Leeds Business Review // Issue 27

LEEDS BUSINESS REVIEW

ISSUE #27 March 2018

MAKING HISTORY PAULA DILLON’S PIONEERING ROLE

HANDLING HEAT

SIZZLING STREET FOOD IN TRINITY KITCHEN

FASHION FIRST BLOGGING YOUR WAY TO THE TOP

FINANCE|LAW|DIGITAL|EDUCATION|MANUFACTURING|ARTS HEALTH|DEVELOPMENT|LOGISTICS|LEISURE & TOURISM|FASHION

EDITOR’S LETTER

James Smith Editor

I would like to welcome you to the March edition of the Leeds Business Review. The team have been working to produce a number of fascinating stories and features over the past few weeks and we are very proud to present our efforts to you in this issue.

We speak to Paula Dillon and her rise to become the first female president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, while I personally took the opportunity to speak to the Dean of the Business School at Leeds Beckett University, Professor George Lodorfos, about his journey from his A-Levels in Greece to a prestigious admin role in West Yorkshire.

We also have news on a newlyintroduced fee to the water taxis running between Leeds Dock and Granary Wharf and information previewing the upcoming Leeds Digital Festival.

Once again we hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as we enjoyed producing it.

CONTENTS 5 9

Dispatches

Trinity kitchen: independent street food opportunity

12 Paula Dillon:

18 The business of

15 Two sides:

20 Countryside

16 Leeds Digital

22 The North/South

Female First

Professor George Lodorfos Festival

fashion blogging

classrooms open for children transport divide

March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 3

News

Dispatches Arts The Leeds Beckett University creative arts building, as shown

Travel and Leisure

Leeds Beckett University vice chancellor Professor Peter Slee said that the university is a major contributor to the success of the cultural and creative industries of Leeds and the “creative conurbation” which is developing in the North.

Allied London, who have been providing Leeds with a water taxis since 2015, will be introducing new costs in the summer.

below, is due for completion in September 2020. It is the first new development in their £200m investment programme.

“Our £80m investment in world leading facilities in the creative arts will further enhance our positive social, cultural and economic impact.”

The state-of-the-art building will be packed with specialist facilities including a performance theatre and 220-seat Dolby Atmos movie cinema, as well as specialist studios for its visitors.

The Manchester-based architect company Hawkins and Brown will lead the construction of the building.

George Downing Construction director, Ian Orton said: “This landmark building will include a number of outstanding technical features and facilities, creating a world-class learning environment.”

The building is the first development of the new innovation district, which will see Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds and Leeds teaching hospitals NHS Trust.

Leeds city council will also team up to create more research opportunities and drive regeneration of the city and its surroudning area.

The Creative Arts building will sit in the heart of Leeds’ Civic Quarter opposite the Rose Bow building which is the Leeds Beckett University Business School. Emily Kelly

The cities’ free water taxi based at Leeds Dock, have announced an upcoming fee.

Currently a free service, it will soon cost £1 a journey starting in summer.

Allied London spokesperson Stephen Vickers said: “It’s a business at the end of the day. It’s not a lot, you’d pay more than that for a taxi or a bus.”

The company is attempting to make some money back on running costs for what is known as the cities’ hidden gem, rated five stars on Trip Advisor.

A small tip jar are left on each both, as shown below, for passengers to donate initially.

The fee introduction date is unconfirmed but is be expected imminently. With running costs around £210,000 a year, the company want to offset some expenses.

From the company’s perspective, one pound a journey will help contribute to the running cost of the boats.

Hue Cross, a Yorkshire Hire Cruisers employee explains that the taxies are busier in the summer and quieter in winter.“The water taxis are more popular with tourists but I hope the small cost doesn’t keep people away.”

Alice Stephens, who was queueing among commuters, said: “I had heard rumors flying around but I was hoping it wasn’t true. I know it’s only a quid each way but it does add up.” Lucy Bannister

Manufacturing The Leeds Manufacturing Alliance (LMA) has announced it Transport First West Yorkshire is to launch a festival of manufacturing in Leeds.

The event will be taking place in October this year and aims to make young people in the city more aware of the industry and give pupils a better understanding of possible career paths and the vast opportunities the sector has to offer.

have introduced contactless card payments on their buses.

The method has been recently introduced and already figures from the British Retail Consortium suggest that over half of purGraham Cooper, Operations and Manufacturing Director at Agfa Graphics, said “This chases are now made by card. event is for the people who want to change the image of manufacturing. Not only does it raise your companies profile, it allows you to connect with and inspire the next genIn a recent press release, Paul Matthews, eration of employees.” managing director of First West Yorkshire, said: “We continue to make bus Daletech Electronics will also be joining the festival.“The public’s perception of manu- travel a convenient, simple and attractive facturing can sometimes be construed, and young people especially don’t know about experience for our customers. m-Tickets the great career opportunities that we can offer,” said managing director Tracy Dawson. are exceeding our expectations and continues to grow daily, so we expect customThe LMA is keen to create more diversity in the industry in Leeds and hope that by ers to welcome and grasp contactless bus engaging with school students they can create an even more inclusive workforce. travel with the same enthusiasm.”

