TopicUK Leeds Edition May 2018

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LEEDS EDITION NO10

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BUSINESS MAY 2018 - WWW.TOPICUK.CO.UK

BUSINESS LEADERS WORKING AT THE GRAND IS PURE

ART

SEARCH IS ON FOR TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE

DAKOTA DELUXE A JEWEL IN LEEDS' CROWN

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Creating Inclusive Cultures (CIC) is a collaboration of established businesses in our major cities who understand the beneďŹ ts of investing in diversity and inclusion.

In our changing and competitive world CIC enables them to share insight and experience that will help everyone attract and retain the talent for the future success of their ďŹ rms and their cities.

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Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2018

Honouring outstanding young people in Yorkshire.

Raising funds for deserving UK and overseas charities.

Friday 12th October 2018 New Dock Hall, Leeds

Your invitation to a star studded event where Yorkshire’s

courageous children shine!

Hosted by BBC Breakfast’s Steph McGovern

FUNDING CHARITIES SINCE 1992

Join us as at the prestigious 8th Annual Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards and help us to celebrate the achievements of some of Yorkshire’s finest children and young people!

Book a table for 10 people for just £795

Be part of the magic – RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW

Includes welcome drinks reception, 3 course meal by the award winning Aagrah Restaurant Group and a full entertainment programme. Why not bring your family, friends, clients or colleagues? Come along and join in the fun! Individual tickets just £85 each

Ticket Hotline: 07703271238

To find out more visit: www.yorkshirechildren.co.uk WITH THANKS TO OUR MAIN SPONSORS

OUR MEDIA PARTNERS

With thanks to our Friends of Yorkshire Children of Courage: Sir Gary Verity. Christine Talbot, ITV Calendar presenter.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Gary Hetherington, Leeds Rhinos.

Antony Cotterill, Paralympian Tennis Player.

Kate Hardcastle, Media Commentator and Philanthropist.

Claire Young, Businesswoman. Eddie Gray, Leeds United FC. Charlotte Newman, Teenage Cancer Trust.

DINNER SPONSOR

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

With thanks to our Charity Ambassadors: Hannah Cockroft MBE Multi-award winning paralympian Louis Tomlinson One Direction Singer and Songwriter The Chuckle Brothers Children’s TV comedy duo Jack Carroll Comedy Star and Actor

DRINKS RECEPTION SPONSOR

RED DOOR SPONSOR

TICKET SPONSOR

PRODUCTION SPONSOR

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Contents &Comments DE TAI LS O F T H IS M ON T H ‘ S TOP IC U K , YO UR LO C A L B U S I N E S S CO M M U N I T Y M AG A Z I N E

GROUP EDITOR Gill Laidler CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rob Blackwell SPECIAL FEATURE School Correspondent Competition LEGAL MATTERS Chadwick Lawrence BANKING Barclays Bank

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Pledge to replace 1,000,000 plastic straws

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Working at The Grand is pure ART

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The fat lad at the back is a winner

FOOD & DRINK Dine FINANCE & MARKETING ABL Business HOTEL REVIEW Claire Young

Cover: ART Stephen Tompkinson, Nigel Havers & Denis Lawson Image: Matt Crockett

To Partner TopicUK

Tel: 07711 539047

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Meet the Generation of women in construction

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Editor’s Notes

by Gill Laidler

Welcome to the latest edition of TopicUK Wakefield and district.

For a full list of where you can pick up your free copy visit our website: www.topicuk.co.uk

This edition we have two lots of exciting news to share with our readers.

Firstly, TopicUK is changing and from the next edition due to publish at the end of June, you will see an increase in pagination and news will be spread over a much wider geographical area, as we cover the whole of Yorkshire, amalgamating our three current editions and taking in additional news from Bradford, Harrogate and further afield for the first time.

For our readers this means we can bring you business news from a much wider area and it’s excellent news for our partners, as they will reach a much wider audience to showcase their products and services at no extra cost to them.

For any new partners considering joining us going forward, our current partnership rates will increase to reflect this larger, more widespread edition from 20th May, but if you’re quick and talk to us about the possibility of becoming a partner before then, you too can take advantage of this reduced offer. If we can help promote your business right across Yorkshire, do give me a ring on 07711 539047.

Our second piece of news is the launch of our new publication Urban Market, also available from the end of June.

This new newspaper is unique in that it will cover news and features about local food, drink, health, nutrition, gardening etc. Buying local produce should be our priority when it comes to food and drink, not only does this help our planet and help our local producers, the food we eat is fresher and possibly much tastier.

We will be talking about how food is produced or grown by local businesses, visiting micro breweries and distilleries, bringing updates to you about new drinks on the market and let’s face it, we are spoilt for choice these days with Yorkshire having more than its fare share of fabulous drinks and food suppliers, offering

For Advertising Sales

Tel: 07711 539047 advice from experts on nutrition, diet and exercise and asking fruit and vegetable growers advice on what we can all grow at home, whether we have a large garden or a small patio.

If you want to get involved please do give me a ring, this is a real community project and we want your views.

We are planning a launch party for this new newspaper, so keep an eye on your mailbox for your invitation, or if you would like to be added to the guest list, let us know.

We have an incredibly busy month ahead of us.

As partners, we will be attending the second Business Catalyst Club lunch which launched a few weeks ago. This is an invitation only networking event with a real difference and if the inaugural lunch was anything to go by, the venue will once again be full and more importantly, by key decision makers. To find out more, head over to our website www.topicuk. co.uk.

We will be attending the Sue Ryder Women of Achievement Awards at the Royal Armouries on 18 May, where a whole host of women from our region will be celebrated. It’s then onto two events celebrating children and young people, where TopicUK are proud to be partners. These are the launch of Children of Courage Awards and Yorkshire Young Achievers launch parties.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and for all the business updates until our next edition, check out our website at www.topicuk.co.uk.

Gill

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 Solicitors LLP and TopicUK is not responsible for any advice given.

Printed By: Charlesworth Press Wakefield

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MBO deals see GMI Energy become two GMI Construction Group has released its GMI Energy division through two management buyout arrangements with existing shareholders to the business.

The mechanical and electrical services part of GMI Energy has been acquired by Managing Director Carl Nielsen who has rebranded to become KNG Building Services Ltd, a part of the Kirk Nielsen Group Ltd. The facilities management and renewable energy arm has been bought by Directors Phil Roberts and Barry Helliwell who have also rebranded the business to Electric Future Ltd. The arrangement comes as GMI Construction Group identified greater potential for both businesses to thrive independently and sought to reward the shareholders that had driven service aspects to great success in the last seven years.

KNG has now evolved to offer the design and delivery of the mechanical and electrical engineering aspects for commercial projects. It will continue with existing contracts with GMI Construction Group which include Thorpe Park Leeds and St James Retail Park in Sheffield.

Managing Director, Carl Nielsen said, “I am

pleased to take the helm with an exciting opportunity to drive the business independently. Our team has a combined thirty years of experience in M&E engineering with a background in commercial, industrial and residential projects and we plan to take the business forward with a more focused proposition.

Electric Future takes the goodwill and history of the renewables part of GMI Energy and will continue to trade as normal for existing clients and contracts.

July will see the launch of Urban Market This new newspaper is unique in that it will cover news and features about local food, drink, health, nutrition, gardening and much more

ESTD

Managing Director, Phil Roberts said, “It’s an exciting time to be in renewables and we are focusing our offer around the complete lifecycle of solar, battery, vehicle charging and related monitoring and maintenance.

These four areas will become increasingly combined over the coming years with the significant cost advantages of using solar power and electric vehicles. We are excited to pursue these new opportunities into the ‘electric future’”.

MMXVIII

MARKET

To learn more Tel: 07711 539047

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Barclays celebrates Yorkshire women in business Barclays is looking for the region’s top female business talent as it launches their fourth Celebrating Women in Business Awards.

The awards will recognise women and businesses that have made an outstanding contribution to business in the Yorkshire and Humber region and to coincide with International Women’s Day, was officially launched on Thursday 8th March at a networking event at Dakota Hotel, Russell Street, Leeds.

Award categories include: • Woman of the Year SME • Business (up to £20million turnover) • Woman of the Year Medium Business (turnover over £20million - £40million) • Woman of the Year Large Business (turnover over £40million) • Rising Star (Under 35 years of age) • Woman of the year

(Professional or Not for Profit) • Most Supportive Business or individual Promoting Diversity and Citizenship (Company Award)

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Senior Account Manager for Telecoms firm

Debbie Mullen, Head of Corporate Bank for Barclays in Yorkshire said: “Women from all sectors across Yorkshire are securing key roles in larger companies and we want to recognise exceptional achievements for the contribution they are making.

We are seeking entries from women at director level in any sector or industry and this is a fantastic opportunity to bring together business ladies from across the region to share knowledge and ideas, helping to grow the Yorkshire economy.”

Previous award winner, Linda Clarke, Marketing and Digital Director at MKM Building Supplies, will be speaking at the event and offering her unique take on what it takes for a woman to succeed in Yorkshire business.

The awards ceremony will take place at an exclusive awards lunch later in the year.

Please contact sophie.gryntus@barclays.com for more information of how to enter the awards.

Darren Mitchell has joined award-winning B2B telecommunications provider Diva Telecom as Senior Account Manager, having previously held the Business Development Manager role at Nexus Telecommunications.

The appointment forms part of Diva Telecom’s 2018 growth strategy in delivering bespoke solutions to existing and new customers worldwide.

With over nine years of experience in the telecoms industry, Darren brings with him mobile, data connectivity, calls and lines, inbound and traditional PBX expertise.

In his role, he will be working with UK and International businesses to help them achieve improved customer service and business growth through the implementation of tailored products and services.

Last year’s winners L-R: Alex Pryce - Barclays, Shirin Kemp - Pace Communications, Belinda Williams - The Yorkshire Provender, Caroline Harrison - Aspireigen, Suzanne Robinson Ernest and Young, Linda Clarke - MKM Business Supplies, Mandy Atkinson - Hesco Bastion and Debbie Mullen - Barclays

Erica Lewis, Diva Telecom’s MD says “We are pleased to welcome Darren to our team, his vast experience and product knowledge as well as passion in helping businesses succeed will enhance our customer’s experience even further.”

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Pledge to replace one million plastic straws this year The owners of Leeds-based restaurant, LIVIN’Italy, and Huddersfield-based creative agency Para, have launched #NoSuckingPlastic, an environmental campaign to replace all plastic straws for an alternative, in a bid to reduce plastic waste.

the impact on the environment. I understand what practical solutions can be implemented to solve the problem, which are feasible, and which are not.

“We welcomed the recent announcement of the UK’s 2019 plans to ban plastic straws, but we believe a real difference can be made now and we’re eager to push this forward as much as we can until the ban formulates.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jane Dowson, said: “Even the smallest steps to tackle waste and pollution can make a massive difference, and it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that we protect our local environment, so it can be cherished and enjoyed not just now but by future generations to come.

The campaign has already cleaned up the local area with supporting businesses including, The Lock, Sky Lounge, Fazenda, LIVIN’Italy and Out of the Woods, to name just a few. #NoSuckingPlastic aims to encourage bars, cafes and restaurants across Leeds to replace all plastic straws for an alternative and educate consumers on the impact of the waste so they too refuse plastic straws.

The campaign founders, Mattia Boldetti, owner of LIVIN’Italy, and Para agency co-owners, Russ Sealey and Peter Turner, have a shared passion for water sports including surfing and scuba diving, and have first-hand experience of seeing the impact of plastic pollution on our

beaches and in our oceans.

Russ commented: “I regularly visit Anglesey and when we’re down on the beach I encourage my kids to collect any plastic waste they see.

Other kids on the beach are collecting shells and stones with their parents, sifting through the plastic and leaving it behind. People just don’t seem to think it affects them.”

Mattia added: “Being a restauranteur, I know all too well about the amount of plastic waste produced by operations like ours in UK, and I am aware of the difficulties for waste management companies to recycle it.

“Bars and restaurants excessively use plastic straws without considering

“I am delighted therefore to support this campaign, working with bars, cafes and restaurants in our city, has set out the ambitious aim of replacing over 1 million plastic straws this year for a more environmentally friendly alternative. This is a tremendous initiative and has the potential to make a real difference in the ongoing fight to reduce plastic waste.” #NoSuckingPlastic has grown from a handful of businesses at Granary Wharf to several brands across the city and further afield, replacing in excess of 67,000 straws so far and has pledged to replace 1 million plastic straws this year.

Supporters to date include, LIVIN’Italy, The Lock, Sky Lounge, Fazenda, Out of the Woods, The Maven, La Bottega Milanese, The Hedonist Project and Picanha Chester.

For more information and to join the campaign please visit, Nosuckingplastic.org

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A Chartered Surveyor at Savills Leeds is amongst the first in the North to achieve RICS Diploma in Arbitration Simon Douglas, Development Director is one of the first people in the North of England to achieve his RICS Diploma in Arbitration, after passing his final exams.

