Networks - people who know people by britishirishtradingalliance

PEOPLE WHO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HELP PEOPLE

www.bita.ie • Edition 10 • 2021

ECO DESIGN

TRANQUILLITY AWAITS COMING HOME

Exploring the world’s first

Now is an excellent time to

The return of London Irish Rugby

carbon neutral football club

upgrade your gardens

to their spiritual home PEOPLE WHO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HELP PEOPLE

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TEAM

Editor: Diane Birch, BITA Executive Director Sub Editor: Laura Watkins

Features Editor: John Reynolds BITA Contributors: Eliott Looney. Mark Bensted, Chief Executive London Irish Rugby Football Club. Roz Scott. Seamus Keenan, Managing Director Keenwood Joinery. Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise Design and Production E jules@stimula.co.uk Online version: issuu.com

Sales, Events and Marketing T +44 (0) 7587 035740 E laura@bita.ie

Published by BITA Ltd HEAD OFFICE: The Hive Enterprise Centre, The Old Central Library, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6EX www.bita.ie T +44 (0)1702 417132 E laura@bita.ie

WELCOME

he UK is still officially being told to stay at home, but the feel of anticipation already in the air for the end of lockdown is infectious indeed. It has been a long and difficult 12 months that has had, and will continue to have, a deep impact on us all. Some of the lessons we have learned will stay with us for a long time, shadowing us and affecting our actions. I think it is important that we let them. I think it is important that we bring some of what we learned with us into 2021 and beyond, and make sure we incorporate it into ourselves. Many of us were lucky to come of age during what was the first period in human history that our parents weren’t worrying about starvation, and even had extra money to spend on luxuries. As a result, our parents lavished us with the lives they wished they had, and sadly we have become consumed with material things. We are all guilty of this, but lockdown with my family has given me an appreciation of the time we’ve spent together. Times when we have had fun playing a board game, or watching a film, or just talking and sharing our thoughts. These are things that I previously struggled to find time for, but that I will now pursue with renewed vigour. Friends and family are everything. I am aware that some people won’t be ready to go to events in June and July, or perhaps even in 2021 at all. We are mindful of how people are coping with their challenges and have no intention of completely stopping our online events. We will continue to offer online and hybrid events when we are back out there. Finally, I’m very proud to say how amazing it is to see people from across the world galvanised by what is a truly global issue: plastic pollution. Our Global forum is proving to be very popular and with new members from Israel, Poland and Saudi Arabia, it’s rewarding to see just how far we are spreading, and the potential impact we can have when channelled effectively. I cannot wait to see you all, when you are ready, at one of our events. In the meantime, I wish you Happy Easter!

Terms and conditions NetWorks is published by BITA Ltd. Its entire content is protected by copyright 2021 and all its rights reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. Every care has been taken in compiling the content of the magazine, but the publisher assumes no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the magazine. Neither BITA Ltd or NetWorks accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims used by advertisers.

PAUL WHITNELL President

@BITAIntl @BITAIntl @BITA @BITA_Intl

Sponsored by www.sosgroup.uk

MARK BENSTED JOINED LONDON IRISH RUGBY CLUB AS THEIR NEW CEO AT THE START OF THE YEAR. FORMERLY CEO AT POWERDAY, THE COMPANY OWNED BY LONDON IRISH OWNER AND PRESIDENT MICK CROSSAN, BENSTED SPOKE TO BITA ABOUT THE CLUB’S EXCITING FUTURE FOLLOWING THEIR MOVE BACK INTO LONDON AS TENANTS OF BRENTFORD FC’S NEW STATEOF THE-ART, BRENTFORD COMMUNITY STADIUM.

modern stadium giving our players every opportunity to showcase their skills, it will provide an enticing atmosphere and a great match-day experience for our supporters and will help grow our support base across the wider London Irish family. With its excellent transport links, the stadium is ideally situated in the heart of the club’s traditional area of West London as well as for loyal supporters from the Thames Valley and beyond. Importantly, we feel the move will attract new rugby supporters from across the capital, perhaps those who have followed London Irish over the years but only occasionally made it out to Reading. The return to the capital has presented us with a fantastic opportunity to really move forward as an off-field commercial operation. West London, as a significant economic sub-region, is home to a huge variety of businesses across the

areas of White City, Park Royal, Chiswick, the emerging Old Oak Common/HS2 regeneration area and the Heathrow hub, in addition to those adjacent major businesses forming the ‘Golden Mile’ in and around the impressive redevelopment of the Brentford area itself. With such a concentration of major businesses on our doorstep, coupled with the wider corporate world across the City, we are well-placed to grow our business relationships and hopefully in so doing, create long-lasting value for all involved. Interest in the club has grown significantly in recent months and building on that momentum will be key as life returns to normal. The scope for a wider connection with the business community, both in England and Ireland, is high on our priority list as we enter this new chapter for the club. We feel we have a real opportunity to expand the London Irish brand, engaging with up-and-coming companies across a wide range of industries and sectors, including construction, technology, manufacturing, and engineering, on both sides of the water. The Irish communities across London and its surrounding areas will be at the forefront of our plans, as we look to engage and interact with a community who have been on a journey with us for over 120 years. Under Declan Kidney’s guidance, we have an outstanding group of players, coaches, medics, and strength & conditioning staff all of whom are contributing to what we know will be an exciting future for the club. In Declan and Les Kiss, we have a wealth of rugby knowledge and coupled with a blend of experienced world-class players and an exciting crop of young players (who have come through our Academy structure), we feel we have the necessary foundation

blocks in place to succeed and start challenging for major honours. The mix of strong on-field performance coupled with the alignment of our off-field Partnership, Community and London Irish Foundation teams, are all integral to the future success of the club. The Community and Foundation teams already do outstanding work in the local communities, focusing on active ‘fun’ participation, rugby development, education, social engagement and inclusion. In terms of our off-field activity, ‘community’ is at the heart of everything we do and whilst the restrictions over the past 12 months have paused a lot of work in this area, our #PoweringTheNHS initiative with Powerday proved to be a great reminder of how people coming together for the common good can create real benefit. This initiative made use of kitchen facilities at our Hazelwood training ground, cooking and delivering over 50,000 meals to frontline NHS workers across 17 hospitals during the height of the pandemic; a huge effort by

all those who volunteered from Powerday and the London Irish team. If 2020 has proved one thing, it is that rugby really needs its fans. Although our supporters – the Exile Nation as we like to call them – have not been with us in person, their spirit and passion has remained throughout the lockdown. The response from our Season Ticket holders to defer their tickets from this season to next season was incredibly helpful to the financial wellbeing and cash-flows of the club, with many also donating their outstanding credits from the previous Covid affected 2019/20 campaign. We will be forever grateful to the supporters who have stuck with us throughout this period. Of course, there is now some light at the end of the tunnel, and we are excited about the prospect of welcoming approximately 4,000 supporters to our final home fixture of the season against Wasps in early June. Season Tickets for the 2021/22 campaign went on sale in mid-March and we are hoping that the combination of the

Contacts at London Irish Rugby Football Club: Mark Bensted – Chief Executive mark.bensted@london-irish.com Jean O’Grady – Business Development Manager Jean.Ogrady@london-irish.com

THE LOCAL IRISH COMMUNITIES ACROSS LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR PLANS.

new stadium, excellent access, exciting rugby and a great match-day experience will see sales grow steadily through coming months. Hospitality opportunities – to both corporate and individual/family groups - have already proved attractive with initial sales being very encouraging. As the lockdown eases and thoughts start turning towards a return to full stadiums, we will be offering various packages to businesses and supporters alike, so register your interest soon if you would like to reserve space! Sport plays an important role in business and bringing people together. We have enjoyed huge support from the Irish community over the years and particularly from Irish businesses, many of which are members of BITA. We very much want to expand these relationships, building new ones wherever possible and look forward to participating and hosting future networking events.

MARK BENSTED

SPORT

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BUSINESS

BALANCING

THE BOOKS

Martin Mockler FCCA, Chair of the London Chapter and Partner at Evans Mockler Accountants, Auditors, Business and Tax Advisors

t felt like the whole of the UK came grinding to a halt recently, not due to lockdown but on the third of March at 12.30 for the Budget. I am even aware of some offices that held viewing parties. This is not surprising, with the incredible upheaval that the country has undergone in the past 12 months, and last Autumn’s budget being deferred, it felt like businesses across the land were waiting to collectively exhale. As well they might; although there were a few stings in the tail as Mr Sunak valiantly attempted to compensate for what has amounted to almost unimaginable amounts borrowed by UK plc, overall, there were some enticing elements for businesses and workers. The structure of this Budget, like its predecessor, was driven by the pandemic’s impact on the economy. With some form of lockdown continuing over the next few months, Mr Sunak extended the main employment support schemes through to 30 September 2021 and added further grants and loans to assist struggling businesses. The total cost of the pandemic measures in this tax year and next are now projected to be greater than the amount that will be raised in income tax over the same period. How the government can claw back that expenditure, while rebuilding the economy, formed the focus of the Chancellor’s speech. How each of the main points are received will largely depend on your personal and business position, however as the UK economy shrank by 10% in 2020 and an anticipated amount of £355bn being borrowed this year, the Budget offered an effort to invest in infrastructure, development, and jobs as a way of getting back on track. As a result, the economy is expected to return to pre-Covid levels by mid-2022. The Chancellor has made a bold move regarding the main rate of corporation tax, which will be increased to 25% from April 2023 for companies with profits over £250,000. At the same time, a new small companies’ rate of 19% will apply to companies with profits of up to £50,000, with a marginal tapered rate between £50,000 and £250,000. Also, for the two years from April 2021, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery will benefit from a 130% first-year super-deduction. This has been of particular interest to our BITA members that work in the thriving construction industry. There will be changes to the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit system from 1 April 2021. The maximum amount payable as a tax credit for loss making businesses will be capped at £20,000 plus three times the company’s annual PAYE and NIC liability. The standard R&D offset against taxable profits will continue to operate as before.