The LMA are still looking for more companies to sign up to their event.

Find out more at www.the-ma.co.uk/lma. Aaron Cope

This is a simple and way to travel across cities of Leeds, Bradford and Halifax.

Sophie Barnett

March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview | Page 5

News

Pharmaceuticals Bringing together some of the biggest names in the pharma- Law Calling themselves ‘the Leeds Law ceutical game, ADDoPT (Advanced Digital Design of Pharmaceutical Therapeutics), is the newest project to hit the city, costing £20.4m, the project aims to transform the way we test and develop new drugs. The University of Leeds is partnered with Government teams as well as major firms Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

Firm,’ Ison Harrison have taken an unusual approach, self-promotion in the form of an artistic, spoken word piece entitled ‘If You Ever Need Me.’

The four-year program aims to create digital testing for pharmaceuticals.

This will hopefully eliminate costly and time consuming development processes. The program plans to “increase efficiency and effectiveness” and streamline the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

The companies video is just short of three minutes and includes a poem by local playwright and poet, Dave Jarman. This is an attempt by the law firm to stand over the unforgiving competition within the city.

Stuart Cretch, marketing manager for Ison Harrison, spoke to Leeds Business Review about the promotional stunt: “One of the main drivers behind the decision of going down an artistic led piece was to plain and simply stand out against the competition.”

Using data analysis, Digital Design provides the potential to deliver better, faster and more cost-effective medicines to patients. The research will look at different factors such as raw materials, the needs of the patient and the manufacturing process used when producing the drugs.

Professor Roberts said in a statement via the university, “Instead of doing a lot of very expensive trial and error in the lab and in manufacturing design, ADDoPT will be developing the use of computer modelling and design tools to help plan the design and manufacturing process from raw materials through formulation, manufacturing and quality testing.” Abigail Henderson

Education The average salary for apprenticeships

Property As Leeds

Across the UK, figures fell by an average of 2%. Leeds saw the second biggest decrease, after South East London which had a dramatic 58% drop from £27,021 to £11,349. This is well below the law society of England and Wales’ recommended minimum rate of £20,913 for working within the capital. Leeds just meets the recommended minimum rate for outside London, which is £18,547.

The building is known as ‘INC’ and will be located near the Western Gateway of the city. The structure will include over 200 apartments, a gym, restaurants and a sky bar.

and trainee positions fell by 33% in Leeds last month, according to Totaljobs. They reported the average annual salary of an apprentice training in Leeds was £18,579 in February. This is a sharp decrease of £5,462 compared to January 2018.

Deputy vice president of the law society, Simon Davis, below, said: “If the average salary in Leeds doesn’t increase within the next two months, it won’t meet our recommendations. A lot of talented people currently can’t pursue apprenticeships because they wouldn’t be able to support themselves on such a low income.”

The law society recently proposed a 3% rise of minimum salaries for trainees. As of May, the recommended rate for London will be £20,561, and the rate for areas outside of London will be £19,122. The national minimum wage for apprentices is also set to rise to £3.70 per hour in April.

Despite declining salary figures, Leeds’ annual Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair drew a record number of visitors this year. Over 6,000 people attended the event at Leeds Direct Arena on Monday 6 March.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for employment, skills and opportunity said: “Apprenticeships are a rich learning experience, and they provide young people with alternative routes to long-term employment. It’s a temporary dip, and I have no doubt that it’ll bounce back. Salaries will rise when the minimum wage rises but there are already hundreds of trainee positions available in Leeds that have annual salaries over £30,000.” Abigail Leith

continues to develop at a very fast rate, Leeds based company Parklane plans to build a 33-storey development set to cost £160m.

Parklane Properties have said that the community they are creating is like no other. “People can visit, live, work, and play all under one roof. Tenants living here will have an experience of Leeds like no others living in the city centre.”

Councillor Muhammad Iqbal explains, “developments like this bring job prospects to many business sectors. They have proposed that the building will include a gym and restaurants which will all need staffing. This will be to the benefit of the people of Leeds.”

Parklane’s official website states that the property will be a longterm project, but they hope that people will be living in the new apartments by 2021.

Cretch continues: “Although the poem was trying to break the mould of ‘traditional’ promotional videos for solicitors, we wanted to avoid making a video that drums on about how great we were that was key.

Most videos play up to the unapproachable solicitor stereotype, with someone sat in their pinstripe suit regurgitating cliché statements but we wanted something more hard hitting.”

Ison Harrison are not the only firm trying to appeal to human nature. The trend of promoting Leeds’ strong sense of community has caught on in almost all the firms across the city.

Leeds has topped the ranks citites in the law sector and has earned itself the title of the fastest growing in the UK, just behind London.

Two prestigious law schools based within the city’s universities offer an almost constant outflux of graduates. Alongside the various other law firms situated in Leeds, the battle for clients is as extensive as you would expect.

With all of this in mind, it is no surprise that law firms within the city are having to take a much more unconventional route when it comes to self promotion.