Dan Goodall and Manchester team.

New Director for Pitman Training Pitman Training Group, the Wetherby based international training franchise business, has recently appointed Dan Goodall as Group Operations Director. Dan has been with the business for 12 years, in a range of roles, and as such has learned the business from the ground up.

Claire Lister, CEO comments “It’s great to see a member of the team really develop and grow within the business. We pride ourselves on our commitment to our team, and in turn are rewarded by incredible loyalty and performance. Dan is tremendously passionate about Pitman Training and the service we provide for our students. It’s wonderful to see Dan realise one of his own long held ambitions and achieve Director status.”

Dan heads up a team of 30 across 4 locations, providing support and training to over 1000 students each year. In addition to the substantial network of franchised training locations, the directly operated business has grown considerably from a single greenfield start up for Pitman Training Group just over 2 years ago, to a business with a nearly £1.5m turnover annually.

Dan says that he is delighted with his recent appointment. “I’m proud to work for such a great brand and I’m passionate about providing quality vocational training to individuals and corporate clients in our supported learning environment.”

Having studied a significant amount of law in his Quantity Surveying degree undertaken at Northumbria University, which provided a strong knowledge base in the Law of Tort and Contract, Simon has always been interested in furthering his studies in arbitration.

He comments: “This result just goes to show that you are never too old to further your education. It is so easy to use everyday life toils as an excuse not to progress oneself further, but I’m so pleased I took the opportunity and saw it through, it’s definitely been worth the effort.

“Savills has been fantastic to me throughout this process – a firm that not only provides first class training support to graduates, but also to experienced surveyors.”

The course has recently been introduced and administered by the RICS with studies at Warwickshire University. It is aimed at professionals working within the built environment who want to gain a

Want your business to be seen by 1500 others?

RICS Diploma for Chartered Surveyor comprehensive and practical knowledge of the arbitral process.

As a result of his achievements, Simon is now a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). The qualification will enable Simon to settle disputes between parties if they choose arbitration as the method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Arbitration is a non-judicial process for the settlement of disputes where an independent third party – an arbitrator – makes a decision that is binding. The role of an arbitrator is similar to that of a judge, though the procedures can be less formal.

You can by booking your space at the 9th Brand Yorkshire Business Conference. You need to hurry though as 65 stands are already sold.

The conference takes place on 4th October at the Pavilions of Harrogate, The Yorkshire Showground and with almost 100 exhibitors and more than 1500 business people expected to attend again, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet potential new customers and partners.

To reserve a stand call Mona on 07748 117977 or email: mona@brandyorkshire.com com

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PR firm breaks £100,000 with another year of record growth A Leeds-based start-up PR agency has exceeded £100,000 in turnover in less than three years of business.

MacComms, based at Entrepreneurial Spark until recently, has grown more than 100% year on year and has reached the milestone turnover

in sales of PR services prior to celebrating its third year in business this April.

Formed by Ellie MacDonald in 2015, MacComms has grown organically since its inception having never sourced external financial investment. The firm now employs four people permanently with and additional

two outsourced directors in HR and finance positions.

Since launching, MacComms has helped more than 80 firms to raise their profile and the business actively supports a number of fellow start-up’s and SMEs across Yorkshire as the area continues to build its reputation as a thriving region for entrepreneurship.

Finance director for MacComms, Martin Mellor, broke the news to the team at the beginning of March and commented: “To see MacComms go from strength to strength is extremely rewarding and reflective of the hard work that Ellie and the team put in.

To have seen over 100% growth not just once but two years in a row is extremely impressive – the commercial backdrop is not easy and there are many statistics on business failure rates that back that up.

“MacComms is developing a strong, sustainable and, crucially, profitable business through organic growth – this gives me great confidence for the future and I see no reason why the trend of doubling in size can’t continue into the next few years.”

Ellie added; “With a number of frightening statistics detailing that more than half of all start-ups fail within their first few years, I am incredibly proud to have reached this milestone figure and continue to grow successfully. I have to thank the fantastic people I employ in my core and wider team, particularly Martin who shared this exciting news with us, without them MacComms would not have achieved this important milestone.”

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Solicitor expands its Property Litigation team Law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP has strengthened its Property Litigation team with the appointment of Amanda Hewitt as a Litigation Executive.

Amanda joins Blacks with more than 13 years’ experience in Housing and Commercial Litigation, with a particular focus in arrears and repossession matters.

She previously worked as a Tenancy Enforcement Lawyer at The Guinness Partnership.

Leading Yorkshire vehicle-hire firm welcomes first female mechanic conducting services, safety checks and repairs on the company’s growing fleet.

Katie was destined to become a mechanic!

Yorkshire’s largest independent vehicle-hire firm has announced that it has recently hired the first female mechanic to its growing team.

Katie Bushell joins Arrow Self Drive having completed a three-year apprenticeship organised by Kirklees College. In her new role as a mechanic, 19-year-old Katie is responsible for

James Hill, Managing Director commented: “The motor trade is an industry traditionally dominated by men, but at Arrow Self Drive, women employees are intrinsic to the company and its development. We’re delighted to welcome Katie to Arrow Self Drive and she brings a real passion and excellent skill set to the team. We look forward to seeing Katie flourish as the business continues to grow throughout 2018 and beyond.”

Katie added: “I’m thrilled to have been given such a warm welcome by the team. I’ve already learn so much and I’m excited to embark upon a long and fruitful career alongside some of the region’s talented professionals working in the automotive industry.”

Amanda is looking forward to working with the team which has grown to six staff members. She said: “I’ve really missed private practice and having the opportunity to work at a law firm as respected as Blacks is a real privilege. I’m looking forward to working in a rewarding role with a fantastic team, where I feel I can really make my mark.”

Head of Property Litigation, James Teagle, commented: “This is an exciting time in the firm’s history. Amanda’s knowledge, experience and expertise will really strengthen our team as it continues to grow.”

Managing Partner at Blacks Solicitors, Chris Allen, is also thrilled to welcome Amanda. He added: “I’m really proud of the level of growth Blacks has experienced recently. I hope Amanda enjoys working with us in her new role.”

L-R: Aimee Hutchinson, Rachael Donnelly, Amanda Hewitt, Charlene De’Ath, James Teagle.

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Chief Operations Officer appointed at Roomzzz Aparthotels Leading aparthotel brand, Roomzzz, has appointed Robert Alley as Chief Operations Officer (COO), to assist with the company’s ambitious growth plans as it opens the eighth aparthotel in its fast-growing portfolio with six further developments across the UK coming soon.

The Roomzzz Manchester Corn Exchange which opened last month marked the eighth aparthotel in the Roomzzz portfolio, which has grown to include aparthotels across the North of England in Leeds, Chester, Nottingham, Manchester and Newcastle. Roomzzz has further developments in the pipeline for Edinburgh, Harrogate, Liverpool and York, as well as an extension to the existing Newcastle property and the brand’s first aparthotel in the South of England opening in Stratford this Summer.

Naveen Ahmed, CEO of Roomzzz, added: “With the rapid growth of our aparthotel portfolio, Robert will lead the team to ensure we continue to deliver the exceptional customer service and experience we are renowned for. Robert brings extensive industry experience to further improve our operations and continue to build the Roomzzz brand. We are a market leader in giving guests a truly authentic city living experience and Robert fully understands our brand values. His knowledge, combined with the passion for the brand, will be a great asset to aid our ambitious growth plans.”

Having over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Robert has previously worked with both new and developing brands, including some of the biggest hotel groups in the world.

Robert Alley COO Roomzzz

These include Hilton, IHG and, most recently, the development of Hallmark Hotels group as they established the brand in the UK. Robert’s role will utilise his extensive experience and leadership skills to support and guide the Roomzzz team. He will be responsible for overseeing the guest experience, commercial approach, sales

and marketing, financial controls and group development functions, to ensure their continuous growth.

Robert said: “Roomzzz is such an exciting brand. We provide stylish apartments with lots of space. We like to look after the little details and the personal touches to make a stay special – whether it’s for adventure, business or a celebration! I’m looking forward to growing the team, developing the brand and the number of aparthotels we offer across the UK and beyond. It’s an exciting time for Roomzzz with two new openings this year and five more developments already on their way.”

Roomzzz are also part of the new INC development in Leeds which is being created by parent company The Parklane Group. This will be a £160m world-class development on Wellington Street, which will redefine the skyline in Yorkshire.

Aparthotel in INC will offer even more freedom and flexibility, with a contemporary and flexible approach to living and working under one 33-storey roof, with residents and guests being able to take advantage of a swimming pool, co-working space, a sky bar and restaurant, a community lounge and retail space on the ground floor. This project, which will include a 198-unit aparthotel, 163 PRS apartments, 200 co-living apartments and over 2000sqm of co-working space, is about to begin and is expected to welcome first guests in 2021.

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in their area to police, the council, Safer Leeds and other key leaders in the sector.

Imagine If Theatre Company, who have set up a performing arts and social action project, #MakeThatChange, which is delivering arts workshops in different disciplines including theatre, rap and film– making, to enable young people to produce a creative outcome of their choice.

Behind Closed Doors, ISPACE5 CIC, The Skill Mill, Hollings Youth Association and LEEP1 were the other groups to receive Awards.

High Sheriff of West Yorkshire Fund celebrates the achievements of young people Nine community groups from across the region have been delivering projects with young people aged 5 -25 to combat crime and create safer communities, thanks to financial Awards from the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire Fund.

projects include:

The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Dr Terry Bramall CBE, hosted an Awards celebration to present the projects with their Award certificates and hear more about the fantastic work they are delivering.

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Managed by Leeds Community Foundation, the Fund distributed over £20,000, with each of the projects receiving Awards of up to £2,500 to encourage young people aged 5-25 years to work together to prevent and combat crime and to create safer communities. The

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Eccleshill Adventure Playground, who are delivering hands-on, outdoor adventurous activities based at the Big Swing Adventure Playground, including woodworking projects and bike maintenance workshops. e:merge (UK) Limited, who have employed a youth worker to go into a local school for two hours a week to give the young people an understanding of public services and how they work to make their community a safer place.

St Luke’s Cares, who have established a Crime Truth Commission (CTC), working with a group of young people from across South Leeds to speak the truth of their experience of crime and anti-social behaviour

Dr Terry Bramall CBE, said: “During my year as The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, I have had the privilege of meeting many inspirational people and wanted to carry on the work of the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire to support local community projects to work with young people to combat crime. I’m delighted to have been able to fund and present awards to nine projects through this year’s fund and it was fantastic to meet with passionate staff and the young people involved with the projects and learn more about their work. I look forward to following their progress and seeing all the great things they achieve.”

Francesca Joy, Artistic Director, Imagine If Theatre Company, said: “Standing in a room with eight other fantastic companies at the awards was very humbling for me. To see so many incredible people and organisations all making a difference across Leeds restores my faith in humanity.”

Kate Hainsworth, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “It has been an honour to work with the High Sheriff on this year’s Fund. It is important that we listen to young people from our local communities to understand issues that are affecting them, and work with them to ensure they have the support they need to create safer communities for everyone.”

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Ewe-nique collaboration brings two counties together Tickets on sale now for popular event

A quintet of Yorkshire businesses are at the forefront of the UK’s textile manufacturing boom thanks to their unique collaboration with a Kent-based farm.

Tickets are now on sale for the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2018, which takes place at New Dock Hall on Friday 12th October.

Romney Marsh Wools is sending fleeces from its flock of 1000 ewes to Yorkshire’s famous textile mills to be turned into throws, cushions, caps and even toiletries.

The event will be presented by Jon Hammond and compered by BBC Breakfast’s Stef McGovern. Ambassadors will also be attending and they are: Hannah Cockroft MBE; the Chuckle Brothers and Jack Carroll.

The fleeces are processed and woven using traditional methods in West Yorkshire to create a unique, beautiful product range.

Romney Marsh Wools also has a selection of indulgent toiletries made in Bradford using Lanolin from the fleeces. In true Yorkshire fashion, the wider range includes handmade flat caps produced in Castleford by Lawrence and Foster.

The firm’s growth mirrors that seen in the UK textiles industry, which has reported a 25% increase in production in the past year.

Kristina Boulden, director of Romney Marsh Wools said: “Wool is one of the few materials which is natural, renewable, sustainable and versatile. It has been our greatest pleasure to see the interest in British wool grow throughout our 10 years in business.

“We marked our 10 year milestone and the expansion of our Yorkshire connection by hiring a Northern representative who has already taken the brand to new stockists across the region.”

Kristina adds: “We’ve had a long-standing

Nominations are now open for individuals in the age groups 0-12 years and 13-18 years and categories include: Outstanding Bravery; Young Carer; Fumdraiser; Special Recognition and Sporting Achievement. Nominations can be made online at www.yorkshirechildren. co.uk/nominations/nominate-a-child/ association with Yorkshire and it seemed only fitting we develop our brand by showcasing the region’s skills which have been at the forefront of industry across centuries. Our range represents a growing collaboration between two of the UK’s largest counties and are truly born in Kent – made in Yorkshire.”

