Business Telegraph January 2019

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

EX-apprenticE gavin takES the hElm at crisTAL

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Brexit plans are in place after £42m contract win By david laister david.laister@reachplc.com @davelaister

IMMINGHAM’S exact role in a potential hard Brexit can now be revealed as shipping giant DFDS firms up its plans to deliver on a £42 million Government contract.

Five additional sailings on two existing European routes have been prepared, bringing an immediate 10 per cent capacity increase.

The services, four to and from Rotterdam in Holland and one with Cuxhaven, Germany, will provide an ability to bring in 800 extra trailers as the worst-case scenario of hold ups hampering vital supplies getting through is addressed.

Staff are also being encouraged not to take leave a fortnight either

side of the March 29 EU exit date as bosses ensure the majority of the 1,000 strong team are available.

“We have agreed to provide, if required and requested, extra sailings,” Andrew Byrne, the Immingham-based managing director of DFDS Seaways Plc said.

“We are using existing vessels where we currently have gaps in the sailing schedule. We are filling in the spaces.”

While there are no immediate recruitment plans, the potential has been outlined.

“We think the majority of it can be handled with our existing manpower,” he said. “It may be, if it were to happen and it gets up to speed and is full-on and flat-out, we may Turn to page 12

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DFDS Seaways managing director Andrew Byrne and terminal director Alan Finch, with the new crane at Immingham.

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Business

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel The Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2018, held at the Grimsby Auditorium. Forrester Boyd Award for Business Excellence winner, Grimsby Carpet Warehouse.

contacts Editorial

David Laister Direct line: 01472 806972 Mobile: 0 7730 639525 Email: david.laister@reachplc.com

General Advertising Angie Atkinson Direct line: 01472 806963 Mobile: 0 7920 823544 Email: angela.atkinson@reachplc.com

Property Advertising Sharon Cameron Direct line: 01472 807031 Email: sharon.cameron@reachplc.com

Motors Advertising Andy Bannister Direct line: 01472 806962 Mobile: 0 7799 626752 Email: andrew.bannister@reachplc.com

Next month’s edition: Grimsby: Tuesday, February 19 Scunthorpe: Thursday, February 21

Anne Tate, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce’s northern Lincolnshire manager.

It is a first class show that has great music in it, and I think the students and professional performers will love to do it, so I can’t wait to see it on stage. The serious side of it is the equality and diversity issue The Greatest Showman picks up on, which is so pertinent for local companies today Anne Tate

Right, Grimsby & Scunthorpe Telegraph’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Captain Sam Judah MBE, left, pictured with Karl Thew, winner of the Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year Award, at last year’s 2018 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards.

Spirit of Greatest Showman inspires business awards A million dreams will be whittled down to just 14 coming true as the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards embraces The Greatest Showman in 2019.

Businesses, who like the movie musical of a theme enjoyed a stunning 2018, are being sought for the spotlight to shine on them as entries open for the accolades.

Scunthorpe’s The Baths Hall will ‘come alive’ as Barnum’s big top for one night only on May 17, with Richard Askam and Helen Fospero taking the leading roles to guide 420 guests through an evening of celebration.

Anne Tate, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce’s northern Lincolnshire manager, is once again pulling the strings to put on a show-stopping performance, calling on West End professionals as well as students from Grimsby Institute and North Lindsey College to make it an unforgettable evening for all attending.

She said: “It is a first class show that has great music in it, and I think the students and professional performers will love to do it, so I can’t wait to see it on stage. The serious side of it is the equality and diversity issue The Greatest Showman picks up on,

which is so pertinent for local companies today - and no more so than at Phillips 66, our headline sponsor, which is a real champion of this.

“There are also some wonderfully inspirational quotes in the film that lend themselves to business and what we are celebrating. ‘No-one ever made a difference by being like everyone else,’ ‘men suffer more from imagining too little than too much,’ ‘comfort is the enemy of progress’ are all from PT Barnum.

“We welcome entries from companies embracing innovation. We want to recog-

nise companies who have come out of their comfort zone, and taken a great step into the unknown.”

And Jenny Lind provides a nod to the importance of training too, another key criteria when it comes to accolades. “‘When you are careless with other people you bring ruin upon yourself,’ she says,” said Ms Tate. “Looking after staff is so important, it is all about the people. When you look at it I think The Greatest Showman represents so much about what the awards are about.”

New for 2019 is a Business Woman of the Year category, sponsored by Cleethorpes boutique and online retailer Tilletts - itself no stranger to awards success - while the Young Entrepreneur Award has been tweaked to Young Business Person, while again sponsored by Franklin College, it now reflects those working within organisations as well as leading their own.

All entries are again online, via the website www.nlincsba.co.uk, with a deadline of March 5. As for the coverage, we’ll be there every step of the way, sharing the success as media partners. As, taking a cue from Barnum once more, ‘the noblest art is that of making others happy’.

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Rainham Steel secures 14-acre site with vision of boosting workforce

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major Scunthorpe employer has reaffirmed its commitment to the area after acquiring a 14-acre port-neighbouring site, with jobs likely to follow.

Rainham Steel has successfully secured the former Pet Polymers plant on Flixborough Industrial Estate, which has lay fallow since being demolished in 2013.

It was used to produce plastic bottles and food packaging, and had been marketed with a £1 million price tag.

The purchase brings investment in North Lincolnshire to £4.5 million in the past year for the 80-strong team, following a significant spend on the original Mannaberg Way base.

New craneage and a doubling of the warehouse completed last year, ahead of this deal being brought over the line.

Francis Micallef, operations director, said: “Rainham Steel is commitRainham Steel Scunthorpe site on Mannaberg Way.

The former Pet Polymers plant at Flixborough Industrial Estate. It has been acquired by Rainham Steel.

ted to strengthening its commitment to South Humberside. The site has been purchased as part of our longterm growth plan which includes increasing our workforce and distribution facilities in Scunthorpe. The site will strengthen our position as the largest independent steel importer into the UK while maintaining our ability to continue working with our local steel section supplier, British Steel.

“The purchase of the site and its position close to the wharves of the River Trent also helps to secure employment through the use of the local docks in the area.”

While headquartered in the Essex

town it takes its name from, the 2002 opening of the flagship 55 acre site in Scunthorpe saw North Lincolnshire become the central distribution point, housing all of the structural sections and structural hollow sections it supplies. It is also the main sponsor of Scunthorpe United, having taken over the baton from British Steel this season.

Pet Polymers closed in 2006, citing economies of scale, with a huge Lithuanian plant taking the market by storm, having operated with an 800-million bottle annual capacity from 1992.

Duncan Willey, the chartered surveyor who completed the deal for

PPH Commercial, said: “Rainham Steel is obviously a major employer in Scunthorpe so this sale has to be viewed as a major positive for the town and its staff because it emphasises their commitment to the area.

“The importance of the steel industry is not lost on anyone in the town and this acquisition suggests that the company remain ambitious and keen to grow.

“The land, which had previously been used by Pet Polymers to manufacture a wide range of plastics, attracted substantial interest from a number of parties as the demolition of the existing premises has create a completely blank canvas.”

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Business Month in review

Jet fuel plan takes off

REFINING: Green jet fuel could soon be produced on the South Humber Bank with scores of jobs created in an investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

A specialist company backed by British Airways, Shell and the Department for Transport, is bringing forward the proposal.

Velocys, a UK business spun out of Oxford University and complementary US-based research, has secured a site in Stallingborough - and work could start in 2020.

If the engineering and business case is proved, it could lead to the development of the country’s first commercial scale waste-to-jet-fuel project, building on the refinery expertise harboured in northern Lincolnshire, on the Hobson Way enterprise zone site.

Under the project name Altalto, the plant would take hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year of residual waste left over after recycling, otherwise destined for landfill or incineration, and convert it into clean-burning, sustainable aviation fuels.

It would generate hundreds of local jobs during the construction phase and, once complete, between 50 and 100 direct full-time jobs.

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Business Month in review

Conversion consent MANUFACTURING: A major investment by a manufacturing firm is creating almost 200 jobs in North Lincolnshire after plans to relocate its headquarters into the area were given the green light.

Cartwright Conversions Ltd acquired the 26-acre site in Belton, which includes a former brickworks and adjoining land, in September.

Now proposals have been passed.

The Cartwright Group builds trailers and commercial vehicle bodies at a 38-acre site in Altrincham, while its Cartwright Conversions business is currently based in rented property in Hatfield, across the border in South Yorkshire.

The new headquarters will allow the number of jobs created by the firm to increase from 72 to 250 over the next 18 months.

Planning permission has been given for the demolition and redevelopment of the site and work will start in the coming weeks, with the new facility expected to open in May. Jobs fairs are being held this month.

That Danish energy link ENERGY: The installation of a huge high voltage electricity interconnector cable between the UK and Denmark has been given the green light from the government.

Known as the Viking Link, it is a 760-mile long cable running from the Lincolnshire coast to Denmark, uniting UK offshore wind with the sector’s pioneering nation.

It will include about 40 miles of underground cables before it reaches landfall, running between Bicker Fen near Boston - where Grimsby’s latest offshore wind farm Triton Knoll will also feed in to - and a substation in Southern Jutland, Denmark.

The £1.8 billion project hits UK landfall between Sandilands and Anderby Creek.

Plans were laid out by the National Grid in collaboration with Danish energy giant Enirginet, and both have now signed a joint ownership and operational agreement to take it forward.

It should be commissioned by 2023, and is seen as a key piece of infrastructure in ensuring security and diversity of supply as renewable reliance ramps up.

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Documentaries aim to put survival tips in the palm of your hand

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ARD-hitting help with self defence is being brought to the small screen by a Grimsby entrepreneur.

Pete Drinkell is one of a tight band of business backers behind Engage Academy, a project that builds on a passion for “ruthless” martial art Krav Maga, with the plan to put survival tips in the palms of millions of people worldwide.

And the significant social media marketing campaign is being driven from the Kent Street base of his Vogue Plants business which itself has become a global entity.

Starring former Israeli Defence Force captain Dr Itay Gil, a series of six short documentaries based on real-life events are in the final stages of production, with filming undertaken in Manchester.

Late February to early March is being eyed up for release, with a feature-length follow-up to be shot in the USA later in the spring.

Having looked into distribution, Engage is pursuing an app-based download model, described as “unique”.

“This is a new route. We expect to have 100,000 people sat there waiting to download,” Mr Drinkell said.

His six-strong team is being beefed up to ten to build the demand and anticipation, with a free view and pay model.

“It is taking shape, I am new to this business but it is quite incredible,” he said. “It is a significant investment, but the opportunity is here.

Itay is a global brand in self defence, we needed a figurehead and we got him, and convinced him this was the

Engage Academy filming underway in Manchester.

right thing to do. He is probably the biggest name in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, he is known all around the world.

“I have a strong business partner in the North East, we have all got a few bob each, and we are using this to then build further. We are confident it will work. It is hard hitting and very relevant.”

Mr Drinkell’s investment comes after more than 15 years of importing high-end artificial trees and selling online. In 2014 he went to the US, setting up in New Hampshire, with distribution depots also established in Australia and South Africa, building on the initial Grimsby base for European sales.

Sharing space with his former employer, print company Willsons Group Services on Strand Street, the team are working for his parent company, C&M Trading Ltd, with Dr Gil paying a visit to inspire them as the hype prepares to hot up.

The pair met when Mr Drinkell went to Israel for a week’s training at the suggestion of his Hull-based instructor Gheorghe Husar, having practised Krav Maga for the best part of a decade.

That was in 2015, and the concept has been worked up between a small group including a former high ranking police officer and a paratrooper.

Dr Gil, who was selected to be part of Israel’s elite counter-terror and

Peter Drinkell, second left, and Itay Gil, centre, with the Engage Academy social media team members Emily

Ireland, Kieran Willis and Archie Fox at the office on Grimsby’s Strand Street.

hostage rescue commando unit “Yamam”, and has served as head of training for the security of the Israeli President’s Office, said: “Our goal is to try and educate people to be aware.

“Many people may think this is something promoting violence, but we are promoting ‘be prepared, be ready’. We hear everyday of something happening to someone. Our job as a business is an educating platform. We want to change society’s mindset to be ready and prepared to protect themselves.”

Honorary Distinguished Professor at Aspen University, former Director of Counter Terror, Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Magid Institute/ Hebrew University and currently at Ariel University, in his academic field he has specialised in human behaviour and performance under stress.

