TopicUK - July2019 Edition

F R E E

A C R O S S

Y O R K S H I R E

J U L Y 2 0 1 9

WWW.TOPICUK.CO.UK

D NEWS I S UPDATE T R I B U T E D

No38

BUSINESS MAGAZINE

BI-MONTHLY

SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL ON:

YORK

Barclays Julian Norton COUNTDOWN

EAGLE LAB OPENS IN LEEDS

A MODERN DAY JAMES HERRIOT

FOR THE IOD DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Awarded to The University of Law

GETTING SMART ABOUT EXITING YOUR BUSINESS In the last edition of Topic I gave some tips on how to prepare your business for sale on the open market.

If that’s not how you want to exit your business, perhaps because of disruption or relationships within the business, there are other options.

All business owners will leave their business one way or the other. The choices you need to make are whether or not you want to be in control of that, and whether you want to sweat some value out of what you have built. In addition to a sale, here are some other ways to exit your business.

MANAGEMENT BUY IN OR BUY OUT Bringing in a new business partner who can work in the business to get to know it before eventually taking over control is one way you can create an orderly exit. This is a great way to create continuity for your clients and team as they will get to know the new partner before they ultimately become the business owner.

Many such agreements come with an earn-out period where the original business owner slowly relinquishes control. This can also mean that your new business partner doesn’t need all the money to buy you out of the business up front; payments can be staged as you gradually reduce your stake.

THE NEXT GENERATION Handing over the running of your business to a family member, often a son or daughter, can work very successfully provided they have the skills to run it well.

Often in this scenario the original business owner maintains a stake for longer, so realising value from your business might not happen as quickly as if you chose another option. This again can be done in a tax efficient manner provided the initial transaction is correctly structured. In order to turn this into a way of realising some value for the business you will need the right advice on the mechanism for the family member “earning in”.

LIQUIDATION Some say this is the simplest way to exit your business, but it isn’t without complications and is likely to be the option with the lowest return on your investment.

Essentially the business stops trading, and you sell what assets you can, but it means you lose out on the value of any customers, contacts and goodwill that you have built up over years of trading.

When it comes to exiting a business, failing to plan is planning to fail. It can take years, sometimes more than a decade, to get a business into the right shape for the exit you anticipate, so it’s never too early to have a conversation with a trusted advisor about your options.

In order to build a business which does have value to someone else you will need to: •

Ensure the business isn’t dependent on just one person. If you can take a month’s holiday If you want to talk about how to and things run smoothly you know you have get the most value out of your this cracked business, call one of the Parsons

This can be done in a very tax efficient way using EMI Options, if the company qualifies for these, allowing the company to benefit from tax relief on the payments.

•

Work hard to create replicable processes and procedures so that any new owner can easily Ian Parsons is managing partner of understand the nuts and bolts of how your Parsons Accountants in Wakefield. business works

When looking for a new business partner you don’t necessarily have to bring in someone entirely new.

There might be someone, or a group of people, within your business who could be interested, and they would come with the benefit of already knowing the detail of what you do and how you do it. Management Buy Outs can be a very effective way of transferring ownership at a sensible price and minimising risks to the business.

•

Create a solid and trustworthy team who can service your clients and customers without too much supervision

•

Secure long-term income sources so the business’s income is predictable. That means finding a way to turn the majority of your sales into secure commitments to buy over a specific period, rather than just one-offs

team on 01924 669500.

OUR PARTNERS

TTohp i ic UsK eid ist osr uG iel l

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Laidler recently caught up with Julian Norton, who features on this editions cover, better known to many as The Yorkshire Vet, to find out more about him and his successful career both on and off screen. P26

Next building announced for Wellington Place Leeds

P 08

Julian is a modern day James Herriot

P 26

All aboard for major investment in public transport

P 68

Peter Andre is a teen angel

P 79

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dakota Hotel Leeds RJ Burgess Rogerthorpe Manor Community Foundation Calderdale The Piece Hall Applied Digital LS Live Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence Bellingham IT KC Communications Ackworth School Wakefield College / Wakefield Council Wakefield Council Leeds Council (Ad:Venture) CityFibre Jordans Solicitors Eaton Smith Solicitors Hansons Bramleys Stafflex Fostering to Aspire Wakefield Theatre Pontefract Hospice Eitex ScribaPR Kirklees College ABL Finance Buttercrumble University of Law Life Wealth Management Avenue HQ Welcome to Yorkshire

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047 Top accolade for Welcome to Yorkshire Garden

Printed By: Charlesworth Press Wakefield

Cover : Julian Norton Image : Duncan Lomax - www.ravageproductions.co.uk

04

P 85

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.

Editors notes

by Group Editor Gill Laidler

Group Editor Gill Laidler

Design

Rob Blackwell

Business Executive Mandy Taylor

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ed Asquith

Distribution Manager James Longbottom

Illustration

Buttercrumble

Official Photographer York Duncan Lomax

The Arts

Murray Edwards The Grand Theatre

Legal Matters

Ramsdens Solicitors Chadwick Lawrence

Food & Drink

Kevin Trickett MBE Create Restaurant

Recruitment

First Choice Recruitment Stafflex

It

Paul Heigham, Bellingham IT

Education

Ackworth School

Banking

Barclays Bank

Firstly, I would like to welcome new TopicUK partners, The Dakota Leeds, KC Communications, R J Burgess and The University of Law, Leeds. We are looking forward to bringing you their news and helping to promote their businesses across the region.

As we continue to grow, once again our circulation has increased with another 1000 copies being printed and distributed. We have several more distribution points too, reaching as far North as Whitby.

This edition we had the pleasure of visiting York and the many wonderful businesses that operate there. You can read about them from Page 25 and I would like to extend my thanks to photographer Duncan Lomax from Ravage Productions, based in York for the wonderful images he has taken for us.

Mandy and I were delighted to attend the launch party of The Yorkshire Children of Courage awards, which Mandy hosted at the Emerald Stadium.

After meeting some of last years winners and hearing about this years nominees, I can’t wait for the main event in October, which TopicUK partners. If you haven’t yet booked a table, do so, it is certainly an event not to be missed.

Speaking of events not to be missed, once again TopicUK is partnering with the Institute of Directors for their annual Director of the Year Awards, again taking place at the Principal Hotel in York.

I would like to once again thank our Associate Editor Ed Asquith who is looking after business on the

Yorkshire Coast, sponsored by the The Scarborough Business Ambassadors.

We have a couple of competitions this edition, namely a family pass to a Gullivers theme park, ideal for the kids summer holidays and two tickets to see the legendary Tears for Fears at York racecourse at the end of July.

I was delighted to attend the launch of Grease The Musical at the City Varieties a couple of weeks ago, where I had the chance to interview Peter Andre who will star in some performances as Teen Angel when it launches at The Grand Theatre in June. If the taster performances we heard from Peter and the two young stars of the show are anything to go by, we are in for a real treat. Make sure you get your tickets booked and you can read my interview with Peter on page 81.

Finally, it was a pleasure to speak with Julian Norton, aka The Yorkshire Vet who features on our cover this edition.

Julian is a modern day James Herriot, even working in the same practice in North Yorkshire as the TV legend. You can read the full interview on page 26.

Do get in touch if we can help promote your business across the Yorkshire region. It’s always a pleasure to speak to new businesses and introduce them to our many partners and business associates.

See you in August

Gill

Contents & Comments

It only seems two minutes ago that I was writing the last editors notes. I can’t believe how fast time goes.

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk TopicUK July2019

05

NEWS UPDATE

News

QLM Hallmark in prestigious award finals Leeds based QLM Hallmark is one of the best card retailers in the UK, having reached the finals in The Retas 2019 greeting card retailer awards.

The Retas Awards, now in their 15th year, were launched by Progressive Greetings magazine to recognise and reward the UK’s very best greeting card retailers across the retail spectrum.

With greeting cards on sale in one in six shops in the UK, reaching t h e f i n a l s o f T h e Re t a s i s a notable achievement.

QLM’s founder, Maurice Esofsky, said: “This year we’ve made a significant investment in QLM Hallmark to significantly expand our product range and create an exceptional retail environment. It’s proving extremely popular with people shopping for cards, gifts and anyone planning parties and celebrations. To have our efforts recognised by making it to the finals of the Retas is a fantastic endorsement for our business.”

“The sending of greeting cards is an engrained part of UK culture, with the British public spending an unprecedented £1.7 billion on

06

greeting cards in the last year alone,” commented Jakki Brown, editor and co-owner of Progressive Greetings magazine. “The nation leads the world in greeting card design and sends more cards per capita – and The Retas Awards celebrate the very finest greeting card retail stockists in the UK.”

Expansion for The Seasonal Group

The Seasonal Group, designers and manufacturers of animatronic displays, decorations and grottos for shopping centres and public attractions across the UK and Europe, are pleased to announce the appointment All Retas finalists were decided as of Martin & Vleminckx as their exclusive distribution a result of an industrywide poll partner for the USA and Canada. of greeting card suppliers, reps and agents and validated by a panel of experts.

The winners of this year’s prestigious Retas 2019 – will be revealed at an Awards lunch at the glamorous Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane on Wednesday 10th July.

Martin & Vleminckx, a world leader in the Amusement Park industry will offer The Seasonal Group’s innovative animatronic products to the North American amusement park and leisure industry.

Based in Halifax, UK and

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

established in 1998, this family business now employs up to 80 people and has grown organically year on year and now works with most major shopping centres, garde n ce ntres and public attractions across the UK. With partners already established in

NEWS UPDATE

Final countdown for Director of the Year Awards

By Natalie Sykes, Regional Director, IOD

As we make final preparations for our IoD Yorkshire and the North East Director of the Year Awards 2019, I’m feeling ever more confident about the ability of our region’s business leaders to ride out the economic uncertainty.

If you believe everything you see and read in the news, you would think the UK is a divided and declining nation.

I’m fully aware that this is a challenging time for businesses, particularly those affected by consumer spending and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

But the entries for our awards, Europe, Managing Director, Andrew Bontoft said: “We are really excited to have a distribution agreement with MVR and have worked hard to develop a range of innovative products. There are exciting opportunities for the two businesses to work together and having similar work ethics, we will be able to exploit operational synergies.”

The Seasonal Group has recently expanded its facilities and now has over 100,000ft2 with the acquisition of a second site in Halifax and this latest development with Martin & Vleminckx will require their workforce to expand further.

and the quality of the shortlist, tells another story. There are countless individuals working hard to build their businesses, create jobs and make a valuable, sustainable contribution to our regional economy.

We are often too modest to champion our achievements so I’m looking forward to celebrating the success of such people, some who already enjoy a high profile and others who operate outside the limelight.

The diverse list of finalists is

drawn from across Yorkshire and the North East and represent the full spectrum of business and industry, from young entrepreneurs to experienced public and private sector leaders. Congratulations are due to everyone on the shortlist, it’s a fantastic achievement itself.

The judging panel was chaired by Simon Walton, managing partner at Berwick Partners/Odgers Berndtson, Leeds. He was ably assisted by Rachel Hannan, Daniel Gill, Therese Liddle, Terry Hodgkinson CBE DL and Karl Pemberton.

The winners’ names will be revealed at the awards dinner at the Principal York Hotel on 4 July. Winners then go forward to represent the region at the UK Director of the Year finals.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s Danni Hewson will be our compère and the outstanding musician Ellie Coast will provide entertainment.

I want to say a big thank you to our awards partners CNG, Dine, Topic UK, Leeds Beckett University, BDB, Forward Ladies, the Principal York Hotel and Walking with the Wounded.

Now is the time to book your place at the awards and we have a special TopicUK readers’ rate (the same rate that applies to our members).

Simply email iod.yorkshire@iod. com for more information or to register your interest for entering our 2020 awards.

TopicUK readers can also obtain free tickets for our Corporate Social Responsibility breakfast with Jacqui Hall of CNG on 11 July at West Park hotel, Harrogate via iod.yorkshire@iod.com

Photo: Andrew Bontoft, Managing Director, The Seasonal Group.

TopicUK July2019

07

NEWS UPDATE

News

Next building announced for Wellington Place Developer and Asset Manager, MEPC has announced its intention to break ground on 12 Wellington Place in Leeds – marking the start of the next phase of one of the most impressive city centre redevelopments in the UK.

W

08

ork on site is expected to start by the end of 2019, making 12 Wellington Place the latest building to be constructed from the developer’s masterplan. Its most ambitious build yet, 12 Wellington Place will be the tallest building at the development at ten stories high, offering a mix of office, retail and leisure space.

promoting the development’s commitment to offering green space to all its customers.

Designed by leading architectural firm, TP Bennett, the building will pro vide 146,000 sq. ft of grade A, BREAAM excellent office accommodation, including up t o 1 1 , 0 0 0 s q. f t of ground floor retail and leisure space. Key features proposed within the final planning application include a roof terrace, metallic bronze façade and the planting of multiple groves and avenues of trees around the perimeter,

Paul Pavia, Head of Development at MEPC, said: “Wellington Place has experienced one of its fastest periods of growth in recent years and announcing 12 Wellington Place really shows our commitment to delivering the next phase of the development. It’s vital that we continue to supply the Leeds market with high quality office accommodation, which supports the city’s own ambitious growth plans. As quickly as we’re able to build them, we’re finding leading businesses to occupy them, allowing companies to expand, but also attracting new ones to Leeds.

development, but marks the halfway point of the development’s progress – an incredibly exciting time for us at MEPC. Given the quality of the building and its striking appearance, we’re confident that 12 Wellington Place will be well received by the market and help grow the Wellington Place community by thousands more people when it opens in 2022.”

Masterplan

The announcement follows the publishing of an independent report that reviewed the economic and social impact that Wellington Place has had on the city of Leeds, which will soon see one in 10 jobs in Leeds city centre being based at the development.

Exciting

“The significance of 12 Wellington Place is not only in it being the tallest of all the buildings at the

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Leigh Dimelow, Principal Director at TP Bennett, added: “It’s a real privilege to be working on such a high-profile development in the heart of Leeds. As a central building in the finalised Wellington Place masterplan, we were keen that the design of 12 Wellington Place had a relationship with the lifting tower, recognising the history of the development. It was important to ensure that the office space was forward thinking, reflecting the growing needs of occupiers, helping to both attract and retain workforces. We’re looking forward to our design becoming a reality, when the building is completed in 2021.”

Meanwhile, work continues across the site. Number 7 & 8 Wellington Place is due to for completion at the end 2019. Number 4 Wellington Place is also under construction and will offer 156,000 sq. ft of Grade A office, retail and leisure space when it opens in 2020. The next phase of the masterplan is also expected to be revealed in the coming months.

NEWS UPDATE

Brilliant Agency wins contract with Mrs Elswood Brilliant Agency are delighted to announce that they have won a contract with the number one pickled cucumber brand in the UK, Mrs Elswood.

Brilliant will be managing the social media presence for the pickle brand, who currently sell four jars every minute and are stocked in Waitrose, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Ocado.

Launching onto social media is a relatively new approach for the heritage brand, who’ve been on the market for over 70 years.

Following a detailed consumer research project, Brilliant were able to reposition Mrs Elswood and have rolled out a successful

Brilliant will be supporting them with brand communications, c o n te n t a n d a d v e r t i s i n g to drive awareness and sales in store, leveraging both the health benefits and the versatility of the product to make some noise and disrupt the market.

says: “Brilliant have demonstrated a lot of insight and creativity for how we can build a social media strategy and unique visual concept for Mrs Elswood, using the brand’s USPs, such as heritage and an unrivalled variety of product. We’ll be working together to create brand warmth, communicate on Mrs Elswood being THE go-to pickled cucumber brand to go to for any occasion and ultimately to encourage consumers to buy our product.”

Marion Lebreton, Senior Brand Manager at Empire Bespoke Foods

Mike Davis, Managing Director of Brilliant says: “Mrs Elswood is the

social strategy increasing the brands following already by 1000%.

perfect client for us, with wide distribution, real heritage and lot of personality that up to now has gone under the radar. The brand already has a loyal customer base that will now be given a platform to communicate with the brand on.”

MARKETING • PUBLIC RELATIONS • SOCIAL MEDIA

01484 637980

www.kccomms.co.uk

@KCComms TopicUK July2019

09

NEWS UPDATE

Work starts on £5 million industrial development at Doncaster Sheffield Airport

said: “We are delighted to be on-site to deliver high-quality commercial space which will contribute to Doncaster’s economic growth.

It’s great to be part of the continuing success story of the airport and the development around it. We’ve had numerous enquiries during the planning stage, with a number of units already under offer.”

Cllr Bill Morgue, Doncaster Council Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development, said: “It is great to see Priority Space developing new speculative units at Aero Centre Yorkshire. The Council are pleased that they are showing confidence in Doncaster proving our economy is very much on the up.

South Yorkshire developers Priority Space are behind the speculative development at Aero Centre Yorkshire, which will provide 45,000 sq. ft of prime industrial space for businesses in the region.

Priority Space is working to deliver phase one of

10

the development which comprises units ranging “The Council’s Business Doncaster team from 1,250 sq. ft to 2,250 sq. ft. The units will be has worked closely with Priority Space on ready to occupy by autumn 2019. Phase two of the development of these units and we the development will commence by the end of are looking forward to working with the this year and will offer further accommodation appointed agents in promoting these excellent from 5,000 sq. ft to a maximum of 20,000 sq. ft. units and bringing new tenants to this site, which will in turn create quality new jobs for Lee Buchanan, co-director at Priority Space, Doncaster residents.”

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE

Avenue HQ supported by Eagle Labs opens in Leeds Barclays and Avenue HQ have launched their new digital and tech incubator in Leeds. Avenue HQ supported by Barclays Eagle Labs is a space specifically designed for businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs to scale quickly.

Liverpool site recently opened, and having won ‘Co-working Space of the Year’ at the 2018 IPSE Awards, the flexible workspace operator is going from strength-to-strength.

This partnership with Barclays signifies great opportunities for the company, and its community of members.

Located at East Parade, Leeds, the incubator marks the second partnership between Avenue HQ and Barclays, following the success of their first site in Liverpool.

The Leeds Lab can accommodate over 300 businesses and provides a combination of co-working and private offices, giving businesses the space to grow and expand.

Split across five floors, there are also large event spaces and several meeting rooms available to members, as well as a coffee shop and a rooftop bar, both open to the public.

In addition to offering help and support to all members, Barclays Eagle Labs have its own floor dedicated to helping high-growth businesses within the city looking to grow and scale their business. All members will benefit from Eagle Labs’ initiatives and expertise, which includes access to funding, mentoring, and an events agenda designed to educate, connect and inspire entrepreneurs.

The Lab is supported by Barclays’ local business banking teams and specialist ‘high-growth’ managers on site to provide banking support

to companies and entrepreneurs in the area. This is the bank’s 23rd Eagle Lab across the UK, and the third in Yorkshire following the recent openings in Hull and Sheffield.

city’s businesses are hungry for flexible workspace and we want to help local start-ups to win the ‘champions league’ of growth and job creation.

“We now have three Eagle

The opening of the Eagle Lab in Leeds follows the creation in 2018 of a new business unit at Barclays called Barclays UK (BUK) Ventures. BUK Ventures has an independent mandate to deliver new customer experiences at pace and scale – ultimately driving growth for communities, businesses and Barclays – and is responsible for growing the Eagle Lab network.

Helen Clarke, Barclays Area Manager in Leeds and North Yorkshire, said: “We’re really pleased to be partnering with Avenue HQ and this launch will further our investment in Yorkshire’s entrepreneurs. The

“This launch will further our investment in Yorkshire’s entrepreneurs...”

Labs in the Yorkshire region and as a partner, Avenue HQ are as passionate as we are about supporting businesses.

Barclays’ experts are able to provide the mentoring, connections and collaborations required for Yorkshire’s businesses to flourish.”

Avenue HQ looks forward to the benefits this partnership will bring to existing members of their Leeds site. With further expansion planned, a second

Matthew Kennedy, founder and CEO of Avenue HQ, said: “Avenue HQ has proven to deliver high-quality collaborative spaces, enabling start-ups to work alongside, and be supported by, established businesses. We are therefore delighted to secure this partnership with Barclays for our Leeds site. Combining our flexible membership packages, workspace and events spaces with expert support, and an extensive events calendar, we will create a central hub for businesses of all sectors and sizes within Leeds and the surrounding areas.

Access to a national network of Barclays Eagle Labs provides a wealth of opportunities for businesses to expand beyond the city, as well as for us to welcome businesses from other locations.

“We recognise Leeds as a city with a thriving start-up scene, across all industries and sectors.”

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047 or email pr@topicuk.co.uk

TopicUK July2019

11

NEWS UPDATE

Training company launch online agricultural resource bank Skipton-based training developer, adaptiVLE has launched a new online portal designed to encourage more people to undertake further education studies.

The portal is the UK’s largest educational resource bank for land-based subjects, featuring over 300 online modules to support agricultural and veterinary courses.

It will be accessed by students from over 30 UK colleges and universities, including Craven College in Skipton.

Land Based Learning selected adaptiVLE to deliver the project based upon their expertise in b l e n d e d t ra i n i n g s o l u t i o n s , specifically their experience in building custom learning platforms for education and training organisations. The project is funded by the government’s £11-million Flexible Learning Fund, which was created to aid organisations in providing innovative adult learning resources. The initiative was designed to encourage more people to take part in new training that will help them progress in current employment or secure a new job.

One of the key specifications for the Land Based Learning platform was that it needed to complement the practical side of agricultural learning and be easily accessible for students who spend a lot of time - literally - out in the field.

12

adaptiVLE built the platform to run on any mobile device, such as a phone or tablet and ensured that students can access courses even if they are in the middle of the countryside with no phone or internet signal. This approach brings the resources to the learner, rather than users having to go to a physical classroom or training suite. Blending traditional teaching methods with mobile technology reduces barriers to learning, making it easier than ever to fit a further education course around a busy modern lifestyle.

roots. It’s also great to know that the platform will be used locally by Craven students, just a stone’s throw from our base at Broughton Hall.”

Sheffield Business Park (SBP), one of the largest in Yorkshire, has received approval of its ‘Phase 4’ expansion plan.

site sits in close proximity to Junctions 33 & 34 of the M1 and boasts excellent transport links to Sheffield City Centre as well as nearby Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

adaptiVLE Managing Director, Lewis Carr, said, “We have a background in creating digital learning tools and resources for education, so the Land Based Learning portal was a natural fit for us. Many of our clients these days are either corporate training departments or independent trainers looking for blended learning solutions, so it was nice to go back to our educational

The plan will see the 18 Acres (7.3 ha) of land between Europa Link and the A630 dual carriageway in Rotherham transformed with the potential to bring an additional 1,000 jobs to the park.

Phase 4 will create a prominent business gateway to Sheffield’s wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), with the development set to include building footprints ranging from 10,764 sq. ft to 107,649 sq. ft of B1b (research and development), B1c (industrial process), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) facilities.

Approval granted at Sheffield Business Park

Located at the centre of Sheffield City Region’s recently launched Global Innovation Corridor, the

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE

Countdown to lively launch party Hosted by Headingley Stadium the 9th annual Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards kicked off in style on 1 May. Hosted by Headingley Stadium the 9th annual Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards kicked off in style in May. Yorkshire celebrities, sponsors, past winners and contributors to the awards attended. The party was designed as a get together for all those involved in past events as well as the main Awards ceremony which takes place later this year at New Dock Hall on 11th October 2019.

Presented by Mandy Taylor of Charity Angels and TopicUK, the party officially marked the opening of Nominations for 2019. Long time supporters and ‘Friends’ of YCCA,

Eddie and Linda Gray, along with Antony Cotterill, attended. Past winner Junior Frood, street dancer and anti-bullying campaigner, plus Ella Playford one of the winners in 2018 entertained guests. Mickey and Minnie Mouse were also there.

There was goody bags for the children and Teddies donated by Variety, the Children’s Charity and guests enjoyed Yorkshire Hot Dogs, Marco’s Ice Cream and Mocktails from Bar Events.

The nominees for the 2019 Group Award were introduced and include Leeds Children’s Charity, Get Away Girls and OHANA. The Awards have developed from very small beginnings in a Harrogate Hotel back in 2011, into a prestige black tie event attended by 750 people. The Award winners themselves are the stars of the show, having been individually nominated and honoured for their achievements for bravery, courage,

There are currently around 2,000 employees based at Sheffield Business Park and a further 1,000

All this is made possible by St. James’s Place Wealth Management in Leeds who came up with the concept and have fashioned it into an enduring spectacle as well as a major fund raiser for their Charitable Foundation. In 2018 the Leeds Foundation Committee awarded over £28K to local charities who applied directly for grants to support their largely child based charitable work in our region.

Commenting, Tim Willis Head of the Foundation in Leeds said: “Without the ongoing support from businesses who give generously as sponsors and hosts, sustaining and developing this event would be that much harder. We are already in the fortunate position of being almost fully sponsored for the Awards night and our table sales are very healthy.

I am looking forward to our event on 11th October when Christine Talbot of ITV Calendar returns to present the Awards alongside Jon Hammond.”

Graham Sadler, Managing Director at SBP commented: “Having planning permission granted for our Phase 4 ‘masterplan’ is an excellent outcome and provides further opportunity to attract OEM companies to join existing occupiers including Boeing and McLaren at the nucleus of the AMID. This will further establish Sheffield City Region as a world class advanced manufacturing hub.

“I’d like to thank the whole project team and Rotherham MBC for their tremendous work and support to date. We look forward to continuing working closely together to bring our ambitious plans to life.”

fundraising and caring in two age group categories.

roles could be created as a direct result of SBP - Phase 4 this expansion during construction and occupancy stages, significantly adding to the region’s economic base.

Tickets are now on public sale from Jane Clynes Events 07703 271238, and nominations for deserving children as well as votes for the Group Award can be made via the website www. yorkshirechildren.co.uk TopicUK July2019

13

NEWS UPDATE

News

Science and tech firm ‘jumpstarts’ its customer conversations… full force!