The Yorkshire connection sees the raw wool fleeces traditionally cleaned by Haworth Scouring before being sent to Lightowlers Spinning Yarns in Meltham, Huddersfield.

The wool is then sent a few miles over the hill to Townend Weaving in Slaithwaite.

A table of 10 costs just £795 and includes welcome drinks reception, three course meal provided by the award winning Aagrah Restaurant Group and a full entertainment programme. Individual tickets cost £85 each.

To reserve call Jane Clynes Events on 07703 271238.

There are also a few remaining sponsorship packages available, but be quick, as this is a prestigious and popular event and most have now been snapped up. A private launch party will be held for sponsors, past winners, celebrities and the media on 22nd May at Weetwood Hall.

This year will also see new products for the Romney Marsh Wools range which include Lanolin lip balm, a special edition King Size throw and exciting gift options such as hot water bottles and knitting kits.

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Strategic partnership drives growth Predator Nutrition a Leeds based retailer and distributor is leading the way with the rise of sports nutrition, health and wellness products, and the ever rapidly growing plant protein market.

To further capitalise on a strong market position and global audience, Predator have gone local and partnered with health, fitness and GirlGains powerhouse; Hayley Irwin.

Daniel Hoare, Operations Director from Predator Nutrition states “The sports nutrition, health and wellness market is dominated by misinformation and consumers are being sold on a dream. We wanted to partner up with someone that was true to their beliefs, ethics, lifestyle and promoted a trustworthy and strong image in the Yorkshire community.

New customers are always hesitant, but Hayley brings a more personable identity to products we offer, whether that be exclusive sports nutrition

brands to the most on trend Vegan products from the USA”.

When asked what this means to a local personal trainer aspiring to build a business both in the gym and via digital and social platforms Hayley said; “The opportunity to grow is exponential, I am someone that is passionate about what brands and products I promote. My brand is important to me and having a local and global platform to partner with like Predator is priceless.”.

Investing in local Yorkshire partnerships is a strategy Predator Nutrition has developed into their 2018 business roadmap, you can be sure to see Predator Nutrition and Hayley build the health and fitness market in Yorkshire for years to come!

Pictured L-R: Daniel Krigers, Neil Wilson, Sarah Power, Paul Campbell and Dan Hirst.

Chadwick Lawrence announces new equity partners Yorkshire’s Legal People, Chadwick Lawrence, have announced three new equity partners following a year of exceptional growth and performance, and as part of the Firm’s wider succession planning.

Daniel Krigers, Sarah Power and Dan Hirst have each taken an equity share in the business and will focus on further

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Dan Hirst joined the Chadwick Lawrence team in 2012 following the merger between the firm and Godloves Solicitors. He is recognised as a leader in his field in commercial litigation having had a number of high profile successes.

Neil Wilson, Managing Partner commented: “The last twelve months have been incredibly successful for the firm, and we delivered against some very ambitious plans. implementing the many investment and development plans across their teams in the year ahead.

Huddersfield Incorporated Law Society and a member of the regional Resolution Committee.

“Whilst those achievements in the past have facilitated

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the offer of equity to Daniel, Dan and Sarah, this is merely the start of the next chapter of the Firm. We have developed the next phase of our strategy with extremely challenging and ambitious growth plans, with a view to building revenue, profitability and reputation, and making Chadwick Lawrence the employer of choice in the legal sector.

A key part of the strategy is to secure the long term future of the firm through the delivery of a carefully considered succession plan” is in need of some tender loving care. The generous donation from Bellway will go a long way in helping make that happen.”

Daniel joined the firm in 2006, completing a part-time degree and post-graduate course and qualifying in 2013. Daniel heads up the employment team and wider commercial services arm of the Firm, along with sitting on the Operations and Marketing boards.

Sarah Power has been with the team at Chadwick Lawrence since 2008, where she started as an Assistant Solicitor. Since then, Sarah has developed her specialism in Family Law with a particular emphasis on the financial aspects of divorce and separation. She regularly represents professionals, business owners and their spouses and is experienced in dealing with business interests, pensions and off-shore assets in Family Law cases. In addition to this, Sarah is a trained Collaborative Lawyer, the Secretary to the

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Adel Bowling Club draws Bellway donation The Yorkshire division of national homebuilder, Bellway Homes has provided £500 sponsorship to Adel War Memorial Association’s bowling club, which will go towards the much needed refurbishment of its club pavilion.

Established over 50 years ago, Adel Bowling Club, which is

located on Church Lane, has over 60 members and currently participates in four different leagues.

Lydia Tugwell, committee member, said: “This is such a great club, with a proud history, but unfortunately the pavilion

Paula Murdoch, Bellway Yorkshire’s sales manager, added: “Our intention when we build anywhere is that our development quickly becomes part of the local community, and as such we feel it’s incredibly important to get involved with local clubs and groups.”

Adel Bowling Club forms a small part of the Adel War Memorial Association and probably isn’t as well-known as it’s hockey and cricket clubs, but we hope our donation will go a long way to protecting its lovely pavilion and, who knows, drawing in more new members for the 2018 season.”

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Ramsdens acquires York law firm Ramsdens Solicitors has acquired Burn & Co Solicitors in York, effective 23 March 2018 and has a plan for further growth to meet the increased demand for its services, particularly in North Yorkshire.

The deal makes Ramsdens one of the largest full practice law firms in Yorkshire.

Paul Joyce, Managing Partner said: “We are delighted with this latest acquisition which strengthens our offering in the North Yorkshire legal market.

Burn & Co is a long-standing, highly respected firm with two offices in York and Easingwold.

This acquisition is part of Ramsdens’ ongoing strategic growth plan and gives us the additional geographic coverage we’ve been looking to achieve as part of our plan.

“Like Ramsdens, the firm has a reputation for providing straight forward, results-driven advice and this deal will benefit both clients and staff. Together, we will work to ensure that the firm continues to achieve excellent financial performance and deliver strong growth.”

Claire Rutter, MD of Burn & Co commented: “The whole team are delighted to be joining forces with Ramsdens. We are looking forward to continuing working with our valued clients in North Yorkshire whilst benefitting from the support and expertise of a much larger network.”

David Bradley, Chairman at Ramsdens, added: “This is a good match for us with culture and values very closely aligned and the complement of Burn & Co staff boosting expertise across departments will see Ramsdens continue to grow from strength to strength.”

RSPB spreads its wings Pure technology group (PTG) is proud to announce that it has been working with the RSPB over the last year to develop their plan to create a more flexible and mobile workforce.

The result is a contract for endpoints (laptops and two-in-ones), peripherals, support and deployment

over the next 3 years. The RSPB is focused on technical progression with true value foremost. The RSPB staff and volunteers can share their workspace via the new devices across the UK, providing flexibility to transform from a traditional workspace and introduce a more collaborative and productive IT environment. Fundamentally this will help their mission to save nature and maximise their budget.

The deal immediately increases headcount at Ramsdens to 266 and the number of offices to 14 across Yorkshire offering businesses across the region access to a wider range of expertise, experience and a more comprehensive service.

During the planning process, all requirements were carefully analysed for environmental impact, which was hugely important for the RSPB. All logistics, packaging, training and disposals are planned with the lowest Carbon Footprint possible. The RSPB is a progressive, forward-thinking organisation and it is an honour for PTG to work with the charity on such a ground-breaking project.

Following an exacting tender process including device evaluations, vendor trials, environmental impact

assessments and commercial bid.

The RSPB chose PTG as the right partner to work with them on the project.

Ben Morriss, Supplier Manager at the RSPB, commented: “We were impressed by PTG’s enthusiasm and creativity. It’s clear they’re a group of passionate people who genuinely care about their customers wants and needs. The project provides a solution that future-proofs the organisation, enabling us to equip our workforce with the technology

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England’s smallest distillery to plant 400 trees A Yorkshire-based gin and whisky distillery and England’s smallest, is partnering with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to plant more than 400 new trees in the region over the next 12 months.

Pictured L-R: Steven Singh, Mark Burn, Claire Trueman, Claire Rutter, Richard Dean and Graeme Burn

required to help them save nature.”

Ben Green, Sales Manager at pure technology group, commented: “We are immensely proud to be working with the RSPB on this transformational project and the whole team involved throughout the tender process should take huge credit for this achievement.

Special thanks should also be given to Steve Everiss who led the bid process.”

Cooper King Distillery, has made a pledge to plant one square metre of native woodland for every bottle of gin sold, to reduce its carbon footprint. The announcement came ahead of International Day of Forests which took place on 21 March.

Commenting on the tree-planting initiative, Abbie said: “We are making a real effort to operate in the most sustainable way possible, so we’re delighted to be partnering with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust on our tree-planting project.

We have always had a passion for the environment and sustainable living, and take great pleasure in supporting YDMT and the local community.

Dr Abbie Neilson & Chris Jaume

The business, which recently began distilling its signature gin, Cooper King York Dry Gin, will partner with the charity to plant 4000-5000 square metres of native woodland within the first year.

The Gin is set to be retail ready in May this year, when the distillery opens its doors to the public for the very first time. The company holds a strong focus on having a positive impact on the environment, having recently partnered with green energy specialists, Ecotricity, Cooper King is one of only three of distilleries in England to be run on 100% green energy.

As previously reported in TopicUK, the firm was established by cofounders Chris Jaume, a chartered architect and Dr Abbie Neilson, a former scientist.

Cooper King developed the tree planting initiative in collaboration with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust as part of their commitment to supporting local communities and enhancing the natural environment. The charity, which helps to sustain the landscape, environment and communities of the Dales, provides opportunities for people to get involved in outdoor activities and learn about how to care for the local landscape.

“We guarantee that for every bottle of gin sold, one square metre of woodland will be planted in the local area through our partnership with the fantastic Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.”

Leah Galloway, Fundraiser at Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust commented: “We are delighted to partner with Cooper King Distillery on this wonderful initiative. It’s great to see a local business actively working to ensure that they have a positive impact in the local community. We’re really looking forward to working together and seeing new trees planted in the Yorkshire Dales.”

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credit Matt Crockett

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Working at The Grand is pure

ART

By Gill Laidler Editor

Stephen Tompkinson joins the cast of ART at Leeds Grand Theatre Born in Stockton on Tees, County Durham, Stephen Tompkinson and his family first moved to Scarborough when the actor was just four years old, then across the country to Lytham St Annes on the West Coast.

After leaving school, Stephen trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama in London alongside James Nesbitt and upon graduating quickly found work appearing in one-off episodes of Shelley, Casualty and Boon to name just a few.

In 1994 he won best comedy actor at the British Comedy Awards for his role in Drop the Dead Donkey and his first major break and a run in a TV series, was appearing in Ballykissangel in 1996 to 1998. Much more work followed including major roles such as Wild at Heart which ran for seven series, where Stephen starred alongside Haley Mills from 2006 to 2013 and of course more recently as DCI Alan Banks.

As well as television work, Stephen has repeatedly appeared on stage in the West End as well as theatres across the country.

It is because of this stage work that TopicUK Group Editor Gill Laidler caught up with Stephen as he prepared for his performance at The Image: Grand Theatre in Stephen Tompkinson, ART. Nigel Havers & Denis Lawson

When we caught up with him he was in Belfast working on another production but took time out to talk to us about ART.

in his wonderful careers and with this marvellous cast, we think we have every chance,” David has been quoted as saying.

“I love Leeds, I have been many times, in fact I love being on tour as I get to see so much of the country. Because most of my work is in the evening, the days are my own to spend walking and embracing new places,” Stephen told us.

“I first starred in ART 18 years ago,” Stephen told us, “oddly with Nigel Havers also starring at the same time, but in a different version of the play. So I am delighted to be performing this time with Nigel at The Grand in this amazing production.”

Admitting he was more comfortable in comedy roles, I asked Stephen which he preferred, television or theatre. “Can I say both? When I am doing television I miss the theatre and when doing theatre I miss television. Both are quite different in that television and film work do not run in sequence, so when we are filming, nothing seems to make sense, it’s difficult to follow the story, but in theatre, it’s different, the story unfolds as you play the character and of course there is no room for error, no safety net, it’s live and if you make a mistake the audience knows about it,” he told us, “admitting that as an avid cricket fan, if he wasn’t an actor, he would have loved to have travelled the world as a cricket commentator.

Produced by David Pugh, ART was first produced by David and Dafydd Rogers 20 years ago and performed in the West End. The original post-London tour played for 78 weeks. “This time, we want to break our own record, in fact we want to play as many theatres as Sir Ken Dodd played

Stephen and his co-stars Nigel Havers and Denis Lawson appeared in ART during early April. The comedy which raises questions about art and friendship concerns three long-time friends, Serge, Marc and Yvan. Serge, indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive completely white painting.