Haley Welsh

Samee Tariq Page 6 | LeedsBusinessReview | March 2018

News

Development Leeds City Council are expected to decide on the approval of a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to renovate the First White Cloth Hall next week, which could cost up to £500,000.

The plans for the Grade II listed building which has been in decay for several years, is part of the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Initiative (THI).

The project which has already transformed what were previously neglected historic Leeds buildings. The Heritage Lottery Fund have already put forward a total of £1.5m for the THI, a further £668 has been raised through public funding.

The renovation of the First White Cloth Hall, listed by English Heritage in 1983, is set to have it’s west wing restored.

Councillor Richard Lewis, said, ‘The Lower Kirkgate THI has already seen some exceptional progress made towards that goal and the next step will be an absolutely pivotal one. Becky Dobson

Property The ChaCo team, a group of Chapeltown residents, have successfully raised their short-term loan target of £600,000.

Plans had initially included the development of 29 homes on four self-built plots, but now sees an addition of 30 more flats under the joint application of Unity Housing Association Ltd. Unity Homes and Enterprise regeneration director Wayne Noteman said:“it’s been a long journey to get to this point we and Chapeltown Co-Housing (ChaCo) are almost ready to commence, and when complete in late 2019, will leave a lasting legacy in the community.”

Mr Noteman also adds that the affordable community-run homes will have a modern build, and be energy efficient to reduce bills for residents.

“This is great news for Leeds, for Chapeltown and for community-led housing,” said ChaCho chair Bill Phelps.

“This has been a genuine collaboration between the council, ourselves and our partners Unity Housing. We now look forward to embarking on the next exciting phase, building out the project.” Shin Lee

Health The West Yorkshire Com-

bined Authority (WYCA) are working with a pharmaceuticals company to bring a new drugs manufacturing facility to the city. The proposed site for the project, which has been named Project Beta, is the Leeds Enterprise Zone.

Employment A new business

advice pop-up café, is set to open for one day only at the Hillside Enterprise Centre in Beeston.

The Popup will feature local experts waiting to give practical advice.

The company behind this has not yet announced their involvement as they are still undergoing “detailed dialogue.”

Each attendee to the event will be scheduled 20 minutes for one-on-one’s with an expert to answer all of their questions.

The facility is said to become a manufacturing and testing site for drugs to combat a number of common illnesses, specifically those affecting chidren.

Topics include Accounting, Social Media, Digital Marketing as well as information on how to grow your own grassroots business.

Further news in the health sector researchers for Public Health England have said that the existing treatments for Gonorrhoea may become ineffective due to the spread of an azithromycin-resistant bacteria.

The event is for those looking to improve their business, or those wanting to start a new business in the Leeds area.

The research was published online in Lancet Infectious Diseases and completed by a team at the National Infection Service led by Helen Fifer. Abigail Henderson

The event is being run by Leeds city region, an enterprise partnership assisting businesses to thrive through developing skills and improving infrastructure.

The event will be free and run from 09.00-12.30pm. Andrew Clowes

Social Network FIVE TOP LAW FIRMS:

Addleshaw Goddard

The biggest firm in the city have poached a highly respected solicitor from their competition, Squire Patton Boggs. Andrew Fordham has joined the finance team and become Addleshaw Goddard’s seventh partner of the year so far. Fordham is likely to play a significant role in the local market, that he has already been operating in with vast experience for numerous years.

DLA Piper have advised leading

real estate investment firm Harrison Real Capital LLC on their joint venture with Crosslane Property Group. They plan on developing four student accommodation properties with nearly 1,300 beds across Leeds, Coventry, Portsmouth and Swansea.

Pinsent Masons The global firm have appointed Jonathan Brocklehurst from its Leeds Property team to be head of its Manchester branch instead.

Brocklehurst is excited about his relocation: “I am delighted to have taken up the opportunity to lead such a talented team.”

Squire Patton Boggs The

fourth biggest law firm in Leeds has advised the Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund(RIF) on loans to the developer behind a new shopping centre, which will be close to Junction 32 of the M62 motorway near Castleford.

The destination will see over 75 retail, restaurant and leisure units. Also a brand new stadium for rugby league side Castlefield Tigers, that will have a capacity of 10,000.

Walker Morris The Leeds based

firm have helped Vantage Motor Group on its purchase of the Toyota and Lexus businesses of Charles Clark Motors in Wolverhampton.

The Harrogate headquartered group already owns the Toyota centres in Tamworth, Solihull and Birmingham.

Thomas Mieszkowski from the Corporate team at Walker Morris spoke about the deal: “Walker Morris has advised Vantage on a number of successful and strategic acquisitions over the years and we look forward to working with Vantage as it continues to build on its success.”

Page 7 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

THE HIGH FRYERS Food & Drink

How Trinity Kitchen helps street food stalls develop and progress their businesses Alongside the vendors, they also have seven permanent eateries, who serve up their take on classic street food dishes including: Indian ‘burrito’ joint Rola Wola, and the English favourite of fish and chips re-thought and re-ordered by Chip + Fish.