UK-leading research and development tax credit specialists Jumpstart is powering up its communications with the help of marketing automation platform Force24.

The science and technology firm wants to effectively tailor the content and timing of its conversations for new and existing customers, and deliver personalised, GDPR-compliant marketing campaigns that can be sent out in only a few clicks Yorkshire-based Force24 has worked closely with the Scottishheadquartered organisation to set-up pre-coded html email templates that are suitable for mobile devices, and an online appointment booking process – in a bid to help ‘jumpstart’ increased conversions, revenue and campaign ROI. Commenting on how simple the platform is to use, Jumpstart’s communications manage r Laetitia Guichard, said: “We wanted something that was intuitive and easy for us to get our messages across with clarity to a targeted audience – and Force24’s platform does just that with its fresh and modern approach when speaking to customers, and managing data.

“We have a positive relationship with the team, they’re always ready to help and quick to respond. It’s a refreshing change from previous

14

technologies we’ve used that have been clunky and counter-intuitive – we’ve learnt that marketing automation doesn’t have to be overly-complicated.”

Adam Oldfield, managing director of Force24, added: “Having worked with the Jumpstart team to produce relevant, engaging communications that can cut through ‘noise’ online, we knew our platform could offer a solution to re-engage with its existing customers, and attract further prospects.

“Jumpstart can use our services to create opportunities that can seriously enhance their overall bottom line, allow them to connect with targets quickly, and increase their in-house productivity as a result. It’s a pleasure to team up and deliver an exciting range of tailored communications.”

Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund – Mercia Debt Finance, to support the development of the platform, Force24 has since gone on to win a commendation for Marketing Automation Vendor of the Year at The

B2B Marketing 2019 Martech Awards. now extend our involvement with the Foundation to Yorkshire. “It’s brilliant to be able to work with schools and see the impact that our work with Greggs Foundation can have with them.”

Construction firm scoops prestigious National Building Award Leeds celebrated at Wembley Stadium when local firm Priestly Construction were crowned Events & PR Contractor of the Year at the prestigious National Building Awards 2019 headlined by Global Leader Liebherr.

Founded in 2010, Force24 delivers humanised communications so organisations can use its intelligent UK-built platform to talk directly to customers through various methods such as email, SMS, direct mail and social media.

The awards were made up of 17 categories and gave any successful business in the world of building the opportunity to highlight their work and achievements and be judged by a panel of national experts.

Having secured investment from

Speaking immediately after being

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

crowned, Rob Pell, the Construction Director said, “It has been an amazing 12 months for us here and to now be crowned with the title is a genuine thrill.

“We work across the country and pride ourselves on delivering a first class service to all of our clients. This award is recognition for all the team and the hard work and talent they bring to the game.”

Priestly Construction was the brainchild of former professional rugby player Nathan Priestly who set up the business in 2012 after a track record of success of working across the industry.

NEWS UPDATE

Wakefield becomes UK’s first SmartWater area A Yorkshire city has launched a pioneering new scheme to tackle crime and boost business.

Deluxe quality networking for ladies

Wa k e f i e l d B I D ( b u s i n e s s improvement district) has teamed up with SmartWater with the backing of West Yorkshire Police to rollout forensic liquid tagging across 50 stores in the city centre this year.

Do you want to network with professional business ladies in beautiful surroundings?

If so, The Dakota Leeds is the place for you.

The Dakota hold a monthly lady’s lunch on the first Wednesday of each month from 12 noon to 2pm.

Following a welcome drink and open networking, there is a delicious two course lunch in the hotel’s grill, followed by a quality guest speaker in the elegant upstairs bar. All this for just £20 per person.

This innovative technology has already been used as critical evidence to secure thousands of criminal convictions, making it a powerful deterrent to criminals.

SmartWater is a water-based, inorganic traceable liquid that contains a unique forensic signature. Once marked with SmartWater, items can be traced back to their origin proving where they were stolen from.

The liquid is detected using an ultraviolet light, under which it glows SmartWater’s trademarked yellow-green, but is otherwise invisible to the naked eye. West Yorkshire Police are equipped with UV torches, meaning that offenders are routinely scanned for traces of SmartWater.

As the product is not DNA-based, it is incredibly robust and can withstand fire, humidity and sunlight.

Its deterrent power was shown last year, when SmartWater was trialled in Wakefield city centre thanks to funding from Wakefield BID. The trial saw cans of high-strength alcohol marked with the forensic liquid to identify which stores had been selling these drinks to prolific

street drinkers. Within months, West Yorkshire Police reported a 60% fall in reported street drinking.

cuts our force has faced, it makes sense to support them in any way we can to deter and detect crime.”

The BID and West Yorkshire Police will now work to identify which stores to roll this out to, including some of the most vulnerable and regularly targeted locations, although criminals won’t know exactly where as signage will be installed.

Inspector Helen Brear of Wakefield Central NPT said officers had found that the use of SmartWater signage in Wakefield and elsewhere had proved to be an important factor in lowering instances of shoplifting. She said: “The feedback from participating retailers has been very positive with one retailer noticing in excess of 90 per cent reduction in shop theft in December 2018 compared to December from the year before.”

Elizabeth Murphy, Manager of Wakefield BID, said: “We want to send out a clear message that our city centre is open for business and closed to criminals. We know we will never 100% eradicate crime, but we need to help reduce it.

“The perception and impact of crime is high on the list of concerns of our businesses, so we are taking action using new technology to tackle this. The BID isn’t here to replace the police, but given the

Gary Higgins, Director of Security Services for SmartWater Technology, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wakefield BID and West Yorkshire Police to deliver what will be the first SmartWater Protected City Centre Zone.”

This successful event has been running for a number of months with a growing attendance.

To reserve a place call: Sophie on 0113 322 6261. Places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

West Yorkshire’s largest independent recruitment specialists

Call us on

01484 35 10 10 Connect with us ! linkedin.com/company/stafflex-limited www.facebook.com/stafflexjobs @Stafflexjobs www.stafflex.co.uk

TopicUK July2019

15

Third year success for volunteer awards

News

NEWS UPDATE

The third Wakefield Volunteer Awards were held at Cedar Court Hotel last month. Over 230 guests enjoyed an excellent meal, which was followed by the awards, hosted by Harry Gration of BBC Look North.

The first award went to Alison Drake of Castleford Heritage Trust, but sadly she had passed away a few days before. Guests watched a short interview with Alison that had been filmed a few weeks before.

Following an emotional tribute by Yvette Cooper, the MP for Castleford and a personal friend, Jane Walton received the award on behalf of

Alison’s family and colleagues at

special Lifetime Volunteering Award

Tw e l v e o t h e r n o m i n e e s

Castleford Heritage Trust. In special

was presented by Sir Rodney &

then received their rewards

recognition of everything that

Lady Anne Walker and received

following a short filmed

Alison had done for the district, a

by Jane Walton.

inte rvie w in which the y

HOME CCTV AND ALARM SYSTEMS LINKED TO YOUR SMART PHONE

T: 01977 514444 / 517777 E: info@vanguardsecurity.co.uk

16

@Vanguardsecltd

Vanguard1993

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

vanguardsecurity

W: www.vanguardsecurity.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE outlined their activities, and the evening concluded with three special awards: •

The Tim Henman Youth Award which went to Georgia Greening for her work raising money for a children’s Hospice and was presented

by Ed Anderson, HM Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire

•

The People’s Choice Award voted for by over 500 members of the public which went to John Walter of the Horbury B re a kth rou gh Yo u t h Project and was presented

by Harry Gration

•

The Overall Winner’s Award which went to Trevor Waddington of Pontefract Collieries Football Family which was presented by Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield

Chairman of Community Foundation David Dinmore thanked those who had made the event possible including Wa k e f i e l d C o u n c i l a n d local businesses for their sponsorship and all those who had donated prizes for the raffle and silent auction.

Next year’s event will take place on Friday 15 May 2020.”

Colleagues from the furniture industry were stars of the screen when ‘Extreme Chocolate Makers’, a brand-new TV series featured them on Channel 4.

The new show unveiled the work of an elite group of chocolatiers, who go all out to produce the world’s most breath-taking chocolate creations. The episode featured a master chocolatier creating a bespoke sculpture for 179-year-old bed maker, Harrison Spinks ahead of the Furniture Makers’ Company Northern Winter Ball which was held at Hornington Manor – the Harrison Spinks Farm.

The event was held to benefit The Furniture Makers’ Company, the occupational welfare charity for the furniture and furnishings industry.

The show featured award-winning E x p e r t c h o c o l a t i e r, A s h l e y McCarthy who was tasked to create a chocolate centrepiece to be auctioned off at the event. Ashley worked with the Harrison Spinks

Leeds furniture feature on Channel 4 team to create a confectionerybased scene inspired by children’s story, the princess and the pea, featuring a four-poster bed with several Harrison Spinks mattresses and starring a cocoa version of Harrison, the sheep star of the brand’s TV advertising campaign.

“We were delighted that the event was featured on Channel 4’s Extreme Chocolate Makers...”

The chocolate sculpture was made from a whopping 19.6kg of chocolate and measured 56cm wide and 47cm high.

Simon Spinks, Managing Director of Harrison Spinks said: “We were thrilled with the sculpture that Ashley created for us and we

were delighted that the event was featured on Channel 4’s Extreme Chocolate Makers.

“The event raised over £3,000 for The Furniture Makers’ Company. The attention to detail on the chocolate mattresses was uncanny and Ashley did a great job of recreating Harrison the wensleydale sheep, which is no mean feat.”

Ashley added: “The piece commissioned for Harrison Spinks was a real challenge, having to fit the brief but also make the piece interesting and visual.

“The detail on the mattresses have to be exact which was a challenge in itself.

“Having specialised in chocolate and chocolate sculptures over the last few years, making a bed on this scale certainly was a first”.

TopicUK July2019

17

NEWS UPDATE

Motorhome and Caravan Dealer Expands with Funding from Barclays Hull based Motorhomes and Caravans Limited have announced expansion plans with new funding from Barclays.

Established in 2008, the firm was created by entrepreneurs Steven Pritchard and Kerry Robertson who were looking for an affordable way to provide a holiday for their extended family.

Support The couple created their own camper van converting a horsebox and managed to sell this after the summer holidays at a profit.

They subsequently decided to invest further in the business and now run a successful business retailing both new and used motorhomes and caravans across the UK, from their headquarters in Stoneferry Road in Hull.

Ste ve n M anaging D irector, said: “We’ve bee n gro wing organically over the years and we decided to expand our part exchange business and take on some apprentices. Once our customers get the camping bug, they invariably come back to us to trade up, so it made sense to increase stock and provide more

18

choice for our customers. We’ve banked with Barclays for over eight years now so it was great that they knew our business well and were able to support our growth plans which will take the business to the next level.”

The company expects turnover to exceed £8 million this year and employs 20 staff, although this will increase as they are currently recruiting more apprentices to learn the trade.

Thriving Ben Carver, Barclays Associate Director who put together the funding package for the deal and said: “We’ve been supporting Motorhomes and Caravans for a number of years and it’s great to see loyal clients successfully growing their business, investing for the future and contributing to the local economy. Steve and his team operate a thriving business and we’re delighted to support this ambitious and highly specialised company with their future growth plans.”

Make Debbie your winning choice Voting is open for the 12th annual Leeds Hotels & Venues Association (LHVA) People’s Choice Award and shortlisted is Director of Sales at Dakota Leeds, Debbie Dobson.

This award recognises and celebrates the high standards and commitments of exceptional individuals that work in Leeds’s city hospitality sector.

Debbie is a true inspiration to everyone she meets and is identified as one of the city’s most inspirational females. Her endless amounts of energy and infectious personality, mean that Debbie has friends from every walk of life, counting the Chair of Leeds United and Christopher Biggins amongst her friends.

Her commitment to business and connecting people, led Debbie to

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

set up the successful Ladies who Lunch monthly networking group at Dakota Leeds, supporting other women in business.

The winner will be announced at a glittering awards event on 27 June at Leeds United FC. So get voting now at http://lhva. co.uk/peoples-choice-award-2019/ and make Debbie a deserved winner.

ADVERTORIAL

A

s with all digitally led industries, these are fastmoving areas of enterprise, so for business destinations to stay competitive, they must maintain a constant awareness of future technology needs. Fortunately for Leeds, CityFibre’s £120m investment to build a new full fibre digital infrastructure places the city in a leadership position, with only 6% of premises across the UK currently able to access this type of nextgeneration connectivity.

The project, delivered in strategic partnership with Vodafone, will deliver the fastest, most reliable gigabit-speed broadband to almost every home and business in the city, providing Leeds with a globally competitive and futureproof digital network.

According to recent research by economic consultancy Regeneris, this project has the potential to drive digital enhancements in the delivery of healthcare services worth £42m. The city’s strength in medical innovation and data is one area that is particularly primed to benefit. This was demonstrated clearly during the festival through leading healthcare companies including DigiBete, Clarity, and Leeds Community Health NHS Trust.

Impressively These organisations represent just a fraction of the city’s overall presence in the sector, with Leeds home to 160 medtech and health informatics companies, and boasting the largest concentration of health informaticians in the UK. Impressively, 22% of the total number of digital health jobs across England and Wales are based in Leeds, as are 18% of all med tech patents.

Healthcare innovation in the

For Leeds, full fibre connectivity can unlock the next stage in digital healthcare excellence with Vodafone Another fantastic Leeds Digital Festival has provided a timely reminder of just how far the city has come as a leading digital hub in the UK, with great strides being made in fintech, software development and medtech. city has both an outward and inward focus, with many active initiatives aiming to improve the daily lives of local communities, as well as drive economic growth through business success. Take 100% Digital Leeds for example, a collaboration between Leeds L i b ra r i e s a n d G o o d T h i n g s Foundation, which is ensuring everyone in the city has the digital skills they need – all in the name of inclusion and equal opportunities.

Leeds City Council has also long acknowledged the power of technology in the healthcare space and is responsible for developing the widely recognised Leeds Care Record, which enables clinical and care staff to view real-time health information across different systems and care providers.

Full fibre enables larger scale deployment of connected healthcare technologies and allows better, instant access to patient monitoring data. By offering near limitless capacity and improved reliability, it can also stimulate new technology development and enable a more agile health service that is better placed to cope with the pressures of an ageing population.

Proud As the recently appointed City Manager for Leeds, I am hugely excited about the project and will be working closely with the Council and other stakeholders to facilitate a successful roll-out and ensure the local community is kept informed at every stage of the process. We also look forward to participating in a range of digitally

themed activities across the city as part of our mission to promote digital skills and inclusion and share the capabilities of full fibre so that everyone can benefit from living in their Gigabit City.

I’m proud to be in a city that strives to offer the best care and support for its residents and look forward to Leeds soon becoming a globally recognised centre for healthcare and digital innovation.

For more information about CityFibre’s Gigabit City vision for Leeds, visit: www.cityfibre.com/ leeds and follow @GigabitLeeds on Twitter.

TopicUK July2019

19

O N

TH E

M OVE

On theUPDATE move NEWS

On The Move New Appointments throughout our region as Beanies Flavour Coffee and National Holidays.

Enterprise in 2013 as an Investment Manager and has since risen through the ranks of the organisation. For the past two years, the former banker has been responsible for overseeing investment activity and managing fund performance.

Jake will use his extensive knowledge and experience in Paid Digital and E-Commerce, to add further value to these accounts by driving revenue and sales.

JakeNewbould joins Brilliant Agency Brilliant Agency are delighted to welcome Jake Newbould to their expanding team.

Jake who joins as Digital Performance Marketing Manager, was formerly at London based e-commerce brand MADE.COM and nursery retailer Mamas & Papas.

Jake joins to lead the company’s Performance Marketing offering.

He will collaborate with the Client Services and Strategy teams, on key accounts such

20

Mike Davis, Managing Director said “Jake joining the team is a fantastic step forward in supporting both our company’s growth goals and our clients’ results.

He clearly demonstrated his ability to drive value and revenue from his knowledge and has the desire to continue to grow and learn which we value so highly at Brilliant. He’s a great addition to our team and is already adding to the strong culture we’ve built in the company.”

Jake said “It’s great to be part of the team, I’m very excited to be joining at such a time of immense opportunity and to become a key contributor to their already on-going success.”

Joint MD appointed A fund manager with a successful track record of supporting SMEs throughout the Sheffield City Region has been appointed as Joint Managing Director of Finance For Enterprise.

Andrew Austwick will work alongside existing Managing Director, Arthur Foreman, with responsibility for the further growth and development of the business, which operates from offices in Doncaster and Grimsby.

Andrew joined Finance For

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Andrew will work alongside Arthur to help maintain and further develop the impact of the company in the region following the recent securing of additional capital by Finance For Enterprise.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew said: “One of the rewarding aspects of working at Finance For Enterprise is being able to add genuine value by identifying and supporting viable businesses which have the potential to contribute to the local economy.”

Managing Director Arthur said: “Since joining us six years ago, Andrew has made a significant contribution to the continued success of the organisation.”

on the move & Building Consultancy across the North. Operating across all sectors, the Consultancy offers a range of services, including specialist architectural services a n d b u i l d i n g s u r v e y i n g, a s well as cost consultancy and project management.

Laura, who hails from Pickering, has an array of experience in the drinks industry, having established and managed a speakeasy-style cocktail and gin bar for the last three years.

Start-up appoints first staff member A Yorkshire-based start-up distillery has appointed its first full-time employee alongside the founding duo.

Laura Bartram has joined Cooper King Distillery as events and development manager to support the company’s rapid growth.

Based in Sutton-on-the-Forest, Cooper King Distillery is England’s first self-built gin and whisky distillery.

Laura’s main duties at Cooper King Distillery are managing a number of on- and off-site events, developing cocktails for the distillery bar and new releases, and assisting with production of spirit.

Commenting on Laura’s appointment, co-founder Abbie Neilson said: “We’re delighted to have welcomed Laura to the team; this has been an extremely exciting year for us and it’s fantastic to have Laura joining the journey.”

Laura added: “I am thrilled to be working for a company with such an inspiring story behind it. It’s great to be able to apply the industry knowledge I’ve gained into a company which is continuously focused on having a positive impact on the environment and creating fantastic, innovative spirits.”

The Ilkley-based agency has recruited Melissa Watson and Eleonora Izzo to provide account support across clients in sectors including B2B, consumer, hospitality, manufacturing and events.

Interns bloom in Approach springtime appointment Public relations consultancy Approach PR has appointed two new interns, providing valuable industry and workplace experience and bringing a fresh wave of creativity to the award-winning team.

Melissa (19) is currently undergoing a gap year before starting at the University of Leeds in September.

Before beginning her course in journalism Melissa plans to travel.

She visited Iceland earlier this year and is arranging trips to Budapest and Dubai as well as gathering work experience at Approach to aid her future career.

Melissa said: “I absolutely love coming into Approach, it’s an amazing opportunity and I really feel like part of the team. I’m so lucky to get such a variety of tasks and am learning things that will really help when I start my degree, including

Carter Jonas expands team Carter Jonas, the national property consultancy, has appointed Matthew Ellams, Partner, to the senior team of its Leedsbased Architecture & Building Consultancy.

Matthew joins from Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, where he was Head of Construction.

Matthew is relocating from London to Leeds to develop the Architecture interviews, copywriting and social media planning and measurement.”

Eleonora (23) is currently studying an MA in International Communication at Leeds Beckett University. She spent her first semester studying in the Netherlands and has a passion for speaking multiple languages.

With a wide range of experience across several countries, Eleonora adds a wealth of knowledge to the Approach team.

Eleonora said: “It’s wonderful to be here at Approach, it’s such a lovely environment and it’s the perfect way complement to my masters.

Approach’s variety of clients, from retail to manufacturing, and admirable ethos really attracted me to the company. I’m very grateful to be interning with them and gaining some valuable experience alongside my education.”

Richard Love, Head of Architecture & Building Consultancy, said: “This is an exciting time for the Building Consultancy team and we’re proud to announce Matthew’s a ppo i n t m e n t a nd welcome him into the team. Matthew is well placed to take forward this section of the business, and drive its development in the northern region.”

Matthew said: “I am excited to be returning to my roots – to the area in which I initially started my career in construction. The consultancy has a reputation to be proud of, and I am up to the challenge of replicating this success and taking it to new places.”

Melissa and Eleonora are performing a variety of tasks including copywriting, media sell ins, social media planning and blog writing.

Managing Director, Suzanne Wa t s o n , s a i d : “ It ’ s s o important for young people to gain industry experience as graduates with work experience are three times more likely to secure a job than those without.

We always try to provide tasks to help develop their techniques for a future career and it’s a pleasure to see them grow in confidence and skill throughout their time with us.

She added: “They both show the passion for the company that we look for in our team and their enthusiasm comes through in the work they do.”

TopicUK July2019

21

NEWS UPDATE

Accountancy firm makes a Literacy project is garden difference worldwide centre charity of the year A Huddersfield-based accountancy practice has partnered with Global Business Giving Initiative (B1G1) to fund charitable projects around the world.

Every month, Crowther Chartered Accountants will select one of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to support with every business transaction. From April onwards, every transaction and its activities will be linked to fighting poverty, hunger, poor education, climate change and many other worthy causes.

Founded in 2017, B1G1 works with more than 2,700 businesses to make giving more effective.

Unlike conventional giving models, B1G1 passes 100% of the giving to the nominated projects and helps small to medium-sized

22

businesses achieve social impact by embedding ‘giving’ activities into everyday business operations and transactions.

Commenting on the partnership managing director Steve Crowther said: “We firmly believe in working closely and helping our clients on a day-to-day basis but wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could help the wider world also on a day-to-day to basis? B1G1 allows us to do this.

We’ve done a lot locally for the community but extending this to have a global impact is something that I feel businesses need to take responsibility for, if they can.”

The team at Tong with Helen Verity from the National Literacy Trust

The team at Tong Garden Centre has announced that a Bradford initiative of a national literacy charity will be its Charity of the Year for 2019.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

The team at Tong aims to raise £10,000 for Bradford Stories through a series of fund-raising events and collection boxes at the tills. Bradford Stories is an initiative from the National Literacy Trust and Bradford Council to

ADVERTORIAL

We all lead busy lives, looking after loved ones, building careers and generally enjoying life...

We don’t want to think about the end of our lives, but at some point, we have to, plans have to be made to take the burden away from those loved ones you’ve spent your life looking after and protecting.

No two people or families are the same and at RJ Burgess, they recognise this. Robert and his highly experienced team believe that individual choices and preferences have a crucial role to play in the

RJ Burgess lasting comfort that the right funeral can bring to loved ones.

With two funeral homes, one in Normanton, the other in Crofton, both serve their community because for many, it is important

that their loved ones stay in the village where they lived after their passing.

O ver forthcoming issues, RJ Burgess will share with readers the many options that they have

Call RJ Burgess: • Normanton - 01924 894017 • Crofton - 01924 860097 • www.rjburgess.co.uk

The iconic 80’s band Tears for Fears will be headlining ‘Music Showcase Friday’ at York Racecourse on the evening of Friday, 26th July as a part of their ‘Rule The World’ 2019 tour, and courtesy of Chuff Media, TopicUK have two tickets to give away to one lucky reader.

improve literacy levels in the city by promoting reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Indoor Manager Dennis Keen heads up the Charity Committee at the Tong Lane business and is delighted to be supporting Bradford Stories: “We’re planning a whole host of fun initiatives for staff and customers to get involved with throughout the year, the first of which was a bike ride led by managing director Mark Farnsworth in conjuction with tour de Torkshire.

available which need not be sombre or daunting, making the whole experience simple and easy, so you can rest assured everything is taken care of on your behalf, leaving you to get on and enjoy life.

To be in with a chance of winning just answer this simple question:

Win tickets to see Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears never had a number one single in the UK but which of their hits made it to number 2 in 1985?

Formed in Bath in 1981 the band is still touring today and ahead of their appearance at York, we spoke to Roland Orzabal to see what 2019 has had in store for the band so far. To read the full interview with Roland visit our website: www.topicuk.co.uk

Imran Hafeez, Manager of the Send your entry with National Literacy Trust Hub in y o u r a n s w e r, n a m e a n d T h e t i c k e t s f o r Te a r s For Fears and racing are Bradford, said: “We are absolutely contact details to: n o w o n s a l e v i a w w w. delighted that Tong Garden Centre PR@topicuk.co.uk yorkracecourse.co.uk or have chosen the National Literacy before the closing date of calling 01904 620911.

Trust as their charity of the year.

Friday 12 July. Good luck.

Since launching Bradford Stories, we have delivered lots of inspiring The editors decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn after the projects and achieved great results.” closing date. There is no cash alternative and tickets are valid for 26 July only. Transport to and from York is not provided.

TopicUK July2019

23

ADVERTORIAL

Much more than a room with a view If you’re looking for a venue that’s steeped in history with God’s own landscape as its backdrop then look no further than The Caygill Rooms at The Piece Hall in Halifax.

A

restrooms with the Gallery space also working as a breakout area.

n event space with the WOW factor, The Caygill Rooms are now available as a private hire space. Situated on the uppermost ‘Colonnade’ level and named after John Caygill who built The Piece Hall, the rooms have stunning views across the impressive Italian inspired courtyard and, in the other direction, the green hills of Calderdale. Already used for a number of events, The Caygill Rooms hosted a red carpet reception for the BBC’s Yorkshire premiere of ‘Gentleman Jack’ as well as a variety of corporate, private and Christmas events.

This flexible approach ensures every event has the potential to create its own distinctive impression. All the facilities you would expect when hiring a space are included and a dedicated co-ordinator oversees each event ensuring piece of mind and a bespoke service right from the start.

On arrival, the Gallery reception space, furnished with plush velvet armchairs and elegant, natural wood flooring, makes for a relaxed area where guests can unwind or network before moving into the main room. A blank canvas ready to create a tailor-made event, the space itself is flooded with light from floor to ceiling windows.

“I just wanted to thank you and your team for a super day at The Piece Hall. It really was brill. The venue, the food, the cake! Your team were accommodating and friendly and it made for a smooth and well organised day.”