Marc is horrified and their relationship suffers considerable strain because of their differing opinions about what constitutes ‘art’. Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify both.

Although ART has now concluded at The Grand, it is still performing around the country , so there is still a chance to see it.

There are lots of other fabulous productions coming up at The Grand and bookings can be made at www. leedsgrandtheatre.com or by calling the box office on 0844 848 2700.

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All ready for a Summer Holiday?

We all look forward to our Summer holiday and this year you can have two, if you head on down to The Grand Theatre for their brand new stage musical Summer Holiday starring British singerdancer Ray Quinn. label Sony BMG to release a debut swing album. ‘Doing it My Way’, was released on 12th March 2007 and entered the UK album chart at number one. Ray made British music history by becoming the first person ever to make number one with an album without releasing a single.

TopicUK Group Editor Gill Laidler caught up with Ray whilst he was rehearsing for an Easter pantomime in his home city of Liverpool.

Many of you will remember Ray from his numerous roles on television, starting as an eight year old on the Merseyside soap, Brookside, where he played Anthony Murray a victimised and tormented child, a role he played for five years. “This was my big break into television,” he said following his time at dance and drama school. “I was priviledged to work alongside some brilliant

actors who taught me a huge amount about acting.”

Three years after leaving the soap in 2006, and a few TV roles later, Ray who started singing at the age of ten, decided to audition for the third series of the X-Factor. “There were some really talented people auditioning so I was delighted when I made boot camp, then judges houses with my mentor Simon Cowell and finally the live shows, where I eventually came second to Leona Lewis.” After finishing the show, Ray signed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s record

In 2009 another career change came for Ray when he entered and despite not being able to skate, subsequently won ‘Dancing on Ice’ with his professional partner Maria Filippov. “I think my training as a dancer helped me as skating was something I picked up very quickly.” Ray eventually returned to the ice rink in 2014 where he and Maria won the overall Dancing on Ice chanpions. And for all you Dancing on Ice fans, Ray will be on tour very soon with the current series skaters.

Later that year, Ray went on to play one of his favourite roles to date, Danny Zuko in the West

the Beautiful Grand Theatre to play Don, the lead role made famous by Sir Cliff Richard in the stage musical Summer Holiday.

Based on the iconic 1960s film starring Cliff Richard and The Shadows and the show will include all of the number one hits from the movie, including some additional Cliff Richard classics. Summer Holiday tells the story of Don and his fellow London Transport mechanics as they journey together in a red double decker bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece.

Along the way, they pick up a girl singing group and a young American pop star who is on the run from her domineering mother!

“I am thrilled to be playing the lead role of Don,” Ray told us. “My nan was a huge fan of Cliff Richard and the film and as she is no longer with us, this is my tribute to her, she would have loved to have seen me star in the production.”

My Nan was a huge fan of Cliff Richard and the film...

End production of Greece at the Piccadilly Theatre. “It was a real honour to play Danny Zuko,” Ray added, “such an iconic role.”

Now Ray is heading to Leeds and

Summer Holiday opens on Tuesday 30th July and runs until Saturday 4th August. To book call the box office on 0844 848 2700 or visit the website www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

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WE ARE YORKSHIRE’S LEGAL PEOPLE

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L EGA L

MAT TE R S

CVA

that a CVA binds:

the terms of the CVA?

•

Creditors that voted against the CVA.

•

•

Creditors that attended the creditors’ meeting called to consider the CVA proposal, but who did not vote.

The terms of the CVA will deal with this in most cases. The CVA will often provide that, on the debtor company’s default:

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The supervisor may petition for the company’s liquidation.

•

The creditors of the debtor company cease to be bound by the CVA, allowing them to pursue the debtor company for the balance of the debt due.

•

The supervisor must distribute any assets that he holds in partial satisfaction of the company’s debts.

Company Voluntary Arrangements

•

A Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is a formal procedure used by a company in financial distress to come to an arrangement with its creditors.

• The Corporate Recovery and Insolvency team at Chadwick Lawrence LLP offer a realistic commercial solution to all your business and personal financial affairs.

With varied experience and expertise in all aspects of both corporate and personal insolvency our team, who work closely with licensed Insolvency Practitioners, can offer you a strategic answer to solving and re-structuring your financial affairs in a reliable and cost effective manner

Each issue Chadwick Lawrence, Yorkshire’s Legal People, share with our readers information to keep us all within the law.

What is a CVA? A CVA is a procedure that allows a company: •

•

To settle debts by paying only a proportion of the amount that it owes to creditors.

To come to an arrangement with its creditors over the payment of its debts.

When and how does a CVA come into force?

A CVA comes into force from the date that the company’s creditors approve a CVA proposal made for that company.

The approval of a CVA by a creditors’ meeting requires a majority of over 75% (by value) of the creditors attending the meeting (in person or by proxy) to vote in favour of it.

What is the effect of a CVA on creditors?

Once approved, the CVA binds all the unsecured creditors of a company entitled to notice of the CVA proposal. This means

Creditors that did not attend the creditors’ meeting called to consider the CVA proposal.

Creditors who did not receive notice of the creditors’ meeting called to consider the CVA proposal, despite being entitled to be notified of the meeting.

Does the company proposing a CVA have the benefit of a statutory moratorium?

Where a CVA proposal is made for a small company, the company can obtain a moratorium, which is similar to that which applies to a company in administration.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a CVA? Advantages •

A CVA is an informal insolvency procedure which does not involve the court.

It is therefore cheaper than formal insolvency procedures, which may mean more money for the creditors.

•

There is an optional moratorium available for small companies to protect the company from creditors’ actions while the proposals for a voluntary arrangement are being put in place.

•

In the absence of the optional moratorium for small companies, it

How can a creditor challenge a CVA? A creditor that was entitled to notice of the CVA proposals and feels unfairly prejudiced by the CVA may apply to the court for an order revoking the CVA or convening more meetings to consider a revised CVA. A CVA can also be challenged on the grounds that there was an irregularity in the conduct of the meetings called to consider the CVA proposal.

What happens if the debtor company does not comply with

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The administrator may be able to put together a suitable set of CVA proposals to persuade the creditors and save the company.

action and allow the debtor to make affordable monthly contributions in order to repay what they can.

•

•

•

The main weakness of the CVA procedure is that there is no automatic statutory moratorium preventing creditors from taking action. The optional moratorium only applies to small companies, and even then it depends upon obtaining the consent of secured creditors for the moratorium to work in practice.

CVAs are not binding on secured or preferential creditors.

CVAs have proved difficult to implement.

Only a small percentage of corporate insolvencies involve voluntary arrangements because of the difficulties associated with them.

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a formal procedure used by an individual in financial distress to come to an arrangement with the creditors.

What is an IVA? An IVA is a procedure that allows an individual to: - Alleviate creditor pressure by setting out a clear and affordable repayment plan that both the debtor and the creditors find acceptable.

- Once agreed, this will halt any creditor

are threatening the use of Bailiff action.

An IVA will allow repayments to be made based upon what is affordable for the debtor and acceptable for the creditors.

The debtor will often be able to retain possession of their home and mortgage repayments are factored into the equation when determining affordability, depending upon available equity.

Any remaining debt at the end of the repayment terms will be legally written off.

The repayments involved in an IVA will be consistent and regular, allowing for easy budgeting and financial planning.

•

Following payment of the final instalment and providing the terms of the arrangement have been adhered to, the remainder of the debt will be written off and the debtor will be free to carry on unencumbered from their previous liabilities. Typically an IVA will last around 5 years, though this can change depending on various factors.

•

When to use an Individual Voluntary Arrangement

•

Some debts are not included, such as; Student loans, fines, secured debts and Child maintenance payments

•

An IVA may negatively impact your credit rating

•

You may need to try and re-mortgage your home towards the end of the arrangement if there’s equity in your home.

An IVA is subject to the approval of the Creditors, if they do not approve they can block the IVA’s implementation.

An IVA is a flexible way of legally managing individual debt and can drastically improve the lives of debtors by removing creditor pressure and allowing them to repay what they can afford over a period of time.

•

What are the Disadvantages if an IVA?

Certain factors will be considered by the Supervisor: •

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- An IVA must be approved by 75% of creditors by value and will be managed by a licenced and regulated Insolvency Practitioner acting as a Supervisor.

Disadvantages •

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- The debtor has sufficient income to bear the financial cost of the monthly contributions in addition to other monthly expenses such as household expenditure - The debtor must owe money to at least 2 creditors, in order for a valid vote to take place and a majority decision to be made.

- An Insolvency Practitioner will also take into consideration the amount of money owed by the debtor, as IVAs are most effective for total debts exceeding £10,000 or where there are numerous creditors.

What next?

Our specialist lawyers in the Dispute Resolution team at Chadwick Lawrence would be delighted to discuss matters with you to allow them to gain a complete understanding of how we can assist your business.

If you would like to receive some further information, please call 0113 225 8811 or e-mail zoeallen@chadlaw.co.uk

What are the benefits of an IVA? •

•

Provided that all terms of the agreement are abided by arranging an IVA will halt unsecured creditor action and help alleviate pressure The use of an IVA prevents creditors who

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Meet the generation of women in construction The Construction Industry Council’s ‘A Blueprint for Change’ report revealed that women only account for 14 per cent of the industry’s workforce.

In an attempt to improve these figures, leading contractor Wates Construction and commercial property developer, MEPC are ensuring that during the build of 7 & 8 Wellington Place, they create a diverse and inclusive culture to help attract more women to the industry.

Aimee Shann and Natalie Harris, two apprentices based at Wellington Place, share their thoughts on working in the industry and how we might encourage the next generation of women to join the construction community.

What made you seek a career in construction?

Natalie: I searched online for apprenticeships as this is the higher education route I wanted to follow after my A-levels. I was open to a wide variety of industries but it had to be something that I knew I would enjoy and suit my skill set.

Following all of my research I found that an apprenticeship scheme in construction was something I was well-suited to, and I was delighted to be placed with Wates Construction at MEPC’s Wellington Place development.

Aimee: In my first year at university I signed up to a careers website which advertised

jobs and internships available to graduates and undergraduates, which is where I found this opportunity. I have a lot of family members who work in construction, with both my grandad and uncle going down this route. Although construction is very much in our blood, I am very proud to say that I am the first woman in the family to work in the industry.

What is the best bit of the job?

Natalie: This probably sounds like a cliché, but for me I would have to say the people and the community spirit at the development. Within the job we meet people from a variety of backgrounds and specialisms, which really helps us become well-rounded and informed employees.

Outside of the job, there’s also lots going on that we can be part of, such as a workplace choir, knitting club and exercise classes provided free of charge by MEPC. At these community events we get to meet co-workers from Wates, the development team and people from the many businesses already settled at Wellington Place.

Aimee: For me it’s the variation in my role.

Every day is completely different which means the job is always exciting

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and offering up new things for me to learn. In addition to our core responsibilities, we also have the opportunity to get involved with lots of different parts of the business, such as input into Wates’ social media and to go on courses to improve other skills, such as mental health awareness sessions.

push towards grades and careers. We need to disrupt the stereotypical pipeline. Neither of us were aware of opportunities within construction, it was more something we stumbled across and it shouldn’t be that way.

What do you think is the solution to attracting more women into the construction industry?

What have you found most challenging?

Natalie: I think the most difficult thing wasn’t the industry I was going into, but the change of dynamic of going straight from school into work. Although I knew university wasn’t the right path for me, it did feel a little like being thrown into the deep end, having to learn in a completely different way, both the daily tasks of the role but also working with people of all ages and expertise. However, the upside of this is having so much opportunity to learn from the get go.

Aimee: Yes, I would agree that it can be a little daunting at first, but what was great is that you only get as much responsibility as you can handle, meaning your development is done at the right pace. I think the biggest challenge for me has been the number of acronyms in the job! All construction terms seem to have these and getting to grips with that took a lot of time. Luckily, I am now proficient in construction speak, which is a great skill to have.

Would you say there’s a need for education early on to show young girls the appeal of working in construction?

Natalie: I would say there needs to be a change in early education, even as young as primary, but certainly from the start of secondary when career discussions start. I would imagine that a major cause of women not going into construction is that they have simply never considered it as an option at the various stages of their life when they are looking at careers.

Aimee: Definitely! Not just in construction but more general as for me it was from year 9, around the age of 13, that there was a real first

Natalie: Site visits from a young age would be fantastic. People need to be able to see the opportunities for themselves in order to break the stigma surrounding the industry. Women in construction lectures would also be a great way to do this, given by team members at all levels. In my experience, these are always by female figures high up within an organisation, but it would be great if they were also given by those who are more on the ground, as they may easier for people to relate to.

How do you feel your organisation and the building developer has supported your career?