Tabor believes more sites like Trinity Kitchen should be implemented in different cities around the country. He started his brand last year that originally took the shape of a burger van. He now runs the business with his girlfriend Zoe. After the success they’ve had at Trinity Kitchen he spoke about his next move:

The 20,000 sq ft unique food court provides businesses the chance to promote their brand, establish their audience and “We’re finishing this run here and try out new products in a city that has hopefully make enough money to give us jumped on the street food band wagon. some start-up capital to go to either our next residency, or we might get our own The street food industry has given personal site in Leeds which we are entrepreneurs a door way into the currently negotiating with someone about catering industry and allows them to hone at the moment”. their skills in an environment that allows them to experiment with business ideas.

Tabor has great respect for the work that AFTER WALKING up the escalator of Trinity Kitchen does for new aspiring Trinity Kitchen you are instantly greeted A successful start-up street food business businesses looking to break into the food by bright neon lights, amazing street can be the gateway to owning a successful industry in Leeds: art and some incredible aromas; It is a restaurant or café. James Tabor, owner of sensory overload. With a concept that Slap and Pickle plans on doing just this.

“It’s a fantastic springboard for people with is completely unique, Trinity Kitchen new brands, I’ve been in street food for rotates six new street food vans every eight His new street food brand is a hot dog a number of years and part of the reason weeks and offers visitors the chance to stand with a difference, that provides why I came to Trinity to launch this brand experience various flavours and cuisines decadent topped dogs with a complete is because it’s absolutely second to none. under one roof. vegan menu as an alternative.

You get an amazing opportunity to try

Joseph Chorlton Food & drink

Page 9 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Food & Drink

out new dishes on an almost guaranteed audience, it’s a fantastic place to try things out and get instant feedback. Social media feedback is very good and Trinity themselves really support you and help you with it so it’s great”.

Other businesses are also turning to street food as a way around expensive costs and over heads that come with high street turnkey businesses.

Susie Ainsley and her husband from vendor, Wagyu Lookin’ At, use local Yorkshire Wagyu beef in all their burgers.

They have taken a back to front approach in their catering business. After 20 years in the catering industry and several successful turnkey businesses they’ve moved into street food and have never looked back.

“

Left to right: assortment of photographs taken at Trinity Kitchen

With street food, Ainsley told me: “It’s funny because we are if you do your doing things backwards. Most street food research ... you traders we meet, their ultimate goal is to get a turnkey business, we’ve done it the are literally other way around. We’ve had turnkey businesses that have been taking your successful but it’s a very challenging environment in terms of food and drink brand and your on any high street. You’ve got all the chains to compete with, and business rates and overheads are through the roof, which food to a ready is why we sold our last business.” made audience New business start-ups can tap into the ready and waiting audience that street food vendors have. With vendors being showcased particularly at markets, food

Page 10 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

courts and festivals, Ainsley believes this can reduce the risk you’re dealing with in terms of your businesses success: “A lot of turnkey food and drink businesses fail within the first year. With street food, if you do your research in terms of any events that you’re attending and make sure you do your homework, you are literally taking your brand and your food to a ready-made audience, whereas every time you open the door of a turnkey you’re just praying people come through it.”

Ainsley is grateful to Trinity Kitchen as it has allowed her to profile her business and believes they are even responsible for some of her brands silverware: “Trinity Kitchen is brilliant in terms of profiling our brand. This brand Wagyu lookin’ at is quite a new brand for us. It’s a brilliant way to profile your business and build up brand recognition. The sheer footfall you get in this place and the mixed demographic is so helpful. I think it’s a good place to test your product as well.

customers a wide variety of dishes. In today’s society, where high street chains dominate the food and drink industry, street food can offer even the simplest of palettes an alternative to high street chains and a chance to put money back in to the local economy.

“

“As a result of being in Trinity Kitchen we’ve been a finalist at the British Street Food Awards for last 4 years running, this new business has just been nominated, so we are taking part in the Northern heats in Leeds again in the summer so it’s great.”

The Kitchen also serves vibrant Malaysian street food, handmade pies and bourbon steak sandwiches

Other people are getting involved in street food because it is what they’ve known all their life. Valerie Kolat owns and runs Dapur Malaysia with her husband Neil and serves up vibrant Malaysian street food just like her mum used to make.

I think more cities and towns could develop something like this, it just gives people an alternative to the big chains

Kolat said: ‘The concept of Dapur Malaysia is all about food that I’ve grown up with eating and that I love to eat. Most of the dishes were taught to me by my mother. The best thing about Malaysian food is the variety, there is lots for everyone. There’s curries and stir fries and it’s mainly made up of Malay, Chinese and South Indian dishes.”

She went on to explain that in her home country of Malaysia, street food markets like Trinity Kitchen can be found in almost every small town, offering

Kolat told me she wanted to see more venues like trinity kitchen: “I think more cities and towns could develop something like this, it just gives people an alternative to the big chains. Not everyone wants to have Nandos or McDonalds every day.

People like to try something different and becoming more open minded about what they want to try, particularly in a place like Leeds”.

Trinity Kitchen is clearly a break through venue that the city should be proud of. It helps small businesses that wouldn’t get a sniff on the high street break into the market by giving them a space to operate out of and a guaranteed footfall to try out their brand. It even helps the business to market their brand and gain attention on social media which is becoming more and more important in today’s digital world.