“I always recommend people take some action, learn something that can protect them in life,” he said.

“If it was up to me I would make it mandatory in schools. People do some time on physical fitness in the schools, but I’m not sure it is being done well enough because society is overweight, and doesn’t have enough resilience.

“Even if you look at police forces around the world, entry criteria has dropped, society has become softer.

“This is a series of encounters that happen in daily life, on a daily basis.”

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Opportunities galore at Triton Knoll supplier day

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For support in raising your company’s profile in this sector call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963 or 07920 823544

ETAILS have been released about the Triton Knoll supplier day that forms a key plank of next month’s Grimsby Renewables Partnership conference.

Innogy, the company behind the new wind farm, is in the midst of contract work for the construction of its port operations and maintenance base in the town, and with its core delivery partners, has issued a detailed requirement list for products and services as it prepares to arrive.

The event takes place at Grimsby’s Humber Royal Hotel from February 6, with the supply chain event on the second day.

Triton Knoll projet director Julian Garnsey and consents manager Melissa Reid, will speak on day one, with MHI Vestas’ new offshore implementation manager also taking to the stage to talk about the 860MW project.

The role has been taken by Mat Paterson, who returns to work in the area after a brief stint away, having led the initial operations and maintenance team for the Danish firm as part of E.on’s Humber Gateway. He will be joined by MHI Vestas service manager Richard Helm.

A former GRP director, he said: “We are going to present and it will be around the local content, and suppliers in both stages – construction and operations and maintenance.

“For me being here for a few years now, I have got to know the area, but events like this are really useful to ensure everyone has the information and is aware of the opportunities.

We will also be talking about the timescales, and when we see construction starting.”

Since late summer he has been heading up project work on installations in Denmark, Germany and Scotland.

“Moving into the role I have been doing opened up a few opportunities, but when the chance came to move back it is was one of the big pulls, being ‘local’.”

Matt Paterson MHI Vestas.

The Cumbrian-born electrician was an early adopter of offshore wind, entering the industry in 2008 and moving to Grimsby in 2014.

Also taking to the stage is ABP Humber director Simon Bird. He said: “The Port of Grimsby has seen exceptional growth in terms of supporting the renewable sector in recent years, and as such continues to uphold its title as the UK’s largest and leading offshore wind O&M port.

“Grimsby currently supports almost 1.5GW of installed capacity and this is set to increase by 80 per cent, by almost 2.7GW, once Orsted’s Hornsea One project becomes operational at the end of 2019.

“Speaking at the Grimsby Renewable Partnership event will enable ABP to further cement the port as the UK’s centre of excellence in offshore wind support as we continue to develop our existing relationship with key industry players such as Orsted

and Innogy. Grimsby’s port is ideally situated to support the renewable market and has to capacity to support further significant growth in this sector as future offshore wind farm developments in the North Sea come to fruition.”

Stuart Reid, head of operations UK East, at Orsted, completes the keynote line-up, with a panel session also bringing forward projects in the wider renewables industry, including hydrogen technology, electric vehicles, heat networks and solar.

The day will end with a sponsored drinks reception and mini fish and chips to celebrate Grimsby’s heritage, having heard about the renewable role that has ramped up in the past decade.

To register to attend, search Grimsby Renewables Partnership on Eventbrite, or for further information contact Maggie Campbell on 01472 324461, or email info@ grimsbyrenewablespartnership.co.uk

Keen to use local suppliers - from plant hire to catering Simon BIrd.

The Port of Grimsby has seen exceptional growth in terms of supporting the renewable sector in recent years, and as such continues to uphold its title as the UK’s largest and leading offshore wind O&M port.

ABP Humber director Simon Bird

Triton Knoll’s key contractors may be those making the appointments, but those behind the project have stressed how they are keen to use local suppliers, and told how they will pass on details when orders are placed.

It wants to hear from: Service operation vessel operators, security providers, personal protective equipment - supply and service, lifting accessories - supply and certification, crane suppliers and contract lifting services, plant suppliers, materials handling equipment - supply

and service, marine fuel suppliers, waste management, clerical and reception staff, facilities management services, offshore spill response services, CCTV suppliers - install, service, maintain, marine equipment suppliers and general chandlers, training providers for Global Wind Organisation and general, skills centres for apprenticeship schemes and security providers.

MHI Vestas is interested in plant hire from cranes and access to small tools, storage containers / workshops, crew

transfer vessels, service operation vessels, site accommodation and offices, site fencing, small scale site civil works / ground workers, electrical maintenance contractors for site setup, technicians for onshore and offshore works, office equipment and site management resources such as HSE. A2Sea, offshore installer, wants to hear from providers of sea fastenings, engineering consultancy, port support, accommodation, catering and transport. Siemens Transmission & Distribution

Ltd, onshore electricity system provider, is seeking, with civil and cable contractor Murphy, local labour, road sweeping, builders merchants electrical wholesaler, tool supply, logistics and storage contractor, cleaners, receptionist / office manager, canteen and catering staff, including butty van, milk, fruit and grocery delivery or supply, waste recycling, site security, water and electricity supply, communication providers, hedgerow clearance, accommodation, taxis, gym membership, restaurants and entertainment.

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Consultation complete as giant wind farm project pushes on

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EVELOPMENT is progressing on the fourth giant Hornsea wind farm.

A recent consultation has completed, with results published, as it looks towards 2020 for consent on the final piece in the mammoth zone’s initial jigsaw.

It is expected to be able to power more than one million homes.

Renewables giant Ørsted held consultations in October, inviting members of the public to view the plans, as it prepares its future pipeline.

Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of those surveyed said they supported the plans, with 90 per cent saying they believed offshore wind had the potential to contribute significantly to the UK’s low carbon ambitions.

Emma Toulson, Ørsted’s lead stakeholder adviser in the Humber, also spoke about it at a regional renewables conference held in Hessle, East Yorkshire.

She said: “Project Four is in the early stages of development, but it is in development.

“The Humber is really important to us at Ørsted.

“The public and business support – along with the supply chain – has been perfect to help us move forwards.”

Its East Coast Hub in Grimsby is

Hornsea Project Four plans at consultation stage.

the cluster base for all the wind farms it has built or now operates off the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast.

Hornsea Four and Race Bank extension are the two known projects as yet submitted into the consenting programme.

As reported last month, the nearest five coastal regions to the Humber are all being either included or under further investigation for proposed new seabed leasing in what

would be a Round Four. Nine have been dropped.

Development consent for Hornsea Project Three was submitted back in May last year. Ørsted has said it hopes to submit the same for Project Four in 2020, with 846 sq km of seabed being investigated landside of the under construction Hornsea One and Hornsea Two, with the closet point around 65km off Flamborough Head.

Power generated at the wind farm, which would feature up to 180 turnbines, would be brought onshore via cables, and National Grid has already offered Ørsted a grid connection in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.

Emma Toulson.

PROUD TO BE

RENEWING THE HUMBER

Drax powers ahead with £702m deal REGIONAL power giant Drax is set to play a bigger role than ever in Great Britain’s energy system following the completion of the purchase of Spanish company Iberdrola’s portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable assets.

The £702 million deal increases the company’s electricity generation capacity by 60 per cent, with the addition of the Scottish Power-branded operations.

It means the company will now provide enough power for the equivalent of more than 8.3 million homes.

Commenting on the completion of the deal, Will Gardiner, chief executive of Drax Group, said: “As a British energy company, we are very proud to be the new owners of these critically important power stations across England and Scotland.

“For decades Drax has been at the heart of our energy system

and now we’re going to play a bigger role than ever.

“We are investing in Great Britain by acquiring this portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable generation assets.

“They complement our existing activities by providing very flexible power which not only keeps the lights on for thousands of households, but also provides crucial system support services to the grid, maintaining secure supplies and enabling more renewables like wind and solar onto the system.”

The deal adds 2.6GW of generation capacity to Drax’s portfolio, with the addition of Cruachan pumped storage hydro (440MW) in Argyll, run-of-river hydro locations at Galloway and Lanark (126MW) and a biomassfrom-waste facility at Daldowie in Scotland as well as four combined cycle gas turbine stations in England. These are Damhead Creek (805MW) in

Kent, Rye House (715MW) in Hertfordshire, Shoreham (420MW) in West Sussex and Blackburn Mill (60MW) in Lancashire.

The combination of hydro plants in Scotland with Drax’s biomass units in Yorkshire - with feedstocks handled through Immingham - reinforce the company’s position as Great Britain’s biggest generator of renewable power. With the addition of 35 per cent of Great Britain’s electricity storage capacity and 2GW of gas power stations Drax will also be better placed to provide the flexibility and stability to help underpin the increases in solar and wind power which will be needed in the decades to come if the UK is to meet its climate targets.

The acquisition was announced in October, with shareholder approval on December 21, and formal completion on the final stroke of 2018.

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Food

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New general manager as businesses develop

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GENERAL manager has been appointed to help lead the onward development of sister companies Central Insulations Ltd and Lincs Doors Ltd. Steve Brooks will be overseeing the day-to-day management of the businesses brought together by Paul Walmsley last year, freeing him up to deliver two major schemes nationally and work more strategically.

Mr Brooks has long-standing experience working as a director in SME businesses regionally, latterly in the electrical contracting and engineering manufacturing sectors.

Mr Walmsley said: “We have a couple of long-term projects which I am heavily involved with, and have at least another 18 months to run. My forte is customer relationships and technical expertise in the industry, and we have got to a level where we recognised we need to have more depth and consistency of focus within the businesses going forward, as well as further input on new business development.

“We have been at a crossroads where we wanted to do something, now we are at a point where we have made the decision, appointed Steve as general manager, and with other appointments made over the

Owner Paul Walmsley welcomes general manager Steve Brooks to Central Insulations.

appointment frees up owner for projects past 18 months are crystalising our ongoing plan to develop the business further and keep growing from strength to strength.

“The works pipeline is looking really good, we have secured a sizeable project in the pharmaceutical industry and we are looking at further developments in that sector.

“This move will bring everything together and help us move the business forward more strategically.”

As reported, Mr Walmsley acquired Lincs Doors in early in 2018. It was subsequently moved from Europarc to Riverside Industrial Park on the for-

mer Tioxide site off Moody Lane.

“It is starting to settle down after the move, and we are getting things where we need them to be,” Mr Walmsley said of the business he had worked with for many years.

Mr Brooks brings further contracting and manufacturing experience to the businesses, with Central alone employing 29 staff and between 40 and 100 sub-contractors providing controlled environment construction to the food and pharmaceuticals industries.

He said: “Central is an ongoing success story. I have known Paul for some time and I have

seen how he has built the business up over the past four or five years.

“It has a reputation for providing quality installations with many blue chip clients, is operating in a competitive sector and performing well.”

In 2016, Central moved to new premises neighbouring the original base on Humberston’s Wilton Road Industrial Estate, following up with two wins at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards in 2017, with continued success in growth and development well recognised.

■■ More appointments, see page 17.

Event will showcase range of career choices 01472 352 998 www.carreraeng.co.uk

01472 340938

Jamie@lincsindustrialpainters.com

For support in raising your company’s profile in this sector call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963 or 07920 823544

AN event which aims to give young people an insight into the diverse range of careers within the food sector is taking place in Grimsby next month.

The Future of Food event is organised and co-ordinated by Grimsby Institute, as host, and Seafish, the public body that supports the £10 billion UK seafood industry.

Some of the biggest food employers in the Humber region will be exhibiting at the event including Young’s Seafood, Seachill, New England Seafood and Morrisons.

Now in its third year, the event showcases a wide range of career opportunities as well as the benefits associated with a career in the food sector. Open to local schools, pupils will have the opportunity to talk to a variety of employers to find out how they can get into the industry.

Julie Snowden, regional manager at Seafish, said: “This event is designed to promote the vast range of career choices that are available in food businesses, with

a specific focus on the seafood sector.

“It’s no secret the food industry will face some challenges and changes once we leave the EU so it is important to showcase this exciting and diverse sector, highlighting the scope of opportunities available to make it attractive to the future local workforce. There’s a sea of career opportunities, both locally and across the UK with roles ranging from manufacturing, new product development, buying and marketing to name a few.”

The event draws interest from the manufacturing, global trade, retail and foodservice sectors of the UK food industry. There will also be live demonstrations, masterclasses and careers stands. Ivan Jaines-White, manager at the Grimsby Seafood Village and Tesco’s “Girly Fishmonger” Emma McKeating will be among those showing their skills.