With a combined capacity for approximately 90 people theatre or cabaret style, or up to 120 people for a standing reception, the self-contained suite has private

Alison Maudsley, Area Assistant North, Arts Council England

24

We all know that good food, drink and service are key parts of any event so it’s reassuring to know that on-site restaurant The Trading Rooms is primed to deliver whatever you’re looking for, from canapes to impress a client or a three course dinner to celebrate a significant occasion. Consultations with the Head Chef can be arranged and tastings are positively encouraged.

Hailed as one of the jewels in Yorkshire’s crown, this iconic location is the world’s only remaining Grade I listed Georgian cloth hall and features in Historic England’s Top 10 of ‘A History of England in 100 Places’. The building re-opened in August 2017 following a major transformation that beautifully repurposed it

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

for new generations. Filled with independent shops, bars and restaurants it is fast becoming an established ‘must visit’ destination as well as an important performance and event space. Attracting almost 4m visitors to date, over the last eighteen months alone the venue has played host to The Antiques Roadshow, Tour de Yorkshire and looks forward to welcoming headlining bands including Elbow and Embrace this summer.

The Caygill Rooms at The Piece Hall won’t fail to impress. And with the enthusiastic events team from The Piece Hall Trust taking care of business, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the views.

To find out more about booking The Caygill Rooms for your next event, contact The Piece Hall on 01422 525217.

SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL ON

YORK

This edition we focus on this thriving City and just some of its ambitious entepreneurs and residents as we expand across the region

Images: Š ravageproductions.co.uk

IN CONVERSATION WITH

“During filming we visited Monica, a huge hairy pig who had just given birth...”

26

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Julian is a modern day James Herriot Images: © ravageproductions.co.uk

TopicUK editor Gill Laidler recently caught up with Julian Norton, who features on this editions cover, better known to many as The Yorkshire Vet, to find out more about him and his successful career both on and off screen.

of her babies, the crew carried on filming and needless to say, it ended up on TV as a comedy sketch.”

Julian was born and brought up in the thriving West Yorkshire mining town of Castleford. After leaving Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in nearby Wakefield, he studied veterinary medicine for six years at Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge. After graduating, Julian headed North to Scotland where he worked as a locum, his first real experience of working with animals.

So what is the future for our modern day James Herriot, who was awarded Yorkshire Man of The Year by the Dalesman in 2017?

In March this year, Julian was invited to take part in Huddersfield Literature Festival. “I was delighted to be asked, I am a real fan and try to do everything I can to support both literary festivals and libraries.”

“I’m honestly not sure. Four years ago I was just a vet doing my job in North Yorkshire and living with my wife Anne and our sons Jack and Archie. Now, as well as working in the practice, I have my TV work, a newspaper column, my books and I have started filming Springtime on The Farm, a programme that features animals at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley that I am enjoying very much.”

Amazing “I think I always wanted to be a vet from a very young age. Although we had no pets at home, my grandparents had a small holding and ran bording kennels for dogs,” he explained. “I was always happy when I was helping them look after the animals at weekends and after school and as one of the subjects I excelled in was science, learning to become a vet seemed very natural.

were looking to create a programme based on a modern day James Herriot,” Julian explained. “My fellow colleagues weren’t keen, but I agreed to take part and filming began in the spring of 2015 and the programme has gone on to be one of the television stations most successful.

Vet Through the Seasons followed in 2017 and The Diary of a Yorkshire Vet. He also contributes a weekly column in The Country Week of The Yorkshire Post.

Delighted

So what’s the story about Hairy Pigs?

After leaving Scotland, Julian moved “It has been an amazing experience “There was a funny story around that. to North Yorkshire where he found which has led to many other things.” During filming we visited Monica, a himself working in the original Julian has written four books. In huge hairy pig who had just given practice of James Alfred Wight, 2016 he penned Horses, Heifers and birth. She turned out to be fine but better known by the pen name James Hairy Pigs: The Life of a Yorkshire was rather large and difficult to handle.

Herriot. “I was approached about Vet (an autobiographical account of I had to administer antibiotics but four years ago by Channel 5 who his veterinary career), A Yorkshire she became wild and very protective

Aside from his work, Julian is also a keen sportsman holding a world record for 24 hour tandem indoor rowing with his friend, the ex-Olympic rower Roger Brown, a record they achieved in 2010.

He also competed in the Ironman UK Championships, finishing in the top 50 and represented team GB at age group level for European Long Course Duathlon in 2014 and 2015 and team GB age group for European Middle Distance Triathlon championships in Majorca 2014 and Rimini 2015.

TopicUK July2019

27

Spotlight SPECIAL

York-based photographer Duncan Lomax, owner of Ravage Productions Ltd, has provided many images for Topic UK over the years, with his shots featuring on a number of our front covers and in features, including the front cover of this particular issue.

Focused on business …

Images: © ravageproductions.co.uk www.ravageproductions.co.uk Twitter @ravagephoto

28

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Spotlight SPECIAL

H

e’s worked with businesses large and small, ranging from artisans and artists, to nationwide businesses, councils and large corporates, and his work has appeared in national newspapers, annual reports, websites and social media feeds.

individual wants to get across,” said Duncan. “I never just turn up and take pictures - I love finding out about a business and helping them to tell their story. I love my job as it entails working with so many interesting people, and I think that shows in my images.”

His work for York Minster has been seen by thousands of people from all over the world, and a recent project for Scarborough Borough Council sees his work taking pride of place on their brochures and advertising material.

Duncan is currently putting the finishing touches to a new photographic studio and gallery based in York which he plans to open this year.

“Photography is more important than ever these days, and getting it right is key to the image and message that any business or

TopicUK would like to thank Duncan for work he has done for us and our partners and so we asked him to share some of his fantastic images with our readers.

TopicUK July2019

29

Spotlight SPECIAL

The Grand Hotel York goes green The Grand, York, has committed to a new scheme, The Grand, York, Goes Green, led by the Junior Board and have pledged to eliminate all single use plastic by December 2019 as their first key project, launched by Lord Mayor Keith Orrell.

F

ormed in August 2018, the Junior Board is an initiative made up of six enthusiastic junior members of the hotel’s team, with a representative from most departments. Meeting on a monthly basis, the board set their own agendas and projects, based on issues they believe the hotel must tackle as part of its ongoing improvement and development plans.

Taking inspiration and gaining knowledge from the wider industry, the board meet with influential businesspeople from York and beyond, such as Steve Brown, managing director of Make it York, Bridget Davies, managing director of Minster

30

FM, and Stuart Bailey, chief executive officer of Splendid Hospitality Group, to further their ideas and plans.

Images: From left to right: Jessica Winskill (events & group sales executive), Anna Titley (conference & banqueting assistant), Susana Mia (reservationist), Charlie Marshall (luggage porter), Lord Mayor Keith Orrell, Olivia Odudu (marketing executive and head of the Junior Board), Lady Mayoress Judith Orrell, Tom Wordsworth (senior accounts assistant).

Important During just six months of working togethe r on this project, the board has already successfully implemented several initiatives to support their green ambitions including starting an internal communications channel where members can share monthly tips, eradicating plastic straws from the business, installing a filte r syste m to reduce glass bottle use, introducing se parate bins for plastic, signing up to the Sustainable

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk /topicuk.co.uk

Commenting on the board’s purpose, Olivia Odudu, marketing executive and head of the Junior Board told TopicUK editor Gill Laidler when they met: “This initiative is very important to the team at The Grand, York.

manager noted; “The Junior Board is a great initiative for The Grand, York and our ethos is to ‘learn, impact and enjoy’. It’s important for me to be able to help young professionals strive for success and help further their development for the future, which is why the Junior Board was o r i g i n a l l y c r e a te d . It ’ s great to have a set of young and talented individuals as part of the board and I look forward to seeing the development of the team.”

We’re sure other people are doing great things for the environment, but we’d love to do our bit too and hopefully this will influence others to take the next step.

For us, it’s important for not just The Grand but for York’s hospitality sector in general, we need to strive for greener policies, for our guests and future generations too!”

Philip Bolson, general

The elimination of plastic is only the first stage for the board, however. Next, they have their sights on reducing paper and food waste by an impressive 50%, no mean feat for a hotel with over 200 bedrooms and 180 members of staff, but it will be a huge achievement for the Junior Board as they continue to make an impact on York’s premier hotel.

Restaurant Association on behalf of both of the on-site restaurants, and working with suppliers to remove plastic packaging from the goods they receive.

Amazing

Spotlight SPECIAL

Add some fun and colour to your travel!

Fruitcase — is a range of designer suitcases that display fruits inside and outside as they appear in nature. This new brand is the brainchild of York businessman Jonathan Nyman and his business partner Jacob Boston.

The Fruitcase journey began four that plants trees in semi-arid years ago with the aim of bringing areas of Africa with the aim of fun and colour to sustainable lowering carbon emissions, travel. “We were so tired of boring, eradicating poverty, and providing generic cases that we decided to microfinance to African farmers. do something about it. We want to bring fun and colour to travel “For every Fruitcase sold, we plant — but with a sustainable message,” a tree in one of Better Globe’s says Jonathan when we met him plantations, the tree then belongs to the customer. When the tree is at his York home. sold for timber or its fruits are sold, “Fully recyclable polycarbonate some of the money goes towards and components are a minimum sustainable projects in Africa — manufacturing requirement, but and some back to the customer we felt we had to do something in the form of a cash dividend, to address the travel paradox — which in time covers the purchase namely the more we travel, the more cost of the case. We hope this we contribute to global warming. will help people to travel with a better conscience and promote This is simply unsustainable.” sustainable thinking. In time, As a result, Fruitcase has therefore Fruitcase will look for even more entered into a partnership with sustainable means of production.”

Better Globe, an organisation Designed in Denmark and the

UK, the first collection features six gorgeous fruits which will be introduced in pairs, the first two being orange and the watermelon.

Lightweight, extra strong, and distinctive on the carousel, the Fruitcase comes with a 5 year warranty. It is also easy to clean, as it has no fixed fabric on the inside.

“Lightweight, strong and distinctive on the carousel”

TopicUK July2019

31

Spotlight SPECIAL

S

t Leonard’s Hospice, who have 13 shops across the region, teamed up with photographer Duncan Lomax using The Principal York Hotel as a backdrop, to demonstrate some of the amazing pieces donated by generous supporters. Together they came up with this concept to challenge perceptions.

As well as raising money for patient care at St Leonard’s Hospice consistently around half a million pounds a year in fact - charity shops

make fashion more accessible for people who don’t have lots of disposable income. Donated clothes still have a lot of life left in them and charity shops prevent them being unnecessarily sent to landfill. By purchasing from charity shops, you’re also supporting local jobs, contributing footfall to the high street and you’re more likely to find unique pieces you won’t see on everyone else.

So, before you splash out on that new outfit, try a charity shop first.

Viva Italia at The Grand One of the cookery world’s most respected chefs is heading to Yorkshire to share her skills and tips with Italian food lovers.

Stylish fashion doesn’t have to be expensive

On 22 and 23 June, award winning food writer, cookery teacher and chef, Valentina Harris, will be hosting a Chef’s Table event and A Taste of Italy session at The Cookery School at York’s Grand Hotel.

You might be forgiven for thinking that clothing found in charity shops is dated and old fashioned.

Then it’s time to think again.

Both of the events will give ticket holders the chance to learn some of the secrets of classic Italian cookery from a chef whose highly acclaimed books helped bring it to a worldwide audience.

Images: © ravageproductions.co.uk

The youngest me mbe r of a

32

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

large Anglo-Italian family of gourmets, Valentina was educated in Italy before heading to London, where she built her reputation primarily as a private chef until the publication of her first awardwinning cookery book in 1984.

Famous for its bold flavours, seasonal ingredients and vibrant colours, Italian food has repeatedly been voted the world’s favourite cuisine and the first of Valentina’s Chef’s Tables on Saturday 22 June, is A Venetian Feast.

Spotlight SPECIAL

Castle Howard appointment to find new partners Businesses looking for high end events to promote their products and services to potential customers now have a new key name to add to their phone book.

York-based Caitlin Hazell has been appointed by Castle Howard to look after partnerships and sponsorship for their 2019 events programme.

Caitlin’s appointment comes as the main tourism season starts but her initial focus is very much upon on of the jewel in the historic house’s crown, Castle Howard Proms. The event takes place on Saturday 3 August, followed on Sunday 4 August with a pop spectacular, which will be headlined by Ronan Keating.

“Castle Howard Proms is such

an important event in Yorkshire’s social calendar that it is unsurprising brands are keen to share an association. Therefore, part of this role is ascertaining which brands have the right synergy with the event, which organisations will our concert-

Valentina will be joined by The Cookery School’s head chef tutor, Andrew Dixon, to demonstrate a four course feast of classic Italian recipes.

Sunday 23 June, Valentina will be bringing a Taste of Italy to The Cookery School, this time with an emphasis on pasta.

She will reveal her recipe for La Sfoglia - fresh pasta dough – before assisting the pupils with their own hands-on version of her classic pasta dish, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

This will be followed by a demonstration of Ravioli alla Pesarese and participants will then be able to enjoy both dishes with a glass of specially selected wine.

The Venetian Feast/Chefs Tables on 22 June will take place between 6.30pm and 9.30pm and places cost £150. A Taste of Italy will be held on 23 June from 12 noon to 3pm with tickets priced at £95.

goers enjoy seeing and interacting with on the evening and which will add something unique to the special night,” says Caitlin. “With opportunities now available across the two evenings of 6,500 proms enthusiasts and hopefully similar

numbers of Ronan Keating fans, those businesses involved will reach a wider audience than ever before.”

Chief Executive of Castle Howard John Hoy is delighted with this new approach to sponsorship. “In the past we’ve welcomed requests for commercial partnerships at our key events, but for the first time this year, we’ve put together ready-made and bespoke packages to help us better meet the needs of those looking for exposure for their company at our events. Packages can include an exclusive champagne reception within the house itself, marketing opportunities online, at the event and in the programme,” he adds.

Now in its 28th year, Castle Howard hosts one of the UK’s largest al fresco proms concert outside of Hyde Park. This year promises to be Yorkshire’s biggest and grandest proms. Guest soloists Wynne Evans and Sarah Fox will be joined on stage by the London Gala Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell.

TopicUK July2019

33

FOOD & DRINK

Food & Drink

Mumbai Lounge FOSSGATE, YORK

Images: © ravageproductions.co.uk

After a Saturday morning spent browsing the many and varied shops along the rambling streets of York, both Gill,TopicUK Group Editor and I agreed that we had most certainly built up an appetite.

As lovers of Indian cuisine, we headed speedily to the Mumbai Lounge, located on one of York’s oldest streets which has bags of character, Fossgate.

The restaurant is situated amongst a number of independent shops, bars and eateries, and it’s three storey premises with large windows had a welcoming feel as soon as we stepped in through the door.

Welcome

By Mandy Taylor, Business Development executive

Mumbai Lounge 47 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF  01904 654155  Bookings/Enquiries: info@mumbailoungeyork.co.uk  http://mumbailoungeyork.co.uk Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs: 12 - 2pm & 5:30 - 11:30pm Fri: 5:30-12pm (Closed Lunch) Sat: 12 - 2pm & 5:30 - 12pm

34

I have to admit at this point, that I expected to arrive at a very quiet restaurant however much to my surprise, there were a number of diners enjoying lunch, ranging from a family with children to a couple who were browsing through their tourist guides.

We were given a very warm welcome by the owner Rakib, a restauranteur who has worked in the industry since the age of eighteen and a gent whose Indian restaurants have served many celebrities including Dame Judy Dench and Ewan McGregor OBE, to name but a few.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Swiftly, we were seated and presented with the menu, one which was extensive and detailed, and boldly stating “We have been providin http://www. mumbailoungeyork.co.uk/ g the best in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine since 2010, making our own spices and using the highest quality ingredients. We have won many awards over the years, including the British Curry Awards in 2017” – after noting this equivalent of an “Indian Oscar” our expectation level went up another notch!

It “was the weekend after all” and having opted to travel by train, we quenched our thirst with a glass of house wine (the drinks offering is extensive, including Kingfisher Lager, Cobra, wines and spirits plus soft drinks too) and nibbled on the fresh and crispy Poppadoms with an overflowing pickle tray.

Flavoursome We decided that although the list of appetisers was tempting, it included a selection of classic

FOOD &DRINK Indian starters as well as some of their regional specialties (including a “chicken surprise” which did intrigue us both) that we would indulge in the main course only, having noted the dishes passing our table were substantial in size!

As lovers of flavoursome curries and after being guided through the menu, we placed our order and asked if we could take a look around the building.

Upstairs, and accessed via a spiral staircase there’s an airy room which makes a perfect space no doubt for parties of guests and busy nights whilst the basement is dark, intimate and adorned with bright artwork in keeping with the heritage of the business. We understand that the restaurant can offer private dining to up to thirty guests and caters for occasions ranging from birthday parties to business lunches, with the option to indulge in their banquet style menu.

Generous In no time at all, we were back in our seats and lunch was served in piping hot dishes.

The Chicken Madras (called the Golden Oldie on the menu and priced at £11.90) was cooked to perfection, relatively hot and spicy with a dark red sauce and accompanied by a most generous serving of Pilau Rice which was light and very aromatic.

My choice of Chicken Karahi (also priced at £11.90) was specifically ordered as from experience at dining at other eateries, this can be tricky to perfect. The presentation was appealing and the combination of tender chicken, fresh ginger, garlic, chopped onions, cumin seeds, fenugreek leaves and the freshest of coriander made a winning dish.

The accompanying Peshwari Naan,

albeit delicious did prove to be a challenge and it was a shame to have to “admit defeat” on this occasion.

After “freshening up” with complimentary towels and treating our tastebuds a slice of juicy orange, we welcomed Sarah Lakin from The Fossgate Social to join us.

Sarah wanted to share an insight into “The Fossgate Festival” which was set up in 2015, following the devastation of the Boxing Day Floods.

Clearly Sarah is incredibly proud of the way that “We have won many the businesses pulled awards over the years, together in solidarity including the British during difficult times “to Curry Awards in 2017...” show that Fossgate was open again.” Over the years, this monthly one-day event – which always takes place on a Sunday, has developed into a very popular and unique occasion.

Offering a family-friendly, continental-style street atmosphere with live music, stalls, games, attractions and a “feel good factor”.

It was indeed a pleasure to meet both Sarah and the team at Mumbai Lounge, and with the restaurant open seven days a week (lunch and evenings except Friday, when it is open from 5.30pm) we will definitely visit again when we are next in this historic and beautiful city.

TopicUK July2019

35

Spotlight SPECIAL

Thwaites completes £1 million refurbishment project in York York’s heritage is celebrated through a stunning new design at one of the city centre’s hotels.

Middletons, on Skeldergate, has just completed the first phase of a refurbishment project, spending £1m updating guest rooms.

Championing Yorkshire Tourism

At the heart of the investment has been the transformation of two almshouses, build in 1899 in memory of Sir Joseph Terry of Terry’s chocolate company.

The picture-postcard cottages offer accommodation for up to six people, appealing to larger families or small groups, and feature a cosy lounge area. There are elements of surprise planted in the detail – not least a secret space for a Terry’s Chocolate Orange to be found by guests if they complete a riddle.

General Manager Adam Wardale said: “Middletons Hotel has bags of personality - there are several buildings that each have their own heritage, including Anne Middleton’s Hospital, The Organ Factory and the Terry Memorial Homes.

“Our in-house design team have gone to great lengths to explore the history of each building to come up with a design concept which tells the story while adding that element of modern guest experience that people expect from a city centre hotel.”

Along with the changes to the almshouses, the initial refurbishment has involved refreshing the 18 guest rooms in Cromwell House, taking inspiration from the history of timber trading and making use of reclaimed timbers and handcrafted furniture.

Adam continued: “The new design plays on the unique

36

character related to the heritage of each part of the site - Cromwell House was originally a sawmill complex so each guest room will feature a unique piece of handcrafted furniture.

“Of course for our Grade II Listed almshouses that were funded by public subscription in memory of Sir Joseph Terry, we couldn’t resist incorporating a secret space for a Terry’s Chocolate Orange to be found by guests.”

dockside area was used for importation of goods which in turn attracted the related industries and merchants houses.

The hotel is part of the House of Daniel Thwaites collective, which has developed a reputation for its refurbishment projects that celebrate heritage.

“ Middletons Hotel is an amalgamation of a buildings that were built in different periods... ”

Middletons Hotel is an amalgamation of buildings that were built in different periods in varying architectural styles. The oldest buildings date back to the 18th Century when Skeldergate’s

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Also part of the group is Judge’s Lodging, in York which was transformed by the company in 2014, and The Beverley Arms, Beverley, which was listed in the Times top 10 British hotels of 2018.

Thwaites is a member of Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y30 Club of Yorkshire-based business partners. For further information,visit Yorkshire.com/Y30.

FINANCE UPDATE

Looking out for others: How to spot a finance opportunity Alex Beardsley is joint Managing Director of ABL Business, commercial finance brokers based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.

Finance Update business is starting to experience financial difficulties.

Are they: • Struggling to keep up with demand?

• Finding it hard to keep on top of their cashflow?

• H a v i n g t r o u b l e c o l l e c t i n g invoice payments?

An approach that has become accepted as the norm in modern business is that of collaboration and cooperation rather than the old traditional competitive attitudes.

With networking groups at the centre of business growth, today’s entrepreneurs appreciate that, when lots of enterprises thrive in an area, there’s a boost to the whole local or even wider, economy.

What people do often forget, though, is that it’s sometimes not “what you know” but “who you know” that matters. If you don’t have the answer to a contact’s problem, it’s just as useful to hook them up with someone who does.

If you’re the “go to” person who always answers those recommendation requests, the business community will remember your name when looking out for someone who offers your service….and recommendations will surely come back round your way.

So, what has this got to do with Commercial Finance?

• Maybe they’ve mentioned their tax bill is higher than expected?

Well in fact, a big percentage of the businesses we’ve been able to help - 59% at the last count - have been introduced to us by a mutual contact. This is because most people are unsure where to start when looking for alternative finance support, other than the traditional High Street banks.

A finance broker can access a plethora of different lenders, offering a whole range of packages that can be mixed and matched to suit the requirements of the borrower and the situation.

What to spot In the UK we’re traditionally coy with regard to talking about our finances, so the business owner might not always spell it out.

Here are some scenarios to pick up on, indicating that there’s a need for commercial finance help.

On the positive side: • People in your network, or perhaps even your own clients, are talking about business growth.

• Someone has mentioned to you that they’re looking to expand a certain area of their b u s i n e s s… . . b u t i t ’ s clear they’re unsure of how they are going to achieve it.

• They’d like to purchase a new property, or more properties to expand their portfolio.

A collaborative approach: People networking at The Business Catalyst Club

Each of the above scenarios would attract a different solution - from asset finance to help grow a business or acquire more equipment, to invoice finance easing cashflow, or VAT finance to take the sting out of that hefty tax bill. The point is that you don’t personally have to have this expertise to help another business realise their dreams – or get over a sticky patch.

It’s up to the broker to recommend the right option or create a hybrid package that is appropriate for each individual or organisation’s needs.

Perhaps your contact is already looking for finance, but doesn’t know where to go or is worried It’s sometimes not about the process. It “what you know” is easy to get things but “who you know” wrong in this area, that matters... simply because of the minefield of options and rates available. Which is why the most helpful thing to do is ensure your friend or contact is being supported by a professional that YOU know and trust.

Most successful people do remember those who helped them on their way up!

Or alternatively you can see warning signs that a TopicUK July2019

37

Practical support proves invaluable for start-ups AD:VENTURE, the ERDF funded programme delivering a year-round schedule of practical support including workshops and seminars along with one-to-one advice and guidance throughout the Leeds City Region, has helped more than 1,500 start-ups and young businesses since its launch.

Sophie comments: “We aren’t from a sales or business background, so this was the part for us that was missing. Securing new business would have to become a priority if we were to survive and so we needed to learn some techniques that would help us with that.

“We were confident in the work that we produce and know that our footage and documentaries are comparable to – if not better – than what we had seen from agencies in London. It was just getting that message out there and encouraging companies to consider us for commissions.”

Sophie Mei Lan

Professional Business Advisors are on hand to work with organisations independently to develop a bespoke plan of action that will tackle the specific challenges that they are facing.

In addition, workshops are delivered at a range of times throughout the day and evening to allow those that are starting out to work around their commitments.

With sessions that focus on business planning, finance, marketing, social media and networking, professionals with years of experience give invaluable insight during these events that are free of charge to delegates.

Evoke Media Group Ltd is an all-female team providing video production, content creation and influencer marketing. Sophie Mei Lan and business partner, Daria Nitsche, accessed the practical support from the AD:VENTURE programme.

38

Launched in 2017 AD:VENTURE provides dedicated funded support to eligible prestart, young and new business who have strong growth ambitions.

The programme offers a comprehensive and innovative mix of tailored business support to boost growth and develop businesses in their early years.

Cameron Almas and Jake Fox, Founders of WeTennis, a digital community and performance app for amateur tennis players, also accessed support from the programme when they started out.

Jake comme nts: “I’m from a c o m m e rc i a l b a c k g ro u n d a n d Cameron’s past experience includes tennis retail, but as first-time founders we needed to be connected with the right people to help validate the demand for WeTennis and also access support that could help us make it happen.

“Through AD:VENTURE we were able to access advice in terms of how to go about launching a tech start-up and promoting ourselves, while also pointing us in the right direction of other support networks.

“From here, we attended a one-stop shop event in Halifax which I saw as a ‘knowledge sprint’ in how to secure funding, market our product and the

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL process of product development.

Following this, the next step was to test and develop the WeTennis prototype. Through our Advisor, a team of students from Leeds Beckett collaborated with us for a three-month period, adding invaluable insight in how to tweak and change the app in preparation for its launch.”

Michelle Cowan, co-founder of Justo Software and social media management tool, MySmartApp, found the advice she was given to be fundamental to meeting with her targets for the future.