I believe with the open minded and food loving population that Leeds boasts, alongside a great attitude towards independently ran businesses, Trinity Kitchen has created the perfect storm that has started a new wave of street food businesses that could change the food and drink experience in Leeds for the foreseeable future.

Page 11 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Profile

WHO RUNS TH Leeds Chamber of Commerce’s first female president says stem subjects are no longer “a job for the boys” prioritising transport, the skills gap, Brexit, and evolution.

Sophie Barnett Transport PAULA DILLON will never be able to forget this belittling question. But it’s moments like this that have driven her to become Leeds’ first ever female president of the Chamber of Commerce.

“

You don’t have to be a private schooled man or conform to any type of blueprint to be a good lawyer

“What is it like to be a blonde, scouse, totty solicitor?”

A blazer powered organisation for over 150 years, the Chamber is finally following suit and paving the way for women across the city. Dillon, who grew up in Liverpool, says she is “torn between being pleased about her position, and cross that it’s taken so long to happen.”

Dillon moved to Manchester where she trained to become a highly qualified and respected lawyer, joining a commercial law firm on qualification in 1986. She says, “It was a very different profession back then, there were hardly any women in senior law positions and hardly any women in senior business roles, so clients were mostly male too.

“I was a state educated, scouse, feminist; and there was nobody like me,” continues Dillon. “That sort of drove me in a way, because I wanted this profession to be open to everyone, you don’t have to be a private schooled man, or conform to any type of a blueprint to be a good lawyer.”

Dillon has been in Leeds for over 30 years, joining Bond Dickinson (now Womble Bond Dickinson) four and a half years ago.

She is determined to help the city reach its full potential, with the Chamber currently

Page 12 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Dillon says they need to focus on developing transport and making it more effective. She hopes the development of HS2 is one move to improving the cities infrastructure.

The lawyer has made it her mission to increase the number of women in stem professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing) as she believes they can bring different qualities to the professions.

HE WORLD? She has set out to encourage more women to take part in the workforce, so that more will become economically active and independent. This will ensure that businesses are getting access to the maximum talent pool possible.

“If stem occupations aren’t seen as attractive to women, and if they aren’t working hard to attract women, then 50% of the workforce is just not available to them,” added Dillon.

“Everybody wins if we manage to use my profile to reach out to women of all ages and encourage them to look at stem professions.”

Dillon believes that the lack of visible role models is the main catalyst in the lack of females in such professions. Being a female lawyer for example, is a profes-

sion many women aspire to, as they’re represented everywhere on TV and in films so it’s seen as an achievable career.

“We are working to find women in stem professions who girls can relate to, and to demonstrate that you can have a great career right here in Leeds, in stem industries.”

“

Dillon believes there is a misconception and lack of information about how manufacturing has changed. People still think of it as a dirty, physically arduous process which is in decline.

It is not always the best people who put themselves forward, it’s just the loudest

Despite Dillon’s confident nature, she confesses that she’s had to work extremely hard to get where she is and has always taken opportunities presented to her.

She acknowledges: “I would never have put myself forward to go on a board, but the Senior Partner of Addleshaw Goddard at the time, who’s now the Chairman of Opera North, Paul Lee, told me that he wanted me to go on the board and that he wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

If he hadn’t done this, Dillon doesn’t think she would have ever been on any board and she’s now been on six. “You need people who will look at their workforce and encourage members to step forward.

It’s not always the best people who put themselves forward, it’s just the loudest.”

Today, to Dillon’s relief, more women are working in stem professions than ever before. According to a report done by Wise: “61,430 more women work in core stem in 2017 than in 2016. The number of men in core stem fell by 45,980 in the same period.” But this increase sadly does not come without pre-judgement.

Dillon heads up her firms diversity and inclusion group, and says that throughout her life she has, “experienced some outrageous assumptions and things being said that would make your jaw drop”. The tongue may be small, but what enormous damage it can do.

“A lot of it was quite ignorant and made assumptions about women as a whole and me because I was blonde, I’ve just had to deal with it, and here I am now,” says Dillon.

“People now treat each other as equals in the workforce in large parts, so I think it’s much easier to call out discriminatory behaviour and sexism than when I was entering the profession. But it’s not to say that it doesn’t exist today, because it still does.”

Page 13 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Education

BOTH SIDES: GEORGE LODORFOS How a vast change in career paths led to success as a dean at Leeds Beckett I was born in Greece, not too far from Athens. I finished school with the intention of starting a career in engineering but decided to move to the UK to study electrical engineering at the University of Newcastle. I was advised to combine management with my degree to increase my employability.

So I did a masters in Technology Management at the University of Manchester followed by a PhD in Strategic Management of Research and Development, then began teaching.

From there, it was becoming more likely that I wouldn’t return to Greece when I started my career at Leeds Beckett University in 2002 as a lecturer. There were opportunities to become a course leader, so I started progressing through different admin roles within the university which led me to where I am now as dean of the Business School.