Furthering the government’s agenda for regional investment and attracting new businesses, the sites of the UK’s first eight freeports were announced: East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, Humber Region, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent, Thames and Teesside. Several tax reliefs will be available in designated tax sites within the freeports once these sites have been confirmed. In addition, a new UK Infrastructure Bank is to be set up in Leeds with £12bn capital and the aim of funding £40bn worth of public and private projects. Of course, the budget also impacts individuals, not just businesses, and the hole in the UK’s public finances need to be addressed. However, perhaps due to the intervention from the International Monetary Fund and Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Chancellor has decided not to press ahead with tax rises, at least until the economy has a firm footing on the road to recovery. Mr Sunak’s budget is for the most part a cautious one, and for the next few years he has limited tax rises to the old stealth option of freezing most personal tax allowances and bands until 2026. The personal allowance will rise to £12,570 and the higher rate threshold will be £50,270 for 2021/22, following which both will be frozen for the next four tax years, and the capital gains tax annual exemption, inheritance tax rate nil rate bands and pensions lifetime allowance will all be frozen at their current levels until April 2026. To help maintain the buoyant property market, exemption from Stamp Duty Land Tax on the first £500,000 of residential property purchases will be extended to 30 June 2021 and then replaced by a £250,000 exemption until 30 September 2021.

If you have any questions about this summary’s contents or how any aspects of your tax and financial planning may be affected by the Budget, please contact us to discuss them. www.bita.ie

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David Daly discusses how to improve your chances of recovering head office overheads and loss of profit in delay claims

OVERHEADS AND PROFIT LOSS Examining this topic in full is beyond the limitations of this article. Here we concentrate on highlighting the oftenoverlooked topic of how to prove a loss of contribution to head office overheads (“HOOH”) and profit. Introduction HOOH are the administrative and management costs incurred by contractors in the running of its business. If a contractor is delayed on a project, the argument is that but for this delay, the contractor’s workforce would have been deployed on other projects generating a contribution toward its HOOH and profit. Whilst contractors are usually familiar with claiming site overheads (prolongation costs) in delay claims, less awareness exists around a loss of contribution to HOOH and profit. This can amount to a large proportion of a contractor’s loss and expense claim and commonly fails due to a lack of appropriate evidence. Although in theory a loss of contribution to HOOH and profit can be proven through accurate record keeping, in practice, maintaining sufficiently detailed records is often impractical. The courts have therefore taken a pragmatic approach and approved the use of formulae to ascertain these losses. The commonly used formulae to do so are Hudson, Emden and Eichleay. The law In the infamous case of Walter Lilly v McKay [2012] EWHC 1773 (TCC), the judge set out relevant guidance in paragraphs 540 to 554 when approving

the use of the Emden formula. In paragraph 543, the judge summed up the relevant principles to consider in claims of this nature: “543. Considering these various authorities, the following conclusions can be drawn: (a) A contractor can recover head office overheads and profit lost as a result of delay on a construction project caused by factors which entitle it to loss and expense. (b) It is necessary for the contractor to prove on a balance of probabilities that if the delay had not occurred it would have secured work or projects which would have produced a return (over and above costs) representing a profit and/or a contribution to head office overheads. (c) The use of a formula, such as Emden or Hudson, is a legitimate and indeed helpful way of ascertaining, on a balance of probabilities, what that return can be calculated to be. (d) The “ascertainment” process under Clause 26 does not mean that the Architect/Quantity Surveyor or indeed the ultimate dispute resolution tribunal must be certain (that is sure beyond reasonable doubt) that the overheads and profit have been lost. HHJ Lloyd QC was not saying that assessment could not be part of the ascertainment process. What one has to do is to be able to be confident that the loss or expense being allowed had actually been incurred as a result of the Clause 26 delay or disruption causing factors.”

Thus, steps (b) and (c) are entirely separate. Under step (b), it is necessary for the contractor to first show that if the delay had not occurred it would have secured work on projects which would have produced a return. Proving this is where contractors usually run into difficulty. In Walter Lilly, the contractor provided evidence on that point as set out at paragraph 544 of the judgment, in particular the last sentence, which stated: “During that period WLC had to and did decline a number of tendering opportunities: that was not said vaguely, or in a vacuum of support: the opportunities received and declined were precisely detailed on a comprehensive schedule attached to Mr Corless’ statement.” Practical tips The first step to succeeding in a claim for lost contribution to HOOH and profit is to prove an entitlement to an extension of time and compensation. Once this entitlement has been established, a prerequisite to the use of the any formulae is proof that some profitable contracting opportunities have been lost. Contractors should therefore implement some of the following project control measures within its business to assist: • Maintain accurate, contemporaneous records of incoming inquiries and tenders issued; • Record declined inquiries, withdrawn tenders or declined contract offers; • Record this by issuing internal memos, letters and appropriate emails; and • Do all of the above on a monthly basis at least (we recommend bimonthly or weekly if possible).

Disclaimer: this content is provided free of charge for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. No responsibility for the accuracy and/or correctness of the information and commentary set out in the article, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed or accepted by HD Construction Solutions Ltd.

ADVERTORIAL

STOP THE STEAM-UP! MistyClip™ is a highly effective but simple device which slips onto the top edge of a facemask and prevents the wearer’s glasses from fogging up. Each MistyClip is 3D printed using a bio-based polymer created from corn starch or used coffee grounds – sustainable by-products from the food industry. Under the right conditions, the filaments used for the printing process decompose naturally and are therefore much kinder to the planet than petroleum-based plastic products which can take many years to degrade. Uniquely, each MistyClip is produced through a network of home-based ‘factories’, creating opportunities for several previously unemployed individuals to earn an income. According to the founder of the company, Alex Wickens, ‘By printing here in the UK, we are supporting the local economy and reducing the carbon

NETWORKS

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footprint associated with importing from the other side of the world.’ The company even uses biodegradable packaging for dispatching each order. Paul Edmonds, a BITA member, commented ‘with BITA supporting the #beplasticaware campaign, it’s so good to be able to promote a supplier who has made community and the environment the priority.’ The company also gives away 10% of its revenue to a charity with strong links to the construction sector. This charity, Trelis, supports unemployed and homeless communities with construction and employability skills training to find long term, worthwhile employment.

With sales from as far away the USA and Kuwait, the company is experiencing significant organic consumer demand and has already taken orders from corporates and retailers across the UK. ‘This company is highly innovative both in terms of its product and business model,’ said Paul Whitnell, Founder and BITA President ‘but it also supports everything that BITA stands for in being eco-friendly, giving back to the local community and creating opportunities for others.’

BITA members interested in placing an order for more than 100 MistyClips, or enquiring about company branded MistyClips, should contact Laura Watkins on laura@bita.ie for a quote. For individual purchases, please visit www.mistyclip.co.uk and use Promotional Code BITA21xfh for an exclusive 5% discount

COMMUNITY

NETWORKING IN LONDON

he London Chapter of BITA has close to 250 members. Ordinarily we would regularly meet our members in the many “in person” events we have across London every month, so not seeing them has been a real challenge over the last year. Whilst BITA has been great at providing lots of informative webinars and zoom discussions about a range of issues the one thing that we felt we was missing in the London Chapter was just a regular “catch up” or social networking event. Finally, we found a solution that works and that was in the introduction of our Friday morning Networking Event. Using Remo a virtual meeting room we were able to create an event that is just like having a catch up in the pub (but sadly without a beer). Between 8-9am on a Friday anyone can join the event and have a chat with as many members

I’M VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT NETWORKING AS, QUITE FRANKLY, MOST OF IT IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. BITA IS THE EXCEPTION. I JOINED AFTER THE FIRST FRIDAY MORNING NETWORK MEETING JUST SIX WEEKS AGO. THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE IS HIGH, AND THE COMBINATION OF FUN, BUSINESS FOCUSED CONVERSATIONS WAS UNEXPECTED. I’VE ALREADY HAD MANY PRODUCTIVE 1-2-1S AND BEEN FEATURED AT ONE OF THE FRIDAY MEETINGS. I WILL AND HAVE RECOMMENDED BITA TO OTHER BUSINESSES WITHOUT HESITATION. Jonathan Slobom, Founder Peppered Moth Marketing

as they wish. The room is made up of several tables and you just pop onto any table you wish and have a chat and either stay or move on to the next table – the choice is entirely yours! It has gone down a storm and the best bit about it is seeing some of our real “technophobe” members becoming regular attendees. The event is open to members of all chapters and we often have people joining us from Ireland These are the comments from a couple of our members – so why not come and join us!

ATTENDING THE FRIDAY MORNING NETWORKING SESSION IS A GREAT WAY FOR ME TO CATCH UP WITH MANY OF THE CONSTRUCTION MEMBERS WITHIN BITA. I HAVE MET SOME GREAT SMALLER BUSINESSES FROM ALL THE BITA CHAPTERS AND MADE SOME GREAT NEW CONNECTIONS. Eamonn Dolan, Sector Leader – Specialist Trading Businesses at Laing O’Rourke

SUPPORTING THE LIC Long term members, W12, are a one stop shop for maintenance and facility solutions. They are heavily invested in helping local communities thrive, which is why they are proud to partner with the London Irish Centre. Every year the London Irish Centre (LIC) helps over 2,000 people by providing welfare support and hosting loads of Irish community and cultural events designed to enrich lives and bring people together. This year especially, their tireless work throughout the pandemic has been an inspiration to us all. To make sure the LIC can keep making a difference, W12 laced up their trainers and joined the annual London Irish Walk. The goal: walk 50,000 miles to raise £50,000 before St Patrick’s Day. And they smashed it! All staff tracked their steps (even the office dog Alfie) and together they walked over 50,000 miles and were able to exceed their target amount. What’s next for W12? They will continue to support the Centre by raising money when and where they can, in addition to providing them with free maintenance services. As many of you know, the two organizational charities supported by BITA are the London Irish Centre, and the Lighthouse Club. So, we were thrilled to hear that W12 is also now a Company Supporter of the Lighthouse Club. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is the only charity that provides mental, physical, and financial wellbeing support to the construction community and their families. W12 provide the Lighthouse Club with an annual donation to give them ongoing support and link their engineers to the incredible charity.

If you have any questions about these incredible initiatives, questions about how you can help or want to find out more about W12 just visit the website. If you would like to see how they support their communities, visit the London Irish Centre or Lighthouse Club websites. www.bita.ie

DESIGN

THE STADIUM WILL BE MADE ALMOST ENTIRELY FROM WOOD – NATURE’S MOST RENEWABLE BUILDING MATERIAL.