Natalie: Wates has been fantastic since the first day, ensuring we are learning the skills to enable us to complete our qualifications whilst also making us feel comfortable within the role. They also allow us to start taking on various responsibilities from an early stage in a non-pressured way, meaning we develop at a healthy pace. It has also been great that MEPC has added to our development by offering free access to vocational courses and making us feel like we’re part of the Wellington Place community.

Aimee: They need to be able to experience the opportunities for themselves, that’s key.

So, whether it is seeing demonstrations of how to do day-to-day tasks, or inspiring them by visiting iconic buildings which have been in part constructed by women. Experiencing what the industry has to offer first hand is the route to inspiration.

Aimee: Before starting on site, we had a two day induction which talked us through our job role, what was expected of us and a strategy on how we can achieve success.

This robust plan of action enabled us to map out what was needed to get us to the finish line, which I am pleased to say is still on track! In terms of ongoing support, it really is second to none, with constant involvement, engagement and reviews.

Would you recommend others follow your career path and if so Why?

What would you say to future generations of women who want to get into the industry?

Natalie: Yes, one hundred per cent. My role as a Commercial Management Trainee covers so many areas – everything from construction law to accounting and planning. There’s always something new happening in the industry, and my role gives me the opportunity to try things I wouldn’t usually get to. It gives me a high level of satisfaction and the passion to work my way up the construction career ladder.

Natalie: Take the plunge! To put it simply, things won’t change in this industry unless women have the courage to go for it. Don’t get me wrong, this job isn’t for everyone, but the idea that a role is more or less suited to someone based on their gender is completely wrong and I hope that this sentiment will be commonplace for future generations.

Aimee: I would recommend my role as Production Management Trainee to anyone!

I am not the sort of person who can sit at a computer screen all day so if you feel the same, this might be the role for you. I get to see things happening and see my work come to life, giving a sense of pride on my work like no other.

Aimee: I would want to tell them that the industry isn’t what you expect – there’s no getting away from the fact that construction has traditionally been a male dominated industry, but we are making progress on this.

The industry is also far less male-orientated than people think, something I only learned by taking the job.

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Tragedy led to success for Sam Are entrepreneurs born or made? This is a question that many people ask but nobody knows the answer to. Regardless of which it is, we have an abundance of young entrepreneurs in Yorkshire, who have all successfully launched their own businesses.

Levels, after making the decision to defer his university scholarship for a year. KGlazing is a glass and glazing company specialising in replacing single, double or triple glazed windows, creating bespoke glass projects and installing new glazed home improvements.

“I’d always worked part-time in the business during school holidays to earn extra money,” Sam told us, “but I finally joined in September that year, working along with my bricklaying course at Leeds College of Building.”

However, tragedy was to strike, after just one month of working alongside his father, his dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and became quite ill whilst undergoing chemo. “This was a very hard time, not just for the business, but for our whole family,” said Sam, who is single. “Alongside my mum, I started to learn how to complete some of the office paperwork and proceedures, along with the all important pricing and estimating, a job my dad had always done, but was unable to.”

One of these entrepreneurs is 27-year-old Sam Kay, Managing Director of KGlazing Limited, based in Pontefract.

TopicUK Group Editor Gill Laidler

caught up with Sam to hear about his journey.

Sam joined his father’s business KGlazing that started trading in 1978, in 2009 after completing his A

Sadly just one year later on 1st May 2010, Sam’s father lost his battle and passed away. “After my father passed away it was time for me to step up and this is when I took full charge of the business, working

alongside my mother,” Sam, who was voted as one of the top three young people in the National Federation Awards in 2016, told us.

“Although the business was in great shape, there was work to be done with our online presence and SEO,” he added. “We decided to rebrand, creating a new logo for our niche product. By doing this we massively increased our business and turnover. The company has trebled in size over the last few years and we have worked hard setting up an additional manufacturing company alongside, so we can make all our own doors and windows. We manufacture and supply UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and conservatives to both retail

“I’d always worked parttime in the business during school holidays... and trade customers throughout Yorkshire. We also supply glass and glazing products, such as sheet glass, fire glass and triple glazed products.”

So what are the plans for the future? “we are opening our new showroom later this year and we want to diversify and improve our product range to reach a larger target audience, this should see us move into more areas of Yorkshire.

There is much more to do, but I am determined to do this for my dad.

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New partnership to fund entrepreneurial visions

A new partnership has been formed to provide commercial finance to entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow businesses across the Yorkshire region.

Business Catalyst Club Founder and Director Graham Shiers said: “We had an overwhelming response to the launch – we have hit the ground running and are already helping to bring some imaginative opportunities to fruition. We now want to add even more value by broadening the way we help entrepreneurs to source funding for their projects alongside our role in facilitating the right commercial and professional introductions.

The Business Catalyst Club has agreed a deal with commercial finance brokers ABL Business to create Business Catalyst Finance.

The partnership will complement the equity and venture capital activities of the Business Catalyst Club by providing access to a broad range of funding options such as commercial property finance, business loans and venture capital along with alternative finance opportunities like asset-based lending and peer-to-peer lending.

The “dealmaker” Business Catalyst Club was launched to promote business growth by creating beneficial relationships, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and decision-makers from across the region to share new and exciting opportunities.

Their invitation-only quarterly lunches create an effective platform for a select number of ventures

seeking capital to showcase their proposals to members and guests – many of whom are business angels, private investors and institutional lenders. Proposals are considered from start-ups to more established trading businesses.

The new collaboration with Cleckheaton-based ABL Business follows the organisation’s first event held at Manahatta Greek Street, in Leeds.

The partnership has already been called on to feed into a number of projects resulting from the event, including sourcing a business loan for a software company, organising asset finance for a machinery rental company and coming up with a bespoke cashflow package for a facilities management firm.

As well as enabling opportunities through Venture Capital, Business Angels and other investors we can now help people access commercial finance support from over 120 lenders available through our ABL Business partners”.

Joint Managing Director of ABL

Business, Andy Redman, said: “We were delighted to attend the first Business Catalyst Club lunch which brought together key players from across the region, representing a whole range of sectors. The event attracted entrepreneurs armed with an array of ambitious and imaginative business ideas.

“By joining forces, we will be able to reach out to the Business Catalyst Club’s extensive network of contacts and we’re eager to play our part in turning some great projects into reality”.

The next Business Catalyst Club lunch will take place at a chosen venue in Leeds on Thursday, May 17. For further information visit www.businesscatalystclub.co.uk

Based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, ABL Business offers commercial finance and marketing support to SMEs. Please get in touch with Andy, Alex or a member of the team at ABL Business on 01274 965356.

All the best things start with a cuppa and a chat…

ABL Business Ltd is a member of NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) and is regulated and authorised by FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Find out more on www.abl-business.co.uk

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TopicUK Leeds charitry partner Simon on the Streets has appointed Fiona Hobson as administrative, communications and volunteer coordinator, as well as Fabian Irons as administrative and fundraising assistant.

Fiona joins the team having interned and volunteered extensively in both local and international charities whilst working in the higher education sector. Following the completion of an MSC in International Development, Fiona spent two years working in Southwest China.

Fabian joins the charity as part of Path Yorkshire’s return to work programme.

Fabian is completing a six-month placement as part of the Skills Training Employment Pathways project (STEP), which offers unique opportunities for unemployed Leeds residents aged 25 and over to develop their skills and gain work experience. As part of the scheme, Fabian is also completing a business admin level 2 course alongside his role at the charity.

Simon on the Streets is a registered charity operating in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield. Founded in 1999, the organisation relies solely on sponsorship, fundraising and donations in order to provide practical and emotional support to the homeless community.

Homeless charity celebrates duo of appointments A homelessness charity has appointed two new team members to support the rising demand for its services. grow we are able to reach more and more rough sleepers and provide the support they so desperately need.

Simon on the Streets offers street-support to individuals who have complex needs and cannot access mainstream services, due to behavioural issues or mental illness.

“It’s fantastic that schemes such as the PATH STEP project exist to provide opportunities for people to develop skills and gain work experience, whilst making a real difference in their role.”

Commenting on the appointments, general manager at Simon on the Streets, Gordon Laing said: “We are delighted to welcome Fiona and Fabian to the Simon on the Streets team, as we continue to

Fiona commented: “I am thrilled to be working with Simon on the Streets, I strongly believe in their focus on sustainable positive change for service users through the provision of emotional

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UPDAT E

Environmentally responsible actions benefit business Three quarters (73%) of businesses say they have experienced at least one commercial benefit from taking environmentally responsible actions, as consumer demand for ‘green’ credentials is increasingly affecting buying behaviour* A third (31%) are taking environmental action ‘because it’s the right thing to do’ and 27% because they want ‘to be recognised as an environmentally responsible business’ Lack of funds (19%) and concerns about return on investment (16%) were the most commonly cited financial worry.

As green issues continue to make big headlines, four fifths (82%) of mid-sized UK businesses have taken action on environmental sustainability. However, less than half (40%) indicated that they expect the amount they will invest in this area to increase over the next five years and only a similar amount (39%) view environmentally responsible programmes as ‘extremely important’.

The Barclays Environmental Commitment: Beyond a ‘Nice-

to-Have’ report examines the emphasis being placed on green investment by business leaders and the obstacles they are facing when considering whether to invest more in green projects.

While the UK’s biggest companies are increasingly embracing more investment in environmentally sustainable activity, less focus has been given to the environmental actions of mid-sized organisations.

For this reason, the report explores the specific challenges facing mid-sized businesses and looks at the regulatory, reputational and commercial considerations that are influencing investment decisions.

respondents as the driver behind green investment (19%). However, four in ten (40%) do believe that existing environmental rules and regulations have had a positive effect on their business, compared to just 16% who think they have had a negative effect.

The financial and reputational benefits of going green Three quarters (73%) of businesses say they have experienced at least one commercial benefit from taking environmentally responsible actions, with more than a third indicating that this investment had led to reduced operational costs (37%).

Despite the commercial benefits identified by most businesses who have invested in green projects, a quarter of businesses reported that that investment of this kind was ‘not a business priority’. The primary barrier to investment identified was cost, with financial concerns highlighted by one in three businesses as preventing more green investment. Lack of funds (19%) and concerns about return on investment (16%) were the most commonly cited financial worry. For the companies discouraged by financial obstacles, more than half (57%) think that the most effective way for these barriers to be overcome would be through incentives from government such as tax breaks or subsidies.

Reputational consequences are also recognised by a significant number of leaders, with a third (31%) taking environmental action ‘because it’s the right thing to do’ and 27% because they want ‘to be recognised as an environmentally responsible business’. Regulatory demands were cited by fewer

Tony Walsh, Head of MidCorporates, Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “It’s a mixed picture, with most mid-sized companies taking some steps to invest in green activity, but with much more still to do. We found that there are clear commercial and reputational benefits if businesses do more

in this area, as well as growing regulatory demands to increase green investment. It’s up to all of us: individual companies, trade bodies, government and finance providers to come together and make sure that investment in green initiatives is accessible and prioritised sufficiently. If you’re a business leader and the risks and opportunities around the green agenda are not being discussed in your boardroom, you might miss out on the commercial advantages that are available and suffer reputationally, and could be left behind.”

One business to have recognised the benefits of green investment is Unipart Group, the manufacturing, logistics and consultancy provider headquartered in Oxfordshire. They have become the first company to implement an environmentally responsible initiative through Barclays Green Asset Finance programme. Unipart has secured a £370k loan facility to fund the installation of LED lighting, fixtures and sensors at their warehouse in Cowley. The new lighting is environmentally positive as it will result in lower energy consumption and longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting. Unipart will also gain from lower energy costs in the warehouse, with the commercial benefits expected to be realised within 12 months.

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Fat Lad at the Back is a winner Ahead of the Tour de Yorkshire when the whole county goes mad for cycling, TopicUK caught up with Richard Bye the owner of premium cycling wear brand Fat Lad at the Back that offers top quality cyclewear for lads and lasses of all shapes and sizes.

Richard Bye had a successful high flying, career which saw him travel the world however the 24 hour workload took its toile on Richard and he began to struggle with exhaustion and anxiety that manifested itself via panic attacks.

During his issues with mental health he put on weight, and being a former Rugby playing, pie and ale loving ‘big lad’ he ballooned up to 120kg (19 stones).

Verging on depression, Richard used his long standing love of cycling as a coping mechanism to help him get back on his feet but found it nigh on impossible to find cyclewear to fit his new frame.

Within his cycling group Richard was affectionately known as the ‘Fat Lad at the Back’ and so in 2013 he made a terrifying decision, a leap of faith and launched his own cycle brand with his wife Lynn. Fat Lad at the Back was born!

onto bikes so they can enjoy all the benefits cycling has to offer, especially as it’s helped me so much.”

Fat Lad at the Back (FLAB) has become a genuine market disrupter, with mainstream brands jumping on board by offering larger sizes, however they haven’t been able to replicate FLAB’s unique sizing; the result of thousands of hours of research looking at how and where men and women put on weight.