Interestingly, at the beginning of my career, there was a choice to make in terms of what was the quickest route to progress. Between research or administration. From lecturer, to senior lecturer, to principal lecturer and so forth. I took the more developed route as I realised the university was changing directions.

The most important thing is to be aware of the changes happening around you in the business environment. The environment is extremely dynamic and you have to be focused internally and externally. If you are only focusing on what you’re good at, you lose sight of what your competition is doing.

Looking back to the industrial revolution, there was a sense of arrogance to some extent like “we are way ahead of everyone else”. Then all of a sudden somebody comes from behind and

overtakes you, without you realising where they came from. This is very much the case in the business world.

I’m very happy with where I am. I’m really keen to transform the business school. To see it climb up league tables, improve its reputation, making both students and graduates proud. It would give me a sense of fulfilment and achievement.

Interviewed by James Smith Page 15 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

“

If you are only focusing on what you’re good at you lose sight of what your competition is doing

Photograph by Mark Wheelwright

Slug

The Digital sectures very own wonder woman, Charlotte Scott.

LeedsBusinessReview | March 2018 | Page 16 Page x | January 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview

LIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD

Leeds Digital Festival boots up next month and connects with a new marketing guru

all digital workers are women.

Scott is looking to make a change by promoting successful women in technology and encouraging them to step into the spotlight. She explains: “If all I can achieve in my role here is to make it wonderfully Scott and the marketing team aim to unsurprising that women can lead tech extend the festival’s reach to a national audience. They plan to increase attendee’s companies then I will be satisfied.” from the staggering 10,000, who came last year, widening the scope from the general According to a report by Tech Nation, London has over ten times as many Northern region all the way to London.

Miss Scott believes: ‘’It’s necessary to ex- digital sector jobs than Leeds, with just pand our reach, whereas when the festival over 300,000. Despite this, property is almost twice as much per square meter. was in its infancy, it was understandable that our marketing was Leeds-centric, this Scott hopes to change the perspectives of younger people who think London is the was to engage a local audience.’’ ‘place to be’. She wants Leeds Digital Festival to work with companies to The use of online and printed programmes for the festival are going to focus advertise the opportunities Leeds can on the issues and aspects of digital business offer. culture that affect everyone. These will include digital skill gaps, the role of women Leeds Digital Festival is set to take place in tech and the crazy variable use of big over 11 days, from the 16th to 27th of data in industries such as health-care.

April. The last festival played host to 115 events across 58 venues and this Scott is an avid campaigner for year hopes to increase atgender equality and she tendees by showcasing all hopes: “By helping host things digital in Leeds. events that draw the There are multiple community together events including to discuss gender career talks, tech equality in the digital development and workplace, we can coding competiengage as many tions. The festival people in practical is a perfect place conversation as posto get an undersible.’’ standing of multiple career choices within the digital world.

Many people think that in the 21st century our With Leeds Digital Fessociety is more forward tival now in the hands of a thinking than ever before, determined new head of marketproviding both women and men with the same opportunities. However, the ing and events, Charlotte Scott, it is hoping EU’s ’Study on Women in the Digital Age’ to thrive. There are high hopes to see the 2018, shows that there is significantly more sector grow and Leeds continue its climb men working in the sector, only 21.5% of to the tech capital of The North. her initial reason to join the festival: “I wanted to delve into the ideas that will shape our future and to help companies share them with the world.”

Isaac Rigby-Nelson Media & digital LEEDS IS home to the North’s largest digital festival and it’s clear to see why.

Known worldwide as a hub for innovation, there is an astonishing 23,000 jobs in the digital sector in Leeds alone.

Leeds is at the forefront of digital business. The advertised salaray a graduate can expect exceeds £50,000 which is a staggering £7,500 more than the average salary of a digital job in London. The eight universities carrying out research in the digital field, coupled with the collaborative and forward thinking atmosphere allows for ambitious people with ambitious ideas to thrive. Leeds Digital festival and the marketing team behind it are a powerhouse in the promotion of the city, its tech sector and those who live in it.

Leeds is home to many major companies such as, Sky Betting and Gaming and NHS Digital. Tech Nation forecasts a 92% growth potential in the tech sector for coming years.

Charlotte Scott is a Chinese and Spanish graduate from Leeds University. Taking over from Leeds legend, Tim Brazier, Miss Scott is taking on the role of head of marketing and events at Leeds Digital Festival. “The digital and tech industry is propelling the world forward in fascinating ways, but I’m also interested in it from a sociological point of view.’’ She told me

Meet another female first on page 12. Paula Dillon becomes president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce

Page 17 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Fashion

FASHIONING A BRAND NEW CAREER Style bloggers are taking over social media. The once leisurely activity is now a potentially lucrative job opportunity

Olivia Kirk Fashion & Textiles BLOGGING HAS now gone from a hobby to a career. With vlogging giants such as Zoella, who earns roughly £50,000 a month, is it any wonder more and more people are using this hobby to becomeself-made business men and women?

According to fashion and lifestyle blogger, Em Sheldon, social media and blogging goes hand in hand.

