make ends meet while leading a good, happy life...
Jenn Crowther, CEO of Yorkshire in Business, added: “It has made me realise I’m certainly a happipreneur and want to be for the rest of my life.” Tony, 68, is described as ‘running man’ at the Teapot café near Scarborough seafront where he finishes his daily five-mile run with coffee and chocolate tiffin. He has also written poems, two business-related fiction novels and a psychological thriller, and scooped a mass of sports awards. Among his other list of hats, Tony is founder of the Small Firms Enterprise
Development Initiative (SFEDI) group - and until 1986, when he became disenchanted, the CEO in the UK of Amway, a multimillion international company and still the largest direct-selling company in the world. Tony’s long-time business partner and co-founder of all the businesses, including SFEDI group, is Clare Francis, who lives in Milton Keynes where their offices were based - 90% of our clients have been in London. “Which is why I’ve been a long-distance commuter to London since moving to Scarborough in 2001,” he said. His OBE came in 2001 for services to the small firms sector, and he still undertakes many self-funded and voluntary roles. Copies of The Happipreneur can be obtained via https://tonyrobinsonobe. c o m o r Wa t e r s t o n e s a n d W H Smiths, or via Amazon. TopicUK April 2021
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Why coming to the coast isn’t just about great fish and chips Great energy and relationships Emma Emma Henderson, the first woman to become a partner of Wasley Chapman, was raised in a village near Whitby. She is a keen equestrian, attended Fyling Hall School, Robin Hood’s Bay, and studied law at Teesside University.
The new premises - Neil Duell, Emma Henderson, Charlotte Jackson, Richard Smithson, Mia Farrell
She is from a family of entrepreneurs - her grandfather owned theatres in Middlesbrough and her father ran an international heating engineering company.
The first female partner in the 102-year history of one of the region’s most enterprising accountancy firms has spoken of its expansion plans. M Wasley Chapman a long-established accountancy firm based in North Yorkshire explains how industry changes along with their century’s worth of expertise are shaping the new way businesses are taking care of their finances. New partner Emma Henderson says many businesses are moving away from the traditional compliance-only work, to more tailor-made services
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“We have a superb team ethos at Wasley Chapman, based on great relationships with our clients,” she said. “We have great energy, we don’t wear grey and talk maths all day, we offer valuable trusted services and better value.” Contact M Wasley Chapman at 84 Westborough, Scarborough, tel 01723 501777 or directly to Emma. Henderson@wasleychapman.co.uk
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and advisory services to help businesses and individuals meet their individual goals on a real-time basis. “We have been tailor-making our accountancy services to fit the needs of local businesses for many years. “With the introduction of cloud-based packages, it now means that locality is not a key factor in choosing the right accountants and how it can now be based on the right advisor who can be an integral part of your business.
quality accountancy services that any business or any individual needs at much more competitive rates than the big city firms. “We already have clients across a wide geography and companies in Leeds, Wakefield, Halifax, Huddersfield. Anyone in West Yorkshire, or North Yorkshire, can speak to us about how much better our bespoke services are.”
“Also coming to the coast can often offer surprisingly good value for money.”
Digital technology has made geography a less important factor in providing quality accountancy services but Wasley Chapman is also ensuring it has a personal, reliable and approach.
E m m a a d d e d : “ We d o offer more value. From our coastal bases, we provide
It has offices at Scarborough, Middlesbrough, Saltburn and in Whitby - where the firm
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T H E Y O R KNSEHWI RS EUCPO DAASTTE “We ripped out walls, tiled, refitted the ceiling, painted, designed and project-managed to get our office how we wanted it,” said Emma. Also joining Emma as a new partner is Middlesbrough based Ross Meadows, taking the number of partners to six, led by Neil Duell. Other partners are Neil Taylor, Philip Cuthbert and Mark Porritt. Neil D uell, who started his accountancy training at the practice after a stint of work experience aged 17 just over 30 years ago, said: “Even as a large accounting firm, we pride ourselves in a personal service to all our clients. “With a team of fully trained and experienced chartered accountants, we take pride in the fact that our clients have access to such a great wealth expertise. Our client base ranges from sole traders to partnerships and right through to corporate clients.” They offer the full range of services Accounts, management services, tax returns, software training, Making Tax Digital, VAT returns, payroll and business advisory. M Wasley Chapman is also a supporter for business start-ups, with hundreds of pounds worth of free assistance.
New partner Emma Henderson of M Wasley Chapman
was started in 1918 by Marmaduke Wasley Chapman.
With a team of fully trained and experienced chartered accountants, we take pride in the fact that our clients have access to such a great wealth expertise...
For Emma, 32, it celebrates a major progression after years of accountancy exams and wider contributions to the firm she had originally just inquired about the possibility of a receptionist job at the practice at the age of 21. Her partnership comes in the wake of project managing the relocation
of Wasley Chapman’s Scarborough offices from a tucked away Victorian square to a prime site in the main shopping street in the town centre. “The move reflects our vision and growth plans,” said Emma. M Wasley Chapman took over large premises in Westborough, Scarborough, and moved in within a month - with the team showing their commitment as accountants by day and labourers by night.
Emma added: “We love being able to assist each and every one of our clients, helping them grow their business and help shape their future success.” The practice has a new website: https://www.wasley-chapman. co.uk/accountants-scarborough Both Emma and Ross are taking on new clients from start-ups to large corporations who need a full overhaul of their current systems. TopicUK April 2021
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Eliza
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on how everyone needs the return of live music One of the leading musical family dynasties in the country is based on the Yorkshire coast. Over the decades they have led the re-emergence of English traditional music. Here award-winning folk musician Eliza Carthy MBE, famed for her powerful singing and fiddleplaying, talks about the impact of covid on the music business ...
Recent years have seen h e r c o l l a b o r a te w i t h poet and rapper Kate Tempest for a BBC 6 Music Festival performance. S h e h a s a l s o w o r ke d with the Shakespearean director Barrie Rutter,
and contributed to the soundtracks of Far From The Madding Crowd (2015) and Tulip Fever (2017). The mother-of-two has joined the community station Radio Scarborough as a volunteer presenter.