ECO

DESIGN

DIANE BIRCH

DESIGN

’ve been looking forward to this edition of NetWorks, as I have always had an interest in design and how it can elevate, rather than envelop an environment. Eco Park will be the world’s first carbon neutral football club, and home to the Forest Green Rovers (FGR). They have gained special recognition from the UN for their enthusiastic and realistic adoption of eco-thinking and technology and are currently the UK’s only vegan football club. The FGR compete in league two, and the team started their journey to carbon neutrality in 2010 when they were rescued from regional league relegation and financial ruin by Dale Vince OBE, a 59-year-old green energy industrialist and owner of electricity company Ecotricity. Dale left school at 15 and despite spending the 80s as a new age traveller in a van with a wind turbine, he is now a multi-millionaire, entrepreneur, and now of course, a football club boss. His green credentials are impressive, and it was Vince that set the club on its current path. FGR are now more successful than ever, and the novelty of promoting a vegan club has drawn press and mention from all over. Although some of the fans were non-too happy about having their ‘meat pies and sausage rolls’ taken away from them, most of the upset seems to have been quelled after they sampled the new menu.

Thinking even wider than energy and transport, the club is pledging to have a completely organic pitch, with no pesticides used. They will also continue to be 100% vegan on site, this is due to the amount of carbon that the livestock industry produces. Despite some flack from visiting teams (including ham sandwiches being used as pitch missiles) and armchair pundits, some of the players have decided to adopt a plant-based lifestyle full time. However, when plant-based Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerín says that other premier league players have approached him for advice, you know that a change is coming. Hopefully, the Forest Green Rovers’ players won’t have to duck ham sandwiches for long! Clear branding and a mission are integral to success With the music and fashion industry only just starting to think about sustainability when planning festivals and events, it feels like FGR is really ahead of the game. In 10 years, they have grown from a club on the brink of collapse, to one building a new stadium that is a true inspirational leader in sustainability. The team is the best they have ever been, and the press coverage has been amazing. In their quest for carbon neutrality, the club has ended up wrapping their brand around sustainability and are doing very well for it. Clear branding and a mission are integral to success.

Changes that attract media and sponsorship attention

The club isn’t preaching veganism, but due to the uniqueness of their position, it is often mentioned in coverage, as a result they have attracted the sponsorship of businesses that aren’t usually involved with football, like the global meat replacement company Quorn. As the world’s greenest football club prepares to build the world’s greenest stadium, I wondered exactly what went into such an incredible undertaking and how other businesses can learn from what they are doing. Anyone interested in architecture has heard of Zaha Hadid, and the visionary architect’s firm designed the stadium which was approved in 2019. Although in keeping with Hadid’s aesthetic of modernism and smooth, almost organic lines, the structure will be made almost entirely from wood – nature’s most renewable building material and the one with the lowest carbon footprint. The stadium will have on-site solar generation and will be supplied with green energy from Ecotricity, cutting down carbon even further. The site will accommodate 5,000 fans and 1,700 cars (with ample charge points for electric vehicles), with two additional pitches including one with an all-weather 4G surface, so they aren’t skimping on the creature comforts. However, they will also promote biodiversity by planting 500 trees and 1.8km of hedgerows across the landscaped parkland in which it is situated. Aware that people need to get to the stadium, they are also investing in pedestrian safety measures, cycleways, and subsidised match day buses for fans. www.bita.ie

GLASS

HALF FULL Tariq Hussain, Leeds Chapter Chair, on the lockdown growth of his chapter

NETWORKS

It’s been a long year, but the first hints that lockdown will soon come to an end are appearing; invitations to events, weddings being re-booked, and hotels being organised. My inbox has started to receive tentative suggestions for meeting face to face soon, and I couldn’t be happier about it! BITA Leeds was founded in September last year, and although we managed a couple of meet ups with the help of Ascensor offices providing a safe environment, it’s been months since we had a face-to-face event. The few that we did manage to hold were very popular with our members, who were excited to meet at our monthly gatherings. Despite the difficulties, the membership in Leeds continues to grow. I think that people are recognising the impact of forming connections and building relationships, especially as this is an area that has

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unavoidably suffered in the last 12 months. Leeds as a business hub continues to thrive, and there are lots of exciting developments planned where I feel BITA could provide an excellent resource. We were very happy to hear in the recent budget that Leeds, along with Birmingham, will be the location for new offices for the Department for Transport. This will bring a welcome economic boost to the area and help bring civil service jobs to cities outside London; we are waiting to find out exactly where the offices will be. There is also exciting news about the Climate Innovation District due to the successful completion of a 248-pile design, supply, and installation project. The Climate Innovation District is the largest sustainable development currently underway in the UK that will see over 1,000 low carbon homes, as well as manufacturing, leisure, offices, and public facilities being built. Leeds businesses see the value of BITA and its ethos, even more because of the pandemic. This is thanks to the President and the whole BITA team continuing to engage personally with the members. I would like to thank my colleagues in Manchester who have been so willing to share contacts, and with whom we now run online networking events fortnightly on Remo. I am excited to say that we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, and see businesses gearing up for life after lockdown. Our glasses are half full and we are stronger together.

ohn Donne is one of the most famous love poets of the sixteenth century. In later life he became Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral and said in a sermon: “No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” John Donne knew from personal experience the risks associated with working in isolation. If 2020 taught us anything, it is that human beings are intrinsically relational. We need people in our lives to flourish – our families, friends and networks. It’s well documented that isolation and unemployment adversely affect our mental health.

“IT WILL BE OUR AIM TO ENCOURAGE AND CREATE A RELATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE BRIGHTON CHAPTER FOR THOSE BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE NEW TO BITA.”

Our businesses need to grow to sustain us and secure our future. We know businesses do not grow by themselves, they grow because of teams that collaborate to bring commitment and innovation.

If you work alone, networking is even more important Paul Whitnell, the President of BITA, said: “I think the best way to network is to do two things; listen and understand. You don’t need to show everyone your business cards, you need to show them your personality.” It’s important to identify shared interests and find commonality with everyone you meet: “Whatever happens you need to make sure that there is a relationship first, and a solid grounding, before you even think about talking business.” When we’re networking correctly, we don’t simply hand over a business card and connect on LinkedIn. We create longterm relationships with mutual benefits. It takes eleven touch points or points of contact before most people do business. As Simon Sinek said, when you meet people networking, don’t just explain what you do, explain why you do it

and you will find like-minded people with shared values. Once we have made the initial introductions, we need to nurture these relationships and look for opportunities to help others as well as trying to grow our own business. This is what makes BITA different. We are ‘the people who know people that help people.’ Networking during the pandemic has opened up a wealth of online possibilities. BITA will continue to offer virtual networking and seminars as the restrictions ease. It means if there is no chapter nearby or if virtual engagement is simply more convenient, you won’t miss out. We’re convinced the future is bright as we gradually emerge from lockdown. What better place to meet people than on the Sussex coast when we launch our new Brighton Chapter?

Says Paul Edmonds, the founding chairperson of BITA’s Brighton Chapter

“NO MAN IS AN ISLAND…”

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WELLBEING

Lesson No. 2 Growing as a person Thinking back on it now, before the whole world went into pandemonium and absolute chaos, back when my worries consisted of getting marks for being late to school, being caught with chewing gum by a teacher, etc, I was such a naive and little young boy. I was completely naive, full stop. Living life as if everything was pitch perfect and without trouble. Looking back on how I was, I am oh so grateful for how the lockdown has shaped me, as a person. I believe the lockdown has really carved me into a better and more considerate person, who now has realized that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I’ve learned to have a better understanding that the world, while heavenly beautiful from the breathing and gorgeous rainforests to the exotic and delicate sandy coasts, filled with all diverse types of organisms and vibrant plantlife, and producing an endless amount of opportunities right at our fingertips to live and thrive in our short lives, this very eutopia that we inhabit is being completely and utterly destroyed by human beings. They say it is what it is, but I disagree. It is what it is, until it was what it was, and we need to avenge our faults and find ways to reduce the damage that we are doing to our planet. But, for now, this blog is not about that, yet, so back to the main topic of Covid improving me as a person. Covid has, single- handedly, enhanced my emotions, feelings, awareness, and knowledge of many things but, most importantly, what I want to do for the short remainder of my impermanent life here on Earth. Covid has awoken me to live my life with meaning and with intent and to do what I want to do, immediately.

IF YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE YOU START TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING.

Lesson No. 3 Be grateful to have a glass and look at the positives Covid-19 has taught me a heck of a lot and one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is actually from a book that I read, during lockdown (of course), called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by a brilliant author named Charlie Mackesy. The book is a heart-warming adventure about, evidently, a young boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse, and of their journey together. In this book there is a lovely moment of dialogue between the mole and the boy, that I would really like to share with you as what they say has really stuck with me all through this quarantine. “Is your glass half empty or half full?” asked the mole. “I think I’m grateful to have a glass.” said the boy. Always being grateful for what you have is one of the most important if not the most important quality of being a human being. If you are grateful for what you have you start to see the beauty in everything. You turn negatives into positives, no matter how dire your situation is. The tiny, miniscule things that you neglect can turn into some of the most significant and most important things, which are all found out when you are grateful. How I’ve seen this pandemic is that yeah, not seeing my friends is tough, sitting around procrastinating isn’t a nice feeling either, but I have my family with me, I am residing inside my home with heating, hot water, food, clothing on me, electricity, entertainment, means of communication, health, all things that can sometimes be passed as trivial but that so many other people lack. And you know what, thank God for all this. So indeed, quarantine has made me a lot more appreciative and grateful for what I have. And while we all have our own struggles, and this should not be in any way neglected of course, being grateful for the little things helps you see the brighter side of the most dire situations.