With enviable year-on-year growth the fledgling brand has customers in over 40 countries and 35% repeat business, FLAB has carved out a niche in the market that looks set to continue to thrive. Richard added: “We’re about belonging, letting people know that cycling is for everyone regardless of size, our cyclewear not only fits well but it’s also designed to flatter, if you feel good about how you look you’re more likely to ‘get on yer bike’ so to speak.”

Encouraging cycling is a key ethos of the brand and that’s why they manage dozens of free weekly social rides that don’t add

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anything to their bottom line “it’s about giving back, we have FLAB ambassadors that lead rides in their local area and we also run a series of Sportives.”

Their Up North sportive is new to a jam packed calendar of cycling events, but again their unique offering has seen it grow in popularity with 1200 already signed up to take part “we’ve turned the whole idea of a sportive on its head, we’re not about being terribly serious, head down and pushing for a personal best on Strava, it’s about enjoying the ride and having a laugh. We also feed the participants very well – the pork pies and huge doorstep sandwiches are very popular.”

My advice to anyone who wants to convert their love of cycling into a way of earning a living is to be different, cycling is a very over saturated market so you have to have a genuine USP in order to stand out.”

He said: “We had obviously hit on a very big gap in the market because the response to our brand has been nothing short of phenomenal and what started as an idea to make cycling gear in larger sizes has grown into a huge on and offline community participating in weekly social cycle rides.

“I love the fact that our brand is genuinely encouraging people

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Launch of accelerator programme for creative tech startups in Leeds

community, they hope to discover how technological innovation can enhance brand experiences for both clients and consumers.

Elmwood anticipates working with 5 start-ups when the 12week accelerator programme commences, helping to support the next generation of entrepreneurs who are already hard at work to bring emerging ideas to market that will shape the future of consumer health.

Throughout the 12-week programme, successful applicants will receive specialist insight from a world-class community of marketers and creative designers and free workspace at Elmwood’s creative and dynamic studio.

Participating start-ups will also have access to expertise across Elmwood’s industry-leading global clients as mentors, as well as access to investors.

Elmwood, the world’s most effective brand design consultancy, is set to launch its first accelerator programme in June.

Elmwood LaunchPod is a unique project bringing creative and technology start-ups together into a thriving creative community, collaborating with them over a 12week programme designed to take their businesses to the next level.

Initial details about Elmwood LaunchPod, which will be hosted at Elmwood’s studio in Leeds, have been released, with the official launch of the accelerator programme taking applications until Friday 8th May. The inaugural accelerator programme is aimed at promoting

the development of innovative consumer health start-ups, with Elmwood inviting both technology and creative (STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) businesses who are innovating how people manage their health to improve their quality of life.

As a global brand design consultancy, Elmwood is uniquely placed to offer start-ups the guidance and support they need to ensure sustainable business growth beyond the 12-week programme.

By bringing emerging technology and creative businesses into their

Sarah Dear (pictured), managing partner at Elmwood and managing director of Elmwood LaunchPod, commented: “This is a unique project bringing together businesses with breakthrough ideas propelled by the power of design.

“The future inevitably starts with an idea and some of the most innovative ideas are found among start-up businesses.

Elmwood prides itself on being at the intersection of creativity and innovation and we’re looking forward to supporting the aspirations of health-focused entrepreneurs who are eager to develop the next generation of consumer health experiences into successful businesses that help improve people’s lives.”

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WSB Property Consultants and JLL have been appointed by the property owners as leasing agents with the intention to let the 15,000 sq ft building to a single occupier however consideration will also be given to 5,000 sq ft floor by floor lettings.

Alex Jowett at WSB said: “The building has been re-designed to deliver creative workspace for creative thinkers. We believe it will offer one of the most exciting environments within the city for creative businesses.”

Landmark Grade II listed building to be refurbished Property owners of Civic Court, Kennedy Wilson, has announced its commitment to fully refurbish the building, bringing one of the most iconic office buildings in Leeds to the market.

Prominently located adjacent to Millennium Square, on the corner of Calverley Street and Great George Street, the building is to be re-branded Old School linking it back to its heritage as the former Leeds School Board building.

Grade II listed, the building will

offer 15,000 sq ft of high quality unique work space with inspiring views over Millennium Square.

It’s convenient location in the heart of Leeds city centre will appeal to various businesses, also sitting within the Leeds Innovation District.

the building’s heritage whilst maintaining a high quality Grade A specification which will undoubtedly be of interest to a broad range of occupiers and particular to the TMT sector.

“We are beginning initial discussions with a number of potential occupiers and are welcoming interested parties to come forward and take a look at the fantastic opportunity.”

Richard Thornton, Director of Office Agency at JLL added “We are excited to be offering this truly unique opportunity to the market which will provide some stunning office space. We expect it to attract a strong level of occupier interest.”

Asset Manager, Vedran Kosoric said: “The sympathetic refurbishment of Old School will create contemporary workspace whilst still adhering to many of the building’s great original features, to create an exceptional design led office space.”

Interior designers Estilo are working with the owners to provide contemporary finishes which have regard to

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Search is on for Yorkshire’s finest young people

Awards dinner on Thursday 8 November at the Leeds United Centenary Pavilion, so save the date.

Tickets for the dinner are now on sale and are available through the website.

Awards Chairman Peter McCormick OBE said: “We would welcome even more nominations this year, even though it makes the tough job of judging even harder! We believe Yorkshire produces some great talent and that our young people have the grit and determination to succeed and we want to hear about them. They don’t have to be famous, just young people who make a difference in some way or are on the path to achieving their full potential.”

To nominate a potential winner, just visit the Awards website at www.yorkshireyoungachievers. co.uk or contact Sonia Jones at McCormicks Solicitors on 01423 530630.

Pictured The 2017 Personality of the Year, Lizzie Jones, with Awards Chairman Peter McCormick OBE, left, and Peter Banks, Managing Director of sponsor Rudding Park.

The search for Yorkshire’s finest young people is about to begin.

Nominations for the 26th annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards open on 24 May.

The Awards, sponsored by McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate, mark the achievements of outstanding young people aged under 35 from across Yorkshire.

• • •

Anyone can nominate a potential winner and there are eight categories as follows: • Personality of the Year (sponsored by Rudding Park) • Youngster of the Year (GMI Property) • Unsung Hero (Lunchbox

• •

Theatrical Productions Ltd) Achievement in the Arts (Barclays) Achievement in Education (Positive Tax Solutions LLP) Achievement in Management and Enterprise (The Wetherby Whaler Group) Achievement in Sport (Leeds United Football Club) Special Award (Walsh Taylor)

The winners will be announced at the Yorkshire Young Achievers

The Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards were founded in 1993 to celebrate the achievement of Yorkshire’s young people, along with raising money for Yorkshire’s children’s charities.

Due to the success of the Awards, the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation was founded in 2010 to further support charitable projects for young people in the Yorkshire region.

The Foundation’s Trustees are: Peter McCormick OBE (Chairman), Nicola Corp, Sonia Jones, Charlotte McCormick, Ron Miller, Richard Stroud (Vice Chairman) and Zoe Ward. Its Patrons are Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood of ITV Yorkshire.

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Digital innovation for the future workplace

Join us for the No.1 Technology Event The Business Technology Forum is back for a 5th year. Join us for this annual one-day expo bursting with educational seminars from industry experts that will help transform the way you work. This year we focus on digital innovation for the future workplace, discover how technology can empower your business to work smarter, make better more informed decisions and aid productivity and collaboration.

THURSDAY 17TH MAY 2018 | 8AM - 3PM THE VILLAGE HOTEL, TINGLEY, LEEDS LS27 0TS To register for your FREE place, please visit: www.businesstechforum.co.uk

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Fashion brand introduces sustainable sunglasses Leeds-based fashion brand has introduced its first range of sunglasses, adding to its innovative accessories.

Vanacci has developed a range of sunglasses, as part of a drive to introduce sustainable, luxury products to its client-base, which launched in April.

With a focus on operating ethically, the Vanacci sunglasses will use only sustainably sourced wood, with a portion of the profits from each pair sold, donated to a woodland preservation charity.

Providing unparalleled UV 400

protection, the sunglasses stop 100% of UV light, protecting the eyes from both UVA and UVB radiation. The handmade glasses are designed to provide comfort and resilience whilst displaying a contemporary lightweight look with a luxe feel.

Headed-up by managing director, James Whitfield, Vanacci consists of a tight-knit team of designers, engineers and fashion professionals with more than 20-years’ experience in the design industry.

Commenting on the new range, James said: “We are constantly innovating and striving to deliver fresh new products for our customers. Our new range of

MEPC promote fitness and wellbeing development and boasts a wide a range of facilities including a giant chess board, table tennis tables, covered seating, an urban gym and a space for yoga – allowing Wellington Place occupiers to break away from their desks to exercise or unwind at a time to suit them.

The new space, named The Courtyard, has been introduced as part of MEPC’s commitment to health and wellbeing at the

The opening couldn’t be better timed after a recent study was published by leading independent job site, CV library showing that over

sunglasses are handmade from the highest quality, sustainably sourced materials and are a must have with summer right around the corner.”

Designed, sourced and assembled

entirely by the team at their studio in Leeds, Vanacci products are manufactured in a strict quality controlled environment, before being dispatched to customers internationally.

The sun was shining at Wellington Place as it unveiled a brand new outdoor fitness and wellbeing centre designed to support in the pursuit of a healthier working environment in Leeds city centre.

66 per cent of professionals wanted to exercise more throughout the week, with 79 per cent of workers feeling that businesses should do more to facilitate the ability to exercise.

Dominique Simcox, spokesperson for MEPC Wellington Place said: “Wellbeing is an incredibly important aspect of Wellington Place and something we continue to be committed to. The opening of

The Courtyard has been the perfect next step, giving people a great reason to step outside and take a break. Not only is it a great place for an outdoor workout or yoga session, but the seating and chess tables offer a unique space for people to unplug and unwind.”

The space be available exclusively for Wellington Place occupiers to use for free, MEPC also plans to expand its range of complimentary

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Senior team changes at Leeds tech HQ Force24 - the team behind the UK-built marketing automation platform – has announced some pivotal changes at its Leeds headquarters.

The tech firm has promoted Jake Sweeney to the newlycreated Head of Strategy role.

Having joined the business in January 2014 as a handson account executive, he has amassed a wealth of experience working with both SMEs and FTSE100 firms. This first-hand client insight – and a passion for strategic campaign delivery – means he is well-placed to take on the responsibilities of this new position.

classes, from high energy circuit sessions to chess masterclasses, as well as friendly leagues and competitions between offices with fabulous prizes on offer, to make the most of the new facilities.

Rachael Culpan, HR manager at Equifax added: “It’s amazing to have access to such a great facility just a few steps from our office door. It encourages people to step away from their desk and get some much-needed fresh air, but also promotes some friendly competition amongst companies, which is a particular hit with our employees. You simply don’t get this kind of facility anywhere else and we consider ourselves very lucky to be part of the Wellington Place community.”

Lee Senior – who joined the firm in 2013 – has also advanced from the role of account executive to Head of Client Operations. Lee has gained his experience through working with many Force24 key clients including Worldpay, MSAmlin and Travis Perkins. In more

recent times he has on-boarded large numbers of clients onto Force24’s marketing automation solution, ensuring everything is taken care of from CRM integration to campaign execution and analysis. Now he will develop Force24’s growing team of automation consultants as the popularity of the SaaS platform continues to propel forwards.

Commenting on the promotions, Force24’s Commercial Director Nick Washbourne said: “With Jake and Lee, it’s been so rewarding to witness their development.

They both understand the principles of results-driven marketing and are dedicated in helping our clients realise true value from our platform.

“We’ve evolved from a boutique

marketing automation provider to one of the most popular solutions in the UK. It is therefore important that we maintain our level of service, innovation and agility as we grow. These team changes will prove crucial to that.”

There have been new hires within the company too.

Ex-Google employee James Skellington has joined Force24 as a Sales Consultant, and Adam Holland from Lexis Nexis is also on board as an Inside Sales Executive.

Nick concluded: “The business has experienced a phenomenal degree of change, particularly over the past 12 months. Our platform and services have quickly become the preferred choice for UK marketeers – not least because of GDPR – so it is important that we have talented sales people on board to support our onward expansion.”

Adam, James, Jake and Lee

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Dakota Deluxe is a jewel in Leeds’ crown

Each edition, TopicUK reviews a hotel, either local or somewhere in Yorkshire.

This edition, School Speakers Managing Director and former BBC Apprentice runner-up, Claire Young, paid a visit to The Dakota in Leeds that opened just one year ago and here’s what she had to say.

Taking along my Mum and five year old daughter Eva, I was thrilled to be celebrating Mother’s Day at this beautiful hotel on Bond Court, between Greek Street and Russell Street, in the centre of Leeds, an experience none of us will forget in a hurry.