REVIEWS Reviews for Eliza Carthy’s Through That Sound (My Secret Was Made Known) 2020, a CD and four-page booklet with taster samples at this web link: Through That Sound (My Secret Was Made Known) Eliza Carthy (eliza-carthy.com) “…a flamboyant, impassioned, fitfully exhilarating work.”
Eliza and her Father Martin
Scarborough-born musician Eliza Carthy is based near Robin Hood’s Bay. She has been a judge at both the Q Awards and the Ivor Novello Awards, co-presented the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards, and scooped BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
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Colin Irwin – MOJO
“It’s a real pleasure to welcome Eliza into our living-rooms again, and her latest batch of thought-provoking and contoured songs in a fruitful new musical collaboration”
David Kidman – Folkradio.co.uk
“visionary masterpiece… a career milestone”
Ken Hunt – RnR Magazine editor@topicuk.co.uk
covid and digital music on live music and musicians ... How do you see 2021 affecting the music industry and musicians and the impact of the loss of live music? Two tours this year have already gone south. I have to be patient because everyone needs to be safe. But I wish the government would help us, the self-employed Excluded who haven’t qualified for help because we live on the line. Thankfully because I have premises in Whitby I have qualified for a small grant but so many of my friends and peers are giving up. I’m applying for a Carer’s Allowance now too for my mum; there are five of us here and I’m supposed to be the breadwinner! That’s what we’re all going through. The fact that we won’t be able to tour Europe without massive bureaucratic difficulties and extra financial burdens is a double blow. But my sector is trying to come up with solutions. We’re determined! And we will try to bring live music back. How do you see the future of music listening formats … will audiences continue towards platforms such as Spotify etc?
Eliza and mother Norma
She is the daughter of renowned singer/guitarist Martin Carthy and singer Norma Waterson. Eliza and her father have recorded a new version of Scarborough Fair (he taught the ballad to Paul Simon).
The latest version of the folk song can be found on the Gift Band album called Anchor, which was recorded in Robin Hood’s Bay in the old Wesleyan chapel. Eliza took part in a Q&A in which she spoke about the impact of
Tax Spotify. It’s the only way. We can’t make money from gigs or sales, we’re done. It’s that simple. How different is pop culture now compared with when you were younger ? Ha! I don’t know, I’m not a kid
T H E Y O R KNSEHWI RS EUCPO DAASTTE any more. Everyone still seems to like Rick Astley though? I have a 12-year old I already don’t understand. What makes me most uncomfortable is how awkward I feel when I catch him listening to something and go ‘Hey, what’s that? It sounds cool! ...’ Do you think the concept of community will be diminished by the ongoing lack of public and social interaction? I know some people felt that at the beginning of lockdown but I really didn’t. With all the visitors gone from (Robin Hood’s) Bay, after 10 years of living here, I was finally able to recognise faces in the street and we all made a point of making eye contact and saying hello. It was profound and lovely. Not that I dislike visitors-but with them gone I could finally meet the town I moved back to to take care of my folks and my kids. It was lovely. Plus we’re all connecting much more online. Personally, I think it’s better. But we’re all politicians when it comes to shouting at the telly, aren’t we? What are your own personal interests and how are you getting through lockdown? I’m finally making a plan. Because of the government’s indecision early on me and my sector didn’t know whether or not we could work to start with, whether or not festivals were okay-and now is no better. I know no-one is able to plan but having them ignore us until about eight months in was truly frightening. I’m getting through it on Zoom, like everyone else! TopicUK April 2021
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What’s the big idea ..?
A new future The future of business and the rise of newstyle entrepreneurs are being discussed by four women at the new Big Ideas by the Sea festival in Scarborough.
Paul Rose
“Scarborough, a town deeply rooted in its relationship with the sea, is now a centre of creative thought and dynamic action that address these issues and how it can maintain its historic links and yet thrive in a digital world.” Carenza Lewis
From different backgrounds - green sector, mentoring and cultural experience - they will look at business in a changing world. The theme is one of hot topical issues that will bring together leading thinkers, scientists and artists from across the UK to discuss issues facing the environment, food production, education and employment. Big Ideas by the Sea is due to take place July
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16-18, with venues to be finalised post-covid. It has been devised by artist Kane Cunningham and former York archaeologist John Oxley. Ka n e s a i d : “ U n t i l t h e advent of the railway, ideas travelled with people on foot and by sea. “Seaports were the point of entry and exit, of exchange and cross-fertilisation, a place where ideas landed, took root and flourished.
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The organise rs are also planning to create a community archaeological excavation in the Old Town, the heart of medieval Scarborough, with 25 small trenches in gardens and public spaces. Young people are being invited to take part in the dig and in the wider discussions. Sponsors include Yorkshire Coast BID (main sponsor, National Lottery Community Fund, Rail North Partnership, and TransPennine Express, Mark Edwards IT Solutions, editor@topicuk.co.uk
Discover Yorkshire Coast, Scarborough Borough C o u n c i l , Fo u r T i g e r s Media, University of Hull Energy and Environment Institute, Anglo American, Goodall Group, Bike & Boot Scarborough, Tony Bartholomew Photography. There will be live streaming of the debates, and folk legends Martin and Eliza Carthy will be performing in a session hosted by Richard Pearson of Radio Scarborough. The town centre venues will be revealed shortly. The festival has an office in Westborough at the former Thomas Cook travel agency. Many of the events are free and entrance by donation but pre-booking required: https:// bigideasbythesea.com/festival/
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Big Ideas by the Sea programme of events Friday 16 July, 7pm Festival Opening
Paul Rose, one of the world’s most experienced divers, field science and polar experts. For his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica, he received the US Polar Medal.
University of Hull; Charlotte Bonner, National Head of Education for Sustainable Development; Colin Challen, born in Scarborough, former MP for Morley and Rothwell, founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change; Dr Magnus Johnson is an environmental marine scientist with interests in fisheries science.
Saturday 17 July, 10am
Saturday 17 July, 2pm
Landscapes: Access and Imagination in a Post-Pandemic World
Future of Food
Climate Change: Crisis! What crisis?
Kane Cunningham, 35 years of working in Art Schools, full-time landscape painter; Dr Andy Tickle, former Greenpeace activist and campaigner at CPRE, the countryside charity; David Malone, independent film-maker, Green Party politician, and author of The Debt Generation.