Michelle comments: “It’s not just about the workshops and sessions, which have been great, but also about having someone who can be a listening ear.

“A classic example of this was when our Business Advisor explained that if we were to put in place plans for international expansion we should look to license the product, not franchise. It was also made clear that we would need to register the brand and protect our idea.

“Dealing with everyday tasks meant we simply hadn’t considered all of the legalities that were fundamental if our company was to succeed and to meet with our ambitious targets in the years to come.”

For further details about the practical support that is offered through the AD:VENTURE programme please visit www.ad-venture.org.uk.

LEGAL MATTERS

Legal Matters

Gifted Deposits:

things to consider when relying on the ‘bank of Mum and Dad’

In fact, it is not just first-time buyers relying on gifted deposits, ‘second-steppers’ are also relying on parents to enable them to buy their dream homes . Gifted deposits also often mean buyers will have lower monthly payments and can open up more favourable mortgage offers.

In 2017 Legal and General estimated that a whopping £6.5 billion would be paid by family and friends towards loved ones’ house purchases, meaning the bank of Mum and Dad are on a par with the top ten mortgage lenders in terms of contributions.

Ramsdens Solicitors 40

But are there any implications when your deposit is being gifted by a third party? We discuss some important issues to bear in mind below.

WHO CAN THE GIFT BE FROM It is usual that the gift is being made by a family member, usually a parent but sometimes a grandparent or sibling etc. which is usually acceptable to mortgage lenders. If the deposit is coming from a friend or distant relative, you should ensure you check with your lender at the time you apply for your mortgage that any gift from a third party will be acceptable to them, in order to avoid disappointment and wasted fees.

‘GIFT’ or ‘LOAN’ If the gift is to be repaid at any time this will be a loan and lender’s requirements will be different. For example, this could impact your lender’s decision to offer you a mortgage given that on the purchase of the property you will have another outstanding debt. It could also pose

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

other risks in terms of the third party potentially claiming an interest over the property if the loan was not paid off. You should consult your broker and solicitor and provide full details of your specific situation.

WHAT WILL MY SOLICITOR / LENDER NEED As mentioned above, you should provide details of the gifted deposit to your broker/lender at application stage. Even if you have mentioned it at this stage, don’t be surprised if you Solicitor advises that they will need to ‘report’ the gifted deposit to your lender once they have received the mortgage offer. Often the mortgage offer will not mention the gifted deposit and your solicitor will need to make sure the bank are fully aware of it and happy to proceed on the basis that some/all of the deposit will be coming from a third party. Bear in

Legal matters mind that your solicitor acts for both you and your mortgage lender so has to ensure that you are both informed of all aspects of your purchase.

Your solicitor will also require the third party to sign a declaration confirming their relationship to you, that the money is an unconditional gift and they will not have any interest in the property being purchased. Some Lenders may even insist that the third party obtains independent legal advice.

They will also need to see ID for the third party in the same way they do for a client for anti-money laundering purposes and will ask for further information and evidence as to where the money has come from i.e. savings and investments, inheritance etc.

You should also let your Solicitor know if the third party will be living at the property with you following completion as the bank will need to know about this and will require them to sign a further legal document.

EXTRA COSTS You should be aware that there may be an extra fee charged by your Solicitor for the extra work involved in dealing with a third party gift, including; reporting the gift to the lender, sending out relevant paperwork to both you and the third party, verifying the third party’s ID and checking that the source of the gift is legitimate and you should check with your solicitor what this fee is likely to be, depending on your individual circumstances.

INHERITANCE TAX No inheritance tax will be payable on the gift provided the third party survives for at least 7 years after the gift is made.

If you need advice on anything mentioned in this article #askRamsdens.

Are Directors personally liable for breach of an employment contract?

The High Court has held that a director may be personally liable for inducing a company to breach its obligations in an employment contract.

Although a director is not generally liable for inducing a breach of contract, if the breach of contract has a statutory element to it that suggests a director has failed to comply with its duties, then the director in question may be personally liable.

In the recent case of Antuzis & Ors v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd [2019] the Claimants, Lithuanian nationals, had been trafficked into the UK and were working as chicken catchers. The Claimants worked long hours and were paid less than the statutory minimum. The Company had made deductions from their pay as punishment and failed to pay them holiday pay. In addition, the Company had withheld payments for accommodation costs.

In determining a director’s actions the Court will look at the director’s conduct and intention in relation to his duties to the Company rather than to a third party.

The High Court held that the Company’s sole Director and Company Secretary were not acting bona fides in relation to the Company as they were fully aware that they were not paying

the minimum wage, holiday pay nor were they entitled to made any such deductions.

The Court held that the Director had induced the Company to breach its contractual obligations causing a loss of reputation to the Company and therefore the Director was held personally liable.

This case sets out the risk and liability imposed on directors if they do not operate their company in compliance with the law.

If you have a contractual employment issue you would like to discuss, please do give us a call on 01484 821 500.

Inquests Not all are equal in death Figures have recently been released by the charity, ‘Inquest’, showing a huge disparity between funding for the state and individual families to attend inquests.

In 2017 the Ministry of Justice funded £4.2 million worth of legal representation for the prison and probation service but only £92,000 was received by grieving families through the ‘exceptional circumstances’ element of legal aid.

‘Inquest’ have launched their ‘Now or Never! Legal Aid for Inquests’ campaign in an attempt to level the playing field for funding for legal representation where state deaths are concerned. They are now urging the government to reconsider their decision on the funding position.

Grieving families do not have automatic access to funding when a death involves the state, nor if the death does not involve the state, meaning families often have to attend the inquests alone and without any guidance while the state have legal representation and support throughout the whole process. Inquests

campaign is to encourage and work towards automatic, non means tested funding for legal representation for families. Going through the Inquest process can be complex and daunting for individuals having to approach this alone with no financial or legal support at a time when they are vulnerable and grieving.

Ramsdens Solicitors specialise in Inquest work and have a team who are experienced in guiding families through the process. We have represented individuals who have lost a loved one through a work accident, road traffic accident and through potential NHS failings.

Ramsdens Solicitors aim to support you from the beginning and take away the strain and worry of dealing with an Inquest alone. We will communicate with the Coroner and Coroners officers and make the appropriate representations at the Inquest ensuring you are supported every step of the way.

If you require advice about an ongoing inquest, contact our inquest solicitors for support on 0113 887 1834 or text LAW to 67777.

TopicUK July2019

41

legal matters

Legal Matters

WARNING !

the lack of a national checklist for symptoms of sepsis in children may have led to thousands of needless deaths A symptoms checklist already exists child home. In a matter of an hour, you see the for adults, but individual trusts usually child develop the spots and the symptoms of rely on their own systems for detecting sepsis that are very clearly defined.

“You might think it’s flu, you might think it’s a the condition in children.

The Royal College of Nursing has campaigned for a decade for the introduction of a standard system to alert medical staff to children who are showing symptoms of sepsis.

However, according to the union, continued disagreements between NHS chiefs mean progress has been ‘very slow’.

Campaigners are now warning that the delay may have led to the deaths and life-changing disabilities of thousands of children.

Data obtained from the NHS shows that in England, there were 26,725 incidences of sepsis in children under the age of five in 2015, and according to the UK Sepsis Trust, between 1,000 and 4,000 under-fives die every year from the condition in the UK. Symptons According to estimates, 25 per cent of survivors are left with life-affecting health problems.

Acting chief executive of the RCN, Dame Donna Kinnair, said the checklist could save lives, adding “Sepsis in a child is so sudden, you see a child go from life to death.

cold, but an hour later you have a child with no way of saving. By the time they have developed the stark symptoms of sepsis there’s no way you can come back from that.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw. co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738

“You can see a child who comes in looking like they have a common cold. You might send that Tony May, Partner and Head of the Clinical Negligence team at Chadwick Lawrence LLP

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

legal matters

Q: CAN I TAKE MY CHILD TO LIVE ABROAD? As family law experts we often get asked by clients whether they can move out of the countr y with their child/children after a separation or divorce.

In short the answer is yes, provided that everyone with parental responsibility consents to the move. However, in our experience, it is rarely that straightforward.

Unfortunately, in most cases it isn’t possible to deal with them on amicable terms. Such cases are often very fraught and emotive. In the vast majority of cases a court application is necessary.

What are the first steps?

We would always recommend trying to amicably negotiate the move with the other parent.

Honest

attempt to limit the other parent’s relationship, whether the plans are realistic and properly researched – this relates to questions around where the child will live, which school they will go to, will they be able to access proper healthcare and whether there is a particular link to the country that the parents wishes to move to.

To most people, the idea of going to Court is daunting, especially when an important decision lies within someone else’s hands. In actual fact, the Judge must weigh various factors when making a d e ci s i o n a nd t h e y m ust be satisfied that a move is in the child’s best interests. For example, consideration will be given to who the main carer currently is, the extent to which the wish to move is genuine and not simply an

At Chadwick Lawrence, our Family Law Team are here to support you throughout the process.

Whether you are a grandparent experiencing difficulties spending time with your grandchild(ren) or whether you wish to apply to remove your child from the jurisdiction or alternatively to defend such an application, we will provide you with honest and reliable advice and robust representation.

If however no agreement can be reached, we will then have no alternative but to issue an application to Court. The parent wishing to move abroad must issue an application seeking the court’s permission to take the child/children out of the country.

TopicUK July2019

43

legal matters

Be sure of the ground rules before you start in the garden Warmer weather draws our attention to the outdoors and a visit to the garden centre will be top of the to-do list for many as their thoughts turn to gardens after the slow start to spring.

But being sure of the ground rules is a good idea before you start.

H

itting headlines recently, have been several cases where homeowners have acted outside the law, and some who failed to act, but each having an impact on the rights of others to enjoy their own land.

Trees are subject to a number of protections these days but are sometimes still removed by householders without permission. To tackle the problem, local authorities are taking action by focusing attention on the economic advantage gained by homeowners.

In one recent case, the owner of a property in Dorset cut down 11 trees, including mature oak, beech and sweet chestnut, which were covered by a tree preservation order, a TPO, which required council consent to prune or fell them. The removal of the trees gave more light to the side of the property and increased the usable garden size and was estimated to have added £137,500 in value to the £2m home.

Owner David Matthews

had been given an earlier warning after breaching a TPO, and despite arguing that he had taken the action to protect his grandchildren from falling branches he was ordered to pay a sum equal to the increased value under a Proceeds of Crime Order, together with fines and court costs, to a total of £170,000.

In another case being investigated by the Forestry Commission, a land developer has been accused of destroying woodland in South Devon before applying for permission to build new homes. When a site has trees on it or next to it, a wouldbe developer must provide

an expert’s report on trees and the overall ecology of the site, with proposals for their protection, as part of the planning application process.

Residents living nearby were upset by the loss of the woodland and its ecology, saying it was a wildlife corridor for the area, claiming that the woodland had been destroyed by developer Dave Holloway in December 2018, before the tree and ecology surveys were conducted in January this year. The Forestry Commission are reviewing the case and considering whether to take action.

But while these residents were concerned at the loss of trees, the reverse problem is equally likely to occur, when failure to prune or lop trees affects neighbours. In one case that is going to court, a London homeowner is being sued for damages of £500,000 by her neighbours, who claim that a lack of control of four sycamore trees has damaged their properties. They argue that tree roots have extended under their property and caused subsidence, in a longrunning dispute that has seen arguments over the garden fence for the past five years. Talia Lehmann, who is 80, will be facing off in court, not just the neighbours, but also the freeholder of their property; in the case which will be heard later this year.

Another unwelcome visitor across boundaries that may put neighbours at loggerheads is the hugely d e s t r u c t i v e Ja p a n e s e Knotweed. Recently a fine of £18,000 was imposed on a property owner under a n t i - s o c i a l b e h av i o u r legislation, for failing to deal with the invasive garden menace. New powers were introduced in 2014 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and in this case the owners had ignored a community protection notice, ordering them to get

rid of the knotweed. When no action was taken, the local authority prosecuted, and the resulting court order includes a requirement to hire a specialist company to implement a treatment plan.

Jane Gregory, Litigation Manager at Eaton Smith commented: “Boundary disputes can be one of the most heated areas for homeowners. If you’re concerned about hedges or trees growing over into your property, or if you can see a problem like Japanese Knotweed next door, then the starting point is to have a quiet chat with the neighbour. If they don’t tackle the problem, then you may have to consider action.

“Hedges and trees must not be a nuisance or affect your enjoyment of your home or garden, and you can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour’s property or a public road, but only as far as the property boundary.

More than that, and it could be your neighbour taking you to court for damaging their property.”

In conservation areas, or where trees or hedges are protected by a TPO, council permission may be required for pruning and cutting back.

TopicUK July2019

45

NEWS UPDATE

legal NEWSmatters UPDATE

University of Law, Leeds appoint new Dean

Ramsdens are winners at the LPM Awards

Matthew Tomlinson has been appointed Dean of the University of Law’s Leeds Campus. Prior to this, Matthew spent five years at the University’s Manchester Campus, making him a new face to Yorkshire!

Ramsdens Solicitors are delighted to announce their latest win, this time at the LPM Practice Excellence Awards 2019.

Joining the University from practice where he specialised in Corporate and Restructuring l a w, M a t t h e w t r a i n e d a n d qualified with international firm DLA Piper, before going on to work for Addleshaw Goddard and Napthens LLP. During his time with the University he has provided professional training and lectured in corporate and insolvency law, in addition to employment and intellectual property law. Matthew has also provided external training to company secretaries in Corporate Governance and Company law.

The LPM Practice Excellence Awards launched in 2019, are an annual award for ‘practice excellence’ that recognises achievement and best practice in legal business management.

In September the Leeds Campus will open the University’s Business School, which is currently run from the London Bloomsbury and Berlin campuses, in addition to introducing new undergraduate programmes in Policing and Criminology.

In his role as Dean, he is responsible for running the Leeds Campus which has a staff base of over 60, all involved in the provision of programmes including undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development, to an audience of over 700 students.

The University’s heritage is in legal training and they have a true expertise in delivering legal education built around a model of practical and applied learning that engages its student in problem solving and equips them with the skills to become effective lawyers from day one.

Matthew’s key focus is to further develop relationships with law firms and other businesses in the region. “Leeds has a fast-growing economy and needs to be able to retain graduate talent to service this,” he said, “and the University has an important role to play in producing the next generation of skilled graduates for our region.

There are many ways in which we work with firms and businesses (big and small), from supporting them with graduate recruitment to getting them involved with the many different projects that we run for our students. If you’d like

48

Ramsde ns won the People and Engagement Award, demonstrating their excellence in employee engagement.

to know more about the University and how you can work with us, please get in touch.”

Paul Joyce Managing Partner at Ramsdens commented: “We are very proud to have won this award. We invest a lot into making Ramsdens a great place to work and our investment in our staff, through training, access to learning and

Stowe Family Law opens in Huddersfield Stowe Family Law has further strengthened its Yorkshire roots by opening an office in Huddersfield, its seventh in the county.

together with its in-house Forensic Accountancy team who are trained to examine financial information within divorce proceedings.

Headed by Managing Partner Rachel Roberts, and supported by solicitors Jennifer Hollyer and Rebecca Moore, the Huddersfield team bring a wealth of family law knowledge to the town.

Stowe Family Law CEO Charles Hartwell said: “Stowe Family Law now has more specialist family lawyers than any other firm in the country, enabling us to provide the very best legal knowledge and experience to our clients.

Expertly

Huddersfield will have access to the firm’s network of nearly “Following on from our office 70 specialist family lawyers, opening in York this April, we

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

LEGAL MATTERS

Eaton Smith spring clean business employment law Eaton Smith Solicitors held their first Employment Law event at Croft Myl in Halifax. The event was well received by local business owners and managers where Hannah Strawbridge, Employment Associate, helped them to “Spring Clean” their employment law.

Hannah spoke about the importance of having an up to date company handbook and all the correct policies in place to keep businesses on the right side of employment law.

well-being, benefits both our staff and clients.” This latest success follows Ramsdens being named finalists in the Legal Business Awards and The Lawyer Awards.

Pictured L-R: Partners Natalie Marrison and Veronica Mullins and Managing Partner Paul Joyce.

have 24 family lawye rs in Yorkshire alone, so no matter what circumstances our clients face, we can expertly guide them through to the best result.

Hannah was joined by Catherine Bonner of Ambient Tribe, an employee engagement expert who spoke about communicating with employees in order to motivate them and drive businesses forward.

Hannah Strawbridge

Hannah commented; “This event was the first of, what we hope will be, many events in the Halifax area and holding it at such a modern and welcoming venue as Croft Myl made it even more special. Calderdale has a fantastic business community with a vast number of dynamic and innovative businesses that we’re very much looking forward to working with.”

All of the attendees said that they would recommend Eaton Smith’s seminars and would attend future events with comments such as “Excellent, well organised, informative and enjoyable”. Eaton Smith look forward to hosting another event in Calderdale very soon.

I am very proud of the firm’s Yorkshire roots and opening an office in Hudde rsfield was a natural addition to our geographical footprint in the region.”

The Stowe Family Law office can be found in the town’s Creative Media Ce ntre on Northumberland Street.

Stowe Family Law Huddersfield

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047 or email pr@topicuk.co.uk TopicUK July2019

49

food & Drink

Pimms Punch

Food & Drink

Creating!

Summer is upon us! (Hopefully……!)

This month we are thinking it’s all about a little alfresco dining as we all open the barbeques (probably to the remnants of the last bbq we did) and dust off the tongs ready

to entertain some guests. With this in mind, we are going to teach you how to get the most succulent and flavoursome meat possible, along with a little summertime tipple to get your guests in the mood!

Louisiana BBQ Buttermilk Marinade Ingredients

Ingredients

•

•

• • • • • • • • • •

6 Chicken thighs (or pork chops, to be honest most meats will work with this) 400ml Buttermilk 2 tbsp Onion powder 2 tbsp Garlic powder 1 tbsp Black pepper 4 tbsp Paprika ½-1 tbsp Cayenne pepper 1 tbsp Oregano 1 tbsp Fresh parsley 1 tbsp Dried thyme 1 tbsp Dried basil

Method Combine all ingredients together in a bowl and add the meat of your choice. Leave overnight to let the marinade sink in. The buttermilk works wonders by tenderising the meat as well as adding boat loads of flavour. To cook, remove the meat from the marinade and stick it on the bbq. Job done!

50

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

• • • • •

50ml Pimms (or 50ml per person if making this into a jug/bowl) Cider – You can use whatever cider you like but we like Old Mout Strawberry and Pomegranate Strawberries Cucumber Mint Pomegranate seeds

Method: This one is as easy as they come…. Start with ice – lots of ice – then chop the fruit up (however you like – chunky or fine diced it’s all your call!) Add to your glass or jug, then add the required amount of Pimms and top with cider. Don’t scrimp on the fruit Pimms should be like a garden in a glass! Stir the fruit, Pimms and cider together to get the fruit incorporated all the way through the drink then top it all off with a large sprig of mint. Summertime in a glass! (Or jug!)

food & drink

Food & Drink

A hidden gem amongst

18th Century splendour Images: © Sarah Mason Photography

Whilst booking a table at The Trading Rooms I had a specific person in mind to be my guest - and that was a lady who “knows her stuff” when it comes to food, having over twenty years experience in the industry.

We decided to meet after work and were grateful to instantly find spaces to park our cars - adjacent to the grand entrance of one of the UK’s most significant heritage projects, the Grade 1 listed “The Piece Hall” in Halifax.

For a moment and as the sun shone down on the courtyard, we were both silent as we turned 360 degrees and took in the grandeur of this 18th Century site, which has been lovingly restored and truly is such a “hidden gem”.

Efficiently

By Mandy Taylor, Business Development Executive TopicUK

The Trading Rooms The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1RE  01422 414440  https://thepiecehall.co.uk/eat-and-drink/company/the-trading-rooms Opening Teams: Monday-Wednesday: 8am-6pm Thursday: 8am-9pm Friday-Saturday: 8am-11pm Image Author: Lincoln J Roth Sunday: 9am-5pm

52

The Trading Rooms is located in the corner of the ground floor and the outside seating area was clearly a great place to meet for after work drinks, or for people who were visiting the town to enjoy an evening of entertainment.

No sooner had we stepped in through the door, we were greeted warmly by a very pleasant waitress who instantly checked our reservation and efficiently guided us into the restaurant, suggesting that “on this particular evening” we could choose where we would like to be seated – we declined a table by the window

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

which had a fabulous view of Beacon Hill and opted for a cosy booth with a huge table, plush seating and the plumpest of cushions.

In no time at all, a glass of chilled wine was served, and the menus presented with an explanation that we could choose from the main menu or consider the Thursday night “Steak and Wine” options from as little as £30 for two, including a bottle of House Wine.

Whilst we contemplated our choices, diners of all ages filtered through the doors alongside those who merely wanted a quick drink at the bar, situated far enough from our seating as to not hamper our privacy.

Contemporary The background music was subtle and chosen from a playlist that would appeal to all and added to the contemporary feel of the venue whilst the activity in the open plan kitchen added to “the theatre” of dining.

After much contemplation our choices were made, and orders placed. In no time at all, we were presented with a plate of warm,

food & drink freshly baked bread with dipping oil. The waitress explained that this was freshly baked on site at “The Bakery” which adjoins The Trading Rooms. Interestingly, this is also run by The Piece Hall Trust, and as per the venue, all profits generated are re-invested into helping maintain a sustainable future for the site.

Delicious Our starters soon arrived, served up on heavy solid crockery and the presentation of both was fantastic, particularly my layered tower Devon Crab which was seated on an avocado and tomato tian and topped off with a Parmeda biscuit. The crab was light and flavoursome and tasted delicious. Teresa’s Pan-fried Pigeon Breast was wrapped in Parma Ham, with a Red Wine Jus and a miniature Rhubarb Pie, although smaller in portion size to the Crab, it was comparable inpresentation and she commented that the Pigeon and Pie were a winning combination, the sharpness of the Rhubarb was a great addition to the dish.

Just enough breathing space was left until the mains were served up, Teresa had selected a Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Dauphinoise Potatoes, French style Peas, Broad Bean Purée and Lamb reduction stock. She chose this dish as she knew from experience that it can be a tricky to master, and she was not disappointed at all, quoting “the Lamb was pink and tender and the crust just enough texture to make it

We were checked upon on more than one occasion and when our plates were clear, it was apparent that we could “set the pace” and choose any dessert or coffee at our leisure.

Progressed

perfect and the reduction was earthy rich and silky” As a lover of seafood, my Pan-Fried Cod Loin served with a roasted fishbone sauce (on the side) Jersey Royal Potatoes, Asparagus and Baby Watercress was a clear winner. The Cod fell apart gently, into large, delightful flakey pieces and the accompanying sauce was smooth and creamy. The vegetables were incredibly fresh and not over cooked.

The side order of Roasted Vegetables appeared to be unnecessary, although they did look fantastic.

I absolutely adore a cheese board however my waistband really was feeling a tad too tight, and despite being tempted by the very indulgent list of desserts we agreed to share a dish of refreshing Iced Parfait. We were both surprised when the dish arrived, as we had expected an ice cream from the freezer however this was an oblong of home-made Parfait including three delicious flavours and a mouth tingling Spring Berry Compote topped with a White Chocolate Tuille.

Head Chef in September 2018 and swiftly progressed to General Manager of the catering operations for The Piece Hall. This gentleman has an extensive and varied catering background across the Yorkshire region, working since a teenager in his father’s butchers’ shop and progressing to v a r i e d r e n o w n e d establishments, winning awards and demonstrating his skills on the stage at The Great Yorkshire Sho w, the list is endless!

He explained that all the dishes are freshly made, using the highest quality, locally-sourced produce and that menus are regularly changed, in keeping with the season.

Little did we realise that a breakfast could be enjoyed, or a light lunch or simply a cheeseboard (my guilty pleasure) and a glass of wine – the venue is open from early morning until late, seven days a week and Simon is clearly very busy and extremely proud of this “offering for all”.

Both Teresa and I agreed that we would look forward to returning to this fantastic venue, whether it be for business or pleasure and wish the hardworking team every success moving forwards.

Over coffee, we were delighted to be able to catch up with Simon Dyson, who started as TopicUK July2019

53

Waste not want not!

Dispelling myths around ‘best before’ dates A leading online food retailer is calling for better education on best before dates to reduce the “ridiculous” amount of perfectly good food thrown away every day in the UK.

NEWS UPDATE packed items are perfectly safe to use.

“Pickling and drying are methods of preserving that have been used for hundreds of years – they even found a fruit cake at the camp of Scott’s Antarctic expedition that had been kept in a tin for 106 years and it hadn’t gone off. It’s utterly ridiculous that so much food is thrown away just because of a lack of understanding of what food labels actually mean.

“It’s not just the food itself that is wasted. When you think of the energy that went into its manufacture, the amount of water used and the fuel that was needed to transport it, it’s simply not acceptable to continue like this when our planet’s resources are becoming depleted.”

S

heffield-based Approved Food is campaigning to highlight the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates in a bid to prevent households throwing away tonnes of edible food every year.

Approved Food brand ambassador and anti-waste campaigner Jonathan Straight (pictured) said that while use by dates were concerned with safety, best before was for guidance – and tinned, dried and frozen food that passes this date is still generally perfectly safe to eat.

It’s a view backed up by leading GP Dr Aneesha Ahmad, who said current labelling practices were confusing, and that eating food that was past its best before date was “absolutely fine and safe”.

According to the national waste prevention body WRAP, around seven million tonnes of food are thrown away in the UK away every year, two million of which is discarded by private households who on average waste £70 every month by binning food.

Reducing the amount of food thrown in the bin not only saves families money, it cuts the

54

Jonathan Straight

environmental costs too – WRAP also estimates discarded food creates the equivalent of 19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, the same as a quarter of all cars on the road.

Jonathan said better education on food labelling terminology was vital in the fight to reduce the amount of food thrown away. While use by dates are generally applied to fresh produce such as meat, salad and vegetables and concern food safety, best before dates – sometimes marked as BBE on packaging – are discretionary and refer to quality, not safety.