She says: “You can have a really good blog that ranks well on Google, but I do find people like to know the person behind it and social media is a way for people to know who you are and connect with you.”

As social media is such a big part of people’s lives, particularly young adults and teens, it has a massive impact on what they wear and buy.

tool for fashion brands, which has lead to a huge rise in choosing this career path.

Sheldon is the proud owner of the blog, emtalks.co.uk, which receives on average 200,000 views a day. She also has a large social media following, particularly on Instagram (@emshelx) where she has 84.3K followers.

has been for the last few years.

She says: “I am currently working with Topshop and have worked with brands such as asos, Adidas, Nike and L’oreal on paid content. I turn down a lot more campaigns than I accept as I think integrity is so important, I would only ever promote a brand I genuinely love.”

Sheldon started her blogging seriously after completing her studies at the University of Leeds where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism.

She states that often bloggers come under fire and scrutiny for doing paid content.

However, she sees no issue in it as long as the content is true to the creator.

She started her blog in 2012 and says that her success is something that has happened slowly, over time.

Although these collaborations are important for bloggers and are ultimately their main source of their income.

She says: “After around 10 months of blogging I won Cosmopolitan’s best newcomer award and then last year I won InStyle Magazine’s top lifestyle and travel blogger 2017, I feel like these have definitely helped build my success.”

It is equally as important as advertising for the fashion brands that work with them.

Sheldon is originally from a small village near Leeds, she is now constantly on the move, travelling to and from London.

She explained: “I have always loved writing but I originally applied to study psychology at univeristy, I then changed my mind last minute and decided I wanted to do something related to English and Media.”

Celebrities and influencers now promote brands and clothing on their personal social media pages with links and discount codes.

Sheldon recounts: “I called the admissions tutor at the University of Leeds and he told me to start a blog. I had no idea what a blog was but from there on I began writing.”

This has become a popular marketing

Blogging is now her full-time career and

Page 18 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

She says: “I think it’s incredibly important for fashion brands. A report by RewardStyle, a company working with bloggers, showed their bloggers generated over $1 billion in trackable sales for online retailers in 2017. I think this figure is only going to grow.”

She carrys on: “From my own experience, I have personally seen items sold out after I have worn them, so it really is powerful whether you have a million followers or ten thousand, you are still a real person.”

The increase in people choosing to blog or vlog as a career is still on the rise and is constantly increasing in popularity.

She says: “I think there is room for us all.

You are your niche, you are your power and the internet is a big place. I don’t think it’s about copying, I think it’s about being uniquely you.”

Sheldon posts lifestyle and fashion advice on her blog regularly for her mass following

Page 19| 19 |March March2018 2018||LeedsBusinessReview LeedsBusinessReview

Agriculture

OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM AND ON THAT FARM HE HAD, ERR, SOME FISH? Farmers plan to sow the seed of knowledge as survey reveals 18% of children think fish fingers are made from chicken This is where many British farmers are hoping to make a difference. Working alongside the charity FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), farms are opening their gates and inviting school children to experience some of the process first hand.

Erin Ferguson Agriculture FOOD SHOPPING with children is

known to be a challenging experience.

If they aren’t wandering off and getting lost, they’re throwing tantrums and demanding a product with their favourite cartoon emblazoned on the packaging.

Of course, most of the time we relent.

Where is the harm in getting children to eat certain foods by using appealing imagery? According to a recent survey by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), 29% of five to seven-year-olds in Britain believe cheese comes from a plant and 18% think fish fingers were made from chicken. With so many brands choosing to appeal to children by using bright colours and fun caricatures, it could be argued there is a disconnect between what a child sees in the supermarkets and where they think that food comes from.

“

We don’t just show children The scheme refers to these sessions as countryside classrooms. The prohow a farm grammes aren’t simply trudging about with muddy wellies and looking at cows, works, we help rather they are multi-sensory experiences giving children a taste of what them understand farming is really like. what it means to Jo Cartwright, 53, has worked at Swillington Organic Farm in Leeds her whole have a healthy life. “Having children come experience our farm is one of my favourite parts of diet the week,” she says. “There isn’t the same connection between what we eat and where it comes from any more.

running successful farm visits and inclassroom based activities is one of the We don’t just show children how a farm most important elements to ensuring works, we help them understand what it the next generation better understand means to have a healthy diet.” the link to their food, the management FACE have helped many farmers to run of the countryside and the vital work their own countryside classrooms. which the farming industry undertakes.”

They offer CEVAS (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) training programmes, intended to develop the farms educational offering.

The FACE website states: “We believe that supporting and training farmers in

Page 20 | March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Many people have expressed fears for the eventual demise of farming, with only 4% of young people considering a career in the field. This is not the case at Swillington Organic Farm.

The atmosphere is lively and everything

caters towards a dynamic and educational experience.

The scheme also appears very forward thinking and honest with the claim. “We want to help you eat less meat but eat better meat by revolutionising the connection between field and fork.”

Mrs Cartwright believes many children have been inspired by their farm visits: “We treat them like little farmers for the day. They love it. We answer their questions truthfully and they understand why the process is there.