Andy Goldring, of the Permaculture Association; Wave Crooks, cultivating seaweed in the North Sea for food, cosmetic and industrial applications; Mel Bonney, CEO of Coast and Vale Community Action; David Yates, of the Sounds of Scarborough and the Community Fridge; Paul Rose, expedition leader for the National Geographic Pristine Seas Expeditions.
Saturday 17 July, from noon
Saturday 17 July, 4pm
Environmental Provocations Prof Daniel Parsons, of the Energy and Environment Institute at the
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Our Daily Lives: Good and Bad
David Malone,who worked on the science documentary series, Horizon; Joanna Kavenna, author of Zed, The Ice Museum, Inglorious, The Birth of Love, Come to the Edge and A Field Guide to Reality. Saturday 17 July, 6pm
Discovery on Your Doorstep: How the finds from test pits can tell stories Prof Carenza Lewis, TV’s Time Team, with particular interests in medieval rural settlement, demography and landscape.
Invisible Dust, has raised over £1m to commission art projects on air pollution, oceans, cities, food and biodiversity. Sunday 18 July, 12.30pm
From the Nile to North Yorkshire: the influence of ancient Egypt around God’s Own County P ro f Jo a n n F l etc h e r, of th e Unive rsity of York, BAFTAw i n n i n g Mu m m i f y i n g A l a n : Egypt’s Last Secret and BBC2 series Immortal Egypt. Sunday 18 July, 2.30pm
Sunday 18 July, 10.30am
Inspiring Women: Fuelling Future Businesses Laura Hepburn, winner of Top 50 Engineers in Sustainability 2020; Ros Jones, business coach helping to support entrepreneurs; Marie Woods, of Heritage Adventures, and finalist in Star Women in Business 2019; Alice Sharp, of
A Life Spent in the Landscape Joe Cornish, photographer noted for his large format landscapes, honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society; Alan Hinkes OBE, only British mountaineer to have summited all 14 mountains over 8,000 metres; Paul Rose, one of the world’s most experienced divers, field science and polar experts. TopicUK April 2021
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ADVERTORIAL Lincoln & Perrin from TopicUK's officially appointed agency Roth Read Photography, contine to share their advice with us:
Nail Down your Photography Contract
Now, it seems a little unfair that photographers own the images. Nevertheless, you have rights. A Model Release defines how and where the Photographer publishes your images for their own promotional purposes. Ensure your images will only be shared by the Photographer after you have launched them for your own promotional purposes. It would be considered bad form to capitalise on your images before you do! Additional Fees A couple of extra things to consider. O c c a s i o n a l l y, a p e r m i t fee is required for an onlocation shoot of which you would bear the cost. Furthermore, a shoot on location or even at your own premises, could incur travel or overnight expenses.
Find the Right Photographer for You We made it! Over the past few months, we have shared 6 questions you can ask any Photographer BEFORE hiring them. Our aim is to help you discover a trustworthy professional photographer who will enhance your business brand. Now we have reached the final question, which is number 7: Will I Receive a Contract? You don’t need us to tell you that Contracts generally outline the scope of agreement and lock in financial arrangements, (even though we just did). So, it goes without saying (even though we are about to), that if you are a business owner investing in branded images, you most certainly require a Contract.
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We apologise for stating the obvious. However, these f o l l o w i n g p o i n t s m ay b e unfamiliar to you and therefore well worth knowing about. Copyright and Usage A photographer retains the Copyright for all the images they capture. In return, the client is granted Usage Rights
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which permits them to use the images in a specific way. For Portrait photography (such as weddings, personal and family portraits) these rights are typically granted for life. However, as Commercial images generate income through marketing, photographers often allocate a fixed amount of time. Consequently, at some point, a bill will land in your email to extend the usage period. Model Release Ye s , i n o u r e y e s y o u are all models! editor@topicuk.co.uk
A photoshoot that over-runs an allotted time may incur an additional cost . . . look out for that one. Finally, as with any Contract, ensure all your questions are answered before signing on the dotted line. That brings us to the end of our run of questions to ask a photographer. If you would like a recap, just head to our website where you’ll find them gloriously displayed under ‘Blogs’. Lincoln & Perrin Roth Read Photography www.rothreadphotography.com
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Pastures new after a long BBC career
S P E CN IEAW L SF E UA P TDUAR TE
ALL IMAGES: ROTH READ PHOTOGRAPHY - WITH MANY THANKS TO YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK FOR ALLOWING OUR PHOTO SHOOT TO TAKE PLACE
Growing up, former Five Live presenter Danni Hewson had no clear idea what she wanted to do.“I was horse mad and wanted to be an Olympian,” she laughed, “But after one career day, I decided I quite liked the idea of being a barrister.”However, washing pots in a tiny restaurant in the local village was Danni’s first job, she was just 15... “I remember having to psyche myself up to go in for that first shift,” she told us, “I was really nervous, and the time passed so very slowly. But the sense of pride when I got that first little envelope full of cash was revelatory. I kept a part time job from that point on,
even through all my exams. I think it’s so important to get real life experience of what it is like to punch a time clock. I really feel for the teenagers of today. With so
Opposite: Joana Vasconcelos, Solitaire, 2018 Below: Joana Vasconcelos, Pavillon de Thé Over: Bag of Aspirations by Kalliopi Lemos
Danni is represented by Harry Gibson at After leaving school, Danni Riva Media - contact@ headed off to De Montfort rivamedia.co.uk
University in Leicester to study English and Media. “When I left, I spent quite a few weeks on work experience in solicitors’ offices and with a wonderful barrister at Grey’s Inn. But it never really fit with me and later, when I went for an interview at ITN and realised it was on Grey’s Inn Road, I had an odd sense of life coming full circle. Journalism wasn’t my first love but the first time I walked into a radio station something just clicked for me.” Danni began working with the BBC in 2002. I’d had my
London experience and I was ready to come home to Yorkshire,” she explained. “I was so ‘green’, I remember the first time I filmed a piece to camera, I think it took me about 30 attempts to get twenty seconds just right. A lot of changes occurred during my 19 years with the BBC, unsurprisingly technology played a major part in that. W h e n I s t a r te d m a k i n g television, we always had a camera operator and they shot on video tape,” she explained. “If we were filming a segment for the lunchtime news, the
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E producer would have to send out a courier on a bike to physically pick up the tape and take it back to the newsroom to be edited. By the time I left, I could broadcast from my mobile phone.”
much of last year was like for me.