“Best before dates should be used as a rough guide rather than a strict rule,” Jonathan said. “People mistakenly think food is out of date and throw it away, yet if it has been stored properly it can last a considerable time, often several years after the date stamped on it. Manufacturers tend to err on the side of caution but tinned goods and foiled

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

GP Dr Aneesha Ahmad echoed Jonathan’s call for better education around food labelling. She said: “It astounds me how much food and drink we waste every year, the majority of which could have been eaten. It’s simply not ethically or environmentally acceptable to throw food away so frivolously.”

Approved Food’s top tips to prevent food waste: • A best before date is just that – a level of quality is guaranteed until that date but the food is still perfectly safe to eat afterwards • Use your common sense. If it smells off or looks unusual then don’t risk it.

• Never use food that has passed its use by date • Store food carefully and according to the instructions on the packet.

• Food lasts longer than you think.

Items that may well outlast the family pet include: White rice, dried pasta, dried beans and pulses, canned or pickled goods, dried cheese and seasonings.

O P E N

• • •

7

D AY S

A

W E E K

-

N O N

M E M B E R S

W E L C O M E

Woodsome Hall Golf Club

STOCKIST OF ALL MAJOR LEADING BRANDS INCLUDING CALLAWAY TAYLORMADE SRIXON & PING STATE OF THE ART CLUB FITTING STUDIO & INDOOR PUTTING CENTRE WITH GC2 &HMT TECHNOLOGY GOLF LESSONS AVAILABLE WITH ARE FANTASTIC TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF THE GAME

six

COVERED TEACHING BAYS

• • • • •

email johneyregolf@hotmail.co.uk twitter woodsomeproshop instergram woodsomehallproshop www.johneyregolf.co.uk contact number: 01484 602739 op 2

Industrial & Commercial Property Consultants UNIT 1 CROSLAND MOOR MILLS, BLACKMOORFOOT ROAD, HUDDS HD4 5AH

39 CARR WOOD ROAD, GLASSHOUGHTON, CASTLEFORD WF10 4SB

THE BOOT & SHOE INN, MAIN ST, BARKSTON ASH, TADCASTER LS24 9PR

UNIT 3 DALE WORKS, BREWERY LANE, DEWSBURY WF12 9HU

UNIT 2 POLLARD STREET SOUTH, MILNSBRIDGE, HUDDS HD3 4NB

THE VULCAN, 32 PETER’S STREET, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 1RA

TO LET

TO LET

TO LET/(MAY SELL)

TO LET

TO LET

FOR SALE

Former GaraGe repair Workshop • 220.63 sqm (2,375 sqft) • Suitable for continued use as a workshop or warehousing • 3 Phase electricity and self-contained yard leading to drive-in loading door • Prominent main road position • EPC asset rating F (subject to reassessment)

sinGle sTorey indusTrial/Trade counTer uniT • 131.80 sqm (1,418 sqft) to 269.29 sqm (2,898 sqft) • Close to M62 and adjacent to Junction 32 Outlet Shopping Village • Popular industrial and trade counter location • Car parking forecourt and secure yard to rear • EPC Asset Rating •

hiGh QualiTy Warehouse/ manuFacTurinG premises • 1,196 sqm (12,874 sqft) • Positioned on a site extending to 1.41 acres • Includes large surfaced yard of 0.34 acres • 2 Large drive-in loading doors, 3 Phase electricity & gas supply • EPC Asset Rating C

sinGle sTorey manuFacTurinG premises • 1,334.65 sqm (14,366 sqft) TO 4,377 sqm (47,120 sqft) • Large capacity 3 phase electricity supply • Former textile manufacturing facility • Excellent secure yard area • EPC Asset Rating : Units 2 & 3 TBA; Unit 37 E (115)

TradinG public house WiTh livinG accommodaTion over • 360 sqm (3,884 sqft) • Within walking distance of Huddersfield University and football stadium • Annual turnover average of £375,000 over the last 3 years • 3 Bedroom living accommodation above finished to a good standard.

• EPC Asset Rating D

TradinG public house, Free From Tie • WITH 2 BEDROOM PRIVATE LIVING ACCOMMODATION • 198.42m2 (2,135ft2) • Benefiting from traditional bar and dining room • Car park and Beer Garden • EPC Asset Rating D

14 St. George’s Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JF

01484 530361

Offices also at Mirfield, Heckmondwike, Elland and Halifax

commercial@bramleys1.co.uk bramleys.com/commercial TopicUK July2019 BRAMLEYS COMMERCIAL AD_188x132_080519.indd 1

55

08/05/2019 14:12

Luxury wedding and events venue Rise Hall has been acquired by Leeds-based hospitality entrepreneurs Daniel and Helen Gill.

Peter Hugo Photography

Hospitality entrepreneur acquires historic Rise Hall

NEWS UPDATE

Helen and Dan Gill with Sarah Beeny and Graham Swift

Daniel, founder of award-winning event and catering management business Dine, has acquired the Grade II listed building near Beverley from property developer and TV personality Sarah Beeny and her husband Graham Swift

Dan said: “We are thrilled to acquire this prestigious venue. Rise Hall is a stunning building with a rich history which will now begin a new chapter in its life under our guardianship. We have two decades of experience in luxury weddings and events so our couples and clients are in good hands. It’s very much business as usual.

“Whilst Dine operates at a range of venues throughout the UK, this is the first venue that Helen and I own outright. Rise Hall has tremendous potential and we’re keen to build on its reputation and create one of the UK’s most exclusive and luxurious venues.”

Rise Hall is recorded in the Domesday Book and the estate was once owned

by Richard III. More recently, the house was used as a convent school and fell into disrepair.

Graham and Sarah bought Rise Hall in 2001 and with a huge passion for British Heritage, relished the opportunity to not only rescue an important “at risk” building but

56

Joel Skingle Photography

Dan, and his wife, will continue to operate the prestigious, 29- bedroom building as a luxury wedding and events venue.

Blue Sky at Rise Hall ©

to also create a sustainable future for it. The couple’s comprehensive renovation of the building as a family home and wedding venue was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Beeny’s Restoration Nightmare in 2010.

“Historic England list 705 historic buildings that are currently ‘at risk’ in England”, says Sarah. “Many of these buildings aren’t appealing to investors because they won’t turn a quick profit. The only way to ensure the survival of important buildings

such as these is to give them a different purpose for the way in which we live today.”

“Rise Hall has been a big part of our lives for the last 18 years and we are extremely

“ Rise Hall is a stunning building with a rich history... ”

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

proud of the work that we, together with an incredible

team, have achieved to date, but it’s time to move on.

The fully restored Grade 2 listed Hall will now begin a new chapter in its life. We are thrilled to be passing it onto Dan and Helen who we feel are the perfect fit for such a very special place.”

To p i c U K w i l l v i s i t Rise Hall next month to view this beautiful venue for ourselves.

NEWS UPDATE Gama Healthcare Ltd, a world leader in the manufacture and development of infection control products for the healthcare sector, has moved to new premises and almost doubled its Halifax workforce from eight to 15 in the last few months.

Their new, two storey workplace is the former Yorkshire Water building in North Dean Business Park. The interiors have now been furnished and fitted by Yorkshirebased Ben Johnson Interiors and the building has been renamed “The Fellows Research Centre” after one of the company’s founders, Adrian Fellows.

Gama Healthcare - inside the hospital room

Gama management was keen to achieve a modern, comfortable yet practical look to their new facility, with informal collaboration areas, multiple private meeting rooms, breakout areas, and large boardroom on the ground floor, with desk areas on the first floor. The entire workplace was to represent impeccable quality – to reflect the high standards of Gama’s healthcare products. Similarly, all workplace furniture was to be of the very best – and appropriate for an innovative global company. The boardroom in particular was to convey distinction and style whilst also offering a flexible space for training.

Workplace wow treatment for Halifax healthcare company

Training forms a large part of Gama’s work and the company frequently conducts hospital and health infection control workshops and demonstrations on its premises.

Ben Johnson Interiors provided space plans and a furniture presentation to demonstrate the best use of the space along with a range of top quality furniture a n d w o r k p l a c e p ro d u c t s to compliment the design.

For research and training purposes, a fully fitted, authentic “hospital” room has also been included in the building, complete with genuine hospital bed and healthcare equipment as you would expect to find in an NHS facility.

relationship with Ben Johnson Interiors from the start. They were easy to work with and pleasant – and they provided the ideal furniture for us at a good excellent price. What more could we want?”

A range of sturdy, stylish furniture from Frovi, Senator, JDD, Connexion Collection and Orangebox were chosen whilst the boardroom was fitted with flip-top tables which

could easily be adapted to training desks if required.

The end result has been well received

by Gama Healthcare. Mark Hallinan, Senior R&D Associate, who was closely involved with the project, says: “We’re so pleased with our new workplace interior. It’s exactly how we wished it to be and it’s been a huge morale boost for staff to work in such stylish yet practical surroundings. We had a great working

GAMA Healthcare developed the first universal disinfectant wipe available in the UK under the Clinell brand.

Since then Clinell has become one of the largest suppliers of wet wipes to the NHS in the UK and exports its products to over 50 countries worldwide. The Cleanall cleaning cloths are a well-known cleaning cloth brand owned by Gama.

The Carell bathing and personal care products by Gama complete their full range of full infection prevention and control solutions.

The Gama staff based at the new “Fellows Research Centre” in Halifax are engaged in discovering and developing new innovative products and improving existing ones.

TopicUK July2019

57

NEWS UPDATE

30 for 30Campaign

T

his year, The Prince of Wales Hospice celebrates 30 years since opening it’s doors to it’s first patients and they have planned a fantastic range of activities to support this throughout 2019 leading up to the actual day on the 24th November 2019.

The 30 for 30 Campaign aims to engage companies in the Five Towns Area pledging their support as a “Charity of the Year” partner of the Hospice aiming to raise £1,000 therefore generating a total of £30,000 during the Hospice’s Anniversary year to support patient care.

etc to ensure your fundraising campaign gets off to a great start and helps you achieve your target for 2019.

• A dedicated account Manager to support you and your staff throughout 2019.

• Promotion of your support as one of our 30 for 30 campaign companies via various social media platforms and our website.

Each Company that signs up to support this campaign will receive:•

58

A welcome pack with supporting information including ideas, branding, poster templates

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

• A fundraising thermometer similar to the one shown with your Company Logo to monitor your progress to target.

If you are interested in supporting the Hospice in their Anniversary Year and want more information please contact Tracey Mearns in our Partnerships Team on 01977 781474 tmearns@pwh.org.uk

the yORKSHIRE COAST 1 2 PAGE SHOWCASE

SPONSORED BY THE SCARBOROUGH BUSINESS AMBASSADORS & FOUR TIGERS MEDIA

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Ed’s notes

By Ed Asquith associate and award-winning editor.

Hello everyone, Wow ... superb feedback from so many people for the first Scarborough and coast section of this packed magazine. Thank you to everyone who has been happy to act as a distribution point, and if you would like to join them, let us know.

Thanks also to Alex Grant the artisan chocolatier for offering a generous discount to all readers of TopicUK in his article and you can order by his website link; to newly-elected councillor Guy Smith for his particular praise on the Scarborough College article; and to Terry Hodgkinson CBE, the Wakefield-based business leader and former chairman of Yorkshire Forward. Terry, who has a home in Whitby, said the magazine was filling an important

role by highlighting the significant range of efforts and achievements to a wider audience.

For this issue, a shout out to the great array of what’s on and leisure events ...

I should also add plaudits to all the finalists of the brilliant Star Women in Business Awards in April at the Spa; to Mick Trenham, whose Scarborough motor business made it to the final of the British Bodyshop Awards, competing against 700 other repairers, and to training consultant and communicator Duncan Lewis of Eaglei whose huge efforts see him support many worthwhile community events.

Firstly, I’m looking forward to seeing Stepping Out at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (on until August 3), having heard so many positive comments about it. The Scarborough Spa lineup for June and July includes the Gin Society festival and the Spa Orchestra season.

Good luck to Mick Grant and Eddie Roberts who are bringing back bike racing to Oliver’s Mount.

They are toiling away for the Barry Sheene Classic to return July 2728 and the Gold Cup September 28-29. The town has greatly missed these events.

The Open Air Theatre programme will include Cliff Richard, Madness, Lewis Capaldi and July 12-28 sees the Ryedale Festival. July will also see the Festival of Archaeology and the Seafest Festival.

And finally, my friends who organise concerts at York Racecourse have asked me to mention these showcase events: Busted June 29, Tears For Fears July 26 (see competition Page 23) and James Arthur July 27.

Tears for Fears

To become part of the Scarborough and coast section of TopicUK, to become a magazine partner or a distribution point, email asquith.ed@gmail.com Ed

60

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

the yorkshire coast

The artisan chocolatier on the coast

It’s celebration time for artisan chocolatier Alex Grant who started his business after making truffles just for family and friends.

Six years on this July from turning his hobby into sweet success by opening his own shop in Scarborough, there are often queues of customers for Alex Grant’s handmade creations and for businesses which want to treat clients with chocolate hampers.

His popular enterprise has also attracted wholesale customers who order 2,000 bars at a time of their chosen flavours.

Alex, who runs Croft's Chocolates in Newborough, with his family, said: "We are based on quality. All our chocolate is Belgian couverture.

“We focus on simple packaging - letting the chocolate sell itself, no gimmicks, and our boxes are packed with chocolate and not vac-form trays.”

A s t h e b i g p l ay e r s s u c h a s Thornton's quit towns including Scarborough, Croft's have attracted more attention and expanded their quality offerings and run chocolate-making private workshops for families or groups for upto eight people at a time.

Alex started out working as a chef in Leeds. "I left as sous chef and moved to Scarborough landing my first head chef job.

"After 12 years' experience in kitchens, I had been making chocolate truffles to accompany after dinner coffees, which my brother had tried and shared with friends, family, teachers.

15% off

People then wanted more so we experimented with flavours and people were buying them!

"After that we started to trial the products at markets. I was still working In conjunction with full time, but making chocolates at To p i c U K , C ro f t ' s night from home (for about a year and are offering all our a half ) and it went from there. readers a discount for website orders: "We opened our shop six years ago I went from working in hot kitchens to To enjoy a taste of their a chocolate kitchen." artisan chocolates with a great saving, you can Helped in the shop by mum Sheila, he has some passing customers who just obtain15% off at: croftschocolates.com want one chocolate in the moment, or using the code selections for special occasions, and He also makes shards and figures he can put photographs on chocolate a n d g l u te n - f re e , d a i r y - f re e f re e CROFTUK blocks for christenings and other and vegan options. celebrations. For the Star Women in Business Awards, he created tiger- "As a family run business, we are proud striped chocolates - with the sea-salted to be based in Yorkshire using only Icon Amos Kofi Commey, GH the finest ingredients," he concluded. caramels being very popular.

TopicUK July2019

61

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

Star women event shines brightly on the coast The biggest gathering of female business achievers in the Scarborough region has been hailed a tremendous success, providing a showcase for scores of women who are carving their names in a variety of sectors.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed. There were so many other amazing women there on the day and it was fantastic to share in their success as well”

62

The Star Women in Business Awards and including a dozen school pupils who helped celebrate and applaud the achievements, invited as part of an aspiration agenda.

The event was held at

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Scarborough Spa, where guests walked down on a red carpet through the black check Suncourt in spring sunshine.

The awards were devised and organised by marketing company Four Tigers Media, fronted by Ed Asquith, winner of the O2 newspaper of the year awards in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Videos were shown of all 52 nominees, where the speakers Kay Fraser of the main sponsor

CU Scarborough, Debbie Mullen the head of corporate banking for Barclays Yorkshire who was the main judge, and Jo Parrott of Willows Lull children’s charity. £2,000 was raised for Willows Lull which offers respite care for families of disabled children, helped by a donation from West Building Supplies and a Clogau locket donation by Bright & Sons. Former TV presenter Carolyn Hodgson was the host.

the yorkshire coast “Thank you for a fabulous day. I loved it from start to finish and it ran like clockwork. You did a great job in all your organisation. There were some really inspirational people present. My guests enjoyed their day very much too. Many thanks “

“Thank you for the opportunity to be a finalist and to be at the event. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and it was a fitting tribute to all the business women in the area”

“Good concept and worthy awards fixture.

Positive feedback from many sources.”

“We had such a great time. The format flowed and timing was perfect ... Thanks again for allowing me to be involved”

Winners: •

Above: Award winners New Star Linda Jameson with Carolyn Hodgson (Lindy Lou Creations) (first left)

•

Brightest Star Kelly Dunn Right: Kelly Dunn, (KD Recruitment)

•

Stellar Apprentice Holly Ford (Yorkshire in Business)

•

Stellar Apprentice Samantha Magowan (Dale Power Solutions)

•

The Shooting Star Eliza McMillan (Hunmanby Pantry)

•

The Art Star Emma Stothard

•

Star of Digital Lisa Borrie (So ... Visualise)

•

Star of Retail Sarah Clark (Interiors at Nine to Eleven)

•

Hospitality Star Julia Warters (Humble Bee Farm)

•

Inspirational Supernova Suzanne Burnett (Castle Employment)

“Thank you for organising such a good event - it was great to see such a positive celebration of women in business ... the info videos about each finalist were lovely”

Brightest Micro Star winner “Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity. It was an amazing day and such an honour to be included with such incredible women. It’s opening up some very exciting opportunities for me and the business”

Sponsors and supporters: •

CU Scarborough (lead sponsor)

•

the Crown Spa Hotel

•

CPH Property Services

•

the Spa SIV

•

Gi Group Recruitment

•

Crofts Artisan Chocolates

•

Asquith & Co Accountants

•

West Building Supplies

•

North Yorkshire Law

•

Bright & Sons Jewellers

•

Wold Top Brewery

•

Fitzpatrick Design

•

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery

•

Scarborough Business Ambassadors

•

Digital Advantage

•

TopicUK

•

ActionCoach

•

Blue Sky Media

•

Adverset

•

Sabah’s Balloons.

TopicUK July2019

63

North Yorkshire Law on being authentic online

THE YORKSHIRE COAST want and need down-to-earth legal representation, whether they’re buying their first house or negotiating a complex employment law case.

The brand refresh was a powerful agent in re-invigorating employee engagement within the firm, too: the new look and feel of the firm has seen all team members buy into North Yorkshire Law’s brand values and plans for the future.

“By involving all team members in the re-brand consultation and decision-making process, we were able to provide them with a place that they’re proud to work in,” said Mr Boyd.

Dynamic North Yorkshire Law is on the up and up with huge growth of 30% over the past year and now with a third office in York.

The company has already had to expand into larger premises at its new branch thanks to the immediate popular demand for its customer-first approach to providing legal service.

North Yorkshire Law was created from a merger of several firms in 2000 and has offices in Scarborough and Whitby.

How has NYL soared to such successes? “By making digital relationships made personal,” said Richard Boyd, managing partner.

“What might sound like a paradox is actually the right way to deliver legal services to our clients,” Mr Boyd added.

North Yorkshire Law has made significant investment in its

64

online platforms, including social media, to precisely position itself as a go-to local law firm in all matters around residential conveyancing, commercial property, litigation, wills, probate and power of attorney.

The firm prides itself on delivering expert legal services with efficiency and accessibility. This means debunking jargon, explaining outcomes in everyday language and looking round corners to preempt any bumps along the way.

The use of a solicitor is often borne out of necessity and sometimes urgency, so it pays to invest in being front of mind with residents and business people for when the need arises. This is very much the long game – and it’s based on building a relationship. The difference is that North Yorkshire Law recognises that relationships can be started and fostered online, a personal relationship offered digitally. There is also the option of personal contact by way of appointment, giving digital a

traditional approach.

“Ultimately, the provision of legal services amounts to a human being with a problem putting their trust in us to look after them,” said Mr Boyd. “We don’t go down a hard-sell route, nor do we present ourselves to clients unless our legal expertise truly matches their needs.”

North Yorkshire Law made a considered decision to up its online presence, launching with a brand refresh for 2019, which has been spearheaded by a new website. “We didn’t want to re-brand for the sake of re-branding, but because we felt that law practices in North Yorkshire needed a genuine shake-up,” he said.

To that end, the firm now starts conversations with partners and clients via social media, as readily as they do by writing a letter, picking up the phone, or drafting an email. The key to this is authenticity: clients

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

The North Yorkshire Law team

The firm is proud of the calibre of its team – and it wants to keep on recruiting the very best in local talent. This was a very large factor in the decision to open office doors in York; opening up North Yorkshire Law to great practitioners who want to work out of the city centre.

Natalie Foster was made Head of Commercial at North Yorkshire Law in April.

Reflecting on recent successes, Mr Boyd said: “We recognise the importance of celebrating the firm’s buoyancy – but we do this with absolute gratitude to our clients. Without them, our growth wouldn’t be possible.”

North Yorkshire Law offers free 15-minute appointments on litigation and family matters at its Scarborough (Albemarle Crescent) and Whitby (Baxtergate) offices.

ADVERTORIAL

The brands of brothers in different art forms …

H

is artwork connects people some locals have from being perceived to their space – including, for as an underdog and being ‘40 miles from example, the 60 permanent England,’ as the saying goes. We take panels in the Song Tunnel subway delight in surprising people. near Leeds Arena for which he was “Being a creative is all about surprising the recommended creator, the 22 laser- people.” cut ‘speech bubbles’ featuring the call Inspired of a bird that visits Bempton, and the mirrored columns at York Hospital Adrian Riley links the He works with Don French Signs courtyard. creative sector with and JM Engineering, Scarboroughtraditional skills, working based companies that transform Delight together for projects the ideas into reality. Adrian, who in West and South He gave his views on why Scarborough’s can sometimes be up against 100 Yorkshire and the North creatives are soaring … “I think there artists in competing for projects, is East, as well as York, are two aspects of the location that fuel founder of Electric Angel, specialising Hull and the coast. creativity. One is that we are used to in design and art for the public and living without borders - on one side is cultural sectors, in collaborations the sea (my studio looks out to the South with artists and poets on multiple Bay horizon); go any other direction projects as well as solo commissions. and you’re in the Wolds or North York The winner of the Northern Design Moors … giving a ‘no restrictions attitude’ Awards in 2016, his commissions have come from the NHS, English that seeps into your creative thought.

Heritage, local authorities and the “The other is a pluckiness that I think Church of England.

LENTON PRIORY PILLARS Location: Nottingham A series of intricatelypatterned laser-cut panels that circle trees at the site of a medieval priory, each pillar telling an aspect of the site’s history.

PHONETIC BIRDSONG Location: RSPB Bempton Twenty-two laser-cut ‘speech bubbles’ each featuring the call of a bird that visits the cliff top site.

The site won ‘best visitor attraction’ in the Hull and East Yorkshire region. .

66

LEEDS SONG TUNNEL Location: Leeds city centre Sixty panels inside a pedestrian subway leading to Leeds Arena, each panel a different song title by a band or singer that had their genesis in the city.

The panels have become a landmark as people have their photograph taken with the panel of their favourite band COLUMNS OF REFLECTION Location: York Hospital A courtyard of polished steel mirrored columns that mark the lives of those who gave service to the patients. This artwork was a collaboration with artist Rachel Welford, also of Scarborough.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Among his work is the great ‘It’s Quicker...’ large mural in Scarborough inspired by ‘golden era’ railway posters and commissioned by the Central Tramway Company. He has also produced: • Reckoning of Time at St Peter’s Church Chapterhouse, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland: 12 windows with innovative glass-making techniques at this world heritage candidate site, celebrating the work of the Venerable Bede.

• A series of trails across Johnson Fold housing estate in Bolton - a recipe, a conversation and a limerick followed by spotting colour-coded letter Us on trees, lampposts, fences and street signs.

• Artwork at Church Walk Wall, Newcastle, designed with pupils and blending drama, typography and poetry, and commissioned

by Newcastle City Council; in collaboration with Lizi Patch.

the yorkshire coast In the previous Scarborough and coast section, we spotlighted the younger generation of creatives who transcend geography and extend their work nationwide. In this issue, we spotlight Adrian Riley whose designs include the brilliant Song Tunnel concept in Leeds centre, and sound artist Nick Granville-Fall whose work includes dramatic audio for Sony, British Museum and Sothebys. The duo are not connected but they are linked by creative stardom borne from Scarborough inspiration …

The National Lottery heritage project featured sound design only. He also produced work for Sotheby’s Brueghel promotion.

Nick Granville-Fall, of sound design, music and audio post-production enterprise Ideosound in Scarborough, creates content remotely for clients such as Sony, Reebok, Lego, Philips, the National Lottery, The Victoria & Albert Museum, the British Museum, Chester Zoo, Sothebys, the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, as well as smaller companies and freelancers.

“All from sunny Scarborough,” he says.

“Working with large and small clients is wonderful while living in a beautiful area of the country. I sometimes work long hours so it’s great to have the beach and fresh air just five minutes away.

You might have heard Nick’s audio work on TV, broadcast after Coronation Street for Chester Zoo’s ad campaign alongside FM radio coverage (the video has been double-nominated for a Roses Award from The Drum).

A British Museum trailer on its Scythians exhibition, features Nick’s sound design for an ancient warrior snowbound on his horse, accompanied by eastern influenced music.

Creative To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

For the museum’s ‘I am Ashurbianipal’ promotion, he created the audio to enhance battle scenes with bespoke recordings, and layered and designed from library sounds.

Born in Scarborough, Nick took the creative music producer course at the Yorkshire Coast College Westwood

Campus (now TEC). He became the music and drama technician before working in the same roles in London and earned a first-class degree in Sound for Media.

Moving back to Scarborough in 2015, he managed set up Ideosound, meaning ‘a vivid representation of an idea in sound’. He told TopicUK: “Sound design involves bringing video and media content to life using sound effects and audio to support the visual narrative, increasing interaction and reception. As George Lucas said, ‘Sound is half the picture,’ and sometimes people don’t notice audio at all but it helps set the emotional tone and cleaning badly-recorded audio.”