Speaking ahead of the event, Emma said: “I love being a fishmonger, no two days are ever the same. From

merchandising the stand with the fresh catch to interacting with customers, my role allows me to be creative on a daily basis and share my knowledge and passion with others.

“I believe the food sector is one of a kind; it’s full of opportunities and is a very viable option for those after an exciting career path. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with the students.”

Those attending the event, on Thursday, February 14, will have the chance to network with industry representatives, who it’s hoped will inspire young people to take up roles in the sector.

Stand space is still available for employers who would like to take part by contacting Julie Snowden via julie. snowden@seafish.co.uk or Chloe Tate at tatec@grimsby.ac.uk Local schools should register to attend via Eventbrite by following this link or by searching “The Future of Food 2019” at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

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PlayPitch putting sport at its core

Business

A

N all-weather surface provider has relaunched with its sporting focus at the core, as the founder looks forward to welcoming his first team members after a decade trading.

Synthetic Turf Solutions has become PlayPitch as four key products are championed, reflecting its growth in the activity sector.

After initially creating golf putting greens, the Winterton business now also offers football, rugby and multi-game areas for schools, sports facilities, as well as private clients.

Managing director Andy McCague set the business up 10 years ago, and having worked with sub contractors throughout, is about to be joined by administrative support in January and a dedicated installer in March.

He is also proud of the eco-friendly attributes, with the use of recycled plastic and a construction system that typically requires less materials and lorry journeys than traditional methods, reducing the carbon footprint at each installation.

He said: “Our purpose at PlayPitch is to create sporting opportunity for all by making year-round outdoor activity a reality.

“We have an innovative approach that means our clients can have a finished product

Andy McCague, managing director of PlayPitch.

Winterton all-weather surface.

quicker than the traditional way of doing things.

“We remove just a few millimetres of existing grass which is much more efficient than traditional deep excavation methods that can be messy, time consuming and expensive. We can also use existing concrete as a base.

“We then use a jigsaw-style panel system to lay the structural base and finally, the chosen turf itself is fitted.”

The panels are imported from the US, with

the grass from Holland, with designs produced at the Roxby Road Industrial Estate base before materials are installed.

PlayPitch facilities are designed to last years but as they are not classed as permanent fixtures, so clients can access operating lease funding for the work.

Each pitch can also be personalised to include logos, club badges and bespoke markings.

Mr McCague said: “We are based in North

New care at home service A NEW service is being launched in North Lincolnshire that will offer access to high quality personal care and support for hundreds of people living at home.

It will be provided by Grimsbybased Hica at Home, which has won a contract to supply domiciliary care across Brigg, Barton, Barrow and the surrounding villages, creating dozens of new jobs.

The move will allow people to take advantage of a range of dedicated services delivered in the community. It includes including assistance with domestic tasks such as shopping and cleaning, one-to-one personal care, and visits from mobile support workers – all designed to help people pursue independent lives in their own homes.

Hica, which currently provides similar services across other parts of Lincolnshire, is expected to create more than 30 care support worker jobs as the contract unfolds and demand grows.

The new work is a five year contract with North Lincolnshire

Council. Jo Walker, Grimsby manager for Hica at Home, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract. We have extensive experience delivering similar high levels of care to other communities and look forward to supporting residents in North Lincolnshire.

“Our approach will see us contribute not only to the local economy but also help shape and deliver care packages that will provide a real benefit to people.”

Hica at Home is part of the Hull-headquartered Hica Group, a not for profit organisation

which operates a portfolio of 15 care homes across the Humber region. The company also runs two retirement villages.

Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have worked closely with local providers on a new progressive model of care which will support residents to live well in their own homes for as long as they are able.

“Hica is one of the providers selected through that process and we look forward to working with them.”

Lincolnshire and work across the world. We are particularly proud of work we did in Oslo, Norway, last year, in partnership with Act Global, where we installed three temporary football pitches for the 2017 Homeless World Cup where 500 people from 50 different countries played.

“This challenged public perception of homelessness and showed the positive impact of sport which we as a company firmly believe in.

FOOD FACTORIES CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE ALL ACROSS THE UK

Factory Refurbishment Office Upgrade Canteens Locker Rooms Development Kitchens

www.fscl.co.uk 01472 355 454 Unit 7 - 8 Pegasus Square, Innovation way, Europarc, DN37 9TJ

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Process & Chemicals

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In association with

Kids Ink from Ultimate Group.

Ultimate has designs on school lunch bags pACKAGING FIRM encouraging children to be creative

A www.cube3construction.co.uk T: 01469 541737

Chemical/Process - Marine - Food Renewable’s - Pharmaceutical - Precision General enquiries: 01472 351313 www.baconengineering.com

For support in raising your company’s profile in this sector call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963 or 07920 823544

Grimsby company’s innovative lunch bag design project is seeking a place in the National Curriculum.

Ultimate Packaging’s Kids Ink web-to-print platform, launched in the summer, allows children to create their own lunch bags, using the latest creative design, IT and hygiene developments to bring it forward.

Highly commended at the UK Packaging Awards 2018, Chris Tonge executive director at Ultimate Group, used it as one example of how well placed the business is as printing enters a new era.

He said: “It has been an exciting project which has involved several departments, creative design, marketing, IT/Smartflow and our digital print team. The key was to make the drawing tool very flexible and then just let kid’s imaginations and variable digital print do the rest.

“The kids can totally develop their own design, it is not restricted. They can draw, add photographs, stickers, and the whole thing is designed online and ordered through schools nationally. We have done 10 schools, and now it is going out on a national basis.”

Hygenic, it is lined with biomister, with handle and frame made from the same material, which is fully recyclable. “We are really taking the

technology used on KitKat a stage further,” Mr Tonge said.

That project saw Ultimate fulfil a huge personalisation campaign for the confectionary giant. Now the plan for Kids Ink is to encourage children to be creative, but also helped them learn about current affairs.

It comes after Mr Tonge welcomed business leaders to tour the digital lab on Europarc, as part of a Marketing Humber visit. He said: “We were a reluctant manufacturer but once we got in to it and moved to this site we became a serious producer and my vision was for us to be one of the best print companies in the world. We have done some world firsts here and haven’t spoken enough about them. I have always pushed us in to new technology.”

Ultimate has worked closely with HP to lead on flexible digital packaging.

“The whole world is digital, there’s no reason why printing shouldn’t become a digital technology,” he said. Ultimate looked at what was available eight years ago, becoming a test site to develop the technology. They developed the printers and ink but had no experience with flexible packaging.

“When we started our digital journey we looked to find a creative design agency, and we took over a business in Hull, and in that business were creative

Chris Tonge says Ultimate Packaging is ‘fantastically positioned wherever the technology goes’.

designers and really clever IT digital workflow guys.

The former DWP call centre neighbouring the original Europarc site also came up. “I couldn’t believe the spec of the building, so we moved the business from Hull next door to the main factory. We are now recognised as a world leader in digital print.”

Presses currently run at 20m a minute, with the traditional flexographical at 350 to 400 a minute.

“We are not too far away from running at the same speeds, so it becomes a replacement technology,” he said.

“It is fairly close to going significantly faster. Presses one metre wide printing at 100 to 200 metres a minute will be available commercially in the next two to five years. Once that happens, this business is in a fantastic position with all the new skills we have learned.

“The next press we put in, be it 2019 or 2020, could be wide web digital or it could be conventional. We are fantastically posi-

tioned wherever the technology goes.

“As a business now we are so much more than a printer, and I have loved the last five to six years far more than the last 25 before.

“I am selling to marketeers, brand-builders, rather than purely packaging. It is a really interesting journey, with lots more still to come.

“Everything we are developing on digital, a lot of it is new customers new brands and new applications. We have delivered a brand new business model.”

He told how it was ideal for shorter run new products, and has worked with established manufacturers Nestle, Mars and Unilever, as well as up-andcoming entrepreneurial brands Ice Kitchen, Dogs Gone Fishin’, Hut Group and Hider, as well as Waitrose, Iceland, Tesco and M&S. “If the concept works, we move it on to the presses next door, he said. “Most is in snacking, chocolates and gifting. We are now selling to any brand using the pack as the centre of their marketing campaign. Any brand can do what they want on pack.

“Who watches adverts on TV now? May main task now is to get this conventional advertising on pack. Once you have bought a pack, you cannot switch off or fast-forward.”

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Engie Fabricom sets sights on trebling turnover by 2022

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rimsby-headquartered engineering and construction company Engie Fabricom UK has achieved continued growth in 2018 under the leadership of a new chief executive, as it sets its sights on trebling turnover by 2022.

Richard Webster was appointed to the role in January, as the firm closed 2017 with revenues of £54 million, and has forged ahead with the company’s ongoing commitment to the decarbonisation of energy.

This has seen further expansion into its activities in the offshore wind and energy from waste sectors by the 274-strong team. Prior to 2012, the Europarc giant had focused on large modular engineering, procurement and construction work for the oil and gas sector.

It has since adopted a new strategy, targeting plant expansions and upgrades in niche sectors, including utilities and renewables. One significant order included remediation work on turbines off the coast of

Suffolk. Richard said: “As a company, we have nearly 45 years’ consultancy, engineering, management and construction expertise across a variety of sectors.

“It’s our aim to bring this experience to the renewables industry where our reputation for providing innovative solutions without compromising on quality and safety is of great value.”

Successes over the last 12 months have included the expansion of project offices, manufacturing and construction facilities in the North East, along with the renewables office, with new recruits bolstering the engineering and design team to office capacity.

The business also operates from sites in Immingham, Lowestoft and Middlesbrough, with all currently busy with work on a number of significant projects.

As a reflection of its diversification into new markets, Engie Fabricom UK also attended the Renewables UK exhibition in

Manchester and the Offshore Wind Conference in Hamburg as well as a number of skills fairs.

Mr Webster said: “Our success is largely down to the professionalism and capabilities of our team so we have not only made new recruits throughout the business this year, but also invested in continued training and development for our employees.

“For example, four of our team have achieved prestigious Chartered Management Institute awards and we have gained the new ISO 45001 occupational health and safety standard at our first attempt.

“Furthermore, we have received recognition for our health and safety practices onsite at many of our projects alongside other positive feedback for the work we have done.

“This month also saw the roll out of Project Graphene which is a programme to simplify and strengthen our management structure, bring the business together as one team and instil a positive and proactive culture.

The vision is to become a more customer focused organisation with our greatest asset; our people at the heart of everything we do and a collective goal of reaching a profitable turnover of £150 million by 2022.”

“Our order book for 2019 is already looking very healthy and we are looking forward to another positive year ahead.”

Securing your existing EU workforce Whatever the outcome of present Brexit negotiations the Government has pledged to introduce its new immigration policy, which is likely to be based on the details outlined in last month’s White Paper.

This 168-page document aligns itself to an earlier independent report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), clearly setting out a vision for a single system – ending free movement and moving to a position in which all migration is managed with no preferential treatment for EU nationals and family members.

So, where does this leave EU workers in the UK now?

• The first thing to note is that an implementation period will apply – running until December 31, 2020 during which existing rules are enforced.

For the duration of the implementation period EU citizens will be able to enter and reside in the UK.

• EU citizens and their family members wishing to remain in the UK after the end of the period must apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. Those in the UK before the end of the implementation period will have until June 2021 to apply.

• From 2021, the plan is to allow short term migrant workers of all skill levels entry for up to a year – a move intended to protect parts of the economy reliant on overseas labour, for example agriculture or construction. There will be no right for families to join them, there will be a 12-month cooling off period before they can apply again and there will be no route to settlement.

Richard Webster, chief executive of Engie Fabricom.

By Calum Hanrahan, Immigration Solicitor at Wilkin Chapman solicitors

While the onus if very much on individuals to ensure they complete the documents necessary to live and work in the UK, an employer who wishes to attract or retain overseas workers may well wish to seek advice on how they can assist in the process.

If you would like further information, please contact Calum Hanrahan on 01472 262626, email calum.hanrahan@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit wilkinchapman.co.uk

• If a person wishes to remain in the UK, they must gain ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status via a new online application process that will be fully open from the end of March 2019.

wilkinchapman.co.uk

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Ports & Logistics

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New multi-million pound harbour crane ups handling capacity

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ANDLING capacity at Port of Immingham has been boosted with the arrival of DFDS’ new multi-million pound 124-tonne harbour crane.