“Presenting 5 Live’s hour-long morning business programme from my kitchen table was an experience I will never forget,” she told us. My alarm would Danni had been a journalist for over 20 be set for the slightly later time of 3am years before joining 5 Live as their business because I didn’t have the drive to the office presenter. “Getting the opportunity to to factor into my morning. By 3.30am, present an hour-long business programme my laptop, tablet and phone would be on national radio was a privilege and a joy,” booted up with a mix of news websites she continued. “The role was incredibly and agency feeds. Although the running demanding, and I know I really had to order has been pretty much put together rely on my previous experience to help by an incredible team of producers the me pull it off. The team at Wake Up to night before (sometimes whilst I was Money are astonishingly professional sleeping if a story had broken late) there and talented. It was a real honour to was always the possibility something else work with them. Women like Rachel had happened. That’s when the morning Burden, Naga Munchetty producer who was in and Anna Foster paved the office and I, would the way for women in the There are still people have a few adrenalines industry and I can’t believe out there who don’t like fuelled phone calls,” I’ve been lucky enough to hear women asking s h e c o n t i n u e d . “ It to call them colleagues. the questions. Of all w a s a p a r t i c u l a r l y Today, newsrooms are the thousands of lovely, interesting time as the generally very mixed and supportive texts and US Presidential race inclusive places. Women tweets I’ve had over w a s u n d e r w ay a n d are front and centre on air the years. I’m sad to there could be huge and there has been a real say it’s the negative changes overnight, we push to make sure women ones that stay with me, needed to reflect. are fairly represented as like a thorn... contributors too. “By 4.45am I would have pulled three cushions off “It wasn’t always that way,” the sofa and constructed she added. “There are still people out a make-shift sound booth on the kitchen there who don’t like to hear women asking table. A quick sound check with the gallery the questions. Of all the thousands of and then BOOM! The next hour is like no lovely, supportive texts and tweets I’ve other! You have to try and listen to every had over the years. I’m sad to say it’s word your guests say. You want to tease the the negative ones that stay with me, like best out of them and challenge them when a thorn. Jibes about female giggles, girly required. But you also have to keep an eye chatter and high-pitched voices. Yes, on the texts and tweets that are coming we’ve come a long way, but there is still in, know who you are talking to next and work to be done.” how the time is ticking by,” she added. “It’s hard enough in the studio but from Pastures new home, when the Wi-Fi keeps dropping out, the milkman is making his delivery and Since our interview with Danni, she has the kitten is climbing to the top of your left 5 Live and moved to pastures new. “I cushion tower, that was an experience I don’t know what days will be like in my will never forget,” she laughed. “When new job and I have started in the midst of the broadcast is over, there’s not much lockdown restrictions, it probably means time to ruminate. The next three hours it will be some time before I really get a are spent doing business inserts for 5 Live feel for things. I can explain though what Breakfast. If it’s a busy day, like the day
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FACT FILE: •
Husband: Tony Earnshaw ( journalist and author)
•
Children: Abigail 14, Emily 12. They keep me on my toes and make me think about women’s roles in the workplace in a different light.
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What car do you drive? Nissan Qashqai – I’ve always had to have a practical workhorse.
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What do you do in your leisure time? I spend most of my free time ferrying the kids to the stables but I enjoy a bit of yoga and during lockdown the girls and I have tried to broaden our culinary horizons – cooking dishes from right around the world.
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Where is your favourite restaurant? I just love The Barn in Huddersfield. It’s a tiny little place with the incredible Ben Franco cooking the most amazing food right in front of you. He’s brilliant at making tweaks so
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E to engagement. A big part of my role is commenting on the latest developments in the world of business and finance and explaining how they can impact people’s investments or wider personal finances,” she added. “The next decade is going to bring about such a change in our economic landscape recovering from the pandemic, navigating Brexit, getting to grips with the changing employment opportunities, the continued march of technological advancement and the fundamental need to balance it all with sustainability. Opportunities
the kids can enjoy his cooking, too. •
What is your favourite food and drink? Champagne is never a bad idea but, honestly, I think I slosh because of the amount of tea I drink. If I had to pick one food, it would be bread… fresh, warm, crusty bread!
•
Where is your favourite holiday destination? I love the USA. My absolute favourite place in the world has to be Big Sur particularly at sunset.
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Where is your favourite place in Yorkshire? Runswick Bay – I was kind of hoping no one else would notice how great it is but The Times put paid to that last year.
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What is your favourite gadget? Garlic press – I know you should chop but who has time?
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What couldn’t you live without? It sounds cheesy, but
family and friends. Aside from them it would have to be the sun, it makes everything better.
the GDP figures are released, you don’t stop to catch your breath. By 10am the broadcasting is done but it’s then time to focus on the next day.” 2021 is going to bring big changes for Danni with a new employer and a new challenge after 19 years at the BBC. “I’d been thinking about a new challenge for a while and as of March 1st, this became a reality,” she told us. Danni has joined the tea, at the investment platform A J Bell. “I was a little nervous about starting a new job working from home, but I already knew many of the team and have always been impressed by their professionalism, knowledge and genuine niceness. They are keen to help me continue to make financial news accessible and relatable as it’s so important to everyone’s lives and so easy for the terminology to be a barrier
“I’m eager to see what kind of impact I can make from the other side of the fence. One difference is that I am working for a commercial organisation and producing content directly for customers as well as the wider media. That’s exciting and I really want to be able to engage more personally with some of the big issues. I’m also passionate about using my new role to keep banging the drum about the need for greater female representation in areas like finance. I could have stayed at the BBC. It is such a tremendous institution and I’ve had the most incredible opportunities, but I have never been good at taking the easy road. There’s a big world out there and I can’t wait to experience more. “I think looking back I wish I had had more patience. Starting out in my career, I was always thinking about the next story, the next move, I didn’t take the time to appreciate what I was achieving. It was only after I had my children that I realised it was okay to put other parts of my life first when I wasn’t at the office. Before that, I ate, slept and drank news all the time, even now when I’m working from home, I must allow certain parts of the day to be about me and all those life requirements. Everything I have done, every decision, even the bad ones have shaped my experience and knowledge, I wish I’d learned that earlier in my career, but I don’t think life is long enough to have regrets,” she concluded. TopicUK April 2021
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Young fashion in a corporate environment, what is acceptable?