With 84 bedrooms, the Dakota is the fourth hotel in this independent group led by Ken McCulloch who founded Mailmaison. Design for this £24m investment was led by awardwinning interior designer Amanda Rosa and each room oozes luxurious elegance.

We received a very warm welcome on arrival and a very smooth check in, from start to finish our stay was absolute luxury with every member of staff making us feel welcome and all paying attention to detail.

We were shown to our room, which was a suite of a very generous size and very modern.

There was a large sitting room which was great for relaxing and Eva had her own bed set up with a children’s welcome pack, comprising a teddy and hot chocolate kit which she was thrilled with. For a large hotel, it really does think about each customer offering a personal touch that make a difference to your stay. Rooms also include air conditioning, smart TV, Sky HD and high speed broadband.

The en-suite bathrooms are very impressive and have their own bespoke toiletries, which is a lovely touch. Our room had a huge rainforest shower, plus a massive big bubble

bath which I very much appreciated at the end of a very long day shopping in Leeds.

After my bath, I pulled on the complimentary fluffy robe and slippers to enjoy the king size bed covered in beautiful linens. For a city centre hotel, we were impressed at how quiet the room was and woke the following morning feeling very refreshed.

After breakfast where there is a choice of continental buffet at £10 which includes yogurt, fruits, pastries and toast and freshly squeezed juices, or from the kitchen at £15, the traditional full English, which is what we opted for, freshly cooked to order. There are also Whitby Kippers, Eggs Benedict or Porridge, we had time to browse the hotels beautful public rooms and lounges before heading out for a spot of shopping.

When we returned we headed into the hotel’s bar and grill and ordered Dakota Deluxe’s Sunday Lunch, which is served all day and was one of the best roast lunches we have ever had. There are two options of a two course at £20 or a three course at £25 both of which are excellent value for money.

to 16 people the Boardroom offers an elegant dining space with floor length windows overlooking Bond Court. The Salon Prive can host private events and parties for up to 150 guests.

After lunch we headed into the cocktail bar with its first floor terrace. The bar has a very impressive cocktail, wine and champaign list and service was very fast. I opted for the Cucumber and Rose Collins, a delicious mix of Hendricks Gin with Elderflower and cucumber, shaken and served with a homemade Rose Lemonade Tea Syrup, creating a tall, refreshing and quintessentially British Cooler. Had we visited later in the year with the improved weather, we could have enjoyed the roof terrace deck, perfect for a sunny afternoon and evening.

We receive received a very warm welcome on arrival and wel come o very smooth check in, a ve ry y smo start to finish... ffrom m sta

The chefs take great pride and care sourcing the best ingredients and their roast beef was outstanding. Chicken was also on the menu as was fish and chips served with mushy peas and tatare sauce.

I am a frequent traveller, often away with work, staying in hotels up and down the country. Because of this I am quite critical and expect high standards and I can honestly say that Dokota Deluxe Leeds has earned every one of its five stars and I cannot wait to make a return visit.

There is also the opportrunity to reserve a table for eight people in the hotel’s exclusive private dining room or for events seating up

To book a room, a table or an event call 0113 322 6261 or email enquiries@leeds. dakotahotels.co.uk

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Leeds Bradford Airport announce the official unveiling of its updated brand

With an ambition to create an airport that matches the needs and requirements of the region it serves and the surrounding area, Leeds Bradford: Yorkshire’s Airport will now be displayed throughout the terminal.

Following the appointment of a new Chief Executive, new ownership and a number of exciting changes to the terminal all now well underway, the airport has taken the decision to rebrand.

With an ambition to create an airport that matches the needs and requirements of the region it serves and the surrounding area, Leeds Bradford: Yorkshire’s Airport will now be displayed throughout the terminal.

Five-year-old Toby Nye, the little boy who has captured the hearts of Yorkshire following his battle with neuroblastoma, did the honours to officially switch on the new signage emblazoned on the front of the terminal roof.

As part of the celebrations, the region’s largest airport also showcased the first part of its terminal redevelopments, including brand new purpose-built lounges.

Featuring stunning floor to ceiling runway views, The Yorkshire Lounge, The White Rose Suite and 1432 Club will replace the current Yorkshire Premier Lounge.

Designed to offer a leisure, business or first-class experience, passengers have a number of entry methods, including pre-book, airline access, loyalty card schemes and on the day access.

The Yorkshire Lounge is the perfect place for families to relax and enjoy refreshments pre-flight, while The White Rose Suite offers the ideal environment for business passengers and couples looking

for some pre-flight relaxation, in a lounge that serves barista-style coffee and a fully-serviced bar.

The 1432 Club, named after the runway, is the most exclusive of the new lounges, featuring a specially selected menu, self-service premium bar and a prime view of the airfield.

The unveiling of the new lounges follows the opening of a brand new Cabin Bar and Beer House while the Saltaire restaurant has been completely overhauled. Works on a brand new Starbucks coffee shop and additional retails outlets are set to commence in the coming weeks.

Designed to provide a more straightforward journey for customers with a modern and vibrant feel, as well as developing our food and beverage offering, the airport has also invested in free non-commercial seating within the departure lounge.

Work is also currently underway on the terminal front to improve passengers’ arrival at the airport, with a new Meet & Greet car-park facility.

In March, the airport celebrated the opening of its first off-site car park. Viking Airport Parking, situated just off the airport roundabout located on Warren

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Le e d s House Lane, ensures passengers have the smoothest possible start to their holiday.

With members of staff on hand to park customers’ cars 24/7, shuttle buses transport passengers from the car park to the terminal in less than five minutes.

Chief Executive David Laws said: “We want the people of our thriving region to get behind their airport and help us move forward.

“We are delighted to offer our passengers even more choice in our departure lounge, as well as improved facilities for business travellers. We hope people will see this as the start of things to come for this airport. Our brand refresh embodies our vision to become Yorkshire’s airport of choice and to provide an airport our passengers can be proud of. As the development of LBA continues we hope to continually keep improving the customer experience and ensure our passengers feel welcome.

“We are investing in staff training to ensure we offer a warm ‘Yorkshire welcome’ to all of our passengers, as well as continually improving our Special Assistance offering to help passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities.

“The more people use this airport the more successful we can be. Work continues to improve our route offering for both business and leisure services and we hope to have more exciting announcements in the near future.

“It was great to welcome Toby and his family to switch on our new sign and experience our exclusive lounges. We also look forward to welcoming them back in the near future for a VIP tour.

Our Fire Team are especially excited to welcome Toby to the Fire Station, as we hear from a reliable source (his Mum) he is a lover of ‘Transformers’ and our new fire vehicles are the same as those used in the films!”

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Celloglas celebrate industry leading eco commitment Celloglas, the UK’s leading specialist in decorative print finishing is celebrating this month, having achieved Zero to Landfill and Zero Foil 2 Landfill status across all sites, working with their suppliers to commit to diverting waste from landfill.

Having always been environmentally conscious, the Celloglas team is now proud to have achieved Zero to Landfill and Zero Foil 2 Landfill status, in Leeds and also their other sites in Reading and Leicester, as part of their efforts to illustrate to the industry that sustainability is high on their agenda.

Having been specifically recognised for Zero Foil 2 Landfill Celloglas has attracted praise from clients using their popular Mirri brand, a world leading supplier of metallic paper and board.

“FMCG brand owners and supermarkets are increasingly putting pressure on the supply chain to improve their environmental solutions, and that includes the recovery of materials that have previously been considered difficult to manage,” said Mike Jackson, Managing Director of Prismm Environmental.

He added: “Foil falls into this category because the logistics of moving it are difficult without a scheme that delivers economies of scale.

The Zero Foil 2 Landfill scheme addresses this logistical problem meaning that there is now a viable way to recover foil.”

Marketing Director, Richard Pinkney said: “As an industry we generate a lot of waste and we have always been conscious of this. We have made efforts towards sustainable waste management in the past but we are now comfortable that we are doing all we can to ensure that none of our waste streams are going to landfill. Instead, materials are diverted to other uses, so cardboard goes to paper mills, glass goes to be re-melted, plastic goes to be made into new packaging and food waste goes to composting.”

Celloglas’ waste management partner Prismm Environmental said: “We are secure that all the waste generated by the sites is now diverted from landfill, either through various recycling routes or recovery via RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel)”.

Waste which cannot be re-used or recycled is recovered via methods such as energy from waste, incineration, plasmosis and gasification.

Richard added: “ We are a business committed to offering clients sustainable ways to print and so our improved environmental performance is a key part of our message to them that we are truly committed to reducing waste across the board, and that we see waste as a valuable resource that can be re-used wherever possible.”

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The conference and exhibition was embroiled in the techie world of Immersive Technology with attendees experiencing first-hand 3D animated content, 360 VR, visual artistry and virtual performance as an extension of reality. Gurus from DoubleMe, Production Park and San Francisco’s finest, Jasper De Tarr discussed the latest in mixed reality live content and gave attendees the chance to have a VR experience like no other!

Some quotes we have had from our feedback survey: I’d taken a day off work to attend and was so impressed by all on offer. I’ve paid for conferences that have offered less engaging content. I’ll certainly be attending again next year! I came away with lots of ideas so my mission is now to apply what I’ve learnt to some of my ongoing projects even if this means going back to the drawing board.

Bigger and better VMC 2018 unites media communities The Visual Media Conference 2018 returned bigger and better than before, uniting communities under the themes of immersive technology and colour hype.

Bringing together a diverse range of top class speakers and exhibitors, with international experts on colour and communication, guests were able to learn about cutting edge innovation in technology and explore the question ‘VR, so what?’

The 300 attendees listened while leading experts discussed how colour can affect marketing and

communications by analysing consumer behaviour.

Leeds based brand design agency Elmwood were represented by Chairman Jonathan Sands who spoke about Biomotive Triggers, an exciting development in the field of sensory marketing.

Developed at Elmwood in collaboration with Bradford University School of Management they have been exploring how brands can

build deep subconscious consumer engagement and ensure brandsare stored in the favourite’s part of consumers brains.

Attendees also learnt how virtual reality can help understand the psychology of marketing and communications and how a bold visual identity and confident tone of voice can turn a city techni-colour with Hull UK City of Culture 2017.

Well done - really enjoyed the event and the speakers.

Looking forward to next year already.

It was a gre great learnt at day and le a lot as wel well as made goo good connections. connections Definitely nit something mething I would recommend for more of my comm colleagues.

Was a great networking day with plenty of chances to meet up with cutting edge, industry leaders.

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Social Media sets the stage for our life performance Kieran Rogers is a third year journalist student at The University of Huddersfield.

TopicUK asked Kieran for his thoughts on social media and why he thinks it is so popular with today’s generation.

Social media has given my generation the means to turn everything into a performance.

The coffee you bought before you started your shift is now a piece of performance art, complete with a filter and a caption, for people you vaguely know to scroll past on their commute. Your romantic getaway to Paris is now reduced to a staged fraction of a moment, grinning in front of the Eiffel Tower, but why? We as a generation seem to want to perform our whole lives, or at least what we want people to think our lives look like, to anybody and everybody that is willing to pay attention, for absolutely no real reason at all.

We all grow up being told that people are going to care about our opinions and thoughts and we are going to make a difference, but apart from a select few, people like content creators

and reality TV stars and actors and performers, we have grown up to find that nobody really cares. Social media has given us a solution to this, a platform to have an audience for everything we do, a platform to quench this thirst for popularity and validation and make us feel important. This is treated as an excuse to spew out our opinions and thoughts to a captive viewership, a cathartic way of expressing pretty much whatever we like, no matter tired and banal these thoughts may be.

Once people do this well get a taste for faux-success it becomes almost addictive. The rush of adrenaline is frankly bizarre that you can receive from the Twitter likes and retweets that pour in following your witty anecdote about your trip to the supermarket. As is the constant dinging of your phone following your post of one of the 47 photos you took of yourself in your mirror once you were ready to go out, providing you with a constant aural assault that ensures that you get your fix of attention you’ve been craving. It’s all so futile and pointless; none of it matters at all, yet it is something that so many of us seem to participate in, indulging in the acceptance and gratification that our peers provide us with.

We willingly put ourselves under the microscope constantly, only whilst filtering ourselves to show our best qualities and manipulating moments to fit our manufactured ideas of ourselves. Go to any live music performance and you will see young people watching a show that is happening right in front of them through a screen, so they can regurgitate it for their followers and use it to reaffirm the idea of this character that they are trying so hard to live up to. In a twisted irony, these people are diluting their own experiences to be portrayed as the kind of person that lives these experiences.

Over time I can only see this as something that is going to get worse; children are having phones and tablets thrust into their hands, practically from birth, creating a very digitally orientated culture that is much different to the one that even my generation grew up in. Social media seems to become more powerful all of the time and shows little sign of slowing down. Everything is a performance now, when the camera is on or our fingers touch our keyboards we do our song and dance in the hope that someone, somewhere, will probably care.