“Children will always benefit when you stop sitting them in front of the television and get them outdoors doing something real. Some of them do end the day with new career goals.”

Swillington Organic Farm offer educational trips for schools and their children.

What the survey says

glamourised. It is hard to do that with farming as it is so labour intensive. Kids like food in pretty packaging. They will always go for that over locally farmed goods. All we can do is try to steer them into more informed choices and hope their parents do too.”

6% of 14-16 year olds told the sur1produced vey that they thought dairy cows eggs.

The survey by BNF had also found that 48% of the children said they “knew lots about healthy eating but either do not follow it or do not always follow it”. With child obesity on the rise, it is worrying that 27% of children consider fruit pastille sweets to be one of their five a day.

23% of 5-7 year olds believed 3broccoli that bananas, roast chicken and belonged to the dairy food

Sarah Townend, Director at FACE, believes the key to the future of farming Not every farmer is so optimistic. Angela will be focusing “not only on the health Broadhead, 48, works at Swithens Farm of our children, but on the health of our in Leeds and although the farm actively planet”. promotes and partakes in the countryside classroom scheme, she believes the If farming can change and develop to problem cannot be fixed in a single day. become more sustainable, children will want to be involved as it effects the “Children do love our countryside class- world they will grow up in. room days,” she explains, “but once they Miss Townend states: “This is a masleave and return to their iPads it is very sive part of what FACE want to address. easy and convenient to just buy prodCountryside classrooms aim to benefit ucts and forget all about what they’ve the agriculture industry as a whole and learned. ultimately encourage people to view Everything today is sensationalised and farming as adaptable and modern.”

14% of 5-7 year olds say that bacon 2chickens. is the produce of cows sheep or

group.

13% of 8-11 year olds answered 4produced the survey saying that pasta was by animals.

10% of 11-14 year olds didn’t know 5underground. that carrots and potatoes grew of 5-7 year olds say that fish 618% fingers are made from chicken.

27% of children thought that eat7towards ing fruit pastilles would contribute one of their five-a-day. of children aged 14-16 said 827% they have their five-a-day.

Page 21| March 2018 | LeedsBusinessReview

Comment

EXIT PLAN

Sophie Barnett talks, the north south divide leaving Yorkshire behind

T

hink of King’s Cross, St Pancras and Waterloo…railway stations which, to many, are forms of architectural wonder and landmarks of our capital city. High ceilings, glossy furniture and light colours adorn the space that thousands use everyday for thier commute or simply to visit. Then think of Leeds station…or maybe don’t.

It’s not quite the same, is it? Our “central hub” is rundown, dirty, and far from an area of tourist attraction.

Now that’s the North-South divide for you. And boy, is it a divide.

Leeds is allegedly in the top five cities economically outside of London, with a booming economy and endless lifestyle opportunities. Yet, when you enter the city’s station you’re met with the grungy building, filled with low ceilings and tired design that frankly, needs a makeover.

But thanks to the secretary of state for transport, Chris Grayling, Leeds station will not be getting a revamp anytime soon. A recent report conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North think tank, revealed that planned transport investment in London is two and a half times higher perperson than in the North. Now the drab and dreary welcome to our city is starting to make more sense.

We can attempt to improve our transport all we like.

But without any money being pumped in, there’s not a great deal we can do. Without the funding and backing of the government we will be stuck with our lifeless station. First impressions count and at the moment, our station just isn’t cutting it. Our hopes of a small scale inter-city transport system will go out the window, despite being desperately after it for years.

Luke Raikes, Senior researcher at IPPR North says: “The North’s economy has been mismanaged by central government for many decades and has suffered as a result. Transport investment in the North would mean more and better jobs, but it will take a generation and a lot of investment to get to that point.”

The city’s potential is being held back by something we can’t control. Our country has been divided for too long, but it doesn’t look like much will change anytime soon.

Rains added: “If there are more broken promises then people will question whether the government really cares about the North, and whether the Northern Powerhouse agenda is more than just talk.”

Page 22| March 2018| LeedsBusinessReview

But, it’s not just about linking Leeds to London.

Improved rail services connecting cities such as Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester, with the West and East Midlands, would extend our economic possibilities, and this ‘divide’ would be stopped.

Redrawing our economic geography is essential to ensuring our region becomes more involved in the national economy. This should be at the centre of our attention.

After our Capital of Culture dreams were shattered earlier this year, what better time to redraft our ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and invest in our city.

So, what are the main problems? Quality and quantity. The train lines were built in the 1800s, and even though there has been some development in terms of electrification, there has not been enough. Services are too infrequent, says Luke Raikes.

Not only are the rail services outdated, but cuts to bus services have left some communities in Yorkshire isolated. Services around Leeds are overcrowded which makes commuting a chore. I don’t remember the last time I got on the bus and didn’t struggle to find a seat.

In an ideal world, business leaders would be making the next move. A campaign to pressure political leaders into giving the North’s transport system more funding, is desperately needed. We need to stand up for what we need… but the government also needs to listen.

Its time for real investment in the furture of Leeds.

So maybe one day in the future people will flock to the city just to visit our railway station, however, I think that might be in the distant future, but we can still hope.