By: Nadeya Hussain - University of Huddersfield student
Yo u n g f a s h i o n h a s developed over the past few years. With different fashion trends and individal styles, we all have a personal look that makes us unique. Many people express their personality through their clothing and style. But we must find a balance finding how to fit fashion into the workplace.
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In the corporate workplace, d re s s i n g a p p ro p r i a te l y i s essential, especially when it comes to first impressions. Each company has a specific dress code that applies to both men and women. How you dress could be the reason you get a job or not, even before a n i n i t i a l i n te r v i e w, f i r s t impressions count. However,
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that doesn’t mean you leave your fashion style behind when you can incorporate both types. Bank When you walk into a bank, you have expectations of how the employees look and how they dress and behave. You wouldn’t expect to see
YORKSHIRE BUSN I NE EWSSS W U PODMAATN E
someone with a bright, bold outfit and wild hair behind the counter, counting your cash. Because of the responsibility of managing money, it is essential to present ourselves in a professional way where we give the impression of being responsible and capable of doing the job well, so the customer feels comfortable and secure in the environment. An outfit that you could expect in this kind of environment is formal attire such as suits or traditional blouses and trousers.
How you dress could be the reason you get a job or not, even before an initial interview ...
A suit presents elegance and applies to both genders. Of course, it is preferred to be wearing a dark colour such as black and navy. To make this your own style, adding some of your personality, pair it with some accessories (nothing too bold) to make it fit your style. Maybe add a little silk scarf tied under the collar or some simple jewellery or hairpieces.
Law Firm For this corporate industry, a sharp outfit is what is expected. Once again, this would mean you will need to wear professional clothing such as blazers, suits, trousers, and skirts. But that does not mean you can’t mix fashion with formality. Add a bit of colour to your outfits whilst keeping it neutral; pair it with some stilettos and a tailored fit outfit. Be careful that your skirt isn’t above knee length. We’re trying to keep it formal and classy here, not a scandal. One thing you must realise is, you will be representing someone as a lawyer, so you must not give a wrong impression. A sleek look does not mean big and bold statement jewellery and choker necklaces. Sometimes, we must sacrifice fashion to look polished and professional. TopicUK April 2021
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Accessories When it comes to accessories, there are etiquettes to what is appropriate and what isn’t. We know with the right accessories chosen; it can make an outfit complete. As mentioned before, jewellery is one of those things. Be as minimalistic as possible, and don’t go overboard on the jewellery. Simple chains, small studs, nothing too flashy and definitely no face jewellery. Try pairing your outfit with a watch to complete the attire. Anything more than these few accessories will probably be too much, depending on the work environment. Less is more.
Shoes Heels might not be your thing but wearing Dr. Martens or big chunky boots wouldn’t be your ideal look either. Some places require you to wear heels as it gives a classy look which adds to your appearance. Start with smaller inch heels if you are not comfortable with walking in five-inch ones. There are so many different types of heels, such as wedges or booted heels. Find what suits you and what is a comfortable starting point. Tattoos Although employers have become more relaxed about visible tattoos at work, not all firms find these acceptable. It depends on the company. Wear a long sleeve under top if you need to or clothing items that will cover them up. If you can’t easily cover it, try to use accessories
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S P E CN IEAW L SF E UA P TDUAR TE if you can to camouflage it. If its a tattoo on your finger, try a ring. If it’s on your neck, maybe use a fashion scarf. There are always ways to cover it if it’s small. Double-check with your employer to see if you can get away with it, depending on the size. Face piercings Corporate workplaces take appearances very seriously as you will be representing them. In many workplaces, body tattoos and piercings are seen as a way of expression. However, corporate workplaces prefer a clean look. You want to draw attention to your work ethic rather than your bold piercings. Small piercings are acceptable; however, large, stretched piercings are a no-go.
You could always take them out when you arrive in the working environment and replace them when you leave the building. You have to sometimes sacrifice your young fashion trends to work in a professional environment.
Makeup Makeup is a form of art and expression or even a confidence boost for many. Finding the right balance of professional and put together can be difficult, mainly when you’re used to wearing a full glam. Natural glam not only presents the right image but saves you time in the morning when you’re rushing for a meeting. You don’t want to be spending an hour on your make up when you have 9 am starts. Try going subtle on the eyes, nothing too smokey or dark and a flushed base look. Keep your self and your skin hydrated with light layers. There’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of extra makeup; keep it on a level where it isn’t too bold. Remember: Analyse your environment and make sure you familiarise yourself with the dress code to understand the boundaries set by the company. See what others are wearing, so you get an idea. You don’t want to risk losing an opportunity for something as simple as your attire. Collect the essentials items in your wardrobe, so you’re prepared for any work environment. You can’t go wrong with a classic tailored outfit and some fitted trousers. The aim is to show off your fashion and personality while keeping the workplace’s
ethics in mind.
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TopicUK are delighted to welcome back our columnist, the UK’s leading sales and communications expert Nicky Pattinson.
Don’t let your words KILL you…(inadvertently). Says the woman sat here swearing like a sailor most of the time But that’s not the point here. It’s not that kind of word we’re discussing. It’s the ‘ordinary day to day parlance’ in which we speak to our customers… and would be customers. The words we use to have them FEEL enough connection and emotive pull to give us their money. Or delete us without a second thought. After just coming out of a year of ‘’intently listening to people articulate themselves one to one on Zoom and reading the emails they write, the style they write in and the way they describe themselves and what they do. Hearing how they feel hideously frustrated when the conversation ends there …and they end up reverting to ‘invisible but trying’’. No reply.