“The digital and creative arts are possible via remote and freelance work once you build trust with a studio, agency or client,” he said.

Nick, who was involved in helping to produce the Four Tigers’ Star Women in Business Awards at the Spa in April, said the global talent pool benefits from flexible working arrangements which help to bring out better productivity. His audio and projects are on http://ideosound.com

His sound design for t h e L o n d o n Science Museum’s Leonardo da Vinci trailer featured a recording of Henry the hoover. “The sound of having the hoover cable being pulled out proved you can get creative in lots of ways.”

Wonderful Reebok required music and sound design so Nick made a modern, ‘trap’ inspired hip hop-type sonic dimension.

TopicUK July2019

67

THE YORKSHIRE COAST

The new burgundy, dark red, yellow cream and gold livery of Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington public transport are part of a dynamic investment that also includes digital and strategic improvements for the region’s services.

68

The major developments were vehicles, contactless purchasing of unveiled by senior managers from tickets and improved environment East Yorkshire and the Go-Ahead for passengers.

Group, the ultimate parent company which acquired the business in 2018. “This is part of our ongoing commitment of providing improvements for our Area director Ben Gilligan revealed passengers, with investments being the eye-catching designs at the in buses, branding and more reliable Scarborough Spa and said it was one services,” he said. of the most important days in the history of buses on the coast and David Brown, chief executive of the for the future of sustainable public parent group Go-Ahead, explained the philosophy of the company transport in the region. which has a £3.5bn turnover and He gave an overview, detailing £6 said the company has a philosophy million of investment including new

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

of local leadership in towns such as Scarborough.

Managing director Martin Gilbert spoke of the approach to invest in the business since the acquisition by Go North East a year ago.

T h e t r i o a d d re s s e d a n e v e n t attended by stakeholders, staff, local business leaders and livery designers Best Impressions.

New ticket machines, contactless payment technology, IT systems and management support have been rolled

the yorkshire coast out in recent months as well as the first nine of 20 new vehicles in the current year, and including: • Scarborough Locals (re-named from Scarborough and District) for the town network • B e a c h c o m b e r f o r the open toppers • Coaster for the important 12/13 service linking Scarborough to Bridlington via the holiday parks • Buses will soon feature free WiFi, USB power, improved seating, tables, mood lighting and next stop announcements.

The digital dimension of a traditional service

Managing Director Martin Gilbert

Area Director Ben Gilligan

Chief Executive David Brown

Mr Gilligan said: “The investments we are making in vehicles across the fleet, and in particular with full refurbishments of eight buses for Coaster, will improve the experience for passengers travelling on our services.

“Features such as next stop announcements will give assistance to those not familiar with the route and tourists visiting the coast or travelling from holiday villages, while the new interior, lighting and seating will give a more comfortable journey.”

The new bus colour scheme matches that of the buses revealed in Hull in March, but with a dedicated logo for the Scarborough area.

A new website for ticket purchase was revealed as well as informationpacked leaflets promoting the Beachcomber and Coaster services and an innovative partnership with fellow bus operator Yorkshire Coastliner where the two operators have agreed to sell each other’s tickets – which allows visitors on Yorkshire Coastliner to travel on the Scarborough bus network and open toppers as well as people wanting to visit Malton, York and Leeds to do so with one discounted ticket.

with Transdev-owned Coastliner to make it easier for customers to travel across both companies, from East Yorkshire to Leeds and York, and on York City Sightseeing services.

Passengers travelling to Scarborough on East Yorkshire’s Coaster buses from Bridlington, Filey and the holiday villages, on Scarborough

Locals buses or on Service 128 from Helmsley, can also buy tickets on board for onward travel to Malton, York and Leeds on Coastliner services.

The company is keen to build relationships with local businesses to improve accessibility across the region and promote all that is on offer locally.

The East Yorkshire Buses app provides a live countdown to when your bus will arrive with live tracking, and 24-hour and 30-day app tickets •

Tickets can be purchased from your mobile

•

Download free from the App Store or Google Play

•

Websites: scarboroughlocals.co.uk,beachcomberopentops.co.uk, EY buses app available on Apple and Android

•

Social channels: twitter.com/EYBusesand facebook.com/ EYBuses or visiteastyorkshirebuses.co.uk

Tickets can be bought on the bus with cash, contactless, on the East Yorkshire Buses app or online at www.scarboroughopentopbus.co.uk

Getting ahead with Go-Ahead •

•

2019: 700 employees (102 in Scarborough) and 300 buses and coaches (40 based in Scarborough) throughout Hull, East Yorkshire and the North Yorkshire coast, as well as coach holidays and day trips, coach and bus hire, with £30m turnover.

2019: New buses, livery and website unveiled, Scarborough Locals buses for the town network, Beachcomber for the open toppers, and Coaster vehicles for the service linking Scarborough to Bridlington via the holiday parks.

•

2018: New ticket machines, contactless payments, new IT infrastructure.

•

2018: EYMS became par t of the GoAhead Group, a stand-alone company within Go North East.

•

1987: Scarborough became part of East Yorkshire Motor Services Group (EYMS) and returned to private ownership, under Peter Shipp and his family.

•

1926: East Yorkshire bus company formed in 1926, that currently runs about 300 buses and coaches.

East Yorkshire has also teamed up TopicUK July2019

69

THE YORKSHIRE COAST Americans who used it in their fight for independence to help disrupt British supplies. John Paul Jones lost the ship as his own guns blew up but he won the battle off Flamborough Head in Filey Bay and took over the British frigate Serapis with great loss of life on both sides. consultation

The Yorkshire coast tourism boost that depends for whom the bell tolls …

American researchers are waiting for more proof that a shipwreck found off the Yorkshire coast is that of the Bonhomme Richard warship captained

by John Paul Jones, a founding father of the navy in the US. The Bonhomme Richard sank after a battle with HMS Serapis in 1779 and has been the subject of international speculation since it was revealed in a meeting in Filey that the figurehead of a lion and shield from the warship’s bow were said to have been found on the seabed.

The discoveries were made

by Merlin Burrows, a satellite company which has worked on international maritime projects, and has carried out 24 dives off the Filey coast, producing images and processing the X-ray data.

70

Now an article published by the US Naval Institute News, an independent forum on the scientific understanding of seapower and global security, says scepticism about the integrity of the find be sunk – and the ship’s bell, which is also said to have been located, could provide the dramatic breakthrough.

The Naval Institute News has been informed by Paul Taylor, a spokesman for the Naval History and Heritage Command: “We are interested in hearing further details, we look forward to examining data collected from the site, and, if Bonhomme Richard is located, would be very interested in ensuring the wreck is protected.”

Potential The Bonhomme Richard, formerly Le Duc de Duras, was given by the French to the

P

arts of the ship that went down in flames in September 1779 and said to be that of the Bonhomme Richard by UK-based researchers, also include a carving of a shepherdess from the stern and a seahorse artefact that links the vessel to its previous days as a cargo ship in the Orient.

The shepherdess carving has burned legs, said to be consistent with explosions that sunk the Bonhomme.

Divers are said to have discovered the anchors and sections of the mast, both in keeping with French Admiralty drawings.

A seahorse image is said to connect the vessel to its French colonial days.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Bruce Blackburn, chief executive officer of North Yorkshire-based Merlin Burrows, has offered to sell his data to the US Navy, the owner of Bonhomme Richard, and has spoken of the potential tourism b o o n f o r Fi l e y i f t h e shipwreck is found to be the remains of the 18th ce ntury ship which is revered by the Americans.

He told TopicUK that F i l e y To w n C o u n c i l consultation are ongoing and that processes are up to date with Historic England and the Receiver of Wreck, the official who administers law dealing with maritime wrecks.

Images of the finds discovered by divers are said to include the

ship’s main bell, partly concealed by a rock.

The fuller details were first revealed in a meeting of more than 100 invited guests at the White Lodge Hotel in Filey, held last December.

Tim Akers, head of research at Merlin Burrows, said: “The figurehead we have identified is a rampant lion with shield. The ear and nose bear marks of cannonballs which hit the ship before it sunk.

“The site itself is not easy to research. The debris is covered in sediment and it is very cold, but the preservation is very good.”

But Melissa Ryan, vicepresident of the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration and head of its Bonhomme Richard research, has worked with US, British and French navy officials for more than a dozen years to find the wreck – and believes the wreck is likely to be much further offshore. “The ship’s bell is the holy grail because it would have Duc de Duras, the ship’s original name,” she told US Naval Institute News.

TWO SCARBOROUGH-BORN COMPANIES TEAM UP TO DELIVER A BRAND WITH MEANING.

T h e t e a m — f o r m e d by S i m o n Tow n — is introducing a major change in our local communities star ting at the grassroots.

“You created a logo that reached the imagination, something to feel proud about...”

Simon explains .

“ I ’m o r i g i n a l l y f r o m t h e s m a l l t ow n of Penis tone, which has a clos e‑k ni t c o m m u n i t y. O n c e I m o v e d t o S c ar borough , I not ice d this s ens e of c o m p a n i o n s h i p wa s m i s s i n g . We’r e here, as Root s of Yggdr asil, to bre ak down bar r ier s and encour age people to me et t heir neighbour s”.

T h i s c o m m u n i t y i n t e r e s t c o m p a ny is pr oviding a wide r ange of gener al and special fitness classes to increase the health and wellbeing of those living in disadvantaged a r e a s . H o w e v e r, t h e y w e r e u n a b l e to reach their audience without a cle ar visual ident i t y. To re c t i f y t his , they teamed up with the creative studio, Buttercrumble. Roots of Yg g d r a s i l a n d B u t t e r c r u m b l e’s f e l t and recognise the impor tance of s ocial engagement .

enr ich t he lives of t he communi t y.

Ro o t s o f Yg g d r a s i l w i l l c o n t i n u e t o suppor t the community through providing f i t nes s clas s es acros s t he count y of Yor k shire.

“The studio is socially‑engaged, so we do what feels right, good and supportive for the brands we develop...“ Bu t ter cr umble’s A bigail adds .

“ We w a n t t o h e l p b u s i n e s s e s c l e a r the path for their audience and allow them to be seen, appreciated and suppor ted. Feel a sense of belonging amongs t your communi t y ”.

For more infor mat ion abou t t he s tor y, ple as e do get in touch .

Email: abigail @bu t ter cr umble.com or phone: 0 1 1 3 ‑823‑28 6 8 Dis cover more of Bu t ter cr umble’s designs at : w w w. bu t ter cr umble.com S tor y by : A bigail B aldwin

Both businesses have loved collaborating, as they are pas sionate about bringing people together. They wer e able to t r ans for m an ide a into a fur ther reaching vision that can

They are proud to be involved in Word Wellbeing Week (25 t h and 28 t h June at S c ar bor ough Mar ket Hall ) as well as p ar t icip at ing in T he Yor k shire T hre e Pe ak s Challenge in July.

It ’s clear isolation is a major c h a l l e n g e , s o Ro o t s o f Yg g d r a s i l i s her e to br ing p e ople b ack to get her.

T h ey c a n p r eve n t i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m being for got ten . Af ter all, ever yone has a s tor y to tell .

1

NEWS UPDATE

Firm donates installation services to Scout hut Commercial glazing specialist Dortech Maintenance has taken part in a CSR project, installing new doors at 1st Rugeley Scout Hut for free, to improve its safety and security.

The hut provides social opportunities to children and young adults in the Huddersfield area. The club’s entrance and fire escape doors were showing key signs of wear-and-tear, and needed replacing, to ensure safety for its members.

Pauline Holmes – Group scout leader for the 1st Rugeley Scouts – and her husband John have been involved with the Group for over 40 years and are committed to the upkeep and running of the hut.

Dortech Group’s managing director James Sutherland explained: “We were approached by Phill Williams at BAM Construction – one of our customers – to take part in the project, and after we’d seen the pictures of the old doors we had to help. They were falling to pieces!”

With 43 scouts, cubs, beavers, and leaders enrolled at the troop and multiple activities carried out there each week, the building gets lots of use and needed to be compliant with current fire escape regulations.

Commenting on the project, Pauline said: “We’re delighted with the support and generosity we’ve received. We’re also aiming to

72

increase the club’s members over the coming year, so the fact we now have modernised facilities will greatly help our growth plans.”

Phill added: “The hut was very dated and hadn’t had any renovations for years. There were complaints about the old timber doors posing a safety hazard – blowing open in the wind and at risk of falling off – so they were one of the primary areas requiring improvement.

“The old installations opened inwards – which was also a fire risk – whereas they now open outwards and are not only better for security, but insulation and soundproofing too.”

James concluded: “It was for a great community cause, so we reached out to our friends at Senior Architectural Systems – who supplied the materials free of charge – and our team then set to work installing them and making the site safe.”

BigChange wins age endorsement BigChange has become a Sage Developer Platinum Partner.

The Leeds-based provider of mobile and office IT for paperless working becomes one of a very few UK companies to achieve this endorsement and accreditation from Sage.

of years and this has culminated in the de velopme nt of the JobWatch Sage 50 integration tool which allows exchanges of financial transactional data between the two systems.

Sage is the market leader for cloud based accounting software that is generally regarded as the de-facto standard worldwide.

In awarding Platinum Partner status, Sage recognises that BigChange offers outstanding levels of training, knowledge and experience.

“Achieving Sage Platinum Partner Status represents an important milestone for BigChange and reinforces our position as a provider of business IT, but with a unique offering for businesses that rely on mobile workforces,” says Martin Port CEO and Founder of BigChange.

“The integration between Sage and JobWatch is important as it e nables organisations

BigChange has been working closely with Sage for a number

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE

The Print Impact!

How are you reading TopicUK magazine today?

Whether you’re on-line or leafing through the printed edition you’re reading the same articles; but is one experience better than the other?

D igit a l is p e r f e c t fo r m a s s distribution and reader interaction, with both the latest edition and back-copies easily accessible any time anywhere.

Print is seen as a more leisurely format where the reader takes time out, relaxes with a coffee and, without the distraction of click bait, can focus on one article at a time.

In the Publication world they effortlessly complement one another and the same can be said in

the Portrait Photography business, except for one often overlooked significant difference . . . portrait images are emotive.

When exquisitely mounted or framed, Print transforms into a vibrant, tangible art form, a statement, a legacy to be handed down. To touch a treasured item that was personally selected, held and shared by an ancestor offers a sense of belonging and longevity.

Check any surveys which ask: ‘What would you save first from a burning home?’. Printed photographs are right up there at the top of the list.

Even in today’s modern digital world, printed images are still valued as a personal irreplaceable item.

So how does this tie into the business world? In exactly the same way . . .

to introduce completely seamless, paperless business processes that will significantly reduce administration boosting productivity.”

BigChange is for companies that have a mobile workforce and enables managers and mobile workers to be connected in real-time to the office.

Imagine beautifully printed pictures in a reception area portraying employees in the workplace or at a special occasion (an award ceremony or retirement party)

tapping into the subconscious desires of the waiting client, visitor or potential employee. The situation may be different but the need to understand the story and longevity of the business or a sense of belonging to the group are tied to our own personal memories and emotions.

Of course, current employees feel valued being displayed at the forefront of the business and subtly reconnect with colleagues past and present as they pass throughout the day. If a business values their workforce in this visible way, a client instinctively knows the same regard will be shown to them.

“Emotional reactions are critical in the role of marketing, because campaigns with emotional content perform twice as well as those with mere facts.” [Shutterstock] Roth Read Photography www.rothreadphotography.com TopicUK July2019

73

NEWS UPDATE

Out of Office

with Nick Thorpe, Horde Consultancy HR specialists You arrive home on a Friday night after a busy week. What’s the first thing you do?

GaryHibberd

In Tech we Trust

Afte r spe nding many years working in the NHS I’m a bit too process driven. It’s a cliché but I revisit my to-do lists, organise my tasks and do my preparations for the next week. Then I can relax. Since my Mum passed away 5 years ago, I make Friday nights about spending time with my Dad, which usually means watching the Rugby together over a couple of pints, whilst putting the world to rights.

When the online app ‘Whatsapp’ alerted its 1.5billion users las month that there was a security flaw, it was a timely reminder that we all need to take Cyber Security more seriously. The flaw allows attackers to install malicious code on iPhones and Android phones by simply ringing a target device. The attacks have targeted privacy advocates, lawyers and journalists – so far.

It’s time for the weekend. What are we most likely to find you doing and where?

When I’m not in Dublin, you can usually find me in the wilderness somewhere attempting to scale some hill or mountain. The Yorkshire Dales is the perfect place to unwind and have a digital detox. After the hike, it’s time for the reward in a nice Country Pub somewhere or relaxing by a campfire under the stars with my good friend Captain Morgan!

Saturday night arrives.

What’s your idea of a perfect way to spend it?

My perfect Saturday would be spent in Dublin. As an Irishman I’m completely biased. However, if you’ve ever been to Dublin, you will know what I mean.

There is nothing quite like the people, the craic, the music and of course the Guinness!

74

It’s Sunday already. What tasks are usually on your to-do list?

Sundays have always been about Rugby for me. Since being 7 years old Sundays were reserved for Wakefield Trinity and whenever I can I will be cheering on my beloved ‘Trin’!

Work again tomorrow.

Do you get the Sunday blues or look forward to getting back and why?

I am very lucky that I don’t get the Sunday Blues, HR is such a varied profession and I never know what the next day will bring! People often only see HR as dull and boring but I

get to meet all kinds of really interesting people and situations that you wouldn’t comprehend, from the extreme of employees bringing baby birds to work or using hand dryers for things they aren’t designed for, to defending and representing Clients at Tribunal! There is never a dull moment and every day is completely different.

The weekend’s almost over.

What is the last thing you do before you hit the hay ahead of another week?

I read a lot of books and like the stereotypical scenes from a TV show I’ll take myself to bed and take in a few chapters of a good crime thriller.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

What this announcement teaches us is that technology, no matter how secure it is reported to be, can still let us down.

Manufacturers of these devices will release ‘patches’ when a flaw is found, but how many of us are applying these fixes? Are we taking our own security and privacy seriously enough?

Whilst most would agree that protecting our Privacy is really important, how many of us are keeping up with the technical advances and the kinds of Data we’re creating and sharing? Did you know about this flaw?

Have you updated your device(s)? We trust technology to protect us, but it’s only half the story. We need to take responsibility to protect ourselves and the Data we create and share about ourselves and others.

If we are to win the war on Cybercrime then we need to recognise that the battleground has changed and we all have a part to play.

Focusing on this issue alone, we should remember that someone somewhere is always interested in what you are doing or what you have to say. The question is, how interested are you in protecting that information?”

Sponsored by

Company of the Month

Th e a wa rd - wi n n i n g p u b l i c re l a t i o ns bu si ne ss s p e c i a l i s i n g i n B 2B c o m mu ni cati ons

IT provider ranked highest in Leeds Yorkshire-headquartered IT support specialist Systemwork has become the highest-rated provider in Leeds.

and receiving of emails when travelling internationally, but we’ve not experienced this once since partnering with Systemwork. A friendly, fun company, that knows IT support inside out, backwards and upside down, and provides a superb – and most importantly, always reassuring – service.”

The firm has received a total of 54 five-star Google reviews, which is three times more than any other IT company in the area.

Commenting on the achievement, Systemwork’s founder, Jamie Durham said: “I’m blown away by the positive response to our business and the service we provide our clients. Not only are people rating us highly, but they are also taking the time to leave us fantastic feedback.

“We work hard to go above and beyond, to ensure our customers’ IT problems are resolved as quickly as possible – so I’m extremely grateful for people dedicating some time out of their day to give us such glowing reviews.”

Phil Pond, founder at Scarlet Opus, added: “We needed a new IT support provider, as our existing partner had internal issues that were regularly becoming a problem for its customers. It was not a smooth departure and had potential to become a catastrophe, but Systemwork wasn’t flustered. We were told about the potential pitfalls and how the team could avert each one as it would most likely happen – which they did.

“Previously we had problems with the sending

Systemwork offers varying levels of support to businesses – including VoIP, cloud, mobile device management and employee monitoring.

Following the launch of its new division – Bigphish – the brand now also provides data security training as a managed service, by sending simulated phishing emails to unsuspecting users and testing how they respond.

The news follows the firm’s recent announcement of its biggest year of revenue to date, with a 100% uplift in turnover during 2018.

Do something

extraordinary

Yorkshire needs foster carers

Become a carer and change a life.

Call us on: 01924 792184 fosteringtoinspire

FosterToInspire

fostering to inspire

Fostering_to_inspire

fosteringtoinspire.co.uk Part of Prospects Services. Registered in England & Wales. Registered company number: 3042176. Registered office: 1 Red Hall Court, Wakefield, WF1 2UN

Half page.indd 1

TopicUK July2019

75

22/11/2017 12:11

NEWS UPDATE

Welcome to the Yorkshire Society the true champions of God’s own county

One of the best kept secrets about Yorkshire is The Yorkshire Society, a membership organisation that both celebrates and promotes everything that’s great about the County. surface and behind the scenes, quietly and without fuss by some ordinary people endeavouring to do extraordinary things. But some higher profile activities are:

Not for profit, ‘For Yorkshire’ is the Society’s motto and it’s a good one for a not-for-profit organisation that’s managed by its members and works to support, protect and promote Yorkshire’s economy, history, heritage, beauty and unique culture.

Yorkshire Day Each year, The Yorkshire Society awards a Council the honour of hosting the County’s civic celebration to mark Yorkshire D ay. Bringing together Lord Mayors, Mayors, Civic Leaders and dignitaries from across the County to provide a stunning centrepiece for Yorkshire’s celebrations.

T h e Yo r k s h i r e S o c i e t y i s fundamentally a membership organisation for people who love Yorkshire, that both initiates and supports good causes and events for the benefit of Yorkshire and the people who come from it or live in it. But more than that, it’s a spiritual home for those with a passion for Yorkshire and who want to show their commitment to it.

The history of the Yorkshire Society is long. Many have been established over time and mostly for those living outside the County as a means of maintaining some connection with it. The first general meeting of the ‘Gentlemen and others in and near London who were born within the County of York’ took place at Bow Church on 3rd December 1678.

Today we welcome the Duke of York HRH Prince Andrew as Patron.

This Yorkshire Society was founded in 1980 and is almost certainly the first and only one ever to be based in the County itself. Today, The Yorkshire Society continues the charitable traditions of previous societies and proudly maintains a royal connection with His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, as its patron.

76

This year’s event promises to be very special. It will be held in Whitby and coincide with the 250th anniversary of Captain Cooke’s first arrival in Australia and New Zealand, on a ship built in Whitby, HM Bark Endeavour.

Yorkshire Awards For 30 years, the Yorkshire Awards have been recognising those who had an impact upon Yorkshire and its people, demonstrating their affection for, and real commitment to, the County.

Over the past year, the Society has been transforming itself into an organisation that is open and inclusive. Individual and corporate members from all walks of life and all industry sectors are now helping to establish The Yorkshire Society as the true champion of God’s own County.

The winners list for these prestigious awards reads like a who’s who. Each October, a star-studded gala dinner and presentation ceremony is held in Leeds and nine category winners are presented with an award specially designed to denote how proud the County of Yorkshire is of their achievements.

So, what does The Yorkshire Society do? Well, it’s a lengthy list and much goes on below the

Yorkshire Business Market D e m o n s t ra t i n g i t s b u s i n e s s credentials, The Yorkshire Society

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

acquired Yorkshire Business Market in 2018.

Fo r 1 5 y e a r s , t h e Yo r k s h i r e Business Market, a business to business exhibition, has provided an opportunity for Yorkshire businesses to interact, innovate and grow at its annual exhibition held traditionally at Pavilions of Harrogate. Now, with the Society’s not-for-profit, for Yorkshire ethos, the event will be developed and provide Yorkshire businesses with a showcase to present themselves to the County and beyond.

Plaques We are all familiar with the traditional blue plaques recognising famous people. The Yorkshire Society now makes sure that those people from Yorkshire whose lives deserve to be recognised, are.

Plaques that mark the achievement of individuals past, and businesses present, are provided by the Society when a nomination is received and approved.

Get Involved The Yorkshire Society is open to anyone and everyone. You can get involved as a supporter, member or friend and share your love of the County with like-minded people who want to show and share their passion for a nation within a nation.

For more information, visit www.theyorkshiresociety.org

ADVERTORIAL

Community foundation for Calderdale We support charities and voluntary groups across Calderdale, working with them to help create opportunities for people who need help the most.

Our subsequent Autumn event is scheduled for Thursday 17th October 2019, at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, focusing on community cohesion (bringing people together).

We do this by distributing grants, making loans, and sharing expertise, acting as a catalyst for positive change.

Many local individuals and businesses contribute to this work.

Below, we feature ways in which you can join them, to make a difference in the area where you live or work.

Donations Short of setting up a Named Fund (as featured in the April/May edition of TopicUK, p.9), you might choose to make regular or one-off donations of cash or gifts-in-kind to support local community impact related to themes or geographical areas of your choosing.

This might lead to the establishment of a Named Fund over time.

Sponsorship Another, immediate way of supporting local community impact is to sponsor a specific aspect of our work, such as an event, initiative, or publication.

This frees up resources for use in our grantmaking, or for new development work, and offers promotional opportunities for the sponsor.

Hawley Energy Group, one of our sponsors, said: • “we wanted to give back to

feature: • our Foundation Club, from the perspective of an existing member • a company partner, and how it works with and through us • a focus on child poverty and specifically how one of our partners, Citizens Advice Calderdale, is tackling this.

Our Reception Events in 2019 are kindly sponsored by Hawley Energy Group.

Community Foundation CFFC team group - ©Chris lord Photography

our local community, and our sponsorship of the Community Foundation for Calderdale enables us to support an organisation that itself supports lots of local grassroots charities” (Emma Noble, Office Manager, Hawley Energy Group, Northowram, Halifax).