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FIN ANCE

&

MAR K E T I N G

Fintech – The Future of Finance or the Road to Ruin?

There’s been much talk recently about a future where robots will be equipped to take over most of our work. Even the idea of driverless cars has quickly become a conceivable prospect.

be paying back. The worst thing that can happen if you make the wrong choice is that you end up paying out a bit more than you’d anticipated over a period of time.

But the consequences of heading off on a “driverless” DIY journey could be catastrophic, where your business finances are concerned. Get it wrong, and you could literally find yourself in a “car crash” situation.

Without the advice of an experienced broker, who’s going to ensure you’re choosing the right option, from the maze of products out there, to ensure the sustainability of your business?

The harsh truth is that a wrong decision in this area can potentially ruin your business and undermine everything you have worked for. In some cases it can put your personal assets and possessions at risk if you’ve used them as collateral to secure finance.

So what about “driverless” commercial finance? How happy are you to trust technology alone for those big decisions around your business finance?

Since regulation changes led to the introduction of Fintech Platforms, there’s no disputing that technology has made incredible advances in loan processing. That’s why Fintech has been hailed as the next big thing in the finance industry.

Taking out a personal loan is one thing. All you need to compare is the interest and the amount you’ll

When a business is in trouble it’s not unusual to see desperate people making desperate decisions and grasping at the first opportunity they discover online, without properly considering all the options or the full implications.

Each organisation and each situation is different. When working closely with an independent commercial finance broker they will get to know the ins and outs of the client’s business, their story and their aspirations.

like cashflow and liquidity, market conditions, seasonal impacts, a company’s shareholder structure and of course, the security required for any product you’re considering.

And let’s be honest – it still feels more reassuring to “talk to a human” when you’ve got stressful choices to make. We think personal relationships remain vital in the world of business funding. It’s good to have the feeling someone’s “got your back” who cares about the future success of your business, as well as understanding your needs.

We’re probably still a few light years away from building that kind of relationship with a robot!

For further information visit www. abl-business.co.uk or call 01274 965356 to “talk to a human”.

Andy Redman is joint Managing Director of commercial finance brokerage ABL Business Ltd, based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, and has more than 20 years’ experience in the commercial finance and asset-based lending sector.

ABL Business Ltd is a member of NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) and regulated and authorised by FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).

We’ll take into consideration factors

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TopicUK strengthens partnerships with brand new look TopicUK is changing so we can bring to you much more business news, reach a wider audience and spread your news, views and services right across the Yorkshire region.

Free support for business owners Anyone running their own business knows it can be a lonely place at times and that having a supportive network can make all the difference to your happiness, effectiveness and success.

To help provide this, Yorkshire based Business Mentor, Gary King from Tendo, has recently joined forces with Mike Hall and Clare Taylor from marketing agency, ThinkSmart to become the voice of experience behind new Facebook Group, The Business Squad.

In just a few weeks since its launch, The Business Squad has already grown to over 650 members and has fast established itself as an energetic and mutually supportive community of small business owners.

Lives covering top tips and guidance on some of the common issues business owners face and are keen to get your views on what topics to cover next.

The Business Squad has recently created a survey and would be very grateful to any of you running, or thinking of starting, your own business to give just a few minutes to fill it in and share your views here: https://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/TopicApril18

“Everyone who knows me knows how incredibly passionate I am about helping local businesses succeed,” says Gary. “The free tips, tools and support we give out through the Business Squad is just one way we’re doing that, and we want to make sure it stays relevant and useful.”

As well as regular posts, the trio behind the group have hosted several webinars and Facebook

From 1 July we will amalgamate all our editions that cover Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees. Calderdale into one, creating a big issue, that will include regions we have not published and distributed before, such as Harrogate, Sheffield and Bradford.

As we have just passed our fifth Birthday, demand for TopicUK is growing. We receive business news from all over the country, far too much for us to share with you, but with this new magazine, we will be in a position to bring you so much more.

This is a double bonus for our existing partners, many of whom joined us when we launched our very first edition in Wakefield in 2013. Not only will their business receive greater exposure across a wider area, it will not cost them any more financially. Add to this our new look website and digital edition and our total reach across Yorkshire is up to 50,000*.

For none partners, our annual rate will increase to reflect this wider area, but if you’re quick, you can take advantage of the low current rate enjoyed by our existing partners. Reserve your partnership with us before 20th May and we will honour our existing rate.

Our partners receive much more than an advert in each edition.

Their press releases are given priority over others, we promote them at the many conferences and exhibitions we partner with such as Brand Yorkshire and Institute of Directors, they can have as much space to publish their news and events on our website as they want and over the course of the partnership, usually 12 months, there is a possibility that they will also feature on one of our covers. In addition, we can cover full PR requirements if needed, using other media sources.

When you become a TopicUK partner, not only do you promote your own business, you become part of the local business community that promotes itself to a much wider audience.

We are rapidly earning a reputation as the best place to promote your business.

Gary King

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Le e d s

FOOD

Ed i ti o n

&

DR INK

What to avoid at a business lunch TopicUK asked catering experts DINE to give us a few tips and suggestions when taking a client to lunch.

well, avoid offering any food that people might find unappetizing.

You might love fried calf ’s brain, but chicken is likely to be better received. Always ask your guests for dietary requirements in advance.

Go steady on the alcohol. It might be stating the obvious, but this is supposed to be business. If you are hosting a meal in a restaurant, let your client order drinks first.

If they go for an alcoholic drink then it’s fine to join them, but stick to just the one. If things go well, you can always retire to the nearest bar.

Daniel Gill is the Creative Director and Founder at Dine.

Established in 1998, Dine caters for more than 100 corporate events and 200 weddings each year as well as providing exclusive private dining. The company provides event services for organisations ranging from English Heritage and the National Trust to the owners of some of the UK’s most notable private houses.

Whether you are meeting clients at a restaurant, or having lunch in the company boardroom, there are a few pitfalls to be wary of!

Take our advice on the top five things to avoid at a lunch meeting.

tidily is going to cause problems.

You will want to be able to eat and talk, not have to wrestle with your lunch- and you won’t impress anyone with tomato sauce down your shirt.

If you’re hosting the lunch, do bear in mind that your hospitality reflects the importance you place on the relationship. If you want to impress your clients, a soggy sandwich and stodgy sausage roll isn’t going to cut the mustard.

Similarly, you wouldn’t take a business client to a transport café, no matter how good the bacon sandwiches are. A decent restaurant or well-thought out lunch menu will set the right tone for your meeting.

If you’re hosting a catered lunch, select the menu carefully. Unless you know your guests really

Don’t overload on the carbohydrates. Eating too many carbs at lunch can cause a postlunch slump in the afternoon.

There’s no need to avoid them entirely though; balance potatoes or pasta with some protein and lots of vegetables and you’ll have all the energy you need for those afternoon business negotiations.

Dine has introduced a new, reduced-carb lunch menu to provide a balanced release of energy.

Never order any food that’s difficult to eat- whether that’s whole lobster, spaghetti or spare ribs, a food that is difficult to eat

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The BBC Good Food Show Summer heads back to Birmingham’s NEC for a delicious day out between June 14 17th, packed with live entertainment, top chefs and experts and fresh new seasonal flavours.

Our VIP packages are selling out fast so head to the website to find out more! Or for the ultimate day out, treat yourself to the VIP Luxe package and have your day planned for you.

To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is head over to Twitter and Tweet the message:

TopicUK has teamed up with the BBC Good Food Show, to give you the chance to be one of five lucky winners of a pair of tickets to the show which includes BBC Gardeners’ World Live*.

Get into the spirit of summer with recipe inspiration from a sensational line-up including Michelin Masters Michel Roux Jr, Tom Kerridge and Raymond Blanc, Show favourite James Martin, queen of baking Mary Berry and the entertaining Hairy Bikers! Plus, get up close and personal with interviews and book signing sessions.

Don’t forget, you can explore BBC Gardeners’ World Live as part of your ticket too!

Be inspired Head to the Summer Kitchen to see Chris Bavin and a host of famous faces sharing top tips and fresh summer recipes. Dr Rupy Auja of ‘The Doctors Kitchen’ joins the line-up, along with Melissa Hemsley, Tommy Banks and Chantelle Nicholson.

“I’m going to the BBC Good Food Show with @topic_uk” Plus enjoy live interviews, demos and BBQ masterclasses.

Big Kitchen Each Super Ticket includes a seat to see your culinary heroes cooking seasonal dishes LIVE in the Big Kitchen at the heart of the Show. Get closer to the stars and upgrade to a Gold seat.

Great shopping Sample and shop from a huge range of independent and artisan producers, pick up the latest kitchen kit plus discover exclusive Show deals from some of your favourite big brands.

VIP Experience Discover our VIP package and enjoy front block Big Kitchen seats, VIP lounge access, goody bag, cookbook and more.

and don’t forget to follow us so we can notify you directly if you are a winner. You can enter as many times as you wish. The winner will be the first five entries drawn after the closing date of May 21st – good luck!

Terms and Conditions *Tickets are general admission only for the BBC Good Food Show and BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 14-17 June 2018 on any day except Saturday.

Complimentary tickets do not include theatre seats but these can be purchased on the day, subject to availability. Not all experts appear on all days. Details correct at time of print. The Gardeners’ World logo and the Good Food word mark and logo are trademarks of the BBC. ©BBC. Organised and presented by River Street Events.

COMPETITION

The BBC Good Food Show

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Celebrating

40 years of music

globally to some of the world’s most prestigious locations.

The family-run firm is the only manufacturer of vinyl playing jukeboxes and one of only two classic jukebox producers in the world.

The pop-up store will also host a variety of events to celebrate the businesses 40th anniversary as well as the Yorkshire manufacturing industry. Managing director Chris Black, comments: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Victoria Gate and Leeds City Council to run the pop-up store throughout March to May. We’re really looking forward to celebrating and showcasing the truly unique products we create right here in Leeds.”

Councillor Judith Blake, leader at Leeds City Council, said: “Leeds has a proud history of industry and manufacturing is a key growth sector for us, so it’s fantastic to see 40 years of world famous production from this city celebrated, and I hope this allows many more people to learn about it, visit the pop-up shop and see it for themselves.”

The world’s only manufacturer of vinyl jukeboxes has collaborated with Leeds City Council and Victoria Gate Shopping Centre to run a pop up store in the heart of Leeds.

Leeds-based Sound Leisure opened the celebratory pop-up store on 7 March which will run until 20 May. The store features an array of Sound Leisure’s world-renowned vinyl, CD and digital jukeboxes, games room related products such as arcade game machines, as well as a series

of new, innovative products that the company has developed.

Sound Leisure was formed in Yorkshire in 1978 and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary as a proud Leeds-based manufacturer, shipping its bespoke products

Richard Spencer, commercialisation manager at Victoria Gate adds: “We’re proud to welcome one of Yorkshire’s leading manufacturers to the shopping centre. The popup store brings something new to Victoria Gate and shoppers will be able to visit, see and trial the range of fantastic products that they are famous for as well as some new world-first products.”

TopicUK have been invited along to Sound Leisure’s factory in Leeds and next issue we will hopefully be sharing with you how Juke Boxes are made.

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CO

S U

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Blue Pepper acquisition spices up work day lunches Expanding Leeds company Blue Pepper Catering is adding to its operational remit following the acquisition of New Yorkshire Foods.

The Blue Pepper team produce fresh sandwiches, soups and vacuum packed meals for the vans to service the business community in office parks around the city. New Yorkshire Foods operated successfully for 14 years and Blue Pepper are committed to continuing to service its customer base while adding new clients to the daily delivery run and expanding the range of menu options.

Owner and executive chef David Swade left behind his rosette starred restaurant career to channel his culinary expertise into outside catering with the formation of Blue Pepper

in 2013. With 25 years’ experience in the fine dining and hospitality sector, his interest in the corporate events and business sector prompted the initiative which has grown to support a professional team of eight skilled employees.

By acquiring New Yorkshire Foods this year, Blue Pepper is now operating four liveried vans delivering high quality lunches to the Leeds business sector, Monday to Friday; a service which complements its established outside catering service for events.

David explains “Creating innovative amazing food is what gets the Blue Pepper team out of In addition to the new daily delivery van bed in the morning and we’re lucky to have a options, Blue Pepper will continue to supply number of fantastic local suppliers for fresh businesses with superior hot and cold buffets ingredients which is the basis for quality for working breakfast, lunch and evening catering. It’s very exciting to be growing and meetings and networking events. offering this new service to the business community in the area.”

Join the SXUH ÀEUH revolution Businesses in Leeds city centre are now accessing gigabit speed pure fibre internet connectivity, thanks to CityFibre’s completely independent network.

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Responsive and resilient network: Allowing your business critical services run smoothly.

Find out more at cityfibre.com/Leeds Services available from

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