Prospective buyers usually stop the conversation there because they don’t feel they know you or your company any better at the end of a dialogue… than they did at the beginning. It’s the same the planet over you know. Too many of us speak in a language that doesn’t have any ‘’emotional value’’. In a language where two frozen peas and a tree would get a better reaction and more warm replies than we do.
into the ‘be the same as everybody else because it’s safe situation). TRANCE LANGUAGE is when we’ve heard something so many times – as soon as the dialogue starts …we delete it. Not only do we delete the words… but we delete the person saying them
themselves in that way….and after 99.9% rebuffs. They begin to think the problem is them. It isn’t. It’s what they say. It’s the emotively devoid – meaningless same old words that glibly represent someone or something that is fascinating, helpful and brilliant.
(But with the way you speak or write And not a thing that comes out …we’d never know). of their mouth ever gets to hit our consciousness. Every industry has its trance phraseology. Every industry kills itself Let me give you an example. The with emotionally valueless connection killer of retail for me is ‘’ARE YOU attempts. Every day. OK THERE – CAN I HELP YOU’’? SO CHECK THOSE WORDS …and What’s our immediate response? ask yourself – is this really ME talking?
In this post pandemic world – the golden currency is ‘’being heard and responded to’’ …but we’re still deferring to the old ways with what I call TRANCE LANGUAGE to try and connect.
‘’NO THANKS’’.
(Even the literary geniuses amongst us…as soon as we ‘’talk work’’ … retract
You tell some young girl or boy to get on a shop floor and introduce
Or am I just repeating what I THINK I should be saying. Sterilising my communication and hiding behind a barricade of out dated and often damaging words. Anyway… ‘’Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you require any assistance’’.‘’But this office is experiencing unusually high call numbers at the moment’’. ‘’I do pride myself on my customer service however’’. ‘’So ….kind regards’’. *Just kidding. Nicky. join my new facebook group and be someone.not everyone. elevate your charisma with advanced expression
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Yorkshire natural paints company sees growth in US orders
N E W S U P D AT E looking for products that are environmentally sustainable and long lasting, and linseed paint is ideal. Texas is also shaping up to be an interesting market for us and we have had multiple orders from the state in recent months.” The business curre ntly manufactures its linseed paint in Scandinavia but plans are underway to move production to Yorkshire by the end of this year. The firm’s raw linseed oil is produced from flax grown near Wetherby. Brouns, who relocated from his native Netherlands to Yorkshire in 2006, launched his Garforth-based business with Histoglass, a specialised thin double-glazing product ideal for historic properties, before diversifying into high quality natural paints.
Brouns & Co, a Leeds-based business that manufactures traditional paints based on linseed oil, has seen an increase in orders from the US for its products. The business, one of only a handful of linseed paint manufacturers in Europe, has more than doubled orders from
across the US in the last 12 months, with a focus on regions such New England, where the maintenance and preservation of historic
wooden buildings is a major conservation issue. Brouns & Co’s UK client list includes a string of stately homes such as Chatsworth House and Woburn Abbey, and linseed-based paint is gaining in popularity globally due to its environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic properties, as well as its durability. Founder Michiel Brouns said: “The US is a relatively new market for us but we are seeing a rapid growth in orders and word seems to be spreading, particularly among owners of the historic wooden properties typical of the East Coast and other historic areas of America that were settled in the 18th and 19th centuries. People are
“Linseed paint is an incredible and sustainable product for wooden surfaces both outside and in,” he said. “We have this notion in the UK that the more coats of paint we put on timber, the better it is. Unfortunately, water always finds a way in, and when it does, it also needs to find a way out again. “The usual application of four or five coats of a petrochemicalbased paint does the exact opposite of what it is meant to do. It seals the water in and then the timber starts to rot. Linseed paint is different because it doesn’t form a film on top of the timber; it allows water to escape again and even helps to preserve the wood. Maintenance is just a wipe with some oil once every 10-15 years, so it’s actually cheaper than many brands of conventional paint.” TopicUK April 2021
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For your personal copy email pr@topicuk.co.uk or call 07711 539047
N E W S U P D AT E
Inprotec installs industrial scale lead melting plant
this new plant will bring to our facilities in Houston, from boosting our production capabilities through to further enhancing working conditions for our team.”
Wakefield-based Thermal and metallurgical engineering firm Inprotec has completed a six-figure contract to supply a major US manufacturer with a state-of-theart lead melting plant. radiation shielding products, including the lead doors and bricks used to encase the X-ray and radiology facilities commonly found in hospitals and medical centres.
Chris Oldroyd
The contract saw Inprotec design and install a new lead casting plant at NELCO Worldwide’s manufacturing facility in Houston, USA, where it produces medical and industrial radiation shielding. The new plant was designed and installed over the course of 2020 and consists of three industrialsized melting kettles where lead will be melted before it’s used by NELCO to create a range of
It replaces the site’s previous plant and was commissioned to boost the company’s production capabilities, create a better working space for employees and reduce the company’s environmental footprint. Its design and installation proved to be more than just a feat of engineering, with Inprotec’s team of skilled engineers using collaborative software to provide installation and commissioning supervision when it became apparent that they were unable to travel to Houston to do this due to Covid-19 restrictions. Commenting on the project,
Inprotec managing director Chris Oldroyd said: “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to support NELCO on this important project, drawing on our industry-leading capabilities and skills to create and install a state-of-the-art lead melting plant. “We pride ourselves on delivering first-class customer support at every stage of the process, and that has never been more evident than on this project, with the team working remotely, but very closely, with NELCO operatives to ensure the plant is working exactly as it should.” Gary Miller, executive VP and chief operating officer at NELCO Worldwide, said: “Inprotec has proved to be the perfect partner, executing the contract flawlessly and delivering the project on-time and to the highest standards. Thanks to their support, we’re now looking forward to realising the many benefits that
Established over 40 years ago, Inprotec designs, supplies and commissions thermal processing equipment for a growing portfolio of clients across multiple industries, from secondary and primary metal processing through to hazardous waste treatment. It operates globally to provide cost-effective and timely thermal and metallurgical solutions to some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Glencore, Teck and Johnson Matthey. Earlier this year, Mr Oldroyd was appointed to the board of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Mining Technology Division (MTD). The division is part of IOM3, a major UK science and engineering institution, and exists to support the mining and extractive industries worldwide by providing a focus for the promotion of, and exchange of knowledge on, all aspects of mine development, mine production, mine closure, mining technology and othe r mining industryrelated matters. The role sees Mr Oldroyd act as a key voice for professionals operating within the mining and extractive industries, exchanging ideas and information on key matters with a broad spectrum of organisations and policy advisors and creators in the UK and further afield. TopicUK April 2021
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N E W S U P D AT E scheme opens this month. These loans appear to be targeted at larger companies, as the minimum amount available to borrow is £25,001. Asset and invoice finance will be available for amounts between £1,000 and £10m per business.