Foundation Club membership The newly launched Foundation Club is our supporters’ scheme for individuals and businesses who, like us, want to make a difference in Calderdale. The Club’s membership fee (£50 monthly by direct debit, i.e. £600 per year) contributes to our running costs, helping us sustain and further develop our catalyst and grantmaking roles and the community impact that goes with this. Furthermore, as an introductory offer for the first year of membership, we will match-fund the membership

fee pound-for-pound and convert this into a charitable donation to the theme chosen by the member.

Club members receive regular email updates on our and our partners’ work and impact, and opportunities for engaging more intentionally in this.

These updates are tailored to the member’s interests, and can be shared with family, staff, and customers.

Reception Events You might be interested in our next after-work Reception Events for supporters and potential new supporters, aiming to increase the profile of our and partners’ work and impact, engage new individual and business donors, and further engage existing donors. The next event will be held on Wednesday 17th July 2019 at Town Hall Dental, Brighouse (arrival from 5pm, main event 5.40 to 6.30pm finish, stay on if you want to). It will

Other opportunities We will set out further opportunities to make a difference locally in future editions. Named Funds (a simple, effective alternative to establishing an independent Charitable Trust) were featured in the April/May edition TopicUK, p.9.

Contacts

We would be delighted to discuss any aspect of the above with you:

•

•

•

Emma Woods-Bolger, Assistant Director, Emma@ cffc.co.uk, 01422 438734 Ian Leedham, Development Manager, IanL@cffc.co.uk, 01422 438732 If you live or work elsewhere in Yorkshire, please contact your local Community Fo u n d a t i o n : w w w. ukcommunityfoundations. org/our-network > this lists all 46 UK Community Foundations > select ‘Yorkshire and Humberside’ to list the six Yorkshire Community Foundations.

TopicUK July2019

77

ADVERTORIAL

Double National Award Success for Kirklees College Marketing team Not content with winning one award, the college’s marketing team swept the board and picked up two gongs for Best YouTube Performance and Social Media Performance of the Year in the 2019 Edurank awards, beating 467 other colleges’ and sixth forms to the top spot.

These awards are based on performance rather than subjective criteria, which means the College p e r f o r m e d c o n s i s te n t l y w e l l throughout the year to secure the wins.

TopicUK sat down with Lydia Butterworth the college’s Head of Sales and Marketing to pick her brain about what an award-winning marketing team looks like.

What does social media success look like to you?

High levels of engagement with s u b s e q u e n t c o n v e r s i o n i n to measurable actions e.g. Open Day visits or applications etc. We want our social media posts to be equally relevant as they are entertaining.

What are your biggest challenges

when planning, delivering and reporting on your social media content?

Having a presence 24/7, maintaining an excellent level of customer service and being responsive when the marketing team are only employed on a 9-5 basis.

How does it feel to be crowned an Edurank Award winner?

We are delighted. We ensure we keep our content levels relevant and share information that is interesting to parents and businesses, as well as current, future and past students.

Kirklees College is one of a handful of the colleges who have won these awards and the only college from the Yorkshire region to feature as award winners in 2018/19.

01484 644 464

showroom@easyfireplace.co.uk

Book In Your Free Home Survey Today www.easyfireplace.co.uk

Gas - Electric - Multi Fuel And Central Heating Boilers

Come and visit Chris & his team at Easy Fireplace #Milnsbridge

NEWS UPDATE

Peter Andre is a ‘Teen Angel’

Grease originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for best musical.

The Arts

During the show’s eight year run, at the time, little known actors including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London Premiere.

The 1978 film-adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, when adjusted for inflation, is the highest-grossing live action musical of all time and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The musical features songs including Summer Nights, Greased Lightenin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You and You’re the One That I Want.

The producers of the 2019 UK and Ireland tour and the first new production in 25 years, will open at Leeds Grand Theatre on Wednesday 19 June and run until Saturday 20 July.

Delighted Choreographed by Arlene Philips, the new production is edgy and vibrant and certainly takes on a new look. Many of the cast are fresh out of college, Dan Partridge will play Danny and Martha Kirby who graduates from the Guildford School of Acting this summer, makes he r professioinal debut as Sandy.

However, it is the role of Teen Angel that will set many pulses racing as Peter Andre is set to play the role at most performances.

The production was launched at Leeds City Varieties with selected

guests invited to view a special preview with Dan, Martha and Peter Andre. TopicUK were delighted to be on the guest list and editor Gill Laidler managed to squeeze in an interview with Peter.

Relationship Peter was born in Harrow, London, and is of Greek Cypriot descent. In 1979, a six-year-old Peter and his family relocated to Sydney before settling on Australia’s Gold Coast. In 1989, 16-yearold Peter became a contestant on Australian talent show New Faces and as a result was offe red a recording contract. He returned to the UK during the mid-1990s.

In 2012, Peter met Emily MacDonagh, who gave birth to their daughter, Amelia aka ‘Millie’ in January 2014. Peter and Emily married in July 2015 and in November 2016, they had a son, Theodore James aka ‘Theo’. Peter has two other children Junior and Princess.

You have starred on TV many times, is this the first time you have appeared in theatre?

I have done theatre before, I appeared in Thriller in the West End for the Princes Trust.

“the highest-grossing live action musical of all time...”

Teen Angel is not the largest part in the show, what made you choose that?

I was originally offered the part but it was too much for me to commit to with eight shows a week for six months touring the UK. Playing the role of Teen Angel is great because I can pop in and out of the role which I am actually sharing with Ore Oduba so it’s in good hands!’

I have to ask, how was the Jungle?

An experience! I’m glad that I did it but it is both physically and mentally challenging.

Which do you prefer, singing or acting?

That’s difficult because I enjoy both and with something like

Grease, I can combine the two!

I think it is important that you find something that you love doing in life and stick with it, after all, your working years are the longest of your life.

Moving away from Show Biz, you have your own bed range, A. by Andre, how did that come about?

My passion really ignited when I tried to find the right designs for my own home, I loved everything from looking at design to choosing fabrics and colour. The natural progression from this was to embark on designing a range of my own. Home and family is something that I am incredibly passionate about, being able to have had such a creative input in this project and see the ideas come to life has been a fantastic experience. This is only the start.

Tickets are on sale now at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or 0844 848 2700 TopicUK July2019

79

THE ARTS recent Live Music Inquiry and by our predecessor committee in 2013 in its Supporting the Creative Economy inquiry”.

The Arts

Schools Minister Nick Gibb told the Committee that he wants to see an increase in the number of pupils taking arts subjects at GCSE and A Level.

He claims that the Government has not “shied away from a prescriptive approach to other facets of education policy, for example specifying which times tables primary school children need to learn”.

By Murray Edwards - Art and business consultant

Explanation demanded The report also challenges the government’s dismissal of evidence provided by the arts sector about the decline of creative subjects in schools. In February, research from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music Education, the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the University of Sussex challenged Gibb’s claim that the numbers of students taking arts subjects at GCSE was “broadly stable”. However, the DfE did not directly respond to the research or distance itself from Gibb’s previous statement.

We must change education policy to save arts in schools!

I was pleased to see recently that MPs are at last demanding that urgent government action be taken to stem the decline of creative education in schools, including changing Ofsted’s inspection criteria and adding arts subjects to the EBacc.

A recent report from the DCMS Committee says: “We are deeply concerned by the evidence we received around the downgrading of arts subjects in schools, with all the consequent implications for ch i ld re n ’ s d e v e lo p m e nt , wellbeing, experiences, careers and, ultimately, life chances. It is not enough for the DCMS and Department for Education (DfE) to simply expect schools to provide a ‘broad and balanced curriculum’: they need to take action to ensure that this is actually happening.”

The report is based on evidence given to the Committee’s inquiry into the social impact of participation in culture and sport between June and December last year. MPs are now calling on the DfE and DCMS to work with Ofsted to design a revised inspection regime for primary and secondary schools, to measure:

80

•

the volume of cultural education

•

the integration of cultural education with other curriculum areas

•

the “universality of schools’ cultural offers”, to ensure that all children have access to the benefits of cultural participation.

The committee says: “This is the area in our broad-ranging inquiry where there was the largest gap between government’s policy intentions and statements and the lived experience of organisations submitting evidence. This gap urgently needs to be closed, including a clear explanation from the DfE and the DCMS of the figures on cultural education that they hold, and why these seem to differ from those used by cultural organisations concerned about arts education.”

“ DCMS’ use of the arts in reducing criminal re-offending is far less developed...”

They also reiterate their call for the arts to be added to the EBacc performance measure. Respected voices in the arts and education sectors have consistently argued that the EBacc, which includes maths, sciences and English but not arts subjects, is among the main factors behind the sidelining of cultural education. The Committee argues that “the best way to ensure that this happens is to add these subjects to the EBacc, as recommended in our

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

The Committee added that it remains “deeply concerned about the gap between the Government’s reassuring rhetoric and the evidence presented to us of the decline in music provision in state schools, for which the EBacc is blamed and which affects students from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds disproportionately.”

Cultural policy Overall, the report makes a case for arts and sport interventions to be more systematically integrated into Government policy. MPs heard evidence

THE ARTS

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

demonstrating that culture and sport can support positive outcomes in “health, education, criminal justice and urban regeneration”, but that “much of the excellent, life-changing work we heard about is on a precarious footing”.

As part of this, the report recommends that DCMS should work with the Department of Health and Social Care to investigate how social prescribing can be further expanded, saying “the full health impacts of cultural programmes are far from being reached”.

Noting that DCMS’ use of the arts in reducing criminal reoffending is “far less developed” than work championing the role of sport in this field, the report also calls for DCMS and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to commission a joint “review of arts in the prison estate”, following the model of a

MoJ review of sport in prisons, completed in 2018.

Review of Arts Council funding Another recommendation is that DCMS should review the funding streams of arms-length bodies including Arts Council England, to see whether opportunities to achieve social outcomes can become more “long-term and sustainable”, rather than depending on time-limited project funding.

The report also calls on DCMS to carry out an audit of socially impactful work it has already funded or supported, saying: “The department should work with charitable foundations, academics and others to comprehensively unde rstand, and champion, the current evidence base, and publish their findings within the next 12 months.”

Looking forward In summarising its point of view, the committee says: “Arguably the most important finding from this inquiry is that there is no dispute about the positive social impact of participation in culture and sport.

The question then is, why isn’t more being done across Government to harness the power of culture and sport to address long-standing social problems?”

These are really important issues and I look forward to hearing more about how they are to be implemented. If you would like to read the report in full (and it is certainly worth reading and commenting on if you have time) then it is available at:

https://publications.parliament. uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/ cmcumeds/734/73402.htm

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk TopicUK July2019

81

Corporate social responsibility

Pedal for Pounds bike ride

The importance of CSR to Hepworth Honda Steve Brighton is the Managing Director “The vast majority of our customers are local 200 other cyclists riding to Amsterdam and of The Hepworth Motor Group. He talks to our three businesses in Huddersfield, back, this year supporting Yorkshire Air to TopicUK editor Gill Laidler, about the Halifax and Leeds and we believe you Ambulance, Town Foundation, Kirkwood importance of giving something back to the should give something back to your local Hospice and Ruddi’s Retreat,” he added. community that supports his business. community,” explained Steve. “Corporate “The aim was to pass the £2m raised since social responsibility provides a positive message to customers and demonstrates our beliefs that it is important to support many local good causes.

“Just recently I set off on my ninth Pedal for Pounds bike ride along with my wife and

82

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

former Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle first rode to Southend in 2010, which was a wonderful achievement and one I’m proud to have been a part of since 2011.

As sponsors, I believe we raise awareness of Hepworth Motor Group amongst fans and customers for all the right reasons.”

Corporate social responsibility So how does the firm decide which charities to support? “Charities have to be local to us,” added Steve, “and have a positive reputation within the community. Secondly, they have to be efficient in terms of cost, so that we can be confident most of the money we raise goes to the benefit of others, which sadly with some charities is not always the case, and finally, it will be connected to a challenge, which if it appeals, I will not only support, but take part in like the upcoming Jo Cox Way Bike Ride that takes place in July.”

Efficiency Steve also encourages his staff to get involved. “I don’t expect them to take part in the challenges, but they will take part in other events such as golf days and some have provided driver support on midnight walks. They also take part in on-site fundraising challenges like dress down days and cake sales.

We also support staff’s children by sponsoring trips or junior sports teams.”

What would Steve’s advice be to others who are starting or increasing their CSR activity? “I would recommend that they enter into CSR because they want to and not because they feel they should.

That is important, they need to enjoy it,” he explained. “Look at the efficiency of the charity too and make sure it is a cause close to your heart, if you believe in it, you will put more in and get more out.

It’s important to visit the charity’s premises and learn about the issues and challenges they face then work out the best way you can help them.

It’s not always about money, time can be an important factor to many charities.

“Deciding how much time you can spare each month is also important.

Hundred event or taking part in a challenge.

Winners “I would like to think that this article will encourage companies to think about CSR, not just choose the current trend. It’s a sad fact that some charities are swimming in cash but make very poor use of it, whilst some really small or wellestablished charities deserve more support and it often isn’t cash, it’s time and thought of how best to help.

We have worked with many charities and the rule of thumb is around £500 per month, but this is made up of time as well as cash. We provide support vehicles and for us, especially in the current climate is better than donating cash.”

So, has the CSR activity helped Hepworth Motor Group to expand business networks? “Without a do ubt. M any of t he l oca l businesses that we know, we have met through CSR, be it a charity dinner, a Huddersfield

“Finally, you’ll meet some great people along the way, be it taking auction prize winners to the races, helping a nervous cyclist get to the end of a long day or finish a Midnight Walk or just getting to share in the passion people feel for the cause they’re supporting. The UK is one of the most generous countries on the planet but sadly, it’s often lost in all the negative media.”

TopicUK July2019

83

Brexit – Good or bad for property

By Mark Hanson BSc FRICS Hanson Chartered Surveyors A Walker Singleton Group Company)

I was asked, again, the other day whether I thought that property values are likely to be affected by the Brexit result.

“Brexit result”; well we don’t have one yet but three years into the process, two prime ministers, thirteen applicants for the job (at the time of writing) and the likelihood of a further referendum does bring with it a degree of uncertainty.

But if we are to believe the journalists (TV particularly) and the politicians generally, the UK will be a worse place to be following the eventual result. Confused. com have not yet offered a one stop shop to solve the problem. However, speaking to those who actually create the wealth of the country rather than those who spend it or comment on its failings, most are factoring in either scenario as best they can. It is certainly the case that some

decisions are being deferred but others are not. In our advice to clients we remain cautious but unlike 2008, the Lehman Brothers cliff edge moment, this is no cliff edge. More like death by a thousand cuts.

The markets three years on are mature, the banks are in a strong position having been stress tested regularly, interest rates remain low and there is a large amount of cash being held in companies. We are living and breathing the uncertainty of the Brexit crisis. Once uncertainty is removed, plans can once again dusted off.

There are parts of the commercial property market where values have fallen, particularly high street shops but that has more to do with other factors such

NEWS UPDATE as internet shopping rather than Brexit.

The industrial occupier market has shown very little signs of a slow-down. Indeed, take up nationally has remained robust post June 2016. 2016 turned out to be a record year falling just short of 100million sq.ft (up 2% on 2015) and up 10% on the ten year average of 88.6million sq.ft with 2017 remaining strong and little let up in 2018 (Data: Brexit Property Impacts September 2018).

Some institutional investors have temporarily left the market but most continue to hold their stock (even when vacant) despite an appetite from private property companies and owner managed businesses to seek to persuade them to sell.

The follow up question which I also get is; I have a substantial amount to invest, should I hold off and wait for the confusion and fall in values following Brexit?

With over 40 years in the business I have seen many cyclical changes with

recession and recoveries for many varied reasons. I have never predicted the future performance of markets but what seems obvious to me on this occasion is the abundance of cash seeking a home getting very little interest from the banks. Whilst it is perfectly possible to take the view that which ever way the Brexit result goes values may fall, it is just as reasonable to take the view that either little will change (as its already factored in) or there may be an increase in demand pushing values up in some sectors.

Whilst every asset class is subject to its own cyclical changes, weaker sterling and the Brexit vote of June 2016 boosted property investment in the UK. With little likelihood of a cliff edge moment, my advice would be to know your own investment criteria and make a decision based upon that and the current market as we now find it knowing that property is a long term investment. If you are a property speculator/trader – good luck.

HUDDERSFIELD OFFICES – TO LET

Unit 12, Pennine Business Park, Bradley, Huddersfield

30 Market Street, Huddersfield

Pennine House, Bradley, Huddersfield

78 John William Street, Huddersfield

2,043 sq ft

3,445 – 10,335 sq ft

2,618 sq ft

1,900 – 8,358 sq ft

High-specification offices, in prime town centre location

Modern offices with generous car parking provision and ease of access to M62

Newly refurbished town centre offices, ideally located for public transport links

Grade A pavilion offices on popular business park, close to M62

walkersingleton.co.uk 01484 477600 hanson-cs.co.uk 01484 432043 84

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE

Top accolade for 10th welcome to Yorkshire Garden

The 99th garden by the renowned designer and landscaper Mark Gregory of Landform Consultants, marks both the 10th anniversary and 10th year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for Welcome to Yorkshire.

©Rachel Warne

The Welcome to Yorkshire garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show has received a highly coveted gold medal.

The spectacular garden follows in the footsteps Mark’s 2018 gold medal winning garden – Welcome to team effort, and we’ve got a winning Yorkshire’s most successful Chelsea team, I couldn’t be prouder.” garden to date which was honoured with a hat-trick of awards: a Gold A f f e c t i o n a t e l y n a m e d t h e Medal, the BBC People’s Choice and ‘Construction King of Chelsea’, Mark Best Construction – and captures Gregory has built a grand total of the beauty of the county’s canals, 99 Chelsea show gardens and spent whilst celebrating the drama of almost four years of his life on the Yorkshire’s rich industrial heritage. grounds of Royal Hospital. Mark founded Landform on 1st April Speaking of the medal, Landform 1988 and the very next day was Consultants Managing Director, called on to create a last-minute Mark Gregory, said: “Each year you Chelsea garden and he’s been back strive to build on the success of the every single year since. Landform previous, which after last year was holds more than 20 Gold medals, no mean feat! We’re over the moon alongside Mark’s five personal Gold that the Welcome to Yorkshire medals. garden has been recognised once again and couldn’t be more pleased The atmospheric Welcome to with the result. Chelsea is always a Yorkshire garden evokes the very

essence of the county, striking a balance between the industrial and the beautiful, demonstrating that a working lock can also be a place of tranquillity and charm.

The aim of the garden is to inspire those who see it, to visit Yorkshire and experience the county’s beauty first hand.

We l c o m e t o Yo r k s h i r e ’ s Commercial Director, Peter Dodd, said: “We were blown away when we saw the garden and it looks like the judges were too. The reaction has been incredible and this is exactly why we’ve been going to RHS Chelsea for the last 10 years, to open people’s eyes to the beauty of Yorkshire.”

The highlight of the 2019 Welcome to Yorkshire show garden is an authentically built canal with flowing water and genuine canal lock gates. Mark’s design also includes a towpath and a lock keeper’s lodge with a colourful garden and vegetable patch.

The design is inspired by Yorkshire’s proud history of industry, manufacturing and innovation but also the county’s stunning natural environment and many green spaces. The canal featured runs next to a p e re n n i a l m e a d o w, a n d t h e planting showcases the rich diversity of native flora alongside cultivated varieties.

TopicUK July2019

85

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Companies operating Windows 7 and Server 2008 on their laptops, desktops and servers are being warned that they could be at risk of malicious software attacks if they do not prepare for the enforced upgrade, which marks the ‘end of life’ for these business-critical pieces of software.

In January 2020 Microsoft will stop producing updates for Windows 7 and Server 2008, which means that those organisations that are yet to make a switch risk leaving their devices vulnerable to attack.

Paul Heigham, from Bellingham IT, explains: “Microsoft and other software providers regularly produce updates for their systems.

This removes bugs and equips companies with extra protection against cyber-attacks. In January 2020 all updates for Windows 7 or Server 2008 will stop.

“Whilst the clock is ticking, there is still time to make a change. But, businesses should be thinking about more than just a like-for-like switch.

“This is the perfect time to consider an upgrade that future proofs their IT infrastructure, one that supports their business’s longerterm ambition and facilitates a different way of working that enhances flexibility, resilience and also security.”

But what should organisations be doing to facilitate the switch quickly and efficiently and how can they prepare for Windows 7 and Server 2008 end of life?

Business Protection

86

Photo by Max DeRoin from Pexels

IT

Preparing for windows 7 end of life

By Paul Heigham - Director of Bellingham IT

Whether you are making a likefor-like switch or upgrading your systems, start with protection.

Every business should have a business continuity and a disaster recovery plan in place.

like-for-like change, but don’t look at this as a mundane process, is it an opportunity to replace what you have with something new – something that could make your business better?

“All too often we hear people saying that a cyber-attack will never happen to them, but it can strike any business. Large or small the organisation is still at risk,” comments Paul. “As an example, one of the most common forms of attack is the ‘cryptolocker’ virus, this impacts on every single file that is held on a business’s network.

One of the first questions we ask is are you protected against this and how would you survive in this situation?”

“Adopting Windows 10 and utilising Office 365 and SharePoint, as an example, may diminish the need for an onsite server and having access to files via the cloud can deliver a whole host of benefits.”

Future proofing It’s ‘end of life’ for Windows 7 and Server 2008, so it’s an enforced switch. You must make a change so why not use this as an opportunity to future proof your business?

Paul adds: “It’s very easy to make a

Considering the costs The cost of switching from Windows 7 and Server 2008 will vary from business to business.

Different cost scenarios will be determined by the specification of a machine. But there are always ways to spread the cost with leased devices on hire purchase or for larger companies the whole project can be financed.

Be mindful of legacy software When making a switch, businesses should be mindful of legacy software which may not work

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

with some upgrades.

Whilst this is not true of all software, companies should certainly check.

If you are using older versions of applications such as SAGE or Adobe, there may be problems!

Learning requirements Familiarity can breed productivity, so adopting a new system may cause uncertainty and fear from the unknown. Consider if this switch needs to be supported with a learning exercise when a new system is installed.

Paul concludes: “The switch over of Windows 7 and Server 2008 is inevitable, so let’s see it as a real opportunity to future proof our IT and to make our businesses more agile. Let’s move forward with the digital transformation and not fear the industrial revolution 4.0.”

TopicUK July2019

87

advertorial

All’s well that ends well

Best deal on the road for vehicle finance Commercial finance brokers ABL Business steered businessman Clive Smetham back on the road to his dream BMW, after his car finance application veered off track.

ABL Business arranged a vehicle finance package to help him buy his luxury £31,445 BMW 520i.

Mr Smetham is a corporate finance partner at a Leeds accountancy firm, working on large-scale management buyins and buy-outs and expects a high standard of service when looking for a finance deal.

He turned to his trusted contact, ABL Business joint Managing Director Andy Redman, after he was faced with a string of errors on his original vehicle finance application, with the providers repeatedly getting his details wrong - even on an apology email.

The ABL Business team were quickly able to secure the car finance, even beating the deal

88

that the other company had offered. From initial contact, it took them just five working days to turn around the deal.

ABL Business would be able to help me get the finance I needed to be able to purchase my car.

The finance was paid out on a Friday and the delighted customer was able to collect his car from Scotland at lunchtime on the following Monday.

“I was very impressed when they told me that they had sorted out a package which actually gave me a better price than the vehicle finance originally on offer. It was a no brainer to take the ABL deal.”

ABL fixed him up with a lease purchase package featuring a final balloon payment, where a lump sum falls due at the end of the term, keeping the regular repayments much lower for the client.

Mr Smetham said: “Having known Andy Redman for a number of years, I felt confident that the team at

The car he’d set his heart on is a luxurious new shape BMW 5 series touring in alpine white with black interior leather and blue stitching. It boasts a 2 litre petrol engine giving 181 bhp and a 0-60 speed of under 8 seconds combined with an average mpg of 46 and 688 range per tank making it both practical and sporty.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

BMW-5-Series

Andy Redman concluded: “We were so glad that Clive got in touch to tell us about the problems he was having, so we could get his plans back on track within just a few days, get him behind the wheel of his new car and put the smile back on his face.

“The moral of the story is, don’t get disheartened when a finance deal hits a snag. Instead, do talk it through with a broker. We are generally able to sort something out….and, as in Clive’s case, you could well end up with a better deal in the long run.”

If you do have any funding requirements; whether it’s for car finance or business growth, the team at ABL Business will work with you to structure a finance package that suits your business needs.

Find out more at www. abl-business.co.uk, call 01274 965356 or email info@abl-business.co.uk

Upper Calder Valley Renaissance - Networking in the Calder Valley

Calder Valley post floods network project is a success The ongoing work to establish and support business networks fo l l o w i n g t h e 2 0 1 5 floods had been well documented in TopicUK over the past few years.

T h e U p p e r C a l d e r Va l l e y Renaissance (UCVR) project funded by Calderdale council came to an end last month. The project has been a resounding success according to Stephen Curry, Chair of UCVR. Success Stephen said “We have managed to establish four new networks and support two others to grow.

All have received council funding as a result of our helping them to formally constitute and be in a position to hold funds”. He added, “We are satisfied that we have now got an unprecedented level of valley wide business networking taking place on a regular basis. Those attending meetings report via the network surveys, that in general the events improve the level of client and supplier connections”.

What this means is that in each town where UCVR have had success, they have left a legacy of

a group with leadership that the Council and other agencies can now work with to provide more direct services and information to businesses along the 25 mile stretch of the Calder valley.

Notable successes have been the two Great British High Street award winning towns of Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Without the UCVR initiative and the teamwork of the respective networks those wins would not have been possible.

how to keep events and meetings fresh and interesting.

The end of project report Calderdale council provided research to show how individually each network has been successful in providing well for the needs of their respective business communities.

Exchange Other events that have marked out the networks serving their members have been the four Google Digital Garages held in Hebden Bridge, Brighouse, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden.