My advice and final thoughts A lot has been said on when we’ll all be back in school, when we go back to how things were, when we go back to our “normal” lives. But, in my opinion, along with all that the pandemic has taught me, the way we used to live our “normal” lives was not only in a very ungrateful way, but we used to (but still do) live our lives in an unsustainable, unrelenting, and destructive way, forgetting that the most important factor in our lives is being human. Before the whole pandemic, I believe the world has lost some of its humanity, and through this huge hiatus in common life, hope, belief, and what it means to be human can and has sparked back into our species. We have all taken the prolonged time off for ourselves our thoughts, and through that, I believe, we not only have all learned so much about ourselves, but about what the most important things in life are for all of us. I know that I’ve learned. A lot. I’ve learned that the importance of mental health is critical and vital, and is more important than anything, and I’ve learned ways to cope also with mental issues. This quarantine has been detrimental for all of us, but in my belief, there has never been a more suitable time to use this expression, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. www.bita.ie

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INTRODUCING THE

NEW TRENDS

SECTION

HOME IS WHERE THE IS

RENOVATION KEY TRENDS SHOULDN’T DICTATE HOW YOU DECORATE YOUR SPACE, BUT THEY CAN CERTAINLY HELP GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

2020, the year that everyone was stuck at home looking at the peeling paint work around window-ledges and seriously considering whether laying a new floor might just be the weekend distraction they were looking for! As a nation of house-proud homies, the number of furnishings, decorating projects and other home updates that have taken place in the past 12 months has been incredible. According to Money. co.uk, UK homeowners have spent over £55bn on home projects since the beginning of lockdown, and two-thirds have said more time at home has inspired them to improve their properties. This isn’t just B&Q fuelled DIY, over 40% of SMEs told the Federation of Master Builders that their workloads had increased. The defiant property market probably has something to do with this, as buyers take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, and investors are looking for opportunities due to historically low interest rates. It seems likely that this will continue if the results from a survey from NatWest Bank are anything to go by; 62% of respondents would consider remortgaging to fund home improvements. If nothing else, 2020 was the year that we all became more aware of the spaces that we live in, how they work for us and how we interact with them. As a result of this, and other topics floating around the zeitgeist, there are some exciting new trends expected in 2021 to kick off a creative frenzy: 26

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LAURA WATKINS

DESIGN

Home Offices It’s an obvious one to be sure, but the rise in home working and the willingness of many businesses to consider flexible working after restrictions lift, has fuelled serious investment in home working space. For those that want to keep their lives separate, bookcases that double as room dividers offer an excellent way of separating working and relaxing spaces, whilst also being useful for both. However, the purchase by many of interesting vases and exotic plants, investment furniture and statement desks, promote using the office space as a focal point, rather than something to be shunted to the side. We’ll all be spending lots of time using it after all, so why not create an area that stimulates you?

Eco design As we all know, culturally we are moving towards an eco-friendlier way of life, which can be excellent news for home furnishings. As we become more eco-aware, people are starting to neglect man-made fabrics like polyester and polymers, and embrace natural materials like rattan, bamboo, cotton and wool. Beautiful throws and bedspreads, statement headboards and much more can all add a luxurious feel to the home and can create dramatic accents. They can be most costly, but they are often more durable and nicer to interact with.

Textures More time at home means more time interacting with our furnishings and many people seem to be turning towards incorporating interesting textures into their surroundings. Handmade tiles with non-uniform edges and colouring, hand-tufted Berber rugs and hanging weavings on walls are all seeing a resurgence in popularity. Along with the return of textured wallpaper, we are also seeing textured furniture, with fluted details, reeded sections and thin slat-like grooves taking over furniture from sideboards to wardrobes. We can’t help but feel that this is also rooted in the eco trend of using materials that are natural and more tactile in nature.

Vintage and Upcycling Antique, upcycled and retro pieces can work surprisingly well in any modern design scheme. The key with this is to pick and chose carefully as a little really does go a long way. Mid-century modern furniture is great, but you probably don’t want to create a living room that looks like a Mad Men set. Due to the popularity of vintage pieces, there are lots of mass-produced and cheaply made replicas around, so if you can afford it, consider investing in a period piece from somewhere like Vinterior or a local dealer – they don’t need to cost the earth! Incorporate your chosen pieces in whatever style room you like, the key is to reference the look, rather than slavishly reproduce it everywhere. www.bita.ie

DESIGN

Cottagecore Nostalgia had a moment in 2020 and this will most likely continue into the next few years. Cottagecore is an idealised notion of what instagrammers think the agricultural cottage life looked like. Think mixing Scandi design with classic prints like William Morris’ ‘The Strawberry Thief’. It’s about wicker baskets, and beautiful teacups, dried flowers and patterned wallpaper. Channel your inner grandmother and experiment with this cute trend.

Bright Tropicals When we do return to the outside world, we’ll all be hit with a sea of pasty faces that haven’t seen a beach in a while. With the rise in the staycation and holidays seeming a long way off, the tropical aesthetic is rising in popularity. Bright colours are uplifting against darker tropical wallpaper, and large, beautiful plants with shiny leaves sit glossily in corners. Take inspiration from distant shores with ethnic prints, bold colour choices and lots of greenery!

Green

Flout the rules! It seems that many of us will be spending more time at our homes, so it’s important we make sure they add to our sense of wellbeing and enjoyment of life. Investigating these (and other) trends can provide exciting inspiration to home improvement projects, where it can be difficult to break out of the habit of doing variations on what we’ve done before. If you want to experiment, try having different themes in different rooms! The rules of home design may be written down, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them – create a space that inspires you.

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Speaking of green, have you heard about green kitchens, specifically sage green? It’s set to be a trend this year and it meshes so well with popular eco and biophilic design (see page 36). The colour works with both cool and warm colour pallets so is great for creating a cosy space in any kitchen. Green also works wonderfully with marble countertops to bring out the veining. Green looks set to be a popular colour just about anywhere, so don’t feel restricted to using it in the kitchen.

WE CREATE YOUR WORKSPACE

OFFICE . SCHOOL . HEALTHCARE . LEISURE . RETAIL . INDUSTRIAL . WAREHOUSE

SPACE PLANNING . INTERIOR DESIGN . FIT OUT . REFURBISHMENT . FURNITURE . RELOCATION . DILAPIDATIONS We are Rap Interiors. An award winning, family business delivering fantastic workspace solutions for UK businesses since 1988.

Whether you’re looking to create a break out space, revamp outdated washrooms, redesign your workspace for growth or looking for a completely new look to your offices, then we are the company for you. Our team will work with you from initial design concepts to fit out stage, helping you choose furniture, flooring, decorations, lighting and more that will transform your workspace and inspire your staff. With our knowledge in the latest fit out trends for offices, schools and even care homes, we transform workplace environments with no fuss.

IT’S SIMPLE FOR US, WE ARE THE EXPERTS!

LOOKING FOR OFFICE NORMALITY AFTER COVID-19? Get in touch for your FREE design consultation with our POST-COVID team. t: 0333 600 1234

e: refurb@rapinteriors.co.uk

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17/03/2021 14:27:31

THE KEY MESSAGE HERE IS THAT THE PAPERWORK WILL NOT NECESSARILY PROTECT YOU, IF IN REALITY, THE RELATIONSHIP IS DIFFERENT TO WHAT IS STATED. Julia Terry – Head of HR Peopletime Ltd

The long-awaited outcome of the Uber case was finally decided at the Supreme Court last week after a lengthy legal battle lasting over 4 years. This case has received a lot of attention but why is it so important? At an employment tribunal in 2016, two former Uber drivers, Mr Aslam and Mr Farrar claimed that they should be paid the minimum wage and receive paid annual leave while working as drivers for Uber. Uber argued that their drivers were self-employed, independent contractors, and that it owed them no worker or employee obligations. Uber’s contracts described Mr Aslam and Mr Farrar as “partners” and stated that “nothing shall create an employment relationship between Uber and the partner”. Aslam and Farrar argued that this was a sham. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 section 230 (and equivalent sections in the NMWA 1998) a “worker”

who is entitled to the minimum wage or paid holidays is anyone (a) with a contract of employment or (b) anyone who personally performs work but not for a client or customer. Mr Aslam and Mr Farrar contended they were workers. The employment tribunal unanimously held that Mr Aslam and Mr Farrar were “workers” within the definition in s.230(3) (b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 and were thus entitled to the minimum wage and holiday pay. The Appeal Courts agreed, and Uber lost the case last week at the Supreme Court. The main issue here was how much control was exerted over the drivers by Uber. Uber set the fares, set the contract terms, could penalise drivers if they rejected too many rides and could terminate them if their star rating if was not good enough. All of this pointed away from a genuine self-employed status and towards being a worker, which then afforded them certain rights.

www.bita.ie

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ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Julie Anderson, Director of Rap Interiors, considers what trends will be sweeping office spaces in 2021

THE

COMING

TRENDS RAP INTERIORS ARE 30 YEARS ESTABLISHED IN OFFICE AND WORKSPACE DESIGN AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVER CHANGING WORKSPACE.

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s with anything else in design, there are always trends when it comes to fitting out office spaces. Moods change and businesses become infatuated with different ways of working and of boosting staff efficiency. 2020 saw offices across the UK and Ireland become empty or running at low capacity, the once exciting and collaborative workspaces becoming dormant and quiet. This forced social experiment made people work from home and rely on technology, rather than face to face communication, to get work done and now the question remains; what will become of all the office space? Despite expectations to the contrary, across many industries remote working has been a success, resulting in a culture shift that favours employee wellbeing and

a better work/life balance. We expect to see office designs that lend themselves to this change. Spaces are likely to be more agile in their design to give employees the freedom to choose how they want to work, with multiple work zones replacing seas of desks. An increase in flexible working will also see the introduction of technology to facilitate communication between those in the office and those at home. There is confidence in the market; legal firm Hardwicke Chambers has already taken steps in creating an agile, pro-wellbeing workspace. The new office includes a flexible “hub” for people to enjoy, two roof terraces and state of the art IT to enable people to “plug in and play” in different areas of the office. Meanwhile Google has confirmed plans for a new, £1billion, 11-storey headquarters in Kings Cross.

DESIGN

Flexible Office Space on the Rise Continuing a growing trend, we also predict that we will see a rise in flexible office spaces. These are essentially prefitted “plug in and play” workspaces that are typically available on monthly rolling contracts. Flex offices often include stocked kitchenettes, trendy interiors and networking events, making them an attractive alternative to offices on a long-term lease. With a renewed focus on staff wellbeing, we expect to see workplaces invest into the Hygge approach for working. Hygge is a Danish concept that “is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. A feeling of home … giving your responsible, stressed out achiever a break”.i There are a few ways to support hygge in the work environment. Having a breakout room is important for employees to take a break and have the time to bond with their colleagues. This can encourage idea sharing and collaboration to create a sense of community, trust and support amongst the teams, as well recognition for individuals. Providing staff the opportunity to personalise desk spaces with their own belongings transforms their working spaces into a sanctuary-like spot just for them. Another trend that is centred around employee wellbeing and meshes well with the Hygge concept, is biophilic design, or bringing the outdoors in (see page 36). This is done by using natural materials, increasing natural light, and of course, plants. Many businesses aren’t in a position to have real plants under a maintenance

contract and don’t want to go down the plastic plant route for aesthetic and sustainability reasons. It is in these circumstances that we can use a new option – preserved foliage from Innerspace Cheshire. This is real preserved plant material that requires little maintenance but contains no plastic. Walls of moss and easy to care for succulents are also proving a popular way to improve worker’s moods and productivity. With an eye to the future, we also expect that businesses will continue to consider sustainability when it comes to office spaces, and there are some wonderful options available. Recycled materials being transformed into building materials and walls and design features made from recycled plastic have been some of the recent innovations, and we also know that fellow BITA members Go Green Office Solutions can talk to anyone looking for refurbished office furniture to cut down on their carbon footprint. Ethical design is also leading to a rise in the use of bamboo in furniture. As you can probably tell, these 2021 trends fit very well together. The office spaces of the future are bright and airy, with natural materials and vibrancy from plants, with a feel of community and home and an eye on sustainability. That sounds like a nice and productive working environment to us!