VAT
What businesses need to know about the 2021 Budget Corporation Tax planned to rise, but losses can be carried back further This news hit many of the headlines, with a steep jump from 19% to 25% planned for 2023. But that’s only if your c o m p a n y m a ke s m o r e t h a n £250,000 in profits. Companies which make between £50,000 and £250,000 profit will be subject to a sliding scale of increased Corporation Tax – the details of which haven’t been revealed at the time of writing. Companies making less than £50,000 profit will still pay 19% under a new Small Profits Rate (SPR). Companies will also benefit from a temporary extension to the timescales for carrying back losses to offset against previous profits. Losses made in 2020/21 and 2021/22 of up to £2m per group can temporarily be carried back for three years. The £2m cap applies only to losses temporarily carried back up to three years. The usual uncapped carry-back allowance remains, meaning any losses can be carried back one financial year.
New super-deduction Linked to the Corporation Tax changes is a new super-deduction for companies investing large amounts of capital. It’s likely to benefit businesses such as manufacturers or utilities the most, and means money spent on new qualifying plant or machinery between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023 will benefit from more generous first-year allowance of 130%, rather than the usual 18% to be off-set against Corporation Tax. In addition, qualifying expenditure on assets which attract special rate relief will benefit from a 50% first-year allowance. It would normally have been 6%.
Covid-19 support will remain The furlough scheme was extended until September 2021, although employers will be expected to
contribute10% from July and 20% during August and September. And there will be another two rounds of support for the selfemployed in the form of the SEISS scheme, covering Feb-April and May-July. The criteria for who is allowed to apply has also been widened, allowing people who have submitted their 2019/20 selfassessment details to be included. In the fifth grant, support will be reduced for people whose turnover has fallen by less than 30%.
The current VAT threshold will remain, meaning companies must turn over £85,000 before being forced to register, although you can register voluntarily before reaching this level. The current 5% rate applied to the hospitality and leisure sector will remain until September 2021, and a 12.5% rate will apply for six months after that. Capital Gains Tax and Business Asset Disposal (formerly Entrepreneurs’) Relief both remain unchanged. But the threshold at which people pay basic rate personal tax has increased to £12,570. The higher rate threshold remains £50,270. There was no change to the rate of personal tax payable, or to the rates of National Insurance. All information correct at the time of writing (March 2021).
Restart grants of up to £18,000 will be made available via local authorities for businesses with premises that have been forced to close. And the business rates holiday for pubs, hospitality and non-essential retail premises has been extended by a further three months to June 2021. After that, rates will be discounted to one third of the normal charge for the remainder of the financial year. While Bounce Back Loans and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans closed for applications on 31 March, a new Recovery Loan
Ian Parsons is managing partner of Parsons Accountants in Wakefield. TopicUK April 2021
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N M EOW TO S RUI P ND G AUTPED A T E
21
st CENTURY
By: Graham Courtney - Motoring Correspondant
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M O T ONREI W N GS U P D A T E
The Land Rover Defender has been around in various guises since 1948. The original version was simply called a Land Rover; the word ‘Defender’ didn’t appear until 1991. It was to avoid confusion with the newly launched Land Rover Discovery. It doesn’t really matter what you call it because this serious all-wheel drive off-road vehicle is an icon. Put it this way, if you need to head off the tarmac into the rough and soggy stuff, none come better. And that applies to the latest model. Of course, every Defender will spend most of its life trundling through town traffic, negotiating country lanes, and being a general workhorse. However, the outgoing model was never really suited to fast motorway work or long holiday trips. That is where this brand new Defender really scores. It’s available in either 3 (short wheelbase) or 5 door (long wheelbase) guise. All-wheel drive is standard, naturally. For those who need space rather than seats, there is a hard top version. We prefer the 5 door Defender 110 which has 6 interior seats. You can get an accessory to match almost every lifestyle. There are approaching 200 options. There are four engine choices…we’d go for the 2.0 litre diesel. There’s also 2.0 litre and 3.0 litre petrol engines. The diesel version we tried managed around
33mpg. 0-60 takes 8.7 seconds and there’s a top speed of 117mph. Power goes via an 8-speed auto ‘box. It’s great fun to drive. Prices start at just over £56k but, when looking at the competition, bear in mind that this Landy comes fully kitted out. Air suspension is standard on the 110, as is a 3D surround camera, satellite navigation, air con and a host of driving assistance gadgets. One option is ‘Advanced Tow Assist’ which allows you to reverse a trailer while the Defender takes care of the steering. The interior is really comfy and super stylish. Owners of the old Defender won’t recognise a thing. The latest Defender is a revelation. It manages to stay faithful to the previous model in terms of off-road ability, but is now bang up to date. It merges city chic with the ability to get down and dirty. It will still shrug off the worst that the British weather can throw at it and go places where a mountain goat would think twice, however it will look equally at home outside your local theatre or favourite restaurant. The icon is alive and well. TopicUK April 2021
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M O T ONREI W N GS U P D A T E
Charge of the Volvo brigade By: Graham Courtney - Motoring Correspondent
This is the latest XC40 from Volvo. It’s the XC40 Recharge. Why Recharge? Simple, it’s a Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle which has a battery charged electric motor working in tandem with a petrol engine to give you really good performance and economy. It also means that every model in the Volvo range is now available as a hybrid. Within the next few years every model will also be available with 100% electric power. In this XC40 Recharge model, the T5, there’s a 1.5 litre petrol engine which, when you add the power developed by the electric motor, produces a healthy 258bhp, giving you a quick 0-60 time of around 7 seconds, but go carefully and you’ll crack 130 miles to the gallon which helps business drivers. You can achieve those startling economy figures because the XC40 Recharge can be driven for 28 miles using battery power only. Charging is simple. You can even use a domestic 3-pin socket. If you have a charger at home or at work and don’t drive more than around 20 miles per day for your regular commute, then this XC40 is worth a serious look.