While not linked to the emergency Brexit plans, it could be swung into action if patterns shift to more unaccompanied container transport.

The addition to the existing equipment is to support the recently enhanced shipping service between Immingham, Norway and Belgium, while boosting the terminal’s lift on / lift off container operations, project cargo and break-bulk cargo handling.

“The new crane is part of an exciting investment and expansion programme at Immingham,” DFDS Seaways managing director Andrew Byrne said. “Despite the present global uncertainty we are growing our range of services and improving the experience for our customers. This crane is the embodiment of that programme and I know a number of our staff are really excited about the prospect of operating such a large and technologically advanced machine.“ With an overall capacity of 124 tonnes under the hook and with a 48-metre boom, although classed as a mobile crane, the Liebherr LMH 420 will spend most of its working life serving vessels at DFDS Dockside, the Immingham inner harbour operated by DFDS. Arriving fully assembled directly from the German manufacturer’s factory on a specially-chartered vessel, it was commissioned and operational in days - making its way onto the quayside after a choppy crossing under its own power.

Terminal director Alan Finch said: “The new crane will operate in conjunction with our existing Gottwald crane to maximise the lifespan of the terminal’s 18-year-old equipment and will assist in consecutive dual activities, to enhance customer co-operation and flexibility and eliminate the need for additional crane hire.

“DFDS Dockside is a well-established facility for large project cargo and heavy lift imports and exports, either through specific ‘project type’ conventional vessels or the DFDS liner service network.

“With this significant investment we can lift even heavier cargoes for third party shippers with the flexibility of shorter lead times. Alongside heavy lift cargo, DFDS Dockside is also a hive of activity for a wide range of other lift-on / lift off commodities and units such as steel, containers and general break bulk cargo.”

A new crane, the largest on the port, arrives at DFDS’ terminal. Richard Dunn

Kia’s million sales KIA, the car brand imported into Immingham, has hit the one million sales mark in the UK. It comes less than 30 years after the first Kia Pride was bought by a British motorist.

The South Korean badge first hit British roads in 1991, with 1,786 cars sold that year.

Last year a record 95,764 cars were snapped up on forecourts nationwide, nearly double that of the entire first decade.

It took it to 998,069, with the milestone passing in the first fortnight of 2019 - with a Sportage GT-Line for a Scottish customer.

All were handled by the dedicated Stallingborough base on Kiln Lane, where pre-delivery inspections and accessory fitting takes place.

The £20 million investment was opened in January 2016 to support anticipated growth.

Brexit plans in place after £42m contract win continued from page one

need to get a few more people in, but we should be able to use the resources we have to handle it.

“We have encouraged staff not to take leave from the middle of March to the middle of April.

We need to make sure we have the majority of people here to see it through.”

The Rotterdam route could handle an extra 600 trailers a

week, with Cuxhaven a further 200, putting weekly figures up from 7,500 to 8,300.

It is also hoped the attention may serve as a strong advocate of northern port usage, with DFDS a significant contributor to the Liverpool Humber Optimisation of Freight Transport project, a joint industry and academic collaboration.

The primary aim is to address the fact that 50 per cent of manufacturing is in the north; 50 per

cent of the population is in the north and 50 per cent of warehousing is in the north, yet 90 per cent of container ro-ro and 75 per cent of all container traffic goes through southern ports.

Mr Byrne said: “We have been speaking to customers who don’t use northern ports to say ‘we are open for business, try putting your traffic through us’.

“If it comes to it and they are forced, they may find it fits their business model well. It is an

opportunity for us to prove the Humber ports provide a central base for a lot of traffic that doesn’t currently utilise them today.”

DFDS is also providing additional services on the Felixtowe - Rotterdam route, and it is the same clutch of contracts issued on Christmas Eve that includes the controversial start-up Seaborne Freight, as well as Brittany Ferries on southern routes.

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Five jobs created as hotel launches new £1m occasions venue

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N early 30th anniversary present will provide the setting for many a celebration as a £1 million occasions venue is launched by a Grimsby-area hotel.

Stallingborough Grange has officially opened the doors to its brand new addition, creating five new jobs, with first guests already welcomed to Christmas party nights.

The Buttercross Suite is a standalone, multi-functional venue designed to cater for weddings, celebrations, conferences, and the hotel’s own special events. The project has been three years in the planning, with construction beginning in March 2018.

Owner and general manager Heather Dutton said: “We’ve had

Tim Maddinson, of E-Factor Business, with Heather Dutton, owner, at The Buttercross Suite at Stallingborough Grange Hotel.

PRoject has been three years in the planning weddings and special occasions here for a long time, but we always want to keep improving.

“The suite has more than met our expectations. It was completed on time, ready for the Christmas season, and we’ve had a lot of people excited for the venue.

“It has given the hotel another dimension. It has given us all a boost, especially the staff who have worked so hard to make the new venue work.

“It was a very intense year while the construction was happening, but the staff have been great and very helpful throughout. They’ve given it their full backing.”

Stallingborough Grange was Heather’s childhood home before her family transformed the site into a hotel in 1989. In the intervening 30 years it has grown from five bedrooms, to 17, to 21, and finally 43, with an AA Rosette awarded to the restaurant three years running.

The Buttercross Suite has been Stallingborough Grange’s most ambitious project to date, with the new build incorporating a kitchen and catering facilities, bar area, and partitions, as well as space for up to 200 seated guests.

It was completed with the help of a grant of more than £100,000 from the Leader Rural Development ProThe new Buttercross Suite at the Stallingborough Grange Hotel.

gramme Growth Fund, secured by E-Factor Business and Business Growth Hub adviser Tim Maddinson.

He was introduced to the project by financial-signposting service Investment Hub NEL and worked closely with Heather and the management team throughout the application process, from developing business plans and forecasts to submitting the completed grant application with supporting evidence.

Heather said: “Tim has been fantastic, nothing has been too much trouble.

“He’s spent a lot of time here. It was a difficult process, but E-Factor

helped to manage it and get us through.

“It was the right time for this project and we couldn’t have done this without the investment.”

The five new jobs could swell to 12 in the near future, with the construction carried out by Scunthorpe’s GS Kelsey.

Tim said: “It is extremely rewarding to have helped Stallingborough Grange mitigate what has been a significant investment in the venue with a grant from this national scheme.

“High quality venues and visitor attractions can only contribute further to the quality of life and the economic prosperity of the local economy, so all the best to Heather and her team.”

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Business Support

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Law firms unite to meet the growing needs of offshore sector From left, Wilkin Chapman’s, Jonathan Goolden, regulatory partner and Adam Ottley, senior solicitor corporate community department, with Myton Law’s co-founder and director, Scott Yates, overlooking Grimsby docks.

PICTURE: Rick Byrne

T • •

www.listrecruitment.co.uk

HE ability to react quickly to meet vices required for the development of the the evolving needs of the offshore O&M operations at Port of Grimsby East. wind sector will determine the The start of 2019 also sees it enter a new Humber region’s future success, phase in its renewables development, with according to a legal specialist in a focus on the needs of the sector – deliverrenewable energy. ing regional and national legal expertise And the area’s education and training across all areas. provision, along with the abilities of comHowever, with a gap in the firm’s knowlpanies to provide efficient services, edge of shipping law and the more are key factors in this evolution, niche aspects surrounding rail Wilkin Chapman partner, and haulage, it was happy to Jonathan Goolden said. look at collaboration with Speaking as his own Myton, a recognised firm embarks upon a regional specialist.

This collaboration ‘strategic collaboration’ “This collaboration in order to meet the enables us to offer a enables us to offer a growing needs of the seamless range of highly seamless range of sector, he predicted highly competitive sercompetitive services to changes within offshore vices to the offshore secthe offshore sector wind in 2019 and beyond. tor,” explained Jonathan.

Wilkin Chapman has For Scott Yates, Myton Jonathan Goolden recently joined forces with Law’s co-founder and direcHull-based Myton Law, protor, it offers huge opportunity viding a comprehensive service to for both firms. the offshore industry.

“The collaboration between our firms As the region’s largest law firm, Wilkin in the offshore renewables sector makes Chapman has specialists in corporate and perfect sense,” he said. “We are both well commercial, employment, HR, regulatory known for our core services and we both and compliance, commercial and domes- act for clients involved in the industry. This tic property law. alliance now enables us both to offer a truly The firm also has a depth of knowledge comprehensive range of specialist legal within the renewables sector, which dates services to those existing clients but also to to when the industry was in its infancy. It other players in the sector which will began assisting farmers with the erection undoubtedly be appealing.” of single turbines onshore and the operaJonathan’s predictions for the offshore tion of anaerobic digestion systems, before wind sector during 2019 include a concenproviding an integral role in the legal ser- tration on cost efficiency. He explained

how operators, who are now using more advanced and proven technology, are attracting private investors as they look to a subsidy-free future.

They are also continuing to engage in the “reverse auction”, Contract for Difference process - winning permissions to operate on the Crown-owned seabed by putting in the lowest subsidy requirements.

The Government’s aim is, of course, to reduce subsidies to nil. However, this is likely to put pressure on those in the supply chain, or those looking to win such work with a constant need to be as efficient as possible with no compromise on reliability or quality. As a result, SMEs seeking to retain or win contracts will need to ensure they have the correct structures in place to maximise their opportunities. And as the sector evolves, speed of change is paramount, he added.

“There will be further consolidation within the supply chain as the principle operators look at ways of reducing costs.

This then provides regional opportunities as they look for professional support locally with expertise offered at provincial rates.

“However, the question for the Humber is, can it become a centre of excellence for this technology quickly enough to meet that need?” said Jonathan.

To find out more about Wilkin Chapman’s work within the renewables sector please go to www.wilkinchapman.co.uk/ sectors/energy-renewables

‘This is a significant appointment for the whole team’ THE growing debt recovery team at Wilkin Chapman solicitors is one of five legal firms to be appointed as a ‘preferred supplier’ for debt recovery work to all universities and higher education colleges across the UK. The firm has secured a place on the recently announced debt recovery framework panel of the London University Purchasing Consortia and will

remain on the framework for five years, with an estimated annual contract value of £2 million.

The quality of service and of its ‘one-stop-shop’ method of delivery was recognised in the process.

The department will provide both collections and legal work in relation to unpaid tuition and accommodation fees.

Mark Taylor, partner, said: “What was extremely pleasing

was, that in areas of quality and service delivery we came out with the highest scores across the appointed firms. This is the first time we have been appointed and so naturally we are delighted to have been chosen as an approved supplier.

We already act for a number of universities and therefore this is a significant appointment for the whole team.”

Mark, with more than 25 years’ experience in both

consumer and commercial debt recovery, works closely with partner and department head Chris Grocock, who leads the 130-strong team. It follows the debt recovery team’s elevation in this year’s Legal 500 – the most comprehensive assessment of law firms’ capabilities. Based on strict criteria and extensive research, it has been judged as Tier One – the highest possible ranking.

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New direct flights to the capital Eastern Airways has added a new service to its portfolio, introducing a direct flight between Newcastle and London City.

The Humberside-based airline, a franchise partner of Flybe, now operates a morning and evening peak service, which takes just 70 minutes.

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ general manager for commercial and operations, said: “We are very pleased to launch this new direct central London air service on behalf of Flybe, adding to their expanding London City network and to the Aberdeen – London City service we

Bringing London to Newcastle ... Eastern Airways has started a twice-daily service between the north east and City of London for Flybe.

already operate.

“We believe it’s vital for major UK cities to have direct fast convenient air links between the regions and London.

“This route provides a direct link for our customers from Newcastle and the north east region, from where they can

quickly access Canary Wharf, the City of London and the underground network with ease, helping business and leisure travellers alike.”

With business-focused morning and evening departures at 8.05am and 5.50pm, returning at 9.45am and 7.30pm on weekdays, and

a single Sunday evening service, the time saving compared to rail or road will meet the needs of many north-east commuters.

The Docklands Light Railway links London City Airport to Canning Town and Bank, reached in just seven and 21 minutes respectively.

Airport’s warm welcome

S

TUDENTS and businesses have been given behind-the-scenes tours of Humberside International Airport, as the vital piece of the area’s connectivity is showcased to aid growth and ensure a future generation of employees.

Managing director Deborah Zost has welcomed both Marketing Humber bondholders and Grimsby Institute travel and tourism students to the Kirmington base.

The first visit saw the latest outward marketing tool launched, a UK Trading Gateway info-graphic to follow the Energy Estuary and Britain’s Kitchen resources.