Meik Wiking, Little Book of Hygge

www.rapinteriors.co.uk 31

TRANQUILLITY

AWAITS WE’RE ALL EXPECTING TO HAVE MORE STAYCATIONS THIS YEAR, SO NOW IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR GARDEN TO WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Marc Piechocki, Director of Landscape Design firm I-Echo and BITA member, spots the latest trends for your garden this year

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or many people this past 12 months, their garden has been functioning as a holiday destination. With staycations being thrust upon us, gardens have become even more important for families as a place to relax and decompress, but also as a place to socialise and build on relationships – whether with members of the household, neighbours, or a few friends. The garden functions as an oasis surrounding your home and transporting your mind away from the dayto-day humdrum. It’s become the view from your new office window, the place for lazy lunches, and where the family goes to get some fresh air and a bit of space. Of course, those that have invested in their gardens over the years with time and care (and yes, money) will probably have a better view than those who haven’t; bare ground and struggling flower beds can be more of a source of consternation than relaxation. But now most of us are experiencing free time at the weekends, and we can plan while looking out of our new office windows; there has never been a better time to invest in your garden. Making the garden an extension of your home Styling in gardens has had a gradual shift over the last 6 years, and most now combine traditional and contemporary elements of garden design to interesting results. Clean contemporary lines blend with traditional elements, including more rustic and natural materials and planting styles. A stunning trend that we have seen is combining modern porcelain for paving in conjunction with raw oak pergolas. The result provides a beautiful example of how crisp, sharp edges can combine with warmer natural materials, resulting in a modern, yet relaxing space. In the same vein, people are also incorporating natural stone cladding with crisp modern render, resulting in a similar and just as delightful space. One of the biggest changes to gardens in recent years, is the increasing trend for people to want to use them almost as an extension of the home. They require absolute escapism, tranquillity, and luxury, whilst having all the comforts of home. These carefully thought-out places function on multiple levels, being a place of relaxation, family space, entertainment, dining and more. Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather around the British Isles, it is also becoming essential in many homes that gardens functions in any weather, and at any time of day.

DESIGN

WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNING SOME INCREDIBLE SPACES THIS YEAR, AND THERE ARE EVERAL ITEMS THAT ARE AT THE TOP OF EVERYONE’S WISH LIST FOR 2021: Firepits: Firepits in the garden have always been popular but new piped gas fire tables are the hassle-free solution for enjoying a warm garden, all year round. Installing these within a cosy sunken area surrounded by comfy built-in sofas, will create a sheltered nook to entertain all your friends.

Sofas: Outdoor Sofas that are comfy and stylish are high on the list of requirements for the garden. There are many varieties, so make sure the ones you pick work with your space and your lifestyle. Easy clean, fold away, weatherproof – there are lots of options here.

Bio Climatic Pergolas: Escaping outside in all weathers can be achieved with the latest state of the art Bio Climatic pergolas where you can be undercover on those wet days. When the sought-after sunny moments appear, you can control the opening and closing roofs and sides. Upgrades can include Bluetooth speakers and infrared heaters, and by using the ultimate in glass technology, the touch of a button will transform your structure into a private room by obscuring the glass.

Modular Outdoor Kitchens: Modular outdoor kitchens are flexible, functional, stylish and can be installed without the upheaval of traditional brick construction methods. Configure your perfect arrangement and install on existing paving within hours. From more exotic elements like charcoal BBQs and teppanyaki burners, to traditional items including fridges and sinks, there are a surprising number of configurations available.

To talk to Marc about your garden, please visit https://www.iecho.london/ or email him: marc@i-echo.co.uk www.bita.ie

SEAMUS KEENAN

DESIGN

ARCHITECTURAL

JOINERY AND DESIGN A NEW CHAPTER FOR ST EDWARDS, OXFORD

THE STUNNING COLLEGIATESTYLE ROE READING ROOM ENCOURAGES QUIET AND THOUGHTFUL STUDY.

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nspired design, scrupulous planning and ambitious execution; this is what it took for St. Edward’s School in Oxford to recently open its doors as a world class academic facility. St. Edward’s School is set in 100 acres of North Oxford. The School is made up of 13 Houses, five for girls, seven for boys, and one new co-ed House which was opened in 2020. Construction on the Quad Development was the most significant project at the School for over 100 years, creating a new Study Centre, Library and Hall. This major development, at the very heart of the school’s Victorian Quad, is the culmination of a two-year project, consisting of the design and construction of a new build study centre, hall, library, reading room and foyer, providing innovative, modern and flexible teaching spaces. The highest in quality architecture and design. The main academic facility houses a modern and bright library where pupils can collaborate on ideas and discussion, with breakout spaces available. The Oxley Library sits alongside flexible classroom spaces that can be shrunk or enlarged as needed, and the stunning collegiate-style Roe Reading Room, reminiscent of an Oxford College, sits on the top floor, encouraging quiet and thoughtful study. The elliptical shaped Olivier Hall had many challenging design features. With four different curved oak wall panelling designs spread over three floor levels with ever changing radii. A 3D Laser Point Cloud Survey was used to help

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design, prefabricate and set out all the varying radius panels off site and simplify the installation processes onsite system. On the two balcony levels a stainless-steel tubular lighting rail was incorporated into radius wall panels. These panels had to be carefully scribed around the rail system neatly. Under the seating on the balcony level, a plenum was constructed for the heating and cooling of the Hall. The air tightness properties were important to ensure the system worked successfully. 58 pairs of bespoke tri-folding wooden shutters were also constructed for all the windows, and 10 sets of acoustic double doors with matching oak panelling to access the main auditorium over the three levels. Providing samples to the School and their design team was important on these items to ensure expectations were met, both in terms of aesthetics and function, prior to going into fabrication and installing the finish products. As one of England’s most historically significant colleges at the University of Oxford, this brandnew state of the art academic centre of excellence was designed to embrace new ways of learning, bringing vitality and dynamism to the modern-day learning environment now and for the future.

The sector is constantly demanding innovation

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CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ARE OVERCOMING TECHNICAL CHALLENGES ON PROJECTS EVERY DAY

In past projects that you have been involved in, did you come up against any challenges that required bespoke solution and innovation? Every large construction project has challenges, many are never straight forward! Every large project needs solutions and innovation to adapt to the circumstances. I’ve worked on a vast number of challenging schemes, however, my most recent challenging experience was in Glasgow. This involved building a 16 story concrete frame for a hotel, next to an underground railway tunnel. There was a lot of innovation needed in the design development process, in correspondence to deadening the vibration from the railway tunnel, making sure the guests wouldn’t be interrupted! This meant the whole concrete frame and everything attached to the frame below ground floor needed isolated. A bespoke solution and an innovative approach towards this project was mandatory in aid to complete the project successfully! Did you realise you could get R&D tax credits when solving design issues? To be honest, not until very recently. It’s not something you hear talked about in construction! Even at high level within construction companies, R&D tax credits aren’t heard of! I’ve spoken to many people in construction and those especially at main contract level, design level and subcontract level weren’t aware of R&D tax credits. I didn’t realise until lately and I don’t think many others know that R&D tax credits are available.

An Interview with Paul Gormley, our Senior Construction Technical Director

If you were to speak to your peers, what would you tell them about claiming R&D tax? My first bit of advice would be to lift the phone and make an enquiry. With construction and the current climate, people are operating outside of their comfort zone, going over and above to design and build structures. Many construction companies aren’t aware that you can legitimately claim tax credits for the hard work that they are doing! Secondly, there’s nothing to lose by lifting the phone, getting in touch and seeing where it goes! Claiming R&D tax is defiantly something many of my family and friends aren’t aware of. It’s a relatively unknown area of expertise that not enough people know about. There really is no harm done making an enquiry!

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Why should I run a financial forecast? Forecasting is a planning process that helps better confront future uncertainties. It relies on past and present data to identify trends and uses these to project outcomes. Forecasting scenarios of the company’s future can be invaluable when making key decisions, such as hiring staff, investing in equipment, chasing sales opportunities and investing in marketing. Forecasts are used in a variety of ways within a business. Management might forecast to make decisions on pricing a large contract or purchasing required inventory levels so as not to lose orders while avoiding tying up more cash than necessary in stock. Forecasts can also be used in the development of a financial budget, a cash management plan or creating a pathway for the company’s short-term and long-term strategic vision.

GET IN TOUCH Whatever the circumstances you find your business in, know that you’re not alone and that EFM team is here to support you. If you would like to find out more about our bespoke, part-time financial management services, contact the EFM team via clientcare@efm.uk.com or call 01582 516300

Forecasting is extremely important for any business, but unfortunately, many small businesses do not conduct this process. Business owners are often, quite understandably too busy solving problems and searching for the next sale and do not make time for forward thinking. With good and accurate forecasting you can create a long-term direction for the company to head in – essential even when day to day challenges seem more pressing. This is the overall vision for the organisation and can sometimes include the development of a mission statement (a document that sets out the overall high-level goals and objectives of the business). A long-term vision often look five or more years into the future and can be very broad.

EFM offers a free bespoke 1:1 Financial consultation to all BITA members

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AND OPEN SPACES WHETHER IN THE OFFICE OR HOME, IMPROVES SELF-ESTEEM, CREATIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT ON DAY-TO-DAY TASKS.