It’s hugely rewarding to drive. Fun too...
want a more sporty appearance; Inscription is aimed at comfort and luxury. There’s only £450 difference in the price. No matter which one you go for, the car is loaded with goodies with rear view camera, powered tailgate, automatic LED headlights, satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth, a cracking audio system, leather upholstery and full climate control. You can also adjust the driver settings to let you switch between power and economy. It’s hugely rewarding to drive. Fun too. And because it’s a Volvo, you get one of the safest cars on the road. It’s also been a European Car of the Year winner and was recently named as the What Car? magazine family SUV of the year. Nuff said.
What sort of kit do you get as standard? The T5 XC40 is available in either R-Line or Inscription trims. R-Line is aimed at owners who
P r i c e s f o r t h e XC 4 0 r a n g e start at £25,440 It’s a proven winner.
The boot space is unaffected by the XC40’s battery because it’s under the passenger floor. All power goes to the front wheels via a 7-speed automatic gearbox. TopicUK April 2021
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N E W S U P D AT E
New dates and line-up revealed for Piece Hall Summer gigs
Following on from the latest Government announcements o n t h e ro a d m a p o u t o f lockdown, The Piece Hall Trust and Futuresound are pleased to announce their rescheduled programme of live music events for 2021 and 2022. The partners have worked hard to keep as many acts as possible in 2021, with the vast majority rescheduled for August and September. The acts confirmed include The Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, The Cribs, Richard Hawley and the Specials. Due to the complex nature of artist
touring schedules, we have had to move some of the gigs including Nile Rodgers feat CHIC and The Doves to 2022 The Trust have managed to secure
a second date for Nile Rodgers feat CHIC following strong sales demand seen this year. Tickets for the new show are on general sale now.
The following dates are now confirmed: All tickets already purchased for deferred events remain valid, and ticket holders do not need to do anything to secure their spot for the new date. Customers who have faced issues with the scheduling, such as those ticket holders who cannot make the new dates, are advised to make contact through their booking platform to discuss making alternative arrangements. Refunds will be available from the point of purchase in the event that customers cannot make the new dates. With visitor safety continuing to be the number one priority for The Piece Hall Trust, the
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2021 • Saturday 28th August – Shed Seven • Sunday 29th August – The Specials • Friday 3rd September– The Cribs • Saturday 4th September – Richard Hawley • Friday 10th September – Manic Street Preachers • Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September – Kaiser Chiefs • 2022 • Saturday 18th June – Doves • Friday 24th & Saturday 25th June – Nile Rodgers feat CHIC team has been working closely with partners to determine the safest way to reinstate live music events. Essential maintenance and a significant deep clean have been undertaken during the most recent lockdown, and the logistics of the large-scale events are being meticulously planned.
With live music playing a huge part in the welfare of individuals and the success of communities, the reintroduction of The Piece Hall’s gig calendar is as exciting for the local area as it is for music fans. Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “We’re
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The Piece Hall Trust hope that the return of live music to the venue will help bring some joy and a sense of normality back to music lovers.
thrilled that we have been able to reschedule our planned Summer 2021 artists to the Autumn in what has been a turbulent year for all of us. By moving the events to the later dates, we hope we’re providing peace of mind for ticket holders not just around the certainty of the gigs going ahead, but around individuals’ safety and wellbeing – which remains our main priority. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, and for the first time in a long while we can re-imagine a thriving and vibrant live music scene returning to Halifax once again. Live music events have always been the jewel in the crown of The Piece Hall, and we sincerely look forward to welcoming these world-renowned artists to our venue.”
N E W S U P D AT E landlord and tenant.The premises will require the tenant to front all set up costs (IT installation, internet, kitchen areas and so on). Monthly costs to consider include: stamp duty, service charge, business rates and rent. Leased spaces are usually taken on a longer term basis due to the initial upfront expenditure. •
Planning Your Return To The Office June has been given as a date for normality to albeit tentatively - recommence and a large part of ‘normal’ resuming will be a return to work and to the office!
Avenue HQ, we offer terms starting from monthly rolling, to provide tenants with absolute autonomy. To help future proof your workspace, we would advise opting for an office provider with term lengths that suit your individual needs.
Office lease type: For your business to thrive, it’s not enough to just pick the right environment. You need the correct lease type to work cohesively alongside your office. Commercial office leases can be confusing, so here’s the options that hold most relevance (in this instance): •
If your business has been operating remotely for the past 12 months and you’re ready to plan your return, here’s our key factors to consider which will help aid a smooth transition from WFH to office:
Determine team size: First things first, we’d advise starting a dialogue with the team regarding your return. Once you have a firm idea of the team size who will be utilising the office frequently, you can begin your workspace search! If you’re heading
down the route of a wfh/office split, there’s scope to create a Satellite Office that can be used sporadically by staff. This would support flexiworking; allowing the team to strike a balance between heading into the office and working remotely - perfect for easing them back in.
Term length: Flexibility is rooted in the future of work, and the need for varying terms is something to remember when hunting for your next workspace. At
•
S e r v i c e d : Te n a n t s a r e responsible for a fixed monthly rent amount and close to nothing else. The provider (eg Avenue HQ) holds responsibility for property taxes, property insurance, maintenance costs and utilities. Offices come fully-furnished and ‘move-in ready’, meaning they’re a great option for businesses who just want to get to work! Serviced offices additionally offer inbuilt facilities such as reception services, meeting rooms, printing and more, and you can scale-up or down with ease. Leased: A more traditional option; leased spaces are usually arranged directly between a
Coworking: Highly collaborative environments; coworking spaces are designed with user experience in mind. Users pay on a per-desk basis which provides access to the shared amenities and coworking space. Highly popular with startups and small businesses, this option suits those who are not quite ready to make a commitment to an office space, or larger businesses who are expanding to new locations tentatively.
At AHQ, we offer move-in-ready, professional spaces so you can focus on work instead of managing an office. With options ranging from hot desks to furnished offices, businesses of any size can find a space to fit their changing needs. If you’re ready to say goodbye to the uncertainty of the last 12 months and make the next step in finding your future workspace, please get in touch: s.bensley@ avenue-hq.com.
Eagle Labs TopicUK April 2021
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