Guests heard how Humberside is the UK’s fifth largest heliport and an essential aviation passenger and logistics hub for the region, with 200,000 a year passing through.

Giving an overview of the recent history, facilities, capabilities and future plans - including daily KLM flights to Amsterdam which connect the region with more than 300 direct destinations worldwide, and the growing partnerships linked to the region’s burgeoning renewable energy sector - Ms Zost said: “The Humber has a fantastic future in offshore wind and we are proud to be part of that, and to be working in support of some of the biggest construction projects in the world.”

Orsted’s Race Bank is the first operational wind farm to have a dedicated helicopter service for operations and maintenance,

Grimsby Institute Travel and Tourism students at Humberside Airport.

with Hornsea Two’s construction co-ordination team also having a presence there.

“The airport offers a wide range of services and facilities and acts as a gateway, not only for access to the Humber, but also to attract businesses to the region,’’ she added.

HUY, as it is known in the industry, is also home to Eastern Airways, the region’s search and rescue helicopter, and a business aviation centre.

Of the fitting backdrop for the launch of “UK’s Trading Gateway”, specifically focused on the Humber’s offer and continued growth as a multi-modal hub for the Northern Powerhouse and the UK, Marketing Humber managing director Diana Taylor said: “It is the latest resource produced to showcase the region’s strengths, expertise and capabilities.

“The UK’s Trading Gateway map will support our Roadshow

events programme, which continues in 2019, and sees us taking the Humber’s key messages to UK regions along the northern industrial corridor to shout about the benefits of doing businesses here and building stronger connections within the Northern Powerhouse and beyond.

“Communicating the vital role of our region is crucial for its future success and the maps are a fantastic tool to clearly illustrate this. The airport is a vital regional asset for trade and the perfect location for us to launch the material.”

From Grimsby Institute, 16 Level Two Travel and Tourism students visited for a familiarisation module.

Ms Zost said: “It is important that we work with businessfocused organisations like Grimsby Institute, which have courses and modules in our industry, as their students could

potentially be our employees of the future.”

As part of the trip, they visited Eastern Airways’ maintenance hangar for a familiarisation tour around an aircraft, attended a cabin crew briefing, had an introduction to Humberside Airport’s Air Traffic Control centre, a tour of the airport terminal building, including a visit to the Swissport executive passenger lounge, and a look around Weston Aviation’s private jet aviation centre.

Debra Gray, principal and deputy chief executive at Grimsby Institute, said: “Our students had an amazing time at Humberside Airport learning about the range of highly-skilled jobs available in the tourism and aviation industry.

“We value our partnerships with employers such as the airport who work hard to open doors for young people to succeed.”

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Training

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Students can be fast-tracked into a career in high speed rail and transport - thanks to partnership

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tudents from Scunthorpe’s Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire can be fasttracked into a career in high speed rail and transport infrastructure after a new partnership was agreed.

It has linked up with Doncaster’s National College for High Speed Rail, the largest of five national centres being created by the Government, The new partnership means students will be given a tour of the college, assistance with the application form and an assessment on whether they could benefit from financial assistance towards their studies.

Marc Doyle, chief executive and principal of the Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire said: “We’re

hugely excited about this partnership with the National College for High Speed Rail as we believe it’s home to the best learning facilities and most advanced learning equipment in Great Britain.

“We recently held our staff training day at the college and were amazed by the equipment and the quality of the learning on offer.

“After creating deep and meaningful partnerships with local employers such as Phillips 66, Cristal, Jacobs and British Steel we’re delighted about creating exciting new pathways with education institutions like the National College for High Speed Rail and offering our students the opportunities to high-quality and highly-prized careers in high speed rail and learning their trade using

High Speed Rail College principal Clair Mowbray with Marc Doyle, principal and chief executive of Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire at Doncaster.

the latest 21st century digital tech.”

Features include augmented and virtual reality as well as access to replica equipment from the industry.

Last year every UTC student went on to work or further education, with record results celebrated.

Careers and education opportunities in engineering are become more and more sought after. Over the next five years it is estimated that businesses will need 182,000 new engineers every year. Right now, the country is falling short by 69,000 engineers a year. The rail industry in particular faces even further skills shortages, with one in five rail engineers currently aged over-55.

Britain’s move into high speed rail is set to create 25,000 new jobs; and

careers in this industry are set to become increasingly sought after.

The National College for High Speed Rail is the gateway for learners to gain the skills they need to take up a once-in-a-generation opportunity and work on one of Europe’s largest and most exciting infrastructure project as well as other forms of transport infrastructure.

The college, which has campuses in both Doncaster and Birmingham, launched the UK’s first ever Certificate of Higher Education in High Speed Rail and Infrastructure in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University last year.

The college is now also running the Foundation Degree in High Speed Rail and Infrastructure and is looking to expand to offering the full

BSc degree in 2019.

Chief executive of the National College for High Speed Rail, Clair Mowbray, said: “We’re very excited about this partnership because the Engineering UTC North Lincolnshire has proven itself to be an excellent institution which offers high-quality learning and outcomes for its students.

“The future is very bright for students looking to start a career in high speed rail and infrastructure as Britain currently has a record £600 billion of infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

“As an organisation we’re dedicated to providing a world-class learning environment so British leaners can take advantage of these outstanding career opportunities.”

Thousands benefited from free skills training NEARLY 6,000 people in Greater Lincolnshire have benefited from free skills training through a programme to support businesses in upskilling employees, raising productivity and boosting business growth.

Since the £9 million Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) fund was made available last year, more than 1,000 businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity for their staff to gain professional training across a range of skills and sectors.

The fund is designed to specifically give businesses the chance to upskill their workforce, to fill the region’s skills gaps and provide employees with valuable expertise and knowledge to enhance business success.

Nigel Brough, regional development manager of the SSW project in Greater Lincolnshire, said: “It is brilliant to see our programme help even more businesses following the extension of the project earlier this year.

“Businesses from all sectors in the area are benefiting from upskilling their staff, including increasing staff motivation and improving productivity levels – all as a result of engaging their employees through

challenging but rewarding training.

Funding is only available until March 2019, so we would strongly encourage other businesses to take advantage while it’s there.”

Working with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, SSW’s local training providers have courses covering a wide range of employability skills across a number of industries, as well as specific courses to help support the LEP’s six priority sectors: agri-food, health and care, manufacturing, visitor economy, ports

and logistics, and low carbon.

Clare Hughes, skills manager at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “We have excellent training available for employees and businesses in the area and we are delighted with the high numbers that have engaged so far. There is still funding available but there’s not a lot of time left, so we would really like to reach out to all employers across the area and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Research shows that only a third of employees are highly engaged at work and the fully-funded training can assist with this by increasing motivation and general productivity. It is a very exciting time for Greater Lincolnshire and we look forward to continuing to support the growth we’ve already seen.”

Delivered by Calderdale College - one of the country’s largest providers of European Social Fund funded training through local providers, the training is for businesses based in the Local Enterprise Partnership area.

For more information visit http:// greaterlincolnshire.fundingunit.org.uk

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Careers

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Sponsored by

Engineering, Design, Project Management Recruitment and Construction Services

Tel 01469 577695 www.oldesigngroup.co.uk

As a chartered fellow, Phil brings with him notable expertise in dealing with high-value clients and their estates. He will be a great addition to the team and to our growing client base

Phil Jones, centre, with Neil Boulton, left, director of FB Wealth Management, and David Everatt, chairman and partner at Forrester Boyd.

Neil Boulton

Chartered fellow joins team of independent financial advisers

I

ndependent financial adviser FB Wealth Management has welcomed chartered fellow Phil Jones to the high net worth team.

Mr Jones, who has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 30 years, brings extensive expertise of dealing with wealth portfolios, joining from NatWest’s private clients team.

FB Wealth Management provide clients with extensive financial

expert brings 30 years of industry experience advice including pensions, wealth preservation, trust and estate planning, ISAs, collectives and all investment tax wrappers.

It operates from the head office of parent company Forrester Boyd, in Grimsby, with the 11-strong team of independent financial advisers working closely with the account-

ancy firm’s partners, ensuring clients can benefit from a joined up approach to their financial matters, complementing the tax planning work they undertake.

Phil said: “I am delighted to join FB Wealth Management and look forward to being able to continue to offer my expertise to high net worth

private clients and further build my portfolio in the region.”

Married with two young children, he follows rugby union and cricket and enjoys playing golf and family skiing holidays.

He specialises in investment and wealth management, retirement, trust and estate planning.

He is a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and also a chartered financial planner with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Neil Boulton, director of FB Wealth, said: “As a chartered fellow, Phil brings with him notable expertise in dealing with high-value clients and their estates. He will be a great addition to the team and to our growing client base.”

Apprentice strikes gold in competition AN apprentice roofer from Immingham has shown the rest of the UK how it is done after bringing back a gold from the national WorldSkills UK competition.

Joseph Turner won the top title in the “Roofing: Slating and Tiling” final at the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event.

Joseph Turner, He works for The Roofing receives the gold WorldSkills UK medal Corporation in Grimsby, having for roofing from Gina completed Level Two and Three NVQs Webster of the CITB. with Leeds College of Building - a third successive year it had excelled.

The 25-year-old said: “I do a lot of machine-made clay tiles was a lot handmade tiling with clay tiles - both easier for me, and we also do a lot of plain and pan tiles - so working with ornamental slating, so I knew what I

needed to do to win. I just had to make sure I worked to the points scheme given to me and to a good pace to complete it on time!”

WorldSkills UK competitions run over three days at the NEC Birmingham, covering 70 disciplines and in partnership with leading industry brands.

Chris Messenger, Leeds College of Building lecturer, said: “I am so proud of Joe - he has worked incredibly hard and deserves his gold.

“I’m also proud that the college has set the standard and showcased the skills required to achieve this national award.”

Joseph Turner competing in WorldSkills.

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Motoring

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Steel fleet rolls out in £1.4m investment

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RITISH Steel is expanding its road fleet, adding 18 new vehicles in a £1.4 million investment to support the growth of its domestic distribution network.

It will improve the ability of the company’s metal centres to supply a wide range of constructional steel products and services to businesses of all sizes, from major developers to local housebuilders.

Richard Farnsworth, managing director of British Steel Construction, said: “This is a significant investment in our future which will enable us to provide an even better service to our customers throughout the UK. “Our regional metal centres provide customers with a quick and convenient way of buying a wide range of steel products and a first-class fleet is central to our strategy of becoming the supplier of choice to this country’s construction industry.

“The vehicles, coupled with our extensive stock range, will enable us to meet customer needs with next-day delivery in the immediate area while customers can also still make their own collections.”

British Steel’s metal centres stock a range of constructional steel products including sections, bars, angles, channels, plate, sheet, mesh, flooring and hand railing.

They also offer a range of further processing facilities including shot-blasting, painting and cutting to length so products can be tailored to customers’ precise requirements.

One of British Steel’s new fleet of trucks on the production line at Leyland Trucks.

Inset, Richard Farnsworth.

They are located in Scunthorpe, Dartford, Wolverhampton, Redcar, Newcastle, Stoke, Ashburton, Cheadle, Newport, Edinburgh, Dublin, Dundee and Lisburn.

Scunthorpe’s new centre opened in March last year, replacing a smaller facility on Skippingdale with a dedicated part of the main steelworks site.

The DAF Trucks Ltd fleet will be delivered in the spring, and are being supplied

by Thomas’s Group of Birmingham.

Malcolm Robbins, construction logistics manager for UK distribution at British Steel,

said: “We’re committed to improving our service to current and new customers across the network, and this investment will play a significant role in helping us achieve this.

“We recently visited Leyland Trucks in Lancashire to see one of our liveried DAF vehicles on the production line and it’s exciting to know the new fleet will soon be delivering our steel products across the country.”

The fleet features 11 tractor units and seven rigid bodied vehicles.

Brothers behind branding A quarter of a million promotional items in 19 different languages. An example of just one of the orders that the team at Recognition Express in Grimsby are processing now on a regular basis.

The branding specialists have expanded their international offering to facilitate the increased demand from existing and prospective clients.

The business, based on Venture Business Park, Gilbey Road, is headed up by brothers Danny and Matt Bevis alongside Claire Lindley.

After taking on the franchise in 2010 they quickly realised that the offering needed to be diversified to meet the needs of the changing marketplace. Expanding into new markets the business started to offer branded work wear, promotional items and commercial signage.