Running a network is a big challenge and one other legacy is that, the network leaders now meet several times a year to support each other and exchange ideas about

For details of networking in the wider valley get in touch with: UCVR info@ucvr.org.uk Tel. 01422 417286 www.ucvr.org.uk Twitter @UCVR_

TopicUK July2019

89

LESSONS IN BUSINESS

Nicky Chance-Thompson TopicUK spoke to new partner Nicky ChanceThompson, Chief Executive of The Piece Hall in Halifax to find out what lessons she has learned in her very successful career to date.

What has worked well during your business career?

Building strong networks, constantly innovating and having and being a mentor. I like my thinking to be challenged so I have learned to surround myself with talented people who do not always think like me. Reverse mentoring is so rewarding as it really makes you think creatively rather than repetitively to problem solve. But do take care to listen and be guided by the right people. And to be resilient and brave. Most of my career progression has been through sheer hard work and sticking with things even when they have been very tough and later on in my career by taking chances. Don’t ever be afraid to change sectors and industries to learn new ideas and skills.

Has anything you have done, not been so successful?

I’ve taken one or two jobs that I have known deep down not to be right, but they appeared to be progression or a safe option. I left those roles shortly afterwards as I just couldn’t make it work in my heart and mind. Trust your intuition, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t.

How would you do things differently if your career was to start again?

If I knew what I know now when I was younger, I would tell my eighteen-year-old self ‘you are good enough “ I have learned to - life is short surround myself with so be brave’. talented people who do not always think like me...”

I missed out on so many things in my early years thinking I wasn’t good enough to do them.

Including being a presenter on C4’s Big Breakfast!

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt on your journey to date?

Life and business is all about people. Learn to be curious and kind and remember we are all humans who need to feel valued but also learn when something or somebody just isn’t working out and deal with it quickly.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Do the things that make you happy. And, be patient. Learn and grow and allow yourself time to succeed. Remember to lift people as you rise.

TopicUK July2019

91

How has Brexit effected the Jobs Market?

RECRUITEMENT UPDATE

By Andy Turner Managing Director First Choice Recruitment

A light bulb moment!

The recent transformation at All Saints Church Normanton started with a light bulb.

Almost four years ago when one of the halogen spotlights was being replaced at All Saints Church, it was suggested that consideration should be given to replacing them all with modern efficient LED lights. That comment started a series of discussions leading to a committee being formed to consider looking at reordering the interior for all the community.

balance being sought through various grants.

The work has included the installation of underfloor heating, modern energy efficient LED lighting, the latest sound and visual systems that properly supports people with hearing or visual challenges, a new Access WC and by using creative ideas the creation of a large, flexible open space.

All Saints welcomes a number of organisations, who make use of the Church building, but work needed to be done to adapt the interior to enable it to be used for many different purposes.

The committee identified a number of issues that needed to be addressed to make the interior open, comfortable and welcoming.

All Saints Church dates back to Domesday Book and earlier.

Over the centuries many changes have been made to this beautiful building, with the last major change taking place 28 years ago.

When a decision was taken to go ahead with a major reordering project, the committee were determined that it would be the responsibility of the Church members to fund the project.

All Saints Church has been there for families both in sorrowful and joyful times. Now it is a place where fun, laughter and Christian love is at the heart of it.

Any contribution can be made via the Church office, please contact the office on 01924 220868 or email office@ allsaintsnormanton.org.

Almost 80% of the cost of the project has been raised by the regular Church congregation over the last 3-4 years, the

On 23rd June, 2016 - 51.9% of the UK voted to leave the EU, the latest date we’re working towards is 31st October 2019. Who knows what the eventual outcome will be, but is this uncertainty effecting the job market?

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, net migration to the UK from non-EU countries was 261,000 in the twelve months to September 2018 - the highest since 2004.

We have been a ‘candidate driven’ industry for years (certainly before the Brexit vote) with the latest National Statistics showing we are at 76.1% employment – the highest since records began, one of the best/ highest in Europe. I would suggest we are virtually at ‘full employment’ with really only Germany slightly higher.

In other words, the result of the referendum appears to have already had an impact before Brexit has actually happened and certainly hasn’t helped the existing tight employment market.

A lot of my colleagues, friends, peers and business contacts have suggested that immigration has come down since the UK voted to leave the EU, so what are the facts?

So the facts are, there is a real shortage of staff and skills both Nationally and locally, migration has been slowing since 2012, we are arguably at ‘full employment’ and we have a very scary deadline on Halloween……are you scared? I am.

Next time I’ll look at some solutions.

The reordering project took 12 weeks to complete and cost approximately £286.

By contrast, net migration from EU countries was 57,000 - a level last seen in 2009.

Topic Tomorrow

Entrepreneur pioneers Sheffield’s first packaging free eco shop Hill is just Grand An aspiring entrepreneur who turned his back on a lucrative career in software development in a bid to do his bit for the environment has embarked upon a one man mission to transform the way we purchase everyday goods by banning plastic packaging from his eco-friendly shop.

Today, his zero waste shop sells more than 200 different products ranging from exotic teas and coffees to everyday household goods including washing powder, toiletries, cleaning products and even plastic free toothbrushes.

complete career change, Mathew contacted the ERDF funded Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme and began formulating his own ideas to help others lead a waste-free lifestyle. Working alongside business advisor Natalie Fletcher, Mathew began testing his ideas enabling him to develop a sustainable business model.

Ideas Mathew’s journey from software developer to green shopkeeper began after he celebrated his 30th birthday. Despite progressing well in his chosen career, he felt unfulfilled. After learning about the plastic mountains plaguing the world’s rivers and oceans, the environmentally conscious entrepreneur began exploring ways he could cut down on his own waste output and quickly realised that he wasn’t alone.

After deciding to embark on a

94

He has continued to work closely with the Launchpad team, finding a new audience for his business via social media and with plans to expand his business further, including exploring the possibility of developing an online retail offering, Mathew is planning to embark upon a crowdfunding initiative to secure additional funds from fellow environmentally conscious individuals to grow the business further.

©Dean Atkins Photography

Mathew Reynolds launched The Bare Alternative in November 2018 after securing help from the Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme and alternative finance provider Finance For Enterprise.

Unlike many shops which rely upon pre-packaged goods, almost all of the products he sells are sold in loose quantities, with customers expected to bring their own containers.

He also uses his shop as a drop off point for people to deal with typically hard to deal with waste such as crisp packets, toothpaste tubes and biscuit packaging.

Mathew identified one of the greatest plastic pollutants came from single use plastic packaging – he realised that if he could eliminate plastic packaging altogether, it could drastically reduce the amount of waste being produced. Feeling confident his idea could succeed, Mathew took part in a number of workshops, helping him to develop the vital skills needed to make his zero waste shop a success.

The new entrepreneur began sourcing stock and even spotted

the perfect location for his shop in Sheffield’s bohemian Abbeydale Road, leaving just final piece in the puzzle to overcome – finance.

Initiatives With limited funds and no previous trading history, Mathew realised that it would be difficult to source finance from high street banks, but his Launchpad advisor introduced him to alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise, who helped the new entrepreneur to secure a £14,000 business loan, which he invested in stock and equipment.

Since the doors of The Bare Alternative opened for business, Mathew has built up a loyal customer base and keen not to rest on his laurels, he has also launched a number of initiatives aimed at helping local residents to cut down on their plastic waste.

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

Mathew said: “I decided to contact the Launchpad programme through Business Sheffield and the support I’ve received helped to transform my pipe dream into a reality. The support I’ve received has given me the confidence to believe in my business idea and over the past six months, the performance of the business has exceeded all of my expectations and I’m now looking towards employing my first members of staff, exploring the possibility of online sales and securing additional finance through crowdfunding.”

Gillian Pickard, Investment Manager, Finance For Enterprise said: “Most high street banks are reluctant to lend to businesses without a proven trading history which, for many new entrepreneurs can make accessing finance incredibly difficult. As a Start Up Loans delivery partner, we were able to step in and help Mathew secure the funds his business needed to make his shop a reality.”

tomorrow

MAGAZINE FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, APPRENTICES AND STUDENTS

HMC, Quaker, Co-educational Day & Boarding School for 21/2 to 18 years

For Year 7 and Year 12 Entry Day and Boarding

For registration or further information, please contact admissions@ackworthschool.com or call our admissions secretary on +44 (0) 1977 624306.

Topic Tomorrow

Wakefield College achieves Matrix accreditation Wakefield College’s quality of information, advice and guidance (IAG) it gives to learners has been recognised following accreditation

by Matrix – the quality framework for organisations used to assess IAG and support services.

Assessment took place over three days at the College, reviewing key documentation and the public website, as well as speaking with staff, students and partners to certify the quality of guidance from the College relating to our Careers and Course Information Services. It was judged to be of a high enough standard to achieve the accreditation.

Harrogate Water Whilst many are still confused around packaging waste and feel in the dark when it comes to recycling, environmental champion Harrogate Water is helping to shed some light on the debate as it leads the beverage industry towards a more sustainable future.

If you don’t know your recyclables from your non-recyclables, you are not alone. Research has found most people are frustrated about not having enough information on recycling. They want to do the right thing but are confused about what can and can’t be recycled.

Commenting on the strengths of Wakefield College’s work, Matrix assessor Susan Smith noted in her report of very strong partnerships and networks that enable the effective delivery of IAG. “Partnerships with employers, training providers, other colleges

and universities and other local support organisations means that a culture of impartiality is present, with numerous examples of staff supporting and enabling other providers to deliver services to students.”

Experience, Clare Allcock said: “Hundreds of learners and potential learners access our services each year and it is vital we offer them the best advice, support and guidance for their individual needs. We’re thrilled to have achieved the matrix accreditation once again and particularly pleased with the numerous strengths cited within the report. It is great to see our professional staff have been recognised for the great work they do.”

The accreditation is another boost for the College and follows the recent ‘Good’ Ofsted received earlier this year.

Executive Director for Student

The Government is addressing this in its ‘Resources and Waste Strategy for England’, which sets out a range of proposals, including a deposit return scheme for all beverage bottles and cans, as well as consistent recycling information.

Harrogate Water is recognised as a recycling champion. The company has been zero-to-landfill for almost a decade, uses at least 50 per cent recycled content in its PET and glass bottles and campaigns with Keep Britain Tidy to increase PET bottle recycling, urging consumers to ‘Twist it. Cap it. Recycle it.’

Harrogate Water’s PET bottles are 100 per cent recyclable, including cap and label, and may be disposed of together for recycling.

Brand manager Nicky Cain said: “Confusion and misinformation are the enemies of recycling and have corrupted the debateFF TopicUK July2019

97

Topic Tomorrow around packaging sustainability, especially the controversial issue of ‘single use’ plastic. The term ‘single use’ is confusing. There is a clear distinction between easy-torecycle PET bottles and difficultto-recycle plastics. PET bottles are not ‘single-use’ as they can be recycled again and again and return as another bottle.

We need more recycling so that we can increase the amount of recycled material in our bottles.

Demonising PET bottles adds to confusion about recyclability and the life cycle of packaging materials.

“Doing the right thing environmentally means taking account of the whole production and recycling process. It is estimated that the o ve rall environmental cost of producing a PET bottle is nearly four and a half times less than that of aluminium, carton or glass.

“Recycling is the here-and-now solution to a sustainable future, and we are proud of our recycling campaigning with Keep Britain Tidy. Only by recycling will we move towards the closed-loop circular economy we all desire.

Harrogate Water operates one of the most environmentally efficient facilities in the world and has become a showcase for the bottled water industry. The company recently attained the highest international standard ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management.

Harrogate Spring Wate r is a member of Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y30 Club of Yorkshirebased business partners. For further information, visit Yorkshire.com/Y30

98

Public access defibrillators to save lives..

Staff, students and members of the public in and around Wakefield College’s Castleford and City Campuses can now access lifesaving defibrillators following the recent installation of the devices.

A d e f i b r i l l a to r, s o m e t i m e s known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a small electronic device designed to allow minimally trained people to provide lifesaving defibrillation (electric shock to the heart) to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

The device analyses and looks for shock-able heart rhythm, advises the rescuer of the need for defibrillation and delivers a shock if needed.

Each year in Britain around 30,000 people are struck by sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital environments. They can affect anyone at any time – from young children at school,

to adults when they’re at home, work or out in public places.

If victims aren’t treated properly, more often than not, cardiac arrests are fatal. The British Heart Foundation’s figures show that only one in ten victims survive.

Wakefield College’s Assistant Health and Safety Officer, Josh Brannan said: “Defibrillators can be the difference between life and death, and we’re pleased to have installed these life-saving pieces of equipment at the College’s two main campuses. By having an AED accessible quickly and easily 24 hours a day, Wakefield College is demonstrating its continued commitment to the safety of its students, staff and members of the community.”

Public Service Students experience Army life Students from Kirklees College’s Public Service courses were given an insight into Army life as they took part in an exhilarating 24-hour Army experience at Strensall Common.

in the Army and help them decide if this career path is the one for them.

The experience was of massive benefit to the students and really helped them hone the skills needed to be a success on their course, as well as in the future,” said Vicki Bergin, Progress Coach.

Strensall Common Nature Reserve, just outside of York, was the perfect base for this experience as students undertook activities including night patrol, sleeping out under the stars and surviving on basic rations.

The students were also able to learn from the experts themselves as they quizzed current serving soldiers who had just returned from overseas tours.

“This experience allowed the students to really get a taste for life

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

All the learners took on every challenge thrown at them and got fully immersed in, and enjoyed

Topic Tomorrow

Media Matters with Charlotte Armitage

MediaMatters

Reality TV has emphasized the Realities of Mental Health In recent months, the suicides of a number of TV show contestants has placed reality TV under increasing scrutiny over the perceived lack of responsibility in preparing and supporting on-screen talent.

It is without question that preproduction, production and postproduction processes should be reviewed and implemented to ensure that they adequately support and prepare talent for the impact of being in the public eye.

to imagine what a career in the public eye will be like until they end up in that position, people should think carefully about whether a career in the media spotlight is right for them and whether they have the psychological resilience to cope with that.

Spotlight Nevertheless, not all accountability lies with production companies and the film & TV industry.

Although it may be hard for people

As tragic as these recent suicides have been, the media coverage surrounding them has put the spotlight on mental health awareness. It has highlighted the prevalence of mental illness amongst society and emphasized

that anyone can be affected by an element of accountability mental illness. One of the most on each and every one of us to shocking factors about some ‘reach in’ if we think that someone of these deaths was that these is struggling, because usually individuals seemingly had it all; if someone is struggling, they they were young, good looking, won’t be well enough to ‘reach had a successful career and a out’ themselves. great social life which makes it harder to understand.

Reality TV has raised awareness of the realities of mental health Awareness and most importantly, it has highlighted that we all, as But this is the reality of mental employers, teachers, friends, health, it is invisible. It doesn’t parents, siblings and any other matter who you are or what you role that we fill in life, have a have, anyone can experience part to play in the mental health mental illness or distress and and wellbeing of those around us. often it isn’t always visible for us to see. This stresses the importance Dates for the Diary for us to be mindful of changes in those around us and places Bradford Family Film Festival Throughout August www.bradford-city-of-film.com Coronation Street Casting Associate Joanne Moss Casting Workshop 21st September www.yafta.co.uk

Congratulations!

the experience, with some now considering a career in the British Army.

Kirklees College’s Public Services course enables students to experience what life is like in the public services sector, with the opportunity to develop their problem solving,

leadership and communication skills, whilst learning from tutors who have worked in the industry to deliver hands-on knowledge and experience.

To check out this course, and all the others the college offers, visit one of their open days. The next ones are on Saturday 29 June, 10.30am-12.30pm at Dewsbury Centres and on Tuesday,

2 July, 4-6pm at all Huddersfield Centres.

They offer a chance to tour the facilities, speak to curriculum staff and find out about the wide range of courses on offer at Kirklees College including full-time and part-time courses and Apprenticeships.

Great news about the multi-million pound ‘Create Yorkshire’ hub development approved at a former Church Fenton RAF site, which is already home to largest film studios in Yorkshire!

TopicUK July2019

99

Experience a Fantastic Family Fun Day Out at Gulliver’s for FREE!

TOPICUK HAVE TEAMED UP WITH GULLIVER’S THEME PARK RESORTS TO GIVE TWO LUCKY WINNERS A FAMILY TICKET PLUS INDOOR ATTRACTION ACCESS WORTH OVER £100 FOR A BUMPER DAY OUT AT GULLIVER’S KINGDOM IN MATLOCK BATH, GULLIVER’S WORLD IN WARRINGTON OR GULLIVER’S LAND IN MILTON KEYNES With traditional theme park rides such as the rollercoaster, log flume and dodgems, to a host of weird and wonderful attractions, Gulliver’s has been helping families make magical memories for over 40 years.

Soft play areas, interactive shows, activities and entertainment on offer means there is something for everyone to enjoy. Each of the three resorts is also home to other amazing attractions, with an indoor Blast Arena at every location; Splash Zone and Roller Zone at Warrington; Dinosaur and Farm Park at Milton Keynes; and SFear at Matlock Bath.

Winning this competition will give you access to one of the indoor attractions on the day of your theme park visit.

For full details visit www.gulliversfun. co.uk

To enter: Answer the following question: What is the name of the Gulliver’s Theme Parks main mascot? a.)

Gully Mouse b.)

Mickey Mouse c.)

Peter Rabbit Email your answer to PR@topicuk.co.uk. The winners will be the first correct entries drawn after the closing date of Friday July 12th.

Terms and conditions apply. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The family ticket prize is valid for up to four people (at least one adult and one child).

Winners will be contacted by Gulliver’s hotline to arrange their visit to their preferred park on a mutually agreed date, subject to availability. The editor’s decision is final and there is no cash alternative.

FREE Introduction to

Considering moving or recently moved to the Microsoft Cloud with Office 365, but want to know more?

Eitex are a local Microsoft Partner that works closely with local businesses to help them understand the components of Office 365. We can help explain how the different applications in Office 365 can enhance your systems (such as email, file sharing, communication, and working from anywhere).

Our events aim to provide you with a greater understanding of the platform so you can make an educated decision on if this is the right fit for your organisation.

Includes breakfast!

For more information or to book a session please go to https://www.eitex.co.uk/events Alternatively scan the QR code below:

Unit 3, Flemming Court Whistler Drive t: +44(0)1924 488612 Glasshoughton e: hello@eitex.co.uk West Yorkshire www.eitex.co.uk WF10 5HW

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

102

 /topicuk-magazine @topic_uk  www.topicuk.co.uk  /topicuk.co.uk

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR Young Entrepreneur

YoungYorkshire entrepreneur meets Theo Paphitis Entrepreneur and Founder of Little Beau Sheep, Sarah Turner, is celebrating after meeting business tycoon and ex-dragon Theo Paphitis at his Small Business Sunday event.

Sarah was chosen by Theo as a winner of his Small Business Sunday #SBS social competition, championing small business owners nationally.

and Sarah started selling her ecocreations at farming shows as well as setting up her own Etsy shop.

People from around the globe were interested in her creations, so she started to expand her range to include more laundry products and natural bathroom treats. With the business expanding, Sarah employed other local mums and took Little Beau Sheep to the next level.

Using pure British wool, Founder of Little Beau Sheep, Sarah handmakes a range of natural and novel gifts and goodies in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. From dryer balls for a faster more fragrant tumble-dry to felted soaps for an invigorating bath or shower, there’s a whole flock of fabulous stuff to choose from.

Small Business Sunday (shortened to the hashtag #SBS on Twitter) was created by Theo Paphitis, with the aim of recognising entrepreneurs and small business owners. Sarah was invited by Theo Paphitis, alongside other national #SBS winners, to join him for a networking event in Birmingham recently.

Sarah said; “I was absolutely delighted to be chosen by Theo as part of his #SBS competition.

Attending the event and meeting the other businesses was so inspiring.

It was amazing to meet Theo and be presented with this award, as well as meeting all the other small business owners. People often don’t realise the amount of work that small business owners put in. Being self-employed doesn’t mean you have more free time, and I often find myself working weekends, so it’s great to see initiatives like Small

Business Sunday which recognise the dedication and commitment that business owners like myself put in and encourage us to socialise alongside like minded business owners.”

Small Business Sunday, was created

by Theo Paphitis to recognise entrepreneurs and small business owners, he said; “I admire people who have passion and energy. I was struck by the number of business owners on Twitter who wanted to tell me about their new products and services. Small Business Sunday was born so that people have a specific time slot to tweet and can pitch their ‘sell’ directly to me. My vision is that everyone who has won #SBS becomes part of a friendly club.

Like-minded individuals can share successes and learnings. I know I have been lucky in business and I am keen now to spread goodwill to others, of course not forgetting that

very often, you make your own luck by making use of every opportunity.”

Sarah had been working in a fastpaced corporate role for a global bank until 2011 when she had her first child. She started to want a little more flexibility with her time, so she could enjoy the new arrival in her life. Although she loved her job, it was pretty much all-consuming.

After the birth of her second child, Sarah and her family were living in a small flat as they renovated their house. She found herself up to her eyes in baby-laundry, finding the tumble-dryer permanently on. When her child developed a dry and itchy skin condition, Sarah sought to find a natural treatment. She discovered lanolin, a natural by-product of wool.

After going on to learn the art of felting on a local craft course - the first dryer balls were created in 2011.

Early support came from the local Ilkley Blue Belles Women’s Institute

Sarah is keen to ensure her products have as little environmental impact as possible. Last year, she set up a successful crowdfunding campaign to redesign her packaging from recyclable plastic to cardboard and now all of Little Beau Sheep’s packaging is plastic-free.

In 2018, Sarah was delighted to have been invited to take part in the Etsy Good Store. A pop-up shop dedicated to mindful shopping from artisan traders, promoting the huge array of ethical gifts available on Etsy.

Environmental impact and British produce will always remain at the centre of Sarah’s business. She champions pure British wool and is a proud supporter of the Rare Breed Survival Trust and The Campaign for Wool - described as ‘a miraculous material’ by Prince Charles, British wool has an amazing history, especially in Yorkshire and Sarah says; “In my own way, I’d like to think I’m carrying on a truly grand tradition with my small business, from the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.”

TopicUK July2019

103

in partnership with

Are you an SME in the Leeds City Region?

Thinking of investing in your staff by offering some training?

The Skills Service could fund 40% of the cost of training your staff!

Launched by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges in June 2018, The Skills Service offers a unique package of training and support for businesses in the Leeds City Region. · You can search the Skills Catalogue for courses currently available and eligible for up to 40% European Social Fund funding · You can make a Skills Enquiry and meet with a WYCC Skills Advisor, or contact Wakefield College’s Course Information team by emailing: courseinfo@wakefield.ac.uk to enquire about the courses on offer at Wakefield College.

Find out more about The Skills Service on the website www.skillsservice.co.uk

Topic Tomorrow

Schools target almost reached for Bradford Manufacturing Weeks More than half of Bradford district’s secondary schools have signed up to Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2019.

and Bradford’s manufacturers can complement this by providing insights, experiences and information that helps shape the opinions and aspirations of our young people.”

At an information event held at Bradford College, local manufacturers met with teachers, careers advisors and students to find out more about the benefits of getting involved from 7-18 October and to hear success stories from last year’s week-long initiative.

Appetite Twenty nine secondary schools have signed up to work with local manufacturers during Bradford M anufacturing Weeks. Nick Garthwaite, Bradford Chamber president and managing director of international chemicals and detergents manufacturer Christeyns, who created the initiative last year, said it is now critical that local manufacturers sign up to match interest from the schools and ensure there are enough experiences for local students in manufacturing.

Nick said: “We’ve had a phenomenal response from schools and it is so encouraging to have the appetite to get pupils into local manufacturing environments. But for this initiative to work, we need to at least match the schools involved with willing manufacturers so we’re urging employers to register their interest so we at Bradford Chamber can get in touch and make these connections and experiences happen.”

Led by Bradford Chamber and delivered in partnership with

Bradford-based school and career specialists Aspire-igen with primary sponsorship from Barclays, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2019 aims to create 6,000 work experiences for young people by doubling involvement from the 44 manufacturers who took part last year and reaching three quarters of the district’s 49 secondary schools.

Jo Sykes, assistant headteacher from Parkside School in Bradford, said last year’s event inspired many of the school’s students from as young as Year 7 (aged 11) and led to an ongoing partnership for their school with GESIPA, manufacturers of blind rivets and associated products.

Jo said: “Schools are being measured on how well they meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework of guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges.

Bradford Manufacturing Weeks will help us and other schools to meet of these benchmarks specifically Gatsby 5 ‘encounters with employers and employees’ and Gatsby 4 ‘linking curriculum to careers’.

Sponsorship “Not only does Bradford Manufacturing Weeks open student’s eyes into the world of manufacturing but it also opens the teachers’ eyes too. It helps us to relate to the world of business and manufacturing in the classroom and make our curriculum content more relevant and connected to the outside world.”

She added: “We want to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to us as a school and make sure we get our students on the right path for them. Careers is an integral part of our Aspire2B programme

Support for Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2019 has already been pledged from manufacturers including Solenis, Express Steel Panels, TF Automation, Kemira Chemicals and GESIPA and is backed with further sponsorship from E3 Recruitment, Mitton, Gordons LLP, Naylor Wintersgill, Leeds and Bradford Airport, global training provider Dale Carnegie and the University of Bradford. The initiative will complement the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, an initiative co-ordinated by Leeds Chamber of Commerce and Leeds Manufacturing Alliance which also aims to showcase career opportunities to young people.

Jonathan Watson (aged 19), a Level Three Ext Diploma Maintenance Engineering apprentice at Keighleybased GESIPA was involved in Bradford Manufacturing Week 2018 and showed pupils around the facility.

Last week he joined colleagues and peers at the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2019 information event, bringing Industry 4.0 tools and rivets to showcase the company’s capabilities and specialisms before teachers and pupils.

To be a part of this year’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 7-18 October register at https:// bradfordmanufacturingweek. co.uk/manufacturers/get-involved.

For more information log onto www.bradfordmanufacturingweek. co.uk TopicUK July2019

105