HOW ‘BIOPHILIA’ CAN HELP US THRIVE

BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN

NATURAL LIGHT, GREENERY,

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lthough people adopted the idea of plant ownership (for decoration rather than food) thousands of years ago, only recently has it become a hobby that everyone can participate in. The wealthy Egyptians, Greeks and Romans kept houseplants, and owning decorative plants remained a signifier of wealth through the renaissance and age of reason, as the wellto-do outcompeted each other with increasingly elaborate gardens, orangeries, and greenhouses. It was only in the Victorian era, with developments in heating and home design (including more natural light), that the middle and later working classes could get involved. Over the last few years, it’s safe to say that houseplants have become a trend, with multiple hashtags used across Instagram, and whole forums on Facebook and Reddit being devoted to sharing tips on plant care, and images from proud plant owners. The clean-living trend certainly promotes plants as an avenue to wellness, and there is growing evidence that plants can help you to de-stress, heighten productivity, and even help recover from illnesses faster. i

Plants; boost your mood and increase productivity Not only do plants fulfil the need for people to nurture something, but they are able to thrive on much less attention than a pet, or child; important when working long hours! In addition, many people are now in homes without gardens meaning that if they want to experience the wellbeing impact of nature at home, they need to bring the outside in. The same impact can also benefit people at work. With the increase in office working in the 50’s, plants were used more to liven up often sterile working environments. This has continued to be a popular way of brightening up office space, and with new technology and understanding of the impact plants have on wellbeing, it’s something that many companies have been keen to develop.

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In 2014, one of the first studies into the longterm effects of office plants found a clear return on investment as employees were significantly more productive when surrounded by plants. Lead author Marlon Nieuwenhuis said that “simply enriching a previously Spartan space with plants served to increase productivity by 15%. This identifies a pathway to a more enjoyable, more comfortable and a more profitable form of officebased working.” Humans have a natural tendency to affiliate with nature; many studies have found blood pressure reduces when people are in the presence of plants and as a result, they are left feeling less stressed and more energised. There are many low maintenance options for businesses looking to include more biophilic design elements into their office space (see page 30). Julie Anderson of Rap Interiors says “many workspaces love the idea of greenery and let’s face it bringing the outside in is a moodbooster for anyone. But not all offices like the maintenance of watering the plants, so very soon they don’t look great. With biophilic office deign incorporating living walls, you can create amazing

LAURA WATKINS

DESIGN

STARTING YOUR OWN HOME OR OFFICE GARDEN If you are considering starting your own home or office garden, it’s important to always consider the space that the plant will be occupying. You may think that the jasmine is beautiful, but if you have the wrong environment then it will soon become a depressing brown. Luckily, there are some beautiful, hard-to-kill plants that will brighten up any home or office space. Remember if you are looking for office plants, don’t get one with flowers if anyone has an allergy!

Pothos: Also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves that can grow in low or artificial light. It even lasts well if you forget to water it.

Snake Plant: Also known as ‘mother-inlaw’s tongue’, the snake plant has stiff dark green and yellow leaves. It thrives in low light and also prefers a dryer environment.

Spider Plant:

focus points. In the breakout zones, office areas, reception welcome areas, a clever living wall design can be the talk of the town. We even have one in our own office.” Biophilic design doesn’t just mean plants; natural materials – including wood and stone, increasing natural light, clever use of colour and an outside view are all ways that offices can be structured in a way that incorporates elements of nature. The increase of this kind of design in the workspace meshes well with both the desires of staff and management. A UK study, ‘The Relative Benefits of Green verses Lean Office Space’ ii, found that workers are 15% more productive if they have a higher level of contact with nature in their work environment. According to Rap Interiors, increasing the amount of natural light also increases creation of melatonin so that employees can have a better night’s sleep and feel more rested during the day. Utilising more windows with an open plan interior design and more collaborative workspaces, will boost the office environment and employee’s loyalty by 53% across all workers and even more with millennials at two thirds.

i ii

The spider plant is popular for a reason – it’s a lovely vibrant plant that grows in indirect light and doesn’t need too much watering. It also sends out runners with spiderlings, so you can pot them up too and have even more plants.

Succulents and Cacti: These neglect-proof plants are excellent for beginners – just put them in a pot and don’t water them too much!

Natural light, greenery, and open spaces whether in the office or home, improves self-esteem, creativity and engagement on day-to-day tasks. There is even evidence that it can result in a reduction in absenteeism and increase staff retention, ultimately making a positive impact on company’s operating costs. There is growing data to back up the multiple benefits that well-cared for plants can have on people, and with the proliferation of helpful guides online, and the abundance of affordable yet striking plants on offer, now is an excellent time to start incorporating biophilic design in your own environment.

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264395358_The_Relative_Benefits_of_Green_Versus_Lean_Office_Space_Three_Field_Experiments 37

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COMMUNITY

CORK CORNER! Tina Coy, Chair of the Cork Chapter, discusses new developments in Cork and how it continues to become an ever-more attractive place to do business

LAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO OPEN OFFICES IN CORK AND LIMERICK

ecently announced and great news to hear is the Land Development Agency (LDA) has announced plans to begin opening offices outside Dublin, starting with Cork and Limerick. This initiative is recognising the role of the LDA as a national agency who are gearing to boost the scale of our cities outside of Dublin. Cork has seen a number of major infrastructure projects completed and others approved in the past number of years, and this expansion is in line with Project Irelands 2040 ambitions for growth outside of Dublin. These plans are to increase the supply of affordable housing through the use of efficient use of state land. An example of this is the planning application to build 260 new homes on the site of St. Kevin’s Hospital in Cork. It has also formed a partnership with Cork City Council to bring forward plans for the regeneration of a 146-acre site in Cork Docklands. This together with the state-of-the-art office space completed around the train station and docklands area will further enhance the offering

to business, commercial, retail, services, social and accommodation across the city. Supporting regional development outside of Dublin will be key to making our second city more attractive internationally. Expanding firms Apple, Amazon and Alter Domus have given Cork a triple-A

rating and offices boost to the city, these developments in our docklands will support this thriving community. We watch with interest and enthusiasm for the regeneration of this area and sustainable growth of our beautiful city.

IRELAND’S NEWEST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY AS CORK AND TRALEE IT MERGE

n January 2021, the long-awaited merger of CIT and IT Tralee gave us the Munster Technological University or MTU. This is a multi-campus technological university, consisting of six campuses in Cork and Kerry and offer a world of opportunities for its students, and stake holders. It aims to develop and expand already deep linkages between both Cork and Kerry facilities and high-tech industries in the engineering, IT, and pharmaceuticalbiotech areas. MTU can accommodate 23,000 students across Cork and Kerry, with 140 plus courses and programmes, they partner with industry with dynamic cross sector relationships with start-ups, innovators, and industry

leading companies in the region. MTU also are involved in leading research by development of multi-disciplinary, industry focused research programmes with national and international partners. They are continuing to invest in the future with state-of-the-art research, education, enterprise, cultural and sports facilities. Cork now has 2 universities in situ offering students wide choices of continued education both day and night courses. Fostering enterprise and innovation will lead to a stronger economy ensuring that the region will continue to flourish and offer our young people the opportunity to develop skills that are in great demand.

THE DOCKLAND DEVELOPMENTS WILL SUPPORT OUR THRIVING COMMUNITY. Cork University www.bita.ie

YOUR TRUSTED ADVISORS FOR BREXIT AND IRISH BUSINESS ADVICE As an Irish based accountancy and business advisory firm, Roberts Nathan assists frustrated UK and Irish business owners who are confused, worried, and uncertain where to turn to in a bid to maintain their turnover and profitability following Brexit.

Aidan Scollard, Chartered Accountant Partner, Roberts Nathan Dublin Chapter Chair of BITA

For accurate advice you can rely on, please contact us directly: www.robertsnathan.com +353 (0) 1 876 4550 aidan.scollard@robertsnathan.com

BUSINESS

CHALLENGES FOR UK DIRECTORS ON IRISH COMPANIES Brexit has raised challenges for a number of companies and their Directors in the UK and Ireland. Roberts Nathan Partner, and Dublin Chair, Aidan Scollard, explains

he EU and the UK finally reached agreement on a Free Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), avoiding a hard Brexit in late December. As a result, the UK has left the EU and therefore is no longer part of the EU single market and customs union and is now regarded as a third country. This results in potentially significant changes for UK resident Directors of Irish registered companies as the UK now becomes a third country. Although there are more than 60,000 Irish Directorships of UK registered companies there are also a significant number of UK based directors of Irish companies. EEA Resident Director Requirement Companies Registration Office (the Irish equivalent of Companies House) had previously alerted that under Irish company law an Irish registered company must have at least one European Economic Area (EEA) resident Director on the board on an ongoing basis or a bond in place to cover filing liabilities. Many Directors based in the UK who are either of Irish descent or UK based companies who have established Irish entities as part of their Brexit planning will need to consider this change. Where an existing Irish company has fulfilled this Director requirement by appointing a UK resident director this will no longer qualify and they should now consider replacing that director or adding an additional director who is an EEA-resident. This requirement is based on residency, not nationality and so, a company director of Irish nationality who lives in the UK and has done so for a number of years is unlikely to satisfy the EEA requirement in the future.

UK BASED DIRECTORS NO LONGER QUALIFY AS EEA RESIDENT DIRECTORS FOR IRISH REGISTERED COMPANIES. TIME FOR A REVIEW OF YOUR IRISH COMPANY BOARD AS A RESULT OF RECENT BREXIT CHANGES.

There are a few options available: EEA resident Appoint an EEA resident to your Irish company board.

Put a bond in place It is possible for a company to put in place a Section 137 Revenue Bond which is an insurance policy that CRO approve in replacement of having an EEA resident individual on the board. This insurance policy covers against fines or penalties incurred to the value of €25,000 for noncompliance and covers the company for a period of two years at which point the company will either need to renew the bond or appoint a director who meets the requirement. The bonds are relatively easy to put in place but will have a premium cost to maintain for the twoyear period and we have put these in place for a number of clients recently.

The Exception to the Rule – ‘Real and Continuous link’ It is possible for the Directors of an Irish Company who have no EEA-resident Directors to apply to the Irish Revenue Commissioners for a Statement under Section 140 of the Companies Act 2014 which, if granted, will relieve the company from the requirement to hold a Bond or to have an EEAresident director. This Statement is granted based on the company having a ‘real and continuous link to the State of Ireland’. This Statement is granted based on retrospective activity and will generally not be granted to a company that intends to have a real and continuous link to the state. This is a basis that can be used for Irish operating subsidiaries where they can clearly prove that there is a real and continuous activity here in the Irish state, but care needs to be taken on the residency implications for the company also.