Staff at Recognition Express, in Grimsby, led

by Matt and Danny Bevis, alongside Claire Lindley.

Priding their selves on ‘unique solutions to promote your image’ the business is fuelled on effective business branding.

Danny Bevis, operations director, believes that branded promotional items provide “a cost-effective marketing solution with no time limit”. “If you choose the right product, it will stay with your potential customer,” he said.

“Useable products such as pens, notepads, mugs and drinks bottles offer practicality and affordability and are a hit with customer-facing businesses.

“The aim always is to help companies be consistent in their image, from signage to workwear, promotional items and everything in between – everything needs to project the same message. In the

last five years we seen lots more companies starting to really understand the importance of branding.”

This year household names have called on the team at Recognition Express to help, with orders for sporting giants Team Sky and Manchester United recently being completed, as well as British fashion brand Henri Lloyd. Now smaller

companies are beginning to ride the branded momentum and even start-ups are choosing to incorporate this marketing technique into their business model from the outset.

Behind every order is a team of people and a host of the latest printing machines working to make it possible. Upon completion the large, multi-national orders sound impressive but it is the team and their efforts to go the extra mile that Danny commends the most.

“The team is everything and something we are really proud of, everybody pulls together to keep on top of demand and ensure we keep offering excellent service and turnaround times,” he said. “We’re continually investing in new technology to take us forward, more embroidery machines and screen printing facilities have been added recently to further our offering and capacity.”

So what’s next for the team at Recognition Express? “We will continue to invest in technology and people,” said Matt. “We have lots of ambitious plans for the future and hope to continue to grow the business.”

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SUCCESS IN

2019 Today sees your dedicated online news platform Humberbusiness.com enter its third year.

Building ever stronger, the platform now welcomes more than 23,000 unique visitors a month, bringing you the latest news from around the Energy Estuary, via the business desks of the Grimsby and Scunthorpe Telegraphs and Hull Daily Mail.

Backed up by a strong social media presence, Humberbusiness.com is about to hit 5,000 followers on Twitter, with a further 2,000 on LinkedIn. There’s also the free newsletter service, with the day’s headlines mailed direct to subscribers’ inboxes in time for lunch.

It is made possible thanks to the support of partners in the business community. In the following pages some of our valued sponsors give an insight into their expectations for 2019, and take a look back at 2018 as we look forward to bringing you the latest business developments as they occur.

Planning for a prosperous future 2 018 was a year for North East Lincolnshire Council where many of our plans have finally come together.

Regeneration and investment doesn’t happen overnight. It takes long hours (and often sleepless nights) to pull bids for funding together, to lobby funding partners, wait with baited breath, and finally to receive news.

The dedication of our officers has paid off in spades this year. Blocks of funding have dropped into place to regenerate areas of Grimsby and Cleethorpes, and to provide additional support for Immingham and other areas of our borough.

The historic Town Deal was signed with Government ministers in July – the only one of its kind in the UK. We can’t underestimate what this means for North East Lincolnshire. It signals that government believes in our vision and feels we’re in such a place that we can lead the plan with confidence and credibility.

As part of this, we’re working in partnership with the University of Lincoln, ABP and GIFHE to develop a new higher education presence in Grimsby and we’re also working with credible and

Thrilled at the news Northern Lincolnshire is set to lead green jet fuel production, from left, Martin Hopkins, Velocys, Councillor Peter Wheatley, Councillor Ray Oxby, leader of NELC shaking hands with Henrik Wareborn, Velocys, Dave Robinson, investment officer NELC, Rob Walsh, chief executive of NELC, Paul Ticehurst, Velocys.

keen private investors to develop the centre of Grimsby.

Since then, we’ve been regularly engaging with central government and a host of other partners to build the plans, to cement the proposals. We’re driving economic growth, not only in the town centres, but also in our outlying sites.

The South Humber Programme to market the industrial investment sites in our patch is starting to take hold.

We’ve already developed the cress marsh near Stallingborough as a mitigation site to help de-risk future investment and 2019 will bring the new link road from Grimsby to Hobson Way. Areas of Grimsby port have been designated as a Heritage Action Zone, allowing us, and others, to bid for grants to support projects there.

Work has started on the ground in Cleethorpes earlier this month to transform and enhance areas of the resort, improve traffic, introduce public art and help protect historic buildings on Alexandra Road. As well as this, we’re providing funding to support events and activities to further extend the tourism season and offer. This exciting £6.7m programme will be delivered over the next 18 months and will bring some fundamental changes to the resort.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing this year though, and neither should it be. As a council, we’ve had to make some tough decisions. Since 2010, we’ve have had our overall budget cut by more than 35 per cent.

But we’ve managed our finances prudently, soundly and by streamlining the way we work we’ve protected many

of the services for the most vulnerable. The cuts aren’t going to stop and the government-driven austerity is far from over, but by doing the work in our towns, we’re helping to create a more stable base from we can grow the local economy.

Things are changing in our area. There will, no doubt, be disruption as building work starts, but for those who live here, those who visit and those who own businesses or work here, it will be worth it as the area grows and our attractions increase.

Since I’ve been leader, it feels like we’ve been doing a lot of work in the background.

I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labours in 2019 and beyond.

Cllr Ray Oxby Leader, North East Lincolnshire Council

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Cristal site director, Gavin Jones, pictured at the plant in Stallingborough.

PICTURE: Rick Byrne

Former apprentice Gavin takes the helm at Cristal

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itanium dioxide might as well course through the veins of Cristal’s new general manager, Gavin Jones.

Having followed his father’s footsteps through the gatehouse as a teenage apprentice, he is now at the helm of the sprawling Stallingborough plant, having taken over as the new year dawned.

He has carved out a career at the 66-year-old South Humber Bank site, taking the top job in a year which could see a potential seventh owner in US giant Tronox, as it looks to complete the buy-out it began back in February 2017.

But top level management moves were not what he envisaged as he plotted his transition from education to work.

“I applied for an apprenticeship here in 1994,” he said, recalling the last few months of his time at The Immingham School. “I applied to other places on the Humber bank too, but had my heart set on this place because my Dad worked here.”

Brian Jones served for more than 40 years, working as an operator until his retirement. “He was always so enthusiastic about working here and said it would be a great place if I could get in.” And while Gavin “never ever thought” he’d one day lead the 400-strong team, his potential was clearly recognised as regular promotions flowed.

“All the way through my career I would always say I’ve not been heav-

ily career driven, though others may beg to differ,” he said. “I have been someone who is very fortunate to have had very good leaders; line managers that have seen something in me and given me enough coaching and mentoring to take the next step without ever consciously applying for it!

“I am very, very proud to come from apprentice to general manager.

The role is acting at the moment, as we go through the acquisition, but I have grabbed that opportunity and I will embrace it fully.”

And of his father’s reaction? “He was smiling from ear to ear when I told him in December.”

Gavin’s first role was as a mechanical fitter, taken on at the end of his time in the chloride plant, as the sulphate plant then shut down.

One of his first roles was on the 150K project, a major expansion in 1998. “It was a really good opportunity for a youngster coming out of his apprenticeship to be picked to work on it,” he said. That potential had clearly been spotted, and he was a charge hand and then supervisor while still in his early 20s, having his desire to continue his education and advance his trade to become a mechanical engineer granted too.

That came in 2005, thanks to a principal engineer who he had repetitively asked, and was done on day release at Sheffield Hallam University. Taken off the workshop floor, he moved into an assistant engineer role, then within six months was

given his own area of plant, Unit 300.

“It was quite an honour to look after Unit 300 as a mechanical engineer as it is the ‘business end’ of the plant, where a lot of the proprietary technology is,” he said. “There are lots of challenges in this business.

The process is very arduous, there are not many materials known to man that could survive it, with high and low temperatures, lots of acid, alkalies and lots of exotic materials.

“For a mechanical engineer it is a dream world in terms of having everything you would want to be able to look at, and the technical ability to handle it.

“We see things metallurgists very rarely see, or may only read in textbooks when it comes to deterioration.”

In 2010 he graduated, and went on to lead the mechanical engineering team, focusing on maintenance, then moving on to reliability superintendant post, a role he coveted as it gave a “great balance” of leadership and engineering.

In the reorganisation of the business in 2015, as the cost position of Cristal was “looking very questionable” he was selected to lead the maintenance improvement plan, bringing in a saving of more than 25 per cent - equating to millions of pounds. “We achieved a huge reduction on the maintenance budget but actually provided a better service to the plant,” he said. “We actually did more in 2016 than in 2015, a higher quality service for less money.”

I have been someone who is very fortunate to have had very good leaders; line managers that have seen something in me and given me enough coaching and mentoring to take the next step without ever consciously applying for it Gavin Jones

Married and continuing to live in Immingham, he believes the work achieved in a six month period got him noticed on site, and when his predecessor Rob Sarracini joined later that year he was asked to become part of the strategy team.

From here he went to the senior leadership team, before being invited to lead the strategy team, and finally working as the general manager’s deputy.

Looking ahead, the keen road cyclist said: “We have done a lot of work over the last three years to drive the costs down and a lot on volume. The last year didn’t go quite the way we wanted in terms of volumes, with a number of reliability issues on the plant, but the work we have now done strategically has set us up for a strong 2019.

“We are, however, seeing the market soften in Europe, and when that happens you do see price erosion, so it is important we are in a good,

healthy position from a cost of goods manufactured perspective. The site is set up well this year, and we have come such a long way.

“Last year, we developed the fiveyear strategic plan, and working on that has set me up really well to understand where we need to go.

“Our ethos is safe, quality and low cost tonnes, while focusing on the assets, the people and the culture, the process and the systems.

“If we can do all of that well, the balance will be a world class resource. That’s what we are looking for, we are on the journey, and we are already best in class in quite a few areas. We have had excellent safety results last year, with a zero total recordable injury rate, which is a great achievement for any manufacturing facility.

“The vision is to make Cristal world class and we are delivering on it.”

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Staying ahead of the game with £102m investment

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or ABP on the Humber, 2018 proved to be an incredible year of investment and preparation for future development. At the UK’s largest port by tonnage in Immingham, a staggering £102 million was committed by the company to support industry growth across the maritime sector.

ABP announced that it would be investing £36 million into improvement works at the Immingham Container Terminal, which would be expected to double its handling capacity as a direct result of the works being completed.

Across the River in Hull, the port received a huge vote of confidence as a major new service with Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping line, has been agreed. The exciting development will offer deep-sea connections to the rest of the world when launched mid-

January. This came on the back of the Hull Container Terminal which benefitted from a £10.5 million investment when two new shipto-shore gantry cranes were delivered to the site offering customers the best service possible. Since then, four new sailing routes have been announced.

The Immingham Bulk Terminal, formerly owned by British Steel, was taken over by ABP and received a significant £65 million investment boost, helping to secure the long-term future of steel manufacturing within the region.

As part of its £65 million commitment to the project, ABP will invest in new cranes, equipment and infrastructure to underpin the safe and reliable operation of the site for future use.

ABP’s four Humber ports

New cranes arriving on the Humber for ABP.

also received an impressive line-up of high profile political visitors to its sites throughout the year. Environment Secretary Michael Gove attended the port of Immingham to officially open the new £5 million flood gates, installed with backing from the local council and the Environment Agency in order to lessen the likelihood of tidal flooding.

Brexit Minister Suella Braverman attended

the port of Grimsby to officially open the £5 million state-of-the-art Humber Marine Control Centre after Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani MP had had a tour of Hull’s port a few months prior.

With a growing head-count the ports on the Humber continue to stay ahead of the trade game, promoting and supporting economic growth in the locality.

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Thriving enterprise club expands

A

hive of opportunity is promised for the northern Lincolnshire business communities as a thriving business club prepares to officially launch in Scunthorpe.

The Business Hive, E-Factor’s dedicated not-for-profit support club for entrepreneurs and enterprises of all sizes, has built up a membership of more than 300 businesses since opening its doors in Grimsby in 2014, offering networking, masterclasses, office space, hotdesking, meeting facilities, expos and events, and a wealth of business support.

Now it is expanding into Scunthorpe with the core aim of providing meaningful business support to businesses and enabling members to network and collaborate, encouraging development and growth to benefit the local economy.

Jo Taylor, deputy manager of the Business Hive, said: “We are proud to have such a diverse mix of businesses as members of the Business Hive, from sole traders through to small businesses, growing to medium-sized companies and large,

Business Hive networking event in Grimsby.

It is to launch in Scunthorpe.

international organisations – and from all sectors, too. There is such a vibrant business community in North Lincolnshire. We understand that as the backbone of the economy their ambition and determination to grasp new opportunities and overcome the many challenges a local business faces everyday deserves

real recognition, and all the support we can provide. Our research overwhelmingly indicates that now is the right time to officially launch in Scunthorpe and we’re really looking forward to being part of that business community.

“The Business Hive is more than a networking group. The team works

hard to provide unrivalled, meaningful business support, helping to make real connections that turn into real success stories.”

Business Hive member Alexis Powell-Howard, managing director of Fortis Therapy and Training Ltd, has dedicated premises for therapeutic and counselling services in

Grimsby and Scunthorpe. She said: “Fortis and I have benefitted hugely from accessing all the Business Hive have to offer. Twenty months ago, with support from the Hive, we expanded the business and moved in to our own premises. The Hive having a base in Scunthorpe is an amazing opportunity for Northern Lincolnshire business and as we have an office there too, we will be actively taking part in all that the Hive offers and with their help, taking the opportunity to build further on our relationships within the Northern Lincolnshire business community.”

The Business Hive Scunthorpe launch takes place on Tuesday, January 29, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park.

Businesses who are passionate about building relationships, expanding networks, meeting new customers, getting access to business experts and cutting-edge resources and seeking objective, professional business support, are welcome to attend. To book, email info@businesshive.net or visit businesshive.net/events

Accountants to mark milestone

The Old Chapel, Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8JJ

A North Lincolnshire-based firm of chartered accountants is gearing up to mark an historic milestone this year, celebrating 25 years in business.

Led by four directors and now employing a strong team of staff based over two offices, managing partner Andrew Robinson believes that AP Robinson & Co’s partner-led values have provided firm foundations for the company to grow and prosper.

During the last 25 years the company has evolved and strengthened in both size and standing, garnering a professional reputation which extends across Lincolnshire and beyond.

Today, A P Robinson & Co is a successful, respected and recognised firm of chartered accountants offering high performance accountancy services for start-ups through to multi-national corporations.

As part of the celebration this year, AP Robinson & Co has committed to carrying out 25 things to symbolise this worthwhile milestone, watch this space to see what they get up to!

Emma Brook, partner at AP Robinson & Co, said: “We wanted to ensure that we would remember this milestone for many years to come and also celebrate the hard work and commitment of our staff who we couldn’t function this business without.”

Crediting this milestone to values, Mr Robinson commented: “We never want to lose sight of staying true to

Andrew Robinson, managing partner of

our long-established partner-led roots. A client will always be able to speak to a partner, just as on day one of our business. Equally as important is that we nurture our staff and are eternally passionate about what we do – providing our clients with a familiar face and a comprehensive service.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have reached this milestone. It is so rewarding to help our clients and see them fulfil their plans and expectations.

“We have built many valued relationships some of which are now in their 25th year. Here’s to the next 25 years!”

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Driving a major focus on employment law

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e may not have access to the car-byphone platform in northern Lincolnshire but local employers should note its ongoing legal battle, which has farreaching consequences.

As we examine likely employment law issues in 2019, we must shine a spotlight on the latest in a case that Uber has so far refused to let go, and what it means for regional firms relying on the ‘gig economy’.

In December the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that Uber drivers are ‘workers’ and should receive certain entitlements.

This is the third legal defeat for Uber with the court agreeing with previous judgements that the drivers are not self-employed individuals.

The high-profile case centres on whether the drivers are ‘work-

Uber, the technology platform that has transformed city travel, is driving a major focus on employment law in 2019.

Wilkin Chapman partner K atie Davies explains why.

ers’ when the ridehailing app is switched on and they are ready to accept work. So far, the courts have ruled they are and therefore entitled to certain rights such as holiday pay. As workers can claim holiday pay going back a substantial period, this can amount to significant sums.

Uber has been granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court and we await

Rachel is delivering the goods An industry-leading hirer of portable site accommodation and secure storage containers is challenging stereotypes with the appointment of a female HGV driver.

Mobile Mini, which has 15 branches across the UK, including its Humber branch at Immingham, has taken on a female driver to deliver its units – one of only 3,000 in the UK. Following her appointment by Mobile Mini, Rachel Woodward, 24, was able to develop her driver skills further, receiving professional training centred around carrying out the lifting operations required when delivering units from a lorry mounted loader crane vehicle.

She said: “I’d not planned on becoming a driver for a living, but I love the freedom of getting out and meeting people.

“I knew I could never have a job where I was in an office all day, and I don’t like being tied to one place, so this is the ideal job for me.”

Rachel delivers storage container and site accommodation units, often finding she is not what customers expect.

She said: “People are either incredibly helpful, more so than they would be with a male driver, or they just stand back and watch.

“I’ll often ring customers to let them know I’m on my way and they’ll

news, however, whatever this ruling, businesses should review their working arrangements.

This is one of a series of cases determining worker status, with the courts becoming increasingly willing to hold that individuals are workers, and calling someone a ‘contractor’, ‘subbie’ or ‘self-employed individual’ will not change that.

The courts are not concerned with labels or intentions and a

This is the third legal defeat for Uber with the court agreeing with previous judgements that the drivers are not self-employed individuals Katie Davies

business could have to pay holiday back-pay, even though it has paid an enhanced hourly rate to the so-called contractor.

For advice on this ‘grey’ area or any areas of employment law, please contact Katie Davies a Partner within the employment team at Wilkin Chapman solicitors at Katie.Davies@wilkinchapman.co.uk

Katie Davies, partner, Wilkin Chapman.

PICTURE: Dave Moss

Mobile Mini HGV driver Rachel Woodward. assume I’m the office staff, asking me to pass a message on for ‘him’. It doesn’t bother me, I realise women drivers are still pretty unusual – it’s still seen as a man’s job. The majority of people I deal with are men, and it’s still rare to see women on a building site.”

As well as providing lifting operations training to qualified HGV drivers, Mobile Mini also has its own Driver Development Programme, a bespoke training scheme offered to any employee working for the company, created to help deal with an increasing shortage of HGV drivers.

HR director, Louise Arnold, said: “Our programme enables us to develop our own talented people and provide them with a great opportunity to grow, receive some fantastic training and to really develop their career, while helping to stem a recruitment crisis within the industry.

“Rachel is a perfect example of how our driving training benefits both the company and our employees and we’re delighted to see her flourish in her new career.”

Further information on Mobile Mini and its services can be found at www. mobilemini.co.uk

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24 GRIMSBYLIVE.CO.UK

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

SHOWCASING SUCCESS IN 2019

Don’t let accessing finance hold your business back Andrew Austwick, executive director of Finance For Enterprise, looks at the year ahead.

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eports suggest that despite the clear political uncertainties facing the UK, many business owners throughout the Humber and Lincolnshire remain cautiously optimistic about their growth expectations in 2019.

Over the past 12 months, Finance For Enterprise has helped businesses in Lincolnshire, Hull and the Humber to access more than £2 million of lending, fuelling the local economy by enabling SMEs to invest in equipment, innovation and staff.

We have helped more than 120 companies, from established businesses planning for future growth, to supporting a dynamic new generation of entrepreneurs who are already making their mark on the local

Andrew Austwick, executive director of Finance For Enterprise.

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CONTRACT EARTHWORKS

WASTE MANAGEMENT

economy. There is a common misconception when it comes to business lending that when a company’s plans and forecasts have been rejected by high street banks, that business owners are forced to place their growth ambitions on hold.

Finance For Enterprise has always prided itself on offering solutions, rather than barriers, and with a proven track record spanning more than 30 years, is often able to step in and offer help when traditional lending is not possible.

Our range of tailored loan packages are backed by knowledgeable and experienced investment managers who will help identify the best possible lending solution for your business.

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are backed by the British Business Bank, Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and Start-up Loans, enabling businesses to access lending worth up to £250,000 which is typically repaid over three years.

Since 2015, the support the team has provided has helped businesses to contribute more than £110 million to the economy, resulting in more than 1,500 new jobs created, it has safeguarded an additional 1,400 jobs, as well as helping more than 500 new entrepreneurs to begin their business journey.

If your business is preparing from growth in 2019, our dedicated team is ready to help you. Simply call 0333 014 3455 or visit: www.finance-forenterprise.co.uk

25

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 GRIMSBYLIVE.CO.UK

SHOWCASING SUCCESS IN 2019

‘ Think Innovation, Automation and Digitisation ...’ chairman and partner at forrester boyd shares his thoughts on the year ahead

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USINESS is back in full swing after a festive period, with many using the break from the daily grind to reflect on what came before and what 2019 has in store.

Here David Everatt, chairman and partner at Forrester Boyd, gives us his thoughts.

2018 was a year of extremes for business. It proved to be another interesting but somewhat turbulent year. Brexit, the Beast from the East, GDPR, gender pay reporting, single use plastics, the blistering heat of the summer - businesses across all sectors have felt some impact. So where does that leave us as we enter 2019?

We hope March 29 will see a finalisation with regards to Brexit, but what that will be remains to be seen.

Most business leaders, particularly owner managed, seem to have adopted the ‘best get on with it’ attitude, leading to a high level of mergers and acquisitions and buy-out activity throughout 2018, due to low interest rates and plenty of capital. ONS data showed this starting to slow in quarter three.

What we do know is the digitisation of VAT submissions is going to happen in April. So, those of you who are VAT registered - businesses with a taxable annual turnover above £85,000 - must have a solution in place for April 1. Making Tax Digital is happening - if you are not ready, you will be unable to file VAT returns, it is as simple as that, so ensure you talk to an accounting professional straight away.

It will be interesting to see what happens on our high streets in 2019. Last year was a tough one for traditional retailers, but what did emerge was examples of great innovation, bringing a sense of hope for the future. If people continue to offer something different or team up with online com-

petitors, the tide can turn.

In fact, innovative and responsive businessthinking has led to some interesting opportunities across many sectors. For example, those in warehousing will tell you that space is at a premium as Brexit uncertainty sees businesses stockpiling supplies. This shows our ‘best get on with it’ attitude prevailing with businesses making sharp decisions in preparation for a ‘no deal’ scenario.

Artificial Intelligence or AI is another one of those phrases that has been banded around, but should it not be more about automation than AI? The automation of services and tasks, the flexibility of work patterns and working from home these could all potentially save businesses money and increase profits, while improving morale and increasing cashflow.

Cashflow management will also be a key consideration in 2019.

We have been offering clients a ‘cashflow consultancy’ service as they prepare for MTD - as accountants, we are more client facing than ever before and this will continue as our service evolves to work as business advisors and partners with our clients. So, we believe it is the financial intelligence that will lead to intelligence with your finances.

As we begin what will be an historical year for the UK, the key words for 2019 will be: Innovation, Automation and Digitisation.

Get innovative: watch out for opportunities and don’t assume you can just stick with tradition.

Automate: streamline your services, get a business advisor/consultant to help with a fresh set of eyes.

Digitisation: don’t put your fingers in your ears and sing ‘la la la’, get ready now for Making Tax Digital.

David Everatt chairman and partner at Forrester Boyd.

Happy New Year!

Don’t forget to take advantage of our January Sale!

20% off all skips ordered before 31.01.19 Call 01724 277299 or email info@ellgia.co.uk to book your skip or for more information

26 GRIMSBYLIVE.CO.UK

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

Property & Construction

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Construction firm secures two major build projects

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CUNTHORPE construction company Britcon has been appointed on two major projects. It is to deliver a 68,000 sq ft industrial and office development over two phases in Hereford, as well as the design and build of a new warehouse and office facility for Viking Shipping Services in Selby.

Commercial property developer Priority Space has appointed the team to Centenary Park, a £6 million collaboration with Herefordshire County Council to deliver 60 new SME units at Skylon Park, a 110-acre business site located in the Hereford Enterprise Zone.

The project is the largest speculative industrial and office investment in the cathedral city since the 1950s.

Britcon is now on-site delivering phase one which includes 17,000 sq ft of industrial space for completion early 2019 and 18,000 sq ft of offices which will be ready by spring 2019.

The scheme will see the most sustainable buildings ever constructed within the Enterprise Zone with the

The Centenary Park office development in Hereford, to be delivered by Britcon.

Britcon managing director Paul Clarkson.

benefit of solar PV and electric car charging points.