Final Word Company Directors need to consider the implications since the UK has left the EU and consider their options. As with any legal or accounting issue early advice is important. Contact us if you wish to discuss the impacts of any of these changes to your company structures here in Ireland or any planning requirements or to obtain a bond. aidan.scollard@robertsnathan.com www.robertsnathan.com

BRILLIANT

BIKES Talking to Michael Barratt MBE about the BITA members involved in the Constructors Cycle Experience

argo bikes have been around since the Industrial Revolution. In 1856, mass production dramatically reduced the price of steel, which, along with the invention of the pneumatic tyre in 1888, helped kickstart the bicycle revolution and the birth of the first cargo bikes. The Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy 2018 sets out a vision for a healthier, greener, and more prosperous city. The strategy makes clear that a new type of thinking is required to increase active, efficient, and sustainable travel to help achieve this vision for London. Cycling is central to attaining a healthier lifestyle and has the bonus of being ‘almost’ emission free. Many companies within London are now utilising the benefits from cycling within their business and some are having their goods delivered by cargo bike. This opens a big opportunity for the construction industry to get involved. The benefits of using a cargo bike can help reduce traffic congestion, conflicts with vulnerable road users, bus delay, impacts on health and the environment, fuel costs, driver time and help local economies. BITA on Santander Hire cycles To date, over 50 BITA members have taken part in a ‘Constructors Cycle Experience.’ For many, the invitation to get on a Santander hire bike and riding the streets of London is met with a response of ‘you won’t get me on a bloody bike’. However, after gentle persuasion many succumb and afterwards tell me that they enjoyed themselves and even that they are considering taking up cycling. One fine example was when Mr. Noel Byrne, Director at Ardentide, was enticed into the saddle. Some members will also say they’ve been ‘nudged’ into trying out cargo bikes within their business.

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HAVING A GO ON THE BIKES WAS GREAT CRAIC AND DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO TRIALLING AT WORK!

ENVIRONMENT

FACING IMAGE: Seamus Keenan on his experience day at Olympic Park. TOP: Colleen and James McCoy on their cycle experience. LOWER: Dedicated cargo bike loading area.

BITA using cargo bikes After attending a cycle experience, a discussion took place with Colleen and James McCoy exploring the benefits of sustainable transport the possibility of trialling a cargo bike to deliver their innovative bench instead of by van. “You can’t deliver this kind of kit by bike” replied Mr. McCoy. After a detailed explanation, both were up for the challenge and a couple of weeks later they were delivering to the Crossrail joint venture by bike – the first company to do so as far as I’m aware! PedalMe’s Urban Arrow cargo bikes have electric assist and the capability to pull a trailer: the method used for the McCoy delivery. The trial was deemed a triumph and all involved were very pleased with the outcome. Since then, Colleen arranges cargo bike deliveries where she can as part of her business. “It was more a case of not knowing about cargo cycle couriers rather than fearing it.” Says Colleen; “An easy online account helps organise bookings, which coincides with construction site organising delivery slots. The first time we used the method, the thought of damage during transit did cross our minds. However, the rider strapped it down in all the right places and the parcels arrived safely. It was surprising the amount of space on the cargo bike as well as the aspect of delivering a couple of flat pack work bench’s, FAB Bench 700, to site within an hour. That’s fast in London traffic! The photographs of site delivery are a great way of confirming arrival of packages as well as for social media posts.” Many others have been involved and with great success too. Speedy Hire have made over 80 deliveries by cargo bike to a variety of sites across London including Tideway and HS2. Matt Seaman, Speedy Business Development Director, explains; “At Speedy, environment is very important, and this delivery service helps us to reduce our carbon impact and improve air quality for Londoners. This service in the future will be absolutely vital for transporting equipment around London

to our customer projects in London due to the increasing drive to increase air quality, restrict vehicle movement and pedestrianise key areas of the City.” O’Neil and Brennan are the logistics contractor for the Britannia project in Hackney. We (TfL, Hackney Council, Morgan Sindall and O&B) collaborated to set up an exemplar logistics model that included cargo bike deliveries to site. There is a dedicated and signed cargo bike loading area, regular deliveries by bike and traffic marshals have been trained on how to manage the bikes on arrival. According to Barry Mitchell, Operations Manager at O’Neil and Brennan, the benefits of using bikes have included “the speed/efficiency of delivery, avoiding wait times in heavy traffic, Co2 emission savings, and avoiding having to go through a busy booking delivery management system. We also speed productivity for other trades by not taking up loading bay slots. The only thing to note is the additional cost, as orders usually come with free delivery. This will be factored in on future project delivery costs, so we can utilise the service more.” Other companies that have been willing engage with the experience days include Seamus Keenan, CEO of Keenwood and Jon Overman, MD at HSS, who have both tried out a cargo bike. I met with them recently, and they both have interest in progressing with the bikes. “After Michael supplied a demo on balance, brakes, steering and gears it was time to try it out.” Says Seamus; “It was really strange to handle! Very sensitive, easy to oversteer and like cycling with two shopping trolleys in front. But after a

couple of figures of 8s I was ready to go. It was great craic and definitely look forward to trialling at work.” Following a successful day at the Olympic Park, Jon said that “HSS Hire are always looking for innovation and the use of Cargo bikes are definitely one we see huge value in. Working with Michael and his team we have brought this to life with a ride on a cargo bike at the Olympic Park and using his experience we are in the process of procuring our first bike to be used in one of our central London stores.” When considering climate change, air quality, vision zero and an already constrained road network that is changing to accommodate sustainable modes, companies should be seriously considering cargo bikes as a practical option. Encouraging use My team and I have drafted a ‘Cargo Bikes in Construction Guidance’ document which will hopefully be published later this year. Until then, we have a detailed presentation on the topic which can be supplied on request and there is also a ‘Cargo Bikes in Construction’ working group where all interested parties can find out more on the dynamics of cargo bike logistics.

If members wish to find out more about cargo bikes and to join the working group, please get in contact: michael.barratt@tfl.gov.uk www.bita.ie

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IR35:

BIG TAX CHANGES FOR FREELANCERS

New tax rules re IR35 for the Private Sector are scheduled to come into force on 1st April 2021. This is a fundamental change to the IR35 legislation which has been around since 2000. This will affect businesses who engage freelancers where the freelancer uses a Personal Service Company to provide their services. From April 2020 the IR35 responsibility and liability passes from the PSC to the client or engager. These new rules are a significant change to what has existed for the last 20 years and businesses need to be prepared. Ardent Tide has a wealth of experience in dealing with IR35 in the private and public sector. Many of the changes that are proposed came in to the Public Sector in 2017 and Ardent Tide has helped its clients navigate safely through these significant changes. If you would like to discuss the forthcoming change, and how it might affect your business, please get in touch.

CONSTRUCTION Domestic Reverse Charge for VAT New VAT Rules for Subcontractors in Construction are being introduced from the 1st March 2021. This is likely to have a significant impact on construction businesses who fall into the CIS tax scheme. For many subcontractors this will have a negative impact on their cashflow.

If you would like to discuss how either of the above changes might affect your business then please get in touch with us at Ardent Tide

J Coffey Construction are recruiting for the following positions: Graduate Construction Managers & Engineers Apprentice Site Managers & Quantity Surveyors Trainee Formworkers (NVQ Progression) To apply, please send your CV to: gigoe@jcoffey.co.uk

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GROWING IN A PANDEMIC

E+M

Eleciserve E+M are privately owned electrical & mechanical contractors. We operate across a vast degree of sectors, from high end hotels / residential and offices to distribution and HS2 works - with over 100 engineers in house and growing Eleciserve E+M can accommodate on all projects for Electrical and Mechanical across all sectors. We have seen growth in demand for our services throughout the pandemic, we believe this is down to our hands on approach and utilising our own staff in house gives us more control on the quality of the projects we deliver. Eleciserve also offers a turnkey design and build service, again with our own in house design team this allows us to turn design requirements & client led changes around very quickly. We are very forward thinking with the utilisation of 3D BIM software and collaborative workspace communication software. Whilst we continue to grow, Eleciserve remains a family based and orientated company at heart - we constantly re-invest in our team who have been on the journey with us. Our aim is to offer a tier 1 service without the tier 1 cost.

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COMMUNITY

LIVERPOOL

GROWING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Sarah McCartney, Chair of the Liverpool Chapter, introduces her new board members

he last few months have been an interesting time for the BITA Community in Liverpool as we continue to run our weekly zoom meetings, which are now entering their 51st week. When they started a year ago, myself along with board members Pam Moore and Jim Forshaw, both of whom I am eternally grateful for their support, had not anticipated that we would still be meeting together virtually, nor would we have expected that we would have met so many new people from the wider UK business community and even as far away Tunisia and New Zealand. The relationships that have been developed over the last few months will continue to grow and be strengthened further as we make plans for our monthly

networking and infamous luncheons to return to Liverpool Football Club, the first of which is planned for Friday 30th July. To support our expansion in Liverpool I am excited to welcome some new members to our Liverpool Board. To this end I would like to introduce you to Shane Hanley, founder of Go Green Office Solutions and previous winner of our BITA Small Business of the Year awards, Lee Stanley who several you will no doubt know as previously being with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Chris Kennedy of Kennedy Consulting, and joining us from one of our BITA main

To join us each Thursday from 11am, just email me at sarah@slmc-consulting.com and if you would like to join us at our first luncheon back at Liverpool Football club on 30th July click here!

INVESTING IN OUR TOWN

Tony Goodman, Chair of the Manchester Chapter, explains why Manchester is a great place for businesses

sponsors, Mark Davis, Associate Director of EFM. With their related backgrounds in business growth, construction recruitment and finance they will further strengthen our already strong team. Should you want to find out more about their businesses or get in touch, you will see their details on the Liverpool page of the BITA website. I was asked recently what three words I would use to describe BITA, and they were Business, Relationship and Community. I am in no doubt that these words will resonate with both my board and the self-titled ‘Liverpool Gang’ that join us each Thursday.

here was some excellent news for Greater Manchester businesses earlier this month, with the announcement that Bolton has been offered up to £22.9m of funding from the central governments Town Fund. This money is earmarked to help regenerate the Bolton town centre and is one of the 45 town deals announced as part of the March budget. Bolton has exciting plans, with the council intending to improve Bolton Market and redevelop the Wellsprings building to create a tech-forward hub to foster growth for start-up businesses in the tech and creative sectors. The council will also invest in local services with a planned redevelopment of the Bolton Central Library, Museum and Archive. Keeping the needs of local businesses in mind, they

will also be creating flexible workspaces for local businesses and community groups. The final exciting elements of this grand plan are for a greener town centre – creating footpaths and connections between key areas, as well as pocket parks and public spaces. It is interesting to speculate on what investment and opportunities that these plans will generate. In March, we also heard that a group of ‘high net worth’ individuals were investing more than £1m in Manchester gaming and tech publishing house, BGFG. This really highlights Manchester and the environs as a beacon of innovation, even in difficult times. This exciting and expansive new project in Greater Manchester is an incredible opportunity for businesses, both in the creation and supply of developing these projects, but also for businesses and locals that will be utilising the new areas. Manchester is lucky enough to have access to incredible talent, as there are four very strong universities with an exceptional graduate pipeline, connectivity from the airport, and reliable infrastructure. With these new investment opportunities in Greater Manchester, there are many reasons to do business with us. Come along to our fortnightly networking events to meet local business owners and attend our faceto-face events (soon!) to develop great relationships. www.bita.ie

LAURENCE SKELLY MHK

COMMUNITY

ocated in the middle of the Irish Sea, almost equidistant between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Isle of Man is a unique self-governing kingdom, a Crown Dependency that belongs to neither the United Kingdom nor the European Union. Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s own parliament, was founded more than 1,000 years ago and is recognised as the oldest continuous parliament in the World. The ministerial system of the Isle of Man

status, making it a truly unique location to both live and work. Over the years, the Isle of Man economy has proven to be diversified, fast growing and adaptive. By the 1970s and 80s, package tourism to Europe had rendered much of the Island’s tourism offering obsolete and it was at this point that the Isle of Man Government began using freedom over corporate and taxation laws to grow a new economic sector which would

THE ISLE OF MAN: AN ISLAND FOR ENTERPRISE Government is led by the Isle of Man’s Chief Minister and acts by consensus in the relative absence of party politics. The Isle of Man strives to be a model of political stability, democracy and transparency, with a strong track record of complying with global standards. To support this goal, the Department for Enterprise oversees the economic development and creation of an environment where local entrepreneurship is supported and thriving, and where more new businesses choose call their home. The Department is responsible for four Executive Agencies made up of private/ public sector partnerships to promote and develop key sectors and deliver long term, sustainable economic growth for the Isle of Man: Digital Isle of Man, Finance Isle of Man, Business Isle of Man and Visit Isle of Man. Collectively, the functions work hand in hand with the private sector, growing real businesses, generating real jobs and real opportunities for the Island. In addition to this clear commitment to maintaining the Islands vibrant business centre, there is a real commitment to celebrate and maintain the Island’s natural landscape. Encompassing 95 miles of unspoilt coastline and 169 miles of public footpaths, the Isle of Man is proud to have been named the only entire nation in the World to be awarded UNESCO Biosphere

crisis. That the Island was able to see out the global financial crisis without entering a recession is testament to the successful strategy of diversifying export and domestic markets and being able to take advantage of mobile sources of wealth. Although the Island weathered the worst of the financial crisis in the shortterm, structural changes to international finance were underway and the Island began to lose some of its competitive advantage in offshore banking. By this stage, however, the Island had successfully launched a new economic sector, eGaming, which would have a profound impact in the economy. By leveraging existing skillsets and regulatory advantages, the Island was able to

THE ISLE OF MAN ECONOMY HAS PROVEN TO BE DIVERSIFIED, FAST GROWING AND ADAPTIVE.

irrevocably shape the Island. The Finance sector emerged in earnest in the 1980s and 1990s, and by 1995 was in its heyday. International banks, Corporate Service Providers (‘CSPs’), Trust businesses and Insurers took advantage of the regulatory and taxation regime designed by the Isle of Man Government and brought new export-led wealth and jobs to the Island. Development projects and the property market took off, and an increased number of people from around the world chose to make the Isle of Man their home. As a result of this diversification, the Island has experienced phenomenal growth. Apart from 2015/16, the Island’s economy had grown every year since the mid-1980s, an astonishing record given the severe shocks to the global economy in the 1990s and during the 2008 financial

rebrand as a centre for innovative technology and global leaders. The Island today is both very different, yet in some ways very similar. The two largest economic sectors, eGaming and Insurance, are the product of seeds planted in the 1980s and 1990s. But they are combined with global economic developments in the medicinal cannabis and eSport sectors of which the Island has positioned itself well to take advantage of. Looking to a post-COVID world, the Island’s economy is well placed to continue to grow, with investment taking place in high-tech digital infrastructure and green initiatives that will see the Island well-connected, sustainable and prosperous in the many years to come.

MAKING MYSELF HEARD

’m not sure what I expected from my coaching session on making myself heard, with David Roylance, but I was surprised to find myself rocking on my heels and shouting to practice my ‘warrior voice’. A seasoned speaker that has worked with distinguished brands such as Coutts, Barclays and Orange, David is passionate about helping more women achieve positions of influence in the board room, and the salaries to match. My first question to him, was why a woman should take advice on how to be heard from a man, and his response was ‘because I am the audience you are trying to reach, and I know what works.’ It’s hard to argue with that assessment. Research suggests that women struggle to make themselves heard at work, whether in the boardroom, brain-storming session or team meetings. There is a lot of talk today about women’s equal pay and their position in business and yet more and more CEOs, influencers and disruptors are women. So, what do they know that the business world doesn’t? David Roylance speaks, educates and encourages women in senior positions to stand up and be counted, but in their own indomitable style. The people he works with go on to create sales, promotions and board positions.

In my own session, we focused on how I should present myself to my best advantage, and how to talk and use body language in a way to get my opinions across, without being too confrontational. I was impressed with his engaging style, and as a result BITA invited him to do a presentation on International Women’s Day, called ‘Presenting with Presence’. This excellent session proved very popular, and it was refreshing to work with someone that incorporates movement and exercises in their online workshops. It’s important that women use their voices and make sure that they are counted and respected, but in a male dominated field, this can prove difficult. Working with someone like David has helped me realise how a few small changes can make an incredible difference. The recording is in our online resource section if you would like to access it, David is offering a free 30-minute coaching consultation to readers and is available to discuss coaching needs: david@davidroylance.com

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LAURA WATKINS

WELLBEING

LAURA WATKINS

ARMERA IS FOCUSING ON WORKING WITH A SMALL COLLECTIVE OF BUSINESSES TO ENCOURAGE A COMMUNITY FEEL.

GOING PLACES Talking to Dean Pamphilon about why his new company, Armera, is one to watch Dean Pamphilon has been involved with BITA for years, attending lunch events, golf days, and traveling to all our chapters to meet different members with his previous company, Vado. Dean has worked in the bathroom industry for 40 years, and has a experience across all areas of the industry, having worked as a ceramic tiler and bathroom fitter, as well as in sales, distribution and showrooms. “I worked at Vado for 14 years, and my fellow directors and I grew the business massively!” says Dean; “However we felt that there was space in the market for a new business that was UK based, UK manufacturing and focusing on UK trends.” Ultimately, Dean wanted to get back to brass tacks and rediscover his passion for the trade. Armera was only founded this year and is focusing on working with a small collective of retail showrooms and contract merchants, to encourage a community feel with real relationships. Dean expands; “We want these companies to feel that Armera is their own. They will also become our product development team showing us the products that are being asked for in the market.” Many businesses are looking towards this more personal model, as we come out of lockdown and are restabilising relationships and generating new ones. Dean remembers his first 5 years at a previous job, where he grew his sales channel from £0 to £8m in 5 years; “I know that I will eclipse that with developing and growing Armera. A new brand of designer bathroom ware with a new approach perfectly mirrors what BITA is all about” 50

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Dean is very keen to focus on getting the right team in place, with the belief that any successes in business are made possible by employing the right team of people. He is already working with BITA sponsors Premier Contract Supplies, and Aylesbury based business Grant and Stone, both of which he believes share his ethos of complete belief in trust and partnership when it comes to business relationships; “they know I’ve got their backs, and I know that they have mine.” With his positive outlook, incredible amount of experience, and dedication

towards finding the right team and investment in partnerships, we are excited to see where Armera will be in a year, and we will be following Dean on his journey. If you would like to talk with Dean, he is keen to chat to designers, architects, housebuilders and property developers, as well as anyone else that he may be able to help. “We have designed all of our products to be the absolute best they can be in both design and quality” says Dean, and best of all; “I am happy to supply all BITA members at trade prices for their personal bathrooms.”

Get in touch with Dean at dean.pamphilon@armera.co.uk

KEY TRENDS TO CONSIDER FOR 2021 Bathroom design is a much bigger deal now; as people are constantly exposed to dream bathrooms in hotels, in design shows, and on TV programmes and films

PREDICTIONS FOR 2021 TRENDS:

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Textured surfaces (tiles) and coloured brassware mainly brushed gold and black

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Taps and showers being made small, discreet

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Most bathrooms will now try and incorporate a

Free standing baths and larger walk-in showers and concealed in the walls cabinet under the sink and above for storage

It used to be that everyone craved a dream kitchen, but now they crave a dream bathroom. The bathroom suite on a pallet is dead in most cases and is only really viable now for the rental property market.

At Emico, everything we do is driven by our values; we strive to get it Right First Time. This means our services are completed with Respect; for the environment and our people. Our Integrity is reflected in the promises we keep, our relationships are of upmost importance because our Teamwork is what makes us special; as well as every task we complete with absolute Excellence.

Despite a year of hardships with COVID-19, at Emico we strive to excel in our services and procedures always, which has led to some great achievements this past year. In October 2020 we passed two milestones in safety; firstly being three years without a serious accident and secondly having worked over 2million hours without a RIDDOR reportable injury incident. This is paramount to the health and safety standards we continue to enforce and develop; making sure our staff is safe and protected at all times whilst delivering impeccable services. We also celebrated our 20-year anniversary in May 2020,

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Right first time with a big thank you to all our dedicated staff who have helped us go from an office in an attic above a carpenter’s workshop to a £40m plus business with a top-class infrastructure MEP Design & Build Contractor. We have also worked on some exciting projects in 2020; including the Northern Line Extension, which will see two new stations opening at Nine Elms & Battersea; improving transport between Vauxhall, NineElms & Battersea. As well as Acton TMU, Euston Enabling Works and Gatwick Station which will double the size of the station providing the public with better access and avoiding overcrowding.