Paul Clarkson, managing director at Britcon, said: “We are pleased to secure this major contract with Priority Space which is building a strong portfolio of commercial property investments across the UK. We have already successfully completed three previous design and build projects with the team and look forward to cementing our relationship further with Skylon Park.”

In North Yorkshire the £1.6 million contract is for a site located just off the M62, with a

12,000 sq ft warehouse and 4,500 sq ft adjoining office to support expansion plans.

Currently, Viking uses the site as a yard for storage of materials and loading/off-loading lorries.

The site is of interesting historical relevance as home to the first railway station to be built in Yorkshire in 1834 with the county’s first main line service from Leeds. Viking now uses the original Grade II listed railway building for warehouse storage and offices.

Matt Harker, Britcon regional

manager, said: “We are pleased to be appointed by Viking Shipping to assist with its exciting growth at Selby. Amongst our expertise is full turnkey solutions where we are able to take care of planning issues, ground and civils works and, of course, the build programme.”

“On this particular project two of the original rail lines dating back to the historical landmark are still exposed with two sets of buffers and the local authority has requested that we maintain these as practical in the new build.”

Britcon has started construction on site with an anticipated build programme of 29 weeks.

Graeme Pickering, director of Viking Shipping Services, a subsidiary of Star Cargo Plc, said: “After a thorough contract tender process managed by GGP Consult we were pleased to award Britcon the project and commence the new development at our Selby site. We look forward to working with the Britcon team.”

Town business nominated for global award GRIMSBY-based Fast Form Systems Ltd is in the running for a global construction award, as it swells its team in town.

The company has been nominated for ‘Most Innovative Product’ at World Of Concrete Show 2019 in Las Vegas.

It is featured in the Construction Equipment Awards category, with voting underway and continuing during the huge exhibition.

The form work aid was developed by Cleethorpes entrepreneur Tony White, and launched his development five years ago.

It is seen as a major change to the way concrete structures, particularly foundations and walls are created, helping the construction sector become greener, safer and more efficient.

Fast Form Systems replace crude timber framing with reusable, easy-fix adjustable steel brackets, which are all made and fabricated in Grimsby.

One of the first buildings to use it was Cleethorpes’ Premier Inn. Mr White, who first worked in construction

Tony White with his fast form equipment.

as a steel fixer on Freshney Place, developing construction software as a contractor before turning to his long-held development, will head to the global entertainment capital for the event, joining US main distributor Spec-West to co-host a

stand. The Californian giant has just placed a £500,000 order for more equipment to add to its hire range.

“It would be great to win,” he said of the potential accolade. “The business is going pretty well, with the order having just come through it is a strong start to the year - and we are doing a lot of export now. The US is a strong market for us, which is why we are doing this show.”

More than 100,000 delegates will attend across four days from January 22. And while work in the west is going well, New Zealand has just had a £50,000 order despatched, with a distributor there keen to break into the Australian market too.

On South Humberside Industrial Estate, where a £1.6 million turnover was recorded

by Fast Form Systems in 2018, three apprentices are about to join, with Mr White hoping to grow the 12-strong team to 20 by the end of 2019.

The world’s largest construction show, in Munich, Germany, will also be exhibited at in April, with 600,000 anticipated.

27

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 GRIMSBYLIVE.CO.UK

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Property & Construction

Keep electricity costs down for community

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ould your business premises earn income by aiding electricity distribution?

Owners of supermarkets, factories and large offices in the Scunthorpe area are being urged to help keep electricity distribution costs lower for their communities, while being given the opportunity of earning extra income.

Large businesses or groups of customers that have electricity generation or energy storage, or that can be agile with their electricity consumption, will be able to provide flexibility services to the region’s distribution network operator, Northern Powergrid, as part of a new plan.

Northern Powergrid’s phase-one customer flexibility plan outlines a sustainable win-win approach to network services.

Unveiled as part of its wider DSO v1.0, the Distribution System Operator: Next Steps and Emerging Thinking document, the procurement process kicks off with a live expression of interest launch.

The company is seeking flexibility assets of 100kW or more to deliver up to 12.5MW of combined capacity. While demand is focused on winter, Scunthorpe would be for the entire year during the working week.

The aim is to increase resilience, drive down costs and support decarbonisation across Northern Powergrid’s network. The flexibility will be an essential building block in the company’s transition.

At this stage, Northern Powergrid is interested in hearing from businesses or groups of customers that are able to flex their generation when required. This could include assets, such as small scale peaking plant or renewables co-located with storage. The company is equally interested in hearing from large demand customers that can reduce or shift their electricity needs.

Jim Cardwell, head of policy develop-

Northern Powergrid workers.

ment at Northern Powergrid, said: “With this plan, we are directly responding to the societal challenges of climate change, resource conservation and increased raw material costs. New technology means we can both empower our customers to play a more active role in network management, and ensure that the cost saving is shared fairly.”

Interest is initially sought from network users in specific locations, with the Foxhills substation location in Scunthorpe one of nine highlighted in Northern Powergrid’s region. Postcodes include DN15 6; DN15 8; and DN15 9. It is in a band of three, including Hull and Newcastle, with the largest maximum requirement of 2.5MW. Across the River Trent, and the villages east of Goole served by the Pollington substation are also included in the ask, with

0.5MW sought between 11am and 2pm on week days from Ocrober to March in post codes DN14 8, DN14 9 and DN14 0.

Andrew McKenna, commercial development manager at Northern Powergrid, added: “The need for flexibility is expected to grow over time, with increased intermittent renewable generation, growing numbers of EVs and changing consumer behaviour. This is the first stage of an increasingly collaborative and customer-centric approach to delivering our core electricity delivery service.”

Anyone interested should express their interest by completing an online questionnaire by February 25. Those who are unable to provide services at this time but believe they can provide them in the future are also asked to participate. Visit www.northernpowergrid.com/DSO for more information.

At a glance minimum requirements for flexibility providers ■■For a site to provide flexibility it must be located in the relevant position on the network – this includes voltage level and geographic location. The table below contains further information on these locations.

■■The asset should be able to reliably adjust its demand import (against a predetermined baseline) or generation export safely and manage this for the duration of a contracted window.

■■Each site must have minute-by-minute metering.

■■Should the site provide the service, this must not trigger the participant to breach any other contractual agreement the site may have in place, eg increasing connection agreement.

■■Minimum size of flexibility available must be 100kW. If assets are being bid in as an aggregated portfolio, the minimum portfolio size should be 200kW.

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28 GRIMSBYLIVE.CO.UK

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

Business

Town’s lead role in Westminster construction annual dinner

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RIMSBY played a key role in the UK council member of the NHBC and CITB, who Business Council for Sustainable is a regular contributor to housing strategy.

“What I like about this organisation is that Development’s annual Westminster Dinner, with town MP Melanie Onn it is run by the business and public sector on hosting and director Chris Carr a business-like footing - it’s not a dirty word to make a profit,” he said. “But what speaking. we all want is to have a larger The organisation works with sustainability footprint for a cross section of busiour councils and businesses who have an nesses. As organisainterest in the envirotions we need to work economic benefits of We must understand the closer together, share such a criteria, and our expertise and welcomed the genuine nature of grass roots good practice. Learn Shadow Housing planning, where local people from each other.

Minister and a leadare part of the solution, not at “For a start, I know ing figure in sector the bottom of a ‘top down’ the housing industry strategy. could learn so much Members range from approach to delivery more from the commerdevelopers to those Melanie Onn cial sector. They are light behind infrastructure, techyears ahead when it comes to nology, supply chain, logistics energy efficiency.” and off-site construction elements.

Mr Carr focused on conditions for growth, “It was a pleasure to be discussing sustainability in UK industry,” Ms Onn said. “This is saying we first need to know our assets, not just about issues of the environment but “which can either constrain or release potenabout unlocking long-term economic tial”, whether these be infrastructure, economic drivers, employment and skills, margrowth.”

She referred to historic examples of social ket capacity, utilities or investment.

“We must look at off site construction, sustainability, notably Saltaire in Yorkshire, saying that too much development has since modern methods of construction and smart construction.,” he said. “We must be energy been about quick profit.

“We need to rediscover sustainable devel- secure, which is where residential can learn opment in the UK. We must look at a variety so much from our commercial developer colof housing types with renewed vigour. Gar- leagues.

“We need advance investment in infraden towns must capture the essence of the community, we must understand the genu- structure and resources, both public and priine nature of grass roots planning, where vate and we need more investment in utililocal people are part of the solution, not at ties. The SME housing sector, which was the bottom of a ‘top down’ approach to deliv- once responsible for building so many of the country’s new homes, needs more developery.”

Although Brexit was never far from any- ment funding as the high street banks have one’s mind, Ms Onn was careful not to men- stopped nearly all the funding to building tion the ‘B’ word, instead alluding to it. “We companies with less than a £5 million turnohave a huge housing shortage, but also a ver.”

He concluded by noting a greater willingshortage of builders, supplies and labour, particularly over the next few years. There is a ness from local and national government, to real issue of build quality; two in five people engage with the private sector, with elected would rather live in an old house than a new members understanding many of the probone because of quality. So we need to start lems and what parts of the structure have rebuilding confidence in the industry, build broken down.

“They are open to positive suggestions or, the housing market sustainably and build skills. People want to see businesses with a as I call it, ‘solution opportunities’. The FMB, with which I am very involved, has now greater sense of responsibility.”

UKBCSD chief executive Charles Roach become the first port of call when Governendorsed Ms Onn’s speech, asking how – as ment would like to engage with the housing an industry – members can communicate in sector and especially the SME/micro devela different way so that trust becomes the opers.

“I want UKBCSD to be the first port of call automatic response, the rule rather than the when Government would like to engage with exception.

He then introduced Mr Carr, managing the larger development sector. This organisadirector of Cleethorpes’ Carr & Carr Builders tion is about maintaining quality and I’ll take and national board member of the FMB, quality over quantity any day.”

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Grimsby MP Melanie Onn hosted the annual Westminster construction dinner with Chris Carr, managing director of Cleethorpes’ Carr & Carr Builders, also speaking at the event.

Forget the Br-exit, head for the entries If your new year’s resolution was to be more proactive, get on the front foot and put yourselves out there, then we’ve got just the thing this month.

The Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2019 has its call for entries, and with so many positives documented over the past 12 months there has got to be plenty to celebrate.

From Grimsby’s first brewery to Scunthorpe’s international rail wins, Rainham Steel’s major investments to Port of Immingham’s burgeoning bulk, we’ve covered it all, and if it is has been in print it is well worth putting forward to the annual event that is a showcase of all that is great across the South Bank.

Brexit may have clouded the national picture, but there’s been a determination to get things done on the ground, with business and those driving it on behalf of the two local authorities crystal clear on their approach.

North Lincolnshire’s 10-pillar industrial strategy, Grimsby’s Town Deal and the wider South Humber programme have all appeared as so much about Brussels has been spouted.

It would have been very easy for many to sit back with the excuse of uncertainty, the lack of clarity and the fear of what may come being go-to

Grimsby & Scunthorpe Telegraph’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Captain Sam Judah MBE, left, with, Karl Thew, winner of the Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year Award, at last year’s Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards. excuses which could easily have been swallowed given the constant narrative of 2018.

But no, the wheels have turned, developments continue, good news has flowed, future plans are there to see – be it a jet fuel refinery, vehicle conversion HQ or seafood expansion.

And while we’re now, as a nation, at the business end of the Brexit issue, with so much yet to unravel, there’s definite worth in celebrating all that has been achieved out of that incessant glare.

Scunthorpe’s The Baths Hall is a great venue and I look forward to that night in May, when ‘have done’ is the headline, rather than the constant stream of ‘could happen’.

A chance to doth hats at the risk-takers, the early innovators, those flying a flag for this area, be it in the community or around the

globe.

The night itself is always a spectacle. To get in the mood when helping unveil, on a few occasions at this time in recent years I’ve had to research the awards theme the icing on the celebratory cake that the Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire manager, Anne Tate, would win Bake Off with handsdown. Certainly Beauty and the Beast and Wizard of Oz had me ‘genning up’. However, in The Greatest Showman there’s a pop culture phenomenon being tapped into I’ve not been able to escape for the past 12 months. If us poor parents hadn’t been exposed to the original enough, then all the songs have been re-covered, or ‘re-imagined’.

Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, James Arthur, thank you so very much from the, erm, bottom of my heart. Here’s to our superstars